https://www.theguardian.com/us/sport Sports news, scores, blogs and opinion on US and world sports from the Guardian, the world's leading liberal voice en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 Sat, 30 May 2026 04:36:54 GMT 2026-05-30T04:36:54Z en-gb Guardian News and Media Limited or its affiliated companies. All rights reserved. 2026 https://assets.guim.co.uk/images/guardian-logo-rss.c45beb1bafa34b347ac333af2e6fe23f.png https://www.theguardian.com https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/tennis-french-open-novak-djokovic-joao-fonseca-roland-garros-five-sets <ul><li><p>Djokovic had stormed into 2-0 lead on Philippe-Chatrier</p></li><li><p>Brazilian 19-year-old wins 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, 7-5</p></li></ul><p>As Novak Djokovic limped back to his chair four hours into a tennis match that had descended into hell, the 24-times grand slam winner did not have much more to give. A two-set lead had unravelled and his 39-year-old body had hit a wall against a shining opponent 20 years his junior. Having reached the umpire’s chair, Djokovic vomited into the red dirt.</p><p>Still, nobody has mastered the art of finding victory from a miserable position quite like Djokovic, so everybody inside Court Philippe-Chatrier knew he could always conjure a path through.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/tennis-french-open-novak-djokovic-joao-fonseca-roland-garros-five-sets">Continue reading...</a> French Open 2026 Novak Djokovic French Open Sport Tennis Fri, 29 May 2026 21:43:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/tennis-french-open-novak-djokovic-joao-fonseca-roland-garros-five-sets Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Photograph: Matthew Stockman/Getty Images Tumaini Carayol at Roland Garros 2026-05-29T21:43:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/usmnt-world-cup-captain-tim-ream <p>Charlotte FC’s Tim Ream appears to be in pole position to lead the US on the field this summer, but there are many factors to consider</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/31/sign-up-for-the-world-behind-the-cup-a-newsletter-about-more-than-soccer"><strong>Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>If you want to get US men’s national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino started, just use one word: leadership.</p><p>The former Tottenham Hotspur manager is famously well-studied on the subject and there are no shortage of clips of him waxing poetic about it. He’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/may/31/mauricio-pochettino-firewalking-arrows-tottenham-liverpool-champions-league-final">led players over hot coals</a>, or had them press their neck up against the tip of an arrow and lean into it until it shatters. Ask him about leadership and the words he’ll sprinkle into his answers will overlap heavily with late-night self-help ads, his sentences dotted with the likes of <em>aura, bravery </em>and <em>self-determination.</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/usmnt-world-cup-captain-tim-ream">Continue reading...</a> USA World Cup 2026 Football Sport World Cup US sports Fri, 29 May 2026 11:00:49 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/usmnt-world-cup-captain-tim-ream Photograph: Ira L Black/USSF/Getty Images Photograph: Ira L Black/USSF/Getty Images Photograph: Ira L Black/USSF/Getty Images Pablo Iglesias Maurer in Fayetteville, Georgia 2026-05-29T11:00:49Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/cycling-sepp-kuss-giro-ditalia-stage-19-jonas-vingegaard <ul><li><p>Kuss completes grand tour stage win trilogy</p></li><li><p>Vingegaard stays 4min 3sec clear of Gall in the GC</p></li></ul><p>Teammates Sepp Kuss and Jonas Vingegaard dominated the high mountains for Visma-Lease a Bike on Friday as the former claimed a historic solo victory on stage 19 of the Giro d’Italia, and the latter firmly defended his overall lead.</p><p>By winning the brutal mountain stage atop Piani di Pezzè in the Dolomites, Kuss became the 116th rider to complete the Grand Tour stage victory trilogy, with the American adding an Italian success to wins at the Tour de France in 2021 and the Vuelta a España in 2019 and 2023.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/cycling-sepp-kuss-giro-ditalia-stage-19-jonas-vingegaard">Continue reading...</a> Giro d'Italia Jonas Vingegaard Cycling Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 16:44:37 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/cycling-sepp-kuss-giro-ditalia-stage-19-jonas-vingegaard Photograph: Luca Zennaro/EPA Photograph: Luca Zennaro/EPA Photograph: Luca Zennaro/EPA Reuters 2026-05-29T16:44:37Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/french-open-court-layouts-are-causing-injuries-to-players-says-iga-swiatek <ul><li><p>Players colliding with hoardings and rain covers on courts</p></li><li><p>‘I hope they’re going to put them in a different place’</p></li></ul><p>Iga Swiatek has called for the French Open to make changes to the layout of their courts after multiple players were forced to withdraw this week having been injured when tripping over obstacles at the back of the Roland Garros courts.</p><p>On Friday, the Turkish player Zeynep Sonmez had been chasing down a lob when she ran into one of the Lacoste advertising boards placed at the back of the court and fell to the floor. After a medical time out, Sonmez, alongside her partner, Tatjana Maria, was forced to retire from her second-round doubles match against Dayana Yastremska and Anhelina Kalinina while trailing 2-0.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/french-open-court-layouts-are-causing-injuries-to-players-says-iga-swiatek">Continue reading...</a> French Open 2026 French Open Sport Tennis Fri, 29 May 2026 16:11:41 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/french-open-court-layouts-are-causing-injuries-to-players-says-iga-swiatek Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Photograph: Anadolu/Getty Images Tumaini Carayol at Roland Garros 2026-05-29T16:11:41Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/liberation-of-premier-league-title-can-help-arsenal-blunt-psg-and-join-europes-elite <p>Mikel Arteta must find the balance between newfound freedom and tried-and-tested solidity against Luis Enrique’s attacking machine</p><p>Welcome to Budapest: city of stew, city of pavement squares, city of men in cotton smocks offering brisk muscular relaxation in geothermally heated cubicles. Eleven days on from the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/arsenal-premier-league-title-symbol-of-the-metropolitan-swagger-and-metropolitan-angst-london">profound emotional release</a> of winning the Premier League title it seems fitting Arsenal will approach their season’s endgame in a city that is basically perfect for a restorative summer city break.</p><p>Saturday afternoon at the Puskas Arena already looks like a twin-track event for Mikel Arteta’s team, an occasion that changes shape according to the angle from which you see it. On one hand, victory against Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final would represent the greatest day in Arsenal’s history. On the other, this is an occasion that feels strangely light, fun, celebratory, a free-hit kind of final.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/liberation-of-premier-league-title-can-help-arsenal-blunt-psg-and-join-europes-elite">Continue reading...</a> Champions League Arsenal Paris Saint-Germain Football Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 19:00:58 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/liberation-of-premier-league-title-can-help-arsenal-blunt-psg-and-join-europes-elite Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Illustration: Guardian Design Barney Ronay in Budapest 2026-05-29T19:00:58Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/may/29/the-98th-scripps-national-spelling-bee-in-pictures <p>The National Spelling Bee, which concluded with Thursday’s nationally televised championship finals, invited 247 spellers to compete for a $52,500 cash prize and orthographic immortality</p><ul><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/shrey-parikh-scripps-national-spelling-bee-win">California’s Parikh wins National Spelling Bee</a></p></li><li><p><a href="https://viewer.gutools.co.uk/sport/article/2024/may/30/national-spelling-bee-quiz-winning-words">Quiz: can you nail past years’ winning words?</a></p></li></ul> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/may/29/the-98th-scripps-national-spelling-bee-in-pictures">Continue reading...</a> National Spelling Bee US sports Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 15:04:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/gallery/2026/may/29/the-98th-scripps-national-spelling-bee-in-pictures Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Guardian sport 2026-05-29T15:04:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/victor-wembanyama-spurs-thunder-game-6-western-conference-finals <ul><li><p>Spurs rout Thunder 118-91 in Game 6</p></li><li><p>Wembanyama posts 28 points and 10 rebounds</p></li><li><p>West finals to be decided Saturday in OKC</p></li></ul><p>Victor Wembanyama scored 28 points and grabbed 10 rebounds, lifting the San Antonio Spurs to a 118-91 home win over the Oklahoma City Thunder on Thursday in Game 6 of the Western Conference finals.</p><p>The teams will play one last time in Game 7 on Saturday in Oklahoma City, with the winner advancing to face the New York Knicks in the NBA finals.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/victor-wembanyama-spurs-thunder-game-6-western-conference-finals">Continue reading...</a> NBA Oklahoma City Thunder San Antonio Spurs Basketball Sport US sports Shai Gilgeous-Alexander Fri, 29 May 2026 04:03:50 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/victor-wembanyama-spurs-thunder-game-6-western-conference-finals Photograph: David J Phillip/AP Photograph: David J Phillip/AP Photograph: David J Phillip/AP Agencies 2026-05-29T04:03:50Z https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/may/29/zohran-mamdani-eid-arsenal-kurta <p>The New York mayor scored a range of responses attending Eid prayers in an outfit combining football and faith</p><p>Since <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/24/crystal-palace-arsenal-premier-league-match-report">Arsenal won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years</a> this month, the visibility of the club’s shirts has soared, with celebrities including Romeo Beckham and the singer Mahalia wearing them.</p><p>One particularly notable fan moment occurred when Zohran Mamdani, the mayor of New York, wore a kurta made out of the team’s 2025-26 away kit to attend Eid al-Adha prayers in the Bronx.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/may/29/zohran-mamdani-eid-arsenal-kurta">Continue reading...</a> Fashion Zohran Mamdani Arsenal Eid al-Adha Islam Life and style Football Premier League US news Sport World news Religion Fri, 29 May 2026 14:29:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/fashion/2026/may/29/zohran-mamdani-eid-arsenal-kurta Photograph: Katie Godowski/MediaPunch/Shutterstock Photograph: Katie Godowski/MediaPunch/Shutterstock Photograph: Katie Godowski/MediaPunch/Shutterstock Lauren Cochrane 2026-05-29T14:29:18Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/injured-alireza-firouzja-shock-magnus-carlsen-norway-chess <p>Frenchman scored at Norway Chess despite his heavily protected sprained ankle, and defeated Carlsen for the first time in a classical game</p><p>Magnus Carlsen has won the annual Norway Chess elite tournament for six of the past seven years. However, the 35-year-old world No 1 was shocked in Monday’s opening round by Alireza Firouzja, who had finished last at Bucharest the previous week in the Grand Chess Tour event won by Germany’s Vincent Keymer.</p><p>The Frenchman, 22, defeated Carlsen for the first time in classical chess despite playing with a sprained ankle, caused by falling off a stage at Bucharest. It was the most high-profile success by a physically injured grandmaster since Tilburg 1985, where England’s Tony Miles shared first prize playing prone from a massage table after injuring his back.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/injured-alireza-firouzja-shock-magnus-carlsen-norway-chess">Continue reading...</a> Magnus Carlsen Chess Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 07:00:44 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/injured-alireza-firouzja-shock-magnus-carlsen-norway-chess Photograph: Michał Walusza/Norway Chess Photograph: Michał Walusza/Norway Chess Photograph: Michał Walusza/Norway Chess Leonard Barden 2026-05-29T07:00:44Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/arsenal-champions-league-final-mikel-arteta-paris-saint-germain <ul><li><p>Gunners face PSG in Budapest final on Saturday</p></li><li><p>‘We have one, and now we want the second one’</p></li></ul><p>Mikel Arteta has dismissed suggestions the pressure is off Arsenal in Saturday’s Champions League final after their first Premier League title for 22 years and insists he and his players are hungry for more trophies.</p><p>Paris Saint-Germain, who <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/07/hakimi-seals-paris-saint-germains-final-spot-as-bold-arsenal-fall-short">defeated Arsenal in the semi-finals</a> last year before <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/31/psg-win-champions-league-for-first-time-with-record-5-0-final-hammering-of-inter">being crowned European champions</a> for the first time, saw off Chelsea, Liverpool and Bayern Munich in the knockout stages and are strongly fancied to retain their crown. Jurriën Timber looks likely to start after Arteta confirmed the Netherlands defender had recovered from a groin injury, although he has not featured since the win over Everton on 14 March.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/arsenal-champions-league-final-mikel-arteta-paris-saint-germain">Continue reading...</a> Arsenal Mikel Arteta Champions League Football Sport Paris Saint-Germain Fri, 29 May 2026 17:53:42 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/arsenal-champions-league-final-mikel-arteta-paris-saint-germain Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Ed Aarons in Budapest 2026-05-29T17:53:42Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/champions-league-psg-motivation-greater-than-arsenal-luis-enrique <ul><li><p>Luis Enrique: ‘Retaining it is source of inspiration for us’</p></li><li><p>Expects to name same outfield 10 as in 2025 final</p></li></ul><p>Luis Enrique has insisted Paris Saint-Germain’s motivation to retain their Champions League title is greater than Arsenal’s quest to be crowned European champions for the first time.</p><p>PSG demolished Inter <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/31/psg-win-champions-league-for-first-time-with-record-5-0-final-hammering-of-inter">5-0 in last year’s final in Munich </a>and are strong favourites for Saturday’s showdown at the Puskas Arena in Budapest. Arsenal have reached this stage for the first time since 2006, when they lost 2-1 to Barcelona in Paris, and Arteta caused a stir in the week when he said: “We will be European champions on Saturday.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/champions-league-psg-motivation-greater-than-arsenal-luis-enrique">Continue reading...</a> Mikel Arteta Paris Saint-Germain Arsenal Luis Enrique Football Sport Champions League Fri, 29 May 2026 16:09:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/champions-league-psg-motivation-greater-than-arsenal-luis-enrique Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Photograph: Mike Egerton/PA Ed Aarons in Budapest 2026-05-29T16:09:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/mikel-arteta-arsenal-basque-country-barcelona-champions-league-final <p>In the runup to the Champions League final, the Arsenal manager’s first footballing steps in the Basque Country and Barcelona are recalled by those who shared them</p><p>The way Santi Cazorla tells it, rolling about laughing, Mikel Arteta may just be the worst person you could ever wish to watch a match with. Which is why he knew <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/20/mikel-arteta-arsenal-overcame-setbacks-crises-boos-defy-doubters">his friend would be a coach</a> and why he told him to go away and become one, convinced great things were coming. “When we were injured at Arsenal, we used to meet at home for games, and he would grab the remote and pause it,” Cazorla recalls. “I would say: ‘What are you stopping it for?’ He would say: ‘No, go back, go back,’ rewind it 30 seconds, and then ask: ‘What do you see?’ I would say: ‘I see a paused screen. I don’t see<em> </em>anything!’”</p><p>So Arteta would explain. “‘Don’t you think this player is badly positioned? … If <em>he</em> goes a bit deeper, <em>this </em>space opens up … if the pivot goes <em>there, </em>this happens … <em>that</em> line should be deeper …’ I would look at him and think: ‘What’s with this guy?’” Cazorla continues, still cracking up. “He was a coach already. All game, every game: pausing, rewinding. The match is finished and we’re only in the 35th minute. ‘Do you see it?’ ‘Yes, yes, you’re right, now come on, press play.’ But I didn’t see it. I <em>love </em>football, I can watch it all day, but I don’t notice those things. Mikel does. I think it’s a gift.”</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/mikel-arteta-arsenal-basque-country-barcelona-champions-league-final">Continue reading...</a> Mikel Arteta Arsenal Champions League Football Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 16:00:54 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/mikel-arteta-arsenal-basque-country-barcelona-champions-league-final Photograph: - Photograph: - Photograph: - Sid Lowe 2026-05-29T16:00:54Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/scotland-world-cup-2026-team-guide <p>After dramatic qualification, an experienced squad could progress beyond the group stage if they beat Haiti in their opening game</p><p><em>This article is part of the Guardian’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/world-cup-2026-guardian-experts-network">2026 World Cup Experts’ Network</a>, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/scotland-world-cup-2026-team-guide">Continue reading...</a> Scotland Football Sport World Cup World Cup 2026 Fri, 29 May 2026 23:01:02 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/30/scotland-world-cup-2026-team-guide Photograph: Paul Byars/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Photograph: Paul Byars/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Photograph: Paul Byars/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Ewan Murray 2026-05-29T23:01:02Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/anthony-gordon-signs-barcelona-from-newcastle-five-year-deal <ul><li><p>England winger commits to Spanish giants to 2031</p></li><li><p>‘It is a dream come true to be part of this club’</p></li></ul><p>Anthony Gordon has signed for Barcelona from Newcastle in a five-year deal believed to be worth £69.3m. Both clubs announced the move on Friday night, with the Spanish giants saying in a statement that the 25-year-old winger will sign for “the next five seasons, until June 30, 2031”.</p><p>“FC Barcelona and Newcastle United have reached an agreement for Anthony Gordon to become a <em>blaugrana</em> for the next five seasons,” Barcelona added.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/anthony-gordon-signs-barcelona-from-newcastle-five-year-deal">Continue reading...</a> Barcelona Newcastle United Transfer window Football Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 21:15:59 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/anthony-gordon-signs-barcelona-from-newcastle-five-year-deal Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters Photograph: Albert Gea/Reuters Sid Lowe in Barcelona 2026-05-29T21:15:59Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/brazil-world-cup-2026-team-guide <p>Unimpressive in qualification, fans will be hoping Carlo Ancelotti can get the best out of Vinícius Júnior, as he did at Real Madrid</p><p><em>This article is part of the Guardian’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/series/world-cup-2026-guardian-experts-network">2026 World Cup Experts’ Network</a>, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 48 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from three countries each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 11 June.</em></p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/brazil-world-cup-2026-team-guide">Continue reading...</a> Brazil World Cup 2026 Football Sport World Cup Fri, 29 May 2026 15:00:55 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/brazil-world-cup-2026-team-guide Photograph: Foto Arena LTDA/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Photograph: Foto Arena LTDA/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Photograph: Foto Arena LTDA/Alamy Stock Photo/Alamy Live News. Gustavo Faldon 2026-05-29T15:00:55Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/dick-advocaat-curacao-scotland-world-cup <ul><li><p>Manager recalls Rangers tenure fondly before friendly </p></li><li><p>Steve Clarke: Scotland should be qualifing regularly </p></li></ul><p>A smile flashed across the face of Dick Advocaat as he was reminded that, 27 years earlier to the day, he had watched his Rangers team complete a domestic treble at Hampden Park. “I was quite successful in this stadium, so you have to be careful tomorrow,” Advocaat said. Little could anyone have known in 1999 that in 2026 Advocaat would be bringing his World Cup-bound Curaçao to Glasgow for a friendly.</p><p>During 11 minutes on Friday, Advocaat completed a verbal whistle-stop tour of everything from Martin O’Neill’s return to Celtic to his World Cup ambitions. At 78, it is remarkable to see Advocaat in this scenario. Reflections on the past in this city were inevitable. He will become the oldest coach in World Cup history when Curaçao face Germany on 14 June.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/dick-advocaat-curacao-scotland-world-cup">Continue reading...</a> Curaçao Scotland Rangers Football Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 16:30:40 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/dick-advocaat-curacao-scotland-world-cup Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA Photograph: Andrew Milligan/PA Ewan Murray 2026-05-29T16:30:40Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/manchester-city-women-khadija-bunny-shaw-title-fa-cup-double-brighton <p>FA Cup final victory against Brighton would make it a perfect month and the squad are hungry for more success</p><p>Secure your first league title for a decade? Tick. Extend your golden boot-winning striker’s contract. Tick. Lift a first Women’s FA Cup since 2020? Pending. May 2026 has gone swimmingly for Manchester City and they are hoping it will get even better.</p><p>Once you get that sweet taste of long-awaited success, you want more, and coaches will tell you it is not reaching the top that is the hardest part, but staying there. Keeping hold of your best players is job No 1 in that regard, so persuading Khadija “Bunny” Shaw to perform a remarkable U-turn and stay for another four years was vital.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/manchester-city-women-khadija-bunny-shaw-title-fa-cup-double-brighton">Continue reading...</a> Manchester City Women Women's FA Cup Women's football Sport Football Brighton & Hove Albion Women Fri, 29 May 2026 09:01:44 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/29/manchester-city-women-khadija-bunny-shaw-title-fa-cup-double-brighton Photograph: Naomi Baker/WSL/WSL Football/Getty Images Photograph: Naomi Baker/WSL/WSL Football/Getty Images Photograph: Naomi Baker/WSL/WSL Football/Getty Images Tom Garry 2026-05-29T09:01:44Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/adolfo-daniel-vallejo-moise-kouame-female-umpire-french-open-tennis <ul><li><p>Comments ‘unacceptable’, tournament officials say</p></li><li><p>Organisers to fine player over criticism after Kouamé loss</p></li></ul><p>French Open organisers have said a “significant sanction” will be imposed on Adolfo Daniel Vallejo after the Paraguayan player said his second-round match should not have been umpired by a woman. Vallejo sparked controversy by saying his the Brazilian Ana Carvalho was unable to keep home supporters in check as he tumbled to defeat at Roland Garros, and can now expect a fine.</p><p>Vallejo was facing the French teenager Moïse Kouamé on Thursday in what turned out to be one of the matches of the tournament so far. Kouamé, 17, was roared on by compatriots on Court Suzanne Lenglen, eventually winning 6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 7-6 (8) after four hours and 56 minutes.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/adolfo-daniel-vallejo-moise-kouame-female-umpire-french-open-tennis">Continue reading...</a> French Open 2026 French Open Sport Tennis Fri, 29 May 2026 20:05:11 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/adolfo-daniel-vallejo-moise-kouame-female-umpire-french-open-tennis Photograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Photograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Photograph: Ian MacNicol/Getty Images Agencies 2026-05-29T20:05:11Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/may/29/french-open-2026-xxx-on-day-six-live <p>The Brazilian teenager showed his title credentials by storming back from two sets down to keep Novak Djokovic waiting for a 25th grand slam title</p><p><strong>Now then.</strong> Swiatek is brilliant at coaxing herself through the rounds, but she’ll not be happy to be broken immediately, Linette leading 2-0 … er, make that 2-1, the advantage immediately confiscated. Meantime, Rublev has also been broken, the serving that settled set one forsaking him in two, and that, really is the difference; he hammers his racket into the clay, which is better than doing so into himself, and he leads 7-5 1-3.</p><p><strong>Borges, who’ll feel unlucky to have lost the first set, breaks Rublev immediately for 5-7 2-0,</strong> while Linette holds in game one of her clash with Swiatek.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/may/29/french-open-2026-xxx-on-day-six-live">Continue reading...</a> French Open 2026 French Open Tennis Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 19:21:05 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/live/2026/may/29/french-open-2026-xxx-on-day-six-live Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP Photograph: Christophe Ena/AP Daniel Harris (earlier) and Niall McVeigh (now) 2026-05-29T19:21:05Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/alex-de-minaur-knocked-out-of-french-open-after-letting-lead-slip <ul><li><p>Australian goes down 0-6 6-2 6-2 6-3 to Jakub Mensik</p></li><li><p> No 8 seed will rue a golden chance to advance in Paris</p></li></ul><p>Alex de Minaur was blown out of the French Open just when opportunity had knocked deafeningly for all the would-be contenders.</p><p>With Jannik Sinner’s <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/jannick-sinner-out-french-open-33c-heat-cerundolo-tennis">sensational exit</a> having made everyone believe their chance could be at hand, de Minaur’s enduring dream was this time dynamited by young Czech powerhouse Jakub Mensik 0-6 6-2 6-2 6-3 in the third round.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/alex-de-minaur-knocked-out-of-french-open-after-letting-lead-slip">Continue reading...</a> French Open 2026 Tennis Australia sport Fri, 29 May 2026 19:13:48 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/29/alex-de-minaur-knocked-out-of-french-open-after-letting-lead-slip Photograph: Stéphanie Lecocq/Reuters Photograph: Stéphanie Lecocq/Reuters Photograph: Stéphanie Lecocq/Reuters Australian Associated Press 2026-05-29T19:13:48Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/29/champions-league-final-buildup-world-cup-latest-transfer-news-and-more-football-live <p>Our writers brought the news from press conferences and previews ahead of the men’s Champions League and Women’s FA Cup finals</p><p><strong>The aforementioned Qatar played Ireland last night in Dublin, and lost 1-0.</strong></p><p>The game was played against the backdrop of mounting controversy over Ireland’s forthcoming Nations League fixtures against Israel, with the game scheduled for October 4 in Dublin a particular focus, and protesters hurled tennis balls bearing the message “stop the game” onto the pitch on several occasions during the first half.</p><p>The 22-year will make a shock switch of allegiance from Italy to <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/australia">Australia</a> four years after turning down the opportunity to represent the country of his birth at the tournament in Qatar.</p><p>Football Australia is still awaiting confirmation from Fifa that the formalities surrounding Volpato’s change of heart can be completed before Socceroos coach Tony Popovic names his 26-player World Cup squad by 1 June.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/29/champions-league-final-buildup-world-cup-latest-transfer-news-and-more-football-live">Continue reading...</a> Football Sport Champions League Fri, 29 May 2026 17:00:26 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/live/2026/may/29/champions-league-final-buildup-world-cup-latest-transfer-news-and-more-football-live Photograph: Michael Regan/Uefa/Getty Images Photograph: Michael Regan/Uefa/Getty Images Photograph: Michael Regan/Uefa/Getty Images Dominic Booth, John Brewin and David Tindall 2026-05-29T17:00:26Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/shrey-parikh-scripps-national-spelling-bee-win <ul><li><p>Parikh, 14, beats Ishaan Gupta in spell-off</p></li><li><p>Favorite gets 32 words right in tiebreaker</p></li></ul><p>Shrey Parikh felt the pressure of arriving at the Scripps National Spelling Bee as a favorite, but his confidence showed every time he got a word he knew. And when it all came down to a lightning-round tiebreaker against Ishaan Gupta, Shrey left no doubt.</p><p>Shrey turned a tense, high-quality final into a blowout Thursday night, racing through the 90-second “spell-off” and getting 32 words right to be crowned the best young speller in the English language. Ishaan spelled 25 words correctly in the tiebreaker.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/shrey-parikh-scripps-national-spelling-bee-win">Continue reading...</a> National Spelling Bee US sports Sport Fri, 29 May 2026 02:26:46 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/shrey-parikh-scripps-national-spelling-bee-win Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Photograph: José Luis Magaña/AP Agencies 2026-05-29T02:26:46Z https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/28/mauricio-pochettino-christian-pulisic-usmnt <ul><li><p>US coach addressed several topics on Thursday</p></li><li><p>‘We are seeing the real American player right now’</p></li><li><p>On World Cup snubs: ‘It’s so painful, it’s so difficult’</p></li><li><p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/mar/31/sign-up-for-the-world-behind-the-cup-a-newsletter-about-more-than-soccer"><strong>Sign up for the World Behind The Cup newsletter</strong></a></p></li></ul><p>Mauricio Pochettino is entering the 2026 World Cup with plenty of confidence in his team’s biggest star, even after <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/may/28/usmnt-greats-donovan-howard-criticize-absence-of-top-players-from-gold-cup">last summer’s saga</a> that saw Christian Pulisic ask out of national team duty.</p><p>The Milan forward opted out of last summer’s Concacaf Gold Cup as he prioritized entering the 2025-26 season with adequate rest, wanting to avoid burnout for this crucial World Cup summer. The star and his international coach then exchanged words through podcasts in the lead-up to the tournament, which saw the US fall in the final against Mexico.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/28/mauricio-pochettino-christian-pulisic-usmnt">Continue reading...</a> USA Football US sports Sport World Cup 2026 World Cup Christian Pulisic Mauricio Pochettino Thu, 28 May 2026 21:27:33 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/football/2026/may/28/mauricio-pochettino-christian-pulisic-usmnt Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Timothy A Clary/AFP/Getty Images Pablo Iglesias Maurer in Fayetteville, Georgia and Jeff Rueter 2026-05-28T21:27:33Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/claude-lemieux-dead-four-time-stanley-cup-champion-nhl <ul><li><p>Lemieux won four Stanley Cups with three teams</p></li><li><p>Fiery winger earned 1995 Conn Smythe Trophy</p></li><li><p>Former NHL agitator later became player agent</p></li></ul><p>Claude Lemieux, a four-time Stanley Cup champion whose ferocious, hard-hitting style of play angered opponents and sometimes overshadowed his prodigious skills and ability to deliver in the biggest games, has died after taking his own life, according to authorities. He was 60.</p><p>The Palm Beach County Sherriff’s Office said Thursday that deputies responded just after 3am to the scene of an apparent suicide at a furniture store showroom in Lake Park, Florida. The sheriff’s office said the victim was believed to be Lemieux.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/claude-lemieux-dead-four-time-stanley-cup-champion-nhl">Continue reading...</a> NHL New Jersey Devils Montreal Canadiens Colorado Avalanche US sports Sport Thu, 28 May 2026 19:20:36 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/claude-lemieux-dead-four-time-stanley-cup-champion-nhl Photograph: B Bennett/Getty Images Photograph: B Bennett/Getty Images Photograph: B Bennett/Getty Images Agencies 2026-05-28T19:20:36Z https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/canada-usa-iihf-world-championship-quarter-final-jet-greaves <ul><li><p>Canada beat USA 4-0 to reach world semis</p></li><li><p>Goaltender Jet Greaves stars with shutout</p></li><li><p>Finland beat Czechs to book last-four spot</p></li></ul><p>Canada cruised to a 4-0 win over reigning champion the United States to book their spot in the semi-finals of the International Ice Hockey Federation World Championship on Thursday, surviving a third-period onslaught to gain some revenge over the Americans, who beat them in this year’s Olympic final.</p><p>That <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/feb/22/usa-canada-hockey-olympic-gold-medal-game-jack-hughes">2-1 overtime loss in February</a> was a painful one for the Canadians, who crashed out of last year’s worlds at the quarter-final stage after suffering a 2-1 defeat by Denmark in one of the greatest upsets in the sport’s history.</p> <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/canada-usa-iihf-world-championship-quarter-final-jet-greaves">Continue reading...</a> Ice hockey Canada ice hockey team USA ice hockey team Sport US sports Thu, 28 May 2026 17:59:18 GMT https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2026/may/28/canada-usa-iihf-world-championship-quarter-final-jet-greaves Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images Photograph: Fabrice Coffrini/AFP/Getty Images Agencies 2026-05-28T17:59:18Z