Ben Shelton and Alex de Minaur have recently started YouTube channels.
And they aren’t the only ones…
Several big names in men’s and women’s tennis have begun making content on the social media platform, bringing fans closer to the action.
How do you feel about Carlos Alcaraz’s dominance of men’s tennis right now?
Is it at risk of making the men's game boring?
But what does this mean for tennis?
Well, it’s only going to help grow the game…
Tennis stars showing their personalities on YouTube is good for the sport
De Minaur and Shelton have both started to release content on YouTube.
Videos such as ‘What really happened at the Australian Open’ (Alex de Minaur), and ‘My Australian Open run. Failure only fuels me’ (Ben Shelton) have been watched by tens of thousands of fans in a matter of days.
The videos provide unique insight into what life is like on the ATP Tour, and fans are loving it.
Unique angles, behind-the-scenes footage, and guest appearances from other players make each video a must-watch.
Players can show off their personalities this way, choosing what goes out on YouTube.
While we hear a lot from players during interviews and press conferences, this format gives them more creative direction.
De Minaur, in particular, has shown a different side to him on YouTube, which has somehow made him even more likable.
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The YouTube craze has spread across both tours, as Jannik Sinner (ATP #2) and Aryna Sabalenka (WTA #1) both created channels last year.
But where did it all begin?
While some channels existed years ago, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Venus Williams began creating content in 2018.
Still posting today, the pair have accumulated over 400,000 and 200,000 subscribers respectively.
Notable tennis players with YouTube channels
| Player | Date started | Videos | Subscribers | Notes |
| Stefanos Tsitsipas | 30 September, 2012 (First video in October, 2018) | 29 | 457,000 | Sporadic vlog-style content, showcasing trips abroad. |
| Venus Williams | 25 October, 2018 | 172 | 226,000 | Behind-the-scenes footage. Q&A’s and reaction videos. |
| Jannik Sinner | 23 October, 2024 | 7 | 177,000 | Sporadic videos with behind-the-scenes footage at tournaments. |
| Daria Kasatkina | 19 October, 2022 | 337 | 69,400 | Vlog and behind-the-scenes content. Guest appearances from other players. |
| Aryna Sabalenka | 3 June, 2025 | 10 | 53,400 | Behind-the-scenes footage. No videos since October, 2025. |
| Ben Shelton | 9 December, 2025 | 4 | 23,400 | Documentary-style series. Focusing on major events. |
| Casper Ruud | 22 December, 2011 (12-year hiatus before 2026 restart) | 6 | 18,500 | Behind-the-scenes content and challenge videos. |
| Alex de Minaur | 15 February, 2012, (First video in January 2026) | 3 | 6,250 | Vlog-style content at major events. |
| Arthur Fils | 2 January, 2026 | 1 | 4,920 | Documentary-style video on return from injury. |
There’s one name even more synonymous with YouTube vlog content, though, and that’s Daria Kasatkina.
Her channel, ‘What the Vlog’, has posted 337 videos, showing behind-the-scenes content to her 60,000+ fans.
The videos have shone a light on several Russian and Eastern European players, including Mirra Andreeva, whose bubbly personality emerges whenever the cameras are on.
The YouTube move has been a big success for several players, but who will be next to make the jump?
Which tennis stars should start YouTube channels next?
Two names immediately come to mind.
Carlos Alcaraz and Coco Gauff.
The Spaniard and American are two of the most popular players in tennis today.
Both have been active on another social media platform, TikTok, but have yet to make the step across to YouTube.
Longer-form content would strengthen their relationship with the fans and highlight their personalities.
It would also give them a platform to respond to issues within the sport.
Do players need to be given more privacy at the Australian Open?
Earlier this year, Gauff smashed her racket after losing at the Australian Open, an incident that was caught on camera for the world to see.
She responded in a press conference, but if Gauff had been able to release a video after the fact, perhaps she could have expressed her views and hopes for the future more clearly.
Another player who should consider starting a YouTube channel is Filipina sensation Alex Eala.
The world number 31 is immensely popular, and her millions of fans hang on to every word she says.
Creating a regular line of communication between Eala and her fans could help take her from star to superstar, if she’s not already!
Only time will tell who will join YouTube next…
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