• Loading stock data...
Friday, October 10, 2025
One week until Asset Class at the NYSE Request to Attend

Australian Open Upsets Signal New Era in Men’s Tennis

Three teenagers have knocked out top-10 players before the first weekend in Melbourne.

Aug 28, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA; Learner Tien of the USA hits to Frances Tiafoe of the USA on day one of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Robert Deutsch-Imagn Images

If Rafael Nadal’s retirement in November wasn’t a sign of the changing times in tennis, then the early rounds of the Australian Open certainly are.

With the clock about to strike 3 a.m. on Friday in Melbourne, Learner Tien, a 19-year-old from California, clinched a five-set win over No. 5 Daniil Medvedev. Tien became the third teenager this week to knock out a top-10 player following upsets by Brazilian João Fonseca, 18, and Czech Jakub Menšík, 19, over No. 9 Andrey Rublev and No. 6 Casper Ruud, respectively, in the second round.

Tien, who turned pro in 2023, has already earned about $264,000 by reaching the fourth round of the Australian Open, which has a total purse of nearly $60 million. The No. 121–ranked player had about $729,000 in career earnings before the tournament.

Fonseca and Menšík were eliminated in the third round, but they will each go home with about $182,000. Menšík, who turned pro in 2022 and is ranked No. 48 in the world, amassed about $1.6 million before this tournament—the most coming from a third-round appearance at last year’s US Open, which earned him $215,000.

Fonseca, who turned pro last year, is more comparable to Tien. He is ranked No. 112 and had under $850,000 in career earnings before his upset in Melbourne. Like Menšík, his best payday came last year via a third-round appearance at the US Open.

Djokovic Complaints

World No. 7 Novak Djokovic, the last active member of the Big Three, has advanced to the fourth round of the tournament as he chases a record 25th Grand Slam. But the 37-year-old has aired out some concerns in Melbourne following his last two matches.

On Wednesday, he complained about the tournament’s new coaching pods—which allow players to have on-court conversations with their coaches in the middle of the match—because one of his chats was picked up by the television broadcast. He believes there could be a lack of privacy here.

Then, on Friday, Djokovic, who was barred from Australia in 2022 after choosing not to receive a COVID-19 vaccination, criticized the crowd in Melbourne

“A few people here and there [overstepped],” the Serbian said after his three-set win over Tomáš Macháč. “I understand you have a few drinks more, and then you get into it. … I tried to tolerate it, but then at one point I had to respond.”

Raducanu Alive, Osaka Out

On the women’s side, Emma Raducanu advanced to the third round for the first time in the Australian Open, just the second time the 22-year-old has made it past the second round in a Grand Slam since her win at the 2021 US Open. The British star has struggled with injuries over the last few years and was even unable to play a warmup tournament before playing at Melbourne Park due to a back muscle strain. 

Naomi Osaka, another Grand Slam winner who has struggled with injuries over the last few years, bowed out of her third-round match against Belinda Bencic due to an abdominal muscle strain.

Despite the injury issues, Osaka and Raducanu were tied for No. 6 on Forbes highest-paid female athletes list of 2024 with $12.9 million in earnings—though less than $1 million came from on-court earnings.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Ballers in Philadelphia
exclusive

Backer of SlamBall, Ballers Armed With $150M for New Fund

The fund will offer sports and entertainment companies deals that don’t involve equity.

Ryder Cup: Secret Service Key to Smooth Trump Attendance

Trump’s attendance at the US Open delayed the men’s final.

US Open Set Attendance Record, Men’s Final Ratings Surged 82%

Attendance and television viewership of the tennis major again reach historic levels.

Greg Norman Leaves LIV As Golf World Continues to Shift

Norman relinquished the league’s CEO role in January.

Featured Today

Paul Cartier

Sports Organists Are Still Thriving in the Era of Raucous Arena Music

“When they walk out and they see a real organ guy, it’s like, ‘Wow.’”
Sep 27, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Milwaukee Brewers center fielder Jackson Chourio (11) rounds the bases after hitting a home run during the sixth inning against the Cincinnati Reds at American Family Field.
October 4, 2025

Milwaukee Moneyball: Brewers Are Beating MLB’s Deeper Pockets

Milwaukee is holding its own against big-budget competitors.
Kōloa Rum Company Rum Rusher
September 27, 2025

Panthers Bubbly, Jets Wine, Manning Whiskey: The Sports Booze Boom

A sommelier dives into the sports booze trend—and tries Jets wine.
Nov 17, 2024; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Steelers fans wave Terrible Towels against the Baltimore Ravens during the fourth quarter at Acrisure Stadium
September 26, 2025

Steelers’ Irish Roots Are Deeper Than NFL Dublin Game

The Steelers have history and the foundation for a future in Ireland.
Aug 3, 2024; Villeneuve-d'Ascq, France; NBA commissioner Adam Silver talks to International Basketball Federation board member Mark Tatum in the fourth quarter between the United States and Puerto Rico during the Paris 2024 Olympic Summer Games at Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

NBA Aims for Drama-Free Return to China After 6-Year Hiatus

The league looks to rebuild its presence in the populous country.
Mar 15, 2025; Buffalo, New York, USA; Vegas Golden Knights center Jack Eichel (9) reacts after scoring a goal during the third period against the Buffalo Sabres at KeyBank Center.
October 8, 2025

How Connor McDavid’s Extension Set Off a Wave of Big-Money Deals

Several notable contracts are completed in the wake of the superstar’s deal.
Bad Bunny performs on stage for his “Most Wanted Tour” at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., Saturday, May 11, 2024.
October 9, 2025

Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA to Run Alternate Super Bowl Halftime Show

Group announces “The All-American Halftime Show” on Feb. 8.
Sponsored

How Jenny Just Is Shaping the Future of Sports Ownership

Jenny Just on bringing her investment experience to sports ownership.
Alexis Ohanian
October 8, 2025

Alexis Ohanian Tweaks Track Rivals With Promise of Instant Payments

Athletes will be paid minutes after finishing their races at Athlos.
exclusive
October 8, 2025

Bud Selig: ‘Remarkable’ Brewers Run Can’t Mask MLB’s Money Divide

The former commissioner lauds his hometown team while raising economic concerns.
October 8, 2025

MLB’s Rare October Day: Four Playoff Games, Four Possible Clinchers

Four separate clinching opportunities are available during the day.
October 7, 2025

‘Absolutely Ridiculous’: Trump Blasts NFL Over Bad Bunny Choice

The president predictably panned the NFL’s selection of the Puerto Rican superstar.