Not a surprise but still disappointing to see Carlos Alcaraz withdraw from Roland Garros. Wonder how that might affect interest and numbers at the event.

The latest newsletter is out with Elena Rybakina's title in Stuttgart and Arthur Fils' excellent run in Barcelona. That's all in it plus the latest news, results and rankings. You can read it for free (and subscribe) below. mailchi.mp/crosscourtvi...

I have a fresh newsletter out as Jannik Sinner recovers the no.1 position, and Mirra Andreeva revives her season in Linz. That plus the usual news, rankings and exclusive photos. You can read for free (and subscribe) below: mailchi.mp/crosscourtvi...

With the European clay court swing starting this week, I have a fresh newsletter out. There's a little about the Marrakesh champ Rafa Jodar plus the usual news, results, rankings and more. You can read it for free (and subscribe) below. eepurl.com/jDk6jM

Well I nabbed some Roland Garros tickets but it gets harder every year. I still can't quite get over the explosion in demand in recent years.

I like to think of Paul Thomas Anderson finally getting rewarded for There Will Be Blood with tonight's Oscars. That was a film for eternity, led by one of the greatest screen performances yet.

Congrats to Jessie, our first lead actress Oscar winner. Ireland will be mental tomorrow.

Super speech from Michael B Jordan

Very much like the orchestra segueing between the scores. Keep that bit too.

I really liked that In Memoriam. It's refreshing to highlight the importance of these stars of cinema rather than just the usual graphic and background of In My Life.

My latest newsletter with a preview of Indian Wells and the usual news is out now. It could well be another Sin-caraz final, but there are obstacles in the Italian's section. Sabalenka has a bad draw while Gauff actually has a great path. #IndianWells crosscourtview.com/news/2026/al...

We're just a day away from the tour's fifth grand slam - Indian Wells. I've been busy updating and upgrading a profile I wrote about the tournament a few years back. You can check it out here: #Tennis #IndianWells crosscourtview.com/comment/2018...

Getting back on the tennis train after a little break. Carlos Alcaraz was magnificent in the Doha final while Jessica Pegula is relentlessly consistent at the moment. Here's a fresh newsletter: You can check it out for free here: mailchi.mp/crosscourtvi...

Of course he'll always be Lieutenant Colonel Kilgore in one of the greatest films ever, not to mention his work in the Godfathers. But Robert Duvall was also great and interesting in Falling Down, Network and he even pops up in The Conversation. RIP to a screen legend.

Unfortunately, it didn't go Ireland's way yesterday as Syria took the Group II play-off tie. You can read my report of the day here. www.tennisireland.ie/news/syria-c...

Well, I'm back at it again for day two of Ireland's Davis Cup tie with Syria. We're level at 1-1 after an extraordinary first day. You can follow my live blog here and I will have a report on the day later this evening. www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...

Match report from an extraordinary day at the UL Sport Arena where the Irish no.2, Peter Buldorini, overcame severe cramps to bring Ireland level for day two. www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...

I'm on Davis Cup duty this weekend as Ireland take on Syria in the Group II play-off at Limerick's UL Sport Arena. I'm doing a liveblog for Tennis Ireland over the weekend and you can follow the action here: www.tennisireland.ie/news/davis-c...

I've just sent out a bumper Crosscourt View newsletter with photos and thoughts from the 2026 Australian Open. Plus a preview of Ireland's Davis Cup tie with Syria this weekend. It's free to subscribe and is the best way to follow my work. Check it out below: mailchi.mp/crosscourtvi...

I'm on the way to Limerick for Ireland's Davis Cup contest with Syria tomorrow. The Irish need to win to remain in Group II. You can check out my preview below: crosscourtview.com/irish-tennis...

I've trawled through the photos and put together a gallery from my week at the Australian Open. It's a bumper one with Federer, Agassi, Alcaraz, Djokovic, Sabalenka, Swiatek, Sinner and lots more. crosscourtview.com/gallery/2026...

Great to see Alcaraz respond to the first set with improved accuracy on the serve and his groundstrokes seem to have settled down. A dip from Djokovic has also helped mightily. Looks like we'll be a set apiece shortly.

This is a simple equation at the moment: Djokovic is playing well while Alcaraz is sub par. The Spaniard is really struggling to hit his spots on serve and that's perilous with the Serb. And Djokovic is teeing off with the forehand every opportunity. Only one winner if this trend continues.

What a start from Djokovic. So clean and purposeful while Alcaraz oscillates between the odd brilliant dropshot and costly errors. Couldn't be going better for him so far.

Elena Rybakina takes the 2026 Australian Open title. It's the second grand slam of her career after Wimbledon 2022. The Kazakh has won 14 of her last 15 matches. As for Sabalenka, a surprising emotional dip just when she looked in control.

The emotional swing here is incredible. Rybakina a game away.

Rybakina faltered at the end there, looked like stress in her game and Sabalenka took advantage. Sabalenka looks primed to take this match unless Rybakina can rediscover the mojo.

Rybakina has such a fabulous, clean serve.

I'd say this is going as we expected. Rybakina got the edge early and was able to clinch the first set behind that serve and +1 combo. But as always, Sabalenka fights back and it's either woman's contest at this point.

So Sabalenka v Rybakina - First serve percentage will be huge for both women because they both take huge cuts on return - Very tight head-to-head at 8-6 to Aryna - Played four times in 2025 and shared them 2-2 - Honestly, a coin toss on who wins for me

What a day of semi-finals, capped off by a miraculous effort from the 10-time Australian Open champion. Sinner didn't give it to Djokovic, the 38-year-old earnt that historic victory. His forehand was the stuff of legend today. So Djokovic v Alcaraz in the men's final. Yes please.

The level that Djokovic can still play at aged 38 is extraordinary. Let's hope we have an awesome final set.

That's probably it. It's such an incredible challenge for Djokovic to hang over five sets with these two guys with a 14-year age gap. He can play to a supreme standard for a set or so, but Sinner and Alcaraz just last and last...like he did for so long.

The tragedy of that for Zverev at the end. Seems like just at the crucial moment, his body started to give in after a gargantuan effort to that point. As for Carlos. Maybe the only man around who could compete on one leg until the cramps subsided. At the end, he was magnificent.

Not the fault of the players, but a couple of awful semi-finals so far.

That was shocking from Coco. Wonder what's going on? On the other hand, great to see an aggressive and clinical Svitolina. The Ukrainian had so many painfully passive exits at slams over the years, so fair play to her on playing the matches on her terms now.

Well it's taken a while, but I've finally completed the career grand slam...for attendance obviously! Melbourne has been a brilliant experience and I'm incredibly lucky to have seen the variety of players I have over the past week, let alone the great city. Hopefully, I'll make it back.

Poor ADF is whatever the opposite of locked in is. That's a bad situation in a grand slam, particularly against Tommy Paul. American cruising here.

Some proper Dublin weather in Melbourne now. Chilly breeze and overcast. Feels like home. Might wreck this Parks-Muchova match though.

Ireland's Eoghan Jennings has won his first round qualifying match in the Australian Open Junior Boys. The Westport native came from behind to beat Poland's Jan Sadzik 0-6 6-1 6-2. If he wins the next round, he gets to the main draw in Melbourne.

Assured from Carlos by the end but have to say I love the way Hanfmann threw the kitchen sink at the Spaniard. Great to see a lower ranked player take it to the top lads, whatever the result.

Hanfmann is having himself quite the set. Bludgeoning strokes from the back court as Carlos scampers about. He's a bit like Kevin Anderson. Can do enormous damage with that first strike.

One of the best parts of the trip so far has been seeing my childhood tennis hero - and grabbing some pics - during the opening ceremony. Mr. Andre Agassi.

Ireland's sole competitor at the 2026 Australian Open is Eoghan Jennings in the Junior Boys' qualifying. The Westport native will play Poland's Jan Sadzik (ranked 103) later today in round one on Court 8 (third match). Jennings has to win two matches to make the main Juniors draw.

Tsitsipas in trouble here a set down to an inspired Mochizuki. The Japanese's flat hitting is taking time away from the Greek who threw in an awful service game at the worst possible time. Stef keeps overprotecting the backhand, then gets burned down the line by Mochizuki's fine double hander.

Good straight sets win for Belinda to hang on there after Boulter got going. Could have easily turned into a difficult three setter.

Good stuff now with Boulter striking the ball well. Suddenly a tight contest and a good watch.

Katie has arrived into the match. Found some good striking to earn her first game. Hopefully we'll have a proper match in this second set.

Bencic absolutely on it tonight. Spreading the play beautifully and overwhelming Boulter from the back.

Just an observation going around the Aussie Open that we were spoilt for years with the supporting cast. If you couldn't see the Big Three/Aryna/Iga, it was a great experience to see Stan, Thiem, Delpo, Dasha, Bianca, Gasquet, Fognini, Muchova, Shapo, Stef, Jabeur They are missed when absent