Tennis Lifestyle
Net worth, culture, rivalries, and stories from the world of professional tennis — 100 articles
Stan Wawrinka Says Goodbye to New York, Ten Years After the Title
A late phone call, a wild card he had given up on, and one more walk into Flushing Meadows for the man with the biggest one-handed backhand in tennis.
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The 315 People Who Keep the US Open Moving
They crouch by the net in Ralph Lauren, sprint through the heat and roll the ball flat and fast down the sideline. Here is how the US Open ball crew is chosen, what the fortnight is actually like, and why you should watch the edges of the picture.
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The US Open draw is out and nobody knows who wins it
Sinner is gone, Alcaraz is back after four months away, Zverev carries the top seed and Sabalenka is chasing a three-peat. Here is what the draw sheet actually means for the next fortnight in New York.
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Sloane Stephens Is Back in the US Open Draw, and She Has Done This Before
She was ranked 957 in the world in July 2017 and a US Open champion by September. Nine years later Sloane Stephens is back in the Flushing Meadows draw on a wild card, climbing out of another hole, and the numbers are almost as absurd the second time around.
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The Honey Deuce: How a Melon Ball Cocktail Took Over the US Open
Three honeydew melon balls, a splash of raspberry liqueur and a souvenir cup: how a drink invented at a farmers market became the loudest brand at Flushing Meadows, and how to build one in your own kitchen.
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The Loudest Room in Tennis: What a US Open Night Session Is Actually Like
For twelve evenings from 30 August, the biggest stadium in tennis turns into something closer to a rock venue. Here is what really happens at Flushing Meadows after dark, and why it changes the tennis.
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Arthur Fils Broke a 12-Year French Drought in Cincinnati. New York Is Next.
At 22, Arthur Fils won the biggest title of his life in Cincinnati and ended a drought that had haunted French tennis for more than a decade. With the world number one out injured, he arrives at the US Open as the most dangerous unseeded-looking seed in the draw. This is who he is, where he came from, and why the whole of France is suddenly holding its breath.
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The Last Stop Before the US Open Is a College Campus in North Carolina
Forty-eight men, a university tennis complex in North Carolina, and seven days before the biggest tournament in America. The Winston-Salem Open is the least glamorous week on the calendar and one of the most revealing - here is what it is, who is playing, and why so many careers have begun there.
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The Week Portuguese Tennis Stopped Being a One Man Story
A qualifier from Lisbon beat the Montreal champion. A late bloomer from Maia beat Andrey Rublev. For the first time, Portugal had two men in the last 16 of a Masters 1000 - and the story behind it has been forty years in the making.
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US Open Qualifying: The Free Week Where Careers Are Decided
Before the main draw begins, 256 players fight for 32 places on the outside courts at Flushing Meadows, and the gates cost nothing. A guide to the quietest great week in New York tennis.
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Linda Noskova Is Still Catching Up With Winning Wimbledon
A 21-year-old from a small Czech town won the biggest title in tennis in July and admits she still has not taken it in. Here is what the first summer as a Grand Slam champion actually looks like.
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The Million Dollar Two Day Circus: US Open Mixed Doubles Returns
Sixteen teams, two days, one million dollars and a format the purists still cannot forgive. Here is why the US Open mixed doubles event has become the best ticket of Fan Week.
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How can an adult learn to play tennis from scratch?
Start with 4-6 weeks of group lessons at a local club (typically $20-$40 per session) to learn fundamentals: grip, forehand, backhand, serve, and basic footwork. Practice 2-3 times per week for at least 30 minutes. Most adults reach a recreational rally level (USTA 2.5-3.0) within 3-6 months. Equipment-wise, a $80-$120 beginner racket and tennis-specific court shoes are enough to start.
Is tennis a good workout for losing weight?
Yes — an hour of singles tennis burns approximately 400-600 calories for a 70 kg adult, comparable to running or cycling. Tennis combines cardiovascular intensity (interval-based bursts) with strength work (rotational movements) and balance training. Studies link regular tennis play to reduced cardiovascular mortality risk and improved bone density.
What do professional tennis players eat?
Pros typically follow a high-carbohydrate, moderate-protein diet to fuel 3-5 hour matches. Common pre-match foods include oatmeal, pasta, rice, and bananas. During matches: bananas, energy gels, and electrolyte drinks. Sinner is known for a high-pasta Italian diet; Djokovic follows a strict gluten-free, mostly plant-based regimen; Nadal eats Mediterranean (fish, olive oil, pasta).
How much do tennis players make from sponsorships?
Top players earn $20M-$50M+ annually from endorsements alone — far more than prize money. Federer earned ~$90M/year at peak from Uniqlo, Rolex, Mercedes, Wilson, and others. Sinner signed with Nike, Head, and Rolex deals worth a combined ~$30M annually. Mid-tier ATP/WTA players (top 50) typically earn $200K-$2M from sponsors depending on profile.
What's the difference between tennis and padel?
Padel is played on a smaller (20×10m) walled court with solid stringless paddles and a depressurized ball; points often involve playing the ball off the walls (like squash). Tennis uses a larger court (23.77×8.23m for singles), strung rackets, and standard balls. Padel is easier to pick up, more social (always doubles), and faster-growing globally, especially in Spain, Italy, and Sweden.
How do you watch tennis tournaments online?
Tennis broadcast rights vary by region. In the US, Tennis Channel, ESPN, and ESPN+ cover most events. In the UK, Sky Sports and BBC iPlayer (Wimbledon free). Tennis TV (atptour.com subscription) streams every ATP match globally for ~$120/year. WTA matches are on WTA TV (~$100/year). Grand Slams are typically free on national broadcasters in the host country.