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'Just a strategy to make money': Ex-player calls out US Open mixed doubles format as 'unfair'
(Getty/Sarah Stier, Felipe Amorim) Frenchwoman Alizé Cornet has called out the US Open's attempt to "make money" from mixed doubles, as she feels for the doubles specialists forced to watch on the sidelines. This year marks the second edition of the mixed doubles concept, with top-ranked singles players participating in the main draw spread across two days during Fan Week. Experienced doubles pair Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori were crowned mixed doubles champions in New Y

Christian Montegan
23 hours ago


Stan Wawrinka's team confirm US Open wildcard request was lodged before rejection
Stan Wawrinka holds the 2016 US Open trophy. (Getty/Elsa) After days of rumours and guesses, former US Open champion Stan Wawrinka requested a wildcard into the final Grand Slam of the year. Wawrinka, 41, is playing his final season on Tour and previously received wildcards into the other three Grand Slams, where his best performance was the Australian Open, reaching the third round. However, despite eight wildcards available, the Swiss star has been rejected by the United St

Christian Montegan
2 days ago


'Important we have a voice that matters': Grand Slam Player Advisory Council to launch at the US Open
US Open's Arthur Ashe Stadium. (Getty/Elsa) In a tennis first, players will have a voice in decisions by the sport's four Grand Slam events, amid a Player Advisory Council. On Thursday, a media release sent by representatives of the four majors detailed the move, hailing it as a "significant milestone". "The Australian Open, Roland-Garros, The Championships, Wimbledon, and US Open today announced the formation of a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council to serve as the forum for

Christian Montegan
6 days ago


ITIA suspends Nick Kyrgios temporarily due to positive cocaine test in-competition
(Getty/Ben Whitley) The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has provisionally suspended former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios after violating the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme. During an ATP 250 event in Mallorca back in June, Kyrgios' drug test returned positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. Listen to The First Serve Live every Monday at 8pm AEST in its 18th year on the SEN Network/App, Australia's only dedicated weekly tennis program on commercial r

Christian Montegan
Aug 19


'Extremely grateful': Popyrin, Preston awarded US Open wildcards
(Getty) Aussies Alexei Popyrin and Taylah Preston have been awarded US Open reciprocal wildcards in agreement with Tennis Australia. Preston, 20, sits one place outside the top 100, but is nonetheless excited to compete on one of tennis' biggest stages. "I'm extremely grateful to be given the opportunity to compete in the main draw in New York," said Preston, who recently won the WTA 125 Vancouver title against Maddison Inglis in the final. "It means so much to me – I've put

Christian Montegan
Aug 19


Report: Sinner fitness test looms, question mark placed on US Open participation
(Getty/Emmanuele Ciancagliani) Reputable Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport reports that world No.1 Jannik Sinner is preparing for a fitness test in the coming days to determine whether he will enter the upcoming US Open. Sinner, who turned 25 this week, withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters due to a knee injury. "My right knee has been bothering me, and even though we have been working hard with my medical team, I have to accept that I'm not ready to compete yet," he said

Christian Montegan
Aug 18


'I give a little less s**t about it': Iga Świątek takes swipe at 'experts' after Toronto title
(Getty/Matthew Stockman) New Toronto champion Iga Świątek made sure to put a few people in their place following consistent criticism. The 25-year-old dropped only five games in Canada's WTA 1000 final against Elena Rybakina, winning 6-2, 6-3 in a dominant display. "The journey has been bumpy this season," admitted Świątek. "To be here and to hold the trophy… means a lot, and I'm just proud of myself and super-happy." Listen to The First Serve Live every Monday at 8pm AEST in

Christian Montegan
Aug 14


'Pretty bleak times': John Millman's honest take on Aussie tennis development
(Getty/Kelly Defina) Former world No.33 John Millman believes that there's "not the volume of players coming through" in the Australian tennis system despite the rise of Cruz Hewitt. Millman, who retired in 2024, shared his thoughts on Cruz, son of former world No.1 Lleyton, after reaching the Wimbledon Boys' final and earning his maiden ATP Tour victory. "For me, Cruz is very, very talented. Sometimes when I watch him play, and when I was with him, his biggest opponent at ti

Christian Montegan
Aug 12


'Evidence is clear': PTPA 'saddened' by player withdrawals, points blame towards schedule
Carlos Alcaraz in the stands to watch his brother, Jaime. (Getty/Europa Press) The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) have launched a scathing reality check following the concerning number of player withdrawals, linking injuries to a demanding schedule. The men's field has been more open in recent months since Carlos Alcaraz's absence dating back to April (wrist injury), and just recently, world No.1 Jannik Sinner withdrew from the Cincinnati Masters due to a knee

Christian Montegan
Aug 11


Nick Kyrgios and Paula Badosa Confirmed for 2027 Kooyong Classic
Following a hugely successful 2026 tournament, the Kooyong Classic has continued its momentum into 2027, today announcing Australian star Nick Kyrgios and former World No. 2 Paula Badosa as the first players to join the 2027 tournament. Returning to the spiritual home of Australian tennis from 12–14 January 2027, former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios is one of the world’s biggest drawcards, renowned for his shot-making, creativity and ability to entertain crowds whenever he

The First Serve
Aug 6


'What did Cruz have that others didn't?' Important questions raised after John Millman's comments
Cruz Hewitt at the Washington Open. (Getty/ Emilee Chinn) Days after 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt took a massive step in his pro tennis career, a healthy discussion has materialised about his junior environment and the lessons Tennis Australia can take away from it. Hewitt, who qualified as a wildcard for his first-ever Tour-level main draw at the ATP 500 Washington Open, won his first Tour-level match against world No.85 Marcos Giron before falling to 2025 champion and mentor Ale

Christian Montegan
Aug 5


AO 1 Point Slam returns in 2027
Players react in shock during the AO 1 Point Slam. (Getty/David Gray) As expected off the back of huge success, the AO 1 Point Slam will be making another appearance at Rod Laver Arena for the 2027 Australian Open. The event was played during January's Opening Week, where a knockout format saw amateurs take on pros, with the first player to win a point progressing to the next round. NSW State Champion Jordan Smith won the inaugural AO 1 Point Slam, defeating world No.1 Jannik

Christian Montegan
Aug 5


'Some c*** from doping': New details emerge in 58-page report on Markéta Vondroušová's four-year ban
(Getty/Clive Brunskill) Former Wimbledon champion Markéta Vondroušová has learnt the full findings of the tribunal report following her four-year ban. Vondroušová, 27, was handed the ban in June after the Czech star denied a doping officer entry to her home to conduct a routine doping test, arguing that the officer failed to follow "protocol". She was fearful of a similar incident occurring to that of fellow Czech, Petra Kvitová, who was stabbed in her apartment in 2016, addi

Christian Montegan
Aug 1


'Amazing feeling': Alex De Minaur defeats 17-year-old Cruz Hewitt in highly anticipated battle
(Getty/Emilee Chinn) Top seed Alex de Minaur has kept his Washington title defence alive after getting past Aussie teenager Cruz Hewitt in what was a "weird" experience. The world No.5 was broken once throughout the contest as he sealed his progression to the quarter-finals of the ATP 500 event with a routine 6-2, 6-3 win. All the pre-game talk centred on the duo's relationship, dating back over a decade, with photos circulating on social media. Listen to The First Serve Live

Christian Montegan
Jul 31


Two Aussies earn maiden Tour-level wins; Popyrin nightmare continues
Cruz Hewitt and Edward Winter (Getty/Emilee Chinn, Matthew Stockman) Cruz Hewitt and Edward Winter tasted a first ATP Tour-level victory on the same day in different tournaments, as the North American swing kicks into full gear. Hewitt, 17, took down world No.85 American Marcos Giron 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the ATP 500 Washington Open without conceding a break point chance. Having recently reached the final of the Wimbledon Boys' final, the Sydneysider is continuing hi

Christian Montegan
Jul 29


Teams named for the second edition of the revamped US Open Mixed Doubles Championships
The USTA has confirmed the initial list of star-studded teams entered into the second edition of the reimagined US Open Mixed Doubles Championships. Aryna Sabalenka/Novak Djokovic Elena Rybakina/Taylor Fritz Mirra Andreeva/Andrey Rublev Iga Swiatek/Casper Ruud Belinda Bencic/Flavio Cobolli Diana Shnaider/Daniil Medvedev Amanda Anisimova/Learner Tien Alex Eala/Felix Auger-Aliassime Leylah Fernandez/Frances Tiafoe Taylor Townsend/Alexander Zverev Elena Gabriela Ruse/Nuno Borges

The First Serve
Jul 28


LA 2028 Olympics Tennis Event expands, to start just after Wimbledon concludes
The 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Tennis Event will expand from nine to 10 days and will be held from Wednesday 19 until Friday 28 July 2028. The event will take place just after Wimbledon, with the LA28 opening ceremony being held on Friday 14 July, while Wimbledon is still going. The event will be played at Carson Courts in the Carson Zone. Eleven outdoor hard courts will be used: a 10,000-capacity permanent Centre Court; two temporary show courts – Court 1 and Court 2; and

The First Serve
Jul 24


Update provided on Australian Open ground pass cap after fans seek clarity
(Getty/Morgan Hancock) The 2027 Australian Open will implement an unprecedented change for ground passes, but clarity has been issued amid questions from fans. On Tuesday morning, it was announced that ground passes for January's event will be limited. It comes after backlash from tennis fans during the 2026 Australian Open, with many left frustrated by long queues and difficulty in finding a seat on the outside courts. Listen to The First Serve Live every Monday at 8pm AEST

Christian Montegan
Jul 22


Entry Lists confirmed for the US Open, with 10 Aussies directly into the main draw
(Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP via Getty Images) The men's and women's singles entry lists have been confirmed for the US Open, announced after Monday's six-week cutoff with the latest rankings updated. The women's cutoff was No.102, while the men's cutoff was No.101. World No.1s and past US Open Champions Aryna Sabalenka (2024 and 2025) and Jannik Sinner (2024) lead their respective fields, with Sabalenka aiming to become the first woman to win three consecutive US Open sin

The First Serve
Jul 22


'We want to grow the sport': Craig Tiley officially begins USTA CEO role
Craig Tiley speaking at Melbourne Park. (Getty/Daniel Pockett) Ex-Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has commenced his first day in office as the new United States Tennis Association (USTA) CEO, five months after being appointed. The 65-year-old decided to leave Tennis Australia after 21 years, serving as both the CEO and Australian Open tournament director since 2013. Listen to The First Serve Live every Monday at 8pm AEST in its 18th year on the SEN Network/App, Australia's

Christian Montegan
Jul 21
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