Sport
As it happened Australian Open day one: Djokovic praises Croatian teen after four-hour clash; Sabalenka wins in straight sets
Follow all the action from Melbourne Park as day one of the 2024 Australian Open gets under way, with reigning singles champions Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka due on court.
- by Marnie Vinall and Roy Ward
‘That was awesome’: O’Connell tastes epic win, but Sweeny, Kubler lose five-setters
- by Marc McGowan and Carla Jaeger
How Djokovic stays ahead of Generation Next: A triumph in six charts
- by Jake Niall and Nathan Perri
Cricket
Smith the opener dares quicks to bounce him with new ball
Steve Smith says the world’s quickest bowlers will have to risk wasting their new ball if they want to pummel him with short-pitched bowling now that he’s an opening batsman.
- by Daniel Brettig
Like Bradman, Smith seeks a way out of bouncer barrage
A yearning for “normal cricket” has compelled Steve Smith to open the batting for Australia, as he seeks a way out of the cycle of short balls, negative tactics and slow scoring.
- by Daniel Brettig
Opinion
Test cricket
Windies greats Holding and Roberts fear glory days will never be seen again
- by Greg Chappell
Insight & Analysis
The real reason Bancroft was snubbed is he’s just not good enough
Cameron Bancroft’s non-selection has nothing to do with Sandpapergate. I know – I was in the change rooms, on the team bus and in team hotels when he was recalled in 2019.
Malcolm Conn
Chief Cricket Writer
Djokovic has already forgotten his loss to de Minaur. We’d do well to do the same
You don’t need to read between the lines to understand the United Cup was too early in the month for Novak Djokovic to get bloody for the first time in 2024.
Craig O'Shannessy
Tennis coach and analyst
Smith reinvention can rejuvenate Australian batting
Australia’s batting has been a little stale the past six months - swapping Steve Smith for David Warner would freshen things
Daniel Brettig
The Age chief cricket writer
Tennis
How Djokovic stays ahead of Generation Next: A triumph in six charts
- by Jake Niall and Nathan Perri
Chainsaws, lion’s roars and bagpipe wails: The grunts that split the tennis world
- by Jewel Topsfield and Scott Spits
AFL
Soccer
Analysis
Asian Cup
Arnie must find new answers to old questions after Australia’s ‘substandard’ Asian Cup opener
What Graham Arnold would give to have even one of Aaron Mooy, Tom Rogic, Massimo Luongo or Ajdin Hrustic with him in Qatar. Instead, he has to find other solutions to the Socceroos’ creativity shortage.
- by Vince Rugari
‘On road to recovery’: Smiling Sam Kerr’s positive message from hospital bed
The Matildas star is still in hospital after surgery but is ready for the long comeback from a devastating injury.
- by Ian Chadband
Australia 2 India 0
Asian Cup
Socceroos squeeze past India to get Asian Cup off to winning start
- by Vince Rugari
Basketball
Racing
Lundholm’s sprinter to show divine chops at Dubbo
One of the more promising and untapped sprinters in country NSW is set to claim the opening Heat of the Summer Sprint Series at Monday’s feature Dubbo meeting.
- by Neil Evans
Race-by-race preview and tips for Dubbo on Monday
Everything you need to know to find a winner at the seven-race meeting.
- by Neil Evans
NRL
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McIlroy falls short after costly blunder
Rory McIlroy has gifted Tommy Fleetwood a victory in the Dubai Invitational after a series of horror moments, costing himself $635,000 in the process.
The Weekly Sports Quiz: Do you know SuperBrat McEnroe’s sledge?
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- by Ears McEvoy