Sao Paulo to host ATP Challenger Tour Finals in November
On Monday, ATP official announced that the city of Sao Paulo was chosen to host the first edition of the ATP Challenger Tour Finals, which will feature the top players who played in Challenger tournaments throughout the 2011 season. The tournament will be played at the Ginásio do Ibirapuera from November 14-20. “The ATP is happy to launch this new event,” said Mark Young, ATP CEO, Americas. “The ATP Challenger Tour Finals is extremely important to the worldwide development of tennis.” This first edition in Sao Paulo will feature the seven best players of the season on the ATP Challenger Tour and one wild card invited by the host country. The tournament will offer $220,000 in tournament prize money, as well as South African Airways ATP Rankings points. The ATP Challenger Finals will precede the ATP World Tour Finals in London. “It is an important part of the tennis calendar, since the Challenger Tour events are the ones that feed the ATP Tour with stars,” said André Silva, ATP Chief Player Officer. “Without them, the top players would never have reached this status.”
Former Bengals Executive named Tournament Director at Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati
After three months of searching for a new Tournament Director through Mason, Ohio-based Ascension Sports Partners, the Western & Southern Open hired Vince Cicero to replace Bruce Flory, who was relieved of his duties by the United States Tennis Association in January. The 46-year-old Cicero, who is a Mason native, was previously the longtime Director of Corporate Sales and Marketing with the NFL Cincinnati Bengals. Cicero will begin his duties May 31, less than three months before the Western & Southern Open tournament begins at the Lindner Family Tennis Center, which will take place from August 13-21. “It’s a highly regarded international event in our community and a special asset for everyone who lives here, which is one of the reasons I’m excited about the opportunity,” said Cicero. Western & Southern Open CEO Elaine Bruening said Cicero will be “the face of the tournament.” Bruening also said that he will be heavily involved in communications with both the ATP and WTA Tours. He’ll also oversee marketing and corporate sponsorship sales and assist with broadcast and volunteer management. “I’m so glad the best person for the job was local,” said Bruening. “We’re just thrilled to have him.”
Farmers Insurance returning as title sponsor of 85th annual ATP event in Los Angeles
It was announced on Tuesday that Farmers Insurance will return for its second straight year as the title sponsor of the ATP World Tour tennis tournament in Los Angeles, an Olympus US Open Series 250 event. The 2011 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz, will again be played at the Los Angeles Tennis Center on the campus of UCLA in Westwood. This year’s tournament will take place from July 25-31. “For us giving back is not just a corporate motto, it’s a way of life for all of us at Farmers,” said Chuck Browning, Vice President of Community Branding for Farmers Insurance. “To borrow a tennis term, combining charity and world class tennis brings ‘top spin’ to some worthy causes.” This will also be the second year for Mercedes-Benz to serve as presenting sponsor of the tournament. The 2011 tournament marks the 10th year that Mercedes-Benz has been a major sponsor of the event. Season tickets for the 2011 Farmers Classic, presented by Mercedes-Benz are on sale now. For more information, please visit www.FarmersClassic.com/Tickets or call (310) 824-1010 ext. 251.
Kournikova’s mansion on the market for $9.4 million
Former tennis star Anna Kournikova’s Mediterranean waterfront mansion on Sunset Island in Miami is up for sale at a cool asking price of $9.4 million. The 6,630-sqaure-ft. home that was built in 2000 and is in a gated community has seven bedrooms, eight bathrooms in addition to a heated pool and Jacuzzi surrounded by a coral rock deck, as well as a 2-story guest house and large dock.
Henman to be paid $330,000 to commentate at Wimbledon
According to the Daily Mail, former British tennis great Tim Henman will be paid a total of $330,000 to broadcast at Wimbledon this year, which is $23,000 per day during the two-week tournament.
Raonic commits to Atlanta Tennis Championships
Canadian Milos Raonic, the youngest player in the Top 30, has committed to the ATP Atlanta Tennis Championships at the Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, which will take place from July 18-24. The 20-year-old rising star came through qualifying to reach the fourth round at the Australian Open in Melbourne in January, and then followed it up by winning his first career singles title in San Jose before falling to American Andy Roddick the very next weekend in three close sets in the championship match at Memphis. “This will be my first time playing in Atlanta and I welcome the chance to play before the many enthusiastic tennis fans in Georgia,” said Raonic. Currently ranked No. 28, the Canadian joins Americans Mardy Fish, John Isner and Sam Querrey as players who have already signed up to compete in Atlanta this summer.
Del Potro announces on Twitter that he will play in French Open next week
Juan Martin del Potro announced on Twitter on Tuesday that he will travel to Paris to play in next week’s French Open in Paris even though he recently suffered an 8-millimeter tear in his rectus, which is close to his hip, while playing in Madrid. The 2009 US Open singles champion and French Open semifinalist has been undergoing treatment in Buenos Aires lately. “It took a lot of effort, but we are going. See you in Paris!” said Del Potro. The 22-year-old Argentine is currently ranked No. 27.
Roddick pulls out of tournament in Nice, questionable for French Open
Andy Roddick withdrew from his upcoming match against Romanian Victor Hanescu in Nice, France on Tuesday with a right shoulder injury and is listed as questionable for next week’s French Open. Tournament organizers in Nice said Roddick injured himself last week in the tournament in Rome. Roddick, who pulled out of the Masters 1000 Rome doubles championship match with partner Mardy Fish because of his right shoulder injury, said he doesn’t want to take any risks ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year. “It’s running a big risk, playing on an unhealthy shoulder with Roland Garros round the corner and Wimbledon shortly afterwards,” said Roddick. “I’m pulling out of Nice for now. Obviously the situation is not perfect for Roland Garros, but I still have a couple of days to hope for something to get better.” The 2003 US Open champion said he will not play at Roland Garros if he is not 100 percent fit.
Razzano to play in French Open despite fiancé’s recent death
Virginie Razzano announced that she will play in next week’s French Open despite her fiancé’s recent death. Stephane Vidal, who also served as Razzano’s coach until March, was diagnosed with a brain tumor nine years ago and died Monday at 32. But despite his illness, he encouraged the 28-year-old Razzano to compete at Roland Garros. “Four or five days ago, I asked him: ‘Do you want me to go and play at Roland Garros?”’ the Frenchwoman told Tuesday’s edition of L’Equipe newspaper. “He answered: ‘Yes, you need to play.’ Because his intention is that I keep on going in my life, that I play for him and that I continue to be strong and to fight.” Razzano, who was once ranked as high as No. 16 but is currently No. 93, met Vidal 11 years ago while she was training at her parents’ tennis club.
Gonzalez withdraws from French Open due to knee injury
Fernando Gonzalez, a former Top 5 player who is currently ranked No. 370, has withdrawn from next week’s French Open due to a knee injury. The Chilean tweeted on Monday: “Unfortunately today I withdrew myself from Roland Garros, it’s a shame, but I’m doing everything possible to comeback and feel better.” A 2009 French Open semifinalist, Gonzalez returned to the ATP World Tour last month after an eight months hiatus after having right hip surgery. The 30-year-old’s withdrawal opened up a main draw spot in Paris for Argentine Brian Dabul, who will make his second appearance at Roland Garros.
Young skips French Open qualifying tournament to prepare for grass court season
Tennis.com learned that the reason why controversial American Donald Young opted out of this week’s French Open qualifying tournament in Paris is because of a wrist injury he sustained while playing the recent Savannah Challenger. Young will stay in the United States during the French Open main draw and prepare for the grass court season. The 21-year-old American is currently ranked No. 95, giving him direct entry into the grass court events at Queen’s Club in London, Nottingham and Wimbledon.
Serbian Minister to be named new President of the Tennis Players Union of Serbia
According to reports by Blic, Serbian Minister of Foreign Affairs Vuk Jeremic will soon be named the President of the Tennis Players Union of Serbia. Players currently in the union include Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic, Viktor Troicki, Nenad Zimonjic and Davis Cup Captain Bogdan Obradovic. The union will be run by Djokovic’s father, Srdjan. Earlier this month, it was with the backing of Jeremic that the players were presented with diplomatic passports during the ATP Serbian Open.
Tennis publisher Randy Walker to sign copies of his book in Newport on Friday
Tennis publisher Randy Walker, author of ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY and publisher of such titles as THE BUD COLLINS HISTORY OF TENNIS and ROGER FEDERER: QUEST FOR PERFECTION, will sign copies of his book and will be available to sell/discuss all of his tennis titles, including the soon-to-be-launched book THE WIMBLEDON FINAL THAT NEVER WAS Friday from 4 to 5 pm at the International Tennis Hall of Fame Gift Shop in Newport, R.I.
“A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis” on sale now
New Chapter Press recently announced the publication of the book “A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis” – a guidebook for competing in the U.S. Tennis Association League Tennis program or any team tennis competition. Written by Tony Serksnis of Mountain View, Calif., who has more than 25 years of competing and 15 years of captaining tennis teams in USTA League Tennis play, A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis, is an engaging tutorial that explains the ins and outs of being on a tennis team and provides a blueprint for managing and competing within the team structure. The book also provides strategies, concepts and tips on everything from pre-match preparations to maintaining team chemistry. This is not a book on the “how to” of tennis strokes or play, but rather a blueprint for a team to operate effectively towards their goals. The book is a paperback that retails for $14.99. Serksnis is a 25-year veteran of United States Tennis Association (USTA) League Tennis play and has participated on 53 different USTA League Tennis teams, playing in 343 total matches in 36 total leagues (Adult, Senior, Mixed) and has served as captain or co-captain of 15 league tennis teams. Serksnis began playing USTA League Tennis in 1985 as a 3.5-rated player and in 2009, at the age of 63, earned a 4.5 NTRP rating, making him one of the oldest players to ever be moved from a 4.0 to a 4.5 rating. A resident of Mountain View, Calif., he also serves as the President of the Mountain View Tennis Club. “I am very proud to share my 25 years of experiences as a player, captain and astute observer of the USTA League Tennis program in this book,” said Serksnis. “A Player’s Guide To USTA League Tennis allows participants of any level of play to understand what USTA League Tennis is all about. Whether you are new to USTA League Tennis, a seasoned-veteran, or a participant in any other type of team tennis, the book will be an excellent tool for how to get the most out of personally helping the team to achieve its goals, growing your own game and maximize your individual experience.” USTA League Tennis, the country’s largest recreational tennis league, has more than 330,000 players nationwide competing in match play, meeting new people and enjoying the camaraderie of teammates in one of four national divisions (Adult, Senior, Super Senior and Mixed Doubles). Play is based on the NTRP rating system so players will play with and against players of similar ability age 18 and older. USTA League Tennis also offers players a chance to advance from local play to USTA League National Championship events.
