Happy Friday, everyone! August is here, and that means the US Open is right around the corner.
Keep reading for the answer to this week’s trivia question: Which actress portrayed Billie Jean King in the 2017 film Battle of the Sexes?
1️⃣ US Open Adds More ‘Matchmaking’ to Fan Week
Direct Entries Announced: 14 teams secured their spots in the revamped US Open Mixed Doubles Championship. Eight pairs received direct entry based on their combined singles rankings. Emma Navarro is doing her part to motivate her top-ranked partner.
Two Wild Cards Remain: Six wild cards have been awarded, including to the teams of Venus Williams and Reilly Opelka, and Taylor Townsend and Ben Shelton. 2024 champions Sara Errani and Andrea Vavassori are also back to defend their title. Two additional wild cards are expected to be announced soon.
Reality Twist: Speaking of matchmaking, a new dating series called Game, Set, Matchmaker will debut at Flushing Meadows during Fan Week. Producer Mike shares the details of this unconventional addition that blends tennis culture with reality TV energy. He also drops some exciting Served news.
2️⃣ Casper Ruud Joins Team Europe For Laver Cup
Ruud Returns: Norway’s Casper Ruud is set to return for the 2025 Laver Cup in San Francisco. He joins a strong European squad that already features Carlos Alcaraz, Holger Rune, and Alexander Zverev. The team is captained by French tennis legend Yannick Noah.
Representing The Continent: Ruud shared more about the unique camaraderie the event provides and why he’s looking forward to competing. The World No. 13 revealed he’s a big Golden State Warriors fan and is excited to play in the Chase Center, the team’s home arena.
Team World: On the other side of the net, Team World is captained by Andre Agassi and currently includes Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Ben Shelton, and 18-year-old rising star João Fonseca. Both teams still have two roster spots left to fill, leaving room for additional firepower before the event kicks off in September.
3️⃣ Bouchard Retires From Tennis In Her Hometown
Hometown Hero: Eugenie Bouchard officially closed the chapter on her professional tennis career Wednesday night in Montreal. Playing in front of a packed home crowd, she pushed Belinda Bencic to a deciding set before falling short. Bouchard did pick up her first WTA win in two years after beating Emiliana Arango in the first round. The former World No. 5 delivered an emotional post-match address, reflecting on what she called a “full-circle” moment.
Career Highlights: Bouchard’s career highlight came in 2014 when she became the first Canadian to reach a Grand Slam singles final, finishing runner-up at Wimbledon. Her breakthrough even drew attention from celebrities like The Big Bang Theory star Jim Parsons, who posted a tribute on Instagram celebrating her career.
What’s Next?: The 31-year-old said she’s looking forward to sleeping in and taking a vacation before deciding on her next steps. Though, we can assume she won’t be playing pickleball with this fellow retiree.
4️⃣ Pro Pickleballers Form Players’ Association
Introducing The WPPA: A group of professional pickleball players announced the formation of the World Pickleball Players Association (WPPA) to represent the interests of athletes in the fast-growing sport. Open to all professional players, the WPPA aims to establish minimum standards around health and safety, compensation transparency, scheduling, and disciplinary processes.
Priorities Set: Board member and top pro Collin Johns emphasized that the group is not looking for confrontation with tour organizers, but rather wants to ensure all players are treated fairly.
Support Across Sport: The launch of the WPPA was supported by Sports Solidarity, the same group that played a key role in unionizing minor league baseball players in 2022. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) also voiced its support, calling the move “a significant and commendable milestone.”
5️⃣ Billie Jean: From Center Court to Center Stage
Live On Stage: Billie Jean, a theatrical production now running at the Chicago Shakespeare Theater, dramatizes the life and career of Billie Jean King from her Wimbledon triumphs to her trailblazing efforts for gender equality in sports. The show runs through August 10.
Battle For Equality: The production not only honors King’s achievements on the court but also dives into the off-court battles that defined her legacy. King famously led the charge for equal prize money and formed the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973.
‘Student’ Of The Game: King’s journey, however, is far from over. As reported by the Los Angeles Times, she recently re-enrolled at Cal State L.A., the school she left decades ago to turn pro, to complete her degree in history. She might also be the only undergrad in the country with her own statue on campus.
Didn’t Make The Cut:
Naomi Osaka spotted working with new coach in Montreal
Stefanos Tsitsipas rehires familiar face after coaching split
ATP & WTA players hold mental health panels ahead of Canadian Open
22-year-old Carlos Alcaraz hits another impressive milestone
In The 5 Setter Podcast we asked: Which actress played Billie Jean King in the 2017 film Battle of the Sexes?
The answer: Emma Stone. She stars in the movie alongside Steve Carell who plays Bobby Riggs.
What To Watch For: Canadian Masters
Toronto (ATP 1000): Canadian Gabriel Diallo and No. 2 seed Taylor Fritz square off Friday night. Top seed Alexander Zverev, Holger Rune, and Casper Ruud all advanced to the Round of 16.
Montreal (WTA 100): Naomi Osaka plays Jelena Ostapenko and Amanda Anisimova faces Emma Raducanu on Friday. Top seed Coco Gauff advanced to the Round of 16 and will next play Canadian Victoria Mboko.
The finals for both events are scheduled for Thursday, August 7.
Full international WTA & ATP broadcast list.
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