MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Court's uncompromising opinions on LGBT matters have made her a polarising figure and McEnroe became the latest high profile figure to attack her.

The Australian world 23 made his grand entrance to Rod Laver Arena wearing an LA  Lakers jersey after Bryant tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

The polarising Australian tennis bad boy earned the respect of fans and his arch rival after bowing out of the grand slam in a pulsating fourth setter on Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Nick Kyrgios attempted to honour the memory of one of his basketball heroes, Kobe Bryant. In the end, the emotional Australian fell short against Nadal.

Australian Open fans did a double take on Saturday night when they thought Liam Hemsworth was taking on Nick Kyrgios in a third-round match-up. 

World No 2 Novak Djokovic took another step to defending his Australian Open title on Sunday with a dominant display against big-hitting Canadian Milos Raonic.

In an extremely close match at Melbourne Park on Monday night, Nadal snatched victory in the final set tiebreaker despite Kyrgios being in form and serving 25 aces.

The former world number one said he's been supporting Kyrgios from the sidelines since he was an up-and-coming teenager.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: An aggravated Rafael Nadal was spent spinning out of the Australian Open by a brilliant performance from Austria's Dominic Thiem.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Just when you thought the old order was continuing with its hegemony in men's tennis, Rafael Nadal finally met his match in terms of brutal baseline slugging.

She lost her semi-final match to American Sofia Kenin in Melbourne on Thursday, going down in straight sets.

The tennis badboy was knocked out of the Grand Slam on Monday after falling to Rafael Nadal 6-3, 3-6, 7-6, 7-6 in the fourth-round.

Apple technician Harry Xin said he had a racist encounter watching the Australian Open at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on Wednesday.

Tennis player Caroline Wozniacki and husband David Lee stepped out in style for an event this week.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Barty cradled her 12-week-old niece as she tried to shrug off the disappointment of ending Australia's long wait for a homegrown women's Open winner.

The 23-year-old lost her semi-final match in 40 degree heat to American Sofia Kenin in Melbourne on Thursday, going down in straight sets.

Kia ball kid Charlie Brady, who has been on the court during the Australian Open in Melbourne, said he has had tennis players yell at him, and said some of them can often be 'disrespectful'.

The 23-year-old lost her semi-final match in 40C heat to American Sofia Kenin on Thursday, going down in straight sets.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: In the unlikely event of Dominic Thiem making it third time lucky in a Grand Slam final nobody could accuse him having it easy.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: It seems an age since Britain's singles challenge fizzled out at the Australian Open, but this weekend brings the promise of two Grand Slam doubles titles.

Austrian tennis star Dominic Thiem faced off against Alexander Zverev in a tense semi-final on Friday at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.

The 29-year-old defeated British rival Andrew Lapthorne in the Men's Quad Wheelchair Singles final, 6-0 6-4, on Saturday at Rod Laver Arena.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Given her story it is hardly surprising that Kenin, 21, exudes hunger. There are shades of her, on court, of Monica Seles and Maria Sharapova.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: If Thiem manages to upset Novak Djokovic he will do so with the unusual distinction of having fired a high-profile coach halfway through the tournament.

The Serb was just 16 years old when Federer claimed his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003 but now is on the verge of moving to within three Slam triumphs of the Swiss.

The 21-year-old Moscow-born American was victorious over former world No.1 Garbine Muguruza in three sets in Saturday night's final at Melbourne Park.

The world number two appeared to be frustrated about the overwhelming crowd support for Austrian opponent Dominic Thiem in the opening stages of the final on Rod Laver Arena.

Novak Djokovic faces Dominic Thiem in the Australian Open final in Melbourne. Sportsmail's KIERAN JACKSON will take you through all the action from the Rod Laver Arena.

Wimbledon and US Open doubles champion Robert Farah has escaped a ban despite being found to have breached tennis' anti-doping programme regulations.

Upon spotting the children playing tennis in the streets without a net, the Serbian star decided to join them. saying afterwards: 'That's how we all started - I invoke these situations.'

For Ken Skupski the Coronavirus has meant the most abrupt shift in lifestyle, from global traveller to what he cheerfully describes as 'almost a house husband'.

Like every other major sport, tennis has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen Wimbledon and the French Open cancelled in recent weeks.

TA chief and Open director Craig Tiley concedes the annual summer of tennis 'will be compromised' as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Tim Howard's popularity in the United States has led to a White House petition being lodged requesting the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is renamed after him.

Brazil star Neymar could not hold back the tears as he revealed he had come within a few inches of being paralysed. Neymar, giving his first press conference after being hospitalised with a fractured vertebrae in Brazil’s World Cup quarter-final win over Colombia, also said he disagreed with his agent for calling coach Luiz Felipe Scolari 'a repulsive and conceited old jerk'.

Luis Suarez's lawyer has condemned FIFA's punishment of the Uruguay striker for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini as 'draconian, totalitarian and fascist', and said an appeal will go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

The Italian official accused last week of favouring Argentina and Lionel Messi has been chosen to referee their World Cup final against Germany.

Heine Allemagne, 43, the man man who invented the magic vanishing spray adopted for use in Brazil, us set to reap the financial rewards after years in poverty and facing bankruptcy.

Arjen Robben has revealed he turned down Louis van Gaal's advances after the outgoing Holland coach asked him to follow him to new club Manchester United.

GRAHAM POLL: Nicola Rizzoli will be able to look back on this final with pride as he performed well as did both of his assistants in a tough match.

As the Germany players celebrated their World Cup victory, their WAGs could not resist joining the on-field party at the Maracana.

Mario Gotze may look like he is not long out of babygrow lederhosen but his status as Germany’s wunderkind has been established for some considerable time.

I have read the age at which she could take a personal pension will rise to 57 in 2028. My wife would be 53 and would have to wait four years. Is it legislated for currently? Steve Webb replies.

Documents lodged last week and made public on Tuesday appear to be laying the legal framework for a deal to proceed. Sources close to the club say it is proof of talks being advanced.

Despite putting their scouting and recruitment staff on furlough and discussions ongoing over a potential £350m takeover, club executives are pressing ahead in their attempt to sign Soumare.

EXCLUSIVE BY MIKE KEEGAN AND CRAIG HOPE: Sources have disclosed that all the necessary paperwork has been lodged, and that the potential deal now awaits their approval.

Steve Bruce was an unpopular choice to replace Rafael Benitez, but Sam Allardyce insists Newcastle must stick with the former Sunderland boss once the takeover is complete.

Jenas, who played for the Magpies in the Champions League, thinks the buyers will want to revolutionise his former side and bring back the ambition that was lacking under Ashley

The bid to take over the club is being chaired by Mohammed bin Salman, who is the defence minister. He oversaw the devastating Yemen attacks that caused a humanitarian crisis.

Arturo Vidal is reportedly set to leave Barcelona this summer on the cheap, as his contract is set to expire in June 2021. Newcastle have emerged as contenders to sign the Chilean international.