Instead, he must now reset and recharge to go again at Wimbledon next month.

Given he is a seven-time champion on a grass surface which younger players have struggled to master, Djokovic will always fancy his chances at the All England Club.

Djokovic can never be ruled out of becoming the oldest major men’s singles champion in the Open Era, but Father Time has been sat waiting on his shoulder for a good while.

By rights, he should probably be basking in a post-retirement glow by now.

Coaching a young compatriot away from the public glare like Andy Murray, perhs. Doing a promotional tour for a new Netflix documentary like Rafael Nadal, maybe.

While his long-time rivals move into the next phase of their lives, Djokovic was retching at the side of a court in an attempt to summon the energy to beat a teenager.

It is a testament to his superpower that he still wants to push himself to such limits against much younger opponents.

As we have seen time and time again, Djokovic’s insatiable petite for the sport’s biggest prizes will never diminish.

But, having reached at least the semi-finals at the past five Grand Slams, this was the clearest sign yet that the ageing process was finally catching up with him.

Djokovic looked in complete control as he moved two sets ahead, but could not maintain his level as Fonseca proved he is the real deal.

“It would be nice if it was best-of-three,” Djokovic smiled.

“I just ran out of gas, to be honest. I didn’t feel good at all on the court in the next couple of sets.”

Djokovic has always thrived in the best-of-five format of the majors, beating almost anybody who has stood in his way for the best part of two years.

The only exceptions have been Sinner, Alcaraz and the muscle injury which forced him to quit against Zverev at last year’s Australian Open.

Everyone else has not been good enough, or not had the mentality, to see veteran Djokovic off.

Cleveland Cavaliers general manager Mike Gansey has agreed to become the new president of basketball operations for the Philadelphia 76ers, sources tell ESPN.

Gansey, who rose the ranks within the Cavaliers front office since joining in 2011-12, now lands the top executive position in Philadelphia.

Bob Myers, the four-time NBA championship architect of the dynasty Golden State Warriors who now serves as president of sports for Harris Blitzer Sports & Entertainment, led the search for the 76ers’ new head of basketball operations after ownership made the decision to part ways with Daryl Morey.

Myers will work closely in partnering with Gansey and assist in his vision for the organization.

Gansey and Nick U’Ren of the WNBA’s Phoenix Mercury were the finalists for the 76ers’ president job and both had separate final-stage meetings with team ownership this week on the east coast before the decision to hire Gansey was made on Friday, sources said.

U’Ren has served as the top basketball executive of the Mercury over the last three years, and served multiple front-office titles under Myers during their stints with the Warriors.

McCullum’s contract with England ends in the autumn of 2027. He said he has not thought about the possibility of an extension so, as it stands, his final Test series in charge will be the home Ashes next summer.

By then, England will have not held the urn for almost a decade and not won a five-match series since 2018.

And 44-year-old McCullum, who played 101 Tests for New Zealand, said his team must use their latest Ashes failure as a “lesson” for the challenges ahead.

“The lesson we were taught down in Australia needs to help galvanise us moving forward, otherwise it was just a beating and incredible dispointment,” he said.

“If we’re able to make good on what we’ve been taught and what we’ve gone through and it makes us a better side, whilst it still hurts, it will make us a better side.”

In the aftermath of the Ashes, players who have been discarded by McCullum’s regime have been critical of the England set-up. Liam Livingstone and Jonny Bairstow added their voices to the frustration expressed by pundits and fans.

In response to some of the Ashes shortcomings, England have added extra coaches to their backroom staff, imposed a midnight curfew on players and staff, and will soon be joined by a full-time chef.

“I’ve always had authenticity to how I like to operate as a person. It’s not going to be everyone’s cup of tea,” said McCullum. “Not everyone is going to love you all the time. That’s OK.

“I have firm conviction in the way we try to she and build teams. I’m not rigid about development, improvement and refinement.

“There has been a period of reflection, things we have needed to change and things we have changed. We’ve made some adjustments and now the key from a cricket point of view is winning those moments when the game is on the line.”

Piero Hincié looks set to join Arsenal permanently after his loan from Bayer Leverkusen, but could Barcelona spoil the party? Meanwhile, Real Madrid want to bring in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder João Neves. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

Transfers home page | Men’s winter grades | Women’s grades

TRENDING RUMORS

– Barcelona are considering a move for Bayer Leverkusen‘s Piero Hincié this summer, according to The Daily Mail. Arsenal signed the versatile defender on loan last summer, which includes a permanent option clause of £45 million. But the Gunners are yet to confirm whether they will trigger that deal, which would see the Ecuador international sign on a five-year deal. As a result, Barcelona are sounding out the possibility of a move as they search for a new left-sided center back.

– COPE reports that Real Madrid want to bring in Paris Saint-Germain midfielder João Neves. Neves, 21, is one of the top prospects in Europe and has a contract until 2030, so would not come che. Another player who could boost Madrid’s flagging squad is their former winger Víctor Munoz, who could be re-signed from Osasuna as the club still own 50% of his rights. And the report also states Madrid want to secure some defensive reinforcements and are targeting Inter Milan center back Alessandro Bastoni at around €50 million.

– Juventus are interested in taking Liverpool backup goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili on loan for a season, if they can’t land the club’s No. 1 Alisson Becker on a permanent deal. Gazzetta dello Sport reports that Juve have failed to convince Liverpool to part with Alisson, who has a deal until 2027. But with Mamardashvili looking for game time, a loan may benefit all parties. Meanwhile, the

– Inter Milan defender Denzel Dumfries has emerged as an option for Liverpool, says The Daily Mail. The Reds are keen to find options for the right flank following Conor Bradley‘s long-term injury absence and the struggles of Jeremie Frimpong. Dumfries, 30, has a €25 million clause that activates in July and is entering the final two years of his contract, so is available. But the club are also discussing the possibility of bringing Jarell Quansah back from Bayer Leverkusen this summer as a possible replacement for center back Ibrahima Konaté, reports TEAMtalk. Konate, 27, is set to leave at the end of his contract and Liverpool have a return clause in Quansah’s contract reportedly valued at £69 million.

– Bernardo Silva want to move to Barcelona when he leaves Manchester City as a free agent his summer, according to The Times. Silva, 31, has been offered deals by Atletico Madrid and Benfica, while Juventus have also been in the mix, the Portugal international is keen on a switch to Camp Nou where there is an offer in the region of €100,000-a-week on the table.

ESPN SOURCES

– Tottenham are moving closer to a deal to sign Andy Robertson on a free transfer, sources have confirmed to ESPN. The 32-year-old left back has ended his nine-year association with Liverpool after playing his final game for the club last Sunday against Brentford. Read

– Brentford have tabled a bid in the region of £40 million ($54m) for FC Cologne star winger Said El Mala, sources have told ESPN, with Cologne still considering the offer. Read

– Barcelona will turn their attention to Atlético Madrid’s Julián Álvarez after agreeing a deal to sign Anthony Gordon, various sources have told ESPN. The Spanish champions are hopeful they can win the race for Álvarez, who is also interesting Paris Saint-Germain and Arsenal, after being informed the Argentina forward would prefer to join them over his other options. Read

– Manchester United are close to an agreement with Atalanta for midfielder Éderson, sources have told ESPN. United are ready to pay around £35 million for the Brazil international, who is set to become the first new arrival at Old Trafford this summer. Read

OTHER RUMORS

– Tottenham are set to sign Bournemouth defender Marcos Senesi on a free transfer. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Arsenal have intensified interest in Aston Villa forward Morgan Rogers, but a deal could cost upwards of £80 million. (TEAMtalk)

– Striker Julian Alvarez has informed Atletico Madrid that he wants to leave the club, as he continues to be linked with a transfer to Barcelona in the region of €100 million. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Bournemouth midfielder Alex Scott has been offered a new contract to fend off any interest. (Fabrizio Romano)

– Arsenal are increasingly confident of landing a deal to sign Leicester City youngster Jeremy Monga. The 16-year-old winger has interest from Manchester United and Manchester City following the Foxes’ relegation to League One, but the Gunners pear to be frontrunners. (TEAMtalk)

– Brighton midfielder Matt O’Riley is a transfer target for Tottenham this summer, with the 25-year-old potentially available after a loan move at Marseille earlier this campaign. (Football Insider)

– Manchester City winger Savinho is keen on joining Tottenham, with the Brazilian looking for more game time. (Football Insider)

– Newcastle, Liverpool, Tottenham and Borussia Dortmund are eyeing a move for Lille midfielder Angel Gomes. (Sun)

– Manchester City, Chelsea and Liverpool are interested in signing Sunderland midfielder Chris Rigg, 17. (GMS)

– Barcelona’s interest in Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni has cooled in recent weeks, with the €70 million valuation set for the 27-year-old’s transfer complicating the deal. (Sport)

– Juventus are in the race to sign Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta as the 28-year-old looks set to leave Crystal Palace after firing the club to Europa Conference League glory in midweek. (Gazzetta dello Sport)

– Galatasaray are preparing an offer for West Ham defender Emerson Palmieri. (Football Insider)

For the third year in a row, Littler finished top of the Premier League standings.

He went on to reach the final for the third consecutive year and has won the title in two of them.

He set a new record for night wins in the league phase in 2025 and matched that tally of six in 2026.

Despite that, Littler said he felt like he did not want to “go to the next Premier League night”.

He added: “Tonight was one of those wins where I had to get it done. Even sat at home, I didn’t want to go out. I didn’t want to go to the next Premier League night but we’ve done it.

“We’ve all got feelings, not just as dart players, we’re humans. I can’t believe I’ve won.”

The current Premier League format lasts 17 weeks if you reach finals night and sees players travel across the UK, Republic of Ireland and Europe to play every Thursday during the league phase.

The event only features eight players – the world’s four top-ranked players and four players who are invited by the Professional Darts Corporation – and runs alongside ProTour events.

Sky Sports pundit Wayne Mardle highlighted how former world champions Gerwyn Price and Phil Taylor have felt a similar strain to Littler in the past.

He said: “It is not a rarity for the Premier League to become too much. Week after week, it is an endurance test.

“Sometimes you can feel down and if you feel down, you become mentally weaker.

“We know how strong Luke Littler is mentally but when you are feeling like you’re public enemy number one, you can feel like you don’t want to turn up, but he did turn up and this is now the by-product of turning up.”

Despite coming close to leaving the competition, Littler’s dominance in the sport continues to grow.

His victory means he has added the Premier League to his World Championship title, World Masters and UK Open successes this year.

Littler holds seven of the eight ranking titles that the Professional Darts Corporation have, plus the Premier League.

“There is a point in everyone’s career when they are at their peak – we don’t know if this is his peak but we know this is peak level because Michael van Gerwen and Phil Taylor’s peak was this kind of standard,” added Mardle.

“We’re assuming he must be near his peak and it is good enough time and time again. There are no weaknesses really.”

Among the next things for Littler to tick off is glory alongside Luke Humphries for England in June’s World Cup of Darts.

If the pair play anything like they did in London on Thursday night, you wouldn’t bet against them.