‘Why would you want to retire me?’: Novak Djokovic is still driven by doubt

A look at six of the best and worst of the new season’s strips gives us Pro Evo chic, throwbacks done right, and how – and how not – to use stripes The Premier League season kicks off on Friday and league debutants such as Christos Tzolis and Victor Muñoz, along with masses of fans, will be pulling on their teams’ shiny new strips. There were some lovely efforts at the World Cup (not least by the co-hosts the USA), and others more tedious than a 0-0 draw. It’s a mixed bag once again. Manchester City have gone with an ombre design, which feels – apposite for a gradient fading of colour – exhausted as a look in 2026. In the most surprising but successful collaboration since Olivia Rodrigo and Robert Smith,Sunderland have teamed up with Elvis Presley, or his estate, anyway, for a pink away shirt that nods to the supporters’ longstanding unofficial anthem Can’t Help Falling in Love...

Promoted club have targeted players 6ft and above ‘Physicality is a big part of what you need to compete’ Frank Lampard has urged his Coventry players to impose themselves on the Premier League, calling on his side to ensure they have no regrets after Friday’s curtain-raiser against Arsenal. Coventry play their first top-flight game in 25 years at the home of the champions, four months after celebrating the Championship title. Lampard, who last managed in the Premier League with Chelsea three years ago, acknowledges there is a step up in class to navigate, but wants his players to embrace the challenge in front of them...

Updates from all Thursday’s races at York Unexpected Item claims International Stakes There’s a jockey change in this race, by the way, as Tony Piccone’s flight from France to ride Tokaido was cancelled. Clifford Lee steps in to chase a share of the £300k first prize. 2.25 York, Harry’s Half Million by Goffs, 6f, 2yo..