Tennis News You Can Use
USTA CEO Michael Dowse abruptly resigns, the ITF confirms that there are no World Tour events in China in 2022, and tennis great Darlene Hard passes away.
U.S.T.A. Chief Michael Dowse Stepping Down After Two Years
In an unexpected move, Michael Dowse, the leader of the United States Tennis Association, announced on Wednesday that he would leave the organization in March. The decision caught players, officials and U.S.T.A. board members by surprise. Dowse, 55, has been officially in his post as the association’s chief executive officer and executive director for less than two years. Full Story: The New York Times (12/8)
No World Tennis Tour events in China in 2022, says ITF source
There will be no World Tennis Tour events held in China in 2022, an International Tennis Federation (ITF) source confirmed to Reuters on Thursday. The source did not say if the move was linked to concerns over the health and safety of doubles star Peng Shuai. Full Story: Reuters (12/9)
Darlene Hard, Strong-Willed Tennis Star Before Pro Era, Dies at 85
Darlene Hard, a sturdy and strong-willed Californian with a power game who won 21 Grand Slam tennis championships as one of the last stars of the amateur era, died on Dec. 2 in Los Angeles. She was 85. Full Story: The New York Times (12/8)
Mauresmo named French Open tournament director
Amelie Mauresmo has been appointed as the director of the French Open, the country’s tennis federation (FFT) said on Thursday, becoming the first woman to lead the Roland Garros tournament. Former world number one Mauresmo, 42, will succeed Guy Forget. Full Story: Reuters (12/10)
Allen High School (TX) tennis, track facilities will soon be off-limits to the public
Allen’s school district is implementing new measures to extend the lifespan of its tennis and track facilities. The new policy comes after voters rejected millions of dollars in bond proposals that would have gone to repairs and updates for district athletic facilities. Full Story: The Dallas Morning News (12/9)
From the Court to the Broadcast Booth, Chanda Rubin Is an Eternal Champion
A child prodigy from Lafayette, La., Rubin was one of the Black women who laid the foundation for the next generation of women of color to be accepted, seen and given an opportunity to become winners. In the early 1990s, when Venus and Serena Williams were still young girls at the junior level, Rubin was already rising in the WTA ranks. Full Story: Sports Illustrated (12/10)
Move Over, Tennis and Golf. Networks and Brands Are Cashing In on Pickleball.
From pro-am tournaments to podcasts to themed-restaurants, to merchandise, to car sponsorships, the pickleball gold rush is in full swing. Full Story: Bloomberg (12/10)
Tennis Tweet of the Week
You have to watch these two ridiculous windy day shots from a ATP Challenger in Turkey last week.
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location/Timezone |
| 12/13-19 | Open BLS de Limoges | WTA 125 | Limoges, France (UTC + 1) |
2022 Professional Tour Calendars
The professional tours have both released 2022 tournament schedules for the first six months of 2022. Links: 2022 WTA Calendar, 2022 ATP Tour Calendar
