How geopolitical disruptions are impacting tennis, Indian Wells events, Craig Tiley’s USTA plans, WTA format debates, and other headlines from the sport.
How Events in Iran, Dubai, and Mexico are Impacting Professional Tennis: Global geopolitical tensions are impacting the sport as missile strikes in the Middle East disrupted travel during the Dubai Tennis Championships. Airspace closures left several players and officials stranded, complicating their travel plans fto the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Meanwhile, the Mexican Open proceeded under heightened security following the killing of a major cartel leader and resulting unrest in parts of Mexico. Full Story: The Athletic
‘I saw a drone hit the US consulate’ – Henry Patten’s escape from Dubai: A harrowing account from British player Henry Patten on the challenges of getting home after the United Arab Emirates came under attack from Iranian missles amid the Middle East Conflict. Full Story: BBC
ITF 60, 65, 70 World Team and Individual Championships Cancelled: Due to escalating armed conflict in the Middle East, the 60, 65, 70 World Team and Individual Championships scheduled to take place in Manavgat, Türkiye have been cancelled. Full Story: ITF Editorial Note: I have friends who were already in the country to compete in this event.
How to Navigate the Indian Wells Tennis Paradise Grounds Like a Pro: The Indian Wells Tennis Garden is more than a world-class tennis venue — it’s a destination waiting to be explored. Beyond the baselines, hidden vantage points, shaded retreats, and picture-perfect backdrops reward those who know where to look. Full Story: The BNP Paribas Open
Tie Break Tens lights up Indian Wells: The mixed doubles curtain raiser for the combined ATP and WTA tournament was played in a packed stadium in the Californian desert this week, with Taylor Fritz and Elena Rybakina defending their Eisenhower Cup title and pocketing the $200,000 prize. Full Story: Reuters
Craig Tiley has a new task with the USTA: Craig Tiley describes his new job as CEO of the USTA as “three pillars”: Get more people in the U.S. to play the game; Get the country’s elite players to perform their best; Provide the platforms, like the US Open and other pro events, that will grow the sport. Full Story: Tennis
WTA players divided on five-set matches proposal at Grand Slams: Players on the WTA Tour offered a range of opinions on Tuesday on the idea of women’s matches becoming best-of-five sets from the quarter-finals onward at Grand Slam events, a concept backed by newly named USTA CEO Craig Tiley. Full Story: Reuters
Why Novak Djokovic Believes Serena Williams Will Make a Return to Tennis: Arguably one of the biggest storylines at this week’s Indian Wells tournament is whether or not Serena Williams will return to the tennis court professionally—and she’s not even at the tournament. Reporters asked Novak Djokovic what his thought were regarding all the rumors circulating around Williams potentially returning. He admitted he doesn’t know her real answer, but he thinks fans will get a Williams sister reunion in doubles at some point. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
Columbia University Tennis Star Says He Claimed $150K from Australian Open: Columbia University senior Michael Zheng has reportedly accepted his winnings—about $150,000—for advancing to the second round of the Australian Open in January. Under NCAA rules, it is unclear whether Zheng, a two-time NCAA singles champion, can take the prize money and continue playing for Columbia this year before he graduates in the spring. Full Story: Front Office Sports
The Palm Springs restaurants that shined brightest at Taste of Tennis: World-class food has been a staple of the BNP Paribas Open for years, and part of that tradition involves Taste of Tennis, which returned to Indian Wells this year. The annual event features a variety of local chefs and restaurants, and includes some of the top tennis players in the world mingling with — and sampling small plates with — a crowd of about 400. Full Story: The Desert Sun
Aryna Sabalenka announces her engagement: Aryna Sabalenka has announced her engagement to Brazilian businessman Georgios Frangulis. Sabalenka posted a video of the proposal on Instagram, accompanied by the words “You & me, forever,” along with a ring and heart emoji. Full Story: ESPN
The “Women of Tennis” Calendars: As strange as it may seem now, the WTA used to produce a glamour calendar. Ben Rothenberg got his hands on some and it is… definately worth a look. Full Story: Bounces by Ben Rothenberg
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 3/4-15 | BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) | ATP 1000 WTA 1000 | Indian Wells, CA |
