The Latest Sport NewsJanuary 22, 2016

In case you're on a holiday, probably busy making plans on your itinerary, then you miss a great deal. Let's forget politics. And you might not be interested in the awards season. (You finally came to your senses, as it dawned on you that it was like the general election campaign.) If you happen to be a huge sport fan, then you need to know the latest sport news. Here they are:

Rafael Nadal is at the crossroads. Rafael Nadal's five-set win over Fernando Verdasco in the semifinals of the 2009 Australian Open lasted 5 hours and 14 minutes. It was the longest match by time played until the 2012 finals between Novak Djokovic and Nadal. It was also one of the most memorable matches in recent years. (Nadal went on to win his only Aussie title, and it was no less memorable. He defeated Roger Federer in five sets. The Swiss cried during the trophy ceremony.) The two Spaniards met again in Rod Laver Arena last Tuesday, and the match went the distance. But it was Verdasco who emerged triumphant. Not a few wondered if Nadal should replace his Uncle Tony as coach. The winner of 14 Grand Slam titles lost to Djokovic in their most recent matches. Retirement won't be an option, but injuries made him less of a force in the men's tour. It would be back to the drawing board.

Aksel Lund Svindal and Marcel Hirscher are neck and neck in the World Cup. Svindal made a successful return from surgery, as he won six races in the World Cup. Fellow Norwegian Henrik Kristofferson wasn't far away, winning four of the five slalom races. Marcel Hirscher, the four-time overall World Cup champion, was trailing Svindal by fifteen points. Fans can't predict which one of them will nab the crystal globe in St. Moritz. The weather might play a part. And this year may be Svindal's greatest moment if he wins his remaining speed races.

The USTA announced the preliminary Team USA roster for the Rio Olympics. Kobe Bryant opted not to play in Rio de Janeiro, as he would retire at the end of the season. Derrick Rose would miss the Olympics again. (It's hard to tell if he'll recover from his injuries before the playoffs begin.) Fans saw players who competed in the FIBA World Cup and the last two Olympics. Many see them winning their third successive gold medal, which will be a fitting end to Mike Krzyzewski's international (coaching) career. Spain, the reigning EuroBasket champion, won't concede, though. Rio could be Pau Gasol's last Olympic appearance. A gold-medal game between these two basketball giants is a certainty.

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