Wednesday, November 12, 2008
BUSINESS NEWS - Special Tour Championship Edition
Editor's Note: We have begun our Monday, Thursday publication schedule for November and December. This week and next, we will be publishing some Special Tour Championships Editions that will cover the players and events surrounding the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha and the ATP Masters Cup in Shanghai. Our Classifieds and College News will continue to stay on the Monday Thursday schedule.
***
Forbes to Replace Passarell on ATP Board
Gavin Forbes, the well-respected IMG executive and son of the former player and Handful of Summers author Gordon, has been elected to the ATP Board of Directors as a replacement for Indian Wells tournament chairman Charlie Passarell who stands down at the end of the year.
The Senior Vice President and Managing Director of IMG Tennis has been involved in the sport for most of his working life and his recruitment is the latest in a number of changes at board level.
In May, Perry Rogers, Andre Agassi's long-time best friend, manager and business partner, was voted off by the players and replaced by Justin Gimelstob. Then The Tennis Channel's David Egdes was elected to replace former ATP staffer Iggy Jovanovic.
Outgoing executive chairman Etienne de Villiers welcomed his fellow South African native when he said: "Gavin brings a wealth of tennis experience that will be invaluable as the sport continues to evolve and grow.
"In Charlie Pasarell, Gavin replaces one of the sport's most respected and admired men. Charlie has dedicated himself for over four decades to the growth of the men's professional game. His selfless role in the development of the ATP Tour and his subsequent leadership of our sport can never be over stated.
"Tennis owes him a great debt and I know that everyone connected to our sport joins me in thanking Charlie and in wishing him well for the future."
***
Injury Forces Roddick Out of Shanghai
A right ankle injury forced Andy Roddick to quit just hours before his Shanghai Masters Cup Red group date against Roger Federer, leaving the American to be replaced in the field by alternate Radek Stepanek.
Roddick explained that he rolled the ankle during training on Tuesday and was unable to get fit in time to play. He flies off for his off-season break expecting a week or recovery time and standing 3-5 in career Shanghai appearances.
"I can't really stop and start very quickly. It's anything when I go kind of over on the outside it hurts. I do a lot of that a lot on my serve.
"It's definitely a tough prospect trying to beat Roger with no serve and not being able to move much. It's unfortunate for this event, but I don't think we're looking at anything more than a week or so," Roddick said.
"I came out here and tried to warm 45 minutes or so ago, and it was pretty apparent that my movement was probably 30 or 40 percent. Unfortunately that's just not good enough to get it done at a tournament like this."
***
Murray Becomes the Favorite to Win Shanghai
Andy Murray has become the player of choice for punters taking a chance on the Masters Cup, with the Scot storming to 7-/4 victory odds to lift the trophy on Sunday.
"Murray has been in fine form all year and deserves the favorite’s tag," said a spokesman for Ladbroke's of London. Murray's run of form in the second half of the season - a US Open final and titles in Madrid and St Petersburg - give him the momentum according to gambling houses.
But four-time Masters Cup champion Roger Federer remains a serious contender on 3/1 but must back up his form after losing an opening match to French year-end rookie Gilles Simon. American Andy Roddick is well out of the mix on 33/1.
***
Masters Cup is Different This Year for Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has turned around his rotten luck in Shanghai, qualifying for the semifinals by winning his first two group matches. And the chance in fortune could not have come quickly enough for the world No. 3.
The contrast between one year and the next is startling - and pleasing to the young Serb, "Last year wasn't that much fun for me, I didn't win a single set," Djokovic said after handing a loss to Nikolay Davydenko in the Red group.
"But I gained from that experience. It's different this year. I'm coming here as a Grand Slam winner and more mature player, stronger mentally and physically on the court."
Djokovic is prowling for a final run of form as the season wraps up after winning his last title six months ago in Rome. Victory in last group match before going into the championships weekend would leave Australian Open finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga winless in his own season-wrap-up debut.
***
THIS WEEK
MEN
Tour Championships in Shanghai
WOMEN
Nothing
***
NEXT WEEK
MEN
Davis Cup Finals Mar del Plata
WOMEN
Nothing
***
Bob Larson’s Stock Report
Tuesday’s Stock Prices
Stock
Last
Change
Adidas
16.00
-1.00
Amer Sports
4.05
0.00
Head
2.10
0.00
K-Swiss
12.09
-.65
Nike
45.67
-2.30
Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $83.86
* 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
Subscribe