Australian Open off-court highlights, extreme heat impacts, player privacy concerns, and a new round of Serena Williams speculation.
How the Australian Open Served Up More Than Just Tennis: he Australian Open has become one of the biggest brand platforms in sports. As the most attended tennis event in the world, it has been transformed into a three-week festival in the style of Coachella. Full Story: BizBash
How a wearable caused an Australian Open debate over tennis players’ data: Players at the Australian Open were forbidden from wearing a band produced by the American company Whoop. The band tracks metrics such as heart rate variability, sleep stages, skin temperature, and blood oxygenation. Full Story: The Athletic
Australian Open insulates tennis from extreme heat but still faces million-dollar hit: Extreme heat impacted attendance for at the Australian Open. Sales of $35 ground passes were slow and queues at security appeared shorter than usual on the hottest days. That impacts the bottom line. Full Story: The Guardian
Extreme Heat, Coverage Complaints and More From the Australian Open: The weather has affected several matches, including Jannik Sinner’s third-round win over Eliot Spizzirri. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
Stacey Allaster and Sloane Stephens named to the Women’s Sports Foundation board: For more than 50 years, WSF has worked to break barriers to access and opportunity in sport. WSF research proves that sports are more than just games; sports are transformative tools to build stronger leaders, healthier communities and more equitable societies. Full Story: USTA
Women’s tennis tour to investigate misconduct allegations against Peyton Stearns’ coach: Two former WTA players, including the 22-time Grand Slam doubles champion Pam Shriver, last week made official complaints about Rafael Font de Mora, the new coach of 24-year-old American Peyton Stearns, to the WTA Tour’s director of safeguarding. Full Story: The Athletic
Are tennis players being treated like zoo animals? Iga Swiatek thinks so: Iga Swiatek picked up a privacy theme that Coco Gauff left the Australian Open with after the 21-year-old American’s racket-smashing, frustration-releasing moments away from the court went viral. Gauff said, “Maybe conversations can be had” about the seemingly limitless access-all-areas cameras that track players from the locker room to the court and just about everywhere in between. Full Story: AP
WTA backs players calls for more off-court privacy at tournaments: The WTA said that calls from players for more privacy away from the court at tournaments were entirely valid after broadcasts of Coco Gauff smashing her racket following her quarter-final defeat at the Australian Open sparked intense debate. Full Story: Reuters
Serena Williams refuses to rule out tennis comeback two months after firm denial: Appearing on the “Today” show last week, Serena Williams was once again asked if she was planning a comeback to the sport she dominated for almost two decades. On this occasion, she gave a series of non-committal responses. Full Story: The Athletic
Serena Williams Shares Sweet Video of Her Playing Tennis With Her Daughters: Serena Williams posted a sweet video on Instagram on Monday morning, highlighting that, for one, she’s back on the tennis court, and for two, her daughters seem to really be into tennis. Well, at least eight-year-old Olympia does. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 2/5-8 | Davis Cup Qualifiers | ITF | Various |
| 2/2-1 | Open Occitanie | ATP 250 | France |
| 2/1-7 | Transylvania Open Powered by Kaufland | WTA 250 | Romania |
| 2/1-7 | Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open Presented By Abu Dhabi Sports Council | WTA 500 | UAE |
| 2/1-7 | Ostrava Open | WTA 250 | Czech Republic |
