Good morning, Court Theorists! ☕️
Today’s tennis mood: Refreshed + ready.
We’re back to our regular chaotic schedule with play happening in Europe and the Middle East. There are some fascinating match-ups today, plus we’ve got some news on how the top players are responding to the slams’ offer to remedy player complaints.
Let’s tennis!
-Allen
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🎾 Rejected: The top ten men and women on tour have rejected a proposal from the U.S. Open, Roland-Garros, and Wimbledon that would set up a council to give them more input into how the majors are run. The players declined to meet at Indian Wells next month, saying the tournament organizers ignored their concerns about prize money and player welfare.
What they said: “Before committing to another meeting, it would be more productive for the grand slams to provide substantive responses, individually or collectively, to the specific proposals the players have put forward regarding prize money at a fair share of grand slam revenues, and player health, welfare, and benefits contributions,” the letter states, per The Guardian.
And…“While the players recognize that governance structures can play an important role, they are concerned that prioritizing council formation over the core economic issues risks becoming a process discussion that delays rather than advances meaningful progress.”
In other words: ‘Why on earth would we take on more labor with no promise of monetary compensation?’
Previously: The top players in tennis sent a letter to the majors organizers in September, calling for a greater share of the revenues, plus contributions to pensions and health benefits.
🎾 Oh, we’re serious: Don’t pay attention to the social media content (and tabloid publishers) who are making a big deal of John McEnroe at the airport dropping f-bombs on a so-called fan. Those are, in fact, not fans. They are known troublemakers who camp out and harass famous people with another person who just happens to capture the reactions of said famous people. They did the same thing to Rafa Nadal and others who were departing Melbourne. But it was only a generally irritated McEnroe who gave them the material they were after.
🎾 Travel plans: Are you attending any pro tournaments this spring? I’m reporting from multiple events in the upcoming months. And that might just call for some Court Theory meet-ups. Hit reply and let me know where you’re going and which dates, and we’ll go from there. Unsure about your options? Let our friends at Grand Slam Tennis Tours and Topnotch Tennis Tours help you out!
🎾 One to watch: Valentin Royer vs. Arthur Fils (1st rd - ATP 250 - Montpellier): Watch this one to see how Arthur Fils is feeling on his return to competition. In the last 8 months, he’s played just one tournament and has had false starts in previous attempts to return. Let’s see how ready he is.
The record: This will be the first time Valentin Royer and Arthur Fils face each other.
On the line: This is a chance for Royer to get on the board in 2026. He’s currently 0-3. For Fils, this is about competing safely.
And that’s game.
