Djokovic, Sabalenka Named ITF's 2023 'World Champions' 

 Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball against Italy's Jannik Sinner during the second men's singles semifinal tennis match between Italy and Serbia of the Davis Cup tennis tournament at the Martin Carpena sportshall, in Malaga on November 25, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball against Italy's Jannik Sinner during the second men's singles semifinal tennis match between Italy and Serbia of the Davis Cup tennis tournament at the Martin Carpena sportshall, in Malaga on November 25, 2023. (AFP)
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Djokovic, Sabalenka Named ITF's 2023 'World Champions' 

 Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball against Italy's Jannik Sinner during the second men's singles semifinal tennis match between Italy and Serbia of the Davis Cup tennis tournament at the Martin Carpena sportshall, in Malaga on November 25, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball against Italy's Jannik Sinner during the second men's singles semifinal tennis match between Italy and Serbia of the Davis Cup tennis tournament at the Martin Carpena sportshall, in Malaga on November 25, 2023. (AFP)

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) named Novak Djokovic and Aryna Sabalenka as its "world champions" of 2023 after their performances at this year's Grand Slams.

Djokovic was given the men's singles award for a record-extending eighth time after winning three out of the four majors, the game's global governing body said in a news release.

The 36-year-old Serb took his Grand Slam tally to 24, matching Margaret Court with the most major singles crowns, and won the ATP Finals title for a record seventh time, finishing the year as number one.

Sabalenka won her maiden major at the Australian Open, finished runner-up at the US Open and reached the semi-finals at both the French Open and Wimbledon.

The Belarusian, who was pipped to the yearend top spot by Iga Swiatek at the WTA Finals, said 2023 had been "incredible" and was delighted to be named world champion.

"I can't wait to get back out on court for the new season in January," she said in the ITF release.

Rajeev Ram and Joe Salisbury took the men's doubles award after winning their third consecutive US Open title while Wimbledon runners-up Storm Hunter and Elise Mertens claimed the women's doubles title.



F1 Seeks to Spice up Monaco GP with More Mandatory Pitstops

Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc drives during the third practice session of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix on May 25, 2024. (AFP)
Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc drives during the third practice session of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix on May 25, 2024. (AFP)
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F1 Seeks to Spice up Monaco GP with More Mandatory Pitstops

Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc drives during the third practice session of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix on May 25, 2024. (AFP)
Ferrari’s Monegasque driver Charles Leclerc drives during the third practice session of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix on May 25, 2024. (AFP)

Formula One's governing body is planning to spice up the showcase Monaco Grand Prix by forcing teams to carry out more pitstops.

The FIA said in a statement that an F1 commission meeting in London on Tuesday had discussed "proposals for Monaco-specific regulations" to promote less processional racing at the tight and twisty circuit.

"The commission agreed to increase the numbers of mandatory pitstops in the race," it added, without providing further details.

"These proposals will be further discussed by the sporting advisory committee in the coming weeks."

The current mandatory minimum is one pitstop per race.

Overtaking is extremely difficult around Monaco, with qualifying and pole position a much more crucial element than at other races.

The FIA said there would also no longer be any restriction on the number of gearboxes teams could use during a season as the reliability of current designs had rendered the regulation obsolete.