It is 1 July, and you best believe I will always find a way to romanticise life. New financial year, new me!

Or at least, that’s how I felt until I saw my GOAT Serena Williams fall to Aussie Maya Joint.

Not only was I sad to see my queen get knocked out, I’m also feeling inferior watching a 20-year-old absolutely dominate on the global stage. (Scroll down to read about how she did it.)

Guess I’ll start again tomorrow.

95.
The number of injured NRL players, according to the league’s “casualty ward” updated today. It comes after the Manly Sea Eagles confirmed Luke Brooks will miss the rest of the 2026 season after scans showed he ruptured his ACL during their 30-4 win over the Melbourne Storm last Saturday.

"PARAGUAY NEVER GIVES UP! HOLIDAY DAMN IT!!”.
Paraguay’s president Santiago Peña in a post to X (capitals his), declaring a national holiday after his country advanced to the next round of the FIFA World Cup. After drawing 1-1 with Germany, the match went to penalties, where goalkeeper Orlando Gill saved two spot kicks and José Canale converted the decisive penalty to send Paraguay through. Last week, the Socceroos drew 1-1 with Paraguay to advance to this round, where they will face Egypt on Saturday (!!!).

Four players in last week’s 106-72 win over Richmond were not yet born when Scott Pendlebury debuted in the AFL. Jasper Alger, Sam Cumming, Sam Grlj and Sam Swadling all took the field as Pendlebury continued his record breaking career, having become the AFL’s all time games leader with appearance number 433 in May.

🎾 Australian tennis star Maya Joint has ended Serena Williams’ singles comeback. The 20-year-old defeated the 21-grand slam champion in the opening round at Wimbledon. Joint held firm in a three‑set thriller, breaking William’s famous serve five times and sending down 10 aces. Williams saved a match point and led early in the decider, but Joint’s composure prevailed. Williams, who returns in doubles with Venus later this week, left Centre Court to a standing ovation as Joint claimed the biggest win of her young career.

🏏 Australia is through to the Women’s T20 World Cup final after an eight‑wicket win over West Indies overnight. Australia bowled first and kept West Indies to a modest total before chasing it down, with Beth Mooney hitting an unbeaten 61. Ash Gardner dominated with both ball and bat, stepping up after Ellyse Perry was retired hurt as a precaution. West Indies captain Hayley Matthews top‑scored before a late collapse. Australia stay unbeaten this tournament so far and will play the final at Lord’s on Sunday against England or South Africa.

📺 Gambling advertising rules that would directly affect Australian sport are being introduced to Parliament this week, including new time limits and a ban on celebrity endorsement. During an address to the National Press Club in April, Albanese announced a complete ban on gambling ads during live sport from 6am to 8.30pm and no radio ads during school drop off and pick up times. The reforms would also stop celebrity endorsements (including athletes), and block gambling branding on uniforms and at sporting venues. With the Coalition and Greens signalling they will not back the package, the Government will need independents’ support or to accept amendments for the reforms to pass. It’s not yet clear how this will impact major codes like the NRL and AFL.

Claude, the AI for scientific discovery

Researchers at Australia's Garvan Institute are partnering with Claude to do what wasn't possible before: analyse genomic data at massive scale to understand how our genes cause rare diseases, and accelerate treatments to cure them. When science and AI come together, the future of human health gets a little brighter.

Here’s the latest on the FIFA World Cup.

Norway is through to the Round of 16 after a 2-1 win over Côte d’Ivoire, sealed by a late goal from Erling Haaland. The match stayed tight until the final minutes.

Antonio Nusa opened the scoring for Norway before Amad Diallo hit back in the middle of the second half, lifting Côte d’Ivoire’s tempo. Haaland then restored Norway’s lead, taking his tally to 60 goals for Norway and scoring in all three of his World Cup appearances. Côte d’Ivoire forced a strong save from Orjan Nyland as they chased a second. Norway will face Brazil on Monday.

Meanwhile, France cruises into the next round with a 3-0 win over Sweden. Kylian Mbappé scored twice, taking his World Cup total to 18, now one short of Messi’s newly-set all-time record for career World Cup goals, men’s or women’s.

France created early chances before Mbappé struck just before half‑time, and Bradley Barcola added another after the break. France faces Paraguay this Saturday, giving Mbappe another chance to chase Messi’s record.

Last but not least, thunderstorms stalled Mexico’s face off with Ecuador in Mexico City., When the match eventually got underway, co-host Mexico prevailed with a 2-0 win, led byJulián Quiñones and Raúl Jiménez. Ecuador finished with 10 players after a late red card on Piero Hincapié.

There are three games tomorrow. England faces Congo DR (where Mexico will find out who they face on Sunday), Belgium takes on Senegal, and the U.S. faces Bosnia and Herzegovina.

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LeBron James, one of the most decorated players in NBA history, will leave the Los Angeles Lakers after eight seasons.

His NBA career is not over just yet.

Here’s what to know.

Klutch Sports CEO Rich Paul was the first to share the news, telling ESPN on Tuesday (local time).

The Lakers confirmed the news shortly after and James followed with his own confirmation on X.

The 41‑year‑old helped deliver the franchise’s 2020 championship, its first NBA crown in a decade, nine months after club legend Kobe Bryant and his daughter Gianna were among nine people killed in a helicopter crash in Calabasas.

James became the league’s all‑time leading scorer in 2023 with a 38-point game against the Oklahoma City Thunder.

This year, he completed his record setting 23rd NBA season, averaging 20.9 points, 7.2 assists and 6.1 rebounds. James has played alongside his 21-year-old son Bronny over the last two seasons.

Lakers governor Jeanie Buss said: “LeBron James is one of the greatest athletes of all time… He will always be a cherished part of the Lakers family.”

James said it was an honour to wear Lakers colours while “continuing the greatness & legacies that came before [him].”

James is expected to continue his NBA career with another team. According to U.S. media reports, James has emerged as a potential target for San Francisco’s Golden State Warriors, who faced him in the NBA finals four times from 2015 to 2018.

The Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers are also expected to be in the mix to sign him. James began his NBA career with the Cavaliers in 2003, infamously leaving for Miami in 2010, returning in 2014, securing the championship with them in 2016, then heading to the Lakers in 2018.

Watch this space.