Monday, August 31, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

The Tennis World is Looking to New York for Big Money

The prize money being offered at the 2009 US Open is a staggering pool of money. The prize money being offered to the men and women singles champions is $1.6 million. The breakdown of singles prize money is;

Champion

$1,600,000

Finalist

800,000

Semifinalist

350,000

Quarterfinalist

175,000

Round of 16

85,000

3^rd Round

48,000

2^nd Round

31,000

1^st Round

19,000

Elena Dementieva and Sam Querrey have captured the 2009 Olympus US Open Series and now
compete for the largest payout in tennis history at the 2009 US Open -- $2.6 million ($1.6 million for winning the US Open and a $1 million bonus for winning the US Open and the Olympus US Open Series). Since the US Open Series began in 2004, every Series winner had been, or went on to be, No. 1 in the world rankings.
The second and third place finishers, Andy Murray and Juan del Potro for the men and Flavia Pennetta and Jelena Jankovic for the women will compete for up to $500,000 and $250,000, respectively, in bonus prize money.
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Monfils Signs with Lagardere for Representation

Lagardere Unlimited announced the signing of Gael Monfils ranked 13th on the ATP world tour.
"We are delighted to welcome Gael Monfils at Lagardere Unlimited. We have known each other for a couple of years and are very proud to represent him. Gael is a tremendous athlete with great talent," says Arnaud Lagardere.
After a stunning career on the junior circuit when he won 3 Grand Slam tournaments and earned the number one spot at the end of 2004, Gael has now established himself as a marquee player on the ATP circuit. He is currently coached by Roger Rasheed.

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Murray is Not a Big Fan of the ATP Drug Testing Program

Andy Murray has taken up where Rafael Nadal left off just a few months ago and has become the spokesman for the ATP World Tour players who believe the current drug testing program is prohibitive and anti-social.
Murray has been angered that his rest days between winning the Montreal Masters title, reaching the Cincinnati semi-final and starting the US Open have been ruined by some early morning calls from the independent drug tester.
“He arrived at 7.15am and I was still asleep and quite out of it,” moaned Murray. “It annoyed me because it was the first time I’d had a day off for quite a while. Sometimes you need to get your rest after playing so many matches.”
Nevertheless Murray understands the reason for constant vigilance. But he added: “I just think it’s a little bit in your face the whole thing.
“I don’t want them to be apologetic because it’s their job, I’d just like it to be a little bit more relaxed. I think tennis is a very, very clean sport. No one wants cheats in the sport.”
Meantime Murray wants more assistance from the ATP World Tour in letting players know what is right and wrong to use as recovery from matches. The second seeded Scot revealed his concern that he might decontaminate himself resulting in preventing him from even eating a PowerBar last week when he needed some sustenance after a training session at Flushing Meadows.
You never know,” Murray, last year’s finalist, said. “Even when it comes to vitamin supplements you’ve just got to be careful. We don’t have any sort of body that sanctions vitamins or supplements for the players, which would help and make a big difference. To play five hours in the heat you can get here, you really should take something. I don’t think it’s healthy to endure that and not have a supplement that can help you recover.
“I can’t be more careful than I am now. I just don’t take anything because if something like that happened, it’s with you for the rest of your career.”
***
The US Open is Much More Than Playing Tennis

Regardless of the economic downturn, the United States Tennis Association expects to exceed the $14 million accrued at last year’s tournament from the merchandising of clothing, hats and other memorabilia from the US Open.
Products carrying the Open’s now well known ‘flaming ball’ logo, introduced 12 years ago, account for the majority of the sales but there are other big sellers such as the co-branded line from official clothing partners for the last five years, Polo Ralph Lauren. Wilson Sporting Goods maintain the oversized tennis balls, used primarily by autograph collectors, account for half the company’s sales during the two weeks at both Flushing Meadows and around metropolitan New York.
David Carter of the Sports Business Institute at the University of Southern California’s Marshall School of Business, said attending events such as the U.S. Open makes a statement about lifestyle and aesthetic preferences that can be broadcast on a garment.
“These are events that people covet and want to attend and they prefer the clothes that show they were there,” Carter said. “Buying that piece of Steelers’ merchandise online just isn’t the same as buying it at the Super Bowl.”
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Something Really Special From the US Open

Many thousands of people like to purchase an official US Open t-shirt to carry home as a souvenir of their visit. Usually the designs are produced by some faceless team, but this year you can pick up a shirt with a difference, a limited edition specially designed by Venus Williams. The 100 percent organic cotton shirt is part of her EleVen clothing line that was launched in 2007. If you can’t get along to Flushing Meadows, then you can buy the shirt online at USOpen.org.
"I am really excited about this project because it combines three of my interests – tennis, fashion and the environment," said Williams. "I hope that my passion will be conveyed through this design and will inspire others to do their part to help preserve the environment."
A portion of the profits from the Venus Williams t-shirt will benefit Unisphere, Inc., the non-profit organization that maintains and preserves Flushing Meadows Corona Park, home of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

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The US Open is Not Ignoring the Environment

The US Open is taking awareness of the environment seriously, drawing upon tennis legend Billie Jean King and actor Alec Baldwin as spokespeople for a campaign to promote environmental consciousness among US Open fans, players, vendors, partners and sponsors.
Public Service Announcements featuring Billie Jean King, Venus Williams and Bob and Mike Bryan will be played on video boards and USOpen.org., Eco-Tips will be promoted in the US Open program, the Daily Drawsheet,
USOpen.org/USTA.com and video board messaging, and 50,000 wallet-cards containing Eco-Tips on how to be more environmentally friendly will be distributed. Following the tournament, approximately 20,000 Wilson tennis ball cans will be recycled. The 60,000 Wilson tennis balls used during the US Open will be reused for NTC (National Tennis Center) programming and then donated to community/youth programs.
In addition, a site-wide recycling effort will place more than 500 recycling receptacles across the 42 acres of the National Tennis Center, there is a pilot composting program being launched in two of the on-site kitchens, and all printed materials, including the tickets and the US Open Daily Drawsheets, will be printed on paper consisting of post-consumer waste. The 2.4 million napkins used by US Open patrons in the general concession area during the tournament are also comprised of 90% post-consumer waste.
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Interesting Things Happen to You When You Are at the Top

There aren’t many, probably any, tennis players that have a hotel suite named after them, but New York’s Carlyle boasts the Roger Federer Suite. And that is where, not surprisingly, the world No.1 makes his base during the US Open. Recently the New York Observer was given a tour and revealed what is behind the doors of the luxury accommodation that usually goes for more than $3000 per night.
This two weeks is the only time the hotel unloads their unique RF-monogrammed pillows, which Federer apparently rests his head upon in the second, not the master bedroom. The main bedroom has mirrored bedposts and leopard-print rug, and that’s just not, well, Swiss, is it?
The bathrooms are more tasteful, with black marble and gold trimmings. The bathroom shower includes a bench, so he can relax while preparing himself for the day or getting ready for bed after a long day at the courts.
The living room has a black and white theme, with a white orchid, giant black vases and a huge antique mirrored disc. Whatever.
Then there is the kitchen, complete with 24-bottle mini-bar and an espresso machine. If you’re the ultimate fan and want to live like Roger Federer, you’ll probably have to wait until after September 13th!
***
The Competitors at the Top View Federer and Nadal

Novak Djokovic said recently that he had been born in the wrong era, having Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to contend with and blocking his way to more major titles and the No.1 ranking. But Andy Murray sees it another way.
"I view Roger and Rafa as the two best rivals ever," the Scot said on the eve of the US Open. "Pretty tough to play with those sort of guys, but at the same time it's also, in a lot of ways, I think you sort of raise your game to the competition that you play against. And you know, playing against those sort of guys, you know, when I was younger, I realized that I needed to get a lot better and work physically, and I think the game has sort of gone maybe in the last four or five years to another level physically. I don't feel like I was unfortunate to be born in this era. I think it's a great thing to play alongside those two."
The other Andy, Roddick, could be excused for feeling even more aggrieved that Djokovic after losing three Wimbledon finals to Federer, but he prefers to just go with the flow.
"You play the hand you're dealt," he said. "I don't think at any point that I sit around and feel sorry for myself. I feel pretty fortunate. Obviously titles would probably be a little bit easier but there have been great champions that you have to go through every era in tennis."
***
Clijsters Reveals Her Assessment About Returning to the Tour

The technique was still there for Kim Clijsters, so her biggest challenge in preparing for her comeback was getting into shape. And in particular, returning the back muscles to what they used to be.
“The only issue that I had after the pregnancy was just getting your core back into shape," she revealed. "I think that was something that was the toughest, because, you know, I've been playing tennis since I'm five years old, so that was something that was always, you know, the core, the lower back-like area, that was always something that was very strong. But after the pregnancy, that just -- yeah, it all goes.
So you have to re-teach all those muscles to contract when they're supposed to, you know, especially with each shot that you hit. I mean, everything just kind of has to get reminded of, okay, this muscle has to move at that time. They're the most boring exercises ever, but it was something I really felt like I had to (do), because I went out there in January, February, hitting, and it was terrible. It was awful. So that's not when the idea of coming back was in my mind."
***
Federer Says Much Less Pressure on Him This Year

Some of the pressure on Roger Federer’s shoulders was lifted when he finally won the French. Then he achieved an historic 15th major at Wimbledon. So with little more to achieve, how does he feel going into the US Open?
"I mean, it's always a bit of a more, to me, relaxed part of the season, because I've come off five weeks of, you know, being at home, whereas prior to Wimbledon, French Open, it's a very busy time I feel like through Europe with the clay," he said. "I'm just getting this time more relaxed. I've won already two Slams this year. That takes away pressure from maybe having to do well here, like the feeling I had last year, not having won a Slam last year, trying to get the first one. This year is different. I feel like I'm playing great. That gives me obviously a lot of confidence and relaxes my mind."
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Safina Will Miss Safin on the Tour

This will be Marat Safin’s last US Open, and many will miss one of the last remaining characters in the game. Including his sister Dinara.
"Well, I still cannot imagine that, let's say, next year I'm going to be alone here by myself playing, because I'm so used to have him next to me," she said. "Well, I guess that's it, of his career. It's sad, because he's a great player, and I think it's fun to watch him. I know when he plays good, you know, you can see how he fights and like he kind of also an entertainer on the court. You know, a lot going to happen with him. So for me, it was nice to watch him play, but, you know, that's it. As a sister, I can only say that hope that he's happy after tennis career.
"We're first ones in the history (brother and sister to become No.1). I hope we're not the last ones. We want to be, you know, like a good - being like, like the kids can, brother and sister can look at us and say we also want to be there, so we can push some other families, some brothers, sisters, that they become also after us."
***
The Young Australian Klein is Working on Improving His Image

Brydan Klein made headlines for all the wrong reasons back in June. One of Australia’s most promising juniors and winner of the 2007 Australian Open boys title, the 19-year old was banned from all ATP World Tour and ITF-sanctioned tournaments after racially abusing his opponent during a qualifying match at Eastbourne on England’s south coast.
The reaction by the authorities was swift and severe. As well at the six month ban, he was fined $10,000 and suspended from his scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport (meaning he was then without a coach). He was also ordered to take a racial sensitivity course, with his ban reduced to four months if he completed the course. He did so, and the repentant teenager is free to compete again from November.
“It is something I still deeply regret. This has been a step back for me and hasn't been a nice experience," Klein said. “I think it's a heat-of-the-moment thing. It's like it happens and then straight after you regret it. It's tough to explain. I'm working with a lot of people on techniques to help me improve. It's sort of a wake-up call and having four months away from the game, it's hurt me a lot, so I've been training really hard and practicing my tennis and also practicing my mental side a lot, so it could make a big difference.”
***
Before the Open Notes

US Open Players Party
The official US Open Player Party presented by Heineken took place on Friday night at Skyline Studios in Midtown Manhattan. The rainy evening may have scared off some partygoers but many tennis stars made their arrivals on the “green” carpet including James Blake, Venus Williams, Maria Kirilenko, Agnieska Radwanska, Tommy Robredo, Bethanie Mattek, Nicole Vaidisova and Radek Stepanek.
The party featured music from eras and genres spanning from the 60’s until today. Players who were not interested in the dance floor or the Heineken bar, played Wii tennis featuring John McEnroe and Roger Federer characters.
Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day

Rain did not put a total damper on the Annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Saturday. The on-site outdoor morning activities were canceled but fans were able to enjoy Smashzone activities inside the indoor court facility. Smashzone, returning from a hiatus, contains tennis-related activities from measuring the speed of a serve to clocking the speed of one’s volley.
As for the on-court show, Will Ferrell put on smile on many faces with his James Blake impersonation right down to the rubber head piece representing Blake’s shaved head. The sold out show in Arthur Ashe Stadium entertained the audience with musical acts and featured tennis celebrities such as Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick.
Prince Brings Tennis to New York City’s Central Park
Prince Sports Inc in conjunction with the City Parks Foundation took over the public tennis courts in Central Park for the 2009 Prince Tennis EXO³bition.  Spectators had a chance to hit a few balls against the likes of Prince pros Sam Querrey, Gael Monfils, Mike & Bob Bryan, John Isner, Juan Carlos Ferrero and legends Stan Smith, Paul Annacone, Roger Rasheed and Wayne Bryan.  
Mike Silverman, Director of Sports for the City Parks Foundation said “it’s a chance for the public to see the players up close and personal before the US Open, hit a few balls and have a good time.”
Music fans were entertained by the live performance by American Idol Season 7 finalist, Downtown Recording Artist, and former top-ranked Australian Prince Junior Team player, Michael Johns.  
***
Ricky's Notes
By Ricky Dimon
Mardy Fish withdrew from the U.S. Open on Sunday night, citing the rib injury that has plagued him all summer. Fish was replaced in the main draw by lucky loser Rui Machado, who will face Fish's scheduled first-round opponent Daniel Koellerer. . . Fish joins directly-entered players David Nalbandian, Kristof Vliegen, Carlos Moya, Ivo Minar, Gilles Muller, and Mario Ancic on the U.S. Open withdrawal list. Like Fish, Vliegen also pulled out after the draw was made, so he was replaced in the field by Peter Luczak. . . For several days, 21-year-old Federico Zeballos of Bolivia was listed in the main draw of the U.S. Open. Zeballos is ranked No. 1334 in the world. Needless to say, the player in question was not Federico, but rather Horacio Zeballos, a 76th-ranked Argentine who successfully went through qualifying. . . Andy Murray, for one, is glad to see Richard Gasquet back from suspension and in action at the U.S. Open. "He should be allowed to play here because, so far, he’s not been found guilty of anything," Murray said of Gasquet, who faces Rafael Nadal round one. "He doesn’t deserve to drop further down the rankings because of something accidental or which just didn’t happen.". . . Devin Britton, this year's NCAA singles champion, said he did not believe his agent when she told him he was playing Roger Federer in the first round of the U.S. Open. "But then I got 15 text messages in the space of 10 minutes and I knew it was true," Britton explained. "Everyone has been supportive. I have a sort of love-hate relationship about it. It’s once-in-a-lifetime experience to play Roger Federer at the US Open, but at the same time it doesn’t make winning the first-round at a very important tournament very easy."
Diego Hartfield, sidelined since February with ankle and knee injuries, recently returned to practice. The 28-year-old Argentine, however, does not appear close to a full return, saying he is still extremely restricted and cannot slide on clay. . . Nalbandian went through a practice session last Wednesday for the first time since hip surgery. The veteran Argentine hit for about 20 minutes, and it was broadcast live in Argentina. Nalbandian is targeting a return at the Australian Open and says his goal is to get back in the Top 10. . . Novak Djokovic confirmed last week that he has hired Todd Martin to join his coaching team, effective immediately at the U.S. Open. "That, of course, doesn’t mean I will end my cooperation with (current coach Marian) Vajda," Djokovic explained. "It’s best for me to work with both coaches at the moment.". . . Ernests Gulbis, without a full-time coach since parting ways with Karl-Heinz Wetter this spring, is working with former French player Olivier Morel at the U.S. Open. Morel is on the staff at the Manhattan Plaza Racquet Club.
Brydan Klein spoke publicly on Friday for the first time since receiving a six-month suspension for racially abusing Raven Klaasen in a Challenger match. "I've went over everything that happened and reflected and refreshed my mind," Klein said. "I'm going to seek more advice over these four months. It's like a red mist, it happens and straight after you regret it. Straight after it I called my opponent and apologized. He said he accepted my apology." Klein's ban could be reduced to four months now that he has completed a racial sensitivity course. . . The Croatian press is reporting that oft-injured Mario Ancic is giving up his pro tennis career to begin practicing law in Zagreb. Ancic earned a law degree from the University of Split in April of 2008. . . Nadal continues to lobby for the rigorous annual ATP schedule to be revised. Said Nadal in a pre-U.S. Open interview: "I think that everyone knows that starting on 1 January and ending on 5 December is too long of a calendar. But it's not easy to fix because there are many tournament interests at play and everything is very difficult and you can't scorn any tournament. We must try to find the best possible solution that more or less pleases everyone. Things need to change.". . . Andy Roddick was not amused by the Tennis Integrity Unit's warning to ATP players that their use of Twitter could violate the sport's anti-corruption rules. "I think its lame the U.S. Open is trying to regulate our tweeting," Roddick posted on Friday. "I understand the on-court issue but not sure they can tell us if we can’t do it on our own time…we’ll see."
Dominika Cibulkova withdrew from the U.S. Open due to a rib injury. Cibulkova pulled out prior to the draw ceremony, so she did not have to be replaced by a lucky loser, of which there are none in the women's singles field. . . After a third hip surgery, Jamea Jackson decided to retire from the pro tour. The 22-year-old American subsequently accepted an assistant coaching position with Oklahoma State University, where she will also study. . . Martina Navratilova was recently spotted in public with girlfriend Julia Lemigova, a former Miss Universe contestant from Russia. The UK's Daily Express had reported the couple was engaged, but the paper retracted that report and issued an apology last week. . . Daniela Hantuchova, formerly with Nike, has signed with Adidas. Hantuchova will wear Adidas' adilibria tennis apparel line starting at the U.S. Open. . . Kim Clijsters hopes her return to tennis goes well beyond this season. "I hope to just get myself and my ranking up there, so hopefully I can do a couple more years or so," she said from the U.S. Open, site of her lone Grand Slam title (2005).
That’s all; no more notes,
Ricky

***

We Hear---
--that Laura Robson, the highly rated British 15 year-old who became a national heroine when she won last year’s Wimbledon girls title is the latest talented youngster to use the training facilities of the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, situated just outside Paris. She is being joined by Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 18 year-old Russian who currently is ranked 35^th in the world and Grigor Dimitrov, the former world no.1 junior from Bulgaria.
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Publisher’s Note
After a history of attending the US Open beginning at the Westside Tennis Club in Forest Hills, New York, Daily Tennis News Publisher Bob Larson has decided to skip this year’s Open.  For years, Larson has experienced the Open by sitting on a bench just outside the Media Center located in the southwest corner of Ashe Stadium and visiting with friends and collecting news items. He says the best ones are the ones that begin, “Now you didn’t get this from me, but. . . ”
“The spirit is willing, but the knees aren’t cooperating, so I decided to pass this year. Hopefully, things will be better next year, and I hope to spend the Open on the bench, also called Larson’s office, so plan on stopping by in 2010,” said Larson.
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THIS WEEK
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US Open
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NEXT WEEK
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US Open
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Bob Larson’s Stock Report
Friday Stock Prices

Stock

Last

Change

Adidas

23.60

-.16

Amer Sports

4.85

0.00

Head

0.20

0.00

K-Swiss

9.97

-.03

Nike

56.18

-.65

Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $94.80
* The index is based on the total value of one share of each stock we report daily.
***
Results
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Bob Larson - Publisher
Cort Larson - Editor
Bob Larson's Daily Tennis is published 
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Friday, August 28, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

Tweets Could be Dangerous for Tour Players’ Future

The Tennis Integrity United, set up as a joint venture between the International Tennis Federation, the ATP World Tour and the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour to stamp out the threat of corruption in the sport, has warned players their numerous tweets on the social website Twitter are potentially dangerous and they will be monitored during the upcoming US Open.
Jeff Rees, a former Metropolitan Police detective who has worked extensively against corruption in other sports such as horse racing and last year was appointed Director of the Tennis Integrity Unit, has sent an email informing US Open contestants that their Twitter output could be violating the sport's anti-corruption rules on "the passing of inside information".
Under the heading, 'Important player notice – Twitter warning', the email maintained 'tweets' including" sensitive information" which relates to their own matches, or to other players and their matches, such as injuries and other ailments, were potentially corruptive.
Rees reminded players that inside information is defined in the anti-corruption rules as 'information about the likely participation or likely performance of a player in an event or concerning the weather, court conditions, status, outcome, or any other aspect of an event which is known by a covered person and is not information in the public domain'.
In the rules, players, their coaches, agents and their family, and all tournament staff, are regarded as covered persons.
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Tennis Channel Having Difficult Times in New York City Area

Tennis Channel is currently consulting its lawyers after the row with Cablevision intensified with the Long Island-based telecommunications, media and entertainment company, insisting they will unilaterally carry the network on its digital sports tier in time for Monday’s start of the US Open.
Cablevision plan to put the Tennis Channel’s coverage of the year’s concluding Grand Slam event on a tier that will cost viewers an extra $5.95 a month. Ken Solomon, the Tennis Channel’s chief executive pointed out that viewers are not forced to pay extra for the majors in any other sport. He said: “This is highly suspect and makes little sense. I don’t know if this will stand up legally.”
The relationship between Tennis Channel and Cablevision has been tense for several years but negotiations broke down apparently irreconcilably over this issue earlier this month.
Cablevision maintain they are within their rights after signing on to a seven-year-old contract between the network and the National Cable Television Cooperative, which negotiates deals with programmers for member cable operators.
The National Cable Television Cooperative said that Cablevision had joined the organization “recently,” but Patrick Wilson, a senior vice president of Tennis Channel, said that he was told by an NCTC member that Cablevision had joined Wednesday. “That says to me that it joined the NCTC in an effort uniquely designed to try to access their way into a deal for the Tennis Channel that was cut in 2002 for small providers,” he said.
A spokesman for Cablevision, Jim Maiella, said the company had a “valid affiliation agreement” to carry the Tennis Channel, “and we expect the Tennis Channel to authorize its signal, which is literally a matter of flipping a switch, so our customers in New York can watch its coverage of the US Open.”
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Hingis’ Dancing Has Created a Furor in Great Britain

Martina Hingis’ inclusion in the upcoming season of Britain’s most popular television show Strictly Come Dancing has produced an angry reaction from a campaign group who insist it is morally wrong for the former world no.1 who was banned from tennis after testing positive for cocaine to receive a reported £50,000 ($80,000) of public money.
The BBC, which screens the weekend show which repeatedly takes top ratings, has always been completely commercial free and funded entirely from the proceeds of television licenses which cost each household £144 (about $240) a year.
Hingis has always maintained she is innocent of any drug-use despite banned for two years by the International Tennis Federation in 2008 after testing positive for the drug during Wimbledon ‘07.
John Beyer, of campaign group Mediawatch-UK, questioned the BBC's decision, saying: “This is a family show that is targeted at a family audience. The danger is that this decision would tend to minimize the seriousness of her drug-taking, which resulted in a ban on her playing.
“The BBC could have put in many other personalities who I'm sure would love to take part in the show and they could have chosen someone without that record. The question is whether it sets a good or bad example.”
In response to the criticism, the BBC maintained: “As Martina herself said at the launch, her past is behind her and she is looking forward to a new challenge on the show.”
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New York’s Taste of Tennis

Andy Roddick, Billie Jean King, Celebrity Chef Bethany Frankel and the “Top Chef” all stars served a major Pre- US Open celebration at the tenth annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis. The star powered event held at the W Hotel was held to benefit the Food Bank for New York City.
The event gave patrons a chance to mingle with tennis stars, star chefs and sample award-winning dishes. Among the tennis players in attendance in addition to Roddick and King were Vera Zvonareva. Jo-Wilfred Tsonga, David Ferrer, Samuel & Jamila Groth, Sabine Lisicki, Fernando Gonzalez, Nicholas Kiefer, and former players Brad Gilbert and Chanda Rubin.

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Fila VIP Launch Event for James Blake’s new Fila Line

Fila celebrated the launch of the Thomas Reynolds line by James Blake with an autograph signing session and a VIP party on New York’s City’s posh Fifth Avenue.
The celebration sponsored by Fila, Lord & Taylor and Tennis Magazine was held on the roof top of Lord & Taylor store. Before the VIP celebration, Blake took the time to sign autographs for fans in the section of the store which houses his collection. Among the guests at VIP party was Fila Player Kim Clijsters.

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New Haven is Creative in its Many Promotional Activities

Food and beverages play a big part at the Pilot Pen event held in New Haven this week. Players have served behind the bar in the concession area, with the money they take going to charity. And the ATP World Tour website reported that Russia’s Igor Andreev was happy to try some of what was on offer at the New Haven Food and Wine Festival held on site. Twenty New Haven restaurants served up high quality food, with Andreev meeting with different chefs before jumping behind the counter of Thali, a local Indian restaurant, and taking on the role of chef to prepare food for hungry patrons.
"It’s nice to be able to have some of the restaurants in New Haven come to the tournament and showcase the food that they have on offer. Most of the time we end up eating lunch and dinner on-site, so it’s nice to be able to have the opportunity to eat some really nice food," Andreev said.
Not only do the restaurants come to the players instead of the players going to the restaurants, but when the players do venture out to eat in the evening they can enjoy what is surely a unique offer.
"The tournament has a passport program that allows us to eat for free around the town and I have eaten at some of them," said Andreev. "It’s a fun idea and I think a lot of the guys are happy that they are able to eat away from the site for free and enjoy the good food in New Haven."
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Is There a Roland Garros Jinx?

Usually, winning a major serves as a catapult to far more success. Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon is a prime example. Bizarrely, sometimes, if that major is Roland Garros, it can have the opposite effect. Iva Majoli is the perfect example of that.
Somewhere in the middle is Ana Ivanovic, who has struggled since winning in Paris more than a year ago. That took her briefly to world No.1, but she has since slipped out of the top 10 and she has rarely put together more than a couple of wins at any tournament since. In the second part of last year she was hindered by injury, but this year her problems have continued and there is absolutely no sign of things changing. She failed to win more than one match at any of the three US Open Series events she played, losing to 59th-ranked Melinda Czink at one tournament and 46th-ranked Lucie Safarova at another. In fact, in the 12 Tour events she has played this year, she has failed to put together more than two wins at nine of them. Her solution is to ignore the bad and just keep trying, as she told Fitness magazine.
"If you want to succeed, you have to have a very short memory. You have to forget all the bad practice and lost matches and believe in yourself and your abilities," she said. "My biggest asset is my fighting spirit. I may not win every match, but I will never surrender if I’m losing. Monica Seles was my role-model and I remember how she battled for every single point. While I was growing up, Monica was really playing top tennis. A very important aspect of success is to push through training sessions when you don’t feel like practicing, because what you do today makes you stronger tomorrow."
***
McEnroe to Play at City Parks Event

John McEnroe’s rock band will give the annual City Parks Foundation’s annual CityParks Tennis Benefit at Flushing Meadows a rousing start. The native New Yorker serves as co-chairperson with Billie Jean King and is committed to the cause which for the last 20 years has raised funds for CityParks Tennis, a free youth instructional program that serves over 7,500 children in parks throughout the city.
During the event City Parks Foundation will honor Benjamin Doller, who has supported this program from the beginning.  Mr. Doller will also conduct the live auction where guests can bid on a tennis lesson by Patrick McEnroe, a trip to Wimbledon next year, and two tickets to January’s Super Bowl in Miami.

***

We Hear---
--that Mark Philippoussis is to be invited to contest this year’s London Masters, the traditional climax to the ATP’s Tour of Champions even though he has not played a single event on the senior circuit. The Australian has played several events on the rival Outback Champions Series run by former world no.1 Jim Courier.
--Andy Roddick is at the center of financial negotiations for his endorsement between current clothing sponsor Lacoste and his racket and shoe sponsor Babolat which is going to introduce apparel into the USA market.
***
THIS WEEK
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Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $95.64
* 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
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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

Thursday, August 27, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

HEAD USA Appoints New CEO and New President

HEAD announced that Jeremy Sherwood, executive director global sales & marketing, in addition to his current role has been appointed ceo of HEAD USA with responsibility for racquet sport, winter sport and diving divisions. He succeeds Dave Haggerty who has held the position for the past 11 years.
HEAD also announced the promotion of Kevin Kempin to president HEAD Penn racquet sports. With over 16 years of experience in the HEAD USA racquet division, most recently as vp sales and marketing, Kevin will continue to manage HEAD USA’s racquet sports and assist with HEAD’s global racquet sports efforts.
Haggerty will become chairman HEAD USA and take on a more limited operational role in order to devote more time toward his volunteer tennis efforts, represent HEAD on the Tennis Industry Association (TIA) board, his pursuit of guest lecturing at the university level and spending more time with his family.
***
Will Henin Return to the Tour?

Will Justine Henin follow compatriot Kim Clijsters back onto center court?
The former world No.1 has said little, and her life-long coach Carlos Rodriguez with whom she still works at her 6th Sense Tennis Academy says he knows of no such plans. But that has not stopped Belgian media, and Vers l'Avenir in particular, speculating that a return could be on the cards for next season.
"There's nobody telling me of a return. We've not spoken about that. I am really astonished," Rodriguez said. “She is training, yes. Two or three times a week to get herself in shape as she's not played for a year. That's all."
The reason for the conjecture is that, like Clijsters who began training to play the Wimbledon Celebration exhibition match to test the new roof, Henin has been practicing to play a number of exhibition matches at the end of the year. And Henin herself mysteriously admitted to Vers l’Avenir that "Something is in the offing but I'm not allowed to talk about it."
Henin, now 27, won seven majors including four French Opens, earned close to $20 million in prize money and spent 117 weeks at No.1 before stunning the tennis world by retiring as the world’s best player on May 14, 2008.

***
Nike Holds a Tennis Promotion on a New York Street

In an event sponsored by Nike, a makeshift, regulation-size court with bleachers was set up right next to the iconic Flatiron Building in New York City as Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams and John McEnroe challenged local youth to try their hand at seeing what it’s like to return a pro serve and in turn raise money for three charities including New York Parks and Recreation, Athletes for Charity, and Mentoring USA. John McEnroe helped to emcee the event.
The event also served to unveil the looks that Federer, Nadal and Williams will be sporting for Nike for the upcoming US Open. Hundreds of fans along with children representing the charities were in attendance. The lucky children were able to win a total of $15,000 dollars apiece for their respective charity after their success in returning serves from a tennis serve simulator, with a little help from the pros who also returned serves much to the delight of onlookers.
As for the US Open ensembles, Federer will be wearing a red and black combination. Serena Williams will be attired in a pink dress for day matches and a black dress for evening play. Rafael Nadal will be sporting a yellow and black outfit.
Nike erected a temporary store right next to the event complete with wares featuring their sponsored players.

***
Blake the Designer is Ready to Show His Stuff

James Blake has spent this year with a team from Fila to design a collection of co-branded apparel, footwear and accessories. Now it is ready for launch, and the American will debut the new line when he steps onto court for his first match at next week’s US Open.
What to call it? The James Blake Collection sounds okay but is hardly original, and after several months searching for a name for the brand he selected the name Thomas Reynolds, the first and middle names of his father who Blake has often referred to as a superhero.
“I wanted to create a line with Fila because I have learned a lot about tennis fashion throughout my career,” said Blake. “I felt that I could create a line that is functional and stylish both on and off the court. Collaborating with Fila and their long history in tennis and sportswear made sense. It was the perfect fit!”
The fall styles incorporate a campanula, peacoat (navy) and white color combination. Campanula is inspired by James’ love of collegiate basketball and his favorite team from North Carolina. Blake wanted the line to include classic tennis looks, and the line has a distinct nod to Fila’s tennis heritage with pinstripe detailing on one of the crew neck shirts, open placket and reversible collar on the polo, and athletic taping on the shoulder of the raglan polo. The price points of the collection range from $45 - $65.
***
Srichaphan Has Been Busy These Days

What does a tennis player do when he can’t play tennis? The openings appear to be endless for Thai national hero Paradorn Srichaphan. He hasn’t won a tournament since 2004 and hasn’t even played for over two years, but far from being seen as yesterday’s man in his native land the 30-year old is still the center of attention wherever he goes. Not that he attempts to keep a low profile, with his bright yellow Ferrari and Harley Davidson motorcycle.
While insisting that he intends to return to the ATP World Tour when his injured right wrist is strong enough, he has been busy setting up his future. According to the Bangkok Post, he has opened an Italian restaurant in Bangkok called So-Le, which means ‘enjoyable conversation’ in his native Northeast. And he is selling ‘magic’ herbs for men based on ingredients such as ginseng and oyster, which is supposed to promote good health.
In other Thai tennis news, the country’s current number 1 Danai Udomchoke is to become engaged on September 8th to his girlfriend of five years, with the marriage to follow in Bangkok on November 20th. And Tamarine Tanasugarn, who has been nursing a wrist injury since her first round exit at Wimbledon, returns to action at next week’s US Open.
"The doctor said my wrist is 90% healed and advised me to have it checked during the tournament," Tamarine said. "I still can't serve as hard as I'd like to but my groundstroke is okay now."
***
Woodbridge Spending Time with Tomic

Australian Davis Cup Coach Todd Woodbridge has been offering advice and encouragement to Chris Gucionne with some success, and he will shortly turn his attention to promising teenager Bernard Tomic.
The 17-year old will compete in the junior event at the US Open, after vowing at Wimbledon that his junior days were over. However, he has found life at the Challenger level much more - well, challenging.
"At this stage, yes, he's going to play the juniors, and then he'll move onto Challengers after that," Woodbridge told Melbourne’s The Age. "Bernard needs those matches. In this game, particularly at a young age, you've got to play a lot of matches and you've got to win a lot of matches, and learn and build confidence through that. He hasn't played a lot of tennis the last three months and it's a great opportunity for him to do something. I'm going to spend time with him and try to obviously get to know him a little bit because I don't know him all that well, but he's obviously a very exciting young player."

***
Dementieva Plans to Play Hopman Cup

Elena Dementieva will make her debut at the Hopman Cup in January, rather than defend her title in Auckland. The Russian Olympic gold medal holder, who won the Toronto event last weekend to add to her Auckland and Sydney titles earned this season, will partner Igor Andreev at the ITF-sanctioned mixed team event.
Last year the Russians were represented by the brother/sister combination of Marat Safin and Dinara Safina, who finished as runners-up to the Slovak paring of Dominik Hrbaty and Dominika Cibulkova.
Also confirmed for the 22nd staging of the tournament, to be held at the Burswood Dome between January 2-9, is the Australian pairing of Lleyton Hewitt and Samantha Stosur.

***
Notes From New Haven

Samantha Stosur--Stosur’s win over Alize Cornet produced the longest first set that Stosur thinks she’s ever played--1 hour and 24 minutes. She enjoys the Pilot Pen surface as it suits her game and does not mind playing in the heat being from Australia. She feels that she can get the ball up a little higher with her spin different from the way many of the women play.
Nikolay Davydenko—The key to the match win over Robert Kendrick was taking the first set in a “lucky tiebreak” saving a set point. He complained that the last two weeks were played with Penn balls, which is a “different feeling.” Going into next week's US Open balls requires yet another adjustment to the Wilson balls.
Fabrice Santoro--During his match he kept touching his back but said it is not an injury, “nothing bad- just the age.” The upcoming US Open will mark Santoro’s 69^th major. Santoro has many fond memories of the US Open including matches against Pete Sampras, James Blake, Andy Roddick, Roger Federer and Todd Martin. Santoro’s last match against Martin was the last match of Martin’s career…Santoro’s last tournament will be at Bercy this fall. It will also mark the last tournament for fellow retiree Marat Safin. Santoro said it would fun to play Safin once again. Santoro stated that when Safin joined the tour it was the second half of his career and now they are retiring at the same time.
Flavia Pennetta--Flavia Pennetta’s great summer has paid off in terms of the US Open Series. She has a chance of winning the US Open Series if she wins the Pilot Pen.
Taylor Dent--What did Taylor Dent do during his recovery when he was in a body cast for 23 hours a day? He played the World of Warcraft video game.
Amelie Mauresmo--Expecting a test against Alona Bondarenko, Mauresmo used the right tactics to destroy her opponent in straight sets 6-1, 6-1. It was her first win over Bondarenko. Mauresmo’s next opponent could be her “sometimes” doubles partners Svetlana Kuznetsova.
***
US Open Notes

Rafael Nadal said, “I am sure that I arrived in New York in much better shape then expected”, Nadal himself is surprised with the speed of his recovery. ”I am very happy to compete again in this city. It is important now to start tournament best possibly prepared and see what will happen.”
Rafa spent some time yesterday showing kids from three schools on Broadway some of his tricks. He was clad in black and yellow, his colors for Flushing Meadow this year in honor of Manhattan cabs, but he blocked questions about superstition. “Yellow remains my lucky color”, he said.

***

We Hear---
--that Andre Agassi's much-anticipated autobiography is to be published in November. As well as describing his start in tennis, the American icon writes about his relationship with his father and his failed marriage to actress Brooke Shields.
***
THIS WEEK
MEN
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55.45

+.29

Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $94.51
* 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

Wednesday, August 26, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

Federer and Safina Are Named US Open Top Seeds

The USTA announced that Roger Federer and Dinara Safina will be the top seeds at the 2009 US Open in men’s and women’s singles.  The 2009 US Open will be played at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., August 31 – September 13.
For 2009, the US Open followed the ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour rankings to determine the men’s and women’s singles seeds.  This is the eighth consecutive year that the US Open has seeded 32 players in both singles events.
The singles draws for the 2009 US Open will be announced live on the US Open Draw Show on ESPNews, Thursday, August 27 at 12 PM ET. 

Men
Roger Federer, Switzerland
Andy Murray, Great Britain
Rafael Nadal, Spain
Novak Djokovic, Serbia
Andy Roddick, United States
Juan Martin Del Potro, Argentina
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France
Nikolay Davydenko, Russia
Gilles Simon, France
Fernando Verdasco, Spain
Fernando Gonzalez, Chile
Robin Soderling, Sweden
Gael Monfils, France
Tommy Robredo, Spain
Radek Stepanek, Czech Republic
Marin Cilic, Croatia
Tomas Berdych, Czech Republic
David Ferrer, Spain
Stanislas Wawrinka, Switzerland
Tommy Haas, Germany
James Blake, United States
Sam Querrey, United States
Philipp Kohlschreiber, Germany
Juan Carlos Ferrero, Spain
Mardy Fish, United States
Paul-Henri Mathieu, France
Ivo Karlovic, Croatia
Victor Hanescu, Romania
Igor Andreev, Russia
Viktor Troicki, Serbia
Lleyton Hewitt, Australia
Nicolas Almagro, Spain
Women
Dinara Safina, Russia
Serena Williams, United States
Venus Williams, United States
Elena Dementieva, Russia
Jelena Jankovic, Serbia
Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia
Vera Zvonareva, Russia
Victoria Azarenka, Belarus
Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark
Flavia Pennetta, Italy
Ana Ivanovic, Serbia
Agnieszka Radwanska, Poland
Nadia Petrova, Russia
Marion Bartoli, France
Samantha Stosur, Australia
Virginie Razzano, France
Amelie Mauresmo, France
Na Li, China
Patty Schnyder, Switzerland
Anabel Medina Garrigues, Spain
Jie Zheng, China
Daniela Hantuchova, Slovak Republic
Sabine Lisicki, Germany
Sorana Cirstea, Romania
Kaia Kanepi, Estonia
Francesca Schiavone, Italy
Alisa Kleybanova, Russia
Sybille Bammer, Austria
Maria Sharapova, Russia
Alona Bondarenko, Ukraine
Elena Vesnina, Russia
Agnes Szavay, Hungary

***
German Tennis is Going Through Difficult Times

German tennis is going through difficult times, such a view was recently expressed by some leading German sport analysts. According to experts, since the end of career of such famous players as Steffi Graf, Anke Huber, Michael Shtih and Boris Becker Germany did not have any strong players that can take the place of retired leaders.
The current leaders of the German tennis - Tommy Haas and Nicolas Kiefer have inconsistent results and are not able to achieve something serious.
In turn, German media have placed the blame for a bad performance of their tennis players at the National Tennis Federation which amid the crisis decided to reduce funding for the national tennis teams and did not pay enough attention to young talented players.
***
ITF Fines Croatia for Davis Cup Venue Decision

Croatia paid a high price for being stubborn in choosing Davis Cup semifinal venue against the ITF recommendation. The fine for the decision to play against Czechs in small Porec in front of only 4.500 people is $24,000.
What bugs Croatian the most is the fact that they got so many compliments when hosting US team in quarterfinals less then two months ago.
“I don’t understand the ITF. They gave us an award for previous matches at the same venue and then they punish us,” Radomir Cacic said the puzzled president of the Croatian Federation. “Even though we are a tennis force by results, we are a small country.”
Croatian problem was in small interest of bigger cities for this tie. Only Split wanted to host Czechs, but their offer was not so good as Porec.
There is a strong possibility that Croatia host Spain in Davis Cup final in November and if that happens, city and venue will have to be chosen with utmost wisdom. Porec is already out of the running. With the fine, ITF ordered that that city mustn’t be chosen for semifinal or final ever again.
***
USTA to Hold Australian Open Wild Card Competition in Georgia

The USTA announced it is holding its 2010 Australian Open wild card playoffs during the 2009 Infinite Energy Atlanta Challenge held at the Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, Ga., December 4-7.
The event will feature an exhibition match on December 4, with the wild card playoffs commencing the next day. Through a reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia, the two national tennis federations exchange wild cards for the 2010 Australian Open and 2009 US Open.
The exhibition match will feature Bob and Mike Bryan, Mardy Fish and John Isner. Those four will also participate in exhibitions in Pelham, Ala., and Chattanooga, Tenn., on Dec. 2-3 in an effort to promote the event across the South.
Competitors for the wild card playoffs will be named following the 2009 US Open.

***
Hingis to Enter Dancing Competition

Martina Hingis is the latest tennis star to take to the dance floor. The former world no.1 and winner of five major singles titles who was banned from the sport for two years in 2008 after testing positive for cocaine use is one of 16 celebrities named to contest the upcoming season of Britain’s most popular television show, Strictly Come Dancing.
Hingis, now 29 years of age, follows in the waltzing footsteps of Alicia Molik who danced in the Australian edition of the show and Monica Seles who contested the American version, Dancing With The Stars.
She will be dancing against notable other sports people such as ex world super middleweight boxing champion Joe Calzaghe, who recently retired after winning WBO, WBA, WBC and IBF titles, England test cricketer Phil Tufnell, Olympic longer jumper Jade Johnson and Richard Dunwoody, one of Britain’s most successful jockeys who won the Grand National. Other competitors are various British actors, actresses and television celebrities.
Hingis maintains she is looking forward to the challenge of the show, filmed in London each weekend from early September thru to Christmas. “I love watching dancing. It is a very hard skill to learn," she said. "Some of the other players on the tennis circuit have done other versions in different countries.
“I should be good with the training as I am used to working very hard for many hours to perfect my sport," Hingis said. "Discipline is very important when training for tennis competitions and I think this will be the same when preparing for the Saturday dance. I am really excited by this prospect of wearing many colorful and pretty costumes. I really cannot wait to begin!
“The internet has been very useful to me as I’ve looked at all the different dances performed on lots of international versions of the show and that’s given me plenty to think about," Hingis said. "It has helped with my education of what is in store for me! Athletes do very well on the show — perhaps this is a good sign for me!"
"I want people to see a different side of me from the player running around the tennis court,” said the Swiss Miss. “I'm here to win and I'm very competitive. Everything I do, I want to be the best at it. I try to keep fit by doing different things, I have my horses and skiing definitely keeps you fit”
The player who won the Wimbledon women's singles title in 1997 in addition to four other major titles, had a reputation for being outspoken and criticizing her rivals. Clearly Hingis has not mellowed with age as she insisted: “Monica Seles competed in the US version and had a blast. She didn’t make it very far in the competition though. I hope to get further than she did!
"I've always said what I think. Don't you think tennis is boring today? People don't say anything anymore. I have changed. I'm not like I was when I was 18. I've calmed down and always have fun."
Hingis announced her retirement in November 2007, although she strenuously denied ever taking the drug and proclaimed her innocence.
"I want to put everything behind me now and this is a new challenge. I can't wait to learn some of the Latin dances and some of the faster ballroom ones, like the quickstep."
Strictly Come Dancing features celebrities with professional dance partners competing in ballroom and Latin dances, including jive, rumba, waltz, foxtrot and tango. Hingis has been paired with Matthew Cutler, who won the show in 2007 with British pop singer Alesha Dixon. Last year’s final was watched by an audience in excess of 13 million viewers.
***
William Sisters Join Miami Dolphins as Limited Partners

The Miami Dolphins announced that Venus and Serena Williams, residents of Palm Beach Gardens, have joined the organization as limited partners of the franchise.
The action comes on the heels of several business announcements, including Marc Anthony and Emilio and Gloria Estefan joining the team as limited partners, the renaming of Dolphin Stadium to Land Shark Stadium through a partnership with Jimmy Buffett, the enlistment of Brazilian artist Britto to adorn the stadium with his iconic artwork, an innovative partnership with Kangaroo Media to provide hand held wireless units to premium seat holders, and an alliance with Ocean Drive Magazine to create a members-only club at the stadium.
New owner Steven Ross has made a marketing decision to bring more attention to the team by making game day more than merely attending a football game. One of the first moves he made was to bring in show business specialist Arlen Kantarian, formerly a high executive with the USTA. Kantarian brought in show business celebrities to night sessions of the US Open as well as music entertainment and glitz to the grounds of the Open.

***
Kim Clijsters May Return to a Leading Position in WTA Tour

Kim Clijsters is able to return to her previous level in the WTA Tour, putting an end to the hegemony of Russian tennis players and make a threat to sisters Williams. Following her first performance after a long break in Cincinnati, most experts agree that Clijsters still has enormous potential, as well as the winner’s psychology.
Resuming her tennis career might be a perfect decision for Kim, because in June, the Belgian tennis player just turned 26 years. Her former coach Marc Dehauz believes that she will be competitive and can immediately goes very high, referring to the victory in the US Open and return to a high ranking on the WTA Tour.
Many were surprised when two and a half years ago, Kim decided to quit, referring to the loss of motivation, injuries and the desire to create a family.

***
Jankovic is Enthusiastic About Her Chances at the US Open

Jelena Jankovic is approaching the US Open with renewed ambitions. Her win in Cincinnati woke up old flames.
“The most important thing about the last few weeks is that I'm back. My level of tennis has really lifted up. I'm moving well, hitting the ball well and I'm confident about my game. I needed these matches and these wins.’
The best world player for last year is getting ready for her last opportunity in this year to erase tag “#1 without Grand Slam title”. Twelve months ago she entered the US Open as the only tennis queen in history without major final. That tag was almost removed when Jankovic played for the title against Serena Williams.
She lost that match, but this year she wants to go one step more. “Now I can go into the US Open confident about my chances. I was a finalist last year and I just love playing there. The atmosphere, the crowd... Especially those night matches, they're just electric! No other tournament has that. It's unbelievable to be there and to perform. Hopefully it will be my stage. I'm happy to say the old Jelena is back!”
There is only one snag on that road.
“I took yesterday off and today I will as well. I need to rest up and recharge my batteries, and then I will train all week. I'm feeling a bit of a cold right now. My immune system is down a bit from not sleeping much in the last few weeks. Hopefully I can get over this quickly,” said Jankovic.
***
As Always, Sharapova Will Look Glamorous on Court at the US Open

Maria Sharapova may not be one of the US Open’s top seeds this year, the Californian based Russian currently ranked only 30 as she battles to make up time after missing nine months after shoulder surgery, but the 2006 champion will still be the most glittering player at Flushing Meadows.
As ever 22 year-old Sharapova’s on-court attire has created more attention than most things on the female side of the draw and this year it has been announced she will be wearing Tiffany sterling silver and diamond earrings designed by Frank Gehry.
The former world no.1 and Wimbledon and Australian Open champion has worn Tiffany jewelry at all four majors. She praised the design, known as Stria, for its’ fine corrugated texture. I am thrilled to wear these elegant earrings at the US Open," enthused the multi millionaires who visited the 79 year-old designer California studio to learn about his inspiration for creating the pieces.
"The earrings have a distinctive shape that is like the fluid lines of Frank Gehry’s architecture. Gehry, long one of America’s most foremost jewelry architects said: “I wanted to design earrings for Maria that were interesting yet light enough to wear during play. It was a new idea inspired by corrugations, like a river or a waterfall."
Sharapova is heartened by last week’s performance in Toronto where she played six matches in a week and reached the final where she lost out to countrywoman Elena Dementieva. The effort was sufficient to boost Sharapova 19 places up the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour rankings and into one of the US Open seeded spots.
“I feel like I'm progressing, she insisted. “I'm understanding what feels better, what I can do better. With every tournament I've played in the summer I felt like I was starting to play better and get a feel for the hard courts.”
***
IN MEMORIUM

Jane Pratt, known to generations of St. Louis tennis players for directing local tournaments, died Saturday (Aug. 22, 2009) of cancer. She was 89.
She became involved in the Municipal Tennis Association in 1956, became its president in 1965 and never gave up the title. She was a summer fixture at the Dwight Davis Tennis Center for four decades, running local tournaments through 2006.

***

We Hear---
--that the National Public Parks National Tennis Tournament will be held in St. Louis in 2010 and in Minneapolis in 2011.
***
THIS WEEK
MEN
New Haven
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***
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-.84

Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $93.79
* 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

Tuesday, August 25, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

USTA Signs Yogurt Manufacturer as Sponsor of US Open

The USTA announced that Stonyfield Farm, the world’s largest organic yogurt maker, has entered into a one-year sponsorship agreement with the US Open to promote its Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt brand. 
As part of the new partnership, Oikos Organic Greek Yogurt will receive significant signage in Arthur Ashe Stadium.  Stonyfield plans an aggressive sampling program from a dedicated promotional booth on-site at the US Open, as well as multiple mobile carts on the Boardwalk that leads from the Long Island Railroad and 7 train to the East Gate entrance to the NTC.  Stonyfield will hand out tens of thousands of four ounce samples of Oikos.
In addition, Stonyfield will serve as a presenting sponsor of “US Open Live,” the live-streaming of the US Open on USOpen.org.  In 2009, USOpen.org, the official website of the US Open, will offer the most extensive live streaming in the history of the event, airing all matches within the ESPN and Tennis Channel broadcast television windows. Streaming up to five matches simultaneously, US Open.org will make more than 150 matches available for free within the United States.  Live streaming also will integrate live match stats updates, fan commenting and picture-in-picture capabilities.  
***
Murray Commits to Davis Cup Play

British Davis Cup captain John Lloyd has had much to worry him this summer with the prospect of relegation to the backwaters of the Euro/Africa Zone Group Two looming if his team suffers a fourth successive defeat in the upcoming meeting with Poland in Liverpool. But he has received gratifying news from world no.2 Andy Murray who has committed to the cause come what may.
Murray has missed two out of Britain’s last three ties, March’s home defeat to the Ukraine when he was suffering from a virus and last February when he opted out of travelling to Argentina after the Australian Open. The run has seen Lloyd’s team slip from a place in the world group to teetering on the verge of the competition’s third tier amidst the likes of Monaco, Egypt, Lithuania and Ireland.
But the 22 year-old Scot, who overtook Rafael Nadal to take a career high second spot in the world rankings earlier this month and will be no.2 seed at the upcoming US Open came out with the admission that Lloyd was praying to hear.
“I always want to play Davis Cup if possible,” said Murray who became Britain’s youngest ever to appear in the competition when he made his debut against Israel aged 17 years and 293 days in March 2005 and boasts an 8-1 success record in singles play. "If I feel fresh and 100% fit I will be there to help the team because we are not in the best position right now."
Murray is unlikely to be joined in the side by his elder brother Jamie whose doubles ranking has dropped out of the world’s top 100 and currently stands at 120, putting him behind Liverpool’s Ken Skupski, fellow Scot Colin Fleming and the soon to retire James Auckland. Ross Hutchins, currently ranked 37 at doubles, seems likely to be chosen to likely face the crack Polish duo of Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski who are currently just outside the world’s top ten.
However last week the elder Murray won the Italian Challenger title in Trani with fellow Brit Jamie Delgado.
***
Djokovic is Optimistic About the US Open and Beyond

Novak Djokovic lost four Masters Series finals this year. All four were to higher ranked players.
“I was born in wrong era”, he managed to show a sense of humor after losing in Cincinnati against Federer on Sunday. “I was very close in most of those finals, but I don't think this is some kind of curse or something.”
Nadal beat Djokovic in Monte Carlo and Rome, and Murray was better in Miami.
“Everybody is playing (great) tennis. Those two guys, Nadal and Federer, and of course Murray, they're all playing fantastic tennis. Roger and Rafa are maybe two of the best players that ever played this game. Roger for sure, is”, added #4 from Serbia. "It's kind of hard because they raise their level in the final stages of the tournaments, especially the finals. So for me to reach the final stages is a big success. Hopefully in the future I'll be able to get some titles.”
Though he beat Federer in two previous occasions in this season, Djokovic is not downhearted after Sunday loss. For him Cincinnati was successful station on the road to the last major in 2009.
“I will try to work in these seven days before the U.S. Open on these things, on a better approach to the match and being aggressive from the start. If I manage to do that, I think I can get far."
He will have extra help in New York. Todd Martin, former US Open and Australian finalist, has been added to Novak’s coaching staff.
“We will start to work this week, but I will not stop working with Marian Vajda, my current coach. I will work with both of them. Playing in two major finals and being #4 makes Todd very experienced. He has lot of ideas that will help me in my game, but I will not disclose them. Don’t expect success in a week time, since this is a process”, announced Djokovic who himself played US Open final two years ago.
***
Connors Will Try Again in the TV Broadcast Booth

Jimmy Connors on/off relationship with both tennis and the US Open is very much on again as the former world no.1 and five times champion of the US Open will step into the hot seat as the Tennis Channel’s lead analyst with his 57^th birthday just days away when main draw action begins at Flushing Meadows next Monday.
The Tennis Channel’s first-ever coverage of the year’s final major, with 72 live match hours and 240 hours of dedicated tournament programming, will see Connors return to an American commentary booth for the first time in more than 20 years although he did work for Britain’s BBC for a couple of years until reportedly finding his pay check bore no resemblance to that of John McEnroe.
Connors has been absent from the tennis scene since parting the ways with Andy Roddick a year and a half ago after 21 months of a coaching relationship. “I’m excited to be a part of Tennis Channel’s US Open team and can’t wait to get back to New York," said Connors who will work alongside Bill Macatee and Martina Navratilova.  "There’s nothing in tennis like the US Open.  I’m looking forward to helping Bill, Martina and everyone else at the network change the way the tournament is seen on television."
The champion who won the US title on grass and green clay at Forest Hills before capturing another three titles when the event switched to hard court has had a feisty career in broadcasting. Long before parting the ways with the BBC, he ended a long term relationship with NBC when, according to former agent Donald Dell in his book Never Make The First Offer, he refused to travel to Barcelona to cover the 1988 Olympic tennis event.
***
Myskina Has No Plans to Resume Career

A well-known in the past, Russian tennis player Anastasia Myskina has no plans to return to sport, despite recent statements of Russian press.
Since the end of her tennis career a few years ago, Anastasia has worked on television, presently designs her own fitness program and now plans to play in a movie.
In addition, Myskina recently married a wealthy Russian billionaire and has had a child.
According to her, Russian tennis was not particularly affected because of her retirement. She thinks that currently Russia has a lot of young talented tennis players, who will be able to play instead of her in the Fed Cup.
"I think Anastasia Myskina will not resume her tennis career,” says Russian tennis specialist Vladimir Kamelzon. “She retired from tennis to become a journalist. Unfortunately, at her age Myskina could still play very well, but she decided to quit”.

***

Svetlana Kuznetsova to Provide Financial Help for St. Petersburg Tennis

Svetlana Kuznetsova wants to provide all possible assistance to the development of tennis in her native city of St. Petersburg, the player told St. Petersburg’s Governor Valentina Matvienko at a recent meeting.
“We need to create conditions for quality training, to build good courts and fitness centers. And also, probably, we will have to bring foreign experts to train our coaches. I want to help my city. The governor told me that it would help to develop tennis in St. Petersburg and in the whole country,” said Kuznetsova.
Kuznetsova’s possible support, according to most experts, will be good news for St Petersburg’s tennis school, currently experiencing difficult times. Because of the economic crisis, the Russian government was forced to cut tennis funding, which eventually led to the closure of several major tennis academies throughout the country including St Petersburg.

***
New Haven Promotes Tennis on a “Really Big” Tennis Court

To celebrate the start of the 2009 Pilot Pen event in New Haven, Conn., defending champion Caroline Wozniacki and World No. 10 Flavia Pennetta took over the Yale Bowl for “Football Tennis”.
The world’s largest tennis court was created for the occasion and laid out inside the Yale Bowl, an historic American football stadium that is considered one of the true treasures of American sports. While history has been made inside the Yale Bowl on numerous occasions, the world famous football field has never been home to a tennis match, let alone a tennis match on the largest court ever created.
“Football Tennis” is the third stunt created by Sony Ericsson this summer, following on the heels of last week’s “Street Tennis” in Toronto during which Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki took over Yonge Street for an impromptu tennis match and the previous week’s “Fountain Tennis” which brought out Kim Clijsters and Elena Dementieva to one of America’s largest amusement parks, Kings Island in Cincinnati.
Other promotional events have included playing on car rooftops in Miami, in a metro station in Madri and on a desert island in the Arabian Sea in Doha.
***
Laver’s Memoirs to be Published

New Chapter Press will publish Rod Laver's memoir of his second Grand Slam, ‘The Education Of a Tennis Player,’ to coincide with the 40th anniversary of his historic achievement. Written with fellow Hall of Famer, journalist and historian Bud Collins, the book is Laver's first-hand account of his 1969 Grand Slam season, capped off by his 7-9, 6-1, 6-2, 6-2 win over fellow Australian Tony Roche in the final of the US Open on September 8.
Originally published in 1971, the book was updated by Laver and Collins in 2009 with new content including his recovery from a near-fatal stroke in 1998. The memoir features descriptions of Laver’s most suspenseful matches and memorable portraits of his biggest rivals Ken Rosewall, Lew Hoad, Tony Roche and Pancho Gonzalez. Laver also writes about his childhood and early days in tennis, his 1962 Grand Slam and offers tips on how players of all levels can improve their game. He also shares some of the strategies that helped him to unparalleled success on the tennis court.
The book, which will be sold at the USTA Bookstore during the US Open and via traditional book retailers in the United States, will also be available in the United Kingdom, Canada and Australia by early 2010. Special limited edition hard-cover editions of the book are available for $29.95, while paperback copies are for sale for $19.95.

***

We Hear---
--that a press conference will be held today in Miami to announce Venus and Serena Williams becoming minor shareholders of the Miami Dolphins football team.
--That the US Open qualifying begins today with 128 men and 128 women hoping to win three matches and qualify for one of the 16 open spots of the main draw which begins Monday. There is $1 million in prize money, just for the qualifying competition.
***
THIS WEEK
MEN
New Haven
WOMEN
New Haven
***
NEXT WEEK
MEN
US Open
WOMEN
US Open
***
Bob Larson’s Stock Report
Friday Stock Prices

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Head

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0.00

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55.65

-1.35

Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $94.18
* 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
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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, August 24, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

Dementieva Wins Toronto and Takes Over the Lead in US Open Series

No. 4 seed Elena Dementieva captured her second career US Open Series tournament title and moved into sole possession of first place atop the Women’s Standings with a 6-4, 6-3 victory against unseeded Maria Sharapova in Sunday’s final in Toronto. Dementieva earns 100 total points, and, with one week remaining, is ahead of Flavia Pennetta of Italy -- who will attempt to win the US Open Series overall title in New Haven.   
On the men’s side, Roger Federer collected a record fifth career US Open Series tournament title -- and third in Cincinnati -- with a 6-1, 7-5 win over No. 4 seed Novak Djokovic. Andy Murray, by virtue of advancing to the semifinals, assumes first place in the men’s standings. Sam Querrey now heads to New Haven to compete for the US Open Series overall title.

***
France Hopes to win Davis Cup Next Year

French National Tennis team will be among the major title aspirants of the Davis Cup 2010, European press have predicted.
According to a number of Europe's leading tennis publications, the chief coach of the French tennis team for the first time in many years will be able to obtain all the best tennis players to perform for the National Team of France in Davis Cup.
Currently the French tennis squad looks really threateningly overpowering with such players as Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Gilles Simon, Michael Llodra, Richard Gasquet and Gael Monfils. In addition to them, some famous veterans including Fabrice Santoro, Arnaud Clement and Sabastian Grosjean are also determined to play for the team next year.
However this year, according to most analysts, Spain remains the major favorite to win the title.
***
The Shrieking de Britio Moves to France

Michelle Larcher de Brito, the loudest teenager in tennis whose shrieking as much as on court talent made a lot of people take notice of her game this year, has become the latest high profile recruit of the Mouratoglou Tennis Academy, situated just outside Paris.
The Portuguese 16 year-old who reached the French Open’s third round, established a career high Sony Ericsson WTA Tour world ranking of 76 a few weeks later and effectively reignited the debate on ‘grunting’ and caused former world no.1 Martina Navratilova to call it cheating, was based at the IMG Bollettieri Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
More recently her father Antonio has taken a much more leading role in her coaching and a European base is more conducive for the Lisbon-born player who moved to Florida with her family at the age of nine.
Angolan-born Antonio will still be primarily working with his daughter at Mouratoglou’s although she will be part of the group of Elite Team group alongside Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, the 18 year-old Russian who currently is ranked 35^th in the world and Grigor Dimitrov, the former world no.1 junior from Bulgaria.
Both father and daughter will be assisted by a dedicated team which will monitor the physical preparation, provide high calibre sparring and during certain periods additional expert coaching advise. The Mouratoglou coaching roster features Tony Roche, Peter McNamara and Peter Lundgren.
Mouratoglou set up the academy in 1996 with the accent very much on elitism. He introduced the slogan:  ‘to give the best, we take only the best’. With victories already established over top 20 players such as Jie Zheng, Flavia Pennetta and Agnieszka Radwanska, Larcher de Brito clearly fits in that category.
***
Vera Zvonareva to Become a Diplomat after Tennis

Vera Zvonareva is planning to become a diplomat at the end of her tennis career. Now, she is studying at the Moscow Diplomatic Academy, and planning someday to work in the Russian Foreign Office.
“I always liked studying. Being already a professional tennis player, I still went every day to school and trained at nights,” said Zvonareva.
Zvonareva’s plans are really unusual. As a rule, the majority of Russian tennis stars at the end of their sporting careers prefer to stay in sport. For example, a well-known in the past Russian tennis player Andrei Chesnokov is currently a personal trainer of Elena Dementieva, while the former Russia number 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov was recently appointed vice-president of the Russian Tennis Association.
Sometimes tennis players decide to start their own business, for example, in restaurant or sports equipment industries.

***
ATP Champions Tour to Travel to USA

The ATP Champions Tour takes place in Spain, Brazil, Portugal, France, China, Italy, Luxembourg and England. Up to now there have been no tournaments in the United States. But that is about to change, as John McEnroe will join Mats Wilander and Pat Cash next February at the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships in Florida after the ATP Champions Tour unveiled another new event for 2010.
The Delray Beach International Tennis Championships is to become a unique showcase of tennis’ greatest talents across multiple eras when it simultaneously hosts the ATP Champions Tour and the ATP World Tour, creating a 9-day extravaganza from February 20-28 at the Delray Beach Stadium & Tennis Center. The event will begin with the 8-player, 4-day ATP Champions Tour event and culminate with the ATP World Tour tournament that has been played in Delray Beach for the past 12 years. It joins Zurich, Switzerland as a new event on the 2010 calendar.
***
Srichaphan Delays His Planned Return to the Tour

Paradorn Srichaphan has abandoned his attempt to make a return to the ATP Tour at next month’s Thailand Open. The former world No.9 has not played a competitive match since retiring against Luis Horna in the first round of Miami in March 2007, and he has since twice undergone surgery on his right wrist.
"My wrist is getting better but not good enough to let me hit like I used to,” he told the Associated Press. “I wanted to come back in the Thailand Open but at this stage the chance to play any match this year is 50 percent. (But) I'm not going to quit. I just want to be back when I'm really ready."
Meanwhile, after marrying former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova, the 30-year old has gone into business by opening an Italian restaurant, and this year during Wimbledon - where he famously defeated Andre Agassi in 2002 and followed that up with a victory over Rafael Nadal the following year - he was featured in a Thai TV show showing the background to the tournament and various famous London locations.

***
Molik Trying a Comeback in New Haven

Alicia Molik, who has not played since a first round defeat at the Beijing Olympics, is to begin a second comeback to the game by competing in doubles at the Pilot Pen event in New Haven with partner Meghann Shaughnessy. The pair has also requested a wild card into the US Open that begins August 31st.
The 28-year old Australian was forced out of the game in October 2005 after contracting an inner-ear virus that affected her balance, and although she later recovered and returned to the Tour she enjoyed only limited success.

***
Williams Sisters to Join the Celebrities Becoming Owners of Miami Football Team

Serena and Venus Williams already have wide-ranging interests away from the courts, that include fashion design, acting and an interior design company. Now they are expected to add part ownership in the Miami Dolphins American football team.
“There have been preliminary talks and hopefully it will work out,” Serena said in Toronto, where she was competing. “That would be a great opportunity for both of us. We’ll see what happens, you never know.
"There's always so many opportunities out there, and Venus and I are always trying to expand our brand and do the best that we can do, and if an opportunity presents itself, we would love to see where it can take us."
If it goes through, they would be joining Gloria and Emilio Estefan and Marc Anthony among others.

***
Obziler to Retire from the Tour

Israel’s Tzipi Obziler, at 36 years of age the veteran singles player of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has finally announced her retirement just eight months short of her 37^th birthday.
Politics now beckon for the player who cracked the world’s top 100 for the first time at an age when most players had long since laid down their competitive rackets. Obziler is already an elected member of her local Givatayim city council and she is very interested in moving into national government.
"The time has come," said Obziler who established a career best world ranking of 75 at the age of 34, helped Israel's Fed Cup team to the elite eight-country World Group competition and gave Venus Williams a three set fright at the French Open two years ago. "I thank this small, incredible country for giving me a stage for a tremendous career."
Earlier this year, she notched her 61st Fed Cup tie appearance, equaling the competition record previously set by her compatriot Anna Smashnova.  Although inactive since playing the qualifying round of the Warsaw tournament in May, she has not ruled out the possibility of making another Fed Cup appearance. . "If Captain Lior Mor decides he wants me on the team and I see that I'm physically capable of playing, than of course I wouldn't refuse," she said.
Shahar Peer, Israel’s no.1 led the praise for Obziler. “Tzipi was like an older sister to me,” she said. From my first day in the national team she always helped and supported me. As far as I'm concerned she is a model athlete both on and off the court."
***
Ricky's Notes
By Ricky Dimon

Seven directly-entered players, including Gilles Simon and David Ferrer, pulled out of this week's Pilot Pen Tennis event in New Haven. Ferrer's withdrawal came after the draw had already made, so Olivier Rochus gained a lucky loser spot and got Ferrer's bye straight into the second round. . . Ivo Minar withdrew from New Haven and is also out of the U.S. Open. Minar's exit gives Rajeev Ram direct entry into the U.S. Open main draw. Ram would have been in it with a wild card, which will go to fellow American Ryan Sweeting now that Ram no longer needs it. . . James Blake on why he is not participating in New Haven, where he has enjoyed great success throughout his career: "I do have a lot of commitments coming up; I have my clothing line coming out. The fans are the best but this year it was just too tough, especially with how the scheduling has been for the ATP with the 500 and two 1000s right before. That makes it really difficult.". . . Kristof Vliegen updated his status via a blog last week. Said the Belgian: "I am injured again on my back. It's not the same as last year so that's already good news! I was supposed to go to Cincinnati this week and New Haven next week, but I've canceled everything. I'm trying to get ready for US Open." Vliegen has not played since a second-round loss in Bastad more than a month ago.
Dmitry Tursunov had a CT scan on his injured ankle on Thursday in San Francisco and expects to have the results sometime today (Monday). For now Tursunov says he is questionable for the U.S. Open. . . Danai Udomchoke has started an MBA course while he recovers from a shoulder injury. The Thai, who has not played since a first-round loss in Indianapolis, hopes to return next month for a Davis Cup tie against China. . . Guillermo Canas played an exhibition match on Saturday in Crandon Park, site of the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, Florida. Canas is interested in developing a tennis academy there and becoming more involved in the local tennis community. . . Brydan Klein is taking a racial sensitivity training course in the aftermath of his racial abuse of Raven Klaasen last month in Eastbourne. If Klein successfully completes the course, his six-month ban will be reduced to four months.
John Isner, Mardy Fish, and Bob and Mike Bryan will participate in a series of exhibition events during the off-season between the 2009 and 2010 seasons. Starting December 2, the American foursome will entertain fans in Birmingham, Chattanooga, and Atlanta on consecutive days. . . Andy Roddick has been expressing his displeasure for the ATP Tour constantly changing the type of balls, going back and forth between Penn and Wilson. “I still think that we shouldn’t be changing tennis balls midsummer. That’s just, you know, at the height of not using common sense. . . Novak Djokovic is still in negotiations with Todd Martin, whom is expected to get on board with Djokovic as a second coach. Djokovic said in Cincinnati that he hopes to have Martin in his camp at the U.S. Open. . . Andre Agassi will be honored at a tennis benefit at The Ross School in East Hampton, New York. Proceeds will go to Ross scholarships and athletic programs and the event will feature a doubles exhibition match and a clinic by Nick Bollettieri. . . ESPN plans to pair brothers John and Patrick McEnroe in the TV booth for its coverage of the U.S. Open starting August 31. "Patrick has learned to do and been effective at both roles, whether he's the color commentator or the play-by-play person," said John. "Because he's gotten to that point, it's allowed us finally to be in the same booth."
Israel's Shahar Peer, who could not play earlier this year in Dubai when the United Arab Emirates refused to issue her a visa, says she intends to participate in the 2010 event. "Next year I can go to Dubai and it's nothing to do if I'm Israeli or not." Peer received a wild card into last week's Rogers Cup as compensation for missing the Dubai tournament. . . Alicia Molik is making her return to the WTA Tour this week in New Haven after retiring last September due to a middle-ear condition. The 28-year-old Australian also has a wild card into the U.S. Open. . . Jelena Jankovic insists she does not grunt on the court, nor is she a fan of those who do. "I don't know the reasons why they're doing it," Jankovic said. "It's good to breathe when you're hitting the ball, but to a certain volume. You shouldn't be (heard) from miles away. I think that goes over the limit.". . . Jelena Dokic is recovering from mononucleosis and is not playing this week in New Haven, as she previously had hoped. Dokic is currently practicing for the U.S. Open at Bollettieri's academy in Florida, where her agent says she is 100 percent.
That’s all, no more notes,
Ricky.

***

We Hear---
--that Charleston, South Carolina is making it known they want to host a US Davis Cup tie in the future. The stadium at the Family Circle Cup is ready.
--that in press conferences in New Haven, Richard Gasquet could only answer questions specifically about Saturday's matches and nothing about his recent doping experience.
***
THIS WEEK
MEN
New Haven
WOMEN
New Haven
***
NEXT WEEK
MEN
US Open
WOMEN
US Open
***
Bob Larson’s Stock Report
Friday Stock Prices

Stock

Last

Change

Adidas

23.67

+.53

Amer Sports

4.60

0.00

Head

0.20

0.00

K-Swiss

10.06

0.00

Nike

55.65

-1.35

Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $94.18
* 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

Friday, August 21, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

US Open Women’s Singles Wild Card Recipients Announced

The USTA announced the names of players that have been awarded women’s singles main draw wild cards for this year’s US Open.
Gail Brodksy (Brooklyn, N.Y.), Mallory Cecil (Spartanburg, S.C.), Alexa Glatch (Newport Beach, Calif.), Vania King (Long Beach, Calif.), Christina McHale (Englewood Cliffs, N.J.), Kristina Mladenovic (France) and Olivia Rogowska (Australia) will join former US Open Champion Kim Clijsters (Belgium) as main draw wild cards at the 2009 US Open Tennis Championships, which will be played August 31 – September 13 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y. 
Brodsky, 18, of Brooklyn, N.Y., is receiving a wild card for the second straight year; she  earned a wild card last year with her victory at the 2008 USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships (she finished third at this year’s event). 
Cecil, 19, of Spartanburg, S.C., won the 2009 NCAA singles title as a freshman at Duke University.  She also helped lead the Blue Devils to the 2009 NCAA team title and was named the Intercollegiate Tennis Association’s Player of the Year.  
Clijsters, 26, of Belgium, returned to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour this month after a two-year retirement.   
Glatch, 19, of Newport Beach, Calif., is currently ranked a career-high No. 102.  She made her debut for the U.S. Fed Cup team in April and won both of her singles rubbers to help propel the U.S. to the Fed Cup final for the first time since 2003. 
King, 20, of Long Beach, Calif. is currently ranked No. 123, and has played in the US Open main draw in each of the last four years.  King has won seven Sony Ericsson WTA Tour doubles titles and reached the mixed doubles final at the French Open earlier this year. 
A full-time resident at the USTA Training Center Headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla., McHale, 17, of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., earned her wild card by winning the 2009 USTA Girls’ 18s National Championship last weekend in Berkeley, Calif., where she also won the doubles title.  McHale also earned a wild card into the 2009 Australian Open by winning a USTA wild card playoff. 
Mladenovic, 16, of France, is currently the No. 1 player in the ITF World Junior Rankings. She received her wild card through a reciprocal agreement with the French Tennis Federation, which gave a 2009 French Open wild card to the USTA that was awarded to Lauren Embree.  Madenovic won the girls’ singles title at Roland Garros this year, and reached the girls’ singles and doubles finals at Wimbledon. 
Rogowska, 18, of Australia, is currently ranked No. 167 and received her wild card through a reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia, which will give a 2010 Australian Open wild card to a player selected by the USTA.  Rogowska has competed in the main draws of the 2009 Australian and French Opens. 
In addition to the eight US Open women’s singles main draw wild cards, the USTA also announced the nine women who have been awarded wild card entries into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, which will be held August 25-28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
Players receiving US Open qualifying wild cards are: Kristie Ahn (17, Upper Saddle River, N.J.), USTA Girls’ 18s runner-up Lauren Embree (18, Marco Island, Fla.), Irina Falconi (19, Jupiter, Fla.), Nicole Gibbs (16, Manhattan Beach, Calif.), Asia Muhammad (18, Henderson, Nev.), Alison Riske (19, McMurray, Pa.), Laura Robson (15, Great Britain), Sloane Stephens (16, San Pedro, Calif.) and reigning US Open girls’ singles champion Coco Vandeweghe (17, Rancho Santa Fe, Calif.)
***
Russian Tennis Players to Play for Azerbaijan?

Russian tennis players who are not able to qualify into the Russian national team, could perform for any former Soviet country or overseas, sources in the Russian Tennis Federation have reported.
According to Russian press recently Azerbaijan and some others CIS countries have expressed great interest in “obtaining” some of the Russian players.
The head of Russian Tennis Federation Shamil Tarpischev supports this idea which he again confirmed during his recent arrival to the capital of Azerbaijan Baku.
For the last ten years a lot of Russian tennis players decided to play for foreign countries. For example, such tennis players as Yaroslava Shvedova, Galina Voskoboeva, Andrey Golubev, Yury Shchukin and Mikhail Kukushkin decided to play for Kazakhstan while others for New Zealand, and Australia.

***
Woodbridge has Taken to his New Assignment for Tennis Australia

Todd Woodbridge has recently taken on not only the role of Davis Cup captain for Australia, but the task of overseeing player development. It might be paying dividends already, as Chris Guccione reached an encouraging third round of the Cincinnati Masters with a fine win over seventh seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Although he has done well on home soil, reaching the final in both Sydney and Adelaide, the Victorian has struggled to repeat that success elsewhere.
As part of his new role, former doubles great and Wimbledon singles semifinalist Woodbridge has been advising Guccione and speaking with him by phone. "His results this year hadn't been great up until Wimbledon, but I actually think he's taken a good, hard look at himself," Woodbridge told Melbourne’s The Age. "I think he decided to be more responsible for his own actions, and go out there and become more of an adult, make some hard decisions and try not to rely on a system, or people, and I think that was important for him."
The 24-year old, who fell in the third round in Cincinnati to Tomas Berdych, has received a wild card into the US Open.

***
Ivanovic has Eliminated her Advisory Staff

A season without a title left Ana Ivanovic not only out of top ten, but also decimated her entourage. Last to go was Scott Byrnes, her strength and conditioning coach.
“You know, working with someone three years it's a long time. He was coming from Australia and we spent a lot of time together because he wasn't going back that often. It just gets to a point when you stop maybe learning from each other and stop improving. It's best to take some break. It was just, I think, best for both of us to have some break and some fresh opinions,” explained Ana departure of a man credited to forge her #1 fitness.
But, there are more missing people. With loss of big titles and big checks Ivanovic cannot bring so big entourage all over the world.
“You know, you get used to being around. So now I'm actually traveling with my mom mostly, and before I used to have four or five people. So I'm like, where has everyone gone? No, I feel really good, because this also made me realize more things on my own, what I'm doing and what helps me to play good, these kind of things, rather than relying on people telling me certain things. I think it's a learning process, and it made me also a lot more mature,”
Ivanovic had dropped from #1 to #11 in less then a year, but she is not planning hiring new coaches.
“At the moment I think my fitness is at a pretty good level, and a lot of fitness comes from practicing and from intense tennis sessions. That's what I need in order to play well anyway. So just focus on that and then do a lot of just stretching and recovery off the court and prevent little injuries that I had. In a couple week's, month's time, I'm going to look into that again, having a full time coach for preparation, obviously, for next year.”
***
Russian Tennis Stars Cannot Train in Russia

Russia still does not have acceptable conditions for the preparing of professional  tennis players within the country, believes the majority of Russian sport analysts.
Despite the rapid development of tennis in the country, observed in recent years, almost all major Russian tennis players do not consider Russia as a residence for their training and preparation for competitions.
Despite considerable investment in Russia's tennis being made in recent years, the country still does not have its own quality infrastructure and conditions for professional athletes training. That’s why most Russian tennis stars today prefer to train in Europe, with the exception of Maria Sharapova who currently lives and trains in the United States.
“There are a lot of problems in Russian tennis right now,” says one of the leading Russian tennis experts, Alexey Nikolayev, “and lack of infrastructure is only one of them. If we would like to keep our talents we need to export them abroad. Currently it is the only formula that gives the result.”
***
Williams to be Honored for Speaking Up

One of the most enduring images of tennis in 2009 was that of Venus Williams taking centre stage at the presentation ceremony after winning the women’s title at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, staring up into the mass of dignitaries gathered to watch the tournament’s climax and admonishing the government of the United Arab Emirates for refusing Israel’s Shahar Peer the requisite visa to contest the event.
It has been a week when international politics had taken precedence over sport and there was a need for somebody from the playing fraternity to take a lead. Williams proved herself to be just that person and now she will be honored with the Anti-Defamation League’s Americanism Award.
The ADL National Director’s, Abraham H. Foxman will present the award next Tuesday (August 25) at the League’s Headquarters on Third Avenue in Manhattan, New York in recognition of Venus’ commitment to democratic values and for standing up for equality and fair treatment for all.
At the time the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour’s former chief executive Larry Scott and tennis icon Billie Jean King both praised Venus for her brave stand. The tournament’s organisers were subsequently hit with a record $US 300,000 fine and told to post a $2,000,000 guarantee to ensure various conditions of entry were met for the 2010 tournament. The following week Israeli player Andy Ram was allowed to enter the UAE to contest the men’s event.
“I wasn’t out there to rock the boat or upset anyone,” said Williams. “I just believe in trying to do what’s right and to represent what’s right. I thought Shahar had to be mentioned and I felt I was going to, whether anyone else did or not. I had the opportunity because I had the microphone. I thought how brave she (Peer) was to come over here, to play the event in Doha (last year), and suddenly here not be allowed to in Dubai.”
Venus maintained the experiences of Althea Gibson, who overcame discrimination and exclusion to become Wimbledon's first black champion more than half a century earlier, influenced her thinking. "I thought of Althea who was excluded," she added. "She played and I thought of people who stood up and played with her when no-one else would.
"My dad grew up in a place where if you spoke too much, it was your life. I had a small opportunity to say something where everyone would listen.”
The Anti-Defamation League was founded in 1913 "to stop the defamation of the Jewish people and to secure justice and fair treatment to all." Now the nation's premier civil rights/human relations agency, ADL fights anti-Semitism and all forms of bigotry, defends democratic ideals and protects civil rights for all.”
***
Wild Cards Granted for New Haven

World no.10 Fernando Verdasco, former top tenner Marcos Baghdatis and the 121^st ranked American Rajeev Ram have all been awarded wild card entries into next week’s Pilot Pen tennis tournament in New Haven.
But John Isner, the American who earlier this week rose 20 places on the ATP World Tour rankings to a career spot of No. 55, withdrew his wild card request due to heat exhaustion after being forced to retire from the this week’s Western and Southern Financial Group Masters tournament in Cincinnati
Verdasco, the Australian Open semi-finalist in January, will be making his fifth appearance at the Pilot Pen, where he reached the semifinals last year and the quarters in 2005 and 2007. But the Spaniard was amongst the early exits from Cincinnati and after reaching the quarter finals on American hard courts in Indian Wells and Miami earlier this year, has struggled to find his form so far this summer.
Baghdatis, world no.8 in 2006 after reaching the Australian Open final, has struggled with injuries over the last couple of years and missed Wimbledon after suffering a painful wrench to his knee at s-Hertogenbosch in the Netherlands. However, distinct signs of recovery appeared as he won this month’s Challenger event in Vancouver, beating Belgium’s Xavier Malisse in the final.
***
Federer is Up to The Challenge of His New Life

Trying to balance being the best player in the world with striving to be the best father in the world isn’t an easy task. And Roger Federer has revealed on the ATP World Tour website that he has received encouragement on how to deal with the challenge from another world No.1 - his good friend Tiger Woods.
"Well, it's hard, but it isn’t impossible. You’ll love it," said Woods, also a father of two.
"I haven't felt any impact yet," Federer admitted, after becoming the father of twins last month. "I’ve been sleeping enough. It's not been bad like I sort of expected. But things have changed in a good way. I love my life now. I'm happy Mirka could join me (in Cincinnati) with Myla and Charlene as well. It's been a lot of fun outside of the tennis grounds, let's say."
***
Stosur Explains Why She Wears Sunglasses on Court

Samantha Stosur is enjoying the most successful period of her career, so it is no surprise that she was invited to write about her experiences while playing in Toronto for the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour website. One thing she addressed was why she wears sunglasses during her matches. Surely it makes it more difficult to see the ball clearly. Apparently not.
"I've heard some people wonder about me wearing shades when I play," she wrote. "I'm one of the few out there who does it. I think it helps. I started to wear them when I was 14, so I'm very used to them. Back then I just wore them 'cause I thought it was cool, but now I think it does help. Everyone hates having to serve into the sun or deal with the glare on the hardcourts, so wearing my Oakley’s just helps that little bit. My lenses aren't too dark though, so it pretty much looks the same through them, minus the glare, and maybe when I'm older I won't have so many wrinkles from squinting my whole life."

***

We Hear---
--that Israel’s Tzipora Obziler has announced her retirement at the age of 36. During her modest 21-year career she won 14 ITF titles, reached one final on the WTA Tour (Guangzhou 2007), earned almost $600,000 and reached a career-high ranking of 75 a little over two years ago. Despite her decision to quit the Tour she has left the window open to represent her country in further Fed Cup ties.
***
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Thursday, August 20, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

US Open Men’s Singles Wild Card Recipients Announced

The USTA announced the names of players that have been awarded men’s singles main draw wild card entries into the 2009 US Open.
Devin Britton (Jackson, Miss.), Chase Buchanan (New Albany, Ohio), Taylor Dent (Newport Beach, Calif.), Brendan Evans (Key Biscayne, Fla.), Jesse Levine (Boca Raton, Fla.) and Rajeev Ram (Carmel, Ind.), along with two international players including Australian Chris Guccione and a player to be named by the French Tennis Association, have been awarded men’s singles main draw wild card entries into the 2009 US Open Tennis Championships. 
Britton, 18, of Jackson, Miss., burst onto the tennis scene by reaching the 2008 US Open boys’ final as a qualifier.  After winning the doubles title at the Dunlop Orange Bowl in December, he enrolled at the University of Mississippi, where in May he became the youngest man ever to win the NCAA Division I singles title.  
Buchanan, 18, of New Albany, Ohio, earned his wild card into the 2009 US Open main draw by winning the USTA Boys’ 18s National Championships on Sunday.  Buchanan went 17-7 (11-4 in singles) to help lead the Ohio State Buckeyes to the 2009 NCAA team final as a freshman.
Dent, 28, of Newport Beach, Calif., returned to the ATP World Tour briefly in 2008 after three back surgeries that forced him to miss two years and nearly ended his career.  This year, he played in the main draw at the 2009 Australian Open, advanced to the fourth round in Miami and qualified for Wimbledon.  Dent finished in the year-end Top 35 every year from 2003-05 and climbed to a career-high No. 21 in 2005. 
Evans, 23, of Key Biscayne, Fla., is currently ranked a career-high No. 122.  He recently reached the quarterfinals at the ATP World Tour event in Newport, R.I.  Also this year, Evans has won Challengers in Noumea, New Caledonia, and Nottingham, England, and he reached the final at the $50,000 USTA Pro Circuit event in Dallas and qualified for the ATP World Tour event in Indian Wells.  
Levine, 21, of Boca Raton, Fla., broke into the Top 100 earlier this year and is currently ranked No. 112.  He had his best Grand Slam showing at Wimbledon this summer, upsetting 14^th-seeded Marat Safin and reaching the third round as a qualifier. 
Ram, 25, of Carmel, Ind., is currently ranked No. 121.  He won his first ATP World Tour title this summer at the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships, in Newport, R.I., after receiving a “lucky loser” spot into the main draw, defeating Sam Querrey in the final and also winning the doubles title.  
Guccione, 24, of Australia, is ranked No. 124 and received his wild card through a reciprocal agreement with Tennis Australia, which will grant a men’s main draw wild card into the 2010 Australian Open to a player designated by the USTA.  On this year’s USTA Pro Circuit, he swept the singles and doubles titles at the $75,000 Challenger event in Aptos, Calif. 
An eighth player will also receive a main draw wild card through a reciprocal agreement with the French Tennis Federation, which granted a men’s draw wild card at the 2009 French Open to John Isner. (Isner was forced to withdraw due to illness.) 
In addition to the eight US Open men’s singles main draw wild cards, the USTA also announced the nine men who have been awarded wild card entries into the US Open Qualifying Tournament. 
Players receiving US Open qualifying wild cards are: Lester Cook (25, Sherman Oaks, Calif.), 2008 US Open boys’ singles champion Grigor Dimitrov (18, Bulgaria), Alexander Domijan (17, Wesley Chapel, Fla.), Ryan Harrison (17, Bradenton, Fla.), Scoville Jenkins (turns 23 on Sunday, Atlanta), 2009 USTA Boys’ 18s runner-up Ryan Lipman (18, Nashville, Tenn.), Tim Smyczek (21, Milwaukee, Wis.), Blake Strode (22, St. Louis) and Michael Venus (21, Orlando, Fla.). 
***
Tennis Popularity in Russia to Decline

The popularity of tennis in Russia, despite all the achievements of Russian tennis players, is steadily declining, according to Russian analysts. The main signs of this are the declining attendance and television ratings of the major tennis tournaments held in the country, in particular, St. Petersburg Open and Kremlin Cup.
Coming in October Moscow’s Kremlin Cup, according to experts, can be one of the most unsuccessful Russian tennis tournaments in the past few years mostly in terms of attendance. High ticket prices (up to $1000 in play-offs) in combination with a reduction of purchasing power of Moscow citizens amid the economic crisis could seriously affect the profitability of the tournament. The same is true in the case of the St. Petersburg Open, which attendance this year may fall even more intensely than in Moscow.
Lack of celebrities (especially among men) despite rising prize money is another cause of sustained decline in interest to the competition.
***
Martin Joins Djokovic’s Advisory Team

Ten years after reaching the US Open final, the hugely respected but undeniably laid back Todd Martin is the surprise choice to join Novak Djokovic’s coaching team and give the Serbian a jump charge going into this year’s campaign at Flushing Meadows.
The 39 year-old native of Lansing, Michigan who has made his home at Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida for many years and retired from the ATP World Tour five years ago after a career that took him to no.4 ranking in the world and amassed eight singles titles along with prize money in excess of $8.25 million, has been in negotiation with the Djokovic camp for several weeks.
Martin’s only previous coaching experience was a short-lived tie-up with Mardy Fish but Djokovic clearly sees that the experience and calming influence of Martin who twice won the ATP World Tour’s Sportsmanship Award in 1993 and 1994 and served two terms as President of ATP Players Council from 1995 to 1997 and 1998 to 1999 as hugely beneficial.
“We have been talking about it, and these days we are finalizing the conversations and negotiations,” revealed Djokovic after his opening win over Ivan Ljubicic at the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati. “"Hopefully we are going to be able to start working prior to the U.S. Open. That would be a great experience for me.  Of course, he's experienced long years on the tour as a player and as a coach as well, and it will help me a lot."
Djokovic has been coached by Marian Vajda for more than three years and that relationship apparently stays firm. But the 22 year-old has previously shown an inclination to tap into the knowledge of front line performers. Mark Woodforde was employed as a coaching assistant to try and improve the Serb’s volleying technique a couple of years ago.
Last year’s Australian Open and Tennis Masters Cup champion has only won two titles this year;  Dubai when Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal withdrew from the tournament before it began and then Andy Murray fell sick, and Belgrade which was staged by his own family and did not lure any other top flight players.
Djokovic, a US Open finalist in 2007, has not progressed further than the quarter finals in any of this year’s majors and has seen Murray overtake him in the world rankings to become the first player to split the duo of Federer and Nadal at the top since Lleyton Hewitt.
Martin has been a regular contestant on Jim Courier’s Outback Champions Series and is playing this week’s Hall of Fame Champion’s Cup at Newport, Rhode Island.
***
Nadal’s Mind is Set for a Ranking Improvement

Rafael Nadal is convinced that his drop to #3 is not a permanent fall, but a first step to return to #1.
“It is impossible to start from zero and immediately reach 100”, explains Spaniard that he is not disappointed with his set back on ATP rankings. “I need little steps forward every day, I need to progress slowly. The most important thing for me now is to stay healthy.”
Nadal returned to ATP Tour last week in Montreal, finishing a 2.5 months break because of knees tendonitis. His first tournament after sensational defeat against Robin Soderling in French open ended in Canadian Masters quarterfinal. He plays in Cincinnati this week, but he is not obsessed with results.
“If I feel that I can practice full time, I will have an opportunity to be ready to reach my best level this year. If not, I expect to do it next year.
Rafa admitted that he had tough times to make peace with everything that happened to him this summer.
“I felt that I had season under control before the injury. Everything became very difficult after, but I know myself and I know that I will be on top again if I am well. I was No. 1 and I will be it again if I can prepare as I used to do”, said Spaniard who doesn’t give to much importance to losing one spot to Andy Murray. “That is only a number. I expect to be ready to return to #1 or #2, but #3 is very good too. The most essential thing is to be competitive enough to win tournaments. US Open is very important, but there is a lot of tournaments after that and I am looking forward to play to the end of season.”
***
Blake, Ready for the US Open Has Memories of His Early Experiences

James Blake is always the mystery man at the big events. He can enjoy a great run, or slump to an early defeat. At the upcoming US Open his record is modest, with two quarterfinals his best showings there. No shame then that he didn’t advance further, because he lost those matches to Andre Agassi in 2005 and Roger Federer in 2006. But those runs are not what he most remembers about his Open experiences.
“I’ve got to say there’s two (memories),” he told tennishead.net. “Playing doubles with my brother in the qualies in 1999 as the Arthur Ashe Stadium was going up, and lost in a third-set tie breaker, but just to be out there on court with my brother at the US Open is something that as a kid I couldn’t have even dreamed of.
“Then to actually get my first win. Not even to get to the quarters or anything – as a kid you dream about just winning any match at the US Open. I won my first match at Court 7. It probably wasn’t a big deal in the scheme of the US Open, but it was a big deal to me! I remember it so well – beating David Sanchez. It wasn’t a big moment in the history of the event, but I remember being excited that not only had I got to the US Open but I belonged there – it proved to me that I belonged because I had won a match.”
***
Tarpischev Hopes to Use Sharapova in the National Team

The Russian Tennis Federation and its head, Shamil Tarpischev, has little hope for the involvement of Russia’s most popular player, Maria Sharapova, on the Russian national team.
According to Russian press, Tarpischev has repeatedly met with Yuri, father of the tennis player, where they discussed the possibility of Maria's participation in the games for the national team at the Fed Cup. Unfortunately, in most cases the response was negative.
"Practice shows that the matches of the Fed Cup and Davis Cup are very intensive for a tennis player, requiring good physical conditions" said Tarpischev. “Maria does not have an opportunity to play on two fronts including because of her injuries.”
Another reason is lack of big money (while playing for the Russian team), making Fed Cup not so attractive to such rich players as Sharapova.

***
IMG Signs Bulgarian Junior

Viktoriya Tomova, the highly rated 14 year-old from Bulgaria who is viewed as a potential world beater in the next decade, has joined the impressive IMG roster of future stars.
The Sofia native is currently ranked no.1 in Europe at her age group. Recent impressive results saw her win the BNP Paribas Cup Stade Francais in Paris and then drop just 12 games en route to the final of the 2009 European Junior Championships in Pilzen, Czech Republic where she scored a 6-2, 6-2 win over home hope Petra Rohanova.
Tomova is the third Bulgarian girl to win the 14 & Under European title, following in the footsteps of Magdalena Maleeva and Lubomira Bacheva, who won in 1988 and 1989 respectively.

***

We Hear---
--that  Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan, who has not played for more than two years because of a wrist injury but has still not officially retired, has been appointed by the Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand as an advisor for young players.
--that  Svetlana Kuznetsova, who lost her opening round match in Toronto this week, has received a wild card into the Pilot Pen event that begins Sunday. Meghann Shaughnessy has also been given a wild card, along with John Isner and Taylor Dent.
***
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***
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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.
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Visit our website at: www.tennisnews.com

(c)  Copyright 2009. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

Wednesday, August 19, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

Canadian Tennis Industry Association Launched

Tennis Canada, Tennis Professionals Association (TPA) and leading distributors of tennis equipment in Canada announced Tuesday the formation of the Canadian Tennis Industry Association (CTIA).
“The creation of a Canadian Tennis Industry Association is long overdue for the benefit of tennis in Canada,” said Michael S. Downey, president and chief executive officer, Tennis Canada. “After learning from the successful association in the United Sates over the past few years, we are optimistic that the joining of tennis leaders within or country will strengthen our sport.”
Initial membership consists of major Canadian distributors for balls and racquets including Wilson, Dunlop, Head-Penn, Prince, Babolat, and Yonex, in partnership with Tennis Canada and TPA.  The association plans on expanding membership over time to include various key partners with mutual objectives.
The group will meet formally on a regular basis with a mandate to maximize strategies and resources to grow the game and optimize retail experience.  A key component to deliver this mandate includes commissioning and assessing tennis-specific consumer research.
The CTIA distributors have agreed to share sales shipment data to help measure the health of the game. Wholesale tennis ball sales rose 4.5 per cent and racquet sales grew 3.9 per cent in Canada during 2008. Tennis racquet and ball sales trends are regarded as reliable indicators of overall participation and health of the game and thus key metrics for the group to track.
“The Tennis Professionals Association represents more than 2,000 tennis professionals, coaches and certified instructors in Canada who greatly contribute to the well being of our sport,” said Ari Novick, director, coaching and TPA. “We are pleased to join in the new association as we collectively work together to grow tennis in Canada.”
***
Tennis Industry Offers Promotion to Win a Chance to Serve for $1 Million

The Tennis Industry Association (TIA) has launched a giant promotion, called “Racket UP, America!” that is designed to increase new tennis racket sales over the next six weeks.
The lucky winner receives a trip to New York City to attend the “BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup” in Madison Square Garden on March 1, which features the top women tennis players in the world. In the middle of it all, the sweepstakes winner will walk on court, step up to the line and hit a serve to a target that could make them $1,000,000 richer.
In the unique promotion, anyone who buys a new tennis racket—of any brand, and at any tennis retailer or pro shop—through Sept. 30, 2009, could win the chance to serve for $1 million. Consumers simply register their racket purchase at playtennis.com/million. Other prizes include a trip for two to the 2010 US Open Men’s Singles and Women’s Doubles finals and 20 $500 tennis merchandise prize packs. (Free entry available, see playtennis.com/million for official rules and details.)
The BNP Paribas Showdown on March 1, which is part of “Tennis Night in America,” will bring together four of the world’s best women pros who are 2009 Grand Slam winners or No. 1 players, vying for $1.2 million in prize money and the Billie Jean King Cup. Serena Williams is the defending champion, and so far, she and Svetlana Kuznetsova have qualified for the Madison Square Garden event. Williams won the 2009 Australian Open and Wimbledon tournaments; Kuznetsova won this year’s French Open.
“Racket UP, America!” is a collaborative effort by the tennis industry designed to generate excitement and interest in the sport while helping to stimulate retail sales. “Tennis is a fun, social, healthy, lifelong sport,” said Jon Muir, president of the Tennis Industry Association, which is spearheading the promotion. “We’ve been thrilled that over the last eight years, tennis participation has grown 43 percent, far outpacing all other traditional sports, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association.”
***
Murray is Too Young to Rent a Car

Andy Murray might be the world’s second ranked tennis player, have amassed just a few dollars short of 2 million in prize money this year, stand as the current favorite to win the upcoming US Open and this week be in prime position to become only the fourth player after Andre Agassi, Pat Rafter, and Andy Roddick to win back to back titles in Canada and Cincinnati. But he still wasn’t able to take the wheel and make a celebratory 13 hour drive from Montreal to the midst of Ohio.
Flights between the two cities were available and far from expensive but Murray, who passed his full United Kingdom driving test a couple of weeks after Wimbledon this summer, fancied taking in a little of the North American continent with an 800 mile journey down Interstate-75 rather than a two hour hop on an airliner.
But the small print of car rental insurance meant he could only do it as a passenger; he was informed vehicles cars cannot be rented to drivers under 25. So fitness trainer Jez Green was forced to fill the role of chauffeur to the man who has won the last two Masters 1000 Series titles on the continent.
“Everyone else was flying but this way was far better,” said Murray who maintained he recognized and congratulated by the border guards. 'We got through there pretty quickly,' said  Murray was nostalgic to repeat the long drives he used to experience after winning junior tournaments in England and then heading back to his Dunblane home in Scotland.
'We stopped at Subway, stopped for gas a couple of times. We stopped five or six times on the way there, but really it was a pretty easy journey.”
***
Kia Keeps Top Aussie Coaches on the Move

Australian Open presenting sponsor, Kia Motors, has expanded its annual Australian Open fleet to keep Tennis Australia’s top coaches on the move year-round.
Terry Im, President and CEO of Kia Motors Australia, announced that Kia would provide cars to nine of Tennis Australia’s top National coaches for the next 12 months.
AIS Head Coach Brent Larkham, AIS Head Womens Coach David Taylor and National Coaches Sandon Stolle (Sydney), Chris Mahony (Melbourne), David Hodge (Brisbane), Brod Dyke (Adelaide), Michael Robertson (Perth), Todd Larkham (Canberra) and Simon Youl (Tasmania) will all be provided with top-spec Kia Sorento SUVs.
***
Prince Presents the 2009 Central Park Tennis EXO³bition

Prince is presenting a one-day exhibition and demo event open to fans of all ages  on Sunday, August 30, at New York City’s Central Park public courts.
The event will take place from 12pm to 2pm, and feature tennis standouts Gael Monfils, Mike and Bob Bryan, Sam Querrey, John Isner, David Ferrer, Stan Smith, Paul Annacone and others.
Those in attendance will have the chance to watch the players in a skills showcase, get on court with the pros while testing out the newest models from Prince’s  EXO³ performance racquet line and visit with players during an athlete Q&A/autograph session.  In addition, in the days leading up to the event, fans can bid online for a 30-minute private lesson with the Bryan Brothers and other U.S. Open legends to take place just prior to the public event.
“To bring these elite athletes, used to playing in huge stadiums all around the world, to an intimate, public setting such Central Park, and making them this accessible to fans, presents a unique and authentic tennis experience,” said Linda Glassel, vice president of marketing at Prince.  
As a bonus, those in attendance will be treated to a special live performance from American Idol Season 7 finalist, and Downtown Recording Artist, Michael Johns.  Johns, a former highly-ranked Prince Team Australian junior player himself will play songs from his recently released, debut album, “Hold Back My Heart”.
For more information on the free public event, to learn how to bid on the private 30-minute lesson with the Bryan Brothers and other U.S Open legends, and an interactive map of Central Park Tennis Courts, www.princetennis.com/2009centralparkexo3bition.
***
Taste of Tennis Returns to New York

The W New York Hotel at 49th and Lexington will play host to the city’s top chefs and some of the world’s greatest tennis players on August 27th. Andy Roddick will join Tommy Haas, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Vera Zvonareva, Lleyton Hewitt, Fernando Gonzalez, Victoria Azarenka, Billie Jean King and others to showcase their culinary skills at the BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis.
In addition to amazing food, this one of a kind experience features a variety of themed lounges, signature cocktails and music by popular deejays.
The star-studded event benefits Food Bank For New York City, the city’s major provider of food to New Yorkers in need. The organization works to end food poverty and increase access to affordable, nutritious food for low-income New Yorkers through a range of programs and services that focus on food sourcing and distribution, education and nutrition, financial empowerment, disaster relief, policy and research.

***

We Hear---
--that Tennis Canada is considering a radical change to the Canadian Open starting in 2011: having half the men and half the women play in Toronto, while the other half play in Montreal. Each city would get a final on the Sunday.
--- that in the same week that Andy Murray has risen to no.2 in the world, the doubles partner who shared the Scot’s breakthrough break has announced he is to quit the game. James Auckland was alongside Murray in San Jose in 2006 when the British no.1 won his first ever ATP World Tour singles title. The 29 year-old rose to 57^th on the doubles rankings two years ago but now stands at 114. 
***
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Bob Larson's Daily Tennis is published 
Monday through Friday except Holidays           
Monday and Thursday in November and December.
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Subscription rates are; $97USD a year, 
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(c)  Copyright 2009. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

Tuesday, August 18, 2009

BUSINESS NEWS

ATP Names Delanney to Head European Operations

The ATP World Tour finally has a Chief Executive Officer for its’ European operations, nearly nine months after Andy Anson quit to spearhead the English Football Association’s bid to stage the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Laurent Delanney, a respected member of the men’s tour executive hierarchy for 15 years and most recently Senior Vice President of ATP Properties, has been promoted to the post.
Like Anson, 49 year-old Delanney will be based in the ATP’s European headquarters in Monte-Carlo. A former agent with ProServ, where he handled the affairs of Yannick Noah amongst others, he can boast more than 25 years of experience in top flight tennis.
The last few years have seen him concentrate on commercial activities through his work with the business arm of the ATP World Tour but he said: ““I am delighted to accept this position and new challenge.
I look forward to combining my knowledge in tournament operations and player management with the commercial experience and relationships that I have developed with our members over the years.”
ATP Executive Chairman and President Adam Helfant knows the European operation is pivotal to the ATP World Tour. Eight of the world’s top ten players hail from the continent and the likes of Player Council leaders Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are of course all fiercely proud Europeans.
Delanney who also worked with ProServ (that eventually became BEST) in New York before managing the marketing and publication operations of Club Med, the international holiday resort company, in the United States, Canada and Mexico, continued: “With 32 tournaments and many of the world’s top players coming from Europe, I value the opportunity to work with our European members and staff to further reinforce men’s professional tennis as one of Europe’s most dynamic and popular sports.”
Helfant, who succeeded Etienne de Villiers at the beginning of the year, is confident he has made the correct appointment. “Laurent's professional and enthusiastic approach, combined with his deep knowledge of all aspects of our operations and extensive experience in tennis will make him a major asset for the Tour,” he said. “I look forward to working closely with him as he assumes the responsibilities of his new, very important role in Europe.”
***
Marat Safin Makes Final Wedding Preparations

Nastya Osipova a soloist with the Russian pop-group Blestyachie, and Safin’s old girlfriend, according to Russian press, will soon become his wife.
A convinced bachelor Marat Safin is finally ready to marry. The wedding date is unknown, but according to sources Safin has already proposed marriage.
“Marat told me that he is ready for family life” says one of his friends.
“I am happy for the lovers, says Andrei Shlykov,” producer of Blestyachie. ”Of course, I am pleased that Nastya is happy and will soon become the wife of the well-known and respected sportsman in Russia,” said Shlykov.
***
Muller is Another Pull Out of US Open

Luxembourg’s Gilles Muller, who reached the quarterfinals of the US Open as a qualifier last year and caused one of the event’s biggest upsets in recent years when he ousted Andy Roddick in 2005, has been forced to pull out of this year's event because of a knee injury.
The 26 year-old left-hander from Leudelange has been troubled by the problem for much of the year and has not played since losing in the first round of Wimbledon to Robin Soderling. The eight-year professional is currently ranked at 86 in the world.
Muller, winner of the U.S.Open boys singles title in 2001 when he was the world’s leading junior, scored one of the notable victories in Grand Slam play this year when he beat Spaniard Feliciano López 6–3, 7–6(5), 4–6, 4–6, 16–14 in an epic four hours, twenty-four minutes long match in the first round of the Australian Open.
He joins David Nalbandian, Kei Nishikori and Carlos Moya as a definite non-starter in New York and his place in the 128-strong main draw goes to 68^th ranked Pablo Cuevas of Uruguay who made the semi-final of last month’s Hamburg event as a qualifier.
Cuevas, whose ranking stood outside the world’s top 100 until his Hamburg campaign that saw him overcome Jurgen Melzer, Philipp Kohlschrieber and Nicolas Almagro, has twice previously qualified for the U.S. Open but fell in straight sets on both occasions, to Gael Monfils last year and Andy Murray in 2007.  
***
Stosur is Losing Patience with Serena Williams

Australia’s Samantha Stosur is the latest player to express her disappointment at Serena Williams’ continuing dismissal of her fellow competitors as genuine rivals. Recently, the American ruffled the feathers of Dinara Safina by insisting that she was the real world No.1, rather than the Russian who had shown far greater consistency during the season. Then, typically, Williams refused to give Stosur credit for her upset victory against her in Stanford, suggesting she was lucky.
''If you look at what Serena says after a lot of her matches she probably doesn't, you know, give all the glory to her opponent, no matter what the situation is,'' Stosur told Melbourne’s The Age. ''But I can honestly say and happily say that I think I played a great match against her and played very well and I'm 99 per cent sure she was trying her hardest to beat me, so I'm going to take the win like I do all my wins and know that I gave it my best shot and I can walk away happy with beating her, so that's that."'

***
South Africa Tennis is Making Itself Known

South Africa has been something of a tennis wilderness since the retirements of Wayne Ferreira and Amanda Coetzer, but perhaps there might be a glimmer of hope for the future. An ATP World Tour event took place in Johannesburg in February which served to inspire interest in the sport, and the nation has dominated this year’s ITF South/Central Africa 18 & under Circuit, capturing four of the six singles titles on offer.
Ten countries from the South and Central African region took part in the three-week circuit, which consisted of three ITF Grade 4 junior events in Namibia and Botswana. These events provided players from the region an opportunity to earn ITF Junior World Ranking points and gauge their level against each other and an overseas entry. South Africa filled three of the four final places in the first event in Windhoek, and then captured both events in the final week in Botswana.

***
WTA Stars Take to the Street in Toronto

To celebrate the start of the Rogers Cup, two of the brightest stars of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour – world No.8 Caroline Wozniacki and 2008 Roland Garros Champion Ana Ivanovic – took over Toronto’s Yonge Street for ‘Street Tennis’, an impromptu tennis match on Canada’s longest street. ‘Street Tennis’ follows on the heels of last week’s spectacular Sony Ericsson ‘Fountain Tennis’ stunt in the fountains of Kings Island in Cincinnati.

***
Dementieva is Always Ready to Play for the National Team Every Year

Elena Dementieva in her recent interview to leading Russian radio station "Mayak" said that she is always ready to play for the national team of Russia, as well as to work with her coach Andrei Cherkasov.
"I'm always ready to play for the national team in such tournaments as the Federation Cup, because of its tremendous experience and feeling to be in the team. Being in a team, to feel part of it - this is a really amazing experience”, says Dementieva.
“Now I am working with Andrei Cherkasov, and we are planning to continue work until US Open. There is only one problem: Andrew is quite busy in Moscow, and can’t travel to tournaments all the time.”
Dementieva said she loves to play on hard and that is her favorite surface.
Today Dementieva remains one of the most popular tennis players in Russia. While living outside of Russia, she regularly plays for the national team and, unlike Maria Sharapova, (often accused of lack of patriotic feelings), is never considered as a foreigner in her homeland.
***
Top ATP Coach Thinks Murray is Better Than Nadal

For Pato Alvarez, twice the best coach in ATP Tour, Andy Murray is better player, but Rafael Nadal is bigger fighter.
"Rafa has very competitive brain," compares a coach who works in Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona and lists Murray as one of his recent pupils. “In that department no one can compare with him. Murray has more complete game, his serve and volley are better, but he doesn’t fight as Nadal. Tennis is heart, brain and legs and Rafa have all of these. He is not obsessed with winners, his aim is to keep ball in play, change directions and wait for the opponent to tire or take risk and miss.”
Columbian by birth, but Spanish by place of living, Alvarez mathematically breaks down Nadal’ game.
“To win a best of three sets match, it is necessary to win about 60 points. If you watch Nadal statistics, you will see that he usually gets about 25 points by his opponent errors, he wins around 20 and the rest he wins by his know how. Those points win games.”
Murray replaced Nadal as #2 on Monday.
“Rafa can be No1 again”, says Alavarez, but he is convinced that it won’t be easy. “I believe that Andy will stay ahead, because his game is better. He serves better, his shots are heavier, he is better on the net, he is more acrobatic on court. Nadal is sometimes lost on court; his angles are not that sharp. Rafa can only tire rival; he can not destroy him. Murray completely shuts down opponent.”
***
Nalbandian is Ready to Return to the Court

David Nalbandian is about to return to practice court. The Argentine had his hip operated 13^th of May and he missed French Open and Wimbledon.
“I will be back on court in ten days. I will not rush; my aim is to be ready for Australian Open in January. I know that when I return, I will step with fear on court until I can remove all of this from my head. There are no guarantees after my operation. This is very delicate injury.”
Known for his love for Davis Cup, Nalbandian never hides that this competition is in the heart of his career.
“If your priority is ATP Tour, it is better not to play at Davis Cup at all. I have never been such kind of a player, but it is very tough to play three Davis Cup ties in same season. For most players it takes more then it gives. Davis Cup is very demanding because of constant changes of surface.”
For him ATP Tour and Davis Cup are not the same sport. “There is a big difference. On tournaments you play for yourself, for your family name, for your coach.  In Davis Cup you defend your flag.”
That is the reason why Nalbandian still suffers because of last year defeat in final against Spain. “That is a wound that will never heal.”
***
Buchanan and McHale Win USTA Boys’ and Girls’ 18s National Singles Titles

Chase Buchanan of New Albany, Ohio, and Christina McHale of Englewood Cliffs, N.J., won the USTA Boys’ and Girls’ 18s National Hard Court Championship singles titles on Sunday, earning them wild card entries into the men’s and women’s main singles draws of the 2009 US Open. 
The nation’s top junior tennis players competed in eight USTA National Championships across the country last week.  The singles and doubles champions at the USTA Boys’ and Girls’ 18s events are traditionally awarded wild card entries into the main draw of the US Open.  The singles finalists in the USTA Boys’ and Girls’ 18s divisions are typically offered wild cards entries into the qualifying draw.
Buchanan, an 18-year-old who plays for Ohio State University, entered the tournament as the No. 2 seed and defeated 18-year-old Ryan Lipman of Nashville, Tenn., 6-2, 6-3, 6-4, in the best-of-five-set final in Kalamazoo, Mich.  Buchanan won the USTA Boys’ 18s doubles title at Kalamazoo last year, earning him a wild card into men’s doubles at the 2008 US Open. 
McHale, 17, defeated 18-year-old Lauren Embree of Marco Island, Fla., 6-0, 6-1, in the USTA Girls’ 18s final at the Berkeley Tennis Club in Berkeley, Calif., and teamed with 18-year-old Asia Muhammad of Henderson, Nev., to complete the first sweep of the USTA Girls’ 18s National Championships since Kristen Schlukebir accomplished the feat in 2000.  McHale, the tournament’s No. 3 seed, will make her second appearance at a major this year.  She also competed in the 2009 Australian Open after winning a USTA wild card playoff. 

We Hear---
--- that Prince is planning to host a special event in NYC's Central Park for fans and media prior to the start of U.S. Open play - featuring top ATP & WTA talent and benefiting City Parks Foundation.
---that Brazil has chosen a full-strength team of Thomaz Bellucci, Marcos Daniel, Marcelo Melo and Andre Sa for its Davis Cup home tie against Ecuador in Porto Alegre. The tie will take place on September 18-20, when Brazil will bid to reach the World Group for the first time since 2003.
***
THIS WEEK
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* 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