Civil Rights Lawyer Ben Crump Sponsors Underdog Tennis Players at US Open

Civil Rights Lawyer Ben Crump Sponsors Underdog Tennis Players at US Open

Civil Rights Lawyer Ben Crump Sponsors Underdog Tennis Players at US Open

Prominent civil rights attorney Ben Crump is making a statement at the US Open this year by sponsoring lesser-known players through patches on their outfits. Crump’s firm’s name, “Ben Crump Law,” has been visible on the sleeves of players like Tomas Machac and Dusan Lajovic.

Crump’s involvement in high-profile cases involving police brutality and racial injustice has earned him the title of “Black America’s attorney general.” His decision to sponsor underdog players at the US Open aligns with his mission to fight for the marginalized.

“We are sponsoring the underdog in up to 10 of the matches,” Crump said. “The sponsorship helps the underdog players who obviously don’t have name-brand sponsors but deserve just as much of a chance to display their talents and compete against the best in the world.”

Crump emphasized that the sponsorship is not primarily about generating business but about promoting diversity and inclusion in sports. “Hopefully when (fans) see the ‘Ben Crump’ patch on the jerseys of the players, they will think about how social justice is important in all aspects of society, in courtrooms and sports arenas,” he said.

Crump’s sponsorship is a testament to the legacy of Arthur Ashe, the legendary tennis player who was also a vocal advocate for social justice. “The reason we decided to do a sponsorship package in this way was in part because I am still inspired by (Ashe’s) legacy,” Crump said.

By supporting underdog players, Crump hopes to inspire them to reach their full potential and to raise awareness about the importance of social justice in both sports and society.

Confetti Protests Disrupt Italian Open Tennis Matches

Confetti Protests Disrupt Italian Open Tennis Matches

Tennis Protests Escalate: Confetti-Scattering Incidents Disrupt Italian Open

Tennis has once again been marred by protests, with multiple incidents occurring at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome on Monday. Protestors wearing orange vests stormed courts and scattered confetti on the clay, causing delays and disruptions to matches.

In the fourth-round match between Madison Keys and Sorana Cirstea, a protestor ran onto the court with bags of confetti and proceeded to scatter them before being removed by security guards. Play was suspended while the court was cleaned.

A similar incident occurred moments later on Court 12 during a men’s doubles match between Édouard Roger-Vasselin and Santiago González against Marcelo Arévalo and Mate Pavić. Pavić confronted one of the two protestors, who also scattered confetti, leading to another suspension of play.

These incidents follow a growing trend of protests during tennis matches in recent years. Notably, during the US Open semifinal between Coco Gauff and Karolina Muchova, an environmental activist glued his feet to the Arthur Ashe Stadium stands, causing a 50-minute delay.

At Wimbledon, puzzle pieces were scattered across the court during a first-round match between Grigor Dimitrov and Sho Shimabukuro, and later in a women’s singles match between Katie Boulter and Daria Saville.

The reasons behind these protests vary, but they often involve environmental or social justice issues. The protestors aim to raise awareness and disrupt the smooth running of events to draw attention to their causes.

While the right to protest is important, the disruption of sporting events can be frustrating for players, fans, and organizers. Tennis authorities are faced with the challenge of balancing the need for security and the right to free expression.

Coco Gauff: From Tennis Star to Global Icon

Coco Gauff: From Tennis Star to Global Icon

Coco Gauff, the 20-year-old American tennis sensation, continues to make waves both on and off the court. Following her recent cover feature in Vogue, Gauff has now graced the cover of TIME magazine’s May issue, solidifying her status as a rising star in the world of sports and beyond.

In an in-depth interview with TIME writer Sean Gregory, Gauff reflects on her journey from a promising junior to a global icon. She discusses the transition from adolescence to adulthood, acknowledging the shift in focus from external expectations to her own aspirations.

“At first, I was scared to grow up,” Gauff confides. “But now I’m embracing adulthood and womanhood.”

Gauff also shares personal experiences that have shaped her perspective. At age 12, she faced a racist incident at a junior tournament in France. While initially upset, she chose to move on, recognizing it as a reflection of societal ignorance rather than a defining moment.

“I just felt like that’s just something that people experience, which is not a great thing,” she says. “They just probably didn’t grow up around other people that looked different.”

At 15, Gauff attended her homecoming dance in Boca Raton, Florida, but already felt a disconnect from her peers.

“I just think I was at a maturity level different from the kids around me,” she explains. “No one has their life figured out at 15. But I, for the most part, did.”

Throughout her career, Gauff has consistently used her platform to advocate for issues she cares about. She remains committed to speaking out on matters of social justice and equality.

“I am not one to shy away from something that I feel informed about,” she asserts.

The article also explores Gauff’s evolution as a sporting and cultural icon. She discusses her on-court goals for 2024, including her aspirations for an Olympic medal in Paris.

“I want to win gold so bad,” she declares. “Representing the U.S. gives me goosebumps.”

Gauff is also eager to defend her US Open title later in the year.

“Sometimes people get unmotivated after winning one. That hasn’t been a personal challenge for me,” she says.

“My goal is to be relaxed and have fun and play with less pressure,” she adds. “I know people are going to start talking about defending the US Open title later on in the year. I’m not worried about that.”

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart