Petchey Takes Aim at the Critics
With the US Open at Flushing Meadows already generating headlines for all the wrong reasons, coach-turned-pundit Mark Petchey has stepped forward to defend the state of tennis. Surge pricing on tickets, noisy celebrity attendees, and a crowded match schedule have all drawn criticism during the early days of the Grand Slam, but Petchey is not buying the doom-and-gloom narrative.
Taking to social media, the former coach of Andy Murray and Emma Raducanu acknowledged the familiar complaints that surface at every major event. Too many matches, too many late finishes, too expensive, and too many social media personalities crowding the courts. But he urged fans and fellow pundits to look at the bigger picture, pointing to record popularity, rising television ratings, and tournament sell-outs as proof that something is clearly working. His message was direct: tennis is the greatest annual global sporting calendar in the world, and it deserves more celebration than criticism.
Support Rolls In From Around the Tour
Petchey was far from alone in his assessment. Coaching heavyweight Brad Gilbert responded with approving emojis, while Australian coach Roger Rasheed added his own sharp take in the comments. Rasheed, who has worked with Lleyton Hewitt, Gael Monfils, and Grigor Dimitrov, pointed out that complaints about too many matches only really apply to a tiny group of players, and those players are having excellent seasons almost by definition.
The sentiment rings especially true in 2026, when top names including Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have missed extended stretches through injury, making every appearance from the elite tier feel more precious than ever. TennisDraw users tracking the US Open draw have been keeping a close eye on how those absences reshape the bracket picture.
