Rikki Hicks’ Post

In other signs of the times of the decline of Western Civilization, I read in today's WSJ that the French Open Bans Alcohol in the stands to stop unruly fans. My how tennis has fallen from when I first started playing back in the mid 1960's when tennis was considered a "gentleman's sport." And everyone wore white. The balls were white. The racquets were made out of wood. And if there was a major tennis tournament the crowds showed up dressed like they were going to church, and you couldn't hear a pin drop during play. Now, it seems that tennis having become a major sport with huge sponsors, big prize money, and big crowds, decorum has been reduced to what you would expect to see at a Eagles football game in Philadelphia. In fact, just like in professional football the fans now at the French Open have taken to yelling at the umpires. The WSJ article says that the chair umpire had to announce to the crowd not to call balls out during rallies. The reason for this is obvious. Players don't know how is shouting, and if they hear a ball has been called out they stop playing. For someone in the stands to behave like this a major tennis tournament is disgraceful. But, there you have it. In an era where pickleball is growing faster than tennis among the rabble, why expect people in going to tennis tournaments to behave like the understand the sport and its history. I will say though I do like the new equipment. Graphite tennis racquets are much superior to the old stiff wooden ones and generate a lot more power. And I must admit, I kind of like yellow tennis balls better than the old white ones which got pretty dirty.

One of the several global trends that have been developing in the past decade, in particular, is the dissipation of the US dominance in the game of Lawn Tennis. The game that was dominated by US players for several decades does not have any commonly recognizable US players. The list of top 10 rank players in the ATP Men ranking has only two US names – Taylor Fritz (9) and Frances Tiafoe (10); while the rest eight are all European players. In women ranking also only two US names – Jessica Pegula (4) and Coco Gauff (7) – appear in the top 10 lists. Within Europe also, players from Eastern Europe are dominating the court, versus Germany, the UK, and France which had a significant presence in the game for decades. It would be interesting to study if there is a correlation between losing dominance on the Tennis court and losing dominance on the mint streets (economic muscle) and battlefields (strategic power).

Explore the captivating rivalry between Saniya Mirza and Serena Williams in my article. Learn about their early years, breakthroughs, dominance in tennis, intense head-to-head matches, off-court media attention, lasting impact, and legacy. https://lnkd.in/eAz38iJF

Andy Murray, the indomitable force on the tennis court, epitomizes the essence of unwavering determination and fierce competition. Let’s delve into why he stands as the ultimate competitor: Resilience and Grit: Murray’s journey is a testament to resilience. Despite setbacks, injuries, and fierce rivals, he never wavered. His relentless pursuit of excellence, even when the odds seemed insurmountable, defines true competitiveness. Strategic Brilliance: Murray isn’t just a power hitter; he’s a chess player on grass. His tactical acumen, ability to read opponents, and adapt mid-match are awe-inspiring. He dissects their weaknesses, exploiting vulnerabilities with surgical precision. Physical Tenacity: The grueling five-set battles at Grand Slams? Murray thrives on them. His stamina, agility, and sheer endurance allow him to outlast opponents. When others falter, he digs deeper, summoning energy from the depths of his soul. Mental Fortitude: The pressure cooker of major finals? Murray thrives there. His mind is a steel trap, unyielding to doubt or fear. Whether it’s Wimbledon’s Centre Court or the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, he faces adversity head-on, unflinching. Heartfelt Passion: Watch him roar after a crucial point or collapse in relief after a hard-fought win. Murray’s emotional investment is palpable. His love for the game transcends mere points; it’s a symphony of passion, echoing through every swing. Against the Odds: Remember that 2012 US Open final? Against Novak Djokovic, he battled exhaustion, cramps, and history itself. Yet, he prevailed, becoming Britain’s first male Slam champion in 76 years. That’s the stuff of legends. Champion of the Underdog: Murray’s empathy extends beyond the baseline. He champions women’s tennis, advocates for equality, and supports fellow players. His humanity shines through, making him not just a competitor but a beacon of sportsmanship. Tennis will miss you. So will I!

Before Serena and Venus Williams, known as ‘Pete’ and ‘Repeat’, made tennis history. 🎾 They made tennis history with their doubles record in the world of racially segregated tennis in the 1940s and 1950s. #WomensHistoryMonth  🙌🏾 Margaret and Matilda Roumania Peters were African American tennis stars from the late 1930s through the early 1950s. As young girls, they could often be seen playing at a park across from their home in Georgetown. They were nicknamed “Pete” and “Repeat” for their doubles playing skills and last name. While still in high school 🏫 the Peters sisters attracted the attention of a tennis coach from Tuskegee Institute, Cleve Abbott, who offered each of them a four-year scholarship. In college, both sisters played basketball and tennis but they were best known for their doubles play in tennis . While in college they played in the American Tennis Association, ATA, tournaments. The ATA is the African American tennis league that still exists today. They both graduated from Tuskegee in 1941 with degrees in physical education. After college, they both continued to play amateur tennis in the ATA. Since they were amateurs, they had to pay for their own equipment, entry fees, and travel expenses. They won 14 doubles tennis titles between 1938 and 1941 and between 1944 and 1953. Despite their skill, they were never permitted to test themselves against the great white doubles players of the time. By the time the walls of segregation in tennis started falling, the Peters sisters were past their prime and were never able to compete in racially integrated matches. 🎾 #blackhistory #blackcreatives #blackexcellence #communityfirst #blackinsports #history #blackrepresentation #blackrepresentationinmedicinematters #blackrepertorytheatre #socialmediamarketing

HOW WE HELPED YOUNG PEOPLE DISCOVER NEW TENNIS STARS: With the Australian Open only days away, Zara Seidler and I could not be prouder of our partnership with the epic team at the AO. The challenge: introduce a new generation of Australians (The Daily Aus is now reaching 1.5-2 million Australians under 35 every month!) to some of the next generation stars of tennis. The approach: if they know them, they'll want to go see them. 1. Produce six mini-documentaries on six of the rising stars, focusing as much as who they are off the court as their on-court potential. We know that young people are just as interested in the social causes, personal quirks and historic context surrounding our athletes, musicians and personalities as they are about their professional achievements. 2. Use TDA's innovative video carousel format to bring longer videos to social audiences, maintaining healthy watch times and keeping them focused (no small feat). 3. Take the message cross-platform - including TDA's newsletter, podcast, IG Story and online audiences. The results: six epic videos, viewed almost 1.3 million times collectively. Throw in all the other channels, and we will have delivered almost 6 million impressions. Have a watch of the videos here: https://lnkd.in/gRMEdH6t The production quality of these mini-docos is a new level for TDA - a huge congrats to Nick Arnold and our Head of Video, Joe Kiely, for these products, Tara O’Reilly and Sera Cadigan for crafting the partnership, and the AO team of Britt Wickes, Brie Stewart, Carla Alderuccio, Prue Ryan and Gus Carmichael.

🎾 Exciting news in the Ohio's sports scene! 🌟 In this Market Minute, Matthew L. MacLaren, Esq., our Director of Travel and Tourism Policy, shares the fantastic update about the Western and Southern Open Tennis Tournament staying in Ohio for the next 25 years. 🏆 Watch the video to learn about the economic impact and improvements coming to the Lindner Family Tennis Center. 🌐 #OhioChamber #MarketMinute #OhioSports

🏛️ Dollar History 🏛️ Our Archivist, Janet Carolan has written about the history of tennis at Dollar Academy, which you can read here: https://bit.ly/3JQoGr5 #DollarAcademy

'Everybody was counting us out': Western & Southern Open to stay in Cincinnati - The future location of the event, one of the world’s nine largest pro tennis tournaments, had come into question after more than a century in Greater Cincinnati. New owner Ben Navarro and his Beemok Capital family office entity, which acquired the tournament last year, considered moving it to Charlotte, N.C., where a proposed $400 million tennis facility would have been built. Beemok committed to keeping the tournament at the Lindner Family Tennis Center for at least 25 years. Navarro said in a news release: "The passion and commitment of this community to keep the tournament here was an undeniable factor in our decision to stay. The city of Mason, Warren County, the state of Ohio and multiple corporate entities demonstrated their unwavering support for the tennis tournament. This tournament and its history are special. We’re excited to add to its legacy and create a world-class tennis experience for players and fans.” Beemok will invest more than $200 million in the Lindner Family Tennis Center to expand it in time for the ATP and WTA events to expand their fields to 96 players from 56 now. The event will grow to 12 days at that point from nine days now. “The key is year-round activation,” Davis said. “They’re investing in the facility for it to be open to the public much of the year.” The improvements will likely include pickleball courts, tennis courts for community use and restaurants, said Matt Davis, co-founder and president of downtown-based government relations and consulting firm DSD Advisors who represented Beemok Capital in this process. https://lnkd.in/gJwJh9kh #cincinnati #nky #westernsouthern #beemokcapital #tennis #lindnerfamilytenniscenter #tournament #improvement #sports #competition #community #experience #hospitality #ohio