During his second round win at the Australian Open, Nadal hit a forehand return down the line straight into the head of the ballgirl, standing by the umpire's chair, and apologised with a kiss on the cheek.

MARTIN SAMUEL - CHIEF SPORTS WRITER: What happened to impartiality? Now fans with microphones invade every broadcast and are almost encouraged to act out by their bosses.

The Neighbours star admitted to lying to police to protect her drug-using ex-boyfriend Matt Arnautovic.

The altercation occurred just before 7pm on Saturday at Melbourne Arena ahead of Kyrgios's third round against Russian Karen Khachanov.

The bitter rivalry between the two tennis heavyweights began last February at the Mexico Open with a petty on-court dispute and escalated from there, with more fireworks at Wimbeldon.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: One former tennis prodigy from Florida defeated a present one when fourteenth seed Sofia Kenin brought the run of Coco Gauff to an end.

Having been pushed to the brink by John Millman in a classic on Friday, Federer again dropped the opening set to Hungary's Marton Fucsovics. But this time he did not need a deciding set, winning in four.

Ash Barty has served a brilliant response after the debate over changing date of Australia Day threatened to overshadow her stunning fourth round win at her home grand slam.

The Australian world 23 made his grand entrance to Rod Laver Arena wearing an LA  Lakers jersey after Bryant tragically lost his life in a helicopter crash on Sunday.

Lindy Klim turned heads on day eight of the Australian Open in Melbourne on Monday. 

Australian Open fans did a double take on Saturday night when they thought Liam Hemsworth was taking on Nick Kyrgios in a third-round match-up. 

Novak Djokovic paid tribute to Kobe Bryant as he continued his march through the Australian Open draw with a straight-sets victory over Milos Raonic in the quarter-finals.

Ash Barty's face is all over Melbourne endorsing range of products as she moves towards becoming the first homegrown female champion at the Australian Open in 42 years.

The former world number one said he's been supporting Kyrgios from the sidelines since he was an up-and-coming teenager.

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal, 33, was stopped by security at the Australian Open in Melbourne Park on Wednesday for not having proper identification.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Every time Roger Federer loses to Novak Djokovic at a Grand Slam, his mind will surely wander back to Wimbledon last summer and the one that got away.

The 23-year-old lost her semi-final match in 40 degree heat to American Sofia Kenin in Melbourne on Thursday, going down in straight sets.

She raised more than $50million for the bushfire victims earlier this month. 

Roger Federer may have caused a stir with an expletive-laden outburst at the Australian Open on Tuesday - but it was the female chair umpire who stole the show.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Jamie Murray agonisingly missed out on the chance to become Britain's most decorated Grand Slam player after a mixed doubles final defeat.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Given her story it is hardly surprising that Kenin, 21, exudes hunger. There are shades of her, on court, of Monica Seles and Maria Sharapova.

The Serb was just 16 years old when Federer claimed his first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2003 but now is on the verge of moving to within three Slam triumphs of the Swiss.

The world number two appeared to be frustrated about the overwhelming crowd support for Austrian opponent Dominic Thiem in the opening stages of the final on Rod Laver Arena.

Elyse Knowles and her beau Josh Barker, have been together for six years.

MIKE DICKSON IN MELBOURNE: Novak Djokovic is up to Grand Slam title No 17 and in a tearing hurry to stake his claim for being considered the best player ever.

My Kitchen Rules: The Rivals premiered on Sunday night to record low ratings.

The Australian Open reached its enthralling climax on Sunday as Novak Djokovic bounced back to beat Dominic Thiem 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 in the men's singles final. 

Johanna Konta's search for a first victory since the US Open goes on after she was beaten by 159th-ranked Oceane Dodin in the second round of the St Petersburg Ladies Trophy.

Upon spotting the children playing tennis in the streets without a net, the Serbian star decided to join them. saying afterwards: 'That's how we all started - I invoke these situations.'

Gauff, who reached the fourth round on her Australian Open debut, emulates Bulgarian Sesil Karatantcheva, who made the top 50 at the same age in August 2005.

For Ken Skupski the Coronavirus has meant the most abrupt shift in lifestyle, from global traveller to what he cheerfully describes as 'almost a house husband'.

Like every other major sport, tennis has been badly hit by the coronavirus pandemic, which has seen Wimbledon and the French Open cancelled in recent weeks.

TA chief and Open director Craig Tiley concedes the annual summer of tennis 'will be compromised' as a result of the global COVID-19 pandemic.

Glenn Hoddle says he's not surprised by Brazil's utter capitulation in Tuesday's humiliating 7-1 World Cup semi-final defeat to Germany.

With the wonderful Brazilian World Cup coming to its climax this weekend, Sportsmail's nostalgic picture series Golden Years remembers all 19 finals played so far in tournament history.

Neymar has admitted he will be supporting Brazil’s bitter rivals Argentina in Sunday’s World Cup final. The injured superstar gave a press conference two days after his side were thrashed 7-1 by Germany in the last four.

Organisers expect around 100,000 Argentina fans to descend on Rio for the World Cup final on Sunday, most of them without a ticket.

The Italian official accused last week of favouring Argentina and Lionel Messi has been chosen to referee their World Cup final against Germany.

Mexico manager Miguel Herrera illuminated the World Cup with his touchline passion – and the good news is he’ll be back in four years’ time.

If Argentina do confound what would appear to be growing opinion and lift the World Cup for the third time on Sunday, do not expect to find coach Alejandro Sabella in the middle of the post-match party.

World Cup fanatic Rihanna posted a picture of herself and football legend Pele soon after she landed in Brazil ahead of Sunday evening's final. The Barbados-born singer, who has been tweeting her thoughts on the World Cup throughout the duration of the tournament, met the 72-year-old in Rio de Janeiro.

Robin van Persie and Holland may have had to settle for finishing third in the World Cup, but their army of supporters don't seem to be fretting too much about what could have been.

Brazil's third-place play-off against Holland on Saturday was a chance for a redemption following their jaw-dropping 7-1 semi-final humiliation to Germany.

At first glance it looked so simple. Almost a toe-poke, in fact. And then, around the stadium, those in celebration and despair searched for the replay. There it was, in all its glory. A goal to grace a World Cup final, a goal that was so much more than the sum of its parts.

MATCH ZONE: Huge roars greeted the Germans, with 'Oles' roaring around the stadium for any sustained passing sequence by Joachim Low's side.

For plenty, the World Cup coming to an end is unwelcome after more than a month of explosive football on the biggest of stages.

It has been a month of high drama, stunning goals and a fair share of controversy. And with the World Cup over, Sportsmail asked its experts how they will best remember Brazil 2014.

David Beckham and his three boys were at the Maracana to take in the World Cup final on Sunday night - and there was no doubting which side they were supporting. Brooklyn, Romeo and Cruz were all kitted out in Argentina shirts as they took on Germany for the greatest prize in world football.

As the Germany players celebrated their World Cup victory, their WAGs could not resist joining the on-field party at the Maracana.

They are the bits of tournament television coverage we love to watch but which we also dread, and in the battle of the World Cup 2014 montages BBC just shaded it over ITV.