Jack Draper revealed he has barely watched any tennis during his enforced sabbatical.

The British number one made his comeback from a near seven-month injury lay-off with a comfortable Davis Cup victory over Norway’s Viktor Durasovic in Oslo.

The complex “bone bruising” injury in his left arm meant Draper had to take the tough decision to miss last month’s Australian Open as he was not yet ready for five-set matches.

But rather than watch contemporaries Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic in Melbourne, Draper took a step back from the sport.

“In all honesty, in this period. I haven’t really been following it too much,” he said. “It’s something I put my whole life into and so I knew that when this injury came about, I had to maybe take a step back and not be so intense with it.

“I think that’s helped me off the court and to keep on improving on the court as well, because tennis is a bubble and sometimes you can get kind of distracted, and that it’s all that matters in life.

“Whereas when you have this kind of injury, you have time out and I used it wisely, I think, to try and make sure that when I come back to tennis and my arm is OK, that I’m ready to go all the way again.”

open image in gallery

Draper, who has played just one singles match since Wimbledon last year, needed just 59 minutes to wrap up a 6-2 6-2 win and give Great Britain a flying start in the first qualifying round.

It was hard to gauge precisely what Draper’s level is against Durasovic, ranked a lowly 313. However, eight aces, just 10 points dropped on serve and a healthy smattering of forehand winners was certainly an encouraging start.

“It’s been a long, long time since I’ve been able to compete on the match court and today was a great opportunity to do that,” he added.

“Obviously it’s been a difficult time for me, but I’m glad with the way I came back and I’m proud of my performance today.”

open image in gallery

Advertisement

British number two Cameron Norrie, fresh from his run to the third round down under, had by far the tougher match against teenager Nicolai Budkov Kjaer, a former Wimbledon juniors champion, in the second singles rubber.

But the 30-year-old ground out a 6-4 6-4 win to put Great Britain 2-0 up going into day two of the first-qualifying round tie.

Leon Smith’s team can take an unassailable 3-0 lead if Wimbledon doubles champions Lloyd Glasspool and Julian Cash win the opening match on Friday afternoon.

• 

• Watch the World Baseball Classic on Sportsnet

  The World Baseball Classic is back for its sixth edition, running from March 5-17 in Miami, Houston, San Juan and Tokyo. Catch all the action on Sportsnet and Sportsnet+.

  Broadcast schedule

Despite leading the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during his storied two-decade career with the franchise, Tom Brady said he doesn’t have “a dog in the fight” in this week’s big game.

Brady’s stance drew strong responses from both his former teammates and current Patriots players.

Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane was among those who expressed angst over Brady’s position. “Personally it makes me sick,” Spillane said Thursday during a Super Bowl week media availability, via MassLive.com. “But at the end of the day [he’s a Patriot]; he has a dog in the fight. So for him to say that, it is what it is. At the end of the day, he’s an owner of the Las Vegas Raiders now, so he has to do what’s best for him.”

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

New England Patriots linebacker Robert Spillane (14) speaks to media during Opening Night for Super Bowl LX at San Jose Convention Center on Feb. 2, 2026 in San Jose, California. (Cary Edmondson/Imagn Images)

Brady holds a minority stake in the Las Vegas Raiders. 

Spillane appeared in 13 regular season games in his first year in New England, recording 48 tackles.

Brady reflected on his unprecedented run in New England during a recent edition of his “Let’s Go!” Sirius XM podcast with sportscaster Jim Gray, saying, “We did it for 20 years. There was a little bit of a hiatus in there, but the Patriots are back, and it’s a very exciting time for everyone in New England.”

‘NFL REDZONE’ HOST SCOTT HANSON EXPLAINS WHY SAM DARNOLD IS TOP SUPER BOWL LX ‘HUMAN INTEREST STORY’

He added that he hoped “to see a good game” on Sunday.

Tom Brady looks on before the NFC Wild Card Playoff game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the San Francisco 49ers at Lincoln Financial Field on Jan. 11, 2026 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Mitchell Leff/Getty Images)

Those comments were not well-received by Patriots greats, including Rob Gronkowski, who played with Brady in New England and Tampa Bay. Gronkowski said he has not discussed this week’s Patriots-Seahawks game with Brady but suggested a reason for the seven-time Super Bowl winner’s neutral stance.

“He probably wants to be the quarterback,” Gronkowski said Wednesday during an appearance on “Up & Adams,” before adding, “He’s that competitive. He probably wants to be the guy in the Super Bowl right now.”

Two-time Super Bowl winner and former Patriots defensive tackle Vince Wilfork described Brady’s take as “bullcrap.”

Former New England Patriots player Vince Wilfork reacts before a game against the Baltimore Ravens at Gillette Stadium on Sept. 25, 2022 in Foxborough, Massachusetts. (Paul Rutherford/USA TODAY Sports)

Another former New England star, Asante Samuel, chimed in, saying in a string of social media posts that he was “highly disappointed” in the retired quarterback for “not rooting for your ex-teammate, Mike Vrabel.” Samuel also suggested that Brady was envious of Drake Maye’s rise.

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs argued Brady’s role as a sports network broadcaster — not just a Patriots icon — explains his neutral stance. “Does Tony Romo still pull for the Cowboys? I’d be surprised,” Diggs said Thursday. “I think Peyton Manning still loves Denver. I don’t hear him say too much about the Colts.”

Brady is Fox Sports’ lead NFL analyst and called last year’s Super Bowl.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Premier League Darts is played across 16 initial weeks in the league stage with quarter-finals, semi-finals and a final each night.

Each of the eight players is guaranteed to face the other seven in the quarter-finals in weeks one to seven and 9-15, with week eight and week 16 fixtures done off the table. It means we will get fourth v fifth in Sheffield on the final league-stage night, with the play-off spots potentially on the line.

Players earn two points per quarter-final win, an additional point if they win their semi-final and five for winning the night.

The top four players after the group stage progress to the play-off night at London’s O2 Arena on 23 May, with first facing fourth and second against third in a best-of-19-leg match. The final, which is the best of 21 legs, follows.

If players are level on points after the 16 weeks then places are decided by nights won and then matches won.

Atlético Madrid produced a dominant display to beat Real Betis 5-0 and cruise into the Copa del Rey semi-finals, extending their unbeaten away run in all competitions to eight matches.

Betis came into the game with confidence after winning their previous five home matches. They almost took an early lead in the sixth minute when Abde Ezzalzouli controlled a long pass and curled a shot just wide of the far post.

However, it was Atletico who struck first. In the 12th minute, captain Koke delivered a corner to the near post and David Hancko headed in to score his second goal of the season.

Atlético nearly doubled their lead four minutes later when new signing Ademola Lookman broke through on goal, but the debutant dragged his shot wide. Betis also missed a chance to score when Nelson Deossa fired wide from the edge of the box, and they were punished soon after.

Giuliano Simeone, who had scored at this ground earlier in the season, made it 2-0 by tapping in Matteo Ruggeri’s low cross after a quick move down the left. Eight minutes before half-time, Lookman opened his Atletico account. He controlled Pablo Barrios’ pass, cut inside two defenders and finished calmly to complete a rapid counter-attack.

Betis, who had scored in 28 of their last 29 Copa del Rey matches, tried to respond after the break. Ezzalzouli had a chance three minutes into the second half but hit his shot straight at goalkeeper Juan Musso.

Atletico remained in control and added a fourth goal just after the hour mark. Lookman set up Antoine Griezmann, who fired through the hands of Adrian to score his fourth goal of the competition this season.

With the result beyond doubt, Diego Simeone made several changes. Substitute Thiago Almada completed the scoring seven minutes from time, finishing from close range after Adrian saved Griezmann’s initial effort.

The win marked Atletico’s 11th victory in their last 14 meetings with Betis and handed the hosts only their fourth home defeat of the season. Betis will have little time to recover, as they are set to face Atletico again in LaLiga on Sunday.

Since its inception, name, image and likeness (NIL) deals have transformed not just how college sports operate, but professional sports.

Collegiate players, knowing they can stay in school for another year and make substantial money, do not have to turn professional to make money. 

Former NFL agent Ben Dogra cited Oregon quarterback Dante Moore returning to college instead of declaring for the NFL Draft as something that might not have happened before NIL.

“I think it still remains to be seen because it’s still relatively new, but I think you’re seeing, based on what happened with the quarterback at Oregon, Moore staying in school. I would never have anticipated a player that would go possibly top 10 in the draft, let alone the top five, would actually stay in school with the amount of money that he’s willing to risk,” Dogra told Fox News Digital in a recent interview.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore looks to pass against the Indiana Hoosiers in the first half of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl, a College Football Playoff semifinal, at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta Jan. 9, 2026. (Brett Davis/Imagn Images)

Moore was being projected in some mock drafts to go as high as No. 2 overall to the New York Jets before deciding to return. Dogra wasn’t sure how big the NIL deal that Moore signed to stay with Oregon was but thought it influenced his decision.

“I know it’s an individual decision, but with NIL and when you look at Oregon and you see one of their biggest donors in (Phil) Knight of Nike, I don’t know what was promised or what was done, but I think it was significant enough (to have) allowed the young man to think, ‘Wait a minute, I don’t want to go out,’ the way he did, throwing a pick six, and they think they have a chance to win a national championship,” Dogra said.

Dogra said he expected players projected in the third and fourth rounds, maybe the second round, to return to school but not someone who was projected to go as high as Moore was. He said some players would make more money returning to school than declaring for the NFL Draft if they were projected to be a mid-round pick.

“And some players want to stay in college,” Dogra said. “Because they’re making more money than if they’re drafted, right? I mean, that’s the vast majority, because there’s only 32 first-round picks, whether you like it or not. That’s it. 

“And then you’ve got 32 second-round picks. That’s where the money is. Once you start getting in the third round, that’s a functional starter. Could be a very good player. But those are (where) you’re filling out your roster, and you’re hoping to steal those players in the third and fourth round.”

NCAA INVESTIGATES AFTER DABO SWINNEY RAISES TRANSFER PORTAL TAMPERING ACCUSATIONS AGAINST OLE MISS

Oregon Ducks quarterback Dante Moore (5) passes for a 20-yard touchdown in the second quarter during a College Football Playoff first-round game against James Madison at Autzen Stadium in Eugene, Ore., Dec. 20, 2025. (Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Dogra cited current Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers as someone who opted to go to the NFL Draft instead of transferring out of Texas and extending his college career.

“The test cases aren’t out there, but Quinn Ewers is a pretty prime example. All-American. He had to move on from Texas because the commitment was to Arch Manning. And, instead of going to another school, which I think they reported that he was going to make like $7 million in NIL, he elected to go to the draft. He won’t make $7 million where he was drafted.”

Ewers was drafted in the seventh round of the 2025 NFL Draft and signed a four-year, $4.3 million contract. Not only will Ewers make less, Dogra said, he could be out of the NFL sooner because of when he was drafted.

“In four years, he might be out of the league because you don’t get the same amount of chances as a late-round pick as you do as a first-round pick. First-round picks, they give you every opportunity to succeed because the general manager is going to let you be on that team for three years, or he’s getting fired, right?” Dogra said.

MIAMI STAR LINEBACKER EYEING RETURN FOR 8TH SEASON OF COLLEGE FOOTBALL: REPORTS

Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers passes against Ohio State during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game in Arlington, Texas, Jan. 10, 2025. (AP Photo/Gareth Patterson)

Dogra said NIL will not only affect who stays and goes in college football. In the pre-NIL era, college athletes weren’t allowed to sign with agents until after their final college game.

Dogra said that while that rule remains in place, there is a different dynamic in the agent-player interaction.

“Now, it’s a different dynamic. Although that rule remains in place with NIL, you’re seeing that agents and marketing agents are getting these players a lot faster than you ever anticipated,” Dogra said.

“It’s almost like hockey. So, now you’re going after these players in high school. So, if you go after them in high school, how are you going to disseminate that information on how good that player is going to translate five, six years from now? So, it’s really Russian roulette.”

With contacts between players and agents being earlier in their career than they’ve ever been, Dogra said agents have to weigh different options for how they want to cultivate the relationship.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS APP

Miami Dolphins quarterback Quinn Ewers looks to hand the ball off to a teammate against the New England Patriots during the first quarter at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., Jan. 4, 2026. (David Butler II/Imagn Images)

“It’s the wild, wild west as I say because if you go early and you cultivate that relationship, you could get stale and old,” Dogra said. “And if that happens, you’re not going to sign the player. That’s happening. 

“But on the flip hand, if you develop that relationship early and that player pans out, and you build that credibility, now you’re going to be in the driver’s seat for when they’re eligible and it’s going to be really hard for other people to break down that door. So, it can go either way. But it’s a lot more work. It’s a lot more uncertain.

“That’s going to be very dangerous and dicey for agents. It looks good. But a lot of those agents are going to lose players because recruiting is sales. That’s all it is. And if you … undersell and overperform, you’re going to keep the player. But (the) tendency in recruiting is very simple. You oversell and underproduce because you’ll move on to next year’s guy. And with this transfer portal, you just don’t know. There’s no continuity anymore.”

Dogra represented Adrian Peterson, Patrick Willis, Mario Williams and Richard Sherman during his career.

Follow Fox News Digital’s sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.

Michael van Gerwen hopes to keep challenging in the Premier League after storming to victory on the opening night in Newcastle with a 6-4 win over Gian van Veen in the final.

Debutant Van Veen dispatched Luke Littler and Jonny Clayton on his way to facing seven-time Premier League winner Van Gerwen in an all-Dutch final.

Van Gerwen raced ahead to take a 3-1 lead, but Van Veen put up a fight and remained close behind the world number four throughout.

With a 5-4 advantage, Van Gerwen was able to hit double 14 to win the match and open this year’s Premier League campaign with victory, having not won a night in the 2025 tournament.

He said: “Mentally, I’m strong and I know what I’m capable of. As long as you keep on your own ability and performances, I know I’m capable of doing this.

“Last year I had a very crap Premier League, if I can say that. As long as you keep believing your own ability anything is possible.

“I’m going to give it a go, I’m going to challenge anything that comes in my path. I want to beat them, simple as that.

“It’s a very long route, but winning games is the best medicine for your form and everything.

“As long as you keep battling your own battles, winning games, you get confidence then (that) anything is possible.”

Van Gerwen eased into the final four with a 6-2 quarter-final victory over Stephen Bunting, winning six successive legs having trailed 2-0.

The Dutchman then came up against Luke Humphries after the world number two edged through with a 6-5 win over Gerwyn Price in the last eight.

A tight semi-final saw Van Gerwen pull away, where he hit a 114 checkout to reach the final and the Dutchman was pleased with his performance.

Van Gerwen said: “I think I did OK. Of course I know exactly what I did, I played (the) first game OK. After that I did everything at the right moments, whether it was finishing or the scoring.

“Whenever I had to do well, I did well and that makes you win games. Of course winning the points, that’s the most important thing in the Premier League, winning points.”

Van Gerwen moves to the top of the standings, two points ahead of compatriot Van Veen, who reached the final in stunning fashion, starting with a quarter-final upset against world champion Littler.

In a rematch of this year’s World Championship final – where Littler emerged victorious – the Dutchman battled to a 6-4 victory over the world number one.

A cagey final leg saw Van Veen miss double six as he looked to wrap up the match before Littler attempted a 95 checkout, but fell just short and the Dutchman held his nerve to clinch the win.

Victory set up a semi-final meeting with Clayton after the 2021 Premier League champion averaged 109.81 in beating debutant Josh Rock 6-2 in the first match of the night.

Van Veen struggled slightly on the outer ring early in the semi-final, but in the final leg he threw an 11-darter and finished with a 42 checkout to win 6-4, booking his spot in his maiden Premier League final.