The NCAA Championships are tennis… but in the style of pro wrestling. ATP players behaving badly through unsportsmanlike and violent behavior on the court. The WTA is secretly subsidizing prize money at tour events.
The Not-So-Genteel Side of Tennis Is in the College Playoffs: The college version of this supposedly genteel sport — especially the competition that unfolds in the final segment of the N.C.A.A. championships — is where tennis morphs into something more like the spectacle of pro wrestling. Full Story: The New York Times
Hugo Gaston fined for tossing ball on court to get do-over: French tennis player Hugo Gaston was fined 144,000 euros (about $155,000) by the ATP Tour — more than he’s collected in prize money so far in 2023 — for pulling a ball out of his pocket and throwing it on the court during a point in an attempt to get a do-over, his fourth unsportsmanlike conduct violation this season. Full Story: ESPN
Tennis player Mikael Ymer disqualified from match after smashing racket against umpire’s chair: Mikael Ymer was disqualified from the Lyon Open after smashing his racket against the base of the umpire’s chair. Full Story: CNN
Women’s tennis pays £25m every year to keep prize money equal with men: Tennis has long trumpeted the fact that its biggest events pay equal prize money to male and female performers. Yet this “equality” is being maintained only via a secret subsidy of almost £25million from the Women’s Tennis Association. Full Story: The Telegraph (UK) Behind a paywall, but this is an important story.
Coaching Is Now Allowed During Tennis Matches, but How Useful Is It?: The practice was long banned, but a change in the rules has permitted hand signals and some talking. Full Story: New York Times
Rolling in the deep: why tennis players are backing off against serve: Retreating further and further behind the baseline to return serve on clay has become a notable trend in men’s tennis. Full Story: The Guardian
Notes on Losing: Nearly every time I play tennis, I melt down spectacularly. Why do I keep coming back for more? Full Story: The New Yorker
The Difficulty of Coming Back From Serious Tennis Injuries: Getting hurt is part of the game, but sometimes it can take years for top players to return to form. Full Story: The New York Times
Court dismisses lawsuit challenging West Virginia prep tennis format change: The state was using UTR ratings to seed the State tournament and the parents of one player filed on the basis that matches outside of high school tennis should not be considered. Full Story: WV News
French Open to provide anti-hate social media AI for tennis players: Tennis stars will be provided with artificial intelligence software that can filter out racist and homophobic comments and other hate speech on social media throughout the French Open. Full Story: UPI
Tennis Channel Platforms to Show Nearly 1,750 Live Hours at French Open: Tennis Channel will have live coverage every day of the 15-day French Open again this year, its 17th year in Paris, from May 28-June 11. Between the network, its subscription-service Tennis Channel Plus and its free ad-supported streaming TV (FAST) channel T2, fans will have access to close to 1,750 live hours of matches at Roland Garros (commonly called the French Open), the world’s most prestigious clay-court competition and the second major on the tennis calendar. Full Story: Racquet Sports Industry
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 5/28-6/11 | The French Open | Grand Slam | Paris |
