Nick Kyrgios served a reminder of his strong grasscourt capabilities in his long-awaited return to tennis, upsetting world No.36 Corentin Moutet in the first round of the ATP event in Stuttgart.

In his first match on grass since 2023, and his first singles match since this year’s Brisbane International, Kyrgios needed just 69 minutes to defeat the Frenchman.

The Wimbledon 2022 finalist fired eight aces in the 6-3 6-4 victory, setting up a second-round match with Japanese qualifier Sho Shimabukuro.

It was a first singles win in 15 months for Kyrgios, who has endured a wrist reconstruction and four knee surgeries over the past four years.

“It’s quite emotional, to be honest. I’ve had a lot of surgeries and just to come back here, I felt the love from the get go. I’m so thrilled to be back and playing some high-level tennis as well,” said the 31-year-old, having last won a match at Miami in 2025. .

“I’m just pleased with the way I played today and I’m pleased with the way I’m feeling in my body. I’ve been putting in a lot of work so I’m just really happy to be back.”

James Duckworth and Rinky Hijikata joined Kyrgios in the last 16 of the ATP 250 tournament.

Both playing German wildcards, Duckworth defeated Diego Dedura 6-4 6-3, while Hijikata came from a set down to prevail against Tom Gentzsch 6-7(7) 7-6(2) 6-3.

They both face seeded opponents in the next matches, facing Jiri Lehecka and Frances Tiafoe respectively.

Maddison Inglis (above) came close to continuing her impressive run at Queen’s in London, narrowly falling to seventh seed Sorana Cirstea in the first round. The West Australian lost 6-4 5-7 6-2 in a match spanning almost two-and-a-half hours.

Just as she did in 2025, Inglis won two rounds of qualifying to book her place in the main draw.

Having won only one match since her inspiring run to the AO 2026 fourth round, Inglis turned her fortunes around on London’s lawns.

She recovered from a set down to beat the higher-ranked Alycia Parks, then scored another three-set win over China’s Guo Hanyu to progress.

James McCabe also qualified for a tour-level grasscourt tournament this week, taking his place in the main draw of the combined ATP-WTA event in s-Hertogenbosch.

The New South Welshman will line up against No.8 seed Zizou Bergs after beating Coleman Wong and Sander Jong in the qualifying rounds.

He joins countryman Alex de Minaur, the No.2 seed looking to repeat his title run of 2024.

De Minaur receives a bye into the second round, where he will face Martin Damm Jr.

The Dutch city has been a successful stop on tour for Aussies over the years, with Pat Rafter winning three consecutive titles from 1998 to 2000, and Lleyton Hewitt triumphing in 2001.

Jordan Thompson also reached two singles finals, in 2019 and 2023, while Wally Masur was a finalist in 1993.

In the women’s singles, Daria Kasatkina, Kimberly Birrell and Ajla Tomljanovic ensure Australian representation is strong in 2026.

Kasatkina and Tomljanovic have landed in the top half of the draw – opening against Robin Montgomery and Jessica Bouzas Maneiro, respectively – while in the bottom half, Birrell begins her campaign against Poland’s Magda Linette.

Top five outstanding performances:

Adam Walton: Following his Roland Garros success, Walton travelled to Tyler, United States and secured his fifth ATP Challenger crown, winning 10 consecutive sets to emerge victorious.

Talia Gibson: The West Australian kickstarted her grasscourt season in the best possible way, winning the Birmingham 125 doubles crown with Indonesian Janice Tjen – the biggest doubles title of her career.

Jin Woodman: Competing at his first Roland Garros, the Victorian teenager paired with experienced Dutchman Sam Schroder to reach the quad wheelchair doubles final.

Ellen Perez: The world No.21 was Australia’s best-performing doubles player at Roland Garros, advancing to the quarterfinals with Dutchwoman Demi Schuurs.

Alexandra Osborne: The 31-year-old hoisted doubled silverware, winning an ITF W100 trophy in Sumter, United States. Victory ensured a new career-high ranking, rising to world No.143.

This article was originally published on tennis.com.au by Jackson Mansell
and Matt Trollope, and edited for Substack by Jackson Mansell.

Few people would have known the name Maja Chwalinska prior to Roland Garros.

But with her charge from qualifying to a maiden Grand Slam final at the claycourt major, the 24-year-old from Poland has made stunning history in the past weeks.

Here are 10 things that you need to know about tennis’s newest sensation.

1. Her start in tennis

Born to a receptionist mother and a mining father in Dabrowa Gornicza, an industrial town located in Poland’s south, Chwalinska first picked up a racquet at age seven.

Scouted at a school recruitment program, she trained at the local sports and recreation centre, where she was involved in their ‘Tennis Talent’ campaign for 12 years.

2. Big Three inspiration

Like many players, Chwalinska idolises Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic and often watches old matches featuring the trio for inspiration.

“’I was the biggest fan of Roger. When I started tennis, it was all about Roger. Then there was Rafa, then Novak,” she said. “Sometimes I still watch some of their old matches and it’s like poetry, really.”

3. Picture-perfect moments

With her astonishing Roland Garros run taking her onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, Chwalinska ticked a big item off her bucket list: taking a photo of Nadal’s plaque on the famed centre court. “I’m really grateful for this opportunity. It’s such a beautiful court,” she said. “I was very excited.”

4. She had never defeated a top 50 player

It’s crazy to consider, but Chwalinska’s first-round victory over world No.56 Zheng Qinwen was initially the biggest win of her career. She has since recorded four top-50 wins, prevailing against Elise Mertens, Maria Sakkari, Anna Kalinskaya and most recently, Diana Shnaider.

5. Making major history

Chwalinska is in uncharted territory as the first qualifier to reach a Roland Garros final. Victory over Mirra Andreeva in the final would see her become only the second Polish player to win a Grand Slam singles title, joining close friend Iga Swiatek.

6. The Swiatek connection

Chwalinska’s friendship with Swiatek, which started when they were 10 years old, extends beyond the WTA Tour.

The pair enjoyed considerable success as junior doubles partners, including a Grand Slam final appearance. At AO 2017, they finished runners-up to Canadians Bianca Andreescu and Carson Branstine in the girls’ doubles event.

“Iga and I have a lot of history in common,” Chwalinska said. “We went through a lot together and it brought us together.”

7. Early milestones

Alongside contributing to European Team Championship glory, Chwalinska also guided Poland to the nation’s first Junior Fed Cup title in 11 years in 2016. The Poles defeated an American team featuring Amanda Anisimova, Claire Liu and Caty McNally in the final.

8. She stepped away from tennis

While Chwalinska was living the dream of playing professional tennis, she also endured an 18-month battle with depression. Following her exit in Wimbledon 2021 qualifying, she took an indefinite break from the sport. Running and boxing helped fill the void, but Chwalinska eventually returned to tennis with renewed perspective – and far less pressure on herself to succeed.

9. A “dorky” character

While she enjoys standard off-court activities – spending time with friends, shopping and having coffee – Chwalinska believes she is far from your typical character. “I think I’m dorky,” she told WTA.com. “I like to have fun. I love people as well, so I think I’m friendly as well.”

10. Her life is about to change

Chwalinska’s Cinderella campaign will result in an astronomical pay cheque and a significant rankings rise.

Entering Roland Garros with prize money earnings tallying USD $864,030, she is already guaranteed $1.6 million from this tournament alone. Should she take home the crown, her career earnings would soar to almost five times that amount.

Ranked world No.114 at the start of the tournament, Chwalinska is provisionally ranked world No.21, which will improve to world No.14 if she wins on Sunday.

This was very much the case during the Roland Garros opener round between Naomi Osaka and Laura Siegemund.

Prior to Osaka’s decisive 6-3 7-6(3) victory, spectators rose from their seats, cameras and phones trained to the player entrance, waiting for the moment the tennis star-slash-fashionista stepped onto the clay.

“She looks like she’s going to a black-tie event,” one commentator exclaimed.

Osaka’s dark, cape-like gown swept across the clay as she moved, the stunning piece a collaboration between the 28-year-old and Swiss couturier Kevin Germanier.

Germanier is renowned for his sustainable and innovative approach to fashion, and his garments have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift, Lady Gaga and Björk.

When it came time to start her match, the crowd let out a delighted cheer when Osaka shed her cloak and flaunted a gilded, Nike kit bedecked in gold sequins that sparkled under the high Parisian sun.

“When I first saw the dress in real life, I felt like I look like the Eiffel Tower at nighttime, when it’s bright, kira kira (glittery, shiny),” Osaka said in Japanese during her post-match press conference.

“And then I actually got a little worried, because when the sun hits the dress, it reflects a lot. So, I was a little scared that the umpire was going to kick me off the court.”

Osaka is certainly not the first player to push the dress-code envelop.

These days, the on-court runway is no stranger to excess; tutus, cut-outs, catsuits and Swarovski crystal bedazzlement – we’ve seen it all.

But if the tennis forefathers had glimpsed what the future of the sport looked like, they likely would’ve struggled to recognise the game at all.

Today’s tennis fashion is a far cry from the pressed tennis whites of yesteryear, and even further from the formal Victorian ensembles of the early 1900s. Women played in corsets, floor-length skirts, puffed sleeves and broad hats, while men donned flannel trousers, buttoned shirts and a tie. Looking more at home at high tea than a tennis court, these outfits (unsurprisingly) restricted player’s movement.

It wasn’t long until things started to shift.

The 1920s saw hemlines lift for both men and women. For men, shorts replaced trousers, while women were seen in drop-waist dresses that fell below the knee, and occasionally even trimmed with fur.

Crisp and classic tennis whites were still very much in vogue year-round in the 1950s and 1960s. Feminine, cinched white dresses gave way to mod minis resting high above the knee, while men favoured white polo shirts and high-waisted white shorts.

And then, the 1970s happened.

Tennis fashion was no longer simply becoming more practical – it was becoming expressive. This decade rocked in a new era of disco fever with a side of countercultural peace and love, resulting in an explosion of colour on court.

Outfits became more form-fitting and shorter. Soft pastel hues were introduced. Patterns drew the eye. Exaggerated necklines were reminiscent of dramatic disco collars spotted on the dancefloor, as seen by Billie Jean King during her famous ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match against Bobby Riggs in 1973.

Despite this new wave of colour, Wimbledon remained true to its roots, keeping its stronghold on timeless tennis whites. But fear not, this didn’t stifle creativity. Quite the contrary, players were still looking for ways to push the boundaries where they could.

Take Anne White for instance, who rocked an iconic white Nike catsuit at Wimbledon in 1985, which caused an uproar and made headlines.

The ‘90s brought with it many wonderful things, from the internet to the acclaimed TV series Friends, but specifically to the world of sport, the advancement of fashion technology meant materials like nylon and spandex were introduced.

Moisture-wicking, durable, breathable and versatile, these fabrics provided players with greater movement and comfort.

Another headline-making ensemble during this time was Andre Agassi’s collaboration with Nike at Australian Open 1990. The outfit featured geometric patterns, fuchsia bike shorts peeking out from under black shorts, and a matching bandana to keep his signature mullet out of his eyes.

The 2000s swept in like a hurricane, with Y2K fashion infiltrating the sport in all its diamanté-encrusted, metallic, low-rise glory.

This era of tennis fashion brings the Williams sisters to mind. Serena sported her most unforgettable look at US Open 2004 in a pleated denim skirt – which was a nod to Agassi’s famous acid-wash denim shorts worn at US Open 1988 – as well as a black studded tank top and a custom-designed pair of black Nike knee-high boots.

Maria Sharapova is widely considered a fashion icon after repeatedly impressing the world with her innovative outfits and dazzling fashion choices. She toed the line of Wimbledon’s strict guidelines in 2008 with her feminine-yet-functional white tuxedo-style vest and tailored shorts, and wowed crowds almost a decade later at US Open 2017 with a Swarovski-speckled black mini dress.

At Australian Open 2026, Aryna Sabalenka, through a collaboration with New York City’s luxury jewellery brand Material Good, debuted her own atelier collection – a pair of diamond pavé drop earrings and a matching statement necklace.

She once again repped the brand at Roland Garros draped in 200 carats of precious stones, including 23 carats of diamonds, and paired her accessories with a custom red and black Nike tennis suit.

Even in the men’s draw, players are embracing bolder fashion choices. Tommy Paul turned heads at Roland Garros with a highlighter pink ensemble from New Balance, proving that eye-catching colour and personality-driven style aren’t just reserved for the women’s game.

Collaborations, like the one between Osaka and Kevin Germanier, Sabalenka and Material Good, and even Roger Federer and his partnership with Uniqlo, speak volumes about the changing tides of tennis.

Once simply a ball-and-racquet sport, tennis is now a worldwide cultural phenomenon. Excitement for the sport has well and truly breached the boundaries of die-hard fans and has infiltrated the broader audience, and fashion houses and couturiers are pouncing on the opportunity to build on top of their own cultural prestige.

Nowadays, the tunnel walk generates almost as much anticipation as the first serve. As we’ve witnessed with Osaka’s Grand Slam entrances, fashion is no longer orbiting the sport, it’s becoming part of the main event.

Despite losing the first set in less than half an hour, Birrell rallied to claim a 1-6 6-3 6-3 triumph over the American in one hour and 45 minutes on Wednesday morning (AEST).

“I don’t really know what to say,” a shocked Birrell said on court after the first-round match.

“When I saw the draw… I knew it would be extremely tough.

“[It’s] probably the best match I’ve played on clay.”

Despite winning fewer points overall, the 28-year-old Queenslander showed trademark grit to win the points where it mattered, generating 12 break points and converting 50 per cent of them on Court Simonne-Mathieu.

Pegula was in form having lifted the women’s singles title on Charleston’s green clay in April and reached the quarterfinals in Rome earlier this month, and was a quarterfinalist in the French Grand Slam in 2022.

In the second round, the Australian will face world No.65 Ukrainian Oleksandra Oliynykova , who downed Elena Pridankina in straight sets.

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Fellow Queenslander Adam Walton also progressed on Tuesday night after downing world No.8 Daniil Medvedev 6-2 1-6 6-1 1-6 6-4.

Having previously defeated the 2021 US Open champion and former world No.1 at the Cincinnati Masters last August, Walton knew what to expect entering his first-round match in Paris.

“It’s huge. Beating him in Cincinnati definitely gave me the belief today that I knew could do it, I believed. And just really happy with my performance, and just really excited right now,” said Walton, who was a point away from trailing 4-1 in the fifth set.

“I felt like the ebbs and flows of the match were quite large today. And just really proud of my efforts in the fifth set to come from a break down to get the win.”

Walton will face American Zachary Svajda in the second round.

Meanwhile, Alex de Minaur has been granted a free pass into the third round of Roland Garros when his second-round opponent, Belgium’s Alexander Blockx, withdrew due to injury after he turned his ankle in a practice session.

The walkover will grant De Minaur a much-needed break from Paris’ relentless heatwave before a demanding third-round contest on Thursday against either No.26 seed Jakub Mensik from Czechia, or the in-form Argentine Mariano Navone, a finalist in Geneva last week.

Top five outstanding performances:

Marc Polmans: The Victorian claimed his first ATP Tour doubles crown in Geneva, doing so alongside Monegasque Romain Arneodo. It forms part of a successful claycourt swing thus far for Polmans, who made two ATP quarterfinals on the surface prior to Geneva.

Alex de Minaur: The Australian men’s singles No.1 gained some form in Hamburg, progressing to the semifinals of the ATP 500 event. With a difficult draw, the Sydneysider recorded victories against three top-30 players – Francisco Cerundolo, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina and Luciano Darderi – in the German tournament.

Alexei Popyrin: Also facing a tough draw, Popyrin made a statement in Geneva. He reached the quarterfinals in a campaign that included victory over top-seed Taylor Fritz in straight sets – his first top-10 win since July 2025.

Daria Kasatkina: On the back of her WTA 125 title triumph in Spain last month, Kasatkina progressed to the final eight of the WTA 500 tournament in Strasbourg, France. She defeated Liudmila Samsonova and Peyton Stearns en route.

Maya Joint and Ellen Perez: The duo advanced to the doubles semifinals in Strasbourg ahead of their respective Roland Garros campaigns.

This article was originally published on tennis.com.au by Liam Petterson and Jackson Mansell, and edited for Substack by Felicia Arhontissas.

All 13 Aussies in action at the claycourt major offered fascinating perspectives ahead of their first-round 2026.

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Alex de Minaur

“Hamburg was exactly what I needed, exactly what I was looking for. I was in need of some matches and in need of some confidence and I went out there and I got more than I was even expecting. I played four top-20 players, played some really high level matches and felt like I found my mojo again.”

Aussie No.1 Alex de Minaur has momentum on his side after a semifinal run in Hamburg.

Daria Kasatkina

“I’ve been playing tennis for a long, long time, and I know how long it can take to finally click. Even when I was a junior, it was happening. You know, it’s like you’re playing, you’re fighting, you’re doing the right things but then it’s just like somehow, you’re losing more points than you’re winning [and] you cannot explain why.

“And then as soon as you got this confidence back, somehow you are winning important points [again] … this chemistry on court is unexplainable sometimes, but this is this is how it works. The lines there are very tiny. It’s like very easy to lose it, so difficult to find it back but this is what individual sport is about.”

Daria Kasatkina, the 2014 girls’ champion and women’s semifinalist in 2022, feels form and confidence returning just in time for her 11th Roland Garros campaign.

Thanasi Kokkinakis

“This is why I play tennis, to try and be back on this stage. I wanted to give myself a chance to play the Grand Slams ... I wasn’t sure I’d even be able to step back on a tennis court and try and play at full capacity, so I’ve done well. I’m giving myself a pat on the back to get back here. And yeah, I owe it to myself to give it a crack.”

After his well-documented injury battles, Thanasi Kokkinakis begun another Grand Slam comeback with a marathon Roland Garros opener triumph.

Alexei Popyrin

“Every year you kind of remember it. It’s a shame that the court’s not there anymore that I won it on. If I saw that court, it would be even more [vivid], but I think it’s always a good feeling coming back to [the] French Open. It’s been nine years now … a long time ago, so I’m not that young 17-year-old boy anymore.”

Alexei Popyrin, who in 2017 became only the fourth Australian to win the Roland Garros boys’ title, brings fond memories in his return to the claycourt Slam.

Talia Gibson

“I’m feeling very excited. It’s a goal that I wanted to achieve for a very long time, so to be here now in the main draw off my own ranking is very special … now that I am in this position, I’m able to take a lot of confidence from it and sort of feel like I definitely belong here. And yeah, just try and kind of own that as much as I can.”

Having exited in Roland Garros qualifying last year, Talia Gibson is thrilled to make her milestone main-draw debut at a career-high world No.55 ranking.

Maya Joint

“I love playing on clay, so it’s really nice … my mum’s German, so I always went over to Germany in the summers to see my grandparents and I would train on clay for a couple months when I was over there so I grew up on it quite a bit and I always liked it.”

Maya Joint is drawing on some happy memories as she returns to a favourite tournament in Paris.

James Duckworth

“I enjoy challenges. That’s sort of my personality and what gets me out of bed in the morning - challenges. I’ve had various challenges throughout my career, both on and off the court … right now my focus is on here and now and playing the best match possible.”

James Duckworth, in a positive state of mind as he prepares for his 40th main-draw campaign at a major.

Aleksandar Vukic

“It’s so great as a tennis player to be able to adjust to different conditions, and I think that’s what the clay kind of throws at you. I always feel like I’m a better player after the clay, no matter what happens … I think sometimes we do get caught in adjusting too much with our game and we lose sight of how we want to play and what we want to do. I think it is staying true to how we want to play and then adjusting and moving the puzzle piece a little bit when you can.”

Aleksandar Vukic, who opened his Roland Garros campaign against Raphael Collignon, embraces the evolution that clay tennis demands.

Kimberly Birrell

“Clay and I are on a bit of a journey. It’s a challenge for me because I haven’t played on it that much. over the last few years with my elbow [injury] but by the end of clay season, I’m usually feeling a lot better about my game on clay. I’m kind of hitting that at the moment, so I’m actually enjoying myself. It’s fun to try different things and then actually see the improvements on the match court.”

Despite a complicated relationship with clay tennis, Kimberly Birrell relishes a first-round meeting with No.5 seed Jessica Pegula.

Rinky Hijikata

“I remember three years ago, I was knocked out in the first round of qualies in like 45 minutes. And I remember saying to Sharky [coach Mark Draper], ‘I just don’t know how I’m ever going to do well in the clay’. These last two years I feel like I’ve kind of proven to myself that I can do well.

It’s weird – now I’m kind of actually enjoying practising on the clay and trying to figure out ways to win and kind of the little chess match that goes on out there … if you’d told me that a few years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Once a sceptic, Rinky Hijikata is now a convert to the strategic puzzle of clay court tennis.

Ajla Tomljanovic

“When I look back, I’m like, ‘why do I talk myself down on the clay?’. I had a really good run [at Roland Garros] when I was very young. I think now that I’m a bit older, I do look back and I’m like, let me draw on some of those experiences. But yeah, I mean, I think I try to savour every moment more than anything now … because I think the more time I have left, the more I realise how special it is to be in these tournaments.”

Ajla Tomljanovic, who upset world No.3 Agnieszka Radwanska to reach the fourth round at age 21 in 2014, takes a reflective approach to her latest campaign.

Adam Walton

“As a little kid I didn’t really dream of becoming a tennis player. I knew I was OK in the region but I was never a top Australian junior, I never travelled to the junior Slams … and then I guess over time you start to grow a little bit more belief in your game and your ability and yeah, you slowly start climbing the rankings and this will be my third Roland Garros, which is pretty cool.”

Adam Walton, far from his first club in Home Hill, Queensland, takes nothing for granted at Roland Garros.

Emerson Jones

“To be honest, I just need to do everything like the best I can. There’s probably no excuses … I’ve just got to go out there and try to do everything at my 100 per cent.”

Emerson Jones, still just 17, made her Roland Garros main-draw debut against four-time champion Iga Swiatek.

This article was originally published on tennis.com.au by Vivienne Christie and edited for Substack by Felicia Arhontissas.

The court itself is also a heady contradiction. Instantly eye catching, utterly bewitching on camera, the beauty of the red clay disguises the gruelling toll the surface takes on players. The clay itself slows the ball as it skates across the surface, spraying dirt as it bounces. The slower pace invites longer rallies. And longer rallies demand physicality, mental strategy and steadfast endurance.

For those fortunate enough to be in Paris during the show-stopping tournament, there is so much to see and do when you’re not courtside or glued to the screen, watching the Sinners and Swiateks battle it out for the Roland Garros crown.

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First things first: getting around

The great thing about Paris is that it’s so easy to get from A to B, thanks to its efficient and extensive metro network. The Paris Metro is an underground system of 14 interconnected lines (and counting) that offers the fastest way of getting around the city. All you need to do is pre purchase and load tickets to your Navigo Easy card or download the app to your phone and you’re ready to explore.

Coffee on the go, the French way

Journey down a quiet street in the stylish Marais district in the 4th Arrondissement to Boot Café, a compact café that stands out thanks to its eye-catching shopfront. There’s not much space here to sit and sip a while – but what the café lacks in square metres it more than makes up for in flavour.

Boot Café serves up specialty coffee using fresh beans on rotation, and the grab-and-go scenario fits seamlessly into a busy morning prepping for sightseeing. Order your brew of choice, linger outside the charming blue façade, or perch on the front stoop to enjoy a bout of people watching as you sip your silky beverage and wait for the coffee beans to work their magic.

But I’m hungry, too

You can’t visit Paris without sinking your teeth into a freshly made croissant. The crescent-shaped pastry may have originated from Austria, as far back as the 13th century, but Paris has well and truly claimed the baked treat as its own. The modern croissant has been lovingly baked (and eaten) in France since the early 20^th century, when French bakers replaced the brioche dough (which was a cornerstone of the Austrian kipferl) with a yeast-leavened laminated dough.

From that point on, a buttery love affair has kept France – and the world – in a chokehold. While you’re in the city, don’t miss a visit to Mamiche. This petite boulangerie has even been lauded by Conde Nast Traveler – who urged readers not to leave without a loaf of chocolate babka in hand.

You’ll also find loaves of fresh sourdough kneaded and baked that morning, crunchy baguettes and pillowy buns, chewy cookies the size of side plates, custard-filled beignets and, of course, croissants. Particularly the pain au chocolat, with its mouthwatering parcels of layered pastry and decadent dark chocolate, make it hard to stop at just one. With three locations in the 9th and 10th Arrondissements, you’re never too far from your next great bite.

Walk it off at Jardin du Luxembourg

The Luxembourg Gardens in the 6th Arrondissement is so much more than a picturesque green space, it’s the result of over 400 years of effort, with influences from French, Italian and English design.

The gardens were first commissioned by King Henri IV’s widow Marie de Medicis in 1611 and played a central role as a gathering place for political expression during the French Revolution.

Nowadays, the park is a popular spot for locals and visitors alike to enjoy a stroll, kick a ball around, or sit and savour a picnic. You’ll also find the city’s first public art museum, the Musee du Luxembourg, located within the leafy expanse. Other points of interest include the grand Medici Fountain, oodles of stunning floral displays, and an orchard containing more than 500 varieties of pear and apple trees. Pack a picnic, wander the manicured gardens until you find the perfect sunny patch of grass and savour a moment to pause.

Dior, darling

If fashion is your passion, or you’re a connoisseur of culture, art and the finer things in life, carve out some time in your day to visit La Galerie Dior. Dior’s 100,000 square foot flagship store is located by the Champs-Elysee on Montaigne Avenue, and it’s here you’ll find a predictably stunning space fit for its namesake.

Christian Dior founded the fashion house here in 1942, and now you can see the permanent collection, from archival pieces to original artwork and immersive rooms that tell the story of Christian Dior, the man behind the name, as well as the pieces that built the household name.

Dinner and duck with a view

It doesn’t get more French than Tour D’Argent. This fine-dining restaurant is where French cuisine is reinvented and served like artwork on a plate. The menu features heroes including white asparagus from Ile-de-France, Arctic char with wild garlic oil, and candied rhubarb with blackberry sorbet for dessert. But its shining star is the Wellington’s duck dish.

A Head-Sommelier is on hand to pair each course with the perfect drop, drawing from the vast cellar with over 300,000 bottles of wine. However, the real masterpiece is the 400-year-old building the restaurant is housed within, which overlooks stunning panoramas of the Notre-Dame and Ile Saint-Louis neighbourhood.

Paris after dark

As evening rolls around, the city flickers to life. There are so many ways to experience the nightlife of Paris, whether that’s watching the dazzling light display at the Eiffel Tower (a must-do experience when visiting the Paris), catching a sultry cabaret show, visiting the Louvre on a Friday night, or indulging in an after-dark tipple at the historic Bar Hemingway at the Ritz Hotel.

We’ve decided to take a look at our own archives.

As Roland Garros rolls out the clay carpet to the most elite names in the sport, we reflect on Nadal’s time at the French Open. He contested 19 tournaments and holds the record of 14 Roland Garros titles - the last he secured in 2022 - which is a record for any player, male or female.

Still to this day he is lauded as the greatest of all time on clay with 63 of his 92 titles won on the surface.

Allow us to take you back to 2024, when Nadal was contesting his final Roland Garros tournament, and the future - to retire or not to retire? - stood on shaky ground.

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There was star power galore as Rafael Nadal took to Court Philippe Chatrier for what may have been his last Roland Garros appearance.

Defending champions Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, along with Carlos Alcaraz and several other players, all watched on as the 14-time champion, soon to turn 38, faced a daunting opening assignment.

In a cruel twist, the Spaniard had drawn three-time Roland Garros semifinalist and No.4 seed Alexander Zverev in the first round. Ranked world No.275 after the most injury-impacted two- year period of his career, Nadal’s 19th main-draw campaign on the famed terre battue ended with a straight-sets loss.

It seemed an ignominious chapter given the history he had created at the clay-court major. But far from disappointed, Nadal pointed to the incredible support he’d garnered at his most successful Grand Slam setting.

“If it’s the last time, I enjoy it,” he smiled, stressing he was unable to confirm whether there’ll be a 20th tilt at the tournament, which Nadal won for the first time as a 19-year-old debutant in 2005.

“The feelings that I have today are difficult to describe in words but for me, it’s so special to feel the love of the people in the way that I felt in the place that I love the most.”

Indeed, Nadal returned to a rapturous reception, having missed the previous edition when injury sidelined him for the entire 2023 season following the Australian Open.

While thousands of fans provided a rock-star atmosphere as he completed an open practice session ahead of the tournament, the support of multiple peers for his first-round encounter was equally strong.

“These kind of rivals or young players that are here like Carlos, probably they watch me on TV the most of his years that they are living,” Nadal smiled.

“It’s normal that in some way they are interested to see how this going to be, and especially in this particular place with all the history that I had behind (me), no? But yeah, I mean, happy that that happens, because that means that I had a positive legacy here and positive legacy (throughout) my career.”

Largely unmatched in the bigger picture (Nadal’s 22 Grand Slam singles titles are second only to Djokovic’s Open-era record 24), that legacy is particularly pronounced at Roland Garros.

His 14 trophies mark the most victories for any man at a single tournament, with his 112 match wins also unparallelled at any single event.

Having never competed without a seeding in Paris, Nadal faced a first-time opponent ranked higher than world No.33 for the first time. His exit to Zverev was only the fourth completed match he’d lost at the tournament in 19 campaigns.

Still, there were encouraging signs for Nadal after he pushed Zverev – who’d arrived at Roland Garros with the positive momentum of a second Italian Open triumph – for more than three hours.

After serving for the second set, Nadal held a break of serve in the third before the German claimed a 6-3 7-6(3) 6-3 win.

“I need to clear my ideas now and see what’s the new calendar for me to try to be ready for Olympics,” said the Spaniard, a winner of singles gold at Beijing in 2008, and doubles gold (alongside Marc Lopez) at Rio in 2016. “I need to prepare myself the proper way to try to arrive here healthy and well-prepared, and then let’s see. That’s why I am not saying I am retiring today.”

It’s a remarkable turnaround, given a period in which Nadal was limited to just nine tournaments, and 20 matches, since the US Open in 2022.

“You know, my body has been a jungle for two years,” said Nadal.

“You don’t know what to expect. You know, I wake up one day and I found a snake biting me. Another day a tiger.”

Having navigated those physical struggles, Nadal’s renowned competitive spirit is also revived.

“In terms (of) what’s driving me, what’s the force behind driving me, I mean, I’m a simple guy. I enjoy what I do,” he explained.

“You know, I am passionate about sport, I am passionate about competition. I like to practise, I like to play tennis. I’m in a different moment of my personal life too, travelling with my son, my wife.

“I am enjoying these moments that will not come back. So if I keep enjoying doing what I am doing and I feel myself competitive and healthy enough to enjoy, I want to keep going for a while.”

And if a return to the tour proves insurmountable, there are wide-ranging interests to pursue. Nadal’s enduring star power was evident as he appeared alongside friend and former rival Roger Federer in a Louis Vuitton campaign during the clay-court season. Immediately after Roland Garros, he attended a graduation ceremony at the Rafa Nadal School.

Few individuals could demonstrate such role model qualities as the school’s namesake founder – as a proud Nadal demonstrated in his assessment of an emotional Roland Garros campaign.

“I feel very proud that probably I leave a positive legacy there. Not only about tennis. Probably about like human person, no? So that’s more important than any result at the end of the day,” he commented.

“If it’s the last time that I played here, I am (at) peace with myself.”

This story by Vivienne Christie appears in the June-July 2024 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine and has been adapted for online publication.

Alex de Minaur has shaken off his early claycourt blues in Madrid and Rome to make a resurgence at the Hamburg Open after defeating Spain’s Alexander Davidovich Fokina 6-2 4-6 6-4 to move into the quarterfinals.

The feat shortly followed his first match win in over a month in a tough opening round against claycourt powerhouse Francisco Cerundolo 3-6 6-4 6-3.

The second-round triumph saw a third-set shake up when De Minaur took a nasty tumble that resulted in a medical evaluation.

The Aussie’s trademark resilience saw him bounce back with vigour, while Davidovich Fokina ‘s game began to suffer as he needed a medical timeout for a sore serving shoulder.

Despite the shoulder injury, the Spaniard endured and fought back from his 5-2 deficit, applying pressure to Demon’s lead by fighting back to 5-4 and saving two match points.

In the end, De Minaur maintained his lead and got the job done after two hours and 40 minutes.

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Alexei Popyrin’s resurgence gathered further momentum at the Geneva Open on Wednesday, the Sydneysider producing one of his sharpest performances of the season to dismiss world No.8 and top seed Taylor Fritz 6-4 6-4 and move into the quarterfinals.

For a player who has spent much of 2026 searching for rhythm and confidence, this was another reminder of the level that has long made Popyrin such a dangerous proposition.

Fresh from impressive wins over Matteo Berrettini and Jakub Mensik in Rome, the Australian played with clarity and conviction against Fritz, striking 26 winners and repeatedly taking control of the baseline exchanges.

“I am very happy,” Popyrin said afterwards.

The 25-year-old admitted the performance carried extra significance given the difficult start to his season.

“I am glad to be playing this level finally this year,” he said. “It has been a tough year for me, so playing this level a week before a Slam is always a great feeling.”

His reward is a quarterfinal meeting with two-time Roland Garros finalist Casper Ruud, another significant test, but also another opportunity for Popyrin to continue building momentum at precisely the right time of the year.

Over on the WTA Tour, Daria Kasatkina continues to tunnel deeper in Strasbourg, reaching the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event.

She notched a clinical 6-3 6-1 victory against American Peyton Stearns, advancing to her 11th WTA claycourt quarterfinal.

There she will face either fourth seed Clara Tauson or Romanian Jaqueline Cristian, against both of whom she has a winning record.

Top five outstanding performances:

Storm Hunter and Ellen Perez: After the pair reached the semifinals together in Rome last year, Hunter and Perez had strong campaigns at the WTA 1000 tournament with their respective partners. Hunter made the final four again, doing so with Jessica Pegula, while Perez progressed to the quarterfinals with Demi Schuurs.

Philip Sekulic: The 22-year-old reached his first ATP Challenger final since the Granby Challenger in August 2023, achieving the feat in Bengaluru, India.

John Peers: The Victorian reached the semifinals of the Bordeaux Challenger, teaming up with local Theo Arribage to produce a campaign that included defeating the experienced pairing of Sander Gille and Sem Verbeek.

Gabriella Da Silva-Fick and Tenika Mcgiffin: Following their semifinals appearance in Jiujiang, China last week, the pair played in the final of a W75 tournament in Kurume, Japan this week.

Jake and Jesse Delaney: Their first tournament together since October 2025, the Delaney brothers claimed the doubles title at an ITF M15 crown in Wuning, China. The week was even better for Jake, who also won his first singles crown of the year.

This article was originally published on tennis.com.au by Jackson Mansell and Felicia Arhontissas and edited for Substack.

This Substack is where those stories continue in real time.

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With Rome Masters 2026 underway, the city is experiencing a surge of visitors bedecked in their best tennis-watching garb to watch their favourite players on the red claycourts of Foro Italico.

But what to do when you’re not watching a fuzzy yellow ball skid across red clay?

Sure, you’ve got the usual suspects: The Spanish Steps, Colosseum, Trevi Fountain. But there’s even more to discover in the Eternal City, when you scratch below the surface.

Here’s how you can spend a day here.

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Breakfast, the local way

Breakfast the Italian way often involves a strong espresso or cappuccino and a sweet pastry. Stop off at Faro, a café serving specialty coffee, homemade pastries and freshly baked bread. Order the coffee of your choice with a Nutella cornetto on the side, or opt for their best-selling Pain Suisse, where layers of buttery pastry envelop Ecuador Los Rios chocolate and cream.

If you’re after something more substantial (and savoury), the café also serves all-day brunch, such as scrambled eggs with seasonal veggies, or tomato focaccetta.

Now that you’ve fuelled up for the day, time to start sightseeing.

Ride a rickshaw through ancient gardens

From Faro, set off on a short 10-minute stroll to Villa Borghese, a vast landscaped garden housing a number of sculptures, fountains, and even the world-famous gallery where you’ll find pieces by Caravaggio, Canova, and Raphael. While entry to the gallery comes at a fee, the rest of the garden is free to wander.

If you’re short on time, or don’t want to explore all 80 hectares of the gardens on foot, you can find bicycles and two or four-seat covered rickshaws, known locally as risciò, available for hire in several spots across the park.

A good ol’ fashion wander

From Villa Borghese, meander through the streets of Rome, admiring the architecture, enjoying a bout of people watching, and window shopping (or actual shopping). Rome is renowned for its leather goods, so it’s a perfect time to treat yourself to a new, authentic leather handbag or wallet.

Along the way, stop via the Trevi Fountain. The 18th century landmark, built by Italian architect Nicola Salvi, is made entirely from Travertine stone and depicts a mythological scene featuring Oceanus – the god of water.

La dolce vita (aka time for a sweet treat)

For that awkward time between lunch and dinner, when your blood sugar levels are low and legs aching from walking monument to monument, there’s only one cure. Tiramisu.

But how about 100 flavours of tiramisu?

Just a 15-minute walk from the Trevi Fountain, Mr 100 Tiramisu is hidden away among cobbled streets and offers everything you need to satisfy your sweet tooth. From Kinder Bueno to strawberries and cream, you could spend hours agonising over the menu. But with a sizeable line behind you, try not to dilly dally too long; the operation behind Mr 100 Tiramisu is efficient and once you’re inside, you’ll be out again in no time, tiramisu in hand and smile on your dial.

Via dei Sediari 11 00186 Rome Italy

Bucket-list spots

If you’ve never been to Rome before, then a pilgrimage to the ancient sites is a must. If you want to avoid the crowds, you’re best to book a skip-the-queue ticket or early entrance to any of the usual suspects: the Vatican Museum, Colosseum, Roman Forum and Pantheon. As of 2026, to enter the basin of the Trevi Fountain (the part closest to the monument), tourists and non-residents are required to buy a two-euro ticket – and it’s well worth it.

Dinner in Trastevere

For dinner, make the trek over the Tiber River to Trastevere. This slightly off-the-beaten-track neighbourhood is where locals go to escape the crowds of central Rome and enjoy a traditional Roman meal. The best thing to do is wander the cobblestone streets, following your nose and poking your head into the traditional trattorias peppered throughout the twisting streets.

You won’t find tacky tourist traps in Trastevere; you’ll discover farm-to-table restaurants, piping hot pizza served by the slice, and century-old wine cellars. Not to mention artisanal gelato, which should always be stored in flat metal tins, which may have lids on them – and never presented in high pyramids. That’s one of the ways you can differentiate between the “fake” gelato and the real deal.

First, Talia Gibson became the third Australian to advance to the round of 64 in Rome after recording her first WTA claycourt victory on Wednesday.

The world No.62 defeated former top-20 player and local wildcard Martina Trevisan 6-4 0-6 6-3 to progress, joining seeded players Maya Joint and Alex de Minaur in the second round.

Despite a second-set bagel, Gibson finished strong, winning the last four games of the match to set an Australian Open 2026 rematch with world No.20 Diana Shnaider.

Next up, Australian women’s No.1 Maya Joint returns to the WTA Tour following a two-month absence after withdrawing from Indian Wells in March due to a back injury.

She’s now ready and raring to go at the Italian Open in Rome this week, with the hopes of reigniting her claycourt form from last year.

And just in the nick of time for Roland Garros later this month.

Joint joins Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, Aleksandar Vukic, Talia Gibson and Daria Kasatkina in the main draw in Rome.

In other news, one of the most intriguing first-round matches in Rome involving an Australian is Popyrin’s encounter with local Matteo Berrettini.

Despite a 3-1 head-to-head record favouring the Italian, Popyrin has reached three claycourt quarterfinals – Monte Carlo, Geneva and Houston – since April 2025, while also making the round of 16 at Roland Garros 2025.

Does Popyrin have what it takes to overcome a home favourite? Watch this space.

Meanwhile, Kasatkina has regained momentum in time for entering Roland Garros after claiming a WTA 125 crown in La Bisbal d’Emporda, Spain.

It’s her first title since Ningbo in October 2024, and the former world No.8 is proving yet again her dominance on clay. The 28-year-old defeated two top-100 players en route to victory, culminating in a 2-6 6-3 7-5 victory over German Tamara Korpatsch in the final.

The triumph is especially sweet, as it comes off the back of a hip injury that Kasatkina has battled most of this season.

“As soon as I found some confidence in the beginning of year, I got injured and then I had to stop for a couple of months,” she said.

“Coming back is not easy, so I’m really happy the way I was able to fight during this time here and super happy with the title because it’s been a tough week as well.”

Top five outstanding performances:

Ellen Perez: Teaming up with Demi Schuurs, Perez progressed to the Madrid quarterfinals, making it three trips to the final eight in her past four tournaments.

Adam Walton: The Queenslander continued his strong form, advancing to the Jiujiang Challenger final in China. Walton has won eight of his past 11 matches, which included his first Masters 1000 claycourt win in Madrid a fortnight ago.

Alex Bolt: The South Australian joined Walton in the Jiujiang semifinals, losing to his compatriot in a tight three-set battle 6-2 3-6 7-6(5). The sixth seed did not drop a set on the way to the semifinals.

Emerson Jones: The Queenslander advanced to her second singles final of 2026, doing so at an ITF W100 event in Gifu, Japan. This included a tense quarterfinal in which she saved a match point against fellow Australian Taylah Preston, winning 7-5 4-6 7-6(1).

Rinky Hijikata: The 25-year-old had a strong week in Aix en Provence, France, where he reached the quarterfinals of an ATP Challenger event. He defeated former top-50 player Sebastian Ofner before taking a set from No.3 seed Zizou Bergs in his final-eight encounter.

Aussies in action:

ATP/WTA Rome 1000

Men’s singles: Alex de Minaur (No.8), Alexei Popyrin (No.60), Aleksandar Vukic (No.99)

Women’s singles: Maya Joint (No.34), Talia Gibson (No.62), Daria Kasatkina (No.66)

Istanbul WTA 125

Women’s singles: Storm Hunter (No.199)

Women’s doubles: Storm Hunter (with Erin Routliffe)

Jiangxi WTA 125

Women’s singles: Taylah Preston (No.126), Lizette Cabrera (No.305), Elena Micic (No.345)

Women’s doubles: Alexandra Osborne (with Zheng Wushuang), Tenika McGiffin/Gabriella Da Silva-Fick, Elena Micic (with Eri Shimizu)

Wuxi ATP Challenger 100

Men’s singles: Adam Walton (No.103), Dane Sweeny (No.135), Alex Bolt (No.138), Bernard Tomic (No.194), James McCabe (No.233)

Men’s doubles: Jake Delaney (with Yuta Shimizu), Calum Puttergill/Dane Sweeny, Kody Pearson (with Huang Tsung-hao), Bernard Tomic (with Luca Castelnuovo)

Francavilla al Mare ATP Challenger 75

Men’s doubles: John-Patrick Smith (with Fernando Romboli), Blake Bayldon (with Mick Veldheer)

Brazzaville ATP Challenger 50

Men’s singles: Lawrence Bataljin (No.1677), Adrian Arcon (No.2229)

Men’s doubles: Adrian Arcon (with Matt Kleiman), Lawrence Bataljin (with George Gregoriou)

This article was originally published on tennis.com.au by Jackson Mansell and edited for Substack by Felicia Arhontissas.

She’d just defeated world No. 4 Mirra Andreeva 6-3 7-5 in one hour and 21 minutes, which was the championship cherry atop a dominant tournament run, where the Ukrainian mowed down top-20 opponents including Jessica Pegula and Linda Noskova en route to the final.

“It took me many years to reach this point, and the one word I think about right now is consistency,” said an elated Kostyuk.

“It’s showing up every day, no matter how hard it is, no matter how much you love or hate what you do. And I’ve been doing that really well the past year.”

Kostyuk has been a stalwart in the WTA top 40 since January 2024, but there’s something about the 2026 season that has seen the Ukrainian’s game advance further.

Her season kickstarted in Brisbane, where she reached the final for a match-up with world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. With the claycourt swing underway, Kostyuk has already captured two titles: one in Rouen, and her biggest win so far in Madrid.

Kostyuk is now 17-4 on the year and 11-0 in main-draw claycourt matches this season, and her ranking has climbed to a career-high ranking of No.15.

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Another player who is well versed in the game of consistency is Novak Djokovic.

The Serb recently passed a huge milestone – maintaining top-30 status for more than 1000 consecutive weeks. Considering tennis careers can be as unpredictable as the weather, given injury setbacks, fresh waves of new talent and general decline in performance over time, sustaining a place in the world’s upper ranks for 1000 weeks – that’s 20 years – is a staggering feat of consistency.

Djokovic has made it no secret that mental strength and mental toughness, constructed by consistency and focus, has been key to his success.

Consistency is a weapon forged through repetition, resilience and reliability.

Just take that memorable 60 Minutes interview, when the reporter said to Djokovic, “Your mental strength, which I think is your great gift.”

To which Djokovic interjected, “I have to correct you. It’s not a gift. It’s something that comes with work.”

And it’s not just a weapon useful in tennis.

Hailed as more powerful than motivation, consistency is considered the cornerstone of success.

Continuous, consistent actions literally rewire your brain by strengthening neural pathways – so the more often you perform an action, the easier it becomes.

It might be an early gym class, reading a chapter of your book rather than switching on Netflix, or – in an athlete’s case – showing up to training despite fatigue, loss of motivation or the simple case of just not being bothered.

With consistency, choice is taken out of the equation. Funnily enough, this lack of choice is liberating.

It’s in this space where the magic happens.

In tennis, consistency looks like being the player that wins points by being the one who makes less errors. Bouncing back quickly after making a mistake. Reliably maintaining a rally. Performing at a steady level across all matches. Managing shot selection and choosing accuracy over risky trick shots.

In day-to-day life, consistency is not only a driver for success. It paves the way for greater self-worth and inner trust.

How to build consistency

Kickstart your day with a morning ritual

There’s a reason why all the great athletes stick to a strict routine. Routines are by nature consistent, and consistent routines relieve pressure and minimalise decision fatigue.

But why a morning routine?

Because the first few hours of your morning are crucial in setting up the rest of your day for success. In the first 30 minutes of waking, what you choose to do affects your brain’s productivity for the rest of the day. So, instead of reaching for your phone first thing, rehydrating with plenty of water, letting in natural light and incorporating light movement will prime you for success.

Start small and build from there

When building a habit or routine, it’s easy to want to shoot for the stars.

Noble intentions, but more often than not, people fail because they start with goals too large.

For example, someone who’s never run before shouldn’t try and run a five kilometre route straight off the bat. The fail rate in that scenario is high, and the rebound rate to try again is low.

Instead, thinking of goals in terms of stepping stones will not only build a consistent habit but will increase the success rate. So, if your aim is to run five kilometres, start slow and run for 300 metres at a time, with 60-second walking intervals in between, and building from there.

Find an accountability partner

If you have a goal in mind, whether that’s training for a half marathon or writing a book, for example, having an accountability partner can be the difference between pass or fail.

Because nothing is more disheartening than the “I’m not mad, I’m just disappointed” look when you bail on your friend for your morning run.

And you’re far more likely to write that chapter in your novel when you know you have to present it to your writing partner by the end of the week.

It’s a great way to foster consistency in whatever endeavour you choose.

Remember your “why”

Djokovic’s “why” has been clear to him since he was seven years old and wanted to be world No.1. Back then, those around him laughed at the earnest dream. But after 428 weeks in the No.1 spot, no one’s laughing now.

In moments where mental toughness was required, Djokovic simply had to hark back to his wide-eyed childhood wish and use that to push himself to keep showing up.

Sometimes that’s all it takes – remembering the reason why you got started in the first place and just showing up.

Belgium, age 20, ranking No.69

The Belgian made his top-100 debut after winning the Canberra Challenger in January. At just 20, Blockx has already represented his country, appearing in the Belgian Davis Cup team that reached the 2025 semifinals. He came through qualifying to make his Grand Slam main-draw debut at this year’s Australian Open.

Since AO 2026: A finalist at the Lille Challenger and a semifinal run Cap Cana Challenger capped off the hardcourt season for Blockx, who certainly seems to be finding his feet on clay.

The 20-year-old advanced through to third round at the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters, where he upset top-20 opponent Flavio Cobolli along the way. It was here that Blockx enjoyed his career-first ATP Tour match wins on clay.

An exceptional Madrid Open run soon followed, which saw him upset third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime and 16th seed Francisco Cerundolo on his pilgrimage to the final four, where a first meeting between him and second seed Alexander Zverev will make for Blockx’s toughest challenge to date.

Mirra Andreeva

Age 19, ranking No.8

Given everything she has already achieved in her short career, it’s easy to forget that Andreeva is still a teenager. At just 19, she is already a top-10 player and two-time WTA 1000 champion. The youngest player in 19 years to hold a top-10 ranking, it’s exciting to imagine what she can accomplish with more experience.

Since AO 2026: The over-achieving teen continued through the hardcourt swing with vigour. Following her fourth-round Australian Open exit to Elina Svitolina, Andreeva sought redemption in Dubai, reaching the quarterfinals where she contested a valiant three-setter against Amanda Anisimova. While she wasn’t able to edge past the American, she bided her time until the clay swing was underway.

Wasting no time, Andreeva added another title to her collection in Linz and rode the high of that win through to the semifinals of Stuttgart, where her run was halted by the eventual champion Elena Rybakina. At the Madrid Open, Andreeva defeated Hailey Baptiste in straight sets to reach the final. She is the first teenager to reach three WTA 1000 finals in WTA history.

Rafael Jodar

Spain, age 19, ranking No.42

Labelled by his University of Virginia coach Andres Pedroso as “the most mature 19-year-old you’re going to meet”, Jodar has many qualities required to succeed on the ATP Tour. A Next Gen ATP Finals alumnus, the Spaniard was dominant at Challenger level during the second half of 2025, winning 27 of 33 matches. He is now translating that form onto the ATP Tour, highlighted by victory on his Grand Slam debut at AO 2026.

Since AO 2026: As though he was made for clay, Jodar has been stealing headlines and capturing the world’s attention as he has tunnelled deep in each claycourt tournament he has entered this season. He exploded onto the red courts of Marrakech, sealing his first ATP title after a straight-set triumph against qualifier Marco Trungelliti from Argentina. On home soil in Barcelona, the young Spaniard upset top-50 opponents Jaume Munar and Cameron Norrie en route to the semifinal, where a battle against eventual champion Arthur Fils ended his run.

Entering the Madrid Open as a wildcard, the 19-year-old stunned the fifth seed Alex de Minaur in the second-round, before a fighting three-set win over fellow teen Joao Fonseca.

Jodar’s greatest challenge yet was a quarterfinal matchup with top-ranked Jannik Sinner, who is currently riding an ATP Masters 1000 hot streak. While the super-charged Italian came out on top, it was no easy feat; he told press that his younger opponent “pushed [him] to the limit,” and that it was “a very high-quality match.”

Not bad feedback from a record-breaking world No.1.

This story is adapted from Jackson Mansell’s 22 under 22 feature in the April–May 2026 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine.

Roland Garros 2025 was yet another reminder not to discount Coco Gauff, oft-underrated despite her outstanding defensive skills, competitive instincts and big-match success.

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She entered as the second seed and while among discussions of title favourites, she was rarely the main character.

Instead, Aryna Sabalenka had established herself as the undisputed No.1, winning Madrid and appearing undeniable as she chased a fourth major title.

Iga Swiatek’s campaign as three-time defending champion proved a revitalising tonic for her game; with statement wins she gathered steam and closed in on an historic fourth consecutive title.

Jasmine Paolini beat Gauff¬ in the Rome final, arrived in Paris full of confidence, and targeted a second straight run to the final.

Even Madison Keys, the reigning AO champion, began flattening opponents and building an impressive Slam winning streak deep into another major.

Gauff, meanwhile, had moments where the less-secure parts of her game – second serve and forehand – came under scrutiny.

But she ultimately went undefeated in Paris, elevating her superstar status to an even higher plane with her latest Grand Slam victory.

She overcame Sabalenka in challenging conditions, winning 6-7(5) 6-2 6-4 despite trailing 4-1, 40-0 in the first set.

With her 2023 US Open triumph – also over Sabalenka – she joins an illustrious Open-era list of women representing America to claim multiple major titles. The others? Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin, Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams, Jennifer Capriati and Serena Williams.

This one proved extremely meaningful, at the venue Gauff won the junior title in 2018 then suffered a sobering loss to Swiatek in the 2022 women’s final.

“I think this one was just harder because you win one [Slam], and you just don’t want to get satisfied with just that one,” said Gauff, now a sparkling 10-3 in tour-level finals.

“I also felt like this is one I really wanted, because I do think this was one of the tournaments that when I was younger that I felt I had the best shot of winning. So I just felt like if I went through my career and didn’t get at least one of these, I would feel regrets.

“[After the 2022 final] I was doubting myself … especially my mentality going into that match.

I was crying before the match and so nervous and literally couldn’t breathe and stuff. I was, like, ‘if I can’t handle this, how am I going to handle it again?’

“I just felt really ready today.”

Gauff outlasted Keys in the quarterfinals with superior consistency, athleticism and aptitude for clay. She dismantled Lois Boisson – something fellow top-10 stars Jessica Pegula and Mirra Andreeva couldn’t do – in the semifinals to end the wildcard’s French fairytale. And she adjusted to the challenging final conditions better than a frustrated Sabalenka, who sprayed 70 unforced errors – 40 more than Gauff.

“Overall, I’m just really happy with the fight that I managed today,” said Gauff, the first woman since Venus Williams 20 years ago to beat a world No.1 in a major final from a set down.

“It wasn’t pretty, but it got the job done, and that’s all that matters.”

Gauff, 21, remained calm enough despite “definitely freaking out” in the final game to serve out victory, becoming the youngest player to win majors on multiple surfaces since Maria Sharapova in 2006.

She remains arguably Sabalenka’s toughest opponent, leading the overall head-to-head 6-5 plus 2-1 at Grand Slams – including 2-0 in major finals.

“Honestly the way Aryna was playing the last few weeks, she was the favourite to win. So I think she was the best person that I could have played in the final,” Gauff said. “Her being No.1 was the best person to play, so I think I got the hardest matchup just if you go off stats alone.”

This story by Matt Trollope appears in the June-July 2025 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine and has been adapted for online publication.

The latest issue of Australian Tennis Magazine is packed full of inspiring origin stories, rising-star features and flashbacks to the glory days as the spotlight is trained on the Next Gen wave of tennis players.

Headline features include the 22 players under the age of 22 to watch, which flags fast-rising powerhouses like Learner Tien to Jakub Mensik and Victoria Mboko.

Thanks to the rise of players such as Filipina Alexandra Eala, Joao Fonseca and Zeynep Sonmez, tennis has now tapped into a huge core of fans that the sport previously has not been able to engage. This exciting new development is explored in the New faces, new fanbases feature.

There’s also a deep dive into Australia’s top player, Alex de Minaur, and his commitment to nurturing the next generation of Aussie players through the newly formed Alex de Minaur Foundation, which offers young players scholarships and mentoring in their path through tennis.

“This is close to my heart … I want to be able to support young athletes and be a mentor for them,” said the Australian No.1.

The latest issue also follows the journey of Aussie breakout star Talia Gibson from Hot Shots participant to top-60 contender. The 21-year-old’s Australian Open 2026 goal of cracking into the top 100 was smashed within record time, confirming her place among the game’s elite.

“To achieve the [top-100] goal only two months into the year just makes me so happy and excited for the rest of the year,” said Gibson.

Regular sections continue to keep you up to date with everything happening in the world of tennis. There’s the Last Word with Arthur Fils, who speaks about bouncing back from a back injury last June, while Fan Zone follows favourite players as they navigate social media, awards ceremonies, and life’s milestones.

Plus, the first installation of a new series, My Tennis Life – where the magazine sits down with top Australian players to explore the moments and lessons that have shaped them on and off the court – launches with Cruz Hewitt.

Discover all this and more in the Next Gen Special issue of Australian Tennis Magazine.

Secure your copy today – or subscribe so you never miss a moment of the game.

“Effortless is a myth.”

He was referring to his own career, which – to the untrained eye – may seem as though it came easy.

Throughout his 24-year career, Federer held the record for most consecutive weeks at world No.1 (237), accumulated 103 titles and secured 20 Grand Slam championships.

Racking up that many accolades and accomplishments takes more than just raw talent.

Federer admitted it used to irk him whenever people would commend his game by calling it “effortless” or observed out loud that he “barely broke a sweat.”

“The truth is, I had to work very hard … to make it look easy,” he revealed.

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Before he became cool, calm and collected Roger, he was a young man navigating the emotional turmoil that often accompanied life on court. There was racquet throwing, a curse word here and there, and occasional sulking when the match didn’t go to plan. His mental discipline had a long way to go.

Through strenuous training and support from his parents, coach, fitness coach and opponents, Federer was able to achieve the ultimate feat: make winning look easy, even when it wasn’t.

When thinking of effortless in terms of current ATP players, it’s hard to look past Jannik Sinner.

His game is one of precision, consistency and composure. Following a first meeting between Sinner and reigning Next Gen ATP Finals champion Joao Fonseca at this year’s Indian Wells tournament, the young Brazilian drew comparisons between the Italian and a robot, because of his near-perfect execution during their match.

He made this comparison shortly after playing Sinner’s great rival, Carlos Alcaraz, in Miami.

“Sinner is more like a robot that just kills the ball and does everything perfect,” Fonseca said.

“Carlos, he can do everything. He can do with topspin, can fire the ball, he has good movement.”

Sinner experienced some tough losses at the beginning of the 2026 season with Australian Open semifinal and Doha quarterfinal losses to Novak Djokovic and Jakub Mensik respectively.

After the Australian Open, Sinner told the press, “Hopefully, I can take it as a lesson to see what I can improve on.”

And improve on, he did.

The Italian has locked in on his learnings from his 2026 season start and seems to have returned to his once “robotic” or almost-perfect form. At Indian Wells, he mowed through each round to the finals without dropping a set, besting Daniil Medvedev in the championship match 7-6(6) 7-6(4).

Straight off that title, Sinner struck gold yet again in Miami, once more reaching the final without dropping a set and achieving the rare ‘Sunshine Double’.

He is only the eighth man in tennis history to do this.

ATP players who’ve achieved the ‘Sunshine Double’:

• Jim Courier (1991)

• Michael Chang (1992)

• Pete Sampras (1994)

• Marcelo Rios (1998)

• Andre Agassi (2001)

• Roger Federer (2005-06)

• Novak Djokovic (2011, 2014, 2015, 2016)

• Jannik Sinner (2026)

And still, he wasn’t done. Sinner kicked off his claycourt season with the Monte Carlo title after his blockbuster match-up with rival Alcaraz, where Sinner emerged triumphant with a 7-6(5) 6-3 result. Not only that, but he reclaimed his world No.1 ranking.

Since his title run in Paris last November, the 24-year-old has dropped only one set across Masters 1000 matches, winning 22 of them consecutively.

Winning Madrid Open would make his fifth consecutive Masters 1000s title. As Sinner prepares to step onto the Madrid clay courts amid his hot streak, he goes in knowing the challenges this tournament can pose – with his best result being a quarterfinal run in 2024.

“It’s very high altitude and it can be windy at times, so it’s very difficult to play. But I think every different kind of clay court can help me as I am trying to improve as a player,” he told the press ahead of the tournament.

So, effortless? Or the implementation of gruelling training, studying his opponents, mental resilience and grit?

Harking back to Federer, ‘effortless’ is the tennis world’s greatest illusion. It’s grit, disguised as luck, and sold as unattainable.

“Yes, talent matters,” Federer said. “I’m not going to stand here and tell you it doesn’t. But talent has a broad definition.

“Most of the time, it’s not about having a gift. It’s about having grit.”

The performances of Filipina Alexandra Eala and Brazil’s Joao Fonseca generated incredible interest, excitement and atmosphere, helping reshape tennis’ global popularity.

At the ATP-WTA 1000 event unofficially regarded as the ‘Latin Slam’, Brazilians converged in huge numbers and vocal force to cheer on the teenaged Fonseca, who beat Learner Tien and 19^th seed Ugo Humbert to set up a third-round meeting with top-10 Aussie Alex de Minaur.

Due to demand, that match was scheduled for the stadium court and produced a raucous atmosphere that, according to tennis.com, “was so loud it could be heard all the way across the grounds on Grandstand, where the winner’s next opponent – Matteo Berrettini and Zizou Bergs – were still on court”.

De Minaur, who won in three memorable sets, signed the camera lens with the message “Rio Open”.

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Eala was simultaneously drawing Filipino fans to the tournament site as she mowed down 25th seed Jelena Ostapenko, reigning AO champion Madison Keys and world No.2 Iga Swiatek en route to the biggest semifinal of her career. A wildcard ranked 140th, Eala made history as the first Filipina to reach a WTA 1000 semifinal, beat a top-10 player, and crack the top 100 herself.

There was more atmospheric fan support inside the stadium court as Eala stretched Jessica Pegula in a three-set semifinal.

Yet it was the reaction online that truly reverberated. The WTA’s YouTube channel views skyrocketed; highlights of Eala’s quarterfinal win over Swiatek attracted more than 800,000 views and her subsequent press conference another half-a-million.

In the year since that memorable Miami edition, pro tennis has also witnessed the rise of Janice Tjen from Indonesia and Zeynep Sonmez from Turkiye while Mexico’s Renata Zarazua has entrenched herself in the top 100, helped by her stunning upset of Keys in the first round of the 2025 US Open.

Combine the populations of these five aforementioned countries and you get a figure approaching one billion – a monstrous core of fans tennis has not often been able to tap into.

Filipino fans have continued to turn out in droves to support her, whether it be during her semifinal run in Auckland, or her AO main draw debut – where thousands descended on Melbourne Park for the occasion – plus her quarterfinal campaigns in Abu Dhabi and Dubai. Her performance at the latter, specifically her upset of top-10 star Jasmine Paolini, prompted the WTA to post “VOLUME UPPPPPP” on social media regarding the crowd’s reaction at an event often characterised by sparse attendance.

“I have to say, it’s great to be on a crowded court. I’ve played this tournament for many years and to see the stadium full, it means a lot,” said Coco Gauff, who ended Eala’s Dubai run. “Also, I’d like to thank Alex for bringing a new demographic to the sport. I really appreciate it … I think that it’s great for the sport.”

Eala is leaning into this support, which the Auckland tournament website described as “similar to being at a soccer match” when she beat Donna Vekic in the second round, while reporting that 1000 ground passes had been sold for the day of her semifinal – the most in a single day in the event’s history.

Zeynep Sonmez, Renata Zarazua, Janice Tjen, Eala and Fonseca are all inside the top 100, ensuring direct entry to Grand Slams – global stages on which their profiles can continue growing, and help them connect with fans who may not previously have followed the sport.

For tennis, which relies on its international reach and the star power of players to activate a variety of markets, their emergence heralds an excitingly bright future.

This story by Matt Trollope appears in the April-May 2026 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine and has been adapted for online publication.

There’s something to be said about the rising popularity of tennis when the World Sportsman and Sportswoman of the Year accolades at this year’s Laureus Awards were both awarded to tennis players.

Carlos Alcaraz was named the World Sportsman of the Year for the first time, while Aryna Sabalenka was honoured with World Sportswoman of the Year.

Alcaraz joins Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic as fellow ATP players who have received this award, in recognition for his high calibre performance across a stellar 2025 season in which he won both US Open and Roland Garros, and reached the final at Wimbledon.

Sabalenka became only the fifth WTA player in history to be bestowed the award, after Jennifer Capriati, Justine Henin, Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka. She held the No.1 ranking for the entirety of the 2025 season, won the US Open, and was a finalist at Australian Open and Roland Garros.

If Alcaraz and Sabalenka’s superstar status wasn’t already obvious, then this accolade, which puts them in leagues with other tennis legends, will certainly do the trick.

“In all the sports, there are so many great strong, powering, inspiring women who do incredible, inspiring things, and to receive this award means a lot,” Sabalenka said in her acceptance speech.

“[Lionel] Messi, Federer, Djokovic, Usain Bolt, and of course the great Rafa Nadal. I am following in the footsteps of giants. That makes this moment so special,” Alcaraz told the crowd.

The Laureus Awards bring elite athletes from all corners of sport – tennis, football, skiing, swimming – to Madrid, donning their glad rags to spend an evening celebrating standout achievements and performances in sport from 2025.

On the red carpet, we spotted our favourite players as they traipsed past photographers, dressed to the nines. There’s Jannik Sinner in a tux, Amanda Anisimova in a molten silver frock, and Alexandra Eala in a structured ivory gown.

And then there’s 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic, co-hosting the event alongside three-time Olympic gold medal freestyle skier Eileen Gu.

Djokovic himself has won the prestigious World Sportsman of the Year five times – so he approaches the hosting gig with the ease and familiarity of a true Laureus veteran.

To say April is a busy time for the Spanish capital would be a huge understatement.

Not only did it host the famed sports award ceremony at the grand Cibeles Palace on Monday, but this week the Mutua Madrid Open will see thousands of tennis fans converge on the city to watch players including Sinner, Lorenzo Musetti, Alex de Minaur, Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff (to name a few) compete for the ATP and WTA Masters 1000s title.

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Philippoussis clinches 1999 Davis Cup for Australia: The Australian Davis Cup team beat France on indoor clay in Nice to win the title for the first time in 13 years. Winning both singles rubbers, Mark Philippoussis scored the winning point.

Woodies complete doubles Slam at 2000 Roland Garros: By 1995, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde had won the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. It took 11 Roland Garros campaigns as a duo to complete their Grand Slam set.

Stosur reaches Roland Garros 2010 final: Sam Stosur upstaged four-time champion Justine Henin, then-No.1 Serena Williams and former No.1 Jelena Jankovic to reach her first major singles final in Paris. Despite losing to Francesca Schiavone, Stosur finished her clay season with 20 wins from 23 matches.

Barty breaks through at Roland Garros in 2019: Ash Barty beat a string of high -profile opponents to become the first Australian singles champion at Roland Garros since Margaret Court in 1973.

Matt Ebden and John Peers strike gold at Paris 2024 Olympics: The pair had played only five events together before they teamed in Paris to become the first Australian Olympic tennis gold medallists since the Woodies at Atlanta in 1996.

This first appeared Australian Tennis Magazine in June 2025 and has been adapted for online publication.

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The claycourt event will host the entire top 20 in the PIF WTA Rankings, from three-time Madrid champion Sabalenka to Elena Rybakina and ‘queen of clay’ Iga Swiatek.

Meanwhile, the PIF ATP top-10 players will also be in attendance, including local favourite Alcaraz, Novak Djokovic and defending champion Casper Ruud.

Aside from watching some truly exciting tennis, there is so much to be experienced away from the clay.

The first thing to know about Madrid is that it is very pedestrian-friendly. Most spots in the city are within walking distance to each other.

So, when you’re not watching a match, here’s how your day might unfold.

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Coffee, the local way

Start your day as the locals do, with a coffee and freshly made churro at Chocolateria San Gines. The café was established in 1894, and has become an institution not just to visitors, but also to the Madrilenos.

Its interior is reminiscent of a bygone era, with its mirror-clad walls, dark green paint and marble-top tables.

And the churros themselves? Life-changing.

The crispy outer shell is sprinkled with a fine dusting of cinnamon and sugar, and the vat of melted dark chocolate that accompanies the sweet is perfect for dipping. This, washed down with a warm and rich coffee? Utter perfection.

Next up…

Chocolateria San Gines is conveniently located nearby to Puerta del Sol, one of the most famous squares and meeting points in the city. Spend some time wandering the square, which is home to some of the city’s famous statues, like the Bear and the Strawberry Tree.

The Royal Palace and Gardens

Then, stroll through the manicured Sabatini Gardens en route to the Royal Palace in Madrid. The palace is one of the largest in Western Europe; at 135,000 square meters and with 3418 rooms, it’s almost double the size of Buckingham Palace and the Palace of Versailles.

Spend time exploring the lavish interiors (including the Throne Room and the Hall of Mirrors), watch the changing of the guard, and admire the impressive collection of religious art and frescoes.

Walk it off at El Retiro Park

Coined ‘the lungs of Madrid’, this 118-hectare park is at the top of the Madrid bucket list. The immense green space is filled with historical monuments – like the 1887 Crystal Palace – as well as sculptures and fountains.

Here, you’ll spot locals and visitors alike enjoying the outdoors, jogging or savouring a picnic. While you’re here, wander the walking trails, or check out the stunning Rose Garden.

Tippy tapas

You can’t visit Spain and not indulge in the national specialty – tapas.

Take yourself on a self-guided foodie tour through Plaza de Santa Ana, located in the Literary Quarter (Barrio de las Letras) and hop between bars, ordering bite-sized plates of patatas bravas (deep-fried potato with spicy sauce), Ibérico sausage, Spanish omelette and bocadillo de calamares (calamari sandwich).

And that’s just to name a few.

Catch a flamenco show

Close out your day with a flamenco show at one of the many flamenco houses in the city. Flamenco has a long history in this city; while it is of Andalusian roots, Madrid is still home to several historic flamenco houses that have been in operation since the early 1900s, including Torres Bermejas, Villa Rosa and Corral de la Morería.

Book a seat or table at any of these establishments, order dinner or a glass of wine, and sit back and watch the show.

The bold, swirling skirts and stomping feet of the flamenco dances coupled with the dramatic singling and intricate guitar playing is hypnotic. You’ll leave with your cultural cup filled to the brim and toes tapping well after the performance ends.

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