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North Carolina, Virginia Win NCAA Team Titles at USTA National Campus

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The North Carolina women and the Virginia men won NCAA DI tennis national championships this weekend at the USTA National Campus in Orlando. It concludes the team portion of the 2023 NCAA Tennis Championships, which, for the first time ever, featured the men’s and women’s championships for all three NCAA Divisions at one location. 

The No. 1-ranked North Carolina women’s team avenged their only loss of the season, defeating No. 3 NC State in Saturday’s final to secure the program’s first ever NCAA DI women’s team national championship. NC State, which was playing in the program’s first national championship match, defeated their crosstown rival in the ACC Championship match earlier this season, but came up short, by a score of 4-1, Saturday night. 

NC State’s only point on Saturday came from freshman Diana Shnaider, who was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, after finishing with an unblemished record over the final three matches. 

North Carolina was led by junior Fiona Crawley, the top-ranked player in the nation, who won her singles match Saturday night along with senior Elizabeth Scotty and sophomore Carson Tanguilig. 

On Sunday, the No. 5 Virginia Cavaliers knocked off the No. 3 Ohio State Buckeyes, to win their second consecutive national championship and sixth overall. The 4-0 Virginia win denied Ohio State the program’s first national title and avenged two losses earlier this season to the Buckeyes. 

Junior Chris Rodesch was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player, playing No. 1 singles for the Cavaliers, while junior Inaki Montes de la Torre clinched the match on the No. 2 court. 

Read Randy Walker’s story on the North Carolina women’s win here: https://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/21978

Read Randy Walker’s story on the Virginia men’s win here: https://www.worldtennismagazine.com/archives/21984

USTA To Celebrate 50 Years of U.S. Open Equal Prize Money

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The USTA announced that the celebration of the 50th anniversary of equal prize money at the US Open will be the central theme of the 2023 US Open, and will be bolstered by a number of significant events and a multi-media campaign that will cross linear, digital, and social media channels.  The nine-month celebration beginning today on National Equal Pay Day will include extensions leading up to and through the 2023 US Open, and will continue for the duration of the year. Fifty years ago, in 1973, the US Open became the first sporting event in history to offer equal prize money to both men and women competitors, with each competing for total purses of $100,000, including a $25,000 payout to both the men’s and women’s singles champion.

The great Billie Jean King became the pioneer for equal prize money when she won the women’s singles title at the 1972 US Open and unequivocally demanded that the following year’s US Open pay men’s and women’s players equally. King’s ultimatum set the tone for a momentous year ahead, which first saw the formation of the Women’s Tennis Association. After the 1973 US Open milestone of equal pay, King then defeated Bobby Riggs in the ‘Battle of the Sexes’ match at Houston’s iconic Astrodome, a match that helped to propel the women’s movement in both sports and in society, and still remains the most-watched tennis match ever.

“The USTA is incredibly proud to celebrate the 50th anniversary of awarding equal prize money at this year’s US Open, and to honor Billie Jean King’s efforts to make this a reality,” said Brian Hainline, USTA Chairman of the Board and President.  “No individual has done more to secure equality for female athletes than Billie Jean King. Her impact goes far beyond the tennis court, and there is no better time to celebrate her legacy than on the anniversary of this historic milestone.”

“It’s not just about the money, it’s about the message,” said Billie Jean King. “Every generation does have to fight for equality and freedom.”

The USTA also is actively supporting the effort to have King’s myriad achievements recognized with a Congressional Gold Medal.  Though 11 individual athletes have received the Congressional Gold Medal, none of those recipients has been a woman athlete. The campaign to award the honor to King has begun, and efforts will be ongoing over the course of the year.

The USTA will be partnering with the Women’s Sports Foundation (WSF), founded in 1974 by King to enable all girls and women to reach their potential in sport and life, which will support the Congressional Gold Medal campaign in a number of ways, including with their expertise in advocacy and collective impact, as well as their significant reach with athletes, leaders, entities and fans.

“Billie has rightfully received numerous honors and accolades in her life,” said Stacey Allaster, Chief Executive, Professional Tennis, USTA and US Open Tournament Director.  “But the time has come for our nation to recognize her achievements with the Congressional Gold Medal for the wide-ranging positive impact these achievements have had on generations of women, men, girls, and boys of all backgrounds, making our country a better place.”

The 2023 US Open theme art also will be tied to the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Equal Prize Money. The artwork, created by Brazilian artist Camila Pinheiro, is a bold and contemporary spin on an iconic image of Billie Jean King, while capturing the power and excitement of the US Open in a dramatic fashion. The US Open theme art is featured across all areas of promotion and activation, including on US Open broadcasts, through a robust merchandise offering, US Open advertising, and will be visible throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The USTA is proud to support WSF with a donation from the proceeds of this theme art.

The USTA is planning a full slate of activities to support this historic anniversary. A multi-dimensional history of equal prize money, and the impact that equal prize money has had on sports will be launched online with additional promotion across the association’s social media channels. The series will include stories written by noted tennis journalists complemented with historic video footage which will roll out over the five months leading to the 2023 US Open. Finally, a “What Equality Means to Me” series of essays penned by notable women from all disciplines of life, will begin to roll out in April. The first of these essays will be authored by King.

Equal prize money will be themed throughout the 2023 US Open and equality will be the focus of the US Open’s ongoing “Be Open” campaign.  Now in its fourth year, the Be Open campaign emphasizes tennis’ commitment to diversity, inclusion and respect, and encourages all tennis fans to embrace these ideals.

Further information on the celebration of this historic milestone will be announced over the course of 2023. The US Open takes place annually at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, Queens.  This year’s tournament starts with US Open Fan Week on Tuesday, August 22, with the main draw of the tournament running from Monday August 28 through Sunday September 10.

Coco Gauff To Play Billie Jean King Cup Match For USA In Hometown of Delray Beach, Florida

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The USTA announced that Coco Gauff and the United States Billie Jean King Cup Team will play at the Delray Beach Tennis Center April 14-15 in a 2023 Billie Jean King Cup by Gainbridge Qualifying competition vs. Austria.

Billie Jean King Cup – celebrating its 60th anniversary in 2023 – is the ‘World Cup of Tennis,’ with more than 100 nations competing every year. The Qualifying competition is one of nine being held around the world in April, with the winners of each advancing to the Billie Jean King Cup Finals this fall to compete for the title. The United States leads all nations in all-time titles, with 18.

The Qualifier is a best-of-five match series that begins Friday, April 14, with two singles matches. Two reverse singles matches and a doubles match will follow on Saturday, April 15, with an amended Saturday schedule possible if one nation clinches victory in the third or fourth singles match.

Gauff is set to compete for the American team and Captain Kathy Rinaldi, who will nominate a total of four or five players to compete against the Austrians. The historical roster of U.S. Billie Jean King Cup participants is a veritable tennis hall of fame, and the U.S. currently has nine players ranked in the singles Top 50. The final team nominations will be made no later than March 13.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Tuesday, February 7, via Ticketmaster.com, and are available for as low as $25 per day. Single- and two-day ticket packages are available. Visit usta.com/billiejeankingcup for more information.

USTA members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets in advance through an exclusive presale beginning today and running through Monday, or while supplies last.

Billie Jean King Cup events have had demonstrative effects on the local communities they’ve visited in recent years, with last year’s Qualifying event held in Asheville, N.C., generating an anticipated $8 million for the local economy.

“The Palm Beach County Sports Commission is thrilled to host the Billie Jean King Cup in The Palm Beaches,” said George Linley, Executive Director of the Palm Beach County Sports Commission. “This is a premier international team tennis event that will be exciting for sports fans around the world as well as our local hospitality and business community which will benefit greatly from the economic impact brought by an influx of visitors.”

The U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Team has played at the Delray Beach Tennis Center three times before, in 2005, 2007 and 2013, when the competition was known as Fed Cup. The U.S. went 3-0 in those competitions, with the 2013 matches featuring Serena and Venus Williams. The Americans last played in Florida in 2017, defeating the Czech Republic in Tampa en route to winning the title that year.

“We are excited to welcome the Billie Jean King Cup to Delray Beach,” said Laura Bowen, Executive Director of USTA Florida. “From Chris Evert to Serena Williams, Florida tennis courts have served as the proving ground for many great champions of the women’s game. We can’t wait to cheer on Florida’s own Captain Kathy Rinaldi, the incredible Coco Gauff and the entire U.S. team, as they show the world the power of women’s tennis to inspire, engage and win over a new generation of players and fans.”

Wilson is the official ball of the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Team.

Coco Gauff to play in Delray Beach

USA Wins Junior Billie Jean King Cup For Record Seventh Time

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The United States brought home its record-extending seventh Junior Billie Jean King Cup title, while the American boys finished runner-up in the Junior Davis Cup as the world’s premier 16-and-under team competitions were held last week in Antalya, Turkey. 

Team USA defeated the Czech Republic, 2-0, in the final, capping off an undefeated campaign for the team consisting of Clervie Ngounoue (16; Washington, D.C.), Valerie Glozman (15; Bellevue, Wash.) and Iva Jovic (14; Torrance, Calif.). The U.S. team was captained by USTA national coach Lori Riffice. 

The U.S. Junior Davis Cup squad that fell to Brazil in the final included Alex Razeghi (16; Humble, Texas) and Meecah and Kaylan Bigun (16; West Hollywood, Calif.). The team was captained by USTA national coach Jon Glover. 

The title comes as the U.S. senior Billie Jean King Cup team is in Glasgow, Scotland preparing for this week’s Billie Jean King Cup Finals. That team includes former Junior Billie Jean King Cup champions Coco Gauff (2018), Taylor Townsend (2012) and Caty McNally (2017). 

To read more on Team USA’s performance, click here. 

Billie Jean King USTA National Tennis Center To Go To The Dogs

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The Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show presented by Purina Pro Plan, America’s second-longest continuously held sporting event, will be held May 8-9, 2023, at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park in Queens, New York City. This historic event is the centerpiece of Westminster Week. The 2023 canine celebration also marks the 10th Anniversary of the ever-popular Masters Agility Championship.

“As we march towards our 150th Anniversary in 2026, the Club is excited to bring the dog show to a venue that has always celebrated world-class athletes, and these champion dogs are no exception,” said Westminster Kennel Club President, Darrell W. Crate. “The sprawling complex will give spectators a truly memorable experience as they meet thousands of purpose-bred dogs that each have a rich history and background.”

America’s Dog Show will again attract top-winning dogs from across the country for this iconic event. In addition to the 10th Anniversary of the Masters Agility Championship, the 2023 schedule includes the 8th Annual Masters Obedience Championship, Junior Showmanship, 200+ Breed competitions (for Champions only), 7 Group competitions, concluding with Best in Show being crowned in the center of Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Additional family-friendly events are held throughout Westminster Week and will be announced soon. Tickets for all Westminster Week events will be on sale in early 2023.

Schedule of Events

  • Saturday, May 6 – 10th Anniversary of the Masters Agility Championship
  • Saturday, May 6 (pending) – 8th Annual Masters Obedience Championship
  • Monday, May 8 – 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – Day 1
  • (Hound, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding Breeds and Group judging)
  • Tuesday, May 9 – 147th Annual Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show – Day 2

(Sporting, Working, Terrier Breeds, and Group judging followed by Best in Show)

“This is an incredibly unique and prestigious event that we’re thrilled to host at our venue,” said Danny Zausner, Chief Operating Officer, USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. “After hosting All Elite Wrestling each of the last two years and the Fortnite World Cup in 2019, the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is increasingly becoming a marquee event destination for non-tennis related events. And the sight of dogs roaming the grounds at the home of the US Open is certain to put a smile on everyone’s faces.”

Although Westminster is the pinnacle of competition in the dog world, the event remains a family-friendly experience. “Accessibility, education, and connection are at the core of this event. Spectators are always surprised that they get to meet and pet these exceptional dogs, but the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show was created to engage with the public. We encourage people to come and learn about dog breeds from the owners, handlers, and preservation breeders. For over a century, this celebration of dogs has thrilled people, and our 2023 events will continue that tradition,” says Westminster Director of Communications Gail Miller Bisher.

Additional event information, FOX Sports’ telecast, and streaming schedules will be available on the website as they become available: westminsterkennelclub.org.

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About the Westminster Kennel Club

The Westminster Kennel Club,established in 1877, is America’s oldest organization dedicated to the sport of dogs. It hosts the iconic, all-breed Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, the second-longest, continuously held sporting event in the U.S. after the Kentucky Derby, and since 1948, the longest nationally televised live dog show. The Club’s mission, which enhances the lives of all dogs, celebrates the companionship of dogs and promotes responsible dog ownership and breed preservation. The Club advocates for purpose-bred dogs, with an understanding that each dog has a legacy and history that deserves to be taught, honored, and preserved. The Club uses education to raise awareness and encourage owners to conscientiously select dogs that are the right match for their families. The annual dog show—a conformation competition for purpose-bred dogs—and the Masters Agility Championship and Masters Obedience Championship—where dogs from all backgrounds are eligible to compete—make Westminster Week with over 3,000 dogs from the U.S. and around the world, a pinnacle experience for any dog lover. America’s Dog Show has captivated canine enthusiasts for more than a century. WESTMINSTER. There’s only one.® Visit us on, westminsterkennelclub.org, on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and TikTok.

About USTA

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, one of the highest-attended annual sporting events in the world, and launched the US Open Series, linking seven summer WTA and ATP World Tour tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns approximately 120 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S. and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Billie Jean King Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA’s philanthropic entity, the USTA Foundation, provides grants and scholarships in addition to supporting tennis and education programs nationwide to benefit under-resourced youth through the National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network. For more information about the USTA, go to USTA.com or follow the official accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok.

About Nestlé Purina PetCare 
Nestlé Purina PetCare creates richer lives for pets and the people who love them. Founded in 1894, Purina has helped dogs and cats live longer, healthier lives by offering scientifically based nutritional innovations. Purina manufactures some of the world’s most trusted and popular pet care products, including Purina ONE, Pro Plan, Fancy Feast and Tidy Cats. Our more than 8,700 U.S. associates take pride in our trusted pet food, treat and litter brands that feed 51 million dogs and 65 million cats every year. More than 500 Purina scientists, veterinarians, and pet care experts ensure our commitment to unsurpassed quality and nutrition. Purina Pro Plan is a leader in the advanced nutrition category, with more than 140 targeted formulas to help your pet thrive throughout every stage of life. It is also the food of choice for 15 of the past 16 Westminster Best in Show winners*. For more information, visit www.proplan.com or follow @ProPlan on Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. 

Purina promotes responsible pet care through our scientific research, our products and our support for pet-related organizations. Over the past five years, Purina has contributed more than $150 million towards organizations that bring, and keep, people and pets together, as well as those that help our communities and environment thrive. 

Purina is part of Nestlé, a global leader in Nutrition, Health and Wellness. For more information, visit purina.com or subscribe here to get the latest Purina news. 

*The handler or owners of these champions may have received Purina Pro Plan dog food as Purina ambassadors.

U.S. Open Celebrates 15 Years Of Sustainability

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The United States Tennis Association (USTA) celebrates the 15th year of its US Open sustainability initiative, continuing the tournament’s decade-plus commitment to reducing the environmental impact of the US Open and helping to create a more sustainable future for our planet.

Since the program’s inception in 2008, working with environmental consultant eco evolutions llc, these initiatives have allowed the US Open to reduce its harmful greenhouse gas emissions by more than 130,000 metric tons. More than 6,500 tons of waste generated during the US Open has been diverted from landfills, saving over 6,400 tons of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent of 1,390 passenger cars being driven for a year. Through composting leftover organic matter, nearly 830 tons of food waste has been converted into nutrient-rich compost for gardens and farms, along with more than 185 tons of food being donated to local communities. 

In 2019, the US Open became one of the first major North American organizations to sign the United Nations Sports for Climate Action Framework, joining a group of international sports properties that have committed to drive climate awareness and action. As part of the US Open’s continued commitment to climate-intelligent humanitarian initiatives, returning in 2022 is a carbon offset program that provides improved cookstoves in Uganda. The US Open will offset the estimated carbon generated to run the event as well as from player travel to compete in the event, employee travel to work the event and fan travel for Finals Weekend. This equates to approximately 10 million miles traveled by airplane, car or subway. This initiative provides strong environmental benefits as the reduced consumption of biomass will result in emission reductions and decrease deforestation. 

Also returning in 2022 is the US Open’s collaboration with reforestation non-profit One Tree Planted, which is an initiative that was introduced at last year’s tournament. Working with One Tree Planted, the USTA will make a donation to ensure a tree is planted for every player that will be competing in the US Open, amounting to approximately 650 trees. The trees will be planted as part of ongoing reforestation projects in California to help replenish U.S. National Forests that have been impacted by recent forest fires.

US Open sponsors and partners are also making significant contributions to sustainability at the US Open. For example, evian is on a mission to make all its bottles from 100 percent recycled plastic by 2025 (excluding cap and label) the brand is Certified Carbon Neutral by the Carbon Trust.  This helps the US Open recycle nearly seven tons of plastic during the event and divert 97% of waste from landfill.

Continuing its commitment to sustainability, the Polo Ralph Lauren ball crew Polos will be made from yarn derived from recycled plastic bottles. The fabric will also have functional performance features, like stretch & moisture-wicking properties, all constructed for active play. In addition, tennis ball cans used at the US Open will feature Wilson’s Eco Overcap, which reduces the amount of plastic by half and leaves a smaller footprint on the environment after it has been used.

The US Open is proud to have earned LEED Silver certification for Louis Armstrong Stadium, which premiered at the 2018 US Open. LEED, or Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design, is a green-building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices. A number of sustainable design elements were incorporated into Louis Armstrong Stadium, including fixtures that use 40% less water than standard buildings, landscape that is designed to use 55% less water than traditional landscaping and low-emitting paints and finishes. In addition, during construction, 95% of waste was recycled. This is the third LEED certified structure at the home of the US Open, the others being the Grandstand Stadium and VIP/Transportation Building.

Additional components of the US Open sustainability initiative include:

  • Recycling and Composting
    • New for the 2022 US Open, the USTA will be recycling the clean plastic wrap consumed by vendors throughout the site of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center during the event.
    • At the conclusion of the 2022 US Open, the USTA will be donating the metal lids from the tennis ball cans used during the event to the Ronald McDonald House in Valhalla, N.Y.  These metal lids will be recycled to benefit the Ronald McDonald House’s Pull Tab Collection Program for that home. 
    • The USTA collects the tennis balls used during the matches and players’ practices to reuse in USTA tennis programs and to donate to various community and youth organizations throughout the United States.  A large portion of the balls from the 2022 US Open will be donated as a part of Wilson’s initiative with Recycleballs.
    • More than 70 tons of food waste from the US Open kitchens will be collected to be process by an anerobic digester to produce renewable electricity.
    • Ballpersons are provided with reusable water bottles to reduce the use of single use plastic water bottles.
  • Construction and Grounds
    • The USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is home to three LEED certified structures including: Louis Armstrong Stadium (LEED Silver); Grandstand Stadium; and the Transportation Building.
    • Louis Armstrong Stadium:
      • Louis Armstrong Stadium uses 40% less water than is used in standard buildings.
      • Landscaping around Louis Armstrong Stadium is designed to use 55% less water than traditional landscaping.
      • During construction of Louis Armstrong Stadium, 95% of the waste was recycled.
      • Louis Armstrong Stadium is designed to use nearly 30% less energy than is used in standard buildings.
      • More than 10% of the materials used in Louis Armstrong Stadium’s construction were made from recycled materials.
      • Louis Armstrong Stadium is located close to public transportation, encouraging fans to take mass transit and help reduce the carbon footprint.
      • Low-emitting paints and finishes were used in Louis Armstrong Stadium’s construction to reduce the emission of pollutants.
      • Waste generated in Louis Armstrong Stadium is recycled and composted to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills.
    • Grandstand Stadium:
      • During the Grandstand’s construction, more than 80% of waste was recycled.
      • Primarily due to LED lights, the Grandstand uses 15% less energy than is used in standard buildings.
      • The Grandstand makes use of a rainwater treatment system to remove contaminants before the rainwater is discharged into the environment.
      • The Grandstand uses 40% less water than is used in standard buildings.
      • The Grandstand’s white roof reflects heat to keep the stadium cooler.
      • More than 10% of the materials used in the Grandstand’s construction were made from recycled materials.
      • Low-emitting paints and finishes were used in the Grandstand’s construction to reduce the emission of pollutants.
    • Foam glass, made from 1.3 million recycled glass bottles was used under the foundation of the new US Open broadcast building.
    • Refill water stations are located throughout the site to encourage re-use of water bottles.
    • LED court lights have been installed and will save a total of 90,000 kWh; 50% more efficient than regular stadium lighting. 
    • Vendors are provided with a US Open Green Cleaning Policy specifying preferred cleaning products to be used during the US Open.
  • Food Service
    • Paper or compostable straws will replace plastic straws across the site.
    • The majority of the service ware throughout the site is compostable, comprised of bio-based materials. 
    • US Open food concessionaire, Levy Restaurants, is locally sourcing approximately 20% of its produce and ingredients for the food offered on site.  In addition, Levy Restaurants offers 60% naturally-raised protein.
    • The US Open expects to donate almost 15 tons of food to the local community.
  • Paper Products
    • The 2.4 million napkins in the general concession area are comprised of 100% recycled material.
    • The US Open Daily is printed on paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) and printed on machines with dual-printing capabilities. 
    • US Open tickets are exclusively electronic.
    • All US Open digital event cards are provided electronically in place of the over 48,000 plastic versions purchased in the past.
  • Transportation
    • The USTA will continue to welcome more than 50% of its fans via mass transit or through rideshare. 
    • The US Open will offset the estimated 3.5 million miles players travel to compete at the US Open; the 3.8 million miles employees travel to work the event; and the 2.7 million miles traveled by fans to attend Finals Weekend.
  • Fan Awareness
    • 2022 US Open Sustainability Initiatives are featured in the official 2022 US Open Program.
    • US Open Sustainability Program facts will be highlighted in-stadium.
    • Environmental facts related to the construction of Louis Armstrong Stadium and Grandstand are displayed throughout those areas.
  • US Open Merchandise
    • The US Open Collection will feature for sale a reusable tote made from 80% post-consumer waste.

US Open Raises $1.2 Million For Ukraine Relief Via “Tennis Plays For Peace” Event

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‘Tennis Plays for Peace’ event at the US Open saw the tennis world and New York City band together to help the 2022 US Open surpass $1.2 million raised for Ukraine relief. 

The event featured some of the biggest names in the tennis world, including Rafael Nadal, Iga Swiatek, John McEnroe, Coco Gauff, Carlos Alcaraz, Leylah Fernandez, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Jessica Pegula, Matteo Berrettini, Maria Sakkari, Stefanos Tsitsipas, Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe, Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda and Ben Shelton. 

Ukraine was strongly represented on court inside Louis Armstrong Stadium, by players Dayana Yastremska, Katarina Zavatska and Daria Snigur and former players Sergiy Stakhovsky and Olga Savchuk. Twelve-year-old Ustyn Chornyy, from the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York, sang the Ukrainian national anthem, and representatives from Manhattan traditional Ukrainian restaurant Veselka also made a special appearance and got to hit with the players.

One-hundred-percent of the ticket revenue from the event was donated to GlobalGiving’s Ukraine Crisis Relief Fund, which supports humanitarian assistance in impacted communities in Ukraine and surrounding regions where Ukrainian refugees have fled. To learn more or to donate, visit TennisPlaysforPeace.com.

Wednesday’s event was part of the US Open’s tournament-long effort to raise awareness and aid for Ukraine, which will include the Ukrainian Chorus Dumka of New York performing during the Opening Night Ceremonies on August 29.

Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Sebi Korda Highlight U.S. Davis Cup Team For Face Colombia In Reno

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The USTA and United States Davis Cup Captain Mardy Fish today announced that Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, Sebastian Korda, Jack Sock and Rajeev Ram will represent the U.S. for its Davis Cup by Rakuten Qualifying tie vs. Colombia March 4-5 in Reno, Nevada.

Davis Cup is the World Cup of Men’s Tennis and is the largest international team competition in world sport, with nearly 150 nations competing each year. The Qualifier vs. Colombia is a best-of-five match series played over two days, beginning with two singles matches on Friday, March 4. A doubles match and two reverse singles matches will follow on Saturday, March 5. The first to win three of those matches will advance to the 2022 Davis Cup Finals – a 16-nation, multi-city competition held later this year with dates and locations to be announced. 

Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at usta.com/daviscup or via Ticketmaster.

The U.S. team competing in Reno is full of the sport’s top young rising stars and established Grand Slam champions.

Fritz, 24, is the top-ranked American man at No. 20 and reached the final 16 at the Australian Open this year. The Californian has competed for the U.S. in Davis Cup since 2019, when, at 21 years old, he became the youngest American to debut in the Top 25 since Andy Roddick in 2004.

Paul, 24, is ranked No. 42 and will be making his second Davis Cup appearance. A former junior French Open champion and 2020 Tokyo Olympian, Paul earned his first career win over a Top 5-ranked opponent and won his first ATP singles title in 2021.

Korda, 21, is ranked No. 43 and will be making his Davis Cup debut. A former junior world No. 1 and one of the sport’s top young rising stars, Korda rose from outside the Top 300 to inside the Top 40 in a span of less than two years and won his first ATP singles title in 2021.

Sock, 29, has been ranked as high as No. 2 in doubles and No. 8 in singles and has been playing Davis Cup since 2015. A three-time Grand Slam doubles champion and 2016 Rio Olympic men’s doubles gold medalist, Sock is 9-4 overall in Davis Cup play with a 5-1 mark in doubles.

Ram, 37, is ranked a career-high No. 4 in doubles and is making his second consecutive Davis Cup appearance. A two-time U.S. Olympian and 2016 Rio silver medalist in mixed doubles, Ram won his second Grand Slam and third ATP Masters 1000 doubles titles last summer at the US Open and Toronto, respectively, and owns 22 career ATP doubles titles.

This is the first time Davis Cup has been played in Northern Nevada. Davis Cup has only come to Nevada once before, a 1995 matchup between the U.S. and Sweden at Caesar’s Palace in Las Vegas that the U.S. won en route to winning the title that year. The United States owns an all-time record of 114-19 when playing at home and last won the title in 2007.

The U.S. and Colombia have split their four Davis Cup meetings, with the Colombians winning the latest matchup in the group stages of the 2021 Finals last fall in Turin, Italy.

Deloitte is the official sponsor of the U.S. Davis Cup Team. Wilson is the official ball of the U.S. Davis Cup Team.

For more information, including access to player and historical records, visit www.usta.com/daviscup or www.daviscup.com.

Taylor Fritz
Taylor Fritz

“Pioneers of the Game” Book By Marshall Happer Documents History of Men’s Pro Tennis Administration

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“Pioneers of the Game: The Evolution of Men’s Professional Tennis,” the comprehensive tennis history book written by Marshall Happer, is now available for sale.

The book is the culmination of many years of research and work from Happer, who was the first and only “commissioner” of men’s professional tennis as the head of the Men’s Tennis Council, the first and last unified governing body of men’s tennis from 1974-1989.

“Pioneers of the Game” documents the saga and history of the inside struggles and conflicts of a surprisingly small group of international visionaries and activists who shaped the business, administration, and governance of men’s professional tennis from 1919 to 1990 and beyond. The book details the pioneer’s 40-year competition between amateur and professional tennis which eventually forced the approval of Open Tennis in 1968, followed by the creation and development of the business, administration, and governance of men’s tennis as a professional sport between 1968 and1990 and beyond, with the divided governance and the advent of the ATP Tour.

This historical volume profiles, honors, and ranks these administrative legends which include Jack Kramer, Phillippe Chatrier, Lamar Hunt, Herman David, Derek Hardwick, Robert Kelleher, Donald Dell, Mike Davies, Stan Malless, Tony Trabert, Arthur Ashe, and Cliff Drysdale, among others.

“I am proud that I had the opportunity to meet and work for and with many of the Pioneers of the Game,” said Happer. “I wish I had known all of this history when I was privileged to be involved in men’s professional tennis.”

Steve Flink, the Hall of Fame tennis writer and historian, contributed the Foreword to the book, writing, “In this compelling and immensely significant book,  Marshall Happer—a central figure in the evolution of pro tennis and one of its most crucial citizens— writes the definitive historical account of how (men’s pro tennis) all transpired, of those who contributed most mightily to the growth and wellbeing of the sport, of why the many challenges confronted by the those in and around the establishment were ultimately successful in their quest to turn the men’s game into a place of growing prominence along the landscape of sports.”

The book, which has suffered through some supply chain delays but be ordered now here XXXX via Amazon.com, has also already captured the attention of some of biggest names from the board rooms to the courts over the last 50 years.

Said five-time U.S. Open champion Jimmy Connors, “This is about the development of men’s tennis from the beginning. The Pioneers molded the game, but did those involved have their own agendas? Marshall Happer had to deal with all the ‘players’ – those on the court and those behind the scenes. This is a story that needs to be told – to understand how tennis has gotten to where it is now. Many questions will be answered, and maybe, just maybe, a few more will be asked.”

Said three-time U.S. Open champion Ivan Lendl, “I was opposed to many of the rules that Marshall held us to and we fought all the time, but looking back he had an impossible job which he tried to manage in the fairest way possible.”

Said Craig Tiley, the CEO of Tennis Australia and the tournament director of the Australian Open, “Success is optimised by having respect and a better understanding of the past. Marshall’s book will help everyone in tennis reflect and gain greater knowledge of what came before them.”

Said Cliff Drysdale, the first President of the ATP, “There were so many moving parts to this interesting story. At that time tennis organizations and players in this drama were staking their claim to a place at the table.  Marshall Happer was in the right place then, and he led the game thru its formative stage when there was no clear end in sight. He steered the discussion forcefully but gently through those turbulent times. Indeed, for a long while he was the lead pioneer. Marshall has done diligent research so this book is a definitive historical account. It is a great trip down memory lane and a fascinating tale of the birth of pro tennis.”

Said Miami Open Founder and Former ATP Executive Director Butch Buchholz, “Men’s professional tennis today owes a huge thank you to Marshall Happer who was the Administrator for the Men’s Tennis Council, the first and only unified governing body for men’s professional tennis. Professional tennis needed someone with Marshall’s passion for tennis and legal background to build the foundation for the sport we enjoy today.”

Said long-time Indian Wells tournament owner and tournament director Charlie Pasarell, “As a founding member of the ATP and later a member of the Men’s Tennis Council representing the North American Tournaments, I had the privilege of spending many hours in meeting rooms with Marshall….Much of the success that Tennis has achieved is due to some sound fundamentals that were established under Marshall’s leadership then. This book tells the accurate historical story of that period. It is a must read for Tennis fans, and should be mandatory reading for all players, tournament directors and tennis officials.”

Said Micky Den Tuinder Lawler, President of the WTA, “Pioneers of the Game provides the reader with a unique and inside personal insight into the fascinating world of tennis. This game is as competitive and intense behind the scenes as it is on the court.  The thick plots that evolved on the international stage rival any adventure in Ian Fleming’s James Bond series.”

Said Tennis Channel President Ken Solomon, “Marshall Happer has written the definitive history of one of the most unlikely and least understood origin stories of any major sport, chronicling the tumultuous 40 year birth of men’s, and eventually all, professional tennis. Commissioner Happer’s meticulous, fascinating and thoroughly entertaining narrative has never before been told, and is a must read for any tennis fan or player seeking the unique origins of the professional game.”

Founded in 1987, New Chapter Press (www.NewChapterMedia.com) is also the publisher of “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” by Sebastian Torok, “The Greatest Tennis Matches of All-Time” and “Pete Sampras: Greatness Revisited” by Steve Flink, “The Education of a Tennis Player” by Rod Laver with Bud Collins, “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” by Bud Collins, “The Pros: The Forgotten Era Of Tennis” by Peter Underwood, “The Wimbledon Final That Never Was” by Sidney Wood, “Titanic: The Tennis Story” by Lindsay Gibbs, “Macci Magic: Extracting Greatness From Yourself And Others” by Rick Macci with Jim Martz, “The Secrets of Spanish Tennis” by Chris Lewit, “Andy Murray, Wimbledon Champion: The Full Extraordinary Story” by Mark Hodgkinson, “Cattle To Courts: A History of Tennis In Texas” by Ken McAllister, “Sport of a Lifetime: Enduring Personal Stories From Tennis” by Judy Aydelott, “Trojan Tennis: A History of the Storied Men’s Tennis Program at the University of Southern California” by S. Mark Young, “Absolute Tennis: The Best And Next Way To Play The Game” by Marty Smith, “How To Permanently Erase Negative Self Talk So You Can Be Extraordinary” by Emily Filloramo, “Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” by Cliff Richey and Hilaire Richey Kallendorf, “Your Playbook For Beating Depression: Essential Strategies For Managing and Living with Depression” by Cliff Richey and Mary Garrison, “Roger Federer: Quest for Perfection” by Rene Stauffer, “The Days of Roger Federer” by Randy Walker, “Jan Kodes: A Journey To Glory From Behind The Iron Curtain” by Jan Kodes with Peter Kolar, “Tennis Made Easy” by Kelly Gunterman, “On This Day In Tennis History” by Randy Walker, “A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis” by Tony Serksnis, “Court Confidential: Inside The World Of Tennis” by Neil Harman, “A Backhanded Gift” by Marshall Jon Fisher, “Boycott: Stolen Dreams of the 1980 Moscow Olympic Games” by Tom Caraccioli and Jerry Caraccioli (www.Boycott1980.com), “Internet Dating 101: It’s Complicated, But It Doesn’t Have To Be” by Laura Schreffler, “How To Sell Your Screenplay” by Carl Sautter, “Bone Appetit: Gourmet Cooking For Your Dog” by Suzan Anson, “The Rules of Neighborhood Poker According to Hoyle” by Stewart Wolpin among others.

2021 U.S. Open Completes “Greatest Return”

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Following a 2020 US Open that was contested without spectators for the first time, the 2021 US Open welcomed back fans and all competitions for an event that lived up to its billing of the ‘Greatest Return,’ on the court and off.

Among the highlights from the 2021 US Open:

On-the-Court
• Two new MAJOR singles champions were crowned in 25-year old Daniil Medvedev (RUS) and 18-year old Emma Raducanu (GBR). Raducanu defeated 19-year-old Leylah Fernandez (CAN) in the first all-teenage US Open women’s final since 1999 to become the youngest US Open women’s singles champion since Serena Williams that year. Medvedev defeated Novak Djokovic (SRB), who was bidding to win the first ‘Calendar Grand Slam’ since 1969.
• Led by Raducanu and Fernandez, teenagers took the US Open by storm, including 18-year-old Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz, who became the youngest man to reach the US Open quarterfinals in the Open Era. Further, 17-year-old American Robin Montgomery won the girls’ junior singles and doubles titles, the first American to accomplish that since Lindsay Davenport in 1992.
• Dylan Alcott (AUS) and Diede de Groot (NED) each completed the ‘Golden Slam’ in wheelchair tennis, having won their respective events – Alcott in quad singles and de Groot in women’s singles – in all four majors and the Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, the British wheelchair men’s doubles team of Gordon Reid and Alfie Hewett became the first team to win the Calendar Grand Slam in wheelchair men’s doubles.
• Marking one of the most competitive tournaments in history, 36 five-set matches were played – the most ever at a US Open.

Attendance
• Total attendance for the 2021 US Open was 631,134 – 85 percent of 2019’s record-setting attendance of 737,919.

Digital and Social
• The US Open’s social media channels set a record with over 500 million total interactions and video views, while the US Open’s Instagram account surpassed 2 million followers.
• Nearly 9 million (8.9 million) unique devices visited USOpen.org and the US Open App over the two weeks, while total traffic to USOpen.org was up by 1 percent over 2019.
Food and Beverage
• 189,942 signature Honey Deuce drinks were sold throughout the two weeks of the main draw.


Celebrities
• The tournament opened and closed in star-studded fashion, beginning with the USTA Foundation’s Opening Night Gala, which raised a record $2 million amid the likes of Alec Baldwin, Vera Wang, Daymond John and Lindsey Vonn.
• Meanwhile, Sunday’s men’s final featured a celebrity lineup befitting a Gala event, featuring Brad Pitt, Leonardo DiCaprio, Bradley Cooper, Kate Hudson, Lupita Nyong’o, Gayle King, Rosario Dawson, Spike Lee, Frank Ocean, Jon Hamm, James Corden, Ben Stiller, Christine Taylor, Rami Malek, Claire Danes, Megan Rapinoe, Maria Sharapova, Diane von Furstenburg, Sharon Stone, John Krasinski, Rosario Dawson and Jamie Foxx, among many others.

US Open 2021
US Open 2021