Recapping the top political stories in tennis this year. The WTA tour receives overtures from the sponsor of the LIV golf tour. The news this week is also heavy on analysis with great stories about “clutch” points and economic disparities in tennis.
Once Again, Tennis Is Disrupted by Politics
Tennis and politics have long had a craggy relationship. This year alone, the sport has been embroiled in three international incidents — Novak Djokovic’s deportation from Australia on the eve of the Australian Open because he did not have a Covid vaccination; the Women’s Tennis Association canceling all tournaments in China following accusations by Peng Shuai that she was sexually assaulted by a high-ranking government official; and Wimbledon banning Russian and Belarusian players because of the war in Ukraine. Full Story: The New York Times
Saudi Arabia, a Growing Force in Golf, Seeks to Host Women’s Tennis
Saudi Arabia has approached the Women’s Tennis Association about hosting an event, possibly the Tour Finals, but the WTA has not entertained the prospect of a tournament there in any formal fashion. In recent weeks, professional golf has been upended by the start of the LIV Golf Invitational series, which is bankrolled by Saudi Arabia’s sovereign wealth fund. Full Story: New York Times
The Changing Grass at Wimbledon
The surface at Wimbledon undergoes more radical changes from day to day than any other Grand Slam because it is the only one played on grass. As its grass courts gradually lose their moisture and then patches of the grass itself, players must continually adjust.. Full Story: The New York Times
Professional Tennis Allows Coaching for Remainder of 2022
One of the last barriers separating tennis from other sports came tumbling down on Tuesday, when the ATP and even the USTA opted to allow coaching during professional matches on a trial basis for the rest of 2022. The trial starts immediately after Wimbledon, and when the US Open unspools in late August, it will mark the first time that any type of coaching is permitted at a Grand Slam tournament. Full Story: tennis.com
Measuring the Most Clutch Players in Tennis: Who Performs When It Matters Most?
Tennis is full of big moments: an ace to secure a crucial hold, or a vital break point to take a set. Matches can hinge of the outcome of these moments. And some players are better at performing on these pivotal points. With the help of a new metric – clutch points – we can go beyond the typically restrictive game/break point definitions to truly explore the moments that matter most. Full Story: The Analyst
Don’t blame market forces for female tennis stars being short-changed
Women’s matches remain almost invariably the first on court in the mornings, when spectator numbers — both in person and on TV — are at their lowest. Far from being a free market, subjective decisions like these have a real influence on which players are given the best chance of breaking through to a mass audience and creating a market of paying consumers. Full Story: The Financial Times
International Tennis Hall of Fame Museum unveils new 2022 exhibitions
The four new exhibits include Il Tennis Nell’Arte: The Gianni Clerici Collection, Courting Caricatures: The Art of Marcel Niederle, a tribute to Hall of Famer Lleyton Hewitt, and an interactive globe featuring the digital exhibit Breaking Boundaries in Black Tennis. Full Story: What’s Up NewP
Naomi Osaka partners with LeBron James on new media company
Called Hana Kuma, which translates to “flower bear” in Japanese, the company is a partnership with LeBron James’ SpringHill Company and will produce documentaries as well as scripted and unscripted series.. Full Story: ESPN
Canadian tennis star Bianca Andreescu answers questions from kids
The tennis star shares advice with young players from the same club where she played as a child. Andreescu is promoting her new children’s book, Bibi’s Got Game: A Story about Tennis, Meditation and a Dog Named Coco. Full Story: CBC
Have Racket, Will Travel: Seven Top Texas Tennis Resorts
From luxury spas to grueling drills, Texas offers something for players of every persuasion. Full Story: Texas Monthly
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 6/27-7/10 | Wimbledon | Grand Slam | London |
