Amanda Anisimova, 7-year-old tennis player on path to success at Orange Bowl
Amanda Anisimova is 7 and weighs only 60 pounds, but she's No. 27 in the USTA's girls' 10-and-under rankings in Florida.

http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/story/815871.html

Цитата из этой статьи:

Amanda asked for a Sharapova poster for Christmas and said she hopes to one day compete against the Russian beauty.

куда уж больше то? итак, прохода нет

Не волнуйтесь, такого количества, как россиянок и чешек у женщин и испанцев с французами у мужчин, никогда не будет. Из ныне неизвестных максимум двое могут что-то сделать в ближайшие года 3-4. Йовановски у девушек и Крайинович у мужчин.

Плюс могут продвинуться в рейтинге Типсаревич и Троицки, которые уже и так в сотне.

призрак Горана витает над Аной

Больше сербов хороших и разных айде единоверцы
Я слышал, что у Виктора русские корни. Borislove, Вы не знаете, правда или нет?

Правда. То ли бабушка с дедушкой, то ли прабабушка с прадедушкой эмигранты из России в начале 20 века.

Borislove,

еще аргов в атп многовато бывает, особенно по весне на грунте. аки грибы вырастают и соревнуются, ктож выдержит самый длинный, нудный однообразный обмен ударами на задней линии

By Joel Drucker
Special to ESPN.com


Here's my list of the top 10 players of 2008 (both men and women):
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/co...&id=3747617

Here are the top 10 competitive moments of the 2008 tennis season:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/co...&id=3770585

Here are the top 10 delights of this past season:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/co...&id=3773105

Here are the top 10 disappointments of the 2008 tennis season:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/co...&id=3772919

By Kamakshi Tandon
Here are the highlights from a season with plenty of verbal sparring:
http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/co...&id=3777652

Сербские звёзды куют миллионы

Журнал "Форбс" провёл исследование благосостояния звёзд тенниса, которые являются одними из самых богатых людей в мире профессионального спорта. Так, по информации финансового таблоида, известный швейцарский теннисист Роджер Федерер за прошедшие 12 месяцев заработал $ 35 млн только на одних спонсорских контрактах. Вторую позицию в этом списке заняла Мария Шарапова, увеличившая свой банковский счёт на $ 26 млн, несмотря на почти полугодовое отсутствие на соревнованиях из-за травмы. 21-летний сербский теннисист Новак Джокович занял восьмое место в этом рейтинге с $ 9,5 млн, опередив свою соотечественницу Ану Иванович, которая в минувшем году заработала около $ 8 млн.

Если учитывать почти $ 5,7 млн призовых денег, заработанных Новаком на турнирах, и соответственно упомянутые спонсорские $ 9,5 млн, общий доход спортсмена в сезоне-2008 составил более $ 15 млн. В 21 год серб уже способен собирать самые спелые плоды своей профессии, связав собственную жизнь исключительно с теннисом. Семья Джоковича, впрочем, тоже не прочь извлечь выгоду из славы своего золотого мальчика – родные Новака уже договорились о проведении в следующем году первого в Сербии турнира ATP. Кроме того, они хотят построить в своей стране грандиозную теннисную академию вдобавок к уже имеющимся развивающимся предприятиям. К ресторану на горе Копаоник присоединился самый последний рекламный проект Джоковичей: клуб с удобным названием "Новак". Надо заметить, сербский теннисист осуществил немало сделок в прошлом году, заработав, по неофициальной информации, на последней – рекламе сети хорватских ресторанов Idia – около € 300 тыс. В списке спонсоров Новака значатся такие организации, как BMW Serbia, Hypo Alpe Adria Bank, отчисляющий Джоковичу € 200 тыс. ежегодно, а также вода Gala и мобильный оператор "Телеком-Сербия" – контракты с каждой из этих компаний приносят теннисисту по € 300 тыс. в год. Триумфатор Australian Open 2008 года также является лицом торговой марки Adidas, впервые объявившей о разработке эксклюзивного дизайна теннисных ракеток специально для Джоковича. Контракт же с известным производителем ракеток Wilson скоро истечёт, потому компании Head и Babolat уже выдвинули свои предложения теннисисту на $ 4,5 млн.

Ана Иванович зарабатывает огромные суммы благодаря большим спонсорским сделкам и ТВ-рекламе для некоторых крупных компаний. Достигнув своей славы благодаря победе на "Ролан Гаррос" и статусу первой ракетки мира, Иванович оказалась настоящим магнитом для различных фирм, настойчиво пытающихся использовать её лицо и имя в собственных интересах. Таким образом, Иванович подписала четырёхлетний контракт с крупным производителем ракеток Yonex, который теперь размещает имя известной теннисистки на своей продукции. Помимо этого, Ана получила дополнительно $ 10 млн благодаря завоеванию звания первой ракетки мира. Причём, по сообщениям телеканала CNBC, Иванович получит такую же сумму, если сможет удержать первое место в рейтинге WTA в течение двух ближайших лет. Кроме того, теннисистка получит астрономическую сумму от марки Adidas, в случае если подпишет с немецким лидером производства спортивной одежды контракт до конца своей карьеры. Эта сделка представляет собой чрезвычайно прибыльное предприятие, которое Иванович на своём официальном сайте уже успела окрестить "самой крупной сделкой с момента ухода Штеффи Граф из большого тенниса". Иванович также побила рекорд стоимости спонсорского соглашения в Сербии, подписав с автомобильным дилером Verano Motors контракт на сумму, приблизительно равную $ 3 млн.

Согласно оценкам американских экспертов, Иванович могла бы заработать $ 100 млн за следующее 10 лет, однако подобный сценарий маловероятен, ибо для достижения данной цели теннисистке необходимо всё это время оставаться первой ракеткой мира и выигрывать все крупные турниры. Но в случае выполнения программы-минимум за сезон годовой доход сербской спортсменки в среднем составляет $ 3,5 млн, хотя сумма бонусов могла бы увеличиться с $ 5,5 млн до $ 6 млн. В это время ряд крупных компаний ждут результатов переговоров с Иванович, дабы скорее подписать контракты с теннисисткой. Для сравнения, американская теннисистка Серена Уильямс зарабатывает максимальные $ 56 млн от пятилетнего соглашения с компанией Nike, при этом не являясь № 1 в мире, что вынуждает крупнейшего производителя спортивной одежды заниматься активным поиском других привлекательных лиц для своей марки. Ана же неожиданно завоевала и азиатский рынок, моментально получив заманчивые предложения от Li Ning, Peak и Anta о взаимном сотрудничестве. Теннис является вторым по популярности видом спорта среди китайской молодёжи. Согласно оценкам министерства спорта страны, около 2 млн человек в Китае по крайней мере два раза в неделю играют в теннис, а в 2010 году, в соответствии с ожиданиями этого ведомства, данный вид спорта предпочтут уже 6 млн человек, что свидетельствует о хороших финансовых перспективах Аны.

Спонсоры и агенты теннисистов уделяют колоссальное внимание любым мелочам. Так, платье Елены Янкович для матчей в Майами по настойчивым просьбам её германских дизайнеров было укорочено на пять сантиметров. Конечно же, Янкович прекрасно осведомлена о значении внешнего вида для профессиональной теннисистки, поэтому всегда старается выглядеть во время очередного выхода на теннисный корт как можно более обаятельной. У Янкович подписано спонсорское соглашение с компанией Reebook, и в соответствии с контрактом её платья не должны быть похожи на одежду других представительниц этой фирмы на корте. Подобно звёздам NBA, она выступает в кроссовках своего производителя Jelena J, на которых также имеется небольшое сердце – торговая марка компании Янкович. Точные копии юбок теннисистки распродаются в мгновение ока, не успев заполонить прилавки спортивных магазинов, в то время как кроссовки не реализуются в розницу и зачастую являются недосягаемым объектом для поклонников Елены. Сумма же двухлетнего контракта Янкович и Nike нераскрыта и по сей день, но, согласно предположениям специалистов, данная цифра значительно уступает деньгам Амели Моресмо, которые француженка заработала в период своего сотрудничества с британским производителем одежды. По неофициальной информации, Янкович также подпишет новый контракт с производителем теннисных ракеток Prince на более выгодных условиях. Соглашение Елены и автомобильной компании Hyundai уже истекло, в то время как рекламные договоры с организацией по производству воды Aqua Viva всё ещё действуют. Кроме того, одна из самых привлекательных теннисисток мира является объектом притязаний организаторов модных показов, включая известного дизайнера Роберто Кавалли, который не скрывает своего желания лицезреть облачённую в одежду своей марки Елену Янкович. Причём это желание взаимно.

Статья

Serena and the Swiss master
Samantha Lane December 19, 2008

THANK our lucky tennis balls Serena Williams is still pencilled in for the Australian Open, because whether she's complaining about a "God-dang watch" or talking up the usefulness of necklaces that hold lip gloss, there is never a dull moment when she's around.

As you can see here, the fancy dress Halloween bash she attended was a corker. While Nicky Hilton, the socialite sister of another notorious socialite, went for a Snow White look, Miss Williams, ever the cutting-edge fashionista, was a hybrid of Great Gatsby and Aerobics Oz Style. And it seems there was more to her look than meets the eye.

After the Halloween party, Williams laid it bare on her blog that she is an unabashed fan of Roger Federer. And the cardigan part of her costume was a treasured gift from the Swiss tennis genius.

This info has taken a bit of hunting down because after publishing the happy snap and some descriptive text on her blog, the item mysteriously disappeared. But with a bit of elbow grease we've retrieved it, and this is what Serena said:

"Can u guess who I am dressed as???" she asked her online fan club. "If you said Roger Federer . . . you are correct! I love him and he's my fav player!!! Being a big fan of Roger (and playing tennis has its perks). Roger gave me one of his Wimbledon Sweaters! I was so ecstatic when he gave it to me, I did not know what I was gonna do . . ."

Her conversational debrief continued . . . (we have kept capitalisation, grammar and acronyms just as they appeared)

". . . for Halloween day I got invited to this party and I HAD to dress up and.... Well..... Let's just say I hope he's not mad with what I did to his sweater. It kept me super warm all night and I of course still have it, and will forever cherish it.... And the memories I had wearing it. Lol

"I hope he doesn't see these pics and say "I'm never giving her my Line again!" Hahaaaha we will see......

"Anyways- Let me know what you think!!!

Ttys

Xxx

S"

FYI readers: TTYS = talk to you soon; LOL = laugh out loud; FYI = for your information; Serena = wild

Vegas Out of Davis Cup Running
Birmingham and San Antonio Appear to be Finalists
Plus: Kantarian to NFL? Serena’s ‘Injury’, Tomic, Davenport
By Matthew Cronin, TennisReporters.net

Roddick is pushing San Antonio. Las Vegas’ bid to host the March 6-8 Davis Cup tie between the US and Switzerland, has been rejected, a source told TennisReporters.net. While Greenville, S.C.’s name is still being bandied about, Birmingham, Ala. and San Antonio are said to be the two frontrunners.

Birmingham has put in an impressive bid and while San Antonio is a larger city with a more attractive facility (the Alamodome), but the Roddick family’s last minute bid isn’t believed to be well organized and they may have to re-work it.

Outgoing CEO of Pro Tennis Arlen Kantarian is said to be in the running for a job at his old haunts – the NFL, either with the league or with a team. … How absurd is it that Serena Williams pulled out of the Hopman Cup with a hamstring injury the same week in which she’s playing three exhibitions in the South? … Serena was replaced by Meghann Shaughnessy whom many thought had already retire. … Lindsay Davenport entered the Australian Open, which must mean she’s hitting again. Hopefully, she won’t draw Maria Sharapova in the second round again. … France has named the ultra-cool hippie, Nicolas Escude, as its new Fed Cup captain. … We are big Sania Mirza fans on a personal level, but she went a little overboard propping herself when it was announced that the University of Chennai will give her an honorary doctorate. Here’s Sania: "I was a very good student early on. I used to average 90 plus. I loved languages; I was good at math, too. I went to regular school till the 12th standard. I got a first class in the 10th and 12th standards despite studying for only a month before my exams."

As the Aussie Open gets closer and closer, the stories get more and more intriguing. The hard-working Courtney Walsh did an interview with the outspoken Australian coach Roger Rasheed, who tutors Bernard Tomic and who is one of the lead commentators on Channel 7, who said that Tennis Australia should consider cutting ties with Bernard Tomic if problems persist with either the teenager or his father, John. Last week in Perth, Tomic, walked from the court at the alleged insistence of his father, who was angry with what he said was biased umpiring.

"I think you have got to put a firm hand on their situation, on Bernard and his father, because it is a little bit out of control," Rasheed told the Australian. "What happened over in Perth, that is not on in our game." Tennis Australia has to show their hand here and actually put a firm standing and say, 'Bernard, you know what? We are not going to give you the rewards that we are giving you now because this has got to change'. If they don't do that now, I don't think his environment will change. They will continue to put the demands and hold the gun to the people that are looking after them. From Tennis Australia's perspective, it is very hard to take control of a family and say this is what you can and can't do with your child. But what you can do is say, 'You know what? We can't be involved with this situation' This is how we play the game, this comes under our code of conduct and we can't show this message to the other kids going round Australia, that we are prepared to accept this type of behavior'."

It’s nice to see Jelena Dokic working hard again, but its seems like the same old story year after year: she’s puts in a strident effort Down Under, falls short, and then disappears until December.

The USTA and TIA announced that tennis participation throughout the United States continued its growth in 08, with more players (nearly 26.9 million) taking to the court this year than at any time in the past 15 years. The TIA/USTA study showed total player participation grew by more than 7% from the previous year, continuing a trend that has shown a nearly 12% increase over the five-year period beginning in 2003 (24 million). In addition, total play occasions increased by more than 13% to 603 million over the past year, up from 533 million in 2007 and a jump of close to 33% from five years ago (454 million).

InsideOut Sports & Entertainment continues to add to its Outback Champions Series, and in ’09, will add two new events in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. Four of the nine events will be held outside of the US.

While Vegas is out of the DC running, there always something happening in Nevada’s most notorious city. On Sunday, Dec. 14, Bob & Mike Bryan will host an after party for Camp Bryan at LAVO, and guess what wild and crazy La Vegans, according to the press release, “The public is encouraged to attend, and regular cover charges for LAVO apply: local ladies are always free, out-of-state ladies are $20 and all gentlemen are $30.”

© TennisReporters.net 2008

Despite Top Ranking, Jelena Jankovic Finishes Just Short

By Tripp Mateschitz, Lawn Tennis Correspondent, Posted: Tuesday, December 23, 2008 5:04pm PST USA

http://www.lawntennismag.com/news2008/dece...tour-23001.html

12 Days of Tennis
by Matt Cronin, Zack Pierce and Brian Webber, FOXSports.com

Welcome to the 12 Days of Tennis. Each day between Dec. 21 and Jan. 1, FOXSports.com tennis personalities Matt Cronin, Zack Pierce and Brian Webber will tackle a new topic from the year in our sport.

On the first day of tennis, we ask...

What was the biggest disappointment of 2008?

Cronin: Nicole Vaidisova.
Pierce: Andy Roddick and James Blake at the Slams.
Webber: Marcos Baghdatis.

On the second day of tennis, we ask...

What was the best off-the-court news story of 2008?

Pierce: Boris Becker getting dumped via text message. It happens to the best of us, but Boris Becker? The 41-year-old tennis legend said his 26-year-old girlfriend Sandy Meyer-Woelden "trampled on my soul" when she dismissed the relationship with a few keystrokes on the cell phone.
Webber: Boris Becker probably wishes he didn't have unlimited text messaging on his cell phone plan after being dumped that way in November. The six-time Grand Slam singles champion continues to remind us that the tennis court isn't the only place in which love can mean nothing.
Cronin: Beverly Hills resident Ashley Harkleroad received about $250,000 to become the first tennis player to pose naked for Playboy, nearly a quarter of her career prize money to date.

On the third day of tennis, we ask...

Who had the most volatile year?

Webber: Maria Sharapova.
Cronin: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.
Pierce: Ana Ivanovic.


http://msn.foxsports.com/tennis/story/8961...t-volatile-year


On the fourth day of tennis, we ask...

Who is Santa Claus coming for in 2009?

Cronin: On the men's side, it's surely the surly Scot, Andy Murray;
On the women's side, 18-year-old Caroline Wozniacki
Pierce: Juan Martin del Potro
Webber: Marin Cilic

пример как новые правила Тура действуют - стимулируют организаторам увеличить призовых, чтобы получили право иметь больше ТОП 10 теннисисток...

TENNIS: Efforts to lure Jelena, Ana to KL

WORLD No 1 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia and a host of other big names are expected to compete in the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour Malaysia Open on Feb 23-March 1.
A makeshift tennis stadium will be erected at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian Club (BKEC) in Hartamas for the Tier Three WTA event.

The organisers are trying to raise the total prize money from USS225,000 (RM780,817) to US$400,000 to attract top names for the hard court tournament.

The local organiser managed to outbid 16 other countries for the WTA Tour event about a month ago.

Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) president Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff said the Malaysia Open will consist singles and doubles.
"The singles will be a draw of 32 players while the doubles will involve 16 pairs," said Abdul Razak said yesterday.

"The makeshift tennis centre at BKEC will consists one centre count in addition to two tournament courts. There will also be two practice courts."

"The tournament will have two players currently in the top-10 bracket of the women's rankings. The local organisers are negotiating with Jelena and it looks like she will likely compete here.

"The other top player will also be an European."

He said the other European player will likely be either Russia's Dinara Safina, the world No 3, or Serbia's Ana Ivanovic.

The WTA is offering three wild cards to Malaysia. LTAM will decide later on whether to offer the cards to local players or foreigners.

One is on offer for the the main draw and the other two for the qualifying round.

http://www.nst.com.my/Current_News/NST/Wed...icle/index_html

Academy Awards: And the 2008 Tennis Oscar Goes to...

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/96097-a...s-oscar-goes-to

Women's review 2008
Graeme Mair takes a look back at the last 12 months on the WTA Tour

Player of the year - Serena Williams
Rising star - Caroline Wozniacki
Most improved - Dinara Safina
Comeback - Venus Williams
Best performance - Ana Ivanovic at French Open
Match of the year - Ana Ivanovic v Jelena Jankovic, French Open semi-final
Low point - Justine Henin's premature retirement

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,12111_4687879,00.html

this is nuts... надо уж было тогда и игроком года Иванович называть, чего уж там. да и "мост импрувд" заодно.

Stars are pawns in summer-long PR war

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story...97-2722,00.html

Top 15 Matches Of Tennis 2008

I. Novak Djokovic v/s Roger Federer [Oz Open SF]
II. Novak Djokovic v/s Jo-Wilfred Tsonga [Oz Open Finals]
III. Maria Sharapova v/s Ana Ivanovic [Oz Open Finals]
IV. Maria Sharapova v/s Dinara Safina [RG fourth rd]
V. Roger Federer v/s Rafael Nadal [RG Finals]
VI. Marat Safin v/s Novak Djokovic [Wimbledon Second rd]
VII. Zheng Zie v/s Ana Ivanovic [Wimbledon fourth rd]
VIII. Marat Safin v/s Roger Federer [Wimbledon SF]
IX. Roger Federer v/s Rafael Nadal [ Wimbledon Finals]
X. Roger Federer/ Stan Wawrinka v/s Thomas Johansson/ Simon Aspelin [Olympic Doubles Gold Medal]
XI. Rafael Nadal v/s Fernando Gonzalez [Olympic Singles Gold Medal]
XII. Andy Roddick v/s Novak Djokovic [US Open QF]
XIII. Serena Williams v/s Venus Williams [ US Open QF]
XIV. Andy Murray v/s Rafael Nadal [US Open SF]
XV. Roger Federer v/s Andy Murray [US Open Finals]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/97489-t...nis-2008/page/3

Крайне странный список...

Я вот тоже удивился. Наверно, это просто личные пристрастия автора...

Prize pot serves up backhander to women players in Brisbane International
By Paul Malone
December 30, 2008

FEMALE players at the Brisbane International will be paid less than half the prizemoney provided for their male counterparts.

Under prizemoney levels newly sanctioned by the ATP men's tour and the WTA women's tour, the men at the Queensland Tennis Centre next week will split $US484,000 ($708,000) between them and the women have a $US225,000 ($329,000) purse.

Both fields are 32-player draws and will be played over a best-of-three set format.
..................
"I don't think there would be too many (combined men's and women's tournaments) where they would be paid the same. Sydney (which starts on January 11) is the other way around - the women's tournament has higher prizemoney than the men."
Brisbane has entries from five top-20 men and three women ranked in the top 20

http://www.foxsports.com.au/story/0,8659,2...7-23216,00.html

Wejnert set to claim prize tennis scalps

David Lewis
December 30th, 2008

WIMBLEDON champion turned tennis mentor Pat Cash is convinced Gold Coast prospect Monika Wejnert is ready to claim prize scalps when she makes her debut on the main stage at the Brisbane International this weekend.
...........

http://www.goldcoast.com.au/article/2008/1...oast-sport.html

Повестка дня
Или Немного о том, что нас ждет на кортах мира в 2009 году.

http://news.sport-express.ru/online/ntext/27/nl276754.html

Любопытное исследование опубликовано институтом Гэллапа

http://www.gallup.com/poll/113503/Football...rite-Sport.aspx

В США теннис на 9-м месте - всего 1%

Интересно, где он в России?

WTA Tour - Zheng leaves state-run tennis association
Eurosport - Wed, 31 Dec 11:45:00 2008

Wimbledon semi-finalist Zheng Jie has said she is relishing her new freedom after being allowed to leave China's rigid state-run sporting system and keep more of her earnings.

More StoriesSharapova out of Hong Kong
"Finally I can have my own schedule. I can control my time now," the world number 25 told the China Daily newspaper.

The paper said Zheng will now be allowed to keep as much as 92 per cent of her prize money, after formerly having to part with up to 65 per cent, and could for the first time miss winter training camp to enjoy a holiday with parents.
Zheng, who in July became China's first player to make the last four at Wimbledon, left the Chinese Tennis Association to become a free agent on the international tour along with compatriots Li Na, Peng Shuai and doubles partner Yan Zi.
With most athletes in China still required to join government-sponsored city and provincial teams to be eligible to join the national team and compete in international tournaments, the CTA's release of its top players marks a watershed for professional Chinese sport.

The move followed several years of conflict between authorities keen to nurture their best talent and players frustrated at strict training regimes and smaller pay packets.

Zheng and her free agent compatriots can still be called up for national duty, according to CTA deputy director Gao Shenyang, and are welcome back in the state fold at any time.

"The players can ask for help any time they want," the paper quoted Gao as saying. "If they don't like the new format after trying it for a while, they are free to revert to the old system."

The players will be giving up a group of 17 coaches, eight doctors, and a team of sports nutritionists, physicians, psychologists and trainers ready to give free consultations at any time, the paper said.

Zheng said she would not be far from the embrace of the state, however.

"It is not appropriate to say 'flying away', because I never actually left the national team," she said.

Reuters
http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/31122008/58/...ssociation.html

Кто победит на Уимбледон 2009?
Известные спортсмены из Великобритании отвечают:

Michael Vaughan - Andy Murray & Maria Sharapova
James Cracknell - Roger Federer & Ana Ivanovic
Will Greenwood - Rafael Nadal & Jelena Jankovic
Tanni Grey-Thompson - Rafael Nadal & Serena Williams
Phil Brown - Rafael Nadal & Venus Williams
Ben Ainslie - Roger Federer & Venus Williams
Alan Hansen - Andy Murray & Serena Williams
Tony McCoy - Roger Federer & Venus Williams
Seb Coe - Rafael Nadal & Jelena Jankovic
Chemmy Alcott - Andy Murray & Anne Keothavong
Colin Montgomerie - Roger Federer & Ana Ivanovic
Ricky Hatton - Rafael Nadal & Serena Williams
Brian Moore - Andy Murray & Elena Dementieva
MARK HODGKINSON - Tennis Correspondent - Roger Federer and Serena Williams

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/4060472/S...s-for-2009.html

2 голоса "ЗА!" - это уже хорошо

FORMER mafia crime boss Michael Franzese says top-level tennis matches are being influenced by gamblers.

He added the sport would be his prime focus if he were still in the business of influencing results.

Franzese, a former boss in the Colombo crime family, is a public speaker and consultant regarding his days with the mob.

He has spoken with ATP players about the methods used to spread corruption in sport.

"It's definitely going on," Franzese said.

"If I were in this business now, tennis would be my major target because one player can impact the game. That's all you need."

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,2...35-3162,00.html

Keothavong, конечно, главная претендентка на титул

Прямо соль на рану. Леночка, давай! Не подведи этого оптимиста! Он в тебя верит. Впрочем как и все мы.

'Star time' coming for FCC
By James Beck
The Post and Courier
Sunday, January 4, 2009

Who will be first? Justine Henin is soaking up her early Bjorn Borg-like retirement and is unavailable this time.

But over the next few weeks, the star power of the 37th Family Circle Cup probably will be unveiled. There's only three possible names that would cause heads to turn — Venus and Serena Williams, and Maria Sharapova. Landing even two of those would practically guarantee success for the ninth local version of the Family Circle Cup.
................
http://www.charleston.net/news/2009/jan/04...oming_fcc67215/

Фабрика звёзд Ника Боллеттьери

http://www.championat.ru/tennis/article-28700.html

Federer, Sharapova among those looking for redemption in 2009

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/co...&id=3809520

Will 2009 see Venus Williams on a different tennis planet?

The big sister is looking to have the best year of her career.
An in-depth assessment of the Grand Slam contenders...

by Kenneth Evans, Jr. on 04 January 2009

My predictions (Kenneth Evans, Jr.):

Australian Open: Venus Williams
French Open: Elena Dementieva
Wimbledon: Venus Williams
US Open: Serena Williams

http://www.sportingo.com/tennis/a10976_wil...t-tennis-planet

IMG Signs Jelena Jankovic
Article by Aaress Lawless on Jan 6, 2009

IMG, the leading client management company in tennis, announced on Tuesday that it has signed world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic.

IMG will provide exclusive, worldwide marketing and management representation for Jankovic effective January 1, 2009.

“IMG is a global company and a leader not only in tennis, but entertainment, fashion and modeling as well,” said Jankovic in a statement released by IMG. “I’m very excited to partner IMG and look forward to working with them on a variety of exciting tennis, marketing and endorsement opportunities.”

Jankovic, 23, will also join IMG Models, the world’s No. 1 international model management firm.

“We are extremely pleased to add a player of Jelena’s caliber to the list of great champions we represent,” said Fernando Soler, Head of IMG’s Tennis Division.

Jankovic’s tennis management team at IMG will be led by Caroline Lacy, IMG London.

IMG represents some of the world’s top men and women tennis players. The company’s roster of top tennis clients includes many of today’s superstars: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and James Blake.

In addition, IMG owns, manages or represents many of the world’s leading tournaments including Sony Ericsson Open, Australian Open, Chennai Open and Wimbledon, among many others.

http://www.onthebaseline.com/2009/01/06/im...elena-jankovic/

WTA> Dominguez confirms retirement Pierce

Questioned by RMC, the DTN tennis confirmed that French Mary Pierce will not repeat the path of the courts: "At 35 years she decided to draw a line under his career. It no longer plays for more than two and a half years, it was a reason. "
Egalement questionné sur l'avenir d'Amélie Mauresmo, Patrice Dominguez est moins catégorique: "Elle joue peut être sa dernière année. Elle laisse planer le doute mais elle a décidé de jouer pour le plaisir. Elle prendra une décision en fonction de ses résultats ". Also questioned on the future of Amélie Mauresmo, Patrice Dominguez was less categorical: "It may be playing his final year. It leaves doubt but decided to play for fun. It will take a decision based on its results ".

http://translate.google.fr/translate?hl=fr...te0=&swap=1

Тарпищев: «Сезон будет интересным»

http://www.eurosport.ru/tennis/hopman-cup/...to1803550.shtml

Sidelined in Their Prime
The expected drama in 2009 is raising questions about why so many tennis players are getting injured.

By Martina Navratilova | NEWSWEEK
Published Jan 10, 2009

http://www.newsweek.com/id/178819

Top Tennis Players Whom We Would Love To See Play Doubles

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/109271-...ubles/show_full

Why Roger Federer will Finish 2009 at No. 1

by Sean Randall

As for the women, as always it’s a crap shoot. Maria Sharapova’s shoulder is still bad. Serena and Venus Williams play when they want but just not enough to finish No. 1 these days. Sveta Kuznetsova can’t seem to get over the hump and consistently be a factor second week at the Slams. And Ana Ivanovic seems more interested in new beau Fernando Verdasco than with tennis, but we’ll see. That leaves Jelena Jankovic and Dinara Safina to fight it out for the No. 1 ranking, and I’ll go with my girl Janky who I think will finish on top and do it again by not winning a single Slam. How lovely.



http://www.tennis-x.com/xblog/2009-01-12/706.php

Management shake-up hits Bollettieri academy hard
By Anthony Cormier

Published: Tuesday, January 13, 2009 at 11:23 a.m.

BRADENTON - There has been a major shakeup at the top of IMG Academies, the world class sports training facility where four executives were fired or encouraged to resign in the last few weeks.

The deepest impact has come at the Bollettieri Tennis Academy, leaving some of the facility’s founders out of work.
.......................

http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20090...ri_academy_hard

статья интересна потому что потверждает слухи о том, что инвестиционная фирма Forstmann Little & Co., которая владеет IMG, готовить продажу IMG и поэтому умышленно уменьшивает рассходы, хоть до остановление работы теннисной академии в флориде.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN SPECIAL REPORT
A 2009 tennis wish list: Let's start with health

By Christopher Clarey Published: January 15, 2009

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/15/sports/SRARENA.php

Serbian tennis on the rise - but for how long?

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0...0-10389,00.html

Point to prove
Linda Pearce
January 16, 2009

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/tennis...ge#contentSwap1

I'm No.1, says brash Williams

Will Swanton, Sydney
January 16, 2009

http://www.theage.com.au/news/sport/tennis...ge#contentSwap1

Australian Open, part three: The women in 2009

http://www.iht.com/articles/2009/01/16/spo...orum-clarey.php

denny,
посл. статья с форумом спецов очень интересна. Спасибо.

Federer's pursuits among top tennis stories in '09

_When will Maria Sharapova play again?

It isn't quite clear when she will return from the torn rotator cuff tendon in her serving shoulder, although an entry on her Web site makes it sound as though it could be within a month — and the WTA says she is entered in the indoor tournament in Paris that begins on Feb. 9.

Sharapova is not defending her title in Australia, extending an absence from competition that dates to July, leaving tennis without one of its top players — a three-time major title winner, a former No. 1 — and one of its most marketable and attention-drawing stars.

_Will one of the Williams sisters — or anyone for that matter — dominate the women's game?

The best siblings in tennis history split the last two major titles of 2008: Venus beat Serena in the Wimbledon final for her seventh Grand Slam title, then Serena beat Venus in the U.S. Open quarterfinals en route to her ninth major championship.

But for the most part, last season was as wide open at the top as it's been in quite some time. Jelena Jankovic finished the year at No. 1 — but she has yet to win a Grand Slam title. Another Serb, Ana Ivanovic, won the French Open and made her own brief stay at No. 1, but she's been struggling more recently.

Four players could be No. 1 after the Australian Open: Serena Williams, Jankovic, Dinara Safina or Elena Dementieva. And the revolving door might just keep turning all season long.

"Women's tennis has never seen greater parity and depth at the top than we have now," tour CEO Larry Scott said in a telephone interview. "We'll need to see if (ranking) positions will change hands regularly at the top of the game throughout the year or if someone pulls away from the pack."

_Who and what else should fans look for in women's tennis?

For the first time, the women's tour will allow in-match coaching at all of its events (though it's not been approved by the Grand Slams), "an innovation designed to make our sport more TV-friendly," Scott said.

He made a point of changing his tour's calendar — the year ends sooner, for example, with the season-ending championships coming in October for the first time — and has made no secret that he envisions a joint men's and women's tour some day.

"To the degree we present tennis as "women's tennis" and "men's tennis," separately — different marketing, different communications — we're making it more difficult to get attention," Scott said. "We're making it more difficult for our fans to follow."

It will be worth noting how he and the ATP's new boss, former Nike executive Adam Helfant, work together.

_Who are the youngsters to watch?

Scott spoke about what he called "great bench strength" on his tour, mentioning five young players who are not yet household names but could be by year's end: Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland, Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark, Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, Alize Cornet of France, and Dominika Cibulkova of Slovakia — all teens, all currently ranked from 10th to 19th.

On the men's tour, seven of the eight players who reached the U.S. Open fourth round in Nadal's half of the draw were under 24, a group that included Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina, Sam Querrey of the United States, Kei Nishikori of Japan, and Gael Monfils of France.

All should make more progress in 2009.

http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2009/01/16/...2009.php?page=1

выставил весь текст потому что статья не только о Янкович и содержить инфо а других спортсменах и о некоторых новых тенденций бизнеса. Потомо этот журнал платный и часто статьи не можно через несколько дней прочитать полностью, а только резюме.

Chinese shoe brand signs Jankovic
Deal may signal continental shift in tennis endorsement market

By DANIEL KAPLAN
Staff writer
Published January 19, 2009

The world’s top-ranked women’s tennis player, Jelena Jankovic, has reached an endorsement deal with sneaker and apparel company Anta, sources said, becoming the highest-profile global athlete to back one of China’s emerging athletic companies.

Reebok last week formally declined to re-sign Jankovic, and she quickly accepted a three-year offer guaranteed at $5.1 million from Anta, the sources said.

The deal positions Anta alongside companies like Li-Ning and Peak that are now competing in China with traditional powers Nike and Adidas and perhaps soon could do so globally, as well.

“This is a first. It is really groundbreaking,” said Terry Rhoads, co-founder of Zou Marketing, a China-based sports marketing firm. “This is a proud moment for all Chinese sportswear companies.”

Jankovic is represented by IMG tennis agent Gavin Forbes, who declined to comment.

The deal highlights a changing marketplace for tennis players’ core sneaker endorsement deals just as this year’s first Grand Slam, the Australian Open, gets under way.

James Blake last week left Nike for an unconventional pact with Fila, which has not had a top American male endorser since 1977. Neither of the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena, is under contract despite residing in the top 10 and holding the last two Grand Slam titles.

One of the reasons for the changes is the decline of tennis in America . The current economy is also a factor. Reebok, for example, declined to re-sign Jankovic the day before announcing 310 layoffs.

“After two successful years in partnership, Reebok has decided not to extend our relationship with JelenaJankovic,” the company said in a statement. “Jelena has always been a loyal ambassador for the brand and has continuously proven herself as a player of stature and maturity. We wish her all the very best in her future endeavors.”

Nike declined to re-sign Blake after having worked with him since he turned pro in 1998. He signed a four-year deal with Fila that pays him in the mid-six figures guaranteed, with potentially more based on the performance of a developing line of products.

That arrangement is unique. Most tennis contracts reward players for on-court performance. Fila will pay Blake based on the success of the products.

That product line is under development, but it will involve both the Fila logo and a yet-to-be-developed mark for Blake. His agent, Carlos Fleming of IMG, said the line will incorporate intellectual property from the player and the sneaker company, and will include tennis, lifestyle and fitness offerings.

Meanwhile, Serena Williams, whose contract with Nike expired last month, is still talking with the company. Nike has plowed substantial resources in tennis into Maria Sharapova, so where Williams fits into the mix is unclear.

Similarly, Venus Williams’ line, EleVen, now has no home with the demise of her retail partner, Steve & Barry’s. Fleming, who is also her agent, said he is in negotiations with potential partners.

Whether Jankovic’s agreement with Anta will bring forth a wave of new deals from China in tennis is unclear. Anta is largely a China-only company, though it does advertise courtside at Houston Rockets games. Rockets owner Les Alexander was an early investor in the company.

Li-Ning, which had a visible presence during the Beijing Olympics, was interested last year in signing Ana Ivanovic, currently the world’s No. 5 player, before she re-signed with Adidas.

To date, the significant non-Chinese endorsements for Chinese footwear companies have been in basketball. Peak counts Shane Battier and Jason Kidd as endorsers. Shaquille O’Neal has a China-only endorsement deal with Li-Ning.

The companies use the signings to gain credibility domestically, Rhoads said. He views the Anta/Jankovic signing in this light, with tennis, unlike in the United States, a growing sport in China.

http://www.sportsbusinessjournal.com/article/61169