James O'Brien 
London City Lionesses defender Jana Fernandez signed a new contract that will keep her at the club until 2029. The 24‑year‑old has been a key player since joining from Barcelona and was voted club player of the season. Her deal reflects the club’s ambition as they build on a sixth‑place finish in their debut WSL campaign.
England advanced to the quarter‑finals of the 2026 World Cup by beating Mexico 3‑2 at the Azteca Stadium, despite being reduced to ten men after Jarell Quansah’s dismissal. Coach Thomas Tuchel later reflected on the match, humorously saying he regretted not eating the stadium grass, and praised the squad’s unity after Jordan Henderson’s injury.
Harry Brook produced a sensational 42‑ball century for England against Sri Lanka in the first T20 International of the series. The innings was the joint‑second fastest hundred by an English player in T20I history, highlighting Brook’s explosive batting form.
Former world number four Jack Draper will miss the remainder of the 2026 season after suffering bone bruising in his serving arm. He aims to recover and return to the ATP Tour at the start of 2027, with support from coaches Andy Murray, James Trotman and Alex Lisiecki.
Former England international Raheem Sterling has pleaded guilty to dangerous driving after his Lamborghini crashed into barriers on the M3 in May. He appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court where he also admitted possession of nitrous oxide and refusing a breath test.
British tennis player Sonay Kartal confirmed her comeback to the WTA circuit after a six‑month layoff caused by a back injury. She expressed excitement on Instagram and noted her new role as an official Under Armour ambassador, while her exact tournament debut remains unconfirmed. The announcement follows a difficult 2026 season that saw her ranking drop from world No.44 to No.124.
British sprinter Amy Hunt expressed concern that a new sports betting advert starring Sydney Sweeney could act as a barrier for girls in sport. She highlighted the high dropout rate among young females and called for role models that focus on ability rather than appearance.
Noni Madueke, the 24‑year‑old England forward currently at Arsenal, has attracted interest from Atletico Madrid and Juventus for a potential January loan. The move would see the young winger head to La Liga or Serie A, adding depth to the Spanish and Italian clubs’ attacking options.
Former world No.1 John McEnroe urged tennis authorities to change the serve‑toss rule after Alexander Zverev’s habit of bouncing the ball thousands of times during his US Open matches drew criticism. McEnroe, echoing a similar suggestion from Andy Roddick, argued that a missed toss should be counted as a fault, aiming to speed up play and eliminate repeated do‑overs.
American teenager Ben Shelton reached his first Grand Slam final at the 2026 US Open but lost to Germany’s Alexander Zverev in four sets. Post‑match analysis from former coaches Brad Gilbert and Rick Macci highlighted Shelton’s overly conservative serve and a biomechanically disjointed backhand as key issues to address before upcoming Davis Cup duties.