If you read this newsletter, it’s safe to assume you’ll be tuning in to the Aus Open this weekend. Here’s some trivia to help with the small talk between points.

Until the early 1970s, tennis balls were white, but early colour TV broadcasts made them hard to see.

Testing showed ‘optic yellow’ was more visible on screen. Following pressure from broadcasters, including BBC executive David Attenborough(!), the International Tennis Federation approved the switch in 1972.

And yes, that settles the debate… tennis balls are yellow, not green!

I’ll be in your inbox again on Tuesday with the details on Australia’s second-biggest Winter Olympics team ever.

Wishing you a tennis-filled weekend 🎾

🎾 Naomi Osaka has apologised for what she called “disrespectful” comments after a tense exchange with Romania’s Sorana Cîrstea at the Australian Open. The 16th seed beat Cîrstea in three sets on Margaret Court Arena, but the match ended with a brisk handshake and a tense exchange of words at the net. Osaka later admitted her on-court interview remarks crossed a line, saying emotions ran high and she could have handled the moment better. Cîrstea, playing her final Australian Open, downplayed the incident and focused on her farewell.

🎾 Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are out of the Australian Open men’s doubles after a first-round loss to fellow Australians Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans. The former champions were beaten in a final-set tiebreak (6-4, 4-6, 7-6), with both clearly hampered by injury throughout the match. Kyrgios struggled with a knee issue, while Kokkinakis’ ongoing shoulder problem flared late and may sideline him again. It brings an early and sobering end to the Special Ks’ Melbourne return at the Australian Open.

🚴‍♂️ Australian cyclist Jay Vine has claimed the overall leader’s jersey at the Tour Down Under after a dominant win on Stage Two in the Adelaide Hills. Vine attacked late alongside his Ecuadorian teammate and the Tour Down Under’s defending champion, Jhonatan Narváez, leaving the rest of the field behind to finish first and second. The result gives Vine a six-second overall lead and positions the Australian as the man to beat heading into today’s Stage Three from Henley Beach to Nairne.

🏉 The NRL’s Parramatta Eels have launched legal action against centre Zac Lomax, taking the dispute over his future to the NSW Supreme Court. Lomax was granted an early release in November to pursue opportunities outside the NRL, but Parramatta says the agreement prevents him from joining a rival club before 2028 without their consent. With the proposed R360 competition delayed and Lomax seeking a move to the Melbourne Storm, the Eels argue the terms must be enforced unless fair compensation is provided.

Talking points: A place in the Big Bash Final is on the line when the Sydney Sixers host defending champions Hobart Hurricanes at the Sydney Cricket Ground tonight. The Sixers are looking to bounce back after their qualifier loss to the Perth Scorchers, with Steve Smith and Mitchell Starc central to their hopes. The Hurricanes arrive full of confidence after their knockout win against the Melbourne Stars and will be boosted by the return of captain Nathan Ellis. The winner will play the Scorchers in Sunday’s final in Perth.

How to watch: The match will start at 7:15pm tonight (AEDT). You can watch the BBL on Channel 7, Foxtel, and Kayo.

Talking points: The Australian Open reaches its midpoint this weekend in Melbourne. After 21 Australians began the singles draws last Sunday, just two remain in the third round. Men’s sixth seed Alex de Minaur will be in action tonight against American 29th seed Frances Tiafoe. The pair have met four times, with De Minaur winning three, including their most recent meeting at the 2025 Canada Masters. Maddison Inglis is the only Australian left in the women’s singles draw. Ranked 168th in the world, it’s the second time she has reached the third round at the Australian Open. She will look to continue her run tomorrow against 16th seed and four-time Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka.

How to watch: De Minaur will play at 7pm tonight (AEDT). Inglis will play tomorrow (time TBD). You can watch the Australian Open on Channel 9, 9Now, and Stan Sport. 

Talking points: Just four teams remain in the NFL, with the AFC and NFC Championship games set to decide who reaches Super Bowl LX. In the AFC Championship, the top-seeded Denver Broncos host the New England Patriots, but Denver will be without rookie quarterback Bo Nix after he fractured his ankle last week. That puts the spotlight on Patriots quarterback Drake Maye, one of the league’s breakout performers this season. The NFC Championship will see the Seattle Seahawks host the Los Angeles Rams. Seattle is unbeaten at home in conference championship games, while the Rams arrive battle-hardened after two playoff wins away from home.

How to watch: On Monday, the Broncos will play the Patriots at 7am, followed by the Seahawks and Rams at 10:30am (AEDT). You can watch the NFL on 7Mate, DAZN, and ESPN (via Kayo, Foxtel, Disney+). 

If you’re the kind of person who checks team lists, debates tactics, or plans weekends around sport… this one’s for you

Deakin University has once again been ranked #1 in the world for Sport Science in the Shanghai Ranking's Global Rankings for 2025. That’s seven times on top, and five years in a row ahead of 300+ universities worldwide.

As a graduate of the Bachelor of Exercise and Sport Science you can look forward to a career in in athlete performance, strength and conditioning, rehabilitation, coaching, community health and more.

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