Latest news with #VenusWilliams
Wall Street Journal
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Wall Street Journal
He's Supposed to be a College Freshman. Instead, He's Lighting Up the French Open.
Paris The sun-baked court at the far end of Roland-Garros was so loud that Joao Fonseca couldn't hear himself speak. Everywhere he turned, he was met by the noise of fans in the canary-yellow jerseys of Brazil's national soccer team. They were all chanting his name. This, Fonseca realized, was how it feels to be one of the most exciting teenagers in tennis. 'Sometimes I feel goosebumps,' the 18-year-old said after punching his ticket to the third round of the French Open. 'It's a vibe that I can't explain.' Fonseca isn't the only one at a loss for words. His formidable talent had been talked about for years in junior circles, but his emergence on tour wasn't expected to happen for at least another season or two. Under his original plan, Fonseca was supposed to have spent this past year as a freshman at the University of Virginia. Instead, Fonseca turned pro before he ever enrolled in school. 'How old is he? Is he still in diapers?' seven-time major winner Venus Williams joked on the TNT broadcast. 'I wish I was hitting like that at that age.' That purity every time he strikes a ball had already secured him an endorsement deal at age 16 with On, the brand part-owned by Roger Federer. Then in 2023, Fonseca won the U.S. Open boys' title and finished the year as the world's No. 1-ranked junior. 'Joao could have gone to whatever school he wanted,' UVA's director of tennis Andres Pedroso wrote in an email. Only the real question wasn't where he would end up, but how long he might stay. Pedroso understood when he recruited Fonseca that there was a real chance he would never suit up for the Cavaliers. Still, he figured it was a risk worth taking. 'His parents and his coach were very up front from the beginning that at any point he could turn pro,' Pedroso wrote. 'Ultimately it would be Joao's decision.' Fonseca tested the professional waters by playing an ATP 500 tournament in Rio in February 2023. Though he was bageled in his very first set and lost his only match in little over an hour, he felt that the pro circuit was the place for him. Fonseca's mind was made up. 'It was an incredibly tough decision for me and my family as I have been dreaming about living a college life in Charlottesville,' Fonseca wrote at the time. 'But, in the last few months, professional tennis called me in a way that I simply couldn't say 'no.'' Every day since has served as a reminder that he made the right call. At this season's Australian Open, Fonseca stunned world No. 9 Andrey Rublev, becoming the youngest man ever to take down a top-10 player in the 52-year history of the ATP rankings. Along the way, he also happened to crack the hardest forehand of the entire tournament at 112 mph. Fonseca followed it up in February by claiming his first tour-level title in Buenos Aires. 'He has the fire in the racket but he has the fire also in his personality,' veteran coach and analyst Patrick Mouratoglou said at the time. Fonseca's matches around Roland-Garros are easy to find—they're the ones you can hear even before you approach the stands. Through the first two rounds, Brazilian fans packed Court No. 7, then Court No. 14, with many more stuck in the long lines at the entrance. It's been a while since they had anyone to be this excited about. Brazil has only ever produced one men's Grand Slam winner and he left fans with a few indelible memories of Paris. Gustavo Kuerten, the curly-haired clay-court specialist, won the French Open three times between 1997 and 2001. 'He's a legend for us Brazilians,' Fonseca said. Like his hero, Fonseca grew up with an appreciation for the clay. That comfort was obvious on Thursday as he slid around in a slugfest against Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert. The turning point was a second-set tiebreak that saw Fonseca crank up his level and eventually take the match in straight sets. 'Something happens when he really goes for it on his forehand,' Herbert said. 'There were two in the second set that really went through the air fast and traumatized me in the tiebreak.' The Brazilian fans responded by turning the stands into their little corner of Rio. And on Saturday, they'll be back to watch Fonseca face No. 5 Jack Draper of Great Britain in one of the matches of the third round. 'The expectations are going to come. People are going to talk,' Fonseca says. 'It's normal. You need to deal with it.' Write to Joshua Robinson at
Business Wire
4 days ago
- Business
- Business Wire
Blue Diamond is Sending One Lucky Almond-lover to Florida to Meet Tennis Champion Venus Williams for a One-On-One Lesson in New National Sweepstakes
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Blue Diamond Growers, the world's leading almond marketer and processor, is teaming up with tennis champion and entrepreneur Venus Williams for a national sweepstakes full of once in a lifetime prizes and endless snacking. In celebration of Blue Diamond's new line of premium almonds, now found in the produce aisle, customers who purchase the new protein-packed snack can use the barcode for the chance to win a trip for two to West Palm Beach, Florida, which includes one 30-minute tennis lesson with the tennis champion herself for the grand prize winner. Blue Diamond's newest line of premium almonds is a fresh take on a healthy snack, grown by hand in small California farms. Inspired by growing consumer demand for fresh, convenient, and healthy snack options, these premium almonds offer a new tasty array of fresh almonds and almond-fruit blends with no added oils or artificial flavors. These nutrient-packed almonds come in a variety of delicious and unexpected flavors like Toasted Almonds & Cherries, Sea Salt Almonds and Blueberries, Oven Roasted Honey, Lightly Salted and Whole Natural. "As an athlete, almonds have always been one of my favorite go-to snacks, packed with nutrients,' said Venus Williams. 'They're the ultimate superfood, keeping me energized on the court and fueling me throughout my day. That's why I'm so excited to team up with Blue Diamond to give fans a chance to win big this fall and celebrate healthy snacking.' Consumers who purchase a participating package in-store can enter the barcode at to access an almond tennis ball game and earn entries toward prizes. You can win the grand prize trip to meet Venus along with chances to win other items including an autographed tennis racket, tennis backpack, cookbook, sleeve of tennis balls, or gift cards. "We've seen a great reaction to this new offering as shoppers are looking for convenient and nutritious options in the produce section, and our new line of almonds delivers just that," said Maya Erwin, Vice President of Marketing and Innovation at Blue Diamond Growers. "We're excited to give consumers a fresh new way to enjoy almonds with unique flavors and premium quality they've come to expect from Blue Diamond, and we cannot wait for the next chapter of this product launch with Venus Williams." The sweepstakes begins now through September 15, 2025, at select retailers nationwide - including Giant Eagle, Hyvee, Jewel, Roundy's, Lunds & Byerlys, Buehler's and Sendkik's. To view the official Venus Williams sweepstakes rules and prize details, visit NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Begins 5/27/25, ends 11:59:59 PM ET 9/15/25. 50 US/DC, 18+. See Rules at for how to enter, free method of entry, odds, prize details & restrictions. Void where prohibited. Sponsor: Blue Diamond Growers. This Promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by, or associated with PayPal, Inc. About Blue Diamond Almonds Blue Diamond Growers, a grower-owned cooperative representing California almond growers, has been delivering the highest quality almonds since 1910. Committed to innovation and excellence, Blue Diamond offers a wide range of almond products that are recognized and loved worldwide. With a dedication to sustainable farming practices and a passion for delicious, healthy snacking, Blue Diamond continues to lead the way in bringing the natural goodness of almonds to consumers everywhere. Learn more at About Venus Williams With seven Grand Slam titles, four Olympic gold medals, and a career spanning over two decades, Venus Williams is one of the most accomplished and inspiring athletes in the history of tennis. Off the court, Venus is a successful entrepreneur, advocate for wellness, and a passionate supporter of healthy living. In her best-selling book STRIVE, Venus draws from her own personal health and wellness journey and depicts an easy-to-follow, yet innovative guide to wellness and performance that focuses on making self-improvements reachable and sustainable. Her commitment to excellence and empowering others perfectly aligns with her partnership with Blue Diamond Almonds.
CNET
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- CNET
Today's NYT Connections: Sports Edition Hints, Answers for May 22 #241
Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today's Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles. Connections: Sports Edition has a fun purple category. Once you see the connection, you'll assemble that one easily enough. Read on for hints and the answers. Connections: Sports Edition is out of beta now, making its debut on Super Bowl Sunday, Feb. 9. That's a sign that the game has earned enough loyal players that The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times, will continue to publish it. It doesn't show up in the NYT Games app but now appears in The Athletic's own app. Or you can continue to play it free online. Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta Hints for today's Connections: Sports Edition groups Here are four hints for the groupings in today's Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group. Yellow group hint: Think Venus and Serena Williams. Green group hint: Protect your head on the gridiron. Blue group hint: Hoopster Bruins. Purple group hint: A certain color. Answers for today's Connections: Sports Edition groups Yellow group: Tennis lingo. Green group: Parts of a football helmet. Blue group: UCLA basketball alumni. Purple group: Orange things. Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words What are today's Connections: Sports Edition answers? The completed NYT Connections: Sports Edition puzzle for May 22, 2025. NYT/Screenshot by CNET The yellow words in today's Connections The theme is tennis lingo. The four answers are ace, deuce, fault and let. The green words in today's Connections The theme is parts of a football helmet. The four answers are chin strap, face mask, pads and shell. The blue words in today's Connections The theme is UCLA basketball alumni. The four answers are Holiday, Lavine, Love and Westbrook. The purple words in today's Connections The theme is orange things. The four answers are basketball, football pylon, Netherlands and Syracuse.
Forbes
20-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Venus Williams Sets Trend As More WTA Players Graduate From College
Venus Williams receives her bachelor's degree from Indiana University East in August, 2015. Venus Williams hasn't retired, but one day she will enter the International Tennis Hall of Fame having done something Serena Williams, Billie Jean King, Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova and Steffi Graf never accomplished. Venus graduated from college. Around 2011, Venus wanted to add a business degree to bolster her entrepreneurial ambitions. She searched for an online degree program with the flexibility to meet her globe-trotting schedule. She chose Indiana University East, a regional college in Richmond, Indiana. Williams graduated from IUE with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in August, 2015. She was the first player to earn her degree through the collaboration between the WTA, the Women's Tennis Benefit Association, and IUE. Thanks in part to Venus, many WTA players are graduating from the IUE program, which is transforming how these female athletes prepare for life beyond the baseline. Last week, Kayla Day received a bachelor's degree in psychology. Day, winner of the 2016 U.S. Open junior title, participated in the IUE Class of 2025 spring commencement ceremony in Richmond. Some players, especially those on tour, can't make it to the on-campus commencement. No problem; the WTA and IUE accommodate these players by creating off-campus or virtual graduation celebrations that capture the fulfillment, pride and achievement of earning a college degree. In 2021, Magda Linette, Nicole Melichar, Shelby Rodgers and Teodora Mircic received their degrees at a cap and gown ceremony held at the Western and Southern Open tennis tournament in Mason, Ohio, a little more than an hour south of the IUE campus. Shelby Rodgers (L) and Nicole Melichar (r) celebrate their graduation during a ceremony at the 2021 ... More Western & Southern Open tennis tournament in Cincinnati. 'Student athletes have proven to be better students because of the discipline, you know, the routines they have,' said IUE Chancellor Dennis Rome, in an interview with 'This translates over into real-life successful practices that will help them advance in work and careers and family and everything. So it's that type of student demographic that really enhances institutional enrollment and retention.' Day chose to attend the on-campus commencement, march with her class and experience all the 'Pomp and Circumstance.' 'While it was a challenge to manage both things simultaneously, this degree will help me prepare now for my future life after tennis,' said Day. 'I am very proud to complete my studies because now that I have finished my career, I have many opportunities ahead of me." Day's degree is psychology, the second most popular major for WTA players. Business administration is No. 1. Communications is also a popular major with WTA players. Venus could have gone without a degree, having earned more than $42 million in career prize money and possessing an investment portfolio that includes minority ownership in the Miami Dolphins. However, Venus valued merging education with practical application. "It was always my dream to have a business degree, and I ended up going to art school so many times, but in the back of my head I felt like I needed the tools to be a better leader, to be a better planner, to be better at all of the things I wanted to do in my businesses because I'm so hands-on,' said Venus in 2015. NEW YORK, NY - SEPTEMBER 09: Sloane Stephens of the United States poses with the championship ... More trophy during the trophy presentation after the Women's Singles finals match on Day Thirteen of the 2017 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 9, 2017 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Sloane Stephens defeated Madison Keys in the second set with a score of 6-3, 6-0. (Photo) Since Venus enrolled at IUE, 30 WTA players have earned degrees, including 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens, Caroline Dolehide, Cici Bellis, Irina Falconi, Christina McHale and Marie Bouzkova. Sloane Stephens receives her bachelor's degree in communications from Indiana University East. ... More (2017) Stephens graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in communications three months after she won the U.S. Open. She's putting that degree to use as a studio analyst with the Tennis Channel and as part of TNT Sports coverage of the 2025 French Open. Indiana University East has a women's tennis team, but the Red Wolves' best players aren't on it. The best female tennis players currently enrolled at IUE will be competing in the French Open. This includes 2019 U.S. Open Champion Bianca Andreescu, No. No. 16 Amanda Anisimova, and Kaja Juvan. Red Wolf alums Dolehide, Bouzkova and Linette will also play at Roland Garros. The Red Wolves play in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), under the Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA), the governing body of college tennis. The ITA oversees men's and women's NCAA Divisions I, II, and III, NAIA, and Junior College tennis. Those programs are subject to rules for amateur athletes. The WTA-IUE partnership is unaffiliated with the ITA. The WTA-IUE partnership is part of a player development program, a WTA member benefit. Tom Livengood, WTA Vice President of Player Development and Member Education, said enrollment in the program continues to grow. 'Sometimes players might need to take a semester or two off for various reasons, but the general number continues to increase on how many enroll per term,' said Livengood. 'Although we provide information about the program during new member orientation, word of mouth accounts for much of the recruiting. Hearing it from a peer, from a former player or a current player, is really going to help them put it (the program) into perspective.' The university goes out of its way to accommodate WTA players. The school offers rolling admission, eight-week sessions, including between semesters. Academic advisors are available to FaceTime with players in Europe for the clay-court season. However, the players must meet the same qualifications and requirements as any student. When they log in for class, they aren't identified as professional tennis players. When in class, WTA players are just another student. Poland's Magda Linette recieves Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a ... More concentration in Marketing, Minor in Sport Marketing and Management, and a Minor in Communication Studies from Indiana University East in 2021. "With athletes with their schedules, in order for them to be able to engage in higher education, a traditional format, you know, having a fall or spring admittance and so on don't necessarily work with the schedule. So a hybrid approach is more appropriate for that type of student," said Rome. 'So in order to meet the demands of that demographic, we had to look at a different types of scheduling.' The WTA-IUE partnership is a win for players and the university, a small regional school with an enrollment of fewer than 4,000 students. 'We're attracting more international students," said Rome. "And for our students, many who have not lived or traveled out of the region, to be exposed to different cultures, having a classmate who's fluent in a foreign language and so on, just adds value to the academic experience here for our students.' Tom Livengood, WTA Vice President of Player Development and Member Education with Anna Tatishvili in ... More New York, May 2025, to celebrate her master's degree from the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications. The IUE partnership is one of several WTA player development educational programs designed to empower female athletes. The University of Florida offers discounts for master's degree and graduate certificates from the College of Health and Human Performance and the College of Journalism and Communications. In May, Anna Tatishvili, who reached a career-high No. 50, received her master's degree in journalism and communications from UF. Tatishvili got her undergraduate degree at IUE. "After completing my bachelor's degree at Indiana University East, I felt more confident and better prepared for life beyond professional tennis,' said Tatishvili. 'The program helped me grow personally and professionally, giving me the tools to evolve and understand myself outside of sport. I decided to continue my education and pursue my master's degree at the University of Florida because I wanted to expand my knowledge even further and continue developing as a professional.' Tatishvili celebrated her graduation in New York and posted a thanks to her 'WTA family' on Instagram with a video of her tossing her cap into the air. Not every player has a long or profitable career. Some players struggle to make the main draw at WTA Tour-level events and languish on the ITF Tour. Others battle illness and injury. A college degree is a solid plan B. Victoria Duval of the US celebrates after defeating Samantha Stosur of Australia during their 2013 ... More US Open women's singles match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York on August 27 , 2013. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY CLARY/AFP via Getty Images) Victoria Duval was a 17-year-old qualifier ranked No. 298 when she upset the No. 11 seed and 2011 U.S. Open Champion Sam Stosur in the first round of the 2013 U.S. Open. Duval's win made highlights and headlines. She appeared as a guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno. THE TONIGHT SHOW WITH JAY LENO — Episode 4520 — Pictured: (l-r) Tennis star Victoria Duval during an ... More interview with host Jay Leno on September 3, 2013 — (Photo by: Paul Drinkwater/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images via Getty Images) The following year, Duval was diagnosed with Hodgkin's lymphoma. After surviving cancer, Duval returned to tennis in 2016, playing on and off the ITF Tour. She's currently listed as inactive. In 2021, Duval graduated summa cum laude from IUE with a bachelor's degree in business administration. 'I believe that acquiring a degree is important to obtain better opportunities in life and it's an accomplishment you will be proud of," Duval told WTA communications staff. "I took classes while playing tennis professionally and graduated summa cum laude, so it can be done even if you have a busy life.' Victoria Duval receives her bachelor's degree in business administration from Indiana University ... More East, Richmond, Indiana. (2021). Other WTA educational programs include University of Palermo (Italy) 75-100 percent scholarships for short courses, online undergraduate and MBA degrees (in Spanish); Harvard Business Crossover (certificate) program, subject to acceptance and the Morgan Stanley Access to What Moves You, a financial literacy program. Although the ATP also partners with IUE, more WTA players are taking advantage of the program. This tracks with U.S. graduation rates. Women between the ages of 25 and 34 are more likely than men in the same age group to have a bachelor's degree, according to the Pew Research Center. ATP Tour doubles specialist Rajeev Ram graduated from IUE in 2018. Ram partnered with fellow-Red Wolf, Venus to win the silver medal in mixed doubles at the 2016 Olympics in Rio. Venus is a trailblazer from the courts to the boardroom. Her first book, 'Come to Win,' is about business, not tennis. She started a clothing line, Eleven, before becoming a Lacoste ambassador. She owns an Interior Design Firm, V Starr Interiors. In 2024, she launched an AI design platform, Palazzo. Being the catalyst for the the WTA-IUE partnership solidifies Venus's legacy of empowering female athletes. Her impact on equal prize money enables WTA players to achieve financial independence. Despite never reaching a Grand Slam final, Kontaveit, Linette and Rodgers have earned more career prize money than Pam Shriver, who is in the hall of fame. As one of the sport's highest-profile players, Venus's advocacy for education and entrepreneurial endeavors demonstrates to other players that female athletes can —and should — graduate from college during or after their playing days. Venus pursued intellectual and personal growth, redefining what it means to be a successful tennis player.
Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
The best films about tennis, ranked
Tennis is psychological warfare in a sport, a suave but ruthless game that fosters big personalities and lots of drama. No wonder writers and directors have taken it as the basis for many a work. Here are some of the finest films about tennis, but which ones do you think we have missed out? Let us know in the comments. Netflix, Apple TV+, Prime VideoAs Wimbledon approaches, it's hard not to bring to mind the Williams sisters Venus and Serena. Two girls from Compton, California, who went from playing on broken courts to smashing records, all the while batting away race and class prejudice — their trajectory was a movie waiting to happen. And so it did, in Reinaldo Marcus Green's biopic, with a
