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☆ Clijsters wants ATP, WTA to merge as women's tour celebrates 50 years
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-26 | by ( Amy Tennery | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] Kim Clijsters of Belgium speaks as she is inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, Rhode Island, U.S., July 22, 2017. REUTERS/Brian Snyder/File PhotoNEW YORK, June 26 (Reuters) - It is time for the men's and women's professional tennis bodies to merge says former world number one Kim Clijsters, who wants a united front in the sport as the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) celebrates its 50-year anniversary. Like people who don't know much about tennis, they say, 'Oh yea, ATP and WTA', but behind it there's one unit.' The ITHF unveiled a video segment celebrating 50 years of the WTA this year called "TennisWorthy." And you kind of always bump into a wall where, you know, not much happens and it stays with conversations.

Persons: Kim Clijsters, Brian Snyder, Billie Jean King, Clijsters, King, Steffi Graf, it's, Roger Federer, Amy Tennery, Ken Ferris Organizations: International Tennis Hall of Fame, REUTERS, Women's Tennis Association, Wimbledon, WTA, men's Association of Tennis Professionals, Millennium, Thomson Locations: Belgium, Newport , Rhode Island, U.S, German, New York

☆ Five-time champion Williams and Svitolina handed Wimbledon wildcards
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

[1/2] U.S. tennis player Venus Williams hits a return to her sister Serena during their exhibit tennis match in Johannesburg November 4, 2012. REUTERS/Siphiwe Sibeko/File PhotoJune 21 (Reuters) - Seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams and former world number three Elina Svitolina were handed wildcard entries into Wimbledon, the organisers announced on Wednesday. Williams, 43, has won the third major of the year five times and returned to action this month after a five-month injury layoff. Boulter will be joined by compatriots Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Katie Swan and Heather Watson as wildcard entries. In the men's tournament, Liam Broady, Jan Choinski, Arthur Fery, David Goffin, George Loffhagen and Ryan Peniston were handed wildcard entries.

Persons: Venus Williams, Serena, Siphiwe, Elina Svitolina, Williams, Italian Camile Giorgi, Svitolina, Linda Fruhvirtova, Katie Boulter, Jodie Burrage, Harriet Dart, Katie Swan, Heather Watson, Liam Broady, Jan Choinski, Arthur Fery, David Goffin, George Loffhagen, Ryan Peniston, Pearl Josephine Nazare, Christian Radnedge Organizations: REUTERS, Wimbledon, Birmingham, Czech, Tennis, Nottingham Open, Thomson Locations: Johannesburg, Italian, Birmingham, Bengaluru

Barnaby Webber and Grace Kumar, both 19-year-old students at the University of Nottingham, and Ian Coates, 65, a school janitor, were fatally stabbed. Coates was later found dead from knife injuries on Magdala Road by a member of the public, police said. Police responded to a "major incident" in Nottingham city center early Tuesday morning. “Barnaby Philip John Webber was a beautiful, brilliant, bright young man, with everything in life to look forward to,” his family said. “At 19 he was just at the start of his journey into adulthood and was developing into a wonderful young man,” the family added.

Persons: Barnaby Webber, Grace Kumar, Ian Coates, van, tasered, Coates, “, Kate Meynell, Meynell, Lynn Haggitt, ” Haggitt, ” “ I’ve, ”, Darren Staples, Shearer West, Webber, Kumar, ” Webber, “ Barnaby Philip John Webber, Webbs ’, Handout, AP Kumar, “ Grace, Grace, Kumar’s, “ Ian, ” Ross Middleton, Diana Owen, Ian, David Mellen, Jacob King, Constable Meynell, ” Meynell Organizations: CNN, Nottingham, University of Nottingham, Nottinghamshire Police, Police, BBC, Getty, University of Nottingham’s, Bishops Hull Cricket Club, AP, England, England Hockey, Southgate Hockey Club, Southgate Hockey Club Coates, . Academy Trust, Huntingdon Academy, L.E.A.D . Academy Trust, St, Lawn Tennis Association, Nottingham City Locations: Ilkeston, Milton, Nottingham, AFP, Taunton, England, Huntingdon, St Peter’s, Rothesay, “, Peter's

☆ Daria Kasatkina: Russian says it 'makes a lot of sense' for Ukrainian tennis players to receive support
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-01 | by ( Matias Grez | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +2 min

CNN —Daria Kasatkina, Russia’s top-ranked female tennis player, has praised the decision of the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) and Wimbledon to support Ukrainian tennis players during the grass-court tennis season. A number of Ukrainian players have refused to shake the hands of Russian opponents on the tours since the war began and Kasatkina says she understands their decision. “So of course, players from Ukraine have got a lot of reasons to not shake our hands. Lesia Tsurenko didn't shake Daria Kasatkina's hand aftter their match. Tennis – Wimbledon last year aside – didn’t follow suit, instead allowing players from Russia and Belarus compete as neutral athletes and Kasatkina said she feels fortunate to still be able to play tennis.

☆ Tennis Polish airline says it refused boarding to Russian tennis player
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-25 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Tennis player Vitalia Diatchenko said on Monday she was refused boarding to a LOT flight in Cairo, with German airline Lufthansa then also refusing to sell her a ticket. The European Union has banned all flights from Russia and has agreed to limit issuing free-travel Schengen zone visas. In September, Finland joined the Baltic states and Poland in closing its borders to Russian tourists. Unlike many other sports, tennis did not introduce a blanket ban on players from Russia and its ally Belarus after the invasion of Ukraine. Russian and Belarusian players have been competing on the tours and at the other Grand Slams as neutral athletes.

☆ Keothavong hopes Peng safe but says WTA's China return good for the game's finances
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-14 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

April 14 (Reuters) - The WTA's decision to end its China boycott over concerns about Peng Shuai will generate much-needed revenue for the women's tennis tour and provide more financial opportunities for players, Britain's Anne Keothavong said. Former player Keothavong, now captain of Britain's Billie Jean King Cup team, said she hoped Peng was safe but that ultimately "tennis is a business". The WTA's decision to suspend tournaments in the country is expected to have cost it hundreds of millions of dollars in broadcasting and sponsorship revenue. "One is that we hope Peng is OK and secondly it's just an excitement to have tournaments on the calendar. Yaqiu Wang, a senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, said the WTA's decision was a "huge disappointment" and called for Peng's case to be kept in the public eye.

☆ Women’s Tennis to Return to China Despite Unresolved Concerns About Peng Shuai
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Rachel Bachman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Peng Shuai has been seen in public only in carefully orchestrated settings, including at the 2022 Olympics in Beijing. The Women’s Tennis Association tour will return to China this year, despite the fact that Chinese officials haven’t met the WTA’s demands for a transparent investigation into a 2021 assault allegation of Chinese player Peng Shuai. The move ends a boycott, started in late 2021, when Peng disappeared from public view after a post to her social-media account alleged that she had been sexually assaulted by a senior Communist Party official. The WTA halted its events in China and said it would stay out of the country until the allegation was investigated and it could speak directly with Peng.

☆ WTA to resume tournaments in China this year, end boycott over Peng allegations
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Shrivathsa Sridhar | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Tennis - China Open Women's Singles First Round - Beijing, China - 03/10/16. Peng then briefly disappeared from public view and later denied making the accusation, sparking fears for her safety. "For these reasons, the WTA is lifting its suspension of the operation of tournaments in the People's Republic of China and will resume tournaments in China this September." PENG SAFE IN BEIJING"The WTA's decision is a huge disappointment to the Chinese human rights community," Yaqiu Wang, senior China researcher at Human Rights Watch, told Reuters. "We also have received assurances that WTA players and staff operating in China will be safe and protected while in the country.

☆ WTA set to return to China in September despite uncertainty over Peng Shuai’s situation
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-13 | by ( Wayne Sterling | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

CNN —The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced Thursday that it will return to hosting tournaments in China in the fall after suspending all events in the country in 2021 due to the uncertainty over tennis player Peng Shuai’s safety. Human Rights Watch called the WTA’s decision to return to China a “huge disappointment,” but “not surprising.”“International businesses need to work together to do the right thing,” said Yaqiu Wang, senior China Researcher at Human Rights Watch. “It’s hard to challenge the Chinese government alone, but if businesses band together to address China’s flouting of human rights, the power balance can shift. “After all, sports organizations and companies all want to operate in an environment where the human rights of their players, employees, and consumers are protected and there is rule of law. “The road to expose the Chinese government’s human rights abuses and hold it accountable is difficult and often incurs a cost, and it’s not a straight road.”

☆ Wimbledon lifts ban on Russian and Belarusian players who will compete as 'neutral athletes'
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-31 | by ( Amar Mehta | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

The Wimbledon logo amongst flowers The Championships at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 10, 2019 in London, England. Wimbledon has lifted a ban on Russian and Belarusian players from its tournament this year, with players agreeing to sign neutral declarations. Last year, players from Russia and Belarus were banned from Wimbledon in response to Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine. The Lawn Tennis Association was hit with a fine and world ranking points were removed from last year's Championships. Earlier this month, Russian player Daniil Medvedev said ahead of Indian Wells that he would respect any decision taken by organisers.

☆ Pickleball is America’s fastest-growing sport. These people hate it
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-11 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +7 min

The sound and disruption from pickleball, America’s fastest-growing sport, is driving some neighbors, tennis players, parents of young children, and others crazy. Pickleball is America's fastest-growing sport. Some tennis players are also frustrated because pickleball is taking over tennis courts. There were 11,000 places to play Pickleball at the end of 2022, an increase of around 130 new locations a month, according to USA Pickleball, the sport’s national governing body. People play pickleball on what were once tennis courts at Allendale Park in Pasadena, CA, in 2022.

☆ Florida's DeSantis urges Biden to let unvaccinated Djokovic enter US for Miami Open
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

March 8 (Reuters) - Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has called on U.S. President Joe Biden to allow Novak Djokovic to compete at this month's Miami Open despite the world number one being unvaccinated for COVID-19. The Serbian, 35, formally withdrew from Indian Wells on Sunday. He has not played at Indian Wells or the Miami Open - which together comprise the "Sunshine Double" - since 2019. Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association and the U.S. Open were among those also hoping Djokovic would be allowed to enter. "The only thing keeping Mr Djokovic from participating in this tournament is your administration's continued enforcement of a misguided, unscientific, and out-of-date COVID-19 vaccination requirement for foreign guests," DeSantis said.

☆ Women's Tennis Association partners with CVC to advance commercial growth of women's tennis
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-08 | by ( John Lynch | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The Women's Tennis Association has partnered with CVC Capital Partners in an effort to advance the commercial growth of the sport. Founded by Billie Jean King in 1973, the WTA is the principal organizing body of women's professional tennis. The ambition is to materially grow women's tennis — its profile, value, and prize money — for the benefit of the players, tournaments, and its fans. "I'm inspired to be a part of the evolution of women's tennis and building out the next 50 years of the WTA." "This is exactly what women's tennis needs and I'm excited for what's to come," Jessica Pegula, WTA world No.

LOS ANGELES, March 5 (Reuters) - Novak Djokovic has formally withdrawn from the draw for the Indian Wells tournament, organisers said on Sunday in an indication that the world number one's application for a COVID-19 vaccine waiver to enter the U.S. might have failed. The Serbian, who is one of the most high-profile athletes unvaccinated against the virus, applied to the U.S. government last month for special permission to play at ATP Masters events at Indian Wells and Miami. Djokovic has not competed at the back-to-back ATP Masters events in Indian Wells and Miami, two of the biggest tournaments on the ATP calendar and known as the "Sunshine Double", since 2019. Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas, the United States Tennis Association and the U.S. Open were among those also hoping the 22-time Grand Slam champion would be allowed to enter. He would have been a heavy favorite to win his sixth Indian Wells title when the tournament kicks off in the Southern California desert on Wednesday.

☆ USTA, US Open hoping unvaccinated Novak Djokovic gets special nod to enter country
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-04 | by ( ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Novak Djokovic of Serbia competes during the men's single quarter final match of Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship on March 3, 2023. The United States Tennis Association and the U.S. Open are hoping Novak Djokovic is successful in his bid to enter the country after the Serbian, who is not vaccinated against Covid-19, applied for special permission last month. "Novak Djokovic is one the greatest champions our sport has ever seen," the U.S. Open Twitter account said on Friday. "The USTA and U.S. Open are hopeful that Novak is successful in his petition to enter the country, and that the fans will be able to see him back in action at Indian Wells and Miami," it added. Indian Wells tournament director Tommy Haas said in January it would be a "disgrace" if Djokovic was not allowed to compete this year after the Serbian also missed last year's U.S. Open.

☆ Leylah Fernandez urges athletes to become financially literate as soon as possible
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-03 | by ( Stefanie Kratter | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

She's won two Women's Tennis Association titles and was a U.S. Open finalist in 2021. This week, Fernandez was in New York as Morgan Stanley and the WTA announced a new, multi-year global partnership. "Morgan Stanley's partnership with the WTA is a great step forward for women's sports in general. Morgan Stanley was drawn to Fernandez's leadership example. She also reflects our brand values, including giving back to the community, and valuing equity and inclusion," said Alice Milligan, Morgan Stanley's chief marketing officer.

☆ Rugby-England women's players to receive maternity cover
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-16 | by ( Reuters Staff | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The issue of maternity leave for professional athletes has gradually come into sharper focus in recent years. In 2019, sportswear giant Nike introduced a new maternity policy for all its sponsored athletes, guaranteeing pay and bonuses for 18 months around pregnancy. World soccer governing body FIFA introduced 14 weeks of maternity leave in 2020, the same year that the Women’s National Basketball Association announced fully paid maternity leave as part of its collective bargaining agreement for the first time. Rugby Players’ Association general secretary Christian Day described the new policy as a “significant step forward” for the women’s game in England. “This new policy ensures that our women’s players will be better supported through parenthood when representing England,” Day said.

☆ Belarusian and Russian charge in Melbourne throws spotlight on Wimbledon ban
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-25 | by ( Martyn Herman | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

On Friday, Russia's Karen Khachanov faces Stefanos Tsitsipas as he bids to reach his first Grand Slam final. With the conflict in Ukraine showing no sign of ending, a decision about Russian and Belarussian players competing at the All England Club is pressing. Australian Open organisers even banned Russian and Belarusian flags from Melbourne Park last week after a complaint from Ukraine's ambassador to the country. 'SITUATION NO-ONE WANTS'Nine-times Australian Open champion Djokovic has urged Wimbledon to allow Russian and Belarus players to enter the 2023 tournament, a view also backed by American great John McEnroe. "I disagreed with it last year that Wimbledon didn't allow the Russians or Belarusian players to play.

Naomi Osaka withdrew from the Australian Open on Saturday just over a week until the tournament begins. "It’s an honor to be able to play at the Toray Pan Pacific Open in front of the amazing fans here in Japan," Osaka said. Formerly ranked No.1 by the WTA, Osaka has won both the Australian and U.S. opens twice between 2018 to 2021. Osaka made headlines in May 2021 when she announced she would not compete at the French Open, citing anxiety over post-match press conferences. “I would never trivialize mental health or use the term lightly,” Osaka said at the time.

The increase in college tuition and predatory lending have created a situation where, unless you’re fortunate to get a full-ride scholarship or come from a lot of money, students are vulnerable. Though Biden’s debt relief focused on federal student loans, there have been problems with private lenders as well, including the suit against student loan giant Navient. Research has shown that student loans increase access to financing and add to student diversity, which is great, but data also shows that women and people of color are disproportionately more likely to have debt. Student debt relief is one way to let people be people, first and foremost, and loanees second. But we need to do these things because we choose to and not because our college system is broken.

☆ Netflix Explores Investing in Sports Leagues, Bidding on Streaming Rights
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( Jessica Toonkel | Sarah Krouse | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Netflix Inc. is warming up to the idea of offering live sports on its platform—as long as it can do so without breaking the bank, according to people familiar with the discussions. The company recently bid for the streaming rights for the ATP tennis tour for some European countries, including France and the U.K., but dropped out, one of the people said. It also discussed bidding for a series of other events including U.K. rights to the Women’s Tennis Association and cycling competitions, the people said.

☆ Netflix explores investing in live sports, bids for streaming rights- WSJ
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-08 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

Nov 8 (Reuters) - Netflix Inc (NFLX.O) is exploring investments in live sports broadcasting and has recently bid for the streaming rights for sports leagues, the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday, citing people familiar with the matter. The company recently bid for the streaming rights for the ATP tennis tour for some European countries, including France and the U.K., but dropped out, the report said. The company also discussed bidding for other events, including U.K. rights to the Women's Tennis Association and cycling competitions, and was in talks late last year to acquire the World Surf League, the WSJ said. Streaming platforms are also looking at live sports to gain market share in an already saturated market. read moreReporting by Shreyaa Narayanan and Vansh Agarwal in Bengaluru; Editing by Shailesh KuberOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Billie Jean King defeating Bobby Riggs in the Battle of the Sexes marked a historic moment for women's tennis, and sport. It’s their job now to step up, lead and shape the future.”Billie Jean King worked with fashion designer Tory Burch on the Billie Jean King Cup's 'winner's jacket.' Magazine IAnd inside the jacket, to remind the champions of the Billie Jean King Cup of the ‘fight’ and their place in it, is a message from King herself. “Congratulations on winning the 2022 Billie Jean King Cup,” King reads aloud. Billie Jean King, be bold.”

☆ I'm a private tennis instructor who also makes up to $800 a month reviewing gear. Here's how I leveraged my summer gig to get clients year-round.
▼ + stars: | 2022-11-02 | by ( Jen Glantz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Mario Musa, 25, became a certified tennis instructor because he grew up loving the sport. He makes up to $800 a month reviewing tennis products and made $800 a week teaching summer camps. He says it's an easy summer job that, for him, doesn't require an instructor certification. The camp's website mentioned it was looking for a summer tennis counselor, and the job came with a lot of perks. I want to open my own summer camp one day, but for now, I plan to continue working this lucrative summer job.

☆ China ex-official Zhang makes first appearance since sexual assault claim
▼ + stars: | 2022-10-16 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BEIJING, Oct 16 (Reuters) - Chinese former Vice Premier Zhang Gaoli made his first public appearance on Sunday since Chinese tennis star Peng Shuai accused him of sexual assault last year, attending the 20th Communist Party Congress. Her post led the Women's Tennis Association to suspend tournaments in China and caused an international outcry over her safety. Hu, 79, slightly unsteady but appearing healthy, followed immediately behind Xi onto the stage and sat next to Xi. Other retired leaders on the rostrum included other former members of the party's elite Standing Committee, which rules China, including Jia Qinglin and Zeng Qinghong. Register now for FREE unlimited access to Reuters.com RegisterReporting by Yew Lun Tian; Writing by Ben Blanchard and William MallardOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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