Tennis is a sport that, despite entertaining billions worldwide, still has so many problems it needs to fix.
Both supporters and players will have huge grievances that often go unanswered when these issues are as clear as day.
Whether it be issues with the scheduling or an inability to properly market its biggest stars, the last few years have admittedly seen an increase in players lobbying for change when needed.
However, there is one lesser-mentioned problem that, whilst not an everyday complication, can be completely overwhelming when it does rear its ugly head.
Danielle Collins wants someone to do something about it.
The tennis rule that Danielle Collins wants to change
Speaking on the Tennis Channel just last week, she was vocal in her issues with the lack of a ‘wind rule’ in tennis.
Few sports can be as negatively impacted by the wind as tennis, which can completely shift the make-up of a match, reducing the quality and therefore the spectacle for fans.
If you could change one rule in tennis what would it be and why?
Collins, using an example from her playing career, recalled: “Oh, my goodness. Flashback, I think, to 2017 in Norman, Oklahoma at an ITF, a $25,000 event, playing against Sofia Kenin.
“I’m guessing the winds were up to 60 miles per hour that match. At one point, the referee’s chair blew over, trash cans, balls were flying. The net came out from under the ground at one point, and they ended up moving us indoors.
“I did get the win over Kenin. Made it to the finals, and then, yeah, the next day was just as windy, and we played outside against Sachia Vickery.
“Yeah, that’s the crazy thing about tennis, is we don’t have a wind rule. We need one.”
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Lindsay Davenport, who sat beside her on the Tennis Channel panel, concurred: “We need one. It’s impossible to play in the wind.”
Fortunately, the ATP has made a great rule change for 2026, marking a small step in the right direction for one of tennis’ governing bodies.
Aryna Sabalenka’s reaction to windy conditions in French Open final
Just last year, one of the biggest matches on the WTA circuit was massively impacted by wind, as Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff took to Philippe-Chatrier in search of a first French Open title.
The conditions in the stadium were volatile, as a wicked gale swirled around the arena.
However, the Belarusian’s inability to adapt saw her surrender a one-set lead and lose the final.
Afterwards, she admitted: “It was honestly the worst tennis I’ve played in I don’t know how many months.
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“Conditions were terrible, and she simply was better in these conditions than me.
“I cannot go out there every time against her in the finals of the Grand Slam and play such terrible tennis.
“It felt like a joke, honestly, like somebody from above was just there laughing saying, ‘let’s see if you can handle this’.”
Sabalenka’s controversial comments about her loss to Gauff were not received well, but had there been a wind rule to force the clash indoors, it’s unlikely that she would have collapsed as she did.
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