By Justin Cohen @JustinCohen44
Agassi leaves adidas, returns to Nike after 8 years
Tennis Hall of Famer Andre Agassi left Nike eight years ago to become sponsored by adidas, only to return to the “Swoosh” this past Monday. The 43-year-old was not available for comment, but he did post a picture of himself on Facebook in front of a huge Nike “Swoosh”. Nike put out a press release confirming Agassi’s new partnership. “Nike has opened new horizons through its Designed to Move campaign, while consistently and historically championing health and fitness. Coming back together through this partnership will have a multiplying effect on this and future generations.” “As a philanthropist and campaigner, he continues to share Nike’s commitment to inspire the young generation with his Just Do It spirit,” Nike co-founder and chairman Phil Knight said in a statement. “We are honored to welcome him back.”
ESPN close to steering US Open away from CBS
According to an article written by Claire Atkinson for the New York Post, ESPN is close to acing CBS out of the US Open. ESPN is ready to pay about $60 million for the rights — 50 percent more than the current fee — starting in 2015, according to a report. CBS, the Tennis Channel and ESPN each air pieces of the Big Apple extravaganza, and the rights fees are now split among the networks. Under the deal being talked about between ESPN and the US Tennis Association, which owns the two-week tourney, the Disney-owned cable network would gain the rights to the entire event, according to SportsBusiness Journal, which first reported on the talks. The men’s finals, which have recently been aired on a Monday night, are expected to switch back toSunday evening so they won’t conflict with ESPN’s telecast of Monday Night Football. Sources cautioned, however, that negotiations are still taking place and that CBS could up its bid and retain US Open rights. Last year’s men’s final was seen by 16 million viewers, up from 11.8 million the previous year and the highest total since 2007. ESPN sublicenses some of its games to the Tennis Channel. It is unclear if the Bristol, Conn., network would continue that arrangement. ESPN declined comment. Neither CBS, Tennis Channel nor USTA had any immediate response.
Emmy-Award winning sports television veteran to lead major telecasts for Tennis Channel
Tennis Channel recently announced the appointment of Ross Schneiderman to senior coordinating producer, effective immediately. He will be based in Connecticut and report to Bob Whyley, senior vice president of production and executive producer. Schneiderman will oversee the network’s television production of tennis’ four major events – the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open – in addition to other top-level tournaments like those in Indian Wells, Calif., and Miami each spring. “We’re excited to have someone with Ross’ background and experience calling the shots for us during Tennis Channel’s coverage of the most important events in our sport,” said Whyley. “His expertise in managing live sports television is tremendous. It’s impossible to be a sports fan and not have seen his work on television at some point during the past few decades. It’s great to welcome him to our team and add his influence and point of view to our telecasts.” As an eight-time Emmy Award winner who has worked on almost every major sporting event in the United States, Schneiderman comes to Tennis Channel with close to 30 years of television production experience. He most recently served as a producer at CBS Sports, where his primary duties included NFL football and NCAA basketball, in addition to producing the NBA playoffs for Turner Sports. He spent 15 years at NBC Sports prior to his time at CBS. Schneiderman is no stranger to the tennis community – his first job out of college was as a player liaison with the Volvo Grand Prix men’s tennis tour. Additionally, he has had extensive network production experience with each of the sport’s four majors, including work with Tennis Channel in 2012.
Azarenka, Radwanska headline Southern California Open
Tournament officials for the Southern California Open, a major stop on the Emirates Airline US Open Series, announced that Victoria Azarenka and Agnieszka Radwanska at the La Costa Resort & Spa in Carlsbad, Calif. This summer’s tournament will take place from July 27-August 4. Tickets for the tournament can be purchased by visiting www.southerncaliforniaopen13.com or by calling (760) 930-7032.
Isner, Tomic, Hewitt, Monfils to play in DC’s Citi Open this summer
Australian’s Bernard Tomic and Lleyton Hewitt join American John Isner and French player Gael Monfils in committing to play in the Citi Open in Washington, D.C. The Citi Open is part of the Emirates Airline US Open Series and will take place at the William H.G. Fitzgerald Tennis Stadium in Rock Creek Park from July 27-August 4.
Baghdatis begins working with Krajan
Former World No. 8 and Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus has begun working with Croatian coach Zeljko Krajan on a trial basis until Wimbledon. The Cypriot ended his existing relationship with Yiannos Hadjigeorgiou last week, citing the limited training opportunities in his home country. “I chose [Krajan] because I called Ljubicic; I wanted advice from a guy who played tennis before and knows the sport a lot,” explained Baghdatis. “I want to find something and then stick to it. It’s not good that I change coaches all the time; I need stability. I asked Ivan if he can help me out and we thought about him. He’s from the same city as Karolina, which helps when I’m back home in Croatia.
Ex-Ohio State Buckeyes standout to train at Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy
Chase Buchanan, a former All-American while at The Ohio State University, will train at the Ivan Lendl International Junior Tennis Academy in Hilton Head Island from May 20-24 with his former coach, Todd Tucker. Tucker is the newly hired Director of Programming and Competition. Buchanan, who is currently ranked in the ATP World Tour Top 350, will spend a week on Hilton Head Island training with Tucker. This marks the first time a current ATP professional is coming to the Academy to practice alongside full-time students.
Taylor Townsend to compete in Junior French Open
According to a press release, 17-year-old Taylor Townsend, the No. 1-ranked junior in the world at the end of 2012, will play in her first junior event of 2013 at the Roland Garros French Open Junior Championships from June 2-8 in Paris. Townsend finished last year as the No. 1-ranked junior in the world, becoming the first American girl in 30 years to hold that distinction. She remains No. 10 in the ITF world junior rankings despite thus far having played only professional tournaments in 2013. In her first WTA-level main draw match, Townsend beat then-No. 57 Lucie Hradecka in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif., in March. Christina Makarova (16, San Diego), currently No. 11 in the ITF world junior rankings, No. 29Sachia Vickery (18, Hollywood, Fla.) and No. 39 Jamie Loeb (18, Ossining, N.Y.) are also in the girls’ main draw, while No. 56 Louisa Chirico (16, Harrison, N.Y.), was accepted for qualifying. 17-year-old Delray Beach resident Victoria Duval, currently No. 285 in the WTA Tour rankings, will also travel to Paris to compete in the event.
United States Davis Cup donates to Jacksonville Tennis
The USTA just recently donated 15 cases of tennis balls to local community tennis associations and renovated a tennis facility in Jacksonville – all part of the way the United States Davis Cup team is giving back to the city they played in against Brazil in February. Three official USTA Community Tennis Associations (CTAs) — the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation, Jax Youth Tennis, and the First Coast Tennis Foundation — all received cases of balls for their junior programs. “Thank you to USTA Florida and USTA national for the donated balls,” said First Coast Tennis Foundation Director of Tennis Jamie Booras. “Tennis balls are a large expense and the First Coast Tennis Foundation appreciates every savings it can find.” The Davis Cup in Jacksonville was a great opportunity for North Florida tennis fans to see the competition first-hand for the first time,” said USTA Florida Executive Director Doug Booth. “Our Jacksonville-area CTAs benefiting from the new cases of tennis balls left over from the event is a bonus for these programs and a generous gift from USTA national.” Another USTA benefit to Jacksonville was the Davis Cup Legacy program, which is designed to leave a permanent tennis legacy in communities that host Davis Cup ties in the United States. A USTA grant refurbished courts at the urban Clanzel T. Brown Park tennis facility in Jacksonville, converting a traditional 78-foot court into four 36-foot courts for children playing the 10 and Under Tennis format. Seven other courts were resurfaced and had blended lines placed on the courts to make them compatible for 60-foot 10 and Under Tennis play.
Philadelphia Freedoms to help launch “American Icons” series on May 18
As part of the Philadelphia Freedoms tribute to the 40th anniversary of Billie Jean King’s victory in the Battle of the Sexes, the Freedoms are teaming up with Macy’s to help launch their new series “American Icons” on May 18 and fans are invited to join in the celebration. Bring your kids out to Macy’s at the King of Prussia Mall next Saturday, May 18 from 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m. for Quickstart Tennis led by Freedoms Assistant Coach Nathan Healey in partnership with The Tennis Farm. Freedoms tickets will be available for purchase on site at this event with no service fees.
