Happy Friday, everyone! Welcome to the 5 Setter, your weekly rally through the top stories in tennis, racket sports, culture, and beyond.

 1️⃣ Roland-Garros Delivers Ratings Surge

Gauff & Alcaraz Deliver: Coco Gauff and Carlos Alcaraz didn’t just win titles in Paris, they served up a ratings smash for TNT. The network’s first-ever French Open broadcast peaked at 2.6 million U.S. viewers during the men’s final, making it the most-watched Roland-Garros final in four years.

America Tuned In For Coco: Gauff’s Saturday comeback pulled in an average of 1.5 million American viewers, a 94% jump from last year’s women’s final. It’s the biggest U.S. audience for a women’s French Open final since Serena Williams competed in 2016.

A Grand Slam Start for TNT: In total, TNT posted a 25% ratings boost compared to 2024. It’s clear: the network’s new tennis era is off to a flying start, with stars, storylines, and fans all showing up in full force.

2️⃣ Grass Court Equality Grows In The U.K.

Key Takeaway: The LTA made a major move for pay equality in British tennis. By 2029, women will earn the same prize money as men at both Queen’s Club and Eastbourne—two of the U.K.’s top grass-court tournaments.

A Comeback & An Upgrade: For the first time in 52 years, women’s tennis returned to Queen’s Club this week with a new WTA 500 event and a record-breaking $1.4 million purse. The new Andy Murray Arena was also unveiled.

Eastbourne’s WTA 250 tournament now has highest prize pot in its category. LTA CEO Scott Lloyd says they’re aiming for equal pay “as soon as possible,” and the early momentum suggests the tennis world is ready.

Record Payout: Wimbledon has increased its prize money pool for 2025 to $72.59 million, a 7% increase from last year. Each singles champion will receive $4.07 million, the highest across all Grand Slams and a 11.1% increase on the prize money that Carlos Alcaraz and Barbora Krejcikova took home last year.

A New Era of Support: The WTA just introduced a groundbreaking rule aimed at supporting players who pursue fertility treatments. Under the new policy, athletes who freeze their eggs or embryos will be eligible for a Special Entry Ranking (SER) that allows them to enter up to three WTA 500 or 250 events upon returning to the tour.

Who's Eligible?: The program is open to players ranked No. 1 through No. 750 in singles or doubles, ensuring broad access across the tour. It’s the latest step in the WTA’s effort to create a more flexible, player-first environment—particularly for women balancing long-term career goals with future family planning.

Players Asked, WTA Answered: This move builds on earlier initiatives like paid maternity leave and fertility treatment grants. Among those applauding the update: 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens, who publicly advocated for such protections last year.

Star power: Fresh off a women’s doubles and mixed doubles title at the French Open—Italy’s own Olympic tennis champ Sara Errani made her debut at this year’s Premier Padel Italy Major. She said she plans to move full time into padel when her tennis career is finished.

Deal details: Padel’s BNL Italy Major is officially staying at the Foro Italico through 2030, thanks to a new long-term deal between the International Padel Federation and Premier Padel. The 2025 event concludes on June 15.

Why this matters: It locks in a world-class venue for padel’s future and adds star power as the sport continues to add tennis royalty.

5️⃣ Rafa’s Racket Breaks The Internet

Prized Possession: How much would you pay to own a piece of Rafa Nadal’s legendary legacy? One bidder dropped $157,000 on the racket Nadal used to win his 10th French Open title in 2017, setting a new record at the 2025 Legends Tennis Auction.

Match-Proven Greatness: This wasn’t just any racket—it’s been photo-matched to 24 different matches from Nadal’s epic 2017 season when he won six titles including two majors.

Record-Breaking Sale: This racket became the most expensive match-used tennis racket ever sold at the auction—surpassing Nadal’s 2022 Australian Open racket sale and the sale of Roger Federer’s 2004 Wimbledon-winning racket.

What To Watch For

HSBC Championships (WTA 500): As mentioned, this weekend will mark the first time women players will raise trophies at Queen’s Club in 52 years.

Boss Open at Stuttgart (ATP 250): 3 of the top 15 ranked men battle for their first grass title of 2025.

Libema Open at 's-Hertogenbosch (ATP & WTA 250): First tour-level event hosting both men and women on grass this season.

Premier Padel 2025 Italy Major: The best players in the world compete in the second major of 2025.

Full international WTA & ATP broadcast list.

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