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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)
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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.

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Bundesliga Club Heidenheim Accuses Berlin Police of 'Extreme Violence' Against its Fans

10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
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Bundesliga Club Heidenheim Accuses Berlin Police of 'Extreme Violence' Against its Fans

10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa
10 May 2025, Berlin: Heidenheim's Jan Schoeppner (L) celebrates scoring his side's second goal during the German Bundesliga soccer match between 1.FC Union Berlin and 1. FC Heidenheim at An der Alten Foersterei. Photo: Andreas Gora/dpa

Bundesliga club Heidenheim has accused Berlin police of extreme violence leaving some of its fans needing medical treatment following Saturday’s game at Union Berlin.
Five Heidenheim supporters were arrested and three of them charged, two for alleged vandalism and another for alleged insulting behavior, the police told news agency dpa on Sunday.
The club said the police detained several of its supporters before the match for the “unauthorized posting of stickers during the fan march, which had previously passed without incident.”
“The police also acted with extreme violence without any apparent reason or clear communication after the game, directly before we left the guests’ parking lot,” Heidenheim board member Petra Saretz said in a club statement, according to The Associated Press.
The incidents before the match led Heidenheim’s supporters to refrain from active support during the match, which the team won 3-0 to be sure of at least a relegation playoff.
“We feel obligated to call out the disproportionate violence used by Berlin police against Heidenheim fans yesterday and hope therefore that the authorities will provide clarification for this incomprehensible action,” said Heidenheim chairman Holger Sanwald, who thanked Union staff and others for their support during the incidents.