Canadian tennis player Carson Branstine will make her Wimbledon debut tomorrow when she faces world number one Aryna Sabalenka on Court 1.
The 24-year-old, currently ranked 190th in the world, has taken an unconventional route to reach SW19.
Branstine works as a professional model to finance her tennis career, using earnings from photoshoots to cover travel expenses on the WTA tour.
She told Clay Magazine: "I love being in front of the camera during a shoot. It's fun, I love fashion.
Carson Branstine has a career in both tennis and modelling
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"It's been one of the reasons I've been able to pay some of my trips. I didn't want to ask my parents for anything.
"I wanted everything to come from me and from my tennis."
The Canadian secured her place in the main draw through three qualifying victories, including an impressive win over top seed Lois Boisson.
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Carson Branstine faces world no 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the first round at Wimbledon
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The French player had recently reached the semi-finals at Roland Garros.
Branstine's took to social media to express her frustratins at the difficult draw: "Maybe one day I'll get a good draw LOL."
The 24-year-old has faced top seeds repeatedly this year.
At the Libema Open, she drew number one seed Liudmila Samsonova in the opening round.
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Despite her modest ranking, Branstine has cultivated a substantial social media following of 20,000 on Instagram, where she shares content from both her tennis and modelling careers.
Branstine's path to Wimbledon has been marked by extraordinary physical challenges, too.
She spent five years away from professional tennis whilst undergoing surgeries on both hips and both knees.
The extended injury layoff has impacted her career earnings, which total £122,000.
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This relatively modest sum for a professional athlete has necessitated her dual career approach.
"I wasn't signed by these agencies because of my tennis, it was for my look," Branstine said of her modelling work.
"Modelling and tennis are weirdly similar: you are an object a lot, and people sometimes forget you're a person too."
Branstine's cousin is Freddie Freeman, the Los Angeles Dodgers baseman who won World Series MVP last year.
The eight-time MLB All-Star claimed baseball's top honour in 2024.
A first-round appearance at Wimbledon guarantees Branstine at least £71,000, with progression past Sabalenka increasing that sum to £107,000.
Such earnings would significantly boost her tennis finances.
Away from sport, Branstine holds a Bachelor's degree in Society, Ethics, and Law with a double minor in Philosophy and Sports Management.
She has also worked as a legal assistant for a year, attending family law court cases.
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