عربي English Türkçe اردو فارسى
Logo
Latest News
Sports

Australian Open Champion Keys Trying to Relish the Pressure

This picture shows tennis balls outside a court during a training session ahead of the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney on January 2, 2026. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
This picture shows tennis balls outside a court during a training session ahead of the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney on January 2, 2026. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
TT
TT

Australian Open Champion Keys Trying to Relish the Pressure

This picture shows tennis balls outside a court during a training session ahead of the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney on January 2, 2026. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)
This picture shows tennis balls outside a court during a training session ahead of the United Cup tennis tournament in Sydney on January 2, 2026. (Photo by Saeed KHAN / AFP)

Madison Keys said Saturday that she was trying to embrace the extra pressure that comes with starting the year's first Grand Slam as defending champion.

The American pulled off a shock in the Australian Open final last year when she beat top seed Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set classic to win her maiden major title aged 29.

The world number seven said that while she felt the weight of expectation heading into her title defense in Melbourne this month, she is determined to enjoy it.

"There is obviously a lot of pressure that comes with doing as well as I did last year," she said at the season-opening Brisbane International.

"But not very many people get to go into this swing being a defending champion.

"So I'm trying really just to appreciate that and enjoy the position I've put myself in."

Brisbane, which acts as build-up for the Australian Open, features seven of the world's top 10 women.

If the draw goes according to the seedings Keys will meet world number one Sabalenka in the quarter-finals.

"This week has always been one of those weeks where the field is pretty difficult and tough," AFP quoted Keys as saying.

"There is not a ton of places for all of us to go and play.

"We'll inevitably all end up in the same place. I think it always kind of brings out the best in all of us."

Keys has a first-round bye and will play either compatriot McCartney Kessler or Colombian Emiliana Arango in the second round.

Most Viewed

 
 
Sports

Real Madrid's Alonso Unsure of Mbappe Absence Length

Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, in San Sebastian, Spain, 05 March 2024. (EPA)
Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, in San Sebastian, Spain, 05 March 2024. (EPA)
TT
TT

Real Madrid's Alonso Unsure of Mbappe Absence Length

Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, in San Sebastian, Spain, 05 March 2024. (EPA)
Kylian Mbappé of PSG celebrates after scoring the 0-2 goal during the UEFA Champions League Round of 16, 2nd leg soccer match between Real Sociedad and Paris Saint-Germain, in San Sebastian, Spain, 05 March 2024. (EPA)

Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso admitted Saturday he does not know how long injured superstar Kylian Mbappe will be sidelined for.

The French striker was diagnosed with a knee strain on Wednesday, expected to keep him out for at least three weeks.

"We'll try to make it happen quickly, it depends a lot on how he feels, but we'll try to get him back as quickly as possible," Alonso told a news conference.

"When is as soon as possible? That's the question. I don't know."

The coach said he hopes Mbappe will be back to take part in the Spanish Super Cup, with Los Blancos facing rivals Atletico Madrid in the semi-final on January 8.

Mbappe, 27, is Madrid's top goalscorer with 29 goals this season across all competitions in 24 appearances.

Alonso will be without the striker for Sunday's La Liga clash against Real Betis at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Madrid trail leaders Barcelona by four points, with the Catalans visiting city rivals Espanyol on Saturday.

Alonso came under heavy pressure in December amid Madrid's inconsistent form, with his future still on the line in the weeks ahead.

One bright spot was Brazilian forward Rodrygo Goes bursting into form towards the end of 2025, and Alonso wants him to continue in the same vein.

"He played some very good games at the end of the year... we need him, like everyone else," said Alonso.

"To make up for Kylian's absence we have different options, and Rodrygo is one of them."

Sports

Morocco Coach Demands 'Humility' Against AFCON Outsiders Tanzania

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, reacts during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 group stage match between Morocco and Zambia in Rabat, Morocco, 29 December 2025. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, reacts during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 group stage match between Morocco and Zambia in Rabat, Morocco, 29 December 2025. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
TT
TT

Morocco Coach Demands 'Humility' Against AFCON Outsiders Tanzania

Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, reacts during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 group stage match between Morocco and Zambia in Rabat, Morocco, 29 December 2025. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI
Morocco’s head coach, Walid Regragui, reacts during the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025 group stage match between Morocco and Zambia in Rabat, Morocco, 29 December 2025. EPA/JALAL MORCHIDI

Morocco coach Walid Regragui warned his team to keep their feet on the ground as the host country go into Sunday's Africa Cup of Nations last-16 tie against rank outsiders Tanzania as overwhelming favorites.

"We need to be humble. For us in Morocco, for the coaching staff and the players, this has to be the AFCON of humility," Regragui told reporters Saturday on the eve of the tie at the Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium in the capital Rabat.

"Everyone says if Morocco don't win the AFCON it will be a failure, that if we don't win easily it is a failure.

"My job is to keep everyone's feet on the ground and remind everyone that we haven't won the AFCON for 50 years."

Morocco are Africa's leading side in the FIFA rankings in 11th place and the 2022 World Cup semi-finalists are under massive pressure to make the most of home advantage to win the Cup of Nations for the first time since 1976.

It would be a shock of seismic proportions if they failed to beat a Tanzania side ranked a lowly 112th in the world.

Tanzania have two of Africa's leading club sides in Simba and Young Africans, who have both reached the CAF Confederation Cup final in recent seasons.

But their national team has reached the AFCON knockout stages for the first time at the ongoing edition, despite still never having won a game at the tournament.

"We have to respect Tanzania, because they have been qualifying regularly, they have two huge clubs and they are bringing through young players," AFP quoted Regragui as saying.

"I have always repeated that there are no easy opponents. We will be at home, playing in front of almost 68,000 fans, but it is a knockout tie and anything can happen in these games."

Tanzania, who will co-host the 2027 Cup of Nations with East African neighbors Kenya and Uganda, reached the last 16 as one of the best third-placed sides in the group stage.

They lost narrowly to Nigeria before drawing with Uganda and Tunisia.

"It is so beautiful to play against the host country," said Miguel Angel Gamondi, the Argentinian coach of the Taifa Stars.

"The players don't need any motivation. They want to do their best for the country and they have come here to get a result."

Sports

Sabalenka Says Revenge Not on her Mind for Australian Open

Sabalenka Says Revenge Not on her Mind for Australian Open
TT
TT

Sabalenka Says Revenge Not on her Mind for Australian Open

Sabalenka Says Revenge Not on her Mind for Australian Open

World number one Aryna Sabalenka said Saturday she isn't out for revenge after losing her Australian Open crown in a shock loss to American Madison Keys last year.

Sabalenka went into the final at Melbourne Park aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win three consecutive Australian Opens.

But she was undone by Keys, who won her maiden Slam in an inspired performance on Rod Laver Arena.

The Belarusian said there was no difference coming to Australia as the champion or as the runner-up.

"It doesn't matter which tournament it is," she said ahead of a warm-up event in Brisbane.

"If I'm defending champion, if I lost in the first round last year, the goal is always the same -- to bring my best tennis and to improve my game.

"Honestly, that's it. I always just focus on myself, on developing my game, and making sure that I'm 100 percent there."

Sabalenka had an unusual lead-in to the Australian Open starting this month, playing Nick Kyrgios in a much-criticized "Battle of the Sexes" in Dubai.

But she said she was glad to be back in Australia, where she enjoys the conditions and has had great success.

"I definitely don't like the heat, but the people, yeah," AFP quoted her as saying.

"I think the atmosphere -- it's always a full crowd (in Brisbane).

"Everyone really engages a lot with tennis. Also in Melbourne, the support there is incredible.

"I'm always super motivated when I come to Australia," she said, asked if last year's defeat to Keys was added incentive this time.

"Of course remembering last year's final, I really want to do just a little bit better than I did last year," she added with a smile.

Sabalenka said she always chose to open her season in Brisbane because she was guaranteed testing matches.

This year's draw features seven of the world's top 10.

"It's a tough draw, a lot of great players," she said.

"It's a lot of matches before hitting the Australian Open."

Sabalenka has a first-round bye and will play either Spain's Cristina Bucsa or a qualifier in the second round.