Sports

Xabi Alonso failed to control Real Madrid’s egos in brief and bitter reign

Hired as a systems coach, the manager was undermined at a club where players – and Florentino Pérez – call the shots

Ueli Kestenholz, Olympic snowboard medallist, dies after being trapped in Swiss avalanche

50-year-old was snowboarding in Switzerland on Sunday

The hidden hierarchy of tennis practice courts: ‘I was back in the park, smelling the weed’

The unwritten rule in professional tournaments? Do not hog the practice court. But as leading players testify – the reality is very different

Nick Kyrgios delights rowdy fans as tennis cultures clash at Kooyong Classic

The usually genteel atmosphere at the Melbourne club – one of the bastions of grasscourt traditions – was punctured for the day as the injury-prone Australian enjoyed a rare win

Australian Open is drawing record crowds before the tournament has even begun

To supercharge the Melbourne Park event, ‘Opening Week’ maximises the music, food and wellness – and adds a $1m tennis showcase

Football transfer rumours: Manchester United to bid £30m for Marcos Llorente?

The fun has only just begun at Old Trafford where Michael Carrick will become the head coach until the end of the season. As someone who knows a thing or two about central midfielders, Carrick will immediately realise Manchester United are desperately in need of one. Al-Hilal’s Rúben Neves is on the radar, as is Atlético Madrid’s Marcos Llorente. The 30-year-old is valued at £30m, leaving Jason Wilcox and chums plenty to ponder.