Two of the Palos Verdes Peninsula’s top teenage talents scored big first-round wins on Wednesday at their hometown Kramer Club USTA SoCal Pro Series tournament as Andy Johnson and Tia Messerli moved into the second-round wins.

On a night where the Palos Verdes Peninsula area was honored by the USTA Southern California with its quarterly Tennis Towns Award presented to tournament director and Kramer Club General Manager Peter Smith by USTA Southern California Executive Director Trevor Kronemann, Johnson, ranked No. 867 in the world and the No. 5 seed, beat a tough Timofey Stepanov from Switzerland, 6-4 6-4, while Messerli came back to edge out Sacramento’s Klara Kosan, 3-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Johnson is coached by the five-time NCAA champion Smith and in February the high school junior won his first ITF pro title, a $15,000 event in Sunrise, Fla., becoming the youngest player since Carlos Alcaraz in 2019 and the youngest American since 2007 to do so.

Johnson said he could remember being a ball kid for early professional events at Kramer Club watching SoCal pro Sam Querrey and said he looked up to Brandon Holt, the son of Hall of Famer Tracy Austin, when his family joined the Kramer Club when he was just 6 years old.

“It’s crazy to think about 10 years ago,” Johnson said. “It’s like a big family and a lot of familiar faces. It’s been amazing to have them here and cheering me on. It’s really awesome.”

A recent Palos Verdes High graduate, Messerli is the 17-year-old daughter of former Grand Slam winner Kimberly Po (Wimbledon mixed doubles in 2000) and Peninsula Racquet Club Director of Tennis Oliver Messerli. She took advantage of her USTA SoCal wild card to win her first WTA point in the States having spent six weeks recently traveling and playing pro events in South Africa where her father is originally from.

“I did feel like she had more weapons than me, but sometimes all you need to do is just stay in the point long enough and they end up missing,” Messerli said of Kosan, who she had never played. “It’s nice to be here and surrounded by family after my six weeks in South Africa. Even though I was with family there, it’s just different sleeping in your own bed and having the comforts of home.”

Messerli had a degree of success during her six events in April and May qualifying for the first five of six tournaments and advancing to the second round four times.

Her final two tournaments were in Gaborone, the capital and largest city of Botswana in South Africa, which borders Zambia and Zimbabwe. “You have to learn to be patient,” Messerli said. “There’s no sense of urgency. Everything is late and it’s tough finding food. It’s just learning to adjust to things like cracks on the court and the balls bouncing everywhere. That’s the big part of being an athlete, learning to adjust.”

Messerli said because her mom was a touring pro and her dad traveled the tour as her hitting partner, they have passed on a lot of advice recently. “They’ve taught me a lot,” she said. “They give me a lot of head’s up.”

Messerli is happy to be healthy having missed a year because of a back injury suffered in December of 2024. She re-injured it one year ago at the Kramer Club event and finally made her return to the courts this past December. She will use this as a gap year and see how she does on tour before deciding on turning pro or going to college.

To learn more about the SoCal Pro Series, go to socalproseries.com.
Follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/socalproseries.

Like the Facebook page at facebook.com/socalproseries.

Tia Messerli (Credit Jon Mulvey / USTA Southern California)

The post California Teenagers Andy Johnson and Tia Messerli In The Spotlight At USTA SoCal Pro Series at Jack Kramer Club appeared first on Tennis Grandstand.

Federer last competed at the US Open in 2019 after famously captivating New York by becoming the only man or woman to win five consecutive US Open singles championships (2004-08). He’ll make his return to Arthur Ashe Stadium this year by playing in an exhibition event alongside 2003 US Open champion and longtime rival Andy Roddick, as well as fellow tennis icons and US Open champions Andre Agassi and John McEnroe. Further celebrity appearances and iconic surprises will treat fans throughout the evening, which will begin at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, August 25.

“The US Open has always been one of the most special tournaments for me,” Federer said. “So many unforgettable moments of my career happened in New York, and Arthur Ashe Stadium is a place that means a great deal to me. I’ve missed being part of that atmosphere and feeling the incredible energy that the fans bring every year. To return to Arthur Ashe and share the evening with Andy, Andre and John makes it even more meaningful. I’m looking forward to celebrating those memories, seeing the fans again, and enjoying a very special night together.”

Read daily Federer anecdotes and anniversaries in the book On This Day In Roger Federer History here https://a.co/d/08AIRyYZ via @Amazon

“It goes without saying that Roger Federer is one of the greatest champions to ever step onto a tennis court, and his legacy at the US Open will carry on for generations,” said Brian Vahaly, Chairman of the Board, President and Interim Co-CEO, USTA. “We’re thrilled to welcome him back for this unique and special event, giving fans an opportunity to celebrate Roger’s legacy and thank him for all he has meant to our sport.”

Tickets for ‘Roger Federer – An Icon Returns to New York’ go on sale via presale on Wednesday, June 10, to US Open subscribers at 9 a.m. ET and Insiders at noon, via Ticketmaster and USOpen.org. Tickets go on sale to the public on Thursday, June 11, at 9 a.m.

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The No. 2 seeded Crossley, from Tokyo, Japan, beat two-time junior Grand Slam champion Kristina Penickova, the No. 8 seed 16-year-old from Campbell, California, 6-4, 6-3, for her second career ITF $15,000 pro singles title in the USTA Southern California hosted event played at the Lakewood Tennis Center.

“I definitely remember playing Mirra and was so impressed by how she played,” said Crossley, of the 2022 second-round meeting at the J300 ITF junior tourney in College Park, Md., which Andreeva won, 6-4, 6-1. “I had no idea who she was.”

Crossley, who was 1-3 in ITF pro finals before Sunday having won her first W15 in Orlando 13 months ago, said seeing her junior rivals like Andreeva and Torrance 18-year-old Iva Jovic, who is ranked No. 17 in the world, do so well in the Grand Slams gives her confidence she too might be able to achieve the same success.

“It’s really inspiring me a lot,” said Crossley, a former top 10 junior in the world. “Especially seeing what Iva has done. We all grew up together so it’s great to see them be successful and doing so good.”

With her last final exam in economics at UCLA on Tuesday looming, Crossley kept her focus long enough to beat Penickova, who was playing in her first tournament since a wrist injury sidelined her since last November.

“I am a little bit stressed out about my final,” Crossley admitted. “I had a pretty rough last week (losing in the semifinals), and I felt like I wasn’t playing well. I had more confidence this week and was happy with the way I played.”

Crossley plans to return to Japan after her final and after a few weeks off will head to her training base at Evert Academy in Florida before returning to Westwood for her sophomore season at the end of September.

Penickova, who finished 2025 as the No. 1 ITF junior in the world and won both the Australian Open and Wimbledon junior titles, said she was “super excited to be playing again” and will stay in SoCal and play Week 3 on the SoCal Pro Series at the Kramer Club in Rolling Hills.

Two Olivers, both former ITF top 10 juniors and who now play for powerhouse Texas colleges, battled it out in the men’s singles final as 18-year-old unseeded Oliver Bonding (Texas Christian University) from London outlasted qualifier Oliver Ojakaar (Texas), 7-5, 7-6 (1) in a rematch of an important dual match just three weeks ago. In that match, Ojakaar beat Bonding, 6-1, 6-3 at the No. 4 line leading the Longhorns into the NCAA Championships where they lost to Virginia, 4-3.

Sunday’s match was the 12^th in the past 14 days in Lakewood for Ojakaar (pronounced OH-juh-car), who also had to qualify last week. “I haven’t had too much time off since January,” said Ojakaar, who clawed back from down 1-5 to equal the match before running out of gas in the tiebreaker. “I had known him from the juniors so I knew I had a chance and our level is 50-50.”

Estonia, formerly part of the Soviet Union, is a Baltic nation with a population of around 1.2 million, roughly the size of Ventura County. Two women’s players have put Estonia on the map the past few years – Anett Kontaveit,a former world No. 2,and Kaia Kanepi achieving a career-high ranking of No. 15 in 2012.

Both finalists have experience in the Grand Slams with Ojakaar winning the 2023 U.S. Open juniors doubles title and Bonding making it to the Wimbledon doubles final and the semis at the Aussie and French Open all with SoCal’s Jagger Leach, who originally committed to be a college teammate at TCU with Bonding before changing his mind and deciding to go to Stanford.

Not that Leach needed a tour guide with his mother Lindsay Davenport having won the 1999 singles and doubles titles at the All-England Club, but Bonding did offer as he grew up attending the King’s College School in the village of Wimbledon.

“It was great running around the grounds and trying to find courts to play on as a kid and getting to play on Court 1 in that Wimbledon final,” said Bonding, who will also play Kramer Club next week. “I was lucky enough to be at the 2019 final where [Novak] Djokovic saved two match points to beat [Roger] Federer.

Bonding won his first professional singles title at age 17, capturing the M15 in Lannion title in France in February of 2025.

In the doubles final both the men and women went the distance as the Canadian team of Mikael Arsenault and Volodymyr Gurenko edged out New Zealand’s Reece Falck (UNC-Wilmington) and Matthew Shearer (Nebraska), 6-3, 5-7, 10-8. In the women’s final, top-seeded Ava Hrastar and Victoria Mulville beat Kailey Evans (University of San Diego) and Lily Taylor, 6-3, 2-6, 11-9.

To learn more about the SoCal Pro Series, go to socalproseries.com.
Follow along on Instagram at instagram.com/socalproseries.
Like the Facebook page at facebook.com/socalproseries.

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When Flavio Cobolli’s overhead sailed wide and long into the Parisian afternoon, Alexander Zverev collapsed to the clay of Court Philippe-Chatrier. Not in defeat — as he had done so many times in finals before — but in the overwhelming, tearful release of a dream finally realised. At 29 years old, after four Grand Slam final appearances laced with heartbreak, the German had done it. He is a Major champion. He is the 2026 French Open champion.

Zverev defeated Flavio Cobolli 6-1, 4-6, 6-4, 6-7(5), 6-1 in a match that swung wildly between dominance and anxiety, between the brilliance Zverev has always been capable of and the kind of white-knuckle drama that made this final utterly unforgettable. It lasted well over three hours. It felt like a lifetime.
A Dominant Opening, Then Cobolli Bites Back

The first set was a statement of pure Zverev. From the very first game, the German broke Cobolli’s serve after the Italian misfired on a forehand following a deep, piercing return. What followed was a masterclass in controlled aggression: big serving, punishing groundstrokes, and a misfiring Cobolli given no time or space to breathe. The first set was over in a blink — 6-1 — and for a moment it seemed the final might be a one-sided procession.

But Cobolli, the 24-year-old Roman who had lit up this tournament with electric shotmaking and remarkable composure, refused to wilt. He emerged in the second set with far greater intent and clarity, abandoning the tentative play of the first and going for his shots. Zverev, perhaps sensing the title within reach, tightened slightly. The Italian rallied superbly, claimed the second set 6-4, and suddenly the Philippe-Chatrier crowd — always a neutral party with an eye for drama — stirred to life.

“I have dreamed of this moment my whole career. To do it here, in Paris, after everything — I cannot find the words right now.”

The Twist: A Fourth Set Stolen in a Tie-Break
Zverev regrouped and took back control in the third set, breaking Cobolli twice and serving out with authority to lead two sets to one. For the third time on this Sunday, it seemed the German was in command. Then came the fourth set — the set that will be replayed and dissected for years.

Zverev squandered chances to serve it out, Cobolli converting clutch moments with drop shots and explosive forehands that made the packed stands roar. Cobolli levelled it at 6-6, forcing a tie-break. In the shoot-out, Zverev led before Cobolli clawed back, eventually stealing it 7-5 to level the match at two sets apiece. The Italian had forced a fifth set in a Grand Slam final. The dream was still alive.

Zverev Ends It — This Time, He Does Not Let Go
In every previous major final, the question had been whether Zverev could close. Against Dominic Thiem at the 2020 US Open, he led by two sets and lost. Against Carlos Alcaraz at the 2024 French Open, he came agonisingly close. Those memories sat heavy on his shoulders as the fifth set began.

But on this warm Sunday in Paris, the fifth set belonged entirely to the German. An emotional rollercoaster saw Cobolli fall two breaks behind as Zverev — more composed, more lethal than he had ever been in a Grand Slam decider — pounced on every wavering service game with clean, beautiful backhands and ferocious first strikes. Cobolli, visibly tiring, managed to hold once to avoid the bagel. But there was no coming back. Zverev served for the title, and on his third championship point — gifted by a Cobolli double fault — it was done.

He sank to the clay, both hands over his face, and wept. The ovation from the Chatrier crowd was immediate and enormous.
What This Means for Zverev — and for Tennis

For years, the conversation around Alexander Zverev has been coloured by a single word: potential. A prodigious talent who rose to world No. 1, who won the ATP Finals twice, who claimed an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo — and yet who had never won a Grand Slam. That narrative ends now. Zverev joins the pantheon of Major champions, and at Roland Garros of all places: the clay court that suits his game most beautifully.

As for Cobolli, the Italian’s run here has been nothing short of extraordinary. Playing in his first ever Grand Slam final, the 24-year-old from Rome showed the world he belongs at the very top. He is guaranteed to climb inside the ATP top 10 for the first time, and with this kind of fight and ability on clay, his first Major title will surely come. Italy will be proud.

But today, Paris belongs to Zverev. The long wait is finally, magnificently over.

The post Alexander Zverev Finally Gets His Major Title With Roland Garros Victory appeared first on Tennis Grandstand.

BY JAMES BECK

Maja Chwalinska had lost only one set in six main draw matches. She was just a 24-year-old qualifier.

This time, she couldn’t win a set.

The wind blew Maja’s shots everywhere, and Mirra Andreeva was there to watch them sail away in the wind or she would crush them with her powerful strokes.

Saturday was Mirra’s day to become just the ninth different teenager to win the French Open women’s title in tennis’ Open Era.  She won nine straight games in the middle of the match, then hit a sizzling  backhand winner while her aggressive right foot was on the service line as she finished off a 6-3, 6-2 victory. The 19-year-old then scrambled to her knees.

TIME TO CELEBRATE

It was time for Andreeva to celebrate with her family and team, even with her Bernedoodle Grassy pup.

Chwalinska had a big day, too, coming away with a check for about $1.5 million.

Not a bad day for a qualifier.

Of course, Andreeva had a really big day, about $3.27 million.

As she was from start to finish, Andreeva was terrific while most of the big stars of the women’s game, as well as men’s, took the remainder of the two weeks off while losing in the heat of Paris. But Andreeva didn’t blink an eye as she easily moved up the top tier of the women’s game.

THE WIND APPEARED TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Hardly anything troubled Andreeva, definitely not after the first five games. Chwalinka’s left-handed floaters hardly tested Andreeva’s athletic ability and powerful hitting.

Chwalinska often lost the ball in the strong wind as she tried to hit with the popular Andreeva. Her play was well below that of the semifinals of her close match against another Russian, Diana Shnaider.

Between the hard-hitting Andreeva and Shnaider, the Russians gave Chwalinska a half test.

And this time the wind helped make it an easy day for Andreeva.

—

James Beck was the 2003 winner of the USTA National Media Award  for print media. A 1995 MBA graduate of The Citadel, he can be reached at Jamesbecktennis@gmail.com.

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The WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz celebrates the news that Serena Williams is set to return to professional tennis, nearly four years after she stepped away from the sport at the 2022 US Open. The American tennis legend, who was a month shy of her 41st birthday when she said goodbye, plans to restart her iconic career at next week’s HSBC Championships, a WTA 500 event staged at the Queen’s Club in London. Williams has been awarded a Wild Card to play doubles, with a partner to be announced in due course. 

Over the course of her game-changing career to date, Williams, who is now 44 years, eight months old, spent 319 weeks as the WTA World No.1. Her haul of 73 singles titles, including 23 Grand Slam trophies won over an 18-season period, is the Open Era record. The winner of 39 major titles overall, as well as multiple Olympic medals, she remains the only player to achieve a ‘Career Golden Slam’ in singles and doubles (meaning she won both events at all four majors as well as the Olympic Games) and is the prize money leader in women’s sports.

“Serena is one of the greatest athletes of all-time, with a legacy that extends far beyond the court,” said Valerie Camillo, Chair of the WTA. “Her return is an expression of her passion for competition, and I cannot wait to see her face a new generation of top players. Serena is not just a great champion. She’s a successful entrepreneur, a powerful advocate for the issues that matter – and one of the most iconic women in the world. We are thrilled to welcome her back to the WTA Tour at this hugely exciting moment for women’s tennis.”

Now a mother of two daughters, Olympia (born 2017) and Adira (born 2023), Williams is already among nine singles No.1s who’ve returned to the WTA Tour after giving birth, along with Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong Cawley, Lindsay Davenport, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, Caroline Wozniacki, Angelique Kerber and Naomi Osaka.

“Serena brought the game to another level and it is incredible for the sport that she’s pushing the boundaries and coming back,” said Martina Navratilova, the previous oldest WTA World No.1 to launch a comeback after retirement, at 43 years, 10 months. “To many of the younger players, they never had the opportunity to play her; some may have never watched her on television so this will be a new and exciting experience.”

Serena’s career highlights so far

Williams played her first WTA qualifying match at Québec City in 1995 and made her main draw debut at Moscow in 1997, when she was 15. By the end of 1998, she was inside the world’s Top 20 and a Top 5 season finish in 1999 – the year she won the first of her 73 singles titles (Paris Indoors) and 23 Grand Slam titles (US Open) – meant she was on her way to redefining the game.

Williams was 20 when she rose to WTA World No.1 on July 8, 2002. Only Stefanie Graf and Martina Navratilova have topped the rankings for longer than 319 weeks and Williams shares with Graf a record streak of 186 consecutive weeks at the summit. Securing the Year-End WTA No.1 Ranking on five occasions, Williams posted 16 Top 10 seasons and in April 2017, at the age of 35, she became the oldest player to rank No.1 – 15 years after her first reign.

Williams also enjoyed tremendous success in doubles. She compiled a win-loss record of 192-35 and won 22 of her 23 titles with Venus Williams, the other coming with Alexandra Stevenson at Leipzig in 2002. She only ever lost two doubles finals, the most recent being at Auckland in 2020, partnering Caroline Wozniacki. The Williams sisters were unbeaten in 14 Grand Slam finals and in the summer of 2010 jointly held the WTA Doubles World No.1 ranking for eight weeks. Serena’s first success at the majors actually came in mixed doubles, with titles at Wimbledon and the US Open in 1998, both with Max Mirnyi.

Additionally, Olympic triumphs make Williams the only player – female or male – to achieve a ‘Career Golden Slam’ by winning the singles and doubles at all four majors at some point, as well as gold medals in both singles (2012 London) and doubles (2000 Sydney, 2008 Beijing and 2012 London, all with Venus).

Numbers to build on

Williams played the last of her 33 Grand Slam finals at the 2019 US Open, against Bianca Andreescu – 20 years after she defeated then-World No.1 Martina Hingis for her first major at the 1999 US Open. Her last Grand Slam title came at the 2017 Australian Open, where she defeated Venus in the final whilst pregnant with Olympia.

Following her third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open, she stepped away with a remarkable 858-156 career win-loss record (.846) – the fourth most singles wins in WTA history, trailing only Navratilova (1442), Chris Evert (1309) and Graf (902). From her 81 Grand Slam appearances, she won a record 367 matches, ahead of Navratilova’s 306.

Among many records set, Williams remains the all-time prize money leader in women’s sports, earning more than $94.8 million during her career. She topped the annual WTA prize money charts on six occasions (2002, 2008-09, 2013-15). Her 2013 earnings of $12,385,572 remained the WTA record for a single season until Aryna Sabalenka surpassed $15 million in 2025.

In recent years, Williams has focused on a range of entrepreneurial endeavours. Serena Ventures, a venture capital fund created in 2017, has invested in more than 85 companies, focusing on businesses founded by women or people of color. Her portfolio of sports-related investments includes stakes in WNBA team Toronto Tempo and NWSL’s Angel City FC. This year, she appeared in the Prime Video docuseries The CEO Club, also serving as an executive producer through her company, Nine Two Six Productions.

Click here for full Serena Williams Encore Media Kit

Read more:

Serena Williams is giving tennis one more look at greatness

Serena Stats: The story so far

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In the world of today, people are always looking for ways to de-stress and re-charge. Sports and recreation activities are the right mix of you and pleasure. It is fun and enjoyable to watch a fantastic football game. Golf is a good way to get out, get some exercise, and blow off some tension.

Most folks believe that to live life to the fullest means to be active and love sports. They have time for physical activity, social connection, personal leisure and can pursue their hobbies. Whether it’s after a brilliant match, talking strategy with your mates or a quiet afternoon on the golf course, these moments all build up to a better and a more pleasant daily existence.

Why Sports Keep Inspiring People

One of the reasons people love sports so much is the connection it brings. People may come together via the common thread of competitiveness and teamwork no matter where you’re from. Sports provide excitement, motivation and wonderful stories – from local rivalries to world championship battles.

Football is a good illustration of this. Every major tournament draws millions of viewers who follow their favourite teams and players. So much so that the build up to the big game and the festivities afterwards create a particular atmosphere, bringing together supporters of different countries and cultures.

The Advantages Of Being Outdoors

It’s fun to watch sports. But you can have just as much pleasure by participating in outdoor activities. Getting out in the fresh air allows people to relax, keep active and have a nice balance in their normal lives. There’s golf, walking and cycling to appreciate the natural world and keep physically active.

And golf is quite special too. It is a quiet game, requiring much skill, concentration and patience. Golf is not just a sport to be played for the difficulty of the game, but for the opportunity to spend quality time with friends, family or coworkers in beautiful surroundings.

Building Meaningful Connections

Usually, meaningful relationships are established around sports and pleasure. These are the things that people do together – talking football with other fans, joining a local sports club, spending a day on the golf course – and which assist to form lasting friendships between individuals.

They also promote communication, teamwork and a strong sense of community. It is a good hobby for you and it helps you to live a better and more purposeful life.

Sport has never been simply the game. They connect individuals, help build memories and promote healthy and active living. Whether it is watching international football matches or talking to friends about issues such as Mix Parlay Piala Dunia or outdoor activities, sports give us so many opportunities to have fun, to meet new people and to enhance our lives. Accepting these experiences helps create a more balanced, busy and fulfilling existence.

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A lawyer and entrepreneur, King prepared the legal paperwork that laid the foundations for the creation of the WTA in 1973. Among many ventures during his lifetime, he was also a key player in the staging of Billie Jean’s historic ‘Battle of the Sexes’ exhibition match against Bobby Riggs, as well as the formation of the Women’s Sports Foundation and the innovative World Team Tennis league.

In 2024, King was presented with the WTA Foundation’s Champions for Change Award, for his contributions to the sport of tennis and women’s empowerment.

At the time, Billie Jean King stated: “Larry, you are a founding member of the WTA, because the WTA would not have been formed in 1973 without you. You got us to sign in members, drafted the by-laws and facilitated the election of officers. You taught me the importance of being a feminist and stood beside me and all the players in our fight for equality, inclusion and respect. We all owe you a debt of gratitude.”

Reflecting on King’s legacy, WTA Chair Valerie Camillo said: “Larry King didn’t just champion equality from the sidelines – he embodied male allyship at a defining moment for sports, culture, and society. Standing with Billie Jean and sharing her mission for positive change, his moral advocacy and vital contributions as a lawyer and businessman set the stage for the WTA Tour as we know it. On behalf of the WTA, I extend our deepest condolences to Larry’s wife, Nancy, their children, and all his loved ones.” For more on Larry King, click here

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Scheduling and access updates for this year’s US Open include:

• Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day now kicks off Fan Week on Sunday, August 23. The largest grassroots tennis event in the world and annual US Open tradition honoring Arthur Ashe’s legacy will kick off the US Open on its opening day this year. Admission is free, with family-friendly activities planned throughout the grounds, along with Kids’ Day’s traditional stadium show.
   
• Fan Week – Week 1 of the US Open – offers seven days of free grounds admission, from Sunday, August 23–Saturday, August 29. The full lineup of free and signature ticketed events taking place during Fan Week – including the second annual Silent Disco and third annual US Open Block Party – is available at usopen.org/fanweek.
   
• Additionally, grounds admission is free on ‘Open for All Day’ on Thursday, September 10, marking eight full days of free grounds admission during the 22 days of the US Open.
   
• The US Open’s free Fan Access Pass is now required for entry for all fans ages 18 and older attending Fan Week. Available through the US Open app, Fan Access Pass is a free digital pass to unlock Fan Week perks, including event registration, giveaways and more. Fans can register now at USOpen.org/FanAccessPass and easily add their pass to their mobile wallet for seamless entry into the grounds.
   
• The US Open Mixed Doubles Championship presented by Vital Proteins^® is expanding to add Qualifying. The Mixed Doubles Championship will add an eight-team qualifying competition for two main-draw slots, on Monday, August 24, that is free to attend in Grandstand. This addition follows the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship’s record-breaking success in 2025 with a reimagined format and never-before-seen star power, which recently earned Sports Business Journal’s ‘Sports Breakthrough of the Year’ Award.
  
  The 16-team Mixed Doubles Championship main draw will be played Tuesday, August 24 (First Round and Quarterfinals) in Arthur Ashe Stadium, beginning at 10 a.m., and Louis Armstrong Stadium, with the matches in Louis Armstrong free to attend (start time TBC). The semifinals and finals will be played at night on Wednesday, August 25, in Arthur Ashe Stadium, beginning at 7 p.m.
  
  The Mixed Doubles qualifying and main draw entries will be announced in full later this summer.

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Electrolit® – the number one rapid hydration beverage – today announced the signing of Mexican American professional tennis player Emilio Nava, one of the sport’s most promising young talents who went on a consecutive three-title ATP Challenger run in 2025, as its newest athlete partner, supporting his performance on and off the court.

As one of the fastest-rising players on the ATP Tour, Nava has climbed to a career-high world ranking of No. 74, with standout performances across Grand Slam stages, including second-round appearances at the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open. At 24 years old, Nava is building a reputation for endurance, physicality, and relentless baseline play, attributes that demand elite hydration to sustain performance over long, high-intensity matches.

In tennis, where matches can stretch beyond three hours under extreme heat, hydration is essential. Electrolit’s science-backed formulation, made with a balance of electrolytes to accelerate fluid absorption, including magnesium, sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride, will support Nava through training, recovery, and match play across surfaces and climates.

“I’ve been around sports my whole life. My parents, my family, they all taught me what it takes to perform at a high level,” said Nava. “Putting the time and routines into recovery, taking care of my body, and staying consistent every day means hydrating the right way. When I’m in long matches or back-to-back tournaments, I need something that actually works, that helps me stay sharp and recover fast. Electrolit fits into my routine in a way that feels real, I can rely on it, and it’s a part of how I play my best tennis.”

The partnership reflects a shared commitment to performance and preparation. Born in Los Angeles to Mexican Olympic athlete Eduardo Nava and former professional tennis player Xóchitl Escobedo, Emilio grew up immersed in elite sport, learning early how recovery, endurance, and discipline shape results on the court. Deeply connected to his Mexican roots, he brings that same focus to every match and training session, a mindset that aligns seamlessly with Electrolit – a brand founded in Mexico over seven decades ago and trusted to support active, high-performance lifestyles of all shapes and sizes.

As part of the partnership, Nava will continue to integrate Electrolit into his daily training and match-day routines, while collaborating on content that highlights the role of hydration in elite tennis performance, from grueling baseline rallies to recovery between tournaments.

For more information, visit www.electrolit.com or follow along on Instagram or Facebook.

# # #

About Electrolit

Electrolit® is a premium hydration beverage designed for everyday hydration needs, including use before, during, or after physical activity and during warm-weather or on-the-go occasions. Founded in Mexico in 1950, Electrolit is enjoyed by a broad range of consumers with active and busy lifestyles.  Electrolit contains magnesium, potassium, calcium, sodium, chloride, sodium lactate and glucose for electrolyte absorption, and is offered in a variety of flavors and formats. Electrolit is available nationwide through grocery, convenience, national retail, and online channels, including Walmart, Kroger, Jewel-Osco, 7-Eleven, and other retailers. Electrolit is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. All trademarks are property of their respective owners. Learn more at www.electrolit.com.

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