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Caroline Wozniacki wins New Haven, John Isner wins Winston-Salem and Sabine Lisicki takes home Texas crown

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STARS

Caroline Wozniacki beat Petra Cetkovska 6-4 6-1 to win the New Haven Open at Yale in New Haven, Connecticut, USA

John Isner beat Julien Benneteau 4-6 6-3 6-4 to win the Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA

Sabine Lisicki beat Aravane Rezai 6-2 6-1 to win the Texas Tennis Open in Dallas, Texas, USA

Adrian Ungur beat Peter Gojowczyk 4-6 7-6 (4) 6-2 to win the Edizione A. Savoldi-Marco Co-Trofeo Dimmidisi in Manerbio, Italy

Caroline Wozniacki

SAYING

“After careful deliberation regarding Serena Williams’ seeding, we decided to maintain the objective criteria in place to determine the women’s singles seeds at this year’s US Open.” – Jim Curley, US Open tournament director, on strictly following the rankings in making the seedings for the year’s final Grand Slam tournament.

“I just have a good momentum every time I play here. The balls are good. The tournament is nice. You always play better when you like to be around a tournament. I’m really pleased to be in this situation – win four straight times in a row, it’s really unbelievable.” – Caroline Wozniacki, after winning her fourth consecutive title in New Haven.

“Any time you win a tournament at this level, it is a huge accomplishment. For me personally, it is great to win here in virtually my hometown. I think this is perfect preparation for me heading up north.” – John Isner, after capturing the Winston-Salem Open.

“I’m disappointed losing in the final. For me it’s tough. But, as my coach said, if I had been told last Saturday morning when I played my first-round qualifying, that I would make the final, I would have signed up for it for sure. So I have to take the positives from the week, the way I played and the level I had in some matches. I was very close to my best level.” – Julien Benneteau, after losing to Isner.

“I’ve had four surgeries in the last three years. It hits home a bit more now. But you’re always in different stages of your career.” – Lleyton Hewitt, announcing he would not play in the US Open this year.

“I’m very fortunate to do what I do, obviously, to do it at a high level and to win tournaments and to win big matches obviously. It gives you tremendous amount of confidence and delight that the work you’ve put in, you know, is paying off.” – Maria Sharapova.

“It’s hard to say, you know, I expect to see myself in the second Saturday of the US Open because I’ve never done that before. I’ve been close once, but I’d like to get there now. I’d really like to get there now because I really feel like I can belong there. I can get there. I can get to a really big spot in a Grand Slam. And if I were to pick a tournament, a Grand Slam that I could do that in, it would be this one.” – Mardy Fish, America’s highest-ranked player.

“I’ve always liked busy places. Like I have always enjoyed sort of having things to do. There’s a lot really close by. It doesn’t take long to kind of get anywhere. And also the center court I think is just incredible atmosphere. It’s so different to anything on the tennis calendar, and I really like playing here.” – Andy Murray.

“It has been an incredible week, and an incredible three months for me. I’ve picked up my game again and am playing so well. I’m just happy to be on the court again.” – Sabine Lisicki, who goes into the US Open having won 22 of her last 26 matches.

“The emotions probably are a little bit different, because when you come back after the victory of last year the emotions are higher. Of course, it was the last Grand Slam for me to complete all four. Was very, very nice moment of my career, one of the biggest moments of my career. That makes the comeback a little more special. But if we talk about the goal, is the same. Play well, try to arrive to the final rounds. That’s the same, no?” – Rafael Nadal, defending US Open champion.

“Hasn’t changed anything. I’m still as professional. I’m still as hungry. Everything’s still completely normal. You know, it’s just a number that’s changed, you know. So, no, I’m ready to go.” – Roger Federer, when asked if turning 30 years old had changed his perspective.

“There were a lot of emotions out there today, but I’m really happy in the end I fought those emotions and was able to win this match.” – Petra Cetkovska, after posting her third straight upset, beating Li Na to advance to the final of the New Haven Open at Yale.

“This week wasn’t bad because I played three tough matches here. I got a little bit more feeling on the court. I know it’s not my best tennis, but it will push me for the US Open.” – Li Na, after losing to Petra Cetkovska.

“I had my birthday here this week too so I guess it’s a good present for me. It seems CJ and I only play well at the end of the season. Maybe we should just start at this time every year.” – Olga Govortsova, who teamed with Chia-Jung Chuang to win the doubles at New Haven.

“We’re staying on the 40th floor of a hotel, so that’s probably not the best place to be. Should we be looking to move? Is it going to be fine in Manhattan? You see people in the news evacuating, boarding up the windows. Are they doing the right thing? In the UK you don’t get weather like that. I’m not scared, but in a weird way I am interested to see what it will be like.” – Andy Murray, commenting on Hurricane Irene which swept through New York City over the weekend.

“This is a truly great day for Irish tennis. The thing about Conor and myself is we are fighters in the true Irish tradition. We play with passion and we never give up.” – Louk Sorensen, after he and Conor Niland both qualified for the US Open men’s singles, the first time two Irishmen have playing in a Grand Slam tournament main draw at the same time.

SAY HI TO IRENE

The US Open, like all of New York City, shut down for Hurricane Irene. Because of high winds and heavy rains, the US Open cancelled the traditional Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day on Saturday and closed the grounds completely on Sunday. Although there had been spotty rain throughout the week, qualifying was completed. All ticket holds for the Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day will be refunded under the US Open’s inclement weather policy. “The reason is to avoid any possible safety issues for our fans and patrons,” the United States Tennis Association (USTA) said in a statement. Beginning at noon Saturday all airports in the area were closed, and service on all subways and buses were halted. The USTA planned on starting the two-week Grand Slam tournament at its scheduled time.

SAME PLACE, SAME WINNER

The name of the tournament may have changed, but not the name of the champion. For the fourth straight year Caroline Wozniacki won the WTA Tour stop in New Haven. “I just have a good momentum every time I play here,” Wozniacki said after beating Czech qualifier Petra Cetkovska 6-4 6-1 in the title match. “You always play better when you like to be around a tournament.” Pilot Pen pulled out as title sponsor after last year’s event, with Yale University taking over as a major sponsor for the New Haven Open at Yale. Now 17-0 lifetime at New Haven, the Dane is the first player in nine years to win the same WTA title four straight years. The last player to achieve the feat was Venus Williams from 1999 to 2002 – at the same event. Besides moving the final to an earlier time spot to avoid Hurricane Irene, tournament officials brought in cranes overnight to remove the two-ton scoreboards fro the top of the stadium and replaced then with two smaller scoreboards courtside. Contingency plans were to move the match into an indoor tennis center if necessary. With boyfriend Rory McIlroy, the US Open golf champion, watching from the player’s box, Wozniacki finished off the victory outdoors. “When you have that little bit of confidence, that little bit of belief in yourself, it can take you a long way,” McIlroy said after the match. “It looked like Caroline found that belief and confidence this week and it obviously is great prep going into the Open next week.”

SUPER SABINE

Sabine Lisicki has been one of the hottest players on the WTA tour this summer. The German needed only 49 minutes to crush Aravane Rezai and win the inaugural Texas Tennis Open 6-2 6-1. In her march to her third WTA title, Lisicki gave up no more than three games in all of her matches in Dallas. She lost three games each against Sania Mirza, Alberta Brianti and Kateryna Bondarenko before crushing Irina-Camelia Begu 6-0 6-1 and send her into the title match against Rezai. “It was a tough one,” said Lisicki, who smashed a 2-2 tie by winning 10 of the next 11 games. “I really had to hang in there in the beginning. Aravane’s a tough player.” Lisicki, who has won 22 of her last 26 matches, was tougher – much tougher.

STRAIGHT IN

Christina Fusano and David Martin are in the mixed doubles main draw at the US Open. Top-seeded, Fusano and Martin won the 2011 US Open National Playoffs Championships Mixed Doubles tournament by beating former NCAA standouts Yasmin Schnack and Eric Roberson 2-6 6-1 10-5 (match tiebreak) in the final, which was played at New Haven, Connecticut, USA. Fusano, who played college tennis at the University of California, has competed in the women’s doubles at the US Open and Wimbledon, while Martin, who played collegiately at Stanford, has competed in all four Grand Slam tournaments in men’s doubles. Both are 30 years old.

SIGNAL ACHIEVEMENT

When Conor Niland and Louk Sorensen won their final qualifying matches, it marked the first time in tennis history that Ireland had two players in the main draw at a Grand Slam tournament. How long they stay around is another problem. Niland is scheduled to face top-ranked Novak Djokovic in the opening round of the year’s final Grand Slam event, while Sorensen will take on sixth-seeded Robin Soderling of Sweden. In March, Sorensen announced his retirement from tennis, but decided to continue playing through the US Open. Ireland’s best player ever was Matt Doyle, who was ranked as high as 62nd in the world some 30 years ago. However, Doyle was born in California and didn’t become an Irish citizen until after he played in his fourth and final US Open in 1984. Niland is playing in his second consecutive Grand Slam tournament, having qualified for Wimbledon, where he lost in the first round. “It’s a wonderful feeling,” Niland said. “Just to qualify again after doing the same thing at Wimbledon is special, but now to play the world’s best player on, I assume, a big show court will be the experience of a lifetime.” Sorensen reached the second round at the 2010 Australian Open for his best major tournament showing.

There are three men from Colombia in the men’s singles, the first time since the 1977 Roland Garros that Colombia has had three men competing at a Grand Slam event and the first time at the US Open since 1976.

Three Japanese men are also in the men’s singles. That is the most in a Grand Slam tournament since three Japanese played at Roland Garros in 1974, and the first time at the US Open since 1972.

STRICKLY RANKINGS

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) stuck to the rankings when he made it’s seedings for the year’s final Grand Slam tournament. Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark is seeded first, followed by Vera Zvonareva of Russia, who is ranked third but seeded second because of the withdrawal of second-ranked Kim Clijsters, who has won the last two US Opens. It also leaves Serena Williams as the 28th seed, moving up one spot from her ranking of 29th in the world. Williams was ranked number one when she won Wimbledon in 2010. She then was sidelined with injuries and illnesses for 11 months before returning to tennis. Since her return, the American has played five events, winning two tournaments before retiring with a foot injury from her match in Cincinnati.

The top 10 women, in order: Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark; Vera Zvonareva, Russia; Maria Sharapova, Russia; Victoria Azarenka, Belarus; Petra Kvitova, Czech Republic; Li Na, China; Francesca Schiavone, Italy; Marion Bartoli, France; Samantha Stosur, Australia; and Andrea Petkovic, Germany.

The top 10 men, in order: Novak Djokovic, Serbia; Rafael Nadal, Spain; Roger Federer, Switzerland; Andy Murray, Great Britain; David Ferrer, Spain; Robin Soderling, Sweden; Gael Monfils, France; Mardy Fish, United States; Thomas Berdych, Czech Republic; and Nicolas Almagro, Spain.

SUCCULENT CUISINE

Fans attending the US Open will have a variety of culinary offerings to consider when it comes time to eat. With a menu that reflects the international flair of the event, the US Open showcases flavors from around the world and utilizes ingredients from around the region. More than 700,000 fans over the course of the 20-day event – which includes qualifying – were able to sit down to food ranging from hamburgers, Chinese, Indian, seafood, pasta, hot dogs and sausages, salads and ice cream. There will be a 250-person staff to serve guests at 60 concession stands, five restaurants, 100 luxury suites and the Player’s Lounge.

STAYING HOME

Canada’s Milos Raonic won’t be participating in the US Open. The native of Thornhill, Ontario, is recovering from hip surgery he underwent early last month in Colorado. “After extensive deliberation with my doctors and team, I have decided to delay my tournament return until after the US Open,” Raonic said on his Twitter account. Raonic originally injured his hip during a second-round match at Wimbledon. He currently is ranked 29th in the world.

STAR ARISING?

Could Christina McHale be the bright future for American tennis? The 19-year-old has had a remarkable run this summer, posting victories over top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki and two-time Grand Slam tournament champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. Against Kuznetsova, her career head-to-head record is 2-0, also beating the Russian in their first meeting, at Indian Wells, California, in March. Her second win over Kuznetsova came at the New Haven Open at Yale in a first-round match, a battle that saw McHale break the Russian’s serve seven times. McHale then beat Carla Suarez Navarro before losing the rematch with Wozniacki. Her winning ways has seen McHale rise to 66th in the world in the WTA rankings.

SEEKS BATTLE WITH FED

A foot injury has kept Lleyton Hewitt out of the US Open, but the veteran says he will be ready to play Davis Cup when Australia takes on Switzerland next month. The 30-year-old Hewitt will return to Sydney, Australia, well before the tie, which starts on September 16, to train on grass, a surface that’s must easier on his foot than the hard courts of Flushing Meadows, site of the US Open. Roger Federer has said he would play for Switzerland, raising the possibility of the two former world number ones meeting. “Lleyton’s 100 percent committed to playing Davis Cup in Sydney,” said Todd Woodbridge, head of pro tennis for Tennis Australia. “The rest of the year is still unsure, but his goal is to get himself back to full fitness so that he can compete for a full season next year.”

SIGNED UP

Andy Murray is returning to the Thailand Open next month. The British star was runner-up at the Thai tournament in 2005. Also scheduled to be in the draw will be two former Thailand Open champions – Gilles Simon of France and Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain. The tournament, which will be held September 24 to October 2, will use the Hawk-Eye electronic ball tracker for the first time. “More and more world class tennis players are joining our tournament,” said Thailand Open executive committee chairman Suwat Liptapanlop. “The technology will make our tournament world class.” Also in the field this year will be Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen, who lost to Garcia-Lopez in the final last year, Sweden’s Robin Soderling, Gael Monfils of France and Latvia’s Ernests Gulbis.

SHE CAME BACK

A freak injury forced Lauren Davis to the sidelines earlier this year for more than two months. Last April she sustained a concussion when a wind-blown TV camera landed on her head. “It helped me a lot,” said Davis, who earned a wild card into the US Open women’s singles by winning the USTA Girls’ 18s in San Diego, California. “My career is 10 years long. That was only two months. I was a little burnt out before it happened, so actually it was a good thing. I was so eager to get back. I loved it again.” She returned to tennis once the headaches subsided and her neurologist, Dr. Frank Conidi, gave her clearance to play again.

SISTERS TO MEDELLIN

Sisters Venus and Serena Williams will travel to a South American country in November for the first time to play an exhibition tennis match in the northern Colombian city of Medellin. The exhibition will be held November 23 at the La Macarena events center, said Jhan Fontalvo, head of the company promoting the event.

SENIOR SAFIN

Former world number one Marat Safin will make his ATP Champions Tour debut in Chengdu, China, in late October. Safin, who beat Pete Sampras in the US Open final in 2000, will face Sampras again in Chengdu. Also scheduled to be in the field are Mark Philippoussis, Carlos Moya, Thomas Enqvist, Paradorn Srichaphan, Wayne Ferreira and Younes El Aynaoui. The 31-year-old Russian is guaranteed to face Sampras in Chengdu since both were drawn in the same round-robin group. “The Chengdu Open is my first ATP Champions Tour event and I am really looking forward to returning to China and to playing in a new Chinese city, famous for spicy food, friendly people and your giant pandas,” said Safin. “China has always been a very welcoming destination for me. I have memories of many great matches in Beijing and Shanghai.”

SUSPENSION SLICED

The doping ban handed Robert Kendrick has been reduced from one year to eight months by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). Kendrick, who tested positive for the banned stimulant methylhexaneamine at the French Open on May 22, blamed it on a capsule he took to combat jet lag. The 31-year-old American had sought a three-month ban, which would have allowed him to compete at the US Open, but he won’t be able to return to competitive tennis until January. A statement by CAS concluded that “the eight-month suspension was appropriate to the degree of fault borne by the player.”

STRAIGHT TO THE BANK

Novak Djokovic may be ranked number one in the world, but he takes a back seat to his closest rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, when it comes to bank accounts. That despite the fact Djokovic’s prize money in 2011 in more than the combined total of Nadal and Federer. But Roger and Rafa, who were ranked numbers one and two for most of the past six years, have won 26 Grand Slams combined and their dominant play over a long period of time has attracted a slew of sponsors willing to shell out multi-million dollar endorsement deals. According to Forbes Magazine, Federer is the highest-paid tennis player in the world over the past 12 months with earnings of USD $47 million from prize money, endorsements, exhibitions and appearance fees. He has only one tournament title this year after averaging eight wins annually since 2003, but his income has never been higher.

Federer has long-term deals with Credit Suisse, Jura, Lindt, National Suisse, Net Jets, Rolex and Wilson. A renewed agreement with Mercedes-Benz this year expands the deal from just China to the entire world, doubling the value for Federer. He also re-signed with Gillette, becoming the only one of Gillette’s original “Champions” who has had their endorsement contract renewed. And the Swiss master’s biggest paycheck still comes from Nike, worth USD $10 million annually.

Nadal ranks second among the highest-paid in tennis at USD $31 million over the past 12 months. He earned USD $10 million in prize money with the rest generated through appearance fees, exhibitions and endorsements, where he counts Nike, Babolat, Kia Motors, Richard Mille and a host of Spanish firms among his sponsors. He was chosen by Giorgio Armani as an underwear model for the brand, and this year Bacardi signed Nadal for its “Champions Drink Responsibly” campaign. According to Forbes, the new deals bring Nadal’s corporate earnings to an estimated USD $21 million annually including exhibitions.

Third is Maria Sharapova, who earned USD $25 million during the past year, Forbes said. The Russian is the world’s highest-paid female athlete with earnings twice as much as any other woman. Her endorsement portfolio includes Nike, Head, Evian, Clear Shampoo, Sony Ericsson, Tiffany and Tag Heuer. She collects royalties on her Nike line of tennis apparel, which was up 26 percent in 2010., and her ballet flat was also the top selling shoe last year at Nike-subsidiary Cole Haan.

Djokovic ranks fourth with earnings of USD $18 million, thanks to nearly USD $11 million in prize money over the past 12 months. His sponsorships, while limited, include Sergio Tacchini, Head, FitLine and Telekom Srbija.

SHARED PERFORMANCES

Dallas: Alberta Brianti and Sorana Cirstea beat Alizé Cornet and Pauline Parmentier 7-5 6-3

New Haven: Chia-Jung Chuang and Olga Govortsova beat Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci 7-5 6-2

Manerbio: Dustin Brown and Lovro Zovko beat Alessio Di Mauro and Alessandro Motti 7-6 (4) 7-5

Winston-Salem: Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram beat Christopher Kas and Alexander Peya 7-6 (2) 6-4

SURFING

New York: www.usopen.org/

Biella: www.federtennis.it

ATP: www.atpworldtour.com/

WTA: www.wtatennis.com

ITF: www.itftennis.com/

TOURNAMENTS THIS WEEK

(All money in USD)

MEN and WOMEN

US Open (first week), New York, New York, USA, hard

TOURNAMENTS NEXT WEEK

MEN

US Open (second week), New York, New York, USA, hard

$122,000 AON Challenger, Genova, Italy, clay

WOMEN

US Open (second week), New York, New York, USA, hard

$100,000 XII Torneo Internazionale Regione Piemonte, Biella, Italy, clay

Nadal out for 10 Days Following Injury Sustained at Australian Open – This Week in Tennis Business with Justin Cohen

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ATP Winston-Salem Open hires Oakes as new Tournament Director

Bill Oakes, who previously served as the Tournament Director for last year’s ATP World Tour Atlanta Tennis Championships, has accepted the same position at the ATP Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University. In his position as tournament director, Oakes will coordinate all tournament operations and will also assist with construction oversight for the new tennis facility being built on the campus of Wake Forest University to house the tournament. “Bill’s extensive experience with the USTA and the ATP, plus his leadership of the Atlanta tournament, make him an ideal tournament director for the Winston-Salem Open. We are extremely excited about his leadership.” said Don Flow, Chairman of Winston-Salem Professional Tennis, the 501c organization that owns the tournament. The Winston-Salem Open at Wake Forest University will take place from August 21-27 with qualifying to be played from August 19-20. The tournament will be the final men’s event of the Olympus US Open Series.

Eurosport to continue covering Australian Open after inking five-year deal with Tennis Australia

After striking a new deal with Tennis Australia, Eurosport will continue to carry the Australian Open for five more years. Beginning in 2012, the first Grand Slam of the year will be shown in 56 countries and 121 million homes across Europe. The deal will extend the pan-European broadcaster’s support of the tournament to more than two decades. “This new agreement ensures that viewers in Europe will continue enjoying live extensive coverage of the Australian Open for many years to come,” said Steve Wood, CEO of Tennis Australia.

Li Na signs endorsement deal with Canadian-based SpiderTech

Li Na, the 2011 Australian Open women’s singles finalist, announced last Friday that she has signed an endorsement deal with SpiderTech, the world leading-developer of pre-cut and ready-to-apply kinesiology taping applications. The company aims to release a consumer version of its medical kinesiology tape later this year. This product introduction is aimed at providing consumer and recreational athletes with the natural pain release tape application professionals already use. “We are thrilled about the opportunity to partner with Li Na,” said Ray Arebesman, SpiderTech Founder. “Her commitment to our brand further cements SpiderTech as the leader in kinesiology tapes. She wholly represents our vision to bridge Eastern and Western healing and preventive philosophies.”

Rafael Nadal

USTA provides $45,000 in grants to 21 wheelchair tennis programs

The USTA announced on Monday that they would be awarding $45,000 in USTA Grassroots Wheelchair Program Grants to 21 wheelchair tennis programs throughout the United States for the third consecutive year. Grants were awarded to local organizations that promote and develop the growth of wheelchair tennis and use the sport of tennis to build stronger, healthier communities. Grant amounts were based on each program’s existing budget and the future programmatic needs of the organization. Recipients can use the award to meet the USTA’s grant initiatives including coaching, court time, equipment, recruitment and events. Some of the organizations that were awarded grants included, Adaptive Athletics Association of Mountain Center, Calif., Ala Moana Wheelchair Tennis Club of Honolulu, Hawaii, Far West Wheelchair Athletic Association of San Jose, Calif., Idaho Wheelchair Tennis Association of Boise, Idaho, Magee Rehabilitation Hospital Foundation of Philadelphia, Penn., Wheelchair Sports, Inc. of Wichita, Kan., and RHI Foundation, Inc. of Indianapolis, Ind.

Novo Nordisk adding four more scholarships; World Team Tennis now accepting applications

Novo Nordisk is currently adding four more scholarships to World Team Tennis’ Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards program, which supports youth tennis players with diabetes. The 2011 program will grant $25,000 in scholarships, including two one-time $5,000 national scholarships and six one-time $2,500 regional scholarships, an increase from two regional scholarships in 2010.  The scholarships are awarded to male and female athletes ages 12-21, who have diabetes and play tennis competitively in tournaments or on their school team. Now through April 15, 2011, World Team Tennis is accepting applications for the 2011 Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards. Along with your application, you must submit two letters of recommendations and a short essay explaining the significance of diabetes in your life. The awards are to be used for education, tennis development and/or medical care. The recipients of the $5,000 national scholarships will receive their awards at a World Team Tennis Pro League match in July 2011 from WTT co-founder Billie Jean King.  The scholarship program was established by King, through WTT Charities, in 1998 to encourage children with diabetes to lead an active life and compete in tennis.  The Novo Nordisk Donnelly Awards are named after two long-time World Team Tennis executives and tennis champions, Diane Donnelly Stone and Tracey Donnelly Maltby, who are sisters.  Stone was an All-American and NCAA doubles champion at Northwestern University, and Maltby earned All-Big Ten honors at the University of Iowa.  Both women have lived successfully with diabetes since childhood. To download the application visit: www.WTT.com/DonnellyAwards. For more information contact Diane Donnelly Stone at: dstone@wtt.com or (212) 586-3444 xt. 20.

US Open National Playoffs to return in 2011; Mixed Doubles competition now offered

The USTA announced that the US Open National Playoffs will return in 2011 with the addition of the mixed doubles competition. The US Open National Playoffs mixed doubles champions will receive a main draw wild card into the 2011 US Open. The US Open National Playoffs men’s and women’s singles champions again earn a wild card into the US Open Qualifying Tournament, held the week prior to the US Open. The US Open National Playoffs will again operate as a series of sectional qualifying tournaments, held in 16 USTA Sections throughout the country. The 16 men’s, women’s and mixed doubles champions from each sectional qualifying tournament will advance to the US Open National Playoffs. All three tournaments will be held in conjunction with the New Haven Open at Yale, an Olympus US Open Series event. The US Open National Playoffs — Men’s Singles and Women’s Singles Championship will be held August 18-21. The US Open National Playoffs — Mixed Doubles Championship will be held August 24-27. “The US Open National Playoffs is about providing players of all abilities the opportunity to connect with the US Open like they never could,” said Jon Vegosen, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “By adding mixed doubles, we expect even more people to dream big this year and enter one of the sectional qualifying tournaments. These tournaments are sanctioned by our dedicated USTA Sections, who make sure the players have a great experience.” Registration for each of the 16 sectional qualifying tournaments begins on March 15 at usta.com/tennislink. The entry fee for each of the sectional qualifying tournaments is $125 for singles and $150 for each mixed doubles team ($75 per player). All players competing must have a current USTA membership valid through August 29, 2011. Players, who can be of all playing ability, may only compete in one sectional qualifying event per calendar year. In 2010, 1,232 (859 men and 373 women) participated in the first annual US Open National Playoffs.

ATP World Tour and WTA Tour donate more than $50,000 for Queensland flood relief efforts

The ATP World Tour and WTA Tour helped raise more than $50,000 to donate to the Queensland flood relief efforts during the recently completed Australian summer hardcourt season. Both the ATP World Tour and WTA Tour donated $10 for each ace hit by their respective players in singles and doubles matches during the Brisbane International, Medibank International Sydney and the Australian Open. The donation of $51,070 is in addition to individual contributions such as Australian Samantha Stosur who donated $100 for each ace she served up in Brisbane, Sydney and Melbourne, while American Bethanie Mattek-Sands donated five percent of her prize money from Hobart and the Australian Open. Brisbane finalist Andy Roddick donated over $10,000, which was $200 for each ace he served while playing in the Brisbane International. ATP World Tour and WTA Tour players also donated their valuable time to participate in the sport’s biggest fundraiser on the eve of the Australian Open, the Rally for Relief at Melbourne Park, which raised more than $1.5 million for flood relief. ATP players who took part included Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Lleyton Hewitt and Roddick. WTA stars who participated included Caroline Wozniacki, Kim Clijsters, Vera Zvonareva, Victoria Azarenka, Justine Henin, Ana Ivanovic and Stosur.

Dunlop gives tennis fans opportunity to design racquet

Dunlop announced the first-ever Facebook application that allows tennis players the opportunity to design their own Biomimetic tennis racquet. The application allows you to pick your own color, place logos, and add text to the racquet frame. Once the design is completed, all racquets will be saved and judged by Dunlop. The winning designer will have their racquet made exclusively to their specifications. Dates and contest rules are located on the Dunlop Facebook page. The Dunlop Facebook page is listed as “Dunlop Sport” and is located online at: www.facebook.com/dunlopsport. “Being able to customize your own tennis racquet is a dream come true for many tennis fans. Now we’re combining that ability with the most popular social networking site there is, Facebook,” said Steve Hall, Marketing Director of Dunlop Sports Group Americas.

Malaysia and New Zealand pull out of Fed Cup

Without enough players to fill their rosters, both Malaysia and New Zealand had to pull out of their upcoming Fed Cup Asia-Oceania zonal group ties. According to Malaysia’s Tennis Federation Executive Secretary, they couldn’t find a second player as one player is currently studying in the United States and another player is on her own. New Zealand’s Marina Erakovic opted to play a challenger this week to try to gain more ranking points, while Sacha Jones is currently injured. “We didn’t think it was viable,” said Steve Wood, New Zealand Federation Chief.

Nadal out for 10 days due to injury sustained at Australian Open

World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will be sidelined for 10 days due to a muscle tear in his right leg that he sustained during his quarterfinal loss to David Ferrer at the Australian Open in Melbourne last week. Nadal, who is currently recovering in Mallorca, is expected to make a full recovery. Nadal will be available to compete in Spain’s Davis Cup tie against Belgium in March and is also expected to play in the Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.

Henin retires from WTA Tour due to elbow injury

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Justine Henin announced her retirement from the WTA Tour for the second time, saying her elbow injury will not allow her to compete any longer. Henin originally retired from the WTA Tour in May 2008 but returned in the beginning of 2010 where she reached the finals of the Australian Open before losing to Serena Williams. During her loss last year to Kim Clijsters at Wimbledon, Henin reinjured her elbow which ultimately ended her 2010 season. Her last career match was a third round loss to Svetlana Kuznetsova at the 2011 Australian Open. Henin, won 48 singles titles throughout her career, including seven Grand Slam singles titles. The Belgium was ranked No. 1 in the world for a total of 117 weeks, which ranks seventh all-time. Henin, who had a 32-match winning streak that spanned from 2007 to 2008, won over $20 million in tournament prize money throughout her career. Henin, who turned pro in 1999, helped Belgium to the Fed Cup title in 2001 and won the singles Gold Medal at the 2004 Olympics in Athens. In a statement on her website, Henin said, “I spent the last days undergoing various medical tests and they have confirmed that my elbow has been damaged by my adventure in Australia. My elbow is too fragile and hurt…Having followed the advice of doctors it is now clear and I accept that here my career ends. I’m sorry…I had hoped for a different return and dreamed of a different ending. I will need time to process all this, but I remain convinced that even with little progress, my level with my return did not meet my expectations, despite everything I’ve learned a lot over the past 15 months. Finally and most importantly, thanks everyone. Thanks for standing by my side during all these years. I will never forget your support and your loyalty

Winston-Salem to host new ATP event: This Week in Tennis Business

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By Justin Cohen

ATP event in New Haven moving to Winston-Salem

The United States Tennis Association and the ATP World Tour announced on Monday the sale of the ATP World Tour event previously located in New Haven, Conn., to Winston-Salem Professional Tennis. Starting the week before the US Open in 2011, a 48-draw tournament will take place on the campus of Wake Forest University in a soon-to-be constructed tennis facility. The newly-designed state-of-the-art tennis facility will be constructed to host both professional and collegiate tennis events. The facility will be located between the current indoor tennis training center and BB&T Field, home of the Wake Forest Demon Deacon football team. Plans call for the construction of 10-12 Deco-Turf II courts, and will include center court seating with a minimum of 3,500 and two additional show courts which will hold at least 1,500 each. “We are thrilled about the ATP’s new home at Wake Forest University, and thank Don Flow and Winston-Salem Professional Tennis for bringing men’s professional tennis back to North Carolina,” said Adam Helfant, ATP Executive Chairman and President. “Globally, the game is enjoying one of the most exciting periods in its history, and it’s terrific that the tour will visit Winston-Salem as part of its U.S. summer swing.” The event, with a total purse of $625,000, will take place from August 21-27, with qualifying set for August 19 and August 20. The tournament remains the final men’s event of the Olympus US Open Series, and will receive national television exposure via Tennis Channel and ESPN2. The 2011 singles final is expected to be carried by CBS Sports on Saturday, August 27. “We are thrilled this prestigious event is coming to Winston-Salem, a community that has embraced tennis events over the past several years,” said Don Flow, President of The Flow Companies and head of Winston-Salem Professional Tennis. “The entire community will embrace this event and the process has already begun with our corporate community stepping up, and with Wake Forest University being a major supporter of the event.”

Ana Ivanovic

Nadal is the new face of Armani underwear and jeans

Looking to rebound from their profits falling 28 percent last year, Armani has named Rafael Nadal as their new face of the Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans. Sweden’s Bjorn Borg and Australian Patrick Rafter are the only other previous ATP players to have been the face of underwear brands. The current World No. 1 is said to have earned $21 million over the past year from tournament prize money and sponsorship deals. Nadal already has sponsorship deals with an insurance company, a car company, Nike and Babolat.

Jon Muir named Person of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry magazine

Jon Muir, the worldwide General Manager of Wilson Racquet Sports and President of the Tennis Industry Association, has been named the 2010 Person of the Year by Racquet Sports Industry magazine in the upcoming January 2011 issue. The magazine said it was Muir’s dedication to the tennis business and his “vision and talent in helping this sport to grow and in bringing all industry groups together” that has made him Racquet Sports Industry’s 2010 Person of the Year.

Ivanovic hires Antonio van Grichen on trial basis

Former World No. 1 and 2008 French Open champion Ana Ivanovic has hired Antonio van Grichen as her new coach on a trial basis through at least the Australian hard court season. The Serbian, who is currently ranked No. 17, had been working with Steffi Graf’s former coach Heinz Gunthardt. Gunthardt no longer wanted to travel full-time on the tour, so the pair decided to part ways. Ivanovic will start her 2011 season off by participating in the Hopman Cup.

Tomic hires new fitness trainer

According to the Herald Sun, Australian Bernard Tomic has hired Mario Tudor as his fitness trainer. Tudor is the former trainer for Wimbledon champion Goran Ivanisevic, as well as Mirjana Lucic and Karolina Sprem. Tomic’s previous fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura, quit in July.

Forget to be French Davis Cup Captain for two more years

Guy Forget, 45, will continue to be the French Davis Cup Captain for at least two more years, according to a French Tennis Federation press release. Forget has been the captain since 1999, which includes guiding the team to four finals, one of which was a title in 2001.

Dusseldorf no longer hosting ATP World Team Cup

The German city of Dusseldorf is pulling out of hosting the ATP World Team Cup after more than 30 years because it can’t find a new sponsor for the annual event which takes places each May. Tournament organizers said that they haven’t been able to find a new title sponsor after the withdrawal of recent title sponsor, ARAG insurance group.

Etlingh and Haarhuis to return in Rotterdam in February

After winning 39 doubles titles as a pair, Jacco Etlingh and Paul Haarhuis will return to play together in the ABN Amro tournament in Rotterdam in February to help raise money for the Richard Krajicek Foundation.

Canadian Valerie Tetreault retires at age 22

At the young age of 22, Canadian Valerie Tetreault has officially announced her retirement from the WTA Tour after just under five years on tour. Tetreault, who plans to pursue a degree in communications, reached a career high ranking of No. 112 in February 2010. “I’ve spent the last month thinking about my future” said Tetreault. “It’s a difficult decision to make—undoubtedly the biggest one of my life. My passion for my sport remains the same, but I want to take on new challenges while maintaining a more stable life.” Tetreault won three ITF singles titles throughout her career, while earning $158,841 in tournament prize money.

Molik granted wild card into Hobart in 2011

Former World No. 8 and former champion Alicia Molik has been awarded a wild card into the WTA Moorilla Hobart International in Australia, which will take place from January 7-15, 2011 at the Domain Tennis Centre. “I’m gearing up for a big summer and the Moorilla Hobart International will give me the perfect preparation for the Australian Open,” said Molik.

Meet Nick Bollettieri on New Year’s Eve

Nick Bollettieri will conduct a tennis clinic and talk at the Miromar Lakes Tennis Club in Estero, Fla. on Friday, December 31 from 11 am to 1 pm. Those interested in attending can RSVP to Mary Meisenbach at MMeisenbach@miromar.com.