Andy Murray got a "sneak peek" at the Australian Open's new "player pod," which was finished "just a week ago." The four-story pod "has smashed expectations." It "has new recovery rooms" and a medical center, a relaxation area and a "beefed-up beauty bar offering manicures and haircuts." In a "super-sized dining area, players can pick from a smorgasbord that includes Italian food, made-to-order sushi, salads, ice-cream, barbecue and speciality coffee" (HERALD SUN, 1/6).
Super League side Hull Kingston Rovers will play its first '19 preseason friendly away from KCOM Craven Park as the stadium "remains closed following the collapse of a floodlight pylon in November." The club's home "has been shut since the incident occurred, with investigations ongoing" (HULL DAILY MAIL, 1/5).
The organizers of the Challenge Mallorca confirmed five Pro Continental teams for the series of one-day races later this month, in addition to the six WorldTour teams that have already been named (CYCLING NEWS, 1/3).
Tokyo will host an esports event in fiscal '19 -- which begins in April -- to promote the Japanese capital's video game and anime industries, Governor Yuriko Koike said on Sunday. The metropolitan government plans to set aside 50M yen ($460,000) in the budget for fiscal '19 to hold the two-day event. The date and venue have yet to be decided (KYODO, 1/6).
