Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic have so many things in common. The two 22 year-olds were born a week apart, made their breakthrough to the top of the world game during much the same period and both figure prominently in the chase to unseat Roger Federer from the world no.1 spot.
However the differ greatly on the importance they give to ATP World Tour 500 Series events such as the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships. World no.4 Murray views the event, regardless of a reputed $250,000 guarantee to the leading players and complimentary accommodation in the $3,500 a night 7-star Burj al Arab hotel, as an opportunity to practice things he wouldn’t normally try in Grand Slam or the Masters 1000 Series. But world no.2 Djokovic insists such an approach is unprofessional and unfair to both the tournament and the paying public.
“I would have liked to have won, but it's not the end of the world,” said Murray after his second round demise to Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic. “If it was a Grand Slam or a big event, my tactics and my game style would have been a bit different. I was trying different things.  So I made more mistakes than normal, and I went for a lot.
“I said at the start of the year that, you know, when I'm getting ready for the big events, that you need to try some things.  If you ask someone like Roger how he gets himself ready, it's not necessarily about winning the week before or playing your best the week before.  It's playing your best at the right times of the year.”
The sponsors are less than happy with his attitude, with John Beddington, Barclays' tennis consultant, saying, "We are disappointed he lost because we felt he had a good chance and we are also disappointed that he made remarks that were not really necessary.
“While we appreciate that the top players value Grand Slams above others because of the points and prestige, this is one of the top events at '500' level on the ATP Tour. Dubai Duty Free looked after him very well. If he is going to be testing out new strategies then a match of this significance was probably not the place to do it."
Djokovic, mindful that the event had lost the injured or ill quartet of Federer, Rafael Nadal, Juan Martin Del Potro and Andy Roddick from the originally announced line-up, insisted his point of view was completely different. “You carry certain responsibility when you are in the world’s top five ,” said Dubai’s defending champion. “You cannot just go out there and practice. I think that every tournament is important tournament.  So that's the way I accepted every tournament in my professional career.
Unlike Murray, Djokovic contested the Rotterdam tournament earlier this month that was won by the Scot last year. He is also more than happy to represent his country in the Davis Cup next week as Serbia face the United States in the World Group while Murray has opted out of Britain’s trip to Lithuania two divisions lower in the Euro/Africa Zone Group Two.
“Who knows what's going to happen tomorrow, so I try to play 100%, and try to win every match I play,” he continued.  “I cannot calculate and I cannot experiment.  Of course sometimes maybe you should prioritize some bigger events.  But, look we are professionals, and we are here to perform as best as we can.
“There are not just a lot of expectations from ourselves and our people that are surrounding us.  It's about the tournament and people who come to watch.”

(c)  Copyright 2010. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

In 1978, Nick Bollettieri founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, the first full-time tennis boarding school to combine intense training on the court with a custom-designed academic curriculum. To learn more about you can check out: www.nickbollettieri.com.

Now that you have found the right partner and worked on the first ball (serve and return) it is time to talk about court positioning. There are three basic court positions for doubles, two up, two back and one up and one back.

Two up means that both players are positioned at the net. This is the best of the three because you are offensive and can cover most of the court from this configuration. The one wild card is the lob. Because there is nobody there to back you up, covering the lob can be tricky for the weekend warrior. You must learn to recognize the lob earlier by watching the opponent’s court position and racket face. For example, if you have come in behind a deep approach shot or hit a deep first volley and you see your opponent back up, odds are you will see a lob. Anticipation is the key to covering the lob effectively.

Two back means that both players are positioned on the baseline. Although most of the court is covered and you do not have to worry about the lob, this is not considered as effective as two up because it is difficult to be offensive from the baseline in doubles. This configuration should be used if you are and your partner are not good volleyers, or at times when your opponents are moving a lot at the net and outplaying you from there. Then the best bet is to step back to make it more difficult for them to hit winners and to make sure you don’t go home with a bunch of bumps and bruises courtesy of the other team drilling you with the ball.

One up/one back means that one player is standing at the net while their teammate is on the baseline. This is the least desirable of the three configurations mainly because there is a big gap left open in the court right down the middle. As long as the ball stays in front of the player at the net, it is not as big a problem but if the pattern switches and the ball is crosscourt from the net player, then you are in trouble. It also makes poaching (the opponents net player crossing the middle of the court to intercept the ball) more effective because there is a big open target to hit to when the opponent gets the ball.

Many times, you will find yourself caught in a one up/one back situation. Do not panic. It is not the end of the world. But do try to get up to the net with your partner at the earliest opportunity to be more aggressive. If you don’t feel comfortable doing this because of the level of your volleys, then work on your volleys until you do feel comfortable. You will also find that the more you do it, the easier it will become to see the lob coming before your opponent even makes contact with the ball.

(c)  Copyright 2010. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

The following article by David W. Smith first appeared on the website www.collegetenniscamp.com. It is titled “Finding your Formula for Tennis Success”

There exists a balance between developing skilled tennis strokes and mentally playing the game that allows one to win in as many situations as possible. However, this balance can become perceptually skewed by the immediate gratification process inherent in human beings. The real question is that what processes will produce a player who has reached their “potential” in playing competitive tennis within their desire or established goals. This player potential can be defined in what I call the “competitive formula” that every player must understand to reach said potential and not end up stagnant at levels far below this actual level of potential.

As a coach and teaching professional for over 35 years, I’ve seen where literally millions of players fall far short of what I would consider their true player potential because they followed a flawed “formula”.

An example of this formula includes the foundation for the player’s strokes; from grips to footwork, from strategy understanding to stroke mechanics, the foundation a player is introduced to, (either by self discovery or by professional recommendations and training), will have everything to do with the long-term picture of their potential. For if a player developed an inferior foundation, the mechanics and/or strategies used will most certainly prevent a player from reaching skilled levels of competitive play. Sure, we see many players who seem to buck the trend, who actually compete at relatively high levels, (4.0 or sometimes 4.5). Yet, two questions must be asked of even these exceptions: 1) would the player be able to compete at far higher levels had they learned a more advanced foundation; and 2) can such players compete consistently at these above-average levels or do they simply have an occasional win over the more skilled but same level players?

The other part of this formula is the competitive nature of the individual. Some players have a natural “Killer Instinct” or simply are calmer under pressure. These “mental” elements can be derived through various experiences, training, and/or simple genetics which contribute to a natural mental toughness when faced with adversarial situations. While we see hundreds or thousands of players who “practice” great and avoid competition like the plague, such individuals will seldom be prepared mentally for truly competitive tennis.

One thing for sure, if a player has ineffective strokes, they will seldom reach their player-potential. And, more than likely, they will attempt to play the game within very unconventional means to still compete, yet fail to progress.

If a junior player hopes to reach high enough levels of tennis to play on their high school varsity team, a college team or the professional ranks, he or she will have to recognize the importance of this “formula”. Too many young players play within an “instant gratification” mentality. That is, they use methods that work “today” against players at a certain level of skill. Unfortunately, most of these players use methods that are “comfortable” to them now, avoiding methods that feel foreign or uncomfortable. Likewise unfortunate, is that most “skilled” tennis foundations are seldom initially neither comfortable nor familiar. Thus, such players begin to develop a flawed foundation, one based on the concept that they might win more matches while playing within comfortable patterns. Of course a player who is using more comfortable, familiar methods will play with initially more confidence and, usually, hit more consistently. Yet, in almost every example, these players stagnate at levels far below their ability and get passed up by those who they had indeed been beating with regularity.

In my 35-plus years of teaching tennis, by far, most players I’ve worked with or I’ve seen play the game had ample ability to reach a level of potential that would grant them the opportunity to play at nearly any level they had the sincere desire to reach. The main detriment to those who failed to reach said prolific levels was seldom a lack of athleticism or opportunity. No, what prevented most players from reaching highly skilled levels was first a lack of a proper technical foundation followed by a limiting level of sincere desire and sacrifice necessary to achieve high levels of skilled play. In fact, I’ve seen hundreds of examples of students who seemed to possess relatively average levels of athleticism, yet achieve extremely high levels of skilled play. In every one of these cases, such players had the two things I’ve mentioned clearly defined in their character: A dedicated attention to developing a skilled foundation and a sincere level of desire to overcome any difficulty or challenge.

In the light of these points, it should be understood that nearly everyone who wishes to achieve skilled tennis levels of competitive play CAN and WILL achieve their goals if they follow this “formula”. Not everyone will, however, maintain the clarity and pursuit of these goals and those are the individuals who will indeed fail to fully reach their level of potential. From my experience, most players have the potential. While some simply don’t, there is no way of knowing if you do or you don’t. Yet, if you develop a flawed foundation and don’t challenge yourself to achieve such goals, it is almost certain you won’t ever reach such aspirations and levels of success.

David W. Smith is the author of the two top-selling and highly acclaimed tennis instructional books, “Tennis Mastery” and “Coaching Mastery”.  Both books are available for purchase in our Book Section on MLTennis.com

The ATP World Tour’s protracted search for a new global sponsor appears to have come to an end with the news Mexican beer brand Corona Extra is poised to sign a new five and a half year agreement worth $70 million.
Since Mercedes-Benz ended its 12 year partnership with the ATP World Tour at the end of 2008, former marketing chief Phil Anderton and Richard Davies, chief executive of ATP Properties, have been working overtime in the face of the worldwide economic downturn to bring in a new global brand.
Adam Helfant, 14 months into his tenure of the chief executive role with the ATP World Tour has long maintained finding a new global sponsor was his prime role and regularly stressed the ‘hole’ left by the departure of Mercedes was one he had to fill.
The new deal is expected to be formally announced later today and will take effect from May onwards. Understandably Helfant is in a mood to celebrate and called the new contract ‘a big win and maintained it reflected the growing interest in the tour and men’s tennis at large.
Praising Corona Extra’s executives, Helfant said: “They're pretty savvy marketers, and we think they're going to bring new creativity and energy to our tour and to tennis in general.”
Striking a more official tone, Helfant continued: “We are thrilled to welcome Corona Extra as the ATP’s new global premier partner. Corona Extra is a respected, premium brand enjoyed in 160 countries, which is a great fit for ATP tennis. We are experiencing one of the most exciting periods in the history of men’s professional tennis, and the commitment of this fantastic brand reflects the appeal of our game. We look forward to the creativity and marketing expertise our partners at Grupo Modelo will bring to the ATP World Tour.” 
Corona Extra has been a sponsor of ATP tournaments in Acapulco, Mexico for 16 years and Toronto, Canada for four years.
“At Grupo Modelo we are committed to promoting sports not only in Mexico but all over the world, and we are very proud to be venturing into world tennis through our Corona Extra brand and the prestigious ATP World Tour,” said José Parés, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer for Grupo Modelo, the leading company in Mexico in beer production, distribution and marketing, and maker of Corona Extra. “We have admired the success of the sport in recent years and view the ATP World Tour as a terrific platform for us globally.” 
Meanwhile Helfant’s female counterpart Stacey Allaster is increasingly confident that an agreement to renew the soon-to-expire $80 million title sponsor deal with Sony Ericsson is only a matter of weeks away.
Initially Aldo Liguori, Sony Ericsson’s Vice President of Global Communications announced a definitive announcement about the continuation of the deal, which expires at the end of 2010 would be forthcoming before last Christmas.
Allaster, in Dubai to celebrate ten years of the women’s event at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships, reported: “Talks are still on going between and clearly, be virtue of the fact that two months have passed since a decision was supposed to be announced, we still have positive things to talk about. I am very confident we will be able to announce something good in the next couple of weeks.”

(c)  Copyright 2010. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

In 1978, Nick Bollettieri founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, the first full-time tennis boarding school to combine intense training on the court with a custom-designed academic curriculum. To learn more about you can check out: www.nickbollettieri.com.

Doubles truly is the sport of a lifetime. Young or old, short or tall, fast or slow, doubles can hide many weaknesses and, when played correctly, can level the playing field against opponents that may have an advantage over you in singles. Did you ever wonder why top doubles players, who don’t even play singles, can excel and beat two top singles players who happen to be playing together at a random tournament? Believe me, if the doubles specialists out there could be successful in singles, they would. There is more money and more notoriety in singles. They play doubles because it is not as important how well you strike the ball, or how fast you are. What is important in doubles is good teamwork and an understanding of the game.

The number one rule when playing doubles is to find the right partner. Remember, this may not mean the best singles player, but someone who plays at the same or higher level and at the same time compliments your game. For example, if you are a good server and play well around the net, but have trouble breaking serve, find someone that returns serve well and can help you in that department. Conversely, if you return well but struggle to hold serve, playing with someone who likes to volley and moves well around the net may be the best choice to help you win your own serve and give you the best opportunity for success.

It is also very important to find someone who is compatible from a personality standpoint. If you are the type of person that likes to be in control and call the shots, then playing with someone with similar characteristics may lead to friction. You should find someone who is more open to suggestion and will follow your lead. Dissention among partners is a very difficult obstacle to overcome mid-match, and I’m sure we’ve all seen matches where it boils over. It’s not pretty. At the same time, two players with more docile personalities may not work well together because there is no leader or decision maker. Play can become less cohesive and the energy on court can become flat. So finding the right partner for your game style and your personality is crucial.

The most important part of doubles play is the first ball. The serve and return in doubles are the keys to success, and how you play these first balls will decide your fate. When serving, having a high first serve percentage is essential to holding serve. You will have better results taking a little pace off the serve and serving 70% with less aces or service winners than you will serving 40% with 10 aces and 10 winners. This is because of the mentality of the returner. On the first serve return, a returner is not looking to be as aggressive or offensive.

So even when they are not seeing huge first serves, they are more likely to just put the ball in play and less likely to actually do something with it. This means you are starting on offense 70% of the time when serving a high percentage, rather than 40% of the time when you are going for the big bomb. The thought process of the returner will change, whether consciously or subconsciously, when receiving a second serve. Now the opponent is looking to do damage with the return and begin on offense themselves. This can mean trouble if your opponent has a decent return.

When receiving, the biggest mistake I see is players trying to do too much with the return. This is a singles player mentality and must change when playing doubles. There are two people on the other side of the net, not one. This makes hitting an outright winner very difficult, and will lead to a number of unforced errors and needless mistakes. Make a high percentage of returns and attempt to neutralize your opponent by hitting a deep return if they not serving and volleying, or something down at their feet if they are coming in behind the serve. This will eliminate “free” points you give away by making careless errors and put you in the best position to win the point.

(c)  Copyright 2010. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

Today’s playing tip titled Four Types of Players comes from Oscar Wegner. To learn more about Wegner, go to www.tennisteacher.com.

There are four major types of championship styles.

One is the purely defensive player, who stays back as much as possible, and often just goes to the net to shake hands at the end of the match.

The next type of player is mostly a baseliner, but as soon as he gets a short ball, he hits a very forceful approach shot, almost a winner in itself, and gets to the net for a volley put-away.

The third type is the player who is skillful from the back, but who is always looking to maneuver to the net. He'll take more chances of going forward, and is usually good at placing the first volley where the opponent has difficulty making a good passing shot.

The last category is that of the serve-and-volley player who does it as a way of life, regardless of the surface. He probably isn't very skilled at matching groundstrokes from the backcourt, and usually thinks of it as a waste of time. Rather than work his way into the point, this player risks everything, from groundstrokes to storming the net on any kind of ball.

This can be very effective on given days, when things go right and the opponent collapses under the sheer pressure of the attack. But if this player is matched against a skilled all-court player, he'll have a struggle on his hands. The backcourt player will dampen the other player's attack with low angles and skilled lobs mixed with some forceful passing shots. Although backcourt players do more running, they do so with more time to get to the ball, while the attacking player depends mostly on jumping and lunging ability.

On clay courts, where points are long (average point duration at top professional play is above 8 seconds) and matches between players of comparable skill usually go on for hours, an attacking player will have difficulty sustaining the effort for an entire match.

But on grass courts the average point duration has been measured to be, at the top level, about one and a half seconds.

At championship level, serve-and-volley players get to most of their opponent's service returns near their own service line. The shot from here, should they be able to reach it before the bounce, is called the first volley. In most cases, the ball is by then below the level of the net. This first volley needs placement, pace, and depth. After hitting the first volley the player continues to advance toward the net, and is now prepared to cut off the next return, usually a forceful passing shot or a lob.

The attacking player is now in a more commanding position, but here the options for the opponent vary according to the type of surface of the court. On a slippery surface like grass, good players go for a forceful passing shot most of the time, or for a very defensive lob. The attacking player just needs to angle the next volley to the open court, and most likely it will be out of the other player's reach.

Here is where an accomplished serve-and-volley player has something that the accomplished backcourt player does not: a sense of net coverage, of which angles to open and which ones to close. Serve-and-volley players know how to lure the opponent into hitting a particular shot. They can close the net fast, while still preparing to smash even a decent lob. A little while into the match, they've learned to anticipate the passing shot by reading the racket angle of the opponent at contact time. It is a skill that you develop by committing to a volley game. Your tactical approach changes, adjusting to different conditions that you create for yourself.

One major aspect of the successful attacking game is the pressure put on the opponent to make very good shots, which leads to many errors, especially in important points. The faster the court, the more pressure the player under attack feels.

The Low Volley at Championship Level: For a low volley, you obviously have to lower the racket from the normal height where you were holding it to the point where you'll meet the ball. You can use this downward (and at the same time forward) movement to get momentum to hit the ball. You get it to go over the net by opening the racket face, while you stop at contact with a firm grip. This will give the ball good speed, while it will still be accurate and clear the net. The ball will also have some backspin that will keep it low after it bounces in your opponent's court.

You can use this low volley with spectacular results from anywhere in the court, including being caught behind the service line or somewhere in the backcourt. The ball may be at your feet, without a bounce, and you can still make a good shot.

(c)  Copyright 2010. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

In 1978, Nick Bollettieri founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, the first full-time tennis boarding school to combine intense training on the court with a custom-designed academic curriculum. To learn more about you can check out: www.nickbollettieri.com.

The slice backhand can be a great tool for many different reasons. It can be used in transition to approach the net or when keeping the ball low and allowing time to get into a good volleying position. It can also be used to mix up the pace during a rally to throw off the opponent’s rhythm and force an error or a short ball. And it can be a fantastic tool on defense to buy enough time to get out of trouble and back into a point. For all of these reasons, having a slice in your arsenal is a big advantage when you go into battle.

The backhand slice technique can be tricky because it requires a certain amount of touch and feel. The traditional grip for a backhand slice would be a continental (the same as for the volley), but some players will vary this slightly depending on what they are more comfortable with. Turn your shoulders and bring the racket up with the hitting surface of the racket open. Be sure that the elbow is bent and you are not too stiff when executing your slice. This is a common problem and can lead to frustration when trying to learn the slice. From this position swing the racket forward and slightly down to the ball, sliding the face of the racket under the ball.

Don’t make the swing pattern too steep, or you will look like you are chopping down a tree as your slice bounces two feet short of the net. Swing more out to the ball. Contact should be slightly forward of your front foot. If you are too early the ball will go straight up and if you are late the ball will most likely come off to flat and sail long or wide. The finish should be with your hand about shoulder high and your racket completely open. Be careful that your body stays turned throughout the stroke. It is common to see some inexperienced players finish the slice with their body completely open and parallel to the net. You should try to remain turned until the slice is finished.

Don’t expect great results on your first few tries. As I said, this takes a certain amount of touch and control. When learning the slice, practice short on a wall or from service line to service line with a partner, going slowly and learning to feel the ball. As you begin to feel comfortable, slowly move back until you are hitting from baseline to baseline. If the ball is coming off too spinny (or thin as we call it), try getting more of the ball on the strings on contact and make sure you are not chopping down on the ball. If the ball is too flat off your strings, be sure the face of the racket is open and slides under the ball on contact. Another common problem is the ball going to high. If this happens, try speeding up the racket head slightly on contact. This will help the ball “grab on” to the strings, and keep the ball from going stright up after contact.

A coach can be a great help with your technique, but the only way to really get the hang of the slice is too practice it over and over. A coach can teach many things, but they cannot teach feel, that is something you must master on your own. Someone once said “repetition is the mother of skill”, and it is never more true than when learning the slice.

(c)  Copyright 2010. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis

Tim Burke Tennis College Summer Camps

For more information and registration forms visit the Tim Burke Tennis College Website

Setting - New Site______________________________

Bethel University, Ona Orth Athletic Complex great location, just off 35W & Co Rd E2, tennis courts are nestled into an intimate, beautiful area on campus with fields, trees, parking (free) and dining facilities steps away.

Goals & Approach to the Game___________________

Our students say we’re different. We attempt to be different too. Whether it’s strokes, strategies or tactics, students and staff love our format. With games, contests and music we charge every session with great energy and fun.

Structure_- Juniors________________________

Camps run Monday-Thursday 9am-4:00pm, (lunch provided) and 9am-12 noon on Friday. Players will be divided into groups of similar ages and abilities to ensure that everyone gets the most out of their experience. A typical day at camp may look like this;

9-9:30 Conditioning and dynamic stretch

9:30-12 Stroke production, mechanics

12-1 Lunch provided

1-1:30 Intro to match strategies, tactics, patterns

1:30-3 Games, contests, singles & doubles

3-4 Personal instruction, cool down, stretch

Adults______________________________

Camps run Friday PM-Sunday AM (12 hrs and lunch Sat.)

Players will be grouped into similar abilities to ensure a challenging and fun experience. Weekend schedule looks like this:

Fri 6-9pm Stroke production-mechanics, grips

Sat 9-12 noon Specialty shots, singles & doubles

12-1 Lunch provided

1-1:30 Warm-up, dynamic stretch

1:30-3 Intro strategy, tactics, match play

3-4 Individual help

4-5 Open play

Sun 9-12 Intro to match play-competition

· All campers will receive a camp t-shirt, camp photo

· Great lunches

· Addition Week discount (juniors only). Sign up for more than one week and receive $25.00 off each additional week

· Fridays – Div I tennis match with your child on the roster

· Friday Awards at 12 noon, parents welcome, camper evaluations handed out to all participants

Meet our Staff________________________________

Tim Burke, USPTA certified for 35 years and Director of many tennis camps over his career. He is a former U of M player and captained the 4.5 Senior National Championship team from the Northern Division. He is the author of the Courtside Card and Handbook and has invented several innovative techniques for coaches and teachers. Asst Coach for Bethel’s Men’s & Women’s Tennis Teams.

Rob Strusinski, Ph. D. University of St. Thomas, Director of the Liturgical Choir and certified USPTA. Director of former St. Thomas summer tennis club. Music and tennis have long been Rob’s passion and has done both for over 20 years.

Dan Morton, Head Coach, Bethel’s M’s & W’s Tennis

Also on our Staff-Varsity players from Bethel University, University of St. Thomas, College of St. Catherine, U of M (Gophers), all with past teaching experience. Each instructor on our staff is assigned to their own “home group” - 4 students they will take from Monday to Friday and mentor, follow and encourage to do their best by setting goals and understanding the process.

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Friday Awards- Parents are welcome to come early to watch our Div I tennis format with your child on one of two teams. An exciting finish to a week we hope is filled with fun, hard work and a bit of progress. Each camper is given a personal evaluation written by their “home Pro” detailing where your child stands now, what progress they’ve made and the setting of goals they will try to obtain. Goals and “setting the bar” is our commitment to your child.

Former world no.1 Ana Ivanovic is not enjoying the best time of her career. The 22 year-old’s ranking has slipped outside the top 20; she has not won a title of any kind since the 2008 French Open and has failed to reach the quarter final stage of any of the seven ensuing Grand Slam events. After last weekend’s Fed Cup defeat of Serbia by Russia, she emotionally admitted: “I'm struggling psychologically.”
Nevertheless adidas, who have recently jettisoned such tennis talent as men’s world no.2 Novak Djokovic, Marcos Baghdatis and the game’s leading men’s doubles team the Bryan brothers from their tennis stable, have shown their faith in Ivanovic by giving her a deal for life.
Ivanovic will wear ‘three-stripe’ products for the entirety of her career and will become an ambassador for the brand upon retirement from competitive tennis. In doing so, Ivanovic is believed to have become the youngest ever athlete – male of female – to sign an agreement of this length.
“I’m very proud to wear adidas for the rest of my career,” said Ivanovic who currently relies on Sven Groeneveld, the Dutchman who leads the adidas Player Development Program, as her main coach. “Over the last few years adidas has helped me immensely by providing me with great products and unique services off the court including the adidas Player Development Program.
“Therefore, this long-term contract extension means a lot to me and was a logical decision. I feel thrilled to be a member of the adidas family and I am very much looking forward to working with adidas on many projects in the future.”
Jocelyn Robiot, adidas' VP Global Sports Marketing clearly has not qualms about the dip in the Ivanovic career over the last 20 months which has been affected by a series of injuries and health issues.
“Ana Ivanovic’s spirit on and off the court is consistent with what women’s tennis stands for and is without any doubt a great ambassador for adidas,” said Robiot. “Ana has been part of our women’s training marketing activities from day one and we are delighted to continue our successful partnership in the future.”