Remember when Naomi Osaka, despite taking a break for motherhood, still dominated endorsement charts with brands chasing her signature? It’s no secret that marketability in women’s tennis doesn’t always match court performance. Aussie star Daria Saville recently stirred the pot by questioning why tennis WAGs often outshine active players in brand deals, calling out the sport’s obsession with aesthetics. But now, all eyes are on former GS champion Rennae Stubbs. Weighing in on the debate, Stubbs didn’t hold back: challenging the narrative and defending the rise of tennis influencers, especially Ayan Broomfield and Morgan Riddle, stressing the importance of hustle, individuality, and knowing how to build your brand off-court.

Daria Saville recently sparked a compelling conversation in the tennis world after candidly pointing out a growing trend: tennis WAGs (wives and girlfriends) landing more high-profile ‘brand endorsements’ than many players themselves. In a recent TikTok video, the former 20th seed opened up about the sport’s fixation on aesthetics, boldly stating that WAGs often align more with what the image brands want to promote than the athletes battling it out on the court. 

“Let’s talk brand deals for a second. Tennis aesthetics are in right now, right? It’s all over the place, but female tennis players are not getting those brand deals. It’s actually tennis WAGs that fit into the ‘aesthetics’ rather than us sweaty tennis players. I’ve spoken to a few influencer WAGs and they’re surprised that we don’t get the same opportunities. Is it that athletes are not as relatable as WAGs to audience?” Daria Saville quoted on April 5th, making taking her stance on behalf of the influencers on the ATP Stars court.

Taking to her show The Rennae Stubbs Tennis Podcast, the 6-time doubles GS winner added, “Listen, this is a double-edged sword, right? In a lot of ways, because clearly, some of the wives, in particular, Morgan [Riddle], Ayaan [Broomfield]. Yeah, so I think first of all, I want to say, look, the fact that those particular girlfriends of those particular tennis players have gotten a lot of brands. Look, the three of them are beautiful. Let’s just put it out there straight up,”

She also continued, “So I think first of all, I want to say, look, the fact that those particular girlfriends of those particular tennis players have gotten a lot of brands. Look, the three of them are beautiful. Brands aren’t just popping in and saying, hey guys, we see that you’re the girlfriend of, would you do this? Now, yeah, sure, they’re getting exposure because they’re on television, right? They have to put in the work themselves and both of them, and all of those women in particular and any other influencer, you have to put in the work. It’s not like you just put on the camera and be like blah, blah, blah. You have to get dressed up,”

Rennae Stubbs’ comments strike a chord when considering the ‘behind-the-scenes’ hustle of tennis WAGs like Ayan Broomfield and Morgan Riddle. These women are not just spectators; they’ve carved out serious careers, attending global fashion weeks and landing elite brand partnerships that require both consistency and charisma.

From representing legacy houses like Hermès and Zimmermann to championing causes beyond the court, Ayan Broomfield’s growing presence speaks volumes. Meanwhile, Morgan Riddle has evolved into a powerhouse in digital branding, aligning with household names like Boss, Grey Goose, and Wilson, while anchoring campaigns for Wimbledon and the US Open.

And amidst this cultural shift, Stubbs added a light-hearted twist to her serious point as she publicly extended a warm invitation to former First Lady Michelle Obama for a friendly tennis match. A classy serve, indeed.

Rennae Stubbs extends a heartfelt invitation to Michelle Obama for a friendly tennis match

The former doubles no. 1 Rennae Stubbs, known for frequently blending sports and politics in her social media commentary, recently highlighted Sophia Bush’s podcast episode featuring Michelle Obama. The former 6-time doubles GS champion, who boasts an impressive 60 WTA doubles titles, was delighted to discover Michelle’s passion for tennis and extended an invitation for a friendly match. 

On April 9, Sophia Bush, widely recognized for her role in One Tree Hill, welcomed the former First Lady on her podcast Work In Progress. During the conversation, Bush asked Michelle about the things she enjoys doing, prompting a heartfelt response about her growing love for tennis.

Michelle spoke in detail about her journey with the sport, explaining her current goal of mastering a two-handed backhand with topspin, and how quickly time flies as she sweats through ninety-minute sessions on court, quoting, “I’m trying to figure out how to hit a two-handed backhand with topspin. The time goes by, right, and before you know it, I’ve sweated for ninety minutes.” 

Reacting to the episode titled “Work in Progress: Michelle Obama: The Conversation Continues…,” Stubbs shared her excitement on X, writing: “Loved this ⁦ @SophiaBush ⁩ ! Also loved how much ⁦ @MichelleObama ⁩ loves her tennis!!! 🎾 btw Michelle, I’m available for a hit. 😉😉”

With Michelle Obama’s growing tennis passion, could a friendly match with Rennae Stubbs be the next exciting courtside moment? And what do you think of the spotlight shone on influencers like Morgan Riddle and Ayan Broomfield? Do you think it’s fair to actual players on-court? Let us know in the comments down below.