Fiend At Court

Tennis Beyond the Headlines: October 26, 2026

On October 26, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Tennis News

The International Tennis Hall of Fame announced its nominees for the Class of 2027, with Serena Williams’ absence from the ballot generating almost as much interest as the candidates themselves. Elsewhere, changes to anti-doping regulations are on the horizon, the fields are set for the WTA Finals and the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team. London’s public tennis courts are facing a new problem with automated booking bots. Ash Barty headlines International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2027 nominees; fan voting runs through Oct. 25: Former world No. 1 Ash BartyRead More

USTA Adult Tennis: Why Program Success Isn’t Enough

On October 25, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Unplugged

Over the past two days, I’ve been exploring the idea of developing a Concept of Operations (ConOps) for Adult Tennis. Friday’s post introduced the systemsRead More

The Adult Tennis Ecosystem: A Systems Engineering Perspective

On October 24, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Unplugged

Yesterday, I introduced the idea of developing a Concept of Operations (ConOps) for Adult Tennis. Today, I want to think about what that document mightRead More

Why the USTA May Need a Concept of Operations for Adult Tennis

On October 23, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Unplugged

Almost 25 years ago, I made a mid-career transition into aerospace and the military-industrial complex. When I was hired into that position, I brought aRead More

A Tennis Life: Stories from a Lifetime of Growing the Game

On October 22, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Books

I recently finished A Tennis Life: Tales from the Ad Court by Lane Evans, a longtime tennis professional whose career has included playing, teaching, managing clubs, developingRead More

The Code, Principle 18: When Can You Call a Let for a Stray Ball?

On October 21, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Rules

“The windswept plains of North Texas” is a phrase I often use to describe my local playing area. Last weekend, I played a USTA LeagueRead More

1 response

Inflatable Penguins: My New Favorite Tennis Training Targets

On October 20, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Tennis Technology

Every Tuesday, this site examines a training or technology concept that shapes how tennis is played. This week, I am going to attempt to justifyRead More

Tennis Beyond the Headlines: October 19, 2026

On October 19, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Tennis News

Five years later, where is Peng Shuai? The ATP proposed significant changes to its tour structure, World Team Tennis is preparing its return, and new AI-powered training technologies are on the horizon. Tennis Returns to China Where Peng Shuai’s Whereabouts Are Still a Mystery: With the ATP and WTARead More

Craig Tiley, the USTA, and the Future of Senior Tennis

On October 18, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Unplugged

This weekend, I’ve been examining Craig Tiley’s record with senior competitive tennis during his tenure at Tennis Australia. What began as an effort to understandRead More

3 responses

An Offer Refused: Tennis Australia’s Senior Tennis Proposal

On October 17, 2026 By Teresa Merklin

Unplugged

Yesterday, I described my efforts to understand how senior competitive tennis fits into the Australian tennis system, hoping to learn something about Craig Tiley’s prioritiesRead More

1 response

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