In 2024, I gave myself one simple goal for Project LoveGame: “Do something—and do it regularly.” Turns out, writing consistently has proven as challenging for me as hitting a clean forehand winner down the line, but with enough practice, I oddly made progress with both this year. What started as a clothing brand idea, evolved into a tennis blog online magazine type thing, that’s not intended to be a news site, but also doesn’t sell clothes (yet?). Safe to say I’m still hammering out a content strategy, but at least I “did something.”
This project has been like building a house—there were multiple revisions to the blueprints. I dug the trenches (set up the blog, Instagram, and Threads accounts), laid the foundation (24 long-form blog posts!), and started framing the walls (content that’s surprisingly reusable and recycle-friendly). I suppose my Advertising degree is paying off and the Journalism and Mass Communications major has found a purpose.
I’m not sure if it was a cosmic reward or perhaps just serendipity, but you know what? The tennis gods rewarded the hustle. 2024 brought some incredible moments, both as a fan and a writer. The kind of moments that make you sit back and say, “Is this really happening?”
So, here’s a look at a few highlights from this wild year. In no particular order, just memories that made 2024 unforgettable.
Stan Smith
As a recovering sneakerhead (2016-2020 was a dangerous era for my wallet), I’ve always dreamed of owning a pair of autographed Stan Smiths signed by the man himself. In May, Danny Lee’s documentary Who is Stan Smith started making waves in indie theaters, and Smith himself was touring alongside it. As luck would have it, my wife and I were in Los Angeles the very weekend it premiered at Landmark’s Nuart Theatre in Santa Monica.
A quick Instagram scroll also revealed that Smith would be at the Adidas store nearby the next day. That morning, I hopped an Uber to Santa Monica and took a few work calls from a coffee shop. Done with work, I hit the store, grabbed a fresh pair of size 9s and joined the line, buzzing with a small group of fans who understood the magnitude of the moment.
Meeting Stan Smith was like stepping into a warm hug. He complimented my Arthur Ashe sweatshirt, chatted briefly about their friendship, and listened as I gushed about how I’ve been wearing his shoes since I was in high school. Gracious and kind, he completely disproved the old “don’t meet your heroes” adage. Trust me, everyone should meet Stan Smith—he’s more than a shoe, he’s an amazing human being.
US Open
After missing the US Open last year, it was great to reunite with an old friend and make several new ones along the way. New York, as ever, dazzled with its magnetic chaos and quiet charm, proving itself the ultimate stage for tennis and some unexpected adventures (see Issue #16: Tales of New York).
From the courts of Flushing Meadows to the soulful streets of Harlem, this trip was a myriad of cool moments and even cooler people. The city’s quirks felt like love letters written in New York’s signature ink. Every borough hummed with its own melody, every stranger left an imprint, every bite of food told a story, and every cocktail hit the spot.
Being back in New York wasn’t just about tennis—it was about the people, the pulse, and those spontaneous moments that make New York the chaotic masterpiece we love. And we wouldn’t have it any other way.
Oliver Becaud - American Tennis Academy, Saint Martin
After our whirlwind time in New York, we were lucky enough to spend a couple of serene weeks in Saint Martin. Like New York, it offered us unforgettable encounters with remarkable people and exquisite cuisine. My wife, ever thoughtful, sought out a tennis-friendly area, and her search led us to a charming AirBnB in Orient Bay, just five minutes from the American Tennis Academy.
This hidden gem, owned by career coach Olivier Becaud, radiated the passion of a man who built his dream from the ground up with his bare hands. Olivier’s warmth and his story of crafting a life around tennis in paradise were captivating. Every day, Hita and I hit the courts, soaking in not just the game and the heat, but also Olivier’s tales of resilience and hard work. After working up a good sweat on the courts each day, we’d find ourselves lingering over ice cold draft Heinekens, savoring Oliver’s history as much as the Saint Martin sunshine.
Leaving Saint Martin wasn’t easy. It felt like saying goodbye to a newfound friend who had enriched our journey in ways we couldn’t predict. And by the glint in Olivier’s eye, I’d like to think the feeling was mutual.
Myles David - Tuned Into Tennis
I love the modern landscape where social media collides with an individual’s passion and creativity and allows anyone to have a platform to express themselves and hopefully even monetize that passion. Myles David is one of the people I’ve met in the tennis landscape that is doing just that, and doing it well. Knowledgeable, funny, and deeply immersed in the sport, he’s carved out a unique space with his “Tuned Into Tennis” podcast.
After a few engaging online exchanges, Myles invited me to join him on the podcast to chat about my experiences at the US Open. Nervous but honored, I jumped at the chance to discuss tennis with someone I admire. While my first few minutes were peppered with “ummms,” the conversation soon found its rhythm, evolving into something insightful and enjoyable.
Recently, I had the privilege of making a second appearance for the “2024 Tennis Awards” episode, this time with a better mic and fewer nerves. Both opportunities were not just about sharing my thoughts on tennis but also about connecting with someone who shares the same passion for the game.
Collaborating with Myles reaffirmed something important: I’m on the right path or at least a good path. Engaging with such a prominent voice in the tennis community feels like more than just a milestone—it’s a reminder that when passion meets opportunity, good things can happen.
Jasmine Paolini
No blog post of mine would be complete without some mention of Jasmine Paolini. I could go on for days about her 2024 season or about all of the good things she’s brought to the game recently. But I did have a cool moment that stood out this year.
In my Tales of New York post, I chronicled the journey of a day in the city with some friends that culminated in getting my custom New York Yankees jersey signed by Paolini at an art gallery in Chelsea. For the sake of brevity, I’ll just say that I’m still pretty geeked out about the whole experience months later.
Although my exchange with Paolini was purposefully brief, I couldn’t have asked for a better piece of memorabilia from 2024 (in addition to the aforementioned Stan Smiths of course). It wasn’t just about the jersey (per se), but more importantly about how the stars all aligned for it to happen in the first place. Maybe things are falling into place for a reason. Now if I can just get the one on one interview!
2024 was a year of growth and discovery and looking ahead, 2025 stretches out like a new house with a fresh coat of paint and blank white walls waiting to be decorated. And as I learned this year, there’s power in setting intentions, not as rigid resolutions but as guiding principles that align with where you aspire to be.
As you step into this new year, remember that progress comes in small, deliberate steps. Celebrate your journey, and don’t underestimate the ripple effect of kindness—to yourself and others. We wish everyone all the health, happiness, and inspiration you deserve. Make every match, and every moment hit different.
LFG! #LOVEGAME
