By Justin Cohen
Sharapova and Prince end partnership after more than 10 years
Former World No. 1 and three-time Grand Slam singles champion Maria Sharapova and racquet manufacturer Prince Sports Inc., announced that their partnership of more than ten years has come to an end. “Sharapova’s contract with Prince allowed the parties to mutually agree to end the relationship this year and Sharapova and Prince have decided to do so,” Prince and Sharapova said in an e-mailed statement. As the partnership winds down, Prince will continue to have the rights to market and sell Maria Sharapova signature-line products throughout 2011. “I have thoroughly enjoyed my partnership with Prince,” Sharapova said in the statement. “Their rackets helped me to three great slam victories and much more. I will always retain nothing but the highest admiration for Prince.” There has been some speculation that the current World No. 18 will now use HEAD racquets, but the Russian’s IMG agent, Max Eisenbud, declined to comment on which racquet she will play with starting in 2011.
Oudin drops Adidas to sport Wilson apparel in 2011
American fan-favorite Melanie Oudin will change her apparel line to Wilson from Adidas starting in 2011. Oudin, who has been playing with Wilson tennis racquets for years, will now be an exclusive Wilson player as she adds the Wilson clothing and footwear gear to her line up. “Wilson has always provided me with the latest technology and the best racquets for my game,” said Oudin. “After meeting with the team, I knew that Wilson had the style and design behind their line and it was created for high performance tennis players.”
Kournikova named new spokesperson of Cardio Tennis
Former tennis star Anna Kournikova has been chosen as the new spokesperson for the popular Cardio Tennis. Kournikova, who reached a career-best No. 8 in singles, and No. 1 in doubles, will appear in Cardio Tennis public relations campaigns to promote the program. “The sport of tennis gives your whole body a workout, and Cardio Tennis takes it up another level,” says Kournikova. “It’s designed for players of all ages and levels from beginners to advanced. You get a great workout and burn tons of calories. Plus, it’s a lot of fun—certainly more interesting than working out in the gym. And to top it off, you’ll improve your tennis, too.” Kournikova’s interest in Cardio Tennis started when she was scheduled to appear on the popular NBC show “The Biggest Loser.” The Russian-born 29-year-old suggested to the show’s producers that she run a Cardio Tennis workout. “I knew it would be the perfect on-court workout for the contestants to use to get in shape,” she says. The episode aired on Oct. 5, with Kournikova putting the 15 contestants through a fat-burning Cardio Tennis workout as a key part of the show’s weight-loss and fitness program, encouraging them to keep moving and keep their heart rate up. Cardio Tennis was developed in 2005 by the Tennis Industry Association in conjunction with the U.S. Tennis Association as a fun and healthy exercise to get in shape and lose weight. It is a high-energy fitness activity that combines the best features of the sport of tennis with cardiovascular exercise, delivering the ultimate full-body, calorie-burning aerobic workout. There are now more than 1,700 Cardio Tennis sites in the U.S. The new website featuring Kournikova is currently under construction and will be launched in the coming weeks.
Murray sticks with Corretja as main coach for first half of 2011
Andy Murray confirmed on Tuesday that he will have Alex Corretja as his main coach through Wimbledon. In July, the current world No. 4 handed the pink slip to then coach Miles Maclagan and was at that time only working with Corretja on a part-time basis. Murray continues to insist that he is in no rush to appoint a permanent full-time coach. Dani Vallverdu, a former University of Miami (FL) star tennis player who met Murray while they both attended the Sanchez-Casal Tennis Academy in Barcelona as juniors, will continue to assist Murray and Corretja. A statement on Murray’s website said: “Andy has taken time out from his busy pre-season fitness training to confirm that the current coaching set-up, with both Alex Corretja and Dani Vallverdu, will continue into the first half of next year.”
Jankovic hires Andrei Pavel on trial basis
World No. 8 Jelena Jankovic has hired former ATP World No. 13 Andrei Pavel of Romania as her coach on a trial basis. The 36-year-old Pavel, who played on tour from 1995 to 2009, won three ATP singles titles and six doubles titles during his career. Jankovic, who reached the top-ranking in the world in August 2008, has been training with Pavel in Serbia and will have him by her side during the Australian summer hardcourt swing. Jankovic starts her season at the 2011 Medibank Sydney International in early January.
Nishikori hires Brad Gilbert as new traveling coach
World No. 98 Kei Nishikori, who trains at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Fla., has hired current ESPN tennis broadcaster Brad Gilbert as his new traveling coach for the 2011 season. Gilbert, who coached Andre Agassi, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray, will travel to about 15 tournaments with Nishikori throughout the season, but will also keep his broadcasting role with ESPN. “I am excited about the addition of Brad to my team,” said Nishikori. “Brad’s knowledge as a former top player, as well as his coaching success, is something that can help me become a better player.” After returning to the ATP World Tour in February after extensive elbow surgery, Nishikori won four Challenger titles and reached the third round at the US Open. “Kei is a fierce young competitor. He knows what he wants from the game of tennis,” said Gilbert. The rising Japanese star will continue to travel full-time with his coach, Dante Bottini, but will spend a week at Gilbert’s house in California before traveling to compete at the tournament in Chennai, India. Gilbert will begin coaching Nishikori at the event in Adelaide followed by the first Grand Slam of the year, the Australian Open in Melbourne.
Shvedova hires Dimitri Zavialoff as new coach
Yaroslava Shvedova has hired Dimitri Zavialoff as her new coach with hopes of becoming a top player on the WTA Tour. Zavialoff previously worked with Top 30 ATP World Tour player Stanislas Wawrinka for 15 years. Shvedova, who reached the quarterfinals in singles at the 2010 French Open, won the doubles titles this year at Wimbledon and the US Open with American Vania King. “My goal for the year is to break into the Top 20 and to stay there,” said Shvedova. The 23-year-old Kazakhstan native, who reached a career-high ranking of No. 29 in June 2010, is currently ranked No. 39.
Ginepri to miss Australian Open with elbow injury
Still recovering from a November motorbike accident in Georgia, American Robby Ginepri will miss the entire Australian summer hardcourt season as he recovers from an elbow injury. Ginepri hopes to be back in March.
Clijsters, Nadal named International Tennis Writers Association’s Ambassadors of the Year
Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters have been voted the International Tennis Writers Association’s Ambassadors of the Year, an award which recognizes a combination of achievements on the court, conduct that shows tennis in the best possible light and co-operation with the media. ITWA represents the world’s leading tennis journalists. Nadal, who also won this award two years ago, won three Grand Slam singles titles in 2010 on his way to reclaiming the world No. 1 ranking. En route to winning the US Open in New York, Nadal became just the seventh man in history to win all four Grand Slam singles titles. Clijsters won the ITWA top honor for the third time in her career. In 2010, the Belgian successfully defended her US Open title and won four other singles titles, including the year-end WTA Championships in Doha, Qatar. “Rafael Nadal and Kim Clijsters have had great years on the court, but they have also been superb ambassadors for their sport,” said Sebastian Fest, Co-President of ITWA.
Peter Bretherton elected President of Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association
Attorney and active senior tennis player Peter Bretherton has been elected as the next President of Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association, succeeding Derek Howorth. Cathie Sabin, a member of the board of the LTA, was elected Deputy President, and becomes the first woman to hold this position.