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Pictured Left to Right: Martina Navratilova, Bojana Jovanovski, Beatrice Capra, Petra Martic, Shelby Rogers, Billie Jean, Elena Bovina (tall blonde in back), Nicole Gibbs, Andrea Jaeger and Melissa Torres; Front left row: Jennifer Elie, Vladka Uhlirova.
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For the past 13 years the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has gathered together some of the players from the Tour’s historic past to talk with the young stars who represent the future of women’s tennis. This week, joined by Martina Navratilova, Andrea Jaeger, Leslie Allen, Sandra Reichel (a former player who now runs the Linz event and is preparing for the tournament’s 20th anniversary) and others, I had the privilege to get a firsthand look at the future of women’s tennis and I really like what I saw.We conducted two “Hours of Power” where we shared some of our life experiences with these young women and gave them a chance to sit with us in an informal setting and address some of the concerns, insecurities and challenges they face as an athlete in today’s world.
As mentors to the next generation of players, we feel it is important they have at least an understanding of the rich history of the WTA Tour, for without an understanding, there can never be an appreciation for the efforts of those who have come before them.
Looking back at our time with the young players, I wondered how different our world – at least the business part of it – might be if each employee at every company or organization had a chance to learn from those who had come before them. Let’s face it, our history is part of who we are.
We all stand on the shoulders of those who have come before us and I know that Althea Gibson, Bobby Riggs and Alice Marble opened my eyes and many doors for me. So it all comes full circle. I like what I saw from those influential leaders and I love what I see in the future of women’s tennis.
Go For It!
King headshot - Jonathan Exley
Photos: Sony Ericsson WTA Tour