Friday, October 9, 2009
WORLD NEWS
Mauresmo Considering Her Future; Retirement is a Possibility
Amelie Mauresmo, former world No.1 and winner of both the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2006, may have played her last match. The 30-year old has not competed since losing to Aleksandra Wozniak in the second round of the US Open, and after recently withdrawing from Tokyo and Beijing she has also decided not to play in Linz and Luxembourg while she contemplates her future.
“Since my return from the US Open I tried to practice, but I haven't found the thirst to compete,” she revealed on her website. “I won't rush into things or force the issue. I'll give myself time to think, in order to make a decision as for the rest of my career.”
Although she has threatened to quit before, most notably after Wimbledon 2007 and following a loss to Tamarine Tanasugarn in Doha in early 2008, Mauresmo has always rediscovered her motivation. But the winner of 25 singles, three doubles titles and over $15 million in prize money has never felt entirely comfortable since going through a career crisis in 2007.
That was the result of her difficulty in recovering form after undergoing an emergency appendectomy in March of that year, which forced her to miss two months of the season. An adductor strain and general disillusionment led to her missing another nine weeks, including the US Open, that summer. Having ended 2006 at No.3, she finished 2007 at 18 and last year at 24. She is currently ranked 20.
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Nadal Worries About Lack of Unity on Spain Davis Cup Squad
Rafael Nadal is angry. Not because of his results or shape after injury. No, this time the reason for his anger is vocal differences of other Spanish Davis Cup mates in supporting different cities for hosting final against Czech Republic.
“I don’t say no for Barcelona nor yes for Valencia; neither I say no for Valencia nor yes for Barcelona. If we go on saying everyone opinion, we will not be a team. Players should dedicate to play not to making choices,” criticized Nadal compatriots.
First to argue was Fernando Verdasco who said that “he is not going to support Barcelona, because this city already hosted one final.”
Feliciano Lopez added that “it is pity that Madrid is out of race, because it deserves final.”
Both, Verdasco and Lopez are from Madrid. Juan Carlos Ferrero is from Valencia and he gave his vote to this city.
“This is not good for team, it looks to me that Fernando and Feliciano made their private war for Madrid. It looks that the rest of us don’t like Madrid,” protested Nadal who is from island Mallorca.
Spanish Federation should make choice tomorrow with Barcelona and Valencia the only candidates.
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Serena Williams Wants to Attend Fed Cup Finals as a Player or a Fan
As long as she’s still standing, Serena Williams will be at the Fed Cup final against Italy, to be played in the Italian city of Reggio Calabria on November 7th and 8th. Although she hasn’t exactly said that she’ll play.
I definitely want to get there,” she said. “Again it's just hard to see how my body will be after Doha – if I'm walking or if I'm in a wheelchair. But if I'm in a wheelchair we have great people like Melanie (Oudin) who I think can really do a job, and Liezel Huber, who is number one in doubles. We have a really good team and quite frankly they got there without me, but I'd really like to go and support."
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USPTA Announces New National Board of Directors for 2010-11
The United States Professional Tennis Association installed its new national board of directors that will serve the association until September 2011. Officers include a new president, vice presidents and immediate past president. The new board took office during the USPTA World Conference on Tennis, Sept. 21-26.
The new USPTA board of directors includes:
President Tom Daglis, director of tennis and fitness operations at the Lakewood Country Club in Rockville, Md.
First Vice President Randy Mattingley, director of tennis at The Clubs of Kingwood in Kingwood, Texas
Vice President Mark Fairchilds, director of tennis at Modesto Fitness and Racket Club in Modesto, Calif.
Vice President Jack Groppel, Ph.D., vice chairman and co-founder of the Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Fla.
Immediate Past President Harry Gilbert, director of tennis at Ginn Hammock Beach Resort in Palm Coast, Fla.
New board member and Vice President Bunny Bruning, tennis director of Wakonda Club in Des Moines, Iowa and teaching professional at 7 Flags Fitness & Racquet Club in Clive, Iowa
New board member and Vice President Chuck Gill, director of tennis at the Ibis Golf and Country Club in West Palm Beach, Fla.
New board member and Vice President Jim Loehr, Ed.D., chairman, CEO and co-founder of the Human Performance Institute in Orlando, Fla.
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We Hear---
--that BEST has signed Sloane Stevens to a four-year management contract for a guaranteed $250,000 a year.
--that Anna Kournikova and Tommy Haas will join up with Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport and Liezel Huber for the Advanta WTT Smash Hits event to be held December 8th at the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge. The charity event, hosted by Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John, will be played under Billie Jean’s World TeamTennis format.
--that Ken Rosewall has been elected to the Sport Australia Hall Of Fame. Now 75, he won the first of his eight majors at the age of 18 and the eighth at 37, with his last of his 32 titles coming at the age of 43.
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Editors Note
The next issue of Daily Tennis News will be Tuesday, October 13, as we celebrate Columbus Day on Monday, October 12.
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THIS WEEK
MEN
Beijing
Tokyo
WOMEN
Beijing
***
NEXT WEEK
MEN
Shanghai
WOMEN
Linz
Osaka
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