Tennis News: February 26, 2024

Coco Gauff gets another accolade. The Grand Slam push to reorganize professional tennis has hit a snag. James Blake is fined for breaching tennis sponsorship rules.

Coco Gauff named to TIME’s annual Women of the Year list: TIME named World No.3 and reigning US Open champion Coco Gauff to its annual Women of the Year list, recognizing extraordinary leaders fighting for a more equal world. Gauff, 19, is the youngest woman and the only athlete on the list. Full Story: WTA

The Grand Slam push to reorganize professional tennis hits a familiar snag – money: According to seven executives in the sport who have been involved with or briefed on the discussions, the leaders of Tennis Australia and the United States Tennis Association, who are driving the push for a new premium tour, have been scrambling in recent weeks to come up with a plan that all four of the Grand Slams, including the leaders of Wimbledon and the French Open, will agree to. Full Story: The Athletic

James Blake fined for breaching tennis sponsorship rules: The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) can today confirm Miami Open Tournament Director and former tennis player James Blake has accepted a sanction for breaching tennis’ betting sponsorship rules. Blake co-operated fully with the investigation and did not contest the charge. As a Tournament Director, Blake is considered a “covered person”, who must comply with the sport’s rules around relationships with betting operators. Full Story: ITIA

Kim Clijsters: “no consequences for team biggest red flag” in Simona Halep case: The latest episode of the “Served with Andy Roddick” podcast welcomed four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters to discuss Simona Halep’s continuing anti-doping case.”To me, the biggest red flag is the team,” Clijsters said of the situation, which Roddick described as a “vortex.”. “I have a really hard time that there is no consequence for the team, that it’s just the athlete.” Full Story: Tennis

A 43-Year-Old With Bad Knees Became the World’s Top Doubles Player. He’s Not Done: Rohan Bopanna played tennis for two decades without winning a men’s doubles major championship. He finally did it with partner Matthew Ebden. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal

Gauff ‘fuelled’ by umpire row to advance in Dubai: Coco Gauff lost the first set but was leading 4-2 in the second when her first serve at deuce, which Karolina Pliskova returned into the net, was called out. The American challenged the call, and her review was successful, but instead of awarding Gauff the point, French chair umpire Pierre Bacchi told the 19-year-old to replay it. Full Story: Reuters

BJK Cup’s Ukraine-Romania matches move to Florida due to war: Ukraine’s Billie Jean King Cup matches against Romania will be held in Amelia Island, Florida, because of the ongoing war in Ukraine. The qualifying matches will be played on April 12-13. Full Story: ESPN

Dayana Yastremska releases Ukraine-inspired single ‘Hearts’: Australian Open semifinalist Dayana Yastremska has released a new single, “Hearts,” a collaboration with Czech singer Rodan and Latvian rapper Loopout dedicated to her native Ukraine. Under the name D.Y., Yastremska had released a handful of singles to streaming platforms in 2020 and 2021. Full Story: WTA

Roger Federer documentary to be released by Prime Video: A documentary following the final days of Roger Federer’s legendary tennis career is set to be released. Originally a home video never intended for public viewing, the film captures Federer “at his most vulnerable and candid self.” Full Story: The Athletic

Tennis at the Former Hotel Pennsylvania, Anyone?: The real estate management company where the Hotel Pennsylvania used to stand has proposed temporarily using the space for tennis courts. Full Story: Curbed

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