Lindsay Arkley

The Iranian team has been in Australia for the Asian Women's Cup tournament.

Fears over their safety arose after a commentator on Iranian state television labelled them traitors for not singing the national anthem before a match.

The Australian government says five team members have already been granted asylum and the offer is being extended to others.

In a post on Truth Social, President Trump said he'd spoken to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese about what he called this rather delicate situation.

He said some of the Iranian women feel they must go home because they're worried about the safety of their families.

For NPR News, I'm Lindsay Arkley in Melbourne.

45-year-old Williams accepted a wildcard entry into the Australian Open, returning to the tournament after five years as the oldest player ever in the singles main draw.

Her first round match was against Olga Danilovich of Serbia, ranked 69th in the world and more than two decades younger.

Williams took the first set 7-6, but Danilovich fought back, taking the second set 6-3 and the decider 6-4.

Williams, who returned to tennis last season after a 16-month break, is still in the doubles draw at the Australian Open, paired with Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia.

For NPR News, I'm Lindsay Arkley in Melbourne.

45-year-old Williams accepted a wildcard entry into the Australian Open, returning to the tournament after five years as the oldest player ever in the singles main draw.

Her first round match was against Olga Danilovich of Serbia, ranked 69th in the world and more than two decades younger.

Williams took the first set 7-6, but Danilovich fought back, taking the second set 6-3 and the decider 6-4.

Williams, who returned to tennis last season after a 16-month break, is still in the doubles draw at the Australian Open, paired with Ekaterina Alexandrova of Russia.

For NPR News, I'm Lindsay Arkley in Melbourne.

This year's Australian Open features 39 Americans, 21 in the men's draw and 18 in the women's, with Madison Keyes the defending women's champion.

The highest ranked US player in action on day one will be in the men's singles, when Francis Tiofo, the 29th seed, takes on a qualifier from Australia, Jason Kubler.

Later on day one, in the women's singles, 45-year-old Venus Williams plays 24-year-old Olga Danilovic of Serbia.

Williams, who was twice runner-up to her sister Serena at the Australian Open, received a wild-card entry to this year's tournament.