👋 Welcome back to The Daily Theory, our morning rundown to help you stay on top of your favorite sport. I’m Allen McDuffee, your guide to all things tennis.
On tap today, we’ve got: Coco Gauff is the founder of a new venture, a demand for more cash at the majors, Challengers are coming to Tennis Channel, Danielle Collins takes on Jelena Ostapenko, plus more in tennis news today.
Let’s tennis!
Three Points
🎾 Pay up, major: A letter signed by the top 20 ranked players on the ATP and WTA tours demands more money from the Grand Slam events, which have among the worst payout ratios — less than 20% — from the money they bring in. The letter, first reported by L'Equipe, comes just weeks after the PTPA filed its lawsuit accusing the tours, the ITF, and the ITIA of acting as “a cartel.” This letter, which has the names of more current players behind it, is more focused and direct in its request and approach.
What she said: “I think that’s going to benefit all the players, not only the top players, especially those that work hard during the year and need to get paid from the Grand Slams and have to survive,” Qinwen Zheng said in Charleston this week. “That’s really positive, because if you look at basketball, they all get paid 50-50. The players, we’re working really hard, because I’m a tennis player I know how much I’ve worked to arrive here. We try to do what we can, and then let’s see what the gods brings to us. But at least we’re trying.”
🎾 Coco strikes out on her own: On Wednesday evening, Coco Gauff announced the launch of her new endeavor, Coco Gauff Enterprises — a venture represented and supported by WME. The new deal means her previous agency Team8, the group founded by Roger Federer and his agent Tony Godsick, is out.
What she said: “From the moment I first picked up a tennis racket, I’ve always believed my purpose extended far beyond the court. Today I’m thrilled to announce the launch of Coco Gauff Enterprises, a venture that reflects my passion for making an impact — not just in tennis, but in business, philanthropy, and beyond,” Gauff posted on Instagram.
🎾 Obvious partners: The ATP Challenger Tour and Tennis Channel have signed a deal to broadcast more of the Challenger events from around the world. Under the new arrangement, Tennis Channel will make hundreds of Challenger matches available each year. It will also produce original content to support the initiative — an important step in helping tennis fans understand the value and importance of the ATP Challenger Tour.
What the ATP said: “Partnering with Tennis Channel and other broadcasters means we can shine a global spotlight on the incredible talent in these events, giving players the platform they deserve and inspiring the next generation of stars. It’s another signal of our commitment to growing the game at this level,” said ATP Challenger Tour vice president Julia Boyadjieva.
What Tennis Channel said: “This partnership provides a unique platform to showcase the incredible talent and storylines of the ATP Challenger Tour. We are thrilled to be part of this exciting chapter and look forward to helping the Tour reach new audiences around the world,” said Tennis Channel’s Senior vice president for international and programming Andy Reif.
One takeaway: This is a positive move forward for professional tennis. It also proves that markets are made. They are created by people who see value in something. They put resources behind it. They create a supporting apparatus. They inform an audience. When does doubles get a turn?
And, that’s game.
What They Said
I’m still a little bit shocked. That was a lot of back and forth. I knew he was a great competitor and I knew it would be a battle out here. I think it kind of reminded me of my first match here. You can just never quit until it’s the last point....I’ve been through a lot and I think whatever a match throws you, I think tennis teaches you a lot about life and you just have to accept whatever your situation is and keep moving forward.
-Jenson Brooksby after saving three match points against Alejandro Tabilo on Wednesday in Houston.
Watch This!
🔥 Jelena Ostapenko vs. Danielle Collins (3rd round WTA 500 - Charleston): Watch this one for the drama. Both players bring more than their fair share of it to the court, and there’s no reason to think this match will be any different. Not into the spicy? That’s okay. These two also pack the heat on their groundstrokes, too. Expect a strikefest that will end in more winners (and unforced errors) than the typical clay court match, but that’s what will make this a highly entertaining match.
The record: Jelena Ostapenko leads the head-to-head record over Danielle Collins 2-1. Collins won the most recent meeting at San Diego in 2023. This will be their first battle on clay.
On the line: All the pressure is on Danielle Collins, who won the tournament last year. She would drop to the 30s in the rankings by not winning this match. Meanwhile, Ostapenko is trying to get her 2025 started. Aside from making the final in Doha, in which she took out Paolini and Swiatek, it’s been nothing but first- and second-round exits this year. Here’s her chance to change that.
On The Radar
Amanda Anisimova vs. Yulia Putintseva (3rd round WTA 500 - Charleston)
Emma Navarro vs. Ashlyn Krueger (3rd round WTA 500 - Charleston)
Jessica Pegula vs. Ajla Tomljanovic (3rd round WTA 500 - Charleston)
Anna Kalinskaya vs. Madison Keys (3rd round WTA 500 - Charleston)
Daria Kasatkina vs. Sofia Kenin (3rd round WTA 500 - Charleston)
Emina Bektas vs. Camila Osorio (2nd round WTA 250 - Bogota)
Julia Riera vs. Iva Jovic (2nd round WTA 250 - Bogota)
Mackenzie McDonald vs. Brandon Nakashima (2nd round ATP 250 - Houston)
Kei Nishikori vs. Christopher Eubanks (2nd round ATP 250 - Houston)
Tallon Griekspoor vs Pablo Carreno Busta (2nd round ATP 250 - Marrakech)
Stan Wawrinka vs. Pedro Martinez (2nd round ATP 250 - Bucharest)
📺 Learn how to watch today’s action over at Tennis Watchers.
Read, Watch, Listen
Andrey Rublev and Marat Safin are on the clay in Barcelona.
Jannik Sinner’s former trainer Umberto Ferrara says Sinner’s former physio is the one to blame for the number one’s doping ban.
It’s been exactly one year of Heliovaara and Patten, and they’ve already collected two majors and a few other accolades.
Alize Cornet explains why she isn’t done with tennis.
Emma Raducanu has pulled out of Billie Jean King Cup.
Chills for Daria Kasatkina.
