ATP World Tour announces partnership with Rio de Janeiro
While the Top 8 players grind it out at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, ATP officials announced their new two-year agreement with the State of Rio de Janeiro to become the official tourism destination of the ATP World Tour. With the new deal, Rio de Janeiro will be the new presenting partner of the ATP World Tour Uncovered, the Tour’s weekly 30-minute magazine-style television show, which can be seen in more than 150 countries by over 400 million viewers. Rio de Janeiro will also have momentous presence on the ATP’s official website, ATPWorldTour.com, which receives more than 200 million visits annually. As a part of the new agreement, Rio de Janeiro becomes a platinum level sponsor of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London at The O2. “Rio de Janeiro is a spectacular destination in a country with a great tradition in tennis, and we’re pleased they’ve chosen the ATP World Tour as the platform for communicating their international tourism message. The ATP World Tour features 62 events in 32 countries, so the partnership delivers a very strong international presence,” said Adam Helfant, ATP Executive Chairman and President. Rio de Janeiro has a population of close to 16 million people.
Tennis Channel Academy returns for fourth season starting on November 27
The half-hour series Tennis Channel Academy hosted by tennis Hall of Famer Tracy Austin returns for its fourth season on November 27 at 12 p.m. EST, with two episodes from former players Taylor Dent and Vijay Amritraj. Subsequent episodes will be shown throughout December, with encore airings throughout the month. Other coaches who will be featured this season on the show include Todd Martin, Tim Blenkiron and three USTA Player Development coaches. A complete schedule can be found on www.tennischannel.com/schedule. “It was exciting to hit the courts again this year with another lineup of Tennis Channel Academy coaches and I can’t wait for the new season to get underway,” said Austin. “I’m very proud of what we’ve been able to share with our viewers over the past three years, top-level instruction that is regularly put into use by the players on the men’s and women’s professional tours.” Each episode of Tennis Channel Academy features a different coach offering his or her distinct tennis knowhow, with techniques and tips that can be used by players of all levels – from beginners to seasoned professionals.
Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation Selected as Finalist for Toyota Halftime Handoff
The Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation, the charitable division of the USTA Midwest Section, recently announced that they have been selected as one of four finalists to receive a $10,000 donation as the winner of the Toyota Halftime Handoff. The winner will be announced during the NFL’s Sunday Night Football game on national television on November 27. The winner will be determined through online voting and the public can vote from November 16-22 on its website: http://apps.facebook.com/halftimehandoff. The contest is a Facebook-enabled charitable voting initiative, whereby a donation of $10,000 a week will be awarded for 15 weeks to the deserving nonprofit organization that receives the most eligible votes through the Facebook application. The Midwest Youth Tennis & Education Foundation (MYTEF) promotes and develops youth tennis as an enjoyable, lifelong sport that contributes to good health, leadership, education, discipline and positive self-esteem. This year MYTEF awarded approximately $113,500 in grants and scholarships for programs and individuals, and introduced over 15,000 kids to the game of tennis.
USTA celebrates instillation of 3,000 courts across the United States in 2011
According to a press release, the USTA announced on Tuesday that it will celebrate the refurbishment and creation of 3,000 tennis courts in the United States, the most ever by the USTA in a single calendar year. This achievement will be celebrated at Grove Park in Atlanta, Georgia on November 30. Grove Park is emblematic of the 502 facilities that have been upgraded by the USTA in 283 markets throughout the country. Through its facilities assistance group, the USTA has succeeded in the construction and renovation of 3,000 tennis courts in 45 states in 2011. The courts were either constructed or refurbished by painting permanent 36’ and 60’ tennis lines on existing 78’ tennis courts, or constructing stand-alone 36’ and 60’ courts. The courts were built in public parks, school yards, tennis facilities and at local community based youth organizations, like the Boys and Girls Club. The USTA’s efforts are in accordance with the International Tennis Federation’s (ITF) new rule that now requires all youth tennis courts be specially lined or built to enable participation of the 10 and Under Tennis play format. The play format consists of modified tennis equipment, which includes smaller courts, lower nets, smaller racquets, lower compression balls, and a scoring system that’s easier for kids to understand. With equipment and courts tailored to suit their needs and abilities, kids have more confidence and fun as soon as they pick up a racquet. The new rule takes effect on January 1, 2012. “The USTA committed to impacting 3,000 courts in 2011, and we succeeded,” said Jon Vegosen, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “By investing in local infrastructure, we can continue to grow the game at the grassroots level, energize players of all ages and help improve communities across the country.” The USTA also joined forces with First Lady Michelle Obama’s “Let’s Move!” initiative in 2011 to encourage young people across the country to get active, play tennis and lead healthy lifestyles. In addition, a component of the collaboration with “Let’s Move!” was the commitment to encourage 200,000 children to participate in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA). The USTA exceeded its commitment and had more than 226,000 kids participate in and complete the PALA challenge. To date, the USTA has had more kids complete the challenge than any other youth sports organization in the United States.
City of Cayce, SC selected to host 2012 & 2013 USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Championships
The USTA recently announced that the city of Cayce, S.C., has been selected as the next city to host the 2012 and 2013 USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Championships. The Championships will be played from October 19-21 and 26-28, 2012 and October 18-20 and 25-27, 2013. The USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Championships features the Top 16 teams from across the country. With an Advanced and Intermediate division, players are competing for a national title in a fun, non-stressful environment, while learning the value of team work and camaraderie. The tournament will use two tournament sites including the “new” Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center, which has 30 courts and a two-story 11,000 sq. ft clubhouse with fitness and conference rooms. The facility is located just seven miles from downtown Columbia, home of the University of South Carolina. The other facility that will be used is the Lexington County Tennis Complex, which has 21 courts and a two-story 4,200 sq. ft clubhouse with a conference room. It is located five miles from downtown Lexington. The River Bank Zoo will host the player party. “We feel extremely honored that the Lexington County Recreation and Aging Commission will host the National Championships,” said Jorge Andrew, Lexington County Recreation & Aging Commission, Director of Tennis Operations. “We are excited about these prestigious events being played at our state-of-the-art facilities. The championships will bring the best Jr. Team Tennis players from all over the country to our beautiful area.” “USTA Jr. Team Tennis is pleased to bring the 2012 National Championships to South Carolina at the ‘New’ Cayce Tennis and Fitness Center and the Lexington County Tennis Complex,” said Marikate Murren, USTA Jr. Team Tennis National Manager. “These facilities will offer our participants, coaches and spectators incredible venues to experience the very best of USTA Jr. Team Tennis.” The USTA Jr. Team Tennis had more than 85,000 participants representing all 17 USTA Sections in 2011.
adidas launches newly designed Barricade 7.0 shoes
For the first time ever, adidas Tennis has launched two new versions of its legendary Barricade shoes. The men’s version weighs 1.06 ounces less than its predecessor without sacrificing the traditional values of stability, durability and comfort. The newly designed women’s Barricade weighs only 10.4 ounce. Andy Murray and Andrea Petkovic will continue to rely on the Barricade for their preferred adidas shoe while on the tennis court. “In my rehabilitation from a torn ACL I had to work on my leg strength and stability. It showed me how important stability is for a powerful game,” said Petkovic, “The Barricade gives me the stability I need.” The women’s barricade 7.0 caters to female athletes’ specific needs with a more stylish design, a softer forefoot flex and reduced weight. This is achieved through reduced technology and softer materials in the forefoot area. “Over a period of more than 18 months we tested the shoe with more than 30 professional and semi-professional players. Our product testing department spent roughly 2,500 hours with athletes to make sure the shoe is the best barricade ever,” said Graham Williamson, adidas Vice President of Business Unit Tennis. “When we showed the final samples to our players they were reluctant to give them back and wanted to play in them immediately.” The Barricade 7.0 will retail globally for $140 (Men’s) and $130 (Women’s) worldwide starting this month.
Sony Ericsson Open offering ticket specials as holiday gifts
If you are interested in seeing some of the best tennis in the world in sunny Miami, Florida, consider ordering tickets to the Sony Ericsson Open as a holiday gift before they go on sale to the public. The 2012 Sony Ericsson Open will be played from March 19-April 1 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park. For more information on ordering tickets, please call the ticket office at (305) 442-3367 or visit the official tournament website at www.sonyericssonopen.com.
Tickets on sale now for the ATP Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport
Tickets are now on sale to the public for the ATP Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, R.I., which will take place from July 9-15, 2012. John Isner will be back in 2012 to defend his title on the historic grass courts of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. To order tickets, please call (866) 914-3263 or visit the official tournament website at www.tennisfame.com.
Murray commits to 2012 Brisbane International
Andy Murray announced this week his plans to play in the Brisbane International in Australia, a warm-up tournament for the Australian Open, which will take place from January 1-8, 2012. The Scot will join Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams in their debut year at the event. “I love coming to Australia, but I’ve never had the opportunity to visit Queensland before,” said Murray. “I’ve heard only good things about the Brisbane International tournament, so I am looking forward to competing in January. With a quality field it is the perfect way to begin my Australian campaign.” Murray was a finalist at the Australian Open in 2010 and 2011. The combined Brisbane tournament prize money in 2012 will increase to $1.1 million (US), a 63 percent increase, then to $1.55 million (US) in 2013.
Murray pulls out of Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London with groin injury
World No. 3 Andy Murray officially pulled out of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London at The O2 on Tuesday with a groin injury he sustained before the start of the tournament. The Scot lost his opening round match to Spaniard David Ferrer in straight sets where it was clear the injury was bothering him. “I was just trying to find reasons why I should try to play,” said Murray. “But, you know, there was no real positives coming out and playing because yesterday I was really unhappy on the court. I wasn’t enjoying it at all.” Murray stressed that the injury wouldn’t require surgery, but the Australian Open was not too far off and he didn’t want to make the injury worse. “The Australian Open is six, seven weeks away. I could mess up my preparation for that, for the beginning of the year. That offseason is so important for me, and has been for the last few years of getting myself in shape.” Alternate Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia will take Murray’s place in the round-robin field and next face Tomas Berdych.
Goran Ivanisevic expected to be named next Davis Cup captain for Croatia
Following Goran Prpic’s recent resignation as Croatia’s Davis Cup and Fed Cup captain, Croatian state-run television is reporting that former Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic could be called to duty as the next Davis Cup captain. Croatia will face off against Japan in its first round tie in 2012.
Argentina, Spain name Davis Cup teams for finals
Argentina Davis Cup captain Tito Vazquez has named 2009 US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro, David Nalbandian, Juan Monaco, Juan Ignacio Chela as his players for the Davis Cup finals tie against Spain, which will be played from December 2-4 in Seville. “I think we are in our best moment as a team, each player is determined to get (to the final) in his best form. Juan Martin has been training twice a day. These players were born on clay,” said Vazquez. “It’s tough playing five sets on clay. We all know the hardest tournament is Roland Garros (and) Spain has the best player of all time (on clay), Rafa Nadal.” Spain’s team will feature world No. 2 Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez.
Dunlop names Brian Barth as Territory Manager for Northern California and Northern Nevada
Dunlop Sports has announced that sales veteran Brian Barth is the new Territory Manager for Northern California and Northern Nevada, including the markets in San Francisco and San Jose. Barth has over 17 years of sales experience in tennis, skiing and biking. He will be based out of Mill Valley, Calif., and will work first hand with Rich Neighbor, the Western Regional Sales Manager for Dunlop. “Brian’s experience in different sports categories will help us as we look to expand our reach with the new Biomimetic range,” said Kai Nitsche, Vice President and General Manager of Dunlop Racket Sports. “He’s a well known and highly respected presence in his territory and we’re glad to have him on the team.”