Sports
Djokovic, Gauff, other players ask for more money, more say
Associated Press Apr 3, 2025, 06:59 PM ET Open Extended Reactions Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are among 20 leading tennis players who signed a letter sent to the heads of the four Grand Slam tournaments seeking more prize money and a greater say in what they called “decisions that directly […]
Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff are among 20 leading tennis players who signed a letter sent to the heads of the four Grand Slam tournaments seeking more prize money and a greater say in what they called “decisions that directly impact us.”
The letter, a copy of which was obtained Thursday by The Associated Press, is dated March 21 and begins with a request for an in-person meeting at this month’s Madrid Open between representatives of the players and the four people to whom it was addressed: Craig Tiley of the Australian Open, Stephane Morel of the French Open, Sally Bolton of Wimbledon and Lew Sherr of the US Open.
At the bottom of the message are the handwritten signatures of 10 of the top 11 women in the rankings from the week of March 3 — Elena Rybakina’s name is missing — and the full list of the top 10 men that week.
The women are the No. 1-ranked Sabalenka, Gauff, Iga Swiatek, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Jasmine Paolini, Emma Navarro, Zheng Qinwen, Paula Badosa and Mirra Andreeva. The men are the No. 1-ranked Sinner — who is currently serving a three-month doping ban — 24-time major champion Djokovic, Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, Casper Ruud, Daniil Medvedev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alex de Minaur.
Of the 20, 15 have won at least one Grand Slam title or reached a major final.
The players outline three areas they want to focus on:
• Grand Slam tournaments should make financial contributions to player welfare programs funded by the two pro tours.
• Prize money should increase “to a more appropriate percentage of tournament revenues, reflective of the players’ contribution to tournament value.”
• The athletes should have more say in decisions “directly impacting competition, as well as player health and welfare.”
News of the letter — which was first mentioned by French sports newspaper L’Equipe — arrives about two weeks after the players’ association co-founded by Djokovic filed an antitrust lawsuit against the women’s and men’s professional tours, the International Tennis Federation and the sport’s integrity agency in federal court in New York. Djokovic was not listed as one of the plaintiffs, because he said he wanted to see other players step up.
That suit seeks more money for players, saying too little of the revenue ends up in the athletes’ hands, and lays out a series of other complaints about the way the sport is run.
The antitrust filing last month included a reference to a report “that the U.S. Open generated more revenue from the sale of one specialty cocktail ($12.8 million) than it paid to the men’s and women’s champions combined.”
The U.S. Tennis Association offered a record total of $75 million in total compensation — which includes prize money and payouts to cover players’ expenses — for its Grand Slam tournament in 2024. That represented an increase of about 15% from the $65 million offered in 2023 at the US Open.
Based on currency exchange figures at the times of the events, Wimbledon had about $64 million in prizes last year, with the French Open and Australian Open both at about $58 million.
“The USTA is always available for and welcomes open and direct conversations with players, whether on site at the U.S. Open or at any other point of the year, as we are consistently looking for ways to enhance our event for the benefit of players and fans,” spokesman Brendan McIntyre said in a written statement.
“The USTA is incredibly proud of the U.S. Open’s leadership in player compensation throughout its history and our support to grow professional tennis not only in the United States but worldwide,” he wrote. “This includes offering equal prize money to men and women for more than 50 years and awarding the largest purse in tennis history at the 2024 U.S. Open.”
The next Grand Slam tournament is the French Open, with main-draw matches starting in Paris on May 25.
Sports
NSU tabbed fifth in SSC Preseason Coaches’ Poll
Story Links FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference announced the preseason Volleyball coaches poll on Tuesday morning. The Nova Southeastern Sharks, under the direction of Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, were picked to finish fifth in the league. NSU received 65 points in the poll and trailed Lynn, Tampa, […]
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Sunshine State Conference announced the preseason Volleyball coaches poll on Tuesday morning. The Nova Southeastern Sharks, under the direction of Head Coach Kacie Ehinger, were picked to finish fifth in the league.
NSU received 65 points in the poll and trailed Lynn, Tampa, Barry, and Embry-Riddle.
2025 Sunshine State Conference Preseason Coaches’ Poll
| Place | School | Votes (First Place Votes) |
| 1. | Lynn | 97 (8) |
| 2. | Tampa | 92 (2) |
| 3. | Barry | 81 (1) |
| 4. | Embry-Riddle | 66 |
| 5. | Nova Southeastern | 65 |
| 6. | Florida Tech | 62 |
| T7. | Eckerd | 42 |
| T7. | Florida Southern | 42 |
| 9. | Rollins | 25 |
| 10. | Palm Beach Atlantic | 23 |
| 11. | Saint Leo | 10 |
The Sharks return AVCA All-American Olivia Aniol, who set the single-season record for block assists (131) during the 2024 season. In addition to Aniol, Madelyn Hooper, Brooke Spurgeon, Taylor Stockman, Marley Navaretta, Avery Piatt, Varshini Panuganti, Ella Kern, Gabrielle Spankus, and Juliana Imbuzeiro all return to the program. The Sharks also welcomed several new additions to the team, as Brantley Chipley, Natalya Bergant, Abbie Roth, Hadley Dantzler, Erika Spankus, Mackenzie Pryor, Caiden Largent, Amalee Doyle, Ayana Solan, and Cami Kelsay all look to make an impact in their first season as Sharks.
Nova Southeastern finished sixth in the league during the 2024 season, winning 20 matches, while also advancing to the NCAA Tournament for the fourth consecutive year and third season under Ehinger’s guidance.
The Sharks begin their 2025 season on Friday, September 5th, hosting Malone University at the Rick Case Arena. First serve is scheduled for 7 p.m. To stay up-to-date on Sharks Volleyball, be sure to follow on Instagram at NSU_VBall and X at NSU_VB.
Sports
Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament kicks off with record growth
SEASIDE, Ore. (KATU) — The Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament, the second-largest event of its kind globally, kicked off last week. The only larger tournament is held in Venice, Italy. The tournament, which began as a fundraiser for a new lifeguard tower, has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings with just four courts to now featuring […]
SEASIDE, Ore. (KATU) — The Seaside Beach Volleyball Tournament, the second-largest event of its kind globally, kicked off last week. The only larger tournament is held in Venice, Italy.
The tournament, which began as a fundraiser for a new lifeguard tower, has grown exponentially from its humble beginnings with just four courts to now featuring over 230 courts.
Organizers attribute the event’s massive growth over the past 40 years to its popularity and the community’s continued support.
In response to the increasing number of teams wanting to participate, the tournament will expand to five days in 2026 to better manage logistics and accommodate more teams.
Watch the full interview with the Interim Director of the Seaside Chamber of Commerce, the Seaside Beach Volleyball Director of Operations, and the Chief Operations Officer of Volleyball Life below.
Sports
Ivan Dodig named new Croatia Davis Cup coach
by croatiaweek August 12, 2025 in Sport Ivan Dodig (Photo: si.robi/CC BY-SA 2.0) The Croatian Tennis Association has announced that Ivan Dodig has been appointed as the new captain of Croatia’s Davis Cup team. The 40-year-old will replace Velimir Zovko, who has led the side in recent years. Dodig will make his debut in the […]
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Sport
Ivan Dodig (Photo: si.robi/CC BY-SA 2.0)
The Croatian Tennis Association has announced that Ivan Dodig has been appointed as the new captain of Croatia’s Davis Cup team.
The 40-year-old will replace Velimir Zovko, who has led the side in recent years.
Dodig will make his debut in the role when Croatia faces France in the second round of the Qualifier stage in Osijek on 12 and 13 September.
The Croatian Tennis Association thanked Zovko for his work and wished him success in the future, while extending congratulations to Dodig, expressing hopes for continued top results for Croatian tennis.
Dodig is one of Croatia’s most successful tennis players in doubles.
He has won three Grand Slam men’s doubles titles – the French Open in 2015 and 2023, and the Australian Open in 2021 – as well as several mixed doubles crowns, including the Australian Open in 2022, French Open in 2018 and 2019 and Wimbledon in 2019.
He also won a silver medal at the Olympic Games in 2021.
Dodig has been a key figure in Croatia’s Davis Cup campaigns over the years as a player.
Croatia has lifted the Davis Cup trophy twice, first in 2005 and again in 2018.
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Sports
Kara Griffin-Ruwin – Women’s Beach Volleyball
2023: Did not see action 2022: Did not see action. Prior to Tulane: Griffin-Ruwin comes to New Orleans from San Francisco, California. At the beginning of her beach volleyball career she trained with the Sandlegs beach volleyball club before moving on to train with the Valley Girls. Griffin-Ruwin also trained on the sand with former USC coach, Anna Collier and […]
2023: Did not see action
2022: Did not see action.
Prior to Tulane: Griffin-Ruwin comes to New Orleans from San Francisco, California. At the beginning of her beach volleyball career she trained with the Sandlegs beach volleyball club before moving on to train with the Valley Girls. Griffin-Ruwin also trained on the sand with former USC coach, Anna Collier and AVP/USA professional, Allie Wheeler. Griffin-Ruwin was recognized by AVCA volleyball as an elite rising high school volleyball student-athlete. She has trained and competed in P1440, USAV, CBVA’s, AAU and AVP tournaments. Top finishes in CBVA and P1440 tournaments. Getting stronger off the courts, Griffin-Ruwin did OC Fast-Twitch training, F45 training, and Apiros.
Griffin-Ruwin plans on majoring in Design and wants to pursue a career as an Interior Designer in the Real Estate Business.
Sports
Former Linn-Mar Star Returns to Drake as Head Coach
Former Linn-Mar High School standout Sam Read is returning to Iowa as the new head cross country and track and field head coach at Drake University. The school hosts the annual Drake Relays, a multi-day track and field event that brings in Olympians, college and high school athletes from around the world. Read most recently […]
Former Linn-Mar High School standout Sam Read is returning to Iowa as the new head cross country and track and field head coach at Drake University.
The school hosts the annual Drake Relays, a multi-day track and field event that brings in Olympians, college and high school athletes from around the world.
Read most recently served as the head cross country and distance coach at Eastern Washington for the past seven years. The team was a contender in the Big Sky Conference under Read, as he also coached five school records in track with a handful of NCAA West Regional qualifiers.
“I am truly honored to accept the opportunity to lead the men’s and women’s cross country and track and field programs at Drake University,” Read said. “Having grown up competing in Iowa experiencing the Drake Relays, I understand the pride and tradition these programs carry, and I look forward to building upon that legacy.”
Read coached at Montana State as an assistant for a number of years after competing for Linn-Mar and attending Wartburg College in Iowa. He ran at the Drake Relays as a high school athlete and was an Iowa Conference champion at Wartburg in the 10k while qualifying for the national meet.
“I am thrilled to welcome Sam into our athletics department and excited for his leadership of our cross country and track and field programs,” Drake Director of Athletics Brian Hardin said. “His track record at Eastern Washington was remarkable. Sam’s vision for how he would leverage the greater support available at Drake to contend for Missouri Valley Conference titles was convincing.
“Even more impressive was his ability to see the Drake program for not only what it is today, but what it can be in a short period of time.”
Read replaces Jay Koloseus, who took an assistant track and field position at Arizona earlier this summer after eight years at Drake in a variety of positions.
Sports
USA Women Advance To Quarterfinals At U20 World Championships With 14-6 Win Over Italy
Story Links Salvador, Brazil – August 12 – The USA Junior Women defeated Italy 14-6 today at the World Aquatics U20 World Championship. Julia Bonaguidi was named player of the match after she scored six goals while Christine Carpenter and Lauren Steele combined for eight saves in the cage. Team USA advances straight into the […]
Salvador, Brazil – August 12 – The USA Junior Women defeated Italy 14-6 today at the World Aquatics U20 World Championship. Julia Bonaguidi was named player of the match after she scored six goals while Christine Carpenter and Lauren Steele combined for eight saves in the cage. Team USA advances straight into the quarterfinals on Thursday at 3pm et/12pm pt with the opponent TBD. Live streaming of all matches is available through the World Aquatics YouTube page by clicking here. Live stats of all matches are provided from Microplus by clicking here.
Team USA got the first goal of the game half a minute in courtesy of Kamryn Barone. Shortly after, the Americans earned a penalty and cashed in when Bonaguidi rang the register from five meters. Italy would halve the deficit with a great bar down goal before Bonaguidi put home back-to-back goals to push the lead to three with an early hat trick. The Italian side would strike back with consecutive goals of its own to leave the score at 4-3 in favor of the United States after one.
Bonaguidi remained aggressive to start the second quarter, scoring first to add to her total. Emily Ausmus got involved from there when she buried a penalty attempt followed by a fadeaway shot that beat the goalkeeper. Carpenter and the Team USA defense held strong all quarter long to send the game into halftime with a 7-3 American lead.
The Italians earned a penalty and converted on the attempt to begin the third period but Bonaguidi had an immediate answer on the other end. Next, Steele dropped a perfect pass to Ausmus who put it away on the counter attack and Lucy Haaland-Ford scored to give the United States double digits on the day. Late in the period, Ausmus rose up from deep to beat the shot clock buzzer as Team USA took an 11-4 advantage into the final frame.
In the fourth, it was Haaland-Ford who had the first word. She followed it up with another score to notch a second half hat trick. Midway through the quarter, Bonaguidi chimed in again to run the American lead to ten. From there, the Italians scored again for the first time since the opening moments of the half but it was too little, too late as Team USA claimed the 14-6 win.
Team USA went 1/2 on power plays and 1/1 on penalties while Italy went 0/3 on power plays with no penalties attempted.
Scoring – Stats
USA 14 (4, 3, 4, 3) J. Bonaguidi 6, E. Ausmus 4, L. Haaland-Ford 3, K. Barone 1
ITA 6 (3, 0, 1, 2) E. Bianco 2, E. De March 1, B. Rosta 1, B. Cassara 1, C. Malluzzo 1
Saves – USA – C. Carpenter 6, L. Steele 2 – ITA – O. Sesena 4
6×5 – USA – 1/2 – ITA – 0/3
Penalties – USA – 1/1 – ITA – 0/0
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