Junior Orange Bowl returning to clay courts after spending 13 years on hard courts in Key Biscayne
The USTA Player Development department recently announced that the Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships will return to being played on clay courts this year for the first time since 1998. After spending the previous 13 years at the Crandon Park Tennis Center in Key Biscayne, the Orange Bowl will now be played at the Frank Veltri Tennis Center in Plantation, Fla. The 2011 Orange Bowl International Tennis Championships, which is entering its 65th year of competition, will take place this year from December 5-11. For 51 years, the Orange Bowl was played on the clay courts of Flamingo Park in Miami Beach. “USTA Director of Coaching Jose Higueras and I firmly believe that providing our juniors with more training and competition on clay will ultimately lead to more well-rounded players, and will better serve these players as their careers progress,” said Patrick McEnroe, USTA Player Development General Manager. “Moving our largest and most prestigious international event back to clay will help teach our players more court awareness and better movement.” The Frank Veltri Tennis Center is a public facility in South Florida that features 26 lit courts. The venue currently hosts the first USTA Pro Circuit Futures events of the year in January and the USTA Girls’ 14s National Clay Court Championships in July. “The Frank Veltri Tennis Center meets all of our needs with regards to hosting such a large event,” said Lew Brewer, Director of Junior Competition, USTA Player Development, and Orange Bowl Tournament Director. “Every court is lit and it is large enough to accommodate every match on the schedule. Knowing that the center already hosts multiple top-notch USTA events, I expect this year’s event to be of the highest quality.”
Wozniacki signs sponsorship deal with Oriflame
World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki has signed a sponsorship agreement with Oriflame, a fast-growing beauty brand that has already partnered with the WTA Tour as their official cosmetics supplier. “Caroline embodies the spirit of Oriflame. She has a winning attitude which is an inspiration to women worldwide,” said Michael Cervell, Senior Vice President of Global Direct Sales at Oriflame. Upon signing the agreement, Wozniacki will appear in Oriflame advertising campaigns and catalogs. Wozniacki will also endorse its cosmetics, nutritional wellness range and popular jewelry, as well as its leading business opportunity, through which individuals can build their own business marketing Oriflame products. “Achieving my dream to become world number 1 has taken a huge amount of passion and determination,” said Wozniacki. “By working with Oriflame, I hope I can inspire other women to do the same – to perform at their best in whatever they do. As a woman, I love cosmetics and want to look good, so I am really enjoying learning new make-up tips and finding out more about the products.” Financial terms of the sponsorship agreement were not disclosed.
Tennis’ Champions Series has signed three new multi-year sponsorship agreements
Sportswear brand Donnay, car insurance company GEICO and global bank HSBC have all agreed to become corporate sponsors of the newly-revamped tennis circuit for champion players over the age of 30. Having been expanded and reformatted, the Champions Series will feature players including Andre Agassi, John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and event co-operator Jim Courier. They will compete in one-night tournaments taking place in 12 cities across the United States over the course of five weeks this autumn. Jon Venison, founding partner of the Champions Series, told SportsBusiness Journal: “The newly signed deals have already accumulated to low seven figures annually.” The Champions Series, which was created in 2005 by InsideOut Sports & Entertainment, a company co-owned by Courier and Venison, sees players competing for ranking points and a bonus pool worth $1 million that will be shared out between the top three finishers at the conclusion of the event.
ITF Executive Director of Tennis Development joins Tennis Industry Association Board of Directors
Dave Miley, Executive Director of Tennis Development at the International Tennis Federation, has joined the Board of Directors at the Tennis Industry Association. Miley, who joined the ITF in 1991, is responsible for overseeing the non-professional activities of the ITF, including junior, senior and wheelchair tennis, and science and technical activities, as well as the ITF’s Development Program. His job has taken him to more than 130 countries, advising national tennis association, conducting workshops and directing junior training programs. “We’re pleased to have Dave as the ITF representative,” said Jolyn de Boer, TIA Executive Director. “We’re certain his contribution and involvement will help further the communication among our U.S. and global partners.”
Fish commits to Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University
World No. 11 and top ranked American Mardy Fish has become the first player to announce his commitment to the ATP Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University, which will be played from August 21-27. “We’re thrilled that Mardy will be coming to Winston-Salem in August,” said Bill Oakes, Tournament Director. “He’s sure to be among the fan favorites at the Winston-Salem Open. Mardy’s career has been on the upswing for the past year or so, culminating with his recent ranking as the top American male tennis player in the world. The commitment of a champion like Mardy will help attract additional world-class players to Winston-Salem.”
Karlovic awarded main draw wild card for Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships
Croatian Ivo Karlovic, who served a world record-breaking 156 M.P.H. serve during a Davis Cup match in March, has accepted a main draw wild card for the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships in Newport, R.I., which will be played from July 4-10 on the grass courts at the famous International Tennis Hall of Fame. In 2010, Karlovic finished in the Top 75 for the seventh time in the past eight years, despite missing most of the season with an Achilles injury. The former world No. 14 will be joined in Newport by American No. 1 Mardy Fish, recent Houston champion Ryan Sweeting and Ryan Harrison. “With his incredible power, Ivo is an exciting player to watch, and I know the fans in Newport will enjoy seeing him compete,” said Mark L. Stenning, Tournament Director. “It’s been great to see him make a comeback after his injury, and we’re pleased to welcome him to Newport this summer.” Tickets to the only pro grass court tournament in North America are on sale now. Members of the International Tennis Hall of Fame can save 30 percent on all tickets from Monday-Thursday sessions. To purchase tickets visit www.tennisfame.com or call (401) 849-6053 or (866) 914-3263.
Nadal, Ferrer, Sharapova, Zvonareva to play exhibition matches in Asia
Rafael Nadal will face fellow Spaniard David Ferrer in an exhibition match in Taiwan at the National Taiwan Sport University on October 1, organizers announced on Tuesday. The match will be played the same week that an ATP tournament takes place in Malaysia and Thailand. A women’s exhibition match between Russian’s Maria Sharapova and Vera Zvonareva will be played on September 22 in Taipei, the same week that the WTA has tournaments occurring in Guangzhou and Seoul.
Gulbis working with former ATP player Sargis Sargsian in Monte Carlo
According to Brad Gilbert, Latvian tennis star Ernests Gulbis has begun working with former ATP World Tour player Sargis Sargsian in Monte Carlo. In their first match together, Gulbis defeated Ukrainian Alexandr Dolgopolov.
Dokic withdraws from upcoming Australian Fed Cup tie against Ukraine
Jelena Dokic, a former Wimbledon semifinalist in 2000, has pulled out of Australia’s Fed Cup tie this weekend against Ukraine according to Tennis Australia. Dokic, who lost in the first round last week in Charleston, is apparently suffering from exhaustion. Dokic would have been a starter in the singles line-up, as world No. 4 Samantha Stosur is skipping the tie. Australia will be led by in-form world No. 29 Jarmilla Groth and No. 74 Anastasia Rodionova.
Thiemo de Bakker splits with coach
Dutch press is reporting that world No. 56 Thiemo de Bakker has cut ties with coach Huib Troost and will now begin working with former ATP player Raemon Sluiter.
Blake heads back to Challenger circuit to improve ranking
Former world No. 4 James Blake, who lost in the second round last week at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston, will begin playing challenger events with the hopes of bringing his ranking back into the Top 100, so he can get direct entry into the main draw at Wimbledon. Blake, who has won 10 career ATP World Tour singles titles and more than $7 million in tournament prize money, is currently playing in the Tallahassee challenger.
City of Irvine hosting a tennis conference for tennis professionals in May
The City of Irvine is hosting a tennis conference for tennis professionals featuring Master Professionals from the United States Professional Tennis Association (USPTA) and the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) at the Bill Barber Community Park Tennis Center on Saturday, May 28 and Sunday, May 29. Speakers invited to appear include, Ken Dehart (USPTA Master Professional / PTR Master Professional), Bill Tym (USPTA Master Professional), Don Henson (USPTA Master Professional / PTR National Tester), Hans Romer (USPTA Master Professional / PTR National Tester), Steve Parades, DC, CCSP, CCN (Soft tissue, stretching and conditioning expert), Adam Blair (PTR), City of Irvine Tennis Program (Directing tennis programs at public facilities), United States Racquet Stringers Association (USRSA – Ongoing clinic for beginning stringers). For information, contact Steve Riggs, city of Irvine tennis coordinator, at tennis@cityofirvine.org or 949-724-6617.
RMHA’s May 4th gala honors tennis legend Cliff Richey for dedication to mental health
Tennis legend Cliff Richey will be honored at the Riverdale Mental Health Association’s (RMHA) 52nd annual benefit gala at the Lighthouse at Chelsea Piers on Thursday, May 4 in Manhattan. Richey will be recognized through his candid chronicling of his battle against depression, exemplify dedication to expanding public awareness of mental health issues and the importance of treatment. Cliff Richey is a legend of American tennis, author of the book “Acing Depression: A Tennis Champion’s Toughest Match” and a tireless mental health advocate. His 26-year tennis career was highlighted by the 1970 season during which he led the U.S. to the Davis Cup title and finished as the first-ever Grand Prix world points champion. He and his sister Nancy are regarded by many as the best brother-sister duo in the history of tennis. Cliff’s book, written with his daughter Hilaire, details his heart wrenching struggle with depression and he travels the country to share his story and inspire hope. For more information on Richey, please go to: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Cliff-Richey-and-his-book-ACING-DEPRESSION/107047679324878. Ticket prices for the Gala start at $400 and orders can be placed with Adrianne Lange, alange@rmha.org. Sponsorships and journal ads are available for a limited time and the RMHA benefit auction is online until May 3rd via www.rmha.org.