Marco Bianchi 
Cristiano Ronaldo told Vogue that this could be his final season, reflecting on his glittering career and upcoming family life after his recent wedding. He remains under contract with Saudi Pro League side Al‑Nassr but may retire after the season, joining other legends contemplating the end of their playing days.
Novak Djokovic, the 24‑time Grand Slam champion, was overwhelmed by the heat and humidity in Cincinnati and lost 2‑6 6‑4 6‑4 to Argentina’s Thiago Tirante in the tournament’s second round. The defeat marked the first time Djokovic failed to reach the last 32 at the event since 2005. Tirante called the win the best of his career.
German teenager Johannes Liebmann set a new men’s 1500m freestyle world record at the European Aquatics Championships in Paris, finishing in 14:26.79. On the same day, American swimmer Kate Douglass reclaimed the women’s 50m freestyle world record with a time of 23.49 seconds at the Pan Pacific Championships in California.
Wales’ Jonny Clayton claimed his first New Zealand Darts Masters crown with an 8-4 victory over fellow Welshman Gerwyn Price. The 51‑year‑old dominated the tournament, dispatching top seed Gian van Veen and James Wade en route to the final in Auckland.
Former world No.9 tennis player Roberto Bautista Agut has switched to football, signing for Spanish seventh‑tier side CD Els Ibarsos. He scored twice in a 4‑2 pre‑season victory on his debut, marking a surprising start to his new sporting chapter.
Former Monaco head coach Sebastien Pocognoli, a 39‑year‑old Belgian, is being touted as the leading candidate to take over the Scotland men’s national team after Steve Clarke resigned. The Scottish FA’s chief executive Ian Maxwell and chief football officer Craig Mulholland have spoken to him, with an appointment expected before the Nations League fixtures begin in September.
At the 2026 European Athletics Championships in Birmingham, Italy’s Sofia Fiorini broke the women’s race walking marathon world record by over nine minutes, while Spain’s Maria Perez set a new half‑marathon record. The performances marked a historic day for race walking, with both athletes establishing new global benchmarks.
Switzerland’s Audrey Werro captured the 800m gold at the European Championships, outpacing Great Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson who settled for silver. The race highlighted Werro’s strong finish on the back straight, securing her the title.
Norway’s Karsten Warholm said he feels he is improving with experience after securing his fourth consecutive European title in the men’s 400m hurdles. The victory at the European Athletics Championships underscores his continued dominance in the event as he ages.
Tanzid Hasan Tamim scored 101 runs in his second Test, becoming the first Bangladeshi to make a Test century on Australian soil. His innings helped Bangladesh post 351‑6 and take a 153‑run lead over Australia in the first Test at Darwin’s Marrara Oval.