Pre-Wimbledon Quotebook and Notebook

A wide variety of takes and topics from tennis stars during media weekend, on the eve of Wimbledon 2025.

A member of the Ground Staff paints the lines on Court 8 ahead of The Championships 2025. (Photo credit: AELTC/Kieran Cleeves)

WIMBLEDON, England — It’s the eve of the year’s third Grand Slam event, and I am delighted to bring you a bevy of voices from the interview rooms as Wimbledon 2025 fast approaches.

This will be similar to other notebook columns I’ve done before—which have proven popular previously—only this one is more of a mix of preview and wrap-up since it’s at the outset of the tournament. But there was a lot to wrap up from the dozens of interviews I attended at Wimbledon during “Media Weekend,” and I’m delighted to bring Bounces subscribers a greatest hits selection here, with this rough track list:

• Ons Jabeur on reactions to her impassioned open letter during the French Open

• Naomi Osaka on her coach Patrick Mouratoglou saying there are “no major stars” in women’s tennis right now.

• Chatter around the star-studded mixed doubles competition at the U.S. Open, including honesty from Jannik Sinner, high confidence from Taylor Fritz, and exasperation from Madison Keys.

• How Iga Swiatek is finding her footing on grass.

• Matteo Berrettini, the grass specialist we didn’t quite get (yet).

• Ben Shelton’s updated thoughts on interviews.

• Carson Branstine’s confidence—and portfolio—ahead of her match against Sabalenka.

• A Frances Tiafoe name dropped in a rap track.

Over 4,000 words below for Bounces subscribers only, hope you can check them out! Happy Wimbledon everybody!