Lob and Smash

Welcome to Lob and Smash, your go-to destination for all things Tennis, powered by the FanSided Network. At Lob and Smash, we focus on delivering high-quality Tennis news, insights, and unique articles. Our platform also acts as a hub for fans to unite, stay updated on the latest happenings, and engage in discussions about their love for the sport.

National

English

Online/Digital

Outlet metrics

Domain Authority

Ranking

Global

#1060592

United States

#286455

Sports/Tennis

#120

Traffic sources

Monthly visitors

Articles

Barcelona Open celebrates Holger Rune victory with worst closing ceremony ever

4 days ago | lobandsmash.com | Lee Vowell

So awful. Holger Rune might be ascending once again. Maybe he is re-ascending? Whatever the phrase should be, Carlos Alcaraz was likely stunned by the Dane's level of excellence during their Barcelona Open final on Easter day. Rune did not just slide by Alcaraz; he dominated him. The 7-6(6) 6-2 score speaks volumes. Rune outmatched Alcaraz and outhit him, too. The surprise is that while Alcaraz normally beats himself at times by taking far too many chances, Rune simply outright destroyed the Spaniard.
Alexander Zverev sends Ben Shelton home without any Easter eggs

4 days ago | lobandsmash.com | Lee Vowell

What took him so long? Alexander Zverev has blown it. With Jannik Sinner serving a three-month suspension from February until early May, the German could have made up a great deal of ground in the ATP rankings. He failed at every attempt, many of those on his favorite surface, clay.
Deja Vu: Winless Iga Swiatek faces Jelena Ostapenko for the 6th time

6 days ago | lobandsmash.com | Wendi Oliveros

Will Swiatek finally beat Ostapenko for the first time in her career at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix? It has become the norm for tennis fans to check the tournament draw to see if Iga Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko are on a crash course to meet again. Ostapenko has dominated Swiatek in five previous meetings. She was brimming with confidence when she dismissed Swiatek in Doha in February.
Serena Williams drops some harsh truth about Jannik Sinner

1 week ago | lobandsmash.com | Lee Vowell

Is she right? Tennis had a doping problem in 2024. The soon-to-be ATP No. 1 failed two drug tests at Indian Wells in March. While he was initially found not guilty of any wrongdoing by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, that would later change. Former WTA No. 1 Iga Swiatek also failed a drug test and was suspended for a month. This was an ugly look for the sport. Plus, Swiatek being suspended and Sinner initially not made things even worse.
Maria Sakkari hires familiar face in hopes recent failures turn to future successes

1 week ago | lobandsmash.com | Wendi Oliveros

The change to Sakkari's team effective immediately Maria Sakkari is adding a familiar face to her team, reuniting with Tom Hill, effective immediately. Sakkari has struggled with injuries and confidence. She wants to recreate the magic she had with Hill. Hill is best known for his previous work with Sakkari from 2018 to 2024. He also worked with Danielle Collins and, most recently, with Peyton Stearns. They recently parted ways, and Stearns has been employing unusual ways to find a new coach.
Patrick Mouratoglou's common-sense approach to tennis reform

1 week ago | lobandsmash.com | Wendi Oliveros

Mouratoglou breaks down the biggest issues that affect professional tennis in the modern eraPatrick Mouratoglou is a tennis veteran. The 54-year-old has been coaching since 1999 but is perhaps best known for his ten-year tenure (from 2012-2022) coaching Serena Williams. Because of his long coaching career, he has a lot of insight into the state of the game.
Art imitates life: Serena Williams will executive produce Netflix tennis series

1 week ago | lobandsmash.com | Wendi Oliveros

Is it fiction or is it reality? Art is imitating true life for tennis legend Serena Williams. Williams will be the executive producer of the Netflix series based on Taylor Jenkins Reid's bestselling 2022 book Carrie Soto Is Back. The book follows 37-year-old retired tennis star Carrie Soto as she returns to the WTA Tour to preserve her Grand Slam record. It is a beloved book for tennis fans because Jenkins Reid beautifully describes travel and behind-the-scenes action on the WTA Tour.
Reilly Opelka's startling revelation regarding the ATP and PTPA lawsuit

1 week ago | lobandsmash.com | Wendi Oliveros

Opelka says he was threatened by ATP at the Miami Open. The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA) issued a lawsuit against the ATP, WTA, and ITF tennis entities on March 18, 2025, as the Miami Open early rounds of play were getting underway. Reilly Opelka is one of the players listed by name on the lawsuit. The PTPA's 163 page legal document lists issues the organization claims it has been discussing with the ATP, WTA, and ITF for years, but it has not made any progress.
2 winners (and 2 losers) from 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters

1 week ago | lobandsmash.com | Lee Vowell

Who rose and who fell? The 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters is over, and the tournament might have mostly turned out how most thought it would. Carlos Alcaraz took the title. He wasn't perfect, but he was obviously the most skilled player in the tournament. What was odd was that it seemed as if Alcaraz needed to lose a set in most matches to become great. This happened in three of his five matches, including the final against Lorenzo Musetti.
In-season coaching changes have become the new normal in tennis

1 week ago | lobandsmash.com | Wendi Oliveros

Sometimes a change is all you need. Remember the good old days when tennis players kept the same coaches throughout their careers? We are far removed from those days. Tennis players have longer careers and teams of people to help them prepare for the rigors of competing. In recent years, coaching changes have become more plentiful, but usually at the end of the season, similar to how NFL teams remove their coaches. The new wave is to fire, replace, or refine the coaching team during the season.