Tennis Celebrates Equality

September 8, 2023 Protima Daryanani and Paola Calero

The end of summer in New York is marked by one spectacular event. No, it’s not back-to-school shopping, but the US Open! We enjoyed a few nights at the Open enjoying matches featuring the women’s and men’s number 1’s as well as a late night finish to one of the tournament’s longest matches.

This year’s US Open also marked the Fiftieth Anniversary of its revolutionary decision to provide equal prize money to men and women. In 1973, the US Open became the first Grand Slam tennis tournament to offer equal pay, a feat that is credited to the great Billie Jean King. Ms. King’s efforts on behalf of women tennis players resulted in the New York Times declaring in its July 20, 1973 headline “Tennis Decides All Women Are Created Equal, Too”. If only the rest of the world could operate under this fact!

Wimbledon Tennis Championships

July 9, 2021 Melanie Katz

After over a year of cancelled sports, or games played to empty stands, the crowd at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships is finally enjoying their favorite sport in person. There’s something special about gathering together to watch a match, experiencing the highs and lows of the competition firsthand. Between the vivid green court and the bright blue sky, the energy of the crowd is palpable. No matter which players they’re rooting for, the tennis fans at Wimbledon are once again feeling the vibrant excitement of sitting in the stands at a live sporting event, a feeling that can’t be replicated by watching in their living rooms at home.

The Guardian: "Frances Tiafoe—‘I want to use my story to inspire others, you can’t make it up.’ "

May 21, 2019 Joseph McKeown

Frances Tiafoe, the son of immigrants to the US, overcame the challenges of his early years in America to become one of the most promising and talented players in the world of international tennis. Born into a family of West African immigrants, Tiafoe’s father, a diamond mineworker from Sierra Leone, escaped the civil war-torn country and found his way to America.

Bel18ve!

September 11, 2015 Protima Daryanani

After beating Frenchman Richard Gasquet, seventeen-time Grand Slam champion, Roger Federer, is set to face fellow countryman Stan Wawrinka today in an all-Swiss semi-final at the US Open. While I've enjoyed Stan's recent performances and wish him all the best, I am and always will be a Federer fan. Beautiful backhand!