Monday, September 21, 2009
BUSINESS NEWS
ITF to Hold 2010 Davis Cup Draw Wednesday
The
Draw for the 2010 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas will take place at the BNP Paribas
offices in Geneva, Switzerland on Wednesday September 23.
It will be
held at 11:00am at the BNP Paribas, Building Corraterie, Place de
Hollande.
***
Oudin
Signs Endorsement Contract With AirTran Airways
AirTran Airways announced an endorsement partnership with US Open
quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin. The 17-year-old sensation will join a group of
sports endorsers and will be featured in radio spots and state-of-the art,
high-impact billboards in Atlanta, her home region where AirTran is the second
largest carrier, and in other markets throughout the carrier’s coast-to-coast
network.
Melanie Oudin has quickly become a household name in the world
of tennis, and she joins a great lineup of celebrity endorsers including Indy
Racing Star Danica Patrick, Atlanta Falcons Quarterback Matt Ryan, Atlanta
Thrasher Ilya Kovalchuk and Indianapolis Colts Quarterback Peyton Manning just
to name just a few.
***
After
Davis Cup, Great Britain Faces Tough Decisions
|
|
Britain’s Davis Cup future is clouded in doubt as the humiliation of
relegation to the depths of the Euro African Zone Group Two amidst the likes of
Ireland, Bosnia and Herzongovina, Lithunia and Estonia sinks in. World no.3 Andy
Murray maintains he is prepared to on but concedes it would be wiser if he
doesn’t while captain John Lloyd insists he will only see out the remaining year
of his contract is assured he is wanted.
Murray, suffering from acute
inflammation of the tendons in his left wrist, went against doctor’s advice to
play three matches in as many days in the home defeat by Poland at Liverpool.
His two straight sets singles victories provided Britain’s only points in the
3-2 defeat that again highlighted the absence of any other kind of talent in a
tennis nation which benefits from a £25 million a year cash backing from
Wimbledon, a £30 million sponsorship deal with life insurance and pensions
company AEGON and substantial government and lottery backing.
Britain
have now lost four ties in succession, the worst run since the spell between
1992 and 1995 which eventually ended with Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski boosting
the team. Since then nobody but that now-retired duo and Murray has won a live
singles rubber and the inability of huge funding and expensive coaching that has
involved the hiring of Americans Paul Annacone and Brad Gilbert amongst many
other well paid foreigners has failed to arrest the trend.
“We are where
we deserve to be,” admitted Murray. "We clearly aren't good enough to be playing
against these teams. With or without me we're struggling to win matches. I think
everyone who's involved – and I'm one of them – needs to be honest about how
we're doing and to realize that we need to get better.
“It's a big sport
in the UK but the level we are at is not particularly good. There are obviously
a lot of things that need to improve and it's going to take a lot longer than
six months. We have two great young girls in Laura Robson and Heather Watson.
Both have won junior Slams.
That is good. The boys' side needs to get a
lot better.”
Clearly the prospect of playing as such a low Davis Cup
level does not appeal to a player who is bidding to win major titles and vying
on a tournament level with the likes of Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak
Djokovic and new US Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro. A succession of second
string British singles players including Alex Bogdanovic, Josh Goodall and most
recently 19 year-old Dan Evans who lost both his matches in straight sets over
the weekend, have failed miserably.
Now Murray is thinking it might be
best to leave it to these players in the third tier of the competition, in the
hope that winning some matches will bolster their international confidence. “If
I am fit, I will play if the captain or coach really, really wants me to. But
they could be looking to the future and to give these guys an
opportunity."
“It's not a huge amount of progress if we play and I win my
matches and then when we come to this level again we go straight back down," he
said. "We need to make sure there's a progression and that the guys who come in
are ready and experienced enough to deal with these sort of matches, because
right now they aren't."
Roger Draper, chief executive of the Lawn Tennis
Association, refused to make any comment but captain Lloyd, in charge for the
last three years said: “Results do not lie. I'm not happy at the moment. I'd be
an idiot if I said I was.
“But when you look at some of our younger
players, Group Two is not a bad place for us to be. It will be good for some of
the players to get some wins under their belts. Next year Andy will be
concentrating on winning Slams and might not be available for some
matches."
***
Great Britain’s Watson Will Delay College and Go For the Pro
Tour
|
|
Heather Watson, Britain’s Florida-based US Open junior singles champion
will turn down offers of full scholarships from Ivy League colleges Harvard and
Yale as well as UCLA, North Carolina and Georgia to turn professional and
attempt to make inroads on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour.
Watson, aged 17
and currently ranked 736 in the world, is this w eek contesting the $50,000 ITF
event in Saguenay, Canada. “It has taken some time to come to this decision and
my parents and I spent many months talking over the options open to me with
respect to continuing my education or going into tennis full time,” said the
girl from the Channel Island of Guersney.
“The prospect of university
always seemed most sensible; plenty of college tennis plus the chance to get
some solid qualifications. Last weekend in New York altered my thinking and a
few days on with time to reflect I can understand the feeling I got holding that
trophy in New York which was all so buzzy at the time. I realize now things have
changed and my dedication to tennis is 100%. Because I’ve always loved school
the basic plan was to move on to college but now I have got the belief and the
confidence to think I can really make it in the game.”
Nick Bollettieri,
founder of the famed Bradenton academy where Watson has been based for the last
five years goes along with the youngster’s plans. “A few weeks ago I agreed with
the thinking that her best option was to go to college and some of the United
States’ most esteemed schools of learning wanted to pay everything for her,” he
said.
“Now watching her every match on the way to the girls title in New
York I see her vision and agree with it. I want to work with her on a one to one
basis, give her all my 53 years of coaching experience and though it will be
tough, I see the future as so
exciting.”
***
Croatia Loses at Home With Accusations
|
|
Eruption of anger and accusation followed defeat of Croatia in Davis Cup
semifinal against Czechs at home.
No one aimed at players who lost after
marathon fight. The target was head of Croatian Tennis Association who chose
small Porec instead of furious Split, because of money.
“We managed to be
guests at home, Czechs had more fans support,” accused Goran Prpic, former
Roland Garros quarterfinalist and captain of Croatian team. ”We felt as playing
in Prague.”
Marin Cilic, top Croatian player and #15 in the world,
agrees. “I lost to Berdych in five sets, but he had more support all the time.
There were more Czechs in crowd and that was enormous help at decisive
moments.”
Everybody in Croatia wanted this match to be organized in
Split, a town where were born the biggest Croatian players: Goran Ivanisevic,
Nikola Pilic, Zeljko Franulovic, Mario Ancic. . . Known by rowdy soccer and
basketballs fans, that city would have been much better solution, but their
financial offer wasn’t that good as Porec.
“Someone wanted to make money,
not to win,” added Prpic pouring salt on the wound. “If we play at home and
don’t feel that way, then something is
wrong.”
***
Furor Over Hingis on TV Comes to an End
|
|
When
Martina Hingis was announced as a contestant for the BBC’s top rated show
Strictly Come Dancing there was an outcry that a banned drug offender should
benefit from being paid from British television license payers. However the
former world no.1’s stay on the dance floor was brief as she became the first of
16 celebrities to be voted off the show.
Judges Len Goodman and Bruno
Toniolo, who also feature on the on the American version of the show Dancing
With The Stars decreed that Hingis and her partner Matthew Cutler, who was
champion of the show three seasons ago, would have a short stay.
"It was
a great experience, I learned so much," Hingis said. "I wish it would continue
but here we are. Maybe I will come back to London for a few more dance
lessons."
Hingis ended up in a two couple dance off after a public vote.
The Swiss Miss tested positive for cocaine while competing in 2007, which,
according the British television analysts, may have swung public support away
from her.
***
Croft
is Getting Back into Tennis
|
|
Former British No.1 Annabel Croft is now a mother of three and often
works in the media.
She also took part in a remarkable documentary that
was shown on TV during Wimbledon, in which she joined several others living
rough and without funds on the streets of London before staying in a hostel for
the homeless. Not surprisingly she described that as a live-changing experience,
but now she is back doing what she loves best. She is working in association
with the Lawn Tennis Association, who has allowed her to use their National
Tennis Centre for classes that are designed to get as many young people as
possible playing the game.
"I am delighted to say that I have finally
launched what has always been my dream - my own tennis academy," she said on her
website. "Tennis has been my passion since I was 9 years old and I want to bring
this wonderfully social game to as many children as possible, so that they may
get the same enjoyment out of it and have as much fun as I have over the last 30
years.
"I have set up this academy for local school children to learn
solid basic technique in all areas of the game, combined with fun and fitness so
that they may enjoy the game into their later years. The National Tennis Centre
has kindly offered their amazing facilities and I want children to hit
"zillions" of balls and improve their skills which in turn will build their
confidence as well as teaching them something about themselves."
Although she retired at the ridiculously early age of 21, already tired
of the relentless grind of the Tour, Croft is well qualified to share her
knowledge and enthusiasm, after performing at the highest level and then
completing a coaching course at the Sanchez Casal Academy in
Barcelona.
***
Bollettieri Sorry to See Tomic Return to
Australia
|
|
Last week Nick Bollettieri offered to work with coaches from Britain’s
LTA to help find someone, anyone, who could back up Andy Murray as a world class
player. Now he has said he would like to work longer with Australia’s US Open
junior champion, Bernard Tomic, who is returning home after spending not much
more than three months training at Bollettieri’s academy.
"I think
Bernard has the ability to do just about anything," Bollettieri told Australia’s
Herald Sun. But he offered caution regarding the influence of the 16-year old’s
father, who has become something of a disrupting force. John Tomic pulled his
son off court during a Futures tournament earlier this year, resulting in an ITF
ban and withdrawal of help from Tennis Australia, and he was also at the center
of a row with the Hewitt camp over a practice session at
Wimbledon.
"Bernard's a really nice boy, a very nice boy, never rude, and
dad has got good intentions, but I just think the relationship with his dad at
least needs to be a little bit more positive," said the veteran American coach.
"The dad wants a lot for him, which is fantastic, but it's the way you come
across. Dad is trying but you get that father-son relationship and you have to
be a little careful."
John, after bringing his son to a position where he
might become a force at the highest level of the game, is understandably
reluctant to allow any outsiders to interfere. But he does appear to have come
to an understanding with Australian Davis Cup coach Todd Woodbridge, who worked
alongside John as he assisted Bernard during the US Open.
"I know my
limits," Tomic Sr told the Herald Sun. "I can stop because when I see that
Bernard has more maturity, is more ready for professional people, he is ready.
Why do I have to be there? But we have to find the best coach in the world. We
can't find Mickey Mouse; we have to find the best - the best fitness coach and
the best coach."
***
Ricky's Notes
By Ricky Dimon
The
Philippines Davis Cup team paid tribute to the late former senator
Benigno Aquino and the late former president Corazon Aquino at its tie against
New Zealand. Team members raised portraits of the Aquinos after each rubber and
children of the Aquinos family were invited to opening ceremonies and all of
three days of play. The Philippines won the tie to earn a spot in Group I next
year. . . Nikolay Davydenko was not upset that his Russian team failed to
reach the Davis Cup semifinals. "I'm not disappointed, but happy we're not
playing in the semifinals," he said last week. "Every match in Davis Cup drains
enormous energy from players. You play two matches in five sets and you are
dead. I cannot play tournaments for two weeks after Davis Cup." Davydenko, whose
team lost to the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals, went on to incorrectly
predict that host Croatia would beat the Czechs. . . Rafael Nadal
(abdomen) and 2008 Davis Cup hero Fernando Verdasco (foot) could not
play in Spain's victorious tie against Israel, but both men were present in
Murcia to see their country reach the Davis Cup final for the second straight
year. Nadal, meanwhile, is now headed to the Thai beach resort of Krabi, and he
is still scheduled to play in next week's Thailand Open.
Tommy
Robredo, Jeremy Chardy, Julien Benneteau, Leonardo
Mayer, and Mikhail Youzhny were the directly-entered players who
pulled out of this week's Open de Moselle in Metz, France. Ivo
Minar was the only direct entrant who withdrew from the BCR Open Romania
in Bucharest, and that allowed Karol Beck to get into the main draw.
. . Bjorn Borg, Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, and
Guillermo Vilas have confirmed their participation in a Champions event
later this year in Kerala, India. The event will be held in either November or
December. . . Taylor Dent, who made an emotional third-round appearance
at the U.S. Open, won a Challenger title in Tulsa, Oklahoma on Sunday. Dent
defeated fellow American Wayne Odesnik 7-6(9), 7-6(4) in the final. . .
Leander Paes, who won the U.S. Open doubles title with Lukas Dlouhy, is
still hungry for more success and is especially focused on the Olympics, three
years away. "I still want to better my Olympic bronze," said Paes, who won his
bronze in singles at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics.
In addition to making
appearances with Ellen DeGeneres and Conan O'Brien, Melanie Oudin threw
out the first pitch at the Atlanta Braves game on Saturday night. On Sunday she
was honored after the first quarter of the Atlanta Falcons game and presented
with an "Oudin" Falcons jersey by team owner Arthur Blank. . . CBS
ratings for the U.S. Open men's singles final last Monday between Roger
Federer and Juan Martin Del Potro were up 41.2% from last year's
Monday finish, which featured Federer and Andy Murray. Television
audience for the tournament as a whole was up a reported 20% from 2008. . . The
Wednesday, September 9 primetime telecast (featuring Oudin vs. Caroline
Wozniacki and Federer vs. Robin Soderling) was the most-watched
tennis telecast in ESPN2 history. It was ESPN2's sixth-biggest audience among
all sports so far in 2009.
Latvian press is reporting that struggling
21-year-old Ernests Gulbis has hired Hernan Gumy to be his new
coach. Gumy has been coaching Marat Safin, but Safin is retiring at the end of
the year. Gulbis has not had a full-time coach since parting ways with
Karl-Heinz Wetter this spring. Gumy was with Gulbis last weekend in Jurmala,
where Gulbis won two Davis Cup singles rubbers as Latvia defeated Slovenia 3-2
to book a spot in Group I for 2010. . . The Los Angeles Board of Supervisors
will honor Jack Kramer on Tuesday, planning to adjourn its regular
meeting in his memory. Kramer, who won the U.S. Championships in 1946 and 1947
and Wimbledon in 1947, died on Saturday, September 12 at 88 years old. . . The
USTA recently announced that Jesse Allen Park in Newark, New Jersey will be the
first public park in the nation to feature tennis courts of three different
sizes: full-size (78') and two QuickStart sizes (36' and 60'). QuickStart
is a program designed to help kids learn the game of tennis.
Seven-time
Grand Slam champion Justine Henin could be considering a return to
tennis. According to reports, the Belgian recently bought 14 tennis rackets and
has intensified her training. A formal announcement of her comeback is expected
this week. . . Anna Chakvetadze will be out four to six weeks with a
stress fracture in her right foot. "After going through a series of test in New
York and seeing a doctor here in Moscow, it was confirmed that I do have the
injury on my foot," the Russian said on her website. . . Elena Dementieva
and U.S. Open runner-up Caroline Wozniacki have qualified for the
year-end WTA Championships in Doha. They join Dinara Safina and
Serena Williams as players who have already clinched spots in the
prestigious eight-woman event.
That’s it; no more
notes,
Ricky
***
We Hear---
--that Zina Garrison has settled a lawsuit with the USTA, after the former Fed
Cup captain accused the organization of paying her a lower salary than Davis Cup
Captain Patrick McEnroe. Terms of the settlement were not disclosed but
believed to be in the mid-six figures.
***
THIS WEEK
MEN
Bucharest
Metz
WOMEN
Seoul
Tashkent
***
NEXT WEEK
MEN
Bangkok
WOMEN
Tokyo
***
Bob Larson’s Stock Report
Friday Stock
Prices
Bob Larson Tennis
Stock Index $100.40
* 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
Subscribe