the buzz | hellotennis.com | by Liza Horan, Editor

007 hits the court in latest thriller

Liza Horan — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:05:11 GMT

Add Devil May Care to your must-read list

By Liza Horan

Does James Bond play with a one- or two-handed backhand?
How does he spend his change-overs?
What's his favorite post-match quencher?

All the answers are in Devil May Care, the latest book in the spy thriller series that packs a couple of firsts:

It's the first Bond book since Octopussy and The Living Daylights were published posthumously as a collection of short stories in 1966
It's the first James Bond book that puts a racquet in the hands of the agent

Yes--finally and officially--tennis players can count 007 as a fellow player and discover what type of player he is and how he conducts himself on court.

It's easy to picture the world's most famous British spy dashing across the grass of the All England Lawn Tennisand enjoying Wimbledon, a major scene of this book places him on the red clay of Court 2 in the Bois de Boulogne--just a stone's throw from Paris' most famous courts at Roland Garros. True to the era of the series, Bond and his opponent, the "most dangerous opponent" Dr. Julius Gorner, play with wooden racquets and white Slazenger balls. More intriguing is that Dr. Gorner, a giant in the pharmaceutical industry, plays with a glove on his hand to disguise a birth deformity that made his hand resemble a monkey's paw...

The dozen books in the James Bond series have placed the agent in battles of wits and skill involving canasta, bridge and golf. And while it's no surprise that the Brit shoudd know his way around the white lines, Devil May Care is the first time tennis has been featured in a Bond novel.

The reason: Author Sebastian Faulks is a tennis player.

Faulks, a Briton whose books include Birdsong and Charlotte Gray, was commissioned by the Fleming estate to write this title for release on what would have been Fleming's 100th birthday, May 28, 2008. Devil May Care has been flying off shelves. In fact, more than 44,000 copies were sold in the first four days, making Devil May Care the fastest-selling hardcover book in Penguin Books' history.

The July issue of Vanity Fair magazine, on newsstands now, features an excerpt of the book that includes the Bond vs. Gorner match on Court 2.

While a seeming crossover between Ian Fleming and tennis might be Peter Fleming, the name of his brother, the fact is that his brother was a travel writer. The other Peter Fleming, from New Jersey, is the one who racked up most of his 59 doubles titles with John McEnroe. He recently signed on to run Heritage Key's Racquet Club in Kissimmee, Fla., which will feature 20 courts (hard and clay surfaces) and instructional programming at the recreational and competitive levels for peak performance.

Related links:
- Penguin Books' 007 website
- Ian Fleming Centre

"Quiet, please!" is relative

Liza Horan — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 18:21:22 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--Going to the NCAAs for your first college tennis experience is a little like heading to Wimbledon to witness your first pro tennis match. The position of spectator carries with it a specific set of unspoken rules unique to that event. If a newbie attends without any forewarning, it may take a day or so to understand the culture.

At Wimbledon, it's about order and propriety. You wait in line--whether it's for admission, a seat in the stands of an outside court, or for your cup of strawberries and cream--there is no jockeying for a good position to zoom ahead of those not paying attention.

It's rare that a chair umpire should have to quiet fans before a serve, simply because tradition has trained them to behave. An occasional errant ball or utterance from a player may elicit laughter or a collective sigh, but any noise from the stands is usually reserved to applause and a couple of shout-outs.

One's attire at the All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club runs either the 'garden party' variety or 'sporty', yet neat and comfortable. While there are no bouncers outside the wrought-iron gates, the ticket scanners are decked out in tailored suits and hats. Green and purple are the theme colors. It's quite the affair.

Just as decorum for this most civilized championship is set from the moment you enter the grounds, so too are the rules of conduct at the NCAA championships, which were held in May at the University of Tulsa in Oklahoma.

Instead of passing through a battalion of uniformed ticket-takers, followed by a security staff who checks bags, the way into the college match is usually through a smiling volunteer wearing a staff T-shirt and name badge. There's no line. As you step toward the courts, the decibel level increases until it's hard to know what the fans are hollering. If an umpire utters "Quiet, please!" it's only to tone down the reverie, not to still the airwaves.

Welcome to college tennis!

The code of conduct is spirited encouragement of 'your' team. That means wearing some team-related apparel-- like a shirt, hat or bag--whether it carries the logo or it is simply matching team colors. It's blue and gold for the UCLA Bruins, green and gold for the Baylor Bears, and red and black for the Georgia Bulldogs.

People need to know who you stand for, and cheering is nearly mandatory. With 64 teams playing singles and doubles for both the team and the individual competitions, there's lots of opportunity to provide support over the two-week tournament.

Both spectator groups have incredible passion. Wimbledon fans are lovers of the game and judicious about character. College tennis fans are dedicated to their team players.

However, fans at both events are fair. Rather than put down opponents or trash talk as they do in other sports, tennis spectators seem to favor winning by rising to an opportunity. It's an environment of respect. While the outward character of Wimbledon and of the NCAAs are at opposite ends of the spectrum--requisite packing is an umbrella at one and a mini bullhorn at the other--they are united in spirit.

Related links:
- NCAA men's results
- NCAA women's results

Must-reads for the summer season

Liza Horan — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:19:49 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--Hope your racquet bag has room for a book or two. Book shop shelves are packed with tennis tomes this summer. Here's a sampling of new titles.

For the literary fan
Friends, Writers, and Other Countrymen
By Sidney Offit
Release Date: June 24
Cover Price: $24.95 (paperback)
Chapter 27 of Sidney Offit's 314-page memoir is rife with the kind of name-dropping that characterizes the author's style: Kurt Vonnegut, Morley Safer, Peter Jennings, Mike Wallace, Peter Maas, Gay Talese. They appear in the same paragraphs as Roland Garros, Midtown Tennis Club, Tennis Port and Central Park, all places where Offit traded his usual currency (words) for groundies.
     Tales of Offit's first tennis days at age seven--"wearing white ducks, white cap, white Keds, and waving a wooden Wilson"--to playing with Don Budge and the names above from 1964 to 2005 make for a rich read. In fact, the chapter is called "Sundays at Ten, Double-Faulting with Artists and Writers and Playing Rorschachs at the Court," and the idea is that you really can tell an inner personality from the way someone plays.
    Offit's 14th book is full of stories of encounters with people like Robert Frost, Alger Hiss, Jackie Robinson and Mickey Mantle. While he once worked as a contributing editor for Baseball Magazine, tennis always has been a passion.
    "Tennis is a big part of my entertainment," Offit told me. "Last summer I went to play at the Central Park courts. It's like a meat market over there!"
    Yes, there are too many tennis players for the number of courts in New York City, but that's not enough to keep Offit away.

For the history buff
The Bud Collins History of Tennis
By Bud Collins
Release Date: June 23
Cover Price: $35.95 (paperback)
Whether you want to build your grey matter or your biceps, pick up this three-pound paperback. It is chockful of everything you wanted to know, and all of what you didn't know that you didn't know about tennis. Even Martina Navratilova said, "If you know nothing about tennis, this book is for you. And if you know everything about tennis—Hah!—Bud knows more, so this book is for you, too!" This edition of the book is 722 pages, not bad considering the version from 15 years ago ran 666 pages.
    There is no doubting that Bud, who is credited as the original tennis journalist--and not just for his colorful vestments--has collected more anecdotes and witnessed more on- and off-court historical happenings than any of us hackers. This edition is freshened up, both in looks and content, and now caught up through 2007. It's a great read for any tennis insider, fan, player, journalist or Jeopardy contestant.

On This Day in Tennis History: A Day-by-Day Anthology of Anecdotes and Historical Happenings
By Randy Walker
Release Date: Aug. 25
Cover Price: $19.95 (paperback)
Call him Bud Jr., if you like, because Walker packs passion for tennis history. Rather than a year-by-year timeline, "On This Day" is like a page-a-day tennis calendar that's about half of the heft of Collins' work--after all, there are only 365 days in a year. The U.S. Tennis Association PR man-turned-publisher is like Hallmark for tennis: Name the day, and he's got a cause for celebration. You may not know that Oct. 16 is "Sweetest Day"--and may not care--but you may be interested to know that Oct. 16 is also the birthday of U.S. Davis Cup player Melville Long of San Francisco. If living legends are more your bag, try this:
"1987: Martina Navratilova celebrates her 31st birthday by defeating Chris Evert 7-5, 6-1 to win the WTA Tour title in Filderstadt, West Germany. Navratilova was given the choice of collecting $36,000 or a Porsche sports car and chose the car."
    And here's fact on this day: June 17 is Bud Collins' birthday! Happy birthday, Bud!

For the great debater
Tennis Confidential II: More of Today's Greatest Players, Matches, and Controversies
By Paul Fein
Release Date: May 1
Cover Price: $27.50 (hard cover)
Like the two above, Fein's book looks back, but also delves into issues of the modern game. Readers will find painstakingly researched pontifications about who is the greatest player ever, Is On-Court Coaching Good for Tennis, and How America Can Produce Tennis Champions Again. Fein lays out all the evidence for his views, but the heavy reading is reserved to "Part 1: The Great Debates."
    "Part 2: People and Trends That Changed the Sport" covers a bit of history--like the different personalities of Bjorn Borg, Ilie Nastase and Jimmy Connors--and chronicles how Maria Sharapova heralded the Russian tennis book and how Andre Agassi evolved into the man he is today. The final section, "Part 3: Compelling Characters Hold Court," tells players' stories through their own quotes, taken from post-match interviews in many cases and from quite a few years ago. Martina Hingis, Jim Courier, Yannick Noah, and Stefan Edberg are among the former pros featured, and Amelie Mauresmo, Jelena Jankovic, and Bob and Mike Bryan are the current players in this book.
    Some of the most enjoyable tidbits ("Fascinating Facts") are scattered throughout Tennis Confidential, on the last page of each chapter, just like the one-liners and blurbs in Reader's Digest. They add levity (or unbelievability!)like this one on page 256: "Inside an attache case that President George H.W. Bush once inadvertently left at a tennis tournament were the keys to America's nuclear arsenal."

For the doubles fan
American Doubles ...the Trials ...the Triumphs ...the Domination
By Marcia Frost
Release Date: May 15
Cover Price: $26.95 (paperback)
Where the previous book skims the surface of the Bryan's success through 2004, this one blows it out: The Bryan brother are featured on the cover--not in the typical chest-bump shot, but a more intimate moment between points--in their own chapter ("The Bryans Rule") and throughout the book. However, the brothers are only a part of American Doubles*, which showcases that this country has a strong heritage in doubles. Even the author, who has covered tennis for nearly 20 years, said she was astonished to learn how prevalent Americans were among the championship ranks of doubles at the junior, college, pro and wheelchair levels.
    It's not all about results, though. The book explores the relationships of doubles partners through sibling pairings and the tough choices of whether to stick together or pursue a career in singles.
    This book is full of names--from legends like Billie Jean King and Stan Smith to junior and college players who will be future pros--that works as a quick look back and a big look forward for American success. It's full of great ammo for those debates about when the next great American tennis champions will appear. Some of them are already here--on the doubles court--and the curtain's about to rise on others.

For the fan of legends
A Champion's Mind: Lessons from a Life in Tennis
By Pete Sampras and Peter Bodo
Release Date: June 10
Cover Price: $24.95 (hard cover)
Many men have tried to get inside Pete Sampras' mind and failed. They just couldn't break him. Even in the most physically trying moments and on the most mentally pressure-filled points, Sampras looked cool and nailed an ace. No one knew how he did it, and he never told.
    Well, now he's telling. This may not be a blueprint on how to beat Pistol Pete, but if anyone could conjure the words and set the context to explain to the rest of us what we didn't know or understand about Sampras, it is co-writer Peter Bodo. No one has been associated with TENNIS Magazine longer than Bodo, which means he's held one-on-one interviews throughout Sampras' entire career with more access and consistency than most. (Bud Collins is another.) The result is an interesting look at how Sampras set about winning and became a legend.
    Sampras never seemed worried that fans thought he was boring or inexpressive (especially in the earlier years) because he wasn't. In this book, Sampras admits that maintaining a low profile and keeping to himself was part of his M.O. It enabled him to keep his edge on the court.
    He makes no excuses and doesn't defend himself, he simply explains it by bringing the reader into his world. And Sampras has relished that world.
    Only the player who believed they were No. 1 made it to No. 1. That competitiveness manifests itself in different ways, but Sampras reveals his incomparable single-mindedness in this book, which he promises, "will tell you who I really am."

Pressure is a Privilege: Lessons I've Learned from Life and the Battle of the Sexes
By Billie Jean King
Release Date: Aug. 12
Cover Price: $19.95 (hard cover)
King is a legend's legend, but she is a people person that puts no one--most of all herself--on a pedestal. While this book's release was timed to coincide with the 35th anniversary of her Battle of the Sexes match against Bobby Riggs, King's motivation always has been for equality for all--not just gender-based equality. That event was a statement and a start, of course, but it hasn't ended.
    Even on the momentous evening of her Women's Sports Foundation's hall of fame celebration at the Billie Jean King International Women's Sports Center at the Sports Museum of America last week (June 9), one attendee related how he had done lawyerly work for the Foundation in efforts to insure that Title IX is being upheld. Yes, it became law in 1972 and in 2008 it is being challenged in some parts.
    The story of such politics might not sound like the stuff of a personal story, but big issues always have been King's personal story. From the age of 12, she told me. King said she knew her destiny was to change things. How she fits all of her inspiration and experience in 192 pages promises to be a feat in itself, not to mention uplifting.
    Her story isn't over either. Even though another milestone was reached last week--as the Foundation celebrated opening its hall of fame for women in sports after 28 years since it institute the awards--there's work to be done. A tennis fan's first step: Reading Pressure is a Privilege.

*Full disclosure: TennisWire.org's parent company, Media Moxie, handles media relations for this title.

Ashe does good

Liza Horan — Sat, 24 May 2008 17:03:06 GMT

Institute executive director Ruth Browne (second from left) with honorees Bryant Gumbel, Dr. Dawn Morton-Rias, Richard D. Parsons, Billie Jean King, and Terry McDonell.
By Liza Horan

New York--The ripple effects of Arthur Ashe's life are like tidal waves--and they show no signs of slowing. Among the many endeavors bearing his name, spirit, and dedication is the Arthur Ashe Institute for Urban Health. The 15-year-old organization, based in Brooklyn, N.Y., raised more than $500,000 in a single night.

The occasion was the annual Sportsball, which somehow elegantly weds a high society scene with carnival-like fun. From the succulent steak, the gowns, the tuxedos finished off with tennis shoes, an ice cream bar, a dance band with plenty of horns, video games, and an auction of sports memorabilia, last month's event was smashing.

The evening showcased the good works of the Institute, which is dedicated to improving health care and opportunities, and honored Billie Jean King, HBO Real Sports host Bryant Gumbel, Richard D. Parsons of Time Warner, Sports Illustrated group editor Terry McDonell, and Dr. Dawn Morton-Rias, dean of SUNY's College of Health Related Professions. Commentator Mary Carillo was an award presenter.

King's award acceptance speech was lighthearted, but poignant, as she recalled her friendship with Ashe.

"At 12 years old I had an epiphany--that I wanted to change the game," she said. "It was so elitist and I saw no people of color. I knew that unless I was No. 1 no one would listen to me."

Among the things King said she and her friend, Ashe, shared were that they were born in 1943, wore glasses, were dedicated to making tennis inclusive, and that they both had afros in the '70s.

"I wore it as a statement: Black is beautiful," said King, added that she used to say to Ashe, "We both have afros, but yours is real; mine's a perm."

Other comments of interest include Gumbel's quip, "You know you're getting old when the award you get is named for someone you know," and McDonell's statement, "Arthur Ashe has an unmatched legend at Sports Illustrated (for his transparency)...he stands out as the sportsman among sportsmen."

Billie Jean King's school report card among artifacts at sports museum

Liza Horan — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:08:07 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--Sports fans have a new altar at which they can pay their respects: the Sports Museum of America. And there are some real goodies for tennis fans among the artifacts.

Billie Jean King's school report card from 1953, at age nine, will be on show starting Wednesday at noon, when the museum opens to the public.

According to the evidence, little Billie Jean was an excellent student and a force on the playground:

"Billie Jean is showing fine progress in all her school work...I feel that Billie Jean occasionally takes advantage of her superior ability on the playground," wrote teacher Dorothy Polocheck.

Mom's answer to that?

"We have talked to Billie Jean about her atitude (sic) on the play ground. We know she will try to do better. We are happy she is doing well in her school work," signed Mrs. W.J. Moffitt.

King is joined by Martina Navratilova and Bud Collins on the museum's Board of Honorary Trustees. Other sport legends serving include basketball champ Patrick Ewing, boxer Joe Frazier, softball player Lisa Fernandez, golfer Ray Floyd, track star Jackie Joyner-Kersee, and car racer AJ Foyt.

The museum counts the International Tennis Hall of Fame among its key partners, and the Newport-based institution will loan items such as Grand Slam trophies, Roger Federer's outfit from the 2005 U.S. Open, and the racquet used by Chris Evert in the 1982 U.S. Open. The partnership includes joint promotions by both parties and an annual donation from the Sports Museum of America to the ITHF.

A country club in the city marks first new facility in years

Liza Horan — Thu, 08 May 2008 12:00:43 GMT

The upstairs lounge at CityView Racquet Club.
By Liza Horan

New York--It had all the marks of a hot downtown club--the cool black-clad staff standing by the door, a velvet rope, a guest list, valet parking, a booming bass line, celebrities, and a packed crowd.

But instead of a dance floor, there were seven brand new tennis courts, four squash courts, spacious locker rooms, an open-air fitness area, and a spa.

CityView Racquet Club, a $10 million facility that sits atop the former Swingline stapler building in Long Island City (an 11-minute subway ride from midtown Manhattan), is more country club than nightclub, for sure. But it's grand opening bash on April 17 was a hip party that drew TV talk show host Regis Philbin and wife Joy (below right), reality stars Ramona and Mario Singer of Real Housewives of New York City, and former pro and TV commentator Justin Gimelstob.

Regis and Joy Philbin were on hand for the launch party. Regis hit a few balls with Justin Gimelstob.

"It's great to see a nice new modern facility in New York," said Gimelstob, who is shopping for a home in the Chelsea neighborhood where his brother Russell lives. "Having a place this accessible is great (for pro players), so you're not dependent on living in Florida (for a top training facility)." Gimelstob, a member of CityView, said he had plans to hit with Andy Roddick, who recently purchased a Gramercy Park home with fiancee Brooklyn Decker. Venus Williams also has been spotted at the club.

While the three-story facility's decor is as sleek and modern as the lobby of a W hotel, lush and natural touches--like a 30-foot palm tree, indirect lighting and wood accents--give it a comfortable air. An outdoor area and Manhattan-facing windows provide the private club's namesake scenes.

For all the glitz of this first-rate club, there is even more substance. General Manager Michael DelPrete, who scouted for locations from New Jersey to Manhattan and Queens in a helicopter, has run tennis clubs in the area for more than 30 years and the group behind CityView currently runs other locations, including the Central Park tennis concession.

Former pro and CityView member Justin Gimelstob with CityView owners Joe Shabot, Eli Dweck and Michael DelPrete.

"We've lost 33 tennis courts in the area over the last several years," DelPrete said, noting the closures of the Wall Street floating tennis facility, the Columbus Racquet Club, and, most recently, the Stadium Racquet Club that was destroyed for the new Yankee stadium, among other locations that were demolished in favor of real estate development. "We needed to find a new facility to handle the growing needs of tennis in the area."

Carla Hughes, who works for CityView in Long Island City and also at the Central Park concession said, "I've worked in tennis in New York for 25 years and watched 20 clubs close. I've never seen anything of this caliber."

The roof of the Swingline building, which dates from the 1920s, was perfect. "It was zoned properly from the beginning. It's a natural fit for someone who wants the best of the best," says DelPrete, who is a frequent player. "New York City and the surrounding areas definitely need a five-star facility."

A 30-foot palm tree graces the open space of the club, just outside the courts and locker rooms.

The seven-member tennis staff, led by Kirk Moritz and Joe Perez, already has roots in the area, with most pros having worked in the New Year environs for year.

"They really recruited the staff they wanted--who knows the New York tennis market and are known in the New York area," said Moritz, who noted that racquet-customizer-to-the-pros, Roman Prokes, runs the pro shop. "I think this is the future of tennis in New York--rooftops."

Tennis memberships run from $4,100 to $5,500 year, plus $1,500 initiation. For details, visit CityViewRacquet.com.

Beauty products find a future in tennis

Liza Horan — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:11:24 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--Tracy Austin and Lindsay Davenport picked up endorsement deals with Juvederm, a skincare treatment that fills in wrinkles, for its "Decades of Smooth" campaign that ties into 2008 tournament sponsorships by parent company Allergan. The tennis-cosmetic connection could further open the field for relationships between the sport's stars and cosmetics and healthcare products. Picture Maria Sharapova or Ana Ivanovic as the next Cover Girl; though chances are they wouldn't take the pathway set out by America's Next Top Model.

Serena and Venus Williams have been there. Avon hooked them with a three-year deal in 2000, the same year that Sanex, a popular brand of hygiene products in Europe, inked a three-year title sponsorship of the WTA Tour. Avon was the better sell in the United States, since Sanex isn't marketed here. While scoring the sponsorship was a breathrough for the tour, which had shopped around the opportunity, "Sanex WTA Tour" didn't resonate with domestic fans.

Perfume has been done a bit--recent products include Parlux fragrances by Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick--but the usual suspects for players endorsements remain gear, apparel, footwear, and consumer products like cameras, watches, and cars.

The Juvederm connection is bigger than the player endorsements. The brand's parent company, Allergan, signed on to sponsor three tournaments in 2008, starting with the Sony Ericsson Open. The others are the East West Bank Classic and the U.S. Open.

"Tennis was a natural fit," said Allergan's Leslie Bryant, describing why Allergan chose tennis as the promotional platform. "Juvederm is the first medical aesthetic brand to sponsor these tennis tournaments, so there was a great opportunity to educate the many men and women who love tennis, are active and want to take care of their skin."

While Juvederm's relationship with Austin, 45, and Davenport, 31, ties into the tournament sponsorships by Allergan, Austin says she discovered and used the dermafill product independently.

"I liked it right away. It's hyaluronic acid, which is naturally-occuring. It's safe, FDA-approved, and it didn't hurt--just stung a bit," Austin said in a telephone interview during the Sony Ericsson Open. "And there's no downtime--very little, I ice it for five minutes after the treatment and then get in the car and go. It lasts up to a year."

It might sound scripted, but Austin is forthcoming about her previous use of Restylane to ease wrinkle lines from sun damage.

"With high-definition TV everything shows up. I was secretive at first about it, only telling a few friends, but now I'm proud to talk about it," Austin explained. "For all those years of playing in the sun without sunscreen I'm seeing the effects of aging, earlier than most. I grew up at a time when sunscreen wasn't mainstream. I was out in the sun playing tennis every day in Southern California. It wasn't 'til I was about 18 that sunscreen came around. Now when my three boys go outside they are covered head-to-toe."

It gets a little more personal: Her mother has had pre-cancerous cells removed several times.

"She's lived in Southern California for 46 years and was always outside, whether at the beach or playing tennis. She's had a lot of sun and now she's paying for it. The options we have that our mothers didn't have has really changed things," she said, adding that she had a check-up with the dermatologist the week before the Sony Ericsson Open.

Allergan makes both Botox, which relaxes facial muscles, and Juvederm, which adds volume to wrinkles to smooth lines.

Sony Ericsson Open set to mark five million attendees upon 25th anniversary in 2009

Liza Horan — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 00:38:10 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--The tournament in Key Biscayne--formerly The Lipton International Players Championships, The Ericsson Open, and The NASDAQ-100 Open before becoming the Sony Ericsson Open in 2007--has a big birthday coming.

Next year is the 25th anniversary of the event, founded by former player and former ATP chief Butch Buchholz. Since the first ball was struck on a court in Delray Beach, its first home, the tournament has been setting records. The prize money that year reportedly was $1.8 million, right behind Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. This year the purse was $7.54 million, justifying its status as "the fifth Grand Slam."

That first year Martina Navratilova won the triple crown of singles against Carling Bassett (not yet Seguso), doubles with Gigi Fernandez and mixed with Heinz Gunthardt, who went on to coach Steffi Graf to win five singles titles there. This year Serena Williams tied that record with a three-setter over Jelena Jankovic. Nikolay Davydenko achieved his first trophy at Crandon Park by beating Rafael Nadal in straight sets. Bob and Mike Bryan solidified their No. 1 ranking by winning the doubles event for second time. On the women's side, Katarina Srebotnik and Ai Sugiyama triumphed.

Back to 1985: Tim Mayotte beat Scott Davis to become the debut men's champ, while the doubles prize went to Christo Van Rensburg and Paul Annacone, who is the former coach of three-time winner Pete Sampras.

There's lots of history in Key Biscayne, but news, too.

The 2008 edition inched the tournament very close to the 300,000 mark for attendance. This year's attendance (297,011 fans) beat last year's by almost 10,000 people.

Tennis in South Florida is like sand in the desert--it's everywhere--but sustaining and growing a world-class pro tournament is a coup. Besides turning 25 in 2009, the tournament is poised to surpass five million attendees since its inception. Be assured that the Florida tourism department is toasting Buchholz and team.

There's no telling right now what festivities will mark the silver anniversary of the Key Biscayne tournament--hopefully the staff is enjoying a well-earned vacation--but if this year's event is any preview, it'll be a hot ticket.

Related link:
"Another Record Breaking Year for the Sony Ericsson Open" (press release)

Photo courtesy Sony Ericsson Open

Patrick McEnroe to lead effort to develop next American champions

Liza Horan — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 14:04:27 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--There are four Americans in the Top 20 rankings: Venus and Serena Williams, Andy Roddick and James Blake. The last time the U.S. Open crowd cheered on one of its own to win the singles championship with in 2003 as Andy Roddick scored his first Grand Slam title. Serena Williams, in 2002, was the last American woman to win.

The most successful American players these days, according to rankings and results, remains the No. 1-ranked doubles team of Bob and Mike Bryan.

All these players are active and remain serious competitors, yet the youngest is 26 (Roddick). While this country has enjoyed longevity among top players--most notably Pete Sampras (retired at 32), Andre Agassi (retired at 36) and Lindsay Davenport (31)--the age of 30 is often the exit for a pro tennis career.

As today's top players inch toward the horizon of 30 and their hungry competitors emerge from countries that are quickly producing champions, the U.S. Tennis Association has announced a new strategy to create and support a pathway for champions.

"It's a new world," said USTA CEO Arlen Kantarian said in a press announcement on April 2. "We recognize the reality and we're committed to change. So today marks the beginning of a completely new direction for the USTA."

Now, the USTA has made such announcements before in its quest to keep up with the efforts of France, Spain and other dominating nations. Yet this plan, seems to have less ego and more smarts than previous attempts.

First, the USTA has renamed its High Performance division to Elite Player Development; increased its 2009 budget 50 percent over the original 2008 budget (which has gotten a boost with the restructuring); and created a position of General Manager that is accountable directly to Kantarian; he's the one who put the U.S. Open on steroids, turning the tournament into the glitzy two-week tennis festival and massive money machine that it is now, not to mention his organizing and branding of the U.S. Open Series and securing major boosts in television coverage.

The search to find the right person to fill the role of General Manager was very specific: The individual had to be a leader with experience in different areas of tennis who had the respect, credibility and support of top players, coaches and industry leaders, and who exhibited a spirit of inclusiveness to rally past champions, coaches and academies around Elite Player Development. Yet, this 'nice guy' inclusiveness had to be tempered with a sense of decisiveness.

A worldwide search that produced 30 candidates eventually landed close to home--actually, in the USTA's own backyard: Patrick McEnroe, captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team.

The choice is no surprise.

McEnroe has been in and around all parts of the game his whole life. It's almost as though he's been groomed for this moment.

"I feel like I've been through a lot of different scenarios in the tennis world from being a top junior, from being the 'brother of', from being a college player, from being a pretty decent pro, being on television, (and) being on the board of the USTA before I became the Davis Cup captain," McEnroe said in a telephone interview. "I've been around a lot of great players. I've lived with some. I've coached them on the bench. Tennis has been obviously a huge part of my life and has given me tremendous opportunities and tremendous joy in my life. I feel like--yes--all my experiences have groomed me for this."

The USTA leadership has said that past attempts to improve the scouting, training and development of players to champions have been well-intentioned, but that this plan is different. Besides the substantial increase in funding, which was not disclosed, two panels will be assembled to provide an integrated approach to efforts. They are a Champions Advisory Board and a Coaches Commission, both of which will involve the country's great pro tennis leaders in current efforts to build top players.

Such an wholistic approach is vital, Kantarian explained, because the landscape of the sports business has evolved quite a bit over the last few decades.

"We live in a new hypercompetitive sports world, which has made it a much more challenging environment for American champions, and it's one that's not just affecting tennis but certainly all sports," Kantarian said. "Since the Open era, close to a hundred more nations are now competing in the Olympic Games, 150 more foreign‑born players are on Major League Baseball rosters this spring, over 75 international players are now playing in the NBA, and in golf we've seen a 20% decrease in the number of American players in the top hundred.

"In tennis we're seeing the emergence of players from all over the globe--countries that include Serbia, Croatia, Cyprus, China, India--in a sport that now is even more global than ever before. Of course, we're feeling the impact. Last year's Open was the second time in 20 years that an American was not in the singles final of the US Open. Of course, on the other hand, you could look at that and say Americans have reached the finals of the US Open in 18 of the last 20 years. I think both of those statements say something about American tennis."

Now it's up to best and brightest in tennis--from retired champions to leading coaches that have become celebrities themselves--to come together in a nationalistic bid to keep American competitive and, potentially, on top of the rankings.

The lead charge for the project sounds most inspired:

"This is something that I'm really passionate about and I feel like I can make a difference. I feel like I can make a difference with what the USTA is doing and make a lot more positive things happen by really getting out there and working with people that are respected and that have done a lot in the tennis world," said McEnroe. "That's what I intend to do."

Players put in lots of off-court time in Miami

Liza Horan — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 14:02:20 GMT

By Liza Horan

Match competition is center-stage at the Sony Ericsson Open in Key Biscayne, of course, but there's a lot of competition for spectator attentions inside and outside Crandon Park. From fashion shows and autograph signings to off-site pro appearances at parties and hospitals, the tournament really becomes part of the Miami scene.

With all the entertainment value the tournament delivers, it's no wonder they've already broken previous attendance records. Yesterday's day session sold out with 15,154 attendees, marking the eighth session sell-out this year, and the tournament doesn't end 'til Sunday.

Great weather may have something to do with it, as there's been only two rain delays and no rain-outs, but the festival-like atmosphere is a strong pull in itself.

While the on-court matches are the focus, the buzz around the extra-curriculars gives the players, the tournament and the sport fantastic visibility to locals. TV coverage by CBS, Fox Sports Network and Tennis Channel are delivering exposure to the masses.

The pro tours, players and tournament organizers are very savvy about leveraging star power to gain exposure. Not only does it boost media coverage, promotes goodwill, and increases the cache of the players and the sports. Here are key highlights from the Sony Ericsson Open:

- James Blake hit two home runs to left field when he and Sam Querrey visited the Florida Marlins to take swings of a different kind.

- Celebrities spotted courtside include actor Owen Wilson, rapper Common, racer Christian Fittipaldi, and musician Boyd Tinsley.

- Serena Williams played Raphael Nadal on water for the grand openings of the Gansevoort South Hotel. An acrylic platform was constructed for the players to stand on as they played a swishy, entertaining game.

- Svetlana Kuznetsova met All-Star guard Dwyane Wade following the Miami Heat's close victory over the Milwaukee Bucks.

- David Nalbandian and IndyCar series champ Helio Castroneves competed in each other's sports as the two traded backhands then took speedy laps; Nalbandian reportedly said a quick prayer before zooming to 165 mph.

- Habitat for Humanity ambassador Nadia Petrova and Ivan Ljubicic helped paint a house in the Little Haiti district of Miami.

- Jill Craybas and Juan Ignacio Chela helped staff and volunteers from the Sony Ericsson Open and Feed the Children load more than $1.3 million worth of food for the needy on to delivery trucks.

U.S. packs a triple-threat for Davis Cup tie

Liza Horan — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 00:37:41 GMT

By Liza Horan

Photo courtesy USTA

New York--A grudge match more than 100 years in the making will be played April 11-13 in Winston-Salem, N.C. The competitors, the U.S. and France, are deadlocked at 7-7 and have not faced off in Davis Cup play since 2002 at Roland Garros. Guess who won.

This time the American team is packing a triple-threat:
- Home-court advantage in a state of super-patriotic tennis addicts
- Riding a wave of confidence that came with winning the 2007 Davis Cup championship, for which the players will be presented with 14-karat gold rings prior to the first match
- Solid chemistry of the longest-running team in U.S. history. Patrick McEnroe has captained the line-up of Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Bob and Mike Bryan for 10 straight ties; the previous record of consistency had been three ties. Mardy Fish--a regular alternate--will also participate in the tie.

The French team promises to be formidable with Richard Gasquet, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Michael Llodra, and Arnaud Clement expected to play.

"I've lost to Richard before and their (doubles) team is one of the few that's beat the Bryans," Andy Roddick said in a post-match interview at the Pacific Life Open last week. "It's probably the toughest second round that's going, and we have a lot of respect for their team, that's for sure."

McEnroe said he is especially pumped up for the home tie. "I really think that Winston's a great place for us to go back to, because it sort of kick-started us last year to beat Spain in the convincing way that we did," he said. "I really wanted the guys to get a match at home because I think we'll really be able to enjoy going out there as the champions. I think the crowd will respond to that."

If the U.S. wins, the team would travel to either Germany or Spain for the World Group Semifinal in September.

Tickets are available by calling 1-888-484-8782. The matches will be broadcast on Tennis Channeland VERSUS.

The secret to motivating players

Liza Horan — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 09:43:32 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--If you work with competitive juniors and think praising them on great results will make them work harder or smarter--think again! It's not their brains and talent that breed success, but their ability to focus and invest effort toward a goal.

If a player believes talent will carry him to the finals, chances are he'll let destiny take over and not work as hard as he could. Eventually that win streak will flame out.

That was the message from Dr. Jim Loehr to teaching pros and coaches at the PTR International Tennis Symposium in Hilton Head, S.C., in February. It was based on groundbreaking research by Dr. Carol Dweck of Stanford University that showed that a person's mindset--a view of his or her own capabilities--influences motivation and the attainment of goals.

"You can have anything you want fundamentally if you are willing to invest an extraordinary amount of energy and effort," said Loehr, who worked with players such as Jim Courier and Monica Seles before turning his sport psychology expertise to all life matters by co-founding the Human Performance Institute. And, to convey this point, he applied findings from Dr. Dweck's book, "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success" to tennis.

In addition to urging teaching pros and coaches to read "Mindset," Loehr offered this advice to those guiding young players:

Praise the effort, not the result. "You're a natural! is the kiss of death," Loehr says. Instead, applaud a player's preparation, enthusiasm, resilience and ability to handle pressure.
Use failure (a match loss or a double-fault). "Failure is simply feedback, perhaps a wake-up call, for more focused effort and commitment," says Loehr.
Keep perspective. Help a player see that tennis is a means to other things, not the only defining aspect of who he or she is. Loehr suggests, "You're fortunate to have tennis as a gift to become an extraordinary human being."

"You get back what you invest in, and you must be a precise investor. It's so fundamental," Loehr said. "Reinforce and reward effort--not the outcome. That's what really matters for a human being."

Related link:
- PTR Tennis
- Human Performance Institute
- "Mindset: The New Psychology of Success"

Sampras, Federer exo proves the Big Apple wants more tennis

Liza Horan — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 18:50:05 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--The NetJets showdown between Pete Sampras and Roger Federer on March 10 was an unqualified success. To illustrate the point, consider that even the event's public relations crew couldn't track down the last time tennis sold out Madison Square Garden.

Tennis at the Garden was a fixture for years as the top eight women battled for the season-ending championship crowns--first under the Virginia Slims banner and finally, after a couple of others, under the tour's current Sony Ericsson name. Each year the crowds dwindled until the tournament eventually moved on.

It seemed the city had said, "The only tennis to make it in this town is the U.S. Open." Perhaps New Yorkers didn't "get" tennis like fans in other cities and countries, or that the venue or winter timing just wasn't right.

Whatever the questions or conclusions then, all were destroyed one week ago as 19,690 New Yorkers packed every seat and luxury suite in the Garden. And, by the sounds and actions of their cheers, these were not just your typical tennis fans: They jumped to their feet in exultation, they hollered encouraging words, they danced and sang, they scarfed down hotdogs and beer. The event drew all types--business people, commuters, singles, families, and celebrities. All revered Sampras and Federer as among the greatest athletes to hit the planet.

Federer--who edged out Sampras by a score of 6-3, 6-7 (7-4), 7-6 (8-6) but only one point overall--and Sampras were joined on court by Roy Emerson to round out the top three men's champions of all time. Federer and Emerson each own 12 Grand Slam titles, while Sampras claims 14. But they weren't the only tennis royalty on hand: Billie Jean King, Martina Navratilova, and Ivan Lendl, who was a promoter of the event, also attended.

Pop culture icons Tiger Woods, Donald Trump, Star Jones, Rupert Murdoch and many others also could be seen in the first few rows around the blue court.

The anticipation of the match, the players themselves, and the audience combined for an energized atmosphere that could be rivaled only by Davis Cup competition or one of those night matches at the U.S. Open that extends into the wee morning hours.

"I think this is an indication of how hungry New Yorkers are for tennis," USTA CEO of Professional Tennis Arlen Kantarian told me after the post-match press conference. "They only get it two weeks a year at the U.S. Open, which was sold out for the first time ever with more than 715,000 fans coming out.

"I think we're seeing the early stages of a resurgence in the sport. You know, 25 million people played in 2007. It hasn't been that high in 20 years. Nineteen thousand people coming out on a Monday night for an exhibition? I think it's great for the sport."

It was a day that tennis spoke to the masses--whether they were at the Garden, at home watching Tennis Channel, online catching the webcast at USTA.com, or watching Tennis Channel's broadcast at 12 movie theaters across the country.

The event came off with a hitch.

"I think we got a bit lucky. None of us realized how much the New York community missed tennis," said J. Wayne Richmond, a tennis industry stalwart who helped organize and promote the event. "This is an expensive place to do an event. We had 90 days to put this together and no sponsor."

The promoters believed in the concept, took a risk, and then NetJets came on a head sponsor. The only consumer promotion was a full-page ad in The New York Times and an email blast to the USTA database. Just as fans jumped at the chance to be at the Garden on March 10, so did the business community. Here's the final list of event sponsors:
NetJets (title sponsor)
Marquis Jet Card (presenting sponsor)
Men's Vogue (presenting sponsor)
StarGames (event producer)
Mymetics' Dream Vaccines Foundation
SteubenGlass
Jumeirah Essex House
TVU Networks
StarGames
MSG+Plus
Rolex
Borgata Atlantic City
BNP Paribas

Mason's Tennis on East 54th Street was the exclusive retailer for the event, and the official DVD is being sold at Showdown DVD.com.

That so many sponsors that are new to tennis supported this exhibition is a sign that tennis is making headway as a serious marketing platform to reach consumers. Translation: Tennis is big league.

Now, tennis has been "big league" always to insiders, but the momentum of star power and money coming into the sport and the money being spent on increasing participation is unmatched in the sport's history. As Kantarian said, 25 million people played tennis in 2007. Add to that: Tennis is the only tradition sport to grow since 2000. Participation has increased more than 13 percent due to industry initiatives like Tennis Welcome Centers and Cardio Tennis and the ability of pro players to transcend the sport into pop culture.

As Lendl put it: "The winner tonight is tennis."

ABC, Thorlo engage consumers

Liza Horan — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:33:48 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--As the number of marketing messages bombarding consumers continues to increase, marketers try harder and smarter to get their attention. Inviting the public to vote is a clever way to engage them in your brand for several reasons:
- It makes them feel as if the company values their opinion
- It allows the consumer to initiate involvement with the company, which could spark or strengthen a relationship
- It creates a newsworthy angle along the lines of "the public has spoken"
- It informs the company about trends and preferences.

Tuesday night the public gets to vote on which pairings get to continue on Dancing with the Stars by sending a text message via mobile phone, a phone call on a cell or land line, or placing a vote online. Click here for story.

Lots of TV reality shows are using this technique, and now a tennis apparel maker is doing the same.

Early this month Thorlo invited the public to vote on sock color options. Color choices are only part of the knowledge base the North Carolina company is gaining.

"We sent this e-mail to our database so our tennis consumers could vote on their favorite colors and help us decide which ones we take to market," says Tracy Harris, Thorlo's tennis market coordinator. "The information we get in the comments section will help us for 2009 Spring colors, too. We've already received a ton of feedback since the e-mail went out."

The email invitation included two important components for future marketing efforts:
- The "send to a friend" function to inspire viral marketing
- The required opt-in to receive promotional materials

This campaign by Thorlo is a case study in smart online marketing.

Do you have one? Email liza@tenniswire.org with the details.

Seles' dance moves mark her career transition

Liza Horan — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 17:16:19 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--Tonight's season premiere of Dancing with the Stars at 8 p.m. ET will feature a lithe, glamorous Monica Seles applying her athleticism to a new competitive stage.

How she landed on the popular show--which matches professional dancers with stars including ice skater Kristi Yamaguchi, hip hop artist Mario, actors Marlee Matlin and Priscilla Presley, and comics Adam Carolla and Penn Jillette, among others--is no random act, and makes all the sense in the world based on her new life.

"It came from the IMG broadcast division. They were very interested in Monica," says John Steele, who handles "non-traditional talent" as a Senior V.P. at IMG. "She's been on a journey of her own, and it's part of the transition she's making to lifestyle, health and fitness."

The 34-year-old--who officially retired in February after a 20-year career that garnered nine Grand slam singles titles--already has racked up some new non-tennis career activies. She's working as a correspondent for the CBS Morning Show, writing a blog at Self.com for SELF magazine, and writing a healthy lifestyle book set for release in January 2009. And, Steele says, a radio show may be on the way.

"She's never looked better. She's never felt better. She's really got it together," says Steele, adding that "she's lost a good 20 pounds."

"It's all about her journey of finding balance, eating right...she's done a lot of thinking about what she wanted to do in life," explains Steele, whose clients include Top Chef host Padma Lakshmi, The Dog Whisperer's Cesar Millan, and golfer Natalie Gulbis. He also represents Seles' former coach, Nick Bollettieri, for non-tennis opportunities.

Seles' dancing partner is Jonathan Roberts, a 31-year-old pro who has won awards in Latin and ballroom styles. Model Rachel Hunter and Heather Mills--who is listed as a "charity campaigner on ABC.com, though she's more well-known as the former wife of Beatle Paul McCartney who was awarded nearly $49 million today in that highly publicized divorce--are among his former partners on the show.

Fans can vote for their favorite dancers via phone calls, text messages or online polls. Click here for details.

None of this means the Sarasota, Fla.-based Seles is turning off tennis. Her longtime IMG agent, Tony Godsick, continues to manage her tennis engagements.

Click here for Monica Seles' bio on Dancing with the Stars' website
Click here to read about Tennis Channel's coverage of Seles on Dancing

TheBuzz: Maria, optical illusions and gators, oh my!

Liza Horan — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 00:31:22 GMT

Here are some quick bits of offbeat developments.

By Liza Horan

Maria around town:

New Yorker's are used to seeing Maria Sharapova's visage around town at U.S. Open time, but Tennis Week's latest promotion will make them think tennis in the dead of winter. Publisher Randy Master says that on Monday, the February/March issue cover, featuring the Aussie Open champ, will be sported on the sides of Hudson News delivery trucks. The one-month promotion ties into increased newsstand distribution.

Recoil promo:

As Prince's new string, Recoil, hits shelves this week, stores will be hanging unique cut-outs from their ceilings to educate players about the product. The promo piece (measuring about 10" x 7.5") is a lenticular, which shows a shifting image as the viewer's point of view changes. The effect is a tennis ball hitting the strings, the strings giving way, then the strings returning to their original position as the ball flies off the string bed. A lenticular is also part of the product package. The Prince marketing team says it took a departure from traditional string packaging to show players how the Recoil technology works. The idea was conceived in-house, and Prince worked with The Design Block and Gyro Worldwide to execute the packaging. Click here to view a video on the string.

Lacoste gator:

Earlier this month, a pair of British dentists deflected a logo-driven lawsuit by Rene Lacoste's namesake company. The gator that the French player made famous, based on the nickname penned by the press, seemed to too closely inspire the logo for the medical practice. It's not an exact replica, the court said, so they can keep it. Click here for the news story, and click here for a story about enduring logos, including Lacoste's.

Make a holiday ham--of yourself!

Liza Horan — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:36:53 GMT

By Liza Horan

In the spirit of Elf Yourself TM, Tennis Channel has launched the "Lord of the Strings" email greeting. Just upload your head shot, select your outfit and racquet, and send to a friend.

It's a fun way to spread goodwill and good laughs in a few clicks--not to mention it's a keen use of viral marketing to drive website traffic in a typically down period.

Click here to become a "Lord of the Strings."

Press gets sneak peek at QuickStart

Liza Horan — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:53:56 GMT

New play format for 10-and-unders aims to make tennis easy and fun

By Liza Horan

Photo by Peter Francesconi

New York—One Saturday last month I got outed by a bunch of six-year-olds. Out-run. Out-skipped. Out-hopped. I'm no kindergarten teacher or babysitter or teaching pro, yet I spent the morning running around a court swinging a mini racquet, chasing foam balls, zig-zagging through cones, and jumping through hoops (literally!). I was one of a handful of journalists—and a gander of very spirited kids—who tried QuickStart, a new play format that makes learning tennis easy and fun for kids aged 10 and under.

The event was a press preview for the national launch of QuickStart in March. The new play format, which had been informally called "36/60," scales down the court and the equipment so kids can build the motor skills used in tennis. One court becomes four mini-courts, regular balls are traded for foam or decompressed balls, and racquets are 17" or 23" inches long.

QuickStart is expected to be offered by 1,100 providers--including Tennis Welcome Centers, park and rec departments, and NJTL programs--in the first year, and is part of the USTA schools curriculum, according to Kirk Anderson, the USTA's Director of Recreational Coaches and Programs. A home kit will be available for purchase so parents can set up a mini-court, making it an accessible, affordable family activity.

"Everything we do is transferable to the driveway or cul-de-sac," Anderson said. "I can see these mini-courts all over, just like basketball goals by the garage door."

While Anderson explained, "We guarantee they'll be rallying on their first day," the format is not about creating the 2020 U.S. Open champion. It's about making the game easy, fun, accessible and affordable to little kids. And, once they develop the skills to play, there's a path to competitive play within the USTA system.

"Our plan is to make tennis the new team sport," said Kurt Kamperman, the USTA's Chief Executive of Community Tennis Development. "We've always had children's programs, but we've never had an integrated way for kids to learn the game and transition to team play. This is going to expose hundreds of thousands of kids to tennis."

QuickStart is a strategic move in the USTA's goal to increase participation. As Kamperman put it: "We're creating a new tennis boom."

For more information, visit Partners.QuickStartTennis.com.

Reflection: Summer Slam season book-ended by history

Liza Horan — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 15:16:45 GMT

By Liza Horan

Oct. 15, New York--Roger Federer's beating a path to history. Just three Grand Slam titles short of Pete Sampras' record 14, the No. 1 player seems assured to realize this destiny. While the Swiss champion was appearing in the summer's three major finals, inching closer to the record, I had the fortune to celebrate the game with some of the historymakers he's bound to join.

FRENCH OPEN
While Federer was trying to make history by winning his first title at Roland Garros(right) by getting around his rival, Rafael Nadal, on dirty courts in the Paris environs, I was a guest at some dirty courts stateside. It was a fitting day to do so, as Federer and Nadal dueled amidst the leafy green of the Bois de Bologne, so did I, amid the oak trees of Orange, N.J.

The occasion was the 90th anniversary of the Berkeley Tennis Club (left), a private club of about 170 members with six outdoor courts and a small clubhouse. "Small" means friendly, in this case, not snobby.

"We're too small to be cliquish," explained Naomi, a member who played the round-robin afternoon with husband Mike, who chimed in, "A lot of clubs around here are full of egos. Not here--everyone is friendly."

It's one of a handful of clubs, just 30 minutes west of Manhattan, where tennis roots run deep. The Orange Lawn Tennis Club dates from 1880, only six years after lawn tennis was reportedly brought to this country. Orange Lawn went on to become the site of warm-up events for the U.S. nationals at West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills, N.Y. The Morristown Field Club followed in 1881, but was quite progressive, allowing female members in 1895. Sea Bright Lawn Tennis and Cricket Club in Rumson already celebrated its 100th, and in 2009, the Arlington Players Club in Kearny will do so.

The round-robin party on this day felt more like a fun family reunion, even for a stranger. Members and friends brought salads, cakes, cheese, crackers and dips. Ripe blackberries dropped off the branches of overhanging trees just outside the sidelines. Players heartily dove for shots, sliding and eventually sporting the same brick-stained socks just like Roger and Rafa.

WIMBLEDON...NEWPORT
The day after Federer scored his fifth consecutive title at the All England Lawn Tennis, I was on the grass of another lawn tennis club: The Newport Casino, which is home to the International Tennis Hall of Fame and the Campbell's Hall of Fame Championships. It was only three days after Federer won the title and already his outfit from the final was autographed and displayed in the museum (right).

Outside, 13 grass courts lie about the grounds, which hosted the first U.S. national championships in 1881. From the amount of climbing ivy and flowers bursting with Crayola colors, you might think you're in Wimbledon were it not for the intimacy of the place, and the New England (not Olde England) accents.

The occasion was this country's only pro grass tournament, which featured Mark Philippoussis' return to play following his taping of "The Age of Love" reality TV show and Fabrice Santoro's first title since 2002. The hall of fame inductions of Pete Sampras, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (both below right), Sven Davidson, and photographer Russ Adams shared center court on the weekend in front of a well-dressed crowd. Like its counterpart in SW19, the place feels like hallowed ground and it's as easy to relive moments from the roots of tennis history as it is to witness those being made.

Sampras' presence, especially, shot beats of electricity throughout the weekend's proceedings. His emotional acceptance speech has become part of history. As Sampras--who was accompanied by his parents, siblings, wife and children--admitted: After 16 years of 'no emotion,' it all came spilling out that red hot day in Newport.

U.S. OPEN
And later as Federer has made his way to another Grand Slam final weekend, I found myself celebrating tennis history once again. This time it was in the grand, marble-covered space of the old Bowery Bank, now Cipriani's on 42nd Street in Manhattan. It's just across the street from Grand Central Terminal and on the tournament's final Friday night held the majority of names you'd expect to find at an event called "The Legends Ball."

Agassi, Sanchez Vicario, Guillermo Vilas, Stan Smith, Billie Jean King, John McEnroe, Jim Courier, Pam Shriver, Pancho Gonzales, Tony Trabert (pictured below with hall-of-famer Russ Adams, and Agassi), and many more were decked out in floor-length gowns and tuxedos. All of them are hall-of-famers, except one: Agassi. (Just a technicality; a player must be retired for two years before nomination to the hall.)

Agassi received the Eugene L. Scott Award for his contributions to the game on and off the court. The award was presented by McEnroe, who was last year's inaugural winner of the honor named for the late Davis Cup player who went on to become founder and publisher of Tennis Week. Agassi, in addition to being one of the most popular pros in history, has raised more than $100 million through his foundation and created charter schools for underprivileged children. These days his business includes real estate investments and a host of product endorsements.

"This stage of my life has a bigger platform to help people than two hours on a tennis court," Agassi said in between snapping photos with other legends during the cocktail hour. Describing what the award means, he said, "This is everything I have dreamed of as a kid. It's a celebration of my years of playing the game. It's an honor."

Besides having tennis history in common, these summer highlights shared Dick Savitt (right with fellow player Jeff Podesta, who joined the Berkeley Tennis Club in 1936), funny enough. The guy gets around. The Wimbledon and Australian Open champion, who finished six years in the Top 10--as was a member of the Berkeley Tennis Club for years--is living history. He's often spotted at industry events and tournaments (big and small).

Just what you'd expect for the sport of a lifetime.

Gains made outside NTC, too

Liza Horan — Fri, 21 Sep 2007 15:48:26 GMT

By Liza Horan

New York--Matches at the U.S. Open were the centerpiece of the year's final Grand Slam, of course, but a variety of industry events were clustered around it. Together they yield positive indicators for the sport overall. Here's a round-up:

- More participation: More people are playing more tennis, as evidenced by USTA/TIA research. Specifically, racquet sales jumped 21.6 percent from 2003 to 2006; ball sales grew 11.5 percent during that period; and the first half of this year saw racquet sales grow 9.4 percent over the same period of 2006. Details such as these were presented at the TIA Tennis Forum presented by TENNIS Magazine. The inaugural event was well-received.

- Tennis is inclusive: From the momentous celebration on opening night--marking Althea Gibson's 50th anniversary of her U.S. Open title and her induction to the U.S. Open "Court of Champions"--several serious efforts recognized that tennis is more than a stereotypical country club avocation. That event featured a long list of African Americans who, like Gibson, achieve 'firsts' in their respective areas. The International Tennis Hall of Fame 's exhibit, "Breaking the Barriers: The American Tennis Association and Black Tennis Pioneers," showcased Gibson, Arthur Ashe, Dr. Robert Walter Johnson and others through various media and player memorabilia [story]. Arthur Ashe Kids' Day showcased the game amid musical acts and entertainment on and off the courts, and local community groups enjoyed outings at the Open.

- Charity Donations: A variety of charities were connected with Open goings-on. During Kids' Day, $17,500 was raised for charity, and a portion of event proceeds benefit the USTA National Junior Tennis League. Another pre-Open event, the Dacor Taste of Tennis, raised money for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

The biggest payout each year happens at The International Tennis Hall of Fame gala, and a change of name (from the "Newport in New York Gala" to "The Legends Ball") and location (from the Waldorf=Astoria to Cipriani on 42nd St.) only enhanced matters. The party--which featured dinner (osso buco), awards (Andre Agassi won the Eugene L. Scott award, and Rolex won the Joseph F. Cullman award) brought in more than $140,000 during live and silent auctions. A Wimbledon package that included accommodations and tickets for the men's and women's final sold for $26,000.

More than $500,000 has been raised so far in 2006 and 2007, according to auction committee chair, Peter Hurley, who was just honored by the hall of fame with the Chairman's Award. [press release].

The point: Tennis is trending upward for exposure, market support and participation.