Tennis

Civil Rights Lawyer Ben Crump Sponsors Underdog Tennis Players at US OpenProminent civil rights attorney Ben Crump is making a statement at the US Open this year by sponsoring lesser-known players through patches on their outfits. Crump's firm's name, "Ben Crump Law," has been visible on the sleeves of players like Tomas Machac and Dusan Lajovic.Crump's involvement in high-profile cases involving police brutality and racial injustice has earned him the title of "Black America's attorney general." His decision to sponsor underdog players at the US Open aligns with his mission to fight for the marginalized."We are sponsoring the underdog in up to 10 of the matches," Crump said. "The sponsorship helps the underdog players who obviously don't have name-brand sponsors but deserve just as much of a chance to display their talents and compete against the best in the world."Crump emphasized that the sponsorship is not primarily about generating business but about promoting diversity and inclusion in sports. "Hopefully when (fans) see the 'Ben Crump' patch on the jerseys of the players, they will think about how social justice is important in all aspects of society, in courtrooms and sports arenas," he said.Crump's sponsorship is a testament to the legacy of Arthur Ashe, the legendary tennis player who was also a vocal advocate for social justice. "The reason we decided to do a sponsorship package in this way was in part because I am still inspired by (Ashe's) legacy," Crump said.By supporting underdog players, Crump hopes to inspire them to reach their full potential and to raise awareness about the importance of social justice in both sports and society.