Tennis News: January 23, 2023

John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang hit the courts for big money… playing pickleball. The USTA hires a new Chief People and Culture Officer.

Inside the Battle to Control, and Fix Tennis. Over the past 18 months, a coterie of billionaires, deep-pocketed companies, and star players has engaged in a high-stakes battle to lead what they view as a once-in-a-generation opportunity for disruption in a sport long known for its dysfunctional management and disparate power structure. Full Story: The New York Times

USTA Hires Chief People & Culture Officer. The USTA announced that Henry Lescaille has been named the USTA’s Chief People & Culture Officer. The Chief People & Culture Officer (CPCO) will serve as the architect of the Association’s culture initiatives and talent strategy, all in support of the mission and values of the USTA. Full Story: Racquet Sports Industry Editorial Note: This story has yet to appear on the USTA’s web site.

A Decade After the USTA Sidelined Her, Taylor Townsend Is Looking Forward. When Townsend was the world’s top junior player, the leaders of tennis in the United States told her to hit the gym. A decade later, she’s determined to play the best tennis of her career. Full Story: The New York Times

Are ‘fluffier’ tennis balls causing longer matches at the Australian Open? Rafael Nadal and other top players are claiming this year’s balls are vastly different to those which graced the courts last year. Full Story: ESPN

Tennis icon Chris Evert is cancer free. Evert shared how her sister Jeanne’s death in 2020 from ovarian cancer helped her detect her cancer early by giving her a “genetic road map.” Full Story: Today

Caroline Garcia Has Been Rethinking Her Approaches to Tennis and Eating. Garcia is one of the world’s top players and poised to rise in the rankings. She started her season by publicly discussing her troubles with binge eating. Full Story: The New York Times

The stunning financial reality of pro tennis. Kiranpal “KP” Pannu tells someone what he does for a living, he’s bombarded with questions about his seemingly glamorous lifestyle as a professional tennis player. In 2022, Pannu earned $6,771 in prize money. But his expenses, predominantly for travel, cost $34,500. Full Story: ESPN

The Best-Dressed Tennis Players of All-Time. To celebrate the show that gives the fashion-conscious some contextual knowledge to whip out for any Grand Slam-centered discussion, Esquire magazine highlights some of the best-dressed players in the sport’s history. Full Story: Esquire

Four tennis legends will try their hand at pickleball — for $1 million. John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Michael Chang are heading back to the courts this April to battle it out for a $1 million prize — in pickleball. They will play at the Inaugural Pickleball Slam on April 2 at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida. Full Story: CBS

Australian Open to exhibit blind and low vision tennis matches for first time. The Australian Open hosted exhibition matches featuring blind and low vision (BLV) tennis athletes for the first time in an effort to raise awareness and promote the emerging sport. Australian women’s top-ranking B2 BLV tennis champion Courtney Webeck along with others who have a vision impairment are featured in the exhibition. Full Story: ABC (Australia)

ALTA (Atlanta) leagues offer camaraderie and competition for senior tennis players. Many active older adults in the metro Atlanta area are finding camaraderie and competition on the tennis court thanks to senior leagues hosted by the Atlanta Lawn Tennis Association. Full Story: The Atlanta Journal-Constitution Editorial Note: Including this because people keep telling me that ALTA operates similar to TCD and Metro leagues in the DFW area. I wonder how many more of these are out there.