Memphis ATP/WTA tennis tournaments moving to Brazil
According to Daniel Kaplan of SportsBusiness Journal, IMG has agreed to buy the ATP and WTA Tour tennis tournaments in Memphis and move them to Rio de Janeiro to be part of its Brazil venture, IMX. The ATP must sign off on the move of its event, which is played currently at the Racquet Club of Memphis. The WTA has already granted its approval conditioned on the events remaining combined as one tournament. For the last 35 years, the Memphis tournaments have been a fixture on the United States professional tennis schedule before tennis gets in full swing at Indian Wells and Miami. If the events do move to Brazil, the tournament would become the second acquisition for IMX, a 50-50 venture between IMG and Brazilian mining and energy corporation EBX.
Wimbledon hires Richard Lewis as new Chief Executive
Richard Lewis, current English rugby league chairman, has been hired by the All England Club as the new chief executive of Wimbledon. Lewis, who reached a career-best ranking of No. 68 while playing on the ATP World Tour, will leave his current position with the Rugby Football League at the end of April. The former Britain Davis Cup star will replace Ian Ritchie, who left Wimbledon earlier this year to pursue a position with England’s rugby union governing body. Lewis has previous experience working in tennis, having been the Director of Tennis at the Lawn Tennis Association from 1998 to 2000.
Murray commits to AEGON Championships at Queen’s Club in London through 2016
Andy Murray will be a fixture at the AEGON Championships at the Queen’s Club in London through 2016 after announcing his decision to play in the prestigious Wimbledon grass-court tune-up event. Currently ranked No. 4 in the world, Murray won the title at Queen’s Club in 2009 and 2011. “Ever since I got my first ATP World Tour match-win at the tournament seven years ago, I have always loved playing at The Queen’s Club,” said Murray. “I’ve won the tournament twice, and I’m looking forward to trying to win it many more times in the years to come.”
AEGON Championships and BBC extend partnership for five years
After the splendid news was announced that Andy Murray will be playing at the AEGON Championships for the next five years, tournament officials also announced that the event will partner with the BBC for another five years to ensure fans the opportunity to see at least 20 hours of live terrestrial coverage each year. The BBC first started broadcasting the tournament on television in 1979. “The AEGON Championships has a proud history and a very bright future, so it’s very exciting to extend our partnership with the BBC in telling the story of this great tournament, and in promoting our sport,” said Roger Draper, Chief Executive of the Lawn Tennis Association. Starting at this year’s tournament, the BBC will broadcast the tournament live for all seven days on BBC 1, BBC 2 and the red button, with coverage also on BBC Radio 5 Live and the BBC Sport website. Eurosport has been selected to also televise the entire week of the tournament.
2012 National Family Tennis Championships set for September 6-9 in Naples, Fla.
The 2012 National Family Tennis Championships, which is being produced by Oasis Sports Ventures, will take place from September 6-9 at the Waldorf Astoria Naples in Naples, Fla. This tennis event offers thousands of amateur players from around the country to team up with their mother, father, sister, brother, husband or wife to earn the right to play for a national title. Qualifying teams will be treated to a lavish 3-night stay at the Waldorf Astoria Naples while competing in the tournament. Tennis facilities across the United States interested in participating in the inaugural event have until April 30 to register as a local tournament host site. Each local host site receives a free tournament kit with everything they need to promote and run the event including; counter cards, promotional posters, NFTC banners, player premiums, Penn tennis balls, plus winner and runner-up awards for each division. In addition, host sites receive a percentage from every $95 team entry fee. For more information or to register as a local host site visit www.familytennis.com. “We encourage all tennis facilities in our target markets to join our family now to get in on the ground floor of the only national tennis event for families,” said Kathleen Francis of the 2012 National Family Tennis Championships. “This program is a great way for facilities to excite and grow their customer base by inviting members’ families to play and also offer non-members the chance to join in on the fun.” From today through June 30, tennis facilities in select markets are hosting tournaments with up to six divisions of play including; Husband/Wife, Brother/Sister, Father/Son, Father/Daughter, Mother/Son and Mother/Daughter. Local host sites are required to offer at least three of the six divisions. Players of all levels will compete in the same division. A brother, sister, son or daughter must be under the age of 18. A father or mother is required to be the minor’s legal guardian. “One of the great things about tennis is that it’s a wonderful sport for the whole family. We’re excited about the National Family Tennis Championships as it promotes tennis to all family members and affords players of all ages an opportunity to get on the court and play.” said Kurt Kamperman, USTA Chief Executive of Community Tennis. During July and August, local winners in each division will qualify for the nationals via a regional qualifier. The top teams at the regional qualifiers will be invited to compete at the National Championships in Naples. Teams will receive meals and three nights of hotel accommodations at the Waldorf-Astoria Naples – selected as one of the ‘Top 50 American Tennis Resorts” by Tennis Magazine since 2010. Players can also receive a discount on additional rooms so that they can bring the entire family to cheer them on. “We are thrilled to be selected as the host site for the 2012 National Family Tennis Championships,” said Frank Cavella, Director of Sales & Marketing at the Waldorf Astoria Naples “Our newly renovated facility is a great place to plan a family trip or a tennis vacation. This event offers participants the opportunity to do both.”
International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum to feature exhibit based on Titanic and Tennis
Starting on Thursday, April 12, the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum in Newport, R.I., will feature an exhibit that honors and tells the story of two tennis hall of famers, Karl Behr and Richard Norris Williams II, two Americans who survived the sinking of the Titanic and went on to have successful tennis careers. Tennis and the Titanic will officially open at the museum on April 12 with an exhibit opening at 5 p.m., a discussion with Behr and Williams’ family members at 6 p.m., and a special film screening of “A Night to Remember,” a 1958 film that chronicles the sinking, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The exhibit opening is open to the public, refreshments will be served, and reservations are recommended. Admission is free for Hall of Fame Members and $12 for Non-Members. Reservations may be made on tennisfame.com or by calling (401) 324-4075 or emailing programs@tennisfame.com. Behr’s and Williams’ story is told in Titanic: The Tennis Story, a novel by Lindsay Gibbs based on real-life events. In a real life story that could be the basis for a movie, Karl Behr, a dashing, successful businessman and established tennis player, claimed it was a business trip to Europe that required him to be on Titanic’s maiden voyage. In reality, he actually boarded Titanic to follow Helen Newsom, the woman he loved, but whose parents did not approve of him. After Behr rowed the family to safety on a lifeboat, he proved his worth to the family, got the girl, and went on to be ranked within the USA’s top-10 players. He was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1969. American Richard Norris Williams II had been living in Europe and preparing for a collegiate tennis career at Harvard when he boarded the Titanic with his father. They were about to jump into the water when the massive funnels came crashing down and crushed Williams’ father. With no time to mourn, Williams jumped into the icy water and clung to a lifeboat for hours. After he was saved, Williams had no feeling in his legs, and when he tried to stand or walk, the pain was unbearable. To avoid amputation and to allow himself the opportunity to achieve his tennis dreams, he spent hours walking the cold decks to get the feeling back and save his legs. Williams’ perseverance served him well. He went on to play at Harvard, and ultimately to achieve a world ranking of No. 4. Remarkably, Williams won the U.S. Nationals Mixed Doubles title just months after the disaster, and later won an Olympic Gold in mixed doubles with Hazel Hotchkiss Wightman. In all, he won a total of six major championships and was a member of five triumphant Davis Cup teams. He was inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1957.
Djokovic, Nadal to play Charity Tennis Match in Madrid
Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal will compete against each other in a charity tennis match at the Real Madrid’s Bernabeu Stadium in Spain on July 14. Event organizers are hoping to draw 80,000 fans for the match. Should the one-day event reach its target turnout, it will surpass the current Guinness World Record for attendance at a tennis match, which stands at 35,681, set during the Kim Clijsters-Serena Williams match in July 2010.
Mauresmo to help coach Azarenka
Reuters and the French website “We Love Tennis” report that former world No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion Amelie Mauresmo will help coach current top-ranked WTA Tour star Victoria Azarenka. Mauresmo, who previously helped coached ATP player Michael Llodra, will assist Azarenka’s current coach Sam Sumyk.
Kuznetosva drops coach Morozova, hires Mansdorf
Two-time Grand Slam singles champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has split with her coach Olga Morozova after two stints together. The hard-hitting 26-year-old Russian will now call Amos Mansdorf her new coach. Mansdorf is a former No. 18 on the ATP World Tour and Australian Open quarterfinalist, who hails from Israel. Mansdorf previously coached compatriot Dudi Sela and was a former Captain of the Israel Davis Cup squad.
Ginepri to compete for Boston Lobsters during 2012 World TeamTennis
Former US Open singles semifinalist Robby Ginepri has been added to the Boston Lobsters’ roster for two matches this summer during the 2012 World TeamTennis competition. The 29-year-old will play in the season opener against the Sacramento Capitals on July 9 and again on July 13 against the Washington Kastles. Both matches will be played at the Joan Norton Stadium located at the Ferncroft Country Club in Middleton, Mass. “I am looking forward to joining Coach (Bud) Schultz and the entire Lobsters team in Boston this summer. Playing World TeamTennis the week before I start my U.S. hardcourt season will provide great preparation in one of the best cities in the States,” said Ginepri.
Sock likely out of competition until Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in July
Matt Cronin of TENNIS.com first reported that 2011 US Open Mixed Doubles Champion and current ATP world No. 329 Jack Sock will likely be sidelined until the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport in early July. The 19-year-old American recently underwent surgery after suffering a tear in his groin. He last played at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Sock has already been awarded main draw wild cards in Newport and at the Atlanta Tennis Championships, both to be played in July.