NEXT LEVEL CHILI | RICHARD BLAIS

We caught up with Chef Richard Blais who we enjoy seeing him judge on Guy's Grocery Games, seeing him in person emceeing at StarChefs in Brooklyn and Taste of Tennis with the Williams' sisters or when he is mentoring his team for Next Level Chef alongside Gordon Ramsay and Nyesha Arrington! We talked about chili which is perfect for this time of year as we begin to embrace all things fall! He shares his recipe and how he keeps it interesting with unexpected pairings!

We also find out about his projects with his latest restaurants Ember & Rye and Four Flamingos that he opened at Hyatt Hotel properties in Florida and of course getting the scoop on season 2 of Next Level Chef which will premiere immediately following the Super Bowl on Feb 12th!

ATHLEISURE MAG: It’s always great when we have the chance to talk with you. We’ve watched you when we were at Star Chefs and Taste of Tennis with the Williams’ Sisters, enjoyed you on Next Level Chef and it’s always great to catch up with you. What is it about being on Next Level Chef that you wanted to be on that show?

CHEF RICHARD BLAIS: Oh my gosh! I hate to use the pun right off the bat, but it’s been a next level experience! I get to hang out with Nyesha Arrington and Gordon Ramsay, 2 people that I have a tremendous amount of respect for. I’ve kind of been blessed in my career that I got to stand next to and work with true juggernauts in our industry so that and the fact that it’s a brand new concept! I think that it is next level and there’s an energy about it that fits my frenetic energy as well. I just literally came off set 2 days ago – we just got done filming season 2 which is going to premiere on Super Bowl night immediately following the Super Bowl!

AM: What? I am excited!

CHEF RB: Yes! I was going to say, that I could tell by your reaction that that is a pretty big timeslot to be directly from, “you just won the Super Bowl – what are you doing," to Next Level Chef! So we're really really excited about the millions of eyeballs that will be on it for sure!

AM: That’s so exciting! I love chili especially during this time of year. Who doesn’t? We recently had a chili recipe that is in a cookbook with other chili recipes. So being able to talk about this topic is awesome. I love unexpected pairings and the one we submitted is a Mezcal version. So I want to know, what do you love about chili?

CHEF RB: Oh my gosh! Well first of all, you’re an expert so now I’m a little taken aback and I didn’t know that you have published chili recipes, but what I really love about chili is 1 – as we’re talking about it and as your recipe showcased, is the versatility when it comes to creativity. 2 – I love one pot meals! As a busy person, as a dad, people are like, “oh you’re a competitive chef.” Everyday people have the real challenge that they come home from work and they have 30 minutes to make a dish. Their kids are coming home and it’s just chaos. Everyone is in this competition world and so I love meals that can be cooked in one pot and it’s pretty easy why. Not to get too technical, when you cook something in one pot, all of the flavor stays in that one pot. Most of the world’s great dishes are like that whether it’s a mole from Mexico, a bourguignon from France, a chili from whatever part of the world you’re making it from. I mean really, most of the world’ great cuisine starts with just one pot.

AM: I couldn’t agree more. I live in NY now, but I’m from the Midwest originally and that’s the land of the one pot meals!

CHEF RB: There you go! As a native NYer and someone that people always mistake me from being from the Midwest by the way – I think it’s because I’m nice! I think it’s generally I’m a nice guy. And again, you mentioned the Midwest and again, chili season – the weather. I live in Southern California, but if there is 1 leaf, it’s fall! If it’s 69˚, the fireplace is on and that it’s fall! If it’s 69˚, the fireplace is on and that sort of cuisine really fits for those moments! So yeah, I’m really excited about this chili!

AM: This month is National Chili month and I’m sure that you have a recipe that you want to share with us?

CHEF RB: I do! So you talked about your creative chili with Mezcal. Mine is going to start a little more classic. This is a chili that I make at home a lot. It’s a beef base, it’s a ground beef with beans and corn. And I have to ask you. Are you ok with beans in chili?

AM: Love beans in chili!

CHEF RB: Ok! Usually, you are if you’re not from Texas or you’re a real chili purist. But I like anytime you can get nutrition in there especially if you’re cooking with the family. I love that. So, it’s beef, beans, chili, onions, I do like to cook it down. In this case, I’m going to use some beer which is going to add a depth of flavor. Now listen, it’s not an alcoholic dish, the alcohol burns away. It’s just the flavor of the age if you will. It’s like when you’re cooking with wine and you get that depth of flavor. I also like to add cocoa powder which is one of my secret ingredients to my chili. My favorite regional chili is Cincinnati chili, have you ever heard of it?

AM: Oh yes, I was a Skyline girl.

CHEF RB: Oh yes, that I was going to say. It’s either Skyline or the other one! I love Cincinnati chili and I love – I mean, we’re vibing so I’m just going to share here. I feel like Cincinnati chili is the most underrated regional food in the US!

AM: FACTS!

CHEF RB: Facts! Exactly! I love – I mean you’re from the Midwest. I love Deep Dish pizza, I love a Philly Cheesesteak, every place has it’s thing. I love Barbecue Shrimp, Po’ Boys. Cincinnati chili, why is it so special? It has cocoa powder in it, it has cinnamon, it’s got cloves – it’s got all of these wintery almost fruity spices which makes my chili pair really well with the next step which is a peanut butter sandwich. A peanut butter sandwich combined with chili!

Now, I’m a chef, you know that! My peanut butter sandwich, I have to take to the next level – pardon the pun! I grew up not eating crust on my peanut butter sandwiches. I hope no one comes at me for not wanting crust on my peanut butter, blame my mom right? We all have memories. I’ve taken my peanut butter sandwich and made it into a raviolo, a big ravioli and instead of the pasta dough, it’s just white bread which is soft and fluffy and it’s filled with some creamy peanut butter and that is going to be a garnish for my chili. The rest of the garnishes you’ve probably already seen. I like garnishing on top with some onions, scallions, lots of jalapeños – are you ok with spice?

AM: Our recipe also had jalapeños in it!

CHEF RB: There you go and peanut butter neutralizes spice and you can make it spicier by adding the peanut butter sandwich next to it. Finish garnishing that out with a little cilantro. When I’m coming up with a flavor combination like this – peanut butter and chili, I look for ingredients that connect the dots. So cilantro you might see on a chicken satay which is a peanut butter sauce with lime juice and fish sauce. So the ingredients start connecting and then of course, I’m going to garnish with a little more texture, I’m using salted chopped peanuts – a lot of texture and then my beautiful, soft adorable –

Am I allowed to call this adorable?

AM: It’s pretty cute!

CHEF RB: Ok cute works! Cute, but not too cute to eat because you will eat it. And then a little bit of that right on there which is my version of a peanut butter sandwich chili recipe.

AM: Whether people are adding an unexpected twist to their recipe or they are using a passed down family recipe, how can people take them to the next level in term of general notes?

CHEF RB: Yeah, general notes! I think that the number 1 thing and you get this because you already revealed your amazing chili recipe. Have fun in the kitchen and don’t be afraid to make mistakes and I will tell you that some of the inspiration that I have received from being on the sets of these cooking shows where people have to cook in 10-15 minutes, is that inspiration happens sometimes because of improv right?

AM: Right!

CHEF RB: So if you can do this, set the clock to 45 minutes – I’m giving you an extra 15 minutes. Open up the fridge and just cook. Just go for it and don’t be tied to a specific recipe or cookbook. I love cookbooks, I love recipes, but sometimes you have to get away from the recipes to sort of find that creative source of genius! That’s when you end up adding cinnamon or cocoa powder or peanut butter sandwiches next to your chili. So just have fun with it. Make it a game!

AM: Love that!

You recently opened 2 new restaurants. You have Ember & Rye and also Four Flamingos. Can you tell us about these new restaurants?

CHEF RB: So both are affiliated with the Hyatt brand so Ember & Rye is a steakhouse at Park Hyatt Aviara in Carlsbad, CA. It’s a fine dining steakhouse next to an award winning golf course. If you’ve seen me on social media playing a lot of golf, it is because of that! They also have amazing tennis facilities as well because I know that we know each other from the tennis world as well. So that’s our steakhouse, Ember & Rye.

In Orlando, FL, Four Flamingos is my take on my memories of FL. Having my wife’s family from there, my east coast family vacationed there and also the influences that happen in that region – Central South American and Caribbean influences – a piece of local fish with a citrus beurre Blanc almost going backwards. You know, sometimes you can go backwards far enough where you can start seeing the future. There’s a reason why things are a classic and so we’re celebrating some of the things that are a classic of Floridian foods.

AM: Love that!

You’re a man that is always busy and you have a lot going on. Do you have any projects that you would like to share with us that we should keep an eye out for? Clearly, Next Level Chef, Super Bowl Sunday!

CHEF RB: Yes! Next Level Chef, thank you for that! I am in the process of finishing up my 3rd cookbook which will be a lot more plant-based. Maybe you will see a peanut butter sandwich next to some vegetarian chili in that book. That will come out hopefully by holiday season next year. There’s always a couple of restaurants in play!

AM: That’s so exciting and thank you for taking the time by talking with us here at Athleisure Mag and also on our podcast, Athleisure Kitchen! We always like the various interviews we’ve had with you or seeing you at events.

CHEF RB: I had a lot of fun – let’s do it in person sometime soon!

IG @richardblais

PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Richard Blais

Read the OCT ISSUE #82 of Athleisure Mag and see NEXT LEVEL CHILI | Richard Blais in mag.

S2. E8. | ATHLEISURE KITCHEN CHEF RICHARD BLAIS

On today's episode of Athleisure Kitchen, we catch up with Chef Richard Blais who we enjoy seeing him judge on Guy's Grocery Games, seeing him in person emceeing at Taste of Tennis with the Williams sisters or when he is mentoring his team for Next Level Chef alongside Gordon Ramsay and Nyesha Arrington! We caught up with him to talk about chili which is perfect for this time of year as we begin to embrace all things fall! He shares his recipe and how he keeps it interesting with unexpected pairings! He also talks with us about a challenge that he will be judging on TikTok where food influencers will go head-to-head with their chili creations! We also catch up with what he has been working on, his latest restaurants Ember & Rye and Four Flamingos that he opened at Hyatt hotel properties in Florida and of course getting the scoop on season 2 of Next Level Chef which will premiere immediately following the Super Bowl on Feb 12th!

You can stay in the loop on who future guests are by visiting us at AthleisureStudio.com/AthleisureKitchen and on Instagram at @AthleisureKitchen and @AthleisureStudio. Athleisure Kitchen is hosted by Kimmie Smith and is Executive Produced by Paul Farkas and Kimmie Smith. It is mixed by the team at Athleisure Studio. Our theme music is "This Boy" performed by Ilya Truhanov.

Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.

FOR THE LOVE OF THE GAME WITH SOFIA KENIN

The summer has a number of events that are on our calendar whether we're there in person or watching it on TV. The US Open happens to be one of those events that we enjoy here in NY as well as attending events around it from the Taste of Tennis and a series of media events - it's always an exciting time to see the best in the sport.

We're excited for this month's cover, Sofia Kenin who has 5 WTA Singles Titles, 2 WTA Doubles Titles, WTA 4th ranked as well as the Reigning WTA Player of the Year! With a Grand Slam under her belt as the 2020 Australian Open Champion and making the finals at the French Open last year, we are excited to see how she continues to rock it in the sport! We talk about how she got into the sport, preparing for tournaments and how she takes time to enjoy the journey when traveling around the world to play as well as taking it all in as a tourist.

ATHLEISURE MAG: When did you fall in love with tennis and at what point did you realize that you wanted to go pro?

SOFIA KENIN: I fell in love with tennis at a very young age. I started playing tennis at the age of 5 and I was watching all of these pros and I was really looking up to them. I was like, around 6 years old and that’s when my dad took me to the Miami Open and that was the video that was going all around you know, when Kim Clijsters took me all around the site and of course, I was really excited since I was such a young girl at the time to see the press conferences, to be walking around and looking at the stadium. That’s when I knew that I wanted to be a professional tennis player. I just had a big dream.

AM: What is it about the sport that draws you to it?

SK: Everything about tennis is such a great sport! It’s physical and it’s a great mental sport where you have to have toughness to play it. Of course, you get to travel around the world to see so many beautiful countries, you stay at the best hotels, the food of course, going out - of course when there wasn’t a bubble and you could explore the city. Of course, there are all the opportunities that come with it and the competition as well! You’re able to do sports interviews, you have a team around you for the matches and when you walk on the court, it’s up to you so that you can compete and leave it all out there.

AM: Our readers, and ourselves included, love watching tennis because it is fun to see our favorites traveling around the world. When it comes to training and prep, can you walk us through what a day or a week looks like in terms of practicing and working out due to an upcoming tournament?

SK: I typically practice tennis twice a day 1 and a half hour practice sessions and after that, of course lunch and recovery with some of my KT Tape. Then, I’m back with my trainer for another couple of hours and recovery is very important in my daily life. I have to maintain a good recovery so that I can do my best during the training week and upcoming tournaments.

AM: What are your go-to workouts that you do that optimize you in tennis?

SK: Sprints, drills, agility, core – a little bit of that. Of course, weights in the gym.

AM: In terms of the tennis season, when does it start and end for you?

SK: Well of course, everything has changed with the whole pandemic! Typically, the tournaments start in January in Australia which has big travel days and everything which is where I won Australia! Of course, there are all those tournaments after that and it finishes off in Asia in the fall. But the end of the season this year, will be in Indian Wells which I can’t complain because I love Indian Wells – but we usually finish our season in Asia.

AM: What is your off season like? What do you do during that time? Are you still training or do you take time for yourself to realign everything?

SK: Of course, there is a lot of training and that’s when you have to build up physically and mentally and you do have to find some downtime. It’s not all about tennis, you’re traveling on the weeks and you obviously want to have some downtime to just go hang out with my friends, some time with my family, to go to the beach, to do some shopping! I love being able to hang out in the sun and to have time in the water and to be able to work on my tan as I can’t really do that all year. So I have about a month or so to get that tan and I need to use that time.

AM: It’s always fun to see singles and doubles matches because it’s interesting to see how a player has these different dynamics when playing each one. When you’re playing, is there a different approach to when you’re playing a singles match versus doubles?

SK: Of course, singles you’re kind of on your own and the court is wide open as you need to be able to move around a lot. But doubles, you’re with your partner and it’s my friends and you’re having a good time, you don’t have to be as serious as you do for singles, but of course you still want to be able to do well. Doubles requires that you have to have a really good connection with your partner and really good hands at the net, because both players are tough and you know that they have really good hands at the net. They know how to do I-formation. You can tell the difference between a doubles player and those that just want to have fun and play which would be me. It’s fun playing doubles, I like it!

AM: It’s funny because when I worked at Lacoste HQ, our department would play tennis in the summers as a fun way to connect. I wasn’t concerned about the singles play, I was ok with that – I’m not a professional by any means, but the doubles! I always ways wondered how people were able to play this as I was always anxious about where I was standing and where my partner was, it was terrifying!

SK: It can be scary sometimes especially when the ball is coming to the net and then you’re like, “oh my God, am I going to get hit in the face?”

AM: Seriously!

SK: Right, nowadays, you hit the ball around as you’d rather hit it out, then hit your opponents.

AM: Over the past 18 months, we’ve interviewed a number of athletes and recording artists about how they were able to be creative or still active in their sport during the pandemic. We found that many of them had really creative ways that they were able to stay in shape. Did you have anything like that for last year that you had to navigate due to not being able to access certain courts or things like that?

SK: Of course! It was really difficult for everyone! We were traveling and had safe bubbles when we were participating in our tournaments as we could only go to the hotel and straight to the tournament site. Obviously, that was not the most fun thing, but ok – that’s what we had to do. It’s hard to be on the road for weeks and months at a time without being able to walk or to explore the beautiful city or Mother Nature.

Over time, I have learned that small things have been working for me. I started a new TV show that I enjoy watching and I had a few, but I started watching Keeping Up with the Kardashians or I would play some music on Spotify.

AM: Even with last year being such a tough year for so many of us in various ways, you were literally killing it! You won the Australian Open, you were a finalist at the French Open – what was it like to have that kind of achievement taking place?

SK: It was absolutely amazing and I could never describe those moments. It was the highlight of my career. It has been a dream of mine to win a Grand Slam and I was completely speechless when I won. A few tournaments that happened after that, I didn’t win, but I am only human and it happens to everyone. When you win a Grand Slam, it’s exciting and you feel a lot of pressure after that and the expectations of those from the outside and I was able to somehow find myself back and I was able to close off the year as a French Open finalist! It was nice and I was happy for the way that I was able to come back, play tennis and to be able to prove to myself that I won a Grand Slam and that it wasn’t by accident. Unfortunately, I wish that I had won the French Open, but I got to the finals and not too many people can say that. I just hope that I can continue and that I will have many more Grand Slams under my belt.

AM: For sure, I mean your stats and what you have accomplished is really phenomenal. Being ranked 4th in the WTA, being the top American in singles – that is such an amazing feat to have! What are your goals for the remainder of the season or what you’re looking forward to in terms of next year.

SK: Number 1 is to stay healthy. We always downplay it and we look at tennis, tennis, but health is #1 and you can’t buy it. With all of these tournaments being back-to-back, players can have injuries right now. It’s a great part of the season because we’re back in North America and playing in front of the US fans and I’m excited to be able to compete and to get back into my matches and hopefully continue to make more memories and getting more into the spotlight, I guess!

AM: With the remainder of the season, do you have a favorite upcoming tournament that is always your favorite to go into?

SK: I like all of them, but I’m obviously looking forward to the US Open. I love the fans, I love NYC and I love being there. I look I look forward to after the pandemic being able to enjoy seeing the city, being able to walk down 5th Ave and to see all of the people and the beautiful city.

AM: When you’re looking at your IG, of course we know you’re focused on your game, but it’s cool to see you enjoying being a tourist in the city that you’re competing in! What are your 3 favorite cities that you love to be in whether you’re shopping or eating?

SK: Thank you for saying that I’m a tourist, because I love being that and when you’re shopping, you can never go wrong in Paris, Rome or NY, it’s one of the most beautiful cities. You can do really great shopping there as they are my favorites and they have the best food!

AM: We love talking about a number of verticals from sports, travel etc. As the Style Director and fashion stylist, fashion and personal style are of interest to me as well as Athleisure Mag! I love the bold personal statements that you have made in your looks. How would you define your personal style?

SK: I think fashion is super fun and I enjoy it! I have always wanted to be a fashion designer, maybe not drawing as I don’t have the best hands for that, but being able to put pieces together as a fashion stylist. I’m easy going. I like nice dresses, I like casual wear and of course I’m not afraid to wear colors or designs. I wear a little bit of everything. Of course, I like to wear the nice top designers and I try to shop there nowadays – not trying to be spoiled or anything, but I do like keeping up with the fashion.

AM: We know you’re sponsored by FILA and in looking at your looks from last season, I love the Heritage Collection (Fall Heritage Dress) that you wore as well as Mad For Plaid (Print Racer Tank and Plaid Flared Skirt), what does it mean to have them as a sponsor and do you foresee designing a capsule collection with them?

SK: First of all, I really love the Heritage Collection as well! It’s such a great and prestigious brand and I really love that they have done such a great job in designing my clothes and we have such a great relationship. I’m really lucky to have them as my sponsors. They are super supportive of me and have always been there for me and have allowed me to be my authentic self. They also have great lifestyle clothes as well which I have obviously been asking for them to send me some outfits and shoes. It fits with my style and it’s great working with them. Once I start getting back and playing better, there is an option where maybe I can design something of my own! But right now, I enjoy what we’re doing now and maybe after my tennis career, down the road, I could be a fashion stylist or something of that nature as fashion can always come back!

AM: We talked a bit earlier about KT Tape. Why do you feel there was such a synergy between you and the brand and that it made sense for them to be a sponsor for you?

SK: It’s a great product for recovery and many people don’t realize how important recovery is. As a professional athlete, I believe that KT Tape as a brand and a company is one that fits authentically into my life. I love using products such as KT Tape Cold Massage Roller and the KT Recovery+ Pain Relief Gel Roll-On. I’m super proud to be part of that brand.

AM: Couldn’t agree more. We find when we’re at photoshoots, press junkets, media events, attending NY Fashion Week and music festivals, their KT Performance+ Blister Treatment Patch and BFF Blister Prevention Tape is something that the team enjoys using so we can continue to stay on our feet and do the job that we need to do!

You have such a passion for the sport, do you do anything to give of your time to assist the community or to work with kids that are drawn to tennis?

SK: I love being an inspiration to kids and the younger generation as I know that they look up to me. I participate in a number of activities in every tournament which I’m invited to. I love doing that. It’s a bit early in my career and a lot of players have their foundations and I help them in whatever way that I can.

AM: You’re currently the WTA Player of the Year. What do you want your legacy to be in this sport?

SK: Well I just want to keep playing and continue to enjoy myself. I want to win more Grand Slam titles. I’m 22 years old so I haven’t thought about my legacy, but I definitely want to be a role model to young girls that want to be a tennis player one day. I want them to remember my name and remember me as I have looked up to Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Anna Kournikova, Maria Sharapova – everyone that I have looked up to. They inspired me and I want to be someone like that for those coming up. I’d love to be an icon and maybe be the next Serena Williams, but maybe let me get a few more Grand Slams or be like the 3 GOATS Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic who have all won 20 Grand Slams which is pretty incredible! If it’s possible, I will take it!

AM: You're still in your season so when you’re not on the court, how do you take time for yourself?

SK: Of course shopping because I love it and I’m crazy about it! I love to have dinner with my friends and family, going to the beach or I can stay in bed all day and just watch Netflix and Hulu and just relax!

IG @Sofia.Kenin

PHOTOS COURTESY | Front Cover, PG 21 + 22 KT TAPE | PG 16 -18, 25 + Back Cover Sofia Kenin |

Read the JUL ISSUE #67 of Athleisure Mag and see For the Love of the Game with Sofia Kenin in mag.

THE JEWEL OF THE COURT WITH DANIELLE COLLINS

This month, our eyes turn to the US Open which takes place here in NYC. A number of tennis greats will battle with the best in their sport to walk away victorious. In addition, there are a number of fun activities around this time of year to hang out with your favorite player, to take in the game and more. Right before the Taste of Tennis, a culinary event that celebrates the US Open along with a number of athletes within the game and outside of it, we had the chance to chat with Danielle Collins who is known for her phenomenal playing as well as making jewelry for the court. We talk with her about the game, her passion for it and being a jewelry designer.

ATHLEISURE MAG: Tell us about what made you fall in love with tennis and drew you to the sport?

DANIELLE COLLINS: My draw to the sport goes back to my grade school days. Back then, every Monday to kick off the week we had Show and Tell. There was a boy at school who would bring in these shiny trophies he'd won over the weekends to show our class. I remember seeing the trophies and asking my Dad how I could win trophies like that, and he told me if I worked really hard I could win some trophies, too. I guess you can say that I've always had the competitive spirit from an early age, and loved the way tennis makes you problem solve on your own.

AM: What was the moment when you realized that you wanted to go pro?

DC: I knew I wanted to go pro when I was seven years old watching the Grand Slams on television with my parents. I didn't really know how to put my game all together as a junior, and didn't have the opportunity to turn pro right out of finishing high school. College helped me grow so much personally and as an athlete. Winning two national championships at UVA gave me confidence to know I could also have success at the professional level.

AM: How was playing in the quarterfinals in doubles at Wimbeldon?

DC: I absolutely loved competing with Bethanie. She was so much fun to share the court with and her energy is contagious! Getting to the quarterfinals was really huge for me personally, as I had never made quarterfinals in a Doubles Slam before.

AM: How has the current season been since the US Open is around the corner?

DC: The current season has been great. I am continuing to make progress within my game, and gaining the experiencing I need. Sometimes I don't get the results I want, but right now I am more focused on trying to continue to develop my game, and on the daily process to get myself to the next level.

AM: What is an average day like when you are in training for your next match?

DC: Training days are always different unless we are in pre-season. When I'm on the road, there are many variables during tournaments. We make time for strength and conditioning workouts everyday, put the hours in on court, and work with my sports psychologist/ performance coach. We also spend a lot of time focusing on recovery and making sure my body is getting what it needs to relax.

AM: What is the tennis season like?

DC: The tennis season is very long, but perfect for me since I love competition and traveling.

AM: We love accessories, what drew you to jewelry and how did this interest become another passion?

DC: What I love most about jewelry is the story each piece can share, and how sentimental jewelry is for people. For me, every piece of jewelry I own has some type of unique story behind why I designed it or what drew me into buying it. Designing jewelry allows me to use my creativity and imagination, in a way that is much different from tennis. I've always been passionate about fashion and art, and I am so grateful to have the opportunity to partner with Ritani to showcase my other passion in life.

AM: We know you have partnerships/sponsorships with New Balance and Head Racquets. When did you start working with them and what do you do with each of these relationships?

DC: Head and New Balance have been incredible for me and my career. I have been working with Head for about two years now and New Balance for a little over a year. There is no better feeling when you have two highly respected companies like these two, giving so much care and support to my career. The teams that New Balance and Head, work so diligently behind the scenes to make sure that we have the best equipment. Head has been so great in helping me accommodate to any specific needs that I have had with making sure my racquet is just the way I want and need it to feel. What both of them do is really special, and I am so grateful to have them a part of my career. They mean the world to me!

AM: Tell us about the Danielle Collins Jewelry line and of course about your diamond tennis bracelets?

DC: Launching at Wimbledon was so incredibly special to me. Wimbledon is the holy grail of our sport, and the rich tennis tradition is something that cannot be compared anywhere else in the world. When we launched, I was happy to carry on the tradition of elegance that the tennis bracelet represents. So many of the fans and jewelry lovers remember back in the 70s when Chris Evert was sporting her diamond tennis bracelet on court. I loved bringing back that vintage aesthetic, and was proud of the exquisiteness that Ritani engrained into each of the small details and sparkly diamonds.

AM: What is the full offering of pieces available at Danielle Collins Jewelry line?

DC: The full offering available is Necklaces, Bracelets, and Earrings. We offer some finer pieces and some more fun whimsical ones as well.

AM: What pieces from yourdo you wear during your matches?

DC: The jewelry that I wear during my match are a diamond tennis bracelet and double pendant diamond necklace.

AM: When creating your line, what inspires your pieces from legendary tennis players to various aesthetics?

DC: When designing, I enjoy creating a variety of different pieces. All of my pieces have one thing in common -- they are timeless, and will not go out of style. While some pieces are more whimsical and playful, and others follow a more classic design, at the core, it’s about the meaning behind them.

AM: When you are creating your pieces as you intend to have them worn during playing, what are you looking to include and to avoid?

DC: When I am creating my pieces and intend to have them worn I like wearing pieces that are edgy and sophisticated. I try to make sure each piece is lightweight enough to wear so that I am 100% comfortable moving around on court. The material that I like to include the most is diamonds. They are one of the world’s toughest materials, and at the same time, they shine and are sophisticated. I try to be one of the toughest players on tour, and at the same time I try to be fashionable! The art of jewelry and wearing these pieces allows me to showcase my creative sense of style, and reminds me to be tough on court.

AM: As a professional player and entrepreneur, what lessons did you learn that inform how you go about your endeavours?

DC: Being both a professional tennis player and entrepreneur has taught me a lot of lessons along the way. Both have taught me how to network, organize, and manage my career and jewelry line. But the most important thing both have taught me is knowing how to take appropriate risks.

AM: In St. Pete, Florida, where can we find you grabbing a meal/cocktail, working out and going shopping?

DC: On the weekends, you can find me at Bern's Steakhouse in Tampa, grabbing my favorite meal. I enjoy going to hot yoga on the weekends, and shopping at Restoration Hardware to draw inspiration for my home.

AM: What are 3 items that you tend to carry in your carry on when you’re traveling?

DC: Three items I carry in my bag when traveling: sunscreen, hair brush, and mascara.

IG @DanimalCollins

Read the Aug Issue of Athleisure Mag and see The Jewel of the Court with Danielle Collins in mag.