Alexander Zverev has continued a long-running theme in men's tennis by emerging victorious at the US Open.
Zverev edged out Ben Shelton in the final of the hard-court Grand Slam in New York, winning their clash in five sets.
And with his impressive US Open run, the German has just completed a clean sweep for European players in the 2026 men's Grand Slam season.
He also won the French Open, while his fellow Europeans Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner won the Australian Open and Wimbledon respectively.
In fact, the ATP records must go back a full 17 years to find the last Grand Slam champion who wasn't born in Europe; Juan Martin del Potro.

#alexander #german #french

Hyrox, the popular indoor fitness competition, is adjusting its policies and procedures after a world champion was allowed to continue at a competition in China last weekend despite suffering fecal incontinence.
Joanna Wietrzyk was competing in the age 16-24 elite event in Beijing on Saturday when she suddenly became ill. But despite fecal matter running down her legs, Wietrzyk was allowed to keep competing. The Australian continued on and ended up winning the race in a time of 1:01.23.
But in the days since, Hyrox has received heavy criticism for allowing Wietrzyk to continue competing despite the potential health risks. The company said that, despite having "clear biocontaminant and medical procedures in place," the situation "blurred" protocols and created "ambiguity in how they were applied and understood."
"I apologize to all that were directly or indirectly affected, as well as to everyone who felt like we did not handle the situation like we should have," Hyrox co-founder Moritz Furste said in a statement. "Hyrox made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race. In the end, it is my job to foresee these potential incidents — and I did not.
"Of course, we started improving event processes, plus making rulebook changes immediately. As of this moment, there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again."

#allowed

Gillian Anderson is embracing a new way of defining her ******* uality at 58.
The X-Files star revealed that she identifies as pansexual — meaning she can be attracted to people regardless of gender — during a candid interview with The Australian published on Thursday, September 10.
"In my younger years, I was in relationships with women," Anderson reflected during the interview.
Putting a name to her ******* uality comes after years of Anderson speaking openly about her attraction to both men and women — and even questioning which label best described her.
Photo credit: Spread Pictures / MEGA

#years #files

Hyrox, the global endurance fitness race, is revising its protocols after a top athlete soiled herself and was allowed to continue during a competition in Beijing on Sept. 12.
Photos from the indoor competition show Australian Joanna Wietrzyk, the 22-year-old Hyrox world champion, with fecal matter running down her legs during the age 16-24 elite race. Wietzryk won the race with a time of 1:01:23, besting second-place finisher Alyssa McElheny of the United States by 45 seconds.
The incident sparked online outrage over potential health risks, prompting Hyrox co-founder Moritz Furste to release a statement on Monday, Sept. 14 admitting that race organizers failed by not removing Wietryzk from the competition.
"HYROX made a mistake by not reacting immediately during the race," Furste wrote in an Instagram post. "In the end it is my job to foresee these potential incidents – and I did not. Of course, we started improving event processes, plus making rulebook changes immediately. As of this moment, there are new rules and procedures in place to prevent situations like this from happening again."
USA TODAY Sports reached out to Hyrox, Wietrzyk and her coach for comment on Monday morning and did not immediately hear back.

#immediately

Gillian Anderson revealed that she identifies as pansexual in a new interview with The Australian
The actress previously told the Sunday Times last month that one of her "first relationships" was with a girl in high school
Earlier in her life, she said she "felt I didn't have the language" to describe her ***** uality
Gillian Anderson is opening up about her ***** uality.
In a new interview, the actress, 58, shared that she identifies as pansexual. "In my younger years I was in relationships with women," she told The Australian.

#relationships

Jai Opetaia put on a clinic on Saturday night.
Heading into his second bout under the Zuffa Boxing banner, Opetaia showed out. The undefeated star defended his Ring Magazine **** le and Zuffa Boxing **** les in a dominating display against a tough veteran. Noel Mikaelyan, his opponent, had his moments and made the fight somewhat competitive, but the Australian upped his gear and was strolling to a decisive victory before landing big in the ninth.
A crafty vet of the boxing world, Mikaelyan was using all of the tools at his disposal to frustrate the champion, but it would be his downfall.

#mikaelyan #saturday #noel

Elena Rybakina demonstrated why she is the best women's player in the world by beating two-time defending champion Aryna Sabalenka to win her first US Open ***** le.
Kazakhstan's Rybakina already knew she would be the new world number one after Saturday's final regardless of the result, and she celebrated with a 6-4 5-7 6-2 victory over the player she will replace.
Rybakina was the more composed of the two throughout as she claimed the third Grand Slam ***** le of her career, having triumphed at Wimbledon in 2022 and the Australian Open earlier this year.
Sabalenka hoped to soften the blow of losing the top ranking by winning a third consecutive US Open ***** le - but looked fraught in a tense performance.
Rybakina and Sabalenka have developed a strong rivalry built not only on their outstanding talent but their contrasting personalities.

#title

NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) is expanding its global AI infrastructure ambitions, with Australia emerging as an important new market for its growing portfolio of GPUs, CPUs, networking products, and AI software.
On September 9, it announced strategic partnerships with Australian NVIDIA Cloud Partners (NCPs) and AI infrastructure providers as it works with local partners toward an AI infrastructure buildout of up to 2 gigawatts by 2027.
The initiative will expand the availability of land, power, and data center shell capacity designed to host multiple generations of Nvidia's DSX AI factory infrastructure. While the buildout is designed to meet Australia's growing demand for AI computing, it could also create a significant new source of demand for Nvidia's hardware and software ecosystem.
The Australian buildout could benefit NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ:NVDA) beyond the initial sale of GPUs. Nvidia will provide its DSX platform, accelerated computing, networking, software, and ecosystem support to the emerging network of AI factories. DSX is also compatible with Nvidia's CUDA ecosystem.
As enterprises, universities, government agencies, and startups increasingly build AI workloads around Nvidia's architecture, the company could strengthen CUDA's position as the underlying software platform for AI development and deployment.

#NASDAQ #australian

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 27: Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan practises with Coach Stefano Vukov ahead of The Championships Wimbledon 2023 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 27, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Getty
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan looks on against Qinwen Zheng of China during their Women's Singles Quarterfinal match on Day Eleven of the 2026 US Open at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 09, 2026 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Patrick Smith/Getty Images) Getty
The coach of Kazakhstan's Elena Rybakina, Stefano Vukov, supports her from the players box as she competes against Belarus' Victoria Azarenka during their women's singles semi-final match on day eleven of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 26, 2023. - -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by Martin KEEP / AFP) / -- IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE -- (Photo by MARTIN KEEP/AFP via Getty Images) Getty
LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 25: Stefano Vukov watches Elena Rybakina train before The Championships Wimbledon 2026 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 25, 2026 in London, England. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images) Getty
Elena Rybakina is a professional tennis player widely regarded as one of the world's best. Her coach, Stefano Vukov, is also rumored to be her boyfriend. Vukov transitioned from playing professionally to coaching Rybakina. The 39-year-old was born on March 27, 1987.

#rybakina #elena #london

Britain's Neal Skupski and American partner Christian Harrison won the US Open men's doubles ***** le to claim their second Grand Slam trophy together.
The fifth seeds did not drop a set in New York as they beat sixth seeds Tim Puetz and Kevin Krawietz 6-4 7-6 (8-6) to secure the ***** le.
Victory adds to Skupski and Harrison's Australian Open triumph in January in what was their first Grand Slam as a pairing.
Skupski had suffered a heartbreaking defeat in last year's US Open final, missing three championship points when he reached the showpiece alongside fellow Briton Joe Salisbury.
He and Dutchman Wesley Koolhof were also beaten in the 2022 final.

#grand #slam #seeds #christian

Britain's Alfie Hewett beat Tokito Oda to clinch a fifth US Open men's wheelchair singles ***** le and prevent the ***** anese top seed from completing a clean sweep at the Grand Slams in 2026.
A 6-0 7-6 (7-5) victory meant Hewett added to the doubles ***** le he won alongside fellow Briton Gordon Reid on Friday.
Hewett, 28, lost to Oda in the finals of the French Open and Wimbledon earlier this year, winning only two games in a 6-1 6-1 defeat at SW19, while the ***** anese also triumphed at January's Australian Open.
Hewett told BBC Sport that his loss to Oda at Wimbledon made him "look in the mirror" and a period of reflection led to him wanting to "be a little bit more like me" as he pursued an 11th Grand Slam singles ***** le.
"I'm known for being just as fearless, brave and courageous in big moments and I felt I was everything but that in Wimbledon," Hewett said.

#hewett #open

Francisco Cerundolo added to Team World Laver Cup roster after Tommy Paul injury originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Francisco Cerundolo will replace American Tommy Paul on Team World for the 10th edition of the Laver Cup. Paul suffered an elbow injury at the US Open and will not be able to participate. It is the second year in a row Paul was injured at the US Open and had to be replaced.
This will be the fourth straight Laver Cup for the Argentinian, who reached the fourth round of the US Open. He also reached the fourth round of the Australian Open in January, which are career-bests for a Grand Slam for the the 28-year-old.
Cerundolo has a 3-1 record at the Laver Cup, with all the matches being in singles. Last year in San Francisco during Team World's 15-9 win, Cerundolo defeated Holger Rue and lost to Carlos Alcaraz.
"I'm really excited to be back with Team World for my fourth Laver Cup," said Cerundolo. "I have so many great memories from the event. It's a unique experience getting to know your teammates and playing for each other. I'm looking forward to being back with the team in London."

#cerundolo #laver #francisco #World

Where to watch women's US Open 2026 final: Live stream, TV channel, start time for Sabalenka vs. Rybakina originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
It's down to the final two. Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will go head-to-head in the US Open women's ***** le match Saturday.
Sabalenka is no stranger to this stage at Flushing Meadows — with a win this weekend, she could complete a US Open three-peat. The Belarusian will be facing a familiar foe in Elena Rybakina, who she lost the Australian Open ***** le to earlier this year. Can Sabalenka return to glory?
On the other hand, Rybakina is entering brand-new territory. Despite appearing in the US Open main draw seven times, the 27-year-old has never made it past the Round of 16. 2nd-seeded Rybakina has been lethal in this campaign though, defeating former US Open champions Naomi Osaka and Coco Gauff on the way to the final.
Who will make history at Arthur Ashe Stadium?

#sabalenka #elena

Alexander Zverev has performed better than any other ATP player at Grand Slams this year.
Men's tennis had been dominated by Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz over the past couple of years, with this year's Australian Open being the ninth consecutive major one of them had won.
This all changed at Roland Garros, where Zverev won his first major **** le after Sinner suffered a shock early exit.
Zverev has now reached the US Open final, his third consecutive Grand Slam final this year, and after his win over Karen Khachanov, he spoke about his impressive season at the major tournaments and how it compares to Sinner and Alcaraz.
Photo by Manuela Davies/USTA via Getty Images

#sinner #alcaraz #year #final

NEW YORK – It was a double celebration for Katerina Siniakova and for Taylor Townsend, the final piece of the puzzle to a career Grand Slam.
Siniakova and Townsend, the tournament's No. 1 seed, captured their first U.S. Open women's doubles ******* le together, rallying to beat young Americans Ashlyn Krueger and Robin Montgomery 5-7, 6-0, 6-2 in the final in Arthur Ashe Stadium on on Friday, Sept. 11.
Townsend, a 30 year-old American, and Siniakova, a 30-year-old from Czechia, captured their first major ******* le at Wimbledon in 2024 before adding the 2025 Australian Open, the 2026 French Open and this US Open championship.
Townsend and Siniakova found themselves down 0-3, and went on to lose the first set, but then they turned it on, blanking the wildcard entrants in the second set, before slamming and forehand baselining their way to a 6-2 closing set.
MEN'S SEMIFINALS HIGHLIGHTS: Zverev faces Khachanov and Shelton faces Tiafoe for place in final

#open #final

Russian tennis star Karen Khachanov is still looking for his first Grand Slam ******* le in a career where he's gotten close -- he's made the semifinals of the Australian Open back in 2023 and has made the semis at the U.S. Open twice, including 2026 when he'll meet No. 1 seed Alexander Zverev.
And if you're here, you might be wondering: Who is Khachanov's wife? We have an answer: It's Veronika Shkliaeva. They got married back in 2016 and have a sons together named David and Mikael. You can see photos of his family that he's posted over the years on Instagram:

#back #karen #khachanov

Spanish World Cup-winner Juan Mata on Friday opted against playing another season with Australian side Melbourne Victory, but stopped short of calling time on his career.
The former Manchester United and Chelsea ace has enjoyed a late-career resurgence and was voted the domestic A-League player of the year in 2025-26.
But the 38-year-old has decided not to play on at the club as he mulls "the next steps in his career".
He will remain involved with the Australian side after taking an ownership stake.
"I loved every minute and so greatly enjoyed everything that we achieved last season, falling back in love with football at such a special place, in an amazing city that it was a privilege to call home," Mata said.

#season

I have spent much of this week watching Australian coverage of the NFL and scrolling through social media posts as the 49ers and Rams prepare to play the first regular-season game in Australia. The coverage has been entertaining, enthusiastic and occasionally educational. There have been explanations of the rules, breakdowns of the equipment and attempts to introduce American football to a country that already has a sport called football.
The Aussies are excited. Nearly 100,000 people are expected to fill the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Moreover, the NFL has taken over the city. The Jonas Brothers will perform at halftime, and Tourism Australia has built an advertising campaign around the game featuring wildlife conservationist and television personality Robert Irwin. He's the son of the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin. In addition, Netflix will distribute the game globally.
It should be a spectacular event. I'm just not convinced it proves football has become a global sport.
This season, the NFL is staging nine regular-season games in seven countries outside the United States. That represents an extraordinary expansion from the occasional London game of the past. The league is no longer simply testing international markets. Moreover, overseas games have become an important part of its schedule, television strategy and marketing machine.
However, more games in more countries don't automatically mean football has developed deep roots in those places.

#sport

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Richard Trang booked his tickets soon after the NFL announced the Los Angeles Rams and San Francisco 49ers season opener would be played in Australia, and was one of the thousands of Americans who made their first trip Down Under to coincide with the game.
An accountant who is originally from Charlotte, North Carolina but now lives in San Francisco, Trang soaked up the atmosphere on a bright, sunny Friday morning at the 100,000-seat Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"It's been great seeing all these red jerseys," Trang said ahead of the game. "I love the mutual respect between Niners fans and Australians. We love that the Niners came a week early, and Australians feel the same way."
The 49ers arrived last week and took time in Melbourne to prepare for the game. The Rams arrived a day ahead of time.
Nick and Dorcas Mwangi, who live in Los Angeles, described the chance to see the Rams play in Australia as a once in a lifetime opportunity.

#australia #Rams #niners #ahead

Aryna Sabalenka takes out Jessica Pegula to book U.S. Open final spot appeared first on ClutchPoints. Add ClutchPoints as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Power was the order of the day for Aryna Sabalenka in her semifinal match in the U.S. Open, and the defending champion rolled to a 7-5, 6-2 victory over Jessica Pegula at Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York.
Sabalenka is the two-time defending champion at the U.S. Open, but she failed in efforts to add to her major championships in the Australian Open, French Open and Wimbledon this year. She appeared to have a very tough match on her hands against Pegula, as the two battled on even terms through the first 10 games of the opening set.
However, Sabalenka took a 6-5 advantage on her own serve and then used her power and sharp directional returns to break Pegula in the final game of the set.
Watch sports LIVE with fuboTV (free trial)

#open #clutchpoints #power #appeared

Great Britain's Neal Skupski and his American partner Christian Harrison are through to the US Open men's doubles final after beating top seeds Henry Patten and Harri Heliovaara.
The Australian Open champions secured a 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 win in an hour and 23 minutes and are yet to drop a set at this year's tournament.
Liverpool-born Skupski, 36, is hoping to claim his fifth Grand Slam **** le and third in the men's doubles.
After success at Wimbledon in 2023 with Wesley Koolhof and in Australia earlier this year alongside Harrison, Skupski once again has a maiden triumph at Flushing Meadows in his sights.
He and fellow Briton Joe Salisbury missed three championship points when they lost last year's final.

#neal #christian

Qinwen Zheng's incredible US Open run has now come to an end.
Zheng underwent elbow surgery last year and had since struggled to rediscover the form that helped her reach world number four in the WTA rankings, an Australian Open final and win Olympic gold.
As a result, Zheng had dropped down the rankings and had to play qualifying at the US Open as the world number 121.
Not only did Zheng come through qualifying, but she made it all the way to the quarter-finals and she will now be rewarded in the WTA rankings.
Photo by Simon Bruty/USTA via Getty Images

#zheng #rankings #number #qualifying

Australia will host an NFL game for the first time ever Thursday when the San Francisco 49ers play the Los Angeles Rams at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
While much of the focus on this opening week game has been about the logistics, it'll just be football once the teams kicks off. And just like any other game, someone will sing the national anthem before it gets started... or in this case, the national anthems.
As usual for the NFL international series, the anthems of both the host nation and United States will be sung before the game. On Thursday night, it'll be Infinity Song singing the U.S. national anthem and Cody Simpson singing the Australian anthem.

#thursday #host

What is going on with the NFL and Antarctica? Earlier today The Athletic published an interview with Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver DK Metcalf. In the interview it was revealed that Metcalf believed a conspiracy theory that "there is another civilization inside the Earth," and it has something to do with Antarctica.
Not long after that, San Francisco 49ers linebacker Dre Greenlaw took the podium in Australia ahead of his team's game against the Los Angeles Rams. One reporter asked Greenlaw if he had any questions for Australians and he started asking his own questions about Antarctica.
MORE: 11 NFL players facing the most pressure to deliver in 2026
"I mean it's just interesting being in another country. I mean how far are we from Antarctica? That's what I gotta ask. So we're like right on top of, huh? Like, does it snow. It snows probably pretty bad."
When Greenlaw was told its not as bad as Antarctica, he asked if the country was "a lie." He followed that by asking if anyone had been to Antarctica. When no one had, he asked how they knew it was cold and walked off.

#antarctica

Cricket Australia (CA) has opened the door to private investment in the Big Bash League (BBL), with the Melbourne Renegades set to become the first franchise offered for sale from the 2027-28 season.

The decision comes after months of discussions between Cricket Australia and Australia's state cricket ***** ociations over the future of the domestic T20 competition.

At a press conference at the SCG on Tuesday afternoon, CA confirmed that the Renegades will be the first BBL franchise to enter the private ownership process. Other BBL and WBBL teams could also be offered for sale in the future under a "self-determination" model.

The governing body said the move is aimed at bringing private investment into the T20 competition and strengthening the financial position of Australian cricket as players and teams are increasingly being drawn towards lucrative leagues around the world.

"CA will invite bids from private owners for the Renegades with a view to them playing the 2027-28 season under new ownership," the governing body said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Beginning the sales process for the Renegades allows us to take the first step in a self-determination model for our members and represents a defining moment for the game," said Cricket Australia chair Mike Baird.

"This is a significant decision that has involved an enormous amount of ***** ysis, discussion and collaboration over many months."

CA said other franchises could be put on the market at a later stage.

"Pending the result of that process, CA will consider taking other clubs to market under a self-determination model that gives each state member the ability to ***** s the optimal pathway for its own club and community."

According to cricket.com.au, Hobart Hurricanes, Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars are among the other clubs believed to be interested in private investment.

The Renegades are owned by Cricket Victoria, which supported CA's original plan. They won the BBL ***** le in the 2018-19 season.

The move comes as CA looks to strengthen its finances. Despite a boost in revenue from hosting a five-Test series against India, the game's biggest financial market, CA reported a net deficit of A$11.3 million for the 2024-25 financial year.

"By opening the door to private investment in the Big Bash Leagues, Cricket Australia is taking a deliberate step to strengthen and secure the long-term future of the game," CA Chairman Mike Baird said in Tuesday's statement.

Australia Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced in July that December's BBL 2026-27 season opener between the Renegades and Perth Scorchers would take place in the Chennai.

While CA is allowing private ownership, it will continue to control key areas of the competition. Baird said the governing body will retain control over international scheduling, player availability, salary caps and media rights.

CA will also have the power to approve or veto investors and set a reserve price for

Australia's Tax Practitioners Board (TPB) has cancelled the registration of C&N Southwest Sydney after finding serious breaches in professional conduct and determining that the company no longer met registration requirements.
The tax watchdog's investigation concluded that C&N Southwest Sydney director Elle Ristevski, along with de facto and shadow director Peter Ristevski, were no longer "fit and proper persons", a statement said.
According to the TPB, the Sydney-based company violated 12 provisions of the code of professional conduct.
The investigation found evidence that the business gave false or misleading information to the TPB during its inquiries.
The board also found that false or misleading information had been supplied to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) and the Australian Taxation Office (ATO). The information was used to support clients in appointing 'straw directors'.

#ristevski #australian #board #registration

The shocks started early at this US Open as 23-time grand slam champion and fourth seed Novak Djokovic suffered his earliest exit at a major in 20 years, losing in the first round.
The Serb broke down in tears as he fell in five sets to Mariano Navone, in a match where he physically struggled with the heat and humidity and threw up several times.
The defeat - his first time losing in the opening round of a slam since the Australian Open in 2006 - brings an abrupt end to his quest for a 25th major **** le.
Third seed and last year's semi-finalist Felix Auger-Aliassime is the biggest name to fall so far, losing in four sets to Russia's Karen Khachanov in the second round, while last year's finalist and 10th seed Amanda Anisimova crashed out in the third round to Anastasia Potapova.
2024 runner-up Taylor Fritz also lost in the third round, falling in five to 24th seed Francisco Cerundolo, as did French Open finalist Flavio Cobolli on a Saturday of shocks.

#Third #shocks

Naomi Osaka's 2026 US Open came to an end at the hands of Elena Rybakina. Surprisingly the superstar was quite upbeat despite her defeat, and she explained why.
Naomi Osaka's search for a first Grand Slam **** le since 2021 will continue into 2027. The 28-year-old superstar crashed out of the US Open in the Round of 16.
Osaka surprisingly did not put up much of a fight during her match against the world No. 2 ranked Elena Rybakina. This year's Australian Open winner took care of Osaka in straight sets, winning 6-1, 6-4.
One might expect the disappointment to be great in the face of such a loss. However, the **** anese star was fairly level in defeat, and opened up on why she is not as sad as some might expect.
Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images

#defeat

The Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) is reviewing 551 allegations of potential audit malpractice spanning 'Big Four' accountancy practices.
According to a Reuters report, ASIC chair Sarah Court stated in a hearing that each matter will be evaluated individually before the authority decides whether to initiate formal investigations.
The broad ******* sment comes as the four companies – KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), Deloitte and EY – face sustained scrutiny over misconduct.
ASIC enforcement and compliance executive director Chris Savundra was quoted by the news agency telling a parliamentary committee: "It is around 551 complaints at this stage, noting that our work is at an early stage and we will follow the trail.
"So in response ‌to ⁠that material, we will then issue notices for further information, so that number might grow."

#securities

MELBOURNE, Australia - On a cloudy Sunday afternoon, an Australian man moseys down Flinders Street, one of the city's most historic roads, decked out in 49ers gear.
"You a Niners fan?" I ask as the man approaches, fully knowing the answer. He's rocking a white Christian McCaffrey jersey, a gold Super Bowl XXIV hat and an oversize red chain necklace attached to an oval-shaped 49ers logo. He's holding a red and gold pompom in his left hand.
For most NFL fans, this would be an excessive outfit on a game day. Raymond Schembri is wearing it five days before the San Francisco 49ers play their season-opener against the Los Angeles Rams at Melbourne Cricket Ground.
Yet can you really blame Schembri? He has been waiting for this moment all his life.
"I've been a Niners fan for as long as I can remember," says Schembri, a 58-year-old resident of Yarraville, a nearby suburb. "To hear that they were actually coming to my backyard - our backyard - just (blew) us away."

#niners #australia #sunday #flinders