(Getty) "I don't need you anymore!" That was the greeting I received last month from a young student whom I had worked with for around three months. "OK, no problem. You have it all worked out?' I replied: "Yes, dad and I bought a ball machine and realised we don't need to spend all this money on lessons when I can just use the ball machine any time I want for as long as I want". I filled that spot the next day and did not give it another thought. I did, however, think about

(Getty/Minas Panagiotakis) In August 2024, Australia's Alexei Popyrin produced a stunning result that surprised many in the tennis world when he claimed the Montreal Masters, a 1000-level event, despite his modest world ranking of No.62 at the time. The win catapulted him to No. 23 and secured his seeding for this year's Australian Open. The shockwaves of that win were twofold. It got people thinking about the path of the next generation, and just how open it might be (seemin

Jannik Sinner celebrates Italy's 2024 Davis Cup victory. (Clive Brunskill/Getty) Italy's chances of achieving a Davis Cup three-peat have taken a massive hit following Jannik Sinner's decision to skip the event, as one former Italian player labelled the decision a "slap in the face". Sinner, who guided Italy to back-to-back Davis Cup titles in 2023 and 2024, was not included in captain Filippo Volandri's squad list for November's tournament. The 24-year-old's last event for t

Dane Sweeny at the 2024 Australian Open. (Getty/Martin Keep) The first month of the Australian Pro Tour has concluded across four cities around the country, establishing some stellar results for both homegrown talent and players from abroad.   Having been involved in the commentary for Tennis Australia on beIN Sports across the opening month in 2025, the grit and determination on show have been exemplary.   Players fight tooth and nail for any ranking point they can get their

Holger Rune requires assistance as he limps off court. (Getty/Linnea Rheborg) World No.11 Holger Rune has had his 2025 season cut short in the cruellest way possible after an Achilles injury forced him into retirement mid-match. Rune, who has been ranked as high as No.4, clawed back from 2-4 down to win four straight games in the first set against Frenchman Ugo Humbert in the Stockholm Open semi-finals. By entering the code TFS2025, you will receive 15% off the RRP on all non

(Getty/Mustafa Yalcin) The path for a newcomer on the WTA tour today looks very different from a decade ago. The trajectory of a tennis player to the pro tour has changed exponentially, not to mention the tour and everything that comes along with it. So just how different was the circuit for a WTA newcomer 10 years ago?  Back then, the typical trajectory for a pro WTA player included progressing through the junior ITF level, then onto the professional ITF circuit, and working

Naomi Osaka interacts with the Wuhan crowd with a selfie. (Getty/Wang He) As the tennis world chases new riches in the Middle East, it's the rest of Asia that deserves attention. The men's circuit has just wrapped up its annual swing through Asia and is already heading back to its comfort zone: Europe.  Across three short weeks (an extended one for Shanghai), we saw five tournaments — two 250s, two 500s, and a single Masters 1000.  All but one were held in mainland China, wit

(Getty/Clive Brunskill) Three-time major finalist Alexander Zverev has suffered heartbreak on multiple occasions, but his latest loss won't impact him after checking his bank balance. Zverev, 28, participated in the first round of Saudi Arabia's Six Kings Slam — the second edition of the exhibition tournament. Shop with a 15% storewide discount code: SERVE15 - excludes clearance items, machines, court equipment and gift cards at  www.tennisdirect.com.au The world No.3 suffer

(Getty/Hector Retamal) Valentin Vacherot's victory at the Shanghai Masters is the story of the tennis season — a true underdog triumph that defied every expectation. The 26-year-old Monegasque, ranked outside the world's top 200 at the start of the tournament, stunned the tennis world by winning his first career title. By entering the code TFS2025, you will receive 15% off the RRP on all non-sale items when you shop online at  www.racquetworld.com.au On his way to lifting the

(Getty/Lintao Zhang) Alex de Minaur has been hit with an injury concern just a few weeks out from the end of the season. Last week, the...

A stunned Valentin Vacherot after toppling Novak Djokovic. (Getty/Hector Retamal) Arriving at the Shanghai Masters as the ninth...

Craig Tiley addresses the audience at the 2026 Australian Open launch. (Daniel Pockett/Getty) Australian Open and innovation. The two...

(Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club/Rebeka Powell) The renowned Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club has announced a bold landmark development in a bid to...

Novak Djokovic could barely move after losing the second set against Jaume Munar. (Getty/Hu Chengwei) Another day of drama eventuated in...

(Getty/Daniel Pockett) Once again, the Australian Open is implementing bold new ideas to ensure Melbourne Park maintains its 'Happy Slam' reputation. Australian Open 2026's three-week tennis and entertainment festival includes: OPENING WEEK will see the entire precinct open from day one for the first time, with affordable family tickets and free entry for kids on day one. Fans can enjoy AO Ballpark presented by Emirates, TOPCOURT, nightly live music on Grand Slam Oval, qualif

(Getty/Han Myung-Gu) Results haven't gone the way of Daria Kastkina in 2025, but the Aussie has explained the reason for her struggles in...

(Getty/Hu Chengwei) Are tennis courts getting slower to suit the top male players in the modern game? Alexander Zverev seems to think so....

(Getty/Lintao Zhang) Alexander Zverev survived a major scare at the Shanghai Masters, and also took the time to criticise the ATP on a...

Arthur Rinderknech exchanging words with the tournament supervisor and the chair umpire. (TennisTemple/X) Chaos erupted in the opening...

Daniil Medvedev argues with the chair umpire and tournament referee. (Getty/Fred Lee) The ATP has confirmed that former world No.1 Daniil...