Nadal selected as Ambassador for Bacardi Limited
On Tuesday, world No. 1 and nine-time Grand Slam singles champion Rafael Nadal was chosen as Bacardi Limited’s newest ambassador for educating consumers about responsible drinking, which marks the first time the spirits company has brought its global campaign to the United States. Nadal was introduced late Tuesday as the new face of Bacardi’s “Champions Drink Responsibly” campaign during an event at the New World Symphony space on Miami Beach. In one of the first ads to be released, the Spanish sensation stresses importance of knowing when you and your friends have had enough to drink. “I enjoy socializing with my friends and family and drinking responsibly is important no matter what your game is,” said Nadal. “That is why I’m teaming up with Bacardi Limited as I want to take the lead in promoting social responsibility to fans and consumers around the world.” In another ad showcasing one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, Nadal emphasizes drinking in moderation.
Seventeen players graduate from ATP University in Miami while in town for Sony Ericsson Open
At the Mayfair Hotel & Spa in Miami on Saturday, March 19, 17 ATP World Tour players graduated from ATP University. The ATP University is an informative and interactive workshop consisting of classroom presentations by ATP executives and industry specialists. The curriculum provides a thorough knowledge of ATP operations and the skills necessary for a productive and lasting career. The ATP University was implemented in 1990 to ensure that over time, professional tennis benefits from a more well-rounded responsible tennis professional. More than 790 athletes have completed the program since its inception. 20-year-old Canadian Milos Raonic, who is currently ranked No. 34 after starting the year No. 156, won the ATP IQ competition, which is a game testing the players’ knowledge of the ATP and the topics covered during the workshop. “A really great opportunity for us to be here and to learn so many things about the ATP,” said Lithuanian Richard Berankis, who is currently ranked No. 75 and is a former junior US Open champion. “I’m really happy I came, happy with what I learned and hopefully I can use it in the future.”
ATP World Tour launches new charity program
The ATP World Tour recently announced the launch of ATP ACES For Charity, which is new global initiative program aimed at giving back to communities where ATP World Tour events are played, and supporting tournament and player charitable activities, which focus on a range of causes from education to youth and community services to health and fitness. Through this newly launched program, the ATP World Tour will be donating more money to charity, raising more money for charity and prominently showcase the strong charitable work being done by the ATP tournaments and top ranked ATP tennis players worldwide. Most recently, the ATP World Tour recognized Japan’s No. 1 player Kei Nishikori, who is promoting the Red Cross earthquake appeal. During the recently completed BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Nishikori worked with other ATP players to secure autographed items that will be auctioned off during a charity event at a later date.
Japan’s Fed Cup tie in Tokyo against Argentina postponed due to earthquake and tsunami
Due to the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, the April 16-17 Fed Cup tie between Japan and Argentina in Tokyo has been postponed until July 16-17 at a venue that will be announced at a later date. “In light of these dreadful and exceptional circumstances, we felt it was important to give the JTA (Japanese Tennis Association) the opportunity still to host the tie and for Fed Cup to play its very small part in the healing process of a nation,” said Francesco Ricci Bitti, International Tennis Federation President.
Clijsters announces that she will not play tournaments in Asia this fall
During a recent press conference at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, former world No. 1 and four-time Grand Slam singles champion Kim Clijsters announced that she will not be playing any tournaments in Asia this fall due to fears of getting radiation poisoning as a result of the leaks in several of Japan’s nuclear reactors. “I won’t go (to Japan),” said Clijsters. “And I won’t go to Beijing either.”
Clijsters films commercial for USANA Health Sciences during BNP Paribas Open
Kim Clijsters took time out of her busy tennis schedule at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last week to film a commercial for USANA Health Sciences, which is the official health supplement supplier of the WTA Tour. Not only is Clijsters an avid supporter of USANA, but Sam Stosur, Melanie Oudin, Liezel Huber, Zheng Jie and Aleksandra Wozniak are also big fans. Here is a behind the scenes video of Clijsters during the USANA commercial shoot in Indian Wells: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EW-TI14KOm8
Juan Martin del Potro to compete in AEGON Championships at Queen’s Club in June
2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, who is already making an impressive comeback this year after having wrist surgery, has agreed to play in the AEGON Championships at Queen’s Club in London from June 6-12. The Argentine, who won the singles title in Delray Beach earlier this year, joins a strong 2011 field including Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and four-time champion Andy Roddick. “I like London, I played at the AEGON Championships a couple of years ago and I really enjoyed it,” said Del Potro. “If you want to be a really good player you have to win on grass courts. I never had good results on grass before so this year could be a chance for me to improve my game on grass at Queen’s and at Wimbledon. I have to learn many things on that surface but I will be ready to do it. Any tournament I play I want to win and If I can play my best level I think I can do it.” After reaching the semifinals last week at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the 22-year-old is currently ranked No. 51.
Harrison signs on to compete at Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport
Up and coming American Ryan Harrison announced that he will participate in this summer’s Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, R.I., from July 4-10. The 18-year-old Louisiana native will be making his second appearance at the famed grass court venue. Harrison was a quarterfinalist in Newport in 2010. “As a wild card in Newport last year, Ryan advanced to the quarterfinals and he has consistently posted some outstanding results since then,” said Mark L. Stenning, Tournament Director of the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. “Ryan is definitely a player on the move and one to watch. We know our fans will enjoy seeing him compete and we look forward to welcoming him back to Newport again this summer.”
Harrison accepts wildcard into River Oaks in Houston in April
Ryan Harrison, who reached the fourth round at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells last week before falling in two close sets to then No. 2 ranked Roger Federer, has accepted a wildcard into the main draw at the US Men’s Clay Court Championships at River Oaks Country Club in Houston, which takes place from April 4-10. The 18-year-old, who is currently signed with IMG Academies, awaits a qualifier in his first round match at this week’s Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.
Nadal, Djokovic, Murray and Ferrer to play soccer match in Miami for Japan relief
Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray and David Ferrer are among several top ATP World Tour players who will play in a charity soccer match against the Fort Lauderdale Strikers professional soccer team at a Miami high school on Wednesday night to benefit the relief efforts in Japan. A fundraising dinner will follow the soccer match and all proceeds will go the American Red Cross Japan disaster relief effort.
Hewitt withdraws from Sony Ericsson Open in Miami following foot surgery
Australian Lleyton Hewitt announced that he recently had foot surgery and will not be able to compete at this week’s Sony Ericsson Open in Miami. The former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam singles champion said he expects to be ready to play at Roland Garros and Wimbledon. “My foot has been troubling me for some time and I needed the surgery to enable me to compete at my best with the two Grand Slams coming up soon,” said Hewitt.
Monfils announces on Twitter that he will not play in Miami
Frenchman Gale Monfils, who is currently ranked No. 11 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, recently announced on his Twitter account that he will not be competing in the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami because his left wrist is still injured.
Dozens of Sampras’ stolen trophies dropped off at Los Angeles hospital
Dozens of Pete Sampras’ stolen trophies were anonymously dropped off at the back of a Los Angeles hospital on Saturday. According to TMZ.com, private investigators got a tip-off that they would be dropped off behind a hospital. The investigator alerted the hospital staff, where staff recovered some of Pistol Pete’s 14 Grand Slam winner’s trophies. There is no word yet on which trophies were recovered.