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Max Verstappen motivated as Red Bull braces for F1 changes

Four-time world champion Max Verstappen said he’s keen to get to grips with the new car Red Bull unveiled on Thursday for a 2026 Formula One season of massive change.

The team unveiled the livery for their new cars before a few hundred guests at Detroit’s Michigan Central Station, less than two months before the season opens in Melbourne on March 7.

New rules for 2026 see aerodynamic changes to make cars lighter and smaller, along with modifications to engine specifications to make for a greater contribution from electric power in the hybrid units.

“There is a lot of unknown, there are big changes in the engine, in the car,” Verstappen said. “Initially, I’ll take time to adjust during test days. The motivation is very high.”

“It always takes a bit of time to get used to things,” he added. “You need to understand where the most performance is to be found, and get comfortable in the car.

“Also, with the new engine now as well, that will take a bit of time.”

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Red Bull, which has previously relied on Honda engines, took the gamble in 2023 of developing its own engine for 2026 in partnership with automotive giant Ford, which will return to F1 22 years after its departure.

Verstappen’s run of four straight world titles ended in 2025 as McLaren’s Lando Norris claimed the prize.

But despite an inferior car, the Dutch driver battled back from a massive deficit in the standings to challenge for the title, snatching eight wins, more than either Norris or teammate Oscar Piastri.

This year, Max Verstappen will be joined by French driver Isack Hadjar, promoted to the team’s Number 2 seat after a successful rookie season with Racing Bulls.

Hadjar was also on hand for Thursday’s splashy big reveal, as was Red Bull boss Laurent Mekies, who said the sweeping regulatory changes and a new engine would make for a steep learning curve.

“I think it would simply be naive of us to think we could build our engine from scratch… and be more competitive right from the start than people who’ve been doing it for 95 years,” he told AFP.

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‘Excited’ Alcaraz hungry to break Australian Open title drought

Carlos Alcaraz warned Friday that he was “hungry” to break his Australian Open title drought and become the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam, calling it his primary target in 2026.

The world number one from Spain is the title favourite, along with two-time defending champion and great rival Jannik Sinner.

The Melbourne Park crown is the only one of the four majors that Alcaraz has never won; his best performance was the quarter-finals in 2024 and 2025.

If he goes all the way this year, he will surpass fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal as the youngest man to win all four majors. Nadal was 24 when he achieved the feat.

The 22-year-old Alcaraz, who begins his title assault against Australia’s 79th-ranked Adam Walton, said he could not wait to get going.

“I think this is my main goal for this year,” said Alcaraz, whose only warm-up was a win against Italy’s Sinner in a light-hearted exhibition match in South Korea.

“So it’s going to be really interesting for me how I prepared, which I think I just made a really good pre-season, just to be in good shape.

“I’m just hungry for the title, hungry to do a really good result here. I’m just getting ready as much as I can. I’m really excited about the tournament beginning.”

Alcaraz was asked by reporters if he would swap titles at all three of the other majors this year for one Melbourne crown.

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Underlining just how important winning the Australian Open and nailing the career Grand Slam is to him, he said he could not decide.

“I don’t know which one I would choose,” he said, smiling broadly. “Obviously complete the career Grand Slam is something amazing to do, be able to be the youngest that has done it before, you know, is even better.”

There has been much focus on Alcaraz’s coaching team in the build-up to Melbourne.

In December, the six-time major champion abruptly announced that he was splitting from coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after seven hugely successful years together, with assistant Samuel Lopez taking over.

Carlos Alcaraz began working with Ferrero, a former world number one, when he was a teenager.

Quizzed by reporters for the reasons behind the surprise split, Alcaraz said that it felt like the right time to end the partnership and was a mutual decision.

“With Juan Carlos, we decided to do it. I’m just having plenty of confidence in the team that I have right now,” he said.

“As I said, practice has been really good. I’m just feeling well. So, just excited about the tournament beginning with the team that I have right now.”

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Pakistan’s Ali Sisters to compete at 17th WSF/ESF Czech Junior Open 2026

Pakistan’s emerging squash talents, Mehwish Ali, Mahnoor Ali, and Sehrish Ali, collectively known as the Ali Sisters, are set to represent Pakistan at the 17th WSF/ESF Czech Junior Open 2026, one of Europe’s most prestigious European Junior Gold-level squash tournaments, scheduled to take place in Prague, Czech Republic, from 15 to 18 January 2026.

Sanctioned by the World Squash Federation (WSF) and the European Squash Federation (ESF), the event will feature participation from 32 countries, making it a highly competitive international junior squash tournament.

The Ali Sisters will compete in the Under-15 and Under-17 categories, aiming to test their skills against top junior players from around the world while proudly carrying Pakistan’s flag on the international stage.

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Matches will be held at two premier venues in Prague, Hector Sport Centre and Squash Bowling Centrum (SBC).

All matches will be streamed live on the ESF Squash website, providing global access for squash fans.

Pakistan’s participation in the Czech Junior Open highlights the nation’s ongoing efforts to nurture young squash talent and uphold its strong legacy in the sport.

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Carlos Alcaraz completing Grand Slam at 22 would be ‘crazy’: Roger Federer

Roger Federer said on Thursday that Carlos Alcaraz winning the Australian Open to complete the career Grand Slam aged just 22 would be “crazy”.

Spain’s Alcaraz already has six major titles, but success on the Melbourne Park hard courts is a glaring hole in his resume.

Should the world number one snap his Australia drought at the tournament starting on Sunday, he would become the youngest man to seal a career Grand Slam.

“At his young age to be able to complete the career Grand Slam already would be crazy,” Swiss legend Federer said at Melbourne Park, where he will headline a “Battle of the World No.1s” at the official launch of the 2026 Australian Open on Saturday.

“Let’s see if he’s able to do ‘crazy’ this week. I hope he does because for the game that would be an unbelievable and special moment.”

Carlos Alcaraz is aiming to surpass retired compatriot Rafael Nadal, who secured all four majors by the age of 24, but the top seed has not made it past the quarter-finals in four previous Australian Opens.

Roger Federer, a six-time Melbourne champion, compared Alcaraz’s wait to lift the title there to Rory McIlroy’s agonising attempts to win a first Masters in golf.

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The Northern Irishman finally did it last year to complete the Grand Slam.

“It’s like Rory going for the Masters. Those things are tough,” said Federer.

Alcaraz faces home hope Adam Walton in the first round.

The now-retired Federer was also asked by reporters about Joao Fonseca, an up-and-coming Brazilian tennis talent aged 19.

Federer spoke glowingly of the teenager, saying: “What separates him from a lot of the other guys in the draw is just his power — forehand, backhand, serve and just what he’s able to bring point by point.

“He’s exciting, he’s got a good aura, he’s a very likeable character as well. I like watching him play. The sky’s the limit.”

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Alcaraz beats Sinner in sold-out South Korea exhibition match

Carlos Alcaraz beat his great rival Jannik Sinner in a light-hearted sell-out exhibition match in South Korea on Saturday ahead of the Australian Open.

Eight days before the Melbourne Grand Slam and in their first appearances this year, the Spanish world number one won 7-5, 7-6 (8/6) in front of an enthusiastic 12,000 crowd in Incheon.

Neither will play competitively until the Australian Open, where Italy’s world number two Sinner is the defending two-time champion.

South Korean organisers have not said how much the two players earned, but reports in Italy suggest each could pocket more than $2 million for the match that lasted one hour and 47 minutes.

It was not always entirely serious; the smiling duo treated a packed house to some trick shots between their legs, drawing cheers, and reacting to calls from the crowd by making heart gestures.

“Jannik, we finished the season playing together. We started the season playing together,” Alcaraz said on court afterwards.

“So hopefully this season is going to be such a good one like last year. You deserve the best.”

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Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have taken a stranglehold on men’s tennis over the past two years, splitting all four Grand Slam titles between them in 2024 and 2025.

“It was a close match, so a little bit of tension also,” said Sinner.

“We were just happy to be here for the first time, seeing something new. It made us feel at home, and we felt it on the court.”

Arch competitors on the court but good friends off it, Alcaraz has the upper hand in their rivalry and came into the exhibition boasting a 10-6 head-to-head record.

They will be the favourites when the Australian Open starts in Melbourne on January 18, when the serious work begins.

Alcaraz, who at 22 is two years younger than Sinner, has never gone beyond the quarter-finals at the first Grand Slam of the year, and it is the only major he has failed to win.

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Drew McIntyre defeats Cody Rhodes to capture WWE Championship

BERLIN: Drew McIntyre defeated Cody Rhodes on Friday night to win the Undisputed WWE Championship in a brutal Three Stages of Hell match on SmackDown at the Uber Arena in Berlin, Germany.

The highly anticipated clash was the culmination of a rivalry that had been simmering for months.

McIntyre had last challenged Rhodes for the title on the November 1 edition of Saturday Night’s Main Event, where the champion retained after pinning the Scottish Warrior with a DDT on the title belt, followed by a Cross Rhodes.

Following continued attacks on the champion, SmackDown general manager Nick Aldis suspended McIntyre indefinitely.

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The former champion, however, made a dramatic return by interfering in Rhodes’ match against Oba Femi on the December 13 episode of Saturday Night’s Main Event, reigniting the feud.

Tensions escalated further when Rhodes attacked McIntyre at his home, setting the stage for Friday’s title showdown. As part of the stipulation, McIntyre was allowed to choose the stipulation for the match, and he chose the Three Stages of Hell match.

The opening fall was contested under standard rules. Drew McIntyre capitalised on a referee distraction, caused after exposing the top turnbuckle, to deliver a low blow, followed by a Claymore, to take the first fall.

Cody Rhodes responded in the second stage, a Falls Count Anywhere match that descended into chaos across the arena.

McIntyre put the champion through a table early, while Rhodes fought back with a daring frog splash from the crowd barrier. The champion eventually levelled the match by hitting a Cross Rhodes on the announce desk to secure the pinfall.

With the score tied 1-1, the steel cage was lowered for the decisive third stage. Both men, visibly exhausted, pushed themselves to the limit in a tense final stretch.

As McIntyre attempted to escape through the cage door, he was confronted by a hooded figure, revealed to be Jacob Fatu, who made a surprise return after being mysteriously attacked backstage in October.

Fatu entered the cage and attacked McIntyre before turning his attention to Rhodes. Amid the chaos, Drew McIntyre seized the opportunity to crawl out of the cage, securing the victory and the Undisputed WWE Championship.

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Aryna Sabalenka into third straight Brisbane final ahead of Australian Open

Aryna Sabalenka beat Karolina Muchova in straight sets to reach her third Brisbane International final in a row on Saturday, a week ahead of the Australian Open.

Sabalenka looked in great touch against the tricky Czech, who had won their last three meetings and went into the match as one of the few players with a winning record over the world number one.

But Sabalenka showed her class and power as she broke Muchova once in each set to take the semi-final 6-3, 6-4 in 89 minutes.

“I struggled against her a couple of times (in the past),” Sabalenka said.

“I’m happy that today I was focused from the beginning and I was able to show such great tennis and put her under so much pressure and get the win in straight sets. That’s just super great.”

The 27-year-old Belarusian said she could feel her level getting better with every match in Brisbane, where she is yet to drop a set.

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She said that with seven of the world’s top 10 having entered, it was ideal preparation for the Australian Open, which begins in Melbourne on January 18.

Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to win a third Australian Open in four years.

“I definitely feel that compared to the first match here, I’m playing better and better,” she said.

“That’s really important heading to Melbourne, to build that level, and to play some great matches against great opponents.

“So I’m super happy with the performance so far and cannot wait to play my final match here.”

Sabalenka, the defending champion, will play either fourth seed Jessica Pegula or Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk in Sunday’s final.

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National Junior Wrestling Championship kicks off across Pakistan

The U17 and U-19 National Wrestling Championship has officially commenced across Pakistan under the joint collaboration of the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Wrestling Federation (PWF).

The championship aims to identify and promote young and talented wrestlers at the national and international levels.

In this regard, trials for District Gujranwala will be held on Friday, 9 January 2026, at the Gujranwala Sports Complex.

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The national event will feature the participation of international wrestlers, national medalists, and emerging young talent.

The event will also provide young athletes with an opportunity to make a case for selection in the national team.

The National Wrestling Championship eligibility criteria and weight classes to ensure fair play are mentioned below.

U-17 Division:

This category is open to athletes born in 2009 or later. It focuses on younger competitors with five specific weight categories: 30 kg, 35 kg, 40 kg, 45 kg, and 50 kg.

U-19 Division:

This category is designed for older youth athletes born in 2007 or later. Because these athletes are more developed, the weight classes are much broader, ranging from light-heavy to heavyweight.

The categories include 57 kg, 61 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 74 kg, 79 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, and 125 kg.

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Australian Open winners to get a record prize money

Players at this month’s Australian Open will be competing for a record prize money, with organisers on Tuesday announcing a 16 percent increase in the total purse to Aus$111.5 million (US$75 million).

The winners of the men’s and women’s singles at the first Grand Slam of the year will each take home Aus$4.15 million (US$2.79 million), up 19 percent from last year’s Aus$3.5 million.

Players beaten in the opening round will get Aus$150,000 (US$100,750), while even those knocked out in the first round of qualifying receive Aus$40,500 (US$27,200).

Tournament director Craig Tiley said it reflected Tennis Australia’s commitment to supporting tennis careers at every level, from rising stars to Grand Slam champions.

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“From boosting qualifying prize money by 55 percent since 2023 to enhancing player benefits, we’re ensuring professional tennis is sustainable for all competitors,” he said.

“By supporting players at all levels, we’re building deeper talent pools and more compelling storylines for fans.”

The tournament gets underway at Melbourne Park on January 18, with Jannik Sinner and Madison Keys defending their titles.

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Daniil Medvedev opens 2026 with Brisbane victory over Marton Fucsovics

Top seed Daniil Medvedev cruised into the second round of the Brisbane International on Monday, while defending champion Jiri Lehecka outlasted fellow Czech Tomas Machac over three sets.

World number 13 Medvedev looked in ominous form as he demolished Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics 6-2, 6-3 in just 69 minutes in the warm-up tournament for the Australian Open, which begins on January 18.

“Sometimes you can play well and lose, but I know that also when I play well, I win a lot of matches,” said the Russian Medvedev.

“So I’m happy to play well today and to win the match,” added Medvedev, who next plays American Frances Tiafoe.

Lehecka, the third seed, saw off Machac 6-4, 6-7 (5/7), 6-2 in almost two-and-a-half hours.

The 24-year-old has won two tournaments in his career, both in Australia.

“The weather and the court conditions here are things that I look forward to,” he said.

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“There’s no better place to start the season than here.

“It was a great match — I think the level was high for a first match of the season for both of us, so I’m super happy for the win.”

Lehecka now plays American Sebastian Korda, who beat Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot 7-6 (7/1), 6-3.

Alex Michelsen survived a tough battle against Australian qualifier James Duckworth 6-7 (4/7), 7-6 (7/2), 6-3 and will next face fellow American Learner Tien.

In the women’s draw, qualifying lucky loser Yulia Putintseva of Kazakhstan beat American Hailey Baptiste 6-2, 6-4 to set up a second-round clash with Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk.

Chinese qualifier Zhang Shuai, 36, turned back the clock when she beat Ashlyn Krueger of the US 6-4, 5-7, 6-4.

She will now face former champion and world number five Elena Rybakina.

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