If the ATP has any say in it, the Australian Open is staying put in Melbourne forever as the season-opening grand slam once again boasts record crowds and bumper TV ratings. Officially branded the grand slam of Asia Pacific, the Open could conceivably come under threat from the likes of cashed-up China or Saudi Arabia.

To most of us, mention Saudi Arabia and visions of blindingly hot deserts are conjured up, but the two men reliving an epic 1927 road trip between London and Melbourne reckon northern Australia tops the Middle East for roasting.

Jessica Pegula feels the decision to give herself an extra week to recover from a niggling knee injury has paid off as the American heads into the Australian Open on the back of a run to the final of the tune-up tournament in Adelaide.

Coco Gauff has made improvements to her serving and her forehand. And the strides in both of those areas are among the reasons she's considered one of the few women ready to challenge two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka for the title at the Australian Open.

Saudi weighs support - Saudi Arabia cut ties with Assad's government in 2012 and had long openly championed his overthrow. But in 2023 it hosted an Arab League meeting at which Assad was welcomed ...

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has addressed speculation the Australian Open could be on the move from Melbourne Park, with cashed up China or Saudi Arabia looming large.

President Donald Trump touted a new $600 billion investment from Saudi Arabia during a speech to world leaders in Davos.

Jane E. Westcott passed away peacefully on Monday, January 13, 2025, in Melbourne, FL. She was born on May 25, 1937, in Bangor, Maine, to the late Polly Turner and Alden Davis.

Talking points from the week in Asian football: AL-HILAL EQUAL RECORD WITH 9-0 THRASHING OF AL-FATEH Al-Hilal matched the biggest win in Saudi Pro League history on Wednesday with a 9-0 thrashing of bottom side Al-Fateh to maintain top spot ahead of Al-Ittihad.

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Joseph O'Brien has provided an upbeat bulletin on Al Riffa (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), Apples And Bananas (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Trustyourinstinct (Ire) (Churchill {Ire}), all of whom are on course for targets in Saudi Arabia and Qatar respectively following a key workout at Dundalk last Friday.

Rodger Shanahan counters the good news of the Gaza ceasefire with a gloomy mark-down of key players in the high-stakes power games of the Middle East (″⁣This ceasefire is a great win, but Gaza is a war without winners″⁣,