Tuesday, September 30, 2008
BUSINESS NEWS
Jerry Magee---Say it Isn’t So
Courtesy Union-Tribune
One of sportswriting’s best, Jerry Magee is calling it “30” today. 30 is journalism’s term to say “end.” Magee, a 52-year plus sportswriter of the San Diego Union-Tribune covering both tennis and football is celebrating his last day at the Union-Tribune.His legion of friends and colleagues wish him well and hope that he will be writing for someone, even if it is an occasional item, somewhere. It may be 30 at the Union-Tribune, but we in tennis know that 30 is only half-way through the game. Magee fans everywhere are looking forward to the other half of Magee’s writings. After all, Magee is only 80; he must have plenty left. “Mr. Magee, the game shall be continuous, please serve.” Daily Tennis News salutes Jerry Magee and wishes him well.
***
The ITF is Questioning Pakistan About Security Involving Upcoming Tournament
Following the postponement of cricket's ICC Champions Trophy in already strife-torn Pakistan and the worsening of the situation after the terrorist bomb blast at Islamabad's Marriot Hotel, the International Tennis Federation has now expressed extreme concern over security issues surrounding the upcoming Men's Futures tournament in the city. The ITF is demanding stringent security arrangements, as laid down by the United States, Great Britain and other European nations before allowing the tournament, due to begin on October 11 at the Pakistan Tennis Federation complex, before agreeing for the tournament to go ahead. A spokesman for the PTF said: "Their simple question is that can we organize a safe event in an atmosphere of bomb blasts and terrorist acts. And we have replied that there is no security issue for sports competitions in Pakistan." The PTF insist they have received a record number of entries for the event and more than 60 players from around the world have registered. These include players from Britain, Australia, Germany, Russia, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, Tanzania, Romania, Kazakistan, Iran, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Taiwan and India.
***
Mauresmo Parts With Longtime Coach
The current tennis frustration of former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo has come to a head resulting with the double major champion sacking her longtime coach.
The split with Loic Courteau came through an announcement on the website of the 29-year-old Mauresmo, whose ranking has plummeted to 25 and her last match victory taken at the US Open a month ago. "I probably need a little new motivation, a revival, a new dynamic in training, preparation and also in daily life," Mauresmo said on her site. Mauresmo said that she and her longtime mentor remain close, as they did throughout her career. "We spoke freely and honestly about one another. We talked about it for several months. We wondered if there were still things we could do. The player said she and her coach came to an understanding that a change may be needed. "We came to this conclusion at the end of one year, one year and a half, and it was difficult for the two parties."
The veteran said she will take her time in finding a new coach: "I need to reflect."
***
Safina is Happy She Didn’t Quit Earlier This Year
Dinara Safina is up to three in the world and has a chance to be number one by the end of the year. Yet earlier in the season she was in such despair that she thought of quitting the game. "At the beginning of the year it was really terrible. I could already give up and say, ‘Okay, I’ve had enough of this. I’ll go and study or something’," she said in Stuttgart, where she is seeded third behind Serena Williams and Jelena Jankovic. "Really, at the beginning of this year I was so deep in the hole I didn’t know how to get out of there. I was completely lost. I was not enjoying. It wasn’t that I stopped loving this game, but it was why do I have to suffer so much. I go on the court and nothing is going on, and it was really a disaster. "But I stayed patient and thought maybe I have to work harder and give myself time to get better. After this it started to pay off with my results. I think in the crucial moments I was suffering so much, so now in the tough moments I’m more positive and I’m like okay, I’ve been in worse moments so I’ll get out of here. It’s made me stronger."
***
Williams Sisters Arrive in Stuttgart with Entourages
Serena and Venus Williams both traveled to the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart from Miami. As sisters, close sisters, you would expect them to travel together. But they didn’t. Serena, her hitting partner, Sascha Bajin, and a friend arrived in Stuttgart on schedule from Miami via Dusseldorf, but Venus was booked on a flight via Frankfurt that was cancelled because of a technical difficulty. Venus eventually found an alternative flight via Zurich and finally arrived with father, Richard, hitting partner David Witt and a friend, arriving seven hours late. But, incredibly, the two parties arrived within five minutes of each other, saving tournament director Markus Günthardt an extra ride to the airport to greet the two stars. "I got my ticket during Wimbledon and she waited until the last minute to get her ticket so she couldn’t get on my flight," Serena explained about their separate travel arrangements. "I told her book your ticket now, and she didn’t, so it didn’t work out for her." Both sisters have their pet dogs with them, Jackie with Serena and Harry with Venus.
***
Safina Promises Her Coach a Porsche if She Wins Stuttgart
Dinara Safina will practice delayed gratification for her coach after a breakthrough season. Should the raging Russian win this week’s Stuttgart indoor event, Croatian coach Zeljko Krajan will benefit by collecting the keys to the $99,000 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabrio awarded to Sunday's champion. Safina, third in the world, is bidding for her fifth title of the season during this indoor week. She says she's been pondering rewarding her coach for some time after kick-starting her season with a trophy in Berlin last May under his guidance. "Winning the Berlin Open in May was really the key to my tennis life," said the 22-year-old. "If someone asked me at the beginning of this year if I could finish the year in the top five, I would have gone down laughing." She said that in the past she had told her coach that she would buy him a Mercedes if she won a Grand Slam - her closest call to date was the French Open final where she lost to Ana Ivanovic. But with the sleek sportster on offer in Germany, the plan has changed. "Now if I win the Porsche I will definitely give it to my coach - for sure." Safina will face a challenge from Jelena Jankovic after the Serb won the Beijing Open to stand a mere 21 ranking points shy of No. 1 Serena Williams on the WTA.
***
Wilson Extends Partnership with NAIA
Wilson Racquet Sports extended its status as the official tennis ball, racket and accessories of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA). In the multi-year deal, Wilson will continue providing tennis balls for the NAIA men’s and women’s tennis conference, independent and national championship events. In accordance with the agreement, all tennis balls used at these events will feature both the Wilson US Open and NAIA logos. In addition, Wilson will offer a discounted purchase program for all NAIA institutions. Through this Wilson Redemption Program, men’s and women’s coaches have the opportunity to enroll in a purchase rewards program and receive complimentary tennis equipment based on spending totals.
***
Nishikori Signs Endorsement Contract with Japanese Food Company
The global economic crisis might be causing mass anxiety around the corporate world but Kei Nishikori, the 84th ranked Japanese teenager who is widely tipped for super-stardom before too long, doesn't seem affected. The Nick Bollettieri Academy trained youngster, currently contesting the AIG Open staged in Tokyo's Ariake Coliseum and safely through to the second round after beating Robert Kendrick 7-6,6-7,6-2, has just signed another major endorsement deal, this one is with Nissan Food. Nishikori, already backed in a long-term lucrative agreement by the Sony Corporation and also endorses adidas clothing and Wilson rackets. He will wear a Nissan patch on his left arm reading: "CupNoodles." He said: "I have loved "Ramen" since I was a little boy. Even now that my life is based out of the United States I continue to spend a lot of time traveling around the world and often enjoy Nissin Noodles. "Instant noodles" is a food culture that Nissin Food has spread all over the world and always reminds me of Japan. Diet is a very important aspect of my life as a professional athlete and will be a key factor to my success as a tennis player."
***
We Hear—
--that in addition to breaking with her coach, Amelie Mauresmo is no longer working with her physio Michel Franco.
***
THIS WEEK
MEN
Bangalore
Metz
Tokyo
WOMEN
Stuttgart
Tashkent
Tokyo
***
NEXT WEEK
MEN
Moscow
Vienna
WOMEN
Moscow
***
Bob Larson’s Stock Report
Monday’s Stock Prices
Stock
Last
Change
Adidas
25.05
-2.86
Amer Sports
6.15
-.55
Head
2.10
0.00
K-Swiss
17.36
-.45
Nike
65.05
-2.74
Bob Larson Tennis Stock Index $115.71
* 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
Bob Larson - Publisher
Cort Larson - Editor
Bob Larson's Daily Tennis is published
Monday through Friday except Holidays
Monday and Thursday in November and December.
Delivery via e-mail to all countries
Subscription rates are; $97USD a year,
$57USD for Six months, $37USD for Three months.
Bob Larson Tennis
P.O. Box 24256
Edina, MN 55424 USA
952-920-8947 (voice) or 952-920-8940 (fax)
E-mail address bob@tennisnews.com
Visit our website at: www.tennisnews.com
(c) Copyright 2008. No duplication is permitted without permission from Bob Larson Tennis
Subscribe