Venus, Nalbandian, Gonzalez, Kleybanova granted Sony Ericsson Open main draw wildcards
Sony Ericsson Open tournament officials announced that seven-time Grand Slam champion Venus Williams, former world No. 3 David Nalbandian, former Australian Open finalist Fernando Gonzalez and Alisa Kleybanova have been awarded main draw wildcards. Williams, who has been sidelined since withdrawing from last year’s US Open, will make her 2012 debut in Miami, hoping to capture the singles title for the fourth time. The Palm Beach Gardens native last played in Key Biscayne in 2010. “I am looking forward to my return to competitive tennis at the Sony Ericsson Open,” said Williams. “I have spent most of my life in Southern Florida and view the Sony Ericsson Open as a hometown event. I have had many great experiences playing there and look forward to returning in the coming weeks.” Nalbandian, who was a Wimbledon finalist in 2002, is a winner of 11 ATP World Tour singles titles and is currently ranked No. 74. “I’m very happy to play the 2012 Sony Ericsson Open,” said Nalbandian. “Miami has always been one of my favorite tournaments in the tour, so I cannot wait to be in Key Biscayne in March.” Gonzalez, who turned pro in 1999 and is a winner of 11 ATP World Tour singles titles, will be retiring from professional tennis at the conclusion of the Sony Ericsson Open. The Chilean won a bronze medal in singles and gold medal in doubles with Nicolas Massu at the 2004 Athens Olympics. He also took home a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. “I am very excited to play the Sony Ericsson Open this year,” said Gonzalez. “Miami has a lot of special meaning to me, it is one of my favorite tournaments. As a child I was a huge fan and I used to love to come and watch the players compete. I chose Miami as my last tournament to play before I retire because I love the atmosphere the Chilean and Latin American fans create when I play. It is something truly special that I will always hold dear to me.” Kleybanova will be making her remarkable return to the WTA Tour after being diagnosed in May 2011 with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. “We are pleased to extend a wildcard to Alisa,” said Adam Barrett, Tournament Director. “She has shown tremendous perseverance and determination to return to the court and I know that her story can be an inspiration to others.” The 22-year-old Russian has completed all of her tests and has begun training. “I finished my treatments in December and a couple of weeks ago I did my last tests in Italy,” said Kleybanova. “The treatments were successful, my doctors are happy with my health and I’m feeling great!” This year’s tournament will be played from March 19-April 1 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased by visiting www.sonyericssonopen.com or by calling (305) 442-3367.
Tsonga commits to AEGON Championships at Queen’s Club in London
World No. 6 and 2011 Wimbledon semifinalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga announced he will return to the historic grass courts at Queen’s Club in London from June 11-17 to compete in the AEGON Championships. Last year, the Frenchmen lost in an epic Monday three-set final to Andy Murray. “I had an incredible year in 2011, and it all started there (at the AEGON Championships),” said Tsonga. “For me it is really nice, the organizers are very friendly with me, I like the crowd, and it was a really good atmosphere in the final.”
Pro Tennis Returning to Calabasas from March 10-18
Professional tennis will be returning to Calabasas at the Calabasas Tennis & Swim Center in Southern California after a one-year absence to host the 2012 USTA Men’s Pro Tennis Championships of Calabasas. The tournament will be played from March 10-18, with the qualifying matches for the $15,000 event starting on Saturday, March 10. The first main draw matches will begin on Monday, March 12. Admission is free to the general public from the qualifying matches on Saturday, March 10 through Thursday, March 15. Beginning on Friday, March 16, through the finals on Sunday, tickets will be $10 for adults and $5 for children under 14. Previous participants in former Calabasas Pro Circuit tennis tournaments include John Isner, Ryan Harrison, Donald Young, Vince Spadea, Michael Chang, Ivo Karlovic, Mark Philippoussis, Michael Russell, Ryan Sweeting, Sam Warburg and the Bryan Brothers. To follow the tournament on its official website, please visit: www.calabasastennis.com. The official Twitter account for the tournament can be found at www.twitter.com/calabasastennis.
Tony Bennett’s All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala to take place in Miami on March 19
Seventeen-time Grammy Award winning artist Tony Bennett will host the “Tony Bennett All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala” on Monday, March 19 in Miami, Fla. The two-part event will kick-off with a day-time round robin tennis tournament at The Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center at The Ritz Carlton Key Biscayne from 1 p.m. – 5 p.m. The event includes a champagne reception with hors d’oeuvres, exhibition tennis matches with top players including Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters, Mardy Fish, Ryan Harrison, Darren Cahill, Cliff Drysdale and the Bryan Brothers. Tony Bennett will perform “God Bless America” at the tennis event. In the evening, Tony Bennett will host a gala at the historic Vizcaya Museum and Gardens where guests will enjoy a seated dinner provided by Cristoforo Pignata (Puntino Italian Restaurants and Catering, who is bringing in three of his top chefs from his 5-star hotels in Italy for the event), followed by live performances by Tony Bennett and Alejandro Sanz. The Bryan Brothers Band will also perform for invited guests, celebrities and professional tennis players in attendance. “I am absolutely thrilled to be hosting this event that will benefit organizations dedicated to supporting the arts, education and the sport of tennis for young people,” said Tony Bennett. The Tony Bennett’s All-Star Tennis Event and Benefit Gala will benefit Exploring the Arts, Team Bryan and the Greater Miami Tennis Foundation. Tickets are open to the public and can be purchased by going to www.TonyBennettEvent.com. For event questions, please contact Julie Fogel at (305) 534-0081 or at Julie@ThePattonGroupInc.com.
United States to face France in Davis Cup tie at Monte Carlo Country Club
Host nation France has selected the red clay courts of the Monte Carlo Country Club to be the site of their Davis Cup quarterfinal against the United States, which will be played from April 6-8 in Monaco. It’s the first time France will play a tie at the famous Monte Carlo Country Club, which also annually hosts an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event. The last time the United States faced France on red clay was in 2002 where France came out victorious at Roland Garros.
Babolat renews sponsorship of Little Mo Nationals for two years
Babolat, the leading manufacturer of tennis racquets, announced they have renewed their sponsorship of the “Road to the ‘Little Mo’ Nationals” for two years. The tournament, which is the only event in the United States to offer 11 & Under players the opportunity to win a national championship, is named after former tennis champion Maureen “Little Mo” Connolly. The tournament is open to any player in the United States who is 8-11 years old. It represents a golden opportunity for young players to compete against players from all over the United States. The “Little Mo” tournament furthers junior tennis development with the goal of players developing new friendships with others from around the United States, providing outstanding competition, learning good sportsmanship and most of all having fun. “Babolat’s sponsorship has been a natural fit for the ‘Little Mo,’” said Carol Weyman, Executive Vice President of the Maureen Connolly Brinker Tennis Foundation and “Little Mo” Tournament Chairman. “Babolat’s quality equipment, brand prestige and love for tennis aligns perfectly with our values. We feel very fortunate to partner with Babolat to bring tennis to the next generation of champions.” Babolat sponsored pro tennis players Andy Roddick and Ryan Harrison have both fared well in the tournament in the past. Roddick won the tournament in 1992 when he was just 10 years old, while Harrison won it in 2000. “Babolat’s involvement with the ‘Little Mo’ tournament has been a great experience,” said Susan DiBiase, Marketing Director of Babolat USA. “We believe in the value ‘Little Mo’ brings to junior players and the game of tennis and we feel privileged to continue our partnership with the organization.”
Navratilova to compete on Dancing with the Stars
Former world No. 1 and 18-time Grand Slam singles champion Martina Navratilova accepted an invitation to compete in the 14th season of “Dancing with the Stars” on ABC. The current Tennis Channel broadcaster will join Green Bay Packers’ star Donald Driver, EXTRA host Maria Menounos, Jack Wagner of General Hospital, Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert and singer Gladys Knight.