Latest story published: 2026-06-13 16:00 UTC

WTA Tennis News

Fresh headlines from trusted tennis publishers, grouped and tagged for quick scanning.

Latest Off Court Headlines

40 days ago

Draper's boost ahead of Wimbledon: 'Murray believes in me and my tennis'

Jack Draper has received backing from Andy Murray ahead of Wimbledon, with the message that Murray believes in his tennis. The same pre-Wimbledon run-up also includes Greg Rusedski urging Draper to slow his serve down for now, showing the scrutiny around his game before SW19. The practical consequence is that Draper enters Wimbledon with both support and specific technical advice from prominent British voices.

Wimbledon Off Court

41 days ago

Wimbledon tournament director responds to ‘frustrating’ Grand Slam prize money debate

Wimbledon tournament director has responded to the Grand Slam prize money dispute as player frustration over compensation builds. The debate now carries boycott pressure around the Championships, making the tournament a flashpoint in the wider ATP and WTA pay row. Any move toward protest or compromise would directly affect Wimbledon’s relationship with top players and the event’s public image.

Wimbledon Off Court

42 days ago

Wimbledon’s £64.2m prize money boost won’t silence players, warn finance experts

Wimbledon has lifted total prize money to £64.2 million, but finance experts say the increase will not end player pressure over revenue sharing. The 20% boost is a significant Wimbledon pay move, yet the broader conversation around how tennis money is distributed is expected to continue. That matters because players are still pushing for more than a headline increase at one tournament.

Wimbledon Off Court

The cost of perfection - Croft on the sacrifices of tennis players

Annabel Croft says tennis players pay a heavy personal cost for perfection, including the loss of a normal social life. She argues that treating peers as rivals limits friendships and can affect happiness, with many players only figuring out who they are after retirement. The piece is a reminder of the off-court sacrifices built into life on tour.

Off Court

Balancing babies and breaks - how tennis protects player rankings

The WTA has changed its rulebook to protect player rankings during family planning and maternity breaks. Annabel Croft and Naomi Broady discussed the reform, which is meant to stop players from having to choose between starting a family and continuing their careers. The practical effect is that women can step away from tennis without automatically losing the ranking position they have earned.

Off Court

Wimbledon answers player revolt with record 20% prize money rise to £64.2m

Wimbledon has lifted its total prize fund to £64.2 million, a 20% increase after player revolt over pay. The announcement makes Wimbledon the first Grand Slam to move on prize money since the Roland-Garros protest, but it does not address the players’ demands on revenue share, welfare, or consultation. That leaves the wider pay campaign open even as the tournament boosts its purse.

Wimbledon Off Court

Record Prize Money Fund Confirmed for 2026

Wimbledon has confirmed a record prize money fund of £64.2 million for the 2026 Championships. The increase raises the tournament’s financial benchmark and signals another step up in the event’s commercial scale. It directly affects the payout structure for players across the main draw and qualifying fields.

Off Court

43 days ago

44 days ago

Serena Williams says the reason why she didn’t ask Coco Gauff to play doubles in Berlin

Serena Williams explained why she did not ask Coco Gauff to partner her in Berlin doubles. The decision mattered because Williams had been expected to team with Gauff during her comeback, and Gauff is still involved in both singles and doubles at the Berlin Open. The pairing question affects how Williams structures her return and whether Gauff’s schedule stays focused on her current event load.

Off Court

Draper to return at Eastbourne with new coach Murray

Jack Draper is set to return from injury at Eastbourne with Andy Murray as his new coach. Emma Raducanu has chosen not to take a wildcard, while Murray has publicly backed Draper’s fitness and form before Wimbledon. The Eastbourne return matters because it is Draper’s first step back after injury and a key tune-up for the grass season.

HSBC Championships Wimbledon Off Court

45 days ago

Champion Maria asks for respect after Queen's snub

Tatjana Maria has called for more respect after being forced through qualifying at Queen's Club despite being the defending champion. She was surprised not to receive a wildcard into the HSBC Championships main draw. The snub leaves the champion having to earn her place in the field the hard way, even after the positive response she has received from members at Queen's.

Off Court

Tim Henman outlines what Emma Raducanu has been ‘missing’ for years as Wimbledon nears

Tim Henman says Emma Raducanu has been missing an important ingredient for years as Wimbledon approaches. The comment comes during a positive week for Raducanu, who is working on her game in practice ahead of the grass-court major. The timing matters because Wimbledon is the immediate target and any progress on that missing element could shape her run there.

Wimbledon Off Court

46 days ago

'I don't have anything to prove' - why is 44-year-old Williams back?

Serena Williams says she has nothing to prove as she returns to competitive tennis after nearly four years away. She says her motivation is partly the chance for her daughters to see her play again, and she is not focused on singles at the moment. The comeback places her back in the spotlight at Queen’s, where her return is part of the doubles event.

Off Court

Serena Williams’ hitting partner rates her current level ahead of Queen’s comeback

Serena Williams is preparing for a return to competition at Queen’s Club after nearly four years away from match play, and her hitting partner has assessed her current level ahead of the comeback. The comeback centers on Williams' first appearance back on court since 2022, with Emma Raducanu also part of the wider Queen’s build-up. Williams has said winning is not the priority right now, putting the emphasis on simply getting back into competition.

Off Court

Mauresmo defends night-session record as women’s near-absence is questioned again

Amélie Mauresmo has again defended Roland-Garros’ night-session scheduling as questions grow over the near-absence of women’s matches in the prime slot. She pointed to the overall daily balance and the factors that shape the one night match, including match length and audience preferences. The issue matters because it keeps French Open scheduling under scrutiny at the tournament she directs.

Roland Garros Off Court

“Give us a little time”: Roland-Garros plays down boycott fears as prize-money talks roll on

Roland-Garros leaders Amélie Mauresmo and Gilles Moretton are trying to calm boycott fears while prize-money talks continue. The talks center on a fairer share of revenue and welfare contributions, with lower-ranked players a key concern. The practical issue for the French Open is whether the negotiations can keep player unrest from escalating as discussions keep rolling.

Roland Garros Off Court

47 days ago