Ayan Broomfield Envisions Ambitious Goals for the Future of Tennis—Both On and Off the Court

      "Sometimes, people just see me as a significant other," Ayan Broomfield shares with me before the 2026 US Open. "[They] assume that’s why I’m involved in the tennis world." If you’ve only caught glimpses of the 29-year-old supporting her partner, Frances Tiafoe, at the French Open or Wimbledon, adorned in a vintage Pucci ensemble or a Cult Gaia minidress, that assumption might be understandable. "But I’ve actually spent 20 years in the game," she affirms. Broomfield is both a spectator and a WAG (a term used by fans and media for the wives and girlfriends of professional athletes). Yet, she embodies much more than either label suggests. A closer look reveals she is indeed a Renaissance woman, boasting an NCAA doubles title, a small role in King Richard, and two decades of experience in the sport. Although she may have retired her racket (at least professionally), Broomfield's influence in the tennis world continues to thrive.

      As a young athlete, Broomfield never viewed tennis merely as a spectator sport; it formed the basis of her life. She began playing in Canada before taking her skills to UCLA, where she secured a national championship and made a name for herself as a serious competitor. Then, the pandemic hit, along with several difficult injuries. After dedicating her childhood and college years to tennis, and entering the professional arena, Broomfield transitioned from the daily rigors of an athlete to a new pursuit that allowed her to experience the sport from a fresh perspective. "I feel like I've done everything possible in tennis as a player," she reflects on her time on the court. "At this point, I consider myself more of a storyteller—sometimes through content, sometimes through hosting, and sometimes through creating communities like Ayan's Aces. Everything I'm currently engaged in, especially in tennis, is about uniting people, and I want to continue expanding that."

      Traditionally, tennis has been a rather reserved sport, but Broomfield believes that is changing. Her tournament attire used to focus on comfort and practicality, but after attending matches as a spectator to support her partner, she recognized fashion as a new avenue for self-expression. Gradually, particularly as fashion increasingly intertwined with the sport, she began to exhibit her personality through her outfits in the stands.

      Now, she favors bold prints, high-end designs, and standout pieces, with brands like Thom Browne, Cult Gaia, and LaQuan Smith on her radar for this year’s US Open. "I really wanted to embrace the concept of 'bold,'" she shares, giving a glimpse of her ensemble for the tournament. "Bold silhouettes, tailored looks, [and] fun accessories." As Broomfield observed this shift in fashion's role in tennis and incorporated it into her own style, she also realized there is ample opportunity to broaden the tennis audience.

      Ayan's Aces was born from the many instances where Broomfield noticed a lack of diversity at tennis events. "Once I began attending as a spectator, I realized there weren't many women who resembled me in the stands, especially women of color," she notes. Hearing from women who felt tennis wasn’t "for them" spurred her to take action.

      What started with five tickets quickly expanded to ten and eventually evolved into a larger initiative aimed at bringing more people into the world of tennis. Brands and tournaments now collaborate with her to offer tickets and suites for a diverse audience to enjoy the sport. Her objective? To increase the attendance of women of color at tennis tournaments. "Can you imagine girls going to Paris for a week—shopping, sightseeing, and attending a tennis tournament—just enjoying each other's company and building community?" The initiative has rapidly grown, now branching into sports like Formula One and golf. Next, she aims to take Ayan's Aces global.

      For Broomfield, this transformation encompasses more than just fashion at tennis matches; it’s about fostering a space where more individuals feel free to be themselves—whether that’s sporting a runway-ready outfit in the stands, wearing a coordinated outfit on the court, or simply seeing someone who looks like them seated next to them. "I want to utilize my platform and voice to continually challenge norms regarding self-presentation so that more people feel at ease wearing what they desire rather than conforming to conventional tennis attire," she explains. While tennis may have been quite traditional during Broomfield's first two decades on the court, she's committed to leaving it in a more open and less formal state.