Sports

Several ATP Tour players found themselves stuck in Dubai after the recent ATP 500 tournament, as widespread airspace closures tied to escalating Middle East tensions have disrupted travel across the region. Former World No. 1 Daniil Medvedev — fresh off his second Dubai title — along with Andrey Rublev, Tallon Griekspoor and a handful of doubles specialists remain in the United Arab Emirates well past the tournament’s end as departures are repeatedly delayed.

Formula 1 star Charles Leclerc married his longtime partner Alexandra Saint Mleux on February 28, 2026, in a private civil ceremony in Monaco, just weeks before the start of the 2026 F1 season. The couple, who first publicly appeared together in 2023, announced their engagement in November 2025 after several years of dating, sharing their happy news with fans on social media.

A spate of withdrawals has rocked the 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, with a number of top-tier players pulling out before and during competition, leaving the WTA 1000 event’s draw thinner and opening opportunities for lower-ranked players and “lucky losers.” The tournament, which began February 15, has seen high-profile names bow out due to injury, fatigue or schedule changes.

The 2026 Winter Olympics opened February 6 with a vibrant ceremony at San Siro Stadium in Milan, celebrating Italy’s heritage alongside musical performances and fashion tributes. Mariah Carey’s rendition of an Italian classic, a stylish tribute to fashion giant Giorgio Armani, and a harmonious celebration between Italian fashion and culture were among the highlights of the ceremony, which was aptly themed “Armonia” or “Harmony”.

Carlos Alcaraz added a defining chapter to his career on February 1, 2026, when he defeated Novak Djokovic in the men’s singles final at the Australian Open in Melbourne. The world No. 1 rallied from a first-set loss to win 2–6, 6–2, 6–3, 7–5 at Rod Laver Arena, capturing his first Australian Open title and completing the career Grand Slam, having won all four major singles championships in tennis.

The alarm goes off early, but not because a tee time is waiting. For a PGA journalist, mornings begin with information, not irons. Before coffee has cooled, the workday is already in motion: scanning leaderboards from overnight events, checking injury updates, reading transcripts from late press conferences, and skimming notes from caddies, agents, and tour officials. Golf may look unhurried on television, but covering it is anything but.

In a highly publicized tennis exhibition billed as a modern “Battle of the Sexes,” Australia’s Nick Kyrgios defeated reigning women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, at Dubai’s Coca-Cola Arena on December 28, 2025. The event, more spectacle than sport, drew fans, criticism and widespread media attention as one of the season’s most talked-about exhibition matches.

Skiing’s never just been about snow - looks, speed, and fresh ideas go hand in hand. This year though, stars pushed it further than before. Think movie icons chilling in Colorado, or top athletes carving peaks in Europe - the hills turned into live showcases for bold new winter kits. Their outfits don’t stay secret for long; regular riders start eyeing similar jackets, goggles, boots. When celebs rock something icy-cool uphill, folks down below notice fast. Gear that blends sharp looks with real power gets copied quickly.

Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc now has something beside the podiums to celebrate — the 28-year-old is engaged! On November 2, the Monegasque racer took to Instagram to announce his engagement to model and influencer Alexandra Saint Mleux.

Iga Swiatek defeated Ekaterina Alexandrova 1-6, 7-6 (3), 7-5 in the final of the Korea Open. Swiatek took almost three hours to hold off Alexandrova in a thrilling and emotional match between the two.