TheBuzz: Stories behind the headlines
By Liza Horan, Editor of the TennisWire Network
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TheBuzz: Stories behind the headlines | Tennis News by TennisWire editors

New Haven Open and Anne Worcester survived, and now thrive

Anne Worcester, the former WTA executive and current tournament director for the New Haven Open has had quite a year. She saved a storied professional tennis tournament from leaving its beloved community, brought junior tennis development programs to an all-time high level, and beat cancer. Yes, she beat cancer.

The 30-year veteran of the tennis business world said she felt "burnt-out" 12 months ago during what was supposed to be the last Pilot Pen Tennis event. After all, the tournament's title sponsor was pulling its support after 15 years as the premiere ... << MORE >>

Djokovic plays Sharapova -- off-court

Bill Macatee went on and on about the accolades of Maria Sharapova on Wednesday afternoon at the Benjamin Hotel so much so that the crowd gathered to see her and Novak Djokovic were craning their neck for the door, waiting for the 2006 U.S. Open champion to walk through first onto the stage.

But as Macatee invited the three-time Major champion out, it was Djokovic — clad in a bright blonde wig — who strode into the room, pushing his faux locks out of his face and wearing a goofy grin.

"I'm very feminine," ...

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Hingis saves Sportimes, Evert waxes about old days and America's future

By Nick McCarvel

New York—Martina Hingis and Chris Evert had fans on their feet on Monday night at the World TeamTennis — for two very different reasons.

Hingis, playing for the NY Sportimes, brought her team back from the brink of defeat to seal a scintillating comeback on a do-or-die point, while Evert charmed the crowd with her rare appearance on the court, teaming up with youngsters to play a friendly mixed doubles exhibition.

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Hingis teams with key partners at Wimbledon, for clothing line, for WTT

By Nick McCarvel

Martina Hingis always was bent on winning. She had no game face. Her Cheshire Cat grin couldn't be obscured when she was up, and her chagrin couldn't be contained at times. But she produced many unforgettable moments — and titles. Hingis holds five Grand Slam singles crowns among her 43 singles titles, and nine major doubles crowns among her 37 doubles trophies.

Her post-pro career demonstrates the 30-year-old hasn't lost any zeal to win, ...
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Grass court draws Grand Slam legends, fans amid concrete jungle


New York—About two decades ago, two kids with loads of potential hit the courts of the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in hopes of getting to the next level. They grinded it out on too-hot courts, along with dozens of other hopefuls, for most of the day, every day. One was a native Floridian with a outgoing American and no lack of confidence. The other was a quiet Eastern European who let her racquet do the talking, hitting two-handed off each side.

It was ... << MORE >>

Evert, new ESPN analyst, says time off has helped aging Williams sisters

By Nick McCarvel, Associate Editor

For the future of its coverage at Wimbledon, ESPN is digging into tennis' past: Hall-of-famer Chris Evert will join Brad Gilbert and others in the broadcast booth. Her last stint was with NBC in 2003. It's the first time she'll call matches for ESPN.

"I'm going back because I want to," said Evert, who won 18 major titles. "I have my own tennis academy. I've been involved ...
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Drop-out Agassi's made education his quest

By Nick McCarvel

Andre Agassi is a high-school dropout. Back then he couldn't  have imagined that after his illustrious pro tennis career, he would devote himself to making sure others didn't drop out.

And now that the tennis legend-turned-education hero has had success with his Las Vegas charter school, the Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy, his ambitions have broadened.

"I believed I could change the dialogue of the resources that we provide and the accountability and transparency that goes along with those resources," Agassi said ...
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"Tennis Night" aims to put the game on Americans' agenda

By Nick McCarvel

While all eyes were on Madison Square Garden on Monday night as four tennis legends battled it out, the USTA was putting on its biggest night of the year for younger players of another sort.

"Tennis Night in America," a national effort to drive youth registration in tennis programs, has been extended from one night to a monthly effort this year, says USTA Chief Executive for Community Tennis Kurt Kamperman.

"In the past, we focused youth registration activities around the night ...
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Tennis Economy: US Open merchants happy, TIA launches new economic index

As efforts continue to reverse the global recession and tennis retailers keep their fingers crossed that players will start buying expensive racquets again, one thing is clear: Tennis fans at the U.S. Open spent money. The Tennis Industry Association is working to make sure players do the same. ... << MORE >>

Secrets leading to Spain's dominance inform American efforts, thanks to Jose Higueras

Six Spanish men reached the fourth round of the U.S. Open, marking the most players by a foreign country at this point in the draw since 1969. Spanish coach Jose Higueras trained in Barcelona, but uses this knowledge to train America's next Top 20 pros.<< MORE >>