ShortcutsUS Open Tennis 2012Player Brian Battistone turned heads with his radical design of racket. But did it help him to improve his game?Brian Battistone turned heads at the US Open with a bizarre contraption. Witnesses compared it to hedge-clippers or a divining rod. "I call it the alien," says Nicole Mellichar, Battistone's mixed-doubles partner. The nature of his two-handled racket allows the right-handed Battistone to play a lefthanded forehand, while still controlling the shot with his stronger arm.

Guests on the beach at Cafe Strandperle in Hamburg, Germany. Photograph: Alamy Stock PhotoGuests on the beach at Cafe Strandperle in Hamburg, Germany. Photograph: Alamy Stock PhotoReaders' travel tipsGermany holidaysFancy some fruity beer with a side of pretzels or a glass of white wine with traditional noodles and cheese? Readers suggest their favourite refuelling spots in Germany Send us a tip and you could win a £200 hotel voucher

Confidence Man’s Sugar Bones and Janet Planet (front) and Reggie Goodchild and Clarence McGuffie (back). ‘We quickly realised that them sinisterly sitting in the backdrop while we strut around is visually quite powerful,’ Bones says. Photograph: Jamie HeathConfidence Man’s Sugar Bones and Janet Planet (front) and Reggie Goodchild and Clarence McGuffie (back). ‘We quickly realised that them sinisterly sitting in the backdrop while we strut around is visually quite powerful,’ Bones says.

Workers survey the damage after the IRA bombing in February 1996, which ended a 17-month ceasefire. Photograph: ReutersWorkers survey the damage after the IRA bombing in February 1996, which ended a 17-month ceasefire. Photograph: ReutersGerry Adams This article is more than 1 year oldGerry Adams ‘unaware of Docklands bomb but would not have stopped it’This article is more than 1 year oldSinn Féin leader said he would have faced ‘serious dilemma’ if he knew, according to declassified documents

Jarryd HayneOnce one of Australia’s biggest sporting stories, Jarryd Hayne has seen his star wane as serious allegations loom once again In the heady days around his debut for San Francisco 49ers, September 15, 2015, Jarryd Hayne drew as much press in Australia as the country’s change of prime minister. Admittedly Australia changes PM relatively frequently – there’s been five in the last 5 years. Yet Hayne’s journey from housing commission kid to rugby league superstar and onwards, outwards, upwards to the big show in America captivated the nation.