Former No. 1 Ivanovic in no hurry to hire next coach
Former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic announced that she is in no rush to hire a new coach after she parted ways last week with coach Antonio van Grichen. “When you’re 14 or 15 and getting into the routine, then you need someone to push you and point you in the right direction,” Ivanovic said from the Dubai Tennis Championships where she lost in the opening round to Patty Schnyder in three sets. “I’m at the stage of my career when I know what my goals are and when I know I have to work hard in order to succeed. There is no need for someone to repeat it into my ear every day. They are really good at tactics but I sometimes pay too much attention to the technical aspect of my game that I forget what I am really doing. I over-analyze everything, that’s why I’ve decided to give it a rest. I’m not looking for a new coach and we’ll see how it goes.”
Harrison drops Martin Damm as coach
Up and coming American teenager Ryan Harrison has split from coach Martin Damm and is back to being coached by his father, Pat. The 18-year-old, who trains at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla., started working with Damm after qualifying for the US Open last August. Harrison has seen his 2011 season get off to a slow start as he lost in the first round in Sydney to Robin Soderling, followed by an easy opening round exit at the Australian Open to Frenchman Adrian Mannarino. However, Harrison did win the Honolulu Challenger to help push his ranking up to No. 140 in the world. Considered one of the top American prospects, Harrison is currently looking to hire a full-time traveling coach.
Li Na to endorse Haagen-Dazs and Rolex
Though she fell short in the championship match at the 2011 Australian Open to Kim Clijsters, Li Na seems to be cashing in quick with new endorsement deals with the world famous ice cream brand Haagen-Dazs and Swiss luxury watch manufacturer Rolex. Li’s multi-year personal endorsement deal with Haagen-Dazs is the ice cream maker’s first endorsement deal with an athlete and will pay the Chinese tennis star a rumored $1 million. As an ambassador for Haagen-Dazs, Li’s imagine will be seen in print ads and PR activities. Li will also make store visits throughout China and in select cities throughout the world. Li hasn’t finalized her deal with Rolex yet, but financial terms of that deal seem to be more lucrative, thought to be worth millions of dollars. Li is currently ranked No. 7 in the WTA Rankings.
Edberg unveils corporate bond fund
Former world No. 1 Stefan Edberg, who won $20 million in tournament prize money throughout his career, has launched a corporate bond fund, according to the Swedish newspaper Affarsvarlden. Since 2004, Edberg has been a part-owner of Case Asset Management. The six-time Grand Slam singles champion is one of the biggest investors in the fund along with European businessman Kristianstad Sparbank. Both men have invested more than $6 million in the corporate bond fund. The new fund was launched in January and is called Safe Play and targets returns of 5 to 7 percent.
Sampras selected first overall in World Team Tennis Marquee Player Draft
Former world No. 1 and 14-time Grand Slam singles champion Pete Sampras was selected first overall in the World Team Tennis Marquee Player Draft on Tuesday by the Newport Beach Breakers. Sampras, who won more than $43 million in tournament prize money throughout his career, last played World Team Tennis in 2007. Sampras was one of 10 current of former No. 1 ranked players who were in Tuesday’s draft. Current WTA No. 1 Kim Clijsters was selected by the New York Sportimes, where she will join John McEnroe and Martina Hingis. Serena and Venus Williams will return to the Washington Kastles, where they will be joined by hard-serving Californian Sam Querrey. Former world No. 1 Lindsay Davenport, who is now a commentator for Tennis Channel, was a first-round selection by the St. Louis Aces. Davenport will play alongside Anna Kournikova and Mark Philippoussis. Bob and Mike Bryan, the No. 1 ranked doubles team on the ATP World Tour and recent Australian Open champions will play for the defending champion Kansas City Explorers for the seventh consecutive season. The Boston Lobsters selected American fan-favorites James Blake and John Isner, while Melanie Oudin will play for the Philadelphia Freedoms. Dates for the Marquee Player appearances will be announced when the League schedule is released in March. Team lineups will be finalized at the World Team Tennis Roster Draft on March 15. Marquee players typically play a limited schedule while roster players play the full season. Additional marquee players could be added prior to the start of the season.
New York World Team Tennis teams merge
On Monday, World Team Tennis presented by GEICO announced that the two New York based teams will merge starting this season. As part of this agreement, the New York Sportimes, based in New York City, will bring two of their home matches to SEFCU Arena in Albany, N.Y., during the WTT season this July. The Sportimes will play their remaining five home matches at Sportime Stadium at Randall’s Island in New York City, the new $19 million facility that Sportime Clubs opened in July 2009, now also home to the John McEnroe Tennis Academy. The New York Buzz franchise, which has played their matches in Albany and previously in Schenectady over the past 16 WTT seasons, competed in the WTT Pro League from 1995 to 2010. Sportimes’ owner Claude Okin also announced that the USTA Eastern Section has signed on as the host sponsor of the Sportimes as part of a cooperative marketing effort to support USTA programs in the Metro and Northern regions of the Section. The partnership will also launch a new player drive around the WTT season and every New York Sportimes match night will promote USTA programs, with emphasis on 10-and-under tennis and Junior Team Tennis. The 2011 regular season runs July 4-21, with the top two teams in both the Western and Eastern Conferences advancing to the WTT Conference Championships on July 22. The WTT Finals presented by GEICO will be on Sunday, July 24.
Babolat launches new footwear collection
Babolat, leading manufacturer of tennis equipment, has launched their 2011 footwear collection this month including the Propulse 3 and V-PRO line. The all-new Propulse 3 is endorsed by Andy Roddick and is available in stores in red and white for men, as well as women’s and junior models. The suggested price for the Propulse 3 ranges from $59.95 to $109.00. The V-PRO line offers outstanding spring, resistance to abrasion and extra versatility, exceptional durability, and a shock-absorbing heel for comfort and shock protection.
Washington Tennis and Education Foundation honored by USTA
The USTA honored the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation over the weekend as its 2010 National Community Tennis Association of the Year. The organization was honored in Crystal City, which is an urban neighborhood in Arlington, Va. When the Washington Tennis and Education Foundation opened in 1955, it was designed to help disadvantaged youth through tennis. It has since expanded its reach by providing academic support to at-risk children. In each of the last 13 years, 100 percent of the students graduating from the foundation’s program were admitted to college.
Del Potro announces upcoming playing schedule
Following his straight sets loss to Fernando Verdasco at the SAP Open in San Jose, 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro announced that he will play in Memphis, Delray Beach, as well as the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami. Del Potro will not play in Argentina’s opening round Davis Cup tie against Romania but will participate in the second round.
Monfils sidelined for four to six weeks due to wrist injury
Frenchman Gael Monfils, who is currently ranked No. 12, will be out four to six weeks due to a wrist injury that occurred during his three-set victory over American Robert Kendrick at the SAP Open in San Jose. The injury will cause Monfils to miss tournaments in Memphis, Acapulco, France’s Davis Cup tie and potentially Indian Wells. “Since the Australian Open I’ve had this pain,” said Monfils. “We decided to stop for between four and six weeks. It’s been a month and a half that I’ve had this pain. I can’t hit my backhand. I tried, but my backhand is very soft. I have a better backhand than I showed here—more powerful.”
Sharapova withdraws from Doha next week due to illness
World No. 13 Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from the WTA event next week in Doha due to illness. The Russian previously withdrew from the Paris Indoors last week and this week’s Dubai Tennis Championships with a virus and is now back at home in Los Angeles trying to recover. Her next tournament will be in Indian Wells in March.