Tennis

Wimbledon's total prize money fund has witnessed a significant increase, reaching a record-breaking 50 million pounds (approximately $64 million). This represents a 5.3 million pound ($6.8 million) increase from last year, marking an impressive 11.9% growth. Notably, this amount is double the 25 million pounds ($32 million) awarded to competitors at the grass-court Grand Slam tournament a decade ago.The winners of the men's and women's singles titles will each receive a substantial 2.7 million pounds ($3.45 million), a jump of 350,000 pounds ($450,000) or 14.9% from the previous year. Players who lose in the first round of singles will also see an increase in their prize money, with each receiving 60,000 pounds (about $76,000), up from 55,000 pounds ($70,000) in 2023.The prize money for the qualifying event has also been boosted by 14.9%, reaching 4.8 million pounds (about $6 million).In addition to the prize money announcement, the All England Club, which hosts Wimbledon, addressed several other topics:* Domestic Violence Policy: The club has been in discussions with other Grand Slam hosts about the possibility of creating a domestic violence policy. "Clearly that's something that the sport would want to do on a unified basis," said Sally Bolton, the club's chief executive.* Andy Murray's Retirement: The club has plans in place to celebrate two-time Wimbledon champion Andy Murray's career if, as expected, he announces this will be his last appearance at the tournament. "We've certainly got plans in place and we’re ready and prepared, but ultimately it's Andy’s decision," said Bolton.* Centre Court Start Time: Centre Court will continue to begin play at 1:30 p.m. local time (8:30 a.m. EDT), despite concerns expressed by Novak Djokovic that such scheduling inevitably leads to late starts for a day's last match. "We’ve reviewed it, we’ve thought long and hard and looked at the data around length of matches and the trends that are occurring in that space," said Bolton, "and were very confident and happy with the decision that we’ve made this year.”

Carlos Alcaraz, the 19-year-old Spanish tennis sensation, has reportedly signed a lucrative contract extension with Nike. According to Spanish sports website Relevo, the deal is worth an estimated $15 to $20 million annually and will extend into the mid-2030s.The new contract, which was inked before Alcaraz's historic victory at Roland Garros, will also include the unveiling of his own custom logo. This move follows a similar extension signed by Jannik Sinner in 2022, making the two young stars the faces of Nike in men's tennis.Alcaraz has been sponsored by Nike since 2019, and his previous contract was set to expire in 2025. The new deal is a testament to his meteoric rise in the sport, which has seen him become the youngest player to win Grand Slam titles on all three surfaces in the Open Era.With his victory at Roland Garros, Alcaraz has now earned over $30 million in career prize money. He is also the second-highest earning tennis player in the world, according to Forbes, with $31.4 million in on- and off-court earnings last year.In addition to his Nike sponsorship, Alcaraz has lucrative deals with Babolat, Rolex, BMW, Calvin Klein, and Louis Vuitton. The new Nike contract further solidifies his status as one of the most marketable athletes in the world.

Bianca Andreescu and Naomi Osaka, two former Grand Slam champions, engaged in a thrilling three-set battle at the Libema Open, with Andreescu ultimately emerging victorious.Andreescu, playing in only her second tournament of 2024 after a nine-month absence due to a back injury, displayed remarkable resilience against a resurgent Osaka. The match, which lasted two hours and 15 minutes, was a testament to the high quality of tennis both players possess.The first set was a closely contested affair, with Andreescu securing the lone break point off a stunning volley. Osaka, however, roared back in the second set, taking a commanding 5-0 lead and forcing a decider.The third set was a rollercoaster of emotions, with both players saving break points and trading blows. Andreescu broke first, but Osaka responded with a series of powerful forehand winners to level the contest.In the deciding tiebreaker, Andreescu's determination shone through. She converted a match point when an Osaka forehand clipped the netcord and dropped back onto her side.Andreescu's victory marks a significant milestone in her comeback from injury. She will now face Hungarian qualifier Dalma Galfi in the semifinals.

Iga Swiatek, the world's top-ranked tennis player, has achieved another milestone in her remarkable career by attending Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. The Polish star, who is an avid Swiftie, shared her experience on social media, expressing her overwhelming emotions and admiration for the singer.Swiatek's attendance at the concert comes after her triumph at the Roland Garros Grand Slam, where she secured her fifth major title. The 23-year-old has been on an incredible run, winning three consecutive titles in Paris with the loss of only one set.Her love for Swift's music has been evident for some time. Last month, she shared her thoughts on Swift's latest album, "The Tortured Poets Department," while competing in the Mutua Madrid Open, Internazionali BNL d'Italia, and Roland Garros."I like it," said Swiatek, who is particularly fond of Swift's 2020 albums "folklore" and "evermore." "I would say there are, like, seven songs that I really like. I made a playlist of all of them."Swiatek's enthusiasm for Swift's music has extended beyond her social media posts. She has even received a personal note from the singer, congratulating her on her successful 2024 season.The Polish star's attendance at the Eras Tour is a testament to her passion for music and her admiration for Swift. It is a moment that she will undoubtedly cherish for years to come.

Carlos Alcaraz's triumph at Roland Garros 2023 marked a historic milestone in his career, solidifying his status as one of the most promising young stars in tennis. His remarkable journey to the title showcased his unwavering determination and exceptional talent.Alcaraz's victory was particularly impressive considering his recent injury struggles. Despite missing most of the clay-court lead-up season, he displayed remarkable resilience and determination to regain his top form. His ability to overcome adversity was evident in his thrilling comebacks from two-sets-to-one down in both the semifinals and final.With his victory, Alcaraz achieved several notable milestones:* He became the first man in the Open Era to win back-to-back five-setters in the semifinals and final of Roland Garros, a feat last accomplished by Rod Laver in 1962.* At 21, he became the youngest man ever to win a Grand Slam title on hard, grass, and clay.* He extended his perfect record in Grand Slam finals to 3-0, joining an elite group of players to achieve this feat.* He moved three-quarters of the way towards a Career Slam, with only the Australian Open title remaining to complete the set.* He became the fifth active men's player with three or more Grand Slam titles, joining the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Stan Wawrinka.* He became the first man born in the 2000s to win Roland Garros, and the first man born since 1990 to do so.* He surpassed all other men born since 1990 combined in terms of Grand Slam titles.* He broke a tie with Jannik Sinner for most career tour-level titles for a man born in the 2000s.* He surpassed $30 million in career prize money, becoming the 14th man in ATP history to achieve this milestone.* He rose to No. 2 in the ATP rankings, marking the first time that the Top 2 players were both born in the 2000s.Alcaraz's triumph at Roland Garros is a testament to his exceptional talent, unwavering determination, and bright future in the sport of tennis. As he continues to develop and mature, he has the potential to become one of the greatest players of all time.

The National Bank Open (NBO) has announced a significant upgrade to its tournaments, which will take place over 12 days starting in 2025. This move elevates the NBO to an elite group of six extended combined events on the WTA and ATP Tours, bringing it closer to the format of a Grand Slam.The combined event, which alternates hosting an ATP Masters 1000 and WTA 1000 in Toronto and Montréal, will expand its respective fields from 56 to 96 players. This aligns with the format of other prestigious tournaments such as the BNP Paribas Open, Miami Open, Mutua Madrid Open, Internazionali BNL d'Italia, and the Cincinnati Open, which will also become a two-week tournament in 2025.The NBO's "redefinition" is part of a larger plan to introduce equal prize money at all 1000-level tournaments. This initiative was first announced in 2023 following the expansion of clay-court tournaments in Madrid and Rome.Valérie Tétreault, NBO Montréal tournament director, emphasized the importance of player voices in advocating for change. She believes that the new format will benefit players' physical and mental well-being."It's quite demanding on both the mind and body to be in a new city every week, to be playing back-to-back matches," Tétreault explained. "So, I think if you want to have a long career in tennis, you need to find the right balance to be able to have a life outside of the tennis courts. I think this new format will allow for that."The enhanced fan experience will include six night sessions and an extra round of action, culminating in a Thursday finals day that will crown both men's and women's champions.WTA player Leylah Annie Fernandez expressed her excitement about the changes. "It's always a highlight of the year to play at the National Bank Open in Montréal or Toronto, and I can't wait to see the positive impact this new format will have on the fans, the cities and Canadian tennis."The NBO's expansion is a testament to the growing popularity of tennis in Canada and its commitment to providing a world-class experience for players and fans alike.

Iga Swiatek's triumph at Roland Garros 2024 marks a historic milestone in her illustrious tennis career. At just 23, she has etched her name among the legends of the sport, becoming the youngest woman in the Open Era to win four Roland Garros titles. Her victory also extends her remarkable winning streak to 19 matches, solidifying her dominance on the WTA Tour.Swiatek's latest triumph in Paris adds to her impressive resume, which now includes five Grand Slam titles. She is the youngest woman since Serena Williams to achieve this feat, and the first to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles as the No. 1 seed. Her unwavering consistency and mental fortitude have propelled her to the pinnacle of women's tennis.Beyond her Grand Slam success, Swiatek has also demonstrated her versatility by winning the Madrid and Rome Masters this year, becoming the first player since 2013 to sweep all three clay-court tournaments. Her ability to adapt to different surfaces and playing styles is a testament to her exceptional talent.Swiatek's resilience was evident in her second-round match against Naomi Osaka, where she faced a match point before rallying to victory. This remarkable feat makes her the 13th woman in the Open Era to save a match point en route to winning a major.With her latest triumph, Swiatek has surpassed $30 million in career prize money, becoming the ninth woman in WTA history to reach this milestone. Her dominance on the court has not only earned her accolades but also financial rewards.As Swiatek continues to rewrite tennis history, her impact on the sport is undeniable. Her unwavering determination, exceptional skills, and ability to inspire young athletes make her a true icon of the game.

Warner Bros. Discovery (WBD) and the French Tennis Federation (FFT) have inked a groundbreaking 10-year deal worth an average of $65 million annually, securing the exclusive U.S. broadcast rights to the prestigious French Open tennis tournament. This marks a significant increase from the previous $25-30 million per year received by the FFT from NBC and Tennis Channel.The agreement, which commences in 2024, will see TNT Sports emerge as the primary network for French Open coverage, with additional matches airing on TBS and truTV. Notably, every single match from the tournament will be available for streaming on Max, WBD's streaming platform.TNT Sports chairman and CEO Luis Silberwasser expressed enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing their vision to engage not only tennis enthusiasts but also general sports fans. "We want to talk to the sports fan overall," Silberwasser stated.The new contract elevates the French Open to the same level of coverage as the other three Grand Slam tournaments, which are all carried by ESPN. This means that every match from every court for the Australian Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open will now be accessible to U.S. viewers.FFT president Gilles Moretton hailed the agreement as a major step forward for the tournament's global reach. "This new agreement will enable the federation to ensure maximum exposure for Roland Garros in the USA and help further promote the tournament," Moretton said.WBD has a long-standing history with the French Open, having aired the tournament on Eurosport since 1989 and distributing coverage to 55 countries outside the United States. TNT is expected to begin promoting the French Open during its coverage of the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament in March and continue throughout its coverage of the NHL and NBA playoffs.While TNT will air two College Football Playoff games on December 21 and has four NASCAR races beginning next year, its future as an NBA broadcaster remains uncertain as negotiations with the league continue.

Iga Swiatek's reign at Roland Garros continues, as the world No. 1 secured her fourth title at the prestigious clay-court Grand Slam. The Polish star's dominance on the Parisian terre battue has made the tournament feel like her "favorite place," and her annual champion's photo shoot with the Coupe Suzanne Lenglen has become an iconic tradition.This year's photo shoot saw Swiatek showcase a stunning two-piece look, featuring a high-neck cream-colored satin tank and a blue skirt. She accessorized with a statement-making scarf, a rose-gold watch, and her signature red lipstick. The elegant ensemble complemented the trophy perfectly, creating a memorable image of Swiatek's triumph.Swiatek's Roland Garros fashion evolution has been evident over the years. In 2020, she wore a vibrant dress, while in 2022, she opted for a white pantsuit. Last year, she posed in a chic black dress in front of the Eiffel Tower.Swiatek's latest victory at Roland Garros marks a significant milestone in her career. She joins Serena Williams as the only women in the Open Era to win the Madrid, Rome, and Roland Garros tournaments consecutively. This clay-court triple is a testament to Swiatek's exceptional skills and unwavering determination.In the final, Swiatek displayed her dominance, defeating Jasmine Paolini 6-2, 6-1. Her victory extends her winning streak to 35 matches, making her one of the most formidable players in the world.Swiatek's success at Roland Garros is a testament to her hard work, dedication, and love for the sport. The tournament has become her sanctuary, where she thrives and creates unforgettable memories. As she continues to dominate the clay courts, Swiatek's legacy at Roland Garros will undoubtedly grow even stronger.