Farewells, French hopes, and line calling drama. This week’s tennis headlines offer a lively mix of nostalgia, controversy, and insight from Roland-Garros and beyond.
Is the French Open the last time we’ll see line judges at a Grand Slam?: Welcome to the last stand of the line judges. They are a dying breed in tennis, but at the French Open, the organizers are hoping to hold back the inevitable tide of electronic line calling (ELC) for as long as possible. In almost every match at Roland-Garros, there will be a disputed point. The process is the same. The call is made, the player protests, the umpire gets down from their lofty perch, the player highlights the mark with their racket, and the umpire makes the call. It’s theater — and sometimes leads to an overturned call. Full Story: ESPN
Rafael Nadal Surprised by Three Tennis Legends at French Open Farewell: After a video tribute from the three members of the so-called Big Four—Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and Roger Federer—the King of Clay was surprised with in-person cameos from his three contemporaries, who had been waiting to join him on Court Philippe Chatrier. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
Rafael Nadal’s tennis farewell ceremonies reviewed, from Roland Garros to Madrid: There’s a decent chance that there will be more appreciations, if not farewells, whenever Rafael Nadal shows up at a big tennis event. A rank order review of which was the best. Full Story: The Athletic
French tennis players search for substance in the spectacle at Roland Garros: No Frenchman has won the home Slam since Yannick Noah in 1983. Mary Pierce, the 2000 women’s champion, is the lone French woman to win the title in the modern era of professional tennis, which began in 1968. Over the years, French tennis has seemingly become about something else. “We always want to put on a good show, right?” Monfils said during an interview earlier this year. Full Story: The Athletic
John McEnroe discouraged by state of American tennis: Prior to top-seeded American Taylor Fritz’s stunning loss Monday in the first round of the 2025 French Open, John McEnroe unloaded on the state of tennis at the top of sport, which hasn’t seen a Grand Slam champion from the states in more than two decades. Andy Roddick’s U.S. Open title in 2003 was the last American title in a men’s singles final. Full Story: CBS Sports
USTA announces participants for US Open Wild Card Playoffs: The USTA has announced the participants that will be competing in the US Open Wild Card Playoffs, set to be held at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Fla., June 16-18. The new event featuring the top American collegiate players, which was announced earlier this month, will more than double the average number of American collegiate players that earn US Open wild cards this year, with six guaranteed US Open wild card entries up for grabs. Full Story: USTA
Drop shots in tennis go from eccentric to essential, with some help from Carlos Alcaraz: While it may look treacherous, the drop shot is not as risky as it looks for Carlos Alcaraz, who is its most effective exponent on the ATP Tour. He wins the point when he plays it 60 percent of the time, according to data from Tennis Viz that covers the past 52 weeks of matches outside the majors. That’s the highest percentage of anyone on the tour. Full Story: The Athletic
Serena Williams receiving Spanish honor for illustrious career: Serena Williams has been awarded Spain’s Princess of Asturias Prize for Sports for her stellar tennis career, organizers said Wednesday. Full Story: ESPN
After 50 Years, Navratilova and Evert’s Rivalry Has Morphed into a Lifelong Friendship: Half a century ago at Roland Garros, the pair faced off for the first time at a tennis major. Today, their connection has grown into something greater. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
Coach blames heavy tennis balls for Raducanu form: Emma Raducanu’s coach Mark Petchey has said heavier tennis balls are among the things affecting the British number two’s attempts to rejoin the world’s elite players. Full Story: BBC
How tennis leads to positive health outcomes: Dr. William Levine, the Chief of Orthopedics at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center and Chair of the Department of Orthopedic Surgery at Columbia explains the many reasons you should lace up those shoes and step onto a tennis court any chance you get. Full Story: USTA
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 5/25-6/8 | Roland-Garros | Grand Slam | Paris |
