General Sports 3 Days

Last updated: May 22, 2026, 2:52 PM ET

Tennis & Player Movements Emma Raducanu’s decision to retain coach Andrew Richardson sparked debate after her US Open win, with the Briton insisting “it is very difficult to say” she erred by parting ways Trust and a connection - why Raducanu rehired Richardson. At Roland Garros, Raducanu draws a tough first‑round match against Argentine clay‑court specialist Solano Sierra, a test that could define her French Open comeback Raducanu faces tricky start - who plays who at French Open?. Meanwhile, Britain’s Felix Gill fell in the final qualifying round, postponing his Grand Slam debut, while fellow Brit Toby Samuel edged past David Goffin to stand one win away from his first main‑draw appearance GB's Gill loses in final round of French Open qualifying and GB's Samuel one win from French Open breakthrough. In protest of stagnant prize money, Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Jannik Sinner limited press duties to 15 minutes, echoing a broader player‑led push for higher payouts that tournament director Amélie Mauresmo refused to alter this year Sabalenka cuts news conference short as French Open players protest over pay and French Open prize money won't change this year.

Cricket & Test Preparations England’s fast‑bowling hopeful Jacob Bethell will undergo a finger‑injury assessment just days before the first Test against New Zealand, a timing issue that could affect squad balance England's Bethell to have finger injury assessed. Paul Stirling’s calf injury forces his omission from Ireland’s one‑off Test, leaving the Irish side thin on experienced batters as they face the Kiwis at Stormont Injured Stirling out of Ireland-New Zealand Test. Stuart Broad expressed surprise at Ollie Robinson’s recall for the same Test, highlighting selection debates within England’s camp Broad surprised by Robinson's England recall. On the women’s side, England captain Meg Jones and Ireland’s Aoife Wafer secured spots on the Six Nations player‑of‑the‑tournament shortlist, underscoring their impact in a tightly contested series Jones and Wafer make Six Nations player shortlist.

Rugby Union – European Showdowns Leinster coach Leo Cullen warned that the Champions Cup final against Bordeaux will be a “serious challenge”, noting the French side’s resurgence after a rapid climb from bankruptcy to back‑to‑back titles Leinster bury memories good and bad before Champions Cup final and From bankruptcy to 'people's team' - Bordeaux's rise. In the Challenge Cup, Ulster’s coach Richie Murphy urged his players to “fight with everything” as they prepare for Friday’s final against Montpellier, a match that could end a 20‑year trophy drought if they triumph Ulster 'have to fight with everything' in final. The squad received a boost when winger Robert Baloucoune, cleared after injury, was named to start, while the team also copes with the absence of four veterans who remain on the bench but are expected to contribute off the field Fit‑again Baloucoune starts for Ulster in final and How missing Ulster quartet can still play a role in final.

Motorsports & Cycling Highlights Max Verstappen hinted that upcoming engine‑rule changes could return Formula 1 “almost back to normal”, a signal that the sport’s technical direction may stabilize after a turbulent season Verstappen hints at F1 stay with racing set to go 'back to normal'. In road cycling, Italy’s Alberto Bettiol claimed Giro d’Italia stage 13 with a decisive acceleration on the final climb of the Italian Lakes, while Belgium’s Alec Segaert celebrated his first Grand Tour stage win, keeping Afonso Eulalio in the overall lead Bettiol wins Giro stage as Eulalio retains pink and Segaert wins his first Grand Tour stage at Giro. The Tour Down Under announced a historic joint men’s and women’s race on the same course, marking the first World Tour event to feature parallel gender competition and signaling a shift toward greater equality in professional cycling Tour Down Under to feature first joint men's and women's event.

Basketball & Boxing Developments The Oklahoma City Thunder solidified their playoff push as Shai Gilgeous‑Alexander poured in 30 points to level the Eastern Conference final at 1‑1 against the San Antonio Spurs, while front office moves added depth with Isaiah Hartenstein and Alex Caruso, pieces the franchise deemed “fit over flash” to sustain a championship window Gilgeous‑Alexander stars as Thunder overcome Spurs and Sam Presti bet on fit over flash to turn the Thund.... In the NBA free‑agent market, Bobby Marks dissected offers for 20 players, beginning with the league’s all‑time scoring leader, highlighting the escalating salaries that define this offseason’s negotiations NBA free agent rankings: Bobby Marks' offers for L.... Across the ring, unified heavyweight champion Oleksandr Usyk remains the sport’s top figure, though promoter Eddie Hearn warned that challenger Rico Verhoeven “is not a normal man” and faces a “mountain to climb” in the upcoming bout, underscoring the rarity of a kick‑boxing star stepping into boxing’s elite tier Usyk opponent Verhoeven 'not a normal man' - Hearn and How a kickboxing legend & Statham's pal landed a shot at Usyk.