Monday, January 5, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

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Johnson & Johnson Acquires Loehr Groppel’s Human Performance Institute

Extending its capabilities in wellness and prevention, Johnson & Johnson announced it has acquired LGE Performance Systems, Inc., located in Orlando, Florida, known as Human Performance Institute, formerly Loehr Groppel Etcheberry.

Human Performance Institute, which develops science-based training programs to improve employee engagement and productivity, will operate within the Johnson & Johnson Wellness & Prevention division.

Managing energy, not time, is the key to creating enduring high performance on the job as well as good health and balance in life, said Jim Loehr, Ed.D., Chief Creative Officer and founder of Human Performance Institute.

Loehr told Daily Tennis News, this union will add significant strategic global capability to Human Performance Institute offerings. Jack Groppel will continue to be based in Chicago and Loehr in Orlando.

***

Some Chinese Players Are Striking Out into New Territory

An historic Wimbledon semifinal last summer may have paid off in the long run for China's Zheng Jie, with the No. 25 striking a deal with the federation to keep the majority of her WTA winnings.

Local media said that the player will have to turn over just eight percent of her earnings to officials, keeping the lion's share of 92 percent. "Finally I can have my own schedule. I can control my time now," she said.

"It is not appropriate to say 'flying away', because I never actually left the national team," she said of reports that she is now a totally free agent.

Zheng was able to break away from the all-consuming federation in a surprise move last year. She was joined as a freelancer by compatriots Li Na, Peng Shuai and doubles partner Yan Zi.

The peaceful moves have defused a potential inflammatory situation as the world of professional sport evolves in China. On the downside, the players will no longer be able to call upon a support group comprising 17 coaches, eight doctors, plus nutritionists, physicians, psychologists and trainers - all of whom were free.

***

Murray Signs With New Manager

Andy Murray is expecting a major boost in his profile when he switches next March to Hollywood-style management from the same company which handles footballer David Beckham and actor Tom Cruise.

The world No. 4 will leave his current management to go with the splashy 19 Entertainment, headed by Spice Girls creator Simon Fuller. The company, which works with the agency CAA in Los Angeles, already handles world No. 3 Novak Djokovic.

Even Murray's brother Jamie, a doubles player, was able to get in on the coattails of the mega-deal. "This is a fantastic opportunity. We now have an unbeatable combination of representatives with world-class stature and experience," said Andy Murray.

Murray's endorsements are set for a climb even in tough economic times as a result of the signing. He begins his 2009 season this week at an exhibition in Abu Dhabi with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal also playing.

***

ATP Search for Chief Executive is Coming to a Head

It looks to be a two-way battle for control of the ATP between Asia-Pacific director Brad Drewett of Australia and former Nike official and outsider Adam Helfant.

While it is thought that players do not want an American heading the international men's sanctioning body, some European reports indicate the 43-year-old New Yorker is also in with a chance.

De Villiers, a South African former Disney executive, left the post this week after losing support of players including Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

A decision on the new boss is due imminently, with an announcement hopefully to be made soon with the Australian Open starting January 19.

Drewett, a 50-year-old former player, has run the Asian side for the ATP for 15 years and is considered responsible for helping grow the sport in China at record pace. He served as tournament director of the Masters Cup in Shanghai. Helfant served as  Nike vice-president until his surprise departure in 2007.

***

Abu Dhabi Victories Buoy Murray’s Spirits

Andy Murray has seized the favorite's role for the Australian Open after dispatching both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to win the exhibition Capitala event in Abu Dhabi.

The Scot beat Nadal 6-4, 5-7, 6-3 to claim the trophy after taking out Federer in the semifinals. Murray has now beaten Spain's No. 1 in their last two matches, including the US Open semifinals.

His appearance money plus the $250,000 Murray won won't count for anything except his bank balance at the unofficial event. "It's a great start to the year," said Murray, who spent a month working on fitness in Miami during December.

"Both Rafa and Roger played great tennis, I'm delighted I could beat them. But it was a tough match and he made me run a lot. This is just the first week of the year and you do feel it in the body."

Nadal, Federer and Federer could meet again this week in the Doha ATP event, where Murray is defending the title.

***

Australia’s Molik to Do TV Commentary on Australian Open

Alice Molik, only recently retired, will step behind the microphone as a new television commentator for the Australian Open as a member on the Seven network commentary team.

It won be the first time for Molik to try her hand at broadcasting after giving it a go four years ago on a one-time basis. "I'm excited, because, being retired, maybe I can have a more objective view or more opinions, so to speak."

The 27-year-old said that now she's on the outside, she can open up a bit. "Commentating was fun last time, but I had to bite my tongue because I had to share the locker room with the girls a couple of weeks later," she told local media.

Molik said that life has changed since she gave up the game recently.

"I'm spending a bit more time with my family and friends at home and doing things I haven't been able to do in the past.

"I enjoy coming home to renovate my house - all those little things that are difficult to find time for when you're away nine or 10 times a year."

***

London Bookmakers are Acknowledging Murray’s Desert Success

Odds have been lowered on the Australian Open title chances of Andy Murray, with bookmakers increasingly liking the look of the on-form Scot. Impressive wins over world number one Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in Abu Dhabi have helped the cause of the No. 4 Briton.

Murray is tipped at 11/4 by Ladbrokes of London to win the first major of the season in Melbourne and stands 14/1 to win the French Open, down markedly from his previous 20/1

It's 4/1 for an historic Wimbledon honor while the 21-year-old boasts 5/2 odds to win the US Open, his self-professed favorite slam.

"It may only have been an exhibition match but there is a growing feeling that Murray can finally get the monkey off the back of British tennis this year," said a Ladbroke's spokesman of his Abu Dhabi success.

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Venus Williams Defends WTA Rule Allowing On-Court Coaching

Venus Williams has defended the WTA decision to introduce on-court coaching from this season, despite the fact that matches might now become a battle between the coaches as much as the players, and those who cannot afford a coach will be at an obvious disadvantage.

"All the players have voted for it, so if the majority of the players get what they want then I think it’s good," said Venus. "(But) I like to figure it out myself on court. I like the fact of being on the court and not having to have anyone telling me anything. I like the independence."

After a long period of trials the WTA board and player council voted to allow one on-court coaching episode per set during the change of ends, or when an opponent takes a medical break. Coaches will wear a radio microphone so that their discussions with the player can be heard on TV or the internet, but not by the spectators.

"On-court coaching gets down to people understanding more about the show," said Tour senior vice-president of competition Peter Johnston, who formally worked with Tennis Australia. "The public who are watching (on TV and the internet) can hear the advice so they’re understanding more about the show, a bit more about the player, a bit more about the tactics."

If they speak in English, that is. With the multinational nature of the Tour, likely most won’t. Coaches will also be revealing their tactics to any rivals who might be listening.

Olympic champion Elena Dementieva believes it will not be used by the top players.
"I don’t think many top-10 players will be using it," she said, "but I’m sure a lot of the young generation will. They’ll ask their coach to come on the court and help them in a difficult moment."
 
***

Ivanovic Makes Coaching Change

French Open champion Ana Ivanovic has been repeatedly frustrated at her inability to work with coach Sven Groeneveld for specific big matches when the opponent across the other side of the net is also clad in adidas attire. Now the Serbian has decided to bring the relationship to an end.
 
The 21 year-old Serb is becoming increasingly more Spanish influenced in her life. Not only is she dating Davis Cup winner Fernando Verdasco but she has also just purchased a $5 million villa on the Spanish island of Majorca which she intends to use as a training base.
 
Dutchman Groeneveld is contracted by adidas to offer coaching advice to a number of female players who wear the brand but has obligated to declare neutrality when two of these players meet. Consequently Ivanovic was unable to seek Groeneveld's counsel in two of the biggest matches of her life; the 2007 French Open final when she dissolved in a tumult of nerves against Justine Henin and then a year later when she prevailed against Dinara Safina.
 
Groeneveld, a former assistant coach to Nick Bollettieri at the Bradenton Academy, previously coached Mary Pierce to the Australian Open title in 1995 and had a long working relationship with the men's former world no.4 Greg Rusedski.
 
Ivanovic will continue to work with Scott Byrnes, her long-time fitness trainer and will now carefully monitor a series of available coaches before making an appointment .
 
Meanwhile former world no.1 has appointed Frenchmam Hugo Le Coq as her coach in succession to Loic Courteau, who was in her corner for six years.

***

Natasha Khan Signs Novel Patch Deal

In what is believed to be a first in professional tennis, 21 year-old Natasha Khan (from Brighton on the English south coast) has signed a deal to wear a patch during her 2009 matches promoting a tennis murder mystery novel, The Smash!

As from January, the right-hander will wear "The Smash!" patch in all tournaments, thereby advertising the Agatha Christie-style whodunit penned by James Harbridge.

The Smash! has been described by Cindy Brinker Simmons - the elder daughter of three-times Wimbledon Champion, the late Maureen "Little Mo" Connolly - as "a riveting thriller utilizing the Wimbledon Championships as a dazzling backdrop. . . Harbridge is a master wordsmith who has created a murder mystery novel that totally enthralls his reader". 

Khan previously reached a career-high ranking of No 393 in the world, although currently stands 188 places lower after suffering an injury-prone season. 

***

Creative Tournaments Create Collectors Items

Several tournaments produce distinctive t-shirts with a different design each year.

Perhaps the most famous are those sold at Roland Garros, although the World Team Cup in Dusseldorf also comes up with something different each year.

So does the Hyundai Hopman Cup, and this year they’ve brought on board one of the world’s leading graphic designers from the UK. Si Scott, based in London, has produced the design for the official poster, and that has also been used for the cover of the tournament magazine as well as the shirt.

The affiliation between the tournament and the art world began last year when Martina Navratilova and Juraj Kralik exhibited their creations during the Hopman Cup.

 

***

Claiming Shoulder Problems Sharapova Pulls Out of Hong Kong

Maria Sharapova insists she will be ready for an Australian Open title defense in three weeks despite withdrawing from a top tune-up event in Hong Kong this week.

The No. 9 said that after undergoing a previously undisclosed arthroscopic procedure on her right rotator cuff in October, her training time in Los Angeles has not been enough for her to be ready to play on January 7 in Asia.

"It's with much disappointment that I have to withdraw from Hong Kong. I've been using this event for the last five years to get match fit and ready for the new season, in fact Hong Kong has been successful in preparing me for the Australian Open," she said.

It will be only her second absence since 2004 at the event at Victoria Park, this year entitled the JB Group Classic, and also featuring Jelena Jankovic and Wimbledon winner Venus Williams. Sharapova was replaced by fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze.

"I'm just not ready to play against the top class competition in Hong Kong, although I remain hopeful for Australia where I'm the defending champion. "It's been a very difficult decision, but I only started practicing 16 days ago."

Sharapova, who missed the Beijing Olympics and US Open, and played only two matches after Wimbledon last season.

***

Newcombe Likes Murray’s Chances to Reach Number One

Former Aussie great John Newcombe has a history of talent-spotting. And the seven-time major legend has no doubt that Andy Murray is headed for the top of the sport.

Murray confirmed his rising dominance over his main rivals after beating both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal on the way to the exhibition title at Abu Dhabi

But Newk foresees more of the same for the Scot. "He's reached No.4 in the world. But the way he was playing at the end of the year, you think in 12 months time he'll be close to No.1."

Newcombe is cautious about the knee injury which forced Nadal to end his season early last November, missing both the Masters Cup and Davis Cup final.

And Federer needs to get some titles fast to regain confidence after winning just one major in 2008.

"How will Nadal's injuries go - with his knees? With Roger, I'm sure he's been doing some very serious training and realizing he has to come up with something a bit extra, which sounds strange, but (he needs to) vary his game and come to the net a bit more," said Newcombe, Australia's former Davis Cup coach and longtime tennis guru.

"I wouldn't be surprised to see Andy Murray - In my mind, he could be the guy that will step up and win."

***

Philippoussis Will Compete at Australian Open

Mark Philippoussis will fight the fear factor as the former major finalist makes one final go at salvaging some kind of a career at age 32.

With a laundry list of knee surgeries behind him and not having played on the ATP since November, 2006, the man once known as the Scud for his rocket serve is taking the long road back.

He is due to start with baby steps in senior doubles at the Australian Open in little more than a fortnight. "It would be nice to play a match in Melbourne - it's been a long time," he confessed. "It's not the match I wanted, but it's a way for me to get back into the game."

Philippoussis, now back home in Melbourne permanently after a career lived in California and Florida, added: "It's just a slow start to the road ahead. It's gonna be fun - but I've got a long way to go. This is a great way for me to see how the body is feeling and take it from there."

The former star said that the health of his knees are the major concern. "Obviously, I don't want to be 34 and 36 and have another surgery, I've got to be realistic. If I come back too soon and hurt myself it might end up being another surgery. And I don't want that." 
 
***

Safin Recovering From a Fight but he Wins First Match of Hopman Cup

Marat Safin rarely fails to entertain or surprise, and when he made his appearance at Perth’s Hopman Cup he didn’t disappoint. First, he had clearly been in a fight, arriving with two black eyes and other facial injuries, as well as a bandaged thumb.

"It happened a week ago," he said. "It was a small problem. I wasn’t in the right place at the right time, let’s put it this way. I won the fight. I’m good, I’m good. I’m okay."

Because of his injuries Safin’s management had asked tournament director Paul McNamee if Russia could have a Monday start, but that proved impossible. In the end it didn’t matter as Safin was in good form as he defeated Simone Bolelli in straight sets to secure Russia’s win over Italy. He was in good form because he was relaxed, and he was relaxed because this is almost certainly his final season.

"Probably it’s going to be my last year," he said. "I’m moving to my new life and have no pressure and so it’s easy for me to play good tennis. Hopefully I can enjoy it and do some good results. It’s much easier to play this way and hopefully I can have my best results this year. Will I miss the game? Not really. I like to play but I like to enjoy my life also. I don’t want to speculate about what I’m going to do (after retiring). My bosses, they know about it and I want to leave it this way."

***

Brother and Sister Teams at Hopman Cup

Marat Safin and Dinara Safina are not the first brother/sister combination to play the Hopman Cup.

Far from it. Andrei Medvedev played with Natalia Medvedeva, Wayne Black played with Cara, Emilio Sanchez partnered Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, and Mario Ancic played with sister Sanja.

Richard and Michaella Krajicek have also both played in the mixed team competition, but not as partners and a decade apart.

 

 

 

***

Tsonga Trying to Psych Himself Up at the Beginning of the New Season

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is starting to psyche up a year after his Australian Open final, declaring "war" on his rivals in a bid to advance into the Top five and beyond.

The Frenchman who lost the Melbourne final in 2008 to Novak Djokovic laid down a challenge to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer among others as he lifts his own game.

"I hope No. 1 will be me," said the man they call "Ali" for his resemblance to the legendary boxer. "But there are a lot of good players - it's going to be war,"

Tsonga is making his 2009 start this week at the new Brisbane International, where Djokovic heads the field. Tsonga lifted his game after a run of 2008 injuries by winning the Paris Masters in November before heading to the Masters Cup in Shanghai, where he didn't get out of the group stage.

Tsonga is particularly keen to get another chance at Djokovic this week. "It was very difficult to lose the final to Novak, it's given me a lot of motivation for the rest of the year.

"I hope I will win against him the next time." he added: "I'm confident (on the Australian Open) because I've had a very good preparation."

***

Hewitt Says Hip Surgery Was Necessary

Lleyton Hewitt says the August hip operation which has kept him out of action for five months, was an absolute necessity. "I'd tried absolutely everything before and ended up having it done," said the 27-year former No. 1, now ranked 67th due to his inactivity.

"It got to the stage where at Wimbledon I was struggling quite a bit. I made the fourth round, and lost to Roger Federer. I put up a great effort there, but then went to Beijing and after one match my whole leg basically shut down.

"That pretty much told me that I had to have something done. So I flew straight back to Australia, had it done the next morning and have been out of action since."

The Australian said that his rehab has worked; but it will get the supreme test on Monday when he plays for Australia in the eight-nation Hopman Cup in Perth, facing Nicolas Kiefer.

"I've not played for close to five months or so, and to come out and be guaranteed three tough matches straight up, for me it's the perfect preparation for the Australian Open.

"I'm really looking forward to getting out there Monday and hopefully to a good start.

"This injury obviously set me back a few months. It was hard to watch the US Open and not actually be a part of it - at a place where I've had so much success there in the past." 
 
***

Ivanovic Gets a Surprise in Brisbane

Ana Ivanovic got more than she expected when she signed autographs following a practice session in Brisbane. A smitten ballboy not only asked her to marry him, but he sang a song he had composed specially for her.

"Maybe when you’re older," she told him.

And she didn’t mention she has a boyfriend now, ATP player Fernando Verdasco.

 

 

 

 

***

Cancer Claims the Life of Kim Clijster’s Father

Lei Clijsters, the father and inspiration to former world no.1 Kim has sadly passed away at the age of 52 after a long battle with lung cancer.
 
A former international sportsman himself, he played 40 times for the Belgian soccer team and was a member of the line-up that reached the 1986 World Cup semi-final. In the service of his club KV Mechelen, he won the Belgian Cup, the European Cup Winners Cup and the European Super Cup. In 1988 he was presented with the Golden Shoe as the Most Valuable Player in the Belgian First Division.
 
After a brief spell in soccer management, he switched his attentions to the tennis careers of his two daughters Kim and Elke. He managed the career of Kim as she progressed to the pinnacle of the sport, winning 34 WTA Tour titles, topping the world rankings for the first time on August 11, 2003 and finally winning an elusive major title at the 2005 US Open after losing out in two previous French Opens and one Australian Open final.
 
Lei Clijsters' terminal illness was diagnosed soon after Kim retired from the game in 2007 but she desperately wanted to present him with a grandchild before he died and her wish came true when she and husband Brian Lynch had a baby daughter, Jada, 11 months ago.

***

***

We Hear---
 
---that a major university will be losing its tennis coach when she leaves to marry the men's coach at another major university.
 
***

THIS WEEK

MEN
Brisbane
Chennai
Doha

WOMEN
Auckland
Brisbane

***

NEXT WEEK

MEN
Auckland
Sydney

WOMEN
Sydney
Hobart

***

Bob Larson’s Stock Report

Monday’s Stock Prices

Stock	Last	Change
Adidas	19.35
Amer Sports	3.50
Head	2.10
K-Swiss	11.84
Nike	53.06

Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $85.48
* The index is based on the total value of one share of each stock we report daily.

***

Results

For complete ATP and WTA results, please see our web site at www.tennisnews.com

 

Bob Larson - Publisher Cort Larson - Editor Bob Larson's Daily Tennis is published  Monday through Friday except Holidays             Monday and Thursday in November and December. Delivery via e-mail to all countries Subscription rates are; $97USD a year,  $57USD for Six months, $37USD for Three months. Bob Larson Tennis P.O. Box 24256 Edina, MN  55424 USA 952-920-8947 (voice)  or 952-920-8940 (fax) E-mail address bob@tennisnews.com Visit our website at: www.tennisnews.com (c)  Copyright 2009. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

Monday, December 29, 2008

BUSINESS NEWS

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Editor's Note: In order to give our staff a long New Year’s holiday week end, our next issue will be January 5, 2009 when we resume daily coverage.
***
Former USTA President Bob Cookson Passes Away

Bob Cookson, 86, San Mateo, California, USTA President 1991-92, passed away December 16.  
A celebration of Bob’s life will be held January 10, at San Francisco’s Bohemian Club from 3-5 PM

***
French Open Champion Ana Ivanovic Signs Contract with Rolex

Ana Ivanovic signed a worldwide endorsement contract with Rolex S.A., the famous Swiss watchmaker. Rolex will employ Ivanovic in their advertising and as an ambassador of their philanthropic and sporting ventures.
Rolex decided Ana Ivanovic needed a watch to match her style and chose the gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Lady-Datejust as her signature model.

***
Nadal Signs for $8 Million to Promote His Area

Rafael Nadal has become the $8 million man for his home of Mallorca after signing a three-year contract to promote tourism on the Mediterranean island and other islands.
Already, the world No. 1 has carved time out of his schedule and has shot the first television commercial to be aimed at drawing visitors from the UK, Germany and Spain itself.
Officials hope their money will be well-spent after luring one of the world's most charismatic sportsmen - and Mallorca native - onto the team. Nadal's presence could kick-start sagging tourism numbers as a result of the world economic crisis.
"The best tennis player in the world will promote the best tourist destination in Europe," said tourism minister Miquel Nadal.
"I am proud to represent Balearics tourism, which is the economic engine of the islands," said Nadal, off to start his 2009 tennis season this week with an exhibition in Abu Dhabi.
"I travel a lot and see a lot of places and that's why I can confirm that you can do anything in these islands - except, perhaps, skiing."
The 22-year-old world No. 1 has always been proud of his Balearic heritage and continues to live in his home village of Manacor win an apartment block full of relatives.
"To represent my region to the world is a reason for pride, it's one of the best things you can do," added Nadal.
***
Hewitt Going to Court Over Victory Gesture Trademark Legal Bill

Lleyton Hewitt's lawyers look set to start 2009 on full throttle as the Australian's part-time business manager-father vows not to pay what he feels in an unfair legal bill.
Combatative Glenn Hewitt has told his own attorneys to take it to court in the messy matter over who actually owns the Aussie's long-used "c'mon" gesture of victory - also known two decades ago to Swedes as the "vicht."
The well-known gesture was said to have been appropriated legally by Team Hewitt when former Swedish player Swede Niclas Kroon - among the first to use it - accidently let the trademark lapse this year.
Now Glenn Hewitt is suing a Melbourne law firm over their $50,000 invoice for that "registration" service.
Hewitt's camp characterizes the invoice as "excessive and unreasonable", and have applied to a court to lower the amount. "On a couple of sides here we've just locked horns, but it doesn't seem that big a thing that it shouldn't be easily resolved, I would've thought," said the senior Hewitt to Australian media.
The Hewitt side has never admitted any wrongdoing in grabbing the formerly trademarked gesture over the protest of the Swedes.
***
Brisbane Giving Ivanovic Major Star Treatment

"Ana syndrome" is at such an advanced stage in the lead-up to the  new Brisbane International event, that Serbia's photogenic French Open champion that Ana Ivanovic already knows with a week to go exactly at what time she will take to the court as top seed.
Ivanovic has been turning heads in the few short days since she arrived in Australia, spending the holidays in the southern hemisphere heat to prepare for the start of the 2009 WTA season.
Officials have experienced such a demand for tickets to the new event, which rolls up the former Adelaide ATP tournament and WTA Gold Coast, that they have gone ahead and given Ivanovic a firm first-round date at night on Monday January 5.
"While this is not unheard of in some of the big tournaments on the tour, this is a first for an Australian event," said tournament director Steve Ayles. "We can do it because we know Ana has to play a first round match some time in the first three days.
"We think the incredible amount of public interest warrants it," he said of the pre-announced start.
While Ivanovic knows when she plays, her opponent is still unknown, awaiting the pre-event draw at a major city shopping mall Saturday.
Also in the field during the opening week of the campaign are a supporting cast which included former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli, Slovak Daniela Hantuchova and former 2006 Australian Open winner Amelie Mauresmo.
***
Isner and McHale Win Australian Open Wild Cards

The USTA announced that Americans John Isner and Christina McHale earned wild card entries into the 2009 Australian Open men's and women’s singles main draws after winning USTA wild card tournaments at the USTA Training Facility in Boca Raton, Fla., Dec. 15-21. 
Isner, 23, of Tampa, Fla., finished 2008 ranked No. 144 in the world.  Isner, Jesse Levine, Wayne Odesnik, and Donald Young were the four players invited to compete for the men’s wild card.
Mchale, 16, of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., who will be appearing in her first Grand Slam main draw, began the year ranked No. 712 and is currently No. 377 in the world. The women’s competition featured Lauren Albanese, Madison Brengle, Gail Brodsky, Mallory Cecil, Vania King, McHale, Asia Muhammad, and CoCo Vandeweghe.  
The USTA and the Tennis Australia have a reciprocal agreement in which wild card entries into the main draw at the 2008 US Open and the 2009 Australian Open are exchanged. 
***
Laver to be Reunited With Former Rivals

Tennis Australia is planning a most unusual event as part of the upcoming Australian Open.
It is planning a reunion of the finalists of the four majors held in 1969 when Rod Laver won all four events and secured his second grand slam.
Laver will reunited with the four players he defeated that year; Andreas Gimeno (Australian Open), Ken Rosewall (French Open), John Newcombe, (Wimbledon) and Tony Roche (US Open).
The five will get together for a chat about that special year at a lunch on January 31, during the Open.
Laver’s results from 1969
Australian Open d Andres Gimeno 6-3 6-4 7-5
French Open d Ken Rosewall 6-4 6-3 6-4
Wimbledon d John Newcombe 6-4 5-7 6-4 6-4
US Open d Tony Roche 7-9 6-1 6-2 6-2
Three of the four events was played on grass.
***
Introduction to the Pro Tours 2009
By Charles Bricker
There is a muddled mess at the top of women's tennis and the growing question about the ability of Roger Federer to regain his dominance on the men's side.
Let the 2009 season begin -- with a very lucrative exhibition in Abu Dhabi for the men on Jan. 1 and a high-profile exhibition in Hong Kong for the women, beginning Jan. 7.
Most of the top 10 in both tours are going to play a tournament with real ranking points before arriving in Melbourne for the start of the Australian Open on Jan. 19. But a number of elite players are going to pace themselves with one or perhaps two exhibitions before the Aussie Open.
MEN

1. Rafael Nadal: The new No. 1 is well back from the knee injury that kept him out of the Masters Cup. He began practicing Dec. 12 and should have very fresh legs when he arrives at Abu Dhabi, where he'll participate in a six-man event. He then plays Doha (Jan. 5), takes a week off and hits the Australian Open, where the oddsmakers are going to have a tough time deciding which of the three contenders to favor -- Nadal, Roger Federer or defending champion Novak Djokovic.
2. Federer: He'll be at Abu Dhabi, Doha, another exhibition at Kooyong, and then the Aussie Open. He won the US Open in 2008, but is clearly now second-best to Nadal. He's very fit and there will be no more excuses about viruses setting back his training. He'll be playing from behind at No. 2 for the first time in five years.
3. Djokovic: After winning Australia in 2008, more was expected of him the rest of the year. He didn't pay off, but he's still young. He'll avoid the exhibition circuit, playing Brisbane on Jan. 5, taking a week off and going to Melbourne.
4. Andy Murray: He's spending an extraordinary amount of time in the off-season working on his endurance, and any number of people think he could challenge for the No. 1 spot in 2009. He's at Abu Dhabi, then Doha, a week off, and the Aussie Open.
5. Nikolay Davydenko: The little guy finally recognizes that he could be wearing down from playing too much. He'll play one lead-up, at Chennai on Jan. 5, before going to the Aussie Open.
WOMEN

1. Jelena Jankovic: The only woman to finish No. 1 at the end of the year without ever having won a major. She'll work to correct that with the exhibition at Hong Kong, then nine days off before her assault on the Australian Open.
2. Serena Williams: Sydney on Jan. 12, then the Aussie Open. She's not going to overplay.
3. Dinara Safina: She'll play straight through to the Open with Hopman Cup and Sydney.
4. Elena Dementieva: She kicked her game up a notch with much improved serving in 2008 and she'll skip the exhibitions and play real tournaments at Auckland on Jan. 5 and Sydney before the Aussie Open.
5. Ana Ivanovic: She's got some serious work to do to show that she's better than she showed the second half of 2008 and that she has her injury situation under control. Brisbane and the Aussie Open are on her agenda.
***
Bryan Brothers Withdrawing From Chennai

Even intensive off-season conditioning work and healing could not put Bob Bryan’s right shoulder into playing condition, resulting with the world No. 2 American brother team forced to withdraw from next week's Chennai ATP event in India.
The drawingcards will miss the start of their 2009 campaign with fitness now coloring their hopes for the Australian Open beginning January 19.
Bob has been bothered by the shoulder problem for months, laying off serving in hopes it would improve. But a schedule of exhibitions in December apparently didn't do much to aid the healing process.
"This is really unfortunate," the Californians, 30, said in a statement. "We were keenly looking forward to our participation at the Chennai Open 2009.
"However Bob's injury has spoilt our plans. We were looking forward to playing in India but things have not worked out,"
The singles field is headed by Russian Nikolay Davydenko, with the Indian team of Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes playing in the doubles."
***
Schnyder to Play Hobart as Warm-Up for Australian Open

Patty Schnyder will celebrate a long and successful tennis career as she returns to the Tasmanian WTA event in Hobart for the first time in nine years. The champion at the small Australian Open tune-up 11 long years ago in 1998 will be a welcome edition to a tournament threatened with extinction.
The imminent arrival of the Swiss No. 14, who celebrated her 30th birthday this month, has been eagerly anticipated. "It will be fantastic to welcome Patty back to our event," said tournament director Michael Roberts.
"She would have to be one of the most consistent players over a number of years on the Tour. Having spent eight years in the world’s top 20 highlights she is a class player "
Schnyder last played in Tasmania - called the Apple Isle by Aussies for its top-class fruit - has reached fourth round or better at majors 21 times. Her Best Australian Open showing was a 2004 semifinal, followed by a pair of quarterfinals.
Hobart was the first title of her career; she lifted her 11th last September in Bali.
But the tournament is under financial pressure from Tennis Australia to upgrade its venue at double-quick speed, a costly task in the current climate.
Work is underway at the Domain tennis centre on a new court to match the Plexicushion used at the Australian Open. But Tennis Tasmania is searching for funds to pay the mounting bills generated by the multimillion dollar upgrade.
In addition, centre court capacity has to be increased by 800 seats and player and media facilities added. To help, the event is seeking a state government grant for $3 million.
***
Former Tennis Official, George MacCall Passes Away at 90

George MacCall, Las Vegas, former USA Davis Cup captain, passed away last week at age of 90.
McCall was the United States Davis Cup captain in the 60’s, and had teams that featured Arthur Ashe, Dennis Ralston and Marty Riessen.  He was able to keep the team together by pushing through a rule that allowed the players to be paid, in addition to a $28 per diem.
Previously, while the players were still amateurs, George employed the likes of Arthur Ashe, Stan Smith, Bob Lutz and others as insurance agents for Fidelity Bankers Life of Richmond, Virginia.  The players were actually required to take an extensive training course to learn the insurance industry.  This helped them generate some living expenses while they played tennis. 
He always maintained the highest level of integrity on the court, even when it wasn’t popular.  In 1965, he removed Dennis Ralston from a Davis Cup squad prior to a match in Bakersfield, Dennis’ home town, after conduct George felt was not professional or in the best interest of tennis.  This was a decision that was difficult for the Davis Cup and for the players.  To this day, George agonized whether it was the correct decision and how he would handle it if faced with the same opportunity.   
***
After a Rest, Ivanovic is Ready to Get Back to Work

It's back to work on court for Ana Ivanovic after spending a few days tucked up in an Australian hideaway with new Spanish boyfriend Fernando Verdasco, with both halves of the couple hoping to start the tennis year right at the Brisbane International.
Ivanovic, the reigning French Open champion, is top seed on the women's side of the event, with the world No. 5 Serbian hoping to lift her second Australian trophy,
Four years ago, the teenaged talent won a minor event in Canberra, first of eight titles on the WTA. But Ivanovic admits that she is targeting the Australian Open, which begins January 19.
After holding the top ranking for nine weeks this year, the 21-year-old knows how to deal with the pressure. Her time in Australia is always pleasant, with family in Melbourne providing her with a home from home during the Open fortnight.
Should she crash out early in Brisbane, the Sydney event held a week later is keeping a wild card spot open in case the brunette drawingcard wants to come and play there during the week before the Open.
***
Dokic Ready to Seriously Test Her Comeback Attempt

Her confidence boosted after qualifying into the Australian Open main draw for only the third time in nine editions, former No. 4 Jelena Dokic believes she can contribute to her adopted nation in the 2009 Fed Cup campaign.
But it's first things first for the on-again, off-again Serbian-born Aussie, with Open tune-up events in early January at Hobart and Brisbane which will serve as a test bed for any comeback efforts from the No. 179.
"I don't think I'm running out of chances, but if I do come back it will be 2009," the delighted Dokic told Australian media. 'I don't think I'll push it any further than that if I don't."
Dokic, 25, came close to quitting in bleak recent seasons, with her mental and physical abilities at rock-bottom and her game a disaster area..
"I made it clear last year that I did think of quitting," she confirmed. "It goes through your mind when you're having a difficult time. To be in the main draw again and on the tour and playing again is a great thrill."
Dokic takes hope from those who have proceeded her, including France's Mary Pierce, who made a partially successful comeback stand at age 31 before another injury doomed her career. "It's a feeling of whether I can do it, coming from zero," said Dokic. "Some players don't have it mentally to go through all that hard work which is not a problem with me, luckily.
"I still have a lot of work to do. I need a lot more matches and a lot more time, a couple of months to work through things."
***
Tomic Gets Brisbane Wildcard

Australian teenager Bernard Tomic has been handed a break by officials at the new Brisbane International, with the event assuring the Australian Open junior champion of a place in the main draw of the joint ATP-WTA tournament starting in a week.
The 16-year-old who is under probe by the International Tennis Federation for quitting a match in protest this month, will get the benefit of the doubt from sympathetic Aussie organizers in Queensland.
"He shows a lot of promise and it will be fantastic for him to debut on the ATP tour in his home state at his home town tournament," said director Steve Ayles.
Should the ITF come down on Tomic, he could miss the Open starting January 19. Under the Code of Conduct, the ITF has the power to ban Tomic from the sport. The youngster has been fined $1,000.
Tomic's father, who urged his son on at the match in question, apologized earlier for his role, with a decision not due until into the New Year.
***

We Hear---
---that Jose Higueras was in Dubai working with Roger Federer the week before Christmas.
***
THIS WEEK
MEN
Abu Dhabi
WOMEN
No events
***
NEXT WEEK
MEN
Brisbane
Doha
WOMEN
Brisbane
***
Bob Larson’s Stock Report
Friday’s Stock Prices

Stock

Last

Change

Adidas

18.40

+.25

Amer Sports

3.50

-.38

Head

2.10

0.00

K-Swiss

11.72

+.14

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49.76

+.63

Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $85.48
* The index is based on the total value of one share of each stock we report daily.
***
Results
For complete ATP and WTA results, please see our web site at www.tennisnews.com

Bob Larson - Publisher
Cort Larson - Editor
Bob Larson's Daily Tennis is published 
Monday through Friday except Holidays           
Monday and Thursday in November and December.
Delivery via e-mail to all countries
Subscription rates are; $97USD a year, 
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Bob Larson Tennis
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E-mail address bob@tennisnews.com
Visit our website at: www.tennisnews.com

(c)  Copyright 2008. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

Monday, December 22, 2008

BUSINESS NEWS

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Editor's Note: We are on our Monday, Thursday publication schedule through December.
In order to give our staff a long Christmas holiday week end, our next issue will be Monday, December 29.
***
Blackman Moves Into National USTA Player Development Role and Benton to Replace Him at Maryland’s Junior Tennis Champions Program

Martin Blackman, Junior Tennis Champions Center program director since 2003, has accepted the position of Director of USTA Junior Player Development at the USTA National Training Center in Boca Raton, Fla., effective January 1. He will be responsible for identifying potential junior champions and for their training.
Ray Benton, an experienced executive in the tennis industry, has been appointed ceo of JTCC and the Tennis Center at College Park, Md. which is the membership club operated at the same site.
Benton’s career has included every facet of the business of tennis. He was a teaching professional for eight years and a college coach plus serving as the first National Executive Director of the National Junior Tennis League, which was founded by Arthur Ashe. In addition, he was president of ProServ, a leading sports management firm, and founder and operator of the Nuveen Tour, a worldwide senior tennis circuit featuring Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.
The Champions Program, which started in 1999, is a not-for-profit organization, which offers financial aid to families who cannot afford the full price of tuition and coaching for the year-round program. The program has 80 students with a school on-site.  
***
Tennis Participation Continues to Rise in USA

The USTA and TIA announced that tennis participation throughout the United States continued its growth on every measurable level in 2008, with more players (nearly 26.9 million) taking to the court this year than at any time in the past 15 years, according to the annual research survey conducted for the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) and the USTA by the Taylor Research Group.
The TIA/USTA study showed total player participation in 2008 grew by more than 7% from the previous year (25.1 million), continuing a trend that has shown a nearly 12% increase over the five- year period beginning in 2003 (24 million). In addition, total-play occasions increased by more than 13% to 603 million over the past year, up from 533 million in 2007 and a jump of close to 33% from five years ago (454 million).
The TIA/USTA study also determined:
• The percentage of frequent players (i.e. those who played 21 times or more during the year) rose to 5.62 million, up 7% from 2007 (5.25 million) and an increase of more than 23% from 2003 (4.56 million).
• The sport is retaining the players it has, as the number of continuing players is up 9% to 15.1 million from 13.9 million last year. A continuing player is defined as one who has played for more than a year.
• The percentage of new players rose 3%, to 5.91 million.
Additionally tennis ball unit sales, another important barometer of play frequency, have increased more than 15% since 2003 and are up again by almost 3% through the third quarter of 2008.
***
Players Expect to Keep Playing, but Pare Apparel Purchases, While Businesses Curtail Spending in 2009

The downturn in the economy since September 2008 has forced most tennis business and players to rethink their tennis expenses in the new year, according to TennisWire's "Spending Survey: 2009 Outlook."
When asked to compare the activities they did in 2008 to those they anticipated doing in 2009, tennis loyalists said they planned to "attend a pro tournament" (by a margin of 18 percent over 2008), "pay for private lessons" (4 percent increase), "attend a college event" (3 percent increase), and "compete in league/tournament play" (2 percent increase). Respondents expect to maintain their levels of participation in group lessons, clinics and programs like Cardio Tennis®.
The tennis activity with the largest negative change in 2009 was "purchase apparel (clothing, shoes)," which was down 12 percent from 2008. A slight fall-off (3 percent each) was predicted by players for "purchase equipment (racquets, balls)," "purchase other products (books, videos)" and "pay for court time."
Overall, players expect to participate in more tennis activities in 2009 than in 2008 by a margin of 5 percent.
"These results show that tennis is a lifestyle," says Liza Horan, editor of TennisWire.org. "Even in tough economic times when disposable income may be down, tennis enthusiasts are intent on playing and watching the pros. The sport seems to be an integral part of their habits and happiness."
Among the comments submitted by those who said their tennis spending will decrease were these: "We (as a family) hope to be able to play more, but getting new racquets/clothing may need to be curtailed due to loss of jobs in our family," and "I've just started to really get my game going so I'm super dedicated, but I may not take as many lessons next year."
One respondent, who said tennis spending will not decrease, commented, "Tennis is an important part of our family life. We intend to cut expenses elsewhere."
The survey of tennis businesses—primarily manufacturers, retailers and those on recreational side of the sport—found that the majority (80 percent) have adjusted their spending based on the economic conditions since September 2008. The most popular way of trying to combat economic forces was reported as "reduce operating costs (non-staff)," followed by "keep lower inventory levels." Decreasing advertising, increasing PR, and reducing salaried staff also were mentioned.
"Most tennis businesses are proceeding with caution in the down economy. They told us that they are 'tightening the belt' to run a leaner operation in 2009," Horan explains. "While most industry stakeholders are taking care with budgets, a few report a boost in business."
One respondent who works at an indoor facility in New Albany, Ohio, commented, "We've seen an increase in business this year, and we believe that is due to people wanting to do things closer to home, rather then travel during this time of year in order to save some money, but still have a good time."
Another survey participant said, "People are staying at home and spending their money on everyday activities that they can enjoy with their family. Our membership has increased."
***
The WTA’s Allaster Does the Work and Moves on Before the Spotlight Catches Up
By Charles Bricker

You’re unlikely to find a player in the women’s top 200 who hasn’t met or listened to a presentation by Sony Ericsson WTA Tour president Stacey Allaster.
But for the vast majority of those who follow professional tennis, this No. 2 executive in women’s tennis remains an astonishingly anonymous figure for someone who has achieved such high stature within women’s sports internationally. 
If the lack of wide-ranging recognition irritates her ego, it doesn’t show. “I’m just happy to be here,” said the 45-year-old transplanted Canadian as she settled into an interview in her 15th-floor office in downtown St. Petersburg.
“We love it here. We miss family, friends and country. But it’s so close to go back to Toronto, we feel pretty connected to home.”
If CEO Larry Scott is the visionary and architect of Road Map 2009, the most expansive streamlining of scheduling and player commitment in the history of women’s tennis, Allaster is the one who did much of the grunt work.
It was no easy sell, convincing scores of players, many skeptical of any changes in their professional lives, that the prescribed changes would be ultimately the best thing for women’s tennis.
But Allaster came to the WTA significantly suited to do the job after spending years working as tournament director of the Canadian Open, where she dealt with both men and women players. That gave her years of listening to and solving demands from both players and corporate sponsors.
“The Road Map was about building a consensus,” she says. “We have to listen, educate and lead. You have to be flexible, but firm and consistent. We’ve had to make some very difficult decisions with the Road Map, but we’ve been very clear and we’ve told the players, if it doesn’t work, we’re going to change it. There’s no doubt there will be some tweaking along the way.”
When Scott was hired away from the ATP five years ago, major winner Lindsay Davenport asked, “Why do we need to hire someone from men’s tennis to run the WTA?”
Within two years it became apparent that the reason was that Scott was the best candidate for the job, but he spoke often of the need to bring a woman into a high executive position in the front office as well.
On Jan. 1, 2006, that became Stacey Allaster.
She’s a former Canadian junior and college player and sometime coach who found her niche in tennis administration at the Canadian Open.
She’ll spend next season not only hawking the progress of Road Map 2009 and looking for those inevitable tweaks that will be needed, but she’ll have some other major issues on her plate.
One is the advent of www.tennistv.com.  For three years the ATP has offered video streaming of Masters Series events to fans computers. The WTA enters that field this year as a partner of the ATP with plans to show at least 150 matches from virtually all important tournaments, and possibly as many as 200 matches.
“This is the first initiative where the men and women have put their commercial rights in one basket,” said Allaster. “We’ve cooperated in other areas, but this is the first time in a business aspect.”
It very well could be the first step on a three- to five-year road toward combining the two tours.
Another impending problem could be the Williams sisters refusal to play Indian Wells, where they claim to have been subjected to racial taunts in 2001.
Road Map 2009 makes Indian Wells one of four major compulsory events for top 10 players, with suspensions possible for not playing.
“Like any player who doesn’t play a mandatory event, there are options,” said Allaster. “They will be asked if they want to go on site the week of tournament. They can say yes or no. If no, they’ll be given dates in the future when they work in the market to help that tournament, working with sponsors and tournament directors over a period of time.
“If they don’t make that happen, they’ll be suspended. We weren’t going to make an exception only for Venus and Serena. It’s a solution that applies to all players.”
***
Ivanovic Buys Vacation Home on Mallorca

Ana Ivanovic may have tipped her hands that she's serious about new boyfriend Fernando Verdasco by dropping 4.5 million Euros ($6.07 million) on a luxury hideaway house on the island of Mallorca.
The boyhood home of Rafael Nadal will also be a sun-seeker base for Serbia's French Open champion, currently ranked fifth. "The area is very peaceful, perfect for trainings and relaxing. I have always liked Mallorca: when I was 15, I used to come here to train," Ivanovic told her website.
"I will continue to live in Switzerland (Basel), but this is my other option for training, especially in winter when I can train outside."
Ivanovic and tennis hunk Verdasco have finally gone public with their romance as paparazzi caught them kissing passionately recently at the airport in Palma de Mallorca.
"We've known each other for three months and we are in no hurry, we are slowly getting to know each other," Versadco told Spanish media. "The most important thing is that we are getting along very well."
Ivanovic spent some of her December training period in Spain before flying south for her usual preparation for the Australian Open in Melbourne, where she has relatives in a city that she loves.
The couple will start the 2009 season together as both play the new ATP-WTA event in Brisbane.
***
Philippoussis Will be Back in Action for Australian Open Legends

Mark Philippoussis is set to make a comeback of sorts at Australian Open 2009 when he partners Henri Leconte in the 2009 Australian Open legends event.
Philippoussis is joining a star-studded line-up headlined by three former world No.1’s, Pat Rafter, Thomas Muster and Mats Wilander, who will also feature in a special ‘magic moment’ encore match of the 1988 final with Pat Cash.
Also in the draw is Swede Joakim Nystrom, Guy Forget and Mansour Bahrami, along with Peter McNamara, Paul McNamee, John Fitzgerald, Wally Masur, and Wayne Arthurs.
The Woodies, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde, Australia’s most successful doubles pair, are also participating.

***

THIS WEEK
MEN
No events scheduled
WOMEN
No events scheduled
***
NEXT WEEK
MEN
No events scheduled
WOMEN
No events scheduled
***
Bob Larson’s Stock Report
Friday’s Stock Prices

Stock

Last

Change

Adidas

18.60

-.30

Amer Sports

3.88

0.00

Head

2.10

0.00

K-Swiss

11.71

-.26

Nike

51.26

-1.43

Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $87.55
* The index is based on the total value of one share of each stock we report daily.
***
Results
For complete ATP and WTA results, please see our web site at www.tennisnews.com

Bob Larson - Publisher
Cort Larson - Editor
Bob Larson's Daily Tennis is published 
Monday through Friday except Holidays           
Monday and Thursday in November and December.
Delivery via e-mail to all countries
Subscription rates are; $97USD a year, 
$57USD for Six months, $37USD for Three months.
Bob Larson Tennis
P.O. Box 24256
Edina, MN  55424 USA
952-920-8947 (voice)  or 952-920-8940 (fax)
E-mail address bob@tennisnews.com
Visit our website at: www.tennisnews.com

(c)  Copyright 2008. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Bob Larson's
TENNIS CELEBS

© Copyright 2008.  No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

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IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE...

News
Tennis Shorts
WTA Scheduled To Play
Covers
Sightings
Appearing Soon
Money Mountain
He Said... She Said
Happy Birthday

NEWS

Nadal and Jankovic named 2008 ITF World Champions

The ITF announced that Rafael Nadal (ESP) and Jelena Jankovic (SRB) are the 2008 ITF World Champions. This is the first time that either player has received this honor.
The 22-year-old Nadal crowned a dream year by securing the year-end No. 1 ranking following his fourth successive Roland Garros title and first triumph at Wimbledon.
Jankovic becomes Serbia’s first Singles World Champion after securing the year-end No. 1 ranking in a standout year. She reached her first major final at the US Open, and won more matches on the tour than any other player, capturing four titles in Rome, Beijing, Stuttgart and Moscow.
The ITF’s selection of its World Champions is based on an objective system that considers not only performances at the Grand Slams, Olympic Games and respective tours, but also gives weight to performances in the two ITF international team competitions, Davis Cup by BNP Paribas and Fed Cup by BNP Paribas, and the Olympic Games.
The ITF also announced that Daniel Nestor (CAN) and Nenad Zimonjic (SRB), and Cara Black (ZIM) and Liezel Huber (USA) are the 2008 ITF Doubles World Champions.
Tsung-Hua Yang (TPE) and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn (THA) are the 2008 ITF Junior World Champions. They become the first ever Asian players to receive this honor.
Yang clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking at last week’s Junior Orange Bowl, the final tournament of the season. The 17-year-old from Taipei captured his first major title at Roland Garros, and was also a finalist at the Australian Open and semifinalist at the US Open. He finished the season with a 20-7 record in singles and 25-6 in doubles.
Lertcheewakarn was the most consistent player on the girls’ circuit, capturing four singles and two doubles titles during the year. In doubles, Lertcheewakarn teamed up with Sweden’s Sandra Roma to win the Junior US Open, and was also champion at the pre-Wimbledon event at Roehampton. Her overall win-loss records for the year were 39-12 in singles and 31-11 in doubles.
The ITF Wheelchair World Champions are Shingo Kunieda (JPN) and Esther Vergeer (NED), with both players remaining unbeaten in singles all year.
The ITF World Champions will receive their awards at the annual ITF World Champions Dinner on Tuesday 2 June, in Paris, during Roland Garros.
***

Jankovic Claims to be in Her Best Shape Ever

World number one Jelena Jankovic has laid down the foundation for her 2009 season with several weeks of fitness training alongside former Mexican marathon runner German Silva.
Following a holiday in Hawaii, the Serb divided her time between Mexico and her US training base in Florida. "I just came back from Mexico where I was in high altitude and the emphasis was on my fitness," Jankovic told her home Belgrade media. 'I was doing a lot of running and spent a lot of hours in the gym trying to improve my strength and speed overall."
One of the knocks on Jankovic last season was her fitness, with aches, pains, scars and sniffles all a part of her matches. She's hoping to lower the drama level by starting up extremely fit. "I'm trying to get very strong and for next year to minimize my injuries as much as I can control."
Jankovic ended on the top spot after four titles in 2008, but has yet to win her first major. But she took aim at her next target, the Australian Open. "I hope to be ready and in the best shape ever by the Australian Open because my goal is to win. I believe in myself and I believe my time will come," said the smiling 23-year-old.
Jankovic will charge into 2009 at the top Hong Kong exhibition, the World Team Challenge from January 7-10, also marking the return of Maria Sharapova, who has not played since Wimbledon with a shoulder problem.
***

Federer Moves into Switzerland’s Wealthy Elite

Switzerland's 100-million-franc man Roger Federer has been noted as one of the 300 richest in his nation by business magazine Bilanz, with his net worth is estimated at between $100 and $160 million.
While he heads the all-time ATP prize money list on $43 million and rising, most of Federer's earnings occur off-court under the tutelage of IMG, which is said to have trebled his annual income to around $35 million.
The world No. 2 recently bolstered his bottom line in these troubled economic times, signing an eight-year contract with longtime clothing supplier Nike for a record $130 million.
While players complain about a long season, exhibition matches at $1 million a pop in the case of Federer can be quick little earners, according to the magazine, which total around six per year for the Swiss.
As a Swiss, Federer is ineligible for one of the lucrative tax deals offered to rich foreigners form sportsmen to entertainers to business men. But he did recently switch his fiscal canton to Wollerau south of Zurich, a lakeside locale favored by high earners.
***

Murray Won’t Leave Britain to Save Money on Taxes

Andy Murray can't hide his love for the United States - especially after reaching his first major final this season at the US Open. But the Scot insists that he won't follow the tennis trend up relocating himself to a lower tax nation, preferring to stay in high-priced Britain.
Despite the lure of generous tax regimes for sportsmen in Switzerland and Monte Carlo - to name just two close to home - the 21-year-old says he's not for upping stakes. Murray has a flat in London, while his mother lives north in the family home at Dunblane, Scotland.
So far in his rocket-ride career, Murray has earned more than $5.5 million in prize money alone. Sponsorships are generally thought to treble or quadruple total prize money over the life of a successful career.
"I like to spend most of my time at home around friends and family," Murray says. "I spent December training in Miami and a few weeks there during the year but, apart from that, I don't see myself going anywhere."
If he does stick to the decision, Murray will be bucking the trend among his European rivals.
Almost every French competitor of note lives in Switzerland on a cantonal tax arrangement, with some - like Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsong residing literally a few hundred metres from the French border in a Swiss village near Geneva airport.
There is an entire French tennis colony in Francophile Geneva, headed by wine-collecting Amelie Mauresmo.
***
Henman to Play Exhibition Match at Wimbledon in May

Tim Henman is expected to play his first public tennis match in almost 18 months on Wimbledon's Centre Court next spring but the former British no.1 is not contemplating a return to the tour and is only playing as a favor to the All England Club.
The former world no.4 and four times Wimbledon semi-finalist is set to play in an experimental match next May to test the workings of the new retractable roof that will be used at the Championships for the first time the following month.
A dress rehearsal' is needed to test out the complex atmospherics and climactic conditions inside the largely rebuilt stadium and Sunday, May 17 is the date chosen. As a crowd of 15,000 is also required the All England Club realized a big name was necessary to lure the public.
Seven times champion Pete Sampras is believed to have been sounded out on his recent trip to London to play in the BlackRock Masters at the Royal Albert Hall but is believed to have declined. John McEnroe, Stefan Edberg and possibly Andre Agassi are other names on the All England Club wish list.
Current players are unlikely to be interested as all will be concentrating on their preparations for the French Open on clay which is a totally different surface.
The roof, which will close in 10 minutes, should be fully operational by February. Details concerning the program of events on May 17 as well as timings and ticket sales will be announced later.
***
Philippoussis Moving Out of Tennis and Into Real Estate Investing

Mark Philippoussis appears to be channeling the energy he once devoted to his tennis into commercial house hunting in Melbourne as the two-time major finalist tries his hand at the property game.
With his days on court over in everything but name due to chronic knee injuries, the 32-year-old has returned to his childhood home to live for the first time in 15 years.
To make ends meet, the former millionaire playboy whose talent never truly hit its potential, is taking an interest in real estate. Where is he looking: "Anywhere where there's an opportunity really," he told local media. "I love homes and I love property, and am looking to get into property developing next year."
Philippoussis last played on the pro level just under two years ago, going down with another knee problem which required surgery at the Hopman Cup in Perth. He then re-injured his knee a year ago when he attempted to play for an Australian Open wild card.
While expecting to compete in a senior event last autumn, he withdrew from that also and pulled from a hybrid tennis battle of the generations to be held in Adelaide next month.
With time on his hands, the man they once called the Scud is game for anything. As proof, he even appeared well out of type on a tennis-inspired cooking product launch.
***

Murray Loves Training in the US and Promises to do More
By Charles Bricker

Running five miles along one of Miami’s beaches, Andy Murray is just another anonymous South Florida fitness maven, and, with the pre-Christmas temperature plunging back home in Great Britain, could he be in a better place?
Murray drove up the Atlantic coast Saturday to play at Mardy Fish’s annual charity event in Vero Beach looking happy, refreshed and well into his off-season plan to make himself into a greater physical presence in 2009.
"I’ve already put on three or four kilos (about nine pounds), but I started from a pretty poor base of fitness in the last year," Murray said. "I hadn’t done a whole lot of fitness work. I feel much better this year."
He’s doing daily 400-meter sprints as part of the whole weight training, stretching and running regimen, and there is the one long run on the sand on the weekend.
Improved endurance is the last piece of the puzzle that could take Murray from his current No. 4 to at or near the very top of men’s tennis.
He’s had two difficult problems with stamina this year, both times losing on the second day of back-to-back matches.
At the U.S. Open, the semifinal between Murray and Rafael Nadal was suspended in the third set by bad weather on Saturday, forcing Murray to come back Sunday and spend more physical energy and emotion to wrap up the win in four sets. Meanwhile, Roger Federer finished Saturday and had Sunday off, then won in straight sets against his Scottish opponent in Monday’s final.
Then, at the Masters Cup in November, Murray defeated Federer in an arduous round-robin match -- and one he didn’t need to win to advance to the semis -- but lost the next day to Nikolay Davydenko.
"I won’t know till tomorrow how much it took out of me," said Murray after he whipped Federer. He found out, and determined that he was going to raise his fitness in 2009 to give himself a stronger chance at winning back-to-back matches late in tournaments.
Running in Miami, no one is stopping him for autographs. No one is asking him to pose for photographs and that highly-valued privacy, combined with Florida’s great weather, has made Murray very comfortable in the United States.
"I’ve loved America since I was young," said Murray. "Since coming to the Orange Bowl (junior tournament in Miami) when I was 11 or 12. I’m going to train in Florida pretty much every December, and after Wimbledon, before the start of the U.S. hardcourt season.
"Pretty much every American I meet has a great-grandfather or parents or something that came from Scotland. Seems like Americans have a lot of ancestors there," Murray said, explaining the easy bond between Scots and Yanks. Could he ever see himself permanently establishing a training base in the U.S.?
Fish was sitting next to Murray during a brief Q & A session before they went on court for the charity singles exhibition. "Yes!" said Fish, trying to coax him up to Saddlebrook, where Fish trains with James Blake and the Bryan brothers. But Murray’s answer was no. "I’ve got my family back home," he said. But he’s still going to spend significant time in the U.S. training.
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The Creative Bryan Brothers Solve Bob’s Shoulder Problems at Exhibitions
By Charles Bricker

Last year, after winning the Davis Cup in early December, the Bryan twins had eight exhibitions and this year they are only doing four. They didn’t want to cancel all their off-season charity appearances because of Bob’s lingering shoulder injury, but they've found an innovative solution.
"Truth be told, just to be safe, Mike is serving for Bob when they can get away with it and no one notices," said their father, Wayne Bryan.
That can’t have been easy, since Bob is left handed and Mike right handed.  
Bob has been working hard in the gym. Mike, too. But Bob is especially taking care to lift small weights to strengthen around his left shoulder," said Wayne Bryan.
"The pain is down from a 10 to about a two. We hope to get it to zero.
"It’s not a serious injury to the shoulder. It is just tendonitis. But you have to work on it each day and manage the pain, or it could become more serious.
"He is playing as little as possible in early December and they will gradually pick it up after Christmas and go full bore in early January, getting ready for Sydney and the Australian Open.
"They will not play Chennai (pre-Aussie Open) to get more rest time and Bob may or may not play the mixed at Australian."
The mixed is important to Bob, who has four mixed doubles titles -- at the French Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. He needs only Australia to hit for the cycle, same as they’ve done in men’s doubles.
"The other adjustment Bob has made is to not take so many serves in practice. He’ll cut down a bit and try to take a little more time off each week, and practice a little less.
Now 30 years old, has one twin or the other ever thought of just retiring if the other could not continue playing because of injury? Have they become so accustomed to each other they wouldn’t feel comfortable with another full-time partner?
"Oh, they’ve joked about it a few times," said their father. "But never seriously considered it. I suspect if one was unable to play, the other would get another partner and go on. The injury twin would probably then become the coach."
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Graf Sued by Former Agent

The former charmed life of Andre Agassi may seem to be crumbling, with his wife Steffi Graf now being sued by his own former manager and ex-best friend over a business deal gone wrong, likely due to the financial crisis hitting especially hard in the US.
Las Vegas media report that only a few months after Agassi and childhood friend Perry Rogers ended their business relationship - in the wake of Agassi's longtime money man being booted from the ATP board for being too sympathetic to outgoing boss Etienne de Villiers - Graf is now being sued by Rogers.
The conflict appears to be breach of contract, according to a lawsuit seeking $50,000 plus interest and legal fees for Rogers after acting as former great Graf's manager and agent for the past six years.
"I am both saddened and disappointed to learn that Perry has filed a lawsuit, and sadder still that he has sued my wife, Stefanie," Agassi said in a statement. "I remain hopeful that we will be able to resolve our business issues with minimal damage to our families and mutual friends."
Legal papers show that Graf had granted Rogers a 15 percent partnership interest in all of her business ventures, dependant on a certain investment account attaining a value of $20 million. That happened in January, 2007, which caused Graf to start the specified payments. But they were stopped ten months later, the papers allege.
The legal morass comes after a VIP resort real estate investment made in Idaho by Agassi and Graf also went under due to the credit crunch.
Agassi's latest project is trying to help in obtaining the Davis Cup tie between the US and Switzerland for his hometown.

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TENNIS SHORTS

Murray Denies He is Leaving Fred Perry for K-Swiss

Andy Murray has hit back at reports that he was ditching his clothing deal with Fred Perry sportswear in the year Britain's greatest ever champion would have been 100 years old, to instead be lucratively clad in K-Swiss attire.
Many have speculated on the future of Murray's four year deal with Fred Perry – particularly as the company does not manufacture shoes. Earlier this year the world no.4, who has always worn adidas footwear, switched temporarily to Nike at Wimbledon. A projected $3 million deal with K-Swiss would have been very enticing.
K-Swiss of course manufacture both clothes and shoes and currently boast Mardy Fish, Tommy Haas and Anna Kournikova as their most visible clothes horses. A top five player sufficiently gifted to contest the sport's major prizes next year would have fit very much into the company's business plan but Murray insisted: "I will be wearing Fred Perry clothing next year. 2009 would have been Fred Perry's 100th birthday, and the company has a great range of clothes lined up for me."
Murray appeared at Mardy Fish’s fundraiser this weekend wearing Fred Perry and adidas.
***

HBO to Project the Game Way Beyond Madison Square Garden
By Liza Horan

In a significant move to expose millions of Americans to pro tennis and encourage thousands of youngsters to play the game, HBO signed on to broadcast the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup [TennisNight.com] on March 2 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The invitational exhibition features Serena and Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic vying for $1.2 million in prize money and the inaugural Cup.
The event will be telecast live on HBO, which counts 40 million subscribers in total with sister network Cinemax, and via HBO on satellite provider DIRECTV, which reaches 17.3 million customers. In addition to viewing the event at home, the broadcast will be made available free to tennis clubs and facilities to tie into the USTA's "Tennis Night in America," which will promote youth sign-ups for recreational tennis programs in the spring and summer.
HBO was the TV "home" of Wimbledon for 25 years beginning in 1975, as well as the producer of documentaries on King and Arthur Ashe, among others, yet the BNP Paribas Showdown will be the first live pro tennis broadcast in years. It also ties HBO to grassroots efforts to promote tennis participation. In addition to driving program registrations, the USTA will commence the search for "America's Best Tennis Town" during the event. The winner of the contest to find "the most passionate tennis town" will be announced at the U.S. Open.

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WTA SCHEDULED TO PLAY

Upcoming schedules as of December 15, 2008
1. Jelena Jankovic - Australian Open
2. Serena Williams - Sydney, Australian Open
3. Dinara Safina - Hopman Cup, Sydney, Australian Open
4. Elena Dementieva - Auckland, Sydney, Australian Open
5. Ana Ivanovic - Brisbane, Australian Open
6. Venus Williams - Australian Open
7. Vera Zvonareva - Sydney, Australian Open
8. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Sydney, Australian Open
9. Maria Sharapova - Australian Open
10. Agnieszka Radwanska - Sydney, Australian Open
11. Nadia Petrova - Sydney, Australian Open
12. Caroline Wozniacki - Auckland, Sydney, Australian Open
13. Flavia Pennetta - Hopman Cup, Hobart, Australian Open
14. Patty Schnyder - Hobart, Australian Open
15. Victoria Azarenka - Brisbane, Sydney, Australian Open
16. Alize Cornet - Hopman Cup, Sydney, Australian Open
17. Marion Bartoli - Brisbane, Sydney, Australian Open
18. Anna Chakvetadze - Hobart, Australian Open
19. Dominika Cibulkova - Hopman Cup, Sydney, Australian Open
20. Katarina Srebotnik - Auckland, Sydney, Australian Open

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SIGHTINGS

Rafael Nadal playing soccer in the 'Iker Vs Rafa' charity game at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid on December 16, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.

Novak Djokovic, David Ferrer, Carlos Moya attend the 'Iker Vs Rafa' charity game to help against Malaria photocall at the Palacio de Deportes de la Comunidad de Madrid on December 16, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.

Sania Mirza attending a ceremony during which she was awarded an honorary doctorate in Chennai on December 11, 2008. During the special convocation at the Dr. MGR University in Chennai, Mirza was awarded with an honorary doctorate.

Send your player sightings to: cort@tennisnews.com

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MONEY MOUNTAIN

2008 Prize Money Earnings

MEN (November 17)

1 Nadal