Sports Digest: Jannik Sinner rises to No. 1 in ATP rankings

TENNIS

Jannik Sinner made his debut at No. 1 in the ATP rankings Monday, moving up one spot to pass Novak Djokovic.

Sinner, 22, is the first player from Italy to reach No. 1 since the computerized rankings began in 1973. He will be the top-seeded man at Wimbledon, where play begins July 1.

Iga Swiatek’s third consecutive French Open championship allowed her to increase what already was a large lead at No. 1 in the WTA rankings. Coco Gauff climbed to a career-high No. 2 from No. 3.

OLYMPICS

SALT LAKE CITY: Organizers for the proposed 2034 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City released their first budget estimate, projecting total costs of just under $4 billion, with $2.84 billion slated for operational items.

The committee said even though there will be 40% more events than the last time Salt Lake City hosted the Olympics, the number for operational costs for 2034 is 1% lower than 2002 when adjusted for inflation.

BASKETBALL: Nikola Jokic of the Denver Nuggets was included on Serbia’s 16-man preliminary roster for the Paris Olympics, ending doubts he would skip the tournament. Also on the list are Charlotte guard Vasilije Micic, Miami forward Nikola Jovic, Atlanta sharpshooter Bogdan Bogdanovic and Hornets forward Aleksej Pokusevski.

HORSE RACING

PLETCHER NAMED: Horse racing’s federal oversight body named Hall of Fame trainer Todd Pletcher among four new members of a horseman’s advisory group that will provide feedback to its executive team and committees.

The Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority (HISA) announced that Pletcher, whose colt Mindframe finished second, a half-length behind upset winner Dornoch in Saturday’s Belmont Stakes at Saratoga, will join owners John Green and Michael Levinson, and consignor Craig Bandoroff on the advisory group.

COLLEGES

WOMEN’S BASKETBALL: Duke Coach Kara Lawson hired former Kentucky head coach Kyra Elzy as an assistant, reuniting the former Tennessee teammates.

Lawson called the hiring a “big day” for Duke basketball in a statement that noted Elzy’s strong national reputation in recruiting and developing players such as three-time first-team All-American Rhyne Howard, the No. 1 overall selection of the 2022 WNBA draft by the Atlanta Dream. Lawson also praised Elzy’s integrity, tactical skills and passion, which she believes will elevate the program.

SOCCER

EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS:  Germany midfielder Aleksandar Pavlović stayed away from the team’s training camp with illness, four days before the host nation kicks off Euro 2024 against Scotland.

The German soccer federation said Pavlović was the only one of the 26-player squad not to return as scheduled for training from a free weekend following Friday’s 2-1 friendly victory against Greece.

SPANISH LEAGUE: Three Valencia fans were handed eight-month prison sentences after pleading guilty to racially insulting Real Madrid forward Vinícius Júnior in the first conviction for racism-related cases in professional soccer in Spain.

BOXING

PACQUIAO RETURN: Manny Pacquiao said a title fight against Mario Barrios is in the works, with details still being negotiated.

Pacquiao, a former world champion who retired in 2021, spoke in Japan to promote a three-round boxing exhibition July 28 against Japanese MMA fighter Chihiro Suzuki.

– News service report

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