Tennis Channel viewers recognize the statuesque beauty from her Court Report news segments and roving reporter vignettes. But before Cari Champion’s affinity with tennis, she was drawn to journalism with goals of transforming negative stereotypes.
“The pictures of African Americans weren’t positive. It wasn’t accurate. We aren’t all gang bangers,” she says. “I wanted to give people a voice that didn’t have a voice. I’m always fighting for the underdog. I don’t know where I got it from, but I’ve been like that all my life. That’s why I love journalism.”
Changing Perceptions
The California native graduated from UCLA with an English degree and early in her broadcasting career paid her dues at several television stations.
“When I worked in West Virginia, I was a one-man-band carrying a camera and a tripod and that was God-awful. But I loved it because I wanted to do it. I always wanted to be a reporter.”
While Champion’s childhood dream was to work in journalism, was she always a tennis fan?
“I absolutely love tennis. Here’s the funny thing about me: as a kid I had no coordination, and I tried all these different sports, every sport, and I couldn’t get it together. It wasn’t until I became an adult that my coordination came together,” says Champion, who stands nearly six feet tall. Her affection for tennis began while working as a reporter in Florida.
“I covered a lot of tennis, especially the Williams sisters, and they made me love the sport even more. They opened the door to tennis for so many different people.”
Part of what Champion adores most about tennis is the player personalities.
“I can compare myself to certain players, how they act on court and how I act in life,” she explains. “In an individual sport you can see it, unlike in team sports. In tennis they leave it all on the court. They go big or they go home. I love every aspect of it. It’s such a mental game. It’s a metaphor for life.”
A Natural Talent
When Champion auditioned for the Tennis Channel’s burgeoning news department, she imagined the role would be perfect. “This job meshed so well with what I knew and with my background, I was like ‘This is my job!’ I love to travel and I love the game.” She was one of three women selected from a pool or more than fifty candidates.
She says proving her legitimacy to the viewers would be crucial to success.
“Tennis fans are like non other,” she explains. “They are hard core, elegant and they really know their stuff. They can spot a phony a mile away. Tennis Channel knew I had to be integrated and authentic, or the fans would know… if you don’t follow this sport, having to pronounce these names is crazy.”
As a Court Report anchor, Champion films four one-minute daily updates focusing n the latest and most relevant stories in tennis. As a roving reporter, she adds depth to Tennis Channel’s coverage at big tournaments such as the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells and Roland Garros in Paris.
“Within our coverage, you get the feel of what’s going on around the grounds. Color commentating goes to the tennis pros, but I bring viewers the flavor of the tournament,” says Champion. “I want it to resonate and show you I know what I’m talking about. I want you to feel like you’re a part of being here.”
Champion says her best quality is her ability to learn quickly, but she also demonstrates poise while interacting with the players. She recalls a time when she was preparing to interview Fernando Verdasco, and someone asked if she was nervous. Before she could answer, another player interjected, “No. No, she has no fear.”
“I laughed because I don’t even think like that. I just have to do my job. I truly love this sport. The people are such interesting characters.”
Off Duty
After work hours, Champion enjoys hot yoga, learning Spanish, cooking healthy meals, and hanging out with her dog, Coco Chanel. She also is an avid basketball fan.
“I grew up eating and breathing basketball. I’m a Lakers fan and a huge UCLA Bruins fan.”
The most important part of her life, she emphasizes however, is making time for family and friends.
“The older you get, the more you realize who your true friends are. You have to nurture your relationships,” says Champion. “I’m at my best when the people I love are happy. I’m going to go out and laugh and have fun. Life is hard as hell, so why not have a good time and kick back when you can? Dinner with friends and a glass of wine, you can’t beat that.”
