ATP
Mac won’t surf the tennis influencer wave
The inadvertent OG of tennis influencers – John McEnroe – has not time for the current wave of social media types who were granted media credentials at the US Open to try and boost the sport among the Gen Z audience.
Mac, who sparked plenty of controversy during his career in the 1980s and 1990s, has spoken out on a podcast about his aversion to the concept of trying to spark tennis interest among an audience that barely knows of its existence.
“It’s pretty obvious what my view is on social media from the fact that I’m not on it at all. People keep telling me you have to be on there to have a presence, to make sure people still care about you.”
Some of the more than 100 tennis novice influencers given media badges at the Open created minor disturbances at the Grand Slam, by filming with bright ring lights during the middle of matches, among other breeches of the sport’s etiquette.
“As for these people being at tennis matches and disturbing the players. I see why the US Open might have wanted to bring new people in our sport,” McEnroe said.
“But it can’t be helpful if you are trying to play a big match and you look up and someone is filming themselves with a ring light and making a lot of noise doing it.”
Jannik Sinner on Friday announced another injury setback, with the world No. 1 withdrawing from the September start of the China Open in Beijing.
The Italian who has not played since defending his Wimbledon title in July, has been on the injury list ever since, missing the Masters events in Canada and Cincinnati and skipping the US Open.
Sinner won the Beijing event a year ago and could now be in doubt for the Shanghai Masters next month.
“Hello everyone, Jannik here,” Sinner posted on social media.
“I want to send the warmest greetings to the Chinese fans. I’m very sorry to announce that I won’t be able to play in Beijing this year.
“My knee is not there, where I would like [it] to be, and I am not ready to compete yet. But I will do everything possible to be there on court as soon as I can.
“What I miss the most is, of course, the tournament, the fans, and the atmosphere. I’ve had a great, great time in the past, winning the title also last year, and I’m very disappointed that I cannot defend it this year, but I’m very happy to come back next year.
“So I wish everyone a very good tournament and I’ll see you all very soon on court again.”
This season has been a roller coaster for the 24-year-old who won five Masters 1000 titles in a row in 2026: Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Madrid, and Rome.
Main Photo:- Jannik Sinner won Beijing trophy in 2023. – by ISF Ltd
Carlos Alcaraz has called for a halt to post-midnight finishes after his US Open loss which did not end until nearly 4 a.m.
The Spaniard voiced his complaint as he prepared with Team Europe in London at the Laver Cup teams event.
Alcaraz crashed out of the Open last month as he returned after nearly five months of wrist injury drama, dropping a quarter-final match at 3:33 a.m. to eventual New York finalist Ben Shelton.
“100 per cent,” the former No. 1 said when queried about the chaotic scheduling of US Open matches.
“It is a shame that a match like this couldn’t reach a lot of people because they had to go to bed. Because they have to work the next day’s morning.”
He added: “We could see at the beginning of the match it was packed and then in the fourth set, fifth set, a lot of people stayed, which was great. But it is a shame those people had to leave because of the time.
“For an athlete finishing at 3.30am, it means we had to leave the courts on site at 4.30am almost. Then getting back to the hotel. You don’t get to bed until like 6.30am or 7am.
“To recover for the next match, it’s like the other plays with an advantage. I think it’s too much. They have got to do something. I am not saying 3.30am but finishing at 12am, it is too late already.”
As for this weekend at London’s O2, Alcaraz said he’s keen to get stuck into the special event organised by Roger Federer’s management company.
“Hopefully, right now, I am fresh mentally. Physically, I am feeling great. Hopefully I will do a great tournament and try to find my good tennis again sooner.”
Main photo:- Carlos Alcaraz lost to Ben Shelton at US Open in a match ending at 3.33am – by ISFLtd
Holger Rune returned to action 11 months after last playing, with the Dane winning a Davis Cup rubber after his Achilles injury from last autumn.
The former world No. 4 now ranked 144, earned the Davis point at home against Bulgaria and said coming back to the courts had been a long-term struggle.
“It’s been, it’s been pretty brutal,” he said.
“Obviously a super unfortunate injury that happened 11 months ago, but we have trained a whole lot. I’ve gotten up every day and done my rehab to be able to stand here today.
“So I’m proud of myself, and this is the perfect way for me to start here in Denmark, in front of the best crowd in the world. So thank you so much for coming out and supporting.”
Rune ruptured his left Achilles tendon in Stockholm last October and has been out ever since after surgery.
He and his team were stuck in their Doha training base last March as the US attacked Iran, sparking the partial shutdown of flights due to the ongoing conflict.
Main photo:- Holger Rune returns ©ATPTour.com
Sinner knee not right – pulls from Beijing
Mac won’t surf the tennis influencer wave
Alcaraz tired of late-night finishes
-
The US Open3 weeks agoUmpire chastises US Open approved influencers during Osaka match.
-
The US Open4 weeks agoNo. 1 hopeful Rybakina has no time for number crunching
-
ATP4 weeks agoSinner comeback complicated by doctor’s orders
-
ATP4 weeks agoNotorious US Open outer court can reek of weed
-
ATP3 weeks agoUS Open 2026 Men’s Day 5
-
ATP3 weeks agoShowman Monfils celebrates 40th birthday in style
-
The US Open3 weeks agoSabalenka snaps at work ethic query
-
Cincinnati Masters3 weeks agoUS Open 2026 Women’s Day 4