The WTA Finals kick off in Riyadh as Peng Shuai’s continued absence should serve as a warning that sports can’t fix human rights concerns. Jessica Pegula pulls out of the BJK Cup.
WTA Tour Finals: Garbine Muguruza’s Riyadh tournament faces new challenges after chaos: Garbine Muguruza is taking up the role of tournament director as the WTA seeks equilibrium for the WTA Tour Finals after five years of turmoil by bringing its most important asset to a country that has never held a major tennis event and which has been heavily criticized for sportswashing — using big sporting events to veneer its human rights record. Full Story: The Athletic
Does Anyone Remember Peng Shuai?: Three years after Peng Shuai’s censored assault allegation, the WTA’s stance against China has proven financially costly, leading to a return to Chinese play and a controversial year-end championship in Saudi Arabia. While some see engagement as a path to change, Peng’s unresolved case underscores the risks of authoritarian suppression. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal
Jessica Pegula out of BJK Cup Finals, replaced by Ashlyn Krueger: World No. 6 Jessica Pegula has withdrawn from next month’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Spain and will be replaced on the American team by Ashlyn Krueger, the United States Tennis Association said on Wednesday. The USTA did not immediately respond to an email from Reuters asking why the US Open finalist, who had been the highest-ranked player in the team, withdrew. Full Story: ESPN
Dominic Thiem: ‘The way we play tennis is not healthy. Nobody stays injury-free’: For Dominic Thiem, work ethic was a non-negotiable part of his career, one of the pillars of his success. But it is also ultimately what caused his demise. Having spent his entire career working towards winning a grand slam title, upon scaling that mountain, his efforts quickly caught up with him. His body crumbled. Full Story: The Guardian
Grigor Dimitrov Has a Renaissance: At 33, Dimitrov is experiencing a renaissance at a time when many of his contemporaries are contemplating retirement. Once called Baby Fed because his stunning one-handed backhand resembled that of Roger Federer, Dimitrov ranked a career-high No. 3 in 2017. Barely in the top 30 at the start of 2023, he is now No. 9. Full Story: The New York Times
USTA to Utilize PlayReplay Electronic Line-Calling at Junior National Events: The USTA has announced that the upcoming USTA Junior National Indoor Championships will utilize PlayReplay electronic line-calling in competition, marking the first time USTA national junior tournaments have formally featured ELC in play. The Boys’ and Girls’ 16s and 12s tournaments being played November 29-December 2 at four different indoor facilities will have the PlayReplay system available for challenges in all singles and doubles matches. Full Story: Racquet Sports Industry
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Participation Conference (WPC): The WPC serves as a premier platform for leaders, experts, and stakeholders to discuss evolving strategies and successes in expanding sports participation. Since its inception in London in 2018, the WPC has become a central event in promoting tennis participation, aligning with the ITF’s mission to advance the sport worldwide. The conference empowers stakeholders to implement strategic plans that enhance access and engagement in tennis. Full Story: ITF
Tennis Mailbag: Andrey Rublev’s Self-Flagellation and Daniel Nestor’s HoF Snub: Jon Wertheim answers questions, starting with a discussion about the Russian star’s concerning pattern of self-harm and a point on the Hall of Fame controversy. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
A Kids Tennis Team Were Victims of ‘Virtual’ Kidnapping in Mexico: The Mexican Tennis Federation said that the players and their coach “were extorted” by what the authorities say are schemes designed to trick people into paying quick ransoms. Full Story: People
The Bürgenstock Lesson: Court time in the clouds: the glory — and agony — of receiving top-shelf tennis instruction at a resort in the Swiss Alps. Full Story: Inside Hook
L.A.’s challenger: Former UCLA star rejoins pro tennis tour at 30, with a YouTube channel: Karue Sell is 30 in a sport filled with younger players. Since he returned to professional tennis full-time in January, he has competed in 21 Challenger and ITF men’s World Tennis Tour events on four continents, winning twice. Prize purses are only part of how Sell earns a living. He’s also a social media star who has leveraged his persona and tennis skills to build a YouTube audience of nearly 150,000 followers, helping him to secure brand partnerships and financial stability. Full Story: The LA Times
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 11/2-9 | WTA Finals Riyadh | WTA Finals | Saudia Arabia |
| 11/3-9 | Belgrade Open | ATP 250 | Serbia |
| 11/3-9 | Moselle Open | ATP 250 | France |
