The USTA sells the Cincinnati Open to Ben Navarro, which raises the question… what if the Saudis come for tennis next? Estonia bans Russian players from upcoming tour events, and two Davis Cup records set.
Navarro To Take Control of Cincinnati Pro Tennis Events
The USTA has selected Ben Navarro, the owner of the WTA tournament in Charleston, as the buyer of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. An exact price was not given, but the USTA received an offer as high as $250 million, and several other topping $200 million for the combined ATP and WTA event, said the report. Among the bidders were Peter Reichel, owner of the European Open in Hamburg and other events; Mark Ein, who owns the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.; and Mark Walter and Billie Jean King. There was also interest from private equity groups in acquiring the event. Full Story: tennis.com
What if the Saudis come for tennis next?
Tennis feels like the natural next progression if the LIV golf tour works out. Full Story: Deadspin
Dutch tennis coach Max Wenders banned 12 years for match-fixing
One of the charges against Wenders came under a rule that forbids people involved with tennis to “directly or indirectly, facilitate any Player to not use his or her best efforts in any Event.” The ITIA didn’t say when or where the alleged conduct happened, and it didn’t name any players. Full Story: ESPN
Russian tennis players have been banned from competing in Estonia
Estonia has become the second country to follow in the footsteps of Wimbledon and the British government in banning all Russian and Belarusian players from competing in their upcoming tennis tournaments. The Baltic country is hosting several lower-level ITF and Futures events next month, and is hoping to send a “clear message” with the ban. Full Story: The Express
Why tennis umpires don’t have a love-love relationship with players
Journalist William Ralston joins host Krys Boyd on a podcast that discusses the troubles of today’s umpires in professional tennis, where technology was meant to end contentious calls and quell hot tempers but has only added to the on-court battles. Full Story: KERA
San Marino’s Vicini 1st to play 100 Davis Cup matches
Domenico Vicini reached another Davis Cup milestone Friday by playing his 100th match — just two days after the 50-year-old became the oldest player in tournament history to win a match. Full Story: The Washington Post
Playing Tennis Before Title IX
What was it like growing up in a community, pre Title IX? It involved watching your brothers participate in organized sports — T-ball, Little League, and school athletics. Girls were not allowed to participate. An insightful first person account from a girl that really wanted to play tennis. Full Story: All Otsego
Coco Gauff, New Balance Unveil Modern Vintage ’90s Signature Tennis Shoe
The NB Coco CG1 becomes just the second signature tennis shoe for a current player in the sport (Roger Federer has the other). The signature isn’t the only portion distinct for today’s game, with a mid-top height, retro aesthetic and carbon fiber plate, each element of the Coco CG1 takes a fresh perspective on tennis footwear. Full Story: Forbes
I’ve found summer joy in being a terrible tennis player.
I am terrible. And yet, I’ve found that I am also profoundly happy being terrible. Full Story: The Guardian
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 8/1-7 | Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic | WTA 500 | San Jose, CA |
| 8/1-7 | Citi Open (ATP) Citi Open (WTA) | ATP 500 WTA 250 | Washington DC |
| 8/1-6 | Abierto de Tenis Mifel | ATP 250 | Los Cabos, Mexico |
| 8/1-7 | BCR Iasi Open | WTA 125 | Iasi, Romania |
