Latest story published: 2026-03-18 07:07 UTC
Fresh headlines from trusted tennis publishers, grouped and tagged for quick scanning.
Aryna Sabalenka has dismissed criticism over her late withdrawal from the Dubai Championships. The world number one said the backlash was ridiculous and suggested she may not play the event again. Her comments make the off-court fallout from the withdrawal the main issue.
Emma Raducanu will again miss Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup duty. She is not available for next month’s qualifier against Australia. The decision leaves Britain without Raducanu for that team event again.
Several leading players have backed Coco Gauff’s concerns about privacy at the Australian Open. Jessica Pegula, Iga Swiatek and Novak Djokovic all supported calls for more privacy around off-court camera use. The issue matters because it affects how players are followed during the tournament. Their comments point to a wider debate over boundaries for athletes at major events.
Billie Jean King said the current 'Battle of the Sexes' matchup between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios is not the same as her 1973 victory over Bobby Riggs. She linked her original match to social change and drew a clear distinction between that moment and the Dubai exhibition. The discussion comes as the controversial event is set for 28 December in Dubai. Sabalenka has also said she does not believe the match will damage women's sport.
Billie Jean King said women's tennis is moving in the right direction. She pointed to the WTA's billion-dollar deal with Mercedes as evidence that the tour continues to lead the way in women's sport. The comments highlight the commercial strength of the women's game. King is the founder of the WTA.
Wimbledon’s men’s singles trophy has a pineapple on top because the fruit was once a rare status symbol. The decoration dates back to the trophy’s historical design at the championships, which began in 1877. The practical takeaway is that one of tennis’s most famous trophies carries a symbol of luxury, not a playing-related meaning.
Wimbledon has removed line judges and will use electronic line calling instead. The change applies across qualifying and the main draw and ends the tournament’s 147-year use of line judges. For players and fans, the edge calls at the grass-court event now come from technology rather than officials on court.