To be a tennis fan, you have to know how to ignore the 365-day calendar everyone else lives by.
In the 1980s, I can remember trying to explain to non-fan friends of mine why the men’s Masters tournament in New York, which took place each January, was actually the final event of the year that had just ended. I don’t think I ever came up with a plausible answer. Basically, the sport couldn’t fit itself into 12 months.
Over the last few days, spending time with family after Christmas, I’ve found myself doing the same thing with the United Cup. Despite starting on December 27th, 2024, the team competition in Australia is meant to be the kick-off event of 2025. The sport still can’t fit itself inside the calendar. The more we talk about shortening the schedule, the longer it gets.
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not here to complain. A new season, whenever it starts, always brings new storylines, and this year especially there are plenty to follow right out of the gate. For now, Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, are keeping their powder dry, but with the Australian Open coming up fast—it begins earlier than normal, on January 11th—most of the rest of the game’s stars are already in action, many of them with new coaches in tow.
Here are seven reasons to tune in to the new tennis season on week one.
