Tennis players hooked on World Cup

Tennis: Roger Federer joked that he would install a TV screen on Centre Court so he can watch Switzerland’s soccer team play in the World Cup during his first-round match at Wimbledon Monday.

Serena Williams said she screamed and jumped after a referee’s decision denied the United States a goal against Slovenia.

Wimbledon’s defending champions are not alone in fervently supporting their national teams in South Africa.

On the groomed grounds of the All England Club, the tennis elite debate World Cup tactics and talk up and tease each other about their favorites. One hitting partner drew a smile from Serbian Novak Djokovic when he said Serbia was lucky to beat Germany.

Andy Murray, a Scot, feels for England, which is struggling in South Africa, saying sports is a “pretty tough world.”

Associated Press

NASCAR pioneer Parks dies at 96

NASCAR: Raymond Parks, owner of NASCAR’s first championship winning car and an integral part of the series’ formation, has died. He was 96.

NASCAR said Parks passed away at his home Sunday morning in Atlanta. Parks, who was confined to a wheelchair, attended a reception May 20 for the induction of the inaugural Hall of Fame class and was warmly received throughout the industry that evening.

Parks was the last living member of the group of men who created NASCAR in 1947 during a meeting at the Streamline Hotel in Daytona Beach, Fla. He fielded the car that Red Byron drove to the inaugural Cup Series championship in 1949, NASCAR’s first season of competition.

“Raymond is a giant in the history of NASCAR and will always be remembered for his dedication to NASCAR,” said Brian France, NASCAR chairman.

Associated Press