Monday, October 26, 2009

WORLD NEWS

USTA and Mercedes-Benz USA Sign US Open Sponsorship

The USTA announced a multi-year marketing partnership with Mercedes-Benz USA. The new partnership designates Mercedes-Benz the “Presenting Sponsor of the US Open Men’s Singles Championship” and the “Official Vehicle of the US Open,” the highest attended annual sporting event in the world.
For its four-year agreement Mercedes-Benz gets significant exposure including on-site presence at the US Open, national TV media commitments, an extensive presence on USOpen.org, and all transportation fleet services for the more than 250 athletes participating in the US Open. Mercedes-Benz also becomes a sponsor of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, the interactive tennis and entertainment festival that serves as the unofficial kick-off of America’s Grand Slam.
Mercedes-Benz presence at the US Open will include net post signage for all televised men’s singles matches and side court signage on the majority of tennis courts, including Arthur Ashe Stadium, Louis Armstrong Stadium and the Grandstand. The luxury automobile manufacturer expects to have several Mercedes-Benz vehicle displays on the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open, to promote key vehicle models and conduct promotions with attendees. In its role as the Official Vehicle of the US Open, a fleet of Mercedes-Benz vehicles will be provided to support player transportation efforts at the Open.
The partnership includes a significant media commitment by Mercedes-Benz across the US Open’s three domestic television broadcasters – CBS, ESPN2 and Tennis Channel. Mercedes-Benz will also have a large presence on USOpen.org, the official website of the tournament. USOpen.org enjoyed a record year in 2009 with total visits topping 63 million and unique visitors up 47% vs. 2008 levels.

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Geoff Pollard Re-Elected as Tennis Australia President

Geoff Pollard was re-elected as president of Tennis Australia for a further 12 months at the Annual General Meeting held in Melbourne October 26.
“I want to thank the Member Associations for their support,” Pollard said after the vote.
“There has been a lot of change in the last four years and a lot of good work done in tennis. In what will be my final year as president of Tennis Australia I look forward to progressing the culture of change we have developed, and continue to drive more growth and improvement in the sport. There is still a lot of work to do, but we have a great team in place to deliver what is needed in partnership with our member associations.
“I am also pleased I will be able to complete the current negotiations with the Victorian Government on the redevelopment of Melbourne Park. It is one of the most important projects we will undertake,” Pollard continued.
Fourteen state and territory delegates were eligible to vote, with three members up for re-election.
Independent director Dr. Janet Young was re-elected, as was member representative Ashley Cooper. Bill Cossey, the President of Tennis SA, was elected as a member representative, replacing Tennis Victoria President David Stobart.
Paul McNamee, a candidate who challenged Pollard for the position, issued this statement ;

“Firstly, I must congratulate Geoff on being elected for another year. A 20-year term is an obvious achievement, and I wish him well. I want to thank my loyal supporters who have worked tirelessly to help me in this campaign. This includes many individuals in the broader tennis community and beyond.
“I do believe that Australia needs to rebuild its status as a great tennis nation and, in order to do this, there are many ongoing issues that must be addressed. I will continue to play my part in helping our great game.”
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Allaster is in Doha For Her First Championships as CEO

Four months after taking over the top job in women’s tennis, Stacey Allaster is settling into life at the head of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour as she prepares to preside over her first year ending Championships in the hot seat.
Allaster is well aware there are many issues on the horizon that could give concern and none more worrying than the fact Sony Ericsson’s $88 million sponsorship deal is imminently up for renewal. “
Poor trading results for the last financial year have caused Sony Ericsson to make changes at top flight managerial level and consequently there is bound to be reassessment of how the company invests its’ money.
Dee Dutta, the architect of the Sony Ericsson deal that was ground breaking in its size of commitment has long since left the company but Allaster maintained: “We have Sony Ericsson committed through 2010, and our discussions are ongoing. We’re having good discussions, and hopefully we’ll know by year’s end if they will extend for 2011.”
Allaster is well aware of the competitive nature of enticing sponsors in the current economic climate and realizes there is an onus on the players to give value for money. This week in Doha the tour will be very much in the spotlight but she says: “The players understand the situation.
“It’s true to say they live in a world where they’re not affected by the economy, but they’re in touch enough to know what is happening around them.
“In Venus Williams, we could not ask for a better player leader. She’s been incredibly supportive inside the Player Council, and I can tell you she’s been actively engaged with helping with the Sony Ericsson renewal.
“She recently participated in a meeting in New York with me with Sony Ericsson along with Billie Jean King and Melanie Oudin. I think we know the story there: the past, present and future all understand the importance of our sponsorship partners.”
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Wozniacki Arrived in Doha Claiming Her Innocence

With the Tennis Integrity Unit’s investigation into last week’s events in Luxembourg ongoing, Caroline Wozniacki arrived at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Championships in Doha fit to play and insistent once again of her innocence.
Wozniacki is recovered from the hamstring strain that forced her to quit against Anne Kremer when just a game from victory. She is no aware of the surge in betting connected to her retirement that caused the enquiry but maintained: “I don't have anything to do with betting.  I don't do betting myself.  I'm against it. I didn't do anything wrong. I was injured.  There was no chance for me to finish.”
The teenage Dane who reached this year’s US Open final an currently stands in fourth place on the WTA Tour world rankings understands why the investigation is taking place but maintains neither her nor her father who was coaching her have done anything wrong.
She has been advised by the WTA Tour officials and added: “It's just regular procedure that they have someone who's looking into it. There's nothing suspicious about the match that way. So there is no really a big deal.”
Wozniacki has been drawn in the same group in Doha as world no.1. Dinara Safina, Jelena Jankovic and her close friend Victoria Azarenka. She is playing the Championships for the first time and said: “Last year I finished 12th in the world.  I was hoping I could make it in the top ten.  Definitely my goal was to reach the Sony Ericsson Championships. But, I didn't expect to be no.4 in the world right now.”
She has played 87 matches so far this year and the strain she suffered in Luxembourg was her first main injury problem. “Even if I would have won, there would have been no chance for me to play the next day,” maintained Wozniacki. “I think it's important to listen to your body and feel what you feel most comfortable with. I like playing matches.  It feels like I'm on a go.”
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Next Week’s New Valencia Event Will be Important to Owner Ferrero

Juan Carlos Ferrero is getting ready for a new chapter in his illustrious career. After being No.1 and champion of a major, the Spaniard will make debut as a co-owner of a tournament. That will happen next week when Valencia Open 500, a completely new event, opens its doors.
“For me, as a player from Valencia, home tournament was always special, but this time it will be even more special”, explains the 2003 Roland Garros champion. “Being a player, owner and organizer at the same time, gives me extra motivation and puts me in a position to watch for small details that I don’t look for on other tournaments.”
Ferrero is satisfied with the list of possible participants: Murray, Tsonga, Davydenko, Verdasco, Simon, Monfils. . . “A lot of great player entered tournament, we had expected big names, but this is much over it.”
One of the tournament attractions is the new arena; Agora, a spectacular building that looks more like a piece of art, then a place for tennis matches.
“This is going to be first event in Agora and all players are asking me all the time about it. I can hardly wait to see tournament in it. “As a clay court specialist, Ferrero cannot hope for a win in his tournament, like Novak Djokovic did in Belgrade earlier this year. Valencia Open will be played on indoor hard courts, but this doesn’t discourage him.
“All tournaments I enter, I always play with victory in mind”, says 29 year-old Ferrero who is #22 on ATP. “This one will be the same. I fill great physically and I will give my best to win the title. Besides, I will play in front of home crowd and my friends and that always gives special motivation.”
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It is a Small World

It can be a small world, as Sabine Lisicki revealed in the answer to a question from a fan posed on her blog from Luxembourg for the Sony Ericsson website. She was asked about the strangest place she’d been. She answered Pennsylvania (!), but that wasn’t the small world part.
When I was flying back from Charleston this year, we didn't land in New York as planned, we landed in Allentown, Pennsylvania and took a bus to New York," she wrote. "Everyone on the plane got on the bus and by the end of the ride they all knew I had won the tournament in Charleston. Anyway, at the US Open this year I was walking in downtown New York, and one of the guys from that trip was on the street - all of a sudden, five months later in New York, someone was calling my name on the street. New York is huge! It was quite funny."

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Lisicki Remembers Meeting Novotna

Many players have others they looked up to as youngsters, those they admired and treated as role models and inspiration. In the case of Sabine Lisicki that player was 1998 Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna. Sabine met her before playing her Luxembourg quarter-final against Patty Schnyder, but that wasn’t the first time they had got together.
"Before my match I met Jana Novotna. It brought some memories up. I thought I'd share them with you," she told her fans on her blog for the WTA website.
"When I was a little kid I went to practice with her. I was so nervous, I forgot to bring my shoes!! Can you imagine, you meet such a great player and forget your shoes. What impression does that make? Not good. Anyway, we went to the clubhouse and bought a new pair so I could practice with her. It was great and I still have a picture of the two of us."

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Milavsky to be Inducted into Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame

Tennis Canada announced that Harold P. Milavsky, Chairman of Quantico Capital Corp., will be inducted into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame in the Builder category during a dinner in his honor on December 3 at the Glencoe Club in Calgary.
“As former chairman of the board and a passionate driver of Canadian Davis Cup, Harold is a most deserving inductee into the Canadian Tennis Hall of Fame,” said Tony Eames, Chair, Tennis Canada Board of Directors. “His unwavering passion and leadership for Davis Cup competition has made Calgary the most successful Canadian city to host Davis Cup. His tennis legacy however, is the hands-on leadership Harold demonstrated in driving the development and construction of the $40 Million Rexall Centre in Toronto. In some ways, it is the building Harold built!”
Milavsky fulfilled many duties during his 11 years with the organization. From 2001-2004 Milavsky acted as Chairman of the Board culminating in the grand opening of the new Rexall Centre in July 2004. Being appointed honorary Davis Cup captain for Canada in 2007 was another highlight, especially since Canada remains undefeated in ties held in Calgary with a perfect 5-0 record.
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Ricky's Notes
By Ricky Dimon
Previously expected to retire at the end of this season, 33-year-old Nicolas Lapentti now plans to continue his ATP career. Lapentti's native Ecuador recently qualified for the Davis Cup 2010 World Group. "Reaching the World Group is a big motivation, not only to continue playing next year, but also to approach the tour with a different mindset," Lapentti explained. . . Sam Querrey, who is at home in California while out for the year with an arm injury, had Lasik eye surgery last week. "Just had Lasik eye surgery and now I can finally see," Querrey said via his Twitter account. "I now have 20/15 vision in both eyes. Life is so much better now.". . . Former Aussie star Mark Philippoussis is reportedly engaged to American actress Jennifer Esposito. Philippoussis, who has been struggling financially, is negotiating with several magazines for exclusive rights to cover the wedding and could make up to $200,000. . . Roger Federer is expected to make an appearance at the Swiss Pavilion for the 2010 Shanghai World Expo. One official said Federer would be there simply "to shake hands with his fans."
Pete Sampras argues that tennis players are the best athletes in the world. "In tennis, these athletes are incredible," Sampras said last week in an interview for ATP World Tour Uncovered. "I think tennis players are the best athletes, in my opinion. I'm not being biased. I know what it takes. I know hand-eye coordination. In an individual sport, you can't hide.". . . Sampras beat Andre Agassi 3-6, 6-3, 10-8 in an exhibition match at the Venetian Macao Tennis Showdown on Sunday. Sampras also teamed up with Yuki Bhambri to defeat Agassi and Ryan Harrison 7-5. . . The USTA Husband-Wife National Clay Court Championships will begin on Friday at the ATP Tennis Club in Ponte Vedra, Florida. PGA Tour player Matt Kuchar, a Ponte Vedra resident, will be competing at the event.
Stanislas Wawrinka, Andreas Beck, and Adrian Mannarino were the directly-entered players who pulled out of this week's ATP event in Lyon. Their departures allowed Nicolas Kiefer, Lamine Ouhab, and Paolo Lorenzi to get into the main draw. . . Juan Martin Del Potro and Tomas Berdych were among the withdrawals prior to the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy in Vienna. Lukasz Kubot and Marco Chiudinelli earned spots in the main draw as a result of the pullouts. . . Mischa Zverev and Michael Russell were the only two players to pull out of the St. Petersburg. Their absences gave Gulbis and Florian Mayer direct entry into the main draw. Ironically, Gulbis and Mayer played each other in the first round on Sunday. . . The Vienna hard courts have generally been some of the slowest on the tour in recent years, but that may not be the case this week. "The surface is much faster than in recent years," Jurgen Melzer said after practicing on them over the weekend. "The balls don't get so big so it should be easier to hit winners.". . . Stefan Koubek, who has played sparingly this fall because of a back problem, arrived in Vienna last Wednesday and says he feels better. "I am now fit and my back is in order," explained the Austrian. "My condition is good. Now I just need to improve my power."
Roger Federer quickly put an end to a Yahoo! Sports rumor that he would sit out the entire rest of the season, including the World Tour Finals. The world No. 1 announced last week that he will, in fact, return for Basel's Davidoff Swiss Indoors which begins on November 2. . . The draw for the year-end WTA Sony Ericsson Championships was revealed over the weekend. Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Elena Dementieva, and Svetlena Kuznetsova are in one group while Dinara Safina, Caroline Wozniacki, Jelena Jankovic, and Victoria Azarenka are in the other. . . Sybille Bammer will play fellow Austrian Thomas Muster, former world No. 1 on the ATP Tour, in an exhibition match on November 28 in Austria. . . Janko Tipsarevic, who finished runner-up in Moscow on Sunday, has been working with new coach Dirk Hordoff since late September. "The difference between the old and the new Janko is the way I think on court," Tipsarevic said prior to the title match against Mikhail Youzhny. "My new coach made me change in that respect." Horduff has worked previously with Rainer Schuettler and Yen-Hsun Lu.
Serena Williams and Caroline Wozniacki have been confirmed for an upcoming exhibition in Barbados. The two-day event beginning November 28 will feature a clinic for juniors, a singles match between Williams and Wozniacki, and a doubles match also involving two local players. . . U.S. Open semifinalist Yanina Wickmayer is not expected to face a suspension or any other kind of punishment for failing to report her whereabouts to anti-doping officials. The prosecutor at a Belgian tribunal called simply for a warning. . . Maria Sharapova has committed to play in the 2010 Cellular South Cup in Memphis. Tournament organizers already have Sharapova's opening-round match on the schedule for Monday night, February 15. . . Flavia Pennetta will play for Italy in the Fed Cup final against the United States on November 6 and 7. Pennetta opted to participate rather than play in Bali's Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Championships, which runs from November 4-8. . . The French Tennis Federation announced on Friday that it will host the United States in next year's Fed Cup first round on clay courts in Lievin. 2010 Fed Cup openers will be held February 6-7. . . Melanie Oudin will play Sloane Stephens in Birmingham's Pelham Challenge exhibition event on December. Stephens is the top-ranked American female junior.

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We Hear---
--that ticket sales in London for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals, are, in fact, fantastic. Out of a total of about 250,000 seats available over the eight days, the sales are over 230,000. What has been slow selling was the corporate hospitality packages. With just a month to go, expectations are that sales will pick up and the event will be a sell out. The event could wind up being the biggest one-week tournament, indoors or out.
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THIS WEEK
MEN
Lyon
St. Petersburg
Vienna
WOMEN
Doha
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NEXT WEEK
MEN
Basel
Valencia
WOMEN
Bali
Fed Cup Finals USA at Italy
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Bob Larson’s Stock Report
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