26th Arabian Gulf Cup Final Postponed to Jan. 4

The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (File photo by SPA)
The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (File photo by SPA)
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26th Arabian Gulf Cup Final Postponed to Jan. 4

The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (File photo by SPA)
The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium (File photo by SPA)

The Competitions Committee of the Gulf Football Federation announced Sunday that the final match of the "26th Arabian Gulf Cup" championship has been rescheduled to Saturday, January 4, 2024.

The match, originally planned for Friday, January 3, 2024, will take place at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium, SPA reported.
Head of the Competitions Committee Khaled Al-Muqrin stated that the decision to postpone the final was made during a committee meeting and after consultations with the Gulf federations, all of which approved the change.
The semi-final matches will proceed as originally scheduled. The first semi-final will feature Saudi Arabia against Oman on Tuesday at 5:30 p.m. at Jaber Al-Mubarak Stadium in Kuwait. The second semi-final, between Bahrain and Kuwait, will take place later that evening at 8:45 p.m. at Jaber Al-Ahmad International Stadium.



Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
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Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)

Nick Kyrgios’ planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open is in doubt after he sustained an abdominal injury and was forced to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist, sidelined with wrist and knee injuries since the 2022 US Open, said in an Instagram post Wednesday that an ultrasound scan had revealed an abdominal strain and "unfortunately (I) won’t be able to play my good friend (Djokovic) this Thursday."

He said he’d be resting and doing everything possible to be ready for the Australian Open, which starts Sunday at Melbourne Park.

The mercurial Australian, who has become a popular commentator during his lengthy stints on the injured list, made his competitive comeback last week at Brisbane, where he played one singles match and partnered with Djokovic in two doubles matches.

Djokovic and Kyrgios won their opening doubles match, a crowd-pleasing, fist-pumping affair by both players at Pat Rafter Arena before a 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 loss to Nikola Mektic of Croatia and New Zealander Michael Venus.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley remained confident Kyrgios would play at the year's first major.

"I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him," Tiley said Wednesday, responding to questions about the potential absence of the star Australian. "Nick’s not the only one not doing some of their pre-planned matches over the next few days. There’s no concerns ahead of the Open."