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Post by maratsmaiden on Nov 4, 2008 20:18:23 GMT 3
Thought this was interesting from James Blake... I have to say, I agree with him and Marat: James Blake feels ATP season is too long
After losing 6-4, 6-3 in the semi-final of the Paris Masters, American tennis star James Blake stated that the ATP schedule is too long and intense for players to compete at their best and stay healthy. Blake said:
“In this tournament, you see the top two players in the world getting injured - it couldn’t be a clearer signal that the year is too long. There’s too many mandatory events, too many times that we have to be playing,’ said the 28-year-old. ‘Look at baseball players, football players, basketball players, they have a real off-season. That’s why they’re playing into their 40s and we’re retiring at 30. It’s just tough on our body. When the top two players can’t make it through a season at 22 and 27 years old - the peak of their health - it’s saying something about the season.”
He spoke of both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, the world’s #1 and #2 players, respectively, pulling out of the tournament due to injury. Nadal retired after losing the first set, citing knee pain as his reason. Federer withdrew due to a sore back.
Blake isn’t the first player to criticize the intense ATP schedule, which is only set to get harder for the 2009 season. The 2008 season started on New Years Eve 2007 and runs through the Tennis Masters Cup, which begins on Nov. 9. Just a few days ago, tennis star Marat Safin  also talked about the jam packed schedule as he contemplated possible retirement.
Blake, who has been playing professionally since 1999, is currently ranked #11 in the world, and is the #2 American behind Andy Roddick. found this here: sports.rightpundits.com/?p=1269 |
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Post by Dina on Nov 13, 2008 16:59:32 GMT 3
Goodness! how lame is that excuse?
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Post by jenhatter06 on Dec 16, 2008 20:28:03 GMT 3
yeah, definitely want to make sure it works ....  ;D Wimbledon’s Centre Court roof tested in May WIMBLEDON, England (AP)—The first match under the new retractable roof of Wimbledon’s Centre Court will be played in May, almost two months before the Grand Slam tournament. Wimbledon will hold an event May 17 “to test the new roof and air conditioning system,” the All England Club said Tuesday in a statement. The sliding roof will help alleviate Wimbledon’s perennial rain delays. Tickets will be sold to the event, but details have yet to be announced. “We plan to recreate normal playing conditions,” Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said. The Daily Mail newspaper reported that four-time Wimbledon semifinalist Tim Henman, who retired in 2007, may take part in the opening event. The traditional roof overhang on Centre Court was removed after the 2006 tournament, leaving the grass surface more open to the elements in 2007. The overhang was back in 2008, along with 1,200 extra seats. The Wimbledon tournament will be held June 22-July 5. sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=AjfJirWadEJmp.7u9ZL3rHk4v7YF?slug=ap-wimbledon-roof&prov=ap&type=lgns |
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Post by yarina on Dec 17, 2008 13:49:16 GMT 3
Vazquez named Argentina captainArgentina have named little-known Modesto Vazquez as their new Davis Cup captain.Vazquez, 59, will replace Alberto Mancini, who led Argentina to the 2006 and 2008 finals where they lost away to Russia and at home to Spain respectively, the Argentina Tennis Association (AAT) said on its website. Ricardo Rivera will be his assistant. "We have chosen two professionals with a lot of experience and long careers in tennis," said Enrique Morea, president of the AAT. "It's an honour to count on Vazquez and Rivera. The AAT based its decision on the technical and leadership qualities of the two coaches. Vazquez, currently the AAT's development director, played two Davis Cup ties for Argentina, in 1968 and 1970. Guillermo Vilas and Martin Jaite had been seen as the other candidates for the job. Argentina lost 3-1 to Spain last month even though the visitors were missing world number one Rafael Nadal through injury. Their shock defeat came amid reports of rifts in the team. Mancini had announced beforehand that he would quit at the end of the year. Reuters uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/16122008/58/davis-cup-vazquez-named-argentina-captain.html
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Post by jenhatter06 on Dec 17, 2008 23:48:05 GMT 3
Rafael Nadal, Jelena Jankovic honored by ITF LONDON (AP)—Top-ranked Rafael Nadal and Jelena Jankovic were honored Wednesday as the International Tennis Federation’s world champions of 2008. Nadal, who overtook Roger Federer at the top of the men’s rankings shortly after beating the Swiss star in the Wimbledon final, is the first Spanish man to receive the honor. “It has been an incredible year for me and I will never forget all that’s happened,” said Nadal, who also won his fourth straight French Open title in 2008, beating Federer in the final at Roland Garros for the third year in a row. “To finish the year ranked No. 1 was really special.” The 22-year-old also won the Olympic gold medal in Beijing and helped Spain reach the Davis Cup final, where the European team beat Argentina despite the absence of the injured Nadal. “It has been a wonderful year for Spanish sport, and I am happy to have been part of it,” Nadal said. The only other Spaniard to have won the ITF award is Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario. She claimed the women’s honor in 1994. Jankovic finished the year as the top-ranked women’s player despite failing to win a Grand Slam title in 2008—she lost in the U.S. Open final to Serena Williams. But the 23-year-old Serb still managed to win more matches than any other player on tour, and claimed WTA titles in Rome, Beijing, Stuttgart and Moscow. “I worked really hard this year and to finish No. 1 is where I want to be and where I want to stay,” Jankovic said. The ITF selects its world champions based on a system that includes results from the ATP and WTA tours, along with Grand Slams, Olympics and the Davis Cup and Fed Cup. “Both (Nadal and Jankovic) are excellent ambassadors for their countries, for whom they have achieved considerable success both as individuals and in the ITF team competitions,” ITF president Francesco Ricci Bitti said. In men’s doubles, Daniel Nestor of Canada and Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia were named ITF World Champions. Cara Black of Zimbabwe and Liezel Huber of the United States took the award for women’s doubles. The ITF Junior World Champion honors went to French Open boys champion Yang Tsung-hua of Taiwan and Wimbledon girls finalist Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand. Shingo Kunieda of Japan and Esther Vergeer of the Netherlands took the ITF Wheelchair World Champion honors. The players will receive their awards at the ITF World Champions Dinner on June 2 in Paris. sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=AtDGFcBitKWynsRPx40TIME4v7YF?slug=ap-itfworldchampions&prov=ap&type=lgns
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Post by jenhatter06 on Dec 17, 2008 23:52:43 GMT 3
ATP Unveils 2009 Feel It Advertising Campaign  London, UK. – The ATP, governing body of the men’s professional tennis circuit, today unveiled the latest evolution of its advertising campaign - FEEL IT. Now in its second year, the multimillion dollar campaign, will again feature ATP World Tour stars including Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Novak Djokovic, Andy Roddick, Andy Murray and James Blake, showcasing the sport’s core values as a one-on-one gladiatorial battle of world class athletes, full of intensity and passion. Created as a flexible and adaptable central resource that can be utilised in any of the ATP’s 63 tournament markets, the campaign has been specifically designed to include any player featured on the ATP World Tour and is part of a global marketing initiative in 2009. The 2009 version of FEEL IT will focus on bringing to life the unique global aspect of the ATP World Tour. The evolution of the campaign will position ATP World Tour stars like Rafael Nadal as titans of the sport; playing tennis that is ‘out of this world’. The new execution will bring to life many of the amazing locations of the ATP World Tour and will focus on communicating the ultimate goal of the season, to become the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion. Rafael Nadal, World No 1, said: "I like the new ATP advertising campaign. They have done a great job with this since it is cool and spectacular and although I consider myself someone very down to Earth it is funny to see us up there playing with the stars. I hope this campaign helps bring more attention, new people and fans to the tennis tournaments. I understand this is the goal and I am sure we will make it happen." The FEEL IT campaign, featuring a full suite of above and below the line executions including TV spots, billboards, online banners, virals, merchandise, fan giveaways and PR stunts, has proved to be a huge success in 2008 with ATP World Tour tournaments around the world using the campaign for advertising and promotional purposes. FEEL IT is one part of a global marketing overhaul for the ATP which also includes a full rebrand of the Tour, a new online approach and a global promotional campaign designed to better promote the sport globally and broaden the appeal of men’s professional tennis by making it easier for fans to follow. The changes have been made following two years of extensive and independent, global research of over 20,000 fans at all levels of tennis interest.  From January 2009 the Tour’s name and logo will change to ATP World Tour to reflect the unique, global nature of the men’s professional tennis circuit. In addition the tournament categories will be renamed to reflect the importance of the particular event. There will be three tiers of events: • ATP World Tour Masters 1000 • ATP World Tour 500 • ATP World Tour 250  The new category names reflect the number of South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings points available to the tournament winner and at a stroke help fans better understand how tournaments relate to each other and to the ranking table. At the end of the season the world’s top 8 ranked men’s singles players and 8 doubles teams, based on their performance throughout the year, will qualify to compete in the season’s climax - the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. To be held at London’s O2 arena, the event will officially crown the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion and determine the final 2009 player standings. To support and communicate these exciting changes to players, sponsors, media and fans, the ATP has developed a new, strong and distinctive ATP World Tour approach that will bring all 63 tournaments in 31 countries under one, exciting and accessible overarching brand. The logo, along with the respective tournament category will, for the first time, be included on the net at every ATP World Tour event from early 2009 as an easy way for fans at home to understand the new brand. Phil Anderton, ATP Chief Marketing Officer, said: “When over 60% of fans tell you that they do not understand how your Tour works, then changes are needed. We are the world’s most global sporting circuit, attracting millions of fans, but it is clear that we can still achieve much more for men’s professional tennis. The marketing strategy announced today will help us to do just that by establishing a new, simplified, tour structure that tells the best story of our global tour: the best players, playing in the best stadia in the best territories at the right time. The ATP World Tour is undergoing huge change from next season, but it is change that will help unlock the huge potential within men’s professional tennis.” www.atptennis.com/1/en/2008news/feelit_world.asp
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Post by SAFINNO1 on Dec 20, 2008 21:43:40 GMT 3
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Post by jenhatter06 on Dec 24, 2008 5:47:40 GMT 3
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Post by jenhatter06 on Jan 5, 2009 2:57:55 GMT 3
Photo Op!  Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer helped launch the 2009 ATP World Tour in spectacular fashion on Sunday with a unique game of tennis aboard a traditional Arabian Dhow in Doha Bay. On a specially designed onboard court floating in the Persian Gulf, the special match, between the world's two best players, also marked the start of the year-long race to crown the official 2009 ATP World Tour Champion. It was the pair's first meeting since the Wimbledon final in July last year. Nadal and Federer are the top two seeds at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open 2009 played in Doha from January 5-10. |
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Post by jenhatter06 on Jan 5, 2009 3:07:16 GMT 3
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Post by luxsword on Jan 9, 2009 20:49:17 GMT 3
Steve Tignor  Always a good read.  |
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Post by lau on Jan 10, 2009 21:16:36 GMT 3
I know I´m awfully belated but that just looks terrible. I thought this was a pretty interesting read - and I'll be curious to see how well these gentlemen will really do in 2009. Me too |
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Post by yarina on Jan 12, 2009 20:07:08 GMT 3
ATP announces its new chairman: ATP Appoints Adam HelfantLondon, UK - The ATP, governing body of the men's professional tennis circuit, today announces the appointment of Adam Helfant as ATP Executive Chairman and President. Mr Helfant, 44, will begin his role with the ATP immediately and will be based in London. Mr. Helfant, an MIT and Harvard Law graduate, brings a wealth of global sports, business and legal experience following 12 years as a senior executive with NIKE, three years with the National Hockey League (NHL) as an attorney and four years as an associate at the international law firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. Most recently he served as NIKE’s corporate Vice President, Global Sports Marketing a role in which he was responsible for NIKE’s relationships and contracts with athletes, clubs, teams, universities and sports governing bodies throughout the world. Previous to that, he held a number of senior roles at NIKE including Director of Global Sports Marketing and Vice President of U.S. Sports Marketing. Adam Helfant, ATP Executive Chairman and President, said: “There is no doubt that men’s professional tennis is one of the world’s most popular sports and, as a lifelong fan, it is a great honour to have been given the opportunity to take the helm at such an exciting time for the ATP. The ATP World Tour is a truly global sporting event, featuring some of the world’s best athletes and followed by millions of the most dedicated sports fans and I could not be more excited about being its new Executive Chairman.” ATP Tournament Board Representative Graham Pearce said: “We are delighted to welcome Adam to the ATP as our new Executive Chairman. Adam is widely acknowledged as one of the most talented executives in world sport, with exceptional sports, business and legal experience. The ATP Board believes it has secured a new leader with the necessary strategic vision, operational strength and international perspective to lead the ATP World Tour.” ATP Player Board representative, Ivan Ljubicic, said: “I am delighted, on behalf of the players, to be able to welcome Adam to the ATP. It was our intention as a Board to recruit a world class Executive Chairman and in Adam we are delighted and excited to have achieved just that. Adam has outstanding experience of working at the very top of world sport and business and is extremely well qualified to take the ATP World Tour to the next level of its development.” www.atpworldtour.com/1/EN/NEWS/NEWSARTICLE_1762.ASP |
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Post by ignacita on Jan 14, 2009 21:19:45 GMT 3
German Open cancelled, says WTALONDON (Reuters) - The German Open women's tournament in Berlin has been canceled, the WTA said on Wednesday. "The tournament won't be on the 2009 calendar but the tournament being scrapped has nothing to do with the global credit crunch," a WTA spokeswoman said. "The Qatar Tennis Federation, owner of the Berlin tournament membership, has made the decision that they no longer wish to operate the German Open in Berlin and to sell the membership back to the Tour." The claycourt event usually takes place in May and has been one of the traditional warm-up tournaments for the French Open. The German Open was bought by the Qatar Tennis Federation (QTF) to boost the image of the country in Europe. During the tournament, programs and exhibitions used to take place to promote sports tourism in Qatar. Although the deal was supposed to run until 2009, a change in administration at the QTF meant the new management team chose to end the agreement immediately. "The new committee... feel that all our efforts should be focused on the two tournament we host in Doha," a source close to the QTF administration told Reuters. "It has nothing to do with the global economic crisis or the falling oil prices." Following the restructuring of the WTA calendar this year, the tournament had been classed as one of the tour's 'premier' events with a $600,000 prize fund but was pushed back from its usual slot by two weeks. As a result of Wednesday's announcement, the WTA has to plug a hole in its schedule in the week before the start of the season's second grand slam. ONGOING NEGOTIATIONS "Negotiations are on going to see if another tournament will fill in the gap left on the WTA calendar for the week beginning 18 May," the spokeswoman added. Since most of the top professionals opt not to play competitively in the week leading up to a major, the cancellation may have been prompted by the tournament's difficulty in attracting the big names. "This is indeed a very sad fact. I have the confirmation by the WTA," Josef Minderjahn, President of the LTTC Rot-Weiss Berlin club hosting the tournament, told German sports news service SID of the tournament's cancellation. "I am deeply disappointed. You can not go about it like that, without informing your contractual partner," he said. "This is a very strange way. I have asked the Qatari federation for a discussion." The news would have been a big blow to the German tennis officials as it had been the most high-profile tennis event left on its patch following the ATP's decision to downgrade the Hamburg men's competition from its top tier status this year. Qatar also holds stakes in other sporting events in Europe as they have ambitions to host major events including the Olympics and the soccer World Cup. www.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idUSTRE50D3ZI20090114?pageNumber=1&virtualBrandChannel=0
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Post by jenhatter06 on Feb 25, 2009 4:20:01 GMT 3
Fun times to come - Woot! ;D Agassi, Graf, Clijsters And Henman Set For A Centre Court CelebrationThe All England Club, Wimbledon, announced on Tuesday that a star line-up of Andre Agassi, Stefanie Graf, Kim Clijsters and Tim Henman will become the first to play tennis under the new Centre Court roof as part of its A Centre Court Celebration event on Sunday May 17, 2009. The event is designed to test the new roof and air management system with live tennis in front of a capacity crowd of 15,000. The programme will feature a men’s singles, a ladies’ singles and a mixed doubles match all played to the pro set format – the first to eight games, with a tie-break at 8-8. The exact order of play will be confirmed nearer the time. Tickets priced at £35.00 each will go on general sale via Ticketmaster and 0844 847 2481 at 10.00am on Thursday March 12, 2009. There will be no on-day sales at the turnstiles. Ian Ritchie, Chief Executive of the All England Club, said: “We set out to make Wimbledon the world’s premier tennis event. The new retractable Centre Court roof, and air management system, is another important part of The Championships’ progression and will guarantee the play that today’s audiences expect. “Though this project has been a sophisticated engineering feat, we always wanted to capture the essence of Wimbledon’s history and tradition in a new, modern Centre Court which itself would still be celebrated as the stage of some of the most memorable moments in tennis. “With players of the calibre of Agassi, Graf, Clijsters and Henman this test event promises to be hugely entertaining. Brilliant players, great tennis, an iconic venue and the chance to be part of Wimbledon history – what more could one want?” The 1992 Wimbledon champion Andre Agassi said: “I am honoured to be invited by the All England Club to take part in this landmark occasion. I have great memories of playing at Wimbledon and to be amongst the first to play under the new Centre Court roof is really exciting.” Stefanie Graf commented: "There is no tennis venue more special to me than Centre Court at Wimbledon. It just doesn't get any better. I couldn't be more honoured to play there again with my husband Andre, and tennis greats Kim and Tim. It will mean so much to return to Wimbledon and see so many familiar places, relive so many wonderful memories." Four-time Wimbledon semi-finalist Tim Henman said: “Wimbledon’s Centre Court was always a special place for me and it’s just great to have the chance to play there again with the likes of Andre, Steffi and Kim. I think it will be a really fun day for everyone and the new roof is going to make it a fascinating experience.” Kim Clijsters said: “To be asked to be part of this unique event with Andre and Steffi and Tim is very exciting and a real privilege. It has been ten years since I played Steffi at Wimbledon. My first and only match against her in my career. It was quite an experience. I was very nervous to play against my idol and because of the rain the match took two days to finish. The new roof will prevent that this time around.” www.atpworldtour.com/tennis/1/en/news/newsarticle_2337.asp |
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also talked about the jam packed schedule as he contemplated possible retirement.
;D
Always a good read. 
