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International Tennis Federation releases London Olympic mobile app: This Week in Tennis Business with Justin Cohen

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International Tennis Federation Launches Olympic Mobile App

According to ITFTennis.com, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) launched a mobile App on Tuesday for the Olympic Tennis Event taking place at The All England Club, Wimbledon from 28 July until 5 August. The smartphone App forms part of a wider digital strategy that makes the ITF Olympic Tennis website ITFtennis.com/Olympics the number one destination for tennis fans during London 2012. The mobile App provides fans with live scores, schedules, drawsheets, news, photos, and player and event information, and is available for free download to iPhone and Android users. For other smartphone devices, a mobile friendly version of the website is available equipped with the same features. The new-look ITF Olympic Tennis website was launched earlier in 2012 alongside a Spanish-language version of the site ITFtennis.com/Olimpiadas. During the Games, the website will offer a comprehensive live scores console with match statistics, the first time live scoring has been available on the ITF Olympic Tennis website. The ITF Olympic Tennis website will offer in-depth coverage from the All England Club including news, match reports, interviews, photos and blogs. The website aims to build on the success of Beijing 2008 when a record number of visitors followed the action. Fans can also keep up-to-date with the tennis through the ITF Olympic Tennis social media channels on Facebook and Twitter. These pages provide behind-the-scenes insight as well as giving followers the opportunity to have their say on current and topical issues.

ASICS Signs Two-Time Defending NCAA Singles Champion Steve Johnson

According to a Tuesday morning press release, ASICS America has announced the signing of two-time NCAA singles champion Steve Johnson. Johnson played four years at the University of Southern California (USC) before leaving this past May as one of the most decorated tennis players in college history. “I am proud of my college career at USC and all that I was able to accomplish, but now am looking forward to taking my game to the next level,” says Johnson, who is represented by Sam Duvall at Lagardere Unlimited. “ASICS is a great partner that will provide me with not only high performance tennis apparel and footwear, but also a great all-around support system. They truly value their athletes and understand the individual needs that we have. I feel honored and privileged to be a part of their team.” While at USC, Johnson led the Trojans to four consecutive NCAA team titles and completed a 72-match winning streak as he defended his NCAA singles title. He is a seven-time Intercollegiate Tennis Association (ITA) All-American and was named the 2011 and 2012 Campbell/ITA National College Player of the Year as well as the 2011 and 2012 Pac-12 Men’s Player of the Year. Johnson, 22 years old, is from Orange, Calif. and began playing tennis at the age of two with his father serving as his coach. Like many young tennis athletes in the 90s, he idolized Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. He currently trains with the United States Tennis Association at the Home Depot Center in Carson, Calif. and likes to spend his free time relaxing at the beach. He describes himself as confident, tough and relaxed, three attributes that will certainly come in handy on the pro circuit.

MP & Silva Renews ATP Delray Beach International Tennis Championships Until 2020

According to a press release, MP & Silva, a leading international media rights company, has secured a worldwide rights distribution deal through 2020 with the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships (ITC) ATP World Tour 250 Series event. The deal includes all territories outside the USA. The package offers a minimum of 25 matches every year: Seven singles matches, inclusive of four early-round matches, two semi-finals and the final, as well as one doubles semi-final and doubles final. MP & Silva has been distributing media rights of Delray Beach ITC for several years. The eight-year renewal is a long-term partnership rarely seen in the international market. Mark Baron, Delray Beach ITC Tournament Director, said “We are delighted with the hours of coverage and audience numbers provided by MP& Silva distribution this year. The charm and allure of Delray Beach was appreciated in 137 countries with the potential reach of 39 million households. We certainly believe that we are on the right track and that a long-term partnership with MP& Silva will provide us with more access to international broadcasters and potential Delray Beach consumers in the years to come.” “MP & Silva has a strong tennis rights portfolio that includes the Roland Garros Grand Slam (French Open), Qatar Open and another seven ATP Series competitions,” said Andrea Radrizzani, MP & Silva Group CEO. “We have been distributing the ATP World Tour 250 Series since 2010 and this partnership until the end of the decade with the Delray Beach ITC is a significant commitment of MP & Silva to further develop tennis TV and online audiences all over the world”, he added. MP & Silva will be the exclusive distributor of Delray Beach ITC across cable, satellite, terrestrial, Web TV, IPTV and mobile platforms.

2012 PowerShares Series Tour Schedule Released

InsideOut Sports + Entertainment recently announced that Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Jimmy Connors will headline the 2012 PowerShares Series. Formerly known as the Champions Series, the PowerShares Series will visit a total of 12 U.S. cities during its seven-week season, starting October 13 in Surprise, Ariz., and concluding November 30 in Anaheim, Calif. The tour will stop in other cities including Chicago, Detroit, Boston, Philadelphia, New York City, Tampa, Atlanta, San Jose, Las Vegas and Denver. In addition to Agassi, McEnroe, Sampras and Connors, the tour, produced by legendary impresario Larry Magid, will feature fellow Grand Slam champions Patrick Rafter, Jim Courier, Michael Chang and Mats Wilander as well as Davis Cup Champion Todd Martin. The athletes will be competing for a prize pool totaling $1 million to be shared by the top three finishers at the conclusion of the season. Each PowerShares Series tournament will showcase four of the legendary players competing for ranking points playing in two, 1-set semifinals followed by a 1-set championship match. Pete Sampras earned $500,000 by finishing the 2011 season as the No. 1 ranked player, followed by Jim Courier earning $350,000 at No. 2 and Andre Agassi collecting $150,000 at No. 3. “We are looking forward to another successful season of PowerShares Series tennis featuring the legends of men’s tennis,” said Jon Venison, Partner at InsideOut Sports + Entertainment. “Having four legendary players battling in competitive one-night shootout tournaments across the United States is a strong platform to promote the sport and bring a great night of entertainment to these twelve cities.” “The name change to PowerShares Series tennis reflects our ongoing support for this highly successful tour which has garnered valuable exposure for PowerShares QQQ,” said Jason Schoepke, Chief Marketing Officer at Invesco PowerShares. “We are confident the 2012 PowerShares Series tennis circuit will continue to advance the PowerShares brand with our core audiences and look forward to this year’s events.” Tickets and unique interactive VIP fan experiences for the 2012 PowerShares Series are on sale now. For complete tour and ticket information, visit http://www.PowerSharesSeries.com/. The PowerShares Series is a tennis circuit for champion tennis players over the age of 30, created in 2005 by InsideOut Sports + Entertainment, the New York based firm which is co-owned and operated by former SFX executive Jon Venison and former world No. 1 Jim Courier.

American Mitchell Krueger signs with Octagon; will not attend Texas A&M

According to an article written by Colette Lewis of ZooTennis.com, 2012 Junior French Open and Wimbledon semifinalist Mitchell Krueger of Texas has signed with sports management agency Octagon and will not pursue a college tennis career at Texas A&M. According to Lewis, there has been much speculation about his pro status, and although no press release has been distributed, Octagon lists him on their website as a client. He is also featured in promotional banner ads by Tecnifibre, his racquet sponsor.

Baker, Harrison, Querrey Awarded Cincinnati Main Draw Wild Cards

The first men’s main draw wild cards for the 2012 Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati were awarded to Americans Brian Baker, Ryan Harrison and Sam Querrey. This year’s tournament will take place from August 11-19 at the Lindner Family Tennis Center. World No. 4 Andy Murray is the defending men’s singles champion.

Monaco, Dolgopolov Commit to Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur

World No. 10 Juan Monaco and Alexandr Dolgopolov have agreed to participate in the ATP World Tour 250 Malaysian Open, Kuala Lumpur at Putra Stadium, Bukit Jalil, which will take place from September 22-30. Monaco and Dolgopolov join an already star-studded field including David Ferrer and Asian No. 1 Kei Nishikori, who is currently ranked No. 18.

Grand Slam Tennis Tours Offering Special US Open Travel Package

Just over a month away from the start of the final Grand Slam of the year – the US Open – Vermont-based Grand Slam Tennis Tours has put together a remarkable tennis travel package that will bring you up close and personal at one of the world’s biggest professional tennis tournaments. Starting at just $1775, these packages include incredible Loge Level or Luxury Suite tickets in Arthur Ashe Stadium for at least two sessions, accommodations at the Le Parker Meridien Hotel (an official player hotel), event transportation, a welcome dinner party with past champions, and plenty of other amenities. On top of that, the first two options include a tennis clinic. Not just any tennis clinic- but one on the grass courts at West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills with former Top 100 ATP Professional Jeff Salzenstein. These packages are extremely limited so check out the Grand Slam Tennis Tours official site for full details or call (802) 253-4359.

Florida Yacht Club in Jacksonville to Host USTA Jr. Team Tennis Play Day on August 11

The Florida Yacht Club in Jacksonville will host a USTA Jr. Team Tennis Play Day, open to the public, on Saturday, August 11, 2012, from 1:30-4:00 p.m. The Play Day is for beginner and intermediate boys and girls ages 12-18, and the $10 registration fee includes refreshments and prizes. Current or previous participation in the USTA Jr. Team Tennis league is not required for this non-team event. Parents or players must register for the event by August 8 by e-mailing Diana Gardner at jrtennisjax@yahoo.com, or calling (904) 247-5460 or (904) 652-7172 with player’s name, age, gender, and level information. “This is a great way for kids to meet and play new opponents,” says Gardner, the Jacksonville-area Jr. Team Tennis organizer. Information will also be available on local Jr. Team Tennis (JTT) leagues. JTT brings kids together in teams to play singles, doubles and mixed doubles against other teams. It promotes social skills and important values by fostering cooperation and unity, as well as individual self-growth. It is designed for kids ages 5-18, and matches can be held anywhere from a local park or school to a commercial or private club. JTT teams are co-ed and divided by the play levels Beginner, Intermediate, Advanced, and the age groups 18-under, 14-under, 12-under, and utilizing the 10 and Under Tennis format for the 10-under and 8-under leagues. The Fall/Winter season will begin match play the end of September. For more information, please email jrtennisjax@yahoo.com.

USTA Tennis Play Day for 10 and Under Children to be held August 1 in Fort Lauderdale

An American Tennis Association (ATA) Play Day will be held at the Jimmy Evert Tennis Center in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., on August 1, from Noon-2 p.m. for children age 10 and under. The event will utilize the USTA 10 and Under Tennis format, which allows smaller children to emulate adult play on smaller court sizes, with racquet sizes that fit their hands, foam and low-compression balls, a simple scoring system, all adjusted to ease kids into the sport. Similar mini-tennis formats have long been popular in Europe, where current stars such as Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters first learned the game with age-adjusted racquets, balls and court sizes. The ATA Play Day will be held in conjunction with the 95th ATA National Championships, played July 29-August 4, at the Ft. Lauderdale Tennis Club. Founded in 1916, the American Tennis Association is the oldest African American sports organization in the United States. The ATA was formed by a group of African American businessmen, college professors, and physicians who yearned for and enjoyed the camaraderie and competition that the sport of tennis offered. In August 1917, the organization held its first ATA National Championships at Baltimore’s Druid Hill Park. Since then the organization has become a Mecca for African Americans from all walks of life that enjoy the sport of tennis, and it has contributed to producing tennis greats such as Tally Holmes, Althea Gibson, and Arthur Ashe, to name only a few. Most African American professional tennis players were trained by ATA clubs and played ATA tournaments across the country before turning pro. To register for the ATA Play Day, go to http://ataplayday.eventbrite.com.

Banking giant BNP Paribas and French Open sign five-year extension: This week in tennis business with Justin Cohen

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By Justin Cohen

BNP Paribas signs five-year extension with French Open

According to an article by Matt Cutler of SportsBusiness, banking giant BNP Paribas has agreed to a five-year extension with the French Open to serve as the tournament’s main partner. The new deal will last through 2016. “The partnership between BNP Paribas and the FFT (French Tennis Federation) will celebrate its 40th anniversary in 2013, representing 40 years of shared joy and passion thanks to the magnificent sport of tennis,” said Jean-Laurent Bonnafé, BNP Paribas CEO. “Roland-Garros has played a decisive role in building our visibility. It remains the flagship event of our tennis sponsoring program. Our loyalty to this sport in all of its dimensions reflects the core values that are essential to a bank operating on the ground: local presence and support over the long term.”

Statoil signs three-year partnership to become title sponsor of Masters Tennis event in London

IMG announced that Statoil, an energy company, has signed a three-year deal to become the title sponsor of the Masters Tennis tournament at Royal Albert Hall in London. The tournament will now be known as the Statoil Masters Tennis through 2014. “We are delighted to welcome Statoil as our new title sponsor. For the past 15 years, the Masters Tennis at the Royal Albert Hall has brought together much-loved champions to compete and entertain sell-out crowds in one of the most unique and iconic tennis arenas in the world,” said Charlie Grave, Managing Director, Sponsorship, IMG. Statoil is a Norway-based energy company which is present in more than 30 countries around the world. The company is taking a dive into its first sponsorship of sport in the United Kingdom. This year’s tournament will take place from December 5-9. Tim Henman is the defending champion. The Statoil Masters Tennis is part of the ATP Champions Tour – a circuit of former World Number One tennis players, Grand Slam singles finalists and Davis Cup winners. Players who have competed in this event before include Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Pete Sampras.

IMG Academies appoints Rohan Goetzke as Director of IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy

Australian native Rohan Goetzke has been appointed the new Director of IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla. He joins the legendary tennis academy from the Dutch Tennis Federation, where he was responsible for the development and implementation of the nation’s tennis program from the juniors through professional tennis. “I am thrilled to join the tennis world’s most advanced and highly-regarded academy for youth development,” said Goetzke. “I’m looking forward to mentoring young student-athletes, while helping continue to develop the best junior, collegiate and professional talent in the world.” With his new role, Goetzke will ensure that the program delivers the optimal training and highest level of development to each athlete at the junior, high school, postgraduate, collegiate and professional levels. Prior to joining the Dutch Tennis Federation as a Technical Director, he served as a National Coach of the Federation, working with top professionals including Robin Haase, Michaella Krajicek, Thiemo De Bakker and Arantxa Rus. He also privately coached former Top 20 player Mario Ancic of Croatia. Additionally, he served as former Wimbledon singles champion Richard Krajicek’s coach for more than ten years. Goetzke will relocate to Florida this summer with his wife and three sons.

USTA launches ‘Create Your Own Tennis Court’ Photo Contest

The USTA just announced the launch of the ‘Create Your Own Tennis Court’ photo contest, which is a photo contest seeking the most creative tennis court set-up. The contest encourages fan engagement by asking them to determine the winner by voting for their favorite finalist photo on the website, www.createyourowntenniscourt.com. The entrant who submits the winning photo will win a trip for four to New York City to attend the 2013 US Open Tennis Championship. The contest is aligned with the USTA’s youth initiative, 10 and Under Tennis, and its emphasis that tennis can be played anywhere – a driveway, a park, and even a beach. 10 and Under Tennis provides the opportunity to achieve immediate success by playing tennis using equipment sized for children. “10 and Under Tennis with kid-sized equipment and courts takes tennis to a whole new level of fun and excitement for kids, allowing them to experience tennis on their terms,” said Kurt Kamperman, USTA Chief Executive, Community Tennis. “The Create Your Own Tennis Court contest is a fun way for young people to creatively showcase that tennis can be played almost anywhere.” The contest, open to U.S. residents, 18 and older, consists of two phases. The first phase runs through July 8, during which the public will be able to submit a photo through the website www.createyourowntenniscourt.com. A panel of judges will select the top ten photos and the finalists will be placed in a photo gallery on the website for the public to vote for their favorite. The second phase will begin on July 17 and run through September 12 to determine the grand prize winner of the contest. Once finalists are announced, consumers will be asked to vote for their favorite photo from the top 10 selection. The entrant whose photo receives the most votes will be declared the winner and will be awarded the Grand Prize. In addition, every eligible fan who votes will be included in a weekly drawing for a chance to win a 2012 US Open hat.

Wimbledon extends digital media offering by signing deal with Dailymotion

The Wimbledon Championships have extended their digital media platform by signing a deal that will see video sharing platform Dailymotion stream live video content from this year’s tournament. With the exclusive partnership with Wimbledon, Live@Wimbledon will be launched, featuring on and off court news. The service will be showcased every day for the entire fortnight.

Jill Fonte named Executive Director at USTA Eastern

The USTA Eastern section announced that Jill Fonte has been appointed the new Executive Director and will start the position on June 4. She will lead the section as it places a new emphasis on growing tennis participation among players of all ages and abilities. “I am very excited to lead Eastern through this transition,” said Fonte. “The new charge from the Board of Directors to increase tennis participation is a tremendous opportunity, and will open up new and creative ways for the section’s outstanding staff and volunteers to grow the game.” A New Hope, Pa. resident, Fonte has worked for the past 12 years as an executive coach, consultant and speaker, providing wide range of leadership training to corporations, including selling and customer service, strategic planning, and executive presence. Earlier in her successful career, Fonte was the executive director of the United States Racquet Stringers Association, a trade organization that provides education and certification to racquet technicians across the country. Further, she has served as a USTA volunteer for several years, serving as a member and President of the USTA Middles States Board of Directors. She also has been a member of the USTA’s National Strategic Planning and Budget & Finance Committee. “Jill has outstanding experience as a leader and teacher, and understands how to develop the partnerships and programs we need to grow participation,” said Jeff Williams, President of USTA Eastern. “We are very excited to have her on board and look forward to working with her.” Jill holds a Bachelor of Science degree in nutrition from Simmons College in Boston and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of California at Irvine.

Tennis Channel hosting America’s Hottest Coach Contest

The Los Angeles-based Tennis Channel is currently hosting a contest to find the hottest male and female tennis coach in the United States. Online submissions are now being accepted and can be found at www.tennischannel.com/hottest/index.aspx. Players from around the country can go online to nominate their favorite coach (coaches can nominate themselves) between now and June 22. Though the phrase “hot” is often associated predominantly with looks, Tennis Channel’s definition includes coaches who are physically fit and promote healthy lifestyles, while also being motivational and inspirational to the players they instruct. Candidates must be at least 21 years old and USTA or USPTA credentialed, and exhibit a passion for the game of tennis. “Seventy-five percent of Tennis Channel viewers play this sport recreationally, which is unique for a sports network,” said Robyn Miller, senior vice president, marketing, Tennis Channel. “We want to recognize the great coaches out there who, while they might not be known for tutoring professionals on TV, are making just as much impact in the lives they touch with their knowledge and love of the game.” Once the entry period is closed, a panel of judges will choose five male and five female finalists, who will be unveiled in early July. Visitors to Tennis Channel’s Web site will then select the two winners through an online poll that will run from July 9 to July 25. The two America’s Hottest Tennis Coach winners will be announced in August and receive prize packages that include trips to New York and their own instructional videos, produced by Tennis Channel to air on the network in 2013.

Heather Watson signs Brand Ambassador agreement with Statoil

Rising British tennis star Heather Watson, who just advanced to the second round at Roland Garros, has signed a Brand Ambassador agreement with Norway-based energy company Statoil. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The 19-year-old will be featured on Statoil’s “Heroes of Tomorrow” campaign.

Yonex to provide stringing services at 2012 London Olympics

It was recently announced that the Yonex stringing team will provide the stringing services at the 2012 London Olympics and Paralympic Games for tennis and badminton. The ES5PROTECH Stringing Machine which will be used on site, achieves more accuracy, more stability, speed, and fail-safe reliability.

“World Tennis with Harry Cicma Presented by Infiniti of Norwood” returns to NESN for Fourth Season

“World Tennis with Harry Cicma Presented by Infiniti of Norwood” will return for a fourth season on New England Sports Network (NESN) with 12 high definition shows starting on June 6. This season’s series of shows includes interviews and features on tennis stars such as Serena Williams, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Billie Jean King, Jimmy Connors, Jim Courier among others. Infiniti of Norwood (www.InfinitiofNorwood.com) returns as the presenting sponsor of “World Tennis with Harry Cicma” for a second season. Other sponsors for 2012 include the Boston Lobsters World Team Tennis franchise, ARP Wave of New England, Dr. Andrew Edelstein and “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” book, published by New Chapter Press (www.NewChapterMedia.com). Excerpts from the show will also be available at www.WorldTennisMagazine.com and on the World Tennis Magazine YouTube channel following its airing on NESN. The New England Sports Network (NESN) is the flagship station for both the Boston Red Sox and Boston Bruins and is available on New England cable systems and nationally – in both standard definition and high definition through satellite TV providers DirectTV (Channel 628) and Dish Network (Channel 434). The Red Sox are a co-founder and majority owner (80 percent) of NESN with the Bruins owning the remaining 20 percent. NESN is delivered to over four million homes throughout New England and consistently receives higher ratings of any other national or regional sports channels in the region combined. Cicma is an on-air correspondent for NBC Sports, the former sports producer and anchor at NBC in Providence, R.I. and CBS in Springfield, Mass., and ABC in Sioux City, Iowa. He is the co-founder and host of “World Tennis with Harry Cicma” and also served as a commentator for other networks including Fox Sports Net and Tennis Channel and the U.S. Open tennis championships world feed. He is the TV voice of World Team Tennis, also host & producer of FOX Sports’ Ping Pong coverage, along with other productions on SNY, FOX, NESN and Comcast SportsNet. A former world-ranked ATP doubles player, he is a graduate of Rutgers University.

Federer Topples Murray in Dubai — Mondays With Bob Greene

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STARS

Roger Federer beat Andy Murray 7-5 6-4 to win the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in Dubai, United Arab Emirates

David Ferrer beat Fernando Verdasco 6-1 6-2 to win the Abierto Mexicano Telcel men’s singles in Acapulco, Mexico

Kevin Anderson beat Marinko Matosevic 6-4 7-6 (2) to win the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships in Delray Beach, Florida, USA

Sara Errani beat Flavia Pennetta 5-7 7-6 (2) 6-0 to win the Abierto Mexicano Telcel women’s singles in Acapulco, Mexico

Hsieh Su-Wei won the BMW Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, when Petra Martic retired while trailing 2-6 7-5 4-1

Carlos Moya beat Ivan Lendl 6-4 6-4 to win the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships senior event in Delray Beach, Florida, USA

Roger Federer beats Andy Murray in Dubai final

SAYING

“It’s great. There is no substitute to confidence. I’ve played great. It’s not just that I’ve taken my chances, I really thought I played a good tournament here. I played a great tournament in Rotterdam. The end of last year was exceptional, so it’s nice to also win a tournament outdoors now. That gives me hope that I can carry it over to Indian Wells and Miami.” – Roger Federer, after winning the Dubai title.

“I’m very happy but I’m very tired. I was just fighting off cramps. … In the humidity I just sweat a lot and cramp. I cramped after my match on Wednesday, too.” – Marinko Matosevic, after beating Dudi Sela to advance to the final at the Delray Beach International.

“He was leading in the first, second and the third, but I thought I played much better except for the important points. It was a matter of who was more lucky in this kind of match, and he was more lucky.” – Dudi Sela, after losing to Marinko Matosevic in the semifinals at Delray Beach, Florida, USA.

“It’s best that I don’t push myself. I’m playing for my country at the London Olympics and I want to stay fit for that. I don’t want to get injured.” – Hsieh Su-Wei, saying she will play only doubles in Indian Wells, California, USA, after winning the Malaysian Open singles.

“I’ve been training really hard. People have been telling me hard work pays off, and I guess in some small way a little bit paid off this week. Before the week if you told me that I’d make the final, I’d be the happiest guy in the world. Then when you get there and you play the match, I feel like I was just a few points from winning the match or turning the match, but I just couldn’t do it. It can only help me I guess.” – Marinko Matosevic, after losing the Delray Beach final.

“It was like an emotional rollercoaster really. We managed to come up with big points when we needed them today.” – Colin Fleming, after teaming with Ross Hutchins to win the Delray Beach doubles title.

“Colin always amazingly makes these shots and he keeps saying he’s lucky, but it’s not, and he did that again today.” – Ross Hutchins.

“I am very proud to have won in Acapulco for a third consecutive time. I don’t think too far ahead and take my schedule week by week. Now I have two important tournaments coming up in Indian Wells and Miami, with a few points to defend in Miami. It will be great if I manage to do well, but if not, it is not a big deal. I will keep on working hard.” – David Ferrer, after winning his third straight title at Acapulco.

“I want to apologize for having played so bad. I am extremely disappointed I wasn’t able to have the fight I was expecting to have. I just couldn’t keep the ball in the court today. It’s always tough to lose a final, but losing it that way hurts a lot more.” – Fernando Verdasco, following his loss to David Ferrer.

“It’s my first ATP (World Tour) 500 title. This is great, and obviously it’s great to play with Mahesh. All that 17 years of experience on court I think really helps in those close matches and these big moments. It’s a good opportunity for me to play with him, alongside him. I couldn’t have asked for anything better than winning this title.” – Rohan Bopanna, after teaming with Mahesh Bhupathi to win the doubles in Dubai.

“Ivan played really well. I hope to be as fit as he is at 52. He can really still play. He was away from tennis for like 16 years, so this is an amazing effort from him. And his forehand is still so good, particularly down the line. It’s still there. It was a little bit strange being across the net from him. Guys like him and McEnroe were my idols growing up, so it is a bit strange to see him across the net playing with me. It’s good, I love it, and it’s what I really enjoy about this Tour.” – Carlos Moya, who beat Ivan Lendl to win the seniors event in Delray Beach, Florida.

STRONG SHOWING

It’s way too early to write off Roger Federer. The super Swiss won the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships for the fifth time, defeating Andy Murray in the title match. That came one day after Murray eliminated top-ranked Novak Djokovic, handing the Serb his first loss of the season. The 30-year-old Federer won his 72nd ATP Tour-level title and his second in three weeks. Since losing in the US Open semifinals last September, Federer has won 33 of his 35 matches. His only losses have come to Rafael Nadal in the Australian Open semifinals and to John Isner in a first-round Davis Cup tie. Federer, who didn’t lose a set in the tournament, beat Murray in a close match that lasted one hour, 36 minutes. “The match was close, I think, in both sets,” Federer said. “I just gave myself more opportunities than Andy did overall.”

SINO SUCCESS

Playing in her first WTA tour final, Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-Wei became the first Asian to win the Malaysian Open when her exhausted opponent retired. Because of rain delays that plagued the tournament, Petra Martic had to play both her semifinal and final on the same day. In the semifinals, Martic upset second-seeded Jelena Jankovic 6-7 (5) 7-5 7-6 (5) in a match that lasted more than three hours. The Croatian had only a few hours to rest before taking on Hsieh for the title. Like Hsieh, the 21-year-old Martic was playing a WTA final for the first time. Hsieh is the second qualifier to win a WTA in 2012, and is the second player from Taiwan to win a WTA title. The other was Wang Shi-Ting. “I never expected to win this,” Hsieh said of her victory. “It wasn’t easy for me as I couldn’t sleep upon arriving and had to play the very next day. In a way I was lucky, but I will remember this for as long as I can remember. I tried so hard to win and it was good that I won. It has been a good week for Chinese Taipei here.” The Taiwanese pair of Chan Kai-Chen and Chuang Chia Jung won the doubles title.

SUPER EFFORT

Russian Alisa Kleybanova will be returning to WTA play at Key Biscayne, Florida, USA where she has received a wild card entry. The 22-year-old, once ranked 20th in the world, was diagnosed with cancer last year and had to withdraw from the circuit to undergo treatment. “I finished my treatments in December and a couple of weeks ago I did my last tests in Italy,” Kleybanova wrote on her WTA blog. “The treatments were successful, my doctors are happy with my health and I’m feeling great. I have started to train and right now I’m in Florida playing tennis again. It was physically really hard in the beginning, but it was so emotional that I didn’t want to get off the court. For me the best part of tennis is the competition and I’m really looking forward to my comeback.”

SLIP-UP

Andy Murray made sure Novak Djokovic won’t have the same torrid start in 2012 that he did last year when he won his first 41 matches. Murray knocked off the Serbian world number one in the semifinals of the Dubai Championships, reversing the outcome of their five-set, nearly five-hour marathon in the Australian Open semifinals. “It’s obviously great any time you beat the world number one,” Murray said after posting the 6-2 7-5 victory. “I just tried to do some of the same things I did in Australia. I was very close there against one of the greatest players ever, and today I did what I needed to – even though it nearly got away from me at the end.” Djokovic said he had simply lost to the better player on the day. “But generally I feel good, physically, mentally, you know. It’s just the start of the season.” Murray then lost to Roger Federer in the final.

STEADY SPANIARD

It’s becoming monotonous: David Ferrer wins in Acapulco. The top-seeded Spaniard won the Mexican tournament for the third straight time, defeating compatriot Fernando Verdasco in two easy sets. “As Fernando hits so hard, I knew I had to be solid and counter him, and I think I did it very well, especially at the beginning,” said Ferrer, who is ranked sixth in the world. “I also know Fernando didn’t play his best tennis today, but that’s tennis. You have good days and sometimes bad days.” It was Ferrer’s second clay-court title in two weeks and his third championship of the year. Ferrer has an 18-1 record this season, his only loss coming to Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.

SHORT LIST

Ten players have been named to a short list to receive the first four Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Heat Awards of 2012. Daniela Hantuchova of Slovakia, American Christina McHale, Samantha Stosur of Australia and Roberta Vinci of Italy have been short-listed for the World Group/World Group II award. Sweden’s Sofia Arvidsson and Elena Baltacha of Great Britain have been short-listed for Europe/Africa; Catalina Castano of Colombia and Florencia Molinero of Argentina for Americas; and Li Na of China and Galina Voskoboeva of Kazakhstan for Asia/Oceania. The awards will be presented based on performances in the Fed Cup World Group and World Group II first-round ties, and the three Zone Group I events that were played at the beginning of February. The public will determine the winners by voting at FedCup.com and FedCup.com/es. Balloting runs until March 22. All four winners will receive a silver Baccarat bracelet and a check to be donated to their chosen charity.

SO TIRED

Marinko Matosevic had problems reaching the first ATP Tour final of his career. Playing in the semifinals of the Delray Beach International Tennis Championships, the 173rd-ranked Australian needed five match points to finally edge Dudi Sela of Israel in a battle that lasted six minutes short of three hours. “I’m very happy but I’m very tired,” Matosevic said. “”I was just fighting off cramps.” The eventual winner had two match points on his serve at 5-3 in the third set, but made four consecutive errors to lose the game. He had three more match points in the third-set tiebreaker, moving into the title match when Sela netted a backhand. It was the first time in four meetings that Matosevic had beaten Sela. And the Israeli was so upset he left the court immediately after the match without shaking the winner’s hand. Matosevic, who lost to Kevin Anderson in the final, said he and Sela are good friends and he wasn’t bothered that the Israeli fled the court without shaking hands.

SHARING THE SPOILS

Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna won their first ATP World Tour doubles crown s a team when they captured the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships. The Indian pair – who are preparing for the Summer Olympics in London – beat Poland’s Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski. Bhupathi and Bopanna began playing as a team fulltime at the beginning of this year. Earlier this season they reached the semifinals at Chennai, India, and Marseille, France. It was the 50th tour-level doubles title for the 37year-old Bhupathi. Bopanna won his sixth ATP World Tour doubles crown.

SWISS FED CUP HEAD

Heinz Günthardt is the new captain of Switzerland’s Fed Cup team. The former coach of Steffi Graf replaces Christiane Jolissaint, who stepped down after a 4-1 loss to Australia in February. Swiss Tennis said Günthardt will take over when the Swiss take on Belarus in a World Group second-tier playoff on April 21-22. A former doubles specialist, Günthardt also has coached Ana Ivanovic and Andrea Petkovic.

SHANGHAI HONORED

Players on the ATP World Tour have selected the Shanghai Rolex Masters, the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and the SkiStar Swedish Open as their favorite tournaments. The Shanghai Rolex Masters has been voted by the players as the top ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tournament in each of its first three years. The Dubai tournament won the ATP World Tour 500 award for the eighth time in nine years. The SkiStar Swedish Open, held in Båstad, was the player’s favorite 250 category tournament for the 10th consecutive year.

SENIOR SHUFFLE

Carlos Moya is continuing to show he’s the best in senior tennis. The 35-year-old Moya defeated former world number one Ivan Lendl 6-4 6-4 to capture the ATP Champions Tour event in Delray Beach, Florida, USDA. It was the first time the two – who have a 17-year age difference – had faced each other. Lendl surprised his Spanish foe by charging the net at every opportunity. But Moya was able to break Lendl’s serve once in each set to walk away with his fifth trophy since joining the ATP Champions Tour a year ago. “It’s the competition and the adrenaline of matches like this with a massive crowd that I miss about the Tour,” Moya said. “It’s great that I still have a chance to feel that on nights like this, and it’s great that the Champions Tour can give me this feeling.”

SINGLES, DOUBLE COMBO

Italy’s Sara Errani has joined a select group. Errani became the first player in almost two years to capture both the singles and doubles titles at a WTA tournament. She pulled off the feat at the Abierto Mexicano Telcel in Acapulco, Mexico, beating compatriot Flavia Pennetta in the singles final, then teaming with Roberta Vinci to down Spaniards Lourdes Domínguez Lino and Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2 6-1 in just 51 minutes. Errani is the first player to sweep singles and doubles titles at the same WTA tournament since Iveta Benesova of the Czech Republic did it at Fèz, Morocco, in April 2010. “It has been a great week for me,” Errani said. “To finish the week with the singles and doubles trophy is better than I could have hoped for.”

SOCCER CHARITY

Rafael Nadal will play a charity match to help celebrate the 110th anniversary of his favorite soccer club. Ranked second in the world, Nadal will play July 14 against an opponent yet to be decided. The match will be held in Madrid’s Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. All earnings from the event will go to fund charity efforts by the Real Madrid Foundation and the Rafa Nadal Foundation.

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Acapulco (men): David Marrero and Fernando Verdasco beat Marcel Granollers and Marc Lopez 6-3 6-4

Acapulco (women): Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci beat Lourdes Domínguez Lino and Arantxa Parra Santonja 6-2 6-1

Delray Beach: Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins beat Michal Mertinak and Andre Sa 2-6 7-6 (5) 15-13 (match tiebreak)

Dubai: Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna beat Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski 6-4 3-6 10-5 (match tiebreak)

Kuala Lumpur: Chang Kai-Chen and Chuang Chia-Jung beat Chan Hao-Ching and Rika Fujiwara 7-5 6-4

SURFING

Indian Wells: www.bnpparibasopen.com/
Nassau: www.thebahamasopen.com
ITF: www.itftennis.com
ATP World Tour: www.atpworldtour.com
WTA: www.wtatennis.com

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

(All money in USD)

MEN

$4,694,969 BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, California, USA, hard (first week)

WOMEN

$5,536,664 BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, California, USA, hard (first week)

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

MEN

$4,694,969 BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, California, USA, hard (second week)
$100,000 Guadalajara Challenger, Guadalajara, Mexico, hard

WOMEN

$5,536,664 BNP Paribas Open, Indian Wells, California, USA, hard (second week)
$100,000 The Bahamas Open, Nassau, Bahamas, hard

Record prize money to be awarded at 2012 Australian Open; $2.18 Million to singles champions: This Week in Tennis Business with Justin Cohen

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2012 Australian Open to offer record Grand Slam prize money; $2.18 million to singles champions

Tournament officials for the Australian Open announced on Tuesday that the 2012 event will offer the highest prize money in the history of Grand Slam tennis with the men’s and women’s champions each taking home a record topping check worth $2.18 million (US). The total prize money payout for the two week event will be $26 million (AU). Several new additions to the 2012 tournament include: Hawk-Eye on Margaret Court Arena, major sponsor ANZ has extended its sponsorship deal with the Australian Open for another year and new sponsor Dove has signed on, improved player facilities, with a new players lounge, gym and entertainment options including a shark aquarium and live music performances, and redeveloped site with improvements to corporate and general dining areas.

The Australian Open

Worcester announced as site for U.S. vs. Belarus Fed Cup tie in February 2012

The USTA announced on Tuesday that the DCU Arena in Worcester, Mass., has been chosen as the site for the 2012 World Group II Fed Cup first round tie between the United States and Belarus, which will be played February 4-5, 2012. The tie marks the first meeting between both nations and just the third time a Fed Cup match has been played in Massachusetts. The winner will advance to the World Group Playoff and play for a shot to compete for the 2013 Fed Cup title. The loser of the tie will continue to compete in the World Group II and will either maintain its status in that grouping for the following year or drop to zonal competition. Former world No. 1 and 13-time Grand Slam singles champion Serena Williams has already announced that she will play Fed Cup in 2012, something she must do to become eligible to compete in the London Olympics next summer. Venus Williams, who has struggled of late with injuries, must attempt to play Fed Cup in 2012, if she wants to remain eligible for the Olympics. World No. 4 Victoria Azarenka is expected to compete for Belarus. The tie in February will be the first home Fed Cup match for the Americans since the United States fell to Italy in the finals of the competition in 2010. “The DCU Center will be a great venue for this very important match and Serena’s return to the U.S. Fed Cup Team. Belarus will be a tough opponent and we will need our fans to come out in numbers and be loud to give us the home court advantage,” said Mary Joe Fernandez, U.S. Fed Cup Team Captain. “One of the last Fed Cup matches I played was in Boston, so I know firsthand that this area has and will embrace the competition.” For the latest ticket information, fans can call the U.S. Fed Cup hotline at (888) 334-8782 or visit www.usta.com/fedcup.

Federer’s personal brand valued at $26 million by Forbes

In a recently released list by Forbes that documents the world’s most valuable sports brands, Roger Federer’s personal brand has been valued at $26 million, second among all athletes. Regarding Federer’s personal brand, Forbes writes: “Federer holds the most impressive endorsement portfolio in all of sports with 10 major deals, including a Nike sponsorship that is the most lucrative in all of tennis. He is also the only one of Gillette’s original 3 “Champions” to have his deal renewed this year as the brand dropped Tiger Woods and Thierry Henry.” Forbes still rates Woods as the most valuable athlete brand. Earlier this year, Federer was ranked No. 25 in its annual list of the world’s 100 most powerful celebrities. Of the 100 ranked, the 16-time Grand Slam champion from Switzerland was No. 1 in the sub category ‘press rank,’ a reflection of the amount of media coverage a celebrity receives. Lady Gaga, Oprah and Justin Bieber trailed Federer in the ‘press rank,’ category. Federer is currently ranked No. 3 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings and has won more than $64.1 million in tournament prize money throughout his career.

Tennis Channel extends French Open rights agreement through 2022

Tennis Channel and the French Tennis Federation (FFT) have agreed to a multi-year extension, keeping the network as the primary non-broadcast home of the world’s greatest clay-court tournament for years to come. On Tuesday, October 4, FFT General Manager and French Open Tournament Director Gilbert Ysern, Media and Sponsorship Director Michel Grach, and Tennis Channel Chairman and CEO Ken Solomon announced the extension, which will run through 2022. The new agreement continues the previously exclusive United States non-broadcast media rights to all French Open matches. In addition to television, this includes streaming, digital, mobile, video on demand, and “TV EVERYWHERE,” as well as to FFT’s extensive media archives. “It is wonderful to extend our relationship with Tennis Channel on a long-term basis,” said Ysern. “Our partnership has led to an innovative and exciting way for Americans to celebrate and enjoy Roland Garros, with far more live coverage than ever and groundbreaking prime-time and late-night telecasts.”

All England Club unveils new digital broadcast service – “Live @ Wimbledon”

On Tuesday, the All England Club announced the plans for a new, expanded and enhanced live radio and video broadcast service called “Live @ Wimbledon.” The service, which will be free on www.Wimbledon.com, FM Frequency, and mobile applications, will build on the existing web, mobile and Radio Wimbledon platforms, providing live shot-by-shot commentary and live video from around the 19 Wimbledon courts, as well as giving the fan a feel for life around the grounds. “Live @ Wimbledon is all about giving Wimbledon fans more coverage, better coverage and all of it live. Consolidation of our digital properties into one strong product under the Wimbledon brand allows us to provide a content-rich live experience which will include video streaming, in addition to the already highly popular Radio Wimbledon. We think this fresh approach will appeal to our existing fans, while helping us grow our global audience as we introduce the drama of The Championships to new fans,” said Mick Desmond, Commercial Director of The All England Lawn Tennis Club.

Federer, Nadal to play December exhibitions in Latin America

ESPN Deportes is reporting that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal will participate in exhibitions in Latin America this December, despite earlier complaints about the length of the playing calendar. Nadal will square off against countrymen David Ferrer in Mexico City on December 5, just days after the Davis Cup final between Spain and Argentina. Fue Buena is reporting that Federer is planning to play in a series of exhibitions in South America following the completion of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London. There are already agreements in place for matches in Brazil and Columbia. Argentina and Chile are also options. Federer will reportedly earn $2 million per exhibition, while Nadal will earn $1 million.

Todd Martin replaces Jeff Tarango on the USTA Board of Directors effective immediately

The USTA announced on Monday that effective immediately Todd Martin of Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla., has been named a Director at Large on the USTA Board of Directors. The former world No. 4 and 1999 US Open singles finalist will replace Jeff Tarango, who resigned from the Board following the 2011 US Open so that he could dedicate more time to his family and his career. Martin will serve on the 15-member board through 2012.

Monfils to work with former Top 10 star Henri Leconte for upcoming fall tournaments

World No. 9 Gael Monfils, who mutually cut ties with former coach Roger Rasheed earlier in the summer, has hired former Top 10 player Henri Leconte to be his coach during the upcoming tournaments in Valencia and at the Paris Masters 1000 in Bercy. Since retiring from playing on the tour, Leconte has done little coaching, instead focusing his career on television commentating. “Gael is someone that I love and who has enormous potential, a game and a lot of unusual charisma,” said Leconte. “This is a big challenge for me but makes me very happy.”

Oudin splits with longtime coach; hires USTA’s Tom Gullikson

Melanie Oudin, a former US Open singles quarterfinalist who has dropped to No. 146 in the world, has split from her longtime coach Brian DeVilliers and has hired the USTA’s Tom Gullikson. The relationship with Gullikson is said to be on a try-out basis to start. DeVilliers had worked with Oudin since juniors, but the Georgia native fell into a tremendous slump after reaching a career-best ranking of No. 31 in April 2010. Two weeks ago in Albuquerque, Oudin won her first non-retirement match since mid-June, before falling in the next round. Despite all her struggles on the singles circuit, Oudin did manage to team with recently turned pro Jack Sock to win the US Open Mixed Doubles Championship in New York.

USTA announces tennis players for 2011 Pan-Am teams

The USTA recently announced the three men and two women who will represent the United States at the upcoming 2011 Pan-American Games in Guadalajara, Mexico, which will take place from October 17-22. Denis Kudla, Nicholas Monroe and Greg Ouellette will represent the men for the United States, while Top 100 WTA players Christina McHale and Irina Falconi will represent the women. Sloane Stephens was nominated to participate for the United States, but was forced to withdraw due to a recent injury. The players will compete in men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. USTA National Coaches Tom Gullikson and Dustin Taylor will coach the women’s and men’s teams, respectively.

USTA Player Development announces two new coaching hires

USTA Player Development recently announced that it had hired Stanford Boster as a USTA National Coach for Men’s Tennis and Jayadeva Devashetty as a USTA National Coach. Both coaches have already begun their responsibilities. Boster, a 42-year-old South African native, is based at the USTA Training Center-Headquarters in Boca Raton, Fla., and will report to USTA Player Development Head of Men’s Tennis, Jay Berger. Boster, joins the USTA after operating Boster Tennis Management since 1998, during which he coached and managed players such as Andy Roddick, Mardy Fish, Todd Widom and David Martin. He previously spent four years at the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, first as a High Performance Coach and then as Academy Director. Devashetty is based at the USTA Training Center-East at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., and will report to both Berger and USTA Player Development Head of Women’s Tennis, Ola Malmqvist. Devashetty, a 36-year-old from India, joins the USTA from Hardscrabble Club in Brewster, N.Y., where he served as Director of Player Development since 2003. During his tenure there, he served as primary coach to four different USTA National Champions and four players who have reached the Top 100 in the ITF World Junior Rankings. He currently resides in Tarrytown, N.Y.

Fire destroys 73-year-old sports arena in Copenhagen that hosted International Tennis Tournaments

The K.B. Hallen Arena – a 73-year-old sports arena in Copenhagen, Denmark – was completely destroyed last week by fire when overheated light bulbs set fire to nearby cardboard boxes. The famous arena in the Danish capital was the nation’s main sports, concert and exhibition venue for decades. The arena hosted several international tennis tournaments over the years that attracted star players including Bjorn Borg, John McEnroe and Boris Becker. “It is a disaster. It has been a gathering point for all of Copenhagen,” said Joergen Hansen, Arena Director.

USTA recognized by Health and Human Services Secretary at Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius and several members of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition praised the USTA during their recent Nickelodeon’s Worldwide Day of Play (WWDOP) for its leadership and participation in the Presidential Active Lifestyle Award (PALA) challenge. The USTA, through its National Junior Tennis & Learning (NJTL) network and youth tennis programs, has gotten more than 226,000 children to 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. The association’s New York NJTL chapter, New York Junior Tennis League, accounted for 75,000 of the participants in the challenge. “The President Active Lifestyle Award is about getting kids and parents to understand how easy it is to have some fun, but also to be fit. It is really aimed at ending childhood obesity in our generation,” says Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. “Our goal was to have a million PALA challenges met by this year, and we are really pleased to say we have almost 1.7 million, thanks to great partners and great organizations. It’s a great partnership to have the tennis association involved.” The PALA award recognizes kids who stay active for 60 minutes per day, five days a week for six out of eight weeks. PALA’s national goal is to get one million youngsters to take this challenge.

Sanchez Vicario, Lewis earn USPTA Master Professional status

Emilio Sanchez Vicario and Darryl Lewis were both recognized recently for achieving Master Professional status by the United States Professional Tennis Association, the highest professional rating within the tennis profession. The two were recognized during the USPTA’s annual awards breakfast at the USPTA World Conference on Tennis at the Saddlebrook Resort in Wesley Chapel, Fla. They join an elite group as only about one percent of USPTA’s more than 15,000 members worldwide have achieved the Master Professional designation. Members must hold USPTA’s highest certification rating (Professional 1) for more than 10 years before becoming eligible for the Master Professional designation. Then, each must fulfill a broad spectrum of requirements, including making significant achievements in areas such as tennis teaching and coaching, business, education and volunteer work.

Revolutionary New Grass-Court Technique for 2010 Olympic Games: This Week in Tennis Business

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By Bob Stockton

* A revolutionary new technique will be implemented at the All England Club in 2012 that will allow the facility to resurface its grass courts for the London Olympics, which will be held on the same courts just two weeks after the conclusion of Wimbledon. Wimbledon’s courts have traditionally turned from pristine green lawns to scuffed up patches of dirt after two-weeks of play during the Championships. However, the All England Club’s head groundsman Eddie Seaward has been experimenting with a new system that he is confident will ensure that there are no problems for London 2012. He sowed a fresh batch of rye grass on July 5, the day after this year’s Wimbledon finished, and reported a successful result by the 19. Grass courts traditionally deteriorate faster than other surfaces, particularly after prolonged periods of use, and there were fears that the courts will be in a poor state when the Olympics take place at the historic venue.

A revolutionary new technique at the All England Club
A revolutionary new technique at the All England Club

Debbie Jevans, head of the 2012 Olympic tennis competition, said during a press briefing, “Following recent Wimbledon Championships, they have been able to get the court into top condition straight away and in 2012, they will look at planting a fresh batch of fast growing grass straight after Wimbledon. Every test they have done so far to recover the grass courts suggests that the court will be fine for the Olympics. Following recent Wimbledon Championships, they have been able to get the court into top condition straight away and in 2012, they will look at planting a fresh batch of fast growing grass straight after Wimbledon. Every test they have done so far to recover the grass courts suggests that the court will be fine for the Olympics.”

The tennis tournament at Wimbledon will take place during the first week of the Games while the All England Club will be hosting Olympic tennis for the first time since 1908.

* The Swiss Indoors has been told by the ATP World Tour that Davidoff, the tobacco company that has been a 17-year title sponsor of the event, cannot extend its affiliation with the event, due to worldwide laws restricting tobacco advertising on television. The tournament, played in the hometown of Roger Federer, was promoted in status last year to an ATP 500-level event, giving the tour central control over TV rights. The 2009 Swiss Indoors was broadcast in 150 countries and had a six-fold increase in ratings, but the sponsor’s name was dropped during transmissions.

* James Blake, who grew up in Fairfield, Conn., accepted a wild-card entry into the Pilot Pen tournament in New Haven, Conn. “Adding James Blake, a two-time champion and hometown favorite, to our field is one of the best ways to strengthen our player field even more,” said tournament director Anne Worcester.

* Mercedes-Benz will be honored for its ongoing contribution to tennis with the Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Award by the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, at the 30th annual “Legends Ball” on Friday, September 10, 2010 at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City. This special night of celebration will also honor a host of tennis luminaries including Martina Navratilova, who will receive the Eugene L. Scott Award and the Hall of Fame Class of 2010 – Todd Woodbridge, Mark Woodforde, Gigi Fernandez, Natasha Zvereva, Owen Davidson, wheelchair tennis pioneer Brad Parks and Derek Hardwick, former chairman of the British Lawn Tennis Association. The Joseph F. Cullman 3rd Award honors an exceptional company that shares Joe Cullman’s enthusiasm for tennis and has also made a significant contribution to society at large – both philanthropically and through outstanding generosity of spirit. Cullman served as President and Chairman of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum from 1982-88, a tenure during which the organization was elevated to worldwide recognition. He hoped that visits to the historic site would inspire young people to play tennis, learn and appreciate its history, and honor the great players of the past. Previous recipients of the award have been: BNP Paribas (2006); Rolex Watch U.S.A., Inc. (2007), Sony Ericsson (2008), and Tennis Channel (2009). “The wise investment that Mercedes-Benz has made in tennis has been integral to the growth of the sport around the world,” said Christopher E. Clouser, chairman of the International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum. “They have been and continue to be avid supporters of tennis. For that we are proud to honor them alongside the other great champions and legends of the game.” For tickets, sponsorship opportunities, or to learn more about the event, call 212-843-1740 or e-mail legendsball@hgnyc.com.

* Cliff Richey, former U.S. No. 1, Davis Cup hero and author of the book ACING DEPRESSION: A TENNIS CHAMPION’S TOUGHEST MATCH ($19.95, New Chapter Press, www.CliffRicheyBook.com) will be speaking about overcoming obstacles in life and his fight with depression at 3 pm on Sunday, August 15 at the Westwood First Presbyterian Church, 3011 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio. Richey will also sign be selling and signing copies of his book, which has been met with rave reviews. Richey is also expected to appear on site at the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati on Monday, August 16 at the ACE AUTHENTIC booth on site at the event.

* The USTA conducted a tennis clinic featuring the QuickStart play format on the White House South Lawn alongside USTA Chairman of the Board and President Lucy S. Garvin, World Team Tennis Washington Kastles owner, Mark Ein, world No. 20 Sam Querrey, and doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan on Tuesday, August 3. The event was part of the South Lawn Series, a summer-long series of events that brings local children, sports leagues and community programs together to the South Lawn in support of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! initiative to combat childhood obesity.

* The USTA announced that the Opening Night Ceremony for the 2010 US Open will celebrate those who Dream, Succeed and Inspire. The night will feature tributes to tennis greats Martina Navratilova and James Blake, wheelchair tennis star Esther Vergeer and USTA member Dori Samadzai-Bonner who has embraced tennis since coming to this country from her native Afghanistan.  The primetime ceremony, will be hosted by Christiane Amanpour, host of ABC News’ “This Week,” and will feature a special musical performance by award-winning performer Gloria Estefan. Navratilova, a four-time US Open singles champion and the most prolific winner in the history of the sport, recently defeated her toughest opponent in breast cancer.  Born in Czechoslovakia, Navratilova sought political asylum in the U.S. in 1975, then changed the face of women’s tennis with an aggressive game and a inspirational desire to be the best.  Navratilova brought this same zeal to her fight with cancer, and will put an exclamation mark on her triumph when she climbs Tanzania’s Mt. Kilimanjaro in December. Blake, a long-time US Open fan favorite and Davis Cup champion, grew up with scoliosis, which forced him to wear a back brace for 18 hours a day as a youth, and later made a triumphant return to the men’s tour after he fractured his neck in 2004 when he collided with a net post during practice.  Blake has been a professional tennis player since 1999, when he left Harvard to pursue his dream of becoming a professional tennis player. Vergeer, perhaps the most dominant female athlete in all of sports, has been confined to a wheelchair since the age of eight, when she lost the ability to use her legs after undergoing surgery for a spinal defect and brain hemorrhage.  She began playing wheelchair tennis at age 12, and has not lost a singles match since January 2003, an incredible unbeaten streak of 390 matches.  She will look to continue her inspirational streak by successfully defending her singles and doubles titles at the 2010 US Open Wheelchair Tennis Competition, which will be held September 9 to 12 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Samadzai-Bonner grew up in Afghanistan where girls were barred from taking parts in sports of any kind.  She dreamed of coming to America, and succeeded after a lengthy trip  that brought her here via stops in India and Thailand. Now a resident of Montgomery, AL, and a USTA member, she discovered tennis as a senior in high school and has been playing ever since.  “Tennis instantaneously became my escape from the years of misery I lived through simply because I was born a girl,” she says. Following the on-court tribute to the four inspirational individuals, 7-time Grammy-Award winning singer/songwriter Gloria Estefan will perform the inspiring song, “Reach” which was written as the Official Theme Song to the XXVI Olympic Games.  The song is a fitting capstone to this special night.  Estefan’s own story is one of dreams, success and inspiration, as she immigrated to the United States from her native Cuba and came back from a life-threatening accident to become one of the most revered Hispanic female role models.  Estefan has received numerous recognitions and honors, and in 1992, she was invited by President George Bush to serve as a public member of the United States Delegation to the 47th General Assembly to the United Nations.  In addition, she was the first-ever Latin female to receive the BMI “Songwriter of the Year” award.  Estefan sold over 90 million albums world-wide and has composed 15 of her own Top 10 Hits.   She has written international hit songs recorded by renowned artists such as Shakira and Jennifer Lopez

* Tennis Channel, the only 24-hour, television-based multimedia destination dedicated to both the professional sport and tennis lifestyle, will chronicle the renovation of Centennial Tennis Center in Nashville, Tenn., on its new program, Community Surface, which will air Monday, Sept. 13, at 7:30 p.m. ET – the day after the 2010 US Open. The half-hour Community Surface built by SportMaster will take viewers behind the scenes as Tennis Channel, court-resurfacing company and presenting sponsor SportMaster, and the United States Tennis Association (USTA), renovate the public tennis facility that was badly damaged in Nashville’s May floods.  During the national headline-grabbing storms, 36 inches of rain destroyed many of the 19 courts at Centennial Tennis Center which, due to insufficient repair funds, has left them unplayable and closed so far this summer.  Following a week of repairs in August, members of the Nashville tennis community will be able to enjoy these courts again for the first time since the spring catastrophe. “By showcasing how the makeover of just one public center can rejuvenate an entire tennis community, we hope Tennis Channel can inspire others to work together to improve their local facilities or help with other tennis needs,” said Laura Hockridge, vice president, original programming, Tennis Channel.  “Three-fourths of our viewers also play tennis recreationally, and this program is a natural reflection of the grass-roots connections that exist all over our country.” Hosted by writer and television personality Touré, who also hosts Fuse TV’s Hiphop Show and On the Record, the program is being taped in Nashville Aug. 10-18. Centennial Tennis Center’s courts will be sealed off with privacy screens during the renovation, with local dignitaries and key members of the tennis community on hand for the grand revelation Wednesday, Aug. 18.