Tennis
World Cup of Tennis | Piqué influence and Rakuten investment underpins ITF’s Davis Cup revamp
The ITF has struck a 25-year, $3bn partnership with the Kosmos investment group to replace the Davis Cup with a season-ending, one-week World Cup of Tennis. ITF president David Haggerty and chief operating officer Kelly Fairweather spoke to Ben Cronin about the changes at the recent SportAccord.
FFT claims legal win over Viagogo in French Open case
The French Tennis Federation (FFT) has hailed a court ruling against ticketing exchange Viagogo, which reiterates the organisation is the sole legal seller of tickets for the French Open grand slam tournament at Roland-Garros.
Evening entertainment | Why US Open is adding new night schedule
The grand slam is marking its 50th anniversary with the opening of the new 14,000-capacity Louis Armstrong Stadium, complete with retractable roof. Katrina Adams, the president of the United States Tennis Association, spoke to Bob Williams at the MIT Sloan Sports Analytics Conference to discuss the business and commercial opportunities of the redeveloped arena.
French Open embraces esports, raises prize money
Organisers of the French Open tennis grand slam have announced plans to enter into the esports market, along with unveiling an increase of around €3m ($3.7m) to the prize purse for this year’s tournament.
ATP focused on new team tournament amid ITF’s Davis Cup plans
Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) executive chairman Chris Kermode has said the men’s tour is still focused on introducing a team event in the wake of reform plans that have been announced for the Davis Cup, hinting that an announcement on the matter could be imminent.
ITF hails ‘game-changing’ $3bn partnership to revamp Davis Cup
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has hailed a major $3bn (€2.42bn) partnership with investment group Kosmos that is set to introduce a new annual season-ending national team tournament and realise long-held plans to overhaul the Davis Cup.
Federer extends long-running Mercedes-Benz association
Swiss tennis star Roger Federer has renewed an endorsement deal with German automotive manufacturer Mercedes-Benz as he today (Monday) returns to the top of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) world rankings.
Serena Williams adds Lincoln to endorsement portfolio
US tennis star Serena Williams has agreed an endorsement deal with the Lincoln division of the Ford Motor Company.
Halep seals Nike partnership
Romanian tennis star Simona Halep has ended her search for an apparel partner by announcing a deal with US sportswear company Nike.
ITF outlines vision behind restructuring of pro tennis
The International Tennis Federation (ITF) has unveiled further details behind the transition tour, which will be launched in 2019 as part of a major restructuring of professional tennis.
SportBusiness International January/February 2018
Wozniacki pens endorsement deal with Cayman Islands business
Danish tennis star Caroline Wozniacki has signed a one-year endorsement deal with Cayman Islands-based organisation Dart Enterprises.
Historic WTA event moves home as Mubadala comes on board
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that its longest-running tournament will move to a new location in the California Bay Area, with Mubadala Investment Company coming on board as title sponsor.
China Digest | CSL extends media rights deal with CSM
In this week's China sports industry round-up: CSL extends media rights deal with CSM; Sina partners with Mediapro to promote 3x3; and NBA plans month-long Chinese New Year celebration.
WTA delves into fantasy sports arena
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has launched a new free-to-play fantasy game, with the venture backed by commercial partner, German automotive company Porsche.
China Digest | WTA Finals will move to Shenzhen
In this week's China sports industry round-up: WTA Finals will move to Shenzhen; China Open becomes second £1m snooker event; and more details about Wanda's IPO.
WTA Finals head to Shenzhen in long-term deal
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has today (Thursday) announced that its season-ending Finals event will be held in the Chinese city of Shenzhen from 2019.
Djokovic dampens talk of boycott amid prize money drive
Novak Djokovic today (Tuesday) moved to play down talk of a boycott amid reports that tennis is facing the latest challenge to its established order after the 12-time grand slam champion was said to have used a player meeting held prior to the start of the Australian Open to issue a call for greater prize money in the sport.