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Articles by Teodora Jovic
Men’s Soccer Secures Composed Win Over Oral Roberts, 1-0
(2-5-4, 0-1-1), with a penalty goal by fifth-year SPRINGFIELD - No. 8 Missouri State men's soccer (9-0-2, 3-0-1) beat Oral RobertsDiego Real sealing a 1-0 victory for the Bears on Wednesday night at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium. The Bears extend their unbeaten streak to 11 games, their longest since a 13-match run in 2024. Mo State also adds its fourth clean sheet of the season with the victory.
Honors Continue for Standout Real
Missouri State's fifth-year Diego Real has been awarded the American Conference Offensive Playerof the Week honor the league announced Monday, and a spot on the coveted 2026 Men's Hermann Trophy Midseason Watch List. Missouri State men's soccer team now boasts six total American Conference weekly award for the season. Real, hailing from Valencia, Spain, earned the Offensive Playerof the Week honor after a spectacular week on the pitch. Against Central Arkansas on Sept.
The international 'cap' dilemma
The collegiate sports community in the US has been rocked by recent discourse and uproar over the number of international athletes featured on sports rosters. One of the main sports involved in this heated topic is tennis, following the proposal of a 20 per cent international cap on American collegiate sports rosters by former professional player and U.S. Davis Cup captain, as well as analyst Patrick McEnroe. But what do the coaches behind the recruiting have to say about it?
Men’s Soccer Remains Undefeated, Topples Central Arkansas 2-0
SPRINGFIELD - No. 7 Missouri State men's soccer (8-0-1, 3-0-0) beat Central Arkansas(5-3-2, 2-0-1), with a dominant 2-0 scoreline on Tuesday night. Fifth-year forward Diego Real scored his sixth and seventh goals of the season with a brace at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium. The Bears extend their unbeaten streak to nine games, their longest since a 13-match run in 2024. "The guys were just locked in," said head coach Michael Seabolt.
The price of emotion: 'Why is it so surprising to see a player express anger?'
Aryna Sabalenka after losing the US Open final. (Getty/Sarah Stier) The 2026 US Open crowned its two new champions, Elena Rybakina on the women's side and Alex Zverev on the men's. However, it's the finalists and the starkly different reactions to their post-final reactions and behaviour that have the media in a stir. Aryna Sabalenka has once again faced a barrage of scrutiny, while Ben Shelton has received swarms of praise. What does this tell us about the price of "emotion" in tennis today?
No. 12 Men’s Soccer Ties With No. 16 Kansas City
SPRINGFIELD - No. 12 Missouri State men's soccer (5-0-1, 1-0-0) tied with No. 16 Kansas City (4-1-2), in a tightly contested 3-3 scoreline at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium on Wednesday night. The Bears extend their undefeated run to six games, their longest since 2024 when they went on a 13-match streak from 9/6/24 until 11/6/26. "There are definitely a lot of positive takeaways from tonight.
No. 19 Men’s Soccer Remains Undefeated, Beats FIU 2-1
SPRINGFIELD - No. 19 Missouri State men's soccer (5-0-0, 1-0-0) beat FIU (2-3-1, 0-1-0), overcoming an early goal deficit to prevail with a 2-1 scoreline in what was the American Conference opener for both teams at Betty and Bobby Allison South Stadium on Friday night. This marks the Bears fifth straight win. The last time Mo State accomplished this feat was back in 2024 with five straight victories from Oct. 1 - Oct. 20.
What do college coaches actually look for?
With the growing popularity of junior tennis players in Australia choosing the collegiate path, there is a whirlpool of information about what a player needs to do to get recruited. Much of the information available to players and parents is vague, expensive, or contradictory, which only confuses the process further. But what do actual collegiate coaches truly look for in their recruitment process?
Should tennis embrace becoming an increasingly 'team' sport?
You don't usually think of 'team' when you think of tennis, do you? Well, that's because tennis has always been known as an individual sport. Even though doubles utilises a pair, singles and the heightened individuality of the tennis environment have always been evident. But over the years, we have seen a variety of formats, leagues, and organisations embrace a team environment in tennis.
INTENNSE Tennis: Could it inspire Aussie tennis?
INTENNSE Tennis arena in Georgia. INTENNSE Tennis is a US professional tennis league that transforms the traditional tennis playing and viewing experience into a fast-paced, excitement-packed co-ed team adventure during the American summer months.
How country tennis is fuelling the future of the sport in Australia
Regional tennis communities in Australia, and particularly New South Wales, are receiving much-deserved improvements to facilities and opportunities to pave the way for many more Australian players to develop and hone their games on home turf. It is no secret that Australian players face constant disadvantages due to numerous factors, from geographical location to international playing opportunities.
Proposal for a post-college pathway in tennis
For many talented, young Aussie tennis players, going to college has become the "next step" after their junior career. But what happens next? These players are going from having four or more years of high-level competition, travel, and training to, all of a sudden, being all alone when it comes to what's next. And it is such a shame considering there is an incredible pool of talent in this post-collegiate squad that could seriously boost the level of professional Australian players on tour.
'On reflection, I wouldn't change a thing': Motivations linked to College tennis transfers
Wynee Warden Tennis Centre at Florida Southern College. Transferring in college has become a controversial topic of discourse in the collegiate tennis world. But the question of transferring for a player is never an easy one. So, how does a collegiate tennis player know it is time to hit the portal due to the coach, team, surroundings, or circumstances at their current program? Any collegiate athletic program, but especially a collegiate tennis team, is essentially a puzzle.
Benefits and ethical concerns of technology when it comes to injury prevention
Injuries have long been synonymous with the professional tennis scene, but it has become increasingly evident that tennis has shifted from reacting to injuries and toward preventing them through the utilisation of technology to analyse, track, improve, and maintain technique, physical and mental health, and performance.
Do former players always make the best coaches?
Mirra Andreeva learning from her coach, Conchita Martínez. (Getty/Tim Clayton) Can former players be decisive for current players when it comes to long-term success, and how does the dynamic in current partnerships work between coaches and former players turned coaches in relation to their players? The landscape of tennis coaching in professional tennis across both the WTA and ATP tours has evolved drastically over the decades.
International Women's Day: An Aussie update
Ajla Tomljanovic competing at the 2026 Indian Wells event. (Getty/George Walker) On Monday, March 9, we celebrated International Women's Day, and on this day, it is imperative to analyse how tennis is changing the landscape for women in sport in Australia, as well as the current climate of equality within women's tennis. Tennis has long played a role in advancing women's equality. In 1884, the All England Club finally permitted women to compete in the first major tennis tournament, Wimbledon.
Inside the epidemic of serious injuries in young tennis players
A young aspiring tennis player starts making waves in the tennis world, only to get hit with a serious injury that brings them to a screeching halt. It's a tale as old as time, yet it seems to be happening more frequently. Why is this so? Most recently, 22-year-old Holger Rune, who sits at No.15 in the ATP rankings, suffered a terrible Achilles injury during his semi-final at the Stockholm Open. He could not continue playing and, in tears, had to concede the match.
How does being a newcomer on the WTA tour compare today vs a decade ago?
The path for a newcomer on the WTA tour today looks very different from a decade ago. The trajectory of a tennis player to the pro tour has changed exponentially, not to mention the tour and everything that comes along with it. So just how different was the circuit for a WTA newcomer 10 years ago? Back then, the typical trajectory for a pro WTA player included progressing through the junior ITF level, then onto the professional ITF circuit, and working their way up to the WTA 250+ level.
'Every brand wants to do a tennis line': Serving fashion looks
Top tennis players are serving looks and aces. Following the 2025 US Open and the slow close of this year's tennis season, one thing is becoming apparent. Not only are our players and their teams becoming increasingly fashion-forward, but fashion is helping new fans appreciate the game. Tennis core has emerged as a fashion aesthetic that blends chic looks with functional movement. And it's catching on. Millions of views across social media platforms have been attributed to the hashtag, #tenniscore.
Fumi named the American Conference Offensive Player of the Week!
American Conference Men's Soccer Weekly Awards IRVING, Texas - Missouri State men's soccer senior Fumiya Shiraishi has been named the American Conference Offensive Player of the Week, the league announced Monday. This comes after he scored four stunning goals in MSU's 4-1 home opening win against Seattle on August 21. Shiraishi leads the nation in goals scored through the first week of the season. By scoring four goals, the forward from Japan tied a school record.
Is the tennis calendar feasible for players? And why are players being ignored?
The hectic tennis calendar across the ATP and WTA tours has been a topic of conversation among players, coaches and fans for a while now. Many criticise the sheer amount of tournaments paired with the quick turnaround times across different surfaces, where players are constantly on the road.
The bigger picture: Betting, social media and mental health in tennis
Social media has progressively infiltrated every aspect of the tennis world, shaping a new dynamic when it comes to the relationships between players, coaches and fans. The impact of social media on the game and players is multifaceted, but there are key issues that are currently presenting problems for players. The topics of both online betting and mental health are at the forefront, which have only exploded with the meteoric rise of social media.
How the UTR PTT is boosting Aussie tennis
UTR Pro Tennis Tour (PTT) events have gained traction here in Australia and are providing local and international players with professional playing opportunities that also provide exceptional financial benefits. These events involve a round-robin format, typically with twenty players engaged in a guaranteed minimum of five matches in a week.
Are the recent doping scandals shedding light on a deeper issue?
Over the past two years, the tennis world has been consistently rocked by players exposed for either testing positive or being involved in some sort of prohibited behaviour regarding doping. Last year, it was Iga Świątek and Jannik Sinner in the hot seat, and recently, Aussie Max Purcell accepted a hefty suspension. However, those cases have each been handled in diverse ways, with different implications for the players involved.
Does tennis need a fan code?
This year has already produced some impeccable tennis, ignited new rivalries and produced bright new hopes for the future. But something is continually dimming the light, and it’s not coming from the court. It's coming from the stands. Perhaps now more than ever, it is the behaviour of tennis fans and spectators coming under fire. Critics argue that fan and spectator behaviour is crossing the line and is disrespectful of players, umpires, and the sport in general.
Teen goes from battling severe cramps to taking down the GOAT as tennis welcomes a new star
Jakub Menšík stunned the tennis world with his inspiring Miami Open performance to capture his first ATP title with none other than a Masters 1000 crown. En route to the final, he toppled multiple seeds and top-10 opponents, including Jack Draper and Taylor Fritz. Then, in the final against Novak Djokovic, he stepped up to the plate and used poised aggression to overcome his idol, 7-6 (4) 7-6 (4). But who is the talented Czech, and how did he get here?
Affliction or assistance?
Throughout tennis history, Australia has always had representation in the upper echelons of the sport. One particularly intriguing aspect is the young talent that is always available. Teen prodigies stemming from Down Under have become synonymous with exciting new prospects to the rest of the world. But is being a teen prodigy helpful or detrimental for Aussie players? The case of the teen prodigy involves a young player who shows promise, talent, determination, but most importantly, results.
Will Rybakina's New Coach Orchestrate A Bright New Chapter?
Current World No.7 Elena Rybakina has a new coach in her camp, Italian former World No.42 Davide Sanguinetti. Rybakina’s coaching arrangements have been tumultuous, to say the least. She has faced public scrutiny over her continued involvement with former coach Stefano Vukov, with the WTA handing a one-year ban despite the former Wimbledon champion's continued support of him.
Emerson Jones Falls Short In Both Junior Singles And Doubles
Aussie hopeful Emerson Jones faced a tough day at the office, denied the chance to go one better than her final run last year as she lost her junior semi-final singles match to fourth-seed Japanese player Sonobe Wakana 6-3 6-4. Jones also faced defeat in the doubles final match with her British partner Hannah Klugman, losing to twin sisters and sixth-seeded Americans Annika Penickova and Kristina Penickova, 6-4 6-2. Wakana was in fine form, after also defeating Tahlia Kokkinis yesterday.
Aussies Fall Just Short As Wheelchair Finals Are Set
It was a big day of wheelchair action at Melbourne Park, as many players booked their place in finals. In the Junior Boys singles round-robin, Australian Benjamin Wenzel lost to first-seeded American Charlie Cooper 6-2 6-4. The first seed raced off with the opening set, taking four straight games from a 2-2 deadlock. The second set was neck-and-neck with both players holding serve until 4-4, before the American proved too strong, taking the final two games to wrap up the match.
Women's And Girls' Day At The Australian Open
Today is Women’s and Girls' Day at the Australian Open, a day to celebrate women in tennis and help promote further inclusion and equality within the sport. Before the two exciting women’s singles semi-final match-ups on Rod Laver Arena tonight, The AO Inspirational Series will feature key-note speakers including Caroline Wozniacki and Sophie Delezio. Click here to watch live tennis on Stan Sport.
Around The Pressers, AO Day 10
Day 10 produced some incredible tennis, upsets, and memorable quotes from the press conferences of Australian Open players. Spanish 11th seed Paula Badosa stunned third-seed American Coco Gauff with a stunning 7-5, 6-4 victory to achieve her first-ever Grand Slam semi-final. Click here to watch live tennis on Stan Sport. Even though she was locked in a tough battle, she tried to appreciate the moment and soak in the atmosphere of the match.
Gallant Effort Not Enough for Cruz Hewitt; Aussie No.1 Seed Prevails
Cruz Hewitt had a showdown against first-seeded Czech Jan Kumstát, who has started his campaign looking to do one better than his appearance in the Australian Open junior final last year. In front of a packed and boisterous Court 3 crowd, Kumstát took the first set comfortably with solid tennis and a cool demeanour. The second set saw the Aussie put up a fight to come back from a break down early in the set. He pushed the Czech to a tie-break, going up 3-1.
Next-Gen Take-Over at Melbourne Park
The Happy Slam has given us some incredible upsets at the hands of a new era of up-and-coming male players looking to take over from the current batch of older, more experienced counterparts. A group of next-generation stars - who came through the 2024 ATP Next Gen Finals together - have all made headlines at this year's Australian Open. 19-year-old American qualifier Learner Tien caused the most shocking upset of the week, ousting the fifth-seeded Daniil Medvedev 6-3, 7-5, 6-7 (8), 1-6, 7-6 (7).
What Can We Expect?
Australia’s last remaining hope in singles play is eighth-seed Alex de Minaur, who will face American 20-year-old Alex Michelsen in a highly anticipated fourth-round clash. De Minaur dominated in his first two matches against Dutchman Botic van de Zandschulp, 6-1, 7-5, 6-4, and American qualifier Tristan Boyer, 6-2, 6-4, 6-3 winning both matches swift and assertive fashion.
Jones Begins AO Quest; Cruz Sets Up Showdown With No.1
The Australian Open Juniors got underway today with a large group of Aussie girls and boys competing in their opening rounds. Tournament first-seed and Australian hopeful Emerson Jones took on Anastasia Lizunova to start her Australian Open Juniors campaign after her first-round appearance in the main draw. Both girls held serve until Jones took the initiative and broke in the sixth game forcing errors off the racquet of Lizunova to lead 4-2.
De Minaur Defeats Boyer, Eyes Third-Round Danger
Alex de Minaur won his second-round match convincingly against American qualifier Tristan Boyer 6-2 6-4 6-3 to book his ticket to the round of 32. Boyer comes from the town of Altadena, close to Los Angeles, which has been seriously affected by the relentless fires in California. Prior to the match, the American shared that his family needed to evacuate their home but continued to support him regardless of the circumstances. Click here to watch live tennis on Stan Sport.
Habib Attracts Legion Of Lebanese Support
Lebanese fans flocked to Court 3 as early as James Duckworth’s match against Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena began today, in an attempt to secure a seat for Hady Habib’s match against 14th-seed Frenchman Ugo Humbert. Click here to watch live tennis on Stan Sport. Fans waiting in lines outside Court 3 today expressed their amazement and awe at Habib’s success. "It’s actually remarkable to see one of my fellow countrymen make it this far in a Grand Slam," one fan said.
De Minaur Dominates, Injured Popyrin Suffers Upset
Eighth-seed Alex de Minaur started his Australian Open campaign in stunning fashion, beating Botic van de Zandschulp, but Alexei Popyrin struggled with injury and sickness as he exited the tournament. With strong crowd support on Rod Laver Arena, de Minaur applied early pressure, forcing long rallies that the Dutchman couldn't keep up with. The 25-year-old forced errors from the racquet of Van De Zandschulp, taking two breaks to go up 5-0 swiftly.
Wildcard Delight As Aussie Schoolkate Fights For AO First
Aussie wildcard Tristan Schoolkate clawed back from a one-set deficit to beat Japan’s Taro Daniel 6-7 (8), 7-6 (4), 6-1, 6-4. He capped off his triumph by winning eight straight points at the end of the match to secure his spot in the second-round. Schoolkate lost the first in a tough tiebreak despite having the upper hand and leading 5-2. But he got revenge in the second set after phenomenal serving by both players forced another tiebreak.
Gauff Touches On 'Weight Of Pressure'; Breezes Past Former AO Winner
Not often do you see two Grand Slam champions face off in the first-round of a Slam, let alone two country women, but that is exactly what happened today on Rod Laver Arena, with American third-seed Coco Gauff taking out 2020 Australian Open winner Sofia Kenin. But Gauff proved too strong in crucial moments, setting up a second-round match against Great Britain’s Jodie Burrage. The 20-year-old is looking to improve on her semi-final appearance last year.
AO 'Feels Home' For Zheng As She Seeks To Go One Better
Fifth-seed and 2024 Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng admits the Australian Open "feels home" in the hope of using the Chinese support to her advantage. Zheng started her Melbourne Park campaign with a 7-6(3) 6-1 victory against Romanian qualifier Anca Todoni under the roof at Rod Laver Arena. Last year's Paris Olympics singles gold medalist looks to carry the momentum from a break-out 2024 season into the year's first Grand Slam.
Djokovic Embraces Change
In November, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray announced via social media that the latter would become Djokovic’s new coach, and the tennis world was shocked. "It’s time for one of my toughest opponents to step into my corner," Djokovic stated over narration in the social media clip. "Welcome aboard coach Andy Murray." Click here to watch live tennis on Stan Sport. In yesterday's press conference, Djokovic opened up about how the partnership came about.
Demon Hopes 'Tunnel Vision' Can Help Achieve Career-First
Alex de Minaur is Australia’s biggest hope coming into the start of the 2025 Australian Open, but can he achieve a career-first? The 25-year-old vows to end a 49-year drought and become the first Aussie man since Mark Edmondson in 1976 to win the Open. He currently sits at No.8 in the ATP rankings and is the same seed at this year's Australian Open after a career-best season last year.
Aiava Digs Deep To Earn Main Draw Ticket
24-year-old Destanee Aiava earned a brilliant result in the final round of Australian Open qualifying, defeating Germany’s 23rd seed Eva Lys in a gripping three-set battle. Aiava stormed out of the blocks with a double break to secure a 4-0 lead in the first set, using a variety of powerful baseline play with drop shots that left the German guessing. The world No.195 kept stepping into the court, taking time away from Lys to close out the first set 6-1 in just over half an hour.
What Can We Expect For The 2025 Australian Open?
The 2025 Australian Open is just around the corner, with the first Grand Slam of the year kicking off in less than two months. Melbourne Park is set to once again host three weeks of the highest level of tennis for fans around the world from the 6th to the 26th of January. After an incredible rollercoaster of a 2024 season, what are we set to witness at the 113th edition of the AO? Furthermore, can Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka defend their titles?
Who Will Make It To The WTA Finals?
The 2024 WTA Finals will showcase the world's top-eight women's singles players and doubles teams. This year’s standout players will fight for the year-end championship held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, for the first time on November 2-9. The rules regarding qualification are as follows: The top seven singles players and doubles teams on the leaderboard will qualify. The eighth spot is awarded to the highest-ranked Grand Slam winner/winning team ranked No.8 to No.20.
Are Former Players The Best Picks For Commentary And Analysis?
In tennis, it has become increasingly popular to see former players make the transition from the tour to the press box and become broadcasters/hosts commentators and analysts. Whether it be due to retirement, injury, or simply a change of scenery we are seeing familiar faces back on our screens covering some of the biggest events in tennis. From John McEnroe to Jelena Dokic, many former and current players have made the switch to the media or are currently combining whilst still playing.
Can Zheng Qinwen Usher In A New Era For Women's Tennis?
2024 has provided us with some incredible new female tennis stars who have broken through to the upper echelons of the sport. Zheng Qinwen defied all odds to claim the 2024 Paris Olympics Gold medal. In doing so she became the first Asian tennis player to win singles Olympic gold. Can her victory usher in a new era of breakthrough stars in women’s tennis? China’s Zheng Qinwen’s gold medal carried not only merit but grit and determination throughout her entire Olympic campaign.
Is Technology Helping Or Hindering Tennis?
Tennis, as we know it today, has come a long way from its wooden racquet and ankle-length skirt origins. The game that we see today has transformed thanks to many factors, but one arguably takes the cake. And that factor is technology. From hawk-eye line calling to graphite racquets, we have various technologies to thank for creating a game that is virtually unrecognizable each decade. The improvements across all areas of pre-, during, and post-play for athletes, coaches, and fans are immeasurable.
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