Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios and Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic will play their first Grand Slam after long absences at next month’s Australian Open with protected rankings, tournament organisers said on Friday.

The Davis Cup’s Final 8 stage will be held in Italy from 2025 to 2027, with next year’s edition taking place in Bologna, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) said on Monday.

Diana Shnaider’s four WTA titles in a breakthrough season took her to the brink of the top 10 in the world and suggested the Russian might soon become known for a lot more than her trademark polka dot bandanas.

Novak Djokovic is ready to challenge Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the Grand Slam stage when he returns to action at the Australian Open after an underwhelming campaign this year, the 24-times champion said.

Australian Open quarter-finalist Hubert Hurkacz has added eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl and former Olympic gold medallist Nicolas Massu to his coaching setup for 2025, the Polish world no. 16 announced in a social media post on Friday.

Italian Jannik Sinner completed a remarkable season by sealing his country a second successive Davis Cup title with a 2-0 victory over Netherlands in the final at the southern Spanish city of Malaga.

Defending champions Italy moved into the Davis Cup final after a 2-0 win over Australia as Jannik Sinner defeated Alex de Minaur in straight sets to follow up Matteo Berrettini’s victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Retired tennis great Andy Murray has agreed to join Novak Djokovic’s team and will coach him at the Australian Open next year, the Serbian 24-times Grand Slam champion said.

Australia booked their place in the Davis Cup semi-finals as doubles pair Matthew Ebden and Jordan Thompson clinched the deciding rubber against the United States on Thursday.

Germany beat Canada 2-0 to reach the Davis Cup semi-finals where they will face the Netherlands who advanced with a stunning upset of hosts Spain.

Rafa Nadal could not conjure the ‘fairytale ending’ his career deserved, as the Spanish 22-times Grand Slam champion bowed out of the Davis Cup in Malaga yesterday.

Soon-to-retire Rafael Nadal will open Spain’s Davis Cup quarter-final against the Netherlands in a singles match against Botic van de Zandschulp, tournament officials said.