Australian tennis legend Neale Fraser (L), shown handing the 2019 Hopman Cup to Roger Federer, won a total of 19 titles from Grand Slams, including through the singles, doubles and mixed doubles circuits. Photo by Tony McDonough/EPA-EFE
Dec. 3 (UPI) — Australian tennis legend Neale Fraser, who won three Grand Slam singles crowns and was part of four Davis Cup title teams as a player and another four as a captain, has died, Tennis Australia said. He was 91.

The tennis world was hit by a huge roadblock when Iga Swiatek was hit by a doping ban, months after Jannik Sinner‘s case. And Nick Kyrgios, having targeted Jannik Sinner for months, has now turned his attention to Swiatekcase. Speaking again on the doping controversy, he asked for a better vision of the game.
Kyrgios has made his stance clear on doping in tennis, as he took to social media to condemn the recent controversies involving Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner. The Australian tennis star expressed his frustration, emphasizing the importance of a clean sport and criticizing the lenient punishments handed out by governing bodies.
In response to a tweet by Novak Djokovic fan Pavvy G, who sarcastically suggested making substances like Clostebol and Trimetazidine legal for all players in 2025, Kyrgios replied, “No thanks. How about we just don’t have people cheating – and can look at themselves in the mirror and sleep knowing they’ve accomplished things without no bullsh*t.” His words highlighted his firm belief in integrity and fairness in sports.
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Kyrgios has also voiced concerns over Swiatek’s one-month ban for doping, a decision that many found inadequate. Responding to a tweet by tennis player Benjamin Lock, who sarcastically commented, “1-month ban. It’s not even April fools day. Don’t play with us like that,” Kyrgios replied, “Our sport is cooked.” His frustration was clear, pointing to a deeper issue within tennis governance.
Kyrgios has consistently criticized doping violations. His comments reflect a call for accountability and stricter regulations to maintain the sport’s credibility. The Aussie hopes for a future where athletes compete without shortcuts. Not only him, but even the likes of Eugenie Bouchard have been open in expressing their frustration on the doping saga.
Eugenie Bouchard joins Nick Kyrgios in slamming Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner amidst doing case
Eugenie Bouchard joined Nick Kyrgios in voicing her skepticism about the doping cases surrounding Iga Swiatek and Jannik Sinner. Both athletes have faced significant backlash following allegations and rulings from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
Nick Kyrgios, who has been vocal about his disapproval of doping in tennis, expressed doubt over Swiatek’s claims of innocence. “The excuse that we can all use is that we didn’t know. Simply didn’t know. Professionals at the highest level of sport can now just say ‘we didn’t know,’” the Australian wrote on X.
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Reacting to Kyrgios’ post, Eugenie Bouchard offered a subtle yet pointed reply, writing, “Guess so,” accompanied by a shrugging shoulders emoji. Her response further emphasized the growing discontent among players regarding the handling of doping cases in tennis.
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Swiatek, meanwhile, maintained her innocence, describing the situation as “the toughest battle” of her life. She shared on Instagram, “The only positive doping test in my career, showing an unbelievably low level of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question… I’m just relieved it’s over.”
The controversy continues to spark debate, with players like Kyrgios and Bouchard calling for greater accountability. What do you think should be the solution to this? Let us know in the comments below!

Tennis and pickleball—two racket sports, but worlds apart in the eyes of purists. While pickleball’s meteoric rise has sparked a new wave of players and fans, it has also ruffled feathers among tennis enthusiasts. Pickleball’s boom has been undeniable, drawing in recreational players and even a few former tennis pros. But for many tennis lovers, the rapid expansion feels less like a friendly rivalry and more like a threat to the sport’s rich tradition. And now, fresh stats from the United States Tennis Association (USTA) are adding fuel to the fire.
The competing nature of both sports has led to some serious issues in terms of not just fans and funds but also space. In an Instagram post shared by The Kitchen Pickleball, it was revealed that pickleball has slowly taken over 10% of the tennis courts in the United States. The problem has been on a massive rise and it has also been acknowledged by Lew Sherr, CEO of the USTA.
In a statement in October this year, Sherr highlighted that it is gradually becoming difficult to accommodate both sports. “There are not enough courts to support tennis growth,” Sherr said. “And court infrastructure being compromised with people playing pickleball on those courts or courts being repainted.” The land grab might not come as a major surprise for many as pickleball is indeed making some fast advancements in recent years.
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Kitchen Pickleball (@thekitchenpickleball)
According to a 2024 report by the Sports & Fitness Industry Association, there are at least 13.6 million players in the U.S. who participate in the sport. The pandemic proved to be a boon further, as the sport recorded a 223.5% participation rate increase since 2020. Now, this comes at a time when tennis players themselves are participating in pickleball matches.
In a video announcement in September this year, Andre Agassi confirmed the return of the third edition of Pickleball Slam next year. Scheduled to take place on February 16, 2025, the tournament will arrive in Las Vegas and will feature Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf on one side competing against Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard on the other. However, the rise is not only in terms of players associated with it or the place it is overtaking but the flow of funds as well.
The capital investment for pickleball has been growing steadily. In June this year, The Avenue Sports Fund announced that it would make quite some investment in CityPickle, the urban home for pickleball. Through the investment, CityPickle would be able to expand the locations of its permanent, indoor pickleball club concept in addition to strategic activations at iconic landmarks in metropolitan areas. It is for these reasons that the resentment among tennis enthusiasts is on the rise and has been visible time and again.
The Brooklyn-based group Club Leftist Tennis launched an anti-pickleball lobbying campaign in September 2022. Taking to their Twitter back then, the organization wrote, “Reminder: pickleball is an astroturfed, venture capital-backed parasite on public space.” And it is not the enthusiasts, but the players themselves who have highlighted their resentment over the rising popularity of Pickleball.
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“ Tennis is endangered” – When Novak Djokovic expressed concerns over pickleball’s rising popularity
The tennis world has often shared how difficult it is for the players to sustain when more favoritism is enjoyed by pickleball. The data also shows the revamping of tennis courts and their conversion into smaller pickleball courts thereby possessing the potential to impact the sport in general in the long run. Such a situation has often drawn remarks from players themselves and Novak Djokovic has not shied away either.
In an interaction, Nole expressed concerns over the rise of pickleball and the impact it is bringing to tennis. “On a club level, tennis is endangered,” he said. “If we don’t do something about it, globally or collectively, paddle, pickleball in the States, they’re gonna convert all the tennis clubs into paddle and pickleball. Because it’s more economical.” Meanwhile, Serena Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, also highlighted a similar take on the sport.
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Speaking about the commerce of Pickleball, Ohanian remarked, “Until I see a pickleball highlight go viral, I don’t think it’s a real sport.” But for now, the rivalry between the two sports seems to be growing enormously, Are we witnessing a coexistence or a clash? Only time will tell!

Let’s be real, there are always two sides to a camp whenever a controversy airs in the sporting world. Some support the aggrieved athlete, while some draw criticism. And we all know which side of the camp Nick Kyrgios settled in. Days after Iga Swiatek‘s doping scandal stunned fans, the Aussie has taken potshots over former American No. 1 Andy Roddick who sympathized with Swiatek and addressed how the issue could’ve been avoided. Moreover, a decorated Russian pro also vilified Roddick’s candid admission.
The ITIA confirmed that the Polish superstar was slapped with a one-month doping ban after testing positive for trimetazidine (TMZ) before playing in Cincinnati. Though the organization deemed ‘no fault or negligence’ on Swiatek’s part and she served a majority of her ban (22 days) during the Asian swing, fans and players haven’t been impressed with how the Pole was dealt. The aftermath also saw the WTA claim that the Pole’s suspension was an ‘unfortunate incident’, but, Roddick took a step further and negated the whole incident at once.
During an episode on his podcast, the American sensation highlighted that “it’s not even doping just contaminated substances and testing for a billionth of grams and some of the players chirping about these champions that will be hall of famers, when they’ve never put in 2 good days of work together simultaneously in their lives.” While some sided with the 2003 US Open champion’s views, Kyrgios and Russian Yevgeny Kafelnikov were far from echoing the former’s views.
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Taking to X, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist accused Roddick of siding with “corruption” saying, “It’s just sad at this point. The guy is like a messenger to try and sweep everything under the rug. Haha, he definitely took the side of corruption but I mean I’ve had a couple good days in a row.” Similarly, Kafelnikov wrote – “and it was done without juicing myself”.
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However, Roddick ain’t the odd man out. Notably, Novak Djokovic‘s PTPA also lamented the WTA’s doping ban sentence, and recently, a former World No. 7 has slammed the ITIA.
Richard Gasquet slams ITIA over ‘poorly managed’ Iga Swiatek case
The dust from Jannik Sinner’s doping case wasn’t even settled when five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek tested positive for a banned substance. Like Swiatek, even the Italian was handed a no-fault or negligence verdict, but, players aren’t happy with how the chips fell in place following the Pole’s doping nightmare. Especially former World No. 7 Richard Gasquet.
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He said, “I think that all sports are quite difficult. All sports can at some point have doping. Tennis can be part of it. Obviously, there was cycling. Now, there is tennis… Anything is possible. Here, we learn everything at the same time and that is not normal, it doesn’t mean anything. It is not up to standard.”
With merely eight days left in her suspension, fans can best believe that the Pole will return to the tour in 2025. After experiencing a rollercoaster of a season, Swiatek will look to outdo crucial concerns by delivering impressive results in the season-commencing events.

The tennis world mourns the loss of a champion. Former Australian pro, Neale Fraser, passed away at 91 on Tuesday, November 3rd. His legacy spanned 24 years, leaving an indelible mark on the sport. Fans and insiders have shared heartfelt tributes for the Aussie star, who helped Australia secure the Davis Cup four times. Rod Laver, his former rival and friend, penned a touching letter on social media.
“I am deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my dear mate and fellow lefty, Neale Fraser. He was a true gem in a golden era of Australian tennis legends – an incredible World No.1, a Grand Slam champion, and a Davis Cup icon,” Laver wrote on X. The two competed five times, with their first match in 1960 at the Australian Championships, where Laver emerged victorious. However, Fraser got his revenge later that year at Wimbledon, clinching the singles crown and following it up with a US Open title.
Their rivalry was fierce yet respectful. Laver added, “Neale bested me in 2 major finals, pushing me to become a better player. My heartfelt condolences go out to Thea and Neale’s extended family. I’ll miss you dearly, buddy. Rest in peace.” As tributes poured in from players and friends alike, former WTA pro Pam Shriver left a simple prayer emoji under Laver’s emotional note, highlighting Fraser’s profound influence in the tennis community.
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Fraser was often described as ‘a General’ on the court by his doubles partner Roy Emerson. This likely referred to his fierce performance and leadership that guided Australia to victory in the Davis Cup from 1970 to 1993. His contributions to Australian tennis were nothing short of remarkable.
Fraser’s legacy in the Australian tennis scene
Neale Fraser was a true titan of Australian tennis, and his achievements are nothing short of legendary. He reached the pinnacle of the sport by securing a career-high ranking of No. 1 in 1959. During his illustrious career, he claimed three major singles titles, including the prestigious Wimbledon crown in 1960. But that’s just the tip of the iceberg! Fraser also dominated doubles play, racking up an impressive 16 Grand Slam titles. In fact, he made history in 1959 by winning the singles, doubles, and mixed doubles titles at the US Championships—a feat he repeated in 1960.
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Fraser’s Grand Slam victories are a testament to his skill on the court. In singles, he triumphed at Wimbledon in 1960 and at the US Championships in both 1959 and 1960. His doubles prowess shone through at the Australian Open (1957, 1958, 1962), Roland Garros (1958, 1960, 1962), Wimbledon (1959, 1961), and the US Championships (1957, 1959, 1960). He also excelled in mixed doubles, winning titles at the Australian Open (1956), Wimbledon (1962), and the US Championships (1958, 1959, 1960). Despite tempting offers to turn professional, Fraser chose to stay an amateur. He had his sights set on succeeding Harry Hopman as Australia’s Davis Cup captain—a dream he finally realized in 1970.
As captain for an incredible 24 years, Fraser led Australia to four Davis Cup titles and inspired a new generation of players like John Newcombe and Pat Cash. Speaking to Australia Tennis, Cash said, “He was like a father to me. He just knew how to make you feel important and play your best.” Fraser’s impact on tennis was profound. His induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1984 and receipt of the Philippe Chatrier Award in 2008 only solidified his legacy. Neale Fraser was not just a champion. He was a guiding light for Australian tennis and will be missed dearly.

Poland as a whole was beaming with pride when Iga Swiatek became the first Polish woman to attain the world no.1 slot back in 2022. The country has produced several WTA players, but few have managed to showcase breakthrough results. While Iga Swiatek remains the best hope of her nation, a staggering urge has emerged from a compatriot WTA star’s family.
Robert Radwański, the father of former Polish tennis star Agnieszka Radwańska, recently stepped forward to speak out passionately in support of Iga Świątek. His comments came amidst the challenges Świątek has faced recently, including a brief doping controversy. He stressed the need to get along to protect Świątek, who he believes is the pride of Polish tennis. “Our sport is so weak that we have to defend Iga with all our might. There are so many traps in tennis for both male and female players that it’s hard not to fall into one. We don’t have as many players as, for example, in the US, where if one is suspended, there are five more, and you can just wave your hand. Iga is the pride of our tennis, a top player in the world,” said Radwański, pointing out the unique pressures faced by players in smaller tennis nations.
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Radwański also highlighted the fact that protecting Świątek goes beyond individual support. He called for a collective effort within the tennis community to stand by her. “That is why we have to stand up for Iga. Figuratively, we have to build the Holy Trinity Trenches for her and we have to awaken at least industry solidarity for Iga. […] Our sport is becoming weak, defective. That is why we have to stand behind Iga all the more,” he continued.
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This response came after Swiatek recently revealed she had received a positive doping test result in September for trimetazidine, a banned substance. However, she proved her innocence by showing the substance was unknowingly consumed with melatonin, which she had been using for years. As a result, she also had to incur a reduced one-month suspension, most of which she has already served.
Despite the controversy, Swiatek still remains a symbol of Polish tennis excellence. She holds several records, including becoming the first Polish woman to win a Grand Slam and achieving the world No. 1 ranking. For Radwański, this legacy is worth protecting, even after all the challenges popping up.
Dinara Safina predicts Karolina Muchova can end Iga Świątek’s French Open dominance
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Former world No. 1 Dinara Safina has made a bold prediction for the upcoming 2025 season. She raised serious doubts about Iga Świątek’s chances at Roland Garros in 2025. The three-time Grand Slam finalist shared her predictions in a recent interview with Russian publication Championat. When asked about the winners of next year’s Grand Slam events, Safina tipped Karolina Muchova to dethrone Świątek at the French Open. “Australia — Sinner and Sabalenka. Roland Garros — Zverev and, let it be, Muchova. I don’t think Świątek will win the Grand Slam on clay next year. Wimbledon — Alcaraz or Medvedev for men, Rybakina for girls. US Open — Medvedev or Rublev for men, Sabalenka again for girls,” said Safina.
Świątek’s dominance at the French Open has been extraordinary and this makes Safina’s prediction even more surprising. The Polish star has won four Roland Garros titles, including the last three consecutively, and has solidified herself as the queen of clay. Her massive 35-2 record at the tournament also adds to her massive success on the Parisian courts. However, Safina’s confidence in Muchova acted as a snub to the position that the Pole had created. Although only time can tell if this becomes true, it has certainly sparked debate among tennis fans.

Entertainment gossip and news from Newsweek’s network of contributors
Serena Williams recently took to social media to address some negative remarks circulating online about her, speaking out on the matter herself.
The 43-year-old talked about the rumors during an Instagram makeup tutorial posted on Monday, December 2, where she told her followers,

Former ATP number one Novak Djokovic might be the last one in tennis’s Big Three, but he has no plans to slow down. Instead, the Serb is gearing up for an exciting 2025 season with a surprising new partnership with former colleague and old rival Andy Murray. Fresh off his incredible achievement of winning an Olympic gold medal at 37, Djokovic has proved there is more to his dreams. Now, a surprising update for the upcoming year has left the fraternity with one big question: What is cooking in the Serb’s mind?
Djokovic is bringing a fresh change to how he typically starts his season. The former ATP number one, who has never participated in the Brisbane International or ASB Classic but holds a record of ten Australian Open titles, is changing his approach for the next season. Djokovic missed the 2021 Melbourne major due to a vaccination-related conflict and was barred from attending the tournament in 2022 for being unvaccinated. However, The Serb made a winning return the following year, reclaiming the title and proving that nothing can truly stand in the way of his dreams. Known for heading directly to the major, Djokovic’s new plan is already fuelling his supporters’ excitement for something big!
A renowned tennis journalist recently tweeted that the Serb may play the ATP 250 Brisbane, a tournament he’s never entered in his illustrious career. “Novak Djokovic will start the season playing ATP 250 Brisbane,” the journalist announced, fueling excitement across the tennis world. By attending this tournament, Djokovic will be chasing a monumental milestone, his 100th tour-level trophy. This achievement would place him alongside legends like Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer. However, the Serb hasn’t played since his loss to Jannik Sinner at the ATP Rolex Shanghai Masters on October 13. Now, he’s gearing up for the coming season’s start in Brisbane alongside Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune, and Frances Tiafoe.
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The excitement following Djokovic’s 2025 season is amplified by his new partnership with former colleague and rival, Andy Murray. While their collaboration may extend only until the Australian Open, it has already thrilled the fraternity, showcasing a glimpse into the Serb’s high-energy preparation for the upcoming season.
Novak Djokovic is “going at full throttle” to show his excellence for the 2025 season
The 37-year-old genius has laid bare his exciting plans for 2025. “Tennis is still my focus. I am going at full throttle in the off-season, we go for another ride. I just needed to recharge and refresh a bit after an exhausting year,” he said to Sport Klub. His words echoed his excitement for the coming season. “I am going to play in the first week of the season, I am just not sure yet where. Then, of course, Australian Open,” he further added highlighting how deeply he wishes to win one more major title before edging near retirement. “I told you guys that a million times,” he said affirming his sharp focus at Grand Slam tournaments. “I would like to play the Davis Cup too, let’s see what happens,” Djokovic added. His statements fuelled his supporter’s excitement to see him shine more.
Novak Djokovic’s career is a testament to hard work and resilience. He earned an Olympic gold medal at 37 when many players think of retiring from their sport. The Serb’s is a true legend and inspiration for the newcomers.

Coco Gauff is serving up more than just aces—she’s serving looks too! The tennis phenom, known for her fiery performances on the court, is proving she’s a force to be reckoned with in the fashion world as well. Her latest look has fans absolutely mesmerized, with social media buzzing over the star’s effortlessly chic style. Adorable reactions are pouring in, with fans praising her flair and confidence
The American tennis sensation witnessed a rollercoaster of a season this year. From witnessing early exits to losing on important occasions, Gauff’s initial half of the year did not go as planned. However, she bounced back in style and ended her season with a remarkable victory at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. She also clinched the China Open title and proved that she is slowly returning back to her dominant self. Now, the star player is taking some much-deserved break following everything she loves outside the tennis courts, and fashion and hairstyle definitely make it to the list.
The 20-year-old shared a video of herself on Tiktok vibing to music in a white outfit. She can be seen in a different hairstyle than she is usually seen in during her professional tours as she clearly highlights how she is enjoying the off-season. Captioning the post, she wrote, “happy dec 1st (im a day late lol).” The look, meanwhile, did not fail to capture the attention of fans.
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Coco Gauff (@cocogauff)
Several fans took to the comment section of the post and shared their heartfelt remarks for the American player. As Gauff continues to enjoy her break, fans seem to admire her beauty as equally as her tennis.
Coco Gauff draws adorable reactions from fans
Taking to TikTok, one user wrote, “what I’m trying to figure out is how are you getting prettier by the day.” Gauff is usually seen in braids during her professional endeavors. However, she decided to sport a fresh, chic hairstyle that mesmerized her fans. Remember, the hairstyle came to light soon after the season wrapped for the star player as she decided to let her natural curls shine bright. In an Instagram post earlier Gauff expressed love for her natural hair captioning her picture, “Off szn = new hairrr.” Meanwhile, reactions continued to follow.
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Responding to the video, another user wrote, “That’s okay your close. your hair is so beautiful just like the person wearing it. looking forward to another win ❤️❤️❤️.” Coco Gauff has often highlighted how important is her hair to her and the latest look yet again establishes the same. In an interview for Carol’s Daughter in October this year, Gauff highlighted how her hairstyle boosts her confidence. “When you walk on court with a good outfit, and your hair, your braids are fresh and your skin is looking good, then you just feel like ‘Okay I am gonna beat this girl today’,” she said. More such adorable reactions continued to follow.
“U are so pretty🥰🥰,” wrote another user completely mesmerized by Gauff’s latest look. This is not the first time that Gauff’s beauty has received such praise from fans. Ahead of the WTA finals this year, Gauff donned a one-shoulder lavender gown with a leg slit designed by talented Yousef Akbar – highlighted with a sleek bun and minimal earrings. This quickly gained attention from fans who expressed their love for the star player. And interestingly, one such remark came from Tommy Paul’s girlfriend Paige Lorenze, who wrote, “Purple is your color !!! 💜” on Gauff’s post.
One more user joined the fray admiring Gauff’s beauty and wrote, “u look so hot queen.” Remember, when it comes to hair styling, Gauff has expressed her desire to represent the black community. Speaking in an interview, Gauff shared, “When I was young, I committed myself to showcasing Black hairstyles when I play, and that’s something that I take pride in. Whether it’s box braids, twists, or my natural hair, it’s a form of self-expression that I’m really proud of, especially because you still don’t see it very often in our sport.” Now, it seems that her hairstyle is receiving validation from her fans too.
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Yet another user showered praises on Gauff and wrote, “love you Coco!” Now, as the break season continues to unfold, it would be interesting to see what else has Coco Gauff in store for her fans.

The Dallas Open tennis tournament announced Kim Clijsters and Martina Hingis will play in the event’s annual Women’s Tennis Classic. The two Hall of Famers will face off at The Star in Frisco at 8 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 1, 2025.
The exhibition between the two retired legends will take place after qualifying matches earlier that day. The main draw for the tournament begins on Monday and features several top-ranked players including No. 4 Taylor Fritz, No. 6 Casper Ruud, defending champion No. 12 Tommy Paul and No. 18 Frances Tiafoe.
Clijsters is a former world No. 1 in both singles and doubles with four Grand Slam singles titles and two Grand Slam doubles wins. She was an active professional from 1997 until 2022 when she retired for a third time after breaks from 2007-2009 and 2012-2020.
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“I’m excited to play in the Women’s Tennis Classic at the 2025 Dallas Open,” Clijsters said in a news release. “It’s an honor to share the court with a great champion like Martina Hingis. I am looking forward to playing against her once again, this time in front of the incredible tennis fans in Texas.”
Hingis had an exceptional career in her own right as a prolific champion across singles, doubles and mixed doubles. She won 25 Grand Slam titles across the three disciplines. In 1996, she became the youngest Grand Slam champion ever when she won the Wimbledon doubles title at 15 years and 9 months old. She won 13 Grand Slam titles between 1996 and 2000, becoming the youngest world No. 1 ever in both singles and doubles during that span.
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“Being part of the Women’s Tennis Classic at the Dallas Open is such an exciting opportunity,” Hingis said. “Kim Clijsters and I have had some great battles in the past, and it’s always a privilege to step on the court with her.”
The 2025 Dallas Open will be an ATP 500 tournament, a move up from past events. The tournament will also move from SMU’s campus to the Star in Frisco and bring a larger $2.8 million purse and more ranking points for players. The tournament will be from Feb. 1-9, 2025.
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Argentine former ATP star Juan Martin del Potro has officially bid farewell to the sport he loved the most. In this emotional moment, he received an extraordinary tribute from two of his greatest rivals, Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Djokovic took to the court for Del Potro’s final exhibition match, while Federer, unable to attend, shared gratitude for a friendship and rivalry that endured exactly through these years. Their gratitude messages showcase how tennis transcends competition, creating relationships beyond the competition.
Del Potro played the last match of his professional career yesterday, facing off against his longtime colleague and friend Novak Djokovic. The Argentinean former ATP player had been off the court from 2019 to 2022 because of a severe knee injury that occurred when he fractured his kneecap during a first-round match against Denis Shapovalov at the 2018 Queen’s Club Championships.
Despite multiple comeback attempts, the pain was so intense that del Potro struggled with basic tasks like walking, driving, or even climbing stairs, ultimately leading him to retire. Although he bid farewell to his supporters at the Buenos Aires ATP 250 event in February 2022, Del Potro admitted, “Internally, when I finished playing in Buenos Aires, I felt it wasn’t my final moment.” Determined for one last comeback, the former ATP star returned to the court, delivering an impressive performance against Djokovic and even defeating the Serb.
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Following the match, the environment was emotional as Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic paid heartfelt tributes to the del Potro, remembering his legacy in tennis. the Swiss legend shared an emotional farewell note, saying: “Listen, I know it is a special moment for you. You’re a special player and a special person for the tennis world. I hope this moment is one that you’re celebrating. You shouldn’t be sad. I hope it’s not like that. We all need to move on in life. I think the best is yet to come for you. I hope the people in Argentina are celebrating you right now and that Novak and you had that special moment. I wish I could be there as a person, but now I’m just thinking of you, and I wish you only the very, very best. It has been an absolute honor and a special treat to have met you on the court and spent time together. I hope to see you in the future very soon. Enjoy the moment.” Federer’s heartwarming words reflected his admiration for his Argentinean former rival, who famously defeated him in the 2009 US Open final to claim his first Grand Slam title.
Djokovic, Del Potro’s opponent in this exhibition match, also shared his admiration, highlighting how privileged he felt to be part of this special moment. “Like everyone else here in this stadium, I’m very excited. It’s also great to be able to play with my friend, who is a big person and player, and to have such an opponent. It’s a very special day for me because I’ve spent so much time here. Since the first time I saw Juan Martín when he was in France, we’ve been together for 11 or 12 years.” Serb’s words expressed their deep friendship and the intense bond they’ve formed over their careers. “I feel Juan Martín much closer to my heart,” Djokovic added, showcasing how emotional it was to bid farewell to one of his closest friends from the tour.
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Beyond their rivalry, Novak Djokovic has been a pillar of support for Del Potro throughout his injury struggles. The Argentine revealed that he could always count on his Serbian friend for strength and motivation.
Juan Martin Del Potro revealed the support he received from Novak Djokovic
In an interview with La Nacion, Del Potro reflected on a beautiful evening with Djokovic. Remembering their bond that day, this Argentinean said, “One day in Miami he called me and said ‘Delpo, I know you’re here, I want to go to dinner together to talk’. Obviously I cancelled all my plans and went to dinner, It was a spectacular talk that we would never have imagined in competition. These are beautiful things that tennis gives you once you’re no longer there fighting for points. And after hours of talking and getting more comfortable, he said: ‘Well, tell me about your life. What are you doing? How are you? There are some news that circulated, is it true or false? How are you with that?’
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“Then he said to me, ‘Well, let’s get to the point. Is it true that you want to say goodbye, to play a match in Argentina?’” Del Potro’s words highlighted how much Djokovic cared about his friend’s career and aspirations. It highlighted his caring attitude and their friendship that bloomed over a mutual love for tennis.
Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic’s emotional farewell tribute to the Argentinean player showcases the latter’s worth in the sport. Despite a crucial knee issue, Del Potro tried his best to return to the court but eventually failed. Many admired and loved his resilience. That is why when he bid his final goodbye yesterday, everyone was teary-eyed, remembering the former ATP star’s legacy.

Iga Swiatek has returned from her Maldivian vacation and resumed training in Warsaw with Wim Fissette. While she’s gearing up for the 2025 season, the controversy surrounding her doping allegations persists. This comes amidst a backdrop of strong anti-doping stances from tennis figures like Yevgeny Kafelnikov, who has advocated for lifetime bans for doping offenders. However, Kafelnikov’s recent support for Maria Sharapova raises questions about the consistency of his stance.
For the unaware, Sharapova is the first premier tennis star in history to fail a doping test at the Australian Open. Later, she admitted to using the banned endurance-enhancing drug known as meldonium in 2016. During that time she attended a press conference in LA and admitted, “I had been legally taking the medicine for the past 10 years, but on January 1 the rules had changed, and meldonium became a prohibited substance, which I had not known.“
On December 2nd, Yevgeny came up with a new tweet in which he wrote, “Looking back, i really have to admire what Sharapova has done!! Come forward first with press conference before it came out from somebody else!” While Sharapova held a formal press conference on March 7, 2016, to announce that she failed a regulation drug test, Swiatek’s situation was disclosed by the ITIA on Thursday last week. Unlike Sharapova, Swiatek opted for a social media announcement.
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Fun Fact: Yevgeny Kafelnikov’s father, Aleksandr Kafelnikov, gave Maria Sharapova her first tennis racket in 1991 when she was four years old. Aleksandr was a friend of Sharapova’s father, Yuri.
Iga Swiatek, the former World No. 1, accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine (TMZ). The positive test was attributed to contaminated melatonin, a non-prescription medication she was taking for sleep issues. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) acknowledged that the violation was unintentional and accepted Swiatek’s explanation. The suspension was relatively lenient compared to other doping cases in tennis, leading to some controversy and debate.
In fact, the current No. 2 tennis player missed Korea Open, China Open, and Wuhan Open during that time. However, interestingly, Iga Swiatek had then cited fatigue, personal reasons, and her coaching split as the reasons for her withdrawals during that time. Not too pleased with Swiatek’s doping, the Russian ATP legend put up a tweet stating,
“Sometimes i wonder…..’ why the hell up i was not using steroids thru all of my carrier [sic], so i could play instead of 170 matches a year to maybe 300′? This is really [a] shame what’s happening to tennis now.” He further added, “It should be LIFE ban for anybody who gets caught using ban substances! NO excuses and ZERO tolerance no matter who your [sic] are!!!!”
Later on, Nick Kyrgios portrayed his agreement with Yevgeny’s statement. Kyrgios came up with a tweet claiming, “The excuse that we can all use is that we didn’t know. Simply didn’t know. Professionals at the highest level of sport can now just say ‘we didn’t know’.” Surprisingly, Eugenie Bouchard was spotted showing her support for Kyrgios‘ statement. She shared his post and wrote, “Guess so” in the comments.
While many questioned Iga’s innocence and suggested stricter penalties, a toxicology expert unequivocally declared her not guilty.
Toxicology expert claims Iga Swiatek is “not guilty” of anything
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Iga Swiatek almost broke down while releasing a statement on her doping controversy. She said, “This whole thing will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life, it took a lot of strength – returning to training after this situation nearly broke my heart…I have a sense this situation could undermine the image I’ve been building for years, which is why I hope you will understand what happened, understand how I had no control over it and could do nothing to prevent this unfortunate turn of events.”
According to Monday’s report from a Polish publication, sport.se.pl, Jean-Claude Alvarez, the professor of pharmacology, director of the toxicology laboratory in Garches, claimed “Iga Swiatek is not guilty of anything! She was only taking melatonin to fall asleep because she was suffering from jet lag. She was trying to sleep better to improve her results. I don’t understand why she was punished with a month’s suspension, we shouldn’t punish her at all. At least in people’s eyes, she would still be innocent.”
A shockingly low concentration of the banned substance trimetazidine, a mere 0.05 ng/ml, was detected in Iga Świątek’s urine sample from August 13. Jean-Claude Alvarez underscored the existence of advanced tools that can unveil the truth behind doping cases, separating intentional use from accidental exposure. He further argued how everything cannot be controlled, saying,
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“Theoretically, an athlete is responsible for everything that enters his body. But in practice, such an approach is unrealistic, because it is impossible to control everything. An athlete would have to eat vegetables that he grows in his own garden, eggs from his own farm… It is not possible. An athlete cannot be responsible for everything that enters his body today, especially when we are looking for minimal concentrations in urine. That is why we need to set slightly higher thresholds”.
Guilty or not, the tennis world’s harsh judgment of Iga Swiatek may persist. In the meantime, Maria Sharapova can revel in the support of her compatriot.

Iga Swiatek’s doping controversy refuses to die down. The former World Number 1 tested positive for a banned substance, trimetazidine in August and accepted a 1-month ban in this regard. The Polish star was let off with a lenient punishment after the levels of the banned substance were found to be in extremely small quantities. However, at the same time, there were questions about her being let off with just a month’s ban and not facing a hefty punishment after testing positive. Earlier today, a new interview was released in which renowned Czech coach Vladislav Savrda slammed the double standards by the ITIA in the ruling of Iga Swiatek.
While the reigning French Open champion escaped with a 1-month ban, Simona Halep faced a massive ban of four years for doping. Although reduced to 9 months eventually, Halep faced a lengthy period on the sidelines. Taking cues from that case, Savrda feels that Swiatek was given preferential treatment by the ITIA.
“It’s an absolute scandal. I think the International Tennis Integrity Agency should be renamed the International Tennis Protection Agency,” Savrda began, per the portal idnes.cz (as quoted in a December 2nd interview of the Polish publication, Sport PL). “It cost Nikola the entire season, her family a lot of money, nerves and sleepless nights. It also caused a drop in the ranking, which she will not regain,” he added, and then went on to criticize the agency’s investigation into Świątek’s case.
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For the unversed, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), in mid November, announced a six-month suspension for Czech tennis player Nikola Bartunkova due to a positive test for the prohibited substance trimetazidine in February and March 2024. The ITIA confirmed that Nikola Bartunkova’s positive tests for trimetazidine were due to a contaminated supplement. The investigation found no intentional wrongdoing on her part. As a result, she received a six-month suspension, with time served.
On Swiatek’s case, Savrda further added, “They have a positive sample from August, then they publish a report, which is basically concealing information from the public. They will say that she has personal problems and will set a sentence so that she can finish the season. Then she missed the tournaments in China due to so-called personal problems and that was the end of it.”
Further, he went on to add, “At least it would be right to measure with the same yardstick, regardless of whether it is the first player in the ranking or the 500th. If they control it so massively and all players have to inform where to turn to them about doping control, then they should also measure with the same yardstick and not try to hide cases that do not suit them.”
via Reuters Paris 2024 Olympics – Tennis – Women’s Singles Bronze Medal Match – Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France – August 02, 2024. Iga Swiatek of Poland reacts during her match against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova of Slovakia. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
While there was much talk against her, Swiatek maintained her innocence in this matter. Taking to social media, she confessed, “In the last 2½ months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence. The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low level of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question.”
Further, there has been a lot of talk in the tennis circle about Swiatek’s doping case. While some have backed Swiatek, others questioned about how she escaped with just a month’s ban. However, American star Taylor Fritz had a unique take in this regard.
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Taylor Fritz makes a candid confession in the doping case of Iga Swiatek
All the attention has been on Iga Swiatek after news about her doping case came to light. Swiatek missed the Asian Swing, the Korea Open, China Open and Wuhan Open, as a result of her ban. Although the Polish star accepted the 1-month ban, many critics called for a harsher sentence for Swiatek. However, Fritz came to Swiatek’s rescue, asking them to give her a break.
Taking to social media, he wrote, “What drives me CRAZY about these situations (in terms of going on X) is not the actual cases themselves. It’s tough to know exactly what happened/all the details in all of these specific instances, so the speculation talk isn’t really my favorite thing to do. If it’s a rival of the player you support that tests positive then you are on team ‘let’s call them a doper/cheater/disgrace them as much as possible,’ and if it’s your fav player that it’s about then it’s ‘innocent no questions asked.”
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Amid the doping controversy, Swiatek failed to finish her season on a high. She will aim to put the doping controversy behind her as she gears to make a strong comeback next year.

The 2024 tennis season has seen the emotional farewells of some great players. In August, Andy Murray announced his retirement during the Paris Olympics. Then, in November, Rafael Nadal closed his chapter at the Davis Cup. Most recently, Juan Martin del Potro played his final exhibition match against his friend and rival, Novak Djokovic. Although he officially retired in 2022 due to persistent wrist and knee injuries, Del Potro wanted one last match before hanging up his racquet for good.
On November 30th, Del Potro arrived in Argentina and shared a warm embrace with Nole as he stepped off his private jet. The two faced off in an exhibition match on Sunday, where they both showcased their skills. In a touching moment during the final set, as Del Potro returned a serve, Djokovic let him take the point, allowing Del Potro to win the match. Their emotional hug across the net captured the hearts of fans and flooded social media with tributes.
In response to the touching video by Olly Tennis on X, Darren Cahill, coach of World No. 1 Jannik Sinner, couldn’t resist joining in on the love fest. He shared a simple red heart emoji while re-sharing a tweet showcasing Del Potro’s last moments on the court in Buenos Aires. “I’m finishing my career and leaving happy,” said Del Potro, expressing gratitude to Djokovic for playing with him one last time.
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“From the heart, I thank everyone who came and supported me throughout my career. All the love from the people has filled my soul all these years,” he added, officially bidding adieu to a career filled with highs and lows. Later, Novak Djokovic reflected on their long-standing friendship of “about 12 years” He said, “I don’t know anyone who doesn’t love Juan Martin. Everyone loves him.”
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This sentiment highlights Del Potro’s incredible character and the respect he commands in the tennis community. As tributes pour in for the Argentine star, one name stands out: Roger Federer. He shared a heartfelt message in a video after the match
Federer pays his tribute to the “special player” of Argentina
Once the match concluded, the atmosphere began to get emotional as Roger Federer paid heartfelt wishes to Juan Martin del Potro. In a touching video message, Federer expressed his admiration, saying, “Listen, I know it is a special moment for you. You’re a special player and a special person for the tennis world. I hope this moment is one that you’re celebrating. You shouldn’t be sad.”
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He encouraged Del Potro to embrace the future, adding, “I believe the best is yet to come for you.” Federer’s words resonated deeply, especially considering Del Potro famously defeated him in the 2009 US Open final to claim his first Grand Slam title. “It has been an absolute honor and a special treat to have met you on the court and spent time together. I hope to see you in the future very soon. Enjoy the moment,” he concluded.
As Del Potro prepares for retirement, he leaves behind a legacy filled with unforgettable moments and a deep connection with fans worldwide. His powerful forehand and resilience on the court made him a beloved figure in tennis. With tributes pouring in from across the sport, Del Potro can step away from the game knowing he is cherished and remembered as one of Argentina’s greatest tennis players.

Coco Gauff truly shone in the final stretch of the 2024 WTA season. She clinched the WTA Finals title, defeating Qinwen Zheng in a thrilling three-set match: 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2). This victory exceeded the expectations set at the beginning of the season. After winning the Auckland title in January, Gauff struggled to secure another title for a long time, despite reaching the semifinals at several tournaments, including the French Open. That resulted in quite a bit of criticism as well. However, Gauff bounced back towards the end of the season, winning at the China Open, showcasing her resilience.
As she struggled with her form in the middle phase of the season, many speculated about Gauff’s strategy and suggested changes to her game. On the Sky Sports Tennis podcast, the renowned journalist Jonathan Overend recalled, “A period of relative disappointment. The world has started picking apart her game, telling her what she’s doing wrong. Telling her ‘You gotta change your grip here,’ ‘You’ve gotta change that.’”
“And what happens? She makes those—she knows that. She makes some changes, she comes back, she wins Beijing. Like, straight away,” he added. Gauff’s victory at the China Open came right after a disappointing early exit from the US Open against Emma Navarro. In Beijing, she showcased her skills by defeating Paula Badosa in the semifinals and then taking down Karolina Muchova in the final. Gauff won decisively with a score of 6-1, 6-3. Overend further remarked, “It’s just the resilience of this player is so great at such a young age.”
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via Imago 240702 — LONDON, July 2, 2024 — Coco Gauff celebrates after winning the women s singles first round match between Coco Gauff of the United States and Caroline Dolehide of the United States at Wimbledon tennis Championship in London, Britain, on July 1, 2024. SPBRITAIN-LONDON-TENNIS-WIMBLEDON LixYing PUBLICATIONxNOTxINxCHN
Gauff’s improvement is often attributed to her partnership with coach Matt Daly. She effectively implemented his advice during critical matches, particularly at the WTA Finals. Overend pointed out that this was Gauff’s third consecutive appearance at the WTA Finals as the youngest player. She’s still just 20 years old and achieved so much.
With nine career titles under her belt, including a Grand Slam win at the 2023 US Open, she currently ranks No. 3 in the WTA standings. Overend emphasized her potential for further growth, saying, “The potential she still has with those improvements she knows that she can make.”
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Not to forget, Coco Vandeweghe also noted that it was Gauff’s newfound confidence that propelled her to victory in Riyadh. Now, Gauff is eager to carry this momentum into the 2025 season.
Gauff expresses her emotions about preparing for the next season
Coco Gauff is kicking off her preseason with excitement and nostalgia. Before the French Open, she celebrated her high school graduation in front of the Eiffel Tower. Now, she’s back at it, reminiscing about those school days filled with surprises. Announcing her preseason on X with a fun twist, she wrote, “First day of preseason gives first day of school vibes.”
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The former US Open champion has been active on social media, sharing glimpses of her training. She posted a collage of photos on Instagram as well showing her running on a treadmill while wearing a mask. Gauff is clearly focused on staying fit and making a strong start to her 2025 season.
Despite the concerns from fans about jumping back into preseason so soon after the WTA Finals, Gauff is determined to keep her momentum going. She recently lifted the WTA Finals trophy and now looks ahead to the challenges of the new season. Do you think Coco Gauff will add another Grand Slam to her tally in 2025? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

We all know who fairly dominated the WTA race to the No. 1 position this season. Aryna Sabalenka showcased her finesse with her aggressive gameplay. The Belarusian sensation started strong as she clinched the season-opening Australian Open. While she fairly extended her consistency in top-tier events, Sabalenka stunned everyone after bagging the US Open crown – notably a year after finishing runner-up against American Coco Gauff in New York. What separates her from the others though? Renowned journalist Jonathan Overend has the answer.
While the hectic touring calendar did its trick on players like Iga Swiatek, Sabalenka maintained her form and even finished the season as the year-end World No. 1. During an episode on the ‘Sky Sports Tennis podcast, Jonathan Overend explained how the Belarusian capitalized on smart and decisive thinking that enabled her to finish the year strong. If you remember, Sabalenka was nowhere to be seen at Wimbledon. The 26-year-old withdrew from the grass court Slam at the eleventh hour and this decision helped her recover and maintain high energy levels through the season’s second half.
He said, “For all the tournaments she’s won this year, for me one of the big decisions was the tournament that she didn’t play, Wimbledon. Pulling out of Wimbledon on the eve of the tournament proved to be an inspired decision because it allowed her that time to recover and build for the second half of the year. I think a message to everybody, too much tennis isn’t always the answer. Sometimes you do need to step back to give your body the chance to recover.”
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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Aryna Sabalenka (@arynasabalenka)
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Let’s be real: Sabalenka is motivated to conclude her career on a high. Not that retirement is on the horizon for her anytime soon, but the Belarusian wants to ensure that her family name is forever embedded on the sport’s walls.
Aryna Sabalenka pays heartfelt tribute to her late father following US Open glory
Aryna Sabalenka and her loving relationship with her father Sergey Sabalenka, a former ice hockey sensation, needs no substantiation. Ever since he passed away in 2019 at age 43 due to meningitis, the 26-year-old has had to endure emotional flashbacks from the time when her father used to support and cheer for her during matches.
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Poised to do justice to her family name, Sabalenka voiced a heartfelt admission to the reporters following her triumph in a post-match presser saying, “After I lost my father, it’s always been my goal to put our family name in the history of tennis. And every time I see my name on that trophy, I’m so proud of myself, I’m proud of my family that they never gave up on my dream. And that they were doing everything they could to keep me going. And so I had this opportunity in life. So it means a lot.”
Despite a semifinal loss to Coco Gauff in the season-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh, Sabalenka finished on top of the WTA rankings. With a laudable win streak in 2024, the Belarusian will look to replicate similar results in the upcoming season after spending quality time with her friends and family.

Not since James Blake finished the year within the top four ranked male tennis players in 2006 has an American tennis player finished in as strong a position as Taylor Fritz has at the end of 2024.
A 27-year-old from California in the US, Fritz has been one of the beneficiaries of Andy Murray and Rafa Nadal’s retirements this year, which followed Roger Federer calling it a day in 2023, too. Fritz, in 2024 alone, reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open and Wimbledon, reached the fourth round in the French Open, and was a finalist at the US Open.
Reaching the final of the Tour Finals, too, put a punctuation mark on the best year of his entire playing career, and it was only a question of when, rather than if, he’d break into the ‘Big Four’, and then retain his place there.
Related 10 Greatest Male Tennis Players in History [Ranked] Unsurprisingly, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Novak Djokovic all make the list, but who else joins them?
Taylor Fritz Cracked The Big Four in November
The American kept hold of his place and will finish 2024 as the fourth-best male player in the world
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Following his runner-up spot in the Tour Finals, Fritz climbed to the fourth spot when the player rankings were updated mid-November. On Monday, the 2nd of December, the ATP confirmed its year-end rankings and Fritz will finish the year as the fourth-best player — the first time an American player finished that high since Blake did, in 2006, which is almost 20 years ago.
GIVEMESPORT Key Statistic: Taylor Fritz reached the US Open final in 2024 and became the first American male tennis player to reach a Grand Slam final since Andy Roddick did so in 2009.
Together with his quality finishes at the year’s majors, from the Australian Open at the start of the year, to Wimbledon, and narrowly missing out on the US Open championship having lost in straight sets to Jannik Sinner, Fritz also won the Olympic bronze medal, and two ATP 250 events; the Delray Beach Open at the Delray Beach Tennis Center, Florida, in February and the Eastbourne International at the Devonshire Park Lawn Tennis Club in England, in June.
By finishing inside the top four at the end of the year, Fritz joins illustrious Americans who all achieved greatness in tennis, including Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Roddick.
Considering how close Fritz is getting to major success, it may not be long before he improves upon his current ranking, wins some of the sport’s top prizes, and claims the No.1 spot of his own.
Per the ATP, he has earned a little more than $21 million in prize money from singles and doubles competitions in his career so far.

Is it genuinely hard to get a compliment from Serena Williams? Maybe for many that’s the case, but for Coco Gauff, she is already in the WTA legend’s good books. Well, she keeps showering Gauff with countless compliments, but the latest one might be the most important of all. What did she say?
During a recent social media live, she chose Gauff as her favorite, hinting that she might find a continuation of her legacy in the 2023 US Open winner. Williams revealed the player she likes to watch currently besides Stefanos Tsitsipas and it is America’s own Coco Gauff. Previously, during this year’s US Open, this Olympic gold-medalist legend dropped a great compliment for the 2023 US Open champion. “Coco also has a massive tennis IQ. I think she really uses her brain out there. I think she can really rely on her serve; obviously, her movement is great … and I just love her mental toughness and her mental fortitude,” said Williams highlighting her admiration for Gauff’s indomitable spirit on the court. Now, during a skincare live on TikTok, this tennis legend again showered her love for Coco Gauff.
Williams started a live on TikTok letting her followers ask her random question. In that session, one person asked her which player she currently enjoys watching and William’s response brought Gauff’s name. “Who’s my favorite person, my favorite player to watch now besides Stefanos Tsitsipas? Watching Coco! She is super cool, I love watching her! Yeah,” Williams responded with a smile, clearly expressing that she adores Gauff and probably finds her old spirit in the WTA number three.
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However, Serena Williams‘ love for Gauff isn’t new. When the Delray Beach star qualified for her debut Grand Slam tournament with an impressive performance at the qualifiers round, this former WTA number one star had a great prediction about her. “She’s just impressive all around, from her personality to the way she plays. I think it’s just all super impressive,” said Williams showcasing her faith in Gauff’s talent and skills. Williams was definitely over the moon when one year after Gauff bagged her debut major title in the Flushing Meadows in 2023. The Olympic gold-medalist legend shared Gauff’s photo with the trophy on her IG story and offered a great shout-out to the WTA number three. “Ahhhhhhhhhhh!!!! Amazing!!!!!!!! @cocogauff” wrote Williams expressing how impressed she was with Gauff’s performance.
via Imago Image Credits – Imago
Interestingly, Coco Gauff possesses the same admiration for the 23 Grand Slam winner. She once revealed the hilarious story of meeting the legend which highlighted how down-to-earth Williams is!
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Coco Gauff revealed her interesting story of meeting Serena Williams
This US Open winner adores Williams and often talks about how she inspired Gauff to live her dreams. However, their first meeting was quite accidental, something that people would call a fate-driven meeting. Gauff previously revealed in an interview on Hair Me Out on the Refinery29 YouTube channel that she was practicing near where Williams was filming a commercial. “Serena was actually filming a commercial at the same location where I was practicing, ‘I thought I was seeing a stunt double at first, but then it hit me, and I was beyond excited! She came over to offer me advice and had a quick chat with me,’” said Coco Gauff showcasing how her debut meeting with the icon was not just interesting but also equally heartwarming.
She further expressed how Williams has been her icon helping her to carve her legacy in the sport. “I admire Serena’s style, her hair, and how she confidently showcases her curls and braids, I aspire to embrace diversity in my hairstyles. When you look and feel good, it certainly elevates your game,” Her words echoed how Williams is also her style inspiration.
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Nevertheless, Serena Williams’ compliment for Coco Gauff again highlighted the latter’s brilliance in the sport. Given that Gauff received a fan in Serena Williams, she is probably walking on the right path. Additionally, following her latest form and impressive improvements, it is safe to say that Gauff might soon become the true worthy successor of Williams reaching unbelievable milestones in tennis. Do you think she can make it?

Does the WTA legend Serena Williams have a favorite tennis player? If you think it is someone like the ATP number one or two, you are entirely mistaken. Williams admires her former junior from the Patrick Mouratoglou Academy, Stefanos Tsitsipas. Recently, Tsitsipas joined her in a live session and his expression clearly reflected how he feels similar admiration for the 23 Grand Slam champion.
Williams and Tsitsipas enjoyed a fun conversation during the former’s live session on TikTok. The Olympic gold-medalist legend started a live chat session with her followers regarding a new product’s launch from her beauty brand, WYN Beauty. To Williams’ delight, the Greek player joined the session – showcasing the strong bond between them. The former WTA number one also mentioned Tsitsipas as one of her favorite players, highlighting her admiration for the Greek’s playstyle. When Tsitsipas reached his second major final at the 2023 Australian Open, Williams congratulated him, showcasing how closely she follows the ATP number eleven’s growth. After their candid conversation in this live session, filled with laughter, it was clear that their rapport remained just as strong as it was before.
At one point, Williams playfully asked Tsitsipas, “Oh, have I ever played Tsitsipas?” The ATP star, blushingly replied, “Yeah,” his eyes rolling in excitement. As Williams reminisced about their time on the court, Tsitsipas, with a grin, posed a question: “Does Copa Cup count? Does an exhibition count?” The Olympic gold-medalist legend cheekily responded, “Did I win in that exhibition?” Tsitsipas blushed and shook his head, persuading Williams to ask again, “No?” The moment was finally sealed when Tsitsipas, in a fanboy moment, hid his face under the camera, clearly embarrassed by the legendary icon Serena Williams’ intrigue.
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The ATP number eleven later joked, “But you aced me—I will never forget that. That was the only time in my life that I got aced by a WTA player.” At this, Williams brimming with joy, raised her arms in celebration. On the other side, Tsitsipas also expressed his eagerness to try Williams’ new WYN Beauty product, further showcasing his admiration for the tennis legend’s multitalented personality.
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Now, their relationship goes way back. Williams and Tsitsipas had trained together at the Patrick Mouratoglou Academy for some time. The ATP star has often shared how deeply he idealizes Williams, even posting a heartwarming statement on her retirement, expressing that his respect for the WTA legend would never diminish.
Stefanos Tsitipas has “a lot of respect” for Serena Williams’ legacy
Tsitsipas had the sweetest message for the 23-time Grand Slam champion when she retired from the professional tour. Referring to his admiration, Tsitsipas wrote, “Hey Serena, I’d like to congratulate you on an amazing career. You’re probably the only female player that has aced me in a match, so congratulations for that too—wasn’t very entertaining for me!” His words reflected a deep sense of respect. He continued, “But I have lots of respect for what you’ve done for the sport. I’m more than inspired to have shared a fair amount of time with you on the tour. Good luck on the next chapter, and make sure to return with Olympia as her coach one day.” His message radiated pure love.
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Interestingly, Tsitsipas also had a compliment for Mother Serena. “And obviously, the most important thing—you’re a great mother. I’ve been seeing that over the last couple of years. Stay happy and enjoy your moments off tour,” he said, highlighting how he sees Williams as the OG queen of the sport.
Serena Williams and Stefanos Tsitsipas share a mutual admiration for each other. While receiving compliments from an icon like Williams is no easy feat, Tsitsipas has proven that with enough hard work, one can earn it. What are your thoughts?

After Maria Sharapova and Simona Halep, Polish tennis star, Iga Swiatek has now been rattled by a doping controversy! Iga Swiatek tested positive for a banned substance (Trimetazidine) in August this year. She even incurred a provisional suspension on September 12, which was successfully appealed on September 22. However, on October 4, the provisional suspension was lifted and her ineligibility period will end tomorrow (i.e. December 4). We’ve seen quite a few mixed reactions from the tennis world on this, and guess what? Recently, American tennis legend, Serena Williams took an indirect dig at these WTA stars over their doping saga. What did she say?
In Iga Swiatek’s case, the ITIA had accepted that it was caused due to the contamination of regulated non-prescription medication melatonin which is manufactured and sold in Poland. According to several reports, Swiatek too that for jet lag and sleep issues. Hence, her level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for “no significant fault or negligence.” After seeing this, we’ve seen players like Simona Halep highlighting the difference in treatment. For those who are unaware, Halep received a nine-month ban after testing positive for the banned substance (Roxadustat) at the 2022 US Open.
Even during that time, we saw Serena Williams couldn’t pass up the opportunity to make a comment about the suspension of her former rival, Simona Halep. She took to her X account, and wrote, “8 is a better number.” Perhaps, that was a reference to the 2019 Wimbledon women’s singles final where Halep denied Serena Williams an eighth title. What did Williams say recently about these doping controversies on her recent IG Live? Well, the tennis legend was sharing a few lines on the hate she has received over the years, but then she jumped to that part. Williams said, “You know it’s so funny my whole career has been built around hater and I got so used to it that I actually laugh.”
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She further went on to add, “But when I was growing up it wasn’t necessarily the public. It was actually the press that would say a lot of awful things that ‘Serena cheats, ‘Serena uses all kinds of stuff that other people aren’t using.’ People that just get caught all the time and you know I never did this stuff but it was a really different world.” Do you know, in 2018 Serena Williams accused anti-doping authorities of discrimination over how often she has been singled out for random drug testing?
via Getty HAMBURG, GERMANY – MAY 10: Serena Williams during the OMR festival on May 10, 2023 in Hamburg, Germany. (Photo by Tristar Media/Getty Images)
However, in 2016 when Maria Sharapova announced that she tested positive for meldonium, a blood flow-promoting drug that she had been taking for 10 years for various health issues, Serena Williams said Sharapova “showed a lot of courage” in taking responsibility for her failed drug test. She even added, “I think most people were happy she was upfront and very honest and showed a lot of courage to admit to what she had done and what she had neglected to look at in terms of the list at the end of the year.”
Will she issue any similar statement on Iga Swiatek‘s recent doping controversy? Time will tell! However, we’ve already got quite a lot of reactions coming in on this topic from the tennis world. Let’s take a look at some of these interesting comments.
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Serena Williams’ former coach shares her thoughts on Taylor Fritz’s comment on “biased” reactions from the tennis world regarding these doping issues
Apart from Simona Halep, Canadian tennis star, Denis Shapovalov also looked a bit surprised with just a one-month ban for the world number 2! Another tennis star, Tara Moore directly put up a question mark by asking, “HOW WAS SHE ALLOWED TO PLAY WHILST BEING SUSPENDED?” Then others like Yevgeny Kafelnikov called out for a lifetime ban on players who failed drug tests. Aussie superstar, Nick Kyrgios also didn’t look too pleased with Iga Swiatek pleading her innocence on the doping saga.
However, American tennis star, Taylor Fritz took a different route! He recently shared his frustration with the biases in the tennis world. “What drives me CRAZY about these situations (in terms of going on X) is not the actual cases themselves…It’s tough to know exactly what happened/all the details in all of these specific instances, so the speculation talk isn’t really my favorite thing to do,” said Fritz.
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He further added, “If it’s a rival of the player you support that tests positive then you are on team ‘let’s call them a doper/cheater/disgrace them as much as possible,’ and if it’s your fav player that it’s about then it’s ‘innocent no questions asked.’” After seeing this reaction from Fritz, Serena Williams’ former coach, Rennae Stubbs responded to him saying, “This is really well said Taylor!” What are your thoughts on these reactions from the tennis stars? Share your view on Serena Williams‘ recent indirect jibe at the Sharapova, Halep, and Iga as well!

Who’s your favorite among the ‘Big 3’ in the tennis world? Well, this is also perhaps the most debatable top in the racquet sport. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have huge fan bases. So, picking one out of the three can easily draw a bit of hate and criticism from their crazy followers. However, the Aussie tennis star, Thanasi Kokkinakis, recently dared to give a hint at his preference while speaking about Federer and Djokovic.
Well, talking about his idol, Thanasi Kokkinakis has grown up idolizing Marat Safin. However, when it came to picking one name out of the ‘Big 3’, well perhaps he always had a bit soft corner towards the classy ‘Swiss Maestro.’ In fact, interestingly, Kokkinakis had defeated Federer in the R64 of the 2018 Miami in three sets. What a moment it was, perhaps, for this 28-year-old Aussie! Recently, during a conversation with social media influencer, Mary Vitinaros at the UTS Tour, Thanasi Kokkinakis was spotted expressing his liking for Roger Federer.
In a viral video clip, Kokkinakis was spotted asking Vitinaros about her favorite player, and in reply to that she said, “I like a Classic Federer.” On hearing this, the Aussie tennis star replied, “Everyone loves Fed bar Novak.” Well, interestingly, Thanasi Kokkinakis doesn’t have many fond memories with the Serb! Djokovic had defeated him in both of their meetings previously.
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While drawing a comparison in the playing styles of the ‘Big 3’, he once said, “I’ve never seen him (Federer) sweat. He also had the biggest calves on the Tour, if he had shaved his legs, the game would be over. It looks like he’s not even trying. He’s making fun of you. At least Rafa screams when he plays, you can feel like he’s being dominated at a certain point; Nole slips, but Federer looks like he’s making fun of you while playing.” However, when asked about to pick one among these three as the ideal partner for a good night out, he chose the Serb!
During a conversation with a fellow ATP pro, Felix Mischker, Kokkinakis revealed that he had one night out with Rafael Nadal in Acapulco. “I didn’t mind a tequila, obviously within reason within tournament. Fed’s is classy, so a wine or champagne.” However, while speaking about Novak Djokovic, he added, “I reckon Novak would be loose! I have seen some videos. I reckon Novak would be a fun night out.” Despite preferring one above the other for various conditions, we saw both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic congratulating Kokkinakis for winning his maiden title at the 2022 Adelaide 2 tournament.
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Roger Federer even gave him a nickname at that time. The Swiss sent a personal message to the Aussie after his win against France’s Arthur Rinderknech. He wrote, “Maiden title at home big fella. Love the sound of that Thanaser. Amazing … Keep going.” Then Thanasi Kokkinakis shared his message on his IG story with the caption, “He’s still the (goat emoji).” Even Djokovic dropped a text on his inbox saying, “Congrats on your maiden title in home town, Thanasi. After all the hardship injuries have caused you, I am sure this feels even sweeter. You deserve it! Great for tennis – Good luck in Melbourne.” Despite, having these fond memories with these superstars of the racquet sport, Thanasi Kokkinakis recently got himself into a bit of trouble by commenting on Novak Djokovic’s crazy fan base!
Thanasi Kokkinakis takes a dig at Novak Djokovic fans
Previously, we heard American tennis legend, Andy Roddick, making an interesting comment on Novak Djokovic’s huge fan base. He stated that even after mentioning Novak Djokovic as the “greatest” time and again, he gets criticized when he makes anything other than glowing tributes about the Serb during his podcasts. Roddick said, “I’m so scared of Nole’s (Djokovic’s) Twitter people…I say something like he was breathing heavily and even though he was breathing heavily, they are like f– you! I just eat s— from them all the time.“
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Now, even Thanasi Kokkinakis was spotted admitting that he’s a bit concerned by the venom of Novak Djokovic’s social media fans. During an interview on the UTS Tour, he said, “In tennis Twitter, if you like Djokovic, everyone has this little Lacoste emoji. They have this little crocodile. You know they are a Djokovic fan if they have that and they are just abusing you.” Considering all these, Kokkinakis suggested that upsetting Novak Djokovic is the worst mistake one can make on a tennis court.
In that same conversation, Thanasi Kokkinakis also spoke about how his perception of Djokovic was a bit different compared to the other two in the ‘Big 3’. “Federer was like really welcoming, especially like when you’re younger. Same as Rafa. But then Novak was like, F**k this guy doesn’t lose and just drinks juices all day,” he said. Share your thoughts on these observations from the Aussie star featuring the ‘Big 3’ in the tennis world.

Who’s your favorite among the ‘Big 3’ in the tennis world? Well, this is also perhaps the most debatable topic in the racquet sport. Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic have huge fan bases. So, picking one out of the three can easily draw a bit of hate and criticism from their crazy fandom. However, the Aussie tennis star, Thanasi Kokkinakis, recently dared to give a hint at his favorite while speaking about Federer and Djokovic.
Thanasi Kokkinakis has grown up idolizing Marat Safin. However, when it came to picking one name out of the ‘Big 3’, well perhaps he always had a bit soft corner towards the classy ‘Swiss Maestro.’ In fact, interestingly, Kokkinakis had defeated Federer in the R64 of the 2018 Miami in three sets. What a moment it was for this 28-year-old Aussie! Recently, during a conversation with social media influencer, Mary Vitinaros at the UTS Tour, Thanasi Kokkinakis was spotted expressing his liking for Roger Federer.
In a viral video clip, Kokkinakis was spotted asking Vitinaros about her favorite player, and in reply to that she said, “I like a Classic Federer.” On hearing this, the Aussie tennis star replied, “Everyone loves Fed bar Novak.” Well, interestingly, Thanasi Kokkinakis doesn’t have many fond memories with the Serb! Djokovic had defeated him in both of their meetings previously.
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While drawing a comparison in the playing styles of the ‘Big 3’, he once said, “I’ve never seen him (Federer) sweat. He also had the biggest calves on the Tour, if he had shaved his legs, the game would be over. It looks like he’s not even trying. He’s making fun of you. At least Rafa screams when he plays, you can feel like he’s being dominated at a certain point; Nole slips, but Federer looks like he’s making fun of you while playing.” However, when asked to pick one among these three as the ideal partner for a good night out, he chose the Serb!
During a conversation with a fellow ATP pro, Felix Mischker, Kokkinakis revealed that he had one night out with Rafael Nadal in Acapulco. “I didn’t mind a tequila, obviously within reason within tournament. Fed’s is classy, so a wine or champagne.” However, while speaking about Novak Djokovic, he added, “I reckon Novak would be loose! I have seen some videos. I reckon Novak would be a fun night out.” Despite preferring one above the other for various conditions, we saw both Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic congratulating Kokkinakis for winning his maiden title at the 2022 Adelaide 2 tournament.
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Roger Federer even gave him a nickname at that time. The Swiss sent a personal message to the Aussie after his win against France’s Arthur Rinderknech. He wrote, “Maiden title at home big fella. Love the sound of that Thanaser. Amazing … Keep going.” Then Thanasi Kokkinakis shared his message on his IG story with the caption, “He’s still the (goat emoji).” Even Djokovic dropped a text on his inbox saying, “Congrats on your maiden title in home town, Thanasi. After all the hardship injuries have caused you, I am sure this feels even sweeter. You deserve it! Great for tennis – Good luck in Melbourne.” Despite, having these fond memories with these superstars of the racquet sport, Thanasi Kokkinakis recently got himself into a bit of trouble by commenting on Novak Djokovic’s crazy fan base!
Thanasi Kokkinakis takes a dig at Novak Djokovic fans
Previously, we heard American tennis legend, Andy Roddick, making an interesting comment on Novak Djokovic’s huge fan base. He stated that even after mentioning Novak Djokovic as the “greatest” time and again, he gets criticized when he makes anything other than glowing tributes about the Serb during his podcasts. Roddick said, “I’m so scared of Nole’s (Djokovic’s) Twitter people…I say something like he was breathing heavily and even though he was breathing heavily, they are like f– you! I just eat s— from them all the time.“
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Now, even Thanasi Kokkinakis was spotted admitting that he’s a bit concerned by the venom of Novak Djokovic’s social media fans. During an interview on the UTS Tour, he said, “In tennis Twitter, if you like Djokovic, everyone has this little Lacoste emoji. They have this little crocodile. You know they are a Djokovic fan if they have that and they are just abusing you.” Considering all these, Kokkinakis suggested that upsetting Novak Djokovic is the worst mistake one can make on a tennis court.
In that same conversation, Thanasi Kokkinakis also spoke about how his perception of Djokovic was a bit different compared to the other two in the ‘Big 3’. “Federer was like really welcoming, especially like when you’re younger. Same as Rafa. But then Novak was like, F**k this guy doesn’t lose and just drinks juices all day,” he said. Share your thoughts on these observations from the Aussie star featuring the ‘Big 3’ in the tennis world.

Sports have long captivated audiences worldwide, serving not only as a source of entertainment but also as a thriving economic powerhouse. Talking about the economy, well, tennis is regarded as one of the richest sports in the world. It has long been associated with wealth and privilege, a reputation that dates back to its origin as a pastime for European aristocracy in the 19th century. Over the years, we’ve seen a massive transition featuring this beautiful racquet. Some of them were widely accepted by the masses, while others got a fair bit of backlash. Talking about facing backlashes, recently Aussie star Nick Kyrgios sought help from PTPA after seeing a horrendous stat about tennis!
According to a stat posted on Pubity Sport’s IG page, “At just 17.5%, tennis players receive the smallest share of total revenue of the sport, compared to all other major sports.” Just for comparison, Premier League (soccer) players receive a whopping 61%, represented by the high weekly salaries. Nick Kyrgios recently shared this post on his IG story with the caption, “ONLY SPORT THAT ARENT EMPLOYEES. PLEASE HELP. @ptpaplayers” Why did he seek help from PTPA, though?
Well, to know that, let’s first take a glimpse at what is PTPA. Novak Djokovic and the Canadian tennis player, Vasek Pospisil co-founded the PTPA in 2021. Its core mission revolves around amplifying player voices, advocating for player health and well-being, and establishing both on and off-court opportunities that foster an equitable and sustainable competitive tennis environment. The second tenet of the PTPA Principles focuses mainly on obtaining players’ fair share of the business of tennis and terms of participation through seven main avenues.
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According to Principle 2a: Shared Success, tennis players have the right to share fairly in the economic activity and wealth of tennis, which players have helped generate, underpinned by fair and just pay and work conditions. Even though in tennis, players are at the epicenter of the sport, they receive only 17.5% of its revenues in prize money. According to PTPA, all players should have their fair share of wealth they help generate for the sport. Is it the first time that we’ve seen Nick Kyrgios bringing up this topic?
View this post on Instagram A post shared by Pubity Sport (@pubitysport)
Perhaps not! In December 2023, Nick Kyrgios reiterated Novak Djokovic-led PTPA’s claim that the governing bodies of tennis distribute a low percentage of their income to the players. Even that time, he had shared a similar infographic on his IG story and wrote, “Lol not acceptable in the captions.”
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Do you know, that Novak Djokovic was among the first top players in the modern era to call for an increase in prize money in 2018? He beckoned his colleagues at that time to fight for a more equitable share of the annual revenue. Djokovic also highlighted that the players in the NBA and NFL were better incentivized than the tennis players. Did finding the solution to this common problem lead Nick Kyrios to join hands with Novak Djokovic’s PTPA?
What was the real motivation behind Nick Kyrgios joining hands with PTPA?
In June 2023, Nick Kyrgios announced his official membership in the PTPA. He later on also expressed his enthusiasm for joining the PTPA and described it as an “amazing initiative.” He even extended an invitation to fellow players, encouraging them to reach out with any questions they might have about the organization. What was his main motivation for joining PTPA though? Well, one of his specific objectives with the PTPA is to support lower-ranked players who often face financial challenges and limited opportunities.
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What really led to top players like Nick Kyrgios and Naomi Osaka joining Novak Djokovic’s rebel organization? Well according to a prominent tennis age, Stuart Duguid, “Those two (Naomi Osaka and Nick Kyrgios) always look to the NBA to kind of see what they’re doing, like not just on the court, but also off the court…And I think for Naomi and Nick, the incentive is really to give back. I think they want to make a difference for masses and for players further down the rankings that perhaps need support more than the others.”
When Kyrgios made this announcement to join the PTPA, what was Novak Djokovic’s reaction? Well, the Serb shared Kyrgios’ post on the same on his IG handle and thanked him for joining hands with the association in working for the betterment of tennis players. What are your thoughts on the horrendous stat featuring the share of total revenue in the racquet sport?

Year 2003, month January! A period that went down in the history books of the American tennis fanbase. Legendary player Andre Agassi took down Rainer Schüttler to win his eighth and final grand slam title. This was the moment when America, as a whole, witnessed an era that no other American ATP star could repeat. It was nothing less than a revolution for the sport, and fans and players still honor the efforts of Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf. After years of marking an end to his career, the legend is now shaping pickleball, with the intention of making it touch the skies.
Andre Agassi, who is 54-years-young, made it clear that he’s still got the magic despite chronic back pain and a limp. The tennis legend stepped onto a pickleball court in Sydney earlier this month. He captivated a crowd of 300 at the UBS Australasia conference. Agassi’s backhand, quick wit, and charismatic presence stole the spotlight. After the game, Agassi graciously posed for selfies with the amazing audience.
The exhibition doubles match paired Agassi with an amateur pickleball enthusiast who attended the forum as a reporter. Before the game began, Agassi encouraged his partner with a fist bump, saying, “You got this.” Their team faced tough competition but had to face a defeat ultimately, to a duo nicknamed “Hargreaves’ Beauties.”
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Pickleball’s meteoric rise has drawn the attention of stars from across sports and entertainment. The list includes LeBron James, Tom Brady, and Heidi Klum. But what about other demographics like Asia. An interesting incident unfolded which showed Agassi’s confidence in the sports’ potential in Asia. He said, “In the next five years, you’re gonna see, it is crazy.” His words came after he saw just a few hands raised when he asked people at UBS conference if they had played pickleball .The sport began as a children’s backyard game in Washington state 60 years ago and saw 13.6 million players in 2023, a 52% jump from the previous year. Recognizing its appeal, Agassi has invested in Dynamic Universal Pickleball Rating (DUPR), a platform that ranks players and connects them with others of similar skill levels.
Pickleball’s accessibility is driving its popularity across Asia. Andre Agassi will officially open the Pickleball World Rankings league tournament in India. The sport has grown rapidly there, with 15,000 participants in this year’s tournament, a big jump from just 3,000 players in 2020, according to the All-India Pickleball Association. Bollywood stars like Aamir Khan and Anil Kapoor have also helped inspire more Indians to pick up the game.
As the sport spreads, more clubs are opening across the region. Players are now adding pickleball to their travel plans as a fun way to connect with locals and play matches in new countries. Malaysia, Vietnam, and the Philippines are the leading users of DUPR’s ranking system in Asia. Last year, the system also launched in China to further expand the game’s reach.
Despite tensions between tennis and pickleball enthusiasts over court time and funding, Agassi remained neutral. During a fireside chat at the UBS conference, he said, “I don’t sort of say, ‘Pickleball over tennis.’ Pickle’s all about playing. It’s a low point of entry.” On being asked about competing with his wife, tennis legend Steffi Graf, Agassi laughed off the suggestion. “If you want to stay married, you don’t play against your wife,” he quipped. “We fight for each other. We play on the same side.”
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The couple is now gearing up for Pickleball Slam 3 which is scheduled for February 16 at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino in Las Vegas. They will defend their title against Andy Roddick and Eugenie Bouchard for a $1 million prize. However, this wasn’t the only moment when Agassi spoke highly about the paddle sport.
Andre Agassi goes all in to give pickleball a boost
The growing “pickleball vs. tennis” debate continues to spark discussions across court sports. However, Andre Agassi sees pickleball as something more profound. Speaking at Life Time’s New York City pickleball event, the former world no.1 shared his thoughts on the sport’s appeal. “If you have your weekend-warrior match in tennis and I give you tickets to Alcaraz-Nadal playing down the street, you’re going to give up playing to watch,” Agassi explained. “But with pickleball, if I say the best are playing down the street, you’d say, ‘Well, what about us? What about our game? We want to play.’ It’s a real participation-centric activity.”
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Agassi showcased his love for the game during a two-round exhibition match at Life Time PENN 1, Manhattan’s pickleball hub with seven courts. He played alongside Eugenie Bouchard, a former Wimbledon finalist, and professional picklers Kate Fahey, Brooke Buckner, and Ryan Sherry. The lively event highlighted the sport’s inclusivity. “This is the only thing where you can take anybody, any age, any race, any background, knee brace, no knee brace, and have a good time,” Sherry shared.
Adding to the excitement, former NBA player Kris Humphries and Life Time founder Bahram Akradi joined the players. The event was not just about competition but also about celebrating the social and accessible nature of pickleball. Agassi summed up his passion for the sport, saying, “I love watching pickleball, but only until I get to that point of wanting to go play it.” The event left no doubt that pickleball is more than just a sport; it’s a movement that brings people together.

“I had never imagined getting to these points,” said Stefanos Tsitsipas while reflecting on his season. Once regarded as the best, Stefanos failed miserably in the year 2024. With multiple early eliminations, he failed to find his rhythm and struggled for form. Reflecting on the same, the Greek sensation made a heartfelt admission on how things have been for him.
Stefanos Tsitsipas opened up about the emotional struggles he faced during 2023, a year filled with challenges both on and off the court. The Greek tennis star admitted that he reached a point where tennis and tournaments no longer felt important. “My mind has been in very hard places during this year, and I wasn’t sure if I was going to be able to keep up with tennis,” Tsitsipas revealed. He added that he had never imagined finding himself in such a situation but expressed pride in overcoming those moments.
“Tennis was no longer important to me, going to tournaments was no longer important to me. But I am proud of myself for how I have handled the situations since it has not been easy. The most surprising thing was to go to Monte Carlo and win the title again there because inside me I was not 100% sure that I could achieve it because of everything that was happening. It was very exciting for me,” Stefanos Tsitsipas further added.
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His best result this year came back in 2024 when he won the Monte Carlo Masters. Despite the mental battles, Tsitsipas stunned everyone by capturing the title at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, defeating Casper Ruud 6-1, 6-4. He became the fifth player in history to win three Monte-Carlo titles, joining legends like Rafael Nadal and Bjorn Borg. “The most surprising thing was to go to Monte Carlo and win the title again there because inside me I was not 100% sure that I could achieve it,” he said, describing the victory as emotional and nerve-wracking.
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Tsitsipas’ journey this year also included tough decisions, such as ending his coaching collaboration with his father, Apostolos. Reflecting on the change, Tsitsipas talked about the importance of maintaining their father-son relationship while acknowledging past frustrations.
Stefanos Tsitsipas looks forward to the new season unveiling how his team would look like
Stefanos Tsitsipas is eager to leave behind the ups and downs of 2024 as he looks forward to the 2025 season with a renewed sense of purpose. Despite ending the year with a 45-22 win-loss record, which fell short of his expectations, Tsitsipas remains optimistic about the future. He plans to build momentum by continuing his collaboration with Greece Davis Cup captain Dimitris Chatzinikolaou.
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The 25-year-old will kick off his season by representing Greece at the United Cup, a mixed-team event that offers a fresh start for players. “Change isn’t necessarily a bad thing,” Tsitsipas explained, sharing his perspective on the adjustments in his team and career. “It’s a process that requires patience and commitment. Even if results don’t show right away. I trust that these changes will lead me to where I want to go.”
Tsitsipas hopes that the new direction will bring stability and success as he prepares for the challenges ahead. With Chatzinikolaou by his side and a renewed focus on improving his performance, Tsitsipas is determined to achieve his goals in the upcoming season and beyond. The United Cup will mark the beginning of what he sees as a promising journey toward growth and success.

Iga Swiatek tested positive for low traces of a banned substance (TMZ) in an out-of-competition test conducted before the 2024 Cincinnati Open. She was even handed a provisional suspension on September 12, which successfully appealed on September 22. Then on October 4, the provisional suspension was lifted, and her period of ineligibility will end on December 4. Thankfully for Swiatek, her level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for “no significant fault or negligence.” Hence, her suspension will not affect the start of the new season. However, this decision has now sparked up a “double standard” debate in the tennis world.
There have been some mixed reactions coming in from the tennis world on Iga Swiatek’s doping controversy. For example, players like Simona Halep recently penned down a long note highlighting the difference in treatment. Even the Canadian star, Denis Shapovalov, looked a bit surprised with a one-month ban. Tara Moore also expressed her disbelief on social media by saying, “Wait… so she was supposed to be suspended until Dec 4th yet played BJK Cup… which was (correct me if I’m wrong) LAST WEEK. HOW WAS SHE ALLOWED TO PLAY WHILST BEING SUSPENDED??? Someone plz explain cause I’m spiralling. @jon_wertheim @Tennis @TennisChannel.“
John Wertheim was also spotted raising some question marks about the overall procedures in these types of cases. Recently, a renowned Russian tennis coach, Viktor Yanchuk said that Iga Swiatek needs to be closely mentioned in connection with a violation of anti-doping rules. “It seems that the one-month punishment of Swiatek is a double standard. We need to know the details exactly, how accidental, intentional, and serious it is. These details are of paramount importance. But if we do not take the details and do not delve into anything, then this is a sad fact. After all, a banned substance was found in the world’s leading tennis player, and also an inadequate punishment compared to Valieva. Questions arise! But there is no answer to them,” said Yanchuk in a recent interview.
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For those who are unaware, at the end of January, the CAS disqualified Russian figure skater, Kamila Valieva for four years, for violating anti-doping rules. Viktor Yanchuk further stressed how Iga Swiatek now needs to put under strict, tight, and personal control and regularly take samples so that she excludes this possibility and competes for equality with everyone. “There must be purity in sports. If this comes up again, then we need to fight with all the severity of the law,” he added.
via Reuters Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – May 29, 2024 Poland’s Iga Swiatek reacts during her second round match against Japan’s Naomi Osaka REUTERS/Stephanie Lecocq
Amid all these backlashes, one may wonder if anyone stood beside the five-time Grand Slam champion in her tough times. Well, we saw Naomi Osaka and Magdalena Frech showcasing their support towards Iga Swiatek in her recent IG post. Even, the American ski racer, Lindsay Vonn reacted to Swiatek’s video. She wrote, “We know your character and your fans know it too. We have your back!” Did her new coach, Wim Fissette say anything on this controversial topic?
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Finally, Iga Swiatek’s coach Wim Fissette breaks his silence on the doping controversy
In an IG post, we saw Iga Swiatek defending her innocence through an emotional note to her fans. She said, “In the last 2.5 months, I was subject to strict ITIA proceedings, which confirmed my innocence. The only positive doping test in my career, showing unbelievably low level of a banned substance I’ve never heard about before, put everything I’ve worked so hard for my entire life into question. Both me and my Team had to deal with tremendous stress and anxiety.” Swiatek also pleaded with her fans saying, “My biggest hope is that you will stay with me.“
Despite trying to prove her innocence time and again, players like Nick Kyrgios recently portrayed his agreement with Yevgeny Kafelnikov about players nowadays setting “a bad example to younger generations.” Well, comments like this will keep on coming especially when the player is one of the best in the world. We saw that in Jannik Sinner’s case as well! Don’t know who’s right or wrong, but these incidents surely raise quite a few question marks.
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Talking about question marks, did her new coach, Wim Fissette know about this before finalizing his partnership with Iga Swiatek? In reply to this Fissette said, “Trust is a foundation of good relationships in our team from the very beginning. (Iga Swiatek) told me about the case and left me the decision about our cooperation.“
He further added that Swiatek’s work ethic and values were enough for him to be confident about her innocence. Therefore, the positive tests didn’t make much impact on their collaboration. He also highlighted how the situation was “extremely stressful and difficult” at that time, but Fissette believes Iga Swiatek is a “fighter on and off the court” and this was “another thought battle she won.” Share your thoughts on this doping controversy featuring the former world number one.

Jannik Sinner’s doping controversy shows no signs of abating. In August this year, it was revealed that he successfully avoided a ban despite testing positive for a banned substance (Clostebol) twice in March. That time ITIA had accepted his explanation that the substance entered his system through his ex-physiotherapist Giacomo Naldi, who had used an over-the-counter spray containing that substance. It was reported that his former fitness coach, Umberto Ferrara, had purchased it to treat a wound. Later WADA reopened the case. While the final decision is pending, a Novak Djokovic’s die-hard fan has unveiled the story a bit more.
Immediately following the news, Pavvy G, a staunch Djokovic supporter, took to social media to express skepticism about Sinner’s explanation, suggesting a deeper underlying issue. In one of his tweets he wrote, “Sinner said they knew straight away that it was Clostebol. How did that they know that Clostebol that was the banned substance? People are free to make their own minds up but for me, this feels like it was a pre-planned excuse. Too many things don’t add up.”
Three months on, Pavvy G continues to react to the situation, recently taking a direct shot at Sinner during November 28th episode of ‘The Slice Tennis Podcast’. While reflecting on the story put up by Sinner, Pavvy G said, “It’s a very dubious story and I was completely shocked that three people kind of conducted to be in charge of the tribunal. People call them judges, they’re not technically judges. They’re professional people so they could be solicitors.” He further added, “I was astounded that they would believe the story that Sinner and his team provided.“
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Pavvy G said that it was “crazy” to see experienced and qualified pharmacists committing these types of blunders. He stated, “What I believe is they’ve gone with the story to say you know this is what happened, but they’ve discussed that as a team as a one, and these three would were super tight. He also shared an interesting take by saying, “I’m not saying he’s lying, but people have lied, you know, in the past.” What could’ve been done better from ITIA’s end then?
“I would like the ITIA to look into the bank statements of Naldi and Ferrera,” said the fan. He further felt that they could’ve also taken a look at Jannik Sinner‘s hair sample for further evidence of whether it was intentional doping or not. “But they never did, so there were a lot of things they didn’t do. So what we don’t have is the evidence. All we got at the moment is what Jannik Sinner is letting us and it’s not collaborated by anyone outside of his team,” said Pavvy G. This is what he feels there is a big question mark on this!
via Reuters Tennis – Madrid Open – Park Manzanares, Madrid, Spain – April 30, 2024 Italy’s Jannik Sinner in action during his round of 16 match against Russia’s Karen Khachanov REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura
In September, WADA made an appeal to ITIA, questioning their ruling on Jannik Sinner’s case, but why is Pavvy G still going about this topic? “Because none of the mainstream media are, they’ve all forgotten about it,” said Djokovic’s biggest fan. He raised a question mark by saying if everything was innocent, then why he had to remove those two members from his team or even lose a fair bit of prize money from the tournament?
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This is all what Djokovic’s fan said. What did Novak Djokovic say on Jannik Sinner’s doping saga, though?
Novak Djokovic shares his thoughts on Jannik Sinner doping saga
The first thing that the Serb wanted to highlight while making any comment on this topic is that he doesn’t think all these things are good for the sport. In the press conference at the Shanghai Masters, Novak Djokovic said, “Well, I think it’s quite obvious that we have a system that is not working well. So, I guess that’s probably something that even the people who are not following our sport are realizing. There’s way too many inconsistencies, way too many governing bodies involved, and, you know, just this whole case is not helping our sport at all. I think he has won the three appeals so far that he had, and, you know, it must be very tough for him and his team and family.“
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Despite being one of his biggest challengers to his title triumph, Novak Djokovic didn’t hesitate to heap praise on Jannik Sinner for all the things he had done over the last few months. Sinner has 2 Grand Slam titles this season, but the Serb failed to win even a single major title this year. However, keeping those things aside, he said, “Hopefully, we can go back to tennis and, I mean, it’s impressive what he was been doing, in the whole process of what’s been happening, that he’s playing such a high level, winning Grand Slam and, you know, winning most of the matches that he plays.”
Novak Djokovic stated that these circumstances are not a positive sign for the sport and wished that they could resolve this case as soon as possible. What are your thoughts on Novak Djokovic and his biggest fan’s reaction to Sinner’s doping saga?

The tennis season may have taken a breather, but Novak Djokovic is proving that the action never really stops—on or off the court. The Serbian tennis sensation played his last match of the season at the Shanghai Masters, where he lost to Jannik Sinner in the finals. But while he did not appear for matches, he did not let his racquets take a break and was witnessed practicing on the courts. However, Djokovic now seems to be taking a much-deserved break away from home and is enjoying some time in Qatar and Argentina.
Just hours after Qatar Airways announced him as the Brand Ambassador, the Serbian tennis sensation was spotted in Doha on Friday, November 29th, as he turned his attention to Formula 1 at the Qatar Grand Prix. He witnessed a remarkable weekend as he spent some time visiting the Ferrari and McLaren garages and chatting with Alpine drivers Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon. The Serb also interacted in several interviews and opened up on a wide range of topics, including his professional endeavors and his latest partnership with Andy Murray. However, the grueling schedule did not take the star player on a back foot as he quickly shifted his focus to his other love: soccer.
The Serbian tennis sensation visited Argentina on Saturday, November 30th, and was a part of the ceremony that took place ahead of the Copa Libertadores final. This came ahead of his exhibition match against Juan Martín del Potro, who will be bidding adieu to the sport, in Buenos Aires on Sunday. The 37-year-old was seen with the Copa trophy on the pitch. However, he did not express any preference for either Botafogo or Atletico Mineiro. Ultimately, it was Botafogo who emerged victorious and clinched its first Copa Libertadores.
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In an interview earlier, Djokovic expressed his admiration for AC Milan and football in general. “I’m a big fan of Milan and I’ll always be. For me, football is second only [to] tennis. My father was a professional footballer and at home, we always watch the Rossoneri’s games with great interest,” he said.
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And now, with his latest presence in Qatar and later Argentina, he has once again proved his passion for soccer while showing an interest in Formula 1. But despite focusing on activities away from tennis, he seems to have set his priorities for the next season, and it seems that Novak Djokovic is determined to grab more accolades.
Novak Djokovic has his plans set for the next season
Novak Djokovic could not witness immense success this season. Keeping aside his gold medal at the Paris Olympics, he failed to win a single title on tour. But now he seems to have his priorities set for the upcoming season and he is ready to play more matches and turn 2025 into a profitable season for himself.
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In an interview with Gazzetta dello Sport, the Serb said, “In 2024 I didn’t play much and, Olympic gold and Wimbledon final aside, it was perhaps the least profitable season in the last 10 years, with many ups and downs, issues to be resolved even on a private level.” However, the setbacks are not impacting his determination and he is ready to amp up his skills further.
“So next year I will play more tournaments and the Slams in particular will be my priority: I will give my best to win, of course, if my body allows me to. But I’m fine. I still have time to rest and analyse what I can improve to have a season better than the last one.” Now, it would be interesting to see if Djokovic can prove his mettle yet again and accomplish his targets for the next year.

The tennis world was rocked by Iga Swiatek‘s recent doping controversy. While she offered an emotional response, players like Nick Kyrgios were quick to criticize, sparking heated debate. Further, the ITIA was accused of both tardiness in disclosing the information, as seen in the case of Jannik Sinner, and leniency in the imposed suspension. Many experts and former players have alleged that the ITIA applies double standards to different competitors. Amidst the controversy, Diana Shnaider also weighed in with a scathing assessment of the broader doping issue.
Dmitry Svishchev, the chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on Physical Culture and Sports, made references to the case of Kamila Valieva, an 18-year-old Russian figure skater who faced a four-year disqualification and stripped of her 2022 Olympic gold medal for testing positive for the same prohibited substance as the current world No. 1.“Świątek’s situation should not have escaped us. We can clearly see how players are treated for the same offenses. (…) The cases are similar, but the effects are extremely different,” thundered Svishchev. Later, Diana was asked to comment on the matter.
Diana Shnaider, in her one of the press conferences, quoted by championat.com, offered a subtle yet firm take: “These are different sports, and I don’t think it’s right to combine them. They are completely different things. In my opinion, there’s nothing to talk about.”
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Swiatek tested positive for a prohibited substance, Trimetazidine(TMZ), a medicine used to treat angina, a type of chest pain caused by reduced blood flow to the heart, leading to a month-long suspension. Swiatek missed many crucial Asian tournaments, including those in Seoul, Beijing, and Wuhan, citing “personal matters” at the time. The missed matches contributed to her losing her WTA ranking lead. However, she proved her innocence by showing that the substance came from the contaminated melatonin she was taking.
Swiatek later addressed her recent suspension and the controversy surrounding it. “The most important thing for me was to prove my innocence,” Świątek said, adding, “I was given a symbolic suspension, which lasts a month. I have already completed 22 days, and I still have eight ahead of me.” The ban will officially end on December 4th.
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Like Svishchev, a WTA star, Simona Halep, highlighted the differential treatment in her and Swiatek’s case.
Simona Halep criticizes ITIA over double standards amid Iga Swiatek’s doping scenario
WTA star Simona Halep also expressed strong disapproval of how the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) handled her doping case compared to Iga Swiatek’s. The former Wimbledon and French Open champion, is currently serving a four-year suspension after testing positive for Roxadustat, a banned substance, during the 2022 US Open. Questioning the fairness and consistency of ITIA’s decisions on Instagram, Halep wrote,
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“I sit and try to understand, but it is really impossible for me to understand something like this. I sit and wonder, why such a big difference in treatment and judgment?” She added, “I can’t find, and I don’t think there can be a logical answer. It can only be bad will on the part of ITIA, the organisation that did absolutely everything to destroy me despite the evidence.”
Świątek will now enter a period of rest and preparation for the upcoming season, commencing with the Australian Open in 2025. Prior to the Grand Slam, she is scheduled to participate in the World Tennis League and the United Cup, with the objective of regaining the top ranking on the WTA Tour.

With eight Grand Slam titles and an Olympic Gold medal, former World No.1 Andre Agassi has amassed a legendary status. The Hall of Famer left a lasting impression on the tennis court when he retired in 2006. Apart from having a phenomenal tennis career, however, the former American great is also known for his enthusiastic energy. Especially when it comes to his welcoming nature towards people around him. Probably that’s the reason why an ex-ATP pro has picked him up as his party companion for a trip to Las Vegas!
In an episode of Nothing Major podcast, dated November 30, former American tennisplayer Steve Johnson was part of a fun game. All the hosts, including him, decided to make a Snake Draft of several players for their group. The option given was of players from 2000 to present-day. But what was the purpose?
After realizing that it’s the end of the season already, the hosts expressed their wish to go to Las Vegas to have a good time. In their fantasy list of companions, they had to choose players they thought of as lively and fit for a party occasion. When Steve was asked to reveal his companion, he said, “I’m going to go a little old school with this one”. Continuing further, he revealed his pick: “I’m going to go with Andre Agassi as an owner of a nightclub in Vegas.”
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via Getty BARCELONA, SPAIN – MAY 08: Andrea Agassi attends ‘The Love Behind Food Danone’ photocall on May 08, 2019 in Barcelona, Spain. (Photo by Europa Press Entertainment/Europa Press via Getty Images)
Steve gave a valid explanation as well for choosing Agassi. “Look, he owns the club. Like, he is Mr. Vegas. So you know, you feel like you’re going to be well taken care of. There’s going to be no issues, you know, getting in anywhere, whatever it might be,” he said in the podcast.
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For those unaware, Andre Agassi and his wife Steffi Graf were co-owners of the Pure Nightclub in Caesars Palace. Interestingly, though, Andre has also been a part of other ventures, too. After hanging up his racket nearly two decades ago, he’s dominating the court again – but in Pickleball!
Andre Agassi’s passion for Pickleball increasing rapidly
Along with his wife, Stefi, Agassi has been a part of the Pickleball Slam 3 in Las Vegas. In fact, his increasing passion for the sport has resulted him in clinching the title too. Agassi and Andy Roddick won the inaugural Pickleball Slam with Andy Roddick in 2023in April 2023. Last year, he and Stefi won against John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova in a thrilling contest, taking the match 11-7, 13-11 in straight sets. In February next year, Andre and Stefi will defend their title.
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Moreover, Andre has been pushing his voice further for a boost in Pickleball’s popularity. Speaking at Life Time’s New York City pickleball event, he revealed his thoughts on the sport’s growing appeal. “If you have your weekend-warrior match in tennis and I give you tickets to Alcaraz-Nadal playing down the street, you’re going to give up playing to watch,” he said. Explaining his point, he added, “But with pickleball, if I say the best are playing down the street, you’d say, ‘Well, what about us? What about our game? We want to play.’ It’s a real participation-centric activity.”
He has expressed his love for pickleball on a previous occasion as well. “I love watching pickleball, but only until I get to that point of wanting to go play it,” he said during an exhibition match at Life Time PENN 1 earlier this year. What do you have to say about Andre’s passion for pickleball? Do you think he will eventually leave a lasting impression in this sport just like his illustrious career in tennis? Let us know in the comments below.

CNN —
Polish tennis star Iga Świątek has accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for a banned substance, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) announced Thursday.
Świątek, a five-time grand slam winner, tested positive for the prohibited substance trimetazidine.
The ITIA said they found Świątek’s “level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence.’”
“The ITIA accepted that the positive test was caused by the contamination of a regulated non-prescription medication (melatonin), manufactured and sold in Poland that the player had been taking for jet lag and sleep issues, and that the violation was therefore not intentional,” the ITIA said in Thursday’s statement.
The ITIA offered Świątek a suspension on November 27, which she accepted. “The player was provisionally suspended from 22 September until 4 October, missing three tournaments, which counts towards the sanction, leaving eight days remaining.
“In addition, the player also forfeits prize money from the Cincinnati Open, the tournament directly following the test,” the ITIA added.
Trimetazidine is listed as a “metabolic modulator” and its use by athletes is banned, both in and out of competition. Though it would not increase heart rate, unlike other performance-enhancing drugs that are classed as stimulants, it is believed that trimetazidine can help with endurance in physical activity.
A spokesperson for the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) said in a statement to CNN: “As it does with all cases, WADA will carefully review this decision by the ITIA and reserves the right to take an appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, as appropriate.”
The No. 2 ranked women’s tennis player said she was shocked by the positive test.
“It was a blow for me, I was shocked and this whole situation made me very anxious. At first I couldn’t understand how that was even possible and where it came from,” Świątek said in a video posted to social media Thursday.
The 23-year-old said she instantly cooperated with the ITIA and started running tests on nutritional supplements and medications. These tests found that melatonin was contaminated which Świątek said she takes to help sleep.
“This experience, the most difficult in my life so far, taught me a lot,” the current French Open champion added.
“The whole thing will definitely stay with me for the rest of my life, it took a lot of strength, returning to training after this situation nearly broke my heart. So there were many tears and lots of sleepless nights. The worst part of it was the uncertainty.”
Świątek concluded the video asking her fans to continue to support her.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) said it fully supports the former world No. 1.
“The WTA fully supports Iga during this difficult time. Iga has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to fair play and upholding the principles of clean sport, and this unfortunate incident highlights the challenges athletes face in navigating the use of medications and supplements,” the WTA said in a statement Thursday.
“The WTA remains steadfast in our support for a clean sport and the rigorous processes that protect the integrity of competition.
“We also emphasize that athletes must take every precaution to verify the safety and compliance of all products they use, as even unintentional exposure to prohibited substances can have significant consequences.”
Świątek has won four French Open titles in her career so far, as well as winning the US Open in 2022.

Iga Swiatek celebrates her win over Liudmila Samsonova of Russia during the 2024 U.S. Open Tennis Championships in New York City on Sept. 2 and is finishing a month-long suspension for unintentionally taking a banned substance. File Photo by Corey Sipkin/UPI | License Photo
Nov. 28 (UPI) — Poland’s Iga Świątek is banned from playing professional tennis for a month after testing positive for the heart medication trimetazidine, the U.K.-based International Tennis Integrity Agency announced Thursday. Świątek is the Women’s Tennis Association’s second-ranked player behind top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus. Advertisement

Robert Prange/Getty Images
World No. 2 women’s tennis player Iga Świątek is in the midst of serving a one-month suspension stemming from a violation of the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s anti-doping policy.
According to ESPN, the ITIA announced Thursday that the 23-year-old tested positive for trimetazidine, which is a heart medication also known by the name TMZ.
Świątek accepted the result of her failed August drug test and the one-month suspension, although she noted that she unintentionally consumed the substance via contamination of melatonin she took to to help her sleep and avoid jet lag.
The ITIA accepted her explanation and determined that violation was

CNN —
Former women’s world No. 1 Simona Halep has criticized the “big difference in treatment” she received from the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) compared to the body’s handling of Iga Świątek’s failed test.
On Thursday, it was announced that Świątek had accepted a one-month suspension after testing positive for the banned substance trimetazidine. The ITIA said they found Świątek’s “level of fault was considered to be at the lowest end of the range for ‘No Significant Fault or Negligence.’”
Halep, however, was handed a four-year ban in September 2023 after testing positive for the banned substance Roxadustat at the 2022 US Open, when she was provisionally suspended.
Halep maintained the anti-doping violations were not intentional and, in March this year, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) agreed and reduced the backdated ban to nine months, clearing the two-time grand slam champion to return to the sport.
“I stand and ask myself, why is there such a big difference in treatment and judgment?” Halep said in a post on Instagram on Friday, per Reuters. “I can’t find and I don’t think there can be a logical answer.
“It can only be bad will from the ITIA, the organization that has done absolutely everything to destroy me despite the evidence. It was painful, it is painful and maybe the injustice that was done to me will always be painful.”
In a statement, the ITIA told CNN: “We deal with each case based on the facts and evidence, not a player’s name, ranking or nationality. When a prohibited substance is found in a player’s system, we investigate it thoroughly.
“No two cases are the same, they often involve different circumstances, and direct comparisons are not always helpful.
“There are some very important differences in these two cases. The product contaminated in Ms Swiatek’s case was a regulated medication, not a supplement. There was agreement among independent scientific experts surrounding the facts and the player admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation.”
Iga Świątek accepted a one-month ban for a doping violation. Manu Fernandez/AP
At the same time Halep was handed her ban, the ITIA also announced that Halep was being charged with having irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport (ABP), which is designed to monitor an athlete’s selected biological variables over time.
CAS dismissed that charge.
Halep criticized the length of time it took authorities to process her case and slammed “the scandalous accusations that were leveled against me.”
The ITIA has already been criticized this season over the handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case, with the men’s world No. 1 avoiding suspension despite twice testing positive for a banned substance in March 2024.
Sinner claims the failed test was due to “inadvertent contamination of Clostebol” through treatment from his physiotherapist, but the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) announced in September it was lodging an appeal with CAS.
“I lost two years of my career, I lost many nights when I couldn’t sleep, thoughts, anxiety, questions without answers,” Halep added in her Friday statement, per the BBC.
“How is it possible that in identical cases happening around the same time, ITIA to have completely different approaches to my detriment?”
The ITIA added: “We urge players to exercise extreme caution when taking supplements and we are always happy to answer any questions they have.”

Ever since the news of Iga Swiatek‘s doping case surfaced on Thursday, the internet has witnessed a storm of reactions. The former World No.1 revealed that she tested positive for a banned substance, back in August, after which she received a provisional suspension from September 22 to October 4. She later got a 1-month ban, too, which is due to end on December 4. Interestingly, her fans on social media have raised arguments regarding the suspension while comparing it to the case of another top player, Jannik Sinner.
Sinner also tested positive earlier this year but although a provisional suspension was applied on him as well, he appealed against it and kept playing. Iga’s supporters are not happy about the fact that Sinner didn’t serve a ban but Iga has been made to. But Sinner’s fans are arguing that he didn’t admit to taking any substance. And that his contamination was due to a cream applied on his body by his physio. As one would say, the chaos isn’t likely to end anytime soon. However, a former ATP pro has now come forward to focus on the actual cause of confusion rather than indulging in taking a side!
Former World No.4 and British player Greg Rusedski took to X to reply to a hardcore Sinner fan. The latter tried to imply that Iga made the mistake of actually taking the contaminated medication, while Sinner was innocent. “I see people crying that Iga Swiatek was suspended for 1 month and Jannik Sinner wasn’t. Iga literally admitted she made a mistake and took a pill and Sinner didn’t take anything. The contamination was cause by a cream applied to the finger of his physio. Stop crying, thanks,” wrote the Jannik supporter.
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Replying to them, while sharing a clear and honest response, Rusedski wrote, “This is all true, but I think the main issue is the speed of dealing with the positive tests.” He brought the ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) under scanner as well, saying that “other players have been in the same situation & it has not been dealt with in the same manner.” Calling for equal treatment for all players, he further added, “As an athlete under WADA, you are 100% liable no matter how you are contaminated.”
In simple words, Greg pointed out that ITIA’s current rules are not transparent. Because of them, people get confused and think that top-ranked players get lenient treatment while others don’t. One can understand this with a recent example of Great Britain’s Tara Moore. As she got to know about Iga’s suspension and a 1-month ban, Moore was left baffled.
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Tara Moore reacts to Iga Swiatek’s doping scandal while questioning the ITIA
Tara Moore was clearly not happy to see how Iga’s case was handled. But why? It’s because according to the ITIA’s verdict, Iga is currently serving her ban. It will end on December 4. But what’s interesting to note is that the Pole still participated in this month’s WTA Finals in Riyadh. She then played in the BJK Cup as well in Malaga. All of this happened while the ban was still in effect.
When serving a ban, a player is clearly prohibited from playing any professional match. Reflecting on this complicated situation, Moore wrote on X, “Wait… so she was supposed to be suspended until Dec 4th yet played BJK cup.. which was (correct me if I’m wrong) LAST WEEK. HOW WAS SHE ALLOWED TO PLAY WHILST BEING SUSPENDED??? Someone plz explain cause I’m spiralling.”
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Moore had herself tested positive for nandrolone and boldenone back in 2022 and was banned from playing tennis for 19 months. In June 2022, she was handed a provisional suspension. In December 2023, however, she was cleared after the ITIA found that her failed test was caused by contaminated meat. Considering this, Moore is not happy about the fact that she lost 19 months of her career not playing in any event. But Iga, on the other hand, didn’t get such a strict punishment.
However, while defending Iga’s position, an ITIA spokesperson mentioned that “No two cases are the same, they often involve different circumstances, and direct comparisons are not always helpful.” What do you make of this entire situation? Do you believe there’s a lack of transparency in the ITIA’s rules for all players? Let us know in the comments below.

The recent doping allegations against Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek have cast a shadow over the tennis world. On Thursday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) revealed that Swiatek was handed one month ban after testing positive for banned substance, trimetazdine (tmz). As questions arise about the consistency of the ITIA’s investigations, players like Simona Halep have voiced their concerns. However, some fans have criticized Halep for her comments, highlighting the sensitivity of the issue.
José Morgado, journalist and tennis commentator, shared Simona Halep’s frustration on X with the following caption, “Simona Halep with some STRONG words on Instagram. “I stand and ask myself, why is there such a big difference in treatment and judgment?” Halep posted on Instagram on Friday. “I can’t find and I don’t think there can be a logical answer. It can only be bad will from ITIA, the organization that has done absolutely everything to destroy me despite the evidence.”
Halep was provisionally suspended in 2022 for testing positive for a banned substance, Roxadustat. Her four-year ban was later reduced to nine months following an appeal. She consistently maintained her innocence, claiming accidental ingestion of a contaminated supplement.
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“I lost two years of my career, I lost many nights when I couldn’t sleep, thoughts, anxiety, questions without answers,” the former world number one said. “How is it possible that in identical cases happening around the same time, ITIA to have completely different approaches to my detriment?”
However, fans think that Halep’s comparison is unnecessary. And both the players were treated fairly.
Tennis fan up in arms against Simona Halep’s discontent with Iga Swiatek’s doping treatment and judgement
Fans think that Halep knows the difference between the two cases. And said, “Really tired of her dishonesty. She knows exactly why they are different.” In a statement, the ITIA told CNN: “We deal with each case based on the facts and evidence, not a player’s name, ranking or nationality. When a prohibited substance is found in a player’s system, we investigate it thoroughly. No two cases are the same, they often involve different circumstances, and direct comparisons are not always helpful.”
Hence, another user was unable to grasp the situation, as they felt that Halep had failed to take her circumstances into account. They shared their disbelief as they said, “I’m sorry, but this woman can’t be serious. How careless and sloppy can someone be when it comes to doping? Halep’s biological passport was a mess—completely all over the place. The level of Roxadustat in her system was exactly what you’d expect from others who’ve doped with it. Let’s not kid ourselves—this is a clear case of intentional doping. And then she has the audacity to call out other players? Completely ridiculous. Get back in the gym and work on your game.”
Alongside the doping charge, Halep was also accused of irregularities in her Athlete Biological Passport. However, the Court of Arbitration for Sport dismissed this charge. Another user also called out Halep: “This lady has also tampered with the biological passport. That’s enough.”
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Halep tested positive for a banned substance during the 2022 US Open, where she lost in the first round to Daria Snigur of Ukraine 6-2, 0-6, 6-4. Another fan recalled, “Halep couldn’t prove the amount of Rox in her blood was due to her contaminated supplement. Very different. Plus, an additional charge for blood passport irregularities.”
ITIA further told CNN, “There are some very important differences in these two(Swiatek and Halep’s) cases. The product contaminated in Ms Swiatek’s case was a regulated medication, not a supplement. There was agreement among independent scientific experts surrounding the facts and the player admitted the Anti-Doping Rule Violation.”
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Not to forget, the ITIA has faced criticism for its handling of Jannik Sinner’s doping case, where the world No. 1 avoided suspension despite multiple positive tests. “I really don’t get this. She should be happy that others are treated fairly!! Or is she vindictive?”-another fan remarked about Halep’s response to Swiatek’s doping case.
Though it’s on the authorities to decide what’s best for the players, for now, it’s a tough time for tennis, as both the top players in ATP and WTA reel under doping violation pressure.