Tennis news was… sparse this week, but Hark! I bring glad tidings of great joy… The United Cup gets underway on Friday, January 2.
AO prize pool to crack $100m after record revenue for Tennis Australia: The not-for-profit organisation that runs the Australian Open is expected to announce a double-digit percentage increase in prize money for the 2026 tournament, bringing the total to more than $100 million. Full Story: AFR
Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘Battle of the Sexes’ promised ‘a show’ it did not deliver: This was the scenario that women’s tennis and sports feared: a loss for the best player in the world to someone who has played seven matches in three years, is currently ranked No. 672, was playing with limited intensity and visibly sweating, and managing himself physically after less than half an hour. Were the match anybody’s first experience of women’s tennis, which just played out a banner season in which five different players won its five biggest titles, they would have been left underwhelmed and bemused. Full Story: The Athletic
Tennis lawsuit divides Grand Slams as Tennis Australia reaches settlement with players: The Professional Tennis Players’ Association (PTPA) and Tennis Australia, which operates the Australian Open, “are working together to memorialize the terms” of a settlement that will have a long-form agreement by early 2026, according to a letter filed to the United States District Court on Tuesday. Full Story: The Athletic
The best tennis stories of 2025, According to The Athletic: In the spirit of looking back on the previous season and remembering all the moments big and small that defined it, here a compendium from The Athletic’s tennis writers is a chance to “remember when?” and a “did that really happen?” as well as an opportunity to revisit the stories you may have missed. Full Story: The Athletic
Sports Illustrated Ranks the 10 Wildest Moments in Tennis of 2025: Tennis is a true global sport thanks to its mix of beauty and intense competition. But the sport’s most devout fans also love to revel in the drama. From frosty handshakes to social media subs, the sport cannot go one day without being unserious. There were plenty of exhilarating highlights and historic achievements this year, including the ten wildest moments from professional tennis in 2025. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
Fabio Fognini finishes third on Italy’s ‘Dancing with the Stars’: The Italian previously impressed with his fancy feet in a guest spot last season, but committed full bore as contestant for season 20 of “Ballando con le Stelle.” Full Story: Tennis
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 1/2-11 | United Cup | WTA/ATP Team Event | Australia |
