brisbane international

By Justin Cohen

• The USTA announced that they are awarding more than $400,000 in recreational tennis grants to 45 non-profit organizations across the United States. Winners of the grants include Parks and Recreation agencies, USTA National Junior Tennis League chapters, YMCA’s and even entire school districts. “We are excited to announce our second round of grants totaling over $400,000. This investment will help organizations that are dedicated to using tennis as a vehicle to improve the quality of life and education for both children and adults alike,” said Kurt Kamperman, the Chief Executive of Community Tennis at the USTA.
• Mats Wilander has stepped down as captain of the Swedish Davis Cup team. The former world No. 1 led the Swedish team to the semifinals in 2007.
• Robin Soderling said that he accidently missed a doping test at the French Open because he switched hotels and forgot to mention it to the anti-doping personnel. “I had said I would stay at the Hilton but changed hotels and forgot to announce it,” Soderling said at this week’s If Stockholm Open. “I realized after a few days but it was too late because the doping inspectors had already searched for me for a test.”
• Justine Henin confirmed that she will make her comeback on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour at the Brisbane International in January. “After a 15-month absence I am pleased to begin my second tennis career at the Brisbane International,” said Henin.
• James Blake and Tommy Haas have signed on to play in the 2010 Delray Beach International Tennis Championships in February. Mardy Fish and the Bryan Brothers have already committed to participate in the tournament.
• 53-year-old Philip Brook has been elected Vice Chairman of the All England Club and is expected to succeed Wimbledon Chairman Tim Phillips when he steps down in December 2010.
• SportsBusinessJournal reports that the ATP World Tour has been denied $17.9 million in legal fees from the German and Qatari federations over the Hamburg lawsuit.
• Swedish police said that two ATP players were detained while trying to enter their hotel with prostitutes before the start of this week’s If Stockholm Open.
• Australian media reports that one of the seven men charged during a clash between Serbian and Bosnian fans after the Novak Djokovic and Amer Delic match ended at the Australian Open has been fined $500 (AU) but didn’t receive a criminal conviction.
• According to reports from Times Online, ATP players will not be able to receive a medical timeout during the middle of a game starting next year. Players will have to wait until the end of the game to receive treatments.
• In an E-Poll Market Research that surveyed the most well-liked athletes, Rafael Nadal was listed as fourth.
• Czech Republic’s Ivo Minar has been given an eight month doping suspension from the ATP World Tour for testing positive for the stimulant, methylhexanamine.
• The Paris Court of Appeal has upheld the ban on Unibet offering wagers on matches played at the French Open. Unibet has also been ordered to pay $1.2 million (France) in infringement damages.
• France’s Tatiana Golovin recently told L’Equipe that her chances of playing professional tennis again are slim.  “Learning my condition was a big shock, but now I know what I have and what I have, you can’t cure,” said Golovin, who has been diagnosed with spondylitis of the back, which is an arthritic like condition. “Do I have any chance to play again? It’s not advised, but I’m still young. The pain may suddenly disappear.”
• In an interview with LAOLA1, 18-year-old Tamira Paszek indicated that she has resumed training and hopes to be ready to compete at the Australian Open in January. She also said that she was not given any penalties by the Austrian anti-doping agency for undergoing back treatment that may have been in violation of blood-doping rules. “It’s over and in the past,” said Paszek. “It was a stupid affair. It was not intentional.”
• Sydney Daily Telegraph reports that Mark Philippoussis is trying to sell the rights to his engagement and wedding to an Australian women’s magazine for up to $200,000 (AU). The former Australian star is engaged to American actress Jennifer Esposito.
• Lleyton Hewitt is backing Paul McNamee over Geoff Pollard in the upcoming election for President of Tennis Australia. Pollard has held the position for the last 20 years. “I get on well personally with Geoff,” said Hewitt on his official website. “However I strongly believe that change is needed at Tennis Australia and what better place to start than right at the top!!”
• Serena Williams and former Sony Ericsson WTA Tour star Chanda Rubin have been added to the list of participants for the Advanta WTT Smash Hits tennis exhibition in Baton Rouge on December 8. Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John are the hosts of the event.
• Tecnifibre has signed a partnership deal to become the official tennis partner with 6^th Sense, the tennis academy launched by Justine Henin and her coach Carlos Rodriguez. All coaches and players at the academies in Belgium and Florida will use Tecnifibre racquets, strings, bags and balls.
• The BCF Tennis Challenge presented by the Baltimore Sun on December 9 at the 1^st Mariner Arena in Baltimore will feature John Isner, Melanie Oudin and the Bryan Brothers. The BCF Tennis Challenge, which is in its 24^th year, is the longest running annual charity event in the world. “We are thrilled that the hottest players on the tour Melanie, John and the Bryans have all made playing in Baltimore part of their year-end plans,” said Pam Shriver, the Tournament Chairman and Founder.
• The USTA announced that they have partnered with Public Allies to place young leaders into 10-month apprenticeships with two National Junior Tennis and Learning chapters in Milwaukee and Oakland, Calif., beginning this month. “Public Allies and the National Junior Tennis and Learning network both share the same ideals of molding young people of all backgrounds into a diverse group of future leaders,” said Barry Ford, the USTA Director of Outreach and Advocacy. “With such a strong shared sense of mission, the partnership between the USTA and Public Allies is a natural fit, and we look forward to working with Public Allies to place more of its young people into NJTL chapters for many years to come.” Public Allies is a non-profit organization whose mission is to advance new leadership to help strengthen communities, non-profits and civic participation.