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Who Will Prevail At This Year’s U.S. Open?

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The last Grand Slam of the year promises to be as intriguing as ever, as tennis’ brightest stars commence preparations for this Autumn’s US Open. Those competing at Flushing Meadows are guaranteed to be greeted by bumper crowds, with tournament organisers hopeful of surpassing last year’s record-breaking attendance figures.

In recent years, it’s been notoriously difficult to predict who will emerge triumphant in New York; the last five editions of this captivating tournament have each produced a different winner. With numerous candidates in with a realistic chance of scooping the top prize this September, selecting a favourite will once again be an unenviable task.

The bookies favourite (as usual)

Perhaps unsurprisingly, the markets suggest that Novak Djokovic is most likely to claim victory at Corona Park. The tennis odds this week have the 36-year-old ace ahead of his rivals, as the sport’s most successful player ever looks to further enhance his incredible Grand Slam haul. However, the Serbian has failed to earn a U.S Open title since 2018 – he’s never had to wait longer than five years to win any of the four majors since his first Grand Slam crown in 2008. Djokovic did manage to reach the final in 2021 (after crashing out in the fourth round in the two previous years), but was comfortably beaten by hardcourt specialist Daniil Medvedev.

Source: Pixabay

So close yet so far

Medvedev’s performance in the 2021 showpiece was extremely impressive, particularly given his lack of success (and, to a lesser extent, experience) in the latter stages of Grand Slam tournaments. The Russian’s two previous final appearances, which came at the U.S Open in 2019 and the Australian Open earlier the same year – both ended in disappointment, as the talented 6ft 6” star was defeated by Spanish big-hitter Rafael Nadal and defending champion Novak Djokovic respectively. In early 2022, yet another opportunity slipped through Medvedev’s hands, as he lost a second consecutive Melbourne Park final, this time to his US Open conquerer Nadal, extinguishing the Moscow-born player’s hopes of securing a second hardcourt title.

Will the 27-year-old once again taste success in the Big Apple this time around?

Source: Unsplash

The Aussie upstart

And finally, no contender list is complete without the presence of a dark horse. Could the controversial Nick Kyrgios upset the apple cart? Over the last eighteen months or so, the maverick Australian has looked more like the finished article, leveraging his indomitable style and swagger to produce positive and productive displays – this certainly hasn’t always been the case. Although his late withdrawal from Wimbledon, which saw Kyrgios cite a wrist injury just hours after declaring himself fit to play following a long-term knee problem, caused some general consternation amongst pundits and fans, the two-time Davis Cup semi-finalist still seems a more serious proposition to consider. 

So, who is destined to win this year’s US Open? Currently, this one feels too tight to call.

The Golden Age of American Daily Newspaper U.S. Open Tennis Coverage – A Look Back

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By Randy Walker
@TennisPublisher

One of the my steady recreational tennis games at The Boulevard Tennis Club in Vero Beach, Florida is with former sports reporter Ray McNulty, formerly of the New York Post and Florida Times Union among others. Invariably, our talks before and after (and sometimes during our calorie-burning fun matches) is almost mostly about sports and specifically tennis, since I first met Ray in the 1990s in the press room at the U.S. Open when I worked for the U.S. Tennis Association.

Our conversation during our Saturday, July 1 morning game was about media that covered the U.S. Open – and sadly don’t any more. We reminisced about all the talented daily beat writers and columnists who would annually attend America’s Grand Slam tournament but with the change in the media landscape, particularly in the United States, the numbers have dwindled

During my final few years while serving as USTA press officer from 1993 to 2005, the first five rows of media seats in the media room at Arthur Ashe Stadium were filled with tennis writers filing for daily newspapers across the country. Now, it is one with perhaps some overflow. I started to think that the mid 1980s, through the 1990s and into the early 2000s was a sort of “Golden Age” of U.S. Open tennis journalism. McNulty and I then started to rattle off the daily print reporters from American newspapers who used to annually cover the U.S. Open, most of which don’t any more.

Of course, you start with Hall of Famer Bud Collins, who wrote for the Boston Globe and he was supplemented by Cindy Shmerler, the former World Tennis magazine writer who now contributes for the New York Times and is also one of the prominent voices on the U.S. Open’s American Express Radio. The Hartford Courant would occasionally cover as did New Haven Register, with Dave Solomon and Seth Davis, now of CBS Sports March Madness fame, in attendance.

Of course the suburban New York dailies were stalwarts in the press room led by Al Picker of the Newark Star-Ledger, who I recall Collins always calling “The Dean” since he had actually covered more U.S. Opens/U.S. Championships than he had! Jane McManus was the beat writer for the Journal News in Westchester County, New York and John Jeansonne and Jeff Williams would cover for Long Island’s Newsday.

New York City has the New York Times, the New York Post, the Daily News covering daily (The Daily News, strangely, did not provide daily on-site coverage of the U.S. Open in 2022). For a few years, the New York Sun was another now defunct printed daily New York newspaper and Tom Perrotta provided daily coverage. Perrotta would move to the Wall Street Journal, which would provide consistent, but not daily coverage. The New York Times had the likes of Robin Finn, Selena Roberts and Christopher Clarey as the main tennis beat writers with of course columnists such as George Vecsey, Harvey Araton and others and Liz Robbins putting in some long hours as well. The Daily News was held down for years by Wayne Coffey and also Filip Bondy writing columns. Mike Lupica, of course, was a major fabric of the U.S. Open, most notably with the Daily News. Marc Berman was the stalwart with the New York Post. Berman, the former New York Knicks beat writer, once told me that covering the U.S. Open was his favorite two weeks of the year, and I remind him of that statement to this day.

Philadelphia nearly stole the U.S. Open away from New York (as you can read about here: http://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/12260 ) and until recently both of their daily newspapers, the Philadelphia Inquirer and the Philadelphia Daily News covered the event daily. Diane Pucin represented the Inquirer before moving to the Los Angeles Times and then Ashley McGeachy had the byline there to follow. For the Philadelphia Daily News, Bill Fleischman was an enthusiastic reporter on the scene.

Moving south, the soft-spoken Sandy McKee represented the Baltimore Sun and for the Richmond Times Dispatch John Packett reported back to the tennis fans in his market, one of the most enthusiastic areas for tennis in the United States. During this era, the Washington Post was staffed at the U.S. Open by Jennifer Frey and then Rachel Alexander (now Rachel Nichols), following in the footsteps of Barry Lorge and John Feinstein. Sally Jenkins was also a mainstay. Doug Smith was the man at USA Today tennis for years and when he retired, his U.S. Open and tennis duties were handled by freelancers Andrea Leand, Doug Robson and Sandy Harwitt. Christine Brennan also was a near constant. In Atlanta, perhaps the biggest tennis town in the United States, the Atlanta Journal Constitution tennis beat was handled by Plott Brice and then Todd Holcomb.

Florida was never lacking in its tennis coverage in its daily newspapers as the Miami Herald, Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel, Palm Beach Post, Tampa Tribune, St. Petersburg Times and Florida Times-Union were annual attendees. The Miami Herald was staffed in Flushing Meadows for years by Jim Martz, followed by Andre Christopher, Meri-Jo Borzilleri and then Michelle Kaufman. The Fort Lauderdale Sun-Sentinel original tennis writer was Jim Sarni and then Charlie Bricker and the Palm Beach Post was staffed by Charles Elmore. McNulty covered the U.S. Open for the Florida Times Union in Jacksonville. On the west coast of Florida, Joey Johnston and Herb Branham made the trip for the Tampa Tribune and Darrell Fry from the St. Petersburg Times. Keeping it in the south, Jody Goldstein covered for the Houston Chronicle as well as Dale Robertson.

The Midwest didn’t have that strong of a tradition of covering the U.S. Open but Melissa Issacson and Bonnie DeSimone came to Flushing for the Chicago Tribune as did Janet Graham in Cincinnati as McNulty and I recalled.

In California, Bruce Jenkins from the San Francisco Chronicle made the cross-country trip as did the hard-nosed Jerry Magee from the San Diego Union-Tribune, who followed in the footsteps of Barry Lorge, who moved to San Diego from the Washington Post. At the Los Angeles Times, Bill Dwyre, the sports editor, loved tennis and loved to cover the U.S. Open. “He would pull rank to come cover the U.S. Open,” laughed McNulty to me when we discussed the lineage of Los Angeles Times reporters that covered the U.S. Open in his period that included Tommy Bonk and Lisa Dillman and Pucin. Rounding out the southern California daily writer contingent was Janis Carr, the long-time tennis writer from the Orange County Register.

While attendance and coverage from American daily newspapers has dwindled, many niche tennis websites providing insightful and enthusiastic coverage has certainly increased in this new era of media. Also, from a global tennis perspective, media from nations like China, Korea, Colombia, Poland, Serbia and others are now in bigger numbers in the U.S. Open press room.

Most of these daily newspaper now save on costs by just running Associated Press or other wire stories, but this is under-serving the reader/subscriber and tennis fan, particularly in the first week of the tournament. It is during the early rounds of the tournament where there are so many players with local ties to the markets served by the aforementioned newspapers excelling (or failing) and providing amazing story-telling content. To boot, not all of these players are Americans, but former college players from other countries who have interest in their local U.S. market where they competed collegiately or foreign players who may live or train in a certain part of the United States. This type of local coverage is a big component to promoting and developing the growth of tennis in the United States and further increasing the popularity of the U.S. Open to fans attending the event, watching on television or following on social media.

A pre-roofed Arthur Ashe Stadium at the US Open

Andrea Gaudenzi Re-Appointed ATP Chairman

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The ATP has confirmed that Andrea Gaudenzi has been re-elected as the Chairman of the organisation. The Italian has held the position since January 2020 and will now serve a second term, from 2024 through 2026.  

Under Gaudenzi’s leadership the ATP has implemented some of the most radical reforms in its history as part of the OneVision strategic plan, aimed at establishing new foundations for the sport’s growth. Phase One, which came into effect in 2023, has already generated the largest single-year increase in player compensation in the organisation’s history, with an unprecedented US$37.5 million year-on-year increase across the ATP Tour and Challenger Tour.  

“It’s an honour to be appointed for a second term as ATP Chairman, and continue serving the sport that has given me so much,” said Andrea Gaudenzi. “I’m proud of everything we’ve achieved since 2020, during a particularly challenging time for the world. OneVision has strengthened the ATP’s foundation, fostering a genuine partnership between players and tournaments. As we enter the second phase of our strategy, I am more convinced than ever that our sport has huge upside, and that we are well positioned to take advantage of the digital age. Together with the ATP Board and our members, I am committed to making our vision a reality in the coming years.”
Enhancements implemented under OneVision include a groundbreaking 50-50 profit-sharing formula that aligns the interests of players and tournaments. The introduction of expanded 12-day ATP Masters 1000 tournaments has provided increased playing opportunities and prize money for more players. In parallel, leadership, integrity, and member representation have been advanced through governance reform. Meanwhile, new tournament category terms are unlocking unprecedented levels of investment into infrastructure and record valuations across the Tour’s biggest events.  

On the Challenger Tour, significant enhancements have elevated the pathway for aspiring players. This includes a redesigned and expanded calendar, raised tournament standards, and record prize money of $21.1 million in 2023 (+75% on 2022). In addition, the ATP Player Pension contributions have hit record heights in recent years, growing more than 125% in 2022.  

Other key achievements in Gaudenzi’s first term as ATP Chairman include, together with ATP Media, the establishment of Tennis Data Innovations (TDI) and the long-term aggregation of media rights. TDI, a dedicated entity set up to manage and commercialise data for the Tour across a variety of global markets, most notably including betting and performance, is set to significantly increase ATP’s revenues from 2024 to 2029 whilst the landmark long-term aggregation of the Nitto ATP Finals, ATP 500 and ATP 250 media rights into ATP Media (to sit alongside the ATP Masters 1000s) was also completed this year.  

Looking ahead, Phase 2 of OneVision strategic plan aims to enhance collaboration and governance across the T-7 (ATP, WTA, ITF, and the four Grand Slams).   Gaudenzi enjoyed a highly successful professional tennis career, capturing three ATP Tour titles and reaching a career-high Pepperstone ATP Ranking of No. 18. Following his playing career, he obtained a law degree from the University of Bologna, Italy, followed by a Master of Business Administration. Gaudenzi subsequently garnered 20 years of industry-leading expertise in entrepreneurial and C-Level executive roles across the entertainment, tech and gaming sectors, before returning to tennis.   To learn more about OneVision, click here.  
Media contact: communications@atptour.com   About The ATP As a global governing body of men’s professional tennis, the ATP’s mission is to serve tennis. We entertain a billion global fans, showcase the world’s greatest players at the most prestigious tournaments, and inspire the next generation of fans and players. From the United Cup in Australia, to Europe, the Americas and Asia, the stars of the game battle for titles and Pepperstone ATP Rankings points at ATP Masters 1000, 500 and 250 events, and Grand Slams. All roads lead towards the Nitto ATP Finals, the prestigious season finale held in Turin, Italy. Featuring only the world’s top 8 qualified singles players and doubles teams, the tournament also sees the official crowning of the year-end ATP World No. 1, presented by Pepperstone, the ultimate achievement in tennis. For more information, please visit www.ATPTour.com.

Five Ways To Elevate Your Tennis Game With Your Coach’s Advice

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Tennis is a sport that requires skill, strategy, and dedication. Whether you are a beginner or an experienced player, there are always ways to improve your game. With the help of a knowledgeable coach, you can take your tennis skills to the next level. Here are six tips from top coaches that will elevate your tennis game:

1. Develop a Strong Foundation

The key to success in any sport is building a strong foundation. In tennis, this means mastering the basics such as grip, footwork, and strokes. A good coach will emphasize the importance of developing proper technique from the beginning.

Focus on perfecting your forehand and backhand strokes by practicing repetitive drills under the guidance of an experienced coach. This will help you build muscle memory and improve consistency in your shots.

2. Work on Your Fitness

Tennis is physically demanding and requires agility, speed, endurance, and strength. To excel in this sport, it’s important to have a well-rounded fitness routine.

A professional tennis coach will incorporate various exercises into your training program that target specific areas needed for optimal performance on-court.

Cardiovascular Endurance:

To endure long matches without fatigue affecting your play negatively, cardiovascular exercise plays an integral role. Running or cycling for at least 30 minutes three times a week can substantially improve your cardiovascular fitness.

Strength Training:

A strong body contributes significantly to powerful shots and injury prevention. Include weightlifting exercises like squats, lunges, and shoulder presses in your routine. Focus on building both upper and lower body strength.

3. Mental Toughness

Tennis is not just a physical sport; it’s also a mental game. To elevate your tennis performance, you must cultivate mental toughness.

A coach can help you develop strategies to stay focused during matches, handle pressure situations effectively, and maintain a positive mindset. They can also teach techniques such as visualization and meditation to enhance concentration and reduce anxiety on the court.

4. Analyze Your Play

One of the most effective ways to improve your tennis game is by analyzing your own play. A coach can provide valuable insights into areas that need improvement based on their expertise and observation of your gameplay.

They may suggest recording yourself during practice sessions or matches so that you can review the footage together later. This allows you to identify strengths, weaknesses, patterns, and areas for growth.

Strategy:

Analyze different aspects of each match, including shot selection under various circumstances. Identify patterns in opponent’s play style and strategize accordingly.

Footwork:

Closely monitor footwork when analyzing recordings as it significantly impacts positioning, balance, and shot execution. Make necessary adjustments based on observed flaws or inefficiencies.

5. Practice Consistently

The saying “practice makes perfect” holds true in tennis as well. To elevate your game consistently, it’s essential to have regular practice sessions with a qualified coach. Regular practice helps reinforce proper technique, improves muscle memory, and enhances on-court performance.

6. Have fun and relax

Tennis is not only a sport but also a game. A coach can help you have fun and relax on the court by making the sessions enjoyable, encouraging you to express yourself, and reminding you of your goals and achievements. You can also have fun and relax by playing pragmatic play slots online, listening to music, or meditating before or after a match.

Conclusion Improving your tennis game involves a combination of technical, physical, and mental aspects. With the guidance of a skilled coach, you can enhance your skills and achieve new levels of success on the court. Remember to develop a strong foundation, focus on fitness, cultivate mental toughness, analyze your play, and practice consistently

NCAA Division II and III Team Champs Crowned At Historic NCAA Tennis Championship at USTA National Campus

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Claremont-Mudd-Scripps (Claremont, Calif.) won the 2023 NCAA DIII women’s tennis national championship at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, securing the program’s second consecutive national title by defeating the University of Chicago in a rematch of the 2022 final. 

The match concluded the DII and DIII team event portion of the 2023 NCAA Tennis Championships as four national team champions were crowned over the past three days in Orlando. 

The celebrations began Monday night as the Barry University men (Miami-Dade County, Florida) won their fourth consecutive DII national title, coming from behind to defeat Columbus State (Columbus, Georgia) in the championship match. The Barry women completed the school’s sweep of the DII titles, defeating Nova Southeastern (Davie, Florida) Tuesday night to secure the program’s sixth consecutive national title while winning their 90th consecutive match dating back to 2019. 

Case Western Reserve University (Cleveland, Ohio) also prevailed on Tuesday night over Tufts (Somerville, Mass.), winning the university’s first national title in any sport as they claimed the DIII men’s crown. CWRU had reached the national championship match in each of the past two seasons, coming up short in their previous two attempts. 

This is the first time in NCAA history that all three divisions will compete for men’s and women’s season-ending trophies—in any sport—at a single site. The 17-day event began last week and concludes on May 27. For more information on the 2023 NCAA Tennis Championships, click here. 

2022 Set The Scene For Disabled Tennis – Will 2023 Help It Explode?

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Tennis, like many other sports, has a burgeoning scene catered towards its disabled players. Interest in the sport saw huge expansion in 2022 with the crowds that the 2022 US Open attracted with regards to its wheelchair tournament, and there are now signs that interest in disabled tennis tournaments will increase through 2022. This is good news, of course, for inclusivity, as there’s a greater chance that more people living with disability will get the opportunity to try out the sport – which is already one of the better sports for people with such conditions.

Growing in confidence

For the American sport at least, the US Open brought about one phrase in particular – growing in confidence. As the US Open website profiles, disabled wheelchair tennis players found themselves more encouraged by the 2022 tournament than perhaps others before. There’s a good basis for tennis as a great sport for people living with disability to get into. Extra bounce on the ball has been built in to the game to account for the travel time of wheelchairs, or people with other mobility requirements, and the results have been very positive – a seamless approach into the game that helps disabled people to enjoy the game without there needing to be a huge departure from the rules of tennis in its basic form and what makes them love it as they do.

Spreading the knowledge

With this uptick in interest has come a greater level of available knowledge. As the Wall Street Journal highlights, there are still exercises and requirements that need to be done in order to play well in disabled tennis – this helps to prepare the body for the very exact movements that need to be taken through wheelchair tennis in order to have a fun game. The key here is that the information is out there and available on the internet and further afield – meaning specialized help, like a personal trainer, isn’t required in order to get the knowledge and training required to get out on the green or clay.

Doing a bit more

Wheelchair tennis is one way to enjoy tennis for disabled people, but only caters to one specific disability. For everyone else, there’s a lot of work being done by the US Tennis Association to promote adaptive tennis. This is a more flexible and varied way around adapting tennis to people of all ability levels and with any type of disability or other condition. This is great news for the wider sport and its levels of inclusivity, and will be music to the ears of followers who want their own time out on the court.

When the 2023 US Open rolls around, there’ll be a new focus on wheelchair tennis. That’s good for the sport, but, this year, hopefully it’ll be with a view of even more disabled tennis players and even more opportunities for those who have, in the past, been precluded from playing the racquet and ball.

John McEnroe, Patrick McEnroe and Insider Expeditions Invite You For Tennis In Tanzania

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McEnroe Brothers to Host Eight Day Trip in December; Will Dedicate Court In The Serengeti and Support Growth and Awareness With Other Charitable Initiatives In Cooperation With The Tanzanian Government

Insider Expeditions, a leader in global travel excursions, today announced a new partnership with John and Patrick McEnroe to bring the tennis legends to Tanzania this December as part of a new goodwill, awareness and sport initiative. In cooperation and support of the Tanzanian government, the Brothers McEnroe will be accompanied by as many as 120 tennis aficionados during a special eight-day trip which will include the dedication of a tennis court in the Serengeti.

“We are excited to welcome John and Patrick McEnroe and their guests to Tanzania for this special event in December,” said Tanzania’s Hon. President Samia Suluhu Hassan. “Our country continues to grow through efforts like this, which expose the vistas and our people to new experiences from visitors around the world. Adding a special element like tennis to this mix will also help us with another one of our key initiatives, which is to create more health and lifestyle opportunities for our young people. While many know of John, their interests sometimes lie with sports like soccer, so using a great individual sport like tennis to teach life skills from legends first-hand will make for an experience people will never have imagined.”    

“My family and I look forward to a very exciting trip to Tanzania, where we will have the chance to introduce tennis to the Maasai youth, probably for the first time,” John McEnroe said. “Thanks to Insider Expeditions for creating this opportunity for us all to learn about this beautiful country while being able to expand the game of tennis to a new audience in a country on the rise in the global business and tourism landscape.”

“To be able to go to on this unique trip with ties to a tennis growth experience for all involved is going to be very special,” Patrick McEnroe added. “We have all heard about the beauty of Tanzania, so being able to make this trip with my wife and those individuals joining us should be quite amazing.”

The luxury journey will include a tennis match between the McEnroe brothers in the midst of the Serengeti, one of Africa’s most iconic safari destinations. Unmatched wildlife, local cultures and stunning landscapes combine to produce what is often described as the holiday of a lifetime and coupled with celebrity tennis professionals as hosts—this is truly a once in a lifetime experience. The itinerary includes the best Tanzania’s National Parks including the Ngorongoro Crater and the Serengeti which are home to the Big Five as well as numerous birds and reptiles.

Guests will also join John and Patrick when they visit a traditional Maasai Village to bring good will and cultural exchange and introduce the Maasai youth to the game of tennis as part of a special court dedication.

Travelers will enjoy African hospitality while staying at the Four Seasons Serengeti, And Beyond Ngorongoro Crater Lodge and the Gran Melia. This bucket list tour package includes all gourmet meals on an all-inclusive basis, domestic air, almost daily Safari game drives in the Serengeti and Ngorongoro Crater, a welcome reception hosted by the President of Tanzania, tennis themed activities and memories to last a lifetime.

Tennis fans will not want to miss this historic moment in tennis history.  This is a once-in-a-lifetime expedition to one of the most majestic landscapes on the planet with tennis legends.

To learn more or join the tour, please visit: https://insiderexpeditions.com/mcenroe.

About Insider Expeditions

Insider Expeditions is a premier travel company that curates and hosts one-of-a-kind experiences for groups and individuals on all seven continents. Our extensive global network — from presidents to poets, prestigious universities to pioneering explorers, superstar artists to high impact non-profits — enables us to create genuinely unparalleled voyages to the most remarkable corners of our planet.

Our trips range from educational journeys for leading universities, to business delegations for Fortune 500 companies; from mission-driven expeditions with non-profits to creative brainstorming journeys for entrepreneurs; from wellness and yoga retreats to extraordinary family reunions; from creative workshops with artists, to musical or sports adventures with celebrities.

Remembering Arthur Ashe 30 Years After His Death

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February 6, 2023 marks the 30-year anniversary of the death of Arthur Ashe.

In his “Bud Collins History of Tennis” volume, Collins summarizes the career of Ashe which can read in this book excerpt below.

Arthur Ashe

United States (1943–1993)

Hall of Fame—1985

A singular figure in the game’s history as the first black male to win a major singles titles—the first three in fact—Arthur Robert Ashe, Jr., also set a record in 1968 that is most unlikely to be equaled: he won both the U.S. Amateur and Open championships, the first time such a double was possible. No one has come remotely close since.

That first season of the Open era was a whirlwind year for him, then 1st Lieutenant Ashe of the U.S. Army. In order to maintain Davis Cup eligibility and gain time away from duty for important tournaments, Ashe was required to maintain his amateur status. Determining that the traditional (and previously amateur) U.S. Singles Championships at Forest Hills would become the inaugural U.S. Open in 1968, the USTA designated Longwood Cricket Club grass in Boston as the site for a U.S. Amateur tournament. Seeded No. 1 in Boston, Ashe came through to the title by surging past teammate Bob Lutz in the exciting final, 4-6, 6-3, 8-10, 6-0, 6-4.

However, with pros introduced to Forest Hills, Ashe was a lightly regarded No. 5 seed. Nevertheless, at 25, he came of age as an internationalist. Unflappable over the New York fortnight, he served-and-volleyed splendidly. In the final, he clocked 26 aces, returned with precision, and held his cool in a five-set championship victory over pro Tom Okker, 14-12, 5-7, 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.An amateur would never do so well again. As the last remaining pro, Okker got the $14,000 first prize while Ashe was happy to settle for $20 daily expenses for his historic triumph, the first major for a black since Althea Gibson’s Forest Hills triumph a decade before. Ashe’s victory also boosted American morale by ending the U.S. male championship drought that dated back 13 years to Tony Trabert’s 1955 title.

That year Ashe was also a Davis Cup drought-buster, spearheading the U.S. drive to the sterling tub last won five years before. He won 11 straight singles (the most in one campaign for an American) in the drive to retrieve the Cup from Australia in Adelaide. In the finale, he started slowly but beat lefty Ray Ruffels on opening day, 6-8, 7-5, 6-3, 6-3, for a 2-0 lead. After the Cup was clinched by Lutz and Stan Smith in doubles, he finally gave way, losing to Bill Bowrey in a meaningless third-day match. The season closed with Ashe the winner of 10 of 22 tournaments on a 72-10 match record.

He would win both his singles in 1969 as the U.S. successfully defended the Cup, 5-0, against Romania. He beat Ilie Nastase on the first day, 6-2, 15-13, 7-5. Next came West Germany, 5-0, also at Cleveland in 1970, and his first-day win over Willy Bungert, 6-2, 10-8, 6-2. His third-day defeat of Christian Kuhnke, 6-8, 10-12, 9-7, 13-11, 6-4, was the longest match (86 games) in a Cup-deciding round. Eight years later, he reappeared for a vital cameo that led to another Cup for the U.S. His singles victory over Kjell Johansson, 6-2, 6-0, 7-5, was the clincher over Sweden, 3-2, in the semifinal at Goteborg.

Ashe put in 10 years of Davis Cup, topped for the U.S. only by John McEnroe’s 12 and Bill Tilden and Stan Smith’s 11 each, and won 27 singles matches. He returned in 1981 as captain for five years, piloting the victors of 1981 and 1982. He was born July 10, 1943 in Richmond, Va., and grew up there. He was 6’1, 160 lbs and right-handed. Since racial segregation was the law at that time, he could not play in the usual junior tournaments. With the aid of the concerned Lynchburg, Va., physician, Dr. Walter Johnson (who had also befriended and helped Althea Gibson), Ashe finished high school in St. Louis where he could get the necessary tennis competition.

In 1961, after Dr. Johnson’s lobbying got him into the previously segregated U.S. Interscholastic tourney, Ashe won it for Sumner High. Four years later, leading man of his alma mater’s varsity (University of California at Los Angeles), he won the 1965 U.S. Intercollegiate singles over Mike Belkin of the Univ. of Miami, 6-4, 6-1,6-1, and took the doubles with Ian Crookenden. Although Ashe was a man of strong character, poised and able to overcome racial blocks, it took him a while to harness his power, groove his groundstrokes and become a thoughtful player, comfortable on all surfaces. He won 35 amateur singles tournaments, including the U.S. Hard Court in 1963 over Allen Fox, 6-3, 12-10, and the U.S. Clay Court in 1967 over Marty Riessen, 4-6, 6-3, 6-1, 7-5. As one whose career overflowed the amateur and Open eras, he followed the 1968 breakthrough with 11 sterling years as a professional that netted 33 singles titles including the 1970 Australian over Aussie Dick Crealy, 6-4, 9-7, 6-2, and the gloriously unexpected Wimbledon title in 1975.

Days before his 32nd birthday, seeded No. 6, he was a longer shot than he had been seven years earlier at Forest Hills. Defending champ Jimmy Connors, seemingly inviolable, was a 10-to-1 favorite in the final, but Ashe was too slick and cerebral in one of the momentous upsets, 6-1, 6-1, 5-7, 6-4. Changing pace and spin cleverly, startling Connors with a sliced serve wide to the two-fisted backhand, Arthur out-foxed the man a decade his junior.

This was the centerpiece of Ashe’s preeminent year, a heavy duty season when he won nine of 29 tourneys on a 108-23 match record and wound up No. 1 in the U.S., No. 4 in the world. He reached No. 2 in the world in 1976. Improving with age, he unfortunately was grounded prematurely, and permanently, by a heart attack in July, 1979. In 1992, he revealed that he’d contracted AIDS through a 1988 blood transfusion.

Besides 1975, he spent nine other years in the world’s Top 10: No. 10 in 1965 and 1978; No. 7 in 1966; No. 9 in 1967, 1970 and 1973; No. 2 in 1968; No. 8 in 1969; No. 6 in 1971; No. 5 in 1972. In the U.S. rankings, he was No. 1 in 1968 and 1975 and in the Top 10 10 other years: No. 6 in 1963; No. 3 in 1964 and 1976; No. 2 in 1965-66-67, 69, 71, 73; No. 4 in 1970; No. 5 in 1974. He was one of the founders of the ATP in 1972, served as president and had been a reasoned, intelligent spokesman for the game, serving on numerous corporate boards and received several honorary degrees.

A long-time protester of apartheid in South Africa, he was, after several refusals, granted a visa to visit that country in 1973, and became the first black to win a title there, the doubles (with Okker) in the South African Open, over Lew Hoad and Rob Maud, 6-2, 4-6, 6-2, 6-4, after losing singles final to Connors, 6-4, 7-6, 6-3. “You have shown our black youth that they can compete with whites and win,” poet Don Mattera lauded him.

He was gratified to return again after the dismantling of apartheid and meet with president Nelson Mandela (who identified himself as “an Ashe fan”). Ashe lent himself, his name and his money to various enlightened causes. He was arrested not long before his death in a protest against what he regarded as cruel U.S. policies toward Haitian refugees. His principal cause was fostering, furthering education for needy kids, and he was the guiding light in the Safe Passage Foundation for that purpose. He was also a warrior in the fight against AIDS. A tennis player who went well beyond the game, Arthur upheld the qualities that distinguished him as a champion: he showed that it was possible to compete ferociously while maintaining personal honor and sportsmanship. Having entered the Hall of Fame in 1985, he died Feb. 6, 1993, leaving his wife, Jeanne, and six-year-old daughter, Camera. He was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Clinton.

During his career, he won 35 amateur singles, 33 pro singles (634-202 in matches), 18 pro doubles titles (323-176) and $1,584,909 in prize money.

MAJOR TITLES (5)—U.S. singles, 1968; Australian singles, 1970; Wimbledon singles, 1975; Australian doubles, 1977; French doubles, 1971. OTHER U.S. TITLES (8)—Amateur singles, 1968; Clay Court singles, 1967; Hard Court singles, 1963. Intercollegiate singles. 1965; Indoor doubles, 1967 with Charles Pasarell; 1970 with Stan Smith; Clay Court doubles, 1970. with Clark Graebner; Intercollegiate doubles, 1965, with Ian Crookenden. DAVIS CUP (As player)—1963, 1965-66-67-68-69-70, 75, 77, 78, 27-5 singles, 1-1 doubles. As captain—1981-82-83-84-85, record 13-3, won 1981-82 Cups.

Arthur Ashe with Bud Collins

Five Ways Tennis Fans Can Become More Involved In The Sport

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Tennis is a much-loved sport with an extensive and devoted fan base. It’s no surprise that watching these incredible players competing for trophies has created an army of passionate supporters. There are many ways in which tennis fans can become even more involved in their favorite sport beyond just cheering from the side-lines – here are five of them!

Attend live matches

Tennis fans who attend live matches can experience the energy of the court that is unique to every match. Being at a venue allows them to observe nuances not able to be captured on television, such as the powerful forehand of a champion or the speed and agility of an up-and-coming player.

Fans attending also have an opportunity to meet other fellow supporters in person and show support for their favorite players by cheering them on from the stands. Taking part in this communal and shared admiration enhances the overall enjoyment of watching professional competitive tennis.

Join a tennis club or volunteer at one

Joining or creating a tennis club is an ideal way to stay active while connecting with other tennis fans. Forming relationships with people who share your passion can be incredibly rewarding, so if you’re passionate about tennis, why not consider joining or starting a club?

You will get the chance to play tennis yourself and work on improving your skills as well as learning from other experienced players. Not only that, but you’ll gain the friendship and camaraderie of like-minded individuals, making for an all-round positive experience.

Volunteering at tennis events is also an ideal way to gain an inside view of the sport and its various aspects. Not only will you get to witness professional matches first-hand, but you’ll come away with a better appreciation of what goes into producing live events.

You can also make connections with avid tennis fans, meet some of the players, interact with tournament staff and officials, and potentially explore career opportunities in the industry.

You can find more information about local clubs at the Lawn Tennis Association.

Gaming and online wagering

Tennis video games provide an excellent opportunity for fans to gain a greater appreciation for the sport. By practicing courtside decision-making, tracking shot locations, and understanding tactics and strategies, players can learn to become better fans of the game.

Playing tennis video games also helps increase awareness of fine details such as footwork, backswing motion and court positioning, which will add further insight when watching a professional match.

Tennis fans can also become more engaged in the sport through betting online. Tennis-related wagering platforms such as wsn.com provide a unique way for fans to show their support for their favorite players and predict the outcomes of games through many types of bets and checking the latest tennis predictions and odds. The website also has a huge amount of information about the world of tennis to enhance your knowledge and help you become an even bigger fan!

Visiting gaming and betting platforms online can get you more involved in tennis and help you to learn about players you wouldn’t normally watch or pay attention to.

Be active on social media

Following your favorite tennis players on social media is a great way to stay up to date with the latest news. Not only will you learn about any game results and scores, but countless other interesting stories make following players worth it.

From player interviews to finding out about their daily lives as professional athletes, seeing these pieces of content can be exciting and engaging for fans of all ages. Following your favorite players is a great way to show support and feel closer to the action than ever before.

You can also participate in conversations about current matches, players and controversies surrounding the sport on various platforms like Twitter and Reddit. You might even find some valuable tips for gamblers among fellow enthusiasts.

Attend local tournaments and matches

Attending local tournaments and matches is a fantastic way to show your support for up-and-coming talent. It can help to provide young athletes with an extra boost of confidence, knowing that they have the community rooting for them.

At such events, you will likely witness some truly amazing performances from hardworking competitors who are ready to show the world their abilities. Attending one of these tournaments or matches is also a great way to bring local communities together and build meaningful relationships based on a shared interest in the sport.

Eight Bizarre Tennis Facts That Will Leave You Speechless

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Like basketball with its popular events such as the March Madness where fans explore the March Madness picks to bet on games, tennis is a popular sport, with millions of people worldwide enjoying it daily. It’s a game that requires lots of skill, agility, and strategy, but there are also some pretty unusual facts about it that many don’t know about. 

Here are eight bizarre facts about tennis that will leave you speechless:

Unbelievable Tennis Facts That You Probably Didn’t Know About

  1. Cream and pineapple

    As a finishing touch, the Wimbledon trophy is topped with a pineapple. It represents the habit of English sailors placing pineapples on their gateposts after a long voyage. We are not sure how the game of tennis got to be linked with long sea voyages, but it does make the trophy very interesting (and delicious).
     
  2. Two gold medals

    The first individual to win the tennis gold medal at the Olympics just walked up and won.

    John Pius Boland was on vacation in Athens during the Olympic Games when a friend on the organizing committee registered him for singles tennis. Boland won the singles tournament, then went on to win the doubles game with the man he defeated in the initial round of singles, Germany’s Friedrich Traun.
     
  3. Lasted 3 days

    The lengthiest match in history occurred in 2010 at Wimbledon, where John Isner and Nicolas Mahut competed in a phenomenally epic 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68 victory for Isner that stretched 11 hours and five minutes and spanned three days.
     
  4.  Long overdue prize money for women

    2007 marked the first year men and women received equal prize money for winning Wimbledon. Better late than never, right? 
     
  5. Took only 30 minutes

    On the opposite end of the spectrum from Isner-Mahut, the fastest Grand Slam championship ever, occurred in 1988. Steffi Graf defeated Natalia Zvereva 6-0, 6-0 in just 34 minutes to retain her title.
     
  6. Game of the palm

    In the beginning, tennis was played with the hands. It was known as “jeu de paume” (game of the palm), and until the 16th century, people’s hands were probably bruised and red.
     
  7. There is no precise origin of love

    In tennis, there is no conclusive explanation for why we say “love” for zero. Some believe it is derived from the French term “l’oeuf,” as in “egg,” which means zero. There’s also a chance it arose from the Dutch phrase “iets voor lof doen,” which means “no stake in the game.”
     
  8. Fastest serve 

    During the 2016 Davis Cup, John Isner delivered the fastest serve in tennis history. It was during a tie against Australia when the American legend fired a lightning-fast serve, creating a new world record of 253 km/h.

These are some of the interesting facts about tennis that you now know.

The Secret to Becoming a Better Tennis Player

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Tennis may not have such events like in basketball where fans place March Madness bets for fun, but with more than a billion fans worldwide, it is one of the most popular and oldest sports – dating back to the 11th century. It is a sport that requires skill, strength, and agility. 

To become a better tennis player, you need to practice regularly and make sure you spend at least an hour daily honing your skills on the court. Here are a few tips that may help boost your game.

Develop Your Serve for Maximum Power and Accuracy

When developing your serve for maximum power and accuracy, the most important thing is to practice. Start by focusing on your technique and form. Ensure you use the correct grip, stance, and motion when serving.

Once you have a good foundation of technique, start working on increasing your power. To do this, focus on generating more speed with your arm and wrist movements while maintaining control over the ball. You can also improve your accuracy by practicing different types of serves, such as flat or topspin.

Try to also vary where you hit the ball to make it harder for opponents to predict where it will go. And, warm up before each match so you can perform at peak levels during competitions.

Mental Preparation for Playing Tennis

Mental preparation is just as necessary as physical preparation when it comes to playing tennis. Before a match, take some time to visualize yourself playing your best game.

Visualize yourself hitting the ball with precision and power, and imagine how you will react in different scenarios. This will help you stay focused and confident during the match.

Practice positive self-talk before and during the match. Remind yourself of your strengths and abilities, and focus on improving what you can do rather than worrying about what you cannot do.

Try to stay relaxed throughout the match by taking deep breaths or listening to calming music between points. This will help keep your mind clear so that you can make smart decisions when playing.

What are some strategies for competing in a match of tennis?

When competing in a tennis match, it is vital to have a strategy.

You should focus on your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing what shots you are good at and which ones need improvement can help you plan how to approach the match.

You should also consider your opponent’s playing style and adjust accordingly. If they are an aggressive player, try to stay back and counter their shots with more defensive play. If they are a defensive player, be more aggressive and take control of the court by attacking their weaker shots.

It is crucial to stay focused throughout the match and not get too caught up in any one point or game. Keep your energy levels up by taking breaks when needed and staying hydrated throughout the match. By following these strategies, you will be better prepared for success in your next tennis match.

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The Landscape of Tennis Betting in 2022

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As with online betting in popular sports like basketball where fans check NBA picks for example, to make informed decisions for their bets, the landscape of tennis betting is constantly evolving, and it’s only natural to expect more from this industry in 2023. So, let’s dig into the landscape of tennis betting and see what we may expect in the future. 
 

What has been the impact of online sportsbooks on tennis betting in 2022?

The rise of online sportsbooks has had a significant impact on tennis betting in 2022. With more options available to bettors, there is now greater competition among bookmakers for customers. This has led to better odds and more attractive bonuses being offered by sportsbooks, making it easier for bettors to find value when placing bets on tennis matches. The increased availability of data and analytics tools has made it easier for bettors to make informed decisions when wagering on tennis matches. These tools allow bettors to analyze past performance and trends in order to gain an edge over their opponents.

What new technologies are being used to improve tennis betting in 2022?

One of the most popular technologies in tennis betting is the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning algorithms to analyze data from past matches and predict future outcomes. This technology can be used to identify patterns in a player’s performance that may indicate an advantage or disadvantage in upcoming matches. AI can also be used to detect anomalies in betting markets that could signal potential opportunities for bettors. Other technologies being used include virtual reality simulations, which allow bettors to experience a match as if they were actually there. Augmented reality applications are also being used to provide real-time updates on players’ performances during matches.

The global landscape of legalized tennis betting: Where will It be in 2023?

The global landscape of legalized tennis betting is constantly evolving, and it’s hard to predict where it will be in 2023. However, there are a few trends that can help us make an educated guess. As already mentioned, technological advancements are making it easier for people to place bets online or through mobile apps. This could lead to an increase in the number of people placing bets on tennis matches as well as other sports events. And with more countries legalizing sports betting, we may see a rise in the number of tournaments offering prize money for winners and runners-up. This could create even more opportunities for bettors looking to make money off their favorite sport.  These factors point toward a bright future for legalized tennis betting in 2023 and beyond.