Toy titan Mattel is celebrating March 8th's International Women’s Day by launching a new Barbie Role Model line that features two famous athlete duos.

Highlighting the importance of female friendships, the brand has focused this year's campaign on 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning gymnasts Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey as well as Australian tennis icons Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty.

Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey hug after both medaled in vault at the 2022 World Gymnastics Championships.
Chiles and Carey competed in two Olympics together for Team USA. (Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images)

Chiles and Carey also repped Team USA at the 2021 Tokyo Games, where Chiles helped the US take silver in the team competition, while Carey earned individual gold in the floor exercise.

"I’ve always been passionate about empowering the next generation of female athletes and I couldn’t be more grateful to be recognized as a Barbie as a Role Model this International Women’s Day with Jordan," said Carey.

"Together, we are so excited to showcase the limitless power of friendship to girls everywhere. I wouldn’t be here today without support and encouragement from great friends like Jordan."

Indigenous Australian tennis stars Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty pose at a tennis net with holding their Barbie dolls.
Australian tennis stars Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty became Barbies for International Women's Day. (Mattel, Inc.)

Barbie honors First Nations Australian tennis stars

Former world No. 1 tennis stars and First Nations Australians Evonne Goolagong Cawley and Ash Barty also feature in the Barbie collection.

Barty retired in 2022 with wins in three of the four Grand Slams. Aboriginal sports legend Goolagong Cawley exited the sport in 1985 with 86 WTA Tour singles titles, including seven Grand Slam trophies.

"Never in my wildest dreams did I ever think that I would be a Barbie myself," Barty told reporters. "I think it's just such an incredible experience to be a part of."

A special edition Barbie foosball table celebrating the Women's World Cup.
In 2011, Mattel made a special edition Barbie foosball table to celebrate the Women's World Cup. (Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

Another women's sports crossover for Barbie

This isn’t Barbie’s first foray into women’s sports. Past collections gave athletes like WNBA legend Sue Bird, Canadian soccer superstar Christine Sinclair, and tennis trailblazer Venus Williams the iconic doll's treatment.

Barbie also released lines in connection with the 2011 Women's World Cup. Additionally, the toy brand spotlighted women's sports with its 2023 Career of the Year collection. And late last year, Barbie partnered with the PWHL to release branded accessories representing the pro hockey league's teams.

"There’s no power or peace quite like knowing you have a support system of women behind you," remarked Chiles. "I hope that partnering with Barbie to celebrate the power of female friendship reminds the next generation of champions that we are stronger together."

Newly minted Australian Open champion Madison Keys added the highest WTA rankings of her career to her resume on Monday, rising to No. 5 despite withdrawing from last week’s Dubai Open with a leg injury.

The first-time Grand Slam winner joins fellow US standouts No. 3 Coco Gauff and No. 4 Jessica Pegula in the Top 5 WTA rankings, marking the first time three US women have featured in that elite echelon since Serena Williams, Lindsay Davenport, and Jennifer Capriati did so in 2003.

While Emma Navarro slid in at No. 10 to give the US four of the Top 10 WTA rankings, a breakthrough title-winning run at the 2025 Dubai Open launched Mirra Andreeva into the upper tier. The 17-year-old jumped five spots to claim No. 9 and become the youngest Top 10-ranked WTA player since 2007.

The sport's top two players held steady in Monday's shakeup, with No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and No. 2 Iga Świątek keeping their ground.

That said, with the WTA Tour returning Stateside next week, expect more rankings movement — and perhaps a few surprise entries — as players continue to prep for the three Grand Slams remaining in the 2025 season.

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Former WTA No. 1 Venus Williams will not play at Indian Wells

Contrary to last week’s widespread reports, tennis legend Venus Williams — who first rose to No. 1 in the WTA rankings 23 years ago this week — said she will not be participating in next month's 2025 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells.

"I love Indian Wells, I would love to be there," the 44-year-old US icon told the crowd during a public appearance in Denmark on Monday. "If I could have accepted it, I would have loved to be there, but I already made commitments."

"We wish Venus all the best and hope to see her back in Indian Wells in the future," said tournament director Tommy Haas in response, reversing the Open’s earlier social media announcement of Williams' wild card berth. 

On Wednesday, US tennis icon Venus Williams was awarded a wild card spot to play in next month’s BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells, with the 44-year-old signing onto participate in her first WTA competition in a almost a year.

Williams has not featured in a tour event since the 2024 Miami Open, exiting that tournament in her March 19th opening match after dropping two straight sets to Diana Shnaider.

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Venus Williams continues her storied tennis career

Often stating her desire to play professional tennis for as long as she can, the seven-time Grand Slam singles champion has never officially announced her retirement.

"Serena ruined it for me," Williams joked during an October 2024 TV interview, referencing her sister’s 2022 retirement. "Because as soon as she retired, everybody thought I retired."

Williams, who turned pro over 30 years ago, boasts a resume with 49 singles trophies and five Olympic medals. Her combined 21 Grand Slam titles includes five Wimbledon singles championships, two US Open singles trophies, and 14 doubles titles alongside her younger sister.

While she has more major singles titles than any other active woman on tour, Williams hasn't added to her tally since winning the Taiwan Open in February 2016.

Having drastically decreased her competition schedule over the last few seasons, Williams has competed in just nine events over the past two years.

"At this point, it’s about picking and choosing places I want to be," she said. 

Venus Williams tracks down the ball during her opening round match at the 2024 Indian Wells tournament.
Venus and Serena Willams boycotted the Indian Wells event for 14 years. (Robert Prange/Getty Images)

A roller coaster history with Indian Wells

Given her stated intention to specifically choose her competition appearances, it's somewhat interesting that Williams set her sights on the Indian Wells tournament.

While she first competed at the event in 1994, both Williams and her sister boycotted the tournament for 14 years following Serena's experience during the 2001 final. Though she ultimately won the title, then-19-year-old Serena experienced booing and racist abuse during the match — an ordeal the younger Williams sister called "very traumatizing."

Serena ultimately returned to the competition in 2015, with Venus doing the same in 2016.

With 10 Indian Wells appearances on her resume, including three trips to the competition's semifinals, this year's tournament marks the second-straight year that Williams will play as a wild card entry. At the 2024 edition, she fell 6-2, 3-6, 0-6 to Nao Hibino in the first round.

How to watch the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells tennis tournament

The 2025 BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells runs from March 2nd through 16th.

With her wild card berth, Williams will begin play when the main draw starts on March 5th.

Live coverage of the tournament will air across the Tennis Channel's platforms.

Alex Morgan is getting into golf.

The U.S. women’s national team and San Diego Wave star announced Friday that she is joining The Golf League as an investor in the Los Angeles team, alongside retired LPGA great Michelle Wie West, tennis legends Serena and Venus Williams, NBA MVP Giannis Antetokounmpo and more.

“It’s official, my husband and I are married to the game,” she wrote on social media. “I’m thrilled to announce my involvement as an investor with @WeAreLAGC, the inaugural team of @TGL!”

TGL is a new league set to begin play in January 2024, founded by golfers Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy. Some of the top players in the world will compete in three-on-three team competitions using golf simulator technology.

Initially, four teams were announced: Boston, New York, Atlanta and LA. Two more are expected to join the league, which has partnered with the PGA Tour.

“We’re providing a form of the game that looks more like other sports,” Mike McCarley — CEO of Tmrw Sports, the company behind TGL — told Fast Company. “This is going to be an NBA courtside experience, whether you’re there in person or watching on television.”

It’s unknown if or when pros from the LPGA will become involved in the new league. But other investors in the league, including Serena Williams’ husband and fellow TGL investor Alexis Ohanian, are committed to making that happen.

“My first question was, when can we get the LPGA involved? And it’s not just because my daughter is into golf,” Ohanian said. “It would be nice to help elevate the women’s game.”

Ohanian first connected with Morgan when he started tuning into the NWSL, and he later joined Angel City FC as an investor. Now, he’s helped the soccer star become part of TGL.

“Golf has become a family hobby,” Morgan told Fast Company. “So, [investing in LAGC] was a no brainer. It’s something I wanted to be a part of.”

From there, Morgan reached out to Wie West, who was on board almost immediately.

“It’s great to have the same mission: democratizing the dream, breaking down the stigmas of golf, and really showcasing how fun it is,” Wie West said. “We really want to use TGL, to use technology, to help bring this sport to people and communities that would have not otherwise been exposed to it.”

She’s also committed to bringing women golfers into the sport.

“I’ve had many conversations with LPGA Tour Commissioner Mollie [Marcoux Samaan],” she said. “Getting women involved is something that’s very important to me. We’re gonna make it happen. When? I hope soon.”

Growing up, Coco Gauff idolized Serena and Venus Williams.

In a mostly white sport, Gauff saw herself in the Black sisters who dominated the sport during her childhood. And in the aftermath of her U.S. Open victory Saturday, Gauff credited the sisters.

“They’re the reason why I have this trophy today,” Gauff said. “They’ve allowed me to believe in this dream. Growing up, there weren’t too many Black tennis players dominating the sport. It was just them at the time that I can remember, and obviously more came because of their legacy. It made the dream more believable.”

Gauff defeated Aryna Sabalenka, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2 in the tournament finals at Arthur Ashe Stadium, falling to the ground and crying when she won. Gauff, 19, became the first American teen to win the U.S. Open since Serena Williams in 1999.

Williams, of course, went on to win the tournament another five times, including in 2002, when she defeated her sister in the final. Gauff wasn’t born until 2004, but she grew up with the backdrop of both Williams sisters as icons of the sport.

And on Saturday, Gauff joined her heroes and etched her name as one of the titans of the sport.

“All the things they had to go through, they made it easier for someone like me to do this,” Gauff said. “You look back at the history of Indian Wells with Serena, and all she had to go through. Venus, fighting for equal pay. It’s crazy and it’s an honor to be in the same lineup as them.”

Venus Williams will make her 24th appearance in the singles draw at Wimbledon in 2023 after she received a wild-card entry to the tournament Wednesday.

A five-time singles champion at Wimbledon, she last reached the finals of the grass-court major in 2017. The 43-year-old made her Wimbledon debut in 1997.

On Monday, Williams earned just her second win in nearly as many years — as well as her first win over a player in the top 50 in nearly four years — as she beat 48th-ranked Camila Giorgi at the Birmingham Classic in England. The win also ended a 12-match losing streak.

She’ll next play Jelena Ostapenko in the round of 16. The second-ranked player in the tournament, Ostapenko is currently ranked No. 17 in the world and made the quarterfinals of the Australian Open earlier this year.

Ahead of their match, Ostapenko called Williams “a great champion.”

“It’s amazing to share the court with her. I have nothing to lose. I will just try to play my best and I hope you guys will enjoy the match,” Ostapenko said.

The two have gone head-to-head just twice before, back in 2017 at Wimbledon and at the WTA Finals in Singapore, with Williams winning both of their previous matches.

The grass-court Birmingham Classic serves as a tune-up for Wimbledon, which begins on July 3.

Also receiving wild-card entries to the major were Elina Svitolina, Heather Watson and Katie Boulter. Svitolina is fresh off a quarterfinal run at the French Open but lost her opening round match at Birmingham earlier this week.

Venus Williams made a return to the court Tuesday at the Libéma Open for her first match in more than five months.

The 42-year-old had not competed since the second round of the ASB Classic in New Zealand. in January. While she defeated Katie Volynets in the match, she suffered a hamstring injury, forcing her to withdraw from that tournament and from the Australian Open.

Her comeback came via wild-card entry to the Libéma Open. The first-round match marked her first time playing in the Netherlands and her first singles tournament on grass since Wimbledon in 2021. (She participated in mixed doubles at Wimbledon last year.)

Competing against Celine Naef, Williams won her first set 6-3 but lost the second set in a tiebreak 7-6 (7-3). Naef, a 17-year-old who also received a wild-card entry to the tournament, took the third set 6-2 to win the match.

Among those in attendance to watch the match was Venus’ younger sister Serena Williams, who announced her retirement from tennis last year. In May, she announced that she is pregnant with her second child.

Venus Williams will not play in this year’s Australian Open after withdrawing for an undisclosed injury.

Williams suffered the injury while playing in a tournament in Auckland, New Zealand earlier this week.

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion had received a wild-card entry into the year’s first major. It would have been her 22nd Grand Slam at Melbourne Park. She has not played at the Australian Open since 2021.

“I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly,” she said when granted her wild-card entry.

Williams has struggled with injuries in recent years, but had begun 2023 positively with a win in an Auckland tournament – her first tour-level singles match in a year and a half.

Australian Kim Birrell has been granted a wild-card in place of Williams.

Venus Williams will make her 22nd appearance at the Australian Open in January after being awarded a wild-card entry to play in the first major of 2023.

The 42-year-old made her first appearance at the Australian Open 25 years ago.

“I’ve been competing in the country for over 20 years now and the Australian community has always supported me wholeheartedly,” Williams said in a statement. “It will be an honor to play for the fans again and I’m looking forward to making more memories at the tournament this year.”

Williams hasn’t played in a singles match since the 2022 US Open, where she lost in the first round to Alison Van Uytvanck.

When asked about her future following the match, Williams said that she was “just focused on the doubles.” The 42-year-old played doubles at the tournament with sister Serena, 41, for the first time since 2014, but they lost in the opening round.

A two-time finalist at the Australian Open, she hasn’t played in that tournament since 2021.

“Venus is not just an incredible player and fan favorite, she’s a great role model and leader in our sport in so many ways,” Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said.

Women’s sports showed up and showed out at Monday’s Met Gala, trading sportswear for designer duds inspired by the event’s 2022 theme, “Gilded Glamour.”

Venus Williams walked the Met Gala red carpet in a custom Chloé tux. Hairstylist Nikki Nelms opted for a bedazzled look for the tennis star, while makeup artist Karina Milan continued the beaded theme, creating a statement eye to tie the look together.

Olympic snowboarder Chloe Kim also made an appearance, wearing a feathered Giambattista Valli gown. The red and white ensemble was complemented the athlete’s bold red lip.

Retired tennis star Caroline Wozniacki donned a playful Christian Siriano cut-out dress with puffed blue sleeves. The 31-year-old walked the red carpet with her husband, David Lee, with whom she welcomed a baby girl last June.

Olympic gold medalist Eileen Gu attended the Met Gala after a banner Beijing Games. The skier opted for an edgy leather mini dress by Louis Vuitton paired with knee-high boots.