Venus Williams is stepping back onto the clay court for the first time in five years, facing Spain's Kaitlin Quevedo in the opening round of the 2026 Madrid Open.

The seven-time Grand Slam champion received a wildcard for the tournament. Williams last competed on clay at the 2021 French Open, though she hasn't played on clay since then.

Williams enters the Madrid Open searching for her first singles victory of the season. She holds an 0-6 record in 2026 after first-round exits at Auckland, Hobart, the Australian Open, Austin, Indian Wells, and Miami. Her last singles win came at the 2025 Mubadala Citi DC Open.

The former world No. 1 is currently 476th in the WTA rankings, after receiving wildcards for all seven tournaments she's entered this year.

Quevedo presents a challenging first-round matchup. The 20-year-old Spanish player enters after a success Billie Jean King Cup run, while also benefitting from home crowd support and familiarity with clay conditions.

The 45-year-old US legend last won a clay-court match at the 2019 Italian Open, when she defeated Elise Mertens in three sets. She subsequently dropped eight consecutive matches on the surface.

Williams has been practicing with Italy's Elisabetta Cocciaretto ahead of her opening match in Madrid, remaining one of tennis's most recognizable figures despite recent struggles.

How to Watch Venus Williams at the Madrid Open 2026

The Madrid Open runs from April 21st through May 2nd, with live coverage on The Tennis Channel.

US women dominated the 2026 Boston Marathon results on Monday, with four runners cracking the Top 10 — and Arizona-born Jess McClain shattering the US course record.

McClain finished fifth overall in 2:20:49, breaking Shalane Flanagan's 2014 mark by 1:13. The performance marked McClain's second consecutive year as the top US finisher in Boston.

"I had no idea how fast I was running, so I was very pleasantly surprised when I got to the finish and realized what the official time was," McClain said afterwards.

The 34-year-old faced adversity when she missed her water bottle at the 30-kilometer aid station. She fell to the back of the lead pack, before subsequently fighting back into contention in the Newton hills.

Three other US women joined McClain at the top of the Boston Marathon results. Annie Frisbie finished eighth in 2:22:00, before Emily Sisson placed ninth in 2:22:39, and Carrie Ellwood rounded out the Top 10 with a 10th-place finish in 2:22:53.

Kenya's Sharon Lokedi defended her 2025 title by winning the race in 2:18:51 — the fourth-fastest women's time in Boston Marathon history. Fellow Kenyans Loice Chemnung and Mary Ngugi-Cooper completed the podium sweep.

Monday's Boston Marathon results showcased the depth of US distance running. Seven US women finished in the elite field, demonstrating the host country's growing marathon prowess.

The Tour de France Femmes is heading to the United Kingdom in 2027, as organizers announced a historic three-stage UK takeover on Monday.

The Grand Départ kicks things off, running 85.7 kilometers from Leeds to Manchester on July 30th. Riders face challenging climbs including the Côte de Kirkheaton (1.7 kilometers at 7.5%) and the Côte de Meltham (3.2 kilometers at 8.2%) in the Peak District before finishing on Deansgate in Manchester's city center.

Stage two delivers a grueling 154.4-kilometer route from Manchester to Sheffield on July 31st. The peloton tackles nearly 3,000 meters of climbing through iconic ascents including Winnats Pass (1.4 kilometers at 12.3%) and Snake Pass (5.4 kilometers at 4.6%).

The modern Tour de France Femmes has grown rapidly since its 2022 debut, building momentum alongside the men’s race. The first-ever women's Team Time Trial features teams of seven racing an 18-kilometer circuit through central London, past landmarks including the Houses of Parliament and Tower Bridge. The stage finishes on The Mall.

"The Team Time Trial has always been one of the most exciting and spectacular formats in cycling," said Tour de France Femmes race director Marion Rousse. "We are very proud that the first one will take place in London."

The 2027 event marks the first time both the men's and women's Tours will take place in the same country outside France. The Tour de France men's event is returning to the UK for the first time since 2014.

"I can't wait to showcase to the cycling world what London has to offer," said Fenix-Premier Tech rider Flora Perkins. "I hope that girls in particular come out and see this race and realize that racing bikes is one of the best things ever."

Kenya's Sharon Lokedi defended her Boston Marathon title on Monday, leading the 2026 results with a dominant wire-to-wire performance. The Boston Marathon winner clocked 2 hours, 18 minutes and 51 seconds — the fourth-fastest women's time in race history.

Lokedi led an all-Kenyan podium sweep at the 130th Boston Marathon, with Loice Chemnung finishing second at 2:19:35 while Mary Ngugi-Cooper claimed third at 2:20:07.

"I was very tired, I didn't know if I had it today," the celebrated distance runner said afterwards. "But I felt like this was it. I was either going to go or I was going to stay."

The defending champion forgot her watch on race day. She borrowed one at the last minute, but subsequently never checked her splits during the race.

"I knew I was going fast, I just didn't know how fast I was going," Lokedi said.

Arizona native Jess McClain stole the Boston Marathon results spotlight by shattering the US course record. She finished fifth overall in 2:20:49, breaking Shalane Flanagan's 2014 mark by 1:13.

McClain improved her time by 1:54 over last year's seventh-place finish. She topped the US field for the second consecutive year.

"To run the time that I knew was in me, at some point in the wheelhouse of what I can do, is really awesome," McClain said after.

Three other US women's runners cracked the Top 10 on Monday. Annie Frisbie finished eighth at 2:22:00, Emily Sisson placed ninth at 2:22:39, and Carrie Ellwood rounded out the Top 10 at 2:22:53.

London Follows Boston Marathon on 2026 World Majors Calendar

The 2026 season continues this weekend, as the London Marathon — the next World Marathon Major on the calendar — kicks off on April 26th.

The exclusive Bay FC x Oaklandish collection dropped on April 17th, as the six-item limited-edition NWSL merch line celebrates Bay Area culture, pride, and resilience.

The collection debuted at PayPal Park during Bay FC's Star Wars Match against Ottawa Rapid FC. Fans got their first chance to purchase the apparel at the 7 PM PT kickoff.

The partnership brings together two brands rooted in Bay Area values, after the 2024 NWSL expansion team built supporters across nine counties during its first three seasons. Oaklandish has spent over two decades producing apparel that reflects Oakland's authentic character.

"Bay FC is more than a soccer club," said Bay FC CEO Stacy Johns. "We're a reflection of the communities that push boundaries across the Bay Area. Oakland and the East Bay communities bring vibrant pride, grit, and creativity."

The Bay FC x Oaklandish drop features bold designs including camo and leopard print hoodies. According to a press release, each piece blends Bay FC's identity with Oaklandish's East Bay legacy while representing the Oakland community.

"The East Bay has always had its own culture, and its own way of being ahead of what comes next," said Angela Tsay, CEO and Creative Director of Oaklandish. "This collection is for those fans, and for anyone who wants to see that identity represented at the highest level of women's soccer."

The collaboration represents the latest addition to Bay FC's growing lifestyle and streetwear offerings. Earlier this year, the club released the third chapter of the Poppy Collection and Sportiqe Collection.

How to Buy Bay FC x Oaklandish NWSL Merch Collection

Browse the designs and pick up your own Bay FC merch via the team's official online shop.

ESPN reported the NWSL board of governors will vote later this month on shifting the league's calendar, looking to flip the current NWSL schedule from spring-to-fall to a European-style fall-to-spring format.

The league currently kicks off in March and ends in November. The new NWSL schedule would start in late summer and conclude in late spring, aligning the league with both European competitions and the MLS, as the US men's league plans to make the transition next year.

The board narrowly voted down a similar proposal in late 2024. However, momentum appears to be building for the change among league executives.

Proponents believe the shift would improve transfer business with European clubs while also allowing the league to operate more easily around FIFA international windows. Commissioner Jessica Berman additionally noted the NWSL coverage would avoid overlapping with MLS and secure better TV slots in late spring.

The NWSL has endured two consecutive midseason breaks for international competitions. Last year, the league paused for the 2025 Euros, while this year's men's World Cup subsequently brings another monthlong pause.

However, players strongly oppose the change. The NWSLPA released a statement saying most players currently reject the calendar flip.

"The right question is not whether the league should flip the calendar, but whether the right conditions exist to do so responsibly," the union told ESPN. "Right now, they do not."

The union cited concerns about facility availability and weather-related disruptions across cold-weather markets. Critics also point to potential attendance drops during frigid conditions, with summer heat already creating issues.

The CBA gives the league discretion to make the change. However, the NWSL must provide one year's notice to the NWSLPA.

Even with approval, implementation could take years, with natural transition points including the 2028 LA Olympics and 2031 Women's World Cup.

Vancouver forward Jenn Gardiner made PWHL history on Saturday, scoring four goals to lead the Goldeneyes to a dramatic 6-5 overtime victory over Seattle at Climate Pledge Arena.

Gardiner's performance set a new PWHL single-game scoring record. The 24-year-old also notched the PWHL expansion team's first-ever hat trick in front of 12,719 fans.

The lead changed three times during regulation. Vancouver tied the game at 5-5 with less than two seconds remaining in the third period, before Gardiner secured the overtime winner just 52 seconds into the extra frame.

Hannah Miller assisted on the winning goal while contributing two goals and two assists of her own. Either Gardiner or Miller factored into every Vancouver goal, with Sophie Jaques adding three assists for the Goldeneyes.

The victory completed a season-series sweep for Vancouver. The Goldeneyes finished 2-0-2-0 against fellow 2025/26 addition Seattle in their inaugural PWHL campaign.

Vancouver Misses 2026 PWHL Playoffs Despite Historic Win

However, the win couldn't save Vancouver's playoff hopes, as the Goldeneyes joined the already-eliminated Torrent outside the postseason picture. Both expansion teams now battle for prime draft positioning through the league's innovative Gold Plan initiative.

"I'm just proud of the group and how we came back and we kept believing," captain Ashton Bell said. "To see that line do so well was pretty cool to watch."

Seattle defenders led the Torrent's offensive charge. Anna Wilgren scored her first two goals with Seattle, while Cayla Barnes recorded her first career multi-point game with one goal and two assists after captain Hilary Knight opened the scoring.

Vancouver scored six goals for the first time in franchise history, as both teams combined for 11 goals and seven third-period tallies — new PWHL records.

Kymora Johnson is heading back to Virginia women's basketball, as the guard withdraws from the NCAA transfer portal and recommits to the Cavaliers.

Johnson's decision comes less than two weeks after newly hired head coach Aaron Roussell arrived in Charlottesville.

The move transforms Virginia's outlook for the 2026/27 NCAA season. Kymora Johnson emerged as one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal after earning two All-ACC First-Team selections during her Virginia career. She averaged 19.5 points, 5.9 assists, and 4.5 rebounds per game last season.

The former McDonald's High School All-American later announced herself on the national stage during this year's Women's March Madness. She poured in 22.5 points per game throughout Virginia's NCAA tournament run, leading the Cavaliers to their first Sweet 16 appearance since 2000.

Johnson's postseason performance helped Virginia make history, becoming the first-ever women's team to advance from the First Four to the Sweet 16.

Johnson already owns multiple Virginia program records, after breaking the career 3-pointers record in February. She then set the single-season record with 103 3-pointers this year, while setting a John Paul Jones Arena record with 10 3-pointers against Winthrop in December.

The Charlottesville native currently sits fourth on the all-time Virginia assists leaderboard while ranking ninth on the all-time scoring list. Should she score 411 more points, she'll surpass Dawn Staley to claim second place.

As guard Olivia McGhee also withdraws from the transfer portal and recommits to Virginia, coach Roussell can now rely on a stronger foundation as the college basketball offseason heats up.

Minnesota women's gymnastics made history on Thursday, as the Golden Gophers punched their first-ever gymnastics Final Four ticket after upsetting UCLA in the NCAA gymnastics championships semifinals in Fort Worth.

"I'm so proud of these guys," Minnesota coach Jenny Hansen said afterwards. "They believed we could do this and they just walked in today with that belief and were steady all the way through. I'm just so proud of them. I'm still a little in disbelief."

The Golden Gophers scored 197.4625 to claim the last remaining spot in Saturday's final, joining Oklahoma, Florida, and LSU in the Final Four.

The victory capped a stunning postseason run for Minnesota, first upsetting perennial contender Utah in the regional final before taking down No. 4 UCLA in the semis.

UCLA entered Thursday as the Big Ten champion with high expectations. However, the Bruins struggled on bars early, with Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles falling during the rotation. UCLA clawed back into second place entering the final event, before an error-filled vault rotation ended the team's championship hopes.

Minnesota, on the other hand, delivered a strong performance on bars in the final rotation to secure the historic berth.

Brooklyn Rowray later won beam, becoming just the second Gopher to claim an individual NCAA gymnastics title while adding to the breakthrough night.

Minnesota now prepares for Saturday's team championship final, as the Gophers face off against three powerhouse programs en pursuit of their first NCAA gymnastics team title.

How to Watch the 2026 NCAA Gymnastics Final Four

The 2026 NCAA gymnastics championships Final Four — AKA "Four on the Floor" — hits the mat on Saturday at 4 PM ET, live on ABC.

Faith Torrez delivered the biggest shock of the NCAA gymnastics championships so far on Thursday, after the Oklahoma senior captured the all-around title with a 39.7875 score despite facing injuries all season.

Torrez hadn't competed in all four events this season before last night, having only performed on uneven bars and balance beam since February. This week's semifinals marked her 2026 all-around debut.

"If you would have [told] me probably two and a half weeks ago that I would be in this position right now doing four [events], like living out my dream right now, I'd probably laugh at you," Torrez said after the trophy ceremony.

Torrez defeated Olympic and world champions to claim NCAA gymnastics' highest individual honor. LSU's Kailin Chio finished second with a 39.6125 score, while Florida's eMjae Frazier placed third.

Oklahoma coach KJ Kindler said Torrez asked to start training on floor again after lat March's SEC championships. She made the transition slowly, only completing a full routine earlier this week.

"She is so talented," Kindler said. "Great air awareness, great sense of being able to do it when you've been off of it for that long."

Torrez's performance helped lead defending champion Oklahoma back to Saturday's championship meet, with the Sooners posting the day's top team score of 198.3000.

Four Gymnasts Claim Titles After All-Around Winner Faith Torrez

Four additional gymnasts claimed individual titles on Thursday, led by Torrez's teammate Keira Wells winning vault with a 9.9750. Florida's Riley McCusker earned her first individual national championship on bars with a 9.9875, while Minnesota's Brooklyn Rowray won beam.

Later, Olympian Jordan Chiles concluded her decorated UCLA career by capturing the floor title with a 9.9750.

Oklahoma, Minnesota, Florida, and LSU now advance to Saturday's NCAA gymnastics championships final.