ESPRESSO TIME | LAVAZZA DANIELE FOTI

The end of the Summer means that there are functions that take place that wraps the city up in the festivities - the US Open is one of them as everyone shares their love of their favorite athletes who play tennis. In addition to a number of activities that we attended during this time, we were guests of Lavazza at their US Open Suite at Arthur Ashe Stadium where we were not only able to catch Mixed Doubles with tennis’ biggest stars, but we got to know more about the brand, previewed a launch of their latest machine, and even got to see amazing partnerships that they are involved in! We got to hear about this and more from Daniele Foti, VP of Marketing at Lavazza North America. We sat down with Daniele to talk about many of the things we saw that we’re now able to share with our community.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into all things Lavazza, can you tell us a bit about your background and how you came to the brand?

DANIELE FOTI: My career began in finance after earning a degree from Bocconi University in Milan and a Master’s in Accounting from Sweden. Those early experiences at General Electric Capital and Coca-Cola HBC gave me a strong grounding in business fundamentals. Over time, I found myself increasingly drawn to roles where I could have a direct impact on the business and help drive growth — understanding consumers, shaping brands, and supporting organizations in their evolution. That led me to roles at Reckitt Benckiser and L’Oréal Italy, where I honed my expertise in sales, trade marketing, and overall brand strategy.

AM: For those that are not familiar with Lavazza, what can you tell us about it?

DF: Lavazza is, at its heart, a family story built on more than 130 years of dedication to coffee and to quality. From the very beginning, the brand has represented Italian craftsmanship and innovation, from the first espresso blends to today’s sustainable coffee solutions. We are not just about coffee as a product; we are about coffee as a moment of joy, connection, and pause. Whether at home, in the office, or out in the world, Lavazza exists to elevate the everyday ritual of coffee into something memorable and meaningful.

AM: You’re the VP of Marketing at Lavazza. What does this role entail?

DF: My mission is to shape how consumers experience Lavazza across North America. That includes building campaigns that bring our heritage and innovation to life, creating partnerships that amplify our presence, and ensuring every interaction, from packaging to experience, reflects our premium Italian DNA. At its core, my role is about storytelling and helping people see coffee not only as part of their day but as part of their lifestyle.

AM: We had the pleasure of attending your US Open Suite to watch Mixed Doubles matches as well as to learn more about the brand. You presented Flavia at the suite. What should we know about it?

DF: Flavia reflects Lavazza’s commitment to bringing premium beverage experiences anywhere, especially in workplaces and home offices. It delivers café-quality coffee, lattes, hot chocolate, and a full variety of drinks at the touch of a button. At the US Open, guests experienced the new Flavia Aroma Brewer firsthand, discovering how it transforms an everyday break into a moment of indulgence — not just for coffee, but for any beverage the platform can provide. Flavia embodies the concept of “Expect More” — it’s about elevating every pause; offering multi beverage versatility, and creating a premium, indulgent experience every time.

AM: You have partnered with Jannik Sinner (Winner: Australian Open - 2, Wimbledon - 1, US Open - 1) for a while now. What can you tell us about how the brand and this athlete connected and why is this partnership important to you?

DF: Our partnership with Jannik is a natural and long-standing one, spanning over 10 years. Coffee and tennis both require dedication, rhythm, and energy, and Jannik embodies those qualities beautifully. Over the years, we’ve celebrated this connection through activations like the US Open, where Lavazza brings fans closer to the sport and the rituals that fuel performance. His authenticity, drive, and joy in what he does perfectly mirror Lavazza’s values. Together, we highlight excellence, consistency, and the everyday rituals—on and off the court—that make great achievements possible, and we serve as ambassadors of Italian excellence in the world.

AM: While we were at the suite, we got to see about some upcoming partnerships that are taking place with Apple TV’s The Morning Show. What can you tell us about this?

DF: Lavazza is proud to be part of the upcoming fourth season of The Morning Show, now streaming on Apple TV+. This partnership highlights our commitment to bringing moments of calm, warmth, and connection to people’s mornings. Amid the chaos of daily life, Lavazza offers a ritual to reflect, reset, and reconnect—reminding viewers that mornings are an opportunity to “Make Your Morning a Show.”

AM: With the holiday season coming up, what can we expect to see from the brand that our community can be excited about?

DF: The holidays are about conection, and coffee often plays a role in those moments. This season, we want to inspire people to slow down, savor, and share joy over a great cup of coffee. Whether it is gifting, entertaining, or simply taking a quiet moment for yourself, Lavazza will be there to make it special.We’re also excited to bring a unique experience to Art Basel this year, where fans can engage with our brand in an immersive, creative way—celebrating both art and the pleasure of coffee.

AM: Are there any upcoming projects that we should know about that are taking place this year or even early next year?

DF: Yes, there is a lot of momentum. We have recently partnered with American Airlines to bring Lavazza coffee into their premium cabins, giving us the opportunity to share our blends with travellers around the world. We are also expanding our footprint in the U.S. hospitality and entertainment sectors and continuing to bring Luigi, our beloved Lavazza coffee-robot, to new cities for more immersive brand experiences. Consumers should also look forward to our annual calendar and a special experience at Art Basel this year — we’ll have more to share soon! Looking ahead, Lavazza will continue to invest in exciting new initiatives in the market throughout 2026, making next year another thrilling chapter for the brand.

IG @lavazzausa

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Lavazza

Read the OCT ISSUE #118 of Athleisure Mag and see ESPRESSO TIME | Lavazza - Daniel Foti in mag.

TASTE OF TENNIS 25 PRE-COVERAGE

Our favorite time of the year is about to make its way to NYC! The US Open is a Grand Slam that brings the best athletes to Arthur Ashe Stadium. Leading up to this event is a number of activities and one that we enjoy going to every year is the Taste of Tennis, which merges our favorite tennis stars as well as the culinary elite! We sat down to talk with Penny Lerner, CEO of AYS Sports Marketing who puts on this event to talk about what we can expect this year, what is part of the program, and more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: Taste of Tennis is always an event that we enjoy as it combines the best in culinary with the best of tennis! We have had the pleasure of chatting with you last year about this event and it's great to connect again for this year. As this event has a number of moving parts, when do you begin working on this?

PENNY LERNER: The Taste of Tennis has become a year-round program. Once the event in New York concludes, we immediately begin updating our materials and engage in renewal conversations with sponsors. With our first few events of the year in March, planning kicks in almost immediately.

We are also continuously keeping our social throughout the year to keep our supporters up to date on where we’ll be next. We have also begun licensing the Taste of Tennis, so we are constantly speaking with tournaments and exhibitions about ways they can use our brand and its assets to enhance their experience.

AM: This year, Taste of Tennis is celebrating its 25th year! What are you looking forward to the most?

PL: As a company, I think we are most excited to take a moment to really appreciate the legacy we have created. What started out as a 200 person, 3-hour event has evolved into one of most popular and respected brands in tennis.

Over a quarter century, the event has hosted so many incredibly talented individuals, from local chefs to Michelin Starred Chefs, Grand Slam Champions, hundreds of top tennis players, and A-list celebrities including John Legend, Mike Tyson, Eva Longoria and many others.

After 25 years, it is extremely rewarding to see how far we have come and all the exciting future possibilities that lie ahead!

AM: This year, the event is being held at Aqua! What do you look for when it comes to partnering with a venue to host this event?

PL: We couldn’t be more excited to host the Taste of Tennis at Aqua New York this year. From an event perspective, it has everything you can ask for. Located at 902 Broadway, Aqua is easily accessible to our sponsors, attendees, and tennis players who will be attending.

Aqua is 17,000 square feet of event space, beautifully designed space amazingly spread across 2 floors, making for a spectacular guest experience. Perhaps most importantly, the Aqua team has been amazing to work with. They have worked incredibly hard and provided personalized service every step of the way to ensure our 25th Anniversary event is our best yet.

AM: In previous years, the event from a culinary perspective has had a number of noted chefs and restaurants that have participated. Can you tell us about this component of the event? Will it include chefs/restaurants as well as dishes that showcase Aqua's menu?

PL: Aqua is preparing the majority of the cuisine and they plan to put on quite the culinary exhibition. They are planning to provide 25+ options from their menu, along with a few special offerings, for guests to enjoy.

Aqua is two unique restaurants under one roof. Aqua Kyoto features a wide array of contemporary Japanese cuisine while Aqua Roma delivers bold Italian offerings including handmade pastas, artisan pizzette, and other signature dishes that deliver a modern take on traditional recipes.

In addition to the cuisine prepared by Aqua, guest will also enjoy authentic Caribbean cuisine prepared by our sponsor, Antigua and Barbuda.

AM: In addition to great chefs, you also have the best athletes in tennis as well! Who can we expect this year?

PL: As with all our events, we expect over 25 players and legends in attendance, including World No. 3 Alexander Zverev, 2017 US Open Champion Sloane Stephens, 2023 Australian Open Champion Elena Rybakina, acclaimed coach and author Patrick Mouratoglou, and more.

AM: We always enjoy seeing chefs and tennis stars compete in making a dish. Will this still be part of the program?

PL: Something we do at all of our events is have tennis players appear at the various food stations throughout the evening. They assist the chefs with plating the food and distributing it to guests. This gives our attendees a fun opportunity to get an up-close look at the players while getting “Served”.

AM: Who will be the host this year?

PL: We are excited to have Andrew Krasny hosting this year’s event. Andrew is a fixture in the tennis industry and is extremely popular among the players, media and tennis fans alike.

AM: There are 2 ticket packages to choose from. Tell us about them!

PL: Yes, we are offering our standard package, which includes entry at 7pm, food and cocktails throughout the evening and access to all non-private sections at the event.

We are also offering the Champion Mindset package, where guests enter at 6pm and enjoy an exclusive private audience with Coach Patrick Mouratoglou. Patrick will be discussing his latest book Champion Mindset, and all guests will receive an autographed copy. This experience is limited to 50 guests. To buy tickets and for latest event update visit www.tasteoftennis.com and follow us on Instagram @tasteoftennis.

AM: Why do you think that Taste of Tennis here in NY as well as the other cities that you bring this event to is one that people look forward to year after year?

PL: Each Taste of Tennis experience has its own unique personality and vibe. From the food and entertainment to the decor and production, we do our best to make each Taste of Tennis event feel authentic to the city we are in.

With the growth of tennis and culture we’ve seen in the past year, the demand for Taste of Tennis has grown and we look forward to showing up each time

AM: What do you want attendees to know about Taste of Tennis and for those that attend, what is the takeaway that you want them to have?

PL: Come ready to party! The Taste of Tennis is the premier event where tennis fans can rub elbows with the world’s top tennis players while enjoying amazing cuisine and a great atmosphere - all set in the city ready to kick off a Grand Slam!

IG @tasteoftennis

@ayssports

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Max Molina

After speaking with Penny Lerner, we wanted to know more about Aqua Group, its location here in NY, and why they wanted to be involved in this year's Taste of Tennis.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into Taste of Tennis, we'd love to know more about Aqua Restaurant Group as it has an impressive portfolio of restaurants in cities around the world. Tell us a bit about this group.

AQUA RESTAURANT GROUP: Aqua Restaurant Group was founded 25 years ago in Hong Kong and has grown into a globally recognized hospitality brand with award-winning restaurants across Hong Kong, London, Dubai, Miami and New York. Our ethos is rooted in delivering exceptional culinary experiences through a striking design, innovative cuisine, and immersive ambiance. Whether it's Japanese, Italian, or modern Chinese, every Aqua venue reflects the group's signature blend of elegance and creativity.

AM: In looking at Aqua New York specifically, when did it open and can you tell us about Chef David Yeo who is also the founder?

ARG: Aqua New York opened its doors late 2024, marking the group's third opening in the U.S. market. David Yeo, the visionary behind Aqua Restaurant Group, is both a trained chef and former lawyer. His approach is hands-on, detail-obsessed, and globally inspired—he often travels the world sourcing rare ingredients and refining culinary techniques. David has an innate ability to merge traditional flavors with bold, contemporary execution, which comes through in every dish across the group’s portfolio.

AM: The restaurant is divided between Aqua Roma as well as Aqua Kyoto - what was the thought between offering 2 cuisines at this restaurant?

ARG: The concept of Aqua New York was to showcase dual culinary mastery under one roof—an homage to the dynamic culinary scenes of both Kyoto and Rome. In a city like New York, where guests crave variety and world-class quality, offering both Italian and Japanese cuisine allows us to bring two distinct culinary experiences together while upholding the highest standards for each. It's not a fusion—it's two kitchens, two teams, and two art forms in perfect harmony.

AM: We have passed this location many times in Flatiron. What can you tell us about the aesthetic of Aqua as it is visually stunning while having a welcoming vibe at the same time.

ARG: Located in the heart of Flatiron, Aqua is designed to be dramatic yet inviting. The space features high ceilings, textured stone walls, sculptural lighting, and a show-stopping bar at its center. The interiors are a reflection of our culinary philosophy—bold, luxurious, and considered. But despite its grandeur, the energy remains warm, vibrant, and unpretentious—designed to make every guest feel like they belong.

AM: If we are coming in for Lunch, what should we enjoy?

ARG: Aqua Roma Set Lunch menu offers two courses for $27, with a choice of appetizers like Burrata or Calamari, and mains including Handmade Gnocchi, Rigatoni, or Pizza. Desserts such as Lemon Curd Mousse or Gelato are available for an $8 supplement.

Aqua Kyoto Bento-style menu Aqua Kyoto’s Set Lunch starts at $27 and includes a variety of Japanese options—bento boxes like Pork Belly or Wagyu Ribeye, Sushi and Sashimi selections, and Tan Tan Ramen—each served with Miso Soup, Pickles, and Okazu of the day.

AM: For dinner, what are 3 appetizers that we should consider?

ARG: SPINACH SALAD Spinach salad & toasted goma dressing, CARPACCIO GAMBERO ROSSO Mazara del Vallo red prawn carpaccio, basil, compressed apple & caviar, and SIGNATURE CRYSTAL SUSHI Scallop, caviar & kimchi jelly.

AM: What are 3 main dishes that we should have in mind when we're coming in with friends and family?

ARG: ASTICE DAVIDE Lobster bisque, lobster medallions, dill & lemon zest, MISO BLACK COD black cod, yuzu mayonnaise & yamagobo, and MAFALDE Slow-cooked oxtail ragú, Nero d’avola & summer black truffle.

AM: What are 3 desserts that would be perfect to end the night with?

ARG: FOREST FLOOR Tonka bean panna cotta, chocolate brownie matcha crumble & raspberry sorbet, SWEET CAVIAR Espresso ‘caviar’ pearls, Valrhona chocolate crémeux & madeleines, and CHOCOLATE & BLACK SESAME MOLTEN CAKE Green tea ice cream.

AM: We always enjoy a great cocktail. What are 3 that we should consider as we navigate the Summer weeks ahead?

ARG: RAICHI MARTINI Haku Vodka, Lychees, Coconut, TORII 400 Conejos Mezcal, Amante Aperitivo, Red Peppers, Pineapple, and MAI TAI ME UP Barbancourt Rum, Guava Orgeat Almond, Lime.

AM: Tell us about your Brunch menu as that is our favorite meal of the week and is always an experience.

ARG: Our brunch, called Brunch on Broadway, is the ultimate weekend experience—a $58 three-course celebration of bold flavors and vibrant energy. Guests can elevate their brunch with $48 free-flow cocktails and an additional $25 unlimited sushi add-on—an offering rarely seen at a restaurant of our caliber. With live DJ sets setting the tone, it’s not just brunch—it’s a moment.

AM: With NY Restaurant Week taking place during this time of the year, what can you tell us about what you will offer?

ARG: For Restaurant Week, we're offering a curated 3-course menu that allows guests to experience both Aqua Roma and Aqua Kyoto signatures. Offered everyday of the week, our lunch is priced at $30 and our dinner is priced at $60.

AM: This year, you will be hosting the Taste of Tennis, which is always an event that we enjoy attending so that we can kick off the US Open! Why did you want to participate this year?

ARG: We’ve had the honor of hosting some incredible events within our first few months of opening, including the movie premiere of Sinners, and we’re thrilled to continue that momentum with Taste of Tennis. Our team has a real love for the sport, so collaborating with an event that celebrates both tennis and culinary culture felt like a perfect fit. With the US Open approaching, we’re excited to welcome some of the biggest names on the tour and bring the energy of the game into our space.

AM: What can guests expect this year from Taste of Tennis at Aqua?

ARG: This year, we’re bringing together the best of Aqua’s dual-kitchen concept and welcoming our sister restaurant, Hutong, to join the celebration. Guests can expect a dynamic culinary experience that highlights the range and refinement of our team’s talent—from bold, signature dishes to interactive chef moments and visually striking presentations. Taste of Tennis offers the perfect platform to showcase the depth of our culinary craft in a way that’s both exciting and elevated.

AM: What are you looking forward to as we get closer to this event?

ARG: We’re most excited to welcome guests who may be discovering Aqua for the first time; there’s nothing more rewarding than seeing their reactions as they engage with our space, our team, and the food. It’s also a joy to collaborate with the Taste of Tennis and AYS teams, whose passion and precision make the lead-up to the US Open feel even more special. Bringing together lovers of sport and culinary craft in one unforgettable night, that’s what we look forward to most.

IG @aquanewyork

PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Aqua

If you're looking at enjoying one of our favorite pre US Open events, you can still purchase tickets at this year's Taste of Tennis taking place at Aqua. Next month, in our AUG ISSUE #116, we will recap what we experienced from this event from the red carpet, the phenomenal dishes and cocktails that were consumed throughought the night, and of course the tennis stars that will be enjoying the festive night.

Read the JUL ISSUE #115 of Athleisure Mag and see TASTE OF TENNIS 25 PRE-COVERAGE in mag.

CITI TASTE OF TENNIS 2024

Aug. is always a fun month especially this year with the Summer Games at Paris 2024 giving us all the stories, cheers, and memories on a global stage and then we're able to continue onto US Open - the final Grand Slam of the year that takes place in Queens at Arthur Ashe Stadium. There are a number of events that kick off this tennis tournament and one of our favorites that we enjoy attending each year is Citi Taste of Tennis which took place at Gotham Hall this year. This event combines tennis players that are currently playing as well as veterans, a number of culinary and spirit brands, as well as competitions that take place between the sports and hospitality community. Avid readers got to know more about this event in terms of why it was created, what is involved, and more. You can read this in our JUL ISSUE #103 where we chatted with Penny Lerner of AYS.

We enjoyed seeing Qinwen Zheng (Team China Olympic G1) and Taylor Fritz (Team USA Olympic B1) making dishes with Executive Chef Cedric Tovar of The Palace Lotte Hotel on the main stage with Andre Agassi judging the cooking demo.

In between the action on the stage, we enjoyed tasting a number of dishes from an array of restaurants that included Carmine's Famous Homemade Meatballs from Chef Glenn Rolnick who was a sponsor at the event. We also stopped by Chef Luke Omarzu of Wolfgang Puck's CUT New York's USDA Prime Striploin Sirloin served with Summer Corn Salad, Salsa Verde, Sweet Corn, Cherry Tomatoes, Haricot Vert, Charred Pearl Onions & Parsley Allergens - Onion, Garlic, Anchovy & Dairy. There were a number of savory dishes and sweets that allowed our tastebuds to enjoy the night. In addition, there were siganture cocktails that flowed throughout the event! A true medley of sports meets culinary journeys.

Prior to the start of the event, we had the opportuity to talk with Andre Agassi who is known as the first man to complete both the Career Grand Slam (winning all 4 major titles over the course of a career) and Career Golden Slam (winning all 4 major titles and the Olympic Gold medal over the course of a career). He also has a Career Super Slam (which includes all four major titles, Olympic Gold and the Tour Finals (ATP Tour) over the course of a career).

He has won Grand Slams for the Australian Open 4X, French Open 1X, Wimbledon 1X, US Open 1X, Tour Finals 1X, and he won an Olympic Gold Medal as well. We wanted to know what he thought about this event as he kicked off the first one, what he is looking forward to at this year's US Open, and of course chatting pickleball!

ATHLEISURE MAG: What do you love about being part of this event as we know that you were involved in the inaugural one and have continued to participate over the years!

ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I love being able to be part of something that has grown into what this event has ultimately become! I love what it is does. I love the inspiration of what is behind it. I was here the first year so I mean, it’s crazy! So it’s cool to come back now a handful of years later and to see what it has turned into!

AM: Who are you excited to watch this year at the US Open?

AA: You know, I have been saying that we have 5 Americans now that are basically the top 20 of the world! I’d love to see one of them kind of have a breakthrough. I am a little biased but there is something really cool about having someone from America doing it here for this Grand Slam at the US Open. As it would be for someone in France to do it at Paris for the French Open. England was the same thing! One of the biggest things ever was when Andy Murray (won W 2X, UO 1) did it there! Of course when an Aussie does it in Australia that’s amazing too! I’d love to see an American break through!

AM: We got to see you play Pickleball earlier this year at Lifetime which was amazing!

AA: Oh yes!

AM: How is pickleball going. Any charity tournaments that you will do?

AA: Oh no, I’m not competing anymore!

AM: Simply for fun – not competing; however, you were pretty fierce out there even when it was just for fun!

AA: I know, I know it’s the way that I’m wired when it comes to getting out on the court! I haven’t quite yet decided whether I will enter a tournament, that was part of another part of my life.

IG @agassi

@tasteoftennis

@ayssports

It's always amazing to chat with one of the greats who continues to support the sport while also engaging in new ones such as Pickleball in his case.

We also had the pleasure to talk with Prakash Amritraj who is a former pro tennis player who is the host of Tennis Channel Live at the US Open which kicked off on Aug 26th and will run most mornings of the 2 week competition. The show is a mix of news, highlights, and special reports. It's a great way to stay on the pulse of what is happening.

Prakash was also the host of Citi Taste of Tennis and he kept the energy going throughout the culinary and sport event. We took some time to chat with him about tennis, the event, US Open, and more!

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you first fall in love with tennis?

PRAKASH AMRITRAJ: I was 9½ - years-old in the summer of 1993. I used to travel with my dad at the senior-tour events. I found myself in the No. 1 locker room between Pete Sampras (winner of Australian Open 2X, Wimbledon 7X, US Open 5X, Tour Finals 5X) and Boris Becker (winner of Australian Open 2X, Wimbledon 3X, US Open 1X), and I said this is what I want to do.

AM: What did you enjoy about playing professionally?

PA: Several things: a. the comradery of my fellow athletes going into battle and being able to share that experience; b. the highs and lows of competition; c. overall, the incredible amount of adrenaline, electricity and inspiration that I’ve only found in sports.

AM: You've been Tennis Channel's year-round host of Prakash Worldwide. Can you tell us about these interview segments?

PA: I love it because at our desk I get to treat it more as a talk-show format instead of an on-court interview. I believe that because I’ve been in these players’ shoes we’re able to maintain a state of trust on the show. It allows them to showcase their personalities and what they bring to the game, and we have a lot of diamonds out there playing tennis right now. This ultimately helps to bring more people to our beautiful sport.

AM: We always love this time of year as we get ready to watch our favorites at the US Open. We'll be at Citi Taste of Tennis covering this event which is always a fun way for us to enjoy this time of year. You are the host this year. What are you excited about in terms of this event and what are you looking forward to?

PA: Hosting that event is as high-level as it gets in sports. I get to talk with Hall of Famer Andre Agassi and Olympic gold medalist Zheng Qinwen in the same evening. It combines both of my worlds: tennis and entertainment/film and, again, it helps us to grow this sport.

AM: With the tournament kicking off on Aug 26th and running through Sep 8th, we'll be able to hear your commentary. What is it like preparing to be part of Tennis Channel Live at the US Open?

PA: I probably shouldn’t say this, but none of it ever feels like work with TC. I watch US Open tennis and then the next morning we talk about it. There’s a lot of research that goes into every show, but I like to call my approach, “prepared unprepared.” We have a game plan going in but the more we can just have a conversation, the better it is.

AM: What are you looking forward to this year in terms of Tennis Channel Live at the US Open as well as the action on the court?

PA: I always try to find the non-sports elements to the storylines that unfold at these tournaments. There are so many life lessons from all these great players and matches, and there are things that happen at the US Open and other events or even in other sports that you can apply to all aspects of people’s lives. I’m looking forward to unearthing those during the US Open.

IG @prakashamritraj

@tennischannel

We enjoyed chatting with Prakash to get his insights about what is taking place this time of year and we're sure that he will share a lot of great memories that take place during this Grand Slam.

In the tennis world there are a number of personalities that we enjoy seeing and one that is also our favorite are tennis personalities that we see as the tour rolls on. We all enjoy seeing Frances Tiafoe and can't wait to see him during the US Open. Typically, when he is on the court, his girlfriend Ayan Broomfield, who is also a tennis player is also nearby serving looks, being parts of campaigns and this year, she was rocking the Citi Taste of Tennis blue carpet interviewing athletes about the US Open. As we have been fans of hers for years, we wanted to take a moment to find out how she stays on this schedule, maintaining her beauty routines, and why she loves this time of year as well!

ATHLEISURE MAG: We have enjoyed following you on IG and enjoy seeing your style, campaigns, and when you’re traveling with Frances Tiafoe as well! As we’re all here for Citi Taste of Tennis, we’d love to chat with you!

AYAN BROOMFIELD: Yeah of course!

AM: What do you love about this time of year?

AB: Oh my gosh, I was just telling my friend that this time of year it’s like our Met Gala! We get to come here and do the events, I get to watch Frances and I get to be around tennis at one of the best tournaments of the year and then we have NYFW! So, it’s just a month straight of tennis and fashion and those are 2 of my favorite things!

AM: Love that!

You’re style is always so on point and your skin is also flawless.

AB: I try my best!

AM: You are everywhere! What are your travel go-to’s that you love having with you since you are always on the go?

AB: Right? No, I mean, when I first started traveling a lot, I realized that every country has different products and you want to make sure especially as an African American woman that you have things that work for you and you don’t want to rely on any type of store in a different country. So when I leave, I make sure that I have my specific skincare routine, that I have my specific haircare routine, and to make sure that I have all of my trinkets, extensions and whatever I need to make sure I have what I need as I am gone for months at a time. I just want to make sure that I have everything that I need and of course clothes. I pack a lot!

AM: Of course you do!

For self-care, what do you do with that? If you’re just looking at your IG we see you all over the world and of course all of that travel seems so luxurious and exotic; however, we know that just navigating that can be a lot.

AB: The traveling is a lot! It becomes a little bit stressful when you don’t have a routine so I want to make sure that anytime I get into a new country, I am always working out, I am always walking and running, and eating as best as I can! It keeps you healthy and it keeps your mental sane. That’s just kind of where I like to be!

IG @ayan.broomfield

PHOTOS COURTESY | PG 165 - 169, 176 + 177 Citi Taste of Tennis/Getty Images | PG 170 - 175 Paul Farkas

Read the AUG ISSUE #104 of Athleisure Mag and see CITI TASTE OF TENNIS 2024 in mag.