Missed something? Read it again? Find First Ball Forehand posts below. Enjoy!
-
Only five have done it: Jakub Mensik joins Novak Djokovic-slaying teens
Jakub Mensik defeated Novak Djokovic in the Miami Masters final. The young gun earned a 7-6, 7-6 triumph in two hours and three minutes, lifting his first ATP trophy and earning notable milestones. Among other milestones, Jakub became only the fifth teenager to have beaten Novak on the ATP level! Djokovic has lost 227 ATP…
-
Jannik Sinner weighs in on WADA agreement: ‘Unfair, but lesser evil’
World no. 1 Jannik Sinner has finally spoken about his decision to reach an agreement with the World Anti-Doping Agency. The three-time Major winner candidly addressed a situation that stirred speculation and concern among players and fans. Jannik, known for his calm demeanor and professionalism, admitted that while he did not entirely agree with the circumstances, he…
-
Dominic Thiem opens up: ‘I do not miss tennis that much’
Last October, former world no. 3 Dominic Thiem ended his career at the home ATP 500 event in Vienna. In the first round, Dominic played his 563rd and last ATP match against Luciano Darderi. He experienced a 7-6, 6-2 loss and faded from the tennis scene. The former Major champion admitted in his recent interview that…
-
Novak Djokovic follows Roger Federer’s Sunshine Double feat
Novak Djokovic failed to claim his 100th ATP title in Miami, falling to the young gun Jakub Mensik in the final after a massive battle. While leaving Florida without his seventh trophy, Novak collected notable milestones during his first Hard Rock Stadium visit. With 11 Indian Wells and Miami Open titles by his name, Djokovic…
-
Charleston: Amanda Anisimova edges Emma Navarro in QF and reveals one regret
No. 8 seed Amanda Anisimova won a very tight all-American battle in Charleston against fourth-seeded Emma Navarro and afterward said she wished it was a final match. After two hours of play, the 23-year-old American registered a 7-5 7-6 (1) quarterfinal win against the 2024 US Open semifinalist. Through the opening eight games of the…
-
Jelena Ostapenko tells how electronic line calling killed fun for her on court
Latvian tennis star Jelena Ostapenko admits she doesn’t find the use of the electronic line calling system fun as she would prefer the traditional way and to have challenges to use when she feels that an umpire made a wrong call. Over the last few seasons, the majority of tournaments have switched to the AI…
-
Boris Becker identifies real reason behind Alexander Zverev’s major struggles
Boris Becker believes Alexander Zverev’s confidence has been shaken up lately and the reason behind the 27-year-old’s struggles is “not feeling convinced” in his game anymore. After starting the year with eight consecutive wins, the world No. 2 was ousted by Jannik Sinner in the title match at Melbourne Park. Afterward, the German tennis star…
-
Slam legend hits Iga Swiatek with scathing criticism of her serve
Former Grand Slam doubles champion Rennae Stubbs ripped Iga Swiatek’s serve as “discombobulated” and bluntly stated that the Pole’s service should be much better than it is right now. So far, the world No. 2 hasn’t had a great 2025 season and several things have contributed to that. One of those things is the evident…
-
10 of Top 11 WTA players sign letter demanding more prize money from Grand Slams
Following recent legal actions by the Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) challenging the power structures in tennis, a new and separate wave of player activism is gaining momentum—this time led by many of the highest-ranked women on tour. World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka is among 10 WTA players demanding more prize money and a greater…
-
Pat Rafter recalls Roger Federer’s main weakness as a teenager
Despite his immense talent, Roger Federer took some time before he sorted out all the details of his game and became mentally solid as well. The former world number 1 had several behavioral problems at the beginning of his career and it was essential to surround himself with the right people to fully express his…
-
Mats Wilander warns Carlos Alcaraz ahead of red clay season
Carlos Alcaraz started practicing on red clay, a surface that adapts very well to his game and on which he hopes to win prestigious titles in the near future. In 2024, the Spanish ace had not particularly shone in the events before Roland Garros also due to a forearm injury. For this problem, the former…
-
Charleston: Jessica Pegula makes stunning comeback vs Danielle Collins to reach SF
Jessica Pegula reached the Charleston Open semifinal and did it in quite some style as the world No. 4 was heading toward being demolished before coming back to win 1-6 6-3 6-0. Early on in an all-American quarterfinal battle, Danielle Collins dominated and opened a 6-1 2-0 lead. The 2022 Australian Open runner-up also had…
-
Jannik Sinner finally breaks silence after his ban
Jannik Sinner will be able to return to compete on the professional tour in about a month, when he will be welcomed like a king by his fans at the Rome Masters 1000. The world number 1 – who has not played since his triumph at the Australian Open at the end of January –…
-
Watch: Sofia Kenin’s bizarre mental lapse in Charleston, stops play to call challenge
Sofia Kenin had a bizarre Charleston Open moment on Thursday as the American tennis star appeared to forget that the electronic line calling system was in place and wanted to use a challenge. Serving for the match at 5-4 in the second set and with the game being tied to 15/15, the 2020 Australian Open…
-
Jakub Mensik’s dream start: Wins first ATP title on a grand stage
You rarely see a player conquering his first ATP title on the notable scene. The 19-year-old Jakub Mensik did that in Miami, celebrating his first ATP title at a Masters 1000 level. Thus, the young Czech became the fifth player since 1990 to secure a spot on that list. Jakub entered Miami as world no.…
-
Zheng Qinwen gets real on why she signed letter demanding more money from Grand Slams
Zheng Qinwen is among the star players signing a letter demanding a raise from Grand Slams and the 2024 Australian Open defends her move by stating that it’s something that could “benefit all players.” This week, L’Equipe dropped a bombshell report by sharing that the representatives of the ATP and WTA top-20 club officially called…
-
Jimmy Connors is all in on Andrey Rublev e Marat Safin collaboration
Jimmy Connors is fully approving the Andrey Rublev and Marat Safin partnership as the American tennis icon thinks it’s similar to the Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray collaboration. Since winning Doha in February, the Russian has hit a rough stretch and has picked up three consecutive defeats. So for the clay season, he decided to…
-
Emma Raducanu delays her return to action after deep Miami run
Emma Raducanu will take some time before returning to action following a deep Miami Open run as the world No. 48 has decided to pull out of Great Britain’s Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers and also miss the WTA 250 tournament in Rouen. After the 2021 US Open champion returned to the British team last…
-
Maria Sakkari bluntly responds to post doubting amid her fall from outside top-80
Maria Sakkari had a blunt reaction to seeing an X user expressing doubt about the Greek’s ability to return to the top-10 after losing in Charleston early. . On Wednesday evening at the WTA 500 tournament in Charleston, the former world No. 3 saw her campaign come to an end in the second round after…
-
Charleston: Emma Navarro completes big comeback to set up blockbuster QF
Emma Navarro didn’t have the easiest day at the office on Thursday but ultimately managed to reach the Charleston Open quarterfinal, while Jessica Pegula got the job done without much drama. Navarro, seeded at No. 4 and whose father owns the Charleston tournament, took on fellow American Ashlyn Krueger. At one point in the match,…