The University of North Carolina (UNC) women’s tennis team has seen a sudden spike in social media followers, and it’s all thanks to freshman Anna Frey and her odd but entertaining connection to NFL quarterback Brock Purdy.
Frey’s resemblance to Purdy has thrown her into the spotlight. Suddenly, there’s a whole new level of attention on the Tar Heels’ women’s tennis program. It’s a strange mix of sports and internet culture, but it’s working. The team’s online presence is up, and Frey’s NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) value has jumped too.
Anna Frey’s Rise to Fame
Anna Frey joined UNC just two months ago. She’s already gone viral. People first noticed how much she looks like San Francisco 49ers quarterback Brock Purdy back in 2023. It’s uncanny, honestly.
Her follower count exploded. Instagram? Over 800,000. TikTok? A wild 2.2 million. That’s not something you see every day for a college tennis player.
Social Media Impact
Frey’s social media pull is real, and the UNC women’s tennis team is feeling it. The team’s accounts posted photos and videos from their season-opening win over Campbell, and Frey was front and center. Those posts racked up almost 80,000 likes on Instagram—way more than usual.
Her signing announcement alone? 200,000 likes. That’s the kind of attention that makes brands take notice.
NIL Deals and Financial Success
Brands have flocked to Frey. She’s landed deals with American Eagle, Nerds, FILA, and Head USA. Her NIL value is now reported at $681,000, according to On3. Not bad for a freshman, right?
Anna Frey’s Athletic Achievements
But it’s not just about followers and brand deals. Frey’s a legit athlete. She came to UNC as a top high school recruit, ranked as high as No. 2 nationally in her class.
She’s also a two-time semi-finalist at the USTA Billie Jean King Girls’ 16s National Championships. That’s not easy to pull off.
Professional Circuit Success
Frey’s already made her mark on the pro circuit with a career-high WTA ranking of No. 803. She’s had some big wins too, including taking down the world No. 103 at the 2024 Cleveland 250K WTA event.
There’s a lot of upside here, both on court and off.
The Brock Purdy Connection
Here’s where it gets weirdly fun. Frey’s rise really took off when people noticed her resemblance to Brock Purdy. This started gaining traction around the 2023 Super Bowl.
Social media ran with it. Frey leaned in, posting a video joking about waiting for a Super Bowl invite. That video blew up, and before she knew it, she was actually heading to Las Vegas for the game.
Super Bowl Invite
After Purdy and the 49ers clinched their Super Bowl spot, Frey’s video went everywhere. She joked that she was “patiently waiting” for an invite to the big game. People loved it.
Six Star Pro Nutrition noticed too. They offered her a trip to the Super Bowl and then signed her to an NIL deal. Pretty wild path to Vegas, if you ask me.
Impact on UNC Women’s Tennis
Frey’s presence has changed things for UNC women’s tennis. The team’s got more eyes on it than ever, and fans are engaging in ways they just weren’t before. It’s not just a social media bump—it’s real, lasting attention for the whole program.
Future Prospects
With Frey joining the roster, the Tar Heels look set for an exciting season. She’s got that rare mix of athletic skill and the kind of presence that turns heads, on and off the court.
People are already talking about her impact. It seems like UNC women’s tennis could really see a boost from her growing brand and performance.
Curious for the full story on Anna Frey’s journey and what she means for the team? Check out the full article over at the Daily Mail.
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