Explore the big storylines for Wimbledon, including Isner and Kyrgios in the broadcast booth. A fresh look at Andy Murray’s place in tennis and the greatest rivalry in all sports: tennis versus pickleball.
The storylines to watch at Wimbledon 2024: The year’s third major gets underway on Monday at the All England Club in London, and there is already no shortage of intrigue. Full Story: ESPN
John Isner and Nick Kyrgios Named as ESPN Guest Commentators for Wimbledon: John Isner, who retired following last year’s U.S. Open, will join the ESPN tennis on-air team July 1-7. Nick Kurgios will be on air both weeks. Full Story: ESPN
The picture-perfect WTA tournament with an uncertain future: Seagulls swooping onto the courts, players milling about the terraces, a picturesque seaside backdrop: the Eastbourne tennis tournament possesses a unique charm. It’s all at risk. Full Story: The Athletic
The unlucky era of Andy Murray: If Andy Murray hadn’t played tennis at the same time as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, he might have 17 Grand Slam titles. Full Story: ESPN
Coach, physio, videographer … manicurist? How elite tennis has become ‘a traveling circus’: Over the years, professional tennis has changed in many ways, and one of the most notable transformations is the growth of the player entourages. While top players used to travel with only a coach, if anyone, it is now standard for them to have personal fitness trainers and physios as they try to eke out as much of their talent as possible. Full Story: The Guardian
International Tennis Hall Of Fame Plans Doubling Of Exhibit Space: A $3+ million renovation at the historic site requires a shutdown, which will start and culminate with a reopening in May 2025. Full Story: Forbes
‘I’m good, I promise’: the loneliness of the low-ranking tennis player: Ireland’s former number 1 player who spent years trying to climb the global ranks describes the brutality of life at the bottom of the professional tour. Full Story: The Guardian
Review says the USTA can do more to protect players from abuse, including sexual misconduct: An independent review of the USTA’s system for protecting minor athletes from abuse, such as sexual misconduct, found that the group can do more to increase its safety policies and offered 19 recommendations to improve them. A 62-page report was presented to the USTA Board of Directors last week and made public Thursday. Full Story: CBS
Tennis films and documentaries – What Federer: Twelve Final Days says about sport stars and media: Lately, there always seems to be yet another filmed player documentary dropping onto a streaming service that you may or may not subscribe to. The success of Challengers, the Zendaya-led tennis movie that is not really a tennis movie at all, has raised the stock of the sport’s cultural currency, and the real-life stars of tennis are in on it, too. Full Story: The Athletic
The economics of tennis v pickleball: The greatest rivalry in sport is the all-out war being waged between recreational players of tennis and those of pickleball. Full Story: The Economist
Why Is It Called a “Tennis Bracelet”? Exploring the complicated and often mistold history of how the tennis bracelet came to be. Full Story: Mental Floss
This Week in Professional Tennis
Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
7/1-14 | The Championships (Wimbledon) | Grand Slam | London |