After spending a couple of years as a sub-editor and duty editor at the South African news, entertainment and sports website IOL, I moved over to TEAMtalk to fulfil my dream of working in sports journalism. I started as a general sports writer and produced different types of content for several of the Planet Sport websites - including PlanetF1, Planet Rugby and Cricket365 - before deciding it was time for a new adventure in online marketing. I found I missed sport too much and when the opportunity to become editor at the newly launched Tennis365 became available in 2017, it was game, set and match. It has been a privilege to be part of the site from day one and see it grow into the not-quite-finished product it is today. Having focused mostly on breaking news and the odd feature during the early days, my role has shifted to finding niche features and news angles that help us to stand out. I belatedly completed my degree in Communications Science at the University of South Africa in 2023 after studying part-time while running Tennis365 during the day.
Bio
Articles by Shahida Jacobs

Alex Eala plays ‘mystical’ tennis, says seven-time Grand Slam winner after sensational run
"I don't think that she's going to go away, she's too smart, her talent is too good, she's too gifted."

Jannik Sinner used three-month ban to ‘improve his game and physique’
Jannik Sinner will be a dangerous opponent when he returns to action after his suspension.

When was the last all-American quarter-final at ATP Tour level before Houston feat?
Safe to say that an American man will win the title in Houston.

When is Madison Keys’ next tournament. What about her ranking, prize money and sponsors?
All the important info about reigning Australian Open champion Madison Keys.

Coco Gauff breaks away from Roger Federer’s Team8 agency
2023 US Open winner Coco Gauff has launched Coco Gauff Enterprises.

Tennis rocked by fresh row as Djokovic, Sinner, Alcaraz, Sabalenka, Swiatek demand more money
"This letter calls for a greater distribution of profits generated by the four pillars of the tour."

Andre Agassi to return to American TV screens. Will John McEnroe join him?
American tennis fans in for a treat during French Open.

The 9 youngest women to earn $1m on WTA Tour: Martina Hingis among five 16-year-olds
Martina Hingis broke through the $1m prize money barrier shortly after she turned 16.

Iga Swiatek ‘makes difficult decision’ as she confirms tweak to her schedule
"Now it's time for more balance, focusing on myself and my training."

Doubts raised over Novak Djokovic’s 25th Grand Slam hopes, but better news for 100th ATP title
"He will need to keep playing matches in order to have the sharpness and confidence to try for 25."

Jessica Pegula named the real ‘American Master’ ahead of Coco Gauff and Madison Keys
"Pegula has always been one of the best pure ball strikers on tour not to win a Slam."

Emma Raducanu ‘turning point’ revealed as Wimbledon winner says she is ‘very close’ to best level
"The way she's been moving on the court, you really feel physically she has been coming back close to probably her best level."

ATP Rankings: How many points are Sinner, Zverev, Alcaraz, Djokovic dropping in April?
A look at the points that the big-name players in the ATP Tour will drop in April.

WTA Rankings: How many points are Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, Raducanu, Eala dropping in April?
A look at the points that the top stars on the WTA Tour are defending in April.

Jakub Mensik finds apt words to describe Novak Djokovic’s longevity
"It's showing his dominance, like, 20 years ago he was already in the finals, and now 20 years later, he's still in the finals."

WTA Rankings: Aryna Sabalenka’s 3,000-point lead over Iga Swiatek; Emma Raducanu +12, Alex Eala’s surge
A look at your post-Miami Open WTA Rankings.

Money and points earned by Mensik, Djokovic, Zverev, Alcaraz at Miami Open
Mensik and Djokovic were the big winners while Zverev, Alcaraz and Medvedev were losers.

Novak Djokovic’s big statement about Jakub Mensik as he offers ‘happier to lose’ confession
"He still can improve, of course. So I'm sure we'll be seeing him around."

Jakub Mensik’s ‘lucky’ admission as Novak Djokovic is again forced to wait for 100th ATP title
"When I was young I started to play tennis because of you. There is no harder task in tennis than to beat him in the finals."

Novak Djokovic slapped with big fine in Spain
Novak Djokovic could be hit with 12 fines for not following building regulations in Marbella.

WATCH: Jessica Pegula nicks Aryna Sabalenka’s margarita
Jessica Pegula got her revenge after she lost the Miami Open final against Aryna Sabalenka.

WTA Rankings Race To Riyadh: Sabalenka at No 1, Keys, Swiatek comfortable, Gauff with work to do
A look at the WTA Rankings Race to the season-ending WTA Finals.

Toni Nadal’s kind words about Alex Eala after historic Miami Open run
"There's never been a single complaint from anyone, neither from her nor from her family."

Money and points earned by Sabalenka, Pegula, Swiatek, Gauff, Raducanu in Miami
Aryna Sabalenka, Alex Eala and Emma Raducanu were big winners.

How Sinner outscored Zverev, Alcaraz, Djokovic in Race To Turin despite playing only one tournament
Six weeks into his suspension Jannik Sinner still has a massive lead at the top of the official rankings while he still sits at No 1 in the Race To Turin.

ATP Rankings world No 1 race: How Alexander Zverev’s Miami defeat affects battle with Jannik Sinner
Alexander Zverev facing an uphill task after his fourth-round exit from Miami Open.

Emma Raducanu gives health update after doctor’s check-up during Miami Open
"In the third I definitely struggled a little bit."

Novak Djokovic-Sebastian Korda match hit by late-night drama
Miami Open organisers' scheduling decision backfired.

Emma Raducanu set for big rankings jump despite Miami Open loss
Emma Raducanu's Miami Open run has come to an end.

Rafael Nadal v Novak Djokovic v Roger Federer: Age at centennial match wins
Federer was the youngest of the Big Three for ATP win No 1,000.

Aryna Sabalenka joins Steffi Graf, Martina Hingis, Serena Williams with unique world No 1 feat
Martina Hingis notched up the unique achievement in 1998, 2000 and 2001.

Emma Raducanu makes interesting schedule decision as she signs up for WTA 250 event
Emma Raducanu will make her debut at WTA 250 event in April.

Iga Swiatek gets advice from Martina Navratilova after recent frustrations
"She’ll need to manage those emotions better, as she can be highly agitated at times."

‘Prominent player’ Jannik Sinner under fire in PTPA legal documents
The PTPA document took aim at "prominent player" Jannik Sinner.

ATP Rankings: How many points are Zverev, Alcaraz, Draper, Djokovic defending at Miami Open?
A look at the points being defended by the likes of Zverev, Alcaraz and Djokovic at the Miami Open.

WTA Rankings: How many points are Sabalenka, Swiatek, Gauff, Andreeva, Raducanu defending in Miami?
A look at the points being defended by the big-name players at the Miami Open.

Jannik Sinner adds new tournament to his schedule ahead of return from doping ban
Jannik Sinner will now compete at two tournaments before Roland Garros.

Analysing Rafael Nadal’s grass-court record after his comment about playing on the surface
How does Rafael Nadal's grass-court record compare to his stats on hard courts?

Martina Navratilova impressed by one Mirra Andreeva shot that ‘men have been using well for 10, 15 years’
"She had Sabalenka scratching her head - 'What do I have to do to win the point?'"

Ben Shelton ‘hard launches’ Olympic gold medallist girlfriend much to Coco Gauff and co’s delight
Ben Shelton has confirmed his romance with football star Trinity Rodman.

Iga Swiatek makes ‘deeply upset’ confession over No 1 ranking in heartfelt post
"After everything I've been through, I'm still processing and coming to terms with those experiences."

Mirra Andreeva’s marvellous 12-match win streak that includes wins over Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek
Mirra Andreeva beat two seeded players in Dubai and five in Indian Wells.

ATP Rankings: Sinner ‘wins’ while banned, Djokovic back in top 5, Draper cracks career best
A look at your latest ATP Rankings as Sinner and Djokovic win despite one being banned and the other in poor form.

WTA Rankings: Aryna Sabalenka’s big lead over Iga Swiatek, Mirra Andreeva’s career best, Belinda Bencic +13
This way for your latest WTA Rankings as Sabalenka and Andreeva star.

Money and points earned by Mirra Andreeva, Jack Draper, Novak Djokovic, Emma Raducanu in Indian Wells
Mirra Andreeva and Jack Draper enjoyed magical runs at the Indian Wells Open.

Five-time Grand Slam winner makes bold Jack Draper prediction after Carlos Alcaraz upset
Former doubles world No 1 has made "an early call" about Jack Draper.

Jack Draper only the fifth British man to achieve ATP Masters 1000 milestone
Will Draper emulate Murray and co by winning an ATP Masters 1000 title?

Jannik Sinner the big winner as Alexander Zverev and Carlos Alcaraz fail to cash in world No 1’s absence
Zverev and Alcaraz need to be almost perfect if they are to overtake Sinner at No 1.

Carlos Alcaraz ‘couldn’t calm himself down’ as he makes ‘nervous’ confession
Alcaraz was looking to join Federer and Djokovic as the only men to win three Indian Wells titles in a row.

Jack Draper declares key Ben Shelton weapon ‘one of the best in the game’
"I forgot the question. I'm talking shyte."