AP – Sports
June 3, 2026
Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka: ‘just want to quit tennis’ after French Open quarterfinal defeat
PARIS (AP) — Top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka wasted a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the French Open quarterfinals. Qualifier Maja Chwalinska also reached the semifinals by beating No. 22-seeded Anna Kalinskaya 7-6 (3), 6-3. In the men’s quarterfinals 10th-seeded Flavio Cobolli beat No. 4 Felix Auger-Aliassime 4-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to ensure there will be an Italian finalist. Cobolli will face one of two fellow Italians in the semifinals. Matteo Berrettini and Matteo Arnaldi were playing later.
Swiss forward Embolo goes to US embassy for urgent World Cup visa after travel denied
BERN, Switzerland (AP) — Switzerland forward Breel Embolo has applied for an urgent visa at the United States embassy in Bern one day after he was denied boarding the team’s flight to the World Cup. The Swiss soccer federation at the team’s training camp in San Diego confirmed why Embolo’s travel approval had been put under review Tuesday. He has a criminal conviction in Switzerland that became binding in April. The Swiss team says U.S. authorities verified the incident in 2018 was non-violent. Switzerland starts its World Cup on June 13 against Qatar in San Francisco and also plays Bosnia-Herzegovina and co-host Canada.
Congo’s soccer team seeks alternatives after Spanish city cancels World Cup warmup game due to Ebola
MADRID (AP) — Congo is still hoping to play its World Cup warmup against Chile after the mayor of the Spanish city of La Linea de la Concepcion denied authorization for the match because of health concerns related to the Ebola crisis. Congo’s soccer federation says it is in discussions with the Spanish soccer federation and relevant international bodies to find solutions. Government authorities in the southern city of La Linea de la Concepcion announced the decision to not authorize next Tuesday’s friendly citing possible health risks linked to the Ebola crisis. Congo is playing a warmup against Denmark in Belgium on Wednesday.
Game 1: Spurs and Knicks set to open the NBA Finals on Wednesday night in San Antonio
SAN ANTONIO (AP) — Game 1 of the NBA Finals might feel like old times for the San Antonio Spurs and New York Knicks. It’s the Knicks’ ninth time in the title series, and the eighth time they’ve played Game 1 on the road. It’s the Spurs’ seventh time in the title series, and the sixth time they’ve played Game 1 at home. A good amount of time has passed for both teams since they’ve been on this stage: The Knicks haven’t played in the finals since losing to the Spurs in 1999, and the Spurs haven’t been there since beating the Miami Heat in 2014.
PGA Tour CEO Rolapp says new model would expand fields at elite events and restore 36-hole cut
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — The PGA Tour is moving toward a revamped model that would allow for bigger fields at elite events and restore the 36-hole cut. So many details remain under discussion. But CEO Brian Rolapp gave an idea where the PGA Tour is headed during a brief chat with reporters at the Memorial. He says the revamped system most likely won’t be ready until 2028. But it’s geared around two tracks. That would have 120 players or more on Track 1 for the elite events. Track 2 would be for a full field of players to try to get to Track 1.
Down 0-1 in Stanley Cup Final, Hurricanes coach on top line vs. Vegas: ‘We need them to get going’
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Carolina Hurricanes stars are struggling in the Stanley Cup final against the Vegas Golden Knights. Their top scorers, Seth Jarvis, Sebastian Aho, and Andrei Svechnikov, have gone cold in the playoffs. This wasn’t a problem in earlier rounds, but now it could cost them the championship. Vegas won the opener 5-4, and Game 2 is Thursday night. Coach Rod Brind’Amour is urging his stars to step up. The trio has only scored three times at even strength in 14 playoff games. Teammates and coaches remain hopeful they’ll find their rhythm before it’s too late.
Nick Saban lends support to college sports bill as SEC, Big Ten push back
WASHINGTON (AP) — Former Alabama football coach Nick Saban has testified in support of a bipartisan bill to overhaul college athletics. Saban told the Senate Commerce Committee Wednesday that it’s time to “tap the brakes” on a system where players can increasingly earn millions of dollars while moving between freely between schools. The leaders committee held the hearing as they push legislation that they hope can break the congressional gridlock over how to regulate college athletics. But the SEC and the Big Ten oppose the bill and said it “leaves critical issues unresolved.” GOP Sen. Bernie Moreno also said he had “grave concerns” about the legislation.
Shinnecock scouting report: Scheffler and McIlroy say wide fairways and big rough for US Open
DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy have taken scouting trips for the U.S. Open on their way to the Memorial. Both played Shinnecock Hills on Monday and report wider fairways than normal for a U.S. Open. They also say the rough is extraordinarily high off the fairway. But as McIlroy says, anyone missing the fairway should be punished. Scheffler goes for the career Grand Slam at the U.S. Open. Monday was his first time seeing the fabled Long Island golf course. McIlroy played the 2018 U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills. He had rounds of 80 and 70 and missed the cut.
Colombia’s soccer jersey isn’t just about sports. It’s become a symbol of political division
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP) — Colombia’s national soccer jersey has become the subject of controversy during the country’s bitterly disputed presidential election. Colombians are now debating whether the yellow shirt should be used at political rallies. Regularly worn at matches, on national holidays and other special occasions, the yellow jersey is now frequently worn at political rallies by supporters of the opposition candidate Abelardo de la Espriella. Iván Cepeda, the candidate for Colombia’s ruling party, this week accused his rival of stealing a national symbol.
5 up-and-coming teenagers who could emerge at the World Cup
MADRID (AP) — Some famous teenagers have had their breakthrough moment at the World Cup. Pelé was 17 when he helped lead Brazil to the World Cup title in 1958. The 2026 tournament will feature 22 teenagers among the rosters of the 48 teams. A few of them have already established themselves at top European clubs. Spain’s 18-year-old Lamine Yamal and 19-year-old Pau Cubarsí have been thriving with Barcelona for some time. Germany’s 18-year-old Lennart Karl had a breakthrough season with Bayern Munich. Here’s a look at five up-and-coming teenagers who could have breakthrough performances during soccer’s showcase event.
