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US Open Base Pay Reaches Record $23.7 Million; $1.8 Million for Singles Champions: This Week in Tennis Business with Justin Cohen

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US Open singles champions to earn record $1.8 million plus potential $1 million bonus prize money

The USTA announced that the prize money purse for the 2011 US Open has reached a record $23.7 million, a $1 million increase from last year. Additionally, the top three men’s and women’s finishers in the Olympus US Open Series may earn up to an extra $2.6 million in bonus prize money at the US Open in Flushing Meadows, which could potentially provide a payout of $26.3 million. Both the men’s and women’s singles champions will collect a record $1.8 million by winning the final Grand Slam title of the year, as well as an additional $1 million if they finish first place in the Olympus US Open Series standings. This year’s US Open will be held from August 29-September 11. Tickets for the 2011 US Open are on sale now and can be purchased by calling Ticketmaster at 1-866-OPEN-TIX, visiting the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center box office in Flushing Meadows or by visiting the official US Open website at www.USOpen.org.

The US Open

Eighth season of the Olympus US Open Series kicks off this week at Atlanta Tennis Championships

The eighth season of the Olympus US Open Series got underway on Monday at the Atlanta Tennis Championships at the Racquet Club of the South in Norcross, as veteran American James Blake knocked out Ernests Gulbis in a nail-bitter on Stadium Court, launching the six-week North American summer tennis season that links 10 ATP World Tour and WTA summer tournaments to the US Open in New York. The USTA announced that throughout the U.S. summer hard-court season, nearly 200 live television hours of tennis will be featured on ESPN2, Tennis Channel and CBS Sports, highlighted by back-to-back men’s and women’s finals on Sundays on ESPN2 and select finals on CBS. The Olympus US Open Series season will be supported once again by a multi-million dollar national marketing campaign, the OlympusUSOpenSeries.com website, and sponsor creation on both the national and local levels.  In 2008, Olympus became the first title sponsor of the Series. The Olympus US Open Series is also supported by sponsors American Express, Evian, Esurance and Gatorade. Earlier this summer, the USTA launched the “Follow Me to the US Open” contest – designed to allow fans to actively engage and follow tennis all summer long, through the Olympus US Open Series and the US Open. Fans will accumulate points by engaging with the Olympus US Open Series and the US Open, and the fan who accumulates the most points at the conclusion of the 2011 US Open will receive a trip to the 2012 US Open and a one-hour hitting session in Arthur Ashe Stadium.  The contest, developed in partnership with Omnigon Communications, will engage tennis fans via social media, online media, traditional media, on-site assets at all Olympus US Open Series events as well as in-broadcast assets to better show fans the connection between the Olympus US Open Series and the US Open. 

Tennis Channel to air about 100 hours of live and same-day coverage during Olympus US Open Series

Tennis Channel announced that they will broadcast close to 100 high-definition hours of live or same-day match play during the upcoming Olympus US Open Series leading up to the US Open in Flushing Meadows. The network will cover singles semifinal, quarterfinal and early round matches during the yearly North American hard-court summer circuit, in addition to prime-time Sunday doubles finals.  Matches from the six-week series will first appear on the channel Friday, July 22, and conclude Friday, August 26, on the eve of the network’s US Open telecast that begins two days later. Tennis Channel will broadcast nine of the 10 tournaments that consist of the Olympus US Open Series, with exception being the WTA New Haven Open at Yale, which will be played the week before the US Open. In Tennis Channel’s 2011 Olympus US Open Series lineup: ATP – Atlanta Tennis Championships (Atlanta),Farmers Classic (Los Angeles), Legg Mason Tennis Classic (Washington, D.C.), Rogers Masters (Montreal) and the new Winston-Salem Open (Winston-Salem, N.C.); WTA – Bank of the West Classic (Stanford, Calif.), Mercury Insurance Open (San Diego) and Rogers Cup (Toronto). The network will also cover the combined men’s and women’s Western and Southern Open (Cincinnati).

More than $300,000 raised for the Johnny Mac Tennis Project during McEnroe-Borg WTT Match

On Tuesday, The John McEnroe Tennis Academy announced that more than $300,000 was raised in last Thursday’s highly publicized World TeamTennis match at SPORTIME Randall’s Island in Manhattan between the New York Sportimes and Philadelphia Freedoms. The match featured Sportimes’ John McEnroe defeating Bjorn Borg of the Freedoms 5-4 in front of a packed house. The funds raised from the match will benefit the Johnny Mac Tennis Project, which provides scholarships, coaching, tournament travel and introductory programs for area youth who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend the Academy or to participate in recreational tennis programs. “We are very pleased that the fundraising night in connection with an exciting World TeamTennis match was able to both bring in critical dollars and to show so many people our facility for the first time,” said Mark McEnroe, Academy Director. “The Academy’s first year of operation has gone very well, and we are confident that these funds will help us increase our reach to many kids who have the interest but not the wherewithal to join our mission of bringing well-rounded, athletic kids from all walks of life into the game of tennis.”

James Blake hoping to build indoor tennis facility in Connecticut

Last week, James Blake’s lawyer, Raymond Rizio presented a proposal to the Bridgeport Board of Parks Commissioners to build a $4 million, privately funded indoor tennis facility at Veteran’s Park on Park Avenue next to the newly developed Discovery Magnet School in Bridgeport, Conn. Blake, who spent his childhood days in nearby Fairfield, would like to see seven indoor courts, as well as four platform tennis courts built, since no indoor tennis courts are currently in Bridgeport. The proposed tennis facility would bring in top tennis teaching professionals to the area to grow the game to the city youths through the USTA’s Quick Start program, as well as scholarship programs. If all went according to plan, the new tennis facility would be ready to open its doors in September 2012. Other possible cities that Blake would consider building a tennis facility include Fairfield, Trumbull and Tampa, Fla., where he owns a home.

Regions Financial and Morgan Keegan staying put as title sponsor for ATP event in Memphis

Officials from Regions Financial and Morgan Keegan & Company announced last Friday that they will be extending their agreement to continue as the title sponsor of the Regions Morgan Keegan Championships in Memphis, one of just 11 ATP World Tour 500-level men’s tournaments throughout the world. The tournament, which was won this year by Andy Roddick over Canadian Milos Raonic, has served as the title sponsor for the last eight years. The tournament also announced last week that St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital is the recipient of one of 12 $10,000 ATP ACES for Charity grants. The grant program was launched earlier this year and is a global initiative aimed at giving back to communities where ATP World Tour events are played. St. Jude Children’s Hospital has been the tournament’s designated beneficiary since 1993.

Former USC Trojans star Maria Sanchez signs with Las Vegas-based Agent Atleta

Maria Sanchez, former University of Southern California All-American and Intercollegiate Tennis Association top-ranked player, has signed an agency agreement with Las Vegas-based Agent Atleta Ltd. “I am honored and thrilled to represent Maria as she embarks on her promising pro career,” said Agent Atleta’s Jordan J. Butler, who will represent Sanchez. “She is a proven winner and has a very high ceiling due to her superior athletic ability and competitive nature. Maria is also a well-rounded individual and a great person off the court.” Sanchez, who graduated from USC with a degree in real estate and a minor in business, currently trains at the USTA Training Center – West in Carson, Calif. She was recently selected by the St. Louis Aces to replace the pregnant Lindsay Davenport in World TeamTennis. The Northern California native speaks fluent Spanish, having spent time in Mexico as a child where she was introduced to tennis at the age of 10.

Ivanovic rehires Byrnes as fitness trainer

According to a recently released statement by Ana Ivanovic, the former world No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion has re-hired fitness trainer Scott Byrnes, just weeks after announcing at Wimbledon the hiring of Nigel Sears as her new coach. Byrnes, who was Ivanovic’s trainer from July 2006 – July 2009, which included when she was the top-ranked player in the world in 2008, has also trained Maria Sharapova, Vera Zvonareva and Victoria Azarenka. “With the appointment of Nigel as my coach, and now Scott as my fitness trainer, I feel that I have a very good structure in place and I am feeling optimistic about the future,” said Ivanovic.

Bryan Brothers commit to Legg Mason Tennis Classic

Top-ranked doubles duo and three-time champions Bob and Mike Bryan announced that they will compete in the 2011 Legg Mason Tennis Classic presented by GEICO, which will be played from July 30-August 7 at the William H.G. FitzGerald Tennis Center in Washington, D.C. The Bryan Brothers, who played in the nation’s capital for the first time as teenagers, were crowned champions in 2005, 2006 and 2007. The former Stanford All-Americans were finalists in 2001 and 2002. “The addition of the Bryans, considered by most as the greatest doubles team of all-time, to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic is great news for Washington tennis fans,” said Jeff Newman, Tournament Director. “They are without question two of the most charismatic players on the ATP World Tour, both on and off the court, and we are thrilled to have them competing. We also look forward to the return of Wayne Bryan, who will once again bring his entertaining personality to the court and tournament events.” Ticket packages to the Legg Mason Tennis Classic are on sale now. Call (202) 721-9500 or visit www.leggmasontennisclassic.com to purchase your tickets for this year’s tournament, which includes players such as world No. 7 Gael Monfils, No. 9 Mardy Fish, No. 10 Andy Roddick, No. 12 Jurgen Melzer, No. 13 Viktor Troicki, No. 22 Fernando Verdasco, as well as defending champion David Nalbandian. Marcos Baghdatis, James Blake, Lleyton Hewitt and John Isner are also slated to compete in Washington in late July.

New Website for Record-Breaking Bryan Brothers: This Week in Tennis Business

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By Bob Stockton

* Mike and Bob Bryan, who just won their record-breaking 62nd ATP World Tour doubles title last week in Los Angeles, have launched their new website www.bryanbros.com. Visit www.bryanbros.com for up-to-the-minute tweets from the Bryans, view videos, and learn about the Bryan Bros. Foundation activities.

* The United States Tennis Association announced that tickets for the 2010 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final between the United States and Italy, will go on sale on Friday, August 20, at 10 a.m. PST.  The matches will be played at the San Diego Sports Arena, November 6-7. This will mark the first time the Fed Cup Final has been played in the United States since 2000, when the U.S. won their record 17th Fed Cup title. The match-up between the U.S. and Italy will mark the second consecutive Fed Cup Final between the two nations. The U.S. lost to Italy on a slow red clay court in Reggio Calabria, Italy last year, 4-0. The 2010 Fed Cup by BNP Paribas Final will begin with two singles matches on Saturday, November 6.  Sunday’s schedule features two singles matches followed by one doubles match on Sunday, November 7. The San Diego Sports Arena will be hosting Fed Cup for the first time. The venue also was the site for the 1989 Davis Cup by BNP Paribas quarterfinal between the United States and France, and will become the eighth U.S. venue to host both a Davis Cup and Fed Cup tie. Ticket prices range from $80 to $350 and are sold as two-day packages. Tickets can be purchased: at www.ticketmaster.com or www.USTA.com; by calling Ticketmaster at 888-334-USTA (8782). The two-day, best-of-five match final is being organized, staged and promoted by the USTA. For more information about the U.S. Fed Cup team, visit www.usta.com/fedcup. Tennis Channel will present live daily coverage of the U.S. vs. Italy Fed Cup Final.

Mike and Bob Bryan
Mike and Bob Bryan

* Pete Sampras will make his long-awaited debut in China as part of a star-studded eight man field at the second annual Chengdu Open. Sampras will join old rivals Pat Rafter, Yevgeny Kafelnikov and Michael Stich at the ATP Champions Tour event, which takes place October 21-24, 2010 at the Sichuan International Tennis Center in Chengdu, China. Famed for being the home of the giant panda, the city of Chengdu warmly welcomed the ATP Champions Tour for the first time in 2009. The event was a roaring success with players and fans alike, and with the legendary Sampras gracing the event in 2010, fans are set for another feast of top quality tennis. Sampras has been drawn into Group A for the round robin stages alongside the 1987 Wimbledon Champion Pat Cash as well as the French Davis Cup captain and recent Sao Paulo runner-up Guy Forget. The group is completed by ATP Champions Tour debutant Paradorn Srichaphan, whose stellar play over the past decade helped to ignite a tennis boom across South East Asia. Group B will be headed by Rafter, as well as the defending Chengdu Open Champion Thomas Enqvist, the 1991 Wimbledon Champion Michael Stich and former world No. 1 Kafelnikov. In all, the eight players of the 2010 Chengdu Open hold a staggering 150 ATP World Tour singles titles and 62 ATP World Tour doubles titles between them. Chengdu Open Tournament Director Nick Freyer is delighted to be welcoming 14-time Grand Slam Champion Sampras to China for the first time. “It is a tremendous honor to join forces with Pete Sampras,” he said. “To make history with Pete’s first ever visit to China, and to do it in the company of so many other ATP Champions, is a coup for Chengdu and very exciting for all of us at the tournament.”

* Ivan Lendl will end a period of 16 years out of tournament tennis by joining the ATP Champions Tour this coming October. The former world No.1 and winner of eight major tournament titles will make his long-awaited Champions Tour debut at the Jean Luc Lagardere Trophy (October 1-3) in Paris, the site of his three French Open victories. He will come face-to-face with the man he defeated to win his first Grand Slam title in the same city in 1984 – John McEnroe. Lendl’s addition to the circuit of former World No.1’s, Grand Slam champions and finalist, and Davis Cup winners means that every great tennis champion of the past three decades will have played on the ATP Champions Tour. Since retiring in 1994, Lendl has barely lifted a tennis racquet, preferring to spend his time on the golf course and with his wife and five children. At the age of 50, the Czech now feels it is time to return to the sport that made him a star, and will once again take to the Parisian clay courts, this time at the prestigious Paris Racing Club in the Bois de Boulogne. Lendl’s meeting with McEnroe will revive a rivalry with the man that he vanquished in the final at Roland Garros in 1984. It was to be the American’s best chance of lifting an elusive French Open title. The pair met 36 times during their playing careers, with the Czech leading the head-to-head 21-15. Faced with the opportunity to avenge that painful French Open final defeat, McEnroe said: “Oh boy, l’m looking forward to it. We had some great matches together but it’s been a long time and he hasn’t played for more than 15 years so I think we need to discuss a few things, both on and off the court! “I know he’s been working most of the last year to get back into the type of shape he needs to be in, because it doesn’t get any easier as you get older. But we’ll be giving it our all, that’s for sure.” Also set to appear at the 2010 Jean Luc Lagardere Trophy will be the charismatic Frenchman Yannick Noah, who will be making a much-anticipated return to the ATP Champions Tour after an absence of more than seven years. Noah, who has pursued a successful career as a recording artist during his time away from tennis, has chosen Paris for his comeback since it was the scene of his historic win at Roland Garros in 1983. The line-up in Paris will be further strengthened by the presence of yet another Roland Garros Champion and former world No. 1, Mats Wilander. The Swede, who captured a total of seven major singles titles during his illustrious career, currently sits in tenth position in the South African Airways Rankings, so will arrive in Paris hoping for a good run of form and some rankings points. The six-man field will be rounded off by two players to be announced in the coming weeks. Matches are played over the best of three sets, with a Champions’ Tie-break (first to 10 points with a clear advantage of two) to decide the winner. After all round-robin matches are complete, the top two players in each group will meet in Sunday’s final.

* Cliff Richey, former U.S. No. 1, Davis Cup hero and author of the book ACING DEPRESSION: A TENNIS CHAMPION’S TOUGHEST MATCH ($19.95, New Chapter Press, www.CliffRicheyBook.com) will be speaking about overcoming obstacles in life and his fight with depression at 3 pm on Sunday, August 15 at the Westwood First Presbyterian Church, 3011 Harrison Ave, Cincinnati, Ohio. Richey will also sign be selling and signing copies of his book, which has been met with rave reviews. Richey is also expected to appear on site at the Western and Southern Financial Group Masters in Cincinnati on Monday, August 16 at the ACE AUTHENTIC booth on site at the event.

* The USTA announced that singing sensation David Archuleta, rising star Shontelle and tennis great Roger Federer have been added to an already star-studded line-up that includes chart-topping pop superstars Jonas Brothers, TV and recording sensation Demi Lovato, tennis world # 1 Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters and Novak Djokovic for the 15th Annual Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess Saturday, August 28 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., from 9:30 a.m. – 4 p.m. Hosted by Adrienne Bailon and Quddus, the show will feature special celebrity guests including Nick Cannon. The popular full-day tennis and music festival for children and families – including interactive games, musical entertainment and tennis clinics – will also feature performances from Allstar Weekend and School Gyrls. More musical acts and tennis stars will be announced in coming weeks. Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day Presented by Hess will kick off the 2010 US Open, which runs from August 30 – September 12. From 9:30 a.m. – 1 p.m., kids and their families can experience an exciting schedule of free tennis games, live music and attractions taking place throughout the grounds of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Inside Arthur Ashe Stadium from 1 p.m. – 4 p.m., the live tennis and music show will feature fun exhibition matches and skills competitions with Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick, Kim Clijsters, Novak Djokovic, and other top players and celebrities with musical performances by the Jonas Brothers, Demi Lovato and more. In celebration of the 15th anniversary of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato are the first artists to reprise their performances at the event, having appeared in 2007 and 2008 respectively, with the Jonas Brothers having made their debut here in 2005 on the Hess Get Pumped Up stage. Stadium show tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster (1-866-OPEN-TIX), usopen.org and at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center box office. American Express is the official card of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day. General admission promenade tickets cost $10 and loge tickets are $20.  Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day will be broadcast nationally by CBS on Sunday, August 29, from 12 p.m. – 1:30 p.m (EST). Kids 12-and-under with stadium show tickets will receive a free Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day hat from the USTA and Hess on a first-come, first-served basis.  In the event of inclement weather, ticket holders can log on to usopen.org for the most up to date information. “We have seen some of the biggest names in tennis and entertainment on the court during Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day presented by Hess,” said Harlan Stone, Chief Marketing Officer, USTA. “Our 15th year will be no different, and this day of excitement and fun for kids and families, will again honor a great humanitarian and icon of our sport.” Over the years, Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day has featured many of music’s biggest acts including Justin Bieber, Rihanna, Jessica Simpson, Britney Spears, Jordin Sparks, Backstreet Boys, Ne-Yo, Sean Kingston, Jesse McCartney, Bow Wow and Hanson.

* Tickets are on sale for the New York Junior Tennis League’s (NYJTL) 15th annual “Summer Gala with the Stars” to be held at the Central Park Boathouse in Manhattan on Wednesday August 11, 2010, from 6:30-11:00pm. All proceeds will benefit NYJTL programs and the Arthur Ashe Endowment for the Defeat of AIDS.”The Summer Gala with the Stars” includes cocktails and a buffet dinner, live music and dancing, silent auction, raffle, gondola rides, caricatures, tarot readings, magicians and more. The event is Co-Chaired by: Fay Ann Lee, Bruce Manson, and Lee Miller. In 2009, the Summer Gala raised $155,000. Honorary Committee Chairs include: John Andariese, Jeanne Moutoussamy-Ashe, Mary Carillo, Jim Courier, Former Mayor David Dinkins, Lucy Garvin, Luke Jensen, Ilene Margolin, Patrick McEnroe, Melissa McEnroe, Dennis and Pat Van der Meers, Eizabeth Vargas, Virginia Wade. NYJTL offers comprehensive school and community tennis and education programs throughout New York’s five boroughs serving youth from ages 6-18. To reach its goals, NYJTL mobilizes the support of the community, corporate citizens, Foundations, organizations and individuals who are committed to achieving net gains for kids. NYJTL is the largest tennis and education-themed community organization in the United States serving more than 120,000 children in New York City’s five boroughs. Tickets which range from $175 to $500, are now on sale on the NYJTL website (www.nyjtl.org) or by telephone. For more information or to purchase tickets by phone, contact Pam Glick at (347) 417-8146.

* According to the Florida Times Union, Florida’s Amelia Island Plantation is fielding bids from investors as it hopes emerge from bankruptcy. In addition to Noble Investment Group’s $45.9 million bid for the property, two other hotel “top-flight hotel and hospitality investors” are interested in buying the property in an August 23 auction. The resort, the former site of WTA Tour’s Bausch and Lomb Championships, features four 18-hole golf courses, a holistic spa and 23 tennis courts. The economic downturn has hurt sales at the resort. According to court papers obtained by the Times Union, the resort said its annual revenue fell to an estimated $57 million last year from $75 million in 2007.

* Alta Bates Summit Foundation announced that Gigi Fernandez will participate in the 19th Annual Celebrity Tennis Classic with Martina Navratilova at 2 p.m., on Saturday, October 2, 2010, at the Berkeley Tennis Club in Berkeley, Calif. A “Casino Royale” Gala will also be held after the Celebrity Tennis Classic at the Claremont Resort and Spa in Berkeley. Attendees will experience the thrill and excitement of casino gaming, sip some fine wine and other libations, dine on a delicious variety of international cuisine, and can participate in an exciting live auction and casino gaming along with Martina Navratilova and Gigi Fernandez and other participants from the day’s tennis events. Proceeds will support the lifesaving work of Thunder Road Adolescent Treatment Center. For information about attending, sponsoring, donating to or playing in the Alta Bates Summit Foundation 19th Annual Celebrity Tennis Classic, please contact Dorine Tanaka (email: tanakad@sutterhealth.org) or Shirley Silverstein (email: silvers@sutterhealth.org) at the Alta Bates Summit Foundation, telephone number: 510-204-1667.  For more info about the event, Alta Bates Summit Foundation and Thunder Road, please visit: www.InvestmentInMiracles.org

BNP Paribas Showdown Field Set For Madison Square Garden

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Serena Williams and Venus Williams will be joined by 2009 US Open champion Kim Cljisters and 2009 French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2010 BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup. The event will be played Monday night, March 1, 2010 at Madison Square Garden in New York City and will feature two, one-set semifinals followed by a best-of-three-set final for $1.2 million in prize money. To purchase tickets call 866-858-0008 or visit TICKETMASTER or THEGARDEN.com .

The event will feature a nationwide “Youth Registration Night” that the United States Tennis Association has dubbed “Tennis Night In America.” The evening will kickoff the tennis season in the United States with the USTA ushering in signups for tennis programs across the country.

The field and ticket announcement for the event came nine years to the day when the 22nd and final staging of the year-end WTA Tour Championships at Madison Square Garden took place when Martina Hingis beat Monica Seles 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4 in a 2-hour, 21-minute marathon final. After being held at Madison Square Garden since 1979, the year-end event moved to Munich, Germany starting in 2001. Madison Square Garden also was the long-time venue of the Masters Championship year-end men’s event.