Author: Associated Press
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner paid a goodwill visit to Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, gifting the newly elected pontiff a tennis racket and offering to hit a few balls during his rest day at the Italian Open. Leo, the first American pope and a self-proclaimed tennis enthusiast, had joked earlier in the week that a charity match would be fun – but quipped, “We can’t invite Sinner,” playing off the English meaning of the Italian star’s surname. By Wednesday, the joke was water under the bridge. Peace was made, and tennis diplomacy prevailed. “It’s an honor,” Sinner said in…
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner paid a goodwill visit to Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, gifting the newly elected pontiff a tennis racket and offering to hit a few balls during his rest day at the Italian Open. Leo, the first American pope and a self-proclaimed tennis enthusiast, had joked earlier in the week that a charity match would be fun – but quipped, “We can’t invite Sinner,” playing off the English meaning of the Italian star’s surname. By Wednesday, the joke was water under the bridge. Peace was made, and tennis diplomacy prevailed. “It’s an honor,” Sinner said in…
World No. 1 Jannik Sinner paid a goodwill visit to Pope Leo XIV on Wednesday, gifting the newly elected pontiff a tennis racket and offering to hit a few balls during his rest day at the Italian Open. Leo, the first American pope and a self-proclaimed tennis enthusiast, had joked earlier in the week that a charity match would be fun – but quipped, “We can’t invite Sinner,” playing off the English meaning of the Italian star’s surname. By Wednesday, the joke was water under the bridge. Peace was made, and tennis diplomacy prevailed. “It’s an honor,” Sinner said in…
Tour de France riders will tackle the iconic Montmartre hill in Paris on this year’s final stage before the race concludes on the Champs-Elysees, organizers announced Wednesday, aiming to ride the wave of enthusiasm from last summer’s Olympic road race. Last year’s finale was moved to Nice – the first time since 1905 that Paris didn’t host the Tour’s climax – due to Olympic-related security and logistical constraints. Now, the world-famous Champs-Elysees returns to the spotlight, reclaiming its place as the grand finish of the 3,320-kilometer (2,063-mile) cycling spectacle. “To mark the 50th anniversary of the first final finish on…
Nikola Jokic was nearly uncontainable against Oklahoma City’s relentless defense Tuesday night, pouring in 44 points and grabbing 15 rebounds while shooting 17 of 25 – many under heavy pressure. But even that brilliance wasn’t enough. The Thunder held firm for a gritty 112-105 win, pushing the defending champs to the brink. The Nuggets now head home down 3-2 in the Western Conference semifinals, staring down elimination in Game 6. Jokic said Oklahoma City still played the same kind of defense that bothered him in Games 2 through 4, when he shot just 33% from the field and 18.2% from…
Top-ranked Jannik Sinner cleared a major hurdle in his comeback from a three-month doping ban, defeating clay-court specialist Francisco Cerundolo 7-6 (2), 6-3 on Tuesday to reach the Italian Open quarterfinals. Cerundolo, ranked No. 18, owns a tour-leading 18 clay-court wins this season and was coming off a semifinal run in Madrid. He also held a psychological edge, having beaten Sinner on the same court and in the same round two years ago. But Sinner, playing his first tournament since lifting his third Grand Slam trophy at the Australian Open in January, has yet to drop a set in three…
Jannik Sinner welcomed news that the new pope enjoys tennis, calling it “a good thing for us players” – even if Pope Leo XIV joked he wouldn’t dare face the world No. 1, perhaps wary of challenging someone named Sinner. During a meeting with international media on Monday, the American-born pontiff was offered a chance to play doubles or organize a charity match. Leo seemed intrigued, but quipped, “We can’t invite Sinner,” in a nod to the English meaning of the Italian star’s last name. Sinner was asked about the pope’s comment during his post-match news conference following a 6-4,…
Jannik Sinner welcomed news that the new pope enjoys tennis, calling it “a good thing for us players” – even if Pope Leo XIV joked he wouldn’t dare face the world No. 1, perhaps wary of challenging someone named Sinner. During a meeting with international media on Monday, the American-born pontiff was offered a chance to play doubles or organize a charity match. Leo seemed intrigued, but quipped, “We can’t invite Sinner,” in a nod to the English meaning of the Italian star’s last name. Sinner was asked about the pope’s comment during his post-match news conference following a 6-4,…
Jannik Sinner welcomed news that the new pope enjoys tennis, calling it “a good thing for us players” – even if Pope Leo XIV joked he wouldn’t dare face the world No. 1, perhaps wary of challenging someone named Sinner. During a meeting with international media on Monday, the American-born pontiff was offered a chance to play doubles or organize a charity match. Leo seemed intrigued, but quipped, “We can’t invite Sinner,” in a nod to the English meaning of the Italian star’s last name. Sinner was asked about the pope’s comment during his post-match news conference following a 6-4,…
Arsenal and Newcastle are set for a high-stakes Premier League clash next weekend as the race for Champions League qualification heats up. After a weekend of dramatic twists, the battle for Europe is tighter than ever, with just six points separating second-place Arsenal from seventh-place Nottingham Forest with only two matches remaining. The top five will qualify for next season’s Champions League, and Arsenal’s showdown with third-place Newcastle – now just two points back – at Emirates Stadium next Sunday could prove decisive. On Sunday, Arsenal staged a thrilling comeback to draw 2-2 with newly crowned champion Liverpool at Anfield,…