Happy Friday, everyone! Few are starting their mornings off better than Victoria Mboko and Ben Shelton, who each capped off memorable runs in Canada with titles on Thursday night.
Keep scrolling for stats on their historic wins and for the answer to this week’s trivia question.
Before We Begin: Quick Served Alert
Andy Roddick just dropped his Canadian Open recap video. Watch now to hear his reactions to the finals in Montreal and Toronto, and who he thinks is finding their form ahead of the US Open.
Be sure to subscribe to our YouTube page so you don’t miss a second of Served.
We’re onto Cincinnati.
1️⃣ Welcome to the New Look Cincinnati Open
Players and fans are getting their first look at the $260 million transformation of the Cincinnati Open, featuring a new 2,000-seat stadium, redesigned courts, and a brand-new player clubhouse. The upgrades also improve the fan experience, entertainment areas, and even the landscaping.
While the tournament was at risk of relocation, major public and private partnerships secured, and preserved, it’s future in Cincinnati. To showcase that effort, the tournament is releasing a behind-the-scenes video series with new episodes dropping throughout the event.
Watch for a preview and to see the venue’s upgrades.
2️⃣ US Open Announces Record Prize Pool
This year’s US Open will award more prize money than any tournament in tennis history. The men’s and women’s singles champions will each earn a record $5 million, up 39% from last year’s $3.6 million payday. In total, $85 million will be awarded across all competitions and total player compensation is jumping 20% to $90 million.
The winning men’s, women’s, and mixed doubles teams will each take home $1 million this year.
3️⃣ College Tennis Faces Growing Uncertainty
Despite a booming college-to-pro pathway, college tennis programs are at risk of being cut. On Monday, Prairie View A&M University dropped its men’s and women’s programs “as part of a broader strategic realignment” within the school’s athletic department.
With new rules allowing colleges to directly pay athletes, tight budgets are getting tighter. Tennis, a low-revenue sport with small rosters, it’s often first to go.
Over the last two years, 15 tennis programs have been cut. Nearly two dozen more were eliminated during the pandemic.
Watch to learn how the USTA and ITA are working to find solutions to support college programs.
4️⃣ Spain’s Sand-Court Showdown
While the North American hard court swing continues, Spain just wrapped up one of the sport’s most unique spectacles: tennis on sand.
For over 50 years, the Torneo Tenis Playa tournament in Luanco has raced the tide, building a court on wet sand as the water recedes. Past winners on the beach include Grand Slam champions Juan Carlos Ferrero and Carlos Moyá.
The 2025 edition even drew some retired pros back to the court. Richard Gasquet beat former US Open champ Dominic Thiem in Thursday’s final. Former World No.18 Benoit Paire was also in the eight-man field.
Watch how tournament staff prepare the court every day. It’s awesome.
5️⃣ The Return of the King(s)
The Six Kings Slam is returning to Saudi Arabia this October. Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, and Carlos Alcaraz are back in the field, with Alexander Zverev, Taylor Fritz, and Jack Draper joining the trio.
Sinner reportedly took home $6 million for winning the exhibition last fall and each player reportedly earned $1.5 million just for competing.
The 2025 event will be held between the Shanghai and Paris Masters.
Watch to check-out the impressive cinematic production of last year’s event.
Didn’t Make The Cut:
How and when the ATP & WTA will update rankings
Elina Svitolina speaks out against hateful fan abuse on social media
Venus Williams was back on court in Cincinnati
Andre Agassi to be honored at US Open
Victoria Mboko beat 4 Grand Slam champions (Sofia Kenin, Coco Gauff, Elena Rybakina, and Naomi Osaka) en route to the Montreal title
Mboko is just the second player to win her first WTA title at a 1000-level event since the format debut. The first: Naomi Osaka
Ben Shelton became the youngest American to win an ATP Masters 1000 since Andy Roddick at Miami in 2004
Shelton jumps to No. 6 in the rankings, his fourth new career-high ranking in a row
In The 5 Setter Podcast we asked: Including last year, the Six Kings Slam has featured the winners of the last 19 majors. So, who was the last man to win a Slam and NOT play in this event?
The answer: 2020 US Open champ Dominic Thiem.
What To Watch For: Cincinnati Open
Defending champions Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka, along with Carlos Alcaraz, return to action for the first time since Wimbledon. First round play continues Friday with second round matches starting on Saturday and concluding on Sunday.
Full international WTA & ATP broadcast list.
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How am I just now learning about this tournament on the sand?! Mind-blowing. Did you see how sloped that court is? lol There was a stretch of years (2014-2021) where the tournament did not happen. Glad it's back.