How 'Mufasa' rose with Aaron Pierre and Blue Ivy's voices along with new Lin-Manuel Miranda music

ESCONDIDO, Calif. (AP) — When Aaron Pierre was cast as Mufasa, the weight of following in the late James Earl Jones' legendary footsteps was enough to rattle any actor. But instead of letting the pressure roar too loudly, he harnessed his nerves to breathe fresh life into his young lion...

Aryna Sabalenka wins the WTA Player of the Year award and Emma Navarro is picked as Most Improved

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — Aryna Sabalenka received the WTA Player of the Year award for the first time on Monday after winning two Grand Slam titles and finishing 2024 at No. 1 in the rankings. In other results of voting by tennis media, Emma Navarro was honored as Most Improved...

Toronto Sceptres open PWHL season with 3-1 comeback win over Boston Fleet

TORONTO (AP) — Hannah Miller scored a power-play goal with 1:38 remaining in the game, lifting the Toronto Sceptres to a 3-1 victory over the Boston Fleet in the Professional Women’s Hockey League season opener on Saturday. With Boston standout Hilary Knight in the penalty box...

Why did Iga Swiatek get a one-month doping ban? What did she test positive for?

Iga Swiatek is the second high-profile tennis player to test positive for a banned substance this year, joining Jannik Sinner. While Sinner, currently the No. 1 ranked man, was fully cleared, Swiatek, who slid from No. 1 to No. 2 last month, accepted a one-month suspension that was announced...

Jannik Sinner leads Italy past the Netherlands for its second consecutive Davis Cup title

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Italy went nearly a quarter-century without winning the Davis Cup. Then along came Jannik Sinner, and now the country is celebrating its second consecutive title. The No. 1-ranked Sinner clinched the championship in the annual team event and capped his...

Rafael Nadal's retirement ceremony was based on what he wanted, tennis official says

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal's relatively low-key retirement ceremony at the Davis Cup was defended by the head of the International Tennis Federation on Sunday as being dictated by the 22-time Grand Slam champion's wishes. “Rafa is an amazing player and has a legacy of...

Rafael Nadal retired after the Davis Cup. It's a rare team event in tennis

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Rafael Nadal wanted to play his last match before retiring in Spain, representing Spain and wearing the red uniform used by Spain's Davis Cup squad. “The feeling to play for your country, the feeling to play for your teammates ... when you win, everybody...

Jasmine Paolini and Italy beat Slovakia to win the Billie Jean King Cup

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — Two-time Grand Slam finalist Jasmine Paolini capped a breakthrough season by leading Italy to its first Billie Jean King Cup title since 2013 on Wednesday, defeating Rebecca Sramkova 6-2, 6-1 to seal a 2-0 victory over Slovakia in the final of the women’s team competition....

Jasmine Paolini clinches Italy's first Billie Jean King Cup title since 2013 with a victory over Slovakia in the final

From Novak Djokovic to Iga Swiatek, players reflect on Rafael Nadal's career and retirement

MALAGA, Spain (AP) — As Rafael Nadal retires from tennis, current and former players — from Serena Williams and Novak Djokovic to Iga Swiatek and Taylor Fritz and so many more — have been sharing their thoughts on what the owner of 22 Grand Slam titles meant to them and to their sport. ...