By Justin Cohen
· Serena Williams was slapped with a record fine of $82,500 for her US Open tirade at a line judge from this past September. Williams was also put on two-year probation at the four Grand Slam events and if another “major offense” occurs will face a $175,000 fine and ban for one year at the US Open. “I am thankful that we now have closure on the incident and we can all move forward,” Williams said in a statement released on Monday by her publicist. “I am back in training in preparation for next season and I continue to be grateful for all of the support from my fans and the tennis community.”
· The Austrian Open has been cancelled due to a legal dispute over the tennis stadium in Kitzbuhel. ATP World Tour officials announced that the tournament will now be played in Nice, France, for at least the next five years.
· Board of Directors of The Indianapolis Tennis Championships has agreed to sell their tournament. They are working closely with the ATP World Tour and potential buyers and hope to finalize a deal sometime in December. The event has not had a title sponsor since long-time sponsor RCA ended its sponsorship in 2006. News reports place Atlanta as a leading candidate to take over the event, run by the USTA Southern Section.
· The Tennis Week website has been shut down by its owners, the International Management Group (IMG).
· Russian media reports that the recently retired Marat Safin will run for Vice President of the Russian Olympic Committee.
· Roger Federer finished the year ranked No. 1 in the world for the fifth time in his career. “It’s one of the greatest performances I think I’ve achieved, seeing also what happened off the court — getting married, having twin girls. Reaching all four major finals, playing so well at the most important moments: it’s been the key this year, and staying healthy,” said Federer. “Especially after having a rough 2008, coming back this year and being able to dominate and play at the top when the depth in tennis is so, so great at the moment. I think it’s a wonderful achievement. Of course, it’s official. It’s a wonderful feeling.”
· By winning the ATP World Tour Doubles Final, Bob and Mike Bryan finish the year ranked No. 1 in the world.
· Roger Federer and Andy Roddick are nominated for the Sports Illustrated’s Sportsman of the Year award.
· Despite rumors of a break-up, Daniel Nestor confirmed to The Globe and Mail that he will continue his doubles partnership next season with Nenad Zimonjic. “It’s all gossip,” said Nestor. “As far as I know we’re playing Doha, Sydney and arranging coaching and all that. We’ve just had a bad run of matches, nothing more than that.”
· French Open doubles finalists Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman have ended their doubles partnership. In 2010, Moodie will partner with Mikhail Youzhny and Norman will join forces with Christopher Kas. “Moodie telephoned me last week to tell me that he would be partnering with Mikhail Youzhny,” Norman wrote on his website. “It was like a bucket of cold water, I wasn’t expecting it at all… But I think Wesley for this year, certainly the best season of my career.”
· According to Nielsen BookScan, Andre Agassi’s autobiography, Open, was the seventh bestselling book last week.
· HEAD announced at the ATP World Tour Finals last week in London that their partnership extension with the ATP World Tour will last through the 2012 season. Under the agreement, HEAD and Penn will continue to be the official tennis racquet, ball and tennis bag of the ATP. “The partnership between the ATP, HEAD and Penn is a natural fit between two recognized leaders in tennis,” said Adam Helfant, the ATP World Tour Executive Chairman and President. “HEAD has been with us for many years and we hope to see the relationship continue to grow for many more.”
· Andy Roddick has indicated that he is planning to play the 2012 London Olympics, which will be held on grass at Wimbledon. Roddick skipped the 2008 Beijing Olympics to prepare for the US Open.
· In the “Battle of the Sexes” match in Austria, Thomas Muster beat Sybille Bammer, 6-2, 6-3.