Latest news with #BNPParibasOpen
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Humbert star struck as PSG's Dembele cheers him on at Roland Garros
Tennis - French Open - Roland Garros, Paris, France - May 26, 2025 Paris St Germain's Ousmane Dembele is seen after Italy's Jannik Sinner won his first round match against France's Arthur Rinderknech REUTERS/Denis Balibouse FILE PHOTO: Mar 9, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Ugo Humbert (FRA) hits a shot against Holger Rune (not pictured) during his third round match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images/File Photo REUTERS Ugo Humbert was stunned to see Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele in the stands for his win over Christopher O'Connell in the first round at Roland Garros on Monday and said the French forward had brought him good luck. After wrapping up the Ligue 1 title in April without losing a game and winning the French Cup last weekend, PSG will bid for their first Champions League crown on Saturday against Inter Milan in Munich. Frenchman Humbert, 26, said he was touched to learn that Dembele had named him as one of his favourite players along with world number one Jannik Sinner. "He's my favourite football player, and I love his personality," Humbert told reporters after his 7-5 6-3 7-6(3) win on Court 14. "He's playing an incredible season. "I didn't realize at first that he was there. And I heard shouts: 'Ousmane, bring us the Champions League.' And I realized he was there. "He stayed for the whole match and I got to meet him and he gave me a jersey, it is in my locker," the 22nd seed added. "I was really happy to meet him and seeing him here, I'm sure that it's giving me good luck. For the (Champions League) final I will be in front of the TV with the jersey." Humbert plays Briton Jacob Fearnley in the next round. French 14th seed Arthur Fils said he would travel to Munich if he loses in the second round to Jaume Munar, and that he would request not to be given a late match on Saturday if he made it through. "If unfortunately, I am no longer in the tournament on Saturday, I will be in Munich. If I am still in the tournament, I will go see Amelie Mauresmo (tournament director)," he said. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Star
Tennis-Humbert star struck as PSG's Dembele cheers him on at Roland Garros
FILE PHOTO: Mar 9, 2025; Indian Wells, CA, USA; Ugo Humbert (FRA) hits a shot against Holger Rune (not pictured) during his third round match in the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Well Tennis Garden. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-Imagn Images/File Photo (Reuters) - Ugo Humbert was stunned to see Paris St-Germain's Ousmane Dembele in the stands for his win over Christopher O'Connell in the first round at Roland Garros on Monday and said the French forward had brought him good luck. After wrapping up the Ligue 1 title in April without losing a game and winning the French Cup last weekend, PSG will bid for their first Champions League crown on Saturday against Inter Milan in Munich. Frenchman Humbert, 26, said he was touched to learn that Dembele had named him as one of his favourite players along with world number one Jannik Sinner. "He's my favourite football player, and I love his personality," Humbert told reporters after his 7-5 6-3 7-6(3) win on Court 14. "He's playing an incredible season. "I didn't realize at first that he was there. And I heard shouts: 'Ousmane, bring us the Champions League.' And I realized he was there. "He stayed for the whole match and I got to meet him and he gave me a jersey, it is in my locker," the 22nd seed added. "I was really happy to meet him and seeing him here, I'm sure that it's giving me good luck. For the (Champions League) final I will be in front of the TV with the jersey." Humbert plays Briton Jacob Fearnley in the next round. French 14th seed Arthur Fils said he would travel to Munich if he loses in the second round to Jaume Munar, and that he would request not to be given a late match on Saturday if he made it through. "If unfortunately, I am no longer in the tournament on Saturday, I will be in Munich. If I am still in the tournament, I will go see Amelie Mauresmo (tournament director)," he said. (Reporting by Shifa Jahan in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Hamilton Spectator
15-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
WTA chairman Simon announces retirement. He oversaw player pay increase, took heat for Saudi stance
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — WTA Tour chairman Steve Simon has informed the organization's board of directors he plans to retire in December, the women's tennis circuit announced Thursday. Simon was tournament director of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, for 13 years before he was hired as chief executive of the WTA in 2015. Under his watch, the women's circuit committed to a $400 million increase in player compensation over the next 10 years, created a foundation to elevate its social impact in communities around the world and entered a partnership with CVC Capital Partners to accelerate commercial growth and drive reinvestment in the sport. Last year, the WTA restructured its leadership, with NBA G League executive Portia Archer taking over as CEO and Simon focusing on strategic development and governance as chairman. Simon has been a target for criticism. Last year, he and the tour were sued by Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko because of the way it has handled Russian and Belarusian players amid the war in Ukraine. In 2023, Hall of Famers Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova questioned how he could sign off on a lucrative three-year deal with Saudi Arabia to host the WTA Finals despite questions about LGBTQ+ and women's rights there. Simon also led a WTA boycott of China from 2021-23 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai's well-being. Peng dropped out of public view after she accused a Chinese government official of sexual assault. China was allowed to host tournaments again after the WTA received assurances from people close to Peng that she was safe and living with her family in Beijing. ___ AP tennis:
San Francisco Chronicle
15-05-2025
- Business
- San Francisco Chronicle
WTA chairman Simon announces retirement. He oversaw player pay increase, took heat for Saudi stance
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (AP) — WTA Tour chairman Steve Simon has informed the organization's board of directors he plans to retire in December, the women's tennis circuit announced Thursday. Simon was tournament director of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, for 13 years before he was hired as chief executive of the WTA in 2015. Under his watch, the women's circuit committed to a $400 million increase in player compensation over the next 10 years, created a foundation to elevate its social impact in communities around the world and entered a partnership with CVC Capital Partners to accelerate commercial growth and drive reinvestment in the sport. Last year, the WTA restructured its leadership, with NBA G League executive Portia Archer taking over as CEO and Simon focusing on strategic development and governance as chairman. Simon has been a target for criticism. Last year, he and the tour were sued by Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko because of the way it has handled Russian and Belarusian players amid the war in Ukraine. In 2023, Hall of Famers Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova questioned how he could sign off on a lucrative three-year deal with Saudi Arabia to host the WTA Finals despite questions about LGBTQ+ and women's rights there. Simon also led a WTA boycott of China from 2021-23 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai's well-being. Peng dropped out of public view after she accused a Chinese government official of sexual assault. China was allowed to host tournaments again after the WTA received assurances from people close to Peng that she was safe and living with her family in Beijing.
NBC Sports
15-05-2025
- Business
- NBC Sports
WTA chairman Steve Simon announces retirement. He oversaw player pay increase, took heat for Saudi stance
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — WTA Tour chairman Steve Simon has informed the organization's board of directors he plans to retire in December, the women's tennis circuit announced. Simon was tournament director of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, California, for 13 years before he was hired as chief executive of the WTA in 2015. Under his watch, the women's circuit committed to a $400 million increase in player compensation over the next 10 years, created a foundation to elevate its social impact in communities around the world and entered a partnership with CVC Capital Partners to accelerate commercial growth and drive reinvestment in the sport. Last year, the WTA restructured its leadership, with NBA G League executive Portia Archer taking over as CEO and Simon focusing on strategic development and governance as chairman. Simon has been a target for criticism. Last year, he and the tour were sued by Ukrainian tennis player Lesia Tsurenko because of the way it has handled Russian and Belarusian players amid the war in Ukraine. In 2023, Hall of Famers Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova questioned how he could sign off on a lucrative three-year deal with Saudi Arabia to host the WTA Finals despite questions about LGBTQ+ and women's rights there. Simon also led a WTA boycott of China from 2021-23 over concerns about Grand Slam doubles champion Peng Shuai's well-being. Peng dropped out of public view after she accused a Chinese government official of sexual assault. China was allowed to host tournaments again after the WTA received assurances from people close to Peng that she was safe and living with her family in Beijing.
