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tennis

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Source: Laura Jane Coulson / Laura Jane Coulson
Pharrell Williams continues to create with purpose. His Humanrace brand has partnered with evian for a tennis collection.

Source: Hadda / Hadda

As reported by Blavity, the Virginia Beach native has yet another co-branded effort to add to this resume. This week, his Humanrace brand announced a limited-edition drop inspired by tennis with evian, the official water of the US Open. Their intention was to celebrate the sport while injecting the spirit of New York City, where the tournament has been hosted since 1987. Included in the drop is a quarter zip sweater, shorts, t-shirt, caps, and an expandable carry-all bag. All the pieces are made from 100% natural fibers and are manufactured in the United States.
Pharrell explained his vision for the initiative in a formal statement. “Every piece in this line reflects my belief that being well is a lifestyle,” he said. “Water’s the essence of life, right? We can’t live without it. So it’s only natural for Humanrace and evian to come together for this collaboration. It’s all about celebrating what keeps us connected, mindful, and moving.”

The water brand also detailed why this co-branded effort made was a no brainer. “The collaboration between evian, Pharrell and Humanrace encapsulates the spirit of our ‘Live Young’ ethos,” said Leeni Hämäläinen, marketing director for evian in North America. “Whether sporting the sleek tenniscore collection around town, celebrating with the local community at the US Open or sipping on our natural spring water from the French Alps, we want to inspire people to embrace joy and wellbeing – both physically and emotionally.”
The evian x Humanrace capsule collection will available starting Aug. 24 on Humanrace.com.
Source: Laura Jane Coulson / Laura Jane Coulson

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The 2024 French Open is in full swing, culminating with the women’s final on Saturday, June 8, and the men’s final on Sunday, June 9. You can catch it live on NBC Sports, Peacock and the Tennis Channel, broadcasting from the Stade Roland Garros in Paris.

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The men’s competition at the Grand Slam tournament took an unpredictable turn with the early defeat of Rafael Nadal. The 14-time French Open winner was unable to overcome an injury to progress past the first round. His tournament run ended Monday against Alexander Zverev.

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“I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next few months…I need to finish all this process. My mind-set was ready till Olympics, you know, and then I need to check how I feel in different ways,” Nadal shared with ESPN.

When it comes to the women’s division, Polish player Iga Świątek has won the French Open two years in a row. She enters Roland Garros this week after her recent triumph over Aryna Sabalenka at the Italian Open, where both players were slated to compete on the clay courts. They will be joined by Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula and Elena Rybakina.

Keep reading for ways to watch and stream from anywhere — with and without cable.

Where to Watch the 2024 French Open From Anywhere

The 2024 French Open is available on NBC Sports, the Tennis Channel and Peacock.

NBC and Peacock will broadcast the French Open, including the semifinals and finals, with all NBC TV coverage accessible for streaming on NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. Additionally, tennis enthusiasts can now stream matches directly through the Tennis Channel’s app, Tennis Channel+, offering comprehensive coverage.

The Tennis Channel will broadcast third-round coverage from 5 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET on Saturday, June 1; NBC will air from noon to 3 p.m. and Peacock from noon to 5:30 p.m. ET. You can find the complete schedule here to plan your viewing accordingly.

For those without cable, streaming services like Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live and DirecTV Stream offer excellent streaming options, with monthly costs ranging from $20-$75. Many of these services provide a free trial upon signing up and offer access to numerous cable channels. You can use ExpressVPN to access streaming platforms and channels from outside the U.S.

Looking for an alternative option? NBC is part of Sling TV’s $40 monthly Blue package, and for an additional $11 per month, you can include the Tennis Channel as well.

Whether you’re into tennis, basketball, football or other sports, you can explore a variety of content on ESPN+ and enjoy live and past tournaments like the Australian Open, U.S. Open, UFC fights, NFL, NBA, NHL, MLB games and exclusive documentaries like Go Beyond the Dream With Shohei Ohtani, Man in the Arena: Tom Brady and more.

Fat Joe added to the excitement for the forthcoming U.S. Open on Tuesday (May 28) by joining forces with the U.S. Tennis Association and lending his voice to their “Spectacular Awaits” campaign. The video finds the Bronx rapper amplifying one of the sport’s biggest live events that will kick off this August. 

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“Get ready for the next level of spectacular,” begins Joe in the hype video. “Get your game face on, and your game day fit on, too. Get the squad together. Get another round and get ready. Get loud, no louder, and get legendary. Spectacular waits.” 

“Engaging a New York City and cultural icon like Fat Joe with our campaign is a great representation of the U.S. Open experience,” said Nicole Kankam, managing director, pro tennis marketing and entertainment, USTA. “His presence is undeniable, and he’s the perfect match for the growing energy, excitement, and profile of the U.S. Open.”

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The Spectacular Awaits campaign holds a special place in Fat Joe’s heart, as it resonates with his personal life. His son Joey, a tennis enthusiast, has been a source of inspiration for the Bronx MC. Last year, Joe celebrated Joey’s birthday and shared playful pictures of them with oversized tennis balls. Joey, who is 33 and lives with autism, has been a focal point of the musician’s efforts to raise awareness about the condition, notably in his 2023 memoir The Book of Jose.

“He inspires me. He’s such a blessing in our life. He’s almost like an angel,” Fat Joe said last year during an episode of The View. “It’s the gift that keeps giving, little Joey, and I’m so proud of him.”

The U.S. Open’s main draw will begin on Monday, Aug. 26, and conclude with the Women’s Singles Final on Saturday, Sept. 7, and the Men’s Singles Final on Sunday, Sept. 8. Tickets for the 2024 U.S. Open go on sale on June 3.

Watch Fat Joe’s videos for the USTA below:

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Source: Eric BOUVET / Getty
With the success that John McEnroe’s “Mac Attack” silhouette experienced in 2023 (mostly thanks to Travis Scott), Nike is looking to retro another 90’s tennis star’s sneaker and truth be told, we’re not mad.

According to Sneaker News, sneaker legend Andre Agassi’s Nike Air Tech Challenge II is set to release sometime in 2024 and the man himself posted a picture rocking a pair of the upcoming retro. Rocking the kicks alongside his wifey, fellow tennis legend Steffi Graf, the sneaker community was excited to see that the OG sneakers would once again see the streets in 2024.
Per Sneakernews:

The Air Tech Challenge II, designed by Tinker Hatfield, is considered to be one of the greatest Nike footwear designs in history. It also helped popularize the blazing hot red shade on Swoosh footwear, adding an element of personality in a sport that once had strict on-court rules regarding attire.
Currently, a release is expected this Fall 2024 season with an MSRP of $150. It last released in 2016, so this re-issue should be met with open arms.
We personally prefer the Nike Air Tech Challenge 4 which was a bit more stylish and less bulky than the II’s, but these are pretty dope. If Travis Scott gets his hands on these and blesses them with the reverse swoosh, watch out! Heads will go crazy for those.
Check out pics of the Andre Agassi Nike Air Tech II’s below and let us know if you’ll be copping a pair when these drop sometime later this year.

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The 2023 U.S. Open has made its debut, and to coincide with the ongoing matches, athletic brand Wilson launched a new tennis apparel collection and U.S. Open collaboration on Thursday (Aug. 24). If you watch the U.S. Open, you may recognize the brand as the official tennis ball for the tournament, which they’ve been for the past 45 years now.

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To celebrate the milestone anniversary, fans and tennis players have the opportunity to bring home styles inspired by the best of New York City tennis. U.S. Open competitor Marta Kostyuk even teased the new collection when she debuted the Midtown Tennis Dress on the court as the first head-to-toe ambassador for Wilson.

Colorways you can expect to stock up on include tennis-ball yellow (naturally), classic navy and field green. Outside of apparel, players can expect tennis equipment with U.S. Open branding and a limited-edition “Noir” collection for those who prefer their equipment in a sleek black shade.

Keep reading to shop the new collections.

Wilson

Midtown Tennis Dress $118

Channel your inner tennis pro or embrace the look of the sport in this professional-approved dress that comes with a fitted waist and flowy skirt. The stretchy material will move with you while the moisture-wicking fabric helps to keep you cool, dry and comfortable.

Wilson

Unmatched Tennis Dress $88

Embrace the contrasting-colors trend in this Unmatched Tennis Dress you can sport on or off the court. It comes with a fun side slit that peeps the built-in shorts underneath and has two color options you can stock up on.

Wilson

All Day Tennis Shorts $68

Don’t be surprised when your other athletic shorts get jealous of how often you wear these All Day Tennis Shorts. Not only do you have three colors to choose from, but it’s also made with breathable fabric and side pockets for storing your phone, keys and wallet.

Wilson

Millennium Crewneck $88

Get cozy with the Millennium Crewneck that features the legendary brand’s logo on the front and is available in two colorways you can throw on as the temps cool down.

Wilson

U.S. Open Clash 100 V2 Tennis Racket $269

Ditch the pickleball equipment and try this tennis rack on for size. Not only does it come with official U.S. Open branding, but it features a plant-based bumper and six sizes to choose from.

Wilson

U.S. Open Tour 12 Pack $109

This U.S. Open Tour 12 Pack will keep all your equipment stored safely without sacrificing style. The interior has enough space to fit up to 12 tennis rackets and comes with separate pockets for storing smaller pieces of equipment.

For more product recommendations, check out our roundups of the best earbuds, commuter gadgets and portable chargers.

Congratulations are in order for Grammy-nominated rap star Cordae and tennis champion Naomi Osaka. On Tuesday (July 11), the couple welcomed their first child together, a baby girl, People reports. The couple first announced that they were expecting back in January. “Can’t wait to get back on the court but here’s a little life update […]

All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
The 2023 Australian Open is in full swing! The tennis tournament, which runs from Jan. 15-29, continued Tuesday (Jan. 17) with a packed schedule of matches between players from around the globe.

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Among the lineup, Illinois native Madison Keys will take on Xinyu Wong of China while Frances Tilafoe, the 24-year-old tennis player who made history upon making it to the U.S. Open semifinals last year, will face 17-year-old Juncheng Shang of China.

Other Tuesday matches include Jessica Pegula vs. Aliaksandra Sasnovich and tennis legend Raphael Nadal vs. MacKenzie McDonald.

See the full schedule here. Read on for ways to watch and stream from anywhere — with and without cable.  

How to Watch the 2023 Australian Open from Anywhere

The 2023 Australian Open is available on ESPN, ESPN2 and ESPN+. If you watch live television through cable, satellite or stream through an internet provider like Verizon or T-Mobile, feel free to check your local listings for additional channel details.

If you’re a cord cutter, Fubo, Sling TV, Hulu + Live and Direct TV Stream are all great options that cost anywhere from $20 to $75 per month and most of them include a free trial when you join (use ExpressVPN to access ESPN and more from outside of the U.S.). Thanks to the magic of streaming, you have the option of watching tennis matches on your TV, computer or another device.

Live coverage of the 2023 Australian Open is also streaming exclusively on ESPN+. Not familiar with the platform? It’s $9.99 for the monthly plan or $99 annually.

ESPN+ $9.99/month

To save money on your overall bill, bundle ESPN+ with Disney+ and Hulu for $12.99 per month for ad-supported streaming and $19.99/month to stream commercial free.

Whether you’re a tennis fan, basketball lover or football fanatic, ESPN+ has something for you. Stream current and previous tournaments, including the U.S. Open and Wimbledon, along with UFC matches, NHL, NFL, NBA, MLB, soccer, and other must-watch exclusives such as the entire 30 for 30 library, Man in the Arena: Tom Brady, Derek Jeter’s documentary series and more.