Sports
Novak Djokovic hints at Andy Murray future role after Carlos Alcaraz victory at Australian Open
Novak Djokovic celebrated wildly with new coach Andy Murray and hinted he could stay for the long haul after battling back from a set down to defeat Carlos Alcaraz in a thrilling Australian Open quarter-final.
The 37-year-old Serbian clinched a 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory on Rod Laver Arena to reach his 50th Grand Slam semi-final.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion immediately sought out Murray following match point, highlighting their blossoming partnership in their first major tournament together.
Speaking to the media after his victory, Djokovic hinted that Murray’s coaching role might be extended to past the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic went straight to Andy Murray after his victory over Carlos Alcaraz
Reuters
“This was a huge win for all of us, including Andy and myself, for the relationship,” Djokovic said. “That’s why I went to him, because I just felt very grateful that he’s there.”
“I feel more and more connected with Andy every day,” he added. “He’s been as committed to my career and this tournament as he can be.”
Djokovic’s triumph was overshadowed by concerns over a left-leg injury that required treatment during the opening set.
The Serbian admitted in his on-court interview: “If I had lost the second set, I don’t know if I would have continued playing.”
He required painkillers to continue the match, with treatment needed in both the first and fourth sets.
“I’m concerned, to be honest, physically,” Djokovic said. “But if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally I’m as motivated as I can be.”
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The injury is reportedly similar to the three-centimetre tear in his left hamstring that he battled through to win the title in 2023.
An extra day’s rest before his landmark 50th Grand Slam semi-final against world No 2 Alexander Zverev could prove crucial for his recovery.
Despite celebrating Djokovic’s victory, Murray has previously expressed strong admiration for Alcaraz’s playing style.
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Novak Djokovic roared at Andy Murray after his Australian Open victory
Reuters
Footage emerged of Murray consoling the young Spaniard in the gym after Tuesday’s defeat, a gesture widely praised on social media.
In March 2024, Murray wrote on X that watching the reigning Wimbledon and French Open champion made him “smile”.
“I love watching Alcaraz ’cause of the way that he plays the game,” Murray told Tennis Channel. “He’s just got so much variety and power, and he tries stuff.”
Alcaraz had been touched by Murray’s praise, stating: “It’s crazy, honestly. He has seen a lot of tennis during his career. Seeing these words from him for me is great.”
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Novak Djokovic had to overcome injury to land a comeback win over Carlos Alcaraz
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Djokovic’s victory marked several historic milestones in his illustrious career.
He became only the second player in the Open Era to reach 50 singles semi-finals at Grand Slam events, after Chris Evert’s 52.
It also marked his 12th Australian Open semi-final appearance, second only to Roger Federer’s 15 in the Open Era.
The Serbian holds an 8-4 head-to-head record against his semi-final opponent Zverev, including victory in their last Australian Open meeting in 2021.
Andy Murray could remain in Novak Djokovic’s corner for the foreseeable future
Reuters
Reflecting on his quarter-final triumph, Djokovic said: “It felt like it was final of a Slam, to be honest I wish it was.”
The victory keeps alive his hopes of securing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, which would surpass Margaret Court’s all-time record.
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has stepped back from his description of his team as “maybe” the worst side in the club’s history but said it would be “delusional” to think they do not have major problems.
Amorim said he made a mistake by ripping into his players immediately after the 3-1 home defeat against Brighton on Sunday, which he felt then led to his press conference outburst afterwards.
Asked about the storm his comments created before United’s Europa League game against Rangers, Amorim said he was talking more about himself than his players.
But he also accepted results since he took over in November – 11 points and six defeats from 11 Premier League games – were not good enough.
“I was talking more for myself than for my players,” he said. “But sometimes it is really hard to hide my frustration in that moment.
“The good thing is I said the same things in a different way in the dressing room five minutes before. The response was quite normal because I’m really blunt with my players.
“Normally I don’t talk (to the players) after a game. After this game, I needed to talk. Maybe it was a mistake because then I got more nervous, went to the press conference really nervous and said things I shouldn’t say.”
However, Amorim did not say he regretted the general observation that his team is in major trouble.
While three successive victories have put United in a good position to secure a top-eight berth and direct entry to the Europa League’s last 16, they are out of the League Cup and are 13th in the Premier League.
Amorim believes it would be unhelpful to try to disguise the fact there are significant issues that must be resolved.
“I am not taking the responsibility from the players,” he said. “I am saying, and I am really direct in these things, at this moment we are performing really badly and our results are really bad.
“I’m saying the obvious. If you want, I can be delusional and say different things. But I say it as I saw it.
“I think it is a good thing to be really honest. You saw one thing, I saw one thing. If you are in the stadium you can understand it. So let’s face it and work on it.”
However, Amorim and defender Harry Maguire have different explanations as to why United have been so poor – particularly at Old Trafford, where they have lost four of their last five league games.
United’s six defeats in their opening 12 home league games is their worst performance since 1893-94.
Amorim focused on the anxiety that ripples through his team when they play on home soil.
“It’s clear,” he said. “We are more nervous playing at home than away and it’s getting harder.”
However England defender Maguire pointed to United going behind in all of their last five league games – including in three of them conceding within five minutes.
“If I could explain it, we’d change it straightaway,” said Maguire. “We have players who have won lots of trophies in club football but we are not playing well enough as a team.
“We gave Brighton a goal. We had spoken about it pre-match. The first goal against Nottingham Forest was a set play – and against Bournemouth.
“These aren’t things that are tactically a problem. You have to be mentally ready to win a match. At the moment we are not getting the small margins because we are not mentally focused.”
Central defender Victor Lindelof has returned to training after missing the previous seven matches while striker Marcus Rashford also took part in the main session despite not featuring since being axed for last month’s Manchester derby.
Antony and Alejandro Garnacho are also expected to be involved despite being linked with transfer window moves away from the club.
Sports
Jannik Sinner provides health update after Alex De Minaur victory amid concerns over wellbeing
World number one Jannik Sinner brushed aside concerns about his health with a commanding straight-sets victory over home favourite Alex De Minaur in the Australian Open quarter-finals.
The defending champion showed no lingering effects from his previous round’s medical issues, dispatching the Australian 6-3 6-2 6-1 in just one hour and 48 minutes.
The 23-year-old Italian’s performance marked a remarkable turnaround from his troubled match against Holger Rune two days earlier.
In his previous match, Sinner had required a lengthy medical timeout against Rune, appearing visibly shaken and admitting to feeling unwell.
Jannik Sinner suffered a health scare in his last match against Holger Rune
Reuters
The Italian explained his quick recovery: “(Tuesday) was a very easy day, I played just half an hour, 40 minutes.
“I feel like the illness has gone away now. I was feeling much, much better this morning,
“I feel like, especially when you’re young, you recover very fast.”
“I have a very experienced team with me, which I’m very grateful and happy (for),” he added, noting he knew immediately he was ready for the quarter-final.
For De Minaur, it was a familiar outcome against his Italian rival, having lost all nine previous encounters and winning just one set in their head-to-head meetings.
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Jannik Sinner was in flying form against Alex De Minaur
Reuters
Sinner’s dominance was evident across all aspects of the match, with his weight of shot proving too much for De Minaur to handle.
“I feel like today I was feeling everything,” Sinner said after the match. “When you have days like this and you break early in each set, it makes it a bit easier.”
The Italian remained focused throughout, acknowledging that such matches “can change very fast if I go down with the level a little bit.”
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Jannik Sinner is the favourite to win the Australian Open
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Sinner will now face American Ben Shelton in Friday’s semi-final showdown.
Shelton, 22, secured his spot in the last four with a hard-fought 6-4 7-5 4-6 7-6 (4) victory over unseeded Italian Lorenzo Sonego in just under four hours.
The 21st-seeded American, who reached the US Open semi-finals in 2023, benefited from a quarter of the draw that opened up following early exits of several top-10 seeds.
“I feel relieved right now,” Shelton said after his win. “Shout out to Lorenzo Sonego because that was some ridiculous tennis.”
Earlier this week, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic refused to do his usual on-court interview after his fourth-round win against Jiri Lehecka following what he described as “insulting and offensive” comments by Channel Nine’s Tony Jones.
Jones shouted “Novak, he’s over-rated, Novak’s a has-been, Novak kick him out” towards Djokovic fans while live on air at the Australian Open on Friday.
The Australian broadcaster has since apologised for his remarks but Shelton says that incident was not a one-off.
“I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,” he said.
“I don’t think that [Djokovic being mocked] was just a single event. I’ve noticed it with different people, not just myself.”
Shelton also referred to an “embarrassing and disrespectful” on-court interview with 19-year-old American Learner Tien after his shock second-round victory against fifth seed Daniil Medvedev.
The on-court interviewer told Tien “19-year-olds aren’t meant to be that good” before asking him if he had heard of his third-round opponent Corentin Moutet.
“I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won matches on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments,” added Shelton.
“I feel like there’s just been a lot of negativity. I think that’s something that needs to change.”
BBC Sport has contacted Tennis Australia, which organises the Australian Open, for comment.
Sami Khedira makes his selection of the best five midfielders ever to play the game.
Former Crystal Palace star Wilfried Zaha has completed a loan move to Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC from Galatasaray until January 2026, with an option to extend until June 2026.
The 32-year-old winger will occupy a Designated Player spot at the North Carolina-based franchise, allowing him to be signed outside the club’s salary cap.
Zaha has already trained with his new teammates as he prepares for his first stint in American football.
The Ivory Coast international joins Charlotte after a disappointing spell at Lyon, where he made just six appearances this season.
Wilfried Zaha has left Galatasaray on loan to join Charlotte FC in the MLS
Only one of those matches was as a starter, with Zaha limited to 112 minutes of action during his brief time in Ligue 1.
His sole contribution came in the form of an assist during a Europa League victory over Olympiacos.
Charlotte FC’s General Manager Zoran Krneta expressed his delight at securing the former Premier League star’s signature.
“Wilfried is a world class talent who has proven himself at the highest level of the sport as an elite goal scorer and chance creator,” said Krneta.
“His performances in the Premier League and on the international level speak for themselves and we are confident that Wilfried can make an immediate impact in Major League Soccer.”
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Prior to his Charlotte move, Zaha had joined Galatasaray on a three-year deal in the summer of 2023 after his Crystal Palace contract expired.
His time in Turkey proved successful, with 10 goals and five assists in 42 appearances as Galatasaray clinched the Super Lig title.
The move to Turkey came after Palace had offered him a new four-year contract worth £200,000 per week, but the forward opted for a fresh challenge abroad.
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WIlfried Zaha will link up with former Aston Villa and Leicester boss Dean Smith
At Charlotte, Zaha will work under former Aston Villa manager Dean Smith, joining a squad that includes ex-Premier League players Ashley Westwood and Tim Ream.
The MLS side finished fifth in the Eastern Conference last season in what proved to be a promising campaign.
Their playoff journey came to an end in November, suffering elimination on penalties to Orlando City.
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Sports
Australian Open 2025: Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa to put friendship aside in semi-final showdown
Seeing a friendly face is supposed to be a good thing.
Yet when Aryna Sabalenka and Paula Badosa take to the court for their Australian Open semi-final on Thursday, it may only add to the pressure.
The pair are close friends with Sabalenka going so far as to call Badosa her “soulmate” in Stuttgart last year.
“I love Paula very much,” the 26-year-old Belarusian said.
“She is an incredible person. It is very important to have friends on the circuit, so when you find someone who you feel is your soulmate, it is the best thing that can happen to you.”
Their friendship has grown over the past few years with the pair practising together and wearing matching outfits during the 2024 US Open, as well as posting about each other on social media.
“We realised that we had very similar personalities and we get along very well, and that we’re both very, very competitive,” Badosa told the Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast, external in March.
“It’s very nice for me having a friend on tour because it’s very tough to find.”
But with a place in the final at stake, that friendship will have to be put on hold in Melbourne.
This is not the first meeting between the two – they have played eight times before, with Sabalenka winning the past six – but it is comfortably the most high-profile.
World number one Sabalenka is bidding to win a third straight Australian Open title, while it is 27-year-old Badosa’s first time in the last four of a Grand Slam.
The Spaniard shocked sixth seed Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals as her remarkable recovery from a back injury, that she feared would force her to retire only a year ago, continues.
“It’s tough to play your best friend,” Sabalenka said after beating Badosa in Stuttgart.
However, difficult as it may be, once they walk out on Rod Laver Arena, all sentiment will be put to one side.
“We know how to separate things,” Badosa added.
“We decided a long time ago that off the court we are friends, while on the court she really wants to win, I really want to win,” said Sabalenka, who beat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in the quarter-finals.
“So on the court we are competitors and there is no place for friendship.”
Manchester City have signed Brazil forward Kerolin from North Carolina Courage for an undisclosed fee.
The 25-year-old, who has 45 caps, has agreed a three-and-a-half-year contract.
She is City’s third signing of the January transfer window after Rebecca Knaak and Aemu Oyama.
The National Women’s Soccer League Most Valuable Player in 2023, Kerolin won a silver medal with Brazil at last year’s Olympics in Paris.
“I’m so excited to be here,” she said. “There were a lot of reasons why I chose City and one of those was to play in the Champions League.
“I think the players [in the Women’s Super League] are really technical and the team is compact. I want to be better, to learn different things and to come here to be challenged.”
City women’s director of football Therese Sjogran said: “Kerolin comes to Manchester City with a wealth of experience under her belt at just 25 [and] with a real desire and hunger to take her game to the next level.
“Kerolin is creative, quick and will add even more firepower to our forward line. We have a shared ambition to be the best not only in England but also in Europe.”
City are fourth in the table, nine points behind leaders Chelsea.
They face Manchester United for the second time in four days in Wednesday’s WSL Cup quarter-final.
American tennis star Ben Shelton has launched a scathing criticism of Australian Open broadcasters following his quarter-final victory at Melbourne Park.
Shelton, who defeated Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego 6-4, 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(4) at Rod Laver Arena, used his post-match press conference to address what he described as ‘shocking’ treatment of players.
“I’ve been a little bit shocked this week with how players have been treated by the broadcasters,” Shelton said in an unprompted statement.
The American highlighted specific instances of disrespectful commentary, including remarks about Gaël Monfils potentially being his father and questions about crowd support.
American tennis star Ben Shelton has launched a scathing criticism of Australian Open broadcasters following his quarter-final victory at Melbourne Park
REUTERS
He particularly criticised the treatment of fellow American Learner Tien during a post-match interview with John Fitzgerald.
The incident occurred after Tien’s upset victory over Daniil Medvedev, where Fitzgerald told the 19-year-old that players his age “are not meant to be that good.”
Fitzgerald also made an uncomfortable comment about knowing where Tien lived in Newport Beach.
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Interesting end to Ben Shelton’s press conference.
Unprompted, he took a moment to tear into the quality of local broadcasting and specifically on-court interviewing at #AusOpen. pic.twitter.com/ig76VrKq2C
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 22, 2025
Shelton’s criticism follows a recent controversy involving Novak Djokovic, who refused to participate in an on-court interview after his fourth-round victory over Jiří Lehečka.
Djokovic’s boycott was directed at Nine presenter Tony Jones, who had mocked Serbian fans, and the former world No 1 himself, during a live broadcast.
Jones has since apologised for the incident, and Djokovic resumed on-court interviews with Jim Courier following his quarter-final win against Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday.
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The controversy adds to a history of awkward interviews at the Australian Open, including a notable incident in 2015 when reporter Ian Cohen asked Canada’s Eugenie Bouchard to twirl to show off her outfit.
More recently, defending champion Jannik Sinner faced an uncomfortable exchange with John McEnroe, who questioned him about junior matches despite Sinner being known for not participating in junior tournaments.
Shelton will have his next opportunity to face the media when he meets Sinner in Friday’s semi-final.
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He emphasised that broadcasters should play a more constructive role in tennis coverage.
“I feel like broadcasters should be helping us grow our sport and help these athletes who just won matches on the biggest stage enjoy one of their biggest moments,” he said.
Ben Shelton will face Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals of the Australian Open on Friday
REUTERS
The American star expressed concern about the overall tone of media interactions.
“I feel like there’s just been a lot of negativity. I think that’s something that needs to change,” Shelton concluded.
Wilfried Zaha has joined Major League Soccer club Charlotte FC on loan until January 2026, with an option to extend until June 2026.
The former Crystal Palace forward is currently on loan with Lyon having joined from Galatasaray last summer.
He has made just six appearances for the French side this season, five of them as a substitute.
Zaha, 32, will fill a Designated Player spot at Charlotte – a rule which allows an MLS franchise to sign up to three players that would be considered outside a club’s salary cap.
Zoran Krneta, general manager of the North Carolina-based franchise, described Zaha as a “world class talent” and an “elite goalscorer”.
He added: “Wilfried’s performances in the Premier League and on the international level speak for themselves and we are confident he can make an immediate impact in Major League Soccer.”
Zaha made 458 appearances for Palace, the third-most in the club’s history, and scored 90 goals.
He joined Manchester United in 2013 but returned to Selhurst Park a year later, initially on loan.
The Ivory Coast international moved to Galatasaray on a three-year deal after his contract with the Eagles expired in the summer of 2023.
In his one season with the Turkish side, Zaha scored 10 goals and claimed five assists in 42 games as Galatasaray were crowned Super Lig champions.
Sports
Ruben Amorim explains controversial ‘worst in history’ comments ahead of Man Utd and Rangers clash
Ruben Amorim has insisted he was referring more to himself than his Manchester United players when he said his side were ‘arguably the worst’ Red Devils team in history following their 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday.
The fallen giants were shambolic as the visitors claimed all three points courtesy of goals from Yankuba Minteh, Kaoura Mitoma and Georginio Rutter.
After the game, Amorim raised eyebrows with a brutal admission.
He said: “We are being the worst team maybe in the history of Manchester United.
Ruben Amorim has insisted he was referring more to himself than his Manchester United players when he said his side were ‘arguably the worst’ Red Devils team in history following their 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday
PA
“I know that you want headlines, but I’m saying that because we have to acknowledge that and to change that. Here you go, your headlines.”
United are next in action against Rangers on Thursday.
And Amorim, speaking at his pre-match press conference, has now provided an explanation for his comments by insisting he was referring to himself, rather than his players.
“First of all, I want to talk about that. I was talking more about myself than for my players. It’s more for me, talking more about me than the players,” he said.
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“You have to look at a coach that loses eight games in the first twelve.”
“If you look around when I speak, every time you push about the players not being good enough, I take the spotlight away from my players. I understand I gave you that headline but I get frustrated sometimes.
“Sometimes it’s really hard to hide the frustration in some moments.
“They’ve trained well and they’re ready for the next game.”
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Amorim was then asked if why he was taking responsiblity, rather than the players.
He responded by saying: “I’m not taking responsibility away from the players, what I’m saying is the message you guys show was that I’m putting on the players.
“In this moment, we are performing really bad and our results are really bad in the moment.
“It’s everything together, the players, the staff, and I’m the biggest responsible for the results.
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Ruben Amorim ripped into his Man Utd players after their 3-1 defeat to Brighton on Sunday
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“What I’m saying is that we have to improve in the details. We are too anxious, too anxious with the ball, too nervous.
“And then if you have a little inexperience in this game, when you fall in this context, it’s really hard to come up, especially if you’re a massive club.
“It is what it is. Was it the right time to say it? Probably not.
“I’m saying I’m really direct. At the moment we are playing really bad and the results are really bad in the moment.
Ruben Amorim will be hoping to guide Man Utd to victory over Rangers on Thursday night
PA
“Everything is bad, the players, the staff. I’m just saying I’m the most responsible, because I’m the coach and I have that responsibility.”
United last faced off against Rangers back in 2010.
Their first Champions League match that year ended goalless at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils then winning 1-0 at Ibrox courtesy of a late penalty from Wayne Rooney.
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