Politics and power in the global tennis circuit.

This article examines the intersection of professional tennis and international politics, challenging the sport’s claim of political neutrality by analyzing how tennis functions as a global circuit—a concept describing interconnected social relations, practices, and power dynamics across multiple scales. Through case studies such as Novak Djokovic’s politically charged on-court camera messages, the Australian Open’s handling of COVID-19 and geopolitical controversies, the US Open’s engagement with issues of race, gender, and activism, and Wimbledon’s navigation of tradition and national identity amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine, the article demonstrates that tennis is deeply embedded in contemporary political struggles. It argues that the global tennis circuit reflects and perpetuates broader societal tensions related to nationalism, colonial legacies, commercial interests, social inclusion, and geopolitical conflicts. The article positions tennis as a valuable case study for International Relations scholars interested in the complex ways sport intersects with power, identity, and global affairs.