Monday, September 14, 2009
BUSINESS NEWS
Jack Kramer Passes Away
Jack Kramer, a tennis icon of the first order, died Sunday night at his home in Los Angeles. He was 88.
The impact of John Albert "Jake" Kramer on tennis was fourfold: as great player, exceptional promoter, thoughtful innovator and astute television commentator.
Kramer, born August 1, 1921, in Las Vegas, NV, grew up in the Los Angeles area. He achieved international notice in 1939 as a teenager when he was selected to play doubles for the U.S. in the Davis Cup final against Australia.
Kramer, the No. 1 player in the world for much of the late 1940s, won the Wimbledon men's singles title in 1947 and the men's U.S. Championships, the forerunner of the U.S. Open, in 1946 and '47. He also won seven other Grand Slam titles in doubles, all at Wimbledon or the U.S. Championships. Kramer was among those leading the way for a more unified, open tennis tour and was among the group advocating a boycott of Wimbledon, which took place in 1973. He was among the founders of the Association of Tennis Professionals, a forerunner to the current ATP Tour, and was its first executive director in 1972.
He was among the most successful of the touring pros, who barnstormed from arena to arena throughout the world in the early 1950s.
Countless thousands of tennis players in the 1940s and 50s began playing tennis with a Wilson Jack Kramer racket. The Jack Kramer racquets were so popular that Kramer became a wealthy man thanks to his endorsements. Eventually Wilson bought out his endorsement contract and Kramer used the funds to buy a southern California golf club.
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Discussions Continue Over a Roof at Ashe Stadium
With rain forcing the US Open men’s singles final to be delayed until a Monday for the second year running, the United States Tennis Association continue to balk at suggestions that a roofed stadium court is a necessity at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.
A year ago the roof debate began as calls were made for Flushing Meadows to follow the lead set by fellow Grand Slam venues Melbourne Park and Wimbledon is ensuring play, and television commitments, are honored with a retractable roof allowing play to be almost continuous in the onset of bad weather. In the interim the French Tennis Federation has also revealed plans for a new stadium complete with retractable roof at Roland Garros.
Jim Curly, tournament director, said: “Would I love to have a roof? Absolutely. But it is certainly one of those situations where you have to really look at the practical aspects. In 2007 we didn't have a single session rained out. In 2008 we had one, and thus far, knock on wood, hopefully we'll only have one rained out in 2009.
“So you weigh that against the potential costs of a roof on Arthur Ashe Stadium of $100 million or more, and it's a tough decision as we're trying to figure out the best ways to utilize the revenues to promote our sport.
Gordon Smith, executive director of the USTA is mindful that a year ago Arlen Kanterian actually produced an artist’s impression of a roof over Ashe but insisted: “It would be great to have a roof today. It would also be great to have the money to put the roof up.
“The reason is we're non profit. Our mission is to grow and develop the game of tennis.
We spend the money we make on the Open on grassroots tennis. The money we make here goes out into grassroots all around the country, including building this tennis center, which 11 months of the year is the nicest public tennis center in New York for New York citizens to use without having spent a penny of taxpayer money. Our money goes out and does that.
“So the question is, are you going to spend $100 million or more on a roof that you might use once a year, which would be the average? Or is the money better spent promoting the game that we have been promoting so successfully?”
Smith did reveal that USTA President Lucy Garvin has appointed a master planning group with a roof at the BJKNTC very high on the agenda. Smith added: “There is no timetable for exactly when we're going to go about making that decision, but a roof is a significant component in that calculus.”
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Del Potro is Very Happy to be Where he Is
There is no one happier in the tennis world now then Juan Martin Del Potro. Not only did he destroy Rafael Nadal in the US Open semifinals, but he will play his first major final in his favorite tournament.
”This may have been the best match of my whole career”, exclaimed the young Argentine after drubbing former No.1 6-2, 6-2, 6-2. “I did what ever was necessary in every moment of the match. I was focused and I think that I can repeat that in the final against Federer.”
For Del Potro the US Open ending is like a dream. He plays the two best players of his time in two biggest matches at tennis.
“From the beginning I saw my chances to play great tournament, but I didn’t even dream about being in final; or winning the match like against Nadal. This is something extra.”
Del Potro has never beaten Federer, but he never beat Nadal either, until yesterday.
“I played great against Rafa, but I must play even better against Roger. When I was playing against Roger in the French Open semifinal I was so close. That surface was much better for me. But now, the surface is going to help him not me. But I have a good sensation with everything, and I hope the best for tomorrow.”
Delpo accented help of his coach, former pro from Argentina, Marco Davin. “I am very thankful to him, because he changed my way of playing. He understood me and made me better player.“
Whatever the outcome of US Open final, #6 is convinced that this is not the end of his Grand Slam glory. “Every time I come to the major, my wishes are bigger. Now I am in final to fulfill my dream.”
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The Retiring Sugiyama Has Had a Big Influence on Clijsters Over the Years
Ai Sugiyama was in tears on Japanese TV last week after announcing that this would be her last season.
The 34-year old played her first major, at Wimbledon, in 1993, and went on to win six singles titles and 38 doubles. One of her partners was Kim Clijsters, who she teamed with in 2003 to win seven titles, including Roland Garros and Wimbledon. The Belgian knew that Sugiyama was about to bring the curtain down on her career.
"Ai told me actually a few weeks ago already that this was going to be her last Grand Slam," said Clijsters. "It's sad. She's been such a mentor for me in a lot of different ways. Her mother, as well. I think it was, you know, when my dad and I were traveling and everything, you know, we got along so well with them. Went out to dinner together. Just very, very special. Very warm people.
“She really helped me make my game better, just by at a young age being able to play with someone who had so much experience. I was able to practice with her. She's a girl who will always give 200% even if she's not feeling well or if she (has) injuries or anything, she'll always give 200%. Some of my best practice sessions have been with her.
"Over the years, even still now, to my coach now, I still talk about that, how special it was to be able to hit with her when I was 15, 16 and to be able to play doubles with her. And then doing so well in doubles and winning a couple of Grand Slams, you know, was really special. Just you kind of become a little family on your own when you're out there on tour. So it was, yeah, when I heard it, I was like, oh, no, because I'm back now and you kind of want to enjoy it a little bit together. But, you know, she's had a really, you know, very consistent and a very professional career. I know that she does a lot of things outside of tennis, as well. She has her, what do you call it? Rubber bands for the hair and everything. Like she has that going for her and she has a lot of stores. But she likes to really just do a lot of different things. She's going to be missed. I think she always is laughing, as well. That's something that was nice to see on tour with her."
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Nadal Breaks His Silence Over His Injuries
Rafael Nadal refused to speak about his injury situation while he was still competing at the US Open, but then kept his word to explain the circumstances after he had fallen to Juan Martin Del Potro in the semifinals.
"I am very happy how I came back (from his knee injury), but, now I had the first problem of the abdominal in Montreal after the match of Petzschner second round. I must gonna explain because I say during the week I prefer to didn't speak about the injury during the week because I am in tournament right now.
"I can say after Montreal I was doing a test. I did a test in Montreal, and the doctor didn't see a lot, but the pain is still there. Cincinnati, the pain increase a little bit more. After the semifinals against Djokovic, I went to do an MRI, and I had some edema, strained muscle, and I think during these two weeks the strain is converted into a little bit of rupture, no? A little bit break.
"Yeah, was tough to play few matches like this. But at the same time, was important for maybe play this tournament, try my best. It's one of the most important tournaments of the year, and I had to try, no? I did a good result, very positive result for me after coming back. Semifinals. Today he played better than me. He beat me, and right now I just try to recover. Is not very important injury, so that's really important for me, too."
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Federer is Relaxed After Several Pressures Have Been Removed
Roger Federer has been there, done that. Sometimes lots of times, as at Wimbledon and the US Open. He’s won all four majors, he’s won more majors than anyone else ever, and to cap it all he’s a proud father of twins. Now there is little left for the Swiss maestro to accomplish, no explaining to do to anyone, Novak Djokovic believes that has introduced a new calm to Federer’s on-court demeanor. Federer say maybe that’s true.
"Look, I mean, I think I've always been pretty relaxed on the court, just because, you know, I don't get too crazy anymore about great shots, bad shots, because I know I have so many more points and games and matches to play in my life. But I definitely think from the media standpoint, I'm not getting that many tough questions anymore, you know, because the Paris question is answered, the 15 is answered. That allows me to just have more relaxed press conferences. That can have a little effect on the, you know, on the match courts, as well. But, I mean, of course I'm relieved and happy that, you know, the summer went so well, you know, as a tennis player.
"But, of course, more importantly, you know, that things went well with Mirka and the two kids, going through that pregnancy having twins was not something that was that simple after all.
“I definitely feel I'm relaxed today, but still walking out on court, you always have the pressure, just because - I mean, you speak to Marat Safin. It's his last year, he should have nothing to lose, and you cannot play freely sometimes still just because it's not that simple to just start pounding every ball. You know, that's not the goal here. You have to play smart. That's why I still feel the pressure, but it just doesn't show. I definitely enjoy tennis so much that I think that's what gives me that sense of calm really, I think."
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Ricky's Notes
By Ricky Dimon
The man who rushed the court and kissed Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard's fourth-round U.S. Open win over Gael Monfils was arrested for "interference with a sporting event." Noam U. Aorta is also being hit with charges of third-degree criminal trespassing. U.S. Open officials said that they stepped up security following the incident. . . A recent study finds that Andy Murray could provide a £400 million boost to the British economy generated via tennis in 2009. Tom Cannon, professor of strategic development at the University of Liverpool, called it a "Murray Effect," but also credited Nadal, Roger Federer, and London's hosting of the 2010 Barclays World Tour Finals. . . Konstantinos Economidis has retired from professional tennis. The 31-year-old Greek reached a career-high ranking of No. 112 in the world in 2007, when he reached the second round of the French Open.
Jeremy Chardy will replace Gilles Simon in France's Davis Cup lineup for this weekend's tie against the Netherlands, in which the winner will earn a spot in the 2010 World Group. Chardy had been an alternate for the team; now Julien Benneteau assumes that position. . . Three Swedish males, aged 17-19, were convicted in a Stockholm court on Thursday for rioting outside the Davis Cup tie between Sweden and Israel in March. The three were among 10 people arrested after protesting Israel's offensive in Gaza, an incident that led to the tennis tie being played with fans banned from attending. . . Novak Djokovic earned a place in the year-end World Tour Finals in London thanks to his semifinal showing at the US Open. Djokovic joins Federer, Nadal, and Murray on the list of players who have mathematically clinched spots in the prestigious eight-man tournament. . .
Djokovic invited children of 9/11 victims to sit in his player box in Arthur Ashe stadium periodically throughout the fortnight. "I just try to bring some smiles and make them enjoy," Djokovic explained. "I hope that's what I did.". . . The USTA is looking into the possibility of building a roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium, but USTA executive director Gordon Smith said last week that any proposed plan would almost certainly be too costly. "It's a tough decision, especially when we're trying to figure out the best ways to utilize the revenues to promote our sport," Smith said of what would be at least a $100 million project.
ATP Tour CEO Adam Helfant said during an interview last week at the U.S. Open that corporate hospitality in tennis is significantly down this year. "Corporate hospitality is generally off at our tournaments because corporations have less money to spend or don't want to be seen spending it," Helfant explained. He added, however, that a new global sponsor for the men's tour could be announced at the beginning of the 2010 season. . . Following his fourth-round finish at the U.S. Open, John Isner said during an interview with 790 The Zone in Atlanta that male players ranked between 700 and 800 would beat the No. 1 woman in the world. When asked how far down the men's ranking list you could go, Isner said "it would go down pretty far" before being pressed into giving a more specific number. . . Australian teenager Bernard Tomic won the U.S. Open juniors on Sunday, defeating Chase Buchanan in the final. "I don't think I'll play any more juniors," Tomic said afterward. "I've got to keep my head down in seniors and do well there.". . . Mark Knowles, who reached the U.S. Open doubles final with partner Mahesh Bhupathi, will be honored on Monday at the Government House in his native Bahamas.
U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin was forced to leave the Marriott Hotel in Times Square when her reservation ran out early in the second week of the tournament. Oudin’s agent Sam Duvall and manager John Tobias booked her a room at the Intercontinental, and Tobias mentioned that none of his clients--also including Oudin and Isner--will be back at a Marriott in the near future. . . Former world No. 8 Ai Sugiyama said last week that she will retire from tennis at the end of this season. Her last tournament is expected to be the Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo, which begins September 27. . . After once saying she would never come out of retirement, Justine Henin said, "Come back and ask me later," when asked last Thursday if she was planning a return to tennis. Henin is currently a UNICEF Ambassador and has spent the past few months traveling in Congo, Cambodia, and Denmark to learn more about child vaccinations. . . Serena Williams was fined $10,000 for her profanity-laced tirade at a linesperson that also cost her a point penalty on match point of her semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters. Williams was also fined $500 for breaking a racket, her first infraction of the night.
No more notes,
Ricky
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We Hear---
--that the Malaysian Open, to be held in Kuala Lumpur from September 28th, now has a title sponsor after Malaysian car maker Proton came on board. The length of the agreement has not been revealed.
--that question marks have arisen over the internal workings of the British Davis Cup team ahead of this week’s controversial tie against Poland in Liverpool. Captain John Lloyd reported Josh Goodall had been replaced on the team because he had been suffering from a virus for three weeks.
But Goodall, who is known to have differences with leading British player Andy Murray, is so insistent he is fit that he not only entered for this week’s British Futures event in Nottingham but demanded to play the qualifying rounds. Goodall was replaced in the British squad by Colin Fleming, a close friend of his fellow Scot Murray.
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THIS WEEK
MEN
Davis Cup Semifinals
WOMEN
Guangzhou
Quebec City
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NEXT WEEK
MEN
Bucharest
Metz
WOMEN
Seoul
Tashkent
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