Yesterday, NYC–based investment firm Blue Owl Capital built on its unique US Open advertising strategy with a marquee tennis sponsorship spanning all four Grand Slams. The company will focus on partnering with lower-ranked challengers to optimize its bets for outsized ROI, while also leveling the endorsement playing field court.

The Australian Open — tennis’ first Grand Slam of the year — began in Melbourne last night, so today, we’re serving up all you need to know as the tourney continues this morning. Start practicing your Aussie slang and accent, and walkabout through this year’s preview.

Last March, the WTA established WTA Ventures, a unique strategic partnership with CVC Capital Partners to create a commercial branch of the women’s tennis tour dedicated to boosting revenue and ROI for the tour. And now the results are in: WTA Ventures increased its revenue by 24% in its first year, setting a new record for the tour.

Tennis legend Rafael Nadal officially retired yesterday following Spain’s quarter-final exit from the Davis Cup, marking the end of his career with a final pro match loss to world No. 80 Botic van de Zandschulp.

The World Cup of women’s tennis is underway in Spain, with 12 nations battling for the title and a slice of the groundbreaking $9.6M purse as the BJK Cup offers equal prize money to the Davis Cup Finals (the men’s tourney equivalent) for the third consecutive year.

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Finals (the last tournament of the WTA Tour) is underway, with two standout players already clinching their spot in the semis and a stacked doubleheader set for this morning. Now that’s a serve.

The WTA Finals are well underway in Riyadh as Saudi Arabia serves as a first-time host. The tournament competition is heating up, but so is the controversy around holding it in the country, leaving questions about whether the move was truly worth it for the WTA and its partners.

Honey Deuce season is almost over, but before it officially comes to an end, the US Open has three days of action — today’s men’s semis, tomorrow’s women’s final, and Sunday’s men’s final — on the docket. Two first-time US Open winners will be crowned by the weekend’s end.

Blink and you’ll miss it — the US Open quarter-finals (QFs) are already halfway done. Here are a few of the major moments since our last newsletter and what to look forward to on the blue hard courts today.

The 2024 US Open has already seen record attendance this year, and ESPN is leaning in. On Wednesday, the sports channel announced a new 12-year media rights extension with the United States Tennis Association (USTA) to remain the Grand Slam’s exclusive broadcaster through 2037.

It’s still early in the tournament, but record-setting crowds are pouring in to watch week one of the US Open, where there’s already been shocking upsets and triumphant debuts on the famous blue hard courts of Queens, NY. Aces all around.

The US Open’s main draws may be happening this week, but the year’s final Grand Slam drew historic crowds last week thanks to its Fan Week activations. On Friday, the United States Tennis Association (USTA) told Sports Business Journal it’s targeting a record crowd of 1M over a three-week period — and seems to be on the right track.