Reuters Sports News Summary

The league's governors unanimously approved the mandate, the AHL announced Friday. Tennis-Gauff, Swiatek, Sabalenka headline tough US Open women's field American Coco Gauff begins her U.S. Open title defence on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday, headlining a wide open women's field that includes world number one Iga Swiatek and last year's runner-up Aryna Sabalenka.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Tennis-Swiatek leaves 'baggage' behind as she returns to New York

Iga Swiatek saw her hopes of a U.S. Open title defense dashed last year when she fell in the fourth round at Flushing Meadows but now says she feels free of the pressure that helped fuel that letdown. Swiatek, the tournament's 2022 champion, was upset by Latvia's Jelena Ostapenko last year, and as a result lost her world number one ranking to big-hitting Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

Bears acquire LB Darrell Taylor from Seahawks

The Chicago Bears acquired linebacker Darrell Taylor from the Seattle Seahawks on Friday in exchange for a sixth-round pick in the 2025 NFL Draft. The trade comes on the heels of the Bears reportedly pursuing -- but failing to acquire -- outside linebacker Matthew Judon. The Atlanta Falcons acquired the four-time Pro Bowl selection from the New England Patriots on Aug. 14.

Tennis-Gauff bringing positive attitude to US Open 'victory lap'

A supportive fan helped soothe defending champion Coco Gauff's nerves ahead of the U.S. Open, the American said on Friday, as she hopes to enjoy her Flushing "victory lap" after a handful of disappointing results. Gauff was at her best level when she arrived in New York last year and delivered on years of enormous expectations when she beat Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller final to claim the trophy.

Cardinals WR Zay Jones suspended 5 games for conduct

The NFL suspended Arizona Cardinals wide receiver Zay Jones for five games on Friday for violating the league's personal conduct policy. Jones, 29, will have to sit out the season's first five games without pay and will be eligible to return for a Week 6 game at Green Bay on Oct. 13.

Double play: Danny Jansen to catch for both teams in Blue Jays-Red Sox

Danny Jansen started a June 26 game in Boston at catcher for the visiting Toronto Blue Jays. Two months later, he'll resume it on the side of history.

Tennis-Djokovic eyes record 25th Grand Slam at US Open after golden Games

Novak Djokovic finally got his hands on an Olympic gold medal to complete the career Golden Slam in Paris but the Serb faces the prospect of being shut out of the Grand Slams for the first time since 2017 as he gears up for his U.S. Open title defence. Djokovic, who will once again bid for a record 25th Grand Slam title at Flushing Meadows, has been upstaged by younger rivals this season, losing to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semi-finals and Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

Mariners legend Edgar Martinez takes over as hitting coach

Hall of Fame designated hitter Edgar Martinez will serve as the Seattle Mariners' hitting coach for the rest of the 2024 season. New Seattle skipper Dan Wilson announced the hire on Friday, one day after Scott Servais was fired as the manager.

Tennis-Sinner fires trainer, physio amid doping furore

World number one Jannik Sinner announced he had fired his trainer and physiotherapist after he escaped a doping ban despite failing two drug tests in March. The Italian tested positive for the steroid clostebol, which can be used to build muscle mass, after his physio Giacomo Naldi applied an over-the-counter spray to a cut on his own hand before carrying out treatments on Sinner. The spray was given to Naldi by trainer Umberto Ferrara.

AHL mandates neck protection to prevent cuts from skate blades

The American Hockey League will require all skaters, referees and linespersons to wear approved cut-resistant neck protection on the ice, beginning with the 2024-25 season. The league's governors unanimously approved the mandate, the AHL announced Friday.

Tennis-Gauff, Swiatek, Sabalenka headline tough US Open women's field

American Coco Gauff begins her U.S. Open title defence on Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday, headlining a wide open women's field that includes world number one Iga Swiatek and last year's runner-up Aryna Sabalenka. Gauff plays France's Varvara Gracheva in the opening round and hopes to put a series of frustrating performances behind her - including early exits from Toronto and Cincinnati - to recapture the magic of her run to a maiden major title.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)