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January 27, 2026

Djokovic’s path to 25 opens up – but clear obstacles remain

Jonathan Jurejko

BBC Sport tennis news reporter in Melbourne

3 hours ago

Increasingly, it feels like a case of “now or never” for Novak Djokovic.

The longer time ticks on, the less likely it is that 38-year-old Djokovic will claim the elusive 25th Grand Slam title he so dearly craves.

If he is going to move clear of Australia’s Margaret Court in terms of all-time major victories, the smart money goes on Djokovic doing it at Melbourne Park.

History shows how much he loves the place. Djokovic has lifted a record 10 men’s titles at the Australian Open and, overall, won 102 of his 112 matches on Melbourne’s hard courts.

Given that body of work, his fans are starting to believe the stars are aligning – with several reasons enhancing that belief in recent days.

Firstly, fourth seed Djokovic had a narrow escape when he recklessly cracked a ball close to a ball girl during his third-round win over Botic van de Zandschulp.

Djokovic admitted afterwards he was “lucky”. Had the ball struck the girl, he would almost certainly have been defaulted and seen another attempt at number 25 aborted by his own carelessness.

Secondly, Djokovic was handed a walkover on Sunday following injured opponent Jakub Mensik’s withdrawal from their last-16 match.

For some players, going three days without a match can leave them cold.

Given Djokovic’s advancing years and ability to find his best form without playing regularly, it feels like a bonus heading into Wednesday’s quarter-final.

Feeling fresher by playing a match fewer than future opponents – Lorenzo Musetti in the quarter-finals on Wednesday, then potentially Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner – could be crucial.

Thirdly, Djokovic knows his aura – as well as his game – has overawed Musetti in the past, ensuring he remains the favourite to reach the last four.

While there are positive signs, it is obvious some conundrums remain the same for Djokovic.

Whether his ageing body can hold up at the business end of a Grand Slam – even with the benefit of being gifted a round off – remains to be seen.

And the pertinent question has not gone away: will Djokovic have enough in the tank to potentially beat Alcaraz and Sinner back-to-back?

Alcaraz and Sinner have won the past eight Grand Slams between them, a run going back to Djokovic’s victory at the 2023 US Open, and both remain in the men’s draw.

Djokovic is not delusional. He knows 22-year-old Alcaraz and 24-year-old Sinner are a cut above the rest, but retains belief he can oust them.

Last year, Djokovic reached the semi-finals of all four majors – a remarkable feat which showed he remains that duo’s nearest challenger based on ability.

The physical durability needed to land his 25th major was missing.

Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarter-finals, but the effort expended in fighting through a hamstring injury ruined his chances of challenging Alexander Zverev.

Suffering a leg injury in the French Open semi-final against Sinner harmed his chances, then he considered retiring from their Wimbledon semi-final because of a groin problem.

“On [any] given day when I’m feeling good physically and mentally, when I’m playing well, I can challenge anybody, and I still believe I can beat all of them,” said the Serb.

“If that’s not the case, I wouldn’t be here.”

Djokovic has attempted to release pressure – internally and externally – by claiming he does not see this latest Melbourne tilt as “make or break” for his chances of surpassing Court.

Some believe Djokovic will not win another major again if he does not lift the Australian Open title on Sunday.

That still feels a foolish prediction, especially given his nous and experience on the Wimbledon grass.

By that point, though, he will be into his 40th year. He turns 39 in May.

But would you dare rule Djokovic – a man who has made a career of achieving the seemingly unachievable – out of anything?

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Shamoon Hafez

Reporter for Manchester City

49 seconds ago

124 Comments

Farai Hallam, the new Premier League official, has apologized to Pep Guardiola if he “feels offended,” having previously criticized the official following Manchester City’s victory over Wolves on Saturday.

The Spaniard, however, said he must “defend my club and my players.”

Despite being instructed by the video assistant referee (VAR) to review the incident on the pitchside monitor, City manager Guardiola took offense at Hallam’s decision to decline to award his team a penalty for an apparent handball by visiting defender Yerson Mosquera despite making his top-flight debut.

Guardiola responded, “With their statements, they defend each other, [that is] completely understandable. That must be done by them.

“But I also have to protect my club. How many times did I criticize the officials during the worst season in ten years? How frequently?

I’m so sorry if he offends me, “I’m sorry.” It’s happened, and I’m aware that it’s not easy on the debut. I am aware that everyone is very sensitive.

Guardiola stated following the game that he would be waiting for a call from the referees’ chief, Howard Webb, to “explain why it is not a penalty.”

Guardiola made the third reference to Webb in two weeks in a press conference, saying: “Never, ever, in ten years I have criticised the referees. This season, I’m arguing and explaining why we did it.

I stand up for my team and my players. The referees are defended by Howard Webb. That must be done by him.

“I congratulate the opponent when we lose.”

To avoid missing an additional two games in a play-off, City must defeat Turkish giants Galatasaray on Wednesday in order to regain their lead.

He defended his officiating position in Tuesday’s pre-match press conference, referring to Crystal Palace defender Jaydee Canvot’s handball against Chelsea on Sunday and Antoine Semenyo’s disallowed goal for offside against Erling Haaland in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie at Newcastle.

The first thing we do when we lose in the Champions League, Premier League, or FA Cup is congratulate the opponent constantly, Guardiola said. “I do it because I think it’s appropriate to say it,” I said.

Everyone defends his position, but when you say once or twice over the course of ten years that you are the type to complain, that’s fine. For what has happened numerous times, I stand up for my team and my players.

Analysis: Did Guardiola’s complaints get through?

Johnson, Dale

Football news correspondent

For the majority of the season, Guardiola’s anger over refereeing decisions has been bubbling beneath the surface.

But he hasn’t been able to control his feelings throughout the month.

Prior to the most recent incidents, Guardiola had at least some complaints.

In the November 2-1 defeat at Newcastle, the Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel concluded that City should have received a penalty.

After Phil Foden had released a shot, home defender Fabian Schar caught him, but the VAR did not intervene.

In the same game, Bruno Guimaraes scored a goal that appeared to be offside, but it was within the 5 cm tolerance range.

The recent decisions had a more subjective impact.

Semenyo’s goal at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup should not have been blocked by a VAR intervention, according to PGMO. Although the VAR overstepped the law, the offside against Haaland was technically correct.

Referee Anthony Taylor’s accurate description of the incident helped Diogo Dalot’s potential red card for a studs-up challenge on Jeremy Doku in the Manchester derby. If the decision on the field had been a red card, that would have also had a chance, according to Webb.

Similar to the Mosquera handball was also present. Because the Wolves player’s arms were extending outward from his body, you could argue for a penalty.

You could argue, however, that his arms would be in that position as he slowed his assault on Omar Marmoush.

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Football

January 27, 2026

Guardiola apologises to ref Hallam but ‘defends’ outburst

By 234Radio in News, Sports News

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Shamoon Hafez

Manchester City reporter

48 minutes ago

121 Comments

Pep Guardiola has apologised to new Premier League referee Farai Hallam if he “feels offended”, having taken issue with the official following Manchester City’s victory over Wolves on Saturday.

But the Spaniard said he has to “defend my club and my players”.

City manager Guardiola took umbrage at the fact Hallam – making his top-flight debut – decided not to award his side a penalty for an apparent handball by visiting defender Yerson Mosquera, despite being told to review the incident on the pitchside monitor by the video assistant referee (VAR).

Asked if he took his comments from the weekend too far, Guardiola replied: “With their statements, they defend each other, [that is] completely understandable. They have to do that.

“But at the same time I have to defend my club. How many times did I criticise the referees last season, which was the worst season in 10 years? How many times?

“If he is offended then I am so sorry. I know it’s not easy on debut – and it’s happened. Everyone is so sensitive, I know that.”

Following the match, Guardiola said he would be awaiting a call from referees’ chief Howard Webb to “explain why it is not a penalty”.

For the third time in two weeks, Webb was again referenced by Guardiola in a news conference as he added: “Never, ever, in 10 years I have criticised the referees. What I am saying this season is arguments and reasons why we have done it.

“I defend my club and my players. Howard Webb defends the referees. He has to do that.

‘When we lose, I congratulate the opponent’

City are back in European action on Wednesday and must beat Turkish giants Galatasaray to have any hope of finishing in the top eight to avoid an extra two games in a play-off.

But in Tuesday’s pre-match news conference, he maintained his stance on officiating by referencing Antoine Semenyo’s disallowed goal – for offside against Erling Haaland – in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg tie at Newcastle, as well as Crystal Palace defender Jaydee Canvot’s handball against Chelsea in Sunday’s Premier League encounter.

“When we lose in the Champions League, Premier League, FA Cup – the first statement is congratulate the opponent all the time,” said Guardiola. “I do it because I believe it is fair enough to say.

“But when you say one times or two times over 10 years that I am the type [to complain] then OK it’s fine, everyone defends his position. I defend my club and players for what happened many, many [times].

Analysis: Was Guardiola correct in his complaints?

Dale Johnson

Football issues correspondent

Guardiola’s anger about refereeing decisions has been bubbling underneath the surface for much of the season.

But throughout this month he has been unable to keep a lid on his feelings.

Even before the most recent incidents, Guardiola had at least some grounds for complaint.

The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel ruled City should have been given a penalty in a 2-1 loss at Newcastle in November.

Phil Foden was caught by home defender Fabian Schar after he had released a shot, but the VAR did not intervene.

In the same game Newcastle scored a goal which looked like it might be offside, but Bruno Guimaraes was within the 5cm tolerance level.

The more recent decisions were more subjective.

PGMO accepted Semenyo’s goal should not have been disallowed through a VAR intervention at Newcastle in the Carabao Cup. While offside against Haaland was technically correct in law, it was an overstep by the VAR.

The potential red card for Diogo Dalot for a studs-up challenge on Jeremy Doku in the Manchester derby was a borderline call which was influenced by referee Anthony Taylor providing a good description of the incident. As Webb said, if the on-field decision had been a red card that would have stood too.

The Mosquera handball was similar, too. You could make a case for a penalty as the Wolves player had his arms out from the body.

But you could also argue his arms would justifiably be in that position as he slowed down his run to challenge Omar Marmoush.

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Shamoon Hafez

Manchester City reporter

48 minutes ago

121 Comments

But the Spaniard said he has to “defend my club and my players”.

Asked if he took his comments from the weekend too far, Guardiola replied: “With their statements, they defend each other, [that is] completely understandable. They have to do that.

“But at the same time I have to defend my club. How many times did I criticise the referees last season, which was the worst season in 10 years? How many times?

“If he is offended then I am so sorry. I know it’s not easy on debut – and it’s happened. Everyone is so sensitive, I know that.”

Following the match, Guardiola said he would be awaiting a call from referees’ chief Howard Webb to “explain why it is not a penalty”.

“I defend my club and my players. Howard Webb defends the referees. He has to do that.

‘When we lose, I congratulate the opponent’

City are back in European action on Wednesday and must beat Turkish giants Galatasaray to have any hope of finishing in the top eight to avoid an extra two games in a play-off.

Analysis: Was Guardiola correct in his complaints?

Dale Johnson

Football issues correspondent

Guardiola’s anger about refereeing decisions has been bubbling underneath the surface for much of the season.

But throughout this month he has been unable to keep a lid on his feelings.

Even before the most recent incidents, Guardiola had at least some grounds for complaint.

The Premier League’s Key Match Incidents Panel ruled City should have been given a penalty in a 2-1 loss at Newcastle in November.

Phil Foden was caught by home defender Fabian Schar after he had released a shot, but the VAR did not intervene.

In the same game Newcastle scored a goal which looked like it might be offside, but Bruno Guimaraes was within the 5cm tolerance level.

The more recent decisions were more subjective.

The Mosquera handball was similar, too. You could make a case for a penalty as the Wolves player had his arms out from the body.

But you could also argue his arms would justifiably be in that position as he slowed down his run to challenge Omar Marmoush.

‘He belongs in the same bracket as Estevao and Endrick’

In 2023, the forward became – at 16 years and 169 days – the youngest player to feature for Vasco da Gama in the 21st century, surpassing Chelsea’s Andrey Santos.

But it was only last season that he really broke through.

“He belongs in the same bracket as boys like Estevao and Endrick,” Gustavo Almeida, one of his earliest mentors at Vasco, tells BBC Sport.

“He’s always gone toe-to-toe with those players. I even expected it to click for him earlier. But in football everyone develops in their own time, don’t they? Everyone has their moment to blossom.

“He’s a player who finishes really well from mid-range, from close in, with his head, with his left foot, with his right. He has a serious relationship with the goal.”

Last year, Rayan ended the Brazilian league season third on the list for shots at goal – 92 in 34 games – scoring 14 times.

Vasco’s fans have a song for him. It goes: “Oi, boa noite! Sera que hoje tem gol do Rayan?” It translates roughly as: “Hi, good evening! Will Rayan score today?”

And the 19-year-old regularly did – to the point that comparisons with Inter Milan legend Adriano gained significant traction.

“For me, Rayan is Adriano. But Adriano at Flamengo didn’t do what Rayan is already doing. Adriano was often criticised back then. Rayan is already at a higher level than Adriano was [at the same age],” his former team-mate and Brazil international Souza said.

Adriano himself agrees: “He’s definitely got parts of my game. He has everything he needs to make it. I hope he can do even better than I did.”

‘He can become one of the best players in the world’

It is almost as if Rayan were born at Vasco da Gama.

He is the son of Valkmar, a former Vasco centre-back who shared a dressing room with Romario and other superstars in the 1990s.

He grew up next to their stadium, and joined the club aged six. He established himself in the senior side, became a star and now leaves as their record sale.

“He has the potential to become one of the best players in the world,” says Vasco head coach Fernando Diniz.

“He’s tall, quick, left-footed, strikes the ball well, and he’s started getting into the box and scoring with his head. He can play wide, as a false nine, as a number nine, or on the other flank. And I really like him as a person too.”

Despite being hyped up from an early age, Rayan never let it get to his head.

“He even seemed a bit apart from it all. He was never a ‘star’ type, never cocky – quite the opposite,” recalls Almeida, now an assistant coach at Cuiaba in Brazil.

Advice from Coutinho and the next Estevao?

His decision to join Bournemouth has sparked controversy in Brazil, where there has been a feeling that he was meant for a bigger club.

But it was a carefully considered step.

Rayan has always insisted that he wants to have a long career in Europe. He even sought advice from former Liverpool and Barcelona man Philippe Coutinho, now back at Vasco.

“I ask him [Coutinho] a lot. Some players go to Europe but end up coming straight back. So I say: ‘Coutinho, help me. I want to make a name for myself too,'” he told Globo.

Ultimately, it will come down to how fast he can adjust to a new environment.

“Players from Rio can sometimes be less open to adapting,” Almeida argues. “They often want to keep that Rio lifestyle – the beach, rice and beans, an easy routine.

“It’ll be interesting to see if he’s ready for this step. And hopefully a club like Bournemouth will provide a welcoming setting.”

Rayan scored more goals in the Brazilian league in 2025 (14) than Chelsea’s Brazilian youngster Estevao (13 in 2024), Real Madrid’s Endrick (11 in 2023), Rodrygo (eight in 2018) or Vinicius Jr (four in 2018) managed in a single season.

It was no surprise when his name started being mentioned in terms of a Brazil call-up last year. But head coach Carlo Ancelotti left him out of his squad.

As much as no-one doubts his potential, he still has plenty of room to improve.

“His involvement in games fluctuates a lot,” says a leading European scout who has followed him closely, speaking anonymously to protect relationships.

“He switches off at times. Sometimes, when he has to compete, he doesn’t. Even though he’s big, he isn’t as physical as he could be.

“Tracking back to help the full-back, pressing… those modern-football demands are areas where he’s still behind. Even at Vasco, people used to demand more intensity from him, to raise his tempo and increase his work-rate.”

Rayan will also have to deal with the pressure of being the next Estevao.

They played together in the 2023 Under-17 World Cup in a team that included Manchester City’s Vitor Reis, Wolves’ Pedro Lima and Shakhtar Donetsk’s Kaua Elias.

“I think the comparison with Estevao is going to be inevitable, because the expectation is often to find a new Estevao,” Almeida concludes.

“Estevao is probably the best player I’ve worked with at academy level in my career. And Rayan has a lot of potential. I think he can reach a very high level and play for one of the big clubs in England – he has that in him.”