G'day sports fans,

Classic Ashes: "I was once offered a Foster's from someone over the fence, but it was warmer and frothier than a Foster's" - Bob Willis (English Fast Bowler)

🇦🇺 Aussie Sport

🏆 World number one Novak Djokovic will defend his Australian Open title later this month after receiving a medical exemption from having a Covid-19 vaccination.

All players and staff at the tournament must be vaccinated or have an exemption granted by an expert independent panel.

Djokovic, a nine-time Australian Open winner, has not spoken publicly about his vaccination status.

The tournament begins in Melbourne on 17 January.

"I've spent fantastic quality time with my loved ones over the break and today I'm heading down under with an exemption permission," the 34-year-old said on Instagram on Tuesday. "Let's go 2022.

💉 St Kilda captain Hannah Priest says the player group are continuing to support Georgia Patrikios, but they are no closer to learning whether the star midfielder will opt for the vaccine in time to play this AFLW season.

🏉 Blake Ferguson has agreed to terms for a one-year deal with the Parramatta Eels starting in 2023. (Eels)

🖋 Nathan Cleary better hope he’s a Panther for life after unveiling a huge tattoo to commemorate his first NRL premiership.

🎾 Australian stars Alex de Minaur and James Duckworth both lost their singles ties in straight sets at the ATP Cup on Tuesday night. (Fox)

😮‍💨 Asthma has derailed the start of Nick Kyrgios' Australian Open preparation with the Aussie forced to withdraw from last night's match.

🙋🏽‍♀️ Japan's Naomi Osaka made a winning comeback after four months out with victory in the first round of the Melbourne Summer Set event.

❌ NRL players have reportedly been banned from all indoor activities, including pubs and movie theatres, ahead of the 2022 season.

The moves that are reportedly being put in place by the NRL would also require any visitors to players' homes to take rapid antigen tests before going inside. (nine)

😷 The Brisbane Broncos have hit a hurdle on their return to pre-season training with at least four players testing positive for Covid-19. (Fox)

🌍 World Sport

🏟 Southampton FC has been taken over by a company backed by Serb media mogul Dragan Solak.

The Premier League club confirmed Sports Republic has bought Chinese businessman Gao Jisheng's 80% stake.

✍🏼 Real Madrid, Paris St-Germain, Bayern Munich, and Juventus have all opened talks with Antonio Rudiger's representatives over a pre-contract agreement this month for the 28-year-old German defender, whose Chelsea deal expires in the summer. (Sky Sports)

👋🏼 Ben Roethlisberger passed for a touchdown in what was potentially his last home game for the Pittsburgh Steelers as his side beat the Cleveland Browns 26-14 at Heinz Field.

Roethlisberger, 39, walked out to the coin toss alone in front of a sold-out crowd, in honour of his 18-year career.

🏈 Watch Andre Roberts' brilliant 101-yard kick-off return for the Los Angeles Chargers in the best plays from week 17 of the NFL.

🎯 As the most flamboyant man in darts, Peter Wright's second world title triumph at an uproarious Alexandra Palace was an achievement worthy of lavish and frenzied celebrations.

Yet the Scot chose to mark it in an uncharacteristically muted fashion.

"No celebrations at all, to be honest," he told BBC Scotland. "Just a nice cup of tea and a Pot Noodle - the new sticky rib one."

🏏 If you're wondering why the commentators are laughing, it's because Bangladesh reviewed this for LBW (Twitter)

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