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IN THIS WEEK'S ISSUE...

News
Tennis Shorts
WTA Scheduled To Play
Covers
Sightings
Appearing Soon
Money Mountain
He Said... She Said
Happy Birthday

NEWS

Federer Expects More Money for Players

Tennis players could well be due more money in future prize packets if competing sports like golf are any example. And Roger Federer is one top star who feels that changes in the ATP might mean the sanctioning body is ready for serious financial discussions. "I know that tournaments all around the world are raising prize money more and more," said the Swiss. "We're obviously very happy where tennis has gone over 40 years ago, so that's a good thing. "But I agree that I still think the biggest tournaments, (Grand Slams) are supposed to share a little bit more with the players." But the diplomatic Swiss added: "We'll see how it goes in the future."
Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic got themselves elected easily onto the ATP Player Council at Wimbledon and now have a huge voice in the advisory body to the ATP board. Federer may not actually need the money himself, but it never hurts to ask. "We'll definitely have conversations over the next year or so, as we usually have.  There's a quite a bit of change in the ATP at the moment.  I think that's one of the issues on top of the agenda." The ATP may be ready to chat as the organization undergoes a shake-up, with CEO Etienne de Villiers set to leave at the end of 2008.
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Davenport to Ponder Her Future

Lindsay Davenport will calmly decide her tennis future at age 32 after exiting the US Open. The mother of one has said for months that this autumn will be decision time as she balances the pros and cons of caring for baby Jagger and still trying to compete on the WTA. Davenport suffered a morale blow as she lost in the third round against former Wimbledon finalist Marion Bartoli. "I don't think it's time to make a certain statement now," said the three-time major winner. Davenport returned to the WTA a year ago after her son's June birth, lifting two titles in late 2007 and another two in early 2008. But recently, knee and back injuries have made continuing more of an uncertainty. "I didn't know if I'd be able to play," she said of the knee problem which forced her from Olympic singles. Davenport will confer with stockbroker husband Jon about the family's future path if their biggest earner decides to retire.
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You Don’t Have to Have Two Legs to be a Ballgirl at the US Open

Courtesy kellybruno.com

An aspiring medical student amputee is showing her able-bodied colleagues a thing or two about fitness, breaking boundaries with a place on court as a US Open ballgirl. Kelly Bruno, 24, from North Carolina, is the first amputee in a ball girl job ever at Flushing Meadows. The lifelong athlete is also a Paralympics world record holder and competes at top level in triathlete and Ironwoman competitions.
Scrambling for balls along with teenagers up to ten years younger has proved to be a winnable challenge. ""It's definitely harder than I expected," she told the New York Times. "For me the running is not as tiresome, but I didn't think standing was going to be so exhausting." Bruno said that it's the throwing that makes the job tough as she works on a high-tech prosthetic leg. "Everything is a bit harder for me, but the leg has never been a limiting factor. I've had it all my life, so I'm used to it." Bruno tried out for the position at the suggestion of USTA board member John Korff, owner of the US Open Triathlon and the New York City Triathlon.
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New York Honors Former Mayor David Dinkins

The USTA announced that the City of New York renamed the base of the pasarelle just outside the East Gate public entryway to the US Open, the “David Dinkins Circle.”   Dinkins’ contributions to tennis and the US Open were many—ranging from assisting the USTA’s relocation of the tournament in 1978 from the private club setting of Forest Hills to its current home in a New York public park (the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center is now the world’s largest public tennis facility), to helping to re-route air traffic from neighboring LaGuardia during the tournament, and then helping to develop the contract that kept the US Open in New York City. Since 1999, Dinkins has been a member of the USTA’s Board of Directors and Management Committee. “This is a fitting tribute to David, who has done so much for the sport and for the US Open here in New York City,” said Jane Brown Grimes, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. New York Governor David Paterson, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg and former Mayor Edward Koch participated in a special dedication ceremony. The Circle, commemorating the 1964 World’s Fair, serves at the gateway through which most of the 700.000 annual visitors pass to attend the US Open.
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Muller is Hero in Luxembourg

Tiny Luxembourg is back on the tennis map thanks to the US Open performance of 2001 junior champion Gilles Muller. But the 25-year-old ranked 130 almost didn't get the chance to play for a spot in the main draw after arriving at the last minute for qualifying. "My first round in the qualies I almost lost because I was flying in late from Istanbul because I played a Challenger over there," he said. Muller arrived in New York on a Sunday night and trained the next day before taking to the court for the preliminary rounds from Tuesday. "I don't want to focus on goals on having a record in Luxembourg, because there's not many players in front of you," said Muller, his nation's first player into the second week of the New York major.
"I'm the first one actually to do everything. but that's not my goal - to be the best in Luxembourg." Muller had showed early promise in 2005 with an LA final against Andre Agassi but then fell back. He stunned Nikolay Davydenko to set a new standard by reaching the quarterfinals as his fairytale on court continues.
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Murray Says He has no Grudge With Del Potro

Andy Murray insists he won't be nursing a grudge when he tries to end the 23-match win streak of hot-handed Argentine Juan Del Potro with a quarter-final match at the US Open. The pair exchanged words in a first-round match four months ago in Rome, as Murray accused the South American of insulting his mother Judy. "He said something about my mum," Murray said of parent, his first coach and vocal presence during the contest. "Someone saying something about your mother who is one of the nicest ladies you're ever going to meet? "I don't think that's really that cool." After trashing Swiss Stan Wawrinka to advance, Murray said he's not thinking about the past. "I haven't spoken to him since, but for me it's another tennis match," said the Scot. "Whether I like Del Potro or not really doesn't make any difference. When you get on the tennis court it's another match, and you've got to win."
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Mirza is Serious About Preparing for Next Season

Injured Indian Sania Mirza has taken on a trainer working in Australia in hopes of getting rid of the wrist injury which kept her from the US Open sorted out.
The No. 70 has played just six matches since Wimbledon posting two wins and exiting in the first round of the Olympics. She also withdrew from the French Open. The 21-year-old, most popular women's sports star in the history of her nation, is hoping to get back to the Top 50 - but with no time frame yet specified.
The one-time No. 27 is now working with Amir Takla, a consultant to Tennis Australia. Mirza hurt her right wrist at Indian Wells in March and underwent surgery in April. She is due to work with Takla for a six-week trial, and is hoping to be able to play a few small events before the Australian Open in January.
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Reports Appear that Davydenko Might be Cleared in Match-Fix Prove

The frustration which caused Nikolay Davydenko to smash all five of his match rackets in a fourth-round loss to Gilles Muller may soon be abating with reports that the Russian looks to be cleared in the 14-month ATP match-fix probe. With London's Times reporting the development, the No. 5's good news may come in time to save his motivation after going out of the US Open following two semi-final appearances. Davydenko has always proclaimed his innocence after he lost an August, 2007, match in Poland later deemed suspicious by the ATP due to a massive internet gambling take of $7 million. Betting was later annulled and a so-far fruitless investigation was begun to start a cycle of nonstop drama for the Russian. It has shown in Davydenko's tennis. "I was really tired just this year. I just played tennis and tried to prepare. I didn't practice so much really didn't make a special effort. I can beat everyone, and I can lose to everyone."
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Superstitions Have a Life of Their Own for Some Players

Surprise British women's contender Anne Keothavong is keeping up her protein intake at the US Open with a daily diet featuring a dose of ocean fare: "Fish of day is fine with me," said the 24-year-old. Keothavong has duplicated her career-best showing in a major by reaching the third round never before putting two straight wins together at a major. Her performance is the best for Britain here since 1991, when Jo Durie and Sara Gomer got this far, with Durie advancing a round further before losing to Jennifer Capriati. Keothavong says that while she's not superstitious, she might just stick with her habit of evening meals in New York with her coach and family where the plate in front of her is dominated by catch'o the day. "I have friends and other people I like to go out for dinner with as well (as my family)," said the No. 87. "I'm not usually superstitious, but they had to sit in the same place and had to order similar kind of things." Keothavong next faces a test against Olympic champion Elena Dementieva. While at the table, the player has a one unbreakable rule when ordering. Her companions can, of course, take what they like, with one exception. "They can do what they want, as long as we have a crème brulee for dessert."
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Serena Williams is Wary of Chair Umpires at the US Open

Serena Williams is seeking payback at the US Open, where she last lifted a title in long-ago 2002. The eight-time major winner believes she's been slighted over the years by bad linecalls which have been upheld. "One year (2004) I really ran into a lot of bad luck where I got the worst calls possible," she complained. "Honestly, I couldn't even hit a shot because I was so nervous they would call every ball out.
"That really wasn't my fault. I probably would have won that year, and I was gonna win that year. Unfortunately it didn't work out." She won the New York title in 1999 for her first major and repeated three years later. Williams seems particularly stung by the massive 2004 error which cost her a win in the quarter-finals against Jennifer Capriati. An over-rule from the chair against Williams settled the match and eventually resulted in the official losing her job.

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TENNIS SHORTS

Europe Vs. The World in Battle of Former Tennis Number Ones

Something new in the world of competitive tennis will take place in Penang, Malaysia in November as former men’s number ones from Europe will take on former number ones from the rest of the world. Using a Davis Cup-type format Europe’s Mats Wilander, Stefan Edberg and Bjorn Borg plus one yet-to-be named player will take on John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Marcelo Rios and one yet-to-named player for the world team. The Europeans will be captained by Ilie Nastase, while the world team will have Roy Emerson at the helm. The format will be two singles and one doubles for day one and two while four singles matches will be played on the final day.

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France’s Bimes to Appear in Court

Christian Bimes, who has been president of the French Tennis Federation since 1993 has been ordered to appear in front of a correctional court, a procedure which should take place early in 2009. In February of 2007, Bimes was taken in custody for 48 hours and was then indicted for illegal spendings and breach of trust, in a case of supposed embezzlement at the Federation. The case started when a law suit was ordered by members of the French Federation on December 2 of 2004. The main accusation was that Bimes continued employing the company providing the hostesses in charge welcoming the VIPs in the presidential box at Roland Garros after his wedding even though his wife was employed by that same agency.  He is also accused of having received illegal sums of money, having made illegal use of automobiles, and received reimbursement for unjustified spendings.
Bimes is risking up to 5 years in jail and a 375000 Euros fine. His wife is also to be sent  to court, just as Jacques Dupré, the federation’s general secretary. The trial could take place early next year, and could prove fatal for Bimes’ hopes to be re-elected at the federal elections are due to take place on February 7th.

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Bob Larson at US Open

Bob Larson, publisher of Daily Tennis News, is continuing a long tradition of attending the US Open and sitting on a bench on the grounds and visiting with friends and business colleagues and hopefully making new contacts. Larson claims it is not uncommon for a tennis contact to slide onto the bench and begin by saying, “Now you didn’t get this from me, but . . .”  The bench is located at the southwest corner of Arthur Ashe Stadium opposite the Media Center entrance right next to a tall stainless steel clock. He claims his hours on the bench, frequently referred to by friends as “Bob’s office,’ are usually 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, sometimes starting earlier and frequently ending later. Larson invites all readers to come by the bench, say hi, and hopefully begin by saying, “Now you didn’t . . .”

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WTA SCHEDULED TO PLAY

Upcoming schedules as of August 25, 2008
1. Ana Ivanovic - Tokyo [PP], Beijing
2. Jelena Jankovic - Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart
3. Serena Williams - Tokyo [PP], Stuttgart
4. Svetlana Kuznetsova - Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart
5. Maria Sharapova -
6. Elena Dementieva - Tokyo [PP], Stuttgart
7. Dinara Safina - Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart
8. Venus Williams - Tokyo [PP], Stuttgart
9. Anna Chakvetadze - Tokyo [PP], Beijing
10. Vera Zvonareva - Stuttgart
11. Agnieszka Radwanska - Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart
12. Daniela Hantuchova - Bali, Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart
13. Marion Bartoli - Tokyo [PP], Stuttgart
14. Victoria Azarenka - Seoul, Stuttgart
15. Patty Schnyder - Bali, Guangzhou
16. Agnes Szavay - Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart
17. Alize Cornet - Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart
18. Caroline Wozniacki - Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Tokyo [JO]
19. Flavia Pennetta - Bali, Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart
20. Dominika Cibulkova - Tokyo [PP], Beijing, Stuttgart

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COVERS

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A Reminder to Our Readers

We wish to remind our readers that our all-day tennis newswire is available to all tennis fans.
Just go to www.tennisnews.com anytime throughout the day for the latest tennis news. We surf the internet all day and post links to stories in newspapers and electronic media around the world. “We surf the net so you don’t have to."

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SIGHTINGS

Monica Seles attends the premiere of the fifth season of 'Entourage' presented by HBO at the Ziegfeld Theater on September 3, 2008 in New York City.

Actor Adrian Grenier, Anna Wintour, Annika Sorenstam, Boyd Tinsley, Jeremy Piven, Kim Cattrall, Michael Bloomberg, and Star Jones attending matches at  the 2008 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City.

Send your player sightings to: cort@tennisnews.com

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APPEARING SOON

Sept. 27, 2008  Bob and Mike Bryan host the Bryan Brothers' All Star Tennis Smash at Sherwood Country Club in Westlake Village, CA. Also appearing are; Andre Agassi, Sam Querrey, James, Blake, John Isner, Mardy Fish and Lindsay Davenport. More information at www.bryanbrosfoundation.org.

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MONEY MOUNTAIN

Top Prize Money Winners at US Open

Singles Prize Money Schedule
Champion        $1,500,000
Finalist                 750,000
Semifinalist           320,000
Quarterfinalist       160,000
Round of 16            80,000
Third Round            46,000
Second Round        30,000
First Round            18,500

MEN’S SINGLES
$320,000 Semifinals
Andy Murray
Rafael Nadal
$160,000 Quarterfinals
Juan del Potro
Novak Djokovic
Roger Federer
Mardy Fish
Giles Muller
Andy Roddick
$80,000 Round of 16
Igor Andreev
Nikolay Davydenko
Fernando Gonzalez
Gael Monfils
Kei Nishikori
Sam Querrey
Tommy Robredo
Stanislaus Wawrinka
WOMEN’S SINGLES
$320,000 Semifinals
Elena Dementieva
Jelena Jankovic
Dinara Safina
Serena Williams
$160,000 Quarterfinals
Sybille Bammer
Flavia Pennetta
Patty Schnyder
Venus Williams
$80,000 Round of 16
Marion Bartoli
Severine Bremond
Anna-Lena Groenefeld
Na Li
Amelie Mauresmo
Agrieszka Radwanska
Katarina Srebotnik
Caroline Wozniacki

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HE SAID... SHE SAID...

"He said something about my mum. Someone saying something about your mother who is one of the nicest ladies you're ever going to meet? I don't think that's really that cool." - Andy Murray insisting he won't be nursing a grudge when he tries to end the 23-match win streak of hot-handed Argentine Juan Del Potro with a quarterfinal match at the US Open.

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HAPPY BIRTHDAY

September

Mark Knowles
4
1971

Daniel Nestor
4
1972

Greg Rusedski
6
1973

Tim Henman
6
1974

Aleksandra Wozniak
7
1987

Tom Gullikson
8
1951

Sergio Casal
8
1962

Gustavo Kuerten
10
1976

Goran Ivanisevic
13
1971

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Bob Larson - Publisher
Cort Larson - Editor
Bob Larson's Tennis Celebs is published weekly. 
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