Please do check out my Substack, BOUNCES, at benrothenberg.com
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Very glad to get to write this one at Bounces: 75 years after she integrated the #USOpen, a look back at the reluctant pioneering of Althea Gibson, and how her silence opened a door for future generations of Black women in tennis to find their voices: www.benrothenberg.com/p/althea-gib...
A comprehensive win for Naomi Osaka, imperious on serve as she routs Coco Gauff 6-3, 6-2. Osaka is into her first major quarterfinal since the 2021 Australian Open; she’s never lost a match at a major once she reached the quarterfinals. #USOpen
I have never thought the viral 2019 #USOpen moment between Coco Gauff and Naomi Osaka was as sweet and wonderful as everyone said it was, and at least one of them sure doesn’t have fond memories of it. www.benrothenberg.com/p/us-open-pr...
On the eve of the next chapter at #USOpen, I went back through the history of Coco Gauff + Naomi Osaka, including the 2019 viral moment that's often oversimplified. "Looking back, I was definitely having a panic attack on the court,” Gauff told me. www.benrothenberg.com/p/us-open-pr...
On the eve of the next chapter at #USOpen, I went back through the history of Coco Gauff + Naomi Osaka, including the 2019 viral moment that's often oversimplified. "Looking back, I was definitely having a panic attack on the court,” Gauff told me. www.benrothenberg.com/p/us-open-pr...
#USOpen Bounces chat thread for Sunday, Day 8, is now open for business for all! bit.ly/2025USOpenDay8Chat
☺️
2005 - Alexander Zverev (Wimbledon, US Open 2025) is the first ATP top-three ranked player to lose in the opening week at consecutive GS events since Rafael Nadal (Wimbledon, US Open) in 2005. Crash. #USOpen
Very glad to get to write this one at Bounces: 75 years after she integrated the #USOpen, a look back at the reluctant pioneering of Althea Gibson, and how her silence opened a door for future generations of Black women in tennis to find their voices: www.benrothenberg.com/p/althea-gib...
An interview with tonight's #USOpen night session headliner Alexander Bublik, who particularly wanted to share his strong feelings about doubles players. Read at Bounces: www.benrothenberg.com/p/alexander-...
Bounces chat for Day 7 of the #USOpen is now open! bit.ly/USOpenDay7Bo...
An interview with tonight's #USOpen night session headliner Alexander Bublik, who particularly wanted to share his strong feelings about doubles players. Read at Bounces: www.benrothenberg.com/p/alexander-...
New episode of NCR! With @tumcarayol.bsky.social, running through a ton of quick-hit #USOpen topics including Townsend-Ostapenko, the subsequent mess in Swiatek's press, Altmaier's detour away from drama, Alcaraz's hair, Gauff, Osaka, betting, and more! Listen: open.spotify.com/episode/1IlL...
What a win for Taylor Townsend, following up a week in the spotlight with a masterful 7-5, 6-2 win over No. 5 Mirra Andreeva. Townsend, the breakout star of this first week of the #USOpen, is into the fourth round.
If you're intrigued by Taylor Townsend's unique kits at this #USOpen, the ahead-of-the-curve @joshuablevin.bsky.social had a great write up of them for the NYT before the tournament began: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/s...
All sorts of goofy town names in Pennsylvania; my favorite is probably Eighty Four.
Per Wikipedia: "The community took its unusual name in the 18th century from a local tavern named the King of Prussia Inn, which was named after King Frederick the Great of Prussia."
Indeed I can! Ann Li said her favorite part of the food courts at the King of Prussia mall is one "in like the newer section. There's this Korean fried chicken place--it's so good."
Really liked this from @girinathan.bsky.social about how unfocused Ashe crowds are, especially in the first week. www.thesecondserve.com/coco-vs-coco/
King of Prussia's Ann Li is into the fourth round of a Slam for the first time in her career, beating Priscilla Hon 7-5, 6-3. A big resurgence that will take Li back into the WTA Top 50 for the first time in more than 3.5 years. Li faces Pegula next for a spot in #USOpen QFs.
Leandro Riedi did something I'd never seen before at the #USOpen: Asked for a spectator to get kicked out for cheering too loudly for him. On the growing number of invested bettors making themselves heard courtside. Free for all to read at Bounces! www.benrothenberg.com/p/tennis-bet...
This piece is so great and highlights yet another angle of how sports betting is designed to make me, personally, mad.
I’ve wanted to write for a while about how obvious gamblers with a different sort of investment in the outcome can change the atmosphere at a tennis match, but I’ve never before seen a player react to the phenomenon like Leandro Riedi did at the US Open: www.benrothenberg.com/p/tennis-bet...
Not too early for the first #USOpen Bounces chat thread as we round into Labor Day weekend! Please come join us! Open to subscribers of all levels, including free. 🤗 bit.ly/USOpenDay3Chat
Leandro Riedi did something I'd never seen before at the #USOpen: Asked for a spectator to get kicked out for cheering too loudly for him. On the growing number of invested bettors making themselves heard courtside. Free for all to read at Bounces! www.benrothenberg.com/p/tennis-bet...
icymi forty-deuce.ghost.io/i-need-26-mi...
The hot topic at the U.S. Open was how heated things got on Court 11 between Taylor Townsend and Jelena Ostapenko, setting the tournament ablaze. www.benrothenberg.com/p/taylor-tow...
Breaking: Daniil Medvedev has been fined $42,500 for his meltdown in his #USOpen first round loss on Sunday, 38.6% of his $110,000 prize money. $30,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $12,500 for abuse of racquets/equipment.
I almost always balk at any comparison which declares a new young player is "The Next [Star Player Name]." But there's no doubt that Janice Tjen, consciously with her coaches, is working to build herself in the image of Ash Barty, one slice at a time. www.benrothenberg.com/p/janice-tje...
I almost always balk at any comparison which declares a new young player is "The Next [Star Player Name]." But there's no doubt that Janice Tjen, consciously with her coaches, is working to build herself in the image of Ash Barty, one slice at a time. www.benrothenberg.com/p/janice-tje...
Venus Williams’ #USOpen isn’t over: Venus has entered the women’s doubles with Leylah Fernandez; they face Kichenok/Perez in the first round.
Thanks Julie, glad you’re enjoying it!
Already did! www.benrothenberg.com/p/carlos-alc...
Both Venus Williams' emotional press conference and Carlos Alcaraz's hair were cut short on Monday at the US Open. On the latter, reaction from the famous Victor Barber on his star client's new look is in this article at Bounces! Read and subscribe: www.benrothenberg.com/p/carlos-alc...
Angela Mortimer, a four-time major winner, passed away today at 93, Wimbledon reports. With her husband John Barrett, she was one half of one of the two married couples in the Tennis Hall of Fame, alongside Graf-Agassi. www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/a...
This is so my cat-coded. Suddenly puking a ton and then coming back stronger.
Serena was never banned from a next year’s tournament
Daniil Medvedev crashed out of the US Open in a wild scene to end the first day, and claimed “I didn’t do anything” in press afterwards. Read it all, from the match and our exchanges in the press conferences afterward, at Bounces: www.benrothenberg.com/p/daniil-med...
Breaking: Bounces can report, confirmed by USTA, that the photographer was escorted from the court by US Open security. His credential has been revoked for the 2025 US Open.
One of the most insane 10 minute sequences in #USOpen history just now on Armstrong. Wild, wild shit.
apnews.com/article/us-o... Open tennis players don't necessarily think more is better when it comes to starting on Sunday
Maybe read it and then return with your take ☺️
As #USOpen is nearly underway, a timely look at how biomechanics expert Gavin MacMillan, recently hired by Coco Gauff, helped rebuild Aryna Sabalenka into the sturdiest presence atop women's tennis. An excerpt from @mollymcelwee.bsky.social's great new book: www.benrothenberg.com/p/aryna-saba...
The most striking moment of #USOpen media day, for me, came when the man who has won more Masters 1000 events than any player in history said he no longer enjoys them. On Grandmaster Novak Djokovic’s resignation, at Bounces: www.benrothenberg.com/p/novak-djok...
An interview with Bob and Mike Bryan on the eve of Twinduction Day at the Hall of Fame in Newport. This one is free for all to read, but please do subscribe to get new Bounces posts sent to your inbox during this U.S. Open so you don't miss anything! www.benrothenberg.com/p/internatio...
US Open draw previews on Bounces! Woohoo! www.benrothenberg.com/p/2025-us-op...
Full article here, please do subscribe to get the full Bounces experience during this US Open! 🤗 www.benrothenberg.com/p/winners-of...
As Bounces subscribers already read this morning, the US Open mixed doubles was ultimately a runaway hit with fans, but there was nervousness from organizers: USTA invited staff and ball crew to act as seat fillers in case it was going to look empty on TV, as seen in this email:
With USO mixed doubles behind us, now to another doubles topic… Does the Hall of Fame have a doubles identity crisis? My story on the HOF’s doubles predicament ahead of the Bryan Brothers’ induction. Thanks to @benrothenberg.bsky.social for weighing in. thetennistribe.com/tennis-hall-...
2025 U.S. Open women's singles draw
2025 U.S. Open men's singles draw
Wrote about the big finale of the US Open mixed doubles, including some internal worries about optics, and also news of what the Australian Open now has in mind for next year after seeing this unfold. Read at Bounces: www.benrothenberg.com/p/winners-of...
This match, Pegula vs Ruud, brings together the two best golfers on tour, maybe. www.youtube.com/watch?v=pxtv...
Please come join the Bounces chat for the US Open mixed semifinals and final tonight! All subscribers, including free ones (which could be you!) open to join in! bit.ly/USOpenMixedS...
The enormous Arthur Ashe Stadium is mostly full already for the #USOpen mixed doubles, before any players have yet taken court. Safe to say the US Open is going to be running this concept back in 2026; question is how many of the other Slams copy them, and how immediately.
feels amazing to be read by a critic like Josh, who has honestly clarified my own understanding of my own book - loved this
Also realize I forgot to share yesterday's Bounces dispatch on the mixed doubles on social media--which is why it's a great idea to subscribe to get Bounces delivered for free to your inbox instantly!--so here it is. www.benrothenberg.com/p/mixed-doub...
News at Bounces: Just months after winning the French Open, and just shortly before the US Open, Coco Gauff has parted with one of her coaches, Matt Daly. Daly confirmed the news to Bounces. www.benrothenberg.com/p/coco-gauff...
The first day of this newfangled US Open mixedpalooza is in the books now, finishing with a pretty big surprise as Collins/C. Harrison beat Townsend/Shelton 4-1, 5-4(2). Semifinals now set: Pegula/Draper - Swiatek/Ruud Collins/C. Harrison - Errani/Vavassori
It's so, so cool seeing the top men and women share courts. Tennis has had so much untapped potential in mixed doubles for so long, and this event feels like letting this abundant resource flow at last. It's like when MLB finally started playing Interleague, perhaps.
My favorite Mad Lib of the US Open so far: [PLAYER] is wearing [PLURAL ANIMAL] on her outfit because of a message from [NON-TENNIS CELEBRITY]. If you had TAYLOR TOWNSEND, ORCAS, and SAMUEL L. JACKSON, you are correct. By @joshuablevin.bsky.social: www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/s...
Whispers about this for a long time, but now confirmed: British rising star Jack Draper has switched from Nike to Vuori. www.theindustry.fashion/british-tenn...
Opening up a Bounces chat thread for today's US Open mixedpalooza, open to all paid and free subscribers! Whether you're excited, skeptical, or begrudging, I bet you'll be watching this... bit.ly/USOpenMixedChat
Not enough time to do a full notebook column for Cincinnati, I reckon, but did want to share one fun item, a relic found by local photographer Dave Keaton in a random conference room on the grounds: Serena's 2013 runner-up trophy, which she had no apparent interest in taking home with her.
Too brief a stopover in DC pre-Open, but happy to be home, even briefly…hopefully by time I return we will have gotten the place a bit more back to ourselves. ☺️
US Open mixed doubles comes as tensions grow between singles stars and doubles specialists. Today, they'll settle it on court. "I don't understand the people when they talk shit about something and then they want to play,” Andrea Vavassori told me: www.benrothenberg.com/p/us-open-mi...
people are fighting about....rajeev ram? a very weird season of tennis!
This means so much to me personally. (@zohrankmamdani.bsky.social at the #USOpen 🎾)
Iga Swiatek has done WONDERS for her Djokémon outlook this summer, adding a trophy in Cincinnati to her Wimbledon triumph. Those were probably two of the least likely for her to ever scoop up, and she got them in the same year (which hadn’t been dominant before those, to boot).
And Sinner retires down 0-5 in the first, giving Alcaraz the Cincinnati title. Not shocking given his performance, but a jarring disappointment to end this tournament.
Sinner down a triple break, 0-5, after just 20 minutes of this Cincinnati final. Not shaping up to be another classic…
Wrote for the New York Times about Taylor Townsend. She hasn't had a clothing sponsor for seven years, so she decided to start her own namesake brand. At the US Open, she'll be wearing orcas, all thanks to Samuel L. Jackson www.nytimes.com/2025/08/18/s...
The new final US Open mixed doubles entry list is out, with some new pairings and probably a new betting favorite in Siniakova/Sinner.
Evidence #8186 of why Google is completely broken: I thought it was odd that the Cincinnati Open 🎾 finals were on a Monday and wanted to know why. There are a few top stories at the top that don't have any useful information. The AI Overview blames the Paris Olympics of last year.
Only 20 minutes in but this is awesome, and I am really fucking here for the call outs of aggregating vultures like The Tennis Letter. Bring back the blogs!
Every episode of ours is meant to be one, tbh!
Talking about Serena AND project management in the same episode ?! This is like a love letter to me from @benrothenberg.bsky.social and @fortydeucetwits.bsky.social
as we arrive at championship weekend in Cincinnati, find out from @benrothenberg.bsky.social why this year's tournament was bigger and better than ever👇 www.thesecondserve.com/the-italiana...
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An interview with Emma Raducanu, by Tumaini Carayol: www.theguardian.com/sport/2025/a...
New NCR! With @fortydeucetwits.bsky.social! open.spotify.com/episode/7fYy...
New: I got Jannik Sinner to talk, finally, about his controversial decision to rehire Umberto Ferrara, the fitness coach who had introduced clostebol into his orbit last year, triggering a painful positive test saga. Read and subscribe at Bounces: www.benrothenberg.com/p/jannik-sin...
New NCR! With @fortydeucetwits.bsky.social! open.spotify.com/episode/7fYy...
Terence Atmane continues one of the most remarkable runs in recent ATP memory, reaching the semifinals of the ATP-WTA 1000 Cincinnati Open by trouncing #7 Holger Rune 6-2, 6-3. He adds to his mystery by writing "Fermi's Paradox" on the camera lens after his win. 👽
New: I got Jannik Sinner to talk, finally, about his controversial decision to rehire Umberto Ferrara, the fitness coach who had introduced clostebol into his orbit last year, triggering a painful positive test saga. Read and subscribe at Bounces: www.benrothenberg.com/p/jannik-sin...
Tennis is bigger than ever? Maybe. Tennis is better than ever? Maybe. Tennis is *bluer* than ever? Absolutely yes. On the takeover of blue on courts around the world. www.benrothenberg.com/p/us-open-co...
New: WTA #1 Aryna Sabalenka says she does not plan on playing US Open mixed doubles with a new partner after her original partner Grigor Dimitrov pulled out, mentioning being “loyal” to Dimitrov. “Well there is a few guys who are asking, but, no, I don’t think so.”
Sent to me by a friend: If you Google “Best tennis tournament wins by american men in 2025”: Google AI leads with Lloyd Glasspool, who is thoroughly British, winning Wimbledon doubles. (Also, Ben Shelton made a QF, not just R16, at Wimbledon)
US Open wild cards: 🇺🇸Venus Williams 🇺🇸Clervie Ngounoue 🇺🇸Julieta Pareja 🇺🇸Caty McNally 🇺🇸Valerie Glozman 🇺🇸Alyssa Ahn 🇫🇷Caroline Garcia 🇦🇺Talia Gibson 🇺🇸Brandon Holt 🇺🇸Nishesh Basavareddy 🇺🇸Tristan Boyer 🇺🇸Emilio Nava 🇺🇸Stefan Dostanic 🇺🇸Darwin Blanch 🇫🇷Valentin Royer 🇦🇺Tristan Schoolkate
Electronic line calling failures have been piling up, including one moment in Cincinnati where video review had to be used to determine if a ball had landed in or out. This technology is not only not what it's cracked up to be: it's cracking. www.benrothenberg.com/p/tennis-ele...
Grigor Dimitrov officially pulls out of the US Open, ending a streak of 58 Slam main draws in a row, which had been the longest active streak. Alejandro Tabilo gets his spot in the main draw; Brandon Holt is next in. #USOpen
Cincinnati was already a can't-miss tournament now it's even better read all about the new-and-improved venue, courtesy of @benrothenberg.bsky.social www.thesecondserve.com/the-italiana...
First time getting the Aoi Ito experience and what strikes me most is how she is INSTANTLY ready to serve on the next point. Keys was hardly dawdling but Aoi was making her have to pick up the pace.
People who know ball, Jake.
@benrothenberg.bsky.social on the Italianate Charms of the Cincy Open. www.thesecondserve.com/the-italiana...
New for @the2ndserve.bsky.social: On the beautiful new build at the Cincinnati Open, which was already home to the best court on tour, going back to a classic Roman inspiration for another sunken treasure. www.thesecondserve.com/the-italiana...
Raducanu's recent reliability remains remarkable, really.
Update: Gracheva aced Kenin 15 times en route to a three set win. Gracheva’s ace rate was 14.9%, by far the highest of her career; only twice in her career had she ever been above 10% before.
Sofia Kenin plays her opening match in Cincinnati later today against qualifier Varvara Gracheva. After a deep dive into the stat at Bounces, my main question of course will be how much she gets aced, because she is like no one else in this category. www.benrothenberg.com/p/aces-most-...
CHRISTMAS HAS COME EARLY FOLKS: AOI ITO VS. MADISON KEYS 3R CINCY