Valtteri Bottas nears a return to Mercedes as F1 reserve after Mick Schumacher leaves

Niko Kovac will be the new coach of Borussia Dortmund as last season’s Champions League runner-up looks to rescue a troubled season.
The former Bayern Munich and Monaco coach will start work on Sunday.
Dortmund will discuss potential signings with Kovac before the transfer window closes on Monday, club managing director for sport Lars Ricken said.
“Niko’s teams have always been characterised by energy, determination and a sense of the importance of team spirit,” Ricken said in a club statement on Thursday.
“We want to feel and see all of this both on and off the pitch. We find ourselves in a challenging situation and are certain that in Niko we have found a coach who is capable of overcoming it.”
Youth team coach Mike Tullberg oversaw the 3-1 win over Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Wednesday — Dortmund’s first win of the new year in all competitions — and will remain in his interim head coach role for Saturday’s Bundesliga game at Heidenheim, Ricken said.
Dortmund confirmed on Thursday that Kovac joins on a contract through to the end of next season. His brother, former Dortmund player Robert Kovac, will be one of his assistants.
Kovac takes over a team which is 11th in the Bundesliga and is heading for a playoff in the Champions League after finishing 10th in the 36-team league phase. Nuri Sahin was fired last week following a 2-1 loss at Bologna.
“The most important thing for all of us now is to have absolute determination, a big heart and the willingness to work hard to represent Borussia Dortmund in the best possible way in the Bundesliga, the Champions League and at the Club World Cup in the summer,” Kovac said in a club statement. “We are taking on this challenge with determination and focus.”
It’s the first job for Kovac since March when he was fired as the coach of Wolfsburg. Born in Berlin, Kovac played international soccer for Croatia and coached Croatia from 2013-15.

ABU DHABI: The landscape of global tennis is shifting, and nowhere is this more evident than in the Middle East and North Africa region.

Long known for its passion for sport, the region has in recent years rapidly evolved into a major player in world tennis, hosting marquee events, attracting top talent, and facilitating the evolution of the sport —particularly in the female game.

As the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open prepares for its third edition from Feb. 1 to 8 at the International Tennis Centre, Zayed Sports City, the tournament is not just another stop on the WTA calendar but a testament to the region’s growing prominence in the sport.

Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Doha, and now Riyadh, have become regular hosts of high-profile events, culminating in Saudi Arabia’s historic hosting of the WTA Finals in 2024.

The WTA Finals’ move to Riyadh from November last year represents a milestone moment, reflecting the growing investment and commitment to women’s sports.

The backing of such prestigious events signals a long-term vision to foster elite competition, nurture local talent, and make the region an integral part of the professional tennis circuit.

Within this broader evolution, the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open has carved out a unique role. Established in 2023, the tournament has grown into a crucial early-season event that not only attracts top-ranked players but also provides emerging stars with a valuable competitive platform.

The tournament’s impact extends beyond the court. It has become a beacon for the development of women’s tennis, particularly in a region where opportunities for female athletes have historically been limited. This aligns with the broader movement to elevate women’s sports within MENA.

Additionally, there are excellent initiatives such as the Road to Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, in which tournaments for aspiring players of all ages (male and female) are held across Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Fujairah.

Prizes include a chance to train at the prestigious Juan Carlos Ferrero Academy in Spain, where Carlos Alcaraz honed his skills. The event is helping to foster a sustainable pipeline of talent in the region.

Perhaps the most inspiring aspect of MENA’s tennis transformation is the emergence of homegrown stars.

Ons Jabeur, the Tunisian trailblazer, is a three-time Grand Slam finalist and one of the tour’s most popular players. Her success has shattered stereotypes and paved the way for younger Arab tennis players.

Jabeur understands her important position and has said: “Being the first Arab woman to achieve worldwide success in tennis, I have become a role model, influencing young athletes all over Tunisia and Africa.”

Jabeur is not alone. Rising talents from Egypt, Morocco and the Gulf are making inroads on the professional circuit, spurred on by the growing visibility of tennis in their home countries.

Born in Texas and representing Lebanon, Hady Habib has made significant strides on the international tennis scene. In 2024, he made history by becoming the first player to represent Lebanon in Olympic tennis, facing world-class opponents including Alcaraz.

Saudi Arabia’s Yara Alhogbani, meanwhile, claimed both singles and doubles titles in her junior career before competing, as a 19-year-old, in the qualifying rounds at last year’s Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open.

Although retired, both Morocco’s Younes El-Aynaoui and Tunisia’s Malek Jaziri remain influential figures in MENA tennis following solid careers, with their respective legacies continuing to motivate aspiring players.

With increased investment in coaching, facilities, and junior development programs, MENA is poised to produce even more competitive players in the years to come.