• Loading stock data...
Sunday, July 13, 2025

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

Apr 6, 2024; Miami, Florida, USA; The LIV Golf logo is on display along the 10th hole during the second round of LIV Golf Miami golf tournament at Trump National Doral.

LIV Golf’s New Leadership Reapplies for World Ranking Points

The league’s first attempt was denied in 2023.

All-Star Game Returns to Atlanta With Big Plans After 2021 Exit

The league’s jewel event is set to be a global showcase for The Battery.
Jul 10, 2025; Wimbledon, United Kingdom; Iga Swiatek of Poland at her on court interview after winning her match against Belinda Bencic of Switzerland on day 11 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club.

Wimbledon Set to Deliver Strong Finals Matchup for ESPN

Novak Djokovic is still in the hunt for his 25th Grand Slam.

Featured Today

May 31, 2025; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Sydney McLaughin-Levrone (USA) reacts before the women's 100m hurdles during the Grand Slam Track Philadelphia at Franklin Field
exclusive

Track’s New Money Is Running Into Old Problems

The sport’s big-money era has hit some speed bumps in 2025.
Bobbleheads are seen at Vintage Indy Sports, Tuesday, April 29, 2025 in Speedway. The local sports memorabilia store opened recently.
July 12, 2025

Baseball’s Bobbleheads Are the Center of the Collectibles Universe

Baseball’s most important keepsake drives long lines—and big business.
Rimouski, QC - JUNE 1: Final Game of the 2025 Memorial Cup between the Medicine Hats Tigers and the London Knights on June 1, 2025, at the Colisée Financière Sun Life in Rimouski, Qc.
July 11, 2025

CHL Is Facing a ‘Pandora’s Box’ of Questions Amid NCAA Talent Departure

As players defect to college, the Canadian Hockey League won’t cede ground.
Jun 28, 2025; Arlington, Texas, USA; Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (29) bats during the game between the Texas Rangers and the Seattle Mariners at Globe Life Field.
July 9, 2025

The Torpedo Bat Business Is Still Going Strong: ‘Here to Stay’

Demand for the oddly shaped bats has stayed strong across the sport.
Stephen Curry celebrates after sinking the winning putt during the final round of the American Century Celebrity Championship golf tournament at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Stateline, Nev., Sunday, July 16, 2023.

Golf’s Hottest Celebrity Tournament Keeps Getting More Exclusive

The American Century Championship tees off at Lake Tahoe on Friday.
May 28, 2025; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder forward Chet Holmgren (7) and guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates during the second quarter against the Minnesota Timberwolves in game five of the western conference finals for the 2025 NBA Playoffs at Paycom Center.
July 10, 2025

How Does the NBA Salary Cap Work?

The NBA salary cap gives teams a spending limit for their rosters.
Bruce Meyer and Tony Clark of the MLBPA
July 10, 2025

MLB, Players’ Union Spar Over Salary Cap As Labor Fight Looms

The MLB Players Association’s No. 2 executive outlines what he sees owners doing.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

Dealmaker Jeffrey Kaplan maps the evolution of sports as an asset class
Feb 5, 2025; New Orleans, LA, USA; NFLPA executive director Lloyd Howell during the NFLPA press conference at the Super Bowl LIX media center at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center.
July 10, 2025

NFLPA Head Has Side Hustle With PE Firm That Can Invest in..

The NFLPA’s executive director is embroiled in multiple controversies.
July 10, 2025

Murphy: Club WC Snags Won’t Derail Biggest Event ‘in Human History’

New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is the concluding site of both FIFA events.
Crystal Palace FC
July 10, 2025

Crystal Palace’s Europa League Spot in Limbo After Lyon Wins Appeal

The ruling on Olympique Lyonnais was overturned this week on appeal.
July 9, 2025

U.K. Appoints New Soccer Regulator, EPL Matches Stay Behind Paywall

Men’s soccer in England will receive new levels of oversight.