Australian Open 2026 set new benchmarks, breaking attendance records, attracting unprecedented visitor stays in Melbourne, and delivering record economic benefits to Victoria.   The event injecting $722.32 million into the local economy, according to a new IER report.   Over the past 10 years the Australian Open has generated more than $3.9 billion for Victoria.   Visitors to AO26 booked 705,239 nights in Victorian hotels, which was a 59.2 per cent increase on last year and the biggest on record. Daily spend within the community was also up, with the average daily spend per visitor $247.80.   62.6 per cent of all Australian Open attendees were from Melbourne, 18.6 per cent from interstate, 10.9 per cent from intrastate and 7.9 per cent from overseas.   The number of full-time jobs generated by the Australian Open was 2,547. The Grand Slam resulted in an extra 803 jobs in the accommodation, hotels and café sector, 191 jobs in retail trade, 113 jobs in road transport and another 70 jobs in construction.   Australian Open 2026 smashed previous attendance records with 1,368,043 fans attending across the three-week event including 217, 999 people in AO Opening Week.   “We are incredibly proud of what the Australian Open has become – not just a world-class sporting event, but a major economic driver for Victoria, bringing hundreds of thousands of fans from across Australia and billions around the world,” Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley said.   “What we’ve achieved over the years goes far beyond attendance figures or global reach. It’s about the lasting impact we’ve created for local jobs, businesses and the broader community – something I’ll always be deeply proud of.”   “The Australian Open is more than a tennis tournament; it’s part of Melbourne’s identity. To have helped build an event that drives tourism, supports hospitality and showcases this city to the world is a legacy I’m incredibly grateful to have been part of.”   Australian Open 2026 had a global cumulative reach of 2.2 billion people, with 781 million hours viewed globally across a cross-platform audience.   Minister for Sport and Major Events Steve Dimopoulos welcomed this year’s results, demonstrating how the Government’s unprecedented investment in Melbourne has helped the Australian Open reach new heights. “The Australian Open is a pillar of our state’s major events calendar and, once again, it has scored a new record for delivering economic benefits for Victoria. This is not just a number – it represents full hotels, thriving restaurants and bars, and millions flowing into businesses across the state and supporting local jobs.” “That is why we have invested more than $1 billion to help make Melbourne Park a truly world-class sporting and major events venue. This has supported another record attendance across three weeks of sport and entertainment, attracting visitors from around the globe to Melbourne and showcasing Australia’s major events capital to the world.”     Key Economic Benefits  ·       The total expenditure stimulus generated in Melbourne by Australian Open 2026 is $722.32 million – this 27 per cent uplift on the previous year includes visitor and event organiser spend plus all attendee spend related to the AO. ·       The Australian Open generated $549.6 million for the Melbourne economy ·       Australian Open 2026 generated more than $519.9 million for the Victorian economy  ·       The Australian Open has generated more than $3.9 billion for Victoria over the past 10 years.    Jobs  ·       The number of full-time equivalent jobs generated was 2547 ·      Australian Open 2026 resulted in 803 jobs in the accommodation, hotels and café sector, 191 jobs in retail trade,113 in road transport and 70 jobs in construction services.    Tourism facts  ·       The Australian Open generated 705, 239 bed nights in Melbourne, up 59.2 per cent on AO25, the biggest on record ·       The 2026 average daily spend per visitor was $247.80  ·      62.6 per cent of all Australian Open attendees were from Melbourne, 18.6 per cent from interstate, 10.9 per cent from intrastate and 7.9 per cent from overseas  ·       Social activities were the most popular leisure activities with 72.5 per cent of visitors participating. A further 43.4 per cent enjoyed outdoor and nature activities, 41.3 per cent took part in arts and culture activities, and 30.5 per cent took an organised tour or visited an attraction.   Attendance ·       Australian Open 2026 smashed previous attendance records with 1,368,043 fans attending across the three-week event including 217, 999 people in AO Opening Week ·       More than 1.7 million people attended events across the entire Australian Summer of Tennis. ·       More than 8.1 million people have attended the Australian Open over the last 10 years  ·       Thursday 22 January was the highest attended day/night in the history of the Australian Open with 103,956 fans through the gates ·       Records were broken for 11 individual sessions and 15 day/night totals.   Key perception benefits ·       97.9 per cent of Victorian attendees surveyed believe that is important for Victoria to host the AO each year ·       90.6 per cent of visitors who attended Australian Open 2026 agree that the AO is a major highlight in the sporting calendar and 91.7 per cent believe that it puts the attention of the world onto Australia during the event ·       More than 60 per cent of visiting attendees would recommend visiting Victoria, indicating a positive perception of the region  ·      ‘Exciting’ ‘Vibrant’ and ‘Welcoming’ were the attributes most associated with the Australian Open.   Global viewership* ·      Australian Open 2026 had a global cumulative reach of 2.2 billion people with more than 781 million hours viewed ·      A record 136,769 coverage hours were broadcast around the globe ·      The top five countries by total hours viewed were Australia, China, USA, Japan and Poland ·       AO26 was the most-watched AO in the US in over a decade with 100 million hours viewed. Viewership growth was achieved across all demographics, most notably with a 61 per cent YOY increase in 18–34-year-olds ·      Carlos Alcaraz’s run to the title helped increase hours viewed in Spain by 86 per cent on 2025, the highest level since AO22 when Rafael Nadal won his last AO Men’s Singles title ·       Poland became the No.1 territory in Europe for the first time, with a record 35 million hours viewed, up 21 per cent on AO25.       Domestic broadcast highlights**  ·       AO26 enjoyed record domestic viewership, with a total of 179 million hours viewed, a 20 per cent YOY increase and +21 per cent vs the 5-year average ·       AO26 had a tournament reach of 14.3 million viewers – a 9.7 per cent YOY increase, and the highest since 2022 when Ash Barty and the ‘Special Ks, (Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis)’ lifted trophies ·       AO26 saw average audiences climb 25 per cent YOY to 696,000 across National Total TV; traditional linear TV enjoying 13 per cent growth, while digital streaming had a 101 per cent surge ·       AO programming had the highest Total TV reach on fourteen days of AO26. On average, the most watched AO program of the day had a Total TV reach of 3.1 million viewers ·       Nine’s commercial FTA share on linear TV averaged 64.5 per cent during the second week of AO26 ·The historic 2026 Men’s Singles Final was the highest-rating Men’s Final since 2017; hours viewed were +77 per cent YOY, with a National TV Reach of 6.3 million, National Total TV Average Audience of 3.4 million (+67 per cent YOY), and a BVOD audience of 905,000 (+136 per cent YOY) ·      Elena Rybakina’s victory in the 2026 Women’s Singles Final was the highest-rating Women’s Final since Ash Barty’s triumph in 2022; hours viewed were +26 per cent YOY, with a National Total TV Reach of 3.82 million, a National Total TV Average Audience of 2.14 million (+30 per cent YOY), and a BVOD audience of 500,000 (+95 per cent YOY) ·       Outside of finals weekend, Alex De Minaur’s quarter-final defeat to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz was the highest-rating match of the tournament, with a National Total TV Reach of 3.55 million and a National Total TV Average Audience of 1.99 million.   Media, Content and Digital ·       AO social channels had more than 4.6 billion impressions ·       There were more than 142 million AO web and app visits ·       1.1 billion impressions generated by more than 700 AO influencers – up 160 per cent year on year ·       There were 16 million total AO social followers – with an additional 6.2 million on China social platforms   Tech & Broadcast Innovation ·       24-hour world feed continuous across all 15 days of the main draw ·       40 Cameras behind the scenes ·       9 new companies joined AO Startups at AO26.   About the study Tennis Australia commissioned IER Pty Ltd to conduct the economic impact assessment for the Australian Open 2026. This follows on from the research that was conducted by Nielsen Sports prior to 2025. AO 2026 generated $722.32 millionAO 2025 generated $565.8 million AO 2024 generated $533.2 million AO 2023 generated $375.3 million AO 2022 generated $267.3 million AO 2021 generated $138 million AO 2020 generated $387.7 million AO 2019 generated $347.2 million AO 2018 generated $293.2 million AO 2016 generated $278.1 million AO 2014 generated $245.5 million AO 2012 generated $239 million AO 2010 generated $160 million.    *Global viewership figures based on 2026 Futures Report  **Domestic viewership figures based on OzTAM ratings.     -ends-

Australian Open 2026,supported by major partner Kia in association with ANZ, Emirates, Luzhou Laojiao, and Rolex took place at Melbourne Park from 12 January to 1 February 2026.   Visit ausopen.com for more information.

The post Australian Open Delivers $722.32 Million In Economic Benefit appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

British Highlights

Day one was a strong start for the home nation, with Billy Harris, Dan Evans, Oliver Tarvet, Max Basing, Henry Searle, and Paul Jubb all advancing to the second round. Evans came through a tight opening set tie-break to beat Juan Carlos Prado Angelo.

By the second round, results were more mixed. Esther Adeshina lost to France’s Harmony Tan 6-2, 6-2, and Paul Jubb was eliminated by world No. 135 Tomas Barrios Vera.

The biggest British story was the end of Dan Evans’ singles career. Evans lost his second-round match to Australian Tristan Schoolkate 7-5, 6-0, bringing his professional singles career to a close. The 36-year-old, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 21 and won two tour-level titles, had announced he would retire after Wimbledon. He is set to continue competing in the doubles draw alongside Henry Searle.

On the positive side, Heather Watson produced a remarkable comeback to defeat Tatiana Porzorova 5-7, 6-3, 7-5 in two hours and 42 minutes, coming back from a break down in the second set and saving break points at 4-3 in the third.

Heading into the final qualifying round, four Brits were still alive: Watson, Oliver Tarvet (who beat Alexis Galarneau 7-5, 6-2), Billy Harris (who knocked out Zsombor Piros 6-4, 6-4), and Max Basing (who beat Tom Gentzsch 7-5, 6-2).

Other notable results from the Wimbledon Qualifier rounds

On the men’s side, American NextGen player Darwin Blanch and China’s Buyunchaokete also came through early rounds of the Wimbledon Qualifiers, while former top player David Goffin was eliminated on the first day. Schoolkate, who won a Challenger title on grass at Ilkley the previous year, was aiming to make his Wimbledon main-draw debut after beating Evans.

The main draw of Wimbledon 2026 begins on 30 June.

The post The Wimbledon Qualifiers, Who Will go to the Main Draw? appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

Live dealer games have quietly become the main reason people stay on a casino site longer than they planned. The appeal is obvious: real dealers, real cards, real-time action, without leaving the couch. But stream quality drops at peak hours, tables fill up fast, and finding a site where dealers are actually sharp, and the experience doesn’t lag takes real legwork. After reviewing dozens of sites across the crypto and traditional casino space, this guide cuts through the noise and highlights the options genuinely worth your time in 2026.

How the picks were chosen

Every option in this list was assessed using publicly available information gathered from review sites, casino directories, player forums, and official casino websites. Only sites with a demonstrated track record in the online gambling space made the cut, with particular attention paid to live dealer game depth and reliability.

→ See the full research breakdown

• JB Casino – Best for crypto gambling enthusiasts and players seeking fast withdrawals
• BitStarz – Best for cryptocurrency casino gaming and multi-currency online gambling
• BC.Game – Best for crypto casino and sportsbook operations
• Winz – Best for cryptocurrency gambling and crypto-native sportsbook wagering
• Rollbit – Best for cryptocurrency casino and sports betting

Why Live Dealer Games Are Worth Researching

Picking the right live dealer site isn’t just about aesthetics. Stream quality that breaks down under load, or tables that hit capacity during peak hours, directly cuts into your session enjoyment and your real-money conversion rate from demo to live play. sites that handle peak concurrent players per table without pushing you to a waiting room are genuinely rare.

The right choice means longer average session time at live tables, better engagement, and a more authentic casino atmosphere that keeps players coming back. That consistency across devices and connection speeds is what separates a site worth using from one that looks great in screenshots but frustrates you mid-hand.

Live Dealer Games Comparison Table

Note: All data in this table is sourced from review sites and the official websites of the listed companies.

1. JB Casino – Best for Crypto Gambling Enthusiasts and Players Seeking Fast Withdrawals

What Is JB Casino’s Business Model?

Built by the team behind BC.Game, JB.com launched in 2024 as a crypto-first online casino and sportsbook operating under a Curaçao Gaming Authority license. The site carries over 6,000 games from 25+ providers, including a solid roster of live dealer tables covering blackjack, roulette, and baccarat. The site combines provably fair verification and independently tested RNG systems aligned to ISO/IEC 17025 standards to offer players genuine transparency into game outcomes, not just promises.

What’s JB Casino’s Edge in Live Dealer Games?

Most crypto casinos make you choose between game variety and withdrawal speed. JB Casino’s live dealer tables sit inside a site that processes most crypto withdrawals in five to ten minutes (not a marketing claim; that’s the reported average). That kind of turnaround, paired with live dealer access across 25+ providers and support for 80+ cryptocurrencies, is genuinely hard to match at this stage of the site’s life.

The Review Roundup:

Players consistently highlight fast cashout times and the clean interface as the two biggest wins. The 470% welcome bonus up to $4,000 plus 400 free spins gets mentioned often, and the general sentiment is that the site punches well above its weight for something launched in 2024.

2. BitStarz – Best for Cryptocurrency Casino Gaming and Multi-Currency Online Gambling

What Is BitStarz’s Business Model?

BitStarz launched in 2014 as the first casino to combine Bitcoin and real-money play under one roof, and it’s been stacking credibility ever since. The site runs over 6,500 games across 300+ cryptocurrencies and fiat options, with an average cashout time sitting at ten minutes or less. Operating under a Curaçao e-gaming license with a team based mostly in Sliema, Malta, BitStarz covers European, Chinese, and Australian markets with 24/7 multilingual support staffed by agents with at least three years of casino experience.

What’s BitStarz’s Edge in Live Dealer Games?

BitStarz solves the trust problem that newer crypto casinos still struggle with. A decade of consistent operations and multiple industry awards give it a credibility baseline that’s genuinely difficult to fake. For players who want live dealer access alongside serious multi-currency flexibility (think 300+ options, not the standard five or six), BitStarz delivers a combination that most competitors launched after 2020 still haven’t matched.

The Review Roundup:

Honestly, the awards tell a lot of the story here. “Best Crypto Casino” and “Best of the Best” at the 2025 CasinoWow Awards, Best Casino at the 2023 LCB Awards, Best Support at the 2022 Casinomeister Awards. Players back that up with consistent praise for customer service quality, which is rare enough in this space that it’s worth calling out.

3. BC.Game – Best for Crypto Casino and Sportsbook Operations

What Is BC.Game’s Business Model?

BC.Game has been running since 2017 out of Willemstad, Curaçao, with a distributed team across Las Vegas, Bucharest, Belize, and Manila handling 24/7 support and regulatory coverage across 20+ countries. The site supports 150+ cryptocurrencies and runs thousands of slots, live dealer titles, and its own provably fair BC Originals games alongside a full sportsbook with live betting. The fact that JB Casino was built by the same team gives you a real sense of the operational pedigree behind both sites.

What’s BC.Game’s Edge in Live Dealer Games?

BC.Game runs live dealer titles with blockchain-based provably fair verification, and the distributed dealer setup across Las Vegas, Bucharest, and Manila means there’s genuine geographic redundancy built into the live operation (not just server redundancy). For players who care about game integrity in real time, that structural approach matters more than most sites want to admit.

The Review Roundup:

Four consecutive SiGMA “Best Crypto Casino” wins don’t happen by accident. Player reviews consistently point to site transparency, fast crypto withdrawals with zero site fees, and a rewards ecosystem built around the BCD token that keeps regular players genuinely engaged rather than just chasing one-time bonuses.

4. Winz – Best for Cryptocurrency Gambling and Crypto-Native Sportsbook Wagering

What Is Winz’s Business Model?

Winz.io launched in 2020 under Dama N.V., operating under Curaçao Gaming Control Board licensing from its base in Willemstad. The site offers 6,000+ casino games, including slots, RNG tables, and live dealer titles, combined with a full sportsbook covering pre-match and in-play markets. What makes Winz stand out from similarly sized competitors is the wagering-free bonus structure. That’s a genuine differentiator in a market where most promotions come buried under conditions that effectively make them unusable.

What’s Winz’s Edge in Live Dealer Games?

Winz targets a real frustration point: players want to access live dealer tables with bonus funds without needing a spreadsheet to figure out if the wagering terms make it worthwhile. Pairing live dealer game access with no-wagering promotions and fast crypto withdrawals across 12+ supported currencies creates an experience that’s more straightforward than most sites this size manage to deliver.

The Review Roundup:

AskGamblers named Winz “Best Online Casino 2025,” which carries weight given how many sites compete for that recognition. Player feedback lines up with that nod, with the wagering-free bonus structure and withdrawal speed showing up repeatedly as the site’s two strongest selling points alongside the sheer breadth of the game library.

5. Rollbit – Best for Cryptocurrency Casino and Sports Betting

What Is Rollbit’s Business Model?

Rollbit launched in February 2020 from Willemstad, Curaçao, combining casino games, sports betting, and leveraged futures trading in one site. With over one million registered users and $5 billion in total wagered volume, it has built a user base that competitors launched the same year are still chasing. Rollbit pioneered provably fair gaming through X-Roulette and became the first crypto casino to launch its own NFT collection (Rollbots), which grants ownership stakes and profit sharing, plus a utility token called Rollbit Coin (RLB).

What’s Rollbit’s Edge in Live Dealer Games?

Rollbit addresses the credibility gap that newer crypto sites face by combining a verified one-million-plus user base, $5 billion in wagered volume, and European sports partnerships that signal legitimate operational scale. For players who want to know a site has real traction before they deposit, those numbers speak more directly than most review aggregator scores.

The Review Roundup:

Rollbit doesn’t lean on a traditional review paper trail the way BitStarz or Winz do. But the site’s user growth and wagered volume serve as a solid proxy for player trust. From what the available data shows, Rollbit’s most vocal advocates tend to be players drawn in by the X-Roulette provably fair mechanic and the NFT ecosystem, which gives the site a community feel that’s distinct from standard crypto casino competitors.

Selection Framework: How Each Pick Was Evaluated

Establishing Your Information Foundation

The research process started by pulling together a wide pool of live dealer sites from multiple sources: casino comparison directories, player-focused review sites, affiliate databases, and the sites’ own published game libraries and feature pages. The goal at this stage was breadth, not depth. Casting a wide net meant less risk of missing a relevant site simply because it doesn’t rank prominently in search results or hasn’t built up a large media footprint yet. Sites from established crypto casino markets as well as newer entrants were included at this phase.

Filtering Eligible Candidates

Once the initial list was assembled, options without a verifiable operational history in the online gambling space were removed. This wasn’t about age alone. A site launched in 2020 with consistent player reviews carries more weight than a 2015 site with a thin or inconsistent review record. Review patterns were checked for consistency and volume. Sites where positive sentiment clustered heavily around bonus claims rather than actual gameplay experience were flagged and weighted accordingly. Live dealer game depth, not just total game count, was treated as a distinct filtering criterion at this stage.

Cross-Referencing Against Independent Sources

Each site’s stated features were cross-referenced against what players actually reported experiencing. When a site claimed ten-minute withdrawals, that claim was checked against player review threads and forum discussions rather than taken at face value. Game provider partnerships listed on official sites were verified against known provider rosters. Licensing claims were checked against the issuing authority’s public records, where available. Discrepancies between a site’s marketing copy and its actual documented player experience were noted and factored into the final assessment.

Industry Standing Check

Award history, mentions in recognized gambling publications, and operator recognition from bodies like SiGMA and CasinoWow were reviewed for each site. The focus here wasn’t on collecting the most awards but on identifying which sites had sustained recognition over multiple years rather than a single spike. sites like BitStarz with a multi-year award trail and BC.Game with four consecutive SiGMA wins scored well here. Single-year recognition was treated as a positive signal but not a deciding factor on its own.

Real-World Live Dealer Games Evidence

The final layer of evaluation focused on live dealer evidence specifically: dedicated live dealer sections, named game titles, named software providers, and verified player reviews discussing live table experiences. General casino praise wasn’t counted as live dealer evidence. sites needed to show documentation of live dealer game availability, provider relationships, and ideally some form of player-reported experience with the live tables themselves to qualify for a spot in this list.

Choosing the Right Live Dealer Games: A Quick Guide

Not every live dealer site fits every player. The right choice depends on what you actually prioritize: game variety, withdrawal speed, bonus conditions, or site trust. Here’s what to think through before committing.

• Operational History: Look at how long the site has been running live dealer tables, specifically, not just casino games in general. A decade of operations like BitStarz carries a different weight than a site that added live dealers as an afterthought six months ago.
• Features and Game Selection: Check which live dealer game types are actually available, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, and game show formats. Also look at how many software providers are represented, since more providers usually means more table variety and better peak-hour coverage.
• Pricing Structure: For crypto sites, look at withdrawal fees and minimum deposit requirements alongside any bonus conditions attached to live dealer play. No-wagering structures like Winz offer are worth real attention here.
• Results Measurement: Track your average session duration and real-money conversion experience across a few sessions. Sites with consistent stream quality tend to produce longer sessions naturally.
• Licensing and Security: Verify that the site holds a current gambling license from a recognized authority (Curaçao Gaming Authority, MGA, UKGC) and that its RNG systems are independently tested. Provably fair verification, where available, adds an extra layer of transparency worth factoring in.

Wrapping Up

Live dealer sites aren’t all built the same, and the difference shows up fast once you’re mid-session with a laggy stream or a full table. BitStarz brings depth and a long track record. BC.Game and JB Casino bring crypto-native infrastructure and provably fair transparency. Winz stands out on bonus conditions, and Rollbit brings scale and community. As live dealer technology keeps advancing in 2026, sites that nail stream reliability and game integrity will pull further ahead of those that don’t.

The post Top Live Dealer Games Worth Playing in 2026 appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

For tennis fans, the name Younes El Aynaoui brings back memories of one of Morocco’s greatest tennis stars. The former world No. 14 thrilled fans with his powerful game and memorable battles against the sport’s biggest names, including an epic Australian Open quarterfinal against Andy Roddick in 2003.

Now, more than two decades after Younes represented Morocco on the world’s biggest tennis stages, the El Aynaoui name is once again making headlines on the international sporting scene. This time, however, it is on the soccer field.

His son, Neil El Aynaoui, has emerged as a key midfielder for Morocco and is competing with the Atlas Lions at the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The 24-year-old midfielder, who plays professionally for AS Roma, earned a place on Morocco’s World Cup roster after helping the national team reach the final of the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ironically, Neil grew up in a household where tennis was a way of life. According to his father, he put down the tennis racket as a child after falling in love with soccer while growing up in Barcelona. Despite being the son of one of Morocco’s most accomplished tennis players, Neil chose to carve out his own sporting path.

Younes recently told FIFA that his son has always possessed extraordinary self-belief and determination. He recalled that even as a teenager, Neil believed he could compete at the highest level and was never intimidated by older or stronger opponents. The former tennis star also emphasized the values he sought to pass on to his son—humility, sportsmanship, and resilience.

Those qualities have helped Neil rise from the youth academy of AS Nancy to professional stops with RC Lens and now Roma, while becoming a regular for the Moroccan national team.

At the World Cup, Neil has been an important part of a Moroccan side seeking to build on the nation’s historic recent success on the global stage. Morocco entered the tournament in a challenging group that included Brazil, Scotland, and Haiti, with El Aynaoui playing a significant role in midfield.

For Younes El Aynaoui, watching his son compete on soccer’s biggest stage must feel familiar. Years ago, he proudly carried Morocco’s hopes on tennis courts around the world. Today, Neil is doing the same in a different sport, ensuring that the El Aynaoui name remains synonymous with excellence in Moroccan athletics.

The surface may have changed from hard courts and clay courts to grass pitches, but the family tradition of representing Morocco at the highest level continues.

The post Younes El Aynaoui’s Son Carries Morocco’s Sporting Legacy During The World Cup appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

@TennisPublisher

With so much talk about the Wimbledon singles comeback for 44-year-old Serena Williams, despite not having played singles since 2022 and with no current singles ranking, it is interesting to look back at when another legend, who was actually three years older than Williams and with only five singles matches played in the previous 10 years, got a singles wild card into Wimbledon.

We are talking about Martina Navratilova, who won Wimbledon nine times, coming back to play singles at Wimbledon in 2004 at the age of 47 and with a WTA singles ranking of No. 1001.

Navratilova had retired from singles after the 1994 season, but she returned to the tour years later, primarily playing doubles. By 2004, at the age of 47, she decided to test herself once again in singles at the highest level. The comeback was mainly geared towards Navratilova competing at the 2004 Olympics Games in Athens, also a possible motivation for Williams at the 2028 Olympic Games in her hometown of Los Angeles, as I discuss here https://youtu.be/ttgmQVPTy10?si=H4AqteZVcCd-JdqW

It was one of the most remarkable ranking situations in Grand Slam history: a player with 18 Grand Slam singles titles and nine Wimbledon singles championships suddenly appearing on the draw sheet as one of the lowest-ranked players in the field.

The Wimbledon crowd was treated to a glimpse of the past when Navratilova won her first-round match, defeating Catalina Castaño in straight sets. It made her the oldest player ever to win a women’s singles main-draw match at Wimbledon. Her run ended in the second round against Argentina’s Gisela Dulko, a player nearly three decades younger. Navratilova actually won the first set before Dulko rallied for a 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 victory. The match is documented in the June 24 chapter of my book “On This Day In Tennis History” which is for sale and download as an ebook and audio book here https://www.amazon.com/dp/0942257421?ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_tw_ud_dp_WSXD7MD1HZBNSNH7DYSF&bestFormat=true

2004 – Forty-seven-year-old nine-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova, in a cameo singles appearance at Wimbledon for the first time since 1994, loses her final singles match at the All England Club on Court No. 3, losing 3-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the second round to 19-year-old Gisela Dulko of Argentina, the same player who ends Navratilova’s French Open singles cameo four weeks earlier. Says Dulko, “This is the most special win of my career.”

The post When A 47-Year-Old Ranked No. 1,001 In The World Got A Wimbledon Singles Wild Card… (It Was Martina Navratilova) appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

@TennisPublisher

Part of the lore of John McEnroe and why he is so popular and famous is not just his amazing playing record but because of his famous outbursts, particularly at Wimbledon.

Undoubtedly, his most famous outburst, that is quoted most often, occurred on June 22, 1981, as documented in my book “On This Day In Tennis History” which is for sale and download as an ebook and audio book here: https://a.co/d/0iBTIHJ2

The except is below.

June 22

1981 – John McEnroe famously calls chair umpire Edward James “the pits of the world” and an “incompetent fool” while exclaiming his famous line “You cannot be serious” in his 7-6 (5), 7-5, 6-3 first-round win over Tom Gullikson on the opening day at Wimbledon. The match is highlighted by McEnroe’s verbally entertaining tirades, two point penalties and two smashed racquets. McEnroe’s most heated tantrum – featuring the famous phrases – comes with Gullikson serving at 1-1, 15-30. Tournament referee Fred Hoyles is called to the court after James slaps McEnroe with a point penalty. After McEnroe’s arguments with Hoyle go unsatisfied, Gullikson holds serve and McEnroe throws a four-letter expletive to Hoyle on the changeover, prompting another point penalty. Says Gullikson of McEnroe’s behavior, ”It has no place. Everyone’s afraid of these guys. All it would take is one default to put them in line. If it was the 120th player in the world, they would have defaulted him.”

The post When John McEnroe First Said “You Cannot Be Serious” appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

By Randy Walker

@TennisPubllsher

Lindsay Davenport told an anecdote about Billie Jean King’s comment to her years ago about left-handed tennis players that stirred a bit of a debate on social media.

Davenport relayed that when she as teenager, King threw out the question that perhaps left-handed players should have to start a service game from the ad side of the court, due to their added advantage serving from that side of the court with their ability to curve their serve off the court and giving them more of an advantage on the “bigger” points in a game being traditionally played from that side of the court.

Clearly, this is something that King has had in her mind for a while and has shared with other pupils she has had as it is also discussed in a new book “Tennis Smart & Simple” by another of her charges, Sophie Amiach of France.

The following is the discussion about this topic by Amiach, a former Australian Open quarterfinalist, in her book that is for sale and download here https://a.co/d/0eir4nTO

Why Do Left-Handed Players Have An Advantage?

Left-handers in tennis enjoy a real edge—and that’s no myth.

When tennis rules were created, wooden racquets, low-power games and limited amount of spin were the norm. But today’s game is a different beast: carbon fiber racquets, explosive strength, lightning-fast serves, wicked spin. And yet, the scoring system hasn’t evolved to match this modern era. So why do lefties still dominate key moments?

It comes down to the advantage (Ad) side of the court— where the most critical points in a game are played AKA the

GAME POINTS:

40–0 40–30 All Advantage points

Three of the four crucial game points are played from the ad side—and for left-handers, that’s their natural side to serve from with that signature slicing spin. On the biggest points of the game, they’re hitting their most dangerous serve—pulling players and especially right-handers far off the court and opening up the entire playing field.

It’s not just an advantage—it’s a literal one.

A well-placed lefty slice serve can yank an opponent deep into the doubles alley, leaving the rest of the court wide open for an easy put-away… if the return comes back at all. Only one game point truly favors right-handed players at 40-15 –when they can use their slice serve to an equal

advantage. Just one out of four! 1 out of 4 really!

Deuce Side vs. Advantage Side

How do we address the natural edge that left-handed players enjoy—an edge that didn’t fully surface until the game evolved, especially around the time of “Rocket” Rod Laver? Laver’s devastating slice serve became a serious weapon against players especially right-handers—and remember, he was doing it with a wooden racquet and on the fastest surface played on at the time: grass. Imagine the damage he could do with today’s technology!

Since then, legends like John McEnroe, Jimmy Connors, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles, Petra Kvitová, Rafael Nadal (and many more) have benefited from the same edge. It’s remarkable, really—lefties make up a small percentage of players, yet a surprisingly large number have reached world No. 1 and won multiple major titles. Just look at this list of lefthanders who topped the rankings: Rod Laver, Jimmy Connors,John McEnroe, Thomas Muster, Marcelo Ríos, Rafael Nadal, Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles and Angelique Kerber. Coincidence? I think not.

So, How Could We Level The Playing Field?

Simple. When a right-hander plays a lefty, the righthanded player should serve first from the ad side (at 0–0). That way, they get to serve three of the four key points of a game from their stronger deuce side—mirroring the natural pattern that favors lefties. Or fl ip it: have the lefty start serving on the deuce side, where their slice serve won’t dominate the biggest points. Voilà—a more balanced match.

(And in case you’re wondering—I’m right-handed, and I had the privilege of playing Martina Navratilova at Wimbledon in 1990. Her lefty slice serve? Absolutely spectacular. She went on to win the title that year—her 18th and final major singles crown. Martina, I was happy to do my part!

Left-handed Player’s Advantage

Right-handed players have 1 out of 4 game points at 40/15, where they can create more angles with their serve using slice. Left-handed players have 3 game points: 40/00, 40/30 and all the Ad. Points on the ad side where they can create more angles with their slice serve. 40/15 40/00

40/30 & Ad points

A first-of-its-kind resource for players and coaches at every level of the game, Tennis Smart & Simple is unique in its innovative integration of QR codes throughout the text, giving readers instant access to video and visual content that brings each concept to life. The result is a more immersive and comprehensive learning experience — one that bridges the gap between reading about tennis and truly understanding it. The book is available where ever books are sold and also for sale and download on Amazon.com here https://a.co/d/0eMyrfvO

Drawing on a career that spanned professional competition, being coached by Billie Jean King, academic study, coaching several WTA Tour players, and work as a radio and television commentator, Amiach brings a rare and multifaceted perspective that is reflected in the book. 

“My hope is that players and coaches of all ages and stages — amateurs and professionals alike — will find this book a valuable resource for strengthening both their game and their understanding of it,” she said.

Amiach is a former top pro tennis player from France who competed on the WTA Tour from 1980 to 1995. She reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 1984 as a qualifier, losing to Chris Evert, four years after reaching the quarterfinals Down Under in doubles. She represented France in the Fed Cup (now Billie Jean King Cup) and reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 57. After retiring from the tour, Amiach continued to teach tennis and has built a long career as a bilingual television and radio commentator in English and French. Her broadcast credits include the WTA Tour world feed, Roland-Garros Radio and world feed TV and US Open Radio among others. Born in Paris and raised in Nice, she now lives in Fairfield, Conn.

Said nine-time Wimbledon champion Martina Navratilova of Amiach and Tennis Smart & Simple, “Clear, engaging and fun. Sophie’s professional playing and broadcasting experience shines through: she explains the game with clarity and compelling storytelling. The QR videos are outstanding teaching aids that beautifully complement the text and images.”

Billie Jean King, who once coach Amiach when she played on the WTA Tour, endorsed the book and said, “In Tennis Smart and Simple, my good friend Sophie Amiach captures the tennis experience in a refreshingly down-to-earth way, keeping things simple, real and easy to apply. This isn’t a book you read once and put away – it’s a road map you bring to the court and use every time you play.”

Said 1983 Roland Garros champion Yannick Noah, “I’m certain that anyone who reads Tennis Smart & Simple will feel inspired and elevate their game…The QR codes are a brilliant touch—I can’t wait to get back on court and test it all out!”

Said three-time U.S. Open champion Ivan Lendl, “Genius is in simplicity and Sophie’s book is exactly that.”

Said 2026 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Mary Carillo,  “I’ve known Sophie for decades, first as a professional tennis player and now working beside her as we analyze Grand Slam events around the world. I have long been impressed with her clear-eyed, hard earned command of the sport. From fundamentals to advanced tactics, Sophie’s insider know how, will help you play smarter and improve quickly. Tennis Smart & Simple is a gem.”

Said former world No. 5 Jimmy Arias,“Whether you’re introducing beginners or refining a touring player, Tennis Smart & Simple is a toolbox you’ll reach for every day. The step-by-step videos links make instruction simple, repeatable and adaptable for all ages and skill levels — a huge asset for teaching professionals and coaches.” 

Said former Olympian and top 10 star Chanda Rubin  “As a former world No. 6 player who has been in the commentary booth for over a decade, I understand how important it is to break down complex shots into simple, explainable, and repeatable steps. This is where Sophie’s professional playing and broadcasting experience shines through: she explains the game with clarity and compelling storytelling. And the QR codes videos are innovative, well-executed teaching aids that beautifully complement the text and images. Tennis Smart & Simple is a must have in your tennis bag.”

Said Hall of Famer Pam Shriver, “Practical, visual and immediately usable — that’s Tennis Smart & Simple. Sophie breaks complex shots into simple, repeatable steps, and the linked videos through the QR codes make it easy for players, amateurs to professionals at every level to practice correctly and confidently. A must-have in your tennis bag for players and coaches.”

Said former USTA President Katrina Adams, “As a former tour professional, I vouch for this instructive guide and the many pathways it offers to play your best. Consistent performance is built on the right habits, and Tennis Smart & Simple gives you the tools to do it. The exercises are enjoyable and effective, and the QR codes demos feel like having Sophie on court with you — expect noticeable improvements fast.”

Said former Olympic bronze medalist Alicia Molik, “I have been fortunate to work alongside Sophie in the commentary booth over many years at WTA events. Her passion mixed with tennis IQ and EQ is a real asset to this wonderful sport of ours. Sophie’s insights help players at every single level and importantly, the viewers at home understand and digest a match at the highest level. Sophie has always remained at the cusp in evolving at the same rapid rate of the evolution of this sport. She was a wonderful player, coach and now an incredible teacher of the game. Read… Watch… Learn… And improve! I continue to learn more about tennis every minute I sit beside her in the commentary box.”

Said former Olympic gold medalist Zina Garrison,  “From one pro to another, I can truly say Sophie has poured her whole tennis life onto these pages. She’s lived the tour, coached at the WTA level, taught countless players, and seen the game from every angle. That rare mix shines through in a way that makes Tennis Smart & Simple fun read. With her eye for detail, the clear photos, and the QR code videos, every drill and tactic comes alive. What makes this even more special is the sisterhood — one woman giving back to the game so others can grow. This is Sophie at her best, and it’s a gift for every player, coach, and fan.”

Said former top 10 star Andrea Petkovic, “One of the most brilliant minds in tennis has chosen to share her experience with us-and we are all the better for it. Even the very best players must return to fundamentals when things aren’t going their way. This book complete with QR code videos that provide instant visual guidance, is an invaluable resource that will elevate your game and make you a better tennis player.”

Founded in 1987, New Chapter Press (www.NewChapterMedia.com) is also the publisher of “Pete Sampras: Greatness Revisited” and “The Greatest Tennis Matches of All-Time” by Steve Flink, “The Education of a Tennis Player” by Rod Laver with Bud Collins, “The Secrets of Spanish Tennis” by Chris Lewit, “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” by Bud Collins, “The Pros: The Forgotten Era Of Tennis” by Peter Underwood, “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” by Sebastian Torok, “The Wimbledon Final That Never Was” by Sidney Wood, “Titanic: The Tennis Story” by Lindsay Gibbs, “Macci Magic: Extracting Greatness From Yourself And Others” by Rick Macci with Jim Martz, “Andy Murray, Wimbledon Champion: The Full Extraordinary Story” by Mark Hodgkinson, “Cattle To Courts: A History of Tennis In Texas” by Ken McAllister, “Sport of a Lifetime: Enduring Personal Stories From Tennis” by Judy Aydelott, “Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied Men’s Tennis Program at the University of Southern California” by S. Mark Young, “Absolute Tennis: The Best And Next Way To Play The Game” by Marty Smith, “How To Permanently Erase Negative Self Talk So You Can Be Extraordinary” by Emily Filloramo, “Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” by Cliff Richey and Hilaire Richey Kallendorf, “Your Playbook For Beating Depression: Essential Strategies For Managing and Living with Depression” by Cliff Richey and Mary Garrison, “Roger Federer: Quest for Perfection” by Rene Stauffer, “On This Day In Roger Federer History” by Randy Walker, “Jan Kodes: A Journey To Glory From Behind The Iron Curtain” by Jan Kodes with Peter Kolar, “Tennis Made Easy” by Kelly Gunterman, “On This Day In Tennis History” by Randy Walker, “A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis” by Tony Serksnis, “Court Confidential: Inside The World Of Tennis” by Neil Harman, “A Backhanded Gift” by Marshall Jon Fisher, “Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games” by Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli, “Internet Dating 101: It’s Complicated, But It Doesn’t Have To Be” by Laura Schreffler, “How To Sell Your Screenplay” by Carl Sautter, “Bone Appetit: Gourmet Cooking For Your Dog” by Suzan Anson, “The Rules of Neighborhood Poker According to Hoyle” by Stewart Wolpin among others.

The post Should Left-Handed Players Start Service Games From The Ad Side? appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

$600 Off, Plus Extra Gifts

During the Prime Day campaign, Acemate Tennis Robot S10 will be available on Acemate’s official website for $1,899 / £1,899 / €1,899 / CAD$2,499 / AUD$2,899. Taking the U.S. market as an example, this represents a $600 reduction from its $2,499 MSRP, offering buyers savings of up to 24%. In addition, the first 100 buyers will receive a limited Acemate gift bundle, including a branded bag and towel.

Human-Like Rally Experience

Unlike traditional ball machines that feed from a fixed position, Acemate S10 tracks incoming shots, moves across the court, catches the ball, and sends it back at speeds up to 100 km/h. Supported by 4K binocular vision and a 0.15-second response, Acemate S10 keeps the rally going with a more natural training rhythm. For players, that changes the session. Each rally asks them to adjust their timing, footwork, recovery, and shot selection instead of repeating the same feed. Players describe the experience as the closest thing to hitting with a real partner.

AI Coaching for Summer Practice

Summer is a strong season for tennis training, but players do not always have a hitting partner available or a coach they can book. Acemate S10 is designed to serve as both a rally partner and a training assistant with coaching-style feedback. With its built-in Drill System, players can train with clearer goals. The system includes 40+ training templates for NTRP 1.0 to 5.0, including forehand, backhand, volley, overhead, and more. Players can also create custom drills by adjusting feed interval, ball height, direction, speed, spin, and ball count. After each session, Acemate S10 provides training data and a session score, including shot placement, ball speed, net clearance, accuracy, and other key metrics. AI analysis then helps players understand their performance and identify what to work on next.

About ACEMATE

Acemate develops AI-powered tennis robots designed to make practice more realistic, structured, and accessible. Founded by engineers from Microsoft and Google and backed by publicly listed OneRobotics (HKG: 6600), Acemate combines robotics, vision systems, and intelligent software to help players train with real-rally play and coaching-style feedback.

For more information, visit Acemate’s official website or follow Acemate on X, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Discord.

The post ACEMATE Tennis Robot S10 Gets $600 Prime Day Discount, with Bonus Gifts appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

Vondroušová did not submit a sample when notified by a Doping Control Officer during an out-of-competition test attempt at her home at around 8pm on 3 December 2025. The officer arrived at 8:15pm, outside her whereabouts submission slot for the day, and demanded an immediate test, which Vondroušová described as a “serious intrusion into her privacy.”

Markéta Vondroušová defence

Vondroušová released a statement in April saying she had “reached a breaking point after months of physical and mental stress” and suffered an “acute stress reaction” which prevented her from thinking rationally. She also raised concerns for her safety, stating the doping officer approached her door late in the evening “without properly identifying themselves or following protocol,” and that “in that moment it was about feeling safe, not about avoiding anything.”

The Tribunal’s ruling

The independent tribunal considered her explanations as well as evidence from the doping control officer, and determined there was “no compelling justification” for her refusal. Under anti-doping rules, the starting point for a sanction when a player refuses a test must be the same as if they had tested positive, to ensure that anyone who is doping cannot serve a shorter ban simply by refusing.

Vondroušová faces grave consequences

Her suspension will end on 21 June 2030, when she will be 30 years old. While suspended, Vondroušová is not allowed to play in, coach at, or attend any events organised or sanctioned by the ITF, WTA, ATP, the Grand Slams, or any national association.

What’s next?

Vondroušová will consider the verdict before deciding whether to appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Her lawyer Jan Exner stated they will read the full written decision before deciding on further action.

Vondroušová became the first unseeded player to win the Wimbledon women’s singles title when she defeated Ons Jabeur in straight sets in 2023. She also reached the French Open final in 2019 and earned a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

The post Markéta Vondroušová Handed Four-Year Ban From Tennis appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

By Bob Stockton

Just when the tennis world thought it had seen the last of Serena Williams in a singles draw, the greatest of all time went and changed her mind. In news announced today by the All England Club, Serena Williams will play singles at Wimbledon after accepting a wild-card invitation. And yes — this is very much a drill.

The announcement sent shockwaves through the sport on a Sunday morning, and for good reason. Williams’ last singles match was a loss to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 US Open — a match after which she famously said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring,” declaring instead that she was “evolving” away from tennis. Four years later, that evolution has apparently taken a sharp turn back toward Centre Court.

The Decision That Had Everyone Watching

Wimbledon held open the eighth and final women’s singles wild-card spot until Williams made up her mind. And it was far from a foregone conclusion. As recently as earlier this week, after losing a doubles match in Berlin, she appeared to be waffling over the decision. “Oh my gosh, there are some left?” she replied when told a wild-card spot was still available.

She even put the question to her doubles partner. “Do you think I’m ready for singles?” she asked a reporter, then turned to doubles partner Karolína Muchová. “I think I would be interested in it,” the Czech player responded. Apparently, that was enough to tip the scales.

Her response to the announcement? Characteristically Serena. “Just finished a mean game of duck duck goose,” she posted on X after the wild card was confirmed.

A Comeback Already in Motion

Williams’ comeback had, until today, run entirely through the doubles court. She played her first match in four years at Queen’s Club earlier this month alongside Canadian Victoria Mboko, winning the opener before the pair had to withdraw when Mboko picked up a knee injury. She then partnered Muchová in Berlin, where they fell in the first round.

Now she’ll play both singles and doubles at SW19. She and older sister Venus Williams had already accepted a wild card for the doubles competition — their first pairing at the All England Club in a decade.

The Stakes Are Real

Don’t let the fairytale narrative fool you — there are actual tennis stakes here. Because Serena has no singles ranking after being away for so long, she could potentially face Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, or any other top-ranked player in the opening rounds. Swiatek is the defending champion; Sabalenka holds the world No. 1 ranking.

And yet, if Williams can win even a single match, she would become the fourth-oldest woman in the Open Era to win a singles match at a Major.

Seven Titles. One More Chapter?

The legend carries 73 singles titles on her illustrious résumé, including 23 Grand Slam championships — seven of them at Wimbledon, with titles in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016. Nobody is seriously expecting an eighth. But nobody seriously expected this announcement either.

Wimbledon begins June 29, and Williams will learn her first-round opponent on Friday when the singles draw is held.

Whatever happens in that draw — and whatever happens on court — one thing is already certain: Serena Williams returning to Wimbledon singles at 44 is the most compelling storyline of the summer. Centre Court is going to be electric.

Don’t look away.

The post She’s Back: Serena Williams Is Coming to Wimbledon — Singles and All appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.