Nadal, the Spanish star, has battled a core muscle injury since January. He said that next season is “probably is going to be my last year in the professional tour.”
Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Elena Rybakina had a rousing month in the United States. With Europe, red clay and the return of the biggest stars on the horizon, this could get very interesting.
The rise of a new winter sports hero. The women’s soccer World Cup. A brisker pace of play in baseball. And, for heaven’s sake, less talk about pickleball.
From behind-the-back improvisation on a tennis court to dazzling performances at the Olympics, the year offered plenty of highlights — and some lowlights, too.