By: Justin Cohen
- Roger Federer was the most searched tennis player on Google in 2009. Serena Williams was the second most searched tennis player followed by Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova. Federer also recently became the newest entry in the latest edition of Britain’s Who’s Who, a guide to prominent people in a variety of fields.
- Former World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam singles champion Amelie Mauresmo has retired from the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. Mauresmo, who won 25 career singles titles, said that she no longer had the burning desire for competition. “It’s a bit sad, but this is the right decision,” said Mauresmo. “I was lucky enough to have an exceptional career and to experience very strong feelings on the court.”
- Spain captured its second straight Davis Cup title and fourth since 2000 by defeating the Czech Republic 5-0 at the Palau Sant Jordi in Barcelona, Spain. “We didn’t expect to win it this quickly,” said Captain Albert Costa. “The key to this team has been its unity.” On Monday, Spain’s Prime Minister honored the winning Davis Cup squad by hosting a ceremony at his residence.
- According to calculations from the Davis Cup Economic Survey, the Davis Cup competition has an economic impact of $184 million.
- Ryan Harrison won the USTA Australian Open wild card playoff by defeating Jesse Levine in straight sets. On the women’s side, Coco Vandeweghe defeated Christina McHale in a close three set match to earn the women’s wild card into the first Grand Slam event of the 2010 season.
- International Olympic Committee executives will this week hear the ITF’s proposal to include mixed doubles at the 2012 London Olympics.
- Xavier Malisse and Yanina Wickmayer have appealed their one-year doping bans to a civil court in Brussels, Belgium. A verdict is expected to be reached on January 7, 2010.
- Nine of the Top 10 women are entered in the Sydney International that will be held in Australia from January 10 to 16. World No. 6 Venus Williams is the only Top 10 player not entered in the event.
- Long time tennis television broadcaster Dick Enberg has been named the play-by-play television announcer for the San Diego Padres games starting in the 2010 season. Whether he will still announce tennis on television is yet to be determined.
- In her unofficial comeback, Justine Henin defeated both Flavia Pennetta and Kristen Flipkens in straight sets in an exhibition event in Charleroi, Belgium. “It’s not my (best level of) tennis, for sure, but that’s what I expected,” said Henin. “But I’m physically in perfect shape, my right knee that I had the operation on. And my attitude this evening was perfect.”
- According to reports, Max Mirnyi and Andy Ram will not partner together in 2010.
- Caroline Wozniacki will not face any penalties for retiring from her match against Anne Kremer at the WTA tournament in Luxembourg.
- Pete Sampras will face Fernando Verdasco in an opening night exhibition match at the SAP Open in San Jose, Calif., on February 8, 2010.
- Anastasia Rodionova reported on her Twitter page that she has passed her Australian citizenship test.
- Paul McNamee announced that he plans to run again next year for President at Tennis Australia. McNamee lost last month’s election to Geoff Pollard, who has held the position for 20 years.
- Tennis in Australia ranked first with a 58 percent level of interest based on an annual survey of sports preferences. Tennis was the top sport for television viewing, third in participation and fifth in attendance.
· HEAD announced that current HEAD Penn Racquet Sports President Kevin Kempin has been appointed the CEO and President of HEAD USA.