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Kyrgios Set to Return to Tennis in Brisbane with Plans for 2025 Australian Open

FILE - Nick Kyrgios of Eagles returns the ball to Grigor Dimitrov of Falcons during a match of Day 3 of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
FILE - Nick Kyrgios of Eagles returns the ball to Grigor Dimitrov of Falcons during a match of Day 3 of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
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Kyrgios Set to Return to Tennis in Brisbane with Plans for 2025 Australian Open

FILE - Nick Kyrgios of Eagles returns the ball to Grigor Dimitrov of Falcons during a match of Day 3 of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)
FILE - Nick Kyrgios of Eagles returns the ball to Grigor Dimitrov of Falcons during a match of Day 3 of the World Tennis League at Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Dec. 21, 2022. (AP Photo/Kamran Jebreili, File)

Nick Kyrgios said Thursday he will make a return to competitive tennis at the Brisbane International beginning Dec. 29 after playing only one ATP Tour match in more than two years, The Associated Press reported.
The 29-year-old Kyrgios has been mostly sidelined with career-threatening wrist and knee injuries since the 2022 US Open quarterfinals.
That run came six weeks after reaching the Wimbledon final when he came closest to winning a Grand Slam singles championship before losing in four sets to Novak Djokovic.
Also stating his intentions to play in the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne, Kyrgios said he's planning to compete in the World Tennis League exhibition event in Abu Dhabi from Dec. 19-22, with the mixed team event also attracting players such as Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud, Aryna Sabalenka, Taylor Fritz and Daniil Medvedev.
Kyrgios was a late withdrawal from the Australian Open in 2023 due to a knee injury that required surgery, before having to pull out of the French Open later that year with a foot issue.
A winner of seven titles on the ATP Tour, Kyrgios subsequently tore a ligament in his wrist that also needed surgery with his last tour match a short-lived return to grass at Stuttgart in June 2023.
Currently unranked, the one-time 13th-ranked player said he was excited to resume his career in front of home fans.
“Honestly, this is probably the best I’ve felt in two years,” he told a Melbourne television station Friday. “I played that amazing year in 2022. Then at the finals in Wimbledon and US Open, that’s when I started feeling some issues in my wrist. I had that wrist reconstruction and now I’m feeling amazing."
At a later media conference in Brisbane, Krygios added: “I am feeling fit and healthy, and I am excited for my return to tennis . . . it has been a long journey of recovery to be where I am today.”

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Egypt Teammates Rally Behind Unsettled Salah before AFCON 

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (AFP)
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Egypt Teammates Rally Behind Unsettled Salah before AFCON 

Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (AFP)
Liverpool's Egyptian striker #11 Mohamed Salah warms up ahead of the English Premier League football match between Leeds United and Liverpool at Elland Road in Leeds, northern England on December 6, 2025. (AFP)

While the future of Mohamed Salah at Liverpool hangs in the balance, Egypt teammates have rallied behind the national team captain ahead of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco.

The record seven-time continental champions are in Group B with Angola, South Africa and Zimbabwe, and will be based in southern coastal city Agadir throughout the first round.

"Players like him do not get benched," said striker Ahmed "Kouka" Hassan on social media, referring to Salah being a substitute in the last three Liverpool fixtures, and coming on only once.

"If he starts on the bench, you must make sure he is the first to come on, after 60 minutes, 65 at the latest.

"Mo is not just a teammate, he is a leader, a legend for club and country. Keep working hard brother, every situation in life is temporary, moments like this pass, what stays is your greatness."

Head coach and former star Hossam Hassan posted a photograph of himself and Salah and a message: "Always a symbol of perseverance and strength."

"The greatest Liverpool legend of all time," wrote winger Ahmed "Zizo" El Sayed. Goalkeeper Mohamed Sobhy called Salah "always the best".

Liverpool have struggled in their title defense this season and lie 10th after 15 rounds, 10 points behind leaders Arsenal. Salah has also battled with just four goals in 13 top-flight appearances.

After twice surrendering the lead in a 3-3 draw at Leeds United last Saturday, Salah told reporters "it seems like the club has thrown me under the bus".

"I think it is very clear that someone wanted me to get all of the blame (for the slump)... someone does not want me in the club."

Salah was omitted from the squad that travelled to Milan for a Champions League clash with Inter on Tuesday and has hinted that he may not play for Liverpool again.

- 'Great feeling' -

Although Egypt last won the AFCON 15 years ago in Luanda, Salah, 33, believes they will lift the trophy again before he retires.

"It will happen -- that is what I believe. It is a great feeling every time you step on the field wearing the Egyptian colors."

Salah has suffered much heartbreak in four AFCON tournaments as Egypt twice finished runners-up and twice exited in the round of 16.

He created the goal that put the Pharaohs ahead in the 2017 final, but Cameroon clawed back to win 2-1 in Libreville.

Hosts and title favorites Egypt were stunned by South Africa in the first knockout round two years later, conceding a late goal to lose 1-0.

Egypt reached the final again in 2022 only to lose on penalties to Senegal after 120 goalless minutes in Yaounde.

In Ivory Coast last year, Salah suffered a hamstring injury against Ghana and took no further part in the tournament. Egypt lost on penalties to the Democratic Republic of Congo in a last-16 clash.

This year, Egypt boast an array of attacking talent with Salah, Omar Marmoush from Manchester City, Mostafa Mohamed of Nantes and Mahmoud "Trezeguet" Hassan and Zizo from Cairo giants Al Ahly.

Group B is the only one of the six in Morocco featuring two qualifiers for the 2026 World Cup, with Egypt and South Africa heading to the global showpiece in North America.

South Africa exceeded expectations by finishing third at the 2024 AFCON, but Belgian coach Hugo Broos expects a tougher campaign in a tournament that kicks off on December 21.

"It will be harder because every opponent will be more motivated to beat us after our bronze medals," said the tactician who guided Cameroon to the 2017 AFCON title.

Angola and Zimbabwe recently changed coaches with France-born Patrice Beaumelle and Romanian Mario Marinica hired.

The Angolans have reached the quarter-finals three times, including last year, while the Zimbabweans have never gone beyond the first round.

Sports

Pressure Is on Real Madrid Coach Xabi Alonso Ahead of Champions League Match Against Man City 

Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso in action during a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso in action during a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
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Pressure Is on Real Madrid Coach Xabi Alonso Ahead of Champions League Match Against Man City 

Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso in action during a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
Real Madrid's head coach Xabi Alonso in action during a training session at Valdebebas sports city in Madrid, Spain, 09 December 2025. (EPA)

The pressure is mounting on Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso ahead of Wednesday's Champions League match with Manchester City.

Madrid has won just two of its last seven in all competitions including a 2-0 loss to Celta Vigo over the weekend.

Ahead of the City match, Alonso had to contend with reports in the Spanish media that he had lost control of the locker room.

“This is a team, and we all stand together,” he said. “In soccer, you can change perspective quickly, and we’re at that point.”

Doubts over Kylian Mbappé's availability added to Alonso's concerns. The France striker trained separately to the rest of the team on Tuesday, having reportedly had issues with his left leg.

City manager Pep Guardiola sympathized with Alonso, who he coached as a player at Bayern Munich.

“Barcelona and Real Madrid are the toughest clubs to be manager of because of the environment,” he said. “It’s a difficult place but he knows it — it’s the reality of being here."

Other games on Wednesday include defending champion Paris Saint-Germain at Athletic Bilbao, Arsenal at Club Brugge and Italian champion Napoli at Benfica.

Sports

Chelsea’s Maresca Rues ‘Easy Goals’ Conceded in Loss to Atalanta 

Chelsea's coach Enzo Maresca leaves the pitch after losing the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
Chelsea's coach Enzo Maresca leaves the pitch after losing the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
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Chelsea’s Maresca Rues ‘Easy Goals’ Conceded in Loss to Atalanta 

Chelsea's coach Enzo Maresca leaves the pitch after losing the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 09 December 2025. (EPA)
Chelsea's coach Enzo Maresca leaves the pitch after losing the UEFA Champions League soccer match between Atalanta BC and Chelsea FC, in Bergamo, Italy, 09 December 2025. (EPA)

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was disappointed by how his side conceded two second-half goals to throw away their lead and slump to a 2-1 Champions League defeat at Atalanta on Tuesday.

Joao Pedro broke the deadlock for Chelsea after 25 minutes, but Serie A side Atalanta returned with far more intent after the break and overturned the deficit through goals from Gianluca Scamacca and Charles De Ketelaere.

Maresca said his side should have taken the chances they had to add to their first-half lead.

"After we conceded the 1-1 (goal), we lost a little bit of control of the game, and then we conceded the second one," he told reporters.

"I think both goals, we can avoid both of them. They're quite easy goals."

The win put Atalanta near the top of the Champions League table, putting them in the mix for direct qualification for the round of 16 with 13 points, while Chelsea have 10.

If the Premier League club do not win their remaining games against Cypriot side Pafos and Italy's Napoli, they will likely finish outside the top eight and be forced to play a two-legged playoff match.

"Probably with two wins, probably with 16 points, you can be in the top eight," the Italian manager added.

"Not sure about that, but now the focus has to be the next game. And then the next one, for sure. If we want to try to finish top eight, we need to win both.

"Otherwise, we try to play the playoff and then go to the next round."

Chelsea next host Everton in a league match on Saturday.