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.

By Bob Stockton

The afternoon light fell soft and golden over the Rot-Weiss Club as Jessica Pegula walked to the baseline for what she hoped would be the final time as a runner-up.

She had fought back. That was the thing people would remember. Down a set, she had clawed her way into the second, the crowd leaning forward as she broke Linda Noskova’s serve and leveled the match 6-4. For a moment, the momentum felt entirely hers.

But Linda Noskova — tall, composed, with a serve like a gunshot — wasn’t rattled. The Czech had been here before, in these pressure-cooker moments on grass, and she moved through the third set with an almost eerie calm. The ball stayed low and skidded off the turf in ways that seemed to conspire against Pegula’s groundstrokes, which were built for harder, truer surfaces.

At 5-3 in the third, Pegula stood at the baseline, bouncing on her heels, talking to herself in that intense, focused way she always did. You’ve been here. You know how to do this. She saved one match point. Then two.

But the third one slipped through her fingers — a backhand wide by the thinnest margin — and it was over. 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 to Noskova.

Pegula pressed her racket to her forehead for a long moment. Then she smiled, shook hands warmly at the net, and applauded the crowd who applauded right back.

The grass had won today. But Wimbledon was two weeks away, and Jessica Pegula was just getting started.

The post The Grass Didn’t Give For Jessica Pegula In Berlin Final Loss To Linda Noskova appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

By Bob Stockton

HALLE, Germany — Frances Tiafoe rewrote the history books on Sunday, winning the Terra Wortmann Open to become the first American to lift the trophy at the ATP 500 event. In a remarkable all-American final, Tiafoe defeated longtime rival Taylor Fritz 6-4, 6-4 to claim his first ATP 500 crown at age 28.

The victory was laced with personal significance. Tiafoe had not beaten Fritz in ten years, having lost each of their previous seven meetings, with Fritz entering the final leading their head-to-head 7-1. On Sunday, Tiafoe flipped the script entirely.

He took control of the match by breaking Fritz once in each set, never allowing the world No. 7 to settle into his service rhythm. Tiafoe stayed sharp behind his own serve throughout, firing eight aces and not facing a single break point on his way to the straight-sets win.

Fritz, who had been the sentimental favourite on paper after a stunning run through the draw, was gracious in defeat. “Frances and his team are just too good,” Fritz said. “You played great today, and as much as I don’t like you right now, you’re one of my best friends and I’m super happy for you to get the title.”

The road to the title was not without drama for Tiafoe. He saved three match points in a gruelling quarter-final win over Felix Auger-Aliassime, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6(12), before cruising past German wild card Daniel Altmaier in the semis.

The triumph was Tiafoe’s first at the ATP 500 level. His three previous tour titles had all come at ATP 250 events, and he had gone 0-4 in finals above that tier heading into Sunday.

The win carries powerful momentum into the final Grand Slam warm-up period. Tiafoe will rise nine places in the PIF ATP Rankings to world No. 19 on Monday. And in his post-match remarks, the American made no secret of what comes next.

“Honestly, what a year. We’ve been working hard since the end of last season and, as we like to say, we keep reaching new heights. Let’s enjoy this title and get ready for Wimbledon in a week,” Tiafoe told the crowd.

He also paid warm tribute to the tournament itself, saying he felt “really at home” on his debut in Halle, got to play golf, eat plenty of chocolate, and called the German fans “the best fans I’ve seen at a 500.”

With Wimbledon less than a week away, Tiafoe heads to SW19 as one of the form players in the game — and, finally, a grass-court champion.

The post Frances Tiafoe Becomes Halle’s First Ever American Winner After Beating Taylor Fritz In All-American Final appeared first on World Tennis Magazine.

Svajda, with his runner-up showing, does receive a consolation prize in a wild card into the U.S. Open qualifying tournament, which is also accorded to Scott, the women’s runner-up. There he will have to win three singles matches to qualify for the main draw where he would join his older brother Zach Svajda, fresh off his round of 16 finish at Roland Garros.

Like Grozny, the Ohio State doubles team of Nikita Filin and Brandon Carpico were two points from victory when the match was suspended due to lightning. However, they were in a more comfortable position of being up 6-2, 5-1, 30-0 against the Indiana University team of Michael Andre and Matteo Antonescu. They also only needed four points to close out their win on the resumption of play and spoke about their win and their upcoming opportunity post-match here  https://youtu.be/rJ43_6gN6AE?si=8MFpk4D3nEnJmIkm
 
After winning the singles title, Brantmeier then had to take to the court with only about 30 minutes of rest for the doubles final alongside Alanis Hamilton, with whom she won this title last year (and converted the opportunity into reaching the second round of doubles in Flushing Meadows). The Tarheel duo beat Auburn’s D.J. Bennett and Ava Hrastar in last year’s final, but Bennett got revenge in 2026, pairing with Ava Esposito a year later to win the final – and the doubles wild card – with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 victory that concluded at 12:28 am in Lake Nona.

Since there isn’t a doubles qualifying tournament at the U.S. Open, the doubles runners-up don’t receive any kind of consolation prize, unfortunately. But for the eight college player who did receive either a main draw or qualifying singles wild card, a healthy financial prize will also await them. While the official 2026 U.S. Open prize money hasn’t been announced yet, the main draw singles wild cards will earn at least $110,000 (the 2025 payout) if they lose their first round match. The payout for first round losers in the qualifying tournament was $27,500 in 2025 which is at least what awaits Svajda and Scott in Flushing Meadows. First round doubles losers at the U.S. Open in 2025 split $30,000 so that is what the doubles teams of Caprico and Filin and Bennett and Esposito can expect.

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