Tennis News You Can Use
The US Open heads into the second week as Labor Day is celebrated in the United States. This week’s news stories includes stories about the financial haves and have-nots in professional tennis and a new career for John McEnroe. Naturally no one can escape news of the toilet habits of Stefanos Tsitispas.
Highest-Paid Tennis Players 2021: Federer, Serena And Nadal Win Even When They Can’t Take The Court
Everyone put on your shocked faces. The highest paid players in tennis make most of their money from endorsement deals. Roger Federer is the highest paid player in 2021 followed by Naomi Osaka, Serena Williams, and Novak Djokovic. The fact that Rafael Nadal is fifth kind of buries the lead. Full Story: Forbes (9/3)
On tennis’s lower rungs, landing a spot in main draw of a Grand Slam can help sustain a season
Somewhere around 150th in the world, according to estimates of a handful of tennis agents, former players and insiders, prize money barely covers expenses for pros who employ full-time coaches and hope to make a modest living. For them, getting a chance to compete at the U.S. Open — or any of the sport’s Grand Slam events — represents a chance not only to boost their rankings but also earn significant money that can sustain their training. Full Story: The Washington Post (9/2)
John McEnroe Embracing Career Transition to Voiceover Artist
One of the inspirations for the Fiend at Court site was a “Sleep Story” that John McEnroe recorded for the Calm app. His career as a voiceover artist is expanding in a new role on the Netflix show “Never Have I Ever.” Full Story: Sports Illustrated (9/4)
Stefanos Tsitsipas hits back over toilet break criticism after US Open exit
Timing toilet breaks is a form of workplace harassment. Stefanos Tsitsipas may go down in history as the athlete with the most scrutinized bathroom habits. Full Story: The Guardian (9/4)
While we’re on the subject: famous on-court spats in tennis
In addition to the recent sniping between Andy Murray and Stefanos Tsitsipas, other memorable and cringe-worthy on-court exchanges in professional tennis. Full Story: The Daily Mail (9/3)
Naomi Osaka thinking about taking a break from tennis ‘for a while’ after U.S. Open defeat
Naomi Osaka crashes out of the US Open and considers taking a break from the sport. Again. Full Story: NBC News (9/4)
(Another) U.S. Open Quiz: This one from the New York Times
This one has more pertinent questions than the one from last week. I still didn’t ace it. Full Story: The New York Times (8/30)
Who’s got balls? Tennis players lament shortage
The tennis ball shortage continues and some retail stores are completely out of stock. Full Story: The New York Post (9/3)
Hitting the wall: Goolagong Cawley back to her tennis roots
You know who has balls? And a hitting wall? Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who helped cut the ribbon for a mural which will double as a hitting wall at the Noosa Tennis Club. Full Story: The Washington Post (9/3)
How Tinker Hatfield Changed Tennis Sneakers
An architect-turned-shoe-designer changed tennis sneaker design forever. “Phil Knight walked into my office one day many, many years ago and said, ‘Do you know who Andre Agassi is?’ and I said ‘I don’t,” Hatfield says. “He said, ‘Well, you’re going to. We are about to sign this young player and it is going to be your project.’ And then he just left.” Full Story: Complex (9/2)
3 arrested for planning to launch drug-filled tennis balls onto prison grounds
Two men and a woman were arrested for planning to launch tennis balls filled with drugs onto a prison. Somehow the fact that they were using green dot transitional balls makes it even worse. Full Story: Fox 8 (9/2)
NFL star Dez Bryant catches US Open tennis ball from Alexander Zverev
Hitting autographed tennis balls into the stands after matches is a professional tennis tradition. Zverev launched a ball that was caught by NFL star Dez Bryant. Full Story: Page 6 (9/1)
‘Citizen Ashe’ Film Review: Arthur Ashe Doc Movingly Chronicles Tennis Champ and Human Rights Activist
There is a new documentary on the life of Arthur Ashe. This article is a review of the film which premieres at the 2021 Telluride Film Festival. Full Story: The Wrap (9/1)
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) |
Editorial note: The link points to the US Open daily order of play page. The US Open updates that page with match results as they occur and will contain spoilers of results.
