It’s a femininomenon
From The GIST (hi@thegistsports.com)
Leveling The Playing Field
Happy Friday!
And happy one week until the 2026 Winter Olympics Opening Ceremony. This time next week we’ll be sending out the first edition of our daily Olympic newsletters, covering all the latest from Milano Cortina from Monday through Friday. Can hardly wait, but first we need to discuss today’s news…
— Tennis GOAT Serena Williams, keeping it noncommittal when asked if she was planning a comeback to the sport during a Wednesday appearance on the “Today” show. Watching, waiting…
Australian Open
🎾 It’s going Down (Under)
The GIST: With very few surprises along the way, the star-studded Australian Open finals are finally set, with the women’s title match tomorrow at 3:30 a.m. ET and the men’s Sunday at the same time. Stock up on coffee and read on for what to expect at Rod Laver Arena.
👊 World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to face No. 5 Elena Rybakina: Hard-court phenom Sabalenka is through to her fourth consecutive Happy Slam final and rolling with a chance to clinch her third career Aussie Open title.
- She hasn’t dropped a set all tourney — but neither has Rybakina, who lost to Sabalenka in the 2023 Australian Open final, but got the best of her during November’s WTA Finals. This is going to be good.
💪 No. 4 Novak Djokovic going for record-setting 25th Grand Slam against No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz: 38-year-old Djokovic turned back the hands of time to defeat No. 2 Jannik Sinner in a five-set classic to advance to his first Slam final since 2024. The Australian Open has always been the Joker’s stage, and with the win, he’d set the record for most Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.
- The only obstacle? No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz, who is chasing history as well after surviving a dramatic five-set thriller of his own. The Spaniard could become the youngest man to complete a Career Grand Slam. Make sure you’re up for this one.
🇨🇦 Skiers Marielle Thompson, Mikaël Kingsbury selected as Canada’s Opening Ceremony flag-bearers for Milano Cortina
This marks the fourth Games for both athletes — and their Olympic success should probably be a Canadian Heritage Minute. Thirty-three-year-old Thompson is a two-time Olympic ski cross medalist, earning gold in 2014 and silver in 2022. Though she missed six races at the start of the season with a knee injury, we’ve seen this film before.
- As for Canada’s mogul king, Kingsbury’s résumé includes three Olympic medals, a gold in 2018 and silvers in 2014 and 2022, and 100 World Cup wins. In what’s “probably” his last Games, the 33-year-old will have a little lucky charm when he skis the bumps in Italy.
🏀 Milwaukee Bucks engaging in trade talks for 10-time All-Star Giannis Antetokounmpo
Rumor has it the two-time NBA MVP is looking for a new home, but it’s TBD whether that happens before next week’s February 5th trade deadline, especially considering both the Bucks and Antetokounmpo shut down trade talks less than a month ago. Milwaukee’s reportedly not in a rush to deal their superstar as they seek a fair return.
- An Antetokounmpo blockbuster would drop jaws ahead of a suspiciously quiet trade deadline, but there are other big names on the trading block, like NY Knick Karl-Anthony Towns and a little someone named LeBron. Watch this space.
🎓 Michigan, Michigan State headline spicy college sports rivalry weekend
🏀 Tonight’s 8 p.m. ET men’s basketball battle tips off the high-stakes showdowns as the No. 3 Wolverines shoot for revenge after going 0-4 against the No. 7 Spartans over the last two seasons. What’s on the line? Intrastate bragging rights — oh, and sole possession of first place in the Big Ten.
- Then comes Sunday’s 12 p.m. ET women’s game. Ranked No. 9 (Michigan) and No. 13 (Michigan State), both forever foes returned key scorers after splitting two games last year, including sophomore Wolverine Syla Swords and Spartan senior Grace VanSlooten.
- 🤸 Rounding out the Great Lakes State battle is a flipping fantastic finale as the No. 10 Michigan women gymnasts host No. 15 MSU Sunday at 3:45 p.m. ET. Keep an eye on the beam, where Michigan redshirt sophomore Kayli Boozer has earned two 9.950s this season.
TOGETHER WITH RBC Training Ground
👋 Meet Cynthia Appiah, a Canadian bobsleigh athlete, Sporcle quiz enthusiast, RBC Olympian, and supporter of RBC Training Ground. Here’s what you should know about Canada’s ice queen:
💪 She’s strong, like really strong: Before Appiah started hurtling down ice tracks at 140km/h, she was an outstanding shot put athlete in university.
🧠 She knows everything: Not everyone can compete on a game show that’s literally about being smart. Brains and brawn? It’s not even fair.
🏅 She’s a multi-time medallist: Appiah won gold in her first-ever race on the World Cup circuit, then added dozens more medals in both the monobob and two-woman disciplines.
Next on Appiah’s to-do list? Become a two-time Olympian — and RBC is helping her get there. Talk about a savvy investment.
In partnership with RBC Training Ground, we’re spotlighting RBC–supported athletes and RBC Training Ground alumni ahead of the 2026 Olympic Games.
⛳ LPGA: HGV Tournament of Champions — Today through Sunday — GOLF Channel
- World No. 17 Nasa Hataoka has a one-stroke lead after round one of the season-opening tourney. Hot on her tail? No. 1 Jeeno Thitikul, No. 11 Lottie Woad, and No. 6 Nelly Korda. Just getting started.
🏌️ PGA: Farmers Insurance Open — Today through Sunday — TSN
- While ranked No. 255 worldwide and currently tied for 101st after yesterday’s first round, all eyes are on Brooks Koepka this weekend as the former LIV golfer makes his dramatic return to the PGA Tour. A trendsetter, if you will.
🏉 HSBC Rugby Sevens — Today through Sunday — TSN+
- Last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup was a femininomenon. Now it’s time to literally run it back with Sevens, the small-sided, fast-paced version that captivated fans during the Summer Olympics. With games just 14 minutes long, blink and you’ll miss ’em.
🏀 Unrivaled: Breeze BC vs. Phantom BC — Tonight at 7:30 p.m. ET — YouTube
- Will Breeze’s dynamic one-two punch of Paige Bueckers and Dominique Malonga prevail, or does the well-balanced Ghost Gang — who lead the league in assists — have the edge? TBD, but one thing’s for sure: Philly is Unrivaled.
💰 Where to place your first bet
On PROLINE’s new app — because PROLINE’s making it easier than ever to wager on the events you love. Betting doesn’t have to be intimidating, thanks to the new PROLINE app.*
*Must be 18+ to bet in-store with PROLINE.⚽ What’s so back
Ted Lasso. The hit TV show will return for season four this summer, with everyone’s favorite coach set to take the helm of a women’s team. Smells like potential to us.
🏈 What to read
This article detailing why one Hall of Fame voter didn’t cast his vote for Bill Belichick amid continued collective shock that the NFL great didn’t make it to Canton in his first year on the ballot. Spoiler alert: It wasn’t because of Spygate.
*P.S. This is a sponsored post. All in.Today’s email was brought to you by Alessandra Puccio, Lisa Minutillo, Lauren Tuiskula, Jessica Aldos, Grace DePaull, and Charlotte Mackenzie. Editing by Katie Kehoe Foster. Fact-checking by Elisha Gunaratnam and Mikaela Perez. Ops by Briana Ekanem and Elisha Gunaratnam. Ads by Katie Kehoe Foster, Alessandra Puccio, and Lisa Minutillo. Managing edits by Lauren Tuiskula and Alessandra Puccio. Head of content Ellen Hyslop.