US Open mixed doubles sparks debate, gambling concerns grow, Djokovic stars in a new ad, Taylor Townsend launches apparel, and more from around the sport.
U.S. Open mixed doubles spectacle showed off one of tennis’ most important but neglected selling points: The fairness and sporting merit of the event have come into question since its inception, but the US Open mixed doubles play was defined by something more fundamental to tennis as a sport: the inarguable potency of seeing elite female and male athletes competing against one another on the same court. Full Story: The Athletic
There was a $1 million prize and big names for 2025 US Open mixed doubles. Why were some people upset? “It would be like if, at the Olympics, they didn’t let the actual high jumpers participate, and instead had basketball players compete in the high jump because it’s more ‘interesting.’ If you want to do that, I guess you can, but you can’t award them medals,” Sara Errani said. Full Story: Tennis
The Explosion of Gambling in Tennis: It’s become a multimillion-dollar business, with gambling sites sponsoring tournaments. But when some gamblers lose, they have threatened players. Full Story: The New York Times
The first openly gay men’s tennis player wants to make the sport more welcoming: As this year’s U.S. Open kicks off, USTA President Brian Vahaly, a former top-100 player, opens up about his coming-out journey and his approach to being an LGBTQ leader in sports. Full Story: NBC
UNC tennis player’s class-action lawsuit against NCAA could contact 17K players: UNC’s Reese Brantmeier and former University of Texas tennis player Maya Joint are the named plaintiffs in the suit. They challenge the college sports governing agency’s restrictions on tennis players accepting prize money from non-NCAA tournaments. Full Story: The Carolina Journal
Supporting athletes through fertility treatment ‘changes the trajectory’ of women’s sports: Sloane Stevens discussed her decision to freeze her eggs rather than returning early or taking an extended break away from the sport. For her peers, that made her something of a trailblazer. Full Story: CNN
Novak Djokovic and violin appear in a new Asics ad: In between cinematic shots of powerful groundstrokes, Djokovic can be seen miming playing a violin, with a thoroughly furrowed brow, along to the first movement of ‘Winter’ from Vivaldi’s Four Seasons. Full Story: The Strad
ATP Tour partners with TikTok: The stars of men’s tennis are already giving their fans windows into their careers on TikTok, and the ATP Tour has now signed a strategic content partnership with the social media giant. Players will receive guidance on how to get maximum engagement, while some will collaborate with established tennis creators on the platform. Full Story: The Athletic
Taylor Townsend is Serving New Tennis Clothes at the U.S. Open: After years of playing in store-bought attire and without an apparel deal, Taylor Townsend, now the world No. 1 in women’s doubles, is attempting a label of her own. Full Story: The New York Times
How to get better at tennis: Proven Strategies to Improve Your Game: Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced player, figuring out how to get better at tennis can feel challenging. Tennis requires agility, strength, strategy, and mental toughness. Improving your game means addressing each of these aspects individually. Full Story: IMG Academy
Sachia Vickery’s OnlyFans and “Pay to Date” Side Hustle: There isn’t a good way to sugarcoat this one, though the professional tennis player denies that she is a sex worker. Full Story: People
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 8/24-9/7 | The US Open | Grand Slam | New York |
