James Hansen
@jameskhansen.bsky.social
senior managing editor, 🎾 @theathletic.bsky.social
Good by Giri. The most striking thing about Mboko for me is how damn fast she plays, and how that can propel her to wins or see her lose her serve in what feels like the 25-second window she has to hit one.
How that translates under greatly increased expectations will be ... Interesting
How that translates under greatly increased expectations will be ... Interesting
does this resonate with anyone else’s Victoria Mboko Experience
February 13, 2026 at 5:37 PM
Good by Giri. The most striking thing about Mboko for me is how damn fast she plays, and how that can propel her to wins or see her lose her serve in what feels like the 25-second window she has to hit one.
How that translates under greatly increased expectations will be ... Interesting
How that translates under greatly increased expectations will be ... Interesting
We are one match from the semifinals of the Australian Open and the most tense match of the tournament remains Elsa Jacquemot vs. Marta Kostyuk in R1
January 28, 2026 at 9:21 AM
We are one match from the semifinals of the Australian Open and the most tense match of the tournament remains Elsa Jacquemot vs. Marta Kostyuk in R1
Reposted by James Hansen
“I just expect them to read my mind.”
On the telepathy of tennis coaching ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
On the telepathy of tennis coaching ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Tennis players and coaches: The telepathy of tactics, emotional support – and jawing
Some players want ceaseless encouragement; some want silence; some want to vent — and it can change from point to point.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 12:02 PM
“I just expect them to read my mind.”
On the telepathy of tennis coaching ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
On the telepathy of tennis coaching ⬇️
www.nytimes.com/athletic/700...
Alexander Zverev deciding to accept variance in the fourth set of a match in which he just steamrolled a 20-year-old in their first Grand Slam quarterfinal? It checks out
January 27, 2026 at 5:45 AM
Alexander Zverev deciding to accept variance in the fourth set of a match in which he just steamrolled a 20-year-old in their first Grand Slam quarterfinal? It checks out
Weird, weird, weird approach shot from Zverev at 5-5
January 27, 2026 at 4:33 AM
Weird, weird, weird approach shot from Zverev at 5-5
WTA to investigate misconduct allegations against Peyton Stearns' new coach, Rafael Font de Mora.
Font de Mora denies wrongdoing.
Exclusive by @mattfutterman.bsky.social and @cdeccleshare.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Font de Mora denies wrongdoing.
Exclusive by @mattfutterman.bsky.social and @cdeccleshare.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Women’s tennis tour to investigate misconduct allegations against Peyton Stearns’ coach
They concern Rafael Font de Mora’s alleged misconduct and inappropriate relationships with players during his previous time on the tour.
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:37 AM
WTA to investigate misconduct allegations against Peyton Stearns' new coach, Rafael Font de Mora.
Font de Mora denies wrongdoing.
Exclusive by @mattfutterman.bsky.social and @cdeccleshare.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Font de Mora denies wrongdoing.
Exclusive by @mattfutterman.bsky.social and @cdeccleshare.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Incredible performance by Learner Tien to defenestrate Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev's ball did zero damage and Tien's did 100.
The fascinating part is that this feels seismic on both sides ... But the matchup is so specific that it probably isn't
The fascinating part is that this feels seismic on both sides ... But the matchup is so specific that it probably isn't
January 25, 2026 at 9:24 AM
Incredible performance by Learner Tien to defenestrate Daniil Medvedev. Medvedev's ball did zero damage and Tien's did 100.
The fascinating part is that this feels seismic on both sides ... But the matchup is so specific that it probably isn't
The fascinating part is that this feels seismic on both sides ... But the matchup is so specific that it probably isn't
Something striking about Mboko, Jović, Valentová and Bartůňková is how in tune with their strengths they are.
They so rarely try and force something that isn't in their interest on the court. They know what they are good at and they build their matches around it.
They so rarely try and force something that isn't in their interest on the court. They know what they are good at and they build their matches around it.
January 23, 2026 at 6:48 AM
Something striking about Mboko, Jović, Valentová and Bartůňková is how in tune with their strengths they are.
They so rarely try and force something that isn't in their interest on the court. They know what they are good at and they build their matches around it.
They so rarely try and force something that isn't in their interest on the court. They know what they are good at and they build their matches around it.
Mboko thinks she's hit an ace T, misses same-direction second serve way wide, cleans the line with a short backhand gets to net to take it.
A super match
A super match
January 23, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Mboko thinks she's hit an ace T, misses same-direction second serve way wide, cleans the line with a short backhand gets to net to take it.
A super match
A super match
Not only is Nikola Bartůňková a frighteningly good Muchová / Andreeva composite ... She has twice been bageled in the second set of matches, by vastly more experienced players, at her first Grand Slam, at 19 ... And has won them both.
January 22, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Not only is Nikola Bartůňková a frighteningly good Muchová / Andreeva composite ... She has twice been bageled in the second set of matches, by vastly more experienced players, at her first Grand Slam, at 19 ... And has won them both.
Incredible match. Valentová looked like she would run away with the third set, Fruhvirtová pegged her back, then Valentová went supernova down the stretch to take it
Valentová vs. Fruhvirtová is a future major final in-waiting if there is any tennis justice in the world. Incredible quality and point construction. Don't learn to serve too quickly please
January 22, 2026 at 8:49 AM
Incredible match. Valentová looked like she would run away with the third set, Fruhvirtová pegged her back, then Valentová went supernova down the stretch to take it
Valentová vs. Fruhvirtová is a future major final in-waiting if there is any tennis justice in the world. Incredible quality and point construction. Don't learn to serve too quickly please
January 22, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Valentová vs. Fruhvirtová is a future major final in-waiting if there is any tennis justice in the world. Incredible quality and point construction. Don't learn to serve too quickly please
Mirra Andreeva is absolutely hooping right now
January 21, 2026 at 8:42 AM
Mirra Andreeva is absolutely hooping right now
Reposted by James Hansen
Madison Keys returns to Australian Open and finds her clutch tennis right where she left it
www.nytimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:24 AM
Coco Gauff's serve may still be kind of all over the place in general but her slice to deuce court absolutely rips
January 19, 2026 at 12:57 AM
Coco Gauff's serve may still be kind of all over the place in general but her slice to deuce court absolutely rips
impeccable celebration no notes
Yulia Putintseva into a third set against a hostile crowd in the shape of Beatriz Haddad-Maia's Brazilian fans? It's going to be cinema
January 18, 2026 at 3:13 AM
impeccable celebration no notes
4-2, 40-0 up on No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev, Gabriel Diallo misses a regulation volley. It gets in his head and a double fault and two forehand shanks later, back on serve
January 18, 2026 at 2:54 AM
4-2, 40-0 up on No. 3 seed Alexander Zverev, Gabriel Diallo misses a regulation volley. It gets in his head and a double fault and two forehand shanks later, back on serve
Yulia Putintseva into a third set against a hostile crowd in the shape of Beatriz Haddad-Maia's Brazilian fans? It's going to be cinema
January 18, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Yulia Putintseva into a third set against a hostile crowd in the shape of Beatriz Haddad-Maia's Brazilian fans? It's going to be cinema
Will someone on her team please tell Victoria Mboko that she can slow down between pressure points
January 17, 2026 at 2:30 AM
Will someone on her team please tell Victoria Mboko that she can slow down between pressure points
Reposted by James Hansen
I wrote about an up-and-coming Swiss the mainstream is not yet aware of:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Tennis hangs on Roger Federer's every move. In Melbourne, he is holding court
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 11:44 AM
I wrote about an up-and-coming Swiss the mainstream is not yet aware of:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Reposted by James Hansen
I'll be doing some work for The Athletic during the Australian Open! I asked Jannik Sinner to reflect on the moment he considered quitting tennis today, and spun that into my first piece for them:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
'It’s tough to say because I know the ending': Jannik Sinner's return to a tournament of triumph and turmoil
www.nytimes.com
January 16, 2026 at 5:25 AM
I'll be doing some work for The Athletic during the Australian Open! I asked Jannik Sinner to reflect on the moment he considered quitting tennis today, and spun that into my first piece for them:
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Tension at the top of the women's draw is so interesting. Aryna Sabalenka, master of consistency but wrestling still with finals, has the kinder run than Iga Świątek, who is wrestling with her game but a master of finals
January 16, 2026 at 12:20 AM
Tension at the top of the women's draw is so interesting. Aryna Sabalenka, master of consistency but wrestling still with finals, has the kinder run than Iga Świątek, who is wrestling with her game but a master of finals
Sebástian Báez inheriting Jaume Munar's “wait, on hard courts???” role for 2026
January 15, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Sebástian Báez inheriting Jaume Munar's “wait, on hard courts???” role for 2026
The vibes-based analysis of the Świątek vs. Gauff head-to-head flip is getting worse and worse. Tennis fans deserve better than guff about mentality which doesn't even get the dynamics right!
January 10, 2026 at 12:30 PM
The vibes-based analysis of the Świątek vs. Gauff head-to-head flip is getting worse and worse. Tennis fans deserve better than guff about mentality which doesn't even get the dynamics right!
In the wake of Tennis Australia's deal with a Novak Djokovic-less PTPA, the other three majors met with the ATP and WTA behind closed doors to try and chart a way forward.
Exclusive from @mattfutterman.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Exclusive from @mattfutterman.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Three of Grand Slams and ATP, WTA hold secret London meetings over player lawsuit
The discussions are the latest installment in the sport's slow path toward meaningful change.
www.nytimes.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:37 PM
In the wake of Tennis Australia's deal with a Novak Djokovic-less PTPA, the other three majors met with the ATP and WTA behind closed doors to try and chart a way forward.
Exclusive from @mattfutterman.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...
Exclusive from @mattfutterman.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/athletic/695...