‘In China, they love to see players grow up so quick. They want to see them at 20 years old winning everything, and it’s too much pressure,’ country’s No 1 Ding Junhui says.

All-Star Challenge saw fans paying HK$3,380 for top-level tickets that did not give them a view of the table, but world No 1 O’Sullivan says he enjoyed his visit.

Ding Junhui begins his 18th snooker World Championship still chasing an elusive first crown for China, but with a healthier approach to expectation that includes his beloved United.

Zhang Anda ‘put too much pressure on myself’ in early exit at snooker’s World Championship, after defending champion Luca Brecel is also knocked out on the opening weekend in Sheffield.

All Blacks had been struggling for form, on Friday wins over Great Britain and Argentina were a statement of intent, while the Black Ferns had a brutal response to Australia’s bullish opening.

More than 39,500 of the 40,000 available tickets have been sold, while overseas ticket sales return to over 40 per cent of total capacity, supported by strong interest from the UK, Australia and Fiji.

‘It’s never going to be easy in the first season,’ Jesus Tato says of the newly rebranded club as supporters question his tactics and squad.

Zhang Zhilei knocks down New Zealand’s Joseph Parker twice before fading in their contest, then Anthony Joshua blows away Francis Ngannou inside two rounds in Riyadh.

With Lionel Messi’s club Inter Miami condemned and his Argentina national team no longer welcome, past rows involving NBA and WTA offer clues as to what those involved risk losing.

Dupont to make his sevens debut this weekend after his switch from 15-a-side, raising the prospect of him lighting up Hong Kong in a few weeks’ time.

Zhu Chengzhu, who starred for Hong Kong in the previous championships, wins the deciding match for the city’s women’s team as they also secure a place at this year’s Olympics.

Siobhan Haughey has to settle for second in the 100 metres freestyle final in Doha, two days after her historic gold in the 200m.

Days after sitting out the Hong Kong match, Lionel Messi starts Miami’s preseason game against Argentine team Newell’s Old Boys and plays for an hour.

Siobhan Haughey reaches the 100 metres freestyle final at the World Aquatics Championships, a day after becoming Hong Kong’s first ever gold medallist with her 200m win.

Siobhan Haughey is dominant in Doha to claim her first ever gold – and Hong Kong’s – in a global championships or Games held in the Olympic-standard format.

Argument said to have escalated when Son complained about teammates eating dinner quickly so they could scoot off to play table tennis, on the eve of their shock Asian Cup exit.

China’s Tang Qianting takes the title in Doha with Haughey finishing third in addition to qualifying for the final of her preferred 200m freestyle.

Tickets are still available for Inter Miami’s friendly match on Wednesday against Japanese champions Vissel Kobe, while special packages can get you closer to Messi, at eye-watering prices.

Will-he-won’t-he countdown begins on eve of Inter Miami’s match in Tokyo, as Lionel Messi speaks about the injury cited for his no-show in Hong Kong before being seen moving with ease during training.

A piece of paper and a tweet leave David Beckham’s US club with questions to answer, after they depart Hong Kong leaving a trail of heartbreak and acrimony over the no-show of star player Lionel Messi.

After the Argentinian played no part in a much-hyped match in the city, the Post examines who knew what and when, and what took place behind the scenes as the saga unfolded.

Michael Owen’s All-Stars beaten by Ryan Giggs-led Scholes Legends as veterans roll back the years for a modest yet appreciative crowd.

The city needs the kind of sporting tradition that has fuelled Irish success despite a small population, new Sports Institute CEO Tony Choi argues, warning public cash alone won’t guarantee Olympic glory.

Hong Kong must clinch places at the Games before there can be any medal targets, Sports Institute CEO Tony Choi says, adding the city should manage expectations after its best ever Olympic haul in 2021.

Operators and government refuse to answer questions on how they plan to fill the new 50,000-seat stadium, as local options fail to draw crowds and world’s best athletes and entertainers head to regional rivals.

Ronnie O’Sullivan speaks out over players’ right to favour big-money events, after recent conflict with the game’s chiefs over doing so.

O’Sullivan becomes oldest UK champion, 30 years after he was its youngest winner aged 17, and says it’s ‘bonkers’ that the ‘class of ’92’ keep winning.

Runners complain about lack of food, delays and drink and toilet shortages, while HKAAA offers ‘sincere apologies’ for finish line error and says the event’s bridge location ‘raised difficulties’.

‘Big Bang’ Zhang Zhilei lives up to his nickname as he floors Englishman Joe Joyce in the third round of their rematch in London – then calls out Tyson Fury.

First women’s tournament in the country after Covid-19 and Peng Shuai saga produces a home winner as Wang Xiyu claims her maiden WTA Tour title.