Top stories this week include a breakdown of the tennis “Premier Tour” proposal, WTA consideration of ‘special rankings’ for players cleared of doping, and a lawsuit brought by a college tennis player challenging NCAA prize money restrictions. Additionally, the group stage for the 2024 Davis Cup has been set.
USTA CEO Lew Sherr Details Blueprint for Tennis’s Premier Tour: A proposal for a Premier Tour originating from the four majors presents an uncharacteristically united front for a new packaging of professional tennis. The USTA CEO Lew Sherr spoke with Sports Illustrated last week about the Premier Tour, what it is and isn’t, and what problems it addresses. Full Story: Sports Illustrated
WTA to consider ‘special rankings’ for players cleared of doping: Unlike in the case of serious injuries or maternity leave, players banned for doping offenses are currently not afforded protected rankings on their return and often have to rebuild their careers from scratch. Full Story: ESPN Editorial Note: Halep was not cleared of doping but rather had her suspension reduced.
Top college tennis player sues NCAA to challenge tournament prize restrictions: A college tennis player who earns a spot at a prestigious tournament and wins money for participating in, or even winning, the event, can’t keep that money, with only the most minor of exceptions. Full Story: The Athletic Editorial Note: I published my own take on this absurd situation yesterday.
Draws announced for 2024 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage: The Finals Group Stage will take place on 10-15 September 2024 across four cities: Bologna (Italy), Manchester (Great Britain), Valencia (Spain) and Zhuhai (China, P.R.). The winners and runners-up of each group will progress to the Final 8 knockout stage at the Palacio de Deportes José María Martín Carpena in Malaga on 19-24 November 2024. Full Story: Davis Cup
United States captures four titles at the 2024 ITF World Team Championships: This year’s teams took home titles in the Gardnar Mulloy Cup (men’s 80 & over), Lorne Main Cup (men’s 85 & over), Kitty Godfree Cup (women’s 65 & over), and Angela Mortimer Cup (women’s 85 & over). Full Story: USTA
How the United States selects players for the 2024 Paris Olympics: If you are wondering how tennis players in the United States are selected for the Olympics, the selection process is publically posted. Full Story: USTA
Is doubles in trouble in tennis? Some at Indian Wells weigh in on the conversation: One of the prevailing opinions is that the sport needs not just better to promote doubles play, but also find ways to entice star players to play doubles, at least at the Grand Slam events. Full Story: The Desert Sun
Tennis stars voice support for Aryna Sabalenka after her former partner’s death: Members of the tennis community are rallying around Belarusian world No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka following the death of her ex-partner, former professional ice hockey player Konstantin Koltsov. Full Story: CNN
Netflix and tennis: Why did Break Point fail?: The failure of Break Point revealed some of the long-running fractures and countervailing interests throughout tennis, especially at a time when the best players treat access to their lives as their intellectual property. Full Story: The Athletic Editorial Note: I published my own thoughts on this last Thursday.
Behind the scenes at Tennis Channel’s “Open” IW shoot: New player portraits, including a set inspired by Agassi’s acclaimed autobiography, will hit live broadcasts over the coming weeks. Full Story: The Tennis Channel
Zendaya, Tom Holland spotted at BNP Paribas Open watching women’s tennis final: Zendaya, the actress who stars in “Dune: Part Two” and the popular television show “Euphoria,” took in the women’s final between Iga Swiatek and Maria Sakkari along with her boyfriend, Tom Holland, an actor who played Spider-man. Full Story: The Desert Sun
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| March 20-31 | Miami Open Presented By Itau | ATP 1000 WTA 1000 | Miami |
| March 25-31 | San Luis Open | WTA 125 | Mexico |
| March 26-31 | Megasaray Hotels Open | WTA 125 | Turkey |
