💸 The Fight For Fairness

In an interview, Novak Djokovic, Co-Founder of the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), addressed a pressing issue: the inequality in revenue distribution to tennis players from betting companies using match data. Djokovic is determined to secure at least a 50% share of the money generated by these data-driven deals for all players.

Maintaining Integrity and Fairness
Djokovic emphasised that allowing players to be sponsored by betting companies won't compromise the sport's integrity. He believes that most players, unlike himself, would happily sport gambling brand logos for sponsorship.

A Call for Equity
Speaking on behalf of the PTPA, Djokovic highlighted the glaring discrepancy. Tennis players are denied the opportunity to promote betting companies on their attire while tournaments enjoy major betting sponsors. He called this "completely unacceptable."

Player Pension vs. Waiting Game
While some funds do go to player pensions, eligibility typically starts at ages 50-55. Since most players finish playing at 30-35 this delay means retiring players must wait decades to benefit. Djokovic urged players to push for their fair share from betting deals.

Raising Awareness
Djokovic stressed that players contribute significantly to the betting industry's profits but receive little returns. He called for increased awareness and organised efforts to rectify this imbalance.

Focusing on the Main Issue
He argued that while integrity is crucial, the main issue is the unequal distribution of revenue. Djokovic wants the tennis community to shift its focus and ensure players receive their rightful share from the massive sums circulating through the sport.

His plea for fairness spotlights a long-standing issue in professional tennis, advocating for equitable compensation for players on tour who are trying to make a living. See the interview here.

🌯 Top Tournament Wrap-Up

A look at the top WTA and ATP tournaments around the world…

🇲🇽 WTA1000 Guadalajara Open - Quarters
Caroline Garcia secured her first semi-final in six months, defeating Victoria Azarenka 6-3, 6-4. She saved 11 break points and will face Maria Sakkari in the semi-finals. Sakkari overcame Emiliana Arango 6-3, 6-4 to reach the semis.

In the other quarterfinals, former No.4 Sofia Kenin defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-1 to advance, while world No.111 Caroline Dolehide's stunning run continued pulling off a 3-6, 7-6(9), 6-3 comeback victory over Martina Trevisan of Italy.

🇨🇳 ATP250 Zhuhai Championship - Round 32
Andy Murray, returned to China with a strong performance, defeating local wild card Mo Ye Cong 7-5, 6-3. The 36-year-old Scot boasts a successful history in China, winning titles like the Rolex Shanghai Masters three times and the ATP 500 in Beijing in 2016. He will now face Aslan Karatsev. In other matches, Mackenzie McDonald and Tomas Martin Etcheverry secured victories, while Diego Schwartzman was forced to retire.

🇨🇳 ATP250 Chengdu Open - Round 16
Marcos Giron triumphed over Alexander Bublik in Chengdu Open, snapping a losing streak. Giron won 7-6(6), 6-3 against the fifth seed. Giron saved five break points and advanced to face Arthur Rinderknech. Jordan Thompson also upset Max Purcell, earning a showdown with Dusan Lajovic. Seventh seed Miomir Kecmanovic secured a straightforward win and will face Corentin Moutet. Christopher O’Connell and Juan Pablo Varillas secured their victories in straight sets.

 ⏰ Shot Clock

😼 Sorana Cirstea calls Serena Williams arrogant. The Romanian came out in defence of her countrywomen Simona Halep after Williams started some X beef following the doping ban.

🔥 Clara Tauson collapses on court. It’s not just hot in NYC. Tauson was playing her round of 16 match against Yulia Putintseva, but just 4 points into the third set she collapsed due to heat exhaustion. She was eventually taken off in wheelchair.

⛈️ Rennae Stubbs sparks X storm. The Australian, former doubles no.1 and coach of Serena Williams has stirred the Djokovic fan base over the past few days, with comments on how he is obsessed with winning because he knows he’ll never be as loved as Federer and Nadal.

🇺🇳 Roger Federer speaks at the UN. Before heading to the Laver Cup in Vancouver, Federer stopped in NYC to speak at the United Nations on Investing in Education Systems for Sustainable Development and Children’s Wellbeing.

🤔 Medvedev’s Perfect Player

The human octopus, Daniil Medvedev sat down with ATP Tour to build his perfect player. Who did he pick? Watch and learn.