pat cash

A NEW ERA FOR THE AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 11, 2010 by WTM

By Randy Walker

It was 22 years ago today, January 11, that the Australian Open entered a new era. It was on this day in 1988 when the Australian Open moved to its new location – then called Flinders Park and now called Melbourne Park with the centre court centerpiece – complete with the retractable roof – that was later christened Rod Laver Arena. Gone were the grass courts and the charming, but out-dated, Kooyong Tennis Club. In came the hard courts and modern facilities that brought Australia back to proper Grand Slam status. The following is an excerpt from the January 11 chapter of my book ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY ($19.95, New Chapter Press, www.TennisHistoryBook.com) that outlines the historic opening day of play.

1988 – Play begins at the Australian Open at the new $60 million Australian National Tennis Center at Flinders Park in Melbourne with American qualifier Wendy Wood winning the first match played in the new stadium court, later to be known as Rod Laver Arena, beating No. 14 seed Dianne Balestrat of Australia. Wood, 23, from Lexington, Mass., defeats the top-ranked Australian woman 6-2, 4-6, 8-6, registering her first professional match victory after playing only two previous WTA Tour-level events. “I’m very nervous now. I’m not used to these kind of situations,” says Wood, whose father Wilbur Wood was a standout pitcher for the Chicago White Sox in the 1960s. “I knew I was going to be nervous, but I figured she had more reason to be nervous than me.” Balestrat, 31, and an Australian Open finalist in 1977, says she has some difficulty adapting to the court – the synthetic Rebound Ace hard court surface – used for the for the first time at the Australian Open after a switch from grass courts. Pat Cash, the No. 4 seeded Australian and reigning Wimbledon champion, plays the second stadium court match and is greeted with boos and shouts from a group of anti-apartheid protestors who, in protest of Cash playing in South Africa the previous year, also throw black tennis balls on the court before being escorted from the stadium. Cash is fined $500 for swearing at a linesman in the final game of his 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 win over 20-year-old Thomas Muster of Austria. Also on the day, Yannick Noah of France, the No. 5 seed, staves off two match points before overcoming Roger Smith of the Bahamas 6-7, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 16-14 in 4 hours, 51 minutes, the longest-recorded match at the time at the Australian Open. Says Noah, who saves the match points in the 16th game of the final set, “After I saved the match points, I felt much stronger.”

AGASSI, RAFTER DEBUTS; COURIER CONSISTENCY; McENROE AND SAMPRAS TITLES HIGHLIGHT 2009 OUTBACK CHAMPIONS SERIES

December 19, 2009 by WTM

The Outback Champions Series

NEW YORK, N.Y., Dec. 18, 2009 – Debuts by Andre Agassi and Patrick Rafter, the consistent performances of Jim Courier, and titles won by Pete Sampras and John McEnroe highlighted play on the 2009 Outback Champions Series, the global tennis circuit for champion tennis players age 30 and over.

The Outback Champions Series completed its fourth full season this fall and Courier emerged as the year-end No. 1 player, finishing with 3,000 ranking points, 900 better than second-place finisher Sampras. Courier won two tournament titles and reached the final at two other events during the seven-tournament schedule. He won the singles title at The Residences at The Ritz-Carlton, Grand Cayman Legends Championships in the Cayman Islands in April, defeating Jimmy Arias 6-3, 6-2 in the final. He also claimed the title at the Breezeplay Championships at the Palisades in Charlotte, N.C. in September, defeating Sampras 3-6, 6-4, 10-8 (Champions tie-breaker) in the final in the only head-to-head meeting between the top two players in 2009. The victory also was Courier’s first over Sampras since the first round of the 1997 Italian Open in Rome and his first on a hard court over the 14-time major singles champion since the quarterfinals of the 1991 US Open. Courier posted runner-up
showings in Rio de Janiero, Brazil in March, falling to McEnroe 6-2, 6-3, and in Newport, R.I. in August, losing to Pat Cash 6-3, 6-4. The Outback Champions Series Rankings are based on a players best five results during the year.

Sampras claimed two titles in 2009, defeating McEnroe 7-6 (10), 6-4 in the final of the Champions Cup Boston in February, and beating debutant Rafter 7-6 (6), 6-4 in the final of the Del Mar Development Champions Cup in Los Cabos, Mexico.

Agassi made his Series debut in Surprise, Ariz., in October, reaching the final before losing to Todd Martin 6-3, 7-5. Agassi and Rafter join Sampras, McEnroe, Courier, Stefan Edberg, Mats Wilander and Thomas Muster as the eight former world No. 1 players to play on the Outback Champions Series since the first event in 2005.

“I really enjoyed being here this week, with a lot of peers and familiar faces and the crowds were great,” said Agassi after losing to Martin in Arizona. “Three days in a row is a lot of tennis for me now. Hopefully I can improve next time.”

En route to the final, Agassi defeated Mikael Pernfors of Sweden 6-2, 7-5 in the quarterfinals and Wayne Ferreira of South Africa 6-3, 6-3 in the semifinals. Said Agassi of his experience in Surprise, “This week exceeded my expectations. It was a lot of fun. This is a competitive tour and these guys take care of themselves. Youve got to come ready to play.

Another highlight of the year included McEnroe, weeks after turning 50 years old, winning his third career Outback Champions Series title in Rio de Janiero, defeating Courier 6-2, 6-3 in the final. Just one day before turning 50, McEnroe gave Sampras a run in the final of the Champions Cup Boston on February 15.

They talk about the age, but nowadays in the U.S., 50 is the new 40, said McEnroe of his half-century status after beating Courier in the Rio final. We find ways to be in better physical shape and I was feeling good today. I saw the other guys who are younger and how they were with their backs, calves, knees hurt and here I am, happy that I am standing. I know that if I were doing what I was doing today, when I was playing the pro tour, being serious about my physical conditioning, I could have won many more titles in my career.

Said Courier of McEnroe, 12 years his senior, The tennis ball doesnt see the age. Its zen. I dont think I have ever seen anyone over 50 play like John.

Founded in 2005, the Outback Champions Series features some of the biggest names in tennis over the last 25 years. To be eligible to compete on the Outback Champions Series, players must have reached at least a major singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. Each Outback Champions Series event features $150,000 in prize money with the tournament champion earning $60,000 and ranking points that determine the year-end No. 1. Each tournament champion earns 800 ranking points.

The final 2009 Outback Champions Series rankings are as follows

1) Jim Courier (3000 points)
2) Pete Sampras (2100 points)
3) Todd Martin (2000 points)
4) Pat Cash (1800 points)
5) Jimmy Arias (1450 points)
6) John McEnroe (1300 points)
7) Mark Philippoussis (1100 points)
7) Mikael Pernfors (900 points)
9) Mats Wilander (700 points)
9) Wayne Ferreira (700 points)
11) Aaron Krickstein (600 points)
12) Andre Agassi (500 points)
12) Patrick Rafter (500 points)
13) Karel Novacek (200 points)

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 Outback Champions Series, a collection of tennis events 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, corporate outings and tennis fantasy camps such as the annual “Ultimate Fantasy Camp”. Through 2008, InsideOut Sports + Entertainment events have raised over $4 million for charity. For more information, please log on to www.InsideOutSE.com or www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com.

This Week in Tennis Business: Ex-USTA CEO of Professional Tennis earned $9.15 million in 2008

November 25, 2009 by WTM

By: Justin Cohen

According to USTA tax forms released to the Associated Press, former CEO of Professional Tennis Arlen Kantarian earned $9.15 million in total compensation in 2008. AP notes that, Kantarian earned $1.6 million in base pay, about $2.3 million in bonus and incentive compensation and nearly $5.2 million in other compensation. Sportsbusiness Journal noted that Roger Federer is the only player to ever earn more than Kantarian’s 2008 compensation in a single season. Federer earned $10.1 million in tournament prize money in 2007. According to Sports Business Journal, other top USTA salaries were as follows; US Open Tournament Director Jim Curley earned $856,907 in 2008, United States Davis Cup Captain and General Manager of the USTA Elite Player Development Patrick McEnroe made $694,305, Chief Business Officer Pierce O’Neil made $1.39 million, Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Wilson earned 1.07 million, Executive Director Gordon Smith earned $856, 907, Chief Executive Kurt Kamperman earned $825, 862, Chief Financial Officer Harry Beeth earned $722,422, Managing Director Danny Zausner earned $703, 041, General Counsel Andrea Hirsch earned $696,955. SBJ notes that the figures includes base pay, bonuses, incentive pay and deferred compensation and also notes that Wilson is no longer a USTA staff member.

The USTA

A record 17,500 fans attended the first day of the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena in London. It was the largest crowd to attend a live tennis match in Britain.

Speaking at the ATP World Tour Finals at O2 Arena in London, Andy Roddick announced that he renewed his clothing sponsorship deal with Lacoste. Financial terms of the four-year deal were not announced.
Novak Djokovic has signed a 10-year sponsorship deal with Sergio Tacchini, an Italian clothing company. Djokovic, who currently wears adidas, will start wearing Sergio Tacchini in 2010.
Xavier Malisse and Yanina Wickmayer’s appeals will be heard by the Court of Arbitration for Sport on December 7.
The USTA finalized the field for the Australian Open wildcard playoffs held at the Racquet Club of the South in Atlanta from December 4 to 7. Ryan Harrison, Alex Kuznetsov, Jesse Levine, Michael McClune, Wayne Odesnik, Jack Sock, Ryan Sweeting and Donald Young make up the men’s field. Lauren Albanese, Madison Brengle, Julia Cohen, Ester Goldfeld, Christina McHale, Asia Muhammad, Allison Riske and Coco Vandeweghe make up the women’s field.
Patrick Rafter and Guillermo Vilas have signed up to play in the United States’ inaugural ATP Champions Tour event at the Delray Beach Tennis Center in Delray Beach, Fla. The event that takes place from February 20 to 28 will also feature John McEnroe, Mats Wilander, Pat Cash, Aaron Krickstein, Andres Gomez and Johan Kriek.
Carlos Moya, who has been sidelined with an injury all season, will make his comeback at an exhibition event in Buenos Aires in December.
Defending Roland Garros champion Svetlana Kuznetsova has signed on to participate in the Medibank International in Sydney, Australia, from January 10 to 16. Serena Williams, Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka will also play in the Australian Open tune-up event.
Defending US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro has committed to play in the Queen’s Club grass court tournament in June in London. “This is the perfect opportunity for me to improve my game on the surface,” said del Potro. “Many players have done well at Queen’s in the past and then gone on to win at Wimbledon. I hope that this can happen for me also.”
ATP Chairman Adam Helfant said last week that the ATP World Tour will not reopen Andre Agassi’s doping case from the 1997 season. “There has been a lot of speculation about whether the ATP would reopen the case, but we cannot do that because he’s no longer playing on the tour,” said Helfant.
Jarmila Groth, who is married to ATP player Samuel Groth, will become an Australian citizen next week and can immediately become eligible to participate on the Australian Fed Cup team. She has held Australian residency since 2004.
Frederic Niemeyer has announced his retirement from the ATP World Tour and will begin coaching rising Canadian teenager Milos Raonic. Raonic held a match point before falling to Fernando Gonzalez in the first round at the Masters Series 1000 Canada in August.
A Swiss rules agency has ruled that Davidoff’s sponsorship of the ATP World Tour event in Basel does not violate television laws forbidding tobacco advertising in Switzerland.
Brian and Dann Battistone, who play with double-handled racquets, won their first challenger doubles title in Champaign, Ill.

Mondays With Bob Greene: Caro, it does not matter whether it’s going to be 5-0, 4-1 or 3-2

October 26, 2009 by WTM

STARS

Mikhail Youzhny beat Janko Tipsarevic 6-5 (5) 6-0 6-4 to win the Kremlin Cup men’s singles in Moscow, Russia

Francesca Schiavone beat Olga Govortsova 6-3 6-0 to win the Kremlin Cup women’s singles in Moscow, Russia

Marcos Baghdatis beat Olivier Rochus 6-1 7-5 to win the Stockholm Open in Stockholm, Sweden

Timea Bacsinszky won the Luxembourg Open, beating Sabine Lisicki 6-2 7-5 in Luxembourg

Xavier Malisse beat Stephane Robert 6-1 6-2 to win the l’Open d’Orleans in Orleans, France

Eduardo Schwank beat Nicolas Massu 6-2 6-2 to win the Copa Petrobras in Santiago, Chile

SAYING

“I went onto the court and said to her: ‘Caro, it does not matter whether it’s going to be 5-0, 4-1 or 3-2. You can not play the next round, so you shouldn’t take the risk,”’ – Piotr Wozniacki, telling his daughter Caroline to retire from the match because her injury would prevent her from playing in the next round.

“We’re just looking into everything that happened in this match.” – WTA spokesman Neil Robinson, speaking about Caroline Wozniacki’s injury retirement from her match with Anne Kremer and a resulting surge in betting on Kremer to win

“So, people bet on my matches. Some win, others lose. I just know that I am clean. … And if anyone is in doubt about my injury, I can both produce scan from the hospital and a report from the tournament physiotherapist.” – Caroline Wozniacki.

“My ranking was down at 120. To finish (the year) near the top 50 is incredible for me.” – Olivier Rochus, who had right shoulder surgery in October 2008 but was a finalist at the Stockholm Open.

“When I got to 4-0 in the second set I looked at the trophy and said to myself, ‘I’m coming to get you!’” – Francesca Schiavone, after winning the Kremlin Cup women’s singles.

“It will be great to get back to playing competitive tennis again and with the strong field, the same court surface and a similar climate to Melbourne, it will be the perfect preparation leading into the Australian Open.” – Justine Henin, saying she will return to tennis at the Brisbane (Australia) International.

“Winning the doubles title here in Moscow is a nice way to end the season.” – Nadia Petrova, a native of Moscow.

“It’s great to win my first title. I don’t think I’ve realized what it means for me yet. For now I just want to stay focused because I have another tournament next week.” – Timea Bacsinszky, who won the Luxembourg Open in her first trip to a WTA final.

“It’s been a long time since I won an ATP tournament. The last one was in February 2007. I’m so happy right now. It’s been a tough couple of years and this title came when I least expected it, so it’s even better.” – Marcos Baghdatis, after winning the If Stockholm Open.

SUSPENSION, NOT

Apparently Yanina Wickmayer will only get a warning for failing three times to report her whereabouts to anti-doping officials. The 20-year-old US Open semifinalist from Belgium faced a suspension. Instead, the prosecutor at the anti-doping tribunal called only for a warning in principle. The tribunal is scheduled to rule on the case on November 5. In her defense, Wickmayer said she had troubles with her password in the computerized system overseen by the World Anti-Doping Agency. She also said registered mail to her home could not be signed off on since she was traveling to WTA tournaments. She noted that she never missed an anti-doping test and her samples were always negative.

SPARKING BETS

Caroline Wozniacki was leading her Luxembourg Open match 7-5 5-0 when she retired with a hamstring injury. What has caused tennis officials to investigate the move is what happened two games before the US Open finalist stopped playing. That’s when her father and coach, Piotr Wozniacki, told his daughter to retire because of her injury would keep her from playing in the next round. The father’s comments were picked up by microphones and broadcast over the Internet. That led to a surge in online bets for Anne Kremer of Luxembourg to win, which she did. “We’re just looking into everything that happened in this match,” said WTA spokesman Neil Robinson, who added that he believed the Tennis Integrity Unit will investigate.

SUFFERING SODERLING

The Stockholm Open lost its favorite son when top-seeded Robin Soderling withdrew from the semifinals with a right elbow injury. That gave Marcos Baghdatis a spot in the final, and he turned it into victory, winning the title. Soderling has been bothered by the sore elbow since July and said it’s been painful for the last few weeks. “I had an MRI and they told me that I have to rest two, three weeks to get well,” Sweden’s top player said. Ranked 10^th in the world, Soderling was the last seeded player left in the Stockholm Open. Earlier this year he reached the French Open final, while Baghdatis was a finalist at the 2006 Australian Open. Both lost to Roger Federer in their lone trips to a Grand Slam tournament title match.

STARTING BACK

Justine Henin will return to the WTA Tour at the Brisbane International, two weeks before the Australian Open begins. Fellow Belgian Kim Clijsters is also in the women’s draw, along with former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic. “After a 15-month absence I am pleased to begin my second tennis career at the Brisbane International,” said Henin, who has won seven Grand Slam tournament titles. Clijsters returned from retirement earlier this year and, in her third tournament back, won the US Open. Now 27, Henin says her goal is to win Wimbledon, the only Grand Slam tournament singles event she hasn’t won.

SAYS NO WAY

Martina Hingis will not be following in the footsteps of Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin. The 29-year-old Swiss star says she will remain in retirement. “I’ve got a nice house, my four horses,” Hingis said. “On the tour I had no life.” Hingis spent 209 weeks at number one in the world and won five Grand Slam tournament singles titles. She retired after she was banned for two years for testing positive for cocaine after losing in the third round at Wimbledon in 2007. She has denied using the drug. She had quit tennis once before, in 2002 because of foot and leg injuries. She returned to the WTA Tour in 2006, won two smaller tournaments, reached two Grand Slam tournament quarterfinals and finished the year ranked number seven. “If I had won the four Grand Slam tournaments, maybe I would have continued,” she said. “But I was on down slope. And I was suspended for two years, and that was it.”

SOLICITING

Swedish police detained two players in Stockholm for allegedly soliciting prostitutes. The two, in Sweden to compete in the Stockholm Open, were identified only as foreign citizens. The prostitution law in Sweden is unusual in that it punishes those who pay for sex but not the prostitutes.

SWEDISH SWITCH

Thomas Enqvist has replaced Mats Wilander as captain of Sweden’s Davis Cup team. Wilander, who quit the post, led Sweden to the Davis Cup semifinals in 2007. As a player, he was ranked number one in the world in the 1980s. Enqvist played for Sweden between 1995 and 2004, winning 15 of 26 matches. He was a member of the Cup-winning teams in 1997 and 1998 and also played in the 1996 final. Sweden will host Argentina in a first-round World Group tie March 5-7.

SET TO RETURN

Returning to the men’s tour will be David Nalbandian, who will end a nine-month layoff following hip surgery when he competes at the Heineken Open in Auckland, New Zealand, in January. The 27-year-old Argentine has been ranked as high as number three in the world, that coming in 2006. He was a finalist at Wimbledon in 2002 and won the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai, China, in 2005.

SEASON-ENDER

The field for the season-ending WTA Championships was completed when Jelena Jankovic qualified for the eight-player tournament in Doha, Qatar. Already in the elite field were Serena and Venus Williams, Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Elena Dementieva, Caroline Wozniacki and Victoria Azarenka. Vera Zvonareva and Agnieszka Rodwanska will be in Doha as alternates. Jankovic gained her berth in Doha when Zvonareva lost in the second round of the Kremlin Cup.

SOUTHERN STOP

John McEnroe is heading south – way south. In January the veteran left-hander will represent the Americas at the World Tennis Challenge in Adelaide, Australia. Others who are expected to be in the field include Pat Cash, Henri Leconte and Radek Stepanek. South Australian Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith said it was coup for South Australia and Australian tennis to have McEnroe for the January 12-14 event. The World Tennis Challenge is in its second year. McEnroe will partner fellow American Robby Ginepri.

SWEDISH CHAMPION

A little time in the minor leagues has paid off for Marcos Baghdatis. The Cypriot won his first ATP World Tour title since February 2007 when he stopped Olivier Rochus of Belgium at the If Stockholm Open. The victory makes Baghdatis the 10^th unseeded player to win an ATP World Tour event this year. Baghdatis has been playing on the ATP Challenger circuit – tennis’ minor leagues – and last week won a title at Tashkent, Uzbekistan. His winning play there carried over into the Stockholm Open. The 24-year-old Baghdatis reached the Australian Open final in 2006, the year his ranking rose to number eight in the world. He was ranked 41^st in the world going into the Swedish event.

SMOKE, ANYONE?

European health organizations are furious that the main sponsor of the ATP World Tour 500 tournament in Basle, Switzerland, is connected with Britain’s Imperial Tobacco. The tournament is sponsored by Davidoff, a luxury brand that covers everything from cigarettes to cigars and aftershave. Imperial owns Davidoff’s cigarette brand. The European Union (EU) has banned all tobacco advertising in its member states since 2005, but Switzerland is not in the EU and tobacco sponsorship is legal. Unesco, which received a donation from the event’s organizers, has returned the money and demanded it no longer be associated with the tournament.

SERVING STRONG

To hear the First Lady tell it, President Barack Obama plays a mean tennis game. “He beats me quite often. That gets to be pretty annoying,” Michelle Obama said on NBC-TV’s “The Jay Leno Show.” She mentioned his tennis game when she was asked what was the president’s most annoying habit. In a brief skit, Leno pushed her to talk about her husband’s flaws. At first she said he has none, quipping: “He’s perfect.” Then she let it be known that it was their battles on the tennis court that get her peeved.

SURPRISE

The BGL Luxembourg Open was the first time Timea Bacsinszky had made it past the semifinals on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour. She made her first appearance in the title match a victorious one, capturing her first tour crown by defeating Sabine Lisicki in straight sets. The unseeded Swiss player won the first four games of the match, then served for the title at 5-4 in the second set. But she lost her serve for the only time during the match before breaking right back to close out the battle.

SUPER IN STOCKHOLM

Zimbabwe’s Kevin Ullyett feels right at home in Sweden. The 37-year-old won his fifth Stockholm Open doubles title with his fifth different partner. This time he teamed with Bruno Soares to down Simon Aspelin and Paul Hanley 6-4 7-6 (4). “A lot of players have their favorite places to play, and for me Stockholm is one of them,” said Ullyett. “I feel privileged and happy to have won my fifth title here.” This is Ullyett’s final year on the ATP World Tour. The victory also extended Ullyett’s doubles title streak to 13 consecutive years. He won his first doubles crown at Shanghai, China, in 1997. And the victory kept alive the team’s chances of qualifying for the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Ullyett’s win in the semifinals was the 500^th of his career, making him the eighth active player on the ATP World Tour to register 500 career doubles match wins.

SAMPRAS WINS

It was just like old times when Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi battled each other on a tennis court. And just like the last time they met, it was Sampras who wound up the winner, besting Agassi 3-6 6-3 10-8 (match tiebreak) in an exhibition match in Macau. It was the first match between the two retired greats since Sampras won the 2002 US Open final for his then-record 14^th Grand Slam tournament singles crown. To make it even sweeter, Sampras closed out the match with an ace.

STREAKING

Czechs Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova put together a string of points at just the right time. The two were trailing fellow Czechs Vladimira Uhlirova and Renata Voracova 5-7 in the match tiebreak when they won five straight points. That gave them their second doubles title as a team, having won Stockholm last year. Benesova and Zahlavova Strycova each had won five WTA Tour title apiece.

STAVES OFF CHALLENGE

Tennis Australia president Geoff Pollard is staying in his post. Pollard fended off a challenge from former Australian Open tournament director Paul McNamee in secret balloting involving Tennis Australia’s 16 state and territory delegates. It was the first time Pollard has faced a challenge to his leadership since he succeeded Brian Tobin in 1989. Pollard says this will be his last year at the helm of Tennis Australia. McNamee had been supported by Australia’s leading player, Lleyton Hewitt. Both have criticized Tennis Australia’s administration, particularly concerning player development.

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Moscow (men): Pablos Cuervas and Marcel Granollers beat Frantisek Cermak and Michal Mertinak 4-6 7-5 10-8 (match tiebreak)

Moscow (women): Maria Kirilenko and Nadia Petrova beat Maria Kondratieva and Klara Zakopalova 6-2 6-2

Stockholm: Bruno Soares and Kevin Ullyett beat Simon Aspelin and Paul Hanley 6-4 7-6 (4)

Luxembourg: Iveta Benesova and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova beat Vladimira Uhlirova and Renata Voracova 1-6 6-0 10-7 (match tiebreak)

Orleans: Colin Fleming and Ken Skupski beat Sebastian Grosjean and Olivier Patience 6-1 6-1

Santiago: Diego Cristin and Eduardo Schwank beat Juan Pablo Brzezicki and David Marrero 6-4 7-5

SITES TO SURF

Doha: www.sonyericsson-championships.com/

Lyon: www.gptennislyon.com/

Vienna: www.bankaustria-tennistrophy.at/

St. Petersburg: www.spbopen.ru/eng/index.html

Chuncheon: www.tennis.co.kr

Poitiers: www.itfpoitiers.over-blog.org

Ortisei: www.itfvalgardena.com

Bali: www.commbanktennis.com/

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

(All money in USD)

ATP

$966,000 Grand Prix de Tennis de Lyon, Lyon, France, hard

$855,000 Bank Austria TennisTrophy, Vienna, Austria, hard

$750,000 St. Petersburg Open, St. Petersburg, Russia, hard

$125,000 Flea Market Cup Chuncheon Challenger Tennis, Chuncheon, Korea, hard

WTA

$4,550,000 Sony Ericsson Championships, Doha, Qatar, hard

$100,000 Internationaux Feminins de la Vienne, Poitiers, France, hard

$100,000 Internazionali di Tennis Val Gardena/Sudtirol, Ortisei, Italy, carpet

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

ATP

$3,032,000 Valencia Open 500, Valencia, Spain, clay

$2,636,000 Davidoff Swiss Indoors, Basel, Switzerland, hard

WTA

$600,000 Commonwealth Bank Tournament of Champions, Bali, Indonesia, hard

$100,000 OEC Taipei Ladies Open, Taipei, Taiwan, hard

AGASSI WINS IN OUTBACK CHAMPIONS SERIES DEBUT

October 10, 2009 by WTM

SURPRISE, Ariz., Oct. 9, 2009 – Andre Agassi made a triumphant debut on the Outback Champions Series tennis circuit Friday night, defeating Mikael Pernfors of Sweden 6-2, 7-5 in the opening round of the $150,000 Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships at Surprise. Todd Martin also won his opening round match Friday to advance into the semifinals, defeating fellow American Jimmy Arias 6-1, 6-4.

Agassi’s appearance in Surprise marked his first professional tournament since he ended his ATP career at the 2006 U.S. Open. The Cancer Treatment Centers of America Tennis Championships at Surprise is the seventh and final event on the 2009 Outback Champions Series, the global tennis circuit for champion tennis players age 30 and over.

Agassi opened the match belting a forehand winner off Pernfors’ first serve in a return-of-serve that some observers described as the biggest they have ever seen. Agassi went on to break Pernfors in the first game, but, with uncharacteristic backhand unforced errors, was broken back in the second game. Agassi then broke Pernfors again in the third game of the match and ran away with the first set 6-2. In the second set, Pernfors implemented more off-pace backhand slices and drop shots and broke Agassi for a quick 2-0 lead. Agassi then broke back at love with two return winners and a Pernfors forehand error on break point. Pernfors then broke back again to take a 3-1 lead, but Agassi then regained control of the set, breaking Pernfors again in the fifth and 11th games. Serving for the match, Agassi belted three aces in the final game and launched an explosive match-ending forehand winner to close out the match.

“I was pretty nervous surprisingly when I got out there,” admitted Agassi of his debut match. “I didn’t know how I was going to play. But I just stayed inside myself and got more comfortable out there. I pressed for a few shots when I could and took advantage.”

With his appearance in Surprise, Agassi became the eighth former world No. 1 to compete on the Outback Champions Series, joining Pete Sampras, Jim Courier, Pat Rafter, Stefan Edberg, Mats Wilander, Thomas Muster and John McEnroe.

“This was a blast for me tonight,” said Agassi. “It’s just great being around the guys and having their support. It’s a lot of fun.”

Said Pernfors of Agassi, “He still hits the ball great. I think it is awesome for the tour to have Andre back.”

Agassi is one of only six men in the history of tennis to win all four major singles titles in a career, joining Rod Laver, Don Budge, Roy Emerson, Fred Perry and Roger Federer. He won Wimbledon in 1992, the U.S. Open in 1994 and 1999, the Australian Open in 1995, 2000, 2001 and 2003, and the French Open in 1999. Ranked No. 1 in the world for 101 weeks during his career, Agassi helped the United States win the Davis Cup in 1990, 1992 and 1995 and won 60 career singles titles.

In Saturday’s semifinals, Agassi will face Wayne Ferreira of South Africa during the noon day session. During their ATP careers, Agassi held an 11-0 career record against Ferreira, while losing only one set in their 11 meetings. In the other semifinal Saturday, Martin will face Aaron Krickstein during the 5 pm evening session.

Thursday night, Krickstein registered one of the biggest upsets of the year on the Outback Champions Series, upsetting the top-ranked Courier 7-6 (7-3), 2-6, 10-5 (Champions Tie-Breaker). The win marked Krickstein’s first professional win over Courier.

“We play similar styles and I was able to get off to a good start with strong serving in the first set,” said Krickstein of his win over Courier. “I knew I was hitting the ball well early and I knew it could be a good night especially if I kept serving well.”

Krickstein said he has been playing some great tennis of late and nearly upset Martin in the first round of Charlotte two weeks ago, falling 2-6, 7-6(3), 11-9 (Champions Tie-Breaker). He also attributed his strong play against Courier to the high-elevation conditions of Surprise, which is 1,175 feet above sea level.

“I guess my game is just suited to altitude,” he said. “I always played well in Scottsdale and I had a win on the ATP Tour in Johannesburg so I’ve always been able to deal with it.”

Said Martin of playing Krickstein, “(It) will be tough. Aaron doesn’t play a lot out here (on the Outback Champions Series) but his rhythm isn’t disturbed. He has short strokes and is moving really well. Not that Aaron wasn’t a great mover but he really seems to be moving well these days.”

The order of play and schedule for the remainder of the tournament is as follows;

Saturday, October 10th, 2009
Session #3 – 12:00pm
Men’s Doubles
Followed by
Semifinal #1 – Andre Agassi vs. Wayne Ferreira

Session #4 – 5:00pm
Men’s Doubles
Followed by
Semifinal #2 – Todd Martin vs. Aaron Krickstein

Sunday, October 11th, 2009
Session #5 – 12pm
Third Place Match
Followed by
Championship Match

John McEnroe won the inaugural event in 2008 in Surprise defeating Martin in the final. Ticket, travel and tournament information can be found by visiting www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com.

Pete Sampras won the opening event on the 2009 Outback Champions Series, defeating McEnroe in the final of the Champions Cup Boston in February. McEnroe won the second event of the year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, defeating Courier in the final. Sampras won his second title of the year at the Del Mar Development Champions Cup in Los Cabos, Mexico, defeating Patrick Rafter in the final. Courier won his first title of the 2009 season in April at the Cayman Islands, defeating Arias in the final. Pat Cash successfully defended his title on the grass courts at the Hall of Fame Champions Cup in Newport, R.I. in August, defeating Courier in the final. Courier won his second title of the season in Charlotte in September, defeating Sampras in the final.

Founded in 2005, the Outback Champions Series features some of the biggest names in tennis over the last 25 years, including Agassi, Sampras, McEnroe, Courier and others. To be eligible to compete on the Outback Champions Series, players must have reached at least a major singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. The Outback Champions Series features seven events on its 2009 schedule with each event featuring $150,000 in prize money as well as Champions Series points that will determine the year-end Champions Rankings No. 1.

Sampras Advances To Charlotte Final

September 27, 2009 by WTM

CHARLOTTE, N.C., September 26, 2009 – Pete Sampras overcame two rain delays and soggy and moist conditions Saturday to defeat Pat Cash 6-4, 6-3 to advance into the singles final of the $150,000 Breezeplay Championships at The Palisades at The Palisades Country Club in Charlotte, N.C. Sampras will play the winner of the other semifinal between Jim Courier and Todd Martin, which was postponed until Sunday morning due to rain. Sampras will be seeking his third singles title this year on the Outback Champions Series after winning titles in Boston and Los Cabos, Mexico.

Sampras and Cash were scheduled to play their semifinal match at noon on Saturday, but did not begin the match until four-and-a-half hours later due to rain in the Charlotte area. Sampras won the first set 6-4 and led 1-0 in the second set before rain again delayed play for another three hours. Sampras came out swinging after returning to the court, eager to finish off the victory. He broke Cash’s serve in the eighth game of the second set before serving out the match in the next game.

“We were eager to finish this match,” said Sampras, the owner of 14 major singles titles who also won the Outback Champions Series title in Charlotte in 2007. “We especially wanted to finish it for the fans who have been here all day. These were tricky conditions from the beginning. Even when we started playing again, it kept getting really wet out there and it could have been dangerous.”

Said Cash, “It was a good bit wet out there. The rain has been driving us all insane. The fans have been great and everyone’s been great to get the courts dry and get us out there to play.”

Sunday’s schedule of play is now as follows;

Sunday, Sept. 27
Starting at 10 am
Jim Courier vs. Todd Martin – Second Semifinal
Starting at 2 pm
Pat Cash vs. Jim Courier/Todd Martin loser – Third Place Match
Followed by
Pete Sampras vs. Jim Courier/Todd Martin winner – Championship Match

The Courier-Martin semifinal will mark the fourth straight year the two
former U.S. Davis Cup teammates have squared off at The Palisades. In 2006, in the first-year of the event in Charlotte, Courier defeated Martin 5-7, 7-6 (6), 10-4 (Champions Tie-Breaker) in the singles final, while in 2008 Courier again got the better of Martin in the championship match, winning 6-2, 3-6, 10-5 (Champions Tie-Breaker). In 2007, Martin defeated Courier 6-4, 6-7 (4), 10-5 in round-robin play prior to the tournament switching to a single knock-out format.

Martin will be looking to reach the Charlotte final for a fourth straight year. In addition to his losses to Courier in the 2006 and 2008 finals, he lost to Sampras in the Palisades final in 2007.

Sampras won the opening event on the 2009 Outback Champions Series,
defeating John McEnroe in the final of the Champions Cup Boston in February. McEnroe won the second event of the year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, defeating Courier in the final. Sampras won his second title of the year at the Del Mar Development Champions Cup in Los Cabos, Mexico, defeating Patrick Rafter in the final. Courier won his first title of the 2009 season in April at the Cayman Islands, defeating Arias in the final. Cash successfully defended his title on the grass courts at the Hall of Fame Champions Cup in Newport, R.I. in August, defeating Courier in the final. Following Charlotte, the next event on the Outback Champions Series will be held in Surprise, Ariz., where Andre Agassi will make his debut Oct. 8-11.

Founded in 2005, the Outback Champions Series features some of the biggest names in tennis over the last 25 years, including Andre Agassi, Sampras, McEnroe, Courier and others. To be eligible to compete on the Outback Champions Series, players must have reached at least a major singles final, been ranked in the top five in the world or played singles on a championship Davis Cup team. The Outback Champions Series features seven events on its 2009 schedule with each event featuring $150,000 in prize money as well as Champions Series points that will determine the year-end Champions Rankings No. 1.

Krickstein, Arias and Pernfors Round Out Field At 2009 Breezeplay Championships At The Palisades

September 16, 2009 by WTM

NEW YORK, September 16, 2009 – InsideOut Sports & Entertainment today announced that Aaron Krickstein, Jimmy Arias and Mikael Pernfors will round out the field of champions at the $150,000 Breezeplay Championships at The Palisades, to be held September 24-27 at The Palisades Country Club in Charlotte, N.C. Headlining the field at the sixth event on the 2009 Outback Champions Series event is Pete Sampras, the seven-time Wimbledon champion and holder of 14 major singles championships. Also in the field is two-time Charlotte champion Jim Courier, three-time Charlotte runner-up Todd Martin and 1987 Wimbledon champion Pat Cash.

Tickets for the event are now on sale and can be purchased at 877-332-TIXX. Ticket information – as well as the schedule of play – can also be found at www.ChampionsSeriesTennis.com. The Breezeplay Championships at The Palisades will be played over four days with the winner earning $60,000.

Krickstein, 42, reached a career-high ranking of No. 6 and helped the United States to victory in the Davis Cup in 1990, with epic wins over Milan Srejber and Petr Korda of Czechoslovakia in the quarterfinals. Krickstein was a semifinalist at the U.S. Open in 1990 and the Australian Open in 1995 and won nine career ATP singles titles during his career. His best showings on the Outback Champions Series came in runner-up showings in Naples, Fla., in 2007 and Boston in 2008, losing to Wayne Ferreira and John McEnroe, respectively.

Arias, 45, turned pro at age 16 and reached a career-high ranking of No. 5 in April 1984. He enjoyed his best year in 1983 with four singles titles, including the U.S. Clay Court Championships and the Italian Open. That same year, at age 19, he reached the semifinals of the U.S. Open. Arias holds five career ATP titles, all in singles. His best showing on the Outback Champions Series came in April when he reached his first series final in Grand Cayman, losing to Courier in the final.

Pernfors, 46, is best known for his run to the singles final at the French Open in 1986, where he defeated Stefan Edberg and Boris Becker before losing to Ivan Lendl in the final. He won three ATP singles titles during his career, including the Canadian Open in 1993 where he came from 2-5 down in the third set to defeat Martin in the final. Pernfors helped Sweden to the Davis Cup final in 1986 and won back-to-back NCAA singles titles for the University of Georgia in 1984 and 1985. Pernfors is currently ranked No. 8 in the Outback Champions Series.

Sampras won the opening event on the 2009 Outback Champions Series, defeating McEnroe in the final of the Champions Cup Boston in February. McEnroe won the second event of the year in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, defeating Courier in the final. Sampras won his second title of the year at the Del Mar Development Champions Cup in Los Cabos, Mexico, defeating Patrick Rafter in the final. Courier won his first title of the 2009 season in April at the Cayman Islands, defeating Jimmy Arias in the final. Pat Cash successfully defended his title on the grass courts at the Hall of Fame Champions Cup in Newport, R.I. in August, defeating Courier in the final. Following Charlotte, the next event on the Outback Champions Series will be held in Surprise, Ariz., where Andre Agassi will make his debut Oct. 8-11.

Tracy Austin rallies Team Lendl to victory in US Open Champions Invitational

September 12, 2009 by WTM

FLUSHING, N.Y., September 12, 2009 — Team Lendl rallied behind the dominating play of two-time US Open champion Tracy Austin to defeat Team Cash 21-17 in the final day of the US Open Champions Invitational at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. With the win, Team Lendl finished the competition as the only undefeated team, posting a 2-0 record.

With her team trailing by four games after the first three events, Austin teamed with Guillermo Vilas to roll over Hana Mandlikova and Ilie Nastase, 5-2 in mixed doubles. Austin and World TeamTennis CEO/Commissioner Ilana Kloss routed Mandlikova and Iva Majoli 5-0 in women’s doubles to give Team Lendl the match win.

Team Cash, coached by Pat Cash, started the day with an early lead when Majoli edged Conchita Martinez 5-4 in the opening set of women’s singles. The set was evenly matched with every game going to 3-points all, forcing a 9-point tiebreak at 4-4. Majoli won the tiebreak for the 5-4 victory.

Cash and Todd Martin topped Vilas and Jimmy Arias in men’s doubles 5-4 to add to Team Cash’s lead. Cash subbed in the men’s doubles event when Ilie Nastase had not arrived by the start of the set. Nastase showed up a few minutes later and when interviewed by the announcer about the reason for his late arrival, the irrepressible Nastase replied, “I cannot say – there are kids around.”

Nastase continued in classic form on the court as well, partially mooning Austin during mixed doubles and trying to unnerve her with a bit of trash-talking. “This one is for you, Tracy”. Austin was unaffected as she and her Team Lendl doubles partners outgunned her opponents 10-2 over the final two sets.

Team Cash and Team Lendl, along with Team King coached by Billie Jean King, each played two matches over three days of team competition. The event used the World TeamTennis format for the first time in US Open history and featured a lineup of Grand Slam champions and finalists competing on co-ed teams. Team Lendl finished with a 2-0 record, while Team King was 1-1 and Team Cash was 0-2.

Each match consisted of one set each of men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. Other WTT features included cumulative scoring, sets to five games, no-ad scoring, playing let serves, Overtime and Supertiebreakers.

Final Score: Team Lendl def. Team Cash 21-17

Women’s Singles: Iva Majoli (Team Cash) def. Conchita Martinez (Team Lendl) 5-4 (4)

Men’s Doubles: Todd Martin/Pat Cash (Team Cash) def. Jimmy Arias/Guillermo Vilas (Team Lendl) 5-4 (1)

Men’s Singles: Todd Martin (Team Cash) def. Jimmy Arias (Team Lendl) 5-3

Mixed Doubles: Tracy Austin/Guillermo Vilas (Team Lendl) def. Hana Mandlikova/Ilie Nastase (Team Cash) 5-2

Women’s Doubles: Ilana Kloss/Tracy Austin (Team Lendl) def. Hana Mandlikova/Iva Majoli (Team Cash) 5-0

Check www.USOpen.org for more details on the US Open Champions Invitational.

TEAM LENDL TOPS TEAM KING 24-16 IN FIRST DAY OF US OPEN CHAMPIONS INVITATIONAL

September 9, 2009 by WTM

FLUSHING, N.Y., September 9, 2009 – Team Lendl defeated Team King 24-16 in Overtime to win the first match of the US Open Champions Invitational today at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. The event, which uses the World TeamTennis format for the first time in US Open history, features a lineup of Grand Slam champions and finalists competing on co-ed teams.

Team Lendl, coached by three-time US Open champion Ivan Lendl, jumped to an early lead as Jimmy Arias downed Luke Jensen in singles, 5-3. Arias then paired up with Guillermo Vilas to boost their overall advantage to 10-5 with a 5-2 doubles win over Jensen and Stan Smith.

Team King’s tandem of Mary Joe Fernandez and Gigi Fernandez may have won two Olympic gold medals in doubles together, but they were outgunned this afternoon by two-time US Open champion Tracy Austin and Conchita Martinez, 5-2, in women’s doubles.

Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon singles champion, held on for 5-4 win over Mary Joe Fernandez in women’s singles to give Team Lendl a 9-point advantage heading into the final event.

Team King, coached by WTT co-founder Billie Jean King, rallied in mixed doubles when Smith and Gigi Fernandez topped Austin and Vilas 5-3 to send the match into Overtime. The match was highlighted by back-to-back aces from Tracy Austin against Stan Smith. Austin and Vilas held on to win the first game of Overtime and end the match with a 24-16 team victory.

The Champions Invitational continues on Thursday on Court 4 at 4 p.m. with Team King taking on Team Cash, coached by Pat Cash. Team Lendl returns on Saturday, Sept. 12, at 11 a.m. to face Team Cash in the final match of the Champions Invitational.

The three teams, which have a combined total of 33 seasons of World TeamTennis experience, play two matches each between Sept. 9-12. Each match consists of one set each of men’s and women’s singles, men’s and women’s doubles and mixed doubles. The event will use the traditional WTT format, which includes cumulative scoring, sets to five games, no-ad scoring, playing let serves, Overtime and Supertiebreakers.

TEAM KING: Mary Joe Fernandez, Gigi Fernandez, Stan Smith and Luke Jensen.

Coach: Billie Jean King

TEAM LENDL: Tracy Austin, Conchita Martinez, Guillermo Vilas and Jimmy Arias.

Coach: Ivan Lendl

US OPEN CHAMPIONS INVITATIONAL RESULTS – Sept. 9, 2009

Team Lendl def. Team King 24-16 (OT)

Men’s Singles: Jimmy Arias (Team Lendl) def. Luke Jensen (Team King) 5-3

Men’s Doubles: Jimmy Arias/Guillermo Vilas (Team Lendl) def. Luke Jensen/Stan Smith (Team King) 5-2

Women’s Doubles: Tracy Austin/Conchita Martinez (Team Lendl) def. Gigi Fernandez/Mary Joe Fernandez (Team King) 5-2

Women’s Singles: Conchita Martinez (Team Lendl) def. Mary Joe Fernandez (Team King) 5-4

Mixed Doubles: Stan Smith/Gigi Fernandez (Team King) def. Guillermo Vilas/Tracy Austin 5-3

OVERTIME: Guillermo Vilas/Tracy Austin (Team Lendl) def. Stan Smith/Gigi Fernandez (Team King) 1-0

SCHEDULE FOR THURSDAY, SEPT. 10

4 pm – Court 4 (subject to change)

Team Cash vs. Team King

TEAM KING: Mary Joe Fernandez, Gigi Fernandez, Stan Smith and Luke Jensen.

Coach: Billie Jean King

TEAM CASH: Iva Majoli, Hana Mandlikova, Ilie Nastase and Todd Martin.

Coach: Pat Cash

Check www.USOpen.org for more details on the US Open Champions Invitational.

Match Times (time/court subject to change – refer to official US Open schedule):

Thursday, Sept. 10 – 4 pm: Court 4 – Team Cash vs. Team King

Saturday, Sept. 12 – 11 am: Court 4 – Team Cash vs. Team Lendl

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