Radwanska sisters sign representation agreements with Lagardere Unlimited
Lagardere Unlimited, the sports industry and entertainment company of the Lagardere group, has signed representation deals with star Polish players, Agnieszka and Urszula Radwanska. Agnieszka is currently ranked No. 10 in the WTA Tour rankings, while her sister Urszula is ranked No. 199. Agnieszka, who reached a career high No. 8 in 2010, returned from an injury layoff in January to reach the quarterfinals at the Australian Open in Melbourne. Urszula, who achieved a career-high WTA ranking of No. 62 in August 2009, is a former No. 1 junior in the world. Lagardere Unlimited Tennis President Ken Meyerson and Daniel Becker will represent the Radwanska sisters. “We have recruited the sisters since their impressive junior careers,” said Meyerson. “We are excited and honored to be working with such decorated players.”
Las Vegas-based sports management company signs world No. 76 Lepchenko
WTA world No. 76 Varvara Lepchenko of Allentown, Pa., has signed with new Las Vegas-based athlete management company, Agent Atleta. Jordan J. Butler of Agent Atleta will represent the 24-year-old, who had the most successful season of her career in 2010 where she defeated Julia Goerges, Melanie Oudin, Sorana Cirstea, and Mirjana Lucic. Lepchenko finished 2010 with fifteen straight wins on the USTA Pro Circuit, including three consecutive titles. Lepchenko has won 10 career ITF titles. “Varvara is a great person and a very talented player who is beginning to hit her stride as a professional,” said Butler. “Given her strong work ethic and inherent drive to succeed, her best years are clearly ahead of her. Agent Atleta is ecstatic to represent Varvara’s career interests.”
Agassi to receive Garden of Dreams Hero award at Madison Square Garden
Former world No. 1 and eight-time Grand Slam singles champion Andre Agassi will receive the Garden of Dreams Hero award during the BNP Paribas Showdown at Madison Square Garden on February 28 prior to his match against Pete Sampras. The award, established in 2009, honors one person or organization annually that embodies the spirit and commitment of the Garden of Dreams Foundation, with active, on-going dedication to children facing obstacles. Agassi, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, has been as dedicated off the court working with children as he was winning tournaments on the court. In 1994, he founded the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education, which is devoted to transforming public education in the United States through its school in Las Vegas and by influencing state and national policy. In 1997, he established the Andre Agassi Boys & Girls Club in Las Vegas, which supports 2,000 children throughout the year and boasts a world class junior tennis team and basketball program. In 2001, Agassi opened the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, a tuition-free public charter school in Las Vegas’ most at-risk neighborhood. In 2009 and 2010, the school graduated a 100% acceptance rate for higher education. The school currently enrolls approximately 650 pupils K-12. “Making a difference in the lives of children is something we are passionate about, and Andre’s unwavering dedication to children through education, sports and community outreach makes him a legend on and off the court,” said Hank Ratner, President & CEO, Madison Square Garden and Chairman of the Board, Garden of Dreams Foundation. “Andre’s commitment to children has made a difference in thousands of lives and his work epitomizes what Garden of Dreams stands for, which is to make dreams come true for children facing obstacles. We are proud to honor him with the 2011 Garden of Dreams Hero Award.”
Gasquet hires Piatti as new coach, will continue getting advised by Grosjean
Frenchman Richard Gasquet has hired Riccardo Piatti as his new coach according to L’Equipe. In addition, Gasquet will continue to be advised by former Top 10 player Sebastien Grosjean, especially during the upcoming tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami. Piatti is most known for helping Croatian Ivan Ljubicic rise to a career-high No. 3 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings. “Everybody knows Richard’s an excellent player,” said Piatti. “He’s still young and had to live with huge expectations because of his early success. He has to be given time to grow and better manage his emotions.”
Former French Open finalist now coaching Dabul
Argentine Brian Dabul is currently working with 2005 French Open finalist Mariano Puerta as his coach. The partnership is believed to have started in December. Puerta, who was suspended twice for doping following his finals run at Roland Garros, served a nine month suspension in 2003 and 2004, before getting an eight year ban at the end of the 2008 season. The sentence was later reduced on appeal for two years. Puerta returned to play competitive tennis in futures and challengers events in 2007 before retiring after the 2009 season. Dabul, who lost to Roger Federer at the US Open in 2010, is currently ranked No. 89.
ATP and WTA tournaments in Dubai to stay put for at least three more years
Dubai Tournament Director Colm McLoughlin announced that the ATP World Tour and WTA Tour tennis tournaments in Dubai will stay at its current venue for at least the next three years. The stadium court seating capacity at the Dubai Tennis Stadium is currently at 5,000. “When we were in discussions with the WTA and the ATP officials, it was their request that we get a 7,500-seat centre court. So accordingly, we set about trying to get a new location. But at the moment this facility is good enough for both the weeks,” said McLoughlin. The tournament has previously been in discussions to move the tournaments to the tennis center in Dubai Sports City or constructing its own tennis center somewhere else.
WTA ranking points to be awarded to WTA players during 2012 Olympics in London
The ITF and WTA Tour announced that ranking points will be awarded to women who participate in the 2012 Olympics in London, which will be played at Wimbledon. This will be the third successive Olympics where women have received ranking points. Countries are now eligible for up to four entries into singles and two entries into the doubles, with the maximum number players per country raised from four to six. WTA rankings will be used as the basis for determining the 56 direct acceptances in the 64-player singles draw. The ITF’s Olympic Committee will select six of the remaining eight places, and two Tripartite Commission Invitations will be decided by the IOC, National Olympic Committees and the ITF.
Serena pulls out of Nike Clash of Champions exhibition event in Oregon
As expected, Serena Williams has pulled out of the Nike Clash of Champions exhibition event in Eugene, Ore., which is scheduled to be played on March 8, due to a foot injury that has kept her from competing on the WTA Tour since July. Williams will still make a public appearance at the event, acting as a chair umpire. Victoria Azarenka will take Williams’ place and will join Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in the exhibition event. The 12,000 tickets for the event were sold out in 11 minutes when they went on sale to the public.
Torsten Peschke to be honored as PTR Touring Pro Coach of the Year
Torsten Peschke, a native of Sarasota and husband of WTA doubles star Kveta, will be honored this week as the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR) Coach Jim Verdieck Touring Pro Coach of the Year at the 2011 PTR International Tennis Symposium in Hilton Head. Peschke began coaching on the professional tour in 1995 at ITF events with rising Czech star, Kveta Hrdlickova, now better known as Kveta Peschke (they married in 2003). Torsten guided Kveta to a career-best ranking of No. 26 in singles and No. 3 in doubles, along with one WTA singles title and 17 doubles titles. Until 2007, Peschke also ran a successful sports complex in Berlin until he decided to sell it to focus on his pro tour coaching duties.
Sony Ericsson Open and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE team up to host Happy Hour Series
The Sony Ericsson Open and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Gin have teamed up again to form a spectacular five-event Happy Hour Series taking place at various South Florida locations leading up to the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, which will be played from March 21-April 3. The 2011 Happy Hour Series kicked-off on Thursday, February 17 at the Tarpon Bend Food & Tackle in Coral Gables. Each event will include ticket giveaways to the tournament, as well as provide fans, ages 21 and up, the ultimate BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Cocktail Experience. BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is in its fifth year sponsoring the Sony Ericsson Open. The next Happy Hour Series event is on Friday, February 25 at the Tarpon Bend Food & Tackle in Ft. Lauderdale from 5:00pm-7:00pm. The final three Happy Hour Series events will take place on Friday, March 4 at Novecento Brickell in Miami from 6:00pm-8:00pm, Friday, March 11 at The Clevelander on Ocean Drive in Miami Beach from 7:00pm-9:00pm, and on Friday, March 18 at the Green Street Café in Coconut Grove from 6:00pm-8:00pm.
Sony Ericsson Open individual tickets on sale now
Individual tickets are on sale now for the Sony Ericsson Open, which will be played from March 21-April 3 at the Tennis Center at Crandon Park in Miami, Fla. Tickets can be purchased by calling the Sony Ericsson Open ticket office at (305) 442-3367 or by emailing the ticket office at tickets@imgworld.com for more information. Secure your seats for the 2011 tournament and watch the best players in the world including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Kim Clijsters, Caroline Wozniacki and many more.
Ancic retires from tennis at 26, will become lawyer
Former world No. 7 Mario Ancic has retired from the ATP World Tour at the age of 26 due to chronic back problems. “I can’t stand it anymore,” said Ancic. “I have finished my career. I’m forced to quit because nature has decided it’s time. My back can’t withstand the effort of professional tennis,” Ancic, who earned his law degree in April 2008 and is currently working at a law firm in Croatia, won 208 singles matches throughout his career including a first round win over then No. 7 seed Roger Federer in his Grand Slam singles debut at Wimbledon in 2002. Ancic, who won three singles titles and five doubles titles, reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2004 and the quarterfinals at the French Open in 2006. In 2004, Ancic teamed with Ivan Ljubicic to capture the bronze medal in doubles for Croatia at the Olympics in Athens. Ancic, who won more than $4 million in tournament prize money during his career which started in 2001, helped lead Croatia to the Davis Cup title in 2005.
Tsonga to miss France’s Davis Cup tie against Austria with hernia problem
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who is currently ranked No. 17 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings, will miss France’s first round Davis Cup tie in Austria from March 4-6 due to a hernia problem. World No. 12 Gael Monfils will also miss the tie for France due to a recent wrist injury.
Roddick pulls out of Delray Beach following title run in Memphis
Andy Roddick, who won his 30th title of his career in Memphis on Sunday over 20-year-old Canadian Milos Raonic, pulled out of the ATP Delray Beach International Tennis Championships in South Florida due to flu-like symptoms. Roddick, who was battling illness during his title run in Memphis, met with media to discuss his reasons for withdrawing from the tournament. The former world No. 1 and 2003 US Open singles champion is next scheduled to appear on court for the U.S. Davis Cup team against Chile during the first week of March.
New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) receives 2010 USTA/NJTL Chapter of the Year Award
The USTA recently announced that the New York Junior Tennis League (NYJTL) had been selected as one of three community tennis and education-themed organizations in the United States to receive the 2010 USTA/NJTL Chapter of the Year Award. The award recognizes chapters and programs at three different levels, $500,000 and above, $50,000-$500,000, and less than $50,000. The New York Junior Tennis League, which is the largest USTA/NJTL in the United States serving more than 100,000 children between the ages of 6-18 in New York City’s five boroughs, was awarded for the $500,000 and above level. “Changing the lives of young children in New York City has been the mission of NYJTL for 40 years. In keeping with Arthur Ashe’s legacy and dream of introducing the sport of tennis to underserved children and providing them with educational opportunities, NYJTL is extremely honored to receive this award,” said Deborah MacFarlane Antoine, NYJTL President and CEO. St. Paul Urban Tennis was rewarded for the $50,000-$500,000 category, while Hartford RALLY was honored in the less than $50,000 category. All three programs were honored at an awards banquet during the USTA’s annual Community Tennis Development Workshop, which was held from February 11-13.
Houston area teams win World Team Tennis Rec League titles
Two Houston area teams won regional championship titles over the weekend at the 2011 World Team Tennis Rec League National Qualifier at the Copperfield Racquet & Health Club in Houston, Texas. The J.O.C.s of Houston, who play in the 4.0 division, and the Love Breakers, who play in the 4.5 division, each secured spots into the WTT National Finals to be held November 4-6 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, Calif. The Houston regional championship was the first of eight national qualifying events for the WTT Rec League. Championship teams from all eight National Qualifying events, along with Corporate League teams, advance to the WTT National Finals.