By Mecca Pryor ·Updated March 19, 2026 < /> Getting your Trinity Audio player ready… In 2001, at the Indian Wells Tournament, Serena Williams withdrew from her semifinal match against her sister, Venus Williams, due to injury. This sparked accusations from the crowd that the match was fixed. When she returned for the final, she was met with boos and racist remarks. In response, Serena boycotted the tournament for 14 years, not returning until 2015.
Now, in a full-circle moment, Ayan Broomfield—former college tennis player and longtime partner of Frances Tiafoe—is reshaping that legacy. Earlier this month, she brought a group of Black women to the prestigious tournament through her initiative, Ayan’s Aces. The organization aims to provide opportunities for Black women to watch and interact with the sport of tennis. “What’s really special about Ayan’s Aces is that it brings together people from different industries—fashion, entertainment, social media—and creates community through tennis,” she shares with ESSENCE. “You’re seeing people from different worlds come together, and I think that’s why it’s resonated so much.”
Nowadays, “You have Coco Gauff, you have Serena, you have Venus, you have all these trailblazers that played,” Broomfield shares. “But when I started traveling with Frances a lot, I noticed that I’d be in the stands and not see anyone who looked like me. This is not okay. We have to do something about this.”
Often referred to as the “fifth Grand Slam” for its high attendance and top-tier field, the Indian Wells tournament, held in Palm Desert, California, remains one of tennis’s most coveted stops. This marks the third iteration of Ayan’s Aces, following activations at the US Open and Miami Open.
This time around, on the heels of her new partnership with Lululemon, Broomfield brought Ayan’s Aces to Indian Wells not only to celebrate the collaboration but to intentionally carve out space for Black women within the sport’s most elite arenas.
Below, Broomfield opens up about the initiative, her tennis journey, and more.
ESSENCE: You used to play tennis in college—what barriers have you experienced as a woman of color in the sport?
Ayan Broomfield: I think first and foremost, tennis is such an expensive sport, so it’s difficult to get in. I mean, between the equipment—I’m from Canada, so we have to play indoors six months of the year, so you need a country club membership—it’s just very expensive. If you come from a lower-income background, financially, you’re not going to push for tennis. It’s just not something we think is possible.
Have you experienced any discrimination while playing or even while supporting Frances?
Broomfield: Yeah, I think the toughest part is probably post-match with social media. You’ll get really nasty DMs and comments, and sometimes they are racially motivated. I’m just blessed to be with someone like Frances, who’s great at not focusing on social media and not caring about what people say. But yeah, it’s part of the sport, and it’s difficult for some players for sure.
This is another Ayan’s Aces event, how did the initiative start and grow?
Broomfield: I actually started Ayan’s Aces last year in Miami at the Miami Open. It was on a smaller level, I worked with a couple of brands and was just trying to get free tickets to send to people. Then I did it again a few times, and by the US Open it really took on a new level.
I think it’s really important that I share it on my platform, but when I bring these girls, they’re also sharing the sport with their own audiences. It creates a wider community of women who want to get into tennis, which is really important.
Indian Wells has a complicated history, how does it feel to host Ayan’s Aces here?
Broomfield: That moment with Serena was a huge turning point in tennis. For years, she said, “I’m not coming back,” because of how she was treated. So being able to use this space now and create space for women of color—it’s very powerful.
We deserve to be here. We deserve a spot and to enjoy the sport. I’m just glad we’re able to bring the community together in this way.
What has it meant to work with Lululemon in an official capacity, particularly in supporting and growing Ayan’s Aces?
Broomfield: Lululemon has been incredible in working with people whose values align with theirs. When they started working with Frances, I noticed how much they cared, not just about him as an athlete, but as a person. That really stood out to me. So it felt like a natural fit to partner with them as well.
What’s next for Ayan’s Aces?
Broomfield: The beauty of tennis is that it’s global. I’ve done a lot in the States, but I’d love to take bigger trips, bringing women to Wimbledon, the French Open, and even Australia. These tournaments are so special and prestigious.
If I can use my platform and connections to bring more women of color to these spaces globally—Europe, Asia, everywhere—I think it would be unbelievable.
TOPICS: Ayan Broomfield Lululemon tennisThe post Ayan Broomfield & Lululemon Host Black Women At Indian Wells appeared first on Essence.