Sports News Roundup: Tennis-ITF will encourage Nadal to compete at Paris Games, says chief; NFL trade roundup: Commanders sell; Vikings add QB Josh Dobbs and more

The 37-year-old former world number one has been sidelined since hurting his hip flexor in a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open in mid-January and he is yet to confirm his plans for next season following surgery. NFL trade roundup: Commanders sell; Vikings add QB Josh Dobbs The Washington Commanders made the most noise at the NFL trade deadline, parting with starting defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Tennis-ITF will encourage Nadal to compete at Paris Games, says chief

Uncertainty surrounds the recovering Rafa Nadal's 2024 campaign but the International Tennis Federation (ITF) will do everything it can to encourage him to compete in the Paris Olympic Games, the global tennis body's chief David Haggerty told Reuters. The 37-year-old former world number one has been sidelined since hurting his hip flexor in a second-round loss to Mackenzie McDonald at the Australian Open in mid-January and he is yet to confirm his plans for next season following surgery.

NFL trade roundup: Commanders sell; Vikings add QB Josh Dobbs

The Washington Commanders made the most noise at the NFL trade deadline, parting with starting defensive ends Montez Sweat and Chase Young, the No. 2 pick in the 2020 NFL Draft. The Chicago Bears gave up a 2024 second-round draft pick for Sweat, and the San Francisco 49ers followed by trading a compensatory third-rounder for Young.

Horse racing-Breeders' Cup contender dies at Santa Anita, Arcangelo scratched from Classic

A horse that was scheduled to run in this weekend's Breeders' Cup in Arcadia, California, died on Tuesday while Belmont Stakes winner Arcangelo has dropped out of the $6 million Classic due to an issue with his left hind foot. Practical Move, who was the second choice for Saturday's $1 million Dirt Mile was returning from his gallop at Santa Anita Park when he suffered what is suspected to be a cardiac event, Breeders' Cup officials said in a statement.

Soccer-Saudi Arabia sole bidder to host 2034 World Cup, FIFA says

Saudi Arabia was the only football association to present a bid to host the 2034 FIFA World Cup before the deadline closed, soccer's global governing body said on Tuesday.

FIFA had invited bids from Asia and Oceania for the tournament by Oct. 31, and Saudi Arabia announced it would bid only minutes after the announcement on Oct 4.

Soccer-Hungary to host Israel Euro 2024 qualifying matches v Switzerland, Romania

Two of Israel's upcoming Euro 2024 qualifying games will be played in Hungary, European soccer's governing body UEFA announced on Tuesday. UEFA postponed all matches scheduled in the country earlierthis month due to the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Soccer-Messi wins record eighth Ballon d'Or for best player in the world

Argentina captain Lionel Messi won a record eighth Ballon d'Or for the best player in the world on Monday, beating Norway's UEFA player of the year and treble winner Erling Haaland of Manchester City to the prestigious prize. Inter Miami's Messi, who last won the award in 2021, played a pivotal role in guiding Argentina to their first World Cup title in 36 years when they beat defending champions France in the final last year.

Tennis-Pegula upsets top seed Sabalenka at WTA Finals, reaches semis

Jessica Pegula upset world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-4 6-3 to win her second group stage match at the WTA Finals in Cancun on Tuesday and advanced to the semi-finals after Elena Rybakina edged Maria Sakkari 6-0 6-7(4-7) 7-6(7-2) in the evening match. Pegula, who came into the contest with a dismal 1-4 record against the hard-hitting Sabalenka, managed to absorb her powerful serve to extend rallies and thwart the Belarusian's comeback attempts.

Motor racing-Technical head Elliott leaves Mercedes F1 team

Former Formula One world champions Mercedes announced the surprise departure of chief technical officer (CTO) Mike Elliott on Tuesday only months after he took on the role in a job swap with James Allison. Elliott had been appointed technical director in July 2021, with Allison moving to the CTO role, but they switched positions last April after Mercedes made a slow start to the season following a difficult 2022.

Games-Ford claims Pan Am decathlon crown as Chile downs U.S. in soccer

Chileans celebrated one of their biggest nights of the Pan American Games on Tuesday with Santiago Adolfo Ford claiming decathlon gold and the women's soccer team winning a 2-1 thriller over the U.S. to reach the final. The crowds roared as flags waved and Ford was instantly hailed a national hero when he finished the gruelling two-day, 10-event competition, crossing fifth in the 1,500 metres to give him a winning total of 7,834 points and the gold, holding off Brazilian Jose Fernando Ferreira by 86 points.

Tennis-Safiullin stuns Alcaraz at Paris Masters

World number two Carlos Alcaraz crashed to a 6-3 6-4 loss to Russia's Roman Safiullin in the second round at the Paris Masters on Tuesday. The Wimbledon champion looked off the pace as he made his return to action after withdrawing from the Swiss Indoors championships last week due to injury, losing the first set despite earning an early break.

(With inputs from agencies.)