Jankovic signs endorsement agreement with Fila
Just this week, former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic signed a sponsorship deal with Fila, who has a long history in the tennis industry including being a sponsor of the Sony Ericsson Open, the BNP Paribas Open and the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport. Fila is also the footwear licensee of the Championships at Wimbledon. For the past three years, the Serbian was wearing Anta. “I have always been attracted to Fila’s fashion-forward designs and especially appreciate their commitment to infusing our sport with beauty and fashion,” said Jankovic. “Fila has such a rich tennis history and it is an honor to be wearing the same brand as the stars I admired as a child.” During the past six years in which Jankovic has been ranked in the Top 20, she has won 12 singles titles, one doubles title and is a former Wimbledon mixed doubles champion with Scot Jamie Murray. “We are thrilled to add former #1 ranked Jelena Jankovic to the Fila family,” said Gene Yoon, Chairman of Fila. “Her on-court and off-court style is consistent with the tennis champions that have worn the Fila brand since the 1970s. As we enter the 101st year of the Fila brand, our commitment to the sport that has been such an important part of our history will be strengthened by relationships with world-class athletes like Jelena.”
Stosur signs multi-year sponsorship deal with ASICS
Australian Samantha Stosur, the 2011 US Open singles champion, has signed up as an ASICS ambassador in a multi-year deal starting this month. Stosur, who previously wore Lacoste clothing and ASICS shoes for the past two years, will now wear ASICS apparel entirely from head to toe throughout the tennis season. “I am really excited to join the ASICS team. I’ve actually worn their shoes for a couple of years, so now to be fully kitted out is really exciting for me and I am really looking forward to getting the year started,” said Stosur.
Venus withdraws from Australian Open
Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams recently announced on her website that she has withdrawn from next week’s Australian Open. “I regret to announce that I am withdrawing from the 2012 Australian Open. After several months of training and treatment, I am making steady progress to top competitive form. My diet and fitness regimen have allowed me to make great strides in terms of my health and I am very close to being ready to return to WTA competition. I have every intention to return to the circuit in February,” said Williams. The 31-year-old last played a competitive match at the 2011 US Open where she withdrew from her second round match against Sabine Lisciki. It was at that tournament that Williams announced she struggles from the autoimmune disease Sjogren’s syndrome.
Azarenka signs long-term partnership with Wilson
World No. 3 Victoria Azarenka of Belarus has signed a long-term partnership with Wilson Sporting Goods, a Chicago-based company. “I’m extremely excited to be changing to Wilson’s new Juice racket. The power and spin that I feel with this racket is insane and I look forward to seeing what I can do with it,” said Azarenka. Every time Azarenka hits the courts, she will be seen with a new Wilson Juice tennis racquet, a matching new blue Tour tennis bag and exclusive Wilson Emotisorb shock absorber. “She is a very powerful player, with a dynamic personality and we are very thrilled to have her join the Wilson family,” said Renaud Vallon, Global Tour Director for Wilson.
European Broadcasting Union wins Wimbledon extension through 2014
After winning a very spirited bid, the European Broadcasting Union has retained its status as the global distributor of The Championships Wimbledon through 2014. The contract has been awarded through IMG Media in its capacity as the official production partner. Eurovision will now provide a full range of services for the international broadcast community during the two weeks of the grass court Grand Slam event. This will include global delivery of the world feed in HD, plus a 10-court package for the European market, also shown in HD. “We are delighted to be renewing and extending our agreement with IMG and the AELTC (All England Lawn Tennis Club). The EBU has more than 60 years of experience in putting sports programming exactly where broadcasters and federations want it in a seamless, reliable and cost-effective way. This contract demonstrates how we continue to meet those needs in a constantly evolving technical world,” said Stefan Kuerten, Director of European Broadcasting Union Sports & Business. The 2012 Wimbledon Championships will take place from June 25-July 8.
Feliciano Lopez becomes sponsored exclusively by Wilson
On Tuesday, Wilson Sports Goods announced they have extended their long-term partnership with ATP World Tour star Feliciano Lopez to now include apparel and footwear. The relationship makes Lopez one of their highest ranked players who will be exclusively wearing Wilson gear from head to toe. The 30-year-old from Spain, who is currently ranked No. 19 in the world, has been playing with Wilson racquets since his days in the juniors. Starting at next week’s Australian Open, he will debut Wilson’s new 2012 spring apparel collection and new footwear, as well as Wilson’s new Juice racquet. “I’ve played with Wilson rackets throughout my professional career, and they consistently are innovating for us players and also making some cool looking frames,” said Lopez. “Now as a head to toe Wilson athlete, I am especially excited about the style and uniqueness of the apparel and footwear collections. I have total trust in the brand and the Wilson team. With the awesome apparel and footwear, I feel well equipped to enter the 2012 season.” “Feliciano is a greatly respected player on tour, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to have him now wearing our apparel and footwear,” said Claire Ortiz, Global Business Director for Wilson Apparel. “His strong work ethic and commitment to the game make him a great ambassador for Wilson. We’re committed to designing and developing apparel and footwear collections with the most cutting edge technology and fashion forward style. Our dedication to this sport parallel Feliciano’s relentless perseverance, and we look forward to furthering this new exclusive Wilson partnership on tour.”
USTA to honor Grassroots Tennis Champions with National Awards in New Orleans
On Tuesday, the United States Tennis Association announced ten award winners to be honored during the USTA Community Tennis Development Workshop (CTDW), which will be held from January 13-15 in New Orleans at the Sheraton Hotel. The honorees will be recognized in a variety of categories for their dedication to growing the game of tennis at the grassroots level. The award winners include: Tennis for Fun Program (Tampa), Cindy Harkins (Longwood, Fla.), Justin DePietropaolo (Chester Springs, Pa.), Houston Tennis Association, Rita Gladstone (Port Orange, Fla.), Jim Neal (Niskayuna High School, Niskayuna, N.Y.), Jim Solomon (Hall High School, West Hartford, Conn.), Fred Wells Tennis & Education (Minneapolis), Mary and Frances Youth Center/Lobs & Lessons (Richmond, Va.) and the Central Texas Tennis Association.
ATP ACES For Charity grant presented to Canterbury Tennis in Auckland
During the Heineken Open in Auckland, New Zealand on Monday, the second of the 2012 ATP ACES For Charity grants was presented to Neil Prior, CEO, Canterbury Tennis. ATP Executive Chairman & President Brad Drewitt was present at the ceremony to award a $10,000 check to Prior. Canterbury Tennis, nominated by the Heineken Open aims to rebuild its tennis centre at Wilding Park after the devastating earthquake in February 2011 severely damaged all 33 of its outdoor courts. Of the 110 non-profit clubs affiliated to Canterbury Tennis, five suffered extensive damage with nearly all of their courts destroyed, and an additional nine suffered considerable damage. The organization is hoping to re-open its tennis centre by late 2012.
ATP ACES Charity grant presented to Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation in Sydney
World No. 18 Richard Gasquet and ATP International Vice President Alison Lee presented the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation with a $10,000 check as a part of the ATP ACES For Charity program on Monday at the Apia International Sydney in Australia. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, affiliated with the Apia International Sydney more than five years now, is the world’s largest charitable supporter of Type 1 diabetes research, investing over $100 million globally per year. Funds raised by JDRF’s participation in the tournament will be used for Australian medical research, and the partnership further encourages people with Type 1 diabetes to participate in activities that can improve their overall health. The No. 3 seeded Frenchman participated in a clinic with children suffering from juvenile diabetes prior to the presentation.
Milos Raonic commits to 2012 Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport
The Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, R.I., have a lot to look forward to this summer after 2011 ATP World Tour Newcomer of the Year and 2012 Aircel Chennai Open champion Milos Raonic committed to the tournament on Monday. Ranked No. 25 in the world, the Canadian joins American John Isner as early commitments to this year’s player field. The tournament takes place on the historic grass courts at the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum from July 9-15. “No doubt, Milos Raonic is one of the most exciting rising stars on the ATP World Tour. We are glad to see his season off to a great start, and we are quite pleased to be able to welcome him to Newport in July,” said Mark L. Stenning, Tournament Director. “With Milos Raonic and John Isner already committed to the field, fans can anticipate a great week of tennis, and we’re looking forward to announcing more top players as well.” Tournament tickets are on sale now on tennisfame.com or by calling 866-914-FAME (3263). In celebration of this exciting start to the season, an “Early Bird – Early Rounds” ticket offer is available from now through January 22. To save 10% on all tickets for Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday sessions, use promo code EARLY2012.
del Potro will not play Argentina’s first round Davis Cup tie against Germany
According to La Nacion, former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro announced that he will not play in Argentina’s first round Davis Cup tie against Germany on an indoor clay court. His coach, Franco Davin, said that the decision was made based on the demands of the calendar and that he does not want the big-serving Argentine to make the fast transition from the Australian hard courts to indoor clay courts then back to European indoor hard courts.