Sabalenka stays top-ranked on women's tour despite loss, Djokovic up to third on men's tour

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Carlos Alcaraz completed a career Grand Slam of singles victories with his Australian Open title, but there was some solace for the man he defeated, 24-time Grand Slam singles champion Novak Djokovic.

While Alcaraz maintained his No. 1 ranking on the ATP tour ahead of Jannik Sinner, Djokovic, who beat Sinner in the semifinals at Melbourne Park, moved up one place to No. 3. It is the first time the 38-year-old Djokovic has been inside the top three since August 2024.

On the WTA Tour, Aryna Sabalenka maintained her top ranking despite her loss in the final to Elena Rybakina, Rybakina moved up two places to third in the rankings, with Iga Swiatek in between at No. 2.

Three Americans followed in the WTA rankings — No. 4 Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff and Australian Open semifinalist Jessica Pegula. Elina Svitolina moved up two places to No. 10 after her semifinal loss to Sabalenka at Melbourne Park.

American Learner Tien was one of the biggest improvers on either tour by moving up five places on the ATP Tour to No. 24, a career high. The 20-year-old Tien, who lost to now No. 4-ranked Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, became the youngest American man to reach the final eight of a major since 2002.

AP tennis: https://apnews.com/hub/tennis

Alexander Zverev, right, of Germany is congratulated by Learner Tien, left, of the U.S. following their quarterfinal match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Tuesday, Jan. 27, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during a press conference following his loss to Carlos Alcaraz of Spain in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Dar Yasin)

Elena Rybakina of Kazakhstan takes a selfie as she poses with Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup on the banks of the Yarra River the morning after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus in the women's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Sunday, Feb. 1, 2026. (AP Photo/Aaron Favila)

Carlos Alcaraz of Spain poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup the morning after defeating Novak Djokovic of Serbia in the men's singles final at the Australian Open tennis championship, in Melbourne, Australia, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Dita Alangkara)

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — Shedeur Sanders is excited to play for new Browns coach Todd Monken.

The rookie quarterback said he felt a “connection” after meeting with Monken at the team facility after the longtime offensive coordinator was hired last week.

“I’m thankful I was able to meet Coach, that he accepted that time that I could meet with him and all I can do is work,” Sanders said Monday before practice for the Pro Bowl Games.

Monken was Baltimore’s offensive coordinator the past three seasons. Lamar Jackson was the AP NFL MVP in 2023 and first-team All-Pro in 2024 under Monken.

“It’s truly great that he was able to coach Lamar and he was able to accomplish everything that he was able to accomplish in his life and his career,” Sanders said. “I feel like we definitely have a connection just in talking to him and seeing kinda like his vibe and he has a great vibe about him.”

Despite starting just seven games for Cleveland, the fifth-round pick was selected as a replacement for the league’s flag football all-star game between the two conferences.

“Yes, I was surprised,” Sanders said. “It wasn’t like I was just sitting there expecting it. ... I’m not going to lie, a lot of the time I’m taking it day by day, having that method. ... If you would tell me that this was going to happen at the beginning of the year, I couldn’t say that that would’ve happened. It’s amazing. I’m truly thankful for it. I get to come here and be around all these great players and coaches. It’s surreal.”

Sanders was expected to be a top-five pick in the draft last year but slipped to 144th. The Browns selected quarterback Dillon Gabriel ahead of him in the third round. Sanders got an opportunity after veteran Joe Flacco was traded and Gabriel got six starts.

Sanders went 3-4, completed 56.6% of his passes for 1,400 yards, seven touchdowns and 10 interceptions with a 68.1 passer rating.

AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/NFL

AFC quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12), of the Cleveland Browns, speaks during media availability at NFL Pro Bowl Games practice, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)

AFC quarterback Shedeur Sanders (12), of the Cleveland Browns, throws a pass next to Michael Vick during an NFL Pro Bowl Games practice in San Francisco, Monday, Feb. 2, 2026. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)