Five Point Friday

December 5, 2025

Here’s your roundup of the five most interesting things I’m enjoying or thinking about this week in tennis.

1.) My Pure Strike 98 16×19 Review

I’ve wrapped up my full playtest of Babolat’s Gen4 Pure Strike 98 16×19, and the update brings a few light, yet meaningful tweaks without drifting from the line’s core identity. It still leans into modern control, but the feel is more refined, and the response is noticeably more consistent across the stringbed. If you’re curious how it compares to the 3rd generation or whether it fits your game, the full review walks through the details, recommended strings, and who’s most likely to get the best results with it.

2.) Serena Steps Back In Testing Pool

Serena Williams is back in the ITIA testing pool, a prerequisite for any retired player who wants to keep the option of competing again. She’d be eligible to return by mid-2026 after completing six months of out-of-competition testing, though she quickly jumped online to say she’s not planning a comeback. Still, the paperwork, timing, and process add up to a genuinely interesting development for someone who has been clear about stepping away. Ben Rothenberg’s piece unpacks the mechanics behind it and why her status sparked a fair amount of speculation.

Get The Scoop On Serena’s Testing News

3.) Wimbledon Centre Court… In Lego

This week’s most satisfying visual: a next-level Lego build of Wimbledon’s Centre Court from @bjorn_to_borg. The model includes incredible details that any fan can appreciate, including the Royal Box, Rufus, a Pimm’s stand, and some of the game’s iconic players, all captured with impressive precision. It took the fan 6 years to finish, comprised of over 40,000 pieces. It’s epic.

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A post shared by Luka Petrovic (@bjorn_to_borg)

4.) Vondrousova on Doping Protocols

Marketa Vondrousova shared a detailed account of a late-evening visit from a doping control officer that took place outside her declared testing window. She said she follows the whereabouts rules closely but felt this instance crossed a line, especially when the official told her the timing “doesn’t matter.” Her post adds another example to the ongoing debate about how inconsistent testing protocols can feel in practice and why so many players say the system is harder to navigate than it appears on paper.

5.) The Big Andy Murray Interview

Andy Murray sat down for an extended conversation on The Tennis Podcast, and it’s a candid, deep dive. He talks through life off the tour, his brief stint coaching Novak Djokovic, how he views his career in hindsight, and what it was like facing Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic at their peaks. There’s also thoughtful discussion on the state of the sport, mixed with lighter moments about trophies, family life, and new hobbies. Perfect for the weekend.

November 21, 2025

Here’s my last roundup, just in case you missed it.

1.) Federer’s Hall of Fame Election

Roger Federer was officially elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame this week, a milestone that’s less surprising and somehow still hard to believe has arrived. Where does the time go? His resume reads like myth with 20 majors, 237 consecutive weeks at No. 1, and a legacy built on artistry as much as dominance. To celebrate his election to the Hall of Fame, Kim Clijsters was joined by over 20 fellow Hall of Famers to share their congratulations.

2.) Sinner’s Mindbending Stats

Jannik Sinner capped his season by winning the ATP Finals again, and the deeper you look, the harder it is to wrap your head around what he’s doing. He won 56.45% of all points he played in 2025, the highest season-long rate in ATP history. He’s also now won 20 straight sets in Turin across the last two events, becoming the first man to claim back-to-back ATP Finals titles without dropping a set. And maybe the wildest part: over the past month, he’s won more titles than sets lost. Crazy stuff. In the clip below, I share what is arguably one of the most crucial points from his 7-6(4), 7-5 win against Carlos Alcaraz in Turin. Enjoy!

Raising the roof in Turin 🔊

Sinner claims three games in a row to edge ahead in a back-and-forth second set#NittoATPFinals pic.twitter.com/bv16Gu7e2D

— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) November 16, 2025

3.) Moutet’s Between-the-Legs Disaster

Corentin Moutet tried a between-the-legs trick shot at 6–5, 15–15 in a Davis Cup tie… and it immediately backfired. Instead of a highlight, he handed Belgium a momentum swing that ultimately flipped the match, and he later admitted, “I feel like a clown,” his words, not mine. Fans love showmanship, but the Davis Cup’s intensity leaves little margin for error when competing for your country. The clip is brutal, the timing worse, but as far as unforgettable moments go, it’s right up there.

LE COUP ENTRE LES JAMBES MANQUÉ PAR CORENTIN MOUTET 😱🇫🇷

Le Français a ensuite perdu son service, et le set, quelques minutes plus tard face à Raphaël Collignon. 🇧🇪pic.twitter.com/adqYt1vSOC

— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) November 18, 2025

4.) Hewitt Father–Son Doubles Run

Lleyton Hewitt dusted off the racquets to play doubles with his 16-year-old son, Cruz, at the ATP Challenger event in Sydney. They won their opening match 6–1, 6–0, giving fans a rare father–son moment with both looking sharp. Unfortunately, that’s where the story ends as they bowed out in the quarterfinals, but it’s fun to see a past champion back on court competing.

5.) The Tour’s Content Conundrum

Hard Court published a sharp breakdown of the sport’s unique content problem: players want to build their brands, fans want better and more authentic access, but the tours hold the keys to what can be filmed at tournaments and heavily restrict access. Meanwhile, they struggle to deliver themselves. As the article points out, the challenge is magnified by the tour’s fragmented ecosystem, but it’s clear something’s gotta give.

Read the Insightful Article

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