Tennis News You Can Use
This week’s tennis news roundup includes a venue change for the Billie Jean King Cup, an impromptu tennis clinic staged by Venus Williams, and a little tournament called the US Open where fans have to provide proof of vaccination, but the players do not. Additionally, any debate over the active player with the best mullet in tennis is put to rest.
Billie Jean King Cup Updates
The Billie Jean King Cup will be played in Prague from Nov. 1 to Nov. 6. The tournament, formerly known as the Fed Cup, was postponed for 12 months due to the pandemic. Budapest backed out of hosting in May, citing lingering COVID-19 concerns. Canada will replace Hungary in the 12-team competition, which will be played at the 02 Arena in Prague. Full Story: CBC (8/27)
Venus Williams holds impromptu kids clinic at Chicago’s XS Tennis Village
Venus Williams lost in the first round at the WTA Chicago Women’s Open and responded by promptly organizing a children’s clinic for 50 kids. Tennis needs more of this. Full Story: WTA (8/28)
A call to arms at the US Open, where fans will have to be vaccinated but almost half of the players are not
The headline kind of speaks for itself. Full Story: The Boston Globe (8/28)
Virtual US Open Grounds Experience
The USTA has unveiled an interactive model of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center Grounds. This emulates the on-site experience at the US Open for people who can’t get there in person. The model is available via internet browser as well as in the US Open app. Full Story: Tennis Panorama (8/27)
Insider Tips for Attending the 2021 U.S. Open
It you are luck enough to be attending the US Open in person this year, here is an excellent list of insider tips assembled by Jon Wertheim. Full Story: Sports Illustrated (8/28)
US Open to feature ‘quiet rooms’ as part of mental health services for tennis players
The United States Tennis Association will make licensed mental health providers, as well as “quiet rooms,” available to players at this year’s US Open as part of the tournament’s medical services. Full Story: CBS Sports (8/26)
USTA Courts Inclusivity in ‘Let’s Tennis’ Ads for the U.S. Open
It’s that time of year again where the USTA unveils their new advertising campaign that will run during the US Open, never to be seen again. The spot is titled “One Court,” and makes a broad, multicultural appeal, stretching from city playgrounds to heartland farms, with nods to wheelchair players, tech-savvy teens and seniors keeping fit. There’s archival footage of Arthur Ashe, who championed social justice and transcended the game. The clip will air nationally during the Open, with additional venue signage and support across digital media. Full Story: Muse By Clio (8/26)
US Open 2021: Test your tennis knowledge
Ever wonder how well do you know the U.S. Open? Here is a quiz to test your knowledge. It is brutally hard and I did not do well. Full Story: Idaho Statesman (8/26)
Eight Exercises to Build Power and Improve Your Tennis Game
A Wall Street Journal article on how training to develop power could give you an edge on and off the court. Full Story: The Wall Street Journal (8/28)
Overlooked No More: Randy Snow, Paralympic Champion of Wheelchair Tennis
The New York Times runs a series of obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths originally went unreported in the paper. This week, the topic was Randy Snow. Full Story: The New York Times (8/27)
J.J. Wolf: The Best Mullet in Tennis
22-year-old confirms that his mullet style is a tribute to Andre Agassi. Full Story: Last Word on Sports (8/26)
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Dates | Tour / Level | Tournament | Location / Timezone |
| 8/30-9/12 | Grand Slam | The US Open | New York City (ET/UTC-4) |
