Where is Peng Shuai as the WTA resumes operations in China. Lindsay Davenport was named as the next Captain of the US Billie Jean King Cup team. Pickleball is the kiddie pool of tennis.
WTA resumes China Open despite questions about Peng Shuai: When Chinese tennis star Peng Shua disappeared from public view after accusing a high ranking Communist Party officials of sexual assault, the Women’s Tennis Association declared and would not hold any more tournaments in China until Peng’s whereabouts were known. Full Story: PBS
Lindsay Davenport named U.S. captain for Billie Jean King Cup: Lindsay Davenport will replace Kathy Rinaldi as the U.S. captain for the Billie Jean King Cup after this year’s competition ends. Davenport is a member of the International Tennis Hall of Fame who won three Grand Slam titles in singles, another three in doubles and reached No. 1 in the WTA singles and doubles rankings. She earned a gold medal at the 1996 Olympics and was a member of three championship rosters for the United States in the team competition that used to be called the Fed Cup and was renamed to honor King in 2020. Full Story: ESPN
Simona Halep’s suspension is the latest example of tennis’ unsatisfying anti-doping efforts: Many players and industry insiders have rushed to defend Halep. The denial of guilt opens a Pandora’s box, and questions come flying out. This generates a lot of distracting smoke and white noise, diverting our attention from the true cost of cheating—the credibility of the sport. Full Story: Tennis
David Haggerty is re-elected president of the International Tennis Federation: Haggerty, an American, will serve a four-year term that ends in 2027. This will be his third term; he originally was chosen as ITF president in 2015. He got 318 of the 436 votes cast at the ITF’s annual general meeting, which is about 73% — and nearly 100 more than the 219 needed. Full Story: USA Today
ITF Elects New Board of Directors: The ITF has announced the results of the elections for the ITF Board of Directors which took place at the ITF AGM in Cancun, Mexico on 24 September. Full Story: ITF
International Tennis Hall Of Fame Fan Voting Opens: The International Tennis Hall of Fame’s annual Fan Voting for the Class of 2024 features six accomplished ATP and WTA players among this year’s candidates. From 27 September through 9 October 2023, tennis fans around the world can cast their ballots to help these players achieve induction into the Hall of Fame. Full Story: ATP
Team World beats Team Europe to defend Laver Cup title: For the very first time, Team World successfully defended its Laver Cup title. Full Story: ESPN
Henry Young: The 100-Year-Old Set to Make Tennis Playing History: There will be a moment of history at next month’s ITF Masters Tour World Individual Championships when Australia’s Henry Young, who turns 100 today, takes to the court in Capdepera, Mallorca. Young will become the oldest player and the first aged 100 to compete on the ITF World Tennis Masters Tour. It will also reinforce his status as the oldest competitive tennis player on the planet, being six months older than Ukraine’s Leonid Stanislavskyi – another inspirational tennis figure. Full Story: ITF
Leylah Fernandez “experimenting” on court with Puma Stewie 2 basketball shoes: Leila Fernandez seems to be at the forefront of another shift in tennis equipment after being spotted playing in a women’s basketball shoe during matches at the US Open, San Diego and Guadalajara. Full Story: Tennis
USA Pickleball Announces ‘Quiet Category’ for Pickleball Products: The launch of this Quiet Category will recognize pickleball products that reduce acoustic output during play without negatively impacting performance. In addition to this effort, USA Pickleball is expanding its Facilities Development program to further support noise-reduction solutions for potentially sound-sensitive pickleball venues. Full Story: Racquet Sports Industry Magazine
Pickleball is the kiddie pool of tennis: People need to realize pickleball is the kiddie pool of tennis. Pickleball players need to take off the floaties and try tennis because they’re missing out on the opportunity to thrive in the deep end. Full Story: The Poly Post
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 9/28-10/4 9/28-10/8 | China Open China Open | ATP 500 WTA 1000 | China |
