Post-Aussie Grind

The first major of the year just ended, but the tennis never stops! The American tennis success continues, but not without some consequences…

As always, there is plenty to discuss, so let’s get into this week’s topics!

New Videos!!

We have three brand new videos on our channel this week!

One is a full recap of the 2nd week of the Australian Open, another is a Learner Tien deep dive, and the third goes over Novak Djokovic’s Aussie Open exit and what it may mean for the Serb’s future.

Check them out and let us know what you think!

What Happened Last Week?

In Linz, Ekaterina Alexandrova took home the title with a 3-set thriller, 6-2 3-6 7-5, over Dayana Yastremska. This was Alexandrova’s third time in the final in the past six years. The third time was the charm for the 30 year-old after falling short in her previous two attempts

Elise Mertens took home her 9th career title in Singapore with a 6-4 6-1 win over Ann Li. This title ended a bit of a drought for the Belgian, who hadn't won a title since October 2023 prior to this win.

Felix Auger-Aliassime is the first ATP player to win 2 titles in 2025, but it didn't come easily. The Canadian had to outlast American Aleksandar Kovacevic in the final 6-2 6-7 (7) 7-6 (2).

Live Ranking Update: The Biggest Movers Of The Week

Dayana Yastremska is back up 22 spots and back into the top 50 at #50 this week after a run to the final of Linz. 

Ann Li had a great week in Singapore, making it all the way final as an unseeded player. As a result, she is up 25 spots to #60, 16 spots below her career high of #44.

Aleksandar Kovacevic had the best week of his career so far, reaching his first career ATP final in Montpellier. He is up 27 spots to #75, just 3 spots off of his career high.

Jasper de Jong also had a career-boosting week by making the semifinals in Montpellier. He is inching closer to a top 100 debut, up 22 spots this week to #109.

Major Tournament Updates

Here’s a quick look ahead to what's coming up this week:

• WTA Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open (February 3 - February 8)

• WTA Transylvania Open (February 3 - February 9)

• ATP Dallas Open (February 3 - February 9)

• ATP ABN AMRO Open - Rotterdam (February 3 - February 9)

Top ten players Elena Rybakina & Paula Badosa will be in Abu Dhabi alongside other big names including Ons Jabeur, Jelena Ostapenko, Emma Raducanu, Daria Kasatkina & Leylah Fernandez.

Former world no. 1 Simona Halep will make her 2025 debut in her home country at the Transylvania Open. Anastasia Potapova, Olga Danilovic, Peyton Stearns, & Anhelina Kalinina are the top 4 seeds.

In Dallas, Americans make up just under 50% of the main draw. Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, Frances Tiafoe, Reilly Opelka, & Jenson Brooksby are among the American brigade in Texas this week 🤠. Some notable non-Americans in the draw include Casper Ruud, Tomas Machac, Denis Shapovolov, & Kei Nishikori.

The Rotterdam draw is absolutely STACKED this year. 7 of the 8 seeded players are current or former top 10 players, led by Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Alex de Minaur, & Andrey Rublev. Some notable unseeded players include Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Matteo Berrettini, & Stan Wawrinka.

Watch Out For These Players

Aleksandar Kovacevic:

Add this University of Illinois alum to the list of rising American stars. 

It has taken a few years for this 26 year-old to get settled into tour life, but he has looked like a seasoned vet this week in Montpellier. 

After coming through qualifying, Kovacevic defeated three seeded players, #6 David Goffin, #4 Alexander Bublik, & #1 Andrey Rublev en route to the final. He narrowly fell to Felix Auger-Aliassime in the final, but should still be proud of his efforts this week.

If he can keep this form up, we could be in the midst of a new era of American tennis dominance.

Ann Li:

The WTA has seen a bit more American success than the ATP in recent years, and this 24 year-old has gotten lost in the shuffle as a result.

Despite winning her first career title 4 years ago, Li hasn’t had consistently good results, and has been halted by injuries. 

It looks like she has found her confidence again this week in Singapore with a run to the final. 

Hopefully this result will kickstart a run of good form and good health for a player who has been as high as #44 in the world.

Off The Court

US Open Shifting To Sunday Start In 2025:

The US Open is expanding to 15 days, shifting to a Sunday start for the first time in the Open Era.

First round play will take place over the first three days of the tournament.

The USTA announced the additional day of main draw play in a news release last Wednesday.

The extra day aligns the US Open with the Australian Open and the French Open. Australia switched to a Sunday start last season, while Roland Garros made the move first in 2006.

Wimbledon is now the only major to not start on Sunday, and has action on just 14 days.

Keys Barred From Competing In ATX Open:

Madison Keys cannot play at the ATX Open in Austin this month, per WTA rules regarding top 10 players and 250 events.

The ATX Open is a WTA 250 event, and only 1 top 10 player is allowed in the draw, unless the defending champion also returns as a top 10 player. 

Keys is not the defending champion, and was #21 in the world when she agreed to play this event. 

Unfortunately, #6 Jessica Pegula was already signed up, and with Madi’s AO title and new ranking, she is now ineligible to compete there.

The rule is in place to keep tournaments balanced, but this is an unfortunate situation for all involved and not a great look for the WTA.

PTPA To Offer Free Legal Aid For Doping Cases:

The Professional Tennis Players Association is launching the Athletic Counsel & Equity Program. This program will be a pro-bono legal initiative to help players involved in anti-doping and anti-corruption cases.

The two law firms that will be partnering with the PTPA for this program are King & Spalding LLP and Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP.

Both firms have a wealth of experience in sports law. The PTPA will be responsible for the initial intake process and then will connect players with legal counsel, free of charge.

The PTPA was co-founded by WTA player Tara Moore, who has been outspoken about her experience navigating the legal system as she was successful in appealing a doping ban.

Highlights Of The Week

Check out some of the best shots from last week’s tournaments!