PGA Tour, New York Giants, Serena Williams: Sports round-up

Serena, who finished runner-up at Wimbledon this year after losing to Germany's Angelique Kerber in the final, is ranked 26th in the world, nine places below the seeding she has been awarded.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Woods confident of getting the 'job done' soon on PGA Tour

Dustin Johnson is defending champion at the Northern Trust tournament, but all eyes will be on Tiger Woods when the PGA Tour's FedExCup playoffs begin in New Jersey on Thursday. Woods is in the playoffs for the first time since 2013, when he was crowned champion of the season-long points race.

WR Cruz retires, to join ESPN

Former New York Giants wide receiver Victor Cruz announced his retirement from the NFL on Tuesday and is set to join ESPN as an NFL analyst. Cruz announced his intentions in a video posted on UNINTERRUPTED. He will make his ESPN debut on Wednesday.

NFL suspends Ravens CB Smith four games

The NFL announced a four-game suspension for Baltimore Ravens cornerback Jimmy Smith on Tuesday for violating the league's personal-conduct policy. Smith will sit out home games against the Buffalo Bills (Sept. 9) and Denver Broncos (Sept. 23), as well as two prime-time road games against AFC North rivals: A Thursday night visit to the Cincinnati Bengals in Week 2, and a Sunday night trip to the Pittsburgh Steelers in Week 4. He will be eligible to rejoin the team Oct. 1, a day after the Steelers game.

Serena Williams seeded 17th at U.S. Open

Serena Williams has been seeded 17th at this year's U.S. Open one place below her sister Venus, organizers said on Tuesday. Serena, who finished runner-up at Wimbledon this year after losing to Germany's Angelique Kerber in the final, is ranked 26th in the world, nine places below the seeding she has been awarded.

Germany looks set to stay on 2019 F1 calendar

The German Grand Prix looks likely to be back on the Formula One calendar next year amid growing optimism about the race's future. Formula One's managing director Sean Bratches said on Tuesday he suspected there would again be 21 races, the same number as this season, on the 2019 calendar but provided no details.

Niemann takes a move to pro ranks in his stride

Chilean teenager Joaquin Niemann is hoping for a tournament victory and a spot on the Presidents Cup International team when he begins his first full season as a professional on the 2018-19 PGA Tour in October. Niemann was not eligible to qualify for the PGA Tour playoffs that start this week but can still reflect on a smooth transition to the professional ranks as he enjoys a well-earned break before gearing up for a busy campaign.

Konta out of final U.S. Open tune-up with a viral illness

British number one Johanna Konta withdrew from the final U.S. Open tune-up event in Connecticut with a viral illness, tournament organizers said on Tuesday. Konta, who beat German Laura Siegemund in the first round of the Connecticut Open, was due to face Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro on Tuesday in New Haven.

Tennis: Edmund and Sock round out Laver Cup teams

The final team members for the second Laver Cup tennis tournament were announced on Tuesday, with Briton Kyle Edmund joining Team Europe and Jack Sock of the United States named in Team World. The three-day men's tournament, which will take place from Sept. 21-23 in Chicago's United Center, pits two elite six-man squads in three singles matches and one doubles each day.

Steelers WR Rogers suspended one game for substance abuse

Pittsburgh Steelers receiver Eli Rogers has been suspended without pay for the team's season opener due to a violation of the NFL Policy and Program for Substances of Abuse, the league announced Tuesday. Rogers will be eligible to return to the Steelers on Sept. 10, one day after the opener against the Cleveland Browns.

Tennis: For Rod Laver, it's going big or go home

Ask Rod Laver how the sport of tennis has changed since he won his last U.S. Open title in 1969 and the former world number one does not hesitate: The guys today are big -- really big. "Yes, the tennis rackets (there's a) different technology there," Laver, 80, said on Tuesday. "But how the big, tall guys came into play -- I'm not sure where that came from."

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