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Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column By Emilie Katz
Butler Makes Raducanu Coffee
Svitolina Releases NFT To Support Ukraine
As Ukraine continues to be under attack from Russia, Elina Svitolina is trying to help her home country. She created a Non Fungible Token (NFT) that patrons could bid on—an exclusive video of Svitolina signing an acrylic with “Ukraine” following her first match at the 2022 Abierto GNP Seguros Monterrey Tennis Open. The highest bidder won the NFT video, Elina’s signed acrylic, as well as a 10minute virtual meet & greet with Elina.
Miami Heat forward Jimmy Butler has his own line of signature coffee, and had a stand open at the Miami Open. Butler even took time away from the basketball court to show off his barista skills, even making a cup for U.S. Open champion Emma Raducanu. Butler also told Raducanu that she was his daughter’s favorite player.
Ash Barty Announces Retirement Photo credit: Tennis Australia
Kyrgios, Kokkinakis Receive Special WWE Belts Australia’s Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis earned hardware for their Australian Open Men’s Doubles title earlier this year, and the pairing have now added to that collection. WWE Australia commemorated the pair’s victory with their own customized WWE Championship Belts.
At the height of her game, Ash Barty stunned the sports world when she announced her retirement from tennis earlier this spring. Barty was fresh off her Australian Open title and was ranked No. 1 in the world. “I’m so happy, and I’m so ready. I just know at the moment, in my heart, for me as a person, this is right.”
LITennisMag.com • May/June 2022 • Long Island Tennis Magazine
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