Steve Flink: Carlos Ramos Was Correct—and a Consummate Professional at the Us Open

Lost in the swirl of controversy surrounding Serena Williams and her altercations with umpire Carlos Ramos during her final-round loss at the US Open to Naomi Osaka is this: despite the fact that Williams felt so aggrieved by the way Ramos applied the rules in penalizing her, he is an outstanding umpire.

Joel Drucker: Drama Overshadows Naomi Osaka's US Open Title Win over Serena Williams

NEW YORKYou never know quite how a player is going to handle her first Grand Slam singles final, but Naomi Osaka could not have expected it to go like this. Her 6-2, 6-4 win over her idol Serena Williams was overshadowed by drama between Williams and the chair umpire, Carlos Ramos. Early in the second set, the 23-time Grand Slam champion was given a warning for receiving coaching from her player box.

Steve Flink: Novak Djokovic's Third Us Open Triumph May Be His Most Fulfilling

NEW YORKIn a chance meeting on Saturday morning, I ran into 1988 US Open champion Mats Wilander, an affable fellow with an agile mind and an inner view of the game that few can match. I asked Wilander how he envisioned the final between Novak Djokovic and Juan Martin Del Potro. His response was clear and unequivocal. He said, “I think right now Novak is just a little too good for everyone else. ”

Steve Flink: Djokovic Dismisses Nishikori to Reach US Open Final Against Del Potro

NEW YORK— A year ago, Novak Djokovic was unable to compete at the US Open. His ailing elbow and a damaged psyche had left him in a conflicted state of mind. He had spent the previous six years always at or on the edge of excellence, winning eleven majors in that sterling span, driving himself ceaselessly to perform at the uppermost levels of his game, seldom letting his guard down during that period.

Joel Drucker: Returning to Us Open Final, Juan Martin del Potro Nears His Redemption

NEW YORK—An apocryphal story has a woman asking Pablo Picasso to paint her portrait. Five minutes later, the work was finished. How much? Five thousand francs. Five thousand francs? But it only took you five minutes. No, Madam, it took me my whole life. In earning a 7-6 (3), 6-2 retirement win over Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the US Open, world No. 3 Juan Martin del Potro had taken two hours and one minute to reach the second Grand Slam singles final of his career.

Joel Drucker: Dream Come True - Osaka Beats Keys to Set up Final Against Serena

NEW YORK—You don’t expect a Grand Slam semifinal to be decided in the fourth game of the match. But there it was, Naomi Osaka serving to Madison Keys at 1-2, love-40. And there it went, Osaka winning three straight points, the third the result of Keys missing a backhand return off a 76-m. p. h. second serve. Osaka erased another break point and soon leveled the match at 2-all. Keys would call it “a sloppy game. ” But it also proved the pivotal moment in Osaka’s 6-2, 6-4 win.

Richard Evans: The ATP's Next Gen Has Proven Itself on Tour. Why Can't It at a Slam?

NEW YORK—They are the most talented bunch of young male players I can remember in decades. They have won ATP titles, beaten Top 10 players and seem certain to flood the top of the rankings in the next couple of years. At this year’s US Open, there were 24 of them aged 22 or under in the first round. Ten of those were already ranked in the world’s Top 50. Thirteen made it to the second round. Seven advanced to the third round.

Joe Drucker: Madison Keys Cruises into Us Open Semifinals for Second Straight Year

NEW YORK—There is so much to like about the way Madison Keys plays tennis. From her exquisite serve—unquestionably one of the finest motions in contemporary tennis—to her powerful groundstrokes, Keys at her best is as forceful as any player in women’s tennis. Runner-up at the US Open a year ago, tonight the 14th-seeded Keys advanced to the semis for the second-straight time, beating the 23rd seed, Carla Suarez Navarro, 6-4, 6-3, in 83 minutes. But much as Keys can compel, she can also confound.

Joel Drucker: Nishikori Assembles a Five-Set Win over Cilic in US Open Quarterfinals

NEW YORK—The way tennis player logic works is that you apply the data in your favor. Headed into their afternoon US Open quarterfinal, seventh-seeded Marin Cilic and 21st-seeded Kei Nishikori had played one another 14 times. Nishikori drew strength from knowing that he’d won eight of them, including the most recent, a three-setter in the quarterfinals of Monte Carlo earlier this year.

Joel Drucker: Rafael Nadal Survives Fifth-Set Tiebreak over Thiem at the US Open

NEW YORKThis was one of those evenings when Rafael Nadal proved why he’s the player you’d want to play for your life. In four hours and 49 minutes, in a match that finished at 2:05 a.m., Nadal earned a quarterfinal win over Dominic Thiem by the remarkable

Joel Drucker: Sevastova Knew How to Make Stephens Uncomfortable in Upset at US Open

NEW YORKWatch a defending Grand Slam champion struggle and out comes the microscope. What is going on? Why is she missing so much? Who is this vexing interloper?It was so hot early this afternoon at the US Open that junior matches were postponed. Inside Ar

Joel Drucker: Osaka vs. Sabalenka - Osaka Draws First Blood in Rivalry of the Future

NEW YORKTwenty years from now, Naomi Osaka and Aryna Sabalenka will cross paths, perhaps as Fed Cup captains, perhaps as commentators, perhaps even as inductees of the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Hopefully, they will look back at Labor Day 2018, whe

Joel Drucker: Naturally, Nadal Labors in Win over Basilashvili on Labor Day Weekend

NEW YORKWhen Nikoloz Basilashvili walked on to Arthur Ashe Stadium to play Rafael Nadal in the round of 16 today at the US Open, it appeared that he faced an untenable pair of choices. The only time this 26-year-old man from Tbilisi, Georgia had played Nad

Joel Drucker: Clash of the Titans: Sharapova Subdues Ostapenko at US Open

NEW YORKIn at least one household, for some youngster, Jelena Ostapenko is not just a well-liked tennis player. She is a superherofearless, confident, always willing to strike big and bold no matter what danger she might encounter. Don’t adjust. Dominate.

Joel Drucker: As Richard Gasquet Saw First Hand, the Novak Djokovic of Old Is Back

NEW YORKSeveral years ago, a tennis father I know refused to let his son learn the two-handed backhand. He insisted that the boy be taught a one-hander, as in the father’s eyes the one-hander was a far more elegant shot. And shouldn’t tennis, as such a spo

Richard Evans: The Word of Nick - Getting to Know Kyrgios, and Others, off the Court

NEW YORKFrom the point of view of those of us who write about the sport, few things for a tennis writer are more riveting that watching players grow, mature and learn how to how articulate their feelings.Nick Kyrgios provided a classic example at the US Op

Joel Drucker: Kevin Anderson Ends Spirited Denis Shapovalov's Run in Five Sets in NY

NEW YORKKevin Anderson is a rather low-key, soft spoken, unassuming fellow. But the tranquil nature of Anderson’s persona belies the extensive drama he has brought to majors of late.Recall Wimbledon, where victories over Roger Federer and John Isner each w

Joel Drucker: Sevastova's Knife Was Too Much for Makarova's Fork at US Open

NEW YORKOpen the kitchen drawer, regard your utensils and you will begin to sense what happened during an intriguing third-round match between 19th-seeded Anastasija Sevastova and a past US Open semifinalist, Ekaterina Makarova.Consider Sevastova a knife,

Steve Flink: Sloane Stephens Expects to Win—On Her Triumph over Victoria Azarenka

NEW YORKDefending a major title is one of the most demanding tasks in tennis. It requires extraordinary discipline, an endless supply of determination, a measure of luck and an inner security that belongs only to players who fully understand how good they

Joel Drucker: Roger Federer's Pressers Show Why He's King Both on and off the Court

NEW YORKAt 5:40 p.m. this evening, less than an hour after his second-round win over Benoit Paire, Roger Federer strolled into his post-match press conference. While most players, including Federer, usually enter the media interview room in some form of te

Steve Flink: Wozniacki Was Impressive in Win over Past-Her-Prime Stosur at Us Open

NEW YORKSitting in Arthur Ashe Stadium prior to the start of the opening-round appointment between Caroline Wozniacki and Samantha Stosur, I wondered if Stosur might be able to draw on memory and inspiration and make this an absorbing match for the fans. S

Joel Drucker: At the US Open, Rafael Nadal Might Be More Oppressive Than the Weather

NEW YORK“On some nights New York is as hot as Bangkok,” read the opening lines of a novel written by that great American author, Saul Bellow. In the wake of his 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 loss this oppressively warm summer evening to Rafael Nadal, Vasek Pospisil could

Joel Drucker: Azarenka Flashes Championship Form in Win over Gavrilova at US Open

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter EmailWATCHExtreme conditions really impacting players at US Open:NEW YORKThe 79th-ranked woman in the world beat the 25th seed. But given the two players involved, only someone who’d never heard of tennis would consider i

Joel Drucker: Blistering Heat Made Tuesday at the US Open a Survival of the Fittest

NEW YORKFor Novak Djokovic, an astute decision by the USTA and a swift ice bath helped him turn the corner. For his opponent, Marton Fucsovics, it plunged him into the abyss. For Jelena Ostapenko, air-conditioning saved the day. For the matter-of-fact Ange

Joel Drucker: Djokovic Turns It on Late in Win over Fucsovics in US Open Return

NEW YORKReturning to the scene of past triumphs is supposed to be a rather cool experience. But for two-time US Open champion Novak Djokovic, back in New York after missing last year’s tournament, it was anything but. At 1:30 p.m., roughly 30 minutes befor

Joel Drucker: Heat Forces Auger-Aliassime to Retire Against Shapovalov at US Open

NEW YORKFor more than two hours, these Canadian mates who’d known each other since they were seven years old, Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime, had gone toe-to-toe. But now, suddenly, all too suddenly, it had ended, Auger-Aliassime retiring at on

Joel Drucker: Venus Overcomes Match-Point Misses in Three-Set Win over Kuznetsova

NEW YORKShe was well into her 30s now, a savvy but still powerful and aggressive veteran who’d won the US Open, taken a title earlier this summer and appeared fit enough for a fine New York run. On most days, that kind of track record would have put the Ar

Federer Edges Wawrinka in Quarterfinal Thriller in Cincinnati

A tireless Roger Federer wowed the crowds not once but twice at the Western & Southern Open on Friday, beating Leonardo Mayer in straight sets in a rain-delayed third-round match and then returning to center court at night to edge longtime rival Stan Wawri

Djokovic Does Double Duty to Secure a Spot in Cincinnati Semifinals

Former No. 1 Novak Djokovic did double duty to reach the semifinals of the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati on Friday, finishing his rain-suspended third-round match against Grigor Dimitrov before returning to the court shortly afterwards to win a gru

Jon Wertheim's Beyond the Baseline Podcast: Comedian and Impressionist Josh Berry

On the Beyond the Baseline Podcast, Tennis Channel Commentator and Sports Illustrated Executive Editor Jon Wertheim takes fans between the lines with tennis commentary and exclusive interviews with the top players and newsmakers on the ATP and WTA tours.On

Steve Flink: Novak Djokovic Is Heading Back to the Top of Men's Tennis

There once was a time when Novak Djokoviccurrently competing at the Rogers Cup in Toronto and looking to maintain his momentum after a gratifying win at the All England Club seemed entirely capable of ruling the world of tennis as long as he wanted. Not th

Zverev Rolls past Tsitsipas to Reach Second Straight Citi Open Final

Alexander Zverev defeated fellow #NextGenATP star Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets on Saturday to reach his second straight final at the ATP World Tour 500-level Citi Open in Washington, D.C.The No. 10-seeded Tsitsipas had already taken out a big name i

Zverev Battles Back to Beat Nishikori in Citi Open Quarterfinals

World No. 3 Alexander Zverev battled back from a set downand hung tough through some tense moments late in the third setto beat Kei Nishikori in the quarterfinals of the Citi Open on Friday.In a rematch of their semifinal clash at the ATP World Tour 500 ev

Jon Wertheim's Beyond the Baseline Podcast: Greece Star Stefanos Tsitsipas

Konta Hands Serena the Most Lopsided Loss of Her Career in San Jose

In her first match since reaching the 30th Grand Slam final of her careerand first as a momat Wimbledon, Serena Williams was knocked out in the first round of the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic on Tuesday night, winning just one game in a 51-minute, 6-1 6

Washington D.C.'s Citi Open Will Feature a Star-Studded Field

A world No. 2 and two world No. 3s are among a star-studded line-up of ATP and WTA stars headed to the U.S. capital, Washington, D.C., for the 50th edition of the Citi Open.The men’s field will include three Top 10 playersNo. 3 Alexander Zverev, No. 5 Kevi

Serena, Murray, Raonic Return from Extended Absences This Week

The 2017 season saw some incredible revivals and fantastic breakthroughs, but a number of big names barely played even half the season. Or, in the case of the biggest name of them all, Serena Williams, barely played a month.That's because the Australian Op

Five Fast Facts: Diving into the Belgium vs. Australia Davis Cup Semi

BRUSSELS, BelgiumTwo of the ATP tour’s biggest starsDavid Goffin and Nick Kyrgioswill collide as Belgium faces Australia in the Davis Cup by BNP Paribas semifinals this weekend.You can watch Belgium vs. Australia LIVE on Tennis Channelhere are Five Fast Fa

Five Fast Facts: Dissecting the France vs. Serbia Davis Cup Matchup

LILLE, FranceThe semifinals of Davis Cup by BNP Paribas take place this weekend and one of the matchups is an absolute blockbuster between a pair of former champions: France and Serbia.You can watch France vs. Serbia LIVE on Tennis Channeland here are Five

10 Things to Know About Rafael Nadal Returning to No. 1 in the World

He’s not just one of the greatest tennis players of all time; he’s one of the greatest athletes of all time, period, and he’s back on top. In a season that’s seen him win his 15th Grand Slam titleand more impressively, his 10th career title at the French O

The 101st ATA National Championships Kick off in Orlando This Weekend

The ATA National Championshipsthe annual championships of the American Tennis Association, which is the oldest African-American sports organization in the United Stateskick off this Saturday, July 28.The eight-day event, which concludes the next Saturday,

Steve Flink: From the Best Seat in the House—Sukova & Stich Are Inducted in Newport

NEWPORT, R.I.I have been present for every International Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony since 1995. I have watched a wide range of estimable individuals taking their rightful places at the sport’s majestic historical home. Across this span of time,

Jon Wertheim's Beyond the Baseline Podcast: Putting a Bow on Wimbledon

Steve Flink: Wimbledon Reflections: It Was an Eventful Week at the All England Club

Returning home from Wimbledon on Monday, I found myself reflecting on a tournament that was compelling in so many ways. The end of the proceedings was particularly absorbing. Something dramatic seemed to happen day after day. Anticipating the results of cr

Steve Flink: Order Is Restored at Wimbledon—Djokovic Rules Centre Court Once Again

LONDON There is no higher honor for a tennis player than winning Wimbledon. It is the sport’s preeminent tournament, the Kentucky Derby of our game, and a grass-court festival played out across an incomparable fortnight when observers from every spectrum o

Steve Flink: A Locked-In Kerber Was Ready for Serena in the Wimbledon Final

LONDONAs the fortnight progressed and the seeds kept falling in the women’s draw at the most significant tournament in all of tennis, there was a growing feeling that order would be restored in the end and Serena Willams would walk away with her 24th major

Steve Flink: Novak Is Back Where He's Wanted to Be—Competing for Grand Slam Titles

LONDON Once upon a time, not very long ago, reaching the penultimate round at a major tennis tournament was not a particularly big deal for the estimable Novak Djokovic. This extraordinary athlete and prodigious tennis champion has secured 12 major titles

Steve Flink: Off to a Quick Start, Simona Halep Deserves a Successful Slam Finish

Now that world No. 1 Simona Halep has secured one of the Australian Open warm-up titles, at the Shenzhen Open in China, the familiar questions surround her once more:Can this industrious competitor who resides at No. 1 in the world fully validate her statu

10 Players to Watch in Aussie Open Qualifying, Including Michael Mmoh

With three wins on the same courts main draw matches are played on, qualifiers are always a threat at the Australian Open. Last year, 13 qualifiers ended up winning rounds in the main draw, with two of themboth women, Jennifer Brady and Mona Barthelgoing a

Sachia Vickery Just Had the Best Week of Her Career

Another young American is on the verge of breaking the WTA’s Top 100 for the first time after Sachia Vickery had the best week of her career in Auckland, New Zealand this past week, not just reaching the first WTA semifinal of her career, but setting a bra

Nick Kyrgios vs. Grigor Dimitrov: 10 Things to Know

We’ve already had several blockbuster match-ups during the first week of the 2018 season, and another one is taking place at the Brisbane International on Saturday: Grigor Dimitrov against Nick Kyrgios.Here are ten things to know about the semifinal clash

Steve Flink: Halep's Comeback Against Stephens Propels Her to First Major Title

PARISThis was entirely familiar territory for the perspicacious Simona Halep. Confronting a determined Sloane Stephens in the final here at Roland Garros, the Romanian must have wondered whether the tennis gods were frowning down upon her again. Twice she

Steve Flink: Lights, Camera, Rafa: Under Parisian Sun, the Nadal of Old Returned

PARISRafael Nadal’s loyal legion of fans from every corner of the globe had serious concerns after watching their man drift into precarious territory on Wednesday against Diego Schwartzman, the “Little Big Man” of tennis. Nadal’s 37-set winning streak at R

Five Times Serena Williams Was Back at Her Best in No Time

When it comes to playing their way back into top form after an extended absence from the tour, nobody does it quite like Serena Williams. Time and time again throughout her long, historic career, she’s upset the form book by going deep and lifting big titl

#AskNick: Build Your Brand as a Coach by Putting Your Students and Others First

Share to Facebook Share to Twitter EmailI have been coaching since 1957. I had the opportunity to interact with people from all walks of life throughout my worldwide travels.Believe me, after all my experiences, I feel qualified enough to know and feel wh

At 37, Venus Williams Can Become the Oldest Player to Win a Major

On January 3, 1972exactly 36 years ago to the dayhistory was made as a 37-year-old Ken Rosewall won the Australian Open to become the oldest player, male or female, to win a major in the Open era.Venus Williams, who turned 37 last June, can rewrite history

Steve Flink: As Injuries Continue to Ail ATP Stars, Federer and Zverev Look Forward

As the 2018 ATP season begins to unfold, the issue of injuries in the game’s upper regions remains a serious concern. Rafael Nadal, still troubled by ailing knees, pulled out of this week's tournament in Brisbane. Novak Djokovic's elbow remains problematic

Vitas Gerulaitis Became a Grand Slam Champion 40 Years Ago Today

MELBOURNE, Australia - Today is a very special day in tennis history as it’s been exactly 40 years since one of the sport’s most revered legends, Vitas Gerulaitis, became a Grand Slam champion.Played on the grass courts of the Kooyong Lawn Tennis Club in M

Caroline Wozniacki Is Almost Back at No.1

No one player dominated the women’s tour in 2017, meaning there was a constant battle for the No.1 ranking throughout the year. In fact five different players - Angelique Kerber, Serena Williams, Karolina Pliskova, Garbine Muguruza and Simona Halep - spent

4 Big Names Are Coming Back from Injury Next Week

The 2017 season saw some incredible revivals and fantastic breakthroughs, but a number of big names succumbed to injury - and some of those big names barely even played half the season.And next week, four big names will make their comeback from injury:1. A

#AskNick: Nick Bollettieri on Fear of Losing

As the 2014 Eddie Herr International Tournament began, a large junior tournament held annually at the IMG Sports Academy, I personally watched the pre-qualification matches. Nearly 800 players from 80 countries along with another 200 main-draw players fil

#MondayMotivation: Champions Come Back Stronger After Defeat

Each Monday, legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri takes over TENNISCHANNEL.com with #MondayMotivationan inspirational quote than any tennis player can learn from.Famed tennis legend Nick Bollettieri says champions in life come back stronger whenever the

Steve Flink: Introspective Isner Focusing Firmly on '18 - 'I Know What I Have to Do'

Athletes are judged primarily not on what they have accomplished over the short term, but for the way they have performed across a longer period of time. That is the authentic test, the crucial measuring stick, the only barometer that can be used to accura

Happy Birthday Chris: Evert, Who Won 18 Grand Slam Titles, Turns 63

Thursday is a very special day in tennis as one of the greatest legends in the history of the sport, Chris Evert, an 18-time Grand Slam champion and the WTA’s first No.1, celebrates her birthday.Evert was born in Fort Lauderdale, Florida on December 21st,

#AskNick: When You Look in the Mirror, Do You See the Real You?

In more than six decades teaching and observing tennis players, I’m continually amazed at the overly optimistic view that some players have of themselves. Make no mistake, confidence is an important ingredient to success in any endeavor, and tennis is no

7 Americans on the Verge of Something Big

American tennis is in a great place right now with 23 players ranked in the Top 100 - nine on the men’s side and 14 on the women’s side - and after such a successful 2017 season, there could be big things in store for a lot of them in the new year when it

Belinda Bencic Has Quietly Stormed Back Up the Rankings

It’s been one of the most unfortunate stories in recent memory - after breaking the Top 10 as an 18-year-old, Belinda Bencic was almost immediately hit with two big injuries, first a back injury that sidelined her for two months in 2016 and then a left wri

Joel Drucker: Once an Outsider, Pancho Segura Moved with Tennis and into Our Hearts

If you start with the premise that the chance to live a life is a miracle, then you’ll understand why Pancho Segura conducted himself with such passion and generosity. This was a man of relentless engagement, for 96 years dedicated to showing anyone he met

#MondayMotivation: A Winning Attitude Is Key

Jay Berger Is Fulfilled

He peaked as a player at No. 7 on the planet in 1990, advanced to the quarterfinals at both Roland Garros and the U.S. Open in 1989, and upended a cluster of big name players over the course of his brief yet sparkling career, including Stefan Edberg, Mats

Joel Drucker: Tennis Congress - What Endures?

Call it the Immersive Tennis Experience (ITE). Long a staple of the recreational tennis life, the ITE can take on many forms. There’s a USTA league team, off to the sectionals or nationals. There’s the exotic journey, millions of balls hit in a sun-drench

Juan Martin Del Potro Is on the Verge of a Top 10 Return

He had one of the strongest finishes of anyone in 2017, and he’ll have a big milestone in his sights right out of the gates in 2018 - Juan Martin del Potro is on the verge of returning to the Top 10.Del Potro put together solid results throughout the 2017

#Asknick: Nick Bollettieri on What It Takes to Be a Leader

I am sure the word “leader” is spoken thousands of times each day but it seems to me that few really understand what the word means and what it takes to be a leader. Webster defines a leader as someone who guides or is a conductor, a person who directs a m

Happy Birthday Tracy Austin!

Tuesday’s a very special day at the Tennis Channel as one of our very own - Tracy Austin, a two-time Grand Slam champion and former World No.1, and now analyst - celebrates her birthday.Austin was born on December 12, 1962, and it didn’t take her long to s

The New Season Is Less Than Three Weeks Away

For anyone already excited about the 2018 tennis season, we’re actually almost there. The first six tournaments of the new year - three men’s and three women’s - are less than three weeks away.Here’s a breakdown of the first week of tournaments in 2018, an

#MondayMotivation: Leadership Is Equipping, Empowering, and Motivating Your Students

Each Monday, legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri takes over TENNISCHANNEL.com with #MondayMotivationan inspirational quote than any tennis player can learn from.Tennis legend Nick Bollettieri says leadership is equipping, empowering, and motivating you

Here’s Why Denis Shapovalov Is Probably a Future No.1

Canada’s Denis Shapovalov had a breakthrough 2017 - not only did the 18-year-old reach his first Masters 1000 semifinal at the Rogers Cup in Montreal, beating then-World No.2 Rafael Nadal along the way, but a few weeks later he reached the second week of a

Mark Macdonald: Winning Your Health and Tennis Game in December

It’s the end of the year, the temperatures are dropping fast and the holidays are in full swing, all of that makes it easy to check out and simply say, “I’ll get back on track with my health and tennis game come January 2nd.”But I have a secret for you, De

Happy Birthday David Goffin!

Thursday is David Goffin’s 27th birthday, so we at Tennis Channel thought we’d take some time out to celebrate one of the biggest breakthrough stars of the ATP World Tour season that just went by!It didn’t take long for the breakthroughs to come for him th

#AskNick: Teamwork Is As Important As Anything Else

Throughout my life I have been subjected to a multitude of skeptics and doubters. Early in my career, I chose to believe in myself and pay no heed to the non-believers. In fact, the criticism prodded me to do things that people thought impossible. But,

Steve Flink: Tim Smyczek Heading Higher

At the end of this monthon December 30, to be precisethe highly regarded Tim Smyczek will turn 30. This much-admired American tennis player has built his lofty reputation largely around character. He is a sportsman of the highest order, a competitor of uni

#MondayMotivation: Be Determined and Stay Committed

Each Monday, legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri takes over TENNISCHANNEL.com with #MondayMotivationan inspirational quote than any tennis player can learn from.Tennis legend Nick Bollettieri wants you to be determined and stay committed.-------About N

Here’s What Radek Stepanek Can Bring to Novak Djokovic’s Game

As Novak Djokovic prepares to make his comeback to the ATP World Tour at the start of the 2018 season, he’s announced a new addition to his coaching team - the recently-retired Radek Stepanek.And for many reasons, the Czech could do a lot of good for Djoko

Jon Wertheim: Beyond the Baseline Podcast - Wrapping Up the 2017 Season with Paul Annacone

Michael Steinberger: ATP and WTA Should Be Cautious About Making Any Drastic Changes

On the men’s tour this year, the battle between past and future was no contest: the past won in a rout. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal split the four majors, combined to win five of the nine Masters 1000 tournaments, and finished the season ranked first (N

Can Djokovic and Murray Pull a Nadal and Federer in 2018?

Remember how Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer had to cut their 2016 seasons short due to injury and weren’t even in the year-end Top 8, but then went on to completely dominate the 2017 season?Well, there’s some deja vu going on right now - except it’s with N

The ‘90s Generation Has Arrived on the ATP

Players born in the ‘90s winning Grand Slams and reaching No.1 in the world is nothing new on the WTA - Caroline Wozniacki became the first ‘90s baby to reach No.1 on the women’s tour in 2010, and Petra Kvitova became the first ‘90s baby to win a Grand Sla

#AskNick: Are You Looking Both Ways?

We teach our children to look both ways when crossing the street. We know that what looks like a safe journey when we look in one direction just might lead to disaster if we don’t look the other way! As adults, the same rule applies when we drive and stop

This Is How Deep Women’s Tennis Was in 2017

With Serena Williams missing almost the entire season while becoming a mom, most people weren’t sure how things would play out in women’s tennis in 2017 - who would win the biggest tournaments, who would rise to the top of the rankings, and so on. And now

Steve Flink: Segura Is Irreplaceable

Just over a week ago, tennis lost a man of unimpeachable stature who loved the game as unabashedly as anyone I have ever known. Pancho Segura believed that nothing mattered more in life than tennis. It was the driving force of his existence, capturing both

#MondayMotivation: Focus on the Positive

Each Monday, legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri takes over TENNISCHANNEL.com with #MondayMotivationan inspirational quote than any tennis player can learn from.Tennis legend Nick Bollettieri says: Negativity can slip into your daily activities but a p

#AskNick: Nick Bollettieri Wants You to Think Big and Go for It

1.Think big and go for it! Remember you must think big time and be different. In time, your success will out-weigh your failures.2.Ideas are temporary missions. Success is a reality.3.There is only one way to play the game for anything in life! To wi

Michael Steinberger: Dimitrov Proved He's No Longer a Choker with His ATP Finals Title Win

Monday morning, the first morning of what passes for tennis’s off-season, brought sad news: former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna had died of cancer at the age of 49. She had passed away the day before, at her home in the Czech Republic. It is not a littl

#MondayMotivation: Believe in Yourself

Each Monday, legendary tennis coach Nick Bollettieri takes over TENNISCHANNEL.com with #MondayMotivationan inspirational quote than any tennis player can learn from.Tennis legend Nick Bollettieri says, Believe in yourself and never never doubt your ability

Steve Flink: Dimitrov Secures Milestone Triumph

For so many years, the game's closest followers had been waiting for the gifted Grigor Dimitrov to fully come of age. People in the cognoscenti had long believed in the Bulgarian's capacity to play tennis of the highest order, to compete favorably with the

Dimitrov Vs Goffin: 10 Things to Know

LONDON, UK - In what many suspected would be a final battle between the Top 2 players in the world, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, we’ve got two of the most talented new generation players - including the one who took both Nadal and Federer out - clashing