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Post by SAFINNO1 on Aug 21, 2008 20:08:28 GMT 3
Hallelujah!!!!!! ;D ;D Etienne de Villiers To Step Down As ATP Executive Chairman Bye Bye Mickey ;D |
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Post by jenhatter06 on Aug 23, 2008 3:58:50 GMT 3
ATP World Tour 2009 Calendar For Sale! www.atptennis.com/2009Calendar/Background: For the first time fans have been given a personal and revealing view of 15 household names, who turned up the heat and shed a few clothes for the official 2009 ATP World Tour Player Calendar. Each region of the world is represented with players from 12 countries appearing in the calendar, from the camera savvy Dmitry Tursunov, Tommy Robredo and Fernando Verdasco to Marcos Baghdatis, Tomas Berdych, Bob and Mike Bryan, Fernando Gonzalez, Tommy Haas, Ivan Ljubicic, Paul-Henri Mathieu, Juan Monaco, Paradorn Srichaphan and Mikhail Youzhny. French photographer Corrine Dubreuil was commissioned to produce a series of classic and striking monochrome photographs. Toutchai U-Bol photographed Srichaphan in Bangkok. “This calendar is very nice,” said Youzhny. “It’s elegant and stylish. You don’t see calendars like that in sports.” Former Top 10 star Ljubicic said: “I think the ATP Players Calendar shows us in another way – not in tennis gear and not on a court, however, as what we are: athletes. It’s great to see the result.” If you want to find out more you can view the calendar photographs at the W Hotel in Times Square, New York, during the US Open fortnight. Site has all the photos, which are pretty nice  ... they also have a little behind-the-scenes video, which - LMAO - one could say so many things, but where to start??  ;D |
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Post by davis on Aug 23, 2008 12:59:19 GMT 3
ATP World Tour 2009 Calendar For Sale! www.atptennis.com/2009Calendar/Site has all the photos, which are pretty nice ... they also have a little behind-the-scenes video, which - LMAO - one could say so many things, but where to start?? ;D LMAO ;D ;D ;D I must admit I find most of the photos rather tacky. I definitely wouldn't put that thing on my wall... But I'm sure they will have rocket sales. Still have to watch the video, will take care of that now.  |
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Post by yarina on Aug 23, 2008 16:01:19 GMT 3
This is a bit ridiculous: it does not have any of the current top 10 players (well, it contains the Bryans in the 13th month of the year  , but only them, really), It once again contains the veteran ATP model - Robredo (no offense to whoever is his fan, but the guy has a full time modelling career already - I don't even remember how he looks dressed!) and features Srichapan who hasn't been active - let alone successful - on the tour for ages. To stop the critic before I start sounding way too boring, they are good looking guys (not that we needed to be reminded ) |
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Post by jenhatter06 on Aug 26, 2008 6:17:28 GMT 3
Bangalore Suspended Due to Security FearsThe ATP Board can confirm that it has today, regrettably, accepted a petition from the Bangalore Open to suspend the 2008 event due to the local promoter’s security concerns. The total event prize money of $400,000 will now be paid into the ATP player pension fund. Frenchman Richard Gasquet captured the 2007 Kingfisher Airlines Tennis Open title after defeating Olivier Rochus of Belgium 6-3, 6-4 when the event was held in Mumbai. In May this year, the KSLTA Signature Kingfisher Tennis Stadium at Cubbon Park in Bangalore was announced at the venue in 2008. www.atptennis.com/1/en/2008news/bangalore_security.asp
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Post by jenhatter06 on Aug 29, 2008 5:22:35 GMT 3
ATP PRESS RELEASE New York, NY, U.S.A. August 28, 2008 ATP Unveils 2009, 2010 & 2011 Tour Calendars 2009: www.atptennis.com/en/tournaments/fullcalendar/2009atp.pdf2010: www.atptennis.com/en/tournaments/fullcalendar/2010atp.pdf2011: www.atptennis.com/en/tournaments/fullcalendar/2011atp.pdfNew York, U.S.A. – The ATP, governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit, today announced the 2009, 2010 and 2011 calendars, all of which will include a new event in Johannesburg, South Africa, the final city destination to be announced on the new-look ATP World Tour from 2009. Johannesburg joins 62 other tournaments in 31 countries. As well as record breaking levels of prize money, a new revenue sharing programme for players, new tournaments and a healthier playing schedule, the ATP will next season introduce a new brand look and identity based on extensive consumer research and designed to make the Tour more fan friendly. The changes, the largest since the Tour’s inception in 1990, follow more than two years of analysis, consultation and extensive consumer research of more than 20,000 fans globally. Following the recent announcements of the 20 venues awarded ‘Masters 1000’ and ‘500’ status, the ATP Board has announced the remaining 41 ‘250’ level events that will join the ARAG ATP World Team Cup and the ATP World Tour Finals in London to complete the revamped calendar. The changes to the ATP World Tour for 2009 will trigger over $1 billion spend committed to new facility builds and upgrades as well as increased financial commitment into men’s tennis over the next five years. “The changes we are undertaking represent the biggest modernisation of the ATP Tour since its inception and highlight the growing appetite for men’s tennis globally, both in established and emerging markets. This series of bold changes and huge investment underlines the level of ambition and confidence that the sport has in the future. The $800 million of investment into facilities and record $100m in 2009 Tour financial commitments underlines that in the boldest way possible,” said Etienne de Villiers, Executive Chairman of the ATP. “Our aim has always been to ensure we have the best players playing in the best stadia, in the best markets at the right time. Our players, fans, tournaments, broadcasters and sponsors deserve a world class Tour and that is what we will be giving them from 2009 onwards.” Indian Wells Tournament Director and ATP Board member Charlie Pasarell said, “The calendar changes announced are immensely important for the new ATP World Tour. This is change that is already unlocking the potential of men’s professional tennis with growing revenues, rising attendances and a number of new partners signing up to be involved in men’s tennis. Men’s tennis has never before experienced these kinds of levels of investment or the huge boosts in prize money that our sport will enjoy from 2009; these are exciting times for the ATP Tour.” ATP Board member Ivan Ljubicic said: “The changes for the 2009 season are great news for players, tournaments and above all fans. With an enhanced calendar schedule, increased prize money and new world class stadiums this will be huge, positive change that will benefit all of us who are involved and follow the ATP World Tour.” The new ATP World Tour calendar has been designed to enhance the potential of men’s tennis with key tournaments strategically placed to ensure 'swings' of events leading into the sport's five 'pillars' - the four Grand Slams and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. Working together with the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, in 2011 five of the nine ‘Masters 1000s’, the ATP’s top tier, will be major mandatory combined events. In addition, post US Open, the calendar will now be strengthened by an Asian swing of three weeks that will showcase the world's best players at new tournaments - Shanghai "Masters 1000", and the Tokyo and Beijing "500s". This will be followed by an enhanced European indoor swing concluding at the new look Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London's iconic O2 Arena. The new Tour calendar ensures a healthier schedule for players, with less travel across continents and less congested sections of the season. Tennis fans will be able to follow these ‘swings’ both live and on TV via new Premium Tour packages. Comprising 20 premier events that will include “Masters 1000’s“, “500’s”, the ATP World Tour Finals and other key regional events, the packages will offer fans a far more attractive proposition and will be sold by ATP Media to all major global broadcasters. The new calendar will also be backed by unprecedented levels of marketing and promotional spend, designed to bring to life the unique attributes of the ATP World Tour and its star players. As well as the new brand identity and look, the ATP has already launched FEEL IT, a new multi million dollar advertising campaign, featuring ATP stars, to showcase the sport’s core values as a one on one gladiatorial battle, full of intensity and passion. www.atptennis.com/1/en/2008news/calendars.asp |
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Post by annie on Aug 29, 2008 6:06:50 GMT 3
no Safin on 2009 calendar? How'd they expect it to fly off the shelves?! LOL
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Post by davis on Aug 29, 2008 14:32:34 GMT 3
Finally!! It makes me sad to see Hamburg downgraded and in mid-July.  Bercy might profit, though, with Shanghai being weeks before it and a decent break before the Season finale in London. Beijing and Tokyo can battle who gets the best players; tough competition. |
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Aug 29, 2008 17:13:04 GMT 3
I think the schedule is bit better organised with adequate rest from Bercy to Finals - Asian events in 3 week stretch, but since when is Valencia going to be indoor hard court???
But again the downgrading of the Hamburg event is the most noticable issue and mid-july too - they couldve atleast scheduled it better.
Marat could have an interesting schedule come next year
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Post by jenhatter06 on Sept 17, 2008 5:28:02 GMT 3
huh ... Federer's part-time coach Higueras hired by USTA 9/16/2008 2:36:00 PM WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) -Roger Federer's part-time coach, Jose Higueras, was hired by the U.S. Tennis Association on Tuesday as director of coaching for elite player development, a program that aims to identify future champions. ``Jose is one of the greatest minds in coaching today,'' said Patrick McEnroe, the U.S. Davis Cup captain and general manager of the development program. ``His understanding of the sport is unrivaled, and his familiarity with American tennis makes him an invaluable asset and important addition to our staff as we continue to develop the skills of the brightest young talents in tennis.'' Higueras will work at USTA training centers in California and Florida. As a player, Higueras won 16 ATP singles titles and was ranked in the top 10. As a coach, he helped Michael Chang and Jim Courier win Grand Slam titles, and he also worked with Pete Sampras, Jennifer Capriati, Todd Martin and Robby Ginepri. Higueras began working off-and-on with Federer this season and was at the U.S. Open this month when the Swiss star won his 13th major singles championship. Copyright © 2008 Associated Press. www.thetennischannel.com/news/NewsDetails.aspx?newsid=4639 |
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Post by davis on Oct 7, 2008 23:48:11 GMT 3
Fall Facts & Figures: 10 Questions about No. 1
By Robert Waltz
THE MEN
1. Has Rafael Nadal clinched the year-end No. 1 or could Roger Federer still catch him?
To clinch the year-end No. 1, almost all Nadal has to do is show up.
To steal No. 1 back, by contrast, Federer has to win Madrid, Paris and the Masters Cup in Shanghai, and hope that Nadal doesn't reach another final this year. If Federer pulls out of any of those three events, his chances would be over.
Concretely, Nadal has earned 1,720 more ranking points than Federer this year. Winning Madrid, Paris and Shanghai would give Federer a maximum of 1,750 points -- if he wins Basel in between, he would get a total of 2,000 points. But if Nadal earns more than 280 points during the fall, he'll end the year as No.1 no matter what Federer does.
2. Is Novak Djokovic completely out of the year-end No. 1 race?
Effectively, yes, unless he somehow wins a title every week and Nadal doesn't play at all. But the Serb is only scheduled to play Madrid, Paris and Shanghai. Unless he adds an event to his schedule, he cannot catch Nadal.
3. Is Federer at least safe at No. 2?
No, and Djokovic is closer than you might think. Looking at this season's results, they're separated by just 110 points at the moment -- slightly less than the equivalent of a quarterfinal in Madrid or Paris.
To end the year as No. 2, Federer must more or less match Djokovic's results this fall. If he pulls out of an event, he'll likely be playing catch up.
4. Will Federer have a chance to get to No. 1 in Melbourne?
Much depends on how Nadal does during the fall. If Nadal does well in Madrid, Paris and Shanghai -- winning one and reaching the finals of the other two, for example -- he'll secure the No. 1 ranking through the Australian Open. But if Nadal does what he did last year -- Madrid quarterfinal, Paris final, Shanghai semifinal -- then Federer would have a chance.
But it still won't be easy. For his part, Federer would have to at least win Basel, Paris and Shanghai. If Federer's goal is to return to No. 1 in Melbourne, Federer would almost certainly have to play in, and do well at, all of the fall tournaments.
5. Is Djokovic more likely to go up in the rankings or down?
He has a chance to move up during the rest of this year, but could drop early next year if he doesn't defend his Australian Open title.
The Serb did little during the fall last year and, as mentioned, he could overtake Federer if he can outperform him over the next few weeks.
But after a fast start in Melbourne and Indian Wells early this season, Djokovic has accumulated points only slightly faster than Andy Murray. The gap between them starting from the Australian Open is about one Slam's worth. So Djokovic also needs to do better than Murray this fall if he wants to be sure of staying No. 3 after Melbourne.
THE WOMEN
1. How many players have a chance of ending the year at No. 1?
Theoretically, Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams, Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva, Ana Ivanovic, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Venus Williams, and Vera Zvonareva all have chances. Maria Sharapova would also be on the list if she were playing.
2. Who has a good chance?
Jankovic, Serena, and Safina.
Kuznetsova, Venus, and Zvonareva don't have enough events scheduled to have a chance of overtaking the top three. Either of them would need titles at Moscow, Zurich and Doha. Ivanovic is quite far back, and her recent results aren't cause for optimism. Dementieva is only a little better off, though she is in better form.
But Ivanovic, Dementieva, and Kuznetsova do have a chance of moving up to No. 3 if any of them has a good fall season.
3. What does Jankovic have to do to clinch?
Win the year-end championships in Doha, or win any other title plus one other good result. Beyond that, it depends on how others do. Taking each player's best 17 scores so far -- i.e. her guaranteed minimum points total at the end of the season -- Jankovic has about a 400-point lead on the competition.
4. What does Serena have to do?
Because she's not playing until Doha, Serena has to win the year-end championships and hope that Jankovic earns fewer than 350 points at Moscow, Zurich, and Doha. That's a very tall order -- in round numbers, all Jankovic needs is three semifinals to block her.
5. What does Safina have to do?
Safina is roughly tied with Serena, and she will be playing Moscow, so she currently looks like the main threat to Jankovic. A title at Moscow would effectively put her even with Jankovic, meaning that whoever does better at Doha would be the year-end No. 1.
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Post by davis on Oct 8, 2008 11:56:45 GMT 3
Sounds like fighting windmills, but who knows? http://www.tennis.com:The German tennis federation has announced that it will appeal the court decision made in its lawsuit against the ATP this summer. "We want to do everything to maintain the value of the tournament," said federation head Georg von Walendfels. "Our lawyers are of the view that the ruling could open the way for substantial damages." In August, a jury ruled that the ATP had the right to demote the Hamburg event to a '500 series' from its current Masters status starting next year. No damages were awarded to Hamburg. German officials also confirmed that Hamburg would remain on the calendar in some form, currently as a 500 series event two weeks after Wimbledon. |
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Post by justsafin on Oct 9, 2008 20:48:00 GMT 3
Australian Open increases prize money overall sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/news/story?id=3632349&campaign=rss&source=TENNISHeadlinesAssociated Press Updated: October 8, 2008, 12:38 PM ET MELBOURNE, Australia -- The 2009 Australian Open will offer $15.6 million in prize money, with the men's and women's singles winners receiving an 18 percent increase. Tournament officials said Wednesday the singles winners will receive about $1.15 million each based on current exchange rates. The Australian Open, the year's first Grand Slam event, will be held Jan. 19-Feb. 1. It will feature the prospect of Roger Federer winning his 14th major title to equal Pete Sampras' record. Federer lost in the semifinals at Melbourne Park to Novak Djokovic this year, then fell to Rafael Nadal in the final at the French Open and Wimbledon. Federer beat Andy Murray in the U.S. Open final for his 13th major. Djokovic and Maria Sharapova are the defending champions. The tournament is set for its first night women's final on Saturday, Jan. 30, following a move it made in 2005 to a night men's singles championship on the final Sunday. Tennis Australia chief executive Steve Wood said the tournament hopes to improve on this year's attendance figure of 605,000, which bettered the 2007 total of 550,000. "We think we're in great shape," he said. |
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Post by jenhatter06 on Oct 22, 2008 5:35:17 GMT 3
not really news, per se ... quirky article (was someone bored or something? ) Cars of the Tennis Starsby TAMARA WARREN, ForbesAutos.com Tennis star Ana Ivanovic doesn't have much time to drive, but that hasn't stopped Verano, the Serbian distributor of French automaker Peugeot, from sponsoring her. "Actually, my current car is the only one I've ever owned. I only passed my test two years ago," says the 20-year old Serb of the 2007 Peugeot 207 she got as part of the endorsement deal. Ivanovic spends most of the year traveling to tournaments, where she's whisked from place to place by a hired driver. When not on tour, she relishes every opportunity to get behind the wheel. "For me it's relaxing to just go out in my car and drive for an hour or so," Ivanovic says. "At home in Switzerland there is beautiful countryside, and it's the same in Belgrade. When I visit my family I sometimes drive near the rivers." Ivanovic is the top-ranked player on the WTA Tour. She's the ninth highest paid pro tennis player, according to Forbes.com's latest ranking of Tennis' Top Paid Stars, having pulled in $8 million in prize money and sponsorship fees over the past 12 months. All Money, No Time With millions in the bank and automakers lining up to sign sponsorship deals, getting cars isn't the problem for top tennis pros, it's finding time to drive them. "It's a young person's game," says Richard Pagliaro, editor of Tennis Week magazine. "When they first hit it big, they buy a nice car. The irony of tennis is that they play 11 months a year, and they train in December. A lot of them never get to use the cars." Ninth-ranked James Blake is a good example. He says he doesn't drive as much as he'd like, but he makes a point of getting out on the road when training at home in Bradenton, Fla. "I like to drive since I don't get to drive my cars so often. I'm traveling most of the time," he says. Blake owns a 2007 Porsche 911 Turbo, a 2007 Lincoln Navigator and a 2004 Cadillac Escalade. That's quite an improvement from his first car: a beat-up Toyota Celica handed down from his brother. "We both learned how to drive manual on it, so I think by the time I was done with it, the clutch was destroyed," he says. The Porsche 911 Turbo, with a starting price of more than $125,000, might seem extravagant, but considering that Blake has pulled in $7.5 million in prize money and sponsorships over the past 12 months, it actually shows some restraint on his part, what with quarter-million-dollar Bentleys and Ferraris within reach. "The Porsche reflects my personality, because it's my one fun little splurge," he says. "With that fun one, I wanted it to be fast, and the Turbo is pretty fast." That said, Blake drives the large Navigator SUV, not the Porsche, regularly. "My cars are mainly related to utility," Blake says. "I have the Escalade and the Navigator for when I need to take friends or a lot of stuff with me." Drive My Car, Please Automakers have long courted top professional tennis players and sponsored tournaments. Mercedes-Benz is the title sponsor of the ATP Tour, the men's tennis association. Lexus is the title sponsor of the US Open tournament, held from Aug. 25 to Sept. 7 in New York. The Porsche Tennis Grand Prix, a women's tournament held in Stuttgart, Germany, dates back to 1978. Tennis Hall of Famer Pam Shriver, who earned 21 singles titles and 112 doubles titles during her career, won the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in 1985 and took home a Porsche 911 Carrera Cabriolet with her victory. She didn't keep it, though. "It was a convertible. I was 6 foot 1. I didn't feel like there was room for my legs," Shriver says. Instead, she drove a BMW 7 Series, the company's largest sedan, while on the pro circuit. Now an ESPN commentator and mother of three, Shriver drives a 2005 Toyota Sienna minivan, which by her own admission won't cut it for many tennis hotshots. "The players are young, in their early 20s, and especially the guys want to get their sporty cars," Shriver says. "It really ranges from high performance cars to a lot of SUVs. The players who are Europe-based drive a smaller economic car. It depends on your culture and where you live." It could also depend on which manufacturer sponsors you. Maria Sharapova is the No. 6-ranked player on the WTA Tour and the second highest earner in pro tennis, pulling in $26 million over the last 12 months, thanks in large part to endorsement deals with high-end brands like Tiffany & Co., Tag Heuer and Land Rover. Two 2008 Range Rovers are part of her deal with the British automaker. "For some reason when I was younger, I always wanted to own a Land Rover. Many people had them at my tennis club," Sharapova says, who lives and trains in Bradenton. "I think I always loved their very distinct look. No other car looked like a Land Rover, and I loved that. After I won Wimbledon in 2004, I was lucky enough to build a relationship with Land Rover and in early 2005 we started an official partnership, and I got my wish of my very own Range Rover Supercharged." Kia sponsored Andre Agassi in the past. "Agassi was notorious for buying cars for friends and relatives," says Tennis Week's Pagliaro. "He was really big into sports cars. He's a family guy now, and he's got a hybrid." Now Kia has named Rafael Nadal, who is the top-ranked ATP Tour player and who pulled in $18 million in the last 12 months, its global brand ambassador through 2011. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz is among the sponsors that helped Roger Federer pull in the largest earnings — $35 million — in the past 12 months. Other players have been given cars from their sponsors, including Jennifer Capriati, who picked out a Ferrari 360 Modena in 2001 as a gift from her sponsor Fila when she was named the No. 1 player that year. Audi of Hungary sponsors Hungarian player Agnes Szavay, a self-proclaimed auto enthusiast who drives her white Audi A3 Cabriolet 2.0 TDI to European tournaments close to her home in Monte Carlo. "I love driving, but unfortunately I spend limited time at home so I rarely get a chance to enjoy my car," says 19-year-old Szavay, who was voted Women's Tennis Association Newcomer of the Year in 2007. "I got my driving license two years ago, and I think my driving improved a lot." Unlike Szavay, Jelena Jankovic says she is "not much of a car specialist." Hyundai Auto Beograd in Serbia sponsors the 23-year-old player, but she prefers to zip around in a 2008 Porsche 911. "My Porsche is fast, in good shape, and stylish — just like me," says the. Up-and-coming Jankovic, now ranked No. 2 on the WTA Tour, has her eyes on other sexy cars, too, and doesn't seem phased yet by time constraints. "I saw an Aston Martin that I really like," she says. "First I have to win a few more tournaments though." www.forbesautos.com/advice/toptens/cars-of-tennis-stars-story.html?partner=fadc_ss |
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Post by Annie on Nov 1, 2008 14:45:39 GMT 3
It gets more and more weird every year  |
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... they also have a little behind-the-scenes video, which - LMAO - one could say so many things, but where to start?? 
;D 
, but only them, really), It once again contains the veteran ATP model - Robredo (no offense to whoever is his fan, but the guy has a full time modelling career already - I don't even remember how he looks dressed!) and features Srichapan who hasn't been active - let alone successful - on the tour for ages.
Bercy might profit, though, with Shanghai being weeks before it and a decent break before the Season finale in London. Beijing and Tokyo can battle who gets the best players; tough competition.
