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Djokovic Withdraws from Toronto Tournament, Opts for More Rest After Loss in Wimbledon Final 

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts as he speaks during a press conference in the Media Theatre at the Broadcast Centre following his defeat in the men's singles final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on the last day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 16, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts as he speaks during a press conference in the Media Theatre at the Broadcast Centre following his defeat in the men's singles final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on the last day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 16, 2023. (AFP)
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Djokovic Withdraws from Toronto Tournament, Opts for More Rest After Loss in Wimbledon Final 

Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts as he speaks during a press conference in the Media Theatre at the Broadcast Centre following his defeat in the men's singles final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on the last day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 16, 2023. (AFP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic reacts as he speaks during a press conference in the Media Theatre at the Broadcast Centre following his defeat in the men's singles final tennis match against Spain's Carlos Alcaraz on the last day of the 2023 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 16, 2023. (AFP)

Novak Djokovic withdrew Sunday from the National Bank Open, opting for additional rest after his loss to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.

Tennis Canada announced that Djokovic pulled out of the only Canadian stop on the ATP Tour schedule due to fatigue. The 36-year-old, 23-time Grand Slam champion was set to begin his hard-court preparations for the US Open after falling to the top-ranked Alcaraz last Sunday in a five-set final at Wimbledon.

“I have always enjoyed my time in Canada but after speaking with my team, we believe this is the right decision to take,” said Djokovic, who has won the National Bank Open four times.

“I would like to thank Karl Hale, the tournament director, for understanding this decision. I really hope I can return to Canada and Toronto in the coming years to play in front of great fans there.”

American Christopher Eubanks will gain automatic entry into the main draw as Djokovic’s replacement. Eubanks is fresh off a surprising quarterfinal run at Wimbledon, where he beat No. 5 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas and No. 12 seed Cam Norrie en route to the final eight.

“Of course, we’re disappointed that Novak won’t be playing at the National Bank Open this year,” Hale said. “He’s an incredible player and one we know our fans were eager to watch at Sobeys Stadium.

“He will be missed but we still have a long list of sensational players confirmed for this year’s event, including 41 of the top 42 players in the world.”

Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium will host the men’s side of the national tennis championship from Aug. 3 to Aug. 13. The women’s side will be at Montreal’s IGA Stadium at the same time.

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Italian World Cup Striker Schillaci Dies Aged 59

FILE PHOTO: Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo's national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. JAPAN/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo's national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. JAPAN/File Photo
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Italian World Cup Striker Schillaci Dies Aged 59

FILE PHOTO: Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo's national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. JAPAN/File Photo
FILE PHOTO: Italian striker Salvatore Schillaci (L) of Iwata Jubilo and world selections in the J.League tries to intercept a back pass by Japanese defender Saito of Shimizu S-Pulse during the J.League dream match held at Tokyo's national stadium October 10. The world squad beat the Japanese selections 2-1. JAPAN/File Photo

Former Italy and Juventus striker Salvatore Schillaci, a star of the 1990 World Cup on his home soil, has died at the age of 59, his former clubs Inter Milan and Juventus said on Wednesday.

Schillaci led Italy to their third-place finish in 1990, winning the Golden Boot for his six goals during the tournament, including in the semi-final against Argentina and in their third-place victory over England, Reuters reported.

"A football icon is leaving us, a man who has entered the hearts of Italians and sports fans around the world," Italy's prime minister Giorgia Meloni posted on X.

"Salvatore Schillaci, known by everyone as Toto, the striker from the magic nights of Italia '90 with our national team. Thanks for the emotions you gave us, for having made us dream, celebrate, embrace, and wave our national flag. Bon voyage, champion."

The Sicilian's wide eyes as he celebrated his goals became one of the enduring images of that World Cup.
Schillaci was awarded the Golden Ball as player of the tournament and was later named as the runner-up for the 1990 Ballon d'Or men's player of the year award, behind World Cup winning captain Lothar Matthaus of West Germany.
He had started Italy's opening World Cup game as a substitute but came off the bench to score the winner in a 1-0 victory over Austria.
After the excitement of 1990, Schillaci scored only one more goal for Italy and did not appear for them at any other major tournaments.
A small, bustling striker, Schillaci, nicknamed "Toto", had been a late developer, spending the early years of his career playing in the lower leagues for Sicilian club Messina.
He was the top scorer in Serie B, the Italian second division, in 1988-89, earning him a move to Serie A giants Juventus.
"We immediately fell in love with Toto. With his desire, his story, his passion," Juventus said in a statement.
"We at Juve were lucky enough to get excited about him before, in that incredible summer of 1990, the whole of Italy did."
Schillaci helped Juventus to claim the Coppa Italia and UEFA Cup in 1989-90 before winning the latter trophy again four years later with Inter Milan.
Serie A President Lorenzo Casini paid tribute to Schillaci.
"He was a champion who lit up the "magic nights" of Italia 90," he said.
"His desire to reach the top levels in soccer has been and will remain a source of inspiration for so many youngsters pursuing their dream of playing in Serie A."
He then became the first Italian player to play in Japan's J.League and won the league title with his club Jubilo Iwata in 1997.
He retired from football in 1999.