- Google wins delay in opening Android app store to rivals
- Martin takes dominant pole for Australian MotoGP
- Royal rest for cancer patient king on first day of Australia tour
- Man arrested after throwing suspected petrol bombs at Japan ruling party HQ: media
- Verstappen ends long wait for pole at US Grand Prix sprint qualifying
- 'Heartbreaking': Dad, fans grieve Liam Payne's death
- Ligue 1 leaders Monaco held by Lille in stalemate
- Record high Colombian cocaine production in 2023: UN
- McLaren boss blasts rival's comments on Norris as "tasteless"
- El Salvador activists acquitted after contentious trial
- FIA inspect Red Bull car's to check controversial set-up device
- Power plant failure triggers blackout across cash-strapped Cuba
- US budget deficit widens to $1.8 tn, third highest on record
- Google wins delay opening Android app store to rivals
- Global markets mixed as investors weigh earnings and China GDP
- Harris targets Trump's age after report of exhaustion
- Guirassy saves Dortmund's blushes against St Pauli
- 'Completely crazy' as Lavreysen wins record 15th world cycling title
- Animal rights activists sentenced for Buckingham Palace fountain protest
- Cuba experiences nationwide blackout after power plant failure
- Sainz puts Verstappen, Norris in shade at US Grand Prix practice
- New Zealand edge West Indies to reach Women's T20 World Cup final
- UK's Lammy warns China over support for Russia in Ukraine
- Global coral bleaching event biggest on record: US agency
- UK activist jailed for dyeing fountain outside Buckingham Palace red
- Relief, anxiety in Israel after Sinwar's killing
- Wawrinka, 39, ousts top seed Rublev to reach Stockholm semis
- Harris, Trump descend on Michigan amid blockbuster early voting
- West Indies' Dottin restricts New Zealand to 128-9 in World Cup semi
- Sinwar's killing boosts Netanyahu but still no sign of war ending
- High court throws Kenya deputy president replacement into disarray
- Father of One Direction star Payne arrives in Argentina
- Guardiola says 'part of me will leave' when Begiristain quits Man City
- 'Timebomb' ship highlights hazard of dangerous cargoes
- France charges SUV driver with murder for running over cyclist
- Ex-Fulham Ladies captain Ronnie Gibbons 'groped' by Al-Fayed
- Italy judges reject first migrant detentions in Albania
- What next for Hamas after Sinwar's killing?
- Postecoglou urges inconsistent Spurs to change perceptions
- UN force says 'widespread destruction' in south Lebanon
- New Zealand on America's Cup cusp after double triumph
- New Zealand's Ravindra makes father proud with 'special' Test ton
- Stock markets mixed as investors weigh earnings, China GDP
- Ten Hag slams 'fairy tales and lies' as Man Utd boss comes out fighting
- Hamas mourns Sinwar, vows no hostage release until war ends
- Forest boss Nuno hit with three-game ban
- 'The killings continue': Sinwar death brings no respite for Gazans
- Gaza 'hell on Earth' for one million children: UN
- Maresca 'very happy' with start of Chelsea career
- New Zealand extends America's Cup lead on Britain
Alcaraz starts Wimbledon title defence as Murray faces 'closure'
Carlos Alcaraz begins the defence of his Wimbledon title on Monday as two-time champion Andy Murray decides whether or not to call a halt to his All England Club singles career.
Alcaraz, still only 21, is chasing his fourth Grand Slam title and hopes to become just the sixth man after Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to win the French Open and Wimbledon back-to-back.
"I know that there's going to be a really difficult and big challenge for me, but I think I'm ready to do it," said the third-seeded Spaniard.
Alcaraz faces 21-year-old Estonian qualifier Mark Lajal who had never won a Grand Slam qualifying match let alone a main draw tie before last week.
Lajal, the son of a motocross rider, has just two wins on the ATP tour in his career but if his playing statistics don't stand out, then his dreadlocked, blond hair style certainly turns heads.
"I've had them for a very long time. It has kind of become a big part of me and my image. A lot of people know me just from my dreads. I think it's cool," said the world number 269.
This time last year, Lajal was losing a first round match at a second-tier Challenger event in the US and earning a paltry $780.
For making the first round at Wimbledon he is guaranteed $75,000.
World number one Jannik Sinner, a semi-finalist in 2023, starts against Yannick Hanfmann, the German world number 110.
Hanfmann has been defeated in the first round in both of his main draw appearances at Wimbledon.
Sinner got the better of him in their only meeting at the US Open in 2023 where the German won just five games in their first round clash.
The 22-year-old Sinner won a maiden Slam at the Australian Open and then deposed Djokovic as world number one, becoming the first Italian man to reach such heights.
Sinner arrives in London having captured his first grass-court title in Halle.
- 'Feel that buzz' -
Meanwhile, 2013 and 2016 champion Murray will reveal later Monday if he will play singles at his farewell Wimbledon.
The former world number one underwent surgery to remove a cyst on his spine last week and admitted he still hasn't fully recovered feeling in his leg as a result.
"It's kind of like if you sleep on your arm funny, you wake up and you've got a dead arm," said the 37-year-old.
Murray, whose 2013 triumph ended Britain's 77-year wait for a men's champion at Wimbledon, is due to face Czech world number 38 Tomas Machac on Tuesday.
If he can't make that date, he still hopes to play doubles with brother Jamie before bringing the curtain down on his Wimbledon career which began 19 years ago.
"I'm hoping maybe for a bit of closure. I just want the opportunity to play one more time out there hopefully on Centre Court and feel that buzz," he said.
Elsewhere on opening day, women's second seed and US Open champion Coco Gauff takes on American compatriot Caroline Dolehide.
Gauff famously made the last 16 in 2019 as a 15-year-old qualifier, defeating Venus Williams in the opening round.
However, in 2023, she was dumped out in the first round by Sofia Kenin.
- 'Need luck' -
World number three Aryna Sabalenka, a two-time semi-finalist, starts against American qualifier Emina Bektas, the world number 107.
Australian Open champion Sabalenka said she was not 100% fit after suffering a shoulder injury that she described as "a rare one."
Four-time major winner Naomi Osaka tackles Diane Parry of France in her first appearance at Wimbledon since 2019.
Osaka, who only returned to the tour at the start of the year afer maternity leave, is ranked at 113 and required a wild card to play at Wimbledon.
At the recent French Open, she gave world number one Iga Swiatek a mighty scare, holding a match point in their second round clash before the Pole prevailed.
"People tell me I have the game for grass. I just need some luck," said the Japanese star.
L.Davis--AMWN