Monday, August 10, 2026
WEEKLY NEWS
Copyright © 2026. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis
WTA Ventures Appoints IMG as Managed Production Services Partner
WTA Ventures has appointed IMG as its managed production services partner under a multi-year agreement that begins with the 2027 season. The announcement, issued from St. Petersburg, Florida, and London, forms part of the WTA’s broader effort to expand the reach of the women’s Tour through improved coverage and audience engagement.
IMG will oversee production for more than 50 WTA Tour events each year, covering the WTA Finals along with WTA 1000, WTA 500 and WTA 250 tournaments. Services will differ by event and are expected to include host broadcast production, world feed production, venue connectivity, global distribution, technical operations and short-form content. Working with the WTA and, where applicable, tournament host broadcasters, IMG will use its remote production facilities and connectivity network. The agency will also coordinate specialist partners such as outside broadcast and graphics providers.
Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures, said the partnership supports efforts to deliver high-quality coverage of the Tour to global audiences. Barney Francis, Chief Business Officer at IMG, noted that the arrangement builds on the existing relationship between the organizations. Sally Brown, VP and Head of Multisport Content at IMG, added that the work will focus on how the Tour’s competitions are presented to broadcasters and fans.
The production role expands IMG’s position as a strategic commercial partner to the WTA Tour and WTA Ventures. IMG already represents WTA Ventures’ broadcast rights in the Americas and Asia Pacific, where it has secured agreements with Tennis Channel in the United States and CazéTV in Brazil, and assisted with the Mercedes-Benz sponsorship. IMG currently produces coverage for a range of other sports properties, including the DP World Tour, Major League Soccer, the English Football League, the Saudi Pro League, UFC, the Ryder Cup, the Solheim Cup and The Open Championship.
Polymarket Named Official Prediction Market Provider of the ATP Tour
Polymarket has become the Official Prediction Market Provider of the ATP Tour under an agreement announced August 3, 2026, from New York. The deal grants Polymarket exclusive streaming rights for all ATP Tour and ATP Challenger Tour matches in the prediction market category. The agreement is with Tennis Data Innovations (TDI), the joint venture between ATP Tour, Inc. and ATP Media Holdings Limited that manages official data and streaming rights for the tours.
Registered Polymarket users in the United States will be able to watch live ATP matches while trading on related prediction markets. Official real-time data and odds, distributed by TDI’s partner Sportradar, will support settlements. The rights cover approximately 20,000 matches per season, including main-draw and qualifying singles and doubles events across the ATP calendar, among them Indian Wells, the Miami Open, the Cincinnati Open and the Nitto ATP Finals. Polymarket will also use Sportradar’s integrity services.
Ari Borod, President of Sports Business Development at Polymarket, said the combination of live streaming, official data and prediction markets allows fans to follow and trade on matches as they unfold, while working with governing bodies on integrity. David Lampitt, CEO of TDI, said the arrangement provides another way for fans to connect with tennis throughout the season.
American Express Details Fan Experiences and Card Member Spaces for 2026 US Open
American Express has announced a series of experiences for fans and dedicated spaces for Card Members at the 2026 US Open Tennis Championships, scheduled for August 23 to September 13 in New York. The US Open American Express Fan Experience will open at the start of Fan Week and include customized tennis balls, a Dove refresh station, the Tennis Rhythm Rally interactive digital game for up to seven participants, a complimentary phone chain and charm station, and free subway or bus rides for Card Members during select hours while supplies last. Tennis-inspired American Express advertising will also appear on Metropolitan Transportation Authority train cars and platforms.
The American Express Card Member Lounge, open to Card Members and up to two guests, will offer The Moët Serve specialty drink, four exclusive Create Your Own merchandise designs available only with an Amex Card purchase, a complimentary postcard station, and a wellness service station with massage chairs and match livestreams for Platinum Card and Centurion Members. Eligible Platinum Card and Centurion Members can also access the Centurion Lounge, which provides complimentary food and beverages featuring dishes inspired by chefs Kwame Onwuachi and Michael Solomonov, along with the GREY GOOSE Honey Deuce and other cocktails. Same-day one-hour reservations open exclusively through Resy at 9:30 a.m. ET daily from August 30 through September 13, with limits of one reservation per day for the member plus one guest for Platinum Card Members or up to three guests for Centurion Members, subject to availability.
Additional on-site perks for Card Members include complimentary radios available at five American Express locations, a $10 back offer after $100 in qualifying on-site spending beginning August 30 for eligible enrolled members, and a checkout-free American Express Shop in Fountain Plaza offering snacks, drinks and exclusive merchandise starting August 30. American Express has partnered with the US Open for more than three decades.
Penn Named Official Ball Sponsor of Tennis Channel Through 2027
Penn has entered a partnership with Tennis Channel as the network’s Official Ball Sponsor through 2027. The agreement was announced August 4, 2026, from Phoenix and covers the 2026 and 2027 seasons. Under the deal, Penn will receive brand presence across Tennis Channel’s programming and platforms.
Christina Tesauro, Senior Vice President at Tennis Channel, AMP Sports, said the partnership reflects a commitment to growing the game of tennis and aligning with a brand that shares a focus on advancing the sport. Tesauro added that Tennis Channel aims to deliver tennis content across platforms and views the collaboration with Penn as a fit for creating experiences for its audience while covering the sport at every level.
The arrangement includes collaborative initiatives aimed at Tennis Channel viewers and the wider tennis community.
Midtown Athletic Club Launches Alan G. Schwartz Community Tennis Program with USTA
Midtown Athletic Club, in partnership with the United States Tennis Association, USTA Midwest and the Chicago Park District, has launched the Alan G. Schwartz Community Tennis Program, a citywide initiative offering free and low-cost tennis programming at neighborhood parks in Chicago. The announcement was made August 10, 2026. Midtown Athletic Club and the Schwartz family are contributing $750,000 toward a $2 million fundraising goal to support the program for the next 20 years. Midtown’s tennis professionals are also training USTA coaches to deliver instruction focused on expanding access in underserved communities.
Adult Tennis 101 classes, youth programming and fitness-based tennis offerings will be available at 43 parks across the city this summer, from Rogers Park to Beverly. The sessions are designed to be low- or no-cost and open to the public for players of all ages and experience levels. The program is named in honor of Alan G. Schwartz, a former USTA president and national champion who co-founded the original Midtown Tennis Club in 1969.
Steven Schwartz, CEO of Midtown Athletic Clubs, said the initiative continues his father’s belief that tennis can build confidence, create opportunity and connect people across communities, serving as both a tribute to that legacy and support for the next generation.
Anisimova, Kostyuk, Fils and Michelsen Complete Stars of the Open Lineup
The USTA announced August 6, 2026, from New York that Amanda Anisimova, Marta Kostyuk, Arthur Fils and Alex Michelsen will join the lineup for the Stars of the Open presented by Chase. The exhibition takes place Thursday, August 27, at 6 p.m. inside Arthur Ashe Stadium. Anisimova, a two-time Grand Slam singles finalist and world No. 10, and Kostyuk, a 2026 Roland Garros and Wimbledon singles semifinalist and world No. 11, will compete alongside rising players Fils and Michelsen.
They join Alex Eala, Joao Fonseca, Iva Jovic and Learner Tien. The event will feature four one-set matches in this order: Anisimova vs. Kostyuk, Fonseca vs. Tien, Eala vs. Jovic, and Fils vs. Michelsen. The matches will be available on ESPN+ in the United States and distributed by US Open international broadcasters, to be announced. All players and participants are subject to change.
A portion of the proceeds will benefit the USTA Foundation, which supports the National Junior Tennis and Learning network of more than 270 organizations. The network provides tennis, academic support and mentorship programs to more than 233,000 young people from under-resourced communities.
Tennis Europe Joins UN Sports for Climate Action Framework
Tennis Europe became a signatory of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change Sports for Climate Action Framework on August 7, 2026. The initiative supports sports organizations in reducing operational emissions and using the reach of sport to involve fans and players in sustainability efforts.
Tennis Europe Vice-President Cem Tinaz stated that sustainability is a responsibility for the organization and its member nations, tournaments and players. Participants commit to four principles: designing and implementing a net-zero climate strategy; partnering with stakeholders on joint climate action; championing climate action through storytelling and communication; and prioritizing climate resilience and global solidarity. Other tennis signatories include the ATP Tour, the Lawn Tennis Association and Tennis Australia.
Tennis Europe first presented its sustainability strategy in 2023. Through the Erasmus+ Green Tennis project, the organization completed a study of tennis’s environmental impact across clubs, events and players. Sustainability guidelines are due for publication in the coming weeks, along with an interactive platform and app to assist clubs, venues and events. Earlier this week, Tennis Europe announced a partnership with Bounce to help preserve ball performance while reducing the sport’s environmental footprint.
AO 1 Point Slam Powered by Haier Returns for Australian Open 2027
Tennis Australia and Haier are bringing back the AO 1 Point Slam for the 2027 Australian Open, calling on tennis clubs, associations, schools and coaches across Australia to host local events. Expressions of interest open next week, with hosts eligible for a $50,000 tennis grant if a player from their club wins the final on Rod Laver Arena. The one-point knockout format is open to players of all levels, ages and abilities, creating a pathway from community courts to the Australian Open.
In January 2026, NSW State Champion Jordan Smith won the event by defeating world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and dual Grand Slam finalist Amanda Anisimova on Rod Laver Arena to claim the $1 million prize. Smith, who began at a qualifying event at Sydney Olympic Park, said he plans to host an event at his own club this year. Nearly 300 community events took place across the country in 2025. Tennis Australia Chief Tennis Officer Tom Larner said the format gives everyday players a chance at a Grand Slam moment and helps clubs engage members while attracting new participants.
State and territory winners will compete during Opening Week at the Australian Open. Haier Chief Marketing & Product Management Officer Katrina Glenday said the company’s support reflects its commitment to tennis and Australian communities. Affiliated clubs and coaches can register interest at tennis.com.au/one-point-slam; there are no sanction or entry fees to host.
HotelPlanner Tennis Tour Partners with Tecnifibre
HotelPlanner Tennis Tour announced a partnership with Tecnifibre on August 5, 2026, from West Palm Beach, Florida. Tecnifibre will supply tournament balls and Lacoste apparel, as the U.S. distributor of Lacoste Sport Performance Products, and provide players with access to its rackets, strings, bags and accessories along with sponsorship opportunities.
Under the agreement, players who reach the round of 32 at a HotelPlanner Tennis Tour event will receive discounts on Tecnifibre products. The top five players on the year-end HotelPlanner Tennis Tour leaderboard will be eligible for sponsorship opportunities with Tecnifibre.
James Cox, Director of the HotelPlanner Tennis Tour, said the support assists players at this stage of their careers on the path to professional tennis. A Tecnifibre spokesperson said the company aims to provide tools and support to help promising players focus on development and advance their careers.
We Hear…
… the Professional Tennis Players Association sent a formal letter earlier this year threatening defamation action against Andy Roddick’s Served podcast over reporting related to the organization and Novak Djokovic’s departure.
Also Noted . . .
Jannik Sinner boarded Explora Journeys’ Explora II last week for an overnight stay while the ship sailed between Genoa and Marseille to promote his wellness collaboration with the cruise line, for which he serves as brand ambassador. Sinner participated in a Q&A session and charity gala dinner and made appearances at private coaching and wellness sessions available to a limited number of guests. No further appearances have been announced.
Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the Cincinnati Open on August 4, 2026, with an ongoing wrist injury, and Jannik Sinner withdrew on August 9, 2026, with a right knee injury, the tournament announced from Cincinnati. Tournament Director Bob Moran said Alcaraz is doing everything possible to return to competition and wished him a full recovery while looking forward to welcoming him back in the future. Sinner said that after consulting his doctors and team he is not ready to compete despite ongoing work on the knee, expressed disappointment at missing the event, wished Moran and the staff a successful week, and stated he is focusing on preparation for the US Open with plans to return next year. The Cincinnati Open includes Community Weekend beginning August 8 and qualifying beginning August 11, concluding with the singles finals on August 23.
The Professional Tennis Registry and Professional Pickleball Registry announced a partnership with Midwest Racquet Sports on August 10, 2026, from Wesley Chapel, Florida, offering current PTR, PPR, PPTR and PCR members exclusive discounts on apparel and shoes along with free shipping on orders of $50 or more, plus logo customization options. Midwest Racquet Sports has operated as a racquet sports retailer for more than 30 years, supplying tennis, pickleball and padel equipment, apparel, footwear and accessories. Members can access the discount by logging into the member portal and visiting the Benefits section. Lynne Rolley, CEO of PTR and PPR, said the partnership expands membership value through savings on products used by coaches.
The Santa Barbara Tennis Patrons (SBTP) have appealed to the community for individuals to become Special Olympic Coaches. The program will take place on Saturday mornings from September through November.
For information contact Regional Volunteer Manager Jacqui Montero at (805) 662-2380 or jmontero@sosc.org
Ginny Kuhn is the Local Coach, and she can be reached at gginnykuhn@hotmail.com
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Men’s News
Canadian Open (Sunday)
Singles – Fourth Round: B. Shelton (5) def. (22) J. Fonseca 6-3 7-6(7-3)
Apparently you just can’t beat Ben Shelton in Canada these days. Of course, being the only Top Ten player left in the field really helps. He’s still stuck at #10, though. Joao Fonseca will have to settle for #25.
Singles – Fourth Round: L. Tien (12) def. T. Tirante 6-4 6-4
Despite losing, Thiago Agustin Tirante should hit the Top Fifty for the first time. Learner Tien is probably one win away from the Top Fifteen.
Singles – Fourth Round: J. Mensik (13) def. B. van de Zandschulp 6-4 7-5
This was one of those matches that was very close — except on the really important points. Botic van de Zandschulp will have to settle for a ranking around #60. Jakub Mensik is at #15 in safe points, but he isn’t secure yet; the way things have worked out around here, we have a whole bunch of players (Jodar, Mensik, Tien, Darderi, and Fils) all active and within 300 points of each other. So we could still see a lot of movement in the #10-#25 range. The only one who seems safe in the Top Fifteen is Jodar.
Singles – Fourth Round: D. Merida def. T. Griekspoor 6-3 6-1
This was an up-and-comer versus a what-happened-to-him?-er, but it’s still surprising to see Daniel Merida win this easily on hardcourt. This might take him as high as #40. Tallon Griekspoor will return to the Top Sixty, but not by much.
Doubles – Second Round: Arevalo/Pavic (3) def. Pavlasek/Rikl 7-6(8-6) 6-2
Arevalo/Pavic remain at #7/#8 for the moment, but one more win would let each of them gain a ranking spot.
Doubles – Second Round: Arribage/Olivetti def. Bhambri/Venus 7-6(7-5) 5-7 11-9
Arribage/Olivetti really seem to like living dangerously here (they had to save two match points in this match), but this will certainly put Olivetti in the Top Twenty, and Arribage is likely to make it as well. If they win their next match, they should hit career highs.
Women’s News
Canadian Open (Sunday)
Singles – Fourth Round: (2) E Rybakina def. L Samsonova 6-4 4-6 6-4
At the French Open, we noticed how all the players were taking pictures at the Eiffel Tower, completely ignoring Paris’s most interesting tourist attraction (the manuscripts division at the Paris National Library). This week, everyone seems to be obsessed with Niagara Falls, completely ignoring the vital historic sites in the area — Queenston Heights, where Isaac Brock first drove back American invaders in the War of 1812, and Bridgewater, where the Battle of Lundy’s Lane (sometimes called the Niagara Battle) again reminded the American army that the people of Upper Canada didn’t want to be part of the United States.
This particular match was very reminiscent of Lundy’s Lane: Long, bloody, and full of errors on both sides, with a technical winner but no one having much to celebrate — in the case of Lundy’s Lane, the Americans retreated after suffering about 30% casualties including their two top generals wounded; the British lost perhaps 27%. (The Americans nonetheless claimed victory because, well, what else do you do when you started a war and are getting nowhere and are suffering massive economic damage, in this case from a British naval blockade? Despite being a colossal American botch, Lundy’s Lane is still worth remembering, because it contributed greatly to the rise of Winfield Scott, the greatest American general between George Washington and the Civil War.)
Someone wisecracked that both these players should have been disqualified for incompetence, but it was Liudmila Samsonova who built a lead in the third set and then collapsed completely. She will remain below #40. Elena Rybakina moves a little closer to Aryna Sabalenka in the contest for #1, but it’s hard to believe she can make it before the US Open if she keeps playing like this….
Singles – Fourth Round: (4) C Gauff def. (Q) A Korneeva 6-3 6-1
If Elena Rybakina fought the Battle of Lundy’s Lane, Coco Gauff was more Julius Caesar: She came, she saw, she conquered. But she didn’t move in the rankings. (Neither did Caesar, if you think about it.) Alina Korneeva at least reached another new high.
Singles – Fourth Round: (11) N Osaka def. (30) L Fernandez 6-4 6-4
You’ll no doubt be glad that we have no military analogies for this match; the side with the heavier firepower won, which is of course the more common result in tennis as in battle. This win finally guarantees that Naomi Osaka will remain Top Fifteen; Leylah Fernandez will be just below the Top Thirty.
Singles – Fourth Round: (12) B Bencic def. (25) A Eala 6-4 6-0
Alexandra Eala looked somewhat broken down in her previous match. This match, it was worse. Not too surprising, given that she was on the longest match streak of her career. Despite adding points here, she will not rise above #20. Belinda Bencic hasn’t clinched anything yet, but she leads in the contest for #12 (which is as high as she, or Naomi Osaka, or Diana Shnaider can go this week).
Doubles – Second Round: Mihalikova/Nicholls def. Routliffe/Sutjiadi 6-3 7-5
This raises the possibility that Erin Routliffe could lose her Top Ten spot if Errani/Melichar-Martinez reach the final. Mihalikova/Nicholls move past opponent Aldila Sutjidi, but both remain below #25.
Doubles – Quarterfinal: (3) Errani/Melichar-Martinez def. (7) Perez/Schuurs 6-2 6-2
Sara Errani is up to #9. Nicole Melichar-Martinez will also make the Top Ten if they win their next match. Ellen Perez will fall from #19 to #20, and Demi Schuurs will remain below #20.
Doubles – Quarterfinal: (5) Hsieh/Ostapenko def. Li/Tauson 7-6(7-4) 6-4
Still no movement for Hsieh Su-Wei, and only one spot for Jelena Ostapenko. It’s still possible Hsieh could lose her Top Fifteen spot, in fact. Here is how we currently show the Top Fifteen:
1..(1) SINIAKOVA……….10150
2..(2) Townsend…………8845
3..(3) DABROWSKI………..8805
4..(4) Stefani………….7445
5..(5) KRUNIC…………..6950
6..(6) DANILINA…………6775
7..(7) MERTENS………….5533
8..(8) ZHANG……………4980
9.(11) ERRANI…………..4895
10..(9) ROUTLIFFE………..4849
11.(12) MELICHAR-MARTINEZ…4690
12.(10) GUO……………..4575
13.(13) MLADENOVIC……….4350
14.(14) Paolini………….4181
15.(15) HSIEH……………4055
Pro Tour Calendars
THIS WEEK ON THE ATP:
Canadian Open/Montreal (1000/Hard). Defending Champion: Ben Shelton
NEXT WEEK ON THE ATP:
Cincinnati (1000/Hard). Defending Champion: Carlos Alcaraz
THIS WEEK ON THE WTA:
Canadian Open/Toronto (1000/Hard). Defending Champion: Victoria Mboko
NEXT WEEK ON THE WTA:
Cincinnati (1000/Hard). Defending Champion: Iga Swiatek
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