Nadal resigns as Vice President of ATP Player Council
World No. 2 Rafael Nadal has resigned from his post as vice president of the ATP Player Council, citing the fact that he can no longer give the position the attention it needs. Nadal announced his decision while he is in Miami playing in the Sony Ericsson Open. “I don’t have enough energy,” said Nadal. “I cannot still put in my 100 percent there.” Nadal unsuccessfully tried to get the ATP World Tour to have a two-year ranking system, which was opposed by Roger Federer, the president of the ATP Player Council. However, Nadal and Federer were both in agreement on several other issues including the fact that major tennis tournaments are too powerful and players on tour need a larger opinion when making decisions on things. “I am not frustrated,” said Nadal. “I believe that we can do much more things than what we have done. My feeling is a great opportunity to improve the sport, because today the players are very unified.”
Record 14,278 attend Federer vs. Roddick third round clash at Sony Ericsson Open
Miami tennis fans on Monday night saw a vintage Andy Roddick edge world No. 3 Roger Federer in a thrilling three-set battle at the Sony Ericsson Open. Fans flocking to the Crandon Park Tennis Center to see the American win just his third match over the Swiss legend in 24 career meetings, sold out Monday’s night session for the very first time in tournament history, setting an attendance record for Session 14 with 14,278 fans.
USTA Pro Circuit coming to three new cities
The USTA has added three new tournaments to its USTA Pro Circuit schedule starting in 2012. Two $50,000 events will take place in both Denver and Yakima, Wash. One $25,000 tournament will be held in Florence, S.C.
IMG Academies to host 2012 Nick Bollettieri Discovery Open in June
IMG Academies will host the 2012 Nick Bollettieri Discovery Open at the world-renowned IMG Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla., from June 1-4. This inaugural elite singles only event will feature 32 of the top U11, U13 and U15 players in the world, with each boys’ and girls’ age group winner receiving a one week free camp evaluation, and the overall top player earning the opportunity to receive a year-long scholarship to attend IMG Academies. “I am very excited to debut this event, which will afford young up-and-coming athletes the opportunity to compete at the highest level while having access to IMG Academies’ world-class coaching and facilities,” said Nick Bollettieri. “Playing singles’ matches on our outdoor courts, against the best competition in their respective age groups, is the best way for young players to display their talent, while providing them invaluable competitive experience to apply towards their future in tennis and in life.” The Nick Bollettieri Discovery Open Tournament Committee will select the best up-and-coming players based on verifiable national and international tournament results and rankings. Interested players should submit resumes and videos to nickbollettieridiscovery@imgworld.com. Entries close on May 1, 2012. For more information about the tournament, please visit www.imgacademies.com/discoveryopen.
Lopez and Monaco awarded wild cards for US Men’s Clay Court Championship in Houston
No. 15 Feliciano Lopez and No. 21 Juan Monaco have been awarded the first main draw wild cards for the US Men’s Clay Court Championship, which will be played from April 9-15 at the River Oaks Country Club in Houston, Texas. Lopez will be making his debut in Houston, while Monaco reached the quarterfinals at River Oaks in 2007. “We’re thrilled to have the chance to grant Feliciano and Juan wild cards,” said Van Barry, Tournament Director. “To have these Top 25 international stars join our field that’s anchored by a couple of Top 10 Americans with Mardy and John is a very exciting way to gear up for the tournament which begins in less than three weeks.” One more main draw wild card will be announced at a later date.
WTA Family Circle Cup Qualifying Wild Cards announced
Qualifying wild cards for the WTA Family Circle Cup at Daniel Island in Charleston, S.C., have been granted to No. 283 Jessica Pegula, No. 292 Grace Min, No. 383 Maria Sanchez, Charleston native Shelby Rogers and 16-year-old Hayley Carter. The tournament will take place from March 31-April 8. One additional qualifying wild card will be awarded soon, while two main draw wild cards have already been accepted by Americans Irina Falconi and Jamie Hampton. Notable players scheduled to compete in the main draw include Serena and Venus Williams, Samantha Stosur, Vera Zvonareva, Jelena Jankovic, Agnieszka Radwanska, Marion Bartoli, Sabine Lisicki and Julia Goerges. Last year’s singles champion was then world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki, while Sania Mirza and Elena Vesnina captured the doubles title. ESPN2 will televise the matches in Charleston starting on Thursday at 10 p.m. EST.
Querrey, Haas, Levine, Soeda to compete at The Sarasota Open 2012
Sam Querrey, Tommy Haas, Jesse Levine and Go Soeda have announced their plans to participate in The Sarasota Open 2012 Challenger Tournament in Longboat Key, Fla., which will be played from April 14-22. The tournament will be played at the Longboat Key Club and Resort and tickets can be purchased by calling (941) 809-8996.
Henman returning to Royal Albert Hall for AEGON Masters Tennis in December
Former ATP World Tour world No. 4 Tim Henman has joined the field for the AEGON Masters Tennis at Royal Albert Hall in London, which will take place from December 5-9. Last year, the British star defeated Thomas Enqvist in the championship match. For more information about the AEGON Masters Tennis, which has been played every year since 1997, please visit www.aegonmasterstennis.com.
HEAD top rated tennis manufacturer on Facebook
HEAD Tennis, whose top athletes include Novak Djokovic, Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray, just became the No. 1 rated tennis manufacturer on Facebook with 329,000 plus likes and more than 34,000 fans on its official fan page. Along with videos including top players, HEAD has incorporated unique contests and the opportunity for fans to ask questions to their favorite tennis superstar. HEAD also has a strong digital presence on YouTube, Twitter, and Head.com.
HEAD launches Speed Pro Lite Tennis Shoe
HEAD has launched its latest footwear innovation, the HEAD Speed Pro Lite Tennis Shoe, which is available in two colors options. Shoes can either be purchased in black, white and orange or white and black. The Speed Pro Lite is HEAD’s lightest tennis shoe ever to hit the market. However, the shoe does not sacrifice performance or stability. The latest shoe by HEAD is 10 percent lighter than the original Speed Pro Tennis Shoe. The Speed Pro Lite also offers supreme comfort. With lightweight mesh and flexible TPU materials in the upper, it can be described as “ready to play out of the box”. It also is equipped with a half-sock construction which gives it a “slipper-like” feeling. The Speed Pro Lite offers a six-month durability guarantee on the outsole and toe guard. The shoe is currently available for purchase at your local tennis store.