Tennis News

The 2016 Aces For Humanity campaign was launched by USANA and the WTA at the BNP Paribas Open and continued in Montréal at the Rogers Cup, where every ace hit by a WTA player at Premier-level events translates into a donation to the USANA True Health Foundation, whose mission is to provide the most critical human necessities to those who are suffering or in need around the world.

For every ace hit by any player the WTA donates $5, and for every ace hit by a USANA Brand Ambassador, it’s $10.

USANA Brand Ambassadors Eugenie Bouchard, Samantha Stosur, Kristina Mladenovic, Madison Keys, Monica Puig, Sloane Stephens, Zheng Saisai, Alizé Cornet and Caroline Wozniacki hit 72 of the 320 aces at Stanford – raising a grand total of $1960 throughout the week. Keys hit the most with 43 aces.

Read more about the campaign here and see below to find out who’s hit the most aces so far!

#AcesForHumanity Fan Giveaway

It’s simple: before each WTA Premier tournament guess how many total aces will be hit.
Next up is the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati. Last year there was a total of 359 aces hit. It’s now your turn, take your best guess of how many will be hit this year.

How To Enter:
• Follow @WTA and @USANAFoundation on Twitter and before each WTA Premier tournament tweet the number of aces you predict will be hit during the whole tournament (Singles, Main Draw)
• Include the hashtag #AcesForHumanity
• Eastbourne deadline is August 16 at 11:59pm ET
• The winner will be announced August 22nd

Aces For Humanity is a joint WTA and USANA initiative that benefits the USANA True Health Foundation, which provides critical human necessities to those in suffering or in need around the globe.

For full rules on how to enter, click here.

Petra Kvitova finds herself caught at the crossroads of two tennis eras – but she quite likes it that way.

The big hitting lefty is not quite in the generation of WTA veterans like Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and Venus Williams. But in turn, she’s not in the crowd of new stars likes Garbiñe Muguruza, Simona Halep and fellow Czech Karolina Pliskova who are fast on the rise. Kvitova remains the first and only Grand Slam winner – male or female – born in the 90s.

How does the two-time Wimbledon champion feel about being the most accomplished member of this ‘in between’ group?

“I don’t feel any pressure,” Kvitova told China’s CCTV in Shenzhen. “I know that Serena has been there for a long time – she’s still the biggest champion that we have. And the younger generation is coming up and they are pushing us a lot. I think it’s good that we can see many [new] faces playing so well.

“There’s room in tennis right now – it’s very open. It’s nice to compete and not really be expecting who can win. It’s more difficult and less predictable this way.”

Kvitova experienced first-hand the unpredictability of the emerging younger generation: at last year’s Australian Open, she was stunned by a then 19-year-old Madison Keys in the third round.

The Australian Open is Kvitova’s toughest major: her best results in Melbourne have been an appearance in the quarterfinal in 2011 and in the semifinal in 2012. But if she could choose which of the four slams she’d like to win, the Czech is up for the challenge.

“If I could have another Grand Slam, I would pick either the Australian Open or the French Open,” she said. “At the Australian Open, the hard courts, I just love that Grand Slam a lot. I feel so relaxed in Australia.”

To make that wish come true, Kvitova is facing an uphill climb. She was forced to withdraw from Shenzhen in her first round match and later from Sydney – where she was the defending champion – due to a stomach virus. The last time she played a complete match was at the Fed Cup final, when she helped propel the Czech Republic to victory more than two months ago.

If Kvitova can shake off the off-season rust and beat her lingering illness, the Czech is poised for a deep run in Melbourne – as long as she can make it past the initial hurdles and build up the confidence she needs.

“I don’t really like the beginning of the tournaments, for sure,” Kvitova said. “But that’s how it is – it’s probably normal that I’m improving my game with each match in a tournament.

“And then when the finish line comes, I’m feeling better about my game.”

Marija Zivlak of Women’s Tennis Blog will show us the collections that major tennis clothing companies created for the Australian Open to ensure that the WTA stars look stylish, embody the uplifting spirit of the sunny sky above the courts and the glamorous Grand Slam status of the tournament, while at the same time cooling the players down with cutting-edge fabrics in scorching temperatures Down Under.

With Nike creating a crop top for Serena Williams’ Australian Open campaign, we can say that this shirt style is entering the world of women’s tennis fashion in a big way. The 21-time Grand Slam winner, defending champion in Melbourne, will wear this bold yellow NikeCourt Premier Crop Top, equipped with mesh sections for increased breathability, and the mesh NikeCourt Victory Premier Skirt with all-around pleats.

The queen will be clad in yellow from head to toe, completing the bold look with these Nike Flare Shoes, which keep the feet locked in, ensuring that aggressive movers feel comfortable during intense matches.

Maria Sharapova is launching 2016 in a very sporty look, a fresh silhouette for the super glamorous Russian. The orange NikeCourt Maria Premier Dress features a higher cut neckline, mesh racerback with contrast zipper and skirt with inverted pleats for better movement. Tennis fans are excited to see how Masha will pull off this classic athletic design and, judging by the promotional image, all sports fashion enthusiasts will be more than pleased.

Eugenie Bouchard will wear this ultra lightweight NikeCourt Premier Slam Dress, made of perforated Dri-Fit mesh fabric focused on keeping players cool during grueling matches. The gradient stripes add to the dress’ summery and youthful feel, while dropped skirt back ensures that players do not have to worry about their behinds being exposed in demanding rallies.

Ana Ivanovic’s adidas Spring adizero Dress is part of a collection inspired by German Bauhaus art style, displaying unique stacked graphic, with letters subliminally spelling ‘TENNIS’. The 3-in-1 dress comes together with sports bra and shorts.

Simona Halep will debut the alternative pleated skirt and tank outfit.

Caroline Wozniacki’s adidas Spring Stella McCartney Tour Dress combines coral pink and power rose pink in figure-flattering colorblocks celebrating female curves. At closer look you would see mesh at the neckline, racerback and sides, which are not only functional in terms of breathability, but they also give a nice visual touch as textural elements.

Garbiñe Muguruza’s Australian Open separates remind of a sunset with their orange, red and pink tones, especially because of the quarter-circle colorblock at the adidas Spring Stella McCartney Tour Tank. The ventilated climacool® design and its open mesh inserts in crucial heat zones help wick sweat away and channel cool air in.

Ellesse also introduced touches of orange in their design, nicely matching the company’s logo and flirting with sunny colors just enough to add a vibrant pop of color on the light background perfect for summer days. Monica Puig will have the pleasure of rocking this look at Melbourne Park.

Venus Williams will wear the printed EleVen Brushstrokes NYC Inspire Dress, featuring a V-neck, raglan sleeves, thin vertical keyhole cutout at upper back and contrast double criss-crossed stripes at bodice for a slimming effect.

Agnieszka Radwanska will be a lady in pink. The Lotto Spring Nixia Dress looks cute with its dropped waist and pleated skirt, while the back gives the edge, with dominant mesh that makes the back bold and attractive, whilst providing increased ventilation.

Jelena Jankovic will wear the Fila Platinum Dress, from the brand’s luxe Platinum collection that includes black, white and safety yellow hues, bold colorblocking and a print that echoes the energy of a tennis ball in motion. The item is made of body-temperature-regulating THERMOCOOL™ fabric, so that players can stay comfortable and focused on the game.

Tennis fashion enthusiasts have many reasons to look forward to the upcoming fortnight in Melbourne!