James Hansen
@jameskhansen.bsky.social
Senior Editor, 🎾 @theathletic.bsky.social
Feels like the concept of the "big hitter" is becoming increasingly obsolete or at least insufficiently analytical in women's tennis. The style clash at top of WTA Tour but also further down now is so compelling and it goes well beyond pure power
January 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Feels like the concept of the "big hitter" is becoming increasingly obsolete or at least insufficiently analytical in women's tennis. The style clash at top of WTA Tour but also further down now is so compelling and it goes well beyond pure power
Lys is redlining like crazy and Swiatek looks rusty, but the long overdue conversation about Tomasz Wiktorowski and his effect on the measuredness of Swiatek's game is getting closer!
January 5, 2026 at 9:22 AM
Lys is redlining like crazy and Swiatek looks rusty, but the long overdue conversation about Tomasz Wiktorowski and his effect on the measuredness of Swiatek's game is getting closer!
Nice win for Sara Bejlek at the Auckland Open over Panna Udvardy. Another young Czech player with a bright WTA future alongside Tereza Valentová, the Fruhvirtova sisters, Nicola Bartůňková...
January 5, 2026 at 12:04 AM
Nice win for Sara Bejlek at the Auckland Open over Panna Udvardy. Another young Czech player with a bright WTA future alongside Tereza Valentová, the Fruhvirtova sisters, Nicola Bartůňková...
Flavio Cobolli playing some increasingly silly tennis while Stan Wawrinka just joysticks him around the court with side-to-side and short chips
January 4, 2026 at 1:33 PM
Flavio Cobolli playing some increasingly silly tennis while Stan Wawrinka just joysticks him around the court with side-to-side and short chips
The short period of time when Tennis TV carries both ATP and WTA because of the United Cup always feels like a frustrated portal into a much better tennis media future
January 4, 2026 at 11:39 AM
The short period of time when Tennis TV carries both ATP and WTA because of the United Cup always feels like a frustrated portal into a much better tennis media future
Solana Sierra hard-court bagel. Sebastián Báez telling Jaume Munar to leave his hard-court renaissance in 2025. Tennis is so back
January 2, 2026 at 9:51 AM
Solana Sierra hard-court bagel. Sebastián Báez telling Jaume Munar to leave his hard-court renaissance in 2025. Tennis is so back
Reposted by James Hansen
2025 was my first full year freelancing, and to my happy surprise I got enough published to do a summary thread!
I mostly wrote from bed, but I was at the very fun and hot Australian Open, and covered it for Defector. (Sans credential, but check back in a month.) defector.com/the-australi...
I mostly wrote from bed, but I was at the very fun and hot Australian Open, and covered it for Defector. (Sans credential, but check back in a month.) defector.com/the-australi...
The Australian Open Is Happy And Hot | Defector
MELBOURNE — Envy sabotaged my plans for watching the first day of the 2025 Australian Open. I was going to take in Day One on a projector at Federation Square, a public area surrounded by angular buil...
defector.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:01 AM
2025 was my first full year freelancing, and to my happy surprise I got enough published to do a summary thread!
I mostly wrote from bed, but I was at the very fun and hot Australian Open, and covered it for Defector. (Sans credential, but check back in a month.) defector.com/the-australi...
I mostly wrote from bed, but I was at the very fun and hot Australian Open, and covered it for Defector. (Sans credential, but check back in a month.) defector.com/the-australi...
Glitching feeds. Inaudible trash talk. A bag of tennis balls and a flat atmosphere. Nick Kyrgios beat Aryna Sabalenka in the scenario women's tennis feared, but what lingers is the farce of an event that collapsed under the weight of its label www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Nick Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka’s ‘Battle of the Sexes’ promised ‘a show’ it did not deliver
The production value, court and style of tennis made a match using the name of a huge sports event hard to watch for unexpected reasons.
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Glitching feeds. Inaudible trash talk. A bag of tennis balls and a flat atmosphere. Nick Kyrgios beat Aryna Sabalenka in the scenario women's tennis feared, but what lingers is the farce of an event that collapsed under the weight of its label www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
The build-up to the 'Battle of the Sexes' between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios has proven that its architects and detractors agree on one thing: This is pure spectacle that cannot support the weight of its lofty name
@sarahshephard.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
@sarahshephard.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
The Battle of the Sexes is tennis history. Can Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios write it too?
Half a century after Billie Jean King beat Bobby Riggs, the WTA world No. 1 believes this match is good for women's tennis. Critics disagree
www.nytimes.com
December 28, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The build-up to the 'Battle of the Sexes' between Aryna Sabalenka and Nick Kyrgios has proven that its architects and detractors agree on one thing: This is pure spectacle that cannot support the weight of its lofty name
@sarahshephard.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
@sarahshephard.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/691...
Jack Draper will miss the Australian Open with bone bruising that has sidelined him since late August.
His first big event back is likely to be Indian Wells. A test for his body and his mentality, as he will defend 1,000 points there.
@cdeccleshare.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
His first big event back is likely to be Indian Wells. A test for his body and his mentality, as he will defend 1,000 points there.
@cdeccleshare.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Jack Draper out of Australian Open, extending absence to five months
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Jack Draper will miss the Australian Open with bone bruising that has sidelined him since late August.
His first big event back is likely to be Indian Wells. A test for his body and his mentality, as he will defend 1,000 points there.
@cdeccleshare.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
His first big event back is likely to be Indian Wells. A test for his body and his mentality, as he will defend 1,000 points there.
@cdeccleshare.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/athletic/692...
Carlos Alcaraz splits with Juan Carlos Ferrero after six Grand Slams and seven years.
Shocking in terms of timing after such a strong season, but if the next stage in Alcaraz's development after serve security is tactical adjustment, perhaps it makes sense.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Shocking in terms of timing after such a strong season, but if the next stage in Alcaraz's development after serve security is tactical adjustment, perhaps it makes sense.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Carlos Alcaraz splits with coach Juan Carlos Ferrero after six Grand Slams and seven years
The world No. 1 confirmed the split on social media, saying that they made the decision together.
www.nytimes.com
December 17, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Carlos Alcaraz splits with Juan Carlos Ferrero after six Grand Slams and seven years.
Shocking in terms of timing after such a strong season, but if the next stage in Alcaraz's development after serve security is tactical adjustment, perhaps it makes sense.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Shocking in terms of timing after such a strong season, but if the next stage in Alcaraz's development after serve security is tactical adjustment, perhaps it makes sense.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Dino Prižmić, he who ran Novak Djokovic close at the 2024 Australian Open, has found his forehand after a buffet of mistimed shots in the first set against Nishesh Basavareddy and his picture-perfect backhand at the Next Gen. Good match developing
December 17, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Dino Prižmić, he who ran Novak Djokovic close at the 2024 Australian Open, has found his forehand after a buffet of mistimed shots in the first set against Nishesh Basavareddy and his picture-perfect backhand at the Next Gen. Good match developing
ATP Tour confirms unified extreme heat policy, moving in line with WTA and Grand Slams. Previously, supervisors made conditions decisions from tournament to tournament www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Tennis heat rule will apply across ATP Tour from 2026 season after player criticism
The men's circuit lacked an extreme heat policy. Now, if the Wet Bulb Globe Temperature hits or exceeds 90 degrees, outdoor play will stop.
www.nytimes.com
December 15, 2025 at 11:23 PM
ATP Tour confirms unified extreme heat policy, moving in line with WTA and Grand Slams. Previously, supervisors made conditions decisions from tournament to tournament www.nytimes.com/athletic/689...
Reposted by James Hansen
Story: @theathletic.com
Grand Slam Track files bankruptcy: $0-$50,000 in assets, $10m-50m in liabilities.
Vendors & athletes owed millions.
Michael Johnson’s GST bafflingly still say it wants to continue.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Grand Slam Track files bankruptcy: $0-$50,000 in assets, $10m-50m in liabilities.
Vendors & athletes owed millions.
Michael Johnson’s GST bafflingly still say it wants to continue.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Grand Slam Track files for bankruptcy, vendors face huge losses
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Story: @theathletic.com
Grand Slam Track files bankruptcy: $0-$50,000 in assets, $10m-50m in liabilities.
Vendors & athletes owed millions.
Michael Johnson’s GST bafflingly still say it wants to continue.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Grand Slam Track files bankruptcy: $0-$50,000 in assets, $10m-50m in liabilities.
Vendors & athletes owed millions.
Michael Johnson’s GST bafflingly still say it wants to continue.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/688...
Reposted by James Hansen
ATP/WTA commercial merger a step closer towards completion as ATP votes in favour of non-binding short-form agreement.
WTA meanwhile agrees landmark title sponsorship deal with Mercedes, and expected to vote on short-form agreement by end of the year
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
WTA meanwhile agrees landmark title sponsorship deal with Mercedes, and expected to vote on short-form agreement by end of the year
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
December 10, 2025 at 3:32 PM
ATP/WTA commercial merger a step closer towards completion as ATP votes in favour of non-binding short-form agreement.
WTA meanwhile agrees landmark title sponsorship deal with Mercedes, and expected to vote on short-form agreement by end of the year
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
WTA meanwhile agrees landmark title sponsorship deal with Mercedes, and expected to vote on short-form agreement by end of the year
www.nytimes.com/athletic/687...
Reposted by James Hansen
This entire grift relies on convincing people that they don't know how to do the things they have always known how to do, and ironically, if it works, we will, in a very short amount of time, forget how to do all the things we have always known how to do.
Jimmy Fallon: "And do you use ChatGPT when raising your baby?"
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
December 9, 2025 at 3:40 PM
This entire grift relies on convincing people that they don't know how to do the things they have always known how to do, and ironically, if it works, we will, in a very short amount of time, forget how to do all the things we have always known how to do.
Serena Williams is preparing for a possible return to tennis by reentering the sport's anti-doping pool and whereabouts requirements.
Players need to spend six months in the pool before playing an event.
@mattfutterman.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Players need to spend six months in the pool before playing an event.
@mattfutterman.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Serena Williams reenters tennis anti-doping test pool, a requirement for return to competition
Players in the pool have to be available for daily testing for six months before being allowed to play a competitive event.
www.nytimes.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Serena Williams is preparing for a possible return to tennis by reentering the sport's anti-doping pool and whereabouts requirements.
Players need to spend six months in the pool before playing an event.
@mattfutterman.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Players need to spend six months in the pool before playing an event.
@mattfutterman.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/685...
Reposted by James Hansen
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track instructs insolvency lawyers & restructuring firm to lead process to strike deal with vendors owed millions - letters warn companies must accept HALF of money owed or GST risks being put into bankruptcy. Athletes still only paid half of money owed.
t.co/4lojBMoFL2
t.co/4lojBMoFL2
https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6837948/2025/11/26/grand-slam-track-michael-johnson-debts-bankruptcy/?source=emp_shared_article
t.co
November 26, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Michael Johnson’s Grand Slam Track instructs insolvency lawyers & restructuring firm to lead process to strike deal with vendors owed millions - letters warn companies must accept HALF of money owed or GST risks being put into bankruptcy. Athletes still only paid half of money owed.
t.co/4lojBMoFL2
t.co/4lojBMoFL2
Who among my Bluesky cohort wishes to discuss Isaac Chotiner 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 Ben Smith
November 25, 2025 at 8:53 AM
Who among my Bluesky cohort wishes to discuss Isaac Chotiner 6-0, 6-0, 6-0 Ben Smith
1) Learner Tien obviously should have been on the Breakthrough ATP Tour list instead of Jack Draper
2) I think Learner Tien will finish 2026 ranked lower than he is now
2) I think Learner Tien will finish 2026 ranked lower than he is now
November 21, 2025 at 4:29 PM
1) Learner Tien obviously should have been on the Breakthrough ATP Tour list instead of Jack Draper
2) I think Learner Tien will finish 2026 ranked lower than he is now
2) I think Learner Tien will finish 2026 ranked lower than he is now
One of the interesting subplots of men's tennis in 2026 is going to be how the chasing pack can do what the Big Three and Sinner / Alcaraz do so effectively, which is to use the experience of playing each other to generate marginal gains there and huge ones against the rest of the field.
November 16, 2025 at 9:29 PM
One of the interesting subplots of men's tennis in 2026 is going to be how the chasing pack can do what the Big Three and Sinner / Alcaraz do so effectively, which is to use the experience of playing each other to generate marginal gains there and huge ones against the rest of the field.
A fitting end to men's tennis in 2025, with two guys in their own little self-building world, feeding off playing each other to grow stronger and stronger together and move further and further into another galaxy
November 16, 2025 at 8:56 PM
A fitting end to men's tennis in 2025, with two guys in their own little self-building world, feeding off playing each other to grow stronger and stronger together and move further and further into another galaxy
Alex de Minaur hitting even flatter than normal on both sides according to Tennis Insights / Tennis Viz, and using slice. All contributing to keeping the ball out of Sinner's strike zone and making him bend and hit up
November 15, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Alex de Minaur hitting even flatter than normal on both sides according to Tennis Insights / Tennis Viz, and using slice. All contributing to keeping the ball out of Sinner's strike zone and making him bend and hit up
Reposted by James Hansen
The men's tennis season has been so dominated by Sinner and Alcaraz that feel-good stories have been hard to find. Even/especially in Turin where pretty much everyone else has looked mentally and/or physically fried.
So TF for FAA ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
So TF for FAA ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
November 14, 2025 at 9:57 PM
The men's tennis season has been so dominated by Sinner and Alcaraz that feel-good stories have been hard to find. Even/especially in Turin where pretty much everyone else has looked mentally and/or physically fried.
So TF for FAA ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
So TF for FAA ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/680...
Alexander Zverev being exasperated by other players executing high-risk plays on big points would be fair (it's irritating, sure!) if, you know, he ever threatened to do that
November 14, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Alexander Zverev being exasperated by other players executing high-risk plays on big points would be fair (it's irritating, sure!) if, you know, he ever threatened to do that