MUTUA MADRID OPEN 2025
The tennis schedule continues as the Mutua Madrid Open 2025 is taking place Apr 21st - May 4th! We’re looking forward to enjoying great matches between my favorites as we navigate the season. Check out who is playing who and when by visiting the schedule.
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MIAMI OPEN 2025
We’re excited to continue the tennis season and the Miami Open is always one that we enjoy watching whether we’re in the stadium or watching it from home. It kicked off March 16th and runs through March 30th which means that this weekend we’re all set for some great matches as we navigate the year. If you missed or want to watch some of your favorite matches, we suggest heading over to their YouTube channel to see some of the greatest moments! We were glued to Taylor Fritz v. Matteo Berrettini.
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COURT TO WELLNESS | SLOANE STEPHENS
Over the years, we have always enjoyed when we have connected with 2017 US Open Grand Slam winner Sloane Stephens. Most recently, she was our DEC ISSUE #84 2022 cover. We always enjoy catching up with her about her sport, new projects, as well as her philanthropic focus.
We had the pleasure to catch up with Sloane and this time we caught up with her to find out what she has been up to since we last talked with her! We were also excited to hear about her new wellness beauty brand, Doc & Glo that she launched during the US Open this summer! We also talked with her about her partnership with Athletes for Good which is a joint initiative between P&G, the IOC and the IPC that recognizes the efforts of athletes to improve their communities off the field of play, while also giving their best every day on their journey to their ultimate performance at Paris 2024. P&G awarded 20 Athletes for Good grants of $24,000 each to support causes championed by recipient athletes.
Sloane founded the Sloane Stephens Foundation in 2013, helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds dream big, both on and off the tennis court, by offering year-round tennis, education, mental health and financial literacy programs. The foundation uses tennis and education to change the narrative of poverty, health inequity, and educational development. With programs up and running in the Compton Unified School District – reaching 15,000 children in the area so far, the Slone Stephens Foundation will use the Athletes for Good grant to continue to grow the community.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We always love when we get the chance to catch up with you as we have enjoyed previous inbooks as well as a cover with you! You have had a busy year, what does your schedule look like for the remainder of this season in terms of upcoming matches?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I’m currently in Asia for the final tournament swing of the year. After this, I’ll head home for my off-season to spend time with my family before beginning my pre-season training block and playing in some exhibition matches.
AM: Are there any routines that you do before a match to get ready to play that you feel that you need to do?
SS: I always make sure to have a well balanced meal – usually chicken and rice with some type of veggie. It really depends on the time of my match but I prefer being the first match of the day so I don’t have much down time beforehand.
AM: Are there any routines that you do once you have completed a match to come down from all of the energy that you had to exert?
SS: Yes! I always get a massage and try to do some sort of self care whether it be a mask or just lighting a candle and relaxing.
AM: We always love following along your social media to see what you are up to and it's fun to see campaigns you're part of, your collaborations, and travels. Last month, you launched Doc & Glo which is amazing! Tell us about why you wanted to launch this brand as well as the meaning behind the name?
SS: I’ve always loved self care and this was always something I wanted to do. It’s a really exciting passion project for me! Seeing it all come together has been so special. The brand is named after my grandparents - Doc & Glo. My grandfather was an OBGYN – they called him doc, and my grandmother Gloria was a fabulous woman who taught me so much about self care starting at a young age.
AM: You launched 2 products - tell us about them and why did you want to start with them? Do you envision tackling other areas that will be available at Doc & Glo?
SS: We plan to launch more items in the body care space! Stay tuned!
AM: What has it been like in terms of coming up with this brand, doing all the R&D behind it, and finally releasing it for us to enjoy?
SS: It has truly been a labor of love! I’ve been working on Doc & Glo for 4 years so to finally see it out in the world is an amazing feeling. This brand was made from scratch – custom formulations, custom packaging, and months and months of testing. I’ve learned so much during this process and I can’t stress enough that entrepreneurship is not for the weak!
AM: How is your Sloane Stephens Foundation going and are there any upcoming projects that are going on that we should know about?
SS: Everything is going really well! 2025 marks our 10th year of programming in Compton and our programs are stronger than ever. We’re also expanding more meaningfully into South Florida, which is very special to me.
AM: How did you and the Sloane Stephens Foundation connect with Athletes for Good?
SS: I'm incredibly proud to be a member of Team USA. They've provided so much support throughout my career, including a scholarship for my MBA degree. I saw this funding opportunity for P&G’s Athletes for Good in an email and immediately wanted to apply on behalf of the Sloane Stephens Foundation.
AM: What did it mean to you to be awarded the grant?
SS: It means so much to be recognized for the work of the Sloane Stephens Foundation and to stand alongside so many other hard working athletes who give back to their communities across the country. When I started SSF in 2013, I sought out to create opportunities for youth to have tennis change their life. I believe in the power of grassroots sports and want all kids to have an amazing first interaction with whichever sport they choose. I appreciate the support of P&G in making these dreams come true.
AM: Are there projects or initiatives that you will be able to grow or incorporate in your plans because of the grant?
SS: This grant funding supported our summer camp in Compton, which just wrapped up after an amazing 8 weeks. We're constantly looking to improve and add new elements to our summer camp to give our kids the best possible experience. This summer, we were able to incorporate group sessions with our social worker as well as art therapy led by our social workers every Friday.
AM: Are there any other projects you have going on that you would like to share with us that we can keep an eye out for?
SS: We’re preparing to launch our next 2 Doc & Glo SKUs this winter and I’m really excited for everyone to experience them! I want to take over the home and away body care routine.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Sloane Stephens
Read the SEP ISSUE #105 of Athleisure Mag and see COURT TO WELLNESS | Sloane Stephens in mag.
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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
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.
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!
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.
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FROM BEAM TO COURT | NASTIA LIUKIN
Every four years when we watch the Summer Games, we enjoy connecting and reconnecting with those competing, veterans, analysts, and personalities. It's a great time to come together to support an array of sports that we all enjoy. Of course with Team USA Gymnastics, we know that we'll be cheering this group along and we took some time to talk with 5X Team USA Gymnastic Olympic Medalist, Nastia Liukin (G1, S3, B1). We caught up with her on what she's doing, her thoughts on competing at Paris 2024, her advice for the women's team, what she will do in Paris, her collaboration with Recess Pickleball and more.
ATHLEISURE MAG: It has been quite a year in gymnastics and we have enjoyed watching the road to seeing who would be on this year's Team USA Women's Gymnastics Team! As a 5X Olympic Medalist, what have been some of the biggest moments that you enjoyed while competing at the Olympics?
NASTIA LIUKIN: Competing at the Olympics is a surreal experience. One of the biggest moments for me was winning the all-around gold medal in Beijing in 2008. Standing on the podium, hearing the national anthem, and realizing all the hard work had paid off was indescribable. Another unforgettable moment, and perhaps the most memorable, was standing in the tunnel with my teammates before we stepped onto the competition floor for the first time. We all looked at each other, not exchanging any words, knowing that our lives were about to change forever.
AM: Like many, we are excited about the upcoming Summer Games and of course, to see Team USA Gymnastics hit the floor! What are you looking forward to this year with this team?
NL: I'm incredibly excited to see the new talent and the routines that Team USA will bring to Paris. This year's team has shown such resilience and dedication, and I can't wait to see them shine on the world stage. I'm biased because Hezly Rivera (G1) trains with my parents, but I cannot wait to watch her realize her dreams in Paris. I’m also so excited to see Suni (G1, S1, B1) step onto the competition floor after the year she has had.
AM: Do you have any words of advice for the ladies as they head to Paris?
NL: My advice would be to trust your training, trust your muscle memory, but also, enjoy it! This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that some will never have again. Leave it all out on the competition floor, but take time to soak in the small moments.
AM: Will you be in Paris and if so will you be broadcasting/being an analyst or will you be there with another brand? What are you excited about for the Olympic Games?
NL: I’m so excited to be in Paris right now. I recently announced that I’ll be ELLE Magazine’s official gymnastics correspondent, I’ll be filming my own show that dives into the psychology of the Olympic journey, and working with the USOPC on numerous events throughout the Games. I’m also excited to watch in a spectator capacity for the first time! My favorite part of any Olympics is to witness the culmination of years of hard work and dedication that these athletes have given to their sport. The Olympic spirit is truly special, and being there to experience it firsthand is always inspiring.
AM: You are no stranger to collaborations. You just launched your latest one with Recess Pickleball!
What do you love about this sport and how/why did this partnership come about?
NL: Pickleball is such a fun and engaging sport that brings people together. I love the social aspect and how it can be competitive yet enjoyable for all skill levels. The partnership with Recess Pickleball came about so organically because I was always a fan of their brand. I actually sent them a DM a year and a half ago telling them that it was on my vision board to launch a collaboration with them leading up to Paris, and here it is!
AM: We have seen a number of athletes that have embraced this sport. Will you be playing in tournaments?
NL: I hope to, yes, but definitely more social tournaments than competitive! It’s a great way to stay active and challenge myself in a new sport. Plus, the pickleball community is incredibly welcoming, and I’m looking forward to connecting with fellow players.
AM: We know that you're a big advocate of mental health. How do you take time for yourself when you're not in the midst of projects?
NL: Meditation has been a learned skill that I’ve incorporated into my mental health routine after a close mentor shared how well it worked for him, specifically TM. The Calm App or Headspace are great ways for beginners to get into meditation, too. I’m also a fan of hot and cold therapy, which is a huge mood booster. Something else that I look forward to every day, now that I live by the water, is catching the sunset along the beach. It’s incredibly grounding, sets me up for a good night’s sleep, and I do it with my dog, Harley, who makes everything better!
AM: Are there any other projects that you're working on that you would like to share with us?
NL: I’m excited to share a few big things once I’m in Paris, so you’ll have to stay tuned!
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | Recess Pickleball
Read the JUL ISSUE #103 of Athleisure Mag and see FROM BEAM TO COURT | Nastia Liukin in mag.
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CITI TASTE OF TENNIS
As we navigate the summer, there are a number of events that are always on our mind! With the US Open around the corner, Citi Taste of Tennis kicks off a series of events as well as the Grand Slam that gets everyone excited! At Citi Taste of Tennis, you're able to enjoy some of the best chefs and restaurants as well as seeing your favorite tennis players who will be playing at the US Open as well as veterans together! We've enjoyed attending over the years and look forward to attending on Aug 22nd at Gotham Hall with this year's host, Prakash Amritraj. We wanted to know more about this event as well as others that are part of Taste of Tennis. We sat down with AYS Sports Marketing CEO, Penney Lerner to get all the details.
ATHLEISURE MAG: Before we delve into this year's Citi Taste of Tennis, I wanted to know more about AYS Sports Marketing and who this producer is?
PENNY LERNER: Citi Taste of Tennis was created by AYS Sports Marketing, a woman-owned experiential marketing agency started in 1996 by mother and daughter duo, Judi and Penny Lerner.
AM: When did Taste of Tennis launch and why was this created?
PL: The principals at AYS worked with various tennis tournaments for many years and, in doing so, developed close relationships with tennis players, agents, and other industry insiders. With their fingers on pulse on the state of professional tennis, they identified an exciting and untapped opportunity. While tennis featured top-notch tournaments and A-list players, there were no high profile “off the court” events that were prominent in so many other sports. To fill this void, AYS created the Taste of Tennis in 1999.
In 2000, AYS hosted the first Taste of Tennis event in NYC headlined by Andre Agassi and celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse. The event combined food prepared by top chefs, celebrity appearances, entertainment and an Oscar's style red carpet. The event was instantly a hit among players, fans, sponsors and the media. Since then, the Taste has become a who’s who of tennis stars, culinary personalities and celebrities. Past attendees include Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Rafael Nadal, Coco Gauff, Mike Tyson, Eva Longoria, Marcus Samuelsson, Lana Del Rey, Naomi Osaka, Andy Roddick, John Legend, Chrissy Teigen, Olivia Culpo, Maria Sharapova, John McEnroe, Nick Kyrgios, Al Roker, Tamron Hall, Billie Jean King, Morimoto, Monica Seles, and many others
AM: We have attended Citi Taste of Tennis for a few years and have enjoyed them each time. In addition to NY, you have a Taste of Tennis London, Indian Wells, Washington D.C., and Miami. What do you look for when it comes to deciding on bringing a Taste of Tennis to a city as we assume that it involves doing it in tandem with a tennis match?
PL: Citi Taste of Tennis has occurred in many different cities over the past 10 years, from Melbourne to London to New York City to Toronto. We are always evaluating cities that have unique culinary offerings, have the potential for new digital content and most importantly, have tennis happening nearby!
AM: In terms of the upcoming Citi Taste of Tennis what does the calendar look like in terms of planning? Can you tell us what you are focused on when you're a year out, 6 months, 3 months, and a month away?
PL: Citi Taste of Tennis is a brand. We focus on it for 12 months of the year and are constantly evaluating new markets, rising chefs and culinary trends, up and coming tennis players, unique venues, inspiring digital content, social media, sponsorships and more. It’s a big undertaking, and we have a great team and after 24 years, hundreds of hours of digital content and 75+ events, we have a solid understanding of what the brand requires.
AM: This year, you are returning to Gotham Hall. Each year, these events blend players, fans, and cuisine. Can you tell us what we should expect this year?
PL: Guests will enjoy cuisine prepared by 20 leading chefs including Mischa Tsumura (No. 5 Best Restaurant in the World – Maido) and Antonio Bachour (World’s Best Pastry chef 2018, 2022). They will also be treated to special appearances by a number of top tennis stars including 8-Time Grand Slam Champion Andre Agassi, Qinwen Zheng (World #7) and Alexander Zverev (World #4). There will also be great food and fun promotions provided by our sponsors including Segafredo Zanetti Coffee, Scenic Cruises, Boar’s Head, Barbados Tourism Board, Liquid Death and Savas Health.
AM: Is there anything new being added to this year's event?
PL: We are producing a live cooking competition between Chef Mischa and Chef Antonio with WTA player Qinwen Zheng and ATP player Zhizhen Zhang which Andre Agassi will judge!
AM: Outside of the events associated with tennis tournaments, what does Taste of Tennis do throughout the year?
PL: Taste of Tennis started out as a 3-hour culinary event and has evolved into one of the most popular brands in pro tennis. In addition to the 3 North American events, we currently produce, Taste of Tennis is also an Official Sponsor of the Giorgio Armani Tennis Classic at Hurlingham (UK). This year, we will also have a Taste of Tennis experience at the National Bank Open (Toronto). We have a full-time staff dedicated to managing all elements of the brand including sales, culinary, digital content, production, and public relations. Suffice to say it's a year-round program.
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Taste of Tennis
Read the JUL ISSUE #103 of Athleisure Mag and see CITI TASTE OF TENNIS in mag.
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PHOTO CREDIT | Sloane Stephens/Facebook
SLOANE STEPHENS AND ATHLETES FOR GOOD
Over the years, we have always enjoyed when we have connected with 2017 US Open Grand Slam winner Sloane Stephens. Most recently, she was our DEC ISSUE #84 2022 cover. We always enjoy catching up with her about her sport as well as her philanthropic focus. Ahead of our AUG ISSUE #104 which drops on Aug 30th, we have an indepth interview with her that we are excited to share, but wanted to focus on her partnership with Athletes for Good which is a joint initiative between P&G, the IOC and the IPC that recognizes the efforts of athletes to improve their communities off the field of play, while also giving their best every day on their journey to their ultimate performance at Paris 2024. P&G awarded 20 Athletes for Good grants of $24,000 each to support causes championed by recipient athletes.
Sloane founded the Sloane Stephens Foundation in 2013, helping children from disadvantaged backgrounds dream big, both on and off the tennis court, by offering year-round tennis, education, mental health and financial literacy programs. The foundation uses tennis and education to charge the narrative of poverty, health inequity, and educational development. With programs up and running in the Compton Unified School District – reaching 15,000 children in the area so far, the Slone Stephens Foundation will use the Athletes for Good grant to continue to grow the community.
ATHLEISURE MAG: How did you and the Sloane Stephens Foundation connect with Athletes for Good?
SS: I'm incredibly proud to be a member of Team USA. They've provided so much support throughout my career, including a scholarship for my MBA degree. I saw this funding opportunity for P&G’s Athletes for Good in an email and immediately wanted to apply on behalf of the Sloane Stephens Foundation.
AM: What did it mean to you to be awarded the grant?
SS: It means so much to be recognized for the work of the Sloane Stephens Foundation and to stand alongside so many other hard working athletes who give back to their communities across the country. When I started SSF in 2013, I sought out to create opportunities for youth to have tennis change their life. I believe in the power of grassroots sports and want all kids to have an amazing first interaction with whichever sport they choose. I appreciate the support of P&G in making these dreams come true.
AM: Are there projects or initiatives that you will be able to grow or incorporate in your plans because of the grant?
SS: This grant funding supported our summer camp in Compton, which just wrapped up after an amazing 8 weeks. We're constantly looking to improve and add new elements to our summer camp to give our kids the best possible experience. This summer, we were able to incorporate group sessions with our social worker as well as art therapy led by our social workers every Friday.
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
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PICKLEBALL POWER
We were invited to Life Time at PENN 1 for an exclusive event for their VIP Pickleball event that allows us to see the unveiling of their 7 courts at this location in Midtown, NYC! The event kicked off with a conversation with the company's founder, Bahram Akradi, Founder and CEO as well as tennis icon, Andre Agassi, with 60 ATP Tour Wins, 8 Grand Slam Titles (Singles – Australian Open 1995, 2000, 2001, 2003; French Open 1999; Wimbledon 1992; US Open 1994, 1999), and Team USA Tennis Olympic Gold Medalist for the Summer Games in 1996. This tennis champ has been passionate about pickleball and won $1M and the Pickleball Slam 1 2023 with his partner Andy Roddick against John McEnroe and Michael Chang. This year, he won the $1M purse and Pickleball Slam 2 with his wife, Steffi Graf as they beat John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova.
Andre was recently announced as inaugural chair of the Life Time Pickleball and Tennis Board with the goal of expanding access, enhancing programming and building community.
In addition to the Q+A we saw both men play exhibition tournaments with JOOLA Pros Anna Bright, Collin Johns, Ben Johns, and Tyson McGuffin.
LIFE TIME: Ladies and Gentleman welcome to our VIP Pickleball Event that is launching the 7 gorgeous new pickleball courts that we have here at Lifetime Pickleball in the heart of NYC! Today, we’re also partnering with JOOLA Pickleball as they recently launched their Generation 3 line of paddles with JOOLA Pros’ Anna Bright, Collin Johns, Ben Johns, and newcomer to JOOLA, Tyson McGuffin. All of them will be joining us in just a few moments.
Before that, I’d like to introduce 2 dynamic men! An ambassador in the world of health and fitness, along with being champions of the JOOLA and Life Time brands. One of these men is the Founder and CEO of Life Time, the other, career highlights include the winner of the first ever Pickle Slam partnering with Andy Roddick, side note is that he also won 8 Grand Slams and has an Olympic Gold medal! Let’s have a round of applause for Andre Agassi and Bahram Akradi.
So Andre, pickleball, what’s the first thing that you thought when you heard that word for the first time?
ANDRE AGASSI: I thought, why that name? Then I took 15mins to just sit with it and it took about a 20min learning curve and I fell in love with it.
LT: How about you Bahram, the first time that you heard of pickleball, what went through your mind?
BAHRAM AKRADI: At first I thought that it was just a sport for very, very, very, old people.
LT: So what is this sport, who are the people that play, and now we’re here in NYC specifically, talking about pickleball. So Bahram, when you first played, you said that we had to get more of this here at Life Time. And now, Life Time is the biggest provider of pickleball courts in the country. What was your vision for pickleball at first and has it come to fruition?
BA: Yes, so, I remember playing tennis in some of our other clubs and I saw these taped lines on the courts and I found it was because people were trying to play pickleball on them. Then people just started asking for us to have courts that were specific to this game. So I thought, well if I give them courts designed for pickleball, they will stop putting tape on my pickleball courts!
So we took one club and we took 1 tennis court and make it into 4 Pickleball courts and we did that to another tennis court. So then I thought that that would be the end of that! Then once I started playing it, I did it for 2 hours and I got hooked. I started with doubles, and then I began playing singles and that’s when I saw the opportunity for this sport! I saw how all kinds of people at all kinds of levels could play. We had the opportunity to have people come here with our large facilities, we have quickly grown to become the largest owner and operator of permanent pickleball courts, topping more than 680 permanent courts nationwide (including the most in New York City with nine), and serving as a host site for multiple MLP and PPA tournaments nationwide in addition to its own Pickleball Classic. So we wanted to take a run at it and I think that we have done that!
LT: To you Andre, what about your process of being a pickleball player as well as looking at your phenomenal tennis career?
AA: First of all, I just want to know with everyone that’s here, how many of you have played pickleball? Look at all these hands – why are you asking me this question haha?
For me, what I really appreciated so quickly about it separately from inside the lines is when you’re playing tennis, you have to spend a 1-2.5 years before the game opens up to you. It’s that feeling that you’re not so concerned with what you are doing with the ball – you’re thinking of what you are trying to accomplish. With pickle, you’re able to get out there and connect quickly and there is a low point of injury involved.
Then there is the dynamics of family as my extended family as well as my wife’s who are from Germany when they come, we can all play together and we’re all different levels. I would say that we would all be out there – aunts, uncles, cousins, etc and no one had their phones out for 2 hours. The phones are on the side.
For me, what the hell can I do at this age that I can actually get better at? I mean I have gotten better at so many things in my life already – except for pickleball and I am getting better! You know, I’m a tortured perfectionist and when I think about playing pickleball versus tennis, the thrill of having to unlearn some of the sensibilities that I had as a tennis player right? But I also had to maintain some skills right? I am able to put my mind to the task and I get the reward of seeing all of that come together and I can only see this sport continuing to grow as it has. I feel that if we have X amount of people playing right now, we’ll be able to 10X that in no time at all!
LT: Andre is long on pickleball, I love that!
Now, you had mentioned that you have been playing with your family – your wife – I mean she’s major! Do you prefer playing with her or against her?
AA: I mean, she has crossed some finish lines in her life!
LT: A lot of us have significant others, spouses, that we play with so it’s always interesting to know!
AA: I like playing on her side because we are connected and that’s how you start to really understand what your partner is like and what you can and can’t do and to start morphing into their game. It’s cool to be on the same side of the net and that way you won’t feel guilty body bagging her! I mean, she has a few shots that are unique and then there are other things that don’t translate so well. She wants to play everything pretty traditionally. She’s always expressed her energy and her blood pressure through physical output so she was like a racehorse on the tennis court, but for me, my energy was always shot making when I was on the tennis court. It was about taking the ball and doing something with it.
So some things translate a lot easier when playing pickleball, but it’s fun watching her get past that first part and then seeing her get into her stride in this game. She just started playing singles after starting with doubles and you know, there’s one thing I don’t know how this sport works with someone who struggles with their knees. So she’s being careful and she has a cyst in her knee so once that thing gets drained and her knee feels good, she wants to play singles.
LT: Andre, just so you know, that was also a singles challenge right there for Bahram to play Steffani in singles. Are your kids approaching you to play pickleball or are you approaching them?
AA: Well, my kids – my son is a senior at USC and our daughter, thank God still lives with us at home as education and school wasn’t her thing. She’s artistic and does her own thing, she’ll get out there and play. My son plays baseball so when he hits something, he’s not thinking about it staying within a certain perimeter.
LT: He likes to be out there with the foul balls!
Bahram, how did you and Andre meet and what makes you excited to bringing Andre on board as the Chair for Raquet and Paddle Sports here at Life Time?
BA: We started working together 15 years ago and we continued to grow as really close friends. I have all the love and admiration for his intelligence and athleticism. I have always loved Andre and I have always hoped that when the right time came, that we would be able to partner together and to do something good that would be for the greater good. Life Time is the largest provider of pickleball and we wanted to be able to continue to deliver and offer tennis and pickleball and there was no better person that I could imagine to be the chair of our tennis and pickleball board. With his vision, his insight and I called him and asked what he thought about this. When he told me about his vision and how it would utilize our platform, it was a no-brainer for me.
LT: Andre, we are approaching the 30th Anniversary of you winning your very first US Open. What kind of memories does that bring back for you?
AA: Well, I had hair.
LT: Where were we then? Was it touching your shirt?
AA: The hair was going past the shirt!
You know, it’s such a profound place in my professional journey as well as in my personal journey. You guys not only watched me grow up, you helped me grow up. You really did. I was 18 years old playing Jimmy Connors at night giving him the beating that he deserved! Someone yelled out, “Jimmy, he’s a bum, you’re a legend!” and I remember thinking that I got the legend part, but what? Then fast forward and I got into something that I had done my whole life in front of those people and then down the road after my journey, saying goodbye when I finally retired.
LT: Well I mean, we have an exhibition coming up shortly today!
AA: Yeah, I was told about that! I’m ready!
LT: On that note, let’s bring in our 4 JOOLA Pros, Anna Bright, Collin Johns, Ben Johns, and JOOLA newcomer, Tyson McGuffin! Come on down here! So we’re going to ask our pros a few questions right now so that we can get to know them a little better and then we will head down to the Life Time Pickleball courts as we have a a whole stadium court set up. I wonder if you thought about that this morning Andre?
AA: Ok, I’ m nervous enough!
LT: I mean, it’s almost like a US Open crowd!
So starting off with Anna since you have a microphone in your hand, what excites you the most about pickleball?
ANNA BRIGHT: I think you know, it’s so cool that everybody is here to experience the joy of pickleball and to see us and to watch it! What I love most is the growth of it and not knowing where the sport is going to take us! When I first started playing 2 and a half years ago, I never thought that I would be here in NYC to play a tournament here to meet people and to talk about this game! There’s on way to really know how this game will look in a year or 2 years especially since you have the Pro level and I feel like we’re always kind of being pulled around on a chain by the powers that be, but it’s crazy to see the growth of the amateur game and I hope that we will be back here next year and will need more seating! I’m kind of excited and I don’t even know for what specifically, but I can’t wait to see where it goes in the next few years.
LT: Bright future, Anna Bright! Hopefully we will need more seating and have more people in here next year.
Tyson, I’ve watched you drill on the courts and a 2 hour session turns into a 3 hour session and I think that your T-shirts were more wet than is humanly possible. What are you working on to improve your pickleball game? More specifically, to beat these 3 people around you actually and to beat up on Mr. Agassi today?
TYSON MCGUFFIN: Yeah I think that for me, I have lost some top matches this year. So I think that walking in and raising the level mentally and being a little tougher in those moments. I think that at the highest level, we are all really talented and it’s just about that when the going gets tough and your back is against the wall, you just have to mentally lock in and dial in. I want to say thank you New York and let’s go New York Knicks!
LT: Collin, you’re a professional pickleball player. There was a time when you were not a professional pickleball player.
What advice would you give to somebody that is trying to be a professional pickleball player or what's one thing that was really integral in your path as you went Pro?
COLLIN JOHNS: Um, being Ben’s brother probably is a good start. The tennis journey, I did that for many years and then coming over to pickleball, I think that that just let me witness that I was playing a different sport. There are certain things that are going to help you as background significantly, but there are other things that you have to learn how to change. If you look at the players that have had the most success, especially relatively rapidly – they are very open to learning the game and that was really good for me. It was certainly a credit to the guy on my left that helped me along the way. But, the event today and one I did yesterday, it’s just amazing to see where the sport has grown since I started playing. I’m very excited about being here today.
LT: Speaking of the guy to your left, Ben, you’re the middle of 7 children! What was it like growing up? Was it constant sports and competition of those 7 kids? Who was the most competitive?
BEN JOHNS: Yeah, I grew up as 1 of 7 kids, but also 1 of the 2 boys as we have 5 sisters so it was primarily just sports with this guy. Pickleball is the only thing that I ever won. So, I’m really just taking my sweet time with it! He is 6 years older and it was very competitive. So when you have someone that much older than you, you just get used to losing at everything! But it was a great upbringing and I wouldn’t do it over in any other way. I was very grateful and it all led me here!
PHOTOGRAPHY COURTESY | Life Time
Read the MAY ISSUE #101 of Athleisure Mag and see PICKLEBALL POWER in mag.
Featured
9LIST STORI3S | SLOANE STEPHENS
SERVING UP SELF-CARE | SLOANE STEPHENS
As we close out 2022, we're already thinking about what we're going to do in the New Year personally and professionally! In the midst of all this activity, we need to take time and to enjoy the moments along the way!
This month's cover is Grand Slam US Open 2017 Champion, Sloane Stephens. She has made impressive moments at the French Open, Australian Open, Wimbledon and a number of matches and won an ESPY for Top Female Tennis Player in 2018 and because of her philanthropic work with the Sloane Stephens Foundation, she was nominated and a finalist for the Muhammad Ali Sports Humanitarian Award in 2019.
We have had the pleasure to connect with her in previous issues, but this month, we're talking about her upcoming tennis season, self-care and what she does while traveling! She definitely knows a thing or two about juggling a busy schedule while also taking the necessary time that she needs.
ATHLEISURE MAG: We had the pleasure of interviewing a few years back and then right before the US Open, you took time out of your schedule to share your 63MIX ROUTIN3S with us about what you do Morning, Afternoon and Night. With the season starting Jan 1st, what are the weeks like for you between now and the start of the season whether it’s training, relaxing, enjoying the holiday season, etc?
SLOANE STEPHENS: I’ve had one of the best off-seasons I’ve ever had this year! I started out by freezing my eggs at Kindbody. I’ve wanted to freeze my eggs for a while and the timing was finally right to commit to the process. From there, we went to Iceland to celebrate Jozy’s birthday and spent a few days as a family at the Retreat Hotel at the Blue Lagoon getting spa treatments and soaking in the hot springs. Iceland is only a 5 hour nonstop flight from Boston, so it was an easy trip! The day after Thanksgiving, we left for Africa. We went on the most incredible safari in South Africa at Londolozi and saw a gorilla trek at Virunga National Park. This was my first trip to Africa and I cannot wait to go back. I’m now back in Boston doing a training block with my trainer before heading for a tennis training block in Cabo through Christmas. From Cabo, I’ll fly directly to Auckland, NZ to begin the season!
AM: What tournaments are you looking forward to this year?
SS: Red clay is my favorite surface, so I always look forward to the European clay court season in the spring, which culminates at Roland Garros. As an American, any time I can play on US soil is extra special, so I’m looking forward to playing at Indian Wells, Miami, the US Open, and a new tournament in Austin.
AM: What is your routine before and after your matches?
SS: Before I play, I usually eat some pasta and a piece of lean protein like a chicken breast or piece of fish. I typically go into the locker room and put my headphones in and spend some time thinking and mentally going over the match plan I outlined with my coach the night before. About 30 minutes before my match, I’ll break a light sweat on a stationary bike and go through some fitness drills to make sure I’m starting the match with quick feet and dynamic movement.
After the match, I’ll do a quick cool down and shower before handling any mandatory media commitments. Once I’m done with that, I’ll either get a massage on-site or go back to my hotel and get some treatment from my physio. Depending on the time of day, I’ll then head out to dinner and prepare for the next day.
AM: How important is recovery to you after working out or after a match? What are the kinds of things that you do after these activities?
SS: Recovery is a critical piece of both the fitness and recovery process. Cooling down and taking the time to stretch and flush out muscles is really important for recovery and preparing for the next day and next match.
AM: Many of our readers are balancing hectic schedules – you got married at the top of the year to Jozy Altidore, an international soccer star – how do you make sure you give time to yourself, being with your husband and family?
SS: I make a lot of effort to have a very structured schedule and communicate my boundaries and commitments to my team. When it’s family time, it is family time and the phone is away. When it’s time to train, I’m training. When it’s time to work on my Foundation or on my outside businesses and investments, I’m fully there. I’ve also learned the things that bring me the most joy and fulfillment and prioritize those activities. When I’m home and able to spend time with my family, I take advantage of every single second of that time we’re together.
AM: In your sport, you spend a lot of time traveling 40+ weeks of the year! You kick off the season in Australia with the Australian Open. Also via your IG feed, you travel for fun – you’re South African trip looks amazing! How do you make your spaces feel like home when you’re traveling?
SS: I try to keep some consistent products and activities in my routine so that I can rely on those consistencies no matter where I am. A super easy way to do this is with bringing a candle from home - I find that having the same scent is really grounding and helps me feel in control of my environment.
AM: When it comes to choosing what hotel you like to stay at and to help our readers that may be planning their next trip, what are the things that you look for?
SS: For most tournaments, there is an official tournament hotel, so I just stay wherever I need to. In some cases, like in Paris and New York where there are endless options, we get to pick our own hotels. I love to stay at The Langham in New York and Hotel Vernet in Paris. I love when a hotel has a good breakfast, it’s just one less decision to make in the day. I also love great showers and friendly concierges.
AM: In terms of your suitcase, what are some of the important things that are must for you to pack so that you have your necessities as well as options for the unexpected?
SS: The most important thing in my suitcase is my passport. If I have my passport, I can pretty much figure everything else out as I go! Of course, I also need my tennis racquets to do my job! I travel with a lot of skin care products because I love the sense of calm and order that a consistent routine brings.
AM: What are some of your travel hacks that have proven to work for you that we should know?
SS: I cannot overstate the importance of hydrating during travel. The entire travel experience is really drying - the plane air is dry, hotels can be dry, the change in climates can be tough - it’s a lot. Hydrating inside and out helps your body adjust to new situations and new timezones and it is so simple to do. I think a lot of people are hit with a double-whammy when it comes to dehydration because they’re drinking a lot of caffeine to try and stay awake during travel or they might be having some alcoholic beverages while they’re away, and both of those things are also really dehydrating on the body, so it’s all the more important to hydrate.
AM: Do you have anything that you do before, during or after hopping on a flight whether it’s a beauty process, self-care, etc?
SS: I’ve started wearing WHOOP’s new Blue Light Glasses to avoid disrupting my circadian rhythms with too much screen time - it makes a huge difference when I’m trying to sleep the next night. I also try to get up and walk around on the plane to keep the blood flowing and prevent blood clots or feeling super stiff when I land.
AM: When you arrive in your designated city, whether it’s for work or fun, what are the things that you look for in terms of restaurants, activities and shopping that you want to explore?
SS: When I was first starting out on tour, I rarely ventured out. I stuck close to the hotel and always went back to the same restaurants. There are already so many variables at play when traveling for work and needing to compete, so I never wanted to risk an upset stomach or having any sort of issues. Now that I’ve been traveling to the same cities for 15+ years, I have a great mix of my tried and true staple spots but have also really enjoyed researching and trying new spots. I think being locked down during Covid made me appreciate the incredible opportunity I have to travel the world and made me look forward to getting back out and exploring.
AM: Do you have separate beauty routines for daytime versus night time?
SS: Yes! I wake up and drink a huge glass of water. I brush my teeth and then wash my face with a gentle cleanser like the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex. I sleep with various moisturizing layers, so I don’t want to take that all off and dry myself out again. I usually head right to practice or training, so I put Neutrogena sunscreen on my face and sometimes I’ll use the Dr. Barbara Sturm Anti-Pollution Drops under my sunscreen. I sweat pretty much every day and am always wearing sunscreen, so I like to do a body scrub in the shower at night to scrub that all away and feel like I’m going to bed super clean. For the record, I love piping hot showers, the hottest the dial will turn - boil me!! After I get out of the shower, I layer on the moisturizers - I start with a lotion and then will layer a body oil on top if I’m feeling extra ashy in certain spots. I go through the same routine every day and it helps my body and mind recognize that it is time to start unwinding and preparing for bed. None of the products I use at night have any energizing scents like eucalyptus or lemon verbena - it’s all fragrance free. If I want a relaxing scent, I’ll turn on a diffuser or light a candle. I always travel with diffusers or candles.
AM: How important is mental health and self-care to your training and state of being whether you’re working in your sport or just being out and about?
SS: There is an undeniable link between mental health and physical well-being. Both parts have to be working in harmony. Tennis as a sport inherently requires a lot of mental energy - it’s just you out there and everyone is looking at you, so I find that taking care of my mental health is just as important as how I take care of my body. It is encouraging to see this sort of discourse make its way into more mainstream conversations and I hope that more people are encouraged to find the practices, tools, and therapies that help them.
AM: Why does the wellness space mean so much to you and what can you tell us about your new brand that you are launching next year as we know you may not be able to say too much!
SS: The wellness space is so important to me as both an athlete and as a woman. I've always loved to try new products and am constantly in pursuit of the best ways to take care of my skin and body. I will be venturing into the wellness space myself next year, so stay tuned!
AM: We know how important The Sloane Stephens Foundation is to you. Are there new projects or initiatives that you are focused on that you would like to share?
SS: Thank you for asking! The Sloane Stephens Foundation is actually celebrating our 10 year anniversary in March 2023 - I cannot believe it’s been 10 years! I wanted to use tennis as the vehicle to keep kids in school, keep them healthy, and keep them physically safe. Tennis has given me so much in my life but I know that it can feel very unapproachable, especially to people from under-resourced communities who might not be able to afford the equipment or coaching, or to underrepresented communities where they might not see a lot of players that look like them. I sought out to change that. We work with over 15,000 kids each year across the Compton Unified School District and provide tennis, academic, mental health, and financial literacy programs. One of the things I’m most proud of us that almost all of our coaches are actually graduates of our programs who have decided to come on as staff members while they pursue their college degrees. It’s very much a big family and it feels very sustainable to have programs designed and implemented by the community and for the community.
PHOTOGRAPHY CREDITS | FRONT COVER + BACK COVER, PG 28 9DRIP Courtesy of Sloane Stephens | PG 16 - 19, 22 + PG 82 9PLAYLIST BNP Paribas Open | PG 21 John Cordes/Icon Sportswire | PG 25 Masha Maltsava | PG 26 Federico Pestellini/Panoramic/Icon Sportswire |
Read the DEC ISSUE #84 of Athleisure Mag and see SERVING UP SELF-CARE | Sloane Stephens in mag.
Featured
63MIX ROUTIN3S | SLOANE STEPHENS
9LIST STORI3S | LEYLAH FERNANDEZ
9LIST STORI3S | LEYLAH FERNANDEZ, FELIX AUGER ALIASSIME, CARLOS ALCARAZ
Featured
63MIX ROUTIN3S | AJLA TOMLJANOVIC
Read the MAY ISSUE #77 of Athleisure Mag and see 63MIX ROUTIN3S | Ajla Tomljanovic in mag.
PHOTO CREDIT | ROLAND-GARROS
FRENCH OPEN 2022
We love this time of year when we’re able to catch up with our favorite tennis matches. The Roland Garros French Open kicked off its 1st round on Sunday May 22nd and continues through June 5th which you can watch on the Tennis Channel. If you’re still looking to catch up as we’re currently in the 3rd round, we have the remaining schedule for this event!
Tennis Channel’s Live 2022 French Open Coverage
Date Time (ET) Event
Friday, May 27 5 a.m.-6 p.m. Third Round
Saturday, May 28 5 a.m.-1 p.m. Third Round
Sunday, May 29 5 a.m.-1 p.m. Round of 16
Monday, May 30 5 a.m.-3 p.m. Round of 16
Tuesday, May 31 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Quarterfinals
Wednesday, June 1 6 a.m.-6 p.m. Quarterfinals
Thursday, June 2 6 a.m.-2 p.m. Mixed-Doubles Final; Women’s Single Semifinals
Friday, June 3 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Men’s Singles Semifinals
Saturday, June 4 5 a.m.-9 a.m. Juniors Girls’ and Boys’ Singles Finals
Sunday, June 5 5:30 a.m.-9 a.m. Women’s Doubles Final
Same-day encores of the men’s and women’s singles and doubles finals (all times ET):
Saturday, June 4 – 2 p.m.: women’s singles final, men’s doubles final (and again at 6 p.m.)
Sunday, June 5 – 2 p.m.: men’s singles final; 6 p.m.: men’s singles final, women’s doubles final
Read the latest issue of Athleisure Mag.
Featured
9LIST STORI3S | SOFIA KENIN
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.
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9LIST STORI3S | AMANDA ANISIMOVA
Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag #55 and see 9LIST STORI3S | Amanda Anisimova in mag.
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ATHLEISURE LIST | COURT 16
Court 16 is a contemporary tennis company remixing the sport. Its flagship opened in 2014 in Gowanus, Brooklyn and provides programs across all age groups that are designed to focus on strong integrated teaching methodology and commitment towards fostering teamwork, community and empowerment for adults and chidren.
Its second location in Long Island City, Queens opened in 2018 as the first tennis facility in the world to feature customized LED tennis courts on the most advanced flooring system in the world. Both facilities are a premier lifestyle tennis destinations for passionate players, esteemed business and organizations across several brand categories.
Court 16's name comes from the court number 16 at the Royal Leopard Club, a tennis club in Brussels, Belgium where the founder Anthony Evrard, learned to play the game with his grandfather.
His love for the sport, playing for the National Belgian Circuit in his youth, being the captain for Layola Marymount, a Division I team as well as his time as Senior Global Lifestyle Manager at Puma created the foundation for Court 16.
Their longterm partnerships with LACOSTE and Babolat (exclusive tennis equipment that is available for complimentary use at the club) have allowed them to collaborate with product launches, exclusive invite only events, off-site programming and ATP player appearances.
The club has a long standing partnership with the USTA for impact programming as well as receiving a grant during the coronavirus pandemic for each club to upgrade their safety protocols. In addition, the USTA has supported their Sound of Tennis program for blind and visually impaired players. These are just a few of ways that they work with Court 16.
Members have access to private and semi-private lessons. They also have pickleball lessons and court rentals that can be booked.
During the pandemic of COVID-19, they have focused on their innovative platform Court 16 @ Home which is aimed at providing continuity and an ongoing connection to the members of the tennis club. They have access to to adaptations of existing plans, enriching immersive content that is consistent with Court 16 experience.
COURT 16 BK
526 Baltic St.
Brooklyn, NY 11217
718.875.5550
COURT 16 LIC
13-06 Queens Plaza S
NY, NY 11101
718.875.5550
Read the July Issue of Athleisure Mag and see Athleisure List | Court 16 in mag.
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