Grand Slams
WTA players divided over best-of-five sets proposal for later Grand Slam rounds
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World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka supports USTA CEO Craig Tiley's call for women to play best-of-five sets from the quarterfinals in Grand Slams, citing her physical strength, while opponents including Iga Swiatek, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina and Jessica Pegula raise concerns about scheduling, fatigue and match quality; Laura Robson backs it only for semis and finals.
The Professional Tennis Players Association filed a motion in federal court seeking credentials for its staff to cover the French Open and Wimbledon. Both tournaments had previously denied the requests amid an ongoing lawsuit. The filing marks a new escalation in the dispute between players and Grand Slam organizers.
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Top players including Aryna Sabalenka have signaled growing frustration with Grand Slam tournaments over prize money and governance. Speaking at the Italian Open, Sabalenka stated that a boycott could occur at some point. The comments come just over two weeks before the French Open amid recent prize adjustments that players have largely dismissed.
Diego Schwartzman, who retired from professional tennis in 2025, has expressed skepticism about Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner achieving 20 Grand Slam titles. Now coaching in the new INTENNSE league, he highlights the challenges posed by intense competition and career lengths. Schwartzman emphasizes how modern technology aids players but sees barriers to record-breaking success.
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Canadian tennis player Félix Auger-Aliassime has expressed strong confidence in his compatriot Victoria Mboko's future success. After both reached finals in their respective tournaments last week, the 25-year-old backed Mboko's potential in professional tennis. He highlighted her chances of winning multiple Grand Slams.
Former tennis star Jo-Wilfried Tsonga has sparked debate by suggesting that winning a Grand Slam is easier today than during the dominance of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic. His comments, made ahead of the Australian Open, draw responses from coaches and players who argue the current era presents its own challenges with rising stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
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Several top tennis players, including Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, were asked to remove wearable fitness trackers during the Australian Open 2026. The devices, approved by the ITF and tours, are not permitted at Grand Slams. Players expressed frustration, hoping for a policy change to monitor health and performance.