Tennis News You Can Use
This week’s news includes a Billie Jean King interview, World Team Tennis 2021 logistics, tennis travel hacks, and more.
Tennis Legend Billie Jean King Transformed the Game
In 1967, Billie Jean King was the number one women’s tennis player in the world, but she could barely support herself. The big international tournaments barred professional players, which left amateurs to subsist on shoestring per diems. Everything seemed to change the following year, when Wimbledon opened competition to moneymaking players and other tournaments followed suit. At 24, after nearly a decade on the amateur circuit, Ms. King was eager to finally earn a living as a tennis phenom. Her husband Larry, a law student at the time, was more skeptical. “Just watch,” he said. “Once men get open tennis, they’re going to squeeze the women out.” Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (8/13)
Indian Wells Tennis Garden Hosting World Team Tennis 2021
Tickets are on sale now for all sessions of the 2021 World TeamTennis season, which will feature five teams and will take place Nov. 13-28 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Proof of vaccination will be required to attend the event. Full Story: 10sBalls.com (8/21)
How Much is 1000? ATP, WTA Share Branding, Not Prize Money in Canada, Cincinnati
Tennis’s big summer hard-court tournaments have the same branding now, but the differences in pay remain. As the Big 3 play less, will those discrepancies seem even starker? Full Story: The Tennis Channel (8/20)
Hot Ginger and Whiskey (…and Tennis!) Is a Travel Hack You Didn’t Know You Needed
Globetrotting lighting designer Eva Menz shares secrets from a lifetime of adventuring. “Tennis is my type of meditation, and it just makes me incredibly happy. It’s great physically, and you make connections to people that are outside your professional circle. It’s social, but it’s not partying. Nothing is as frustrating as not having your very own magic wand when invited to a gorgeous court with a seaside view or a casual pre-lunch game, so I started traveling with my racket, a Yonex E Zone, and however inconvenient it is to schlepp around, you meet great people playing tennis.” Full Story: Bloomberg (8/20)
Taylor Townsend is an On-Air Natural for Tennis Channel
As she continues to work her way back toward the WTA Tour, she’s been hitting the Tennis Channel Studios and doing a great job. Full Story: The Tennis Channel (8/20)
DC Tennis Clinic works to help local kids win at the Game of Life
As the summer wraps up, a group of D.C. children are learning a new sport from a superstar tennis player — but the lessons go way beyond tennis. A DC education company is reaching out to underserved kids hoping to help them win in the “game of life.” Full Story: WJLA (8/20)
Andy Murray brands East Kilbride tennis court a ‘shambles’
It’s good to know that the pros struggle with the state of their local park courts just like the rest of us. People shouldn’t be forced to join a private club in order to play tennis. Full Story: BBC (8/20)
Two Texas Facilities Receive National Honors
The USTA today announced that two facilities in my neck of the woods are among the 25 facilities named in the USTA’s annual Outstanding Facility Awards program. The Southlake Tennis Center in Southlake, Texas and the Birch Racquet and Lawn Club in Keller, Texas, were recognized for excellence in the construction and/or renovation of a tennis facility. Full Story: USTA (8/19)
Tennis Industry United Announces 2021 Forum
I received an email, but couldn’t locate a press release or media article on the upcoming TIU annual forum. It will be Sept. 14 at 2pm ET. Featured on the agenda is “New tennis-related insights and research from the National Golf Foundation.” Registration Page: 2021 TIU Annual Forum, Related Content: “Tennis has a Weird Obsession with Golf” (posted 4/10/2021)
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Dates | Tour / Level | Tournament | Location / Timezone |
| 8/22-28 | ATP 250 | Winston-Salem Open | Winston-Salem, NC (ET/UTC-4) |
| 8/22-28 | WTA 250 | Tennis in the Land | Cleveland, OH (ET/UTC-4) |
| 8/22-28 | WTA 250 | Chicago Women’s Open | Chicago, IL (ET/UTC-5) |
