Thoroughly enjoyed your review. Your post on the Serena-Wilson racquet question was indeed benign, and any kerfuffle reflects more on Wilson than you. Racquet nerds like me were indeed curious, and your post cast no aspersions. The good news is that if Wilson took umbrage, they recognize your journalistic reach (and bona fides). Silver (or graphite) lining.
Hahaha graphite lining, might have to steal that (with credit, of course) and you make very good points. Thank you so much for the kind words and supporting this lil’ endeavor, it really means a lot ♥️
I can relate to this experience so much! I wrote a NY Times op ed about loving the Yankees and got a book deal out of it....which sent me flying to every game in every city that season. I tried and kept failing to be taken seriously by the Yankees PR guy, so I could interview the players. It was so maddening and frustrating, but eventually I found a way in. Victory.
This was a really amazing piece! I feel like you don't usually hear a lot about media experiences at tennis tournaments, especially Grand Slams, so this was so interesting to read about. And it's no surprise that people kept telling you how much they love Hard Court, because it really is great!
Thank you so much! Being honest is in my blood at this point, for better or worse, and I wanted to tell the truth about my experience in as respectful a way as I could.
Your candor of the ups and the downs, the pinch-me moments and the wobbles, is astute + appreciated. Congratulations on the success of Wimbledon coverage + all that's lead up to it!
Thanks for sharing your experience - it’s sad that you had to go through this. Your success will continue because you’ve earned it and worked for it! Keep at it I love reading hard court!
Jess; you are an incredible writer and have definitely built something that people care about! KEEP IT UP! Don't let the bastards keep you down! There are so many great folks in this sport.......Loved the shout outs to Techie Sean and JW.
I liked this post a lot. So honest! I quit trying to get press passes for Wimbledon or any LTA run-up events because of « the chill ». I usually buy a grounds pass and roam around then log it on an iPad. Wimbledon is lovely the first couple of times. After that, it’s the French Open for me.
Yes, well, they don’t see it that way, but their loss. Just FYI, the LTA kicked me out of a tournament for returning Ons Jabeur’s hug and having a selfie, so beware of that… I’d done two profiles of her for US pubs.
it’s always, always some people we meet that feel like anchors steadying us through a storm and I’m delighted you found yours💕 they sound lovely :)
I love the honesty with which you’ve detailed your experience and I’m going to need you to write more such experiential pieces, since this was truly a treat to dive in and I caught myself reading it twice over to absorb the full length of the wild ride you’ve had.
I, too, know what it’s like to feel like at every juncture your body is failing you and tricking you in and out of a relentless frenzy. More power to you🤍
I hope you know, you have so many, like me, always cheering you on. There’s going to be disdain and contempt from many because what you’ve done within a year of being in this space, is what most people aspire to over the course of entire careers— ignore them (as disheartening as sometimes the experience can be), you do you and stick to your guns 🥰
Andre is such a gem and I’m so glad your tripped capped off with the highest of highs!!
Take care!🤍
P.S- I’m gonna also need food recs from you and will surely pester you for it ;)
Omg, Areyah, this is the sweetest note yet 😭 Thank you so much for being so kind and generous with your support. You hit the nail on a lot of truths that are sometimes hard for us to recognize until someone else highlights them for us. I feel so lucky to have such smart, thoughtful people reading my writing. I’m so sorry to hear that you can relate to the physical challenges—always here to chat or commiserate if you need it. When we cross paths someday IRL, a big hug will be in order! Thanks again ❤️
Thoroughly enjoyed your review. Your post on the Serena-Wilson racquet question was indeed benign, and any kerfuffle reflects more on Wilson than you. Racquet nerds like me were indeed curious, and your post cast no aspersions. The good news is that if Wilson took umbrage, they recognize your journalistic reach (and bona fides). Silver (or graphite) lining.
Hahaha graphite lining, might have to steal that (with credit, of course) and you make very good points. Thank you so much for the kind words and supporting this lil’ endeavor, it really means a lot ♥️
I can relate to this experience so much! I wrote a NY Times op ed about loving the Yankees and got a book deal out of it....which sent me flying to every game in every city that season. I tried and kept failing to be taken seriously by the Yankees PR guy, so I could interview the players. It was so maddening and frustrating, but eventually I found a way in. Victory.
Oof, why are some of these sports folks so exclusionary?! We’re talking about GAMES, people.
In baseball, the fact that I was a female didn't help.
Tennis isn’t used to women in media either, sigh 😮💨
This was a really amazing piece! I feel like you don't usually hear a lot about media experiences at tennis tournaments, especially Grand Slams, so this was so interesting to read about. And it's no surprise that people kept telling you how much they love Hard Court, because it really is great!
Thank you so much! Being honest is in my blood at this point, for better or worse, and I wanted to tell the truth about my experience in as respectful a way as I could.
Wow this was such an eye-opening read! Loved the transparency, especially as I navigate similar territory.
Your candor of the ups and the downs, the pinch-me moments and the wobbles, is astute + appreciated. Congratulations on the success of Wimbledon coverage + all that's lead up to it!
Thank you!! 💕
Thanks for sharing your experience - it’s sad that you had to go through this. Your success will continue because you’ve earned it and worked for it! Keep at it I love reading hard court!
Thank you so much! 🥲🥲 That means so much.
Jess; you are an incredible writer and have definitely built something that people care about! KEEP IT UP! Don't let the bastards keep you down! There are so many great folks in this sport.......Loved the shout outs to Techie Sean and JW.
Thank you so much Jessica 🥹🥹🥹 Your support means so much!!
I liked this post a lot. So honest! I quit trying to get press passes for Wimbledon or any LTA run-up events because of « the chill ». I usually buy a grounds pass and roam around then log it on an iPad. Wimbledon is lovely the first couple of times. After that, it’s the French Open for me.
Thank you! It’s frustrating and sad that they’re so cold to newcomers, and it does them no favors in the long run.
Yes, well, they don’t see it that way, but their loss. Just FYI, the LTA kicked me out of a tournament for returning Ons Jabeur’s hug and having a selfie, so beware of that… I’d done two profiles of her for US pubs.
Jessica!! Hi!
it’s always, always some people we meet that feel like anchors steadying us through a storm and I’m delighted you found yours💕 they sound lovely :)
I love the honesty with which you’ve detailed your experience and I’m going to need you to write more such experiential pieces, since this was truly a treat to dive in and I caught myself reading it twice over to absorb the full length of the wild ride you’ve had.
I, too, know what it’s like to feel like at every juncture your body is failing you and tricking you in and out of a relentless frenzy. More power to you🤍
I hope you know, you have so many, like me, always cheering you on. There’s going to be disdain and contempt from many because what you’ve done within a year of being in this space, is what most people aspire to over the course of entire careers— ignore them (as disheartening as sometimes the experience can be), you do you and stick to your guns 🥰
Andre is such a gem and I’m so glad your tripped capped off with the highest of highs!!
Take care!🤍
P.S- I’m gonna also need food recs from you and will surely pester you for it ;)
Omg, Areyah, this is the sweetest note yet 😭 Thank you so much for being so kind and generous with your support. You hit the nail on a lot of truths that are sometimes hard for us to recognize until someone else highlights them for us. I feel so lucky to have such smart, thoughtful people reading my writing. I’m so sorry to hear that you can relate to the physical challenges—always here to chat or commiserate if you need it. When we cross paths someday IRL, a big hug will be in order! Thanks again ❤️