Sergiy Stakhovsky officially retires from tennis. Wimbledon makes an anticipated modification to the all-white dress code, but for women only. Universal Tennis is coming after… pickleball.
Tennis honors Sergiy Stakhovsky of Ukraine
When professional tennis took a few minutes on Friday night at the ATP Tour Finals to honor a handful of players who had announced their retirement from the sport this year, one of them walked onto the court at the Pala Alpitour stadium wearing military fatigues. Sergiy Stakhovsky’s retirement has unfolded differently from all the others. Stakhovsky’s tennis career came to an abrupt end in February when he became a soldier in Ukraine. Full Story: The New York Times
Wimbledon Amends All-White Clothing Rule for Women Players
Women players will now be allowed to wear colored undershorts that are mid/dark-colored as long as the undershorts are not longer than their shorts or skirt. All other clothing and accessory rules remain unchanged. Competitors must “be dressed in suitable tennis attire that is almost entirely white.” Full Story: Sports Illustrated
Women’s Tennis Stood for Peng Shuai—and Took a Financial Hit That Isn’t Gone
The WTA’s unresolved problems with China continue to overshadow the tour. Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO, said he still hasn’t spoken directly with Peng. He said the WTA will make a decision about the future of the finals in the first quarter of next year. The suspension of the WTA tour stop in Shenzhen accounted for a significant decline in the tour’s total purse. Full Story: Wall Street Journal
USTA announces 2023-24 Board of Directors
Dr. Brian Hainline of the USTA Midwest Section has been elected to serve as the USTA Chairman of the Board and President. Emily S. Schaefer of the USTA Texas was elected to a second term as Director at Large. Full Story: USTA
Men’s tennis tour payouts up $37.5M to above $215M in 2023
Player compensation on the ATP Tour and the lower-level ATP Challenger Tour will rise to a record $217.9 million combined in 2023, thanks to a $37.5 million increase announced Thursday that is the largest single-season jump for the men’s tennis circuit. Full Story: The Washington Post
Casper Ruud Can Beat You at Golf
Casper Ruud is, truthfully, a two-sport athlete. From a young age, his passions were tennis and golf. He picked up golf when his family moved from their home country of Norway to Florida. “I just enjoy the game,” Casper said. “I was around four or five years old at the time I started playing, so my dad would take me to the range. I think I was always coordinated, so I could hit the ball — not where I wanted all the time — but sort of in the right direction. I think that’s where it started.” Full Story: golf.com
Gender Balance Reform Approved in ITF Constitution
The International Tennis Federation is introducing new provisions to its Constitution that will ensure greater gender balance across the leadership of global tennis. The announcement comes as ITF member National Associations voted 71.09% in favor of amending the ITF Constitution to introduce minimum gender representation requirements on the ITF Board of Directors. Full Story: ITF
ITF Fails to Achieve Consensus on Padel
The International Tennis Federation has released a statement following the outcome of the vote regarding Padel at the ITF AGM on Monday 14 November. The majority of tennis associations voted that the ITF should support Padel, but it was below the 2/3rds threshold that ITF governance requires. The ITF remains open to collaboration with Padel stakeholders. Full Story: ITF
Universal Tennis expands into pickleball with new rating system
As pickleball finds its feet at the pro level, the demand for better-organized play—along with an accurate rating system—at all levels of the game has also grown. Full Story: tennis.com
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 11/23-27 | Davis Cup Finals | ITF | Malaga |
| 11/21-27 | Montevideo Open | WTA 125 | Uruguay |
