MADRID & SINGAPORE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 18, 2026--
Global tennis icon Carlos Alcaraz has become the new Global Brand Ambassador for Ant International, a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider, and its key brands.
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This collaboration underscores Ant International’s commitment to enabling inclusive growth across global markets through a relentless pursuit of world-leading AI-powered payment and fintech solutions for businesses and individuals – a vision that mirrors the fierce energy and inspiration Carlos Alcaraz brings to every match.
“Carlos is not only a sporting champion, but the very personification of the core values of tennis for fans worldwide: boundless ambition, unwavering dedication, scalpel precision in delivery, and sportsmanship both on and off the court,” said Peng Yang, CEO of Ant International. “These qualities unite the world of tennis and the world of tech. Through extensive partnerships, we will keep pushing the frontier of global payment and commerce in the same spirit, towards a world where every business and every individual thrives, one game at a time, one transaction at a time.”
The partnership will see Alcaraz starring in campaigns for innovations across Ant International's core businesses: Alipay+, the global wallet gateway, Antom, unified merchant payment services, and WorldFirst, the unified global account service.
A world-class athlete known for his drive, tactical brilliance and sportsmanship, Alcaraz has redefined the standard of excellence in professional tennis. Since his professional debut, the Spanish phenom has ascended to the pinnacle of the sport, boasting a record that includes multiple Grand Slam titles and numerous Masters 1000 victories. His rise to World No. 1 and his ability to perform under the highest pressure have made him an inspiration to millions.
“Throughout my career, I’ve learned that the greatest impact is made when we push boundaries and strive for excellence. That is why I am thrilled to partner with Ant International,” said Carlos Alcaraz. “What truly drew me to Ant International is their unwavering commitment to financial inclusivity. I am eager to support initiatives that bring essential financial services to underserved communities around the world. Being part of a team that uses technology to create a more equitable future is something I am incredibly proud of.”
With over 30 offices around the world, Ant International provides cross-border digital payment and digitalisation solutions for global merchants and financial institutions. It has connected over 150 million global merchants with more than 2 billion user accounts globally, providing global account services to 1.6 million SMEs, and helps over 30 million underserved businesses and individuals access quality credit.
About Ant International
Ant International is a leading global digital payment, digitisation and financial technology provider. Through collaboration across the private and public sectors, our unified techfin platform supports financial institutions and merchants of all sizes to achieve inclusive growth through a comprehensive range of cutting-edge digital payment and financial services solutions. To learn more, please visit https://www.ant-intl.com/
(L-R) Ant International CEO Peng Yang and Carlos Alcaraz celebrate Global Brand Ambassador partnership
Now a veteran of more than 50 NHL playoff games, Jack Eichel does not think the approach should be any different the deeper he and the Vegas Golden Knights venture into the postseason.
“We know we need to be better, and you want to continue to elevate your game both individually and as a team the further you go,” Eichel said. “That’s our goal.”
Easier said than done. Big boy hockey has arrived in the third round, with three of the top five favorites still playing in the conference finals. Vegas faces league-best Colorado in the West, while unbeaten beast-of-the-East Carolina gets Montreal after the Canadiens beat Buffalo in overtime of Game 7 on Monday night.
Game 1: Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET (ESPN)
Favorite: Colorado (2-5)
The Avalanche won the Presidents' Trophy for the best regular season and spent 156 consecutive days atop the NHL standings since Nov. 1, the longest run in four decades. They swept Los Angeles in the first round and beat Minnesota in five games, rallying to put the Wild away in overtime after falling behind 3-0 on the road.
Now, the difficulty level rachets up.
“I would expect Colorado’s stiffest challenge is going to come here in this next series because Vegas has been around the block,” former player and coach-turned-TNT analyst Ed Olczyk said. “They’ve got an experienced coach. They’re getting goaltending that they didn’t get for a lot of the regular season.”
Backstopped by Carter Hart and led by Mitch Marner, the Golden Knights are in the West final for the fourth time in their nine years of existence. It's their first under coach John Tortorella, who took over in late March and oversaw a 7-0-1 run to finish the season and more success in the playoffs.
“We feel really good about ourselves,” Tortorella said. “In playoffs, it’s not just the X's and O's and all. It’s how you feel, and the confidence level you have. I think we’re in a good spot.”
Colorado counterpart Jared Bednar is not worried about how his players will handle the spotlight getting brighter. The Avalanche are four years removed from their 2022 Stanley Cup run, while Vegas won it in '23.
“We have the exact same expectations as Vegas does,” Bednar said. “We have very similar experience, too: probably close to half the roster winning a Stanley Cup a couple years ago, no success since, and here we are facing each other. So, pressure on us is no different than the pressure on them.”
On the injury front, Vegas captain Mark Stone has been out since leaving Game 3 against Anaheim with an undisclosed injury. Avalanche star Cale Makar has been dealing with an apparent right arm or shoulder injury while fellow defenseman Sam Malinski and forward Artturi Lehkonen missed time late in the Minnesota series.
Game 1: Thursday, 8 p.m. EDT (TNT, TruTV)
Favorite: Carolina (4-11)
The Hurricanes are the first team to sweep through the first two rounds since the NHL went to four best-of-seven series in 1987. Their gift is 11 full days off before starting the East final.
“Obviously that’s not great,” Olczyk said. “That’s not ideal, but you’d rather have that than play back-to-back seven-game series and probably having guys being taped up to just get out there.”
Carolina captain Jordan Staal feels the same way, shrugging of the concern about rust and saying, “If anyone in the league was in a playoff series and they had the opportunity to win in four or seven, they would pick four.”
One more victory would tie the 1985 Edmonton Oilers for the longest winning streak to start a playoffs.
With back-to-back champion Florida not making it after injuries derailed the Panthers' season and other perennial contenders like Toronto and Tampa Bay out of the way, the sea has parted for the Hurricanes to get over the hump. They've won at least a round in each of Rod Brind'Amour's eight years as coach but have not yet reached the Stanley Cup Final.
“They're perfect — no blemishes,” Olczyk said, pointing to the goaltending of Frederik Andersen and strong scoring depth as contributing factors. “I felt that it was them: It was Carolina and everybody else. And could they do it when they were the favorites and when the path was opened, could they take advantage? And they have taken full advantage.”
After Alex Newhook scored his second Game 7-winning goal in as many rounds, the Canadiens are back in the third round for the first time since 2021, when divisional playoffs were in place to get through pandemic border restrictions.
“We’re going to give it our best. We’re going to keep rolling and see what happens,” Newhook said. “We’re a confident group. We knew what we were capable of all year. I think we believe that we can keep going and bring this thing all the way.”
AP Sports Writers Pat Graham in Denver, Aaron Beard in Raleigh, North Carolina, and Mark Anderson in Las Vegas contributed to this report.
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Montreal Canadiens right wing Zachary Bolduc, right, celebrates after his goal with defenseman Mike Matheson (8) during the first period in Game 7 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Buffalo Sabres, Monday, May 18, 2026, in Buffalo, N.Y. (AP Photo/Jeffrey T. Barnes)
Carolina Hurricanes' players celebrate after winning Game 4 against the Philadelphia Flyers in a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Carolina Hurricanes' Frederik Andersen warms up before the second period of Game 4 in a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Philadelphia Flyers, Saturday, May 9, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Colorado Avalanche center Jack Drury, center, is congratulated by, from left, center Nicolas Roy, right wing Valeri Nichushkin, and defensemen Devon Toews and Brent Burns in the third period of Game 5 of an NHL Stanley Cup hockey second-round playoff series against the Minnesota Wild Wednesday, May 13, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Vegas Golden Knights defenseman Shea Theodore, right, celebrates his goal with center Tomas Hertl, left, during the first period in Game 6 of a second-round NHL hockey Stanley Cup playoff series against the Anaheim Ducks, Thursday, May 14, 2026, in Anaheim, Calif. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
