Sinner and Djokovic Withdraw From Montreal as Pirlo Eyes Italy Job

Top European and American tennis stars, including Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic, have officially withdrawn from the upcoming US Open tune-up event in Montreal. Tournament organizers expressed significant concern over the late timing of the pullouts, which impacts ticket sales and broadcasting schedules. Both players cited the need for additional recovery following the grueling summer schedule, leaving the field open for younger competitors to secure higher seedings ahead of the season's final Grand Slam.

In the world of soccer, Andrea Pirlo is reportedly the frontrunner to take over the Italian national team coaching job after Pep Guardiola declined the role. Guardiola, who remains committed to Manchester City, was the federation's primary target, but the focus has now shifted to the former Juventus manager to lead the Azzurri through their next rebuilding phase. Meanwhile, Atletico Madrid bolstered its midfield by signing South Korean international Lee from Paris Saint-Germain, a move intended to increase the Spanish club’s creative options.

In the United States, the college football landscape is bracing for the impact of the SEC's move to a nine-game conference schedule. Analysts warn that the tougher schedule could dampen the College Football Playoff hopes for some traditional frontrunners by increasing the likelihood of multi-loss seasons. At SEC Media Days, Lane Kiffin—now at LSU—stole the show by defending his portal tactics and roster overhaul, while Oregon and Miami were highlighted as the top pass-catching units heading into the 2026 season.