Jonathan Jurejko

An independent tribunal upheld a four-year ban for Marketa Vondrousova after she refused an out-of-competition doping test at her Prague home in December 2025. The tribunal acknowledged that she acted under stress and anxiety but found no compelling or exceptional justification, noting that her decision to leave the apartment to walk her dog undermined her safety concerns. Vondrousova also claimed she did not know players could be tested outside their designated one-hour whereabouts slots, but the International Tennis Integrity Agency and tribunal rejected this as an inadequate explanation for an experienced player. She plans to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport; without a successful appeal, she cannot return until June 2030.

Jack Draper has withdrawn from another planned comeback because of recurring bone bruising in his left serving arm, an injury that has limited him to 14 matches in the past year and caused him to miss all three Grand Slam tournaments so far in 2026. The injury involves internal bleeding in the humerus caused by stress on the bone, particularly during serving. Professor Amar Rangan of the British Orthopaedic Association says recovery requires prolonged relative rest and that surgery would likely cause further injury rather than solve the problem. Fellow British players Arthur Fery and Toby Samuel eventually returned after lengthy absences with similar injuries. Draper has tried modifying his serve, improving recovery practices and taking a cautious approach, but there is no fixed recovery timeline or quick cure.

Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka are expected to team up in the two-day US Open mixed-doubles event beginning on 25 August in New York. Other prominent planned pairings include Jack Draper and Jessica Pegula, Iga Swiatek and Casper Ruud, and Henry Patten and Katerina Siniakova, while Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have not entered and Serena Williams remains uncertain. The revamped format, introduced with shorter early-round scoring and a $1m prize fund, initially angered doubles specialists but generated strong attention and commercial results after Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori won last year's edition. Organisers are again relying on star power, substantial appearance fees and strong ticket demand to make the event successful.

Scottie Scheffler defended Bryson DeChambeau after the American received a two‑shot penalty at The Open for inadvertently improving his swing path in knee‑high rough. The R&A said the penalty was clear under the rules despite being accidental, hampering DeChambeau’s contention for the title. DeChambeau disagreed with the ruling and avoided media comment, while Rory McIlroy criticised him for influencing the tournament atmosphere. Scheffler rejected suggestions of cheating and questioned the conclusiveness of video angles, calling for stricter adherence to golf’s traditional policing standards.

Ryan Fox secured his first major title at the 2026 Open Championship with a decisive birdie on the final hole at Royal Birkdale, finishing one shot ahead of Cameron Young. His composed performance capped a dramatic final day featuring multiple leaderboard changes and strong challenges from Young, Sam Burns, Si Woo Kim, Scottie Scheffler and Tommy Fleetwood. Fox’s victory marked a historic comeback after starting the weekend well behind the leaders, highlighted by a record-tying 62 on Saturday. Fleetwood’s home hopes faded after mid-round bogeys, while Young’s early 64 left him waiting anxiously as Fox closed out the tournament with a flawless final-hole execution.

Sam Burns leads the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale after rounds of 62 and 65, setting a record for the lowest two-round total in men's major history. Home favourite Tommy Fleetwood slipped five shots behind after late bogeys but remains hopeful heading into the final round. Bryson DeChambeau stayed in contention despite continued scrutiny following a two-shot penalty, while Ryan Fox and Kim Si‑woo sit two shots back. Burns, encouraged by the recent early arrival of his second child, aims to convert his advantage into a first major title.

Tommy Fleetwood leads a strong British showing at Royal Birkdale after moving into joint eighth with a second‑round 67, supported passionately by the home crowd. He joins Robert MacIntyre, Matt Wallace and Alex Fitzpatrick in a competitive chasing group four shots behind leader Lucas Herbert, whose record‑equalling 62 set the pace. Bryson DeChambeau remains in contention despite a two‑shot penalty, while Fleetwood’s connection to the area and determination to win his first major make him the focal point heading into the weekend.

Bryson DeChambeau received a two‑shot penalty at Royal Birkdale after officials ruled he inadvertently improved his lie by trampling long grass near his ball on the fifth hole, dropping him from seven under par to five under and three shots behind leader Lucas Herbert. The ruling followed an extended review with R&A officials, leaving DeChambeau visibly frustrated, though he later stated he would use the setback as motivation. The incident overshadowed an otherwise strong round that had put him in contention, prompting debate among commentators and adding unexpected drama to The Open’s second day.

Lucas Herbert and Sam Burns each shot eight‑under‑par rounds of 62 at Royal Birkdale, becoming the sixth and seventh men to reach the score in a major championship. Herbert narrowly missed setting a new record of 61 after bogeying the final hole, while Burns matched him with a birdie from a bunker after nearly withdrawing due to the early birth of his daughter. The performances join a recent trend of paired 62s in majors, adding to a growing list that includes Branden Grace, Rickie Fowler, Xander Schauffele and Shane Lowry. Herbert leads the clubhouse at eight under, with Jackson Suber between the two on the leaderboard.

Dan Brown led a strong English showing after the first round of the 154th Open Championship at Royal Birkdale, shooting a four-under 66 to sit one shot behind leader Jackson Suber. Tommy Fleetwood recovered from past struggles at the venue with a composed one-under round, supported by a large home crowd. Eight English players finished under par, although Matt Fitzpatrick and Rory McIlroy trailed after difficult late conditions. Robert MacIntyre, Bryson DeChambeau and Francesco Molinari were among those two shots back. McIlroy, seven shots behind Suber, remained confident of a turnaround despite struggles on the greens.

Dan Brown remained cautious when disposing of cigarettes during his opening round at Royal Birkdale due to heightened wildfire risk caused by hot, dry conditions across the UK. The 31-year-old shot a four‑under 66 to share the early lead, noting he smokes during stressful moments but is ensuring safety on the course. Recent wildfires nationwide have prompted guidance for all attendees to discard cigarettes responsibly, though smoking has not been prohibited. Brown’s strong finish placed him level with Im Sung‑jae before Jackson Suber later moved ahead in windier conditions.

Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Zverev in four sets to win his second consecutive Wimbledon title, solidifying his status as the world’s top player. Zverev’s aggressive strategy earned him the first set, but Sinner controlled the match from the second-set tiebreak onward, capitalizing on key moments and limiting Zverev to a single break‑point opportunity. The victory marks Sinner’s fifth Grand Slam title and his tenth straight win over Zverev. The match showcased Sinner’s recovery from earlier setbacks in the season and highlighted Zverev’s progress after his French Open breakthrough.

Linda Noskova captured her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon by defeating Karolina Muchova in a tense three-set final, recovering after missing five championship points and losing the second set. She showed resilience in the decider and closed out the match with a service winner. Noskova dedicated the victory to her late mother and celebrated with family as she became the third Czech women’s champion at Wimbledon in four years. The win elevates her to seventh in the world rankings and marks a major breakthrough following earlier successes and challenges during the tournament.

Arthur Fery advances to the Wimbledon semi-finals after developing his game locally in Wimbledon, drawing on early training, supportive athletic parents, and guidance from multiple coaches. His progression included time in the UK junior circuit, international junior success, and a developmental period at Stanford University. Overcoming arm injuries through biomechanical adjustments, he now prepares to face Alexander Zverev for a place in the men’s final.

Four first-time Wimbledon semi-finalists have advanced by overcoming their previous struggles on grass, with Coco Gauff improving her consistency, Karolina Muchova regaining form after injury, Marta Kostyuk gaining confidence through coaching support, and Linda Noskova building on recent grass-court success. A new women's champion at Wimbledon is guaranteed as all four seek their first title at the tournament.

Arthur Fery’s unexpected run at Wimbledon continued as the 23-year-old British wildcard defeated ninth seed Flavio Cobolli to reach the semi-finals, becoming only the fifth British man in the Open era to do so. His success guarantees a major rise in world ranking and secures entry into top tournaments, with a potential financial boost accompanying his progress. Raised in Wimbledon after early years in France, Fery developed through the LTA system before studying and playing at Stanford University. Known for his grounded personality and resilience through injuries, he now prepares to face second seed Alexander Zverev for a place in the final, with growing national excitement surrounding his historic campaign.

Arthur Fery’s path to a Wimbledon semi-final hinges on exploiting his movement, net play and aggressive returning to disrupt Flavio Cobolli’s rhythm. Expert analysis highlights Fery’s athleticism, strong volleying success and tactical need to pressure Cobolli’s second serve. Previous victories, including a straight‑sets win over Cobolli at the Australian Open, bolster his confidence, while his composure and support from the home crowd add momentum. Coaches and players emphasise maintaining emotional ease off court as Fery aims to become one of the few British men to reach the Wimbledon last four.

Serena Williams withdrew from her planned Wimbledon doubles reunion with sister Venus because of a knee injury that worsened after her singles loss to Maya Joint. The decision, announced shortly before their scheduled match, ended hopes of a high‑profile return at the All England Club. Williams shared images of her knee treatment and expressed gratitude to tournament organizers and fans. The setback raises questions about her physical readiness for the upcoming North American hard‑court season, though her team remains encouraged by signs of competitiveness in her singles performance.

Serena and Venus Williams have been added to Saturday’s Wimbledon doubles schedule without a court assignment, allowing maximum time for Serena to assess her fitness after a knee injury sustained during her singles match. Despite missing practices and skipping media duties due to the injury, sources indicate she intends to play. Organisers plan to place the pair on a major show court once singles matches conclude, while maintaining flexibility should they need to withdraw.

Doubles specialists at Wimbledon, including Julian Cash, Lloyd Glasspool and Neal Skupski, oppose ATP proposals that would significantly reduce doubles draw sizes and prize money starting in 2028. Players argue the changes would threaten the viability of doubles as a career and criticize the ATP for limited consultation. They call for better promotion of the discipline and support from top singles players to halt the plan, while the WTA has no similar intentions to alter its doubles events.

Marcus Willis reflects on his breakout 2016 Wimbledon run and its lasting impact as he returns a decade later as a doubles player. After brief retirement due to injuries and financial pressures, he resumed his career with family support and now approaches tennis with greater balance and maturity. Preparing to compete alongside partner David Stevenson, Willis focuses on longevity, family life and a steadier professional outlook shaped by the experience of facing Roger Federer ten years earlier.

Arthur Fery advanced to the Wimbledon second round after a four‑set comeback win over Damir Dzumhur, whose dispute over a non‑called let led to accusations that Fery was dishonest. The disagreement disrupted Dzumhur’s momentum while energising Fery, who went on to dominate the remainder of the match. Both players exchanged terse words after the finish, and Fery will next face Otto Virtanen following the Finn’s upset of fourth seed Ben Shelton.