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• Austin Krajicek Wins French Open Men's Doubles Title, Becomes New World Doubles No. 1

  Jun 10, 2023 by Administrator / 60 Views

  Austin Krajicek Wins French Open Men's Doubles Title, Earns World Doubles No. 1 Ranking 

  Clervie Ngounoue and Tyra Grant Win French Open Girls' Doubles Title 

  American Austin Krajicek won the French Open men's doubles title today with Croatian Ivan Dodig and on Monday will become the new world doubles No. 1.

   Krajicek and Dodig defeated the all-Belgian team of Sander Gille and Joran Vliegen on Saturday, 6-3, 6-1, to give the 32-year-old Krajicek his first major doubles title. Krajicek is the first American to win the Roland Garros men’s doubles title since Ryan Harrison in 2017 and it's the sixth time in the last 30 years the French Open men's doubles championship team has featured an American: 

   

  2023 - Austin Krajicek

  2017 - Ryan Harrison

  2013, 2003 - Bob and Mike Bryan

  1994 - Jonathan Stark

  1993 - Luke and Murphy Jensen

   A Tampa native who lives in Dallas, and the 2011 NCAA doubles champion at Texas A&M, Krajicek is the 20th American to rank No. 1 individually in doubles since the inception of the ATP Doubles Rankings in 1976. All 20 Americans to rank No. 1 played collegiate tennis in the

  U.S.:

   2023 - Austin Krajicek (Texas A&M)

  2022 - Rajeev Ram (Illinois)

  2003 - Bob and Mike Bryan (Stanford)

  2002 - Donald Johnson (North Carolina)

  2000 - Alex O'Brien (Stanford)

  2000 - Jared Palmer (Stanford)

  1994 - Jonathan Stark (Stanford)

  1993 - Patrick Galbraith (UCLA)

  1993 - Richey Reneberg (SMU)

  1992 - Kelly Jones (Pepperdine)

  1991 - David Pate (TCU)

  1990 - Rick Leach (USC)

  1989 - Jim Pugh (UCLA)

  1989 - Jim Grabb (Stanford)

  1985 - Ken Flach (SIU-Edwardsville)

  1985 - Robert Seguso (SIU-Edwardsville)

  1982 - Peter Fleming (UCLA/Michigan)

  1981 - Stan Smith (USC)

  1979 - John McEnroe (Stanford)

   Clervie Ngounoue, a 16-year old who is the No. 1-ranked junior in the world, and Tyra Grant, 15, ranked No. 29 among juniors, became the eighth and ninth American girls to win the junior doubles title at the French Open, after defeating Alina Korneeva and Sarah Saito (JPN), 6-3, 6-2, on Saturday.

   

  On Sunday, Taylor Townsend, 27, is competing in her second major doubles final ('22 US Open) since giving birth to her son, Adyn, in 2021. She and Canadian Leylah Fernandez will play Su-Wei Hsieh (TPE) and Xinyu Wang (CHN). A win would mark the first major doubles title for Townsend, who is projected to rise to No. 5 in the world doubles rankings, where she would join No. 3 Jessica Pegula and No. 4 Coco Gauff to give the U.S. three women in the Top 5 of the doubles rankings for the first time since the week of August 13, 2012.

   

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• "Meet Sabs Hernandez: The Celebrity Hairstylist and Founder of NTRL by Sabs, the Game-Changing Hair Care Brand"

  May 10, 2023 by Administrator / 59 Views

   

  Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth, also known as "Sabs," is a celebrity hairstylist and the founder of NTRL by Sabs, a hair care line dedicated to providing natural and organic products to women of color. With over 15 years of experience in the beauty industry, Sabs has established herself as a respected authority on hair styling and care.

  Sabs' journey in the beauty industry began when she was just 15 years old, working in her aunt's salon in the Bronx. She quickly fell in love with the craft and began attending beauty school while still in high school. After completing her studies, Sabs worked at a number of salons and gained valuable experience working with a diverse range of clients.

  Sabs' talent and passion for hair styling soon caught the attention of celebrities and she began working with notable figures such as Alicia Keys, Tyra Banks, and Taraji P. Henson. She quickly became known for her ability to create versatile and natural-looking hairstyles that complemented her clients' unique features and personalities.

  In addition to her work as a hairstylist, Sabs has also been a vocal advocate for natural and organic hair care products. After experiencing firsthand the negative effects of harsh chemicals on her own hair, she set out to create a line of products that would cater specifically to women of color and provide a safer and more nourishing alternative.

  NTRL by Sabs offers a range of products, including shampoos, conditioners, and styling products that are made with natural and organic ingredients such as coconut oil, shea butter, and aloe vera. Sabs' commitment to sustainability is also reflected in the brand's packaging, which is made from recycled materials.

  Sabs' expertise and dedication to natural hair care have earned her numerous accolades, including being named one of the top hairstylists by The Hollywood Reporter and Essence Magazine. She has also been featured in a number of media outlets, including Vogue, Glamour, and Allure.

  Despite her success, Sabs remains humble and grounded. She is dedicated to giving back to her community and often volunteers her time and talents to provide hair services to women in need. She is also a mentor to young women who aspire to follow in her footsteps, sharing her knowledge and experience to help them achieve their goals.

  In conclusion, Sabrina Rowe Holdsworth, or Sabs, is a talented and accomplished hairstylist who has made a name for herself in the beauty industry. Her commitment to natural and organic hair care has not only benefited her clients but has also helped to promote a healthier and more sustainable approach to hair care. With her talent, passion, and dedication, Sabs is sure to continue making a positive impact in the beauty industry for years to come.

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• Jessica Pegula to Join Coco Gauff on U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Team in Delray Beach

  Feb 25, 2023 by Administrator / 184 Views

  

  Mike Lawrence / USTA

   

  Jessica Pegula to Join Coco Gauff on U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Team for 2023 Qualifying tie vs. Austria in Delray Beach

   

  February 22, 2023 – Top-ranked American and world No. 3 Jessica Pegula is confirmed to join world No. 6 Coco Gauff on the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Team set to compete in a 2023 Qualifying tie vs. Austria April 14-15 at the Delray Beach Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Fla. 

   

  Pegula would be the highest-ranked player to compete for the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup Team since No. 1 Serena Williams in 2015. Pegula and Gauff together would give the U.S. team two players ranked inside the Top 6 on the same squad for the first time since the 2005 World Group First Round, when No. 1 Lindsay Davenport and No. 4 Serena Williams featured for a U.S. squad that defeated Belgium, also at the Delray Beach Tennis Center.

   

  Pegula reached the singles final at the WTA 500 tournament in Doha, Qatar, last week, and won the doubles title there with Gauff. Gauff is currently ranked No. 2 in doubles and Pegula No. 4.

   

  The U.S. team will feature a total of 4-5 players. The final team nominations will be made by March 13.

   

  The Qualifier is a best-of-five match series that begins Friday, April 14, with two singles matches. Two reverse singles matches and a doubles match will follow on Saturday, April 15, with an amended Saturday schedule possible if one nation clinches victory in the third or fourth singles match.

   

  Tickets are on sale to the general public via Ticketmaster.com. Visit usta.com/billiejeankingcup for more information.

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• Norse Atlantic - NY to Paris this Spring....

  Jan 12, 2023 by Administrator / 332 Views

  Party in Paris this Spring

    

  Fly to Paris this spring with Norse Atlantic Airways

  FORT LAUDERDALE, FLORIDA -Paris – the city of love and excitement and if it’s good enough for Emily – it’s good enough for us. You can now fly to the French capital (CDG) from New York (JFK) with Norse Atlantic Airways from March 26, 2023.  With flights going from just $159 one-way, a gift of a trip to Paris is the perfect Valentine’s Day present for your one true love.

   

  Bård Nordhagen, Commercial Director, Norse Atlantic Airways, says: “Paris is the ultimate city of love, the perfect getaway for couples in need of some private time, or perhaps destined for a proposal. Just over a seven-hour flight from New York, it offers culture, adventure, amazing cuisine, the very best hotels and unrivaled  history and art that will educate and entertain.  We are thrilled to offer an affordable travel option for our American travelers who want to experience French glamour first-hand this spring.”

   

  Norse provides their top five reasons why Paris should be on your must-see list in 2023:

   

  • It’s the city of love – As you walk the beautiful cobbles of Paris and view the amazing Eiffel Tower hand in hand with your one true love, it is bound to give you that warm, fuzzy feeling. The countless charming bars and restaurants give the perfect setting for a couple’s love to blossom.

    

  • The Art – The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa, is the world’s most visited art museum in the world for a reason. And you’ve got the Musee d’Orsay, housing impressionist and post-impressionist art from the likes of Monet, Renoir and Van Gogh, as well as The Centre Pompidou, Paris Museum of Modern Art and the Galerie Emmanuel Perrotin to choose from.

   

  • The Food – The French are, of course, famous for their food and drink, with new and unique restaurants popping up all the time, while traditional greats have remained for decades, stalwarts of French society. These include Bouillon Chartie, Café de la Paix and Le Train Bleu.

   

  • The History - The Palace of Versailles, Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, the Basilique du Sacre-Coeur de Montremarte and the Sainte-Chapelle are just five of the architectural beauties that you must see when arriving in Paris.

   

  • The River Seine – The stunning river flows through the heart of the city and provides a picturesque walkway or a wonderful river cruise, particularly by night.

   

  Providing  comfort and affordability all in one airline, there is no better option than to fly to Paris with Norse Atlantic.  

   

  The airline launched in March 2021 and is a new long-haul, low-cost airline that offers transatlantic routes. Gone are the days of low comfort and high prices. With Norse Atlantic, travelers can experience affordable fares to destinations and great service on board modern and more fuel-efficient Dreamliners.

  You can fly to Paris from New York on the following routes:

   

  JFK – CDG $159 (oneway)

   

  Norse Atlantic offers two cabin choices, Economy and Premium. Passengers can choose from a simple range of fares, Light, Classic and Plus, that reflect the way that they want to travel, and which options are important to them. Light fares represent Norse’s value option, while Plus fares include the maximum baggage allowance, two meal services, an enhanced airport and onboard experience and increased ticket flexibility. 

   

  The large and spacious Boeing 787 Dreamliner cabin offers passengers a relaxed and comfortable travel experience, with each seat including a personal state of the art entertainment experience. Our Premium cabin offers an industry leading 43” seat pitch and 12” recline, allowing passengers to arrive at their destination feeling refreshed and ready to explore.  

    

  To book and for more information on Norse Atlantic please visit www.flynorse.com 

   

   

   

  About Norse Atlantic Airways 

   

  Norse Atlantic Airways is a new airline that offers affordable fares on long-haul flights, primarily between Europe and the United States. The company was founded by CEO and major shareholder Bjørn Tore Larsen in March 2021. Norse has a fleet of 15 modern, fuel-efficient and more environmentally friendly Boeing 787 Dreamliners that will serve destinations including New York, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale, Orlando, Oslo, London, Berlin and Paris. The company's first flight took off from Oslo to New York on June 14, 2022. 

   

   

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• ISPA Release Big Five Statistics

  May 8, 2022 by Administrator / 491 Views

                                                Spa Industry Revenues Rebound from 2020 Lows

   

  LEXINGTON, Kentucky. (May 3, 2022) – The International SPA Association (ISPA) released the findings of the 2022 ISPA U.S. Spa Industry Study, which indicate a return to near pre-pandemic industry revenue levels even as staffing challenges persist. In addition, ISPA released a new consumer snapshot report detailing the evolving habits of contemporary spa-goers.

  The ISPA Foundation commissioned PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) to conduct both studies. The U.S. Industry Study presents the “Big Five” spa industry statistics: total revenue, total spa visits, spa locations, revenue per visit and total number of U.S. spa industry employees. The consumer snapshot report captured the spending and spa-going habits of U.S. consumers, which indicate strong demand for spa services and an increased focus on personal well-being and at-home care.

  “ We are thrilled to report strong signs of recovery for our industry, including a six billion dollar increase in total revenue,” said ISPA President Lynne McNees. “We are confident that this positive trend will continue, and we look forward to seeing how members use this new industry and consumer data to further elevate the industry.”

  The study reveals that U.S. Spa Industry revenues grew from $12.1 billion in 2020 to $18.1 billion, an increase of more than 49 percent and just below the industry’s all-time high of $19.1 billion in 2019. The number of spa visits grew from 124 million in 2020 to 173 million, while the total number of U.S. spas fell only slightly from 21,560 in 2020 to 21,510 in 2021. A notable increase in revenue per spa visit—up from $97.5 in 2020 to $104.5 last year—played a crucial role in elevating industry revenues. The number of industry employees also rose in 2021, increasing to 345,000 from 304,800 in 2020.

  “This year’s U.S. Spa Industry Study indicates a significant bounce back from the depths of the pandemic in 2020,” said Colin McIlheney, Global Research Leader, PwC. “The overall revenue growth, substantial increase in visits and sharp rise in revenue per visit are particularly encouraging as the industry continues its recovery.”

  The complete study will be released later this year.

   

  About the ISPA Foundation:

  The ISPA Foundation is the 501(c)3 arm of ISPA and was created in 1999 to serve the educational and research needs of the industry. The ISPA Foundation’s mission is to improve and enhance the value of the spa experience; their vision is to advance spa culture to sustain health and well-being.

   

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