By Justin Cohen
- The USTA announced on Tuesday that the Birmingham –Jefferson Convention Complex Arena in Birmingham, Ala., will host the 2010 Fed Cup semifinal tie between the United States and Russia from April 24-26. “We are very excited to have earned this home tie and are thrilled to choose a community that is rampant in its love for tennis,” said Mary Joe Fernandez, the U.S. Fed Cup Captain. “The city of Birmingham offered the U.S. Davis Cup team tremendous support last year, and we look forward to playing in front of the same enthusiastic and patriotic crowd as we try to reach our second consecutive Fed Cup final.” The United States leads the series 4-3, but Russia has won the last three meetings dating back to 2005.
- It was announced last Friday that MP & Silva will sell the television, internet and mobile rights to all territories outside the United States for the upcoming ATP World Tour Delray Beach International Tennis Championships. “We are glad to be able to enlist the services of MP & Silva, who have proven expertise, experience and exceptional track record of distributing top class events, which will ensure that the Delray Beach International Championships continues to make strong inroads on the ATP circuit,” said Mark Baron, the President and Tournament Director of ATP Delray Beach.
- According to the Wimbledon Guardian, a local chamber of commerce is planning to create a tennis walk of fame in Wimbledon Village. The project is supposed to create awareness for the 2012 London Olympics were Wimbledon will host the tennis competition. Plaques will feature handprints and signatures of famous tennis stars along the tennis walk of fame.
- Rafael Nadal has confirmed that he will not participate in Spain’s upcoming Davis Cup tie against Switzerland.
- Defending US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro will not participate in Argentina’s Davis Cup tie against Sweden due to a wrist injury.
- Gael Monfils, who has struggled with injuries recently, has pulled out of the ATP World Tour event in Acapulco to prepare for France’s Davis Cup tie against Germany.
- According to Globesports.com, recently retired former World No. 1 Marat Safin, who is a member of the Russian Olympic Committee, will attend a few days worth of action at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
- ATP World Tour Marseille Tournament Director Jean-Francois Caujolle heavily criticized Andy Murray for withdrawing from his event for the second straight year, this time to get more rest following his finals run at the Australian Open. “Murray did the same thing to me last year,” the Daily Express quoted Caujolle saying on Monday. “He can’t know what it is to keep his word. A week ago, he asked me for a wild card to play doubles with his brother Jamie and I gave him one. A few days ago, he asked me for five hotel rooms and I gave him them.”
- Andy Roddick was the first overall pick by the Philadelphia Freedom in the recent World Team Tennis draft. Martina Hingis was picked second by the Albany-based New York Buzz, while Lindsay Davenport was picked third by the St. Louis Aces. The defending champion Washington Kastles picked up Serena and Venus Williams, while Kim Clijsters will team up with John McEnroe and play for the New York Sportimes.
- According to the Dubai Gulf News, Jelena Jankovic will now train in Dubai instead of Florida. “I love so many things about this place (Dubai). The people are good and the place is lovely as I can step out any time and practice,” said Jankovic.
- The Palm Beach Post reports that Tommy Haas has officially changed his name from Tommy Mario Haas to Tommy Haas. The former World No. 2 recently became a United States citizen.
- Stanislas Wawrinka and his wife, television personality Ilham Vuilloud, had their first child, daughter Alexia on Friday evening in Switzerland. Wawrinka won a Gold medal in doubles with Roger Federer at the Beijing Olympics in 2008.
- Boris Becker and wife Lily had their first child, son Amadeus Benedict Edley Luis, last Wednesday in London. Becker has three other children from previous relationships.
- According to the Associated Press, Ilie Nastase, 63, and wife Amalia, 34, are divorcing after seven years of marriage.
- According to celebrity gossip columnist Perez Hilton, Rafael Nadal co-stars in Shakira’s “Gypsy” music video.
- According to the ATP World Tour official website, Paradorn Srichaphan will play the lead role in the Thai movie, Bang Rajan II.