michael chang

US Open History Made! Dan Evans Win Over Karen Khachanov Tops US Open Longest Matches List

August 27, 2024 by Admin

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

The incredible win by Dan Evans of Great Britain over Russia’s Karen Khachanov in five hours and 35 minutes in the first round of the 2024 US Open tops the list of longest matches in US Open history.

The 6-7(8), 7-6(2) 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4 victory for Evans was nine minutes longer than the previous longest match at the U.S. Open which was Stefan Edberg’s SCORE win over Michael Chang in the 1992 semifinals, played in Louis Armstrong Stadium

Evan crawled back into the match after trailing 0-4 in the fifth set, winning the last six games of the match. The atmosphere is described in the New York Times here: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5727605/2024/08/27/us-open-longest-match-tennis-evans-khachanov

Said Evans of the epic, “it’s just a crazy, crazy match. It’s one I’ll remember obviously forever.”

A match that lasts five hours is certainly a rarity at any event, let alone the US Open, but here is the list of the longest matches in US Open history

5 hours, 35 minutes – Dan Evans d. Karen Khachanov 6-7(8), 7-6(2) 7-6(4), 4-6, 6-4 – 2024 first round

5 hours, 26 minutes – Stefan Edberg d. Michael Chang 6-7, 7-5, 7-6, 5-7, 6-4 – 1992 semifinal

5 hours, 15 minutes – Carlos Alcaraz d. Jannik Sinner 6-3, 6-7 (7), 6-7 (0), 7-5, 6-3 – 2022 quarterfinal

5 hours, 10 minutes Richard Krajicek d. Todd Martin 6–7, 4–6, 7–6, 6–4, 6–4 1993 third round

5 hours, 9 minutes – Sargis Sargsian d. Nicolas Massu 6-7, 6-4, 3-6, 7-6, 6-4 2004 second round

PTR Tennis Pro Angel Lopez Remembers Michael Chang

June 18, 2024 by Admin

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

On June 11, 1989 seventeen-year-old Michael Chang became the youngest man to win a major title, concluding an improbable run to the men’s singles title at the French Open by defeating Stefan Edberg 6-1, 3-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-2 in the singles final at Roland Garros.

Angel Lopez, one of Chang’s primary early coaches, could hardly believe what he was seeing.

“I had to pinch myself to see if I was dreaming or not,” said Lopez. “He was only 17 year old.”

A Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Level 2 coach, Lopez worked with Chang from when Chang was 10 years old until 12 years old and said he was “a smartest young boy I’ve ever seen.”

Said Lopez, “I can’t remember him making a bad shot selection. He was lightning fast, super intelligent and very focused. He had that quiet confidence.”

“It was amazing he won the French Open in 1989 as a 17 year old, he won the USTA National 18s singles title at Kalamazoo as a 15-year-old, he also won the San Diego High School singles title as an eighth grader. He was that good.”

“I remember when Michael was coming up people were saying he would never make it because he was too small,” said Lopez. “He was Chinese American and there were not very many Asian players back then. Michael played with a big heart, he was super fast, super intelligent, super focused. He played like his life depended on it. He had a close knit family and brother Carl with him. My former coach Pancho Segura worked with him and Jose Higueras as well. A few months before the 1989 French, Michael and Carl played an exhibition mixed doubles match at my club. I introduced them as one of the best junior players in the world. Who would have foreseen he would have been ranked as world No. 2?”

Lopez has been a PTR member since 1987. He first became a member of the organization after spending time and becoming friends with PTR founder Dennis Van der Meer. “I love the way he taught the game,” said Lopez of Van der Meer. “I immediately noticed how diverse the PTR community was. I really enjoyed going to all the symposiums back in the 90s and the 2000s. The camaraderie of the PTR professionals was very noticeable.”

Lopez has also worked with standout players Zina Garrison, Kelly Jones and Alexandra Stevenson and still spends most daylight hours on the court at the San Diego Tennis and Racquet Club where he has worked since 1979. In 2005, Lopez was named the PTR International Professional of the Year

Chang’s victory at the 1989 French Open ended a 34-year drought by American men at the French Championships, becoming the first American man to win the French title since Tony Trabert in 1955. Said Tony Trabert to Bud Collins of the Boston Globe after Chang’s victory, “What a performance to finish that one off. It was one of the most courageous I’ve ever seen. Much tougher physically and mentally than mine in ’54, straight sets over Art Larsen, and ’55, four sets over Sven Davidson. Michael is one of the most remarkable kids to come into this game.” Said Edberg of Chang, “He runs down everything.”

McEnroe, Agassi, Roddick, Chang “Pickleball Slam” To Be Held At Same Time, 11 Miles Down The Road From Miami Open Final

March 30, 2023 by Admin

On Sunday, April 2, at 12 noon ET, ESPN will broadcast live and exclusively the inaugural Pickleball Slam featuring tennis legends Andre Agassi, Michael Chang, John McEnroe, and Andy Roddick. The Slam will air immediately ahead of the NCAA Women’s basketball championship game. Created and produced by Horizon Sports & Experiences (HS&E) and InsideOut Sports & Entertainment (ISE), the 2023 event will take place at Hard Rock Live at Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Hollywood, Florida.

Interestingly enough, the event is being held on the same day, at virtually the same time and just 11 miles away from the Miami Open men’s singles TENNIS final at Hard Rock Stadium, televised on Tennis Channel.

The Pickleball Slam, the first-of-its-kind event with the fastest growing sport in the U.S., will feature two matches, a singles and a doubles. In the legends’ singles, Chang faces Roddick and Agassi faces McEnroe. The second match—the final match of the day—will be a doubles with Chang and McEnroe facing Agassi and Roddick. The four tennis Hall of Famers will compete for a $1 million purse—the largest in pickleball history.

Not released was the how the prize money will be earned and what the division of prize money exactly is between the four competing matches.

The Pickleball Slam (www.thepickleballslam.com) will be preceded on March 31 and April 1 by the Amateur Pickleball Slam Challenge, featuring top amateur teams of two competing for a $10,000 team prize. The winners will also have the chance to compete against the tennis legends on April 1.

About ESPN

ESPN, the world’s leading sports entertainment brand, features eight U.S. television networks, direct-to-consumer ESPN+, ESPN Radio, ESPN.com, endeavors on every continent around the world, and more.  ESPN is 80 percent owned by ABC, Inc. (an indirect subsidiary of The Walt Disney Company) and 20 percent by Hearst. 

Rafael Nadal – Dominic Thiem Epic The Eighth Longest U.S. Open Match On Record

September 5, 2018 by Admin

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Rafael Nadal’s epic late-night five-set quarterfinal victory over Dominic Thiem will go down as one of the most exciting, most talked about and longest match in the history of the U.S. Open.

Nadal won the match by the narrowest margin possible – a 7-5 final-set tiebreaker – to win by a 0-6 6-4 7-5 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5). Despite the 6-0 first set, the match lasted four hours, 49 minutes, making it the eighth longest U.S. Open match on record.

The official U.S. Open record book only lists the two longest U.S. Open men’s singles matches of all time. The longest is the 1992 U.S. Open semifinal when Stefan Edberg defeated Michael Chang 6–7, 7–5, 7–6, 5–7, 6–4.

The second-longest listed match is when Sargis Sargsian defeated Nicolas Massu in the 2004 second round in 5:09 by a 6-7, 6-4,3-6, 7-6, 6-4 scoreline. However, a Google search revealed that a 1993 third round match between Richard Krajicek and Todd Martin actually lasted one minute longer, Krajicek winning 6–7, 4–6, 7–6, 6–4, 6–4 in five hours, ten minutes.

In 1992, Ivan Lendl defeated Boris Becker 6-7 (7-4), 6-2, 6-7 (7-4), 6-3, 6-4 in the fourth round that was described in media reports as the longest at the U.S. Open at the time, breaking the previous mark of 4 hours 54 minutes in the 1988 final between Lendl and Mats Wilander, won by Wilander 6-4, 4-6, 6-3, 5-7,6-4. In 2010, Kei Nishikori beat Marin Cilic in the first round in 4:59 by a score of 5-7, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-1. The 2012 U.S. Open final between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic also lasted 4 hours, 54 minutes, Murray winning 7-6, 7-5, 3-6, 2-6, 6-2. Nadal and Thiem’s epic lands next at 4:49.

To boot, Nadal and Thiem’s epic ended at 2:04 am, the seventh U.S. Open match in history to finish after 2 am, 22 minutes shy of the all-time record.

Todd Martin Was The “Fifth Beatle” Of American Tennis, But Who Was Paul, John, George And Ringo?

July 18, 2018 by Admin

By Randy Walker

@TennisPublisher

Todd Martin was part of what many describe as the greatest era of American tennis. After playing two years at Northwestern University, Martin turned pro at the 1990 U.S. Open and embarked on a 14-year professional career that saw him win eight ATP singles titles, five ATP doubles titles, a career-high ranking of No. 4 and runner-up showings at the 1990 US Open and the 1994 Australian Open. To boot, Martin was a long-time and loyal member of the U.S. Davis Cup team, helping the team win the 1995 title.

Martin, however, had the unfortunate luck to be playing in the same era as 14-time major champion Pete Sampras, eight-time major champion Andre Agassi, four-time major champion Jim Courier and 1989 French Open champion Michael Chang. Only Chang did not reach the No. 1 ranking, but he did make it to No. 2.

Martin has described himself as “the Fifth Beatle” of this general of American tennis legends. In an interview with myself and Meredith Bach with 1490 WGCH Radio as part of the “Anything Goes” Radio program, Martin discusses himself as “The Pete Best” of American tennis and labels who among Pete, Andre, Jim and Michael was the corresponding Paul, John, George and Ringo of American tennis. Watch the video here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DKTOc8ZGJPw

For the rest of this interview with Martin, watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=syfvIyc75kA

PowerShares Series Draws Announced For 12-City Circuit

February 23, 2015 by Admin

InsideOut Sports & Entertainment today announced the draws for its 2015 PowerShares Series champions tennis circuit. The PowerShares Series, the North American tennis circuit for champion tennis players, will visit 12 cities in 2015 starting March 24 in Salt Lake City, Utah and concluding Saturday, May 2 in Vancouver, Canada. Players competing on the 2015 PowerShares Series are John McEnroe, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang, James Blake and Mark Philippoussis.

Each one-night event will feature two one-set semifinal matches, followed by a one–set championship match. Tickets and unique VIP fan experience packages are now on sale. Tickets start at $30 and all ticket and VIP information is available at www.PowerSharesSeries.com.

The full 2015 PowerShares Series schedule with event match-ups are as follows:

Tuesday, March 24: Salt Lake City, Utah (Huntsman Center) “Champions Shootout”

James Blake vs. Mark Philippoussis, Andre Agassi vs. Jim Courier

Wednesday, March 25: Los Angeles, Calif., (Galen Center at USC) “SoCal Honda Dealers Helpful Cup”

Pete Sampras vs. Jim Courier, Andy Roddick vs. James Blake

Wednesday, April 1: Lincoln, Neb., (Pinnacle Bank Arena at Univ. of Nebraska) “Champions Cup Presented by Woods Park Tennis”

Andy Roddick vs. Jim Courier, James Blake vs. John McEnroe

Thursday, April 2: Chicago, Ill. (Sears Centre) “PowerShares QQQ Challenge”

John McEnroe vs. Jim Courier, Andy Roddick vs. James Blake

Thursday, April 16: Austin, Texas (Cedar Park Center) “Champions Shootout”

John McEnroe vs. Jim Courier, Andy Roddick vs. James Blake

Friday, April 17: Little Rock, Ark. (Jack Stephens Center at the UALR) “Champions Cup”

Andy Roddick vs. Jim Courier, John McEnroe vs. Mark Philippoussis

Saturday, April 18: Dallas, Texas (Moody Coliseum at SMU) “Champions Showdown”

John McEnroe vs. Jim Courier, Andy Roddick vs. Mark Philippoussis

Wednesday, April 22: Boston, Mass. (Agganis Arena at Boston University) “Champions Cup”

John McEnroe vs. Jim Courier, Andy Roddick vs. James Blake

Thursday, April 23: Richmond, Va., (Siegel Center at VCU) “Champions Challenge”

Jim Courier vs. Andy Roddick, John McEnroe vs. James Blake

Wednesday, April 29: Minneapolis, Minn. (Target Center) “Champions Shootout”

John McEnroe vs. James Blake, Andy Roddick vs. Michael Chang

Thursday, April 30: Cincinnati, Ohio (Cintas Center at Xavier) “Champions Showdown”

Andy Roddick vs. James Blake, John McEnroe vs. Michael Chang

Saturday, May 2: Vancouver, Canada (Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre at UBC) “Champions Showdown”

Michael Chang vs. Mark Philippoussis, Pete Sampras vs. John McEnroe

In 2014, McEnroe won the points title for the first time in the nine-year history of Champions Series tennis by winning events in Kansas City, Indianapolis, Nashville and Charlotte. McEnroe was followed in the points standings by Blake in second place and Roddick in third place.

ABOUT INSIDEOUT SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT

InsideOut Sports + Entertainment is a Los Angeles-based producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Champions Series, a collection of tournaments featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including “Legendary Night” exhibitions, The World Series of Beach Volleyball and numerous corporate outings. Since inception, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment has have raised over $4 million for charity. In 2014, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment merged with Horizon Media, the largest privately held media services agency in the world. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.powersharesseries.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

ABOUT HORIZON MEDIA

Horizon Media, Inc. is the largest and fastest growing privately held media services agency in the world. The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York, and has offices in Los Angeles, San Diego and Chicago. Horizon Media was named 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost, 2010 U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek, Brandweek, Mediaweek and Ad Age and as one of the world’s ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company in 2011. In 2012, Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO and Founder, was honored by Advertising Age as Industry Executive of the Year and he currently serves as Chairman of the 4A’s, the industry’s oldest and most prestigious trade association. The company’s mission is “To create the most meaningful brand connections within the lives of people everywhere.” Horizon Media has estimated billings of $4 .7 billion and approximately 1,000 employees. For more info, go towww.HorizonMedia.com

ABOUT INVESCO POWERSHARES

Invesco PowerShares Capital Management LLC is Leading the Intelligent ETF Revolution® through its family of more than 140 domestic and international exchange-traded funds, providing advisors and investors access to an innovative array of focused investment opportunities. With franchise assets over $66.7 billion as of June 29, 2012, PowerShares ETFs trade on both U.S. stock exchanges. For more information, please visit us at invescopowershares.com or follow us on Twitter @PowerShares.

ABOUT POWERSHARES QQQ

PowerShares QQQ™, an exchange-traded fund (ETF) based on the NASDAQ-100 Index®, is one of the largest and most traded ETFs in the world. Under most circumstances, QQQ will consist of all of the stocks in the index which includes 100 of the largest domestic and international nonfinancial companies listed on the NASDAQ Stock Market based on market capitalization.

Roddick, McEnroe, Agassi and Sampras Set to Compete in 2015 PowerShares Series Tennis Circuit

December 9, 2014 by Admin

NEW YORK, December 9, 2014 – InsideOut Sports & Entertainment, a division of Horizon Media, the largest and fastest growing privately held media services agency in the world, today announced the dates, venues and fields for its 2015 PowerShares Series tennis circuit that will feature 2014 tour champion John McEnroe defending his crown versus a group of legends led by Andy Roddick, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Jim Courier.

The North American tennis circuit for champion tennis players will visit 12 cities in 2015, kicking off on Tuesday, March 24, 2015 in Salt Lake City and concluding Saturday, May 2 in Vancouver. Players competing on the 2015 circuit are McEnroe, Roddick, Agassi, Sampras, Courier, James Blake, Michael Chang and Mark Philippoussis. Each one-night event will feature two one-set semifinal matches, followed by a one-set championship match.

Tickets and unique VIP fan experience packages are now on sale. Tickets start at $30 and all ticket and VIP information is available at www.PowerSharesSeries.com.

“We are excited once again to present the PowerShares Series and bring this entertaining brand of tennis to many new markets,” said Jon Venison, Partner at InsideOut Sports & Entertainment. “It was quite something to see John McEnroe win the PowerShares Series points title last year against his much younger competition, but I know the younger generation, led by Andy Roddick and James Blake, will want to steal his thunder in the upcoming season.”

The full 2015 PowerShares Series schedule with field of players is as follows:

Tuesday, March 24: Salt Lake City, Utah (Huntsman Center at the University of Utah) “Champions Shootout” featuring Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, James Blake, Mark Philippoussis

Wednesday, March 25: Los Angeles, Calif., (Galen Center at USC) “SoCal Honda Dealers Helpful Cup” featuring Pete Sampras, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, James Blake

Wednesday, April 1: Lincoln, Neb., (Pinnacle Bank Arena at University of Nebraska) “Champions Cup Presented by Woods Park Tennis” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, James Blake

Thursday, April 2: Chicago, Ill. (Sears Centre) “PowerShares QQQ Challenge” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, James Blake

Thursday, April 16: Austin, Texas (Cedar Park Center) “Champions Shootout” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, James Blake

Friday, April 17: Little Rock, Ark. (Jack Stephens Center at the UALR) “Champions Cup” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Saturday, April 18: Dallas, Texas (Moody Coliseum at SMU) “Champions Showdown” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Wednesday, April 22: Boston, Mass. (Agganis Arena at Boston University) “Champions Cup” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, James Blake

Thursday, April 23: Richmond, Va., (Siegel Center at VCU) “Champions Challenge” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, James Blake

Wednesday, April 29: Minneapolis, Minn. (Target Center) “Champions Shootout” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang, James Blake

Thursday, April 30: Cincinnati, Ohio (Cintas Center at Xavier) “Champions Showdown” featuring John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Michael Chang, James Blake

Saturday, May 2: Vancouver, Canada (Doug Mitchell Thunderbird Sports Centre at UBC) “Champions Showdown” featuring Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Michael Chang, Mark Philippoussis

ABOUT INSIDEOUT SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT

InsideOut Sports + Entertainment is a New York City-based producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Champions Series, a collection of tournaments featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including “Legendary Night” exhibitions, The World Series of Volleyball and numerous corporate outings. Since inception, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment has have raised over $4 million for charity. In 2014, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment merged with Horizon Media, the largest privately held media services agency in the world. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.powersharesseries.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

ABOUT INVESCO POWERSHARES

ABOUT POWERSHARES QQQ

ABOUT HORIZON MEDIA

Horizon Media, Inc. is the largest and fastest growing privately held media services agency in the world. The company was founded in 1989, is headquartered in New York and has offices in Los Angeles, San Diego, and Chicago. Horizon Media was chosen as 2011 Independent Media Agency of the Year by Mediapost, 2010 U.S. Media Agency of the Year by Adweek, Brandweek, and Mediaweek as well as by Ad Age and as one of the world’s ten most innovative marketing and advertising companies by Fast Company in 2011. In 2012, Bill Koenigsberg, President, CEO and Founder, was honored by Advertising Age as Industry Executive of the Year. Most recently, in 2014, Bill Koenigsberg was named 4As Chair of the Board and is the first person from a media agency to hold this prestigious position in the 100 year history of the 4As, the marketing industry’s leading trade association. The company’s mission is “To create the most meaningful brand connections within the lives of people everywhere.” By delivering on this mission through a holistic approach to brand marketing, Horizon Media has become one of the largest and fastest-growing media agencies in the industry, with estimated billings of over $4.7 billion and over 1000 employees. The company is also a founding member of Columbus Media International, a multi-national partnership of independent media agencies. For more information, please visit horizonmedia.com.

Chang Beats Philippoussis To Win 2014 PowerShares Series Finale In Surprise

March 22, 2014 by Admin

SURPRISE, Ariz. – Michael Chang won his second career title on the PowerShares Series Friday night, defeating Mark Philippoussis 6-2 in the one-set final of the Cancer Treatment Centers of America Championships, the 12th and final event this year on the U.S. circuit for champion tennis players over the age of 30.

Chang’s previous title came in 2011 in Washington, D.C. when he defeated, in succession, Pete Sampras and Jim Courier. Chang dedicated his victory Friday to his grandmother, who passed away earlier this week.

“It’s been an emotional week,” said Chang, the 1989 French Open champion. “I’m sure my grandma was looking over me tonight. I was happy to (win) for her.”

Chang broke the Philippoussis serve at 1-1, using his crafty groundstrokes to move his Australian opponent side to side, controlling points from the baseline. Chang made a high percentage of first serves, committed virtually no errors and registered another service break in the seventh game, before closing out the relatively quick championship match.

Philippoussis, who won the 2010 title in Surprise, was a late substitute in the field for Sampras, who withdrew due to continued troubles with his right shoulder.

Earlier in the night, Chang beat Courier 7-6 (5) in the first semifinal. Chang served for the match at 6-5, but Courier immediately broke back to force the decisive tie-breaker, saving four match-points in the process. Chang ripped an inside out forehand winner to take a 4-2 lead in the tie-breaker and never looked back, hitting a forehand winner on match point to advance into the final.

Philippoussis, a two-time Grand Slam tournament runner-up, beat Todd Martin, another two-time Grand Slam tournament runner-up, in the other semifinal 6-3.

The win earned Chang 400 PowerShares Series rankings points to move him to the No. 6 ranking position in the final 2014 points standings. The 200 points for Philippoussis moved him into a final ranking position of No. 7, tied with Ivan Lendl. John McEnroe won the PowerShares Series points championship for the first time in his career, finishing with 1600 points and four tournament titles.

McEnroe, who turned 55 on February 16, won events in Kansas City on February 5 (defeating Chang in the final), Indianapolis on February 14 (defeating Courier in the final), in Nashville on March 12 (defeating Pat Cash in the final) and Charlotte on March 13 (defeating Ivan Lendl in the final).

The final 2014 PowerShares Series rankings are as follows:

1. John McEnroe – 1600 points

2. James Blake – 1200 points

3. Andy Roddick – 900 points

4. Andre Agassi – 800 points

Jim Courier – 800 points

6. Michael Chang – 700 points

7. Ivan Lendl – 500 points

Mark Philippoussis 500 points

9. Pat Cash – 300 points

10. Pete Sampras – 200 points

Jimmy Connors – 200 points

12. Todd Martin – 100 points

The final tournament results for the entire 2014 PowerShares Series are as follows:

Kansas City, Mo. – John McEnroe def. Michael Chang, 6-4; Oklahoma City, Okla. – Jim Courier def. John McEnroe, 6-2; Birmingham, Ala. – Andy Roddick def. John McEnroe, 7-5; Indianapolis, Ind. – John McEnroe def. Jim Courier, 6-3; Denver, Colo. – Andy Roddick def. James Blake, 6-3; Houston, Texas – Andre Agassi def. James Blake, 6-4; Salt Lake City, Utah – James Blake def. John McEnroe, 7-6 (5); Sacramento, Calif. – James Blake def. John McEnroe, 6-3; Portland, Ore. – Andre Agassi def. James Blake, 6-4; Nashville, Tenn. – John McEnroe def. Pat Cash, 6-3; Charlotte, N.C. – John McEnroe def. Ivan Lendl, 7-6 (5); Surprise, Ariz. – Michael Chang def. Mark Philippoussis, 6-2.

For television listings for the 2014 PowerShares Series, go to www.PowerSharesSeries.com

ABOUT INSIDEOUT SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT

InsideOut Sports + Entertainment is a New York City-based independent producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Champions Series, a collection of tournaments featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including “Legendary Night” exhibitions, charity events and corporate outings. Since inception, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment has have raised over $4 million for charity. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.powersharesseries.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

ABOUT INVESCO POWERSHARES

ABOUT POWERSHARES QQQ

Jim Courier Beats John McEnroe To Pass PowerShares Series Test In Oklahoma City

February 7, 2014 by Admin

OKLAHOMA CITY – Despite playing in Wimbledon, U.S., French and Australian Open finals, Jim Courier will tell you he also gets pre-match jitters before playing on the PowerShares Series tennis circuit.

Admitting to some first-event nervousness in Wednesday’s PowerShares Series opening event in Kansas City that ended in a semifinal loss to Michael Chang, Courier recalibrated Thursday in beating John McEnroe 6-2 in the one-set title match to win the Champions Cup at the Chesapeake Arena, home of the NBA’s Oklahoma City Thunder.

“It’s all about wanting to perform at your highest level,” Courier said of the source of his pre-match feeling of unease. “All of us suffer from anxiety about (playing at a top level) because this is a test out here. You have test anxiety when you go in. This is a pass-fail out here. There’s no ‘A’s or ‘B’s. It’s either pass or fail. I passed it tonight and I’m happy about that.”

Courier did not look himself in Wednesday’s 6-4 one-set semifinal loss to Chang, misfiring on his trademark inside-out forehand – while also playing without wearing his trademark baseball cap. On Thursday, Courier’s blistering groundstrokes – and his baseball cap – returned in avenging his loss to Chang 6-2 in the semifinals before defeating McEnroe in the title match by the same score.

Against McEnroe, Courier lost only one point on his serve in his first three service games of the set and broke McEnroe to take a 4-2 lead. McEnroe, however, sensed the urgency of the service break and immediately pressured Courier in the following game, maneuvering himself to a break-point chance at 30-40, only to have Courier stifle it with a hard-hit first serve to McEnroe’s forehand wing that the left-handed was unable to control. Courier was able to hold serve and punctured the McEnroe serve once again in the next game, winning on his fourth match point opportunity.

“I was on really good rhythm with my serve and my forehand,” said Courier. “Those are the two keys for me. I like to hit my backhand with topspin, but on this court, playing John, he doesn’t give you much of a chance to. I’m digging the ball off my ankles. I need to be aggressive with the forehand to push him back off the net. Everyone can see what he can do once he is able to get the racquet on the ball up there.”

McEnroe, at age 54, was looking to dominate the first two events on the 2014 PowerShares Series, his 20th year of playing “champions” tournament tennis. In the semifinals earlier on Thursday against Ivan Lendl, McEnroe continued his recent near-mastery over his Czech-born rival winning for the fourth time in five career meetings on the PowerShares Series – and for the second time in two nights by an identical 6-4 scoreline. But despite the final-round loss, McEnroe sits atop the PowerShares Series points rankings after the first two events with 600 points. Courier’s title places him in second place with 500 points, while Chang sits in third with 300 points.

The PowerShares Series, the U.S. tennis circuit for legend tennis players over the age of 30, continues Thursday, February 13 in Birmingham, Alabama when Andy Roddick makes his PowerShares Series debut and will be joined by McEnroe, Courier and Mark Philippoussis. Good tickets for all PowerShares Series events are still available starting at $25 at www.PowerSharesSeries.com. VIP packages – including meet-and-greet and play-with-the-pros on-court opportunities – are also available here http://www.powersharesseries.com/vip-experiences/, by email to VIP@insideoutse.com, or by phone at 253.315.4299.

The remaining 2014 Power Shares Series schedule with field of players are as follows:

Thursday, February 13, Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex – John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Friday, February 14, Indianapolis, Bankers Life Fieldhouse – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Wednesday, February 19, Denver, Pepsi Center – Andy Roddick, James Blake, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Thursday, February 20, Houston, Toyota Center – Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, James Blake

Tuesday, February 25, Salt Lake City, Energy Solutions Arena – Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Wednesday, February 26, Sacramento, Sleep Train Arena – Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Thursday, February 27, Portland, Moda Center – Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Wednesday, March 12, Nashville, Bridgestone Arena – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Pat Cash

Thursday, March 13, Charlotte, Time Warner Arena – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Pat Cash

Friday, March 21, Surprise, Surprise Stadium – Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Todd Martin, Michael Chang

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John McEnroe Wins Opening Event On 2014 PowerShares Series In Kansas City

February 6, 2014 by Admin

KANSAS CITY – John McEnroe kicked off the 2014 PowerShares Series tennis circuit Wednesday night at the Sprint Center in frigid Kansas City beating both Ivan Lendl and Michael Chang back-to-back in one-set matches to win the title.

After defeating Lendl 6-4 in the opening semifinal, the 54-year-old McEnroe then immediately turned around to beat 41-year-old Michael Chang 6-4 in the final in front of a hearty and vocal crowd who braved single digit temperatures and a fresh half foot of snow.

“Michael is one of the greatest competitors ever,” McEnroe said after the final. “He was serving big and I was having some trouble reading his shots. He fought hard and I played a few strong games there.”

McEnroe broke Chang at love in the first game of the match before being broken himself the next game. Each player then held serve for the next six games, McEnroe still displaying the serve-and-volley tactics and deft touch around the net that guided him to seven major singles titles during his career. McEnroe then took advantage of crucial unforced errors from Chang in the ninth game of the set to collect the vital service break. Serving for the match, McEnroe sealed the championship by hitting two aces and a service winner on the final three points.

“I worked hard to keep it going for a couple of sets,” said McEnroe, who first started playing organized “champions” tennis tournaments in 1995. “This format (of one-set matches) is good for me.”

When asked to comment on starting his 20th year competing in “champions” tennis tournaments, McEnroe said, “Don’t remind me.”

As McEnroe was serving for the title at 5-4, a person in the crowd yelled “Come On Connors” – referencing another of McEnroe’s biggest rivals Jimmy Connors. McEnroe hit a ball in the direction of the fan before serving out the match, then fired a shot to his rival in the on-court post-match interview, setting the stage for when he will renew his rivalry with Connors later this year on the PowerShares Series March 12 in Nashville and March 13 in Charlotte.

Quipped McEnroe, “Jimmy is from East St. Louis (Illinois) which is not that far from here and I think he’s got one fan left in the area.”

Chang, the 1989 French Open champion, advanced to the championship match by beating former world No. 1 and current U.S. Davis Cup captain Jim Courier 6-4 in the other semifinal.

PowerShares Series, the U.S. tennis circuit for legend tennis players over the age of 30, continues Thursday night in Oklahoma City when McEnroe again faces Lendl and Chang again plays Courier. McEnroe is also scheduled to compete in Birmingham, Alabama on Feb. 13, Indianapolis on Feb. 14, Salt Lake City on Feb. 25, Sacramento on Feb. 26, Portland, Oregon on Feb. 27, Nashville on March 12 and Charlotte on March 13. Good tickets for all PowerShares Series events are still available starting at $25 at www.PowerSharesSeries.com. VIP packages – including meet-and-greet and play-with-the-pros on-court opportunities – are also available here http://www.powersharesseries.com/vip-experiences/, by email to VIP@insideoutse.com, or by phone at 253.315.4299.

The remaining 2014 Power Shares Series schedule with field of players are as follows:

Thursday, February 6, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Chesapeake Energy Arena – Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Michael Chang

Thursday, February 13, Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex – John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Friday, February 14, Indianapolis, Bankers Life Fieldhouse – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Wednesday, February 19, Denver, Pepsi Center – Andy Roddick, James Blake, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Thursday, February 20, Houston, Toyota Center – Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, James Blake

Tuesday, February 25, Salt Lake City, Energy Solutions Arena – Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Wednesday, February 26, Sacramento, Sleep Train Arena – Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Thursday, February 27, Portland, Moda Center – Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Wednesday, March 12 Nashville, Bridgestone Arena – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Pat Cash

Thursday, March 13, Charlotte, Time Warner Arena – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Pat Cash

Friday, March 21, Surprise, Surprise Stadium – Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Todd Martin, Michael Chang

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Fast Courts and Heat The Talk of Australian Open So Far, Says Michael Chang

January 12, 2014 by Admin

The oppressive heat and noticeably faster courts are among the current topics of talk at 2014 Australian Open, according to 1996 finalist and coach of Kei Nishikori Michael Chang.

“Players will find this year’s courts a lot faster than usual,” said Chang in an email from Australia provided by the PowerShares Series tennis circuit. “I haven’t been back to the Australian Open in quite a few years but I never recall it being this quick. Usually, it’s slower and higher bouncing but that definitely isn’t the case this year!”

Regarding the sometimes brutally hot Australian Open conditions: “I think one of the topics this first week will be about how hot it’s expected to get,” said Chang. “With two days reaching almost 100 degrees and another over 100 degrees, it’s sure to affect some of the longer matches out there.”

Chang also spoke of his motivation for working with Nishikori, the Japanese player seeded No. 16 at the 2014 Australian Open.

“My motivation really comes from having the opportunity to work with another Asian male player who is almost on the brink of breaking through to the top 10,” said Chang, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 2. “There are very few Asian men who have reached this high and I feel like it’s a unique opportunity to help another Asian get to the highest level.”

Chang is one of four players ranked in the top eight of the 1992 ATP rankings now in the coaching ranks, joining Ivan Lendl, who is coaching Andy Murray, Boris Becker, who is coaching Novak Djokovic, and Stefan Edberg, who is working with Roger Federer. Chang said that this trend is an indication of the hard-core competitiveness among the top players and narrow margins between winning a major title and falling short.

“I personally think that players are just looking for an edge somewhere,” Chang said of the new coaching arrangements. “I can tell you that most likely, none of the legends coaches were looking for a coaching position as almost all of them are still playing their own Champion’s Tour events around the world, including me. I do think that all of these legends have a lot to offer since they all have experienced so much in their career. It does add an extra element of intrigue to the men’s side though, that’s for sure.”

When asked of the most surprising coach-player combination, Chang said, “Becker-Djokovic surprises me the most.”

While in Melbourne with Nishikori, Chang is looking forward to workouts with Nishikori to sharpen his game in advance of playing on the PowerShares Series tennis circuit (www.PowerSharesSeries.com) where he will compete in the opening two events – Kansas City on Feb. 5 at the Sprint Center and Oklahoma City at the Chesapeake Energy Arena on Feb. 6 as well as the closing event on March 21 in Surprise, Ariz.

“Well, I’m assuming that if I can play well against Kei, I’ll be more than ready for the PowerShares Series in all three of those cities,” Chang said. “It’s been good so far and I hope I can take some of our on court work together onto the playing court when I compete.”

The full 2014 Power Shares Series schedule with field of players are as follows:

Wednesday, February 5, Kansas City, Missouri, Sprint Center – Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Michael Chang

Thursday, February 6, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Chesapeake Energy Arena – Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Michael Chang

Thursday, February 13, Birmingham, Alabama, Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex – John McEnroe, Andy Roddick, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Friday, February 14, Indianapolis, Bankers Life Fieldhouse – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Wednesday, February 19, Denver, Pepsi Center – Andy Roddick, James Blake, Jim Courier, Mark Philippoussis

Thursday, February 20, Houston, Toyota Center – Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, James Blake

Tuesday, February 25, Salt Lake City, Energy Solutions Arena – Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Wednesday, February 26, Sacramento, Sleep Train Arena – Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Thursday, February 27, Portland, Moda Center – Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, James Blake

Wednesday, March 12 Nashville, Bridgestone Arena – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Mats Wilander

Thursday, March 13, Charlotte, Time Warner Arena – John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Mats Wilander

Friday, March 21, Surprise, Surprise Stadium – Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Todd Martin, Michael Chang

ABOUT INSIDEOUT SPORTS + ENTERTAINMENT

InsideOut Sports + Entertainment is a New York City-based independent producer of proprietary events and promotions founded in 2004 by former world No. 1 and Hall of Fame tennis player Jim Courier and former SFX and Clear Channel executive Jon Venison. In 2005, InsideOut launched its signature property, the Champions Series, a collection of tournaments featuring the greatest names in tennis over the age of 30. In addition, InsideOut produces many other successful events including “Legendary Night” exhibitions, charity events and corporate outings. Since inception, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment has have raised over $4 million for charity. For more information, please log on towww.InsideOutSE.com or www.powersharesseries.com or follow on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube.

Roger Federer and Tony Godsick Start Sports Management Agency – This Week In Tennis Business with Liz Kobak

December 13, 2013 by Admin

By Liz Kobak

@LizTennis

Federer Delivers New Tennis Agency

Big shot tennis players co-founding sports management agencies is becoming in vogue.

As reported by Christopher Clarey in the New York Times, Switzerland’s most prized athlete Roger Federer, his longtime agent Tony Godsick and two American investors recently formed Team8 agency.

The Cleveland-based company that Godsick spearheads will represent 17-time Grand Slam Champion Federer and other top-earning ATP tour athletes. Team8 has also signed one of the Swiss man’s main rivals, world No. 5 Juan Martín del Potro of Argentina. This unifying decision came after Federer spent time with del Potro during a South America exhibition tour last year. Rising Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov, whom tennis experts view as a potential Grand Slam champion, confirmed via email that he is joining Team8 on Jan. 1, 2014.

“We’re trying to be a boutique agency that will manage just a small stable of iconic athletes,” Godsick said to Clarey in a telephone interview from his firm’s new Pepper Pike, OH offices. “We’re really going to try to be selective here. Some of the other groups, they look to sign as many players as they can and hope a few of them stick and make it, and they really go after the juniors. We’re not going to.”

In addition, Godsick said Team8 was partially created to give Federer a platform when he retires.

“I can sell Roger Federer really well, but nobody sells Roger better than Roger,” Godsick said to Clarey. “I always joke with him, ‘Look, you’ve been really successful on the tennis court, but I promise you, you’ll be more successful when you’re done playing tennis.’ ”

In the meantime, Federer has been training and testing new rackets in Dubai. For now, he is a client rather than an active partner.

McEnroe, Connors, Lendl, Cash, Reprising Epic US Open

Pat Cash, Ivan Lendl, John McEnroe and Jimmy Connors will reprise their epic “Super Saturday” semifinal matches from the 1984 US Open at 2014 PowerShares Series tournaments in Nashville and Charlotte, InsideOut Sports & Entertainment announced on Wednesday.

“We are really looking forward to recreate these two match-ups from probably the greatest day in tennis history in Nashville and Charlotte 30 years after the original ‘Super Saturday’ at the US Open,” said Jon Venison, Partner at InsideOut Sports & Entertainment. “It will be two nights to remember, full of nostalgia with the competitive juices still flowing among four great champions who will look to rekindle their rivalries and settle some scores.”

Thirty years after their fabled semifinal confrontations at Flushing Meadows, Cash plays Lendl and McEnroe plays Connors in semifinal matches at the Champions Challenge on Wednesday, March 12 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn., and again on Thursday, March 13 at the Champions Cup at the Time Warner Arena in Charlotte, N.C. Both events are part of the 12-city PowerShares Series tennis circuit for legend tennis players more than 30 years of age. Each one-night tournament features three matches: two one-set semifinal matches and then a one-set championship match.

Tickets for all PowerShares Series events start at $25 and are purchasable at www.PowerSharesSeries.com. Nashville and Charlotte tickets are available at www.TicketMaster.com, TicketMaster locations, at the arena box offices and by calling 800-745-3000. All event VIP packages are also available at PowerSharesSeries.com, by email (VIP@insideoutse.com), or by phone: 253.315.4299.

Chang Coaching No. 1 Japanese Player in 2014

Many tennis players use social media as a means of connecting with their fans.

Last Tuesday, ATP world tour No. 17 Kei Nishikori announced through his self-entitled Twitter handle and Facebook page that he has hired 1989 Roland Garros Singles Champion Michael Chang as his part-time coach next year.

“Excited to announce an addition to the team,” Nishikori’s page indicated below a photo of head coach Dante Bottini, Nishikori and Chang. “Michael Chang will join us in 2014. Dante will remain the full time coach. We have already spent the last [two] weeks working hard and are getting ready for 2014.”

That Facebook post garnered more than 80,000 likes and 150 Re-Tweets, giving the 2012 Australian Open quarter-finalist increased media attention leading into his most successful Grand Slam event. Nishikori has been training in California with Chang for the past few weeks. Chang is coaching Nishikori in 17-20 tournaments.

Cost Causes WTA Event’s End

The AP reported on Wednesday that the WTA’s Brussels Open has ended after three years due to staging expenses.

This clay-court tennis tournament was Roland Garros’ warm-up event, drawing top players like Caroline Wozniacki, Agnieszka Radwanska and Marion Bartoli in times past.

“The current economic context and the ever-increasing investments to meet the demands of the WTA for the Premier label made it a difficult, near impossible task,” tournament officials said.

The 2013 edition, which offered players $250,000 in prize money, was plagued by bad spring weather and poor crowds. Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi, WTA ranked No. 30, was the last victor.

USTA Chooses EdgeWave as 2013 US Open Network Security

Leading web and email security solutions company EdgeWave Inc. announced on Wednesday that its Advanced Web Gateway program successfully secured internet access and enforced USTA internet policies during this year’s US Open.

The US Open is one of the largest global sporting events, with more than720,000 media, athletes, partners and fans in attendance. As many individuals carry a laptop, tablet or smart phone, the USTA’s internet security team was challenged in providing an open network while enforcing internet policies such as blocking gambling sites.

“With an event of this magnitude, there are thousands of moving parts that can change at any moment,” said USTA CIO Larry Bonfante. “Working with EdgeWave prior to the US Open allowed the Advanced Web Gateway to run flawlessly and to meet operational requirements from the very start, giving us one less thing to worry about.”

EdgeWave and the USTA have already planned their 2014US Open partnership. The two parties expect that bandwidth and security requirements will increase next year.

Lisicki Scores More Sponsorships Leading into 2014 Season

German tennis superstar and 2013 Wimbledon Singles Finalist Sabine Lisicki recently signed endorsement deals with K-Active and Thomas Sabo, according to her management team.

The two new products Lisicki is brand ambassador for are quite different. K-Active produces pre-cut tape that nurses soreness and injuries, while Thomas Sabo is a German sterling silver jewelry and charm company. However, both brands encompass Lisicki’s lifestyle as she is active on the court and fashionable off it.

Lisicki’s K-Active and Thomas Sabo deals are just two of many she aced this year. In November, the world No. 15 became brand ambassador for car companies AdmiralDirekt.de and Peugeot.

Liz Kobak won the 2013 USTA National Women’s Open Singles Grass Court Championship. She is a 2010 Columbia University graduate and Northwestern University journalism master’s recipient. She is a former WTA ranked pro and #1 ranked United States junior tennis player who rates her 6-4, 6-1 win on Italian clay over Sara Errani as her best victory.