Black Tennis Pro's

Venus And Serena Williams Tennis Academy Celebrates 35th Anniversary

2009-11-17T00:23:00.006-05:00

Media Contact:

Jasmyne Cannick

(323) 839-0216

Venus and Serena Williams Tennis Academy coaches LeGeorge Mauldin and Terry Chambers flanked by their students at the 35th anniversary celebration of the academy.

LOS ANGELES – Hundreds of local youth ages 12-17 came out and celebrated the 35th anniversary of the Venus and Serena Williams Tennis Academy Saturday, Nov. 14. The celebration took place at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Courts located at the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex in Los Angeles and included an exhibition of their students.

The Venus and Serena Williams’ Tennis Academy is housed at the Rancho Cienega Sports Complex located at 5001 Rodeo Boulevard in Los Angeles. Additionally, the Academy is open seven days a week with instructors available for private, semi-private, and group lessons for both adults and children. For more information, please call (323) 299-4631.

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Monfils Outlasted In Battle For Paris Title

2009-11-16T01:04:00.008-05:00

Finalist Gael Monfils joins Paris Masters tournament officials post match

(Photos by ©FFT/C.Saadi)

In an epic three-setter at the 2009 BNP Paribas Masters tournament in Paris, France on Sunday, No. 15 seed Gaël Monfils was outlasted by the the No. 3 seed Novak Djokovic 6-2, 5-7, 7-6(3) in a match that thrilled the crowd for two and three-quarter hours.

Local hero Monfils confounded the pundits who presumed that Djokovic would make mincemeat of him as the Serb had done to the mighty Rafael Nadal 24 hours earlier. With adrenaline coursing through his veins and the roars of a 13,000-strong partisan crowd behind him, Monfils made light of the fatigue he was feeling after a protracted semi-final and battled all the way to a third set tie-break, treating his supporters to a roller-coaster ride along the way.

The first set was all Djokovic, as the 6-2 scoreline would suggest. He won his first seven points on service and lost only three all set, while his returns sent Monfils scurrying from side to side in a vain attempt to keep pace. The writing appeared to be on the wall when the Serb raced into a 3-0 lead in the second, but then the rigours of over 90 matches this season caught up with him, mentally more than physically. Monfils saw a chink of light and crept through, aided by Djokovic’s sudden propensity for coming to the net and then fluffing his volleys. 3-0 became 3-3, and just as a tie-break seemed on the cards, the Frenchman upped the intensity on his returns and broke to lead 6-5. An ace in the next game sent the crowd into paroxysms of ecstasy and the match was level at one set all.

Djokovic again broke to open the decider, and though Monfils responded immediately the Serb broke again and finally got some daylight between himself and his 23-year-old opponent at 4-1. Despite a sudden rash of double-faults – four in the space of six points – Monfils hauled himself back into the match and when Djokovic suddenly lost his radar in terms of length, the match was back level at 4-4.

A tie-break was the only way to decide what had been a fitting culmination to an incredible tournament, and the fans were indeed treated to the equivalent of a penalty shoot-out. Monfils was asked to summon up one last valiant effort, but it was not to be, and while his double-fault on match point may haunt him over the coming weeks, it will soon be expunged from the memories of those who witnessed his performance in the final and indeed throughout the week.

2009 Paris Masters champion and finalist Novak Djokovic, Serbia and Gael Monfils, France

Mashona Washington Doubles Champion At Goldwater Women's Classic

2009-11-16T01:00:00.000-05:00

Mashona Washington, USA

Along with Canadian teammate Sharon Fichman, American Mashona Washington won the doubles title at the $50,000 Goldwater Classic in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday after defeating the doubles team of Canadian Marie-Eve Pelletier and Georgian Anna Tatishvili 4-6, 6-4, [10/8].

Congrats Mashona!!!

(NTDWT) Still Missing, Mitrice Richardson

2009-11-15T00:02:00.006-05:00

For additional information please go to:

www.BringMitriceHome.org

Los Angeles Area Rancho Tennis Club November Mixer

2009-11-14T21:24:00.004-05:00

ITF Chief Says Ban Unlikely For Serena Williams

2009-11-14T20:44:00.007-05:00

By Andrew Dampf (AP) -- Top-ranked Serena Williams will most likely receive a "significant" fine but no suspension for her U.S. Open tirade, the president of the International Tennis Federation said.

Grand Slam administrator Bill Babcock is expected to give his recommendation to the Grand Slam committee, which probably will announce the sanction Monday or Tuesday.

"I don't think (an Australian Open ban) would make much sense, because it would penalize the people handing out the punishment," Francesco Ricci Bitti told The Associated Press on Saturday. "For the Grand Slam committee to exclude her from a Grand Slam doesn't seem likely."

The Grand Slam committee is composed of Ricci Bitti and the four Grand Slam presidents.

Williams was fined $10,000 after her profanity-laced outburst at a lineswoman during her semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters in September. A fine from the ITF could be much greater.

"A significant financial penalty makes much more sense. But it has to be significant enough for the fans (to appreciate) it," Ricci Bitti said. "Of course it may not be significant for Serena Williams, who earns tens of millions."

By winning the season-ending tour championship last weekend, Williams set the record for single-season prize money in women's tennis by topping $6.5 million in 2009. Her career prize money is a record $28.5 million.

Ricci Bitti spoke at the Fed Cup final between the United States in Italy. Serena and Venus Williams decided not to play in the Fed Cup final after meeting in the final of the season-ending championship last weekend in Doha, Qatar.

The ITF president is also involved in a request by the World Anti-Doping Agency to investigate Andre Agassi's recent admission that he took crystal meth in 1997.

Agassi wrote in his soon-to-be-released autobiography "Open" that he ingested the drug and then lied to the ATP to avoid a suspension after failing a doping test.

Ricci Bitti is also a member of WADA's executive committee.

"The WADA code is our reference point and in every doping case the rules are quite clear. There is an eight-year period for sanctions to apply," Ricci Bitti said. "In terms of the regulations, there is nothing that can be done because we're past the eight-year period. It's more upsetting than anything else — for our sport and for the players."

Still, Ricci Bitti noted that the ATP should have a dossier on the case.

"We'll see what happens," he said.

In another drug-related case, the ITF confirmed a one-year suspension for Belgian tennis players Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse on Saturday. The duo was suspended by a Belgian tribunal this week for failing to report their whereabouts to anti-doping officials three times during 2009.

"This reminds me of the cases of Italian players involved in betting a little while ago," Ricci Bitti said. "These players need to be aware of their responsibilities. If they don't know, this is the result.

"These cases create discussion because they're not reliant on positive tests, but there are rules to respect," Ricci Bitti added. "We're awaiting the details from the Belgian federation. These kids need to wake up. They're professionals and they earn a lot of money. They don't need to merely know the rules, they should also respect them."

Mashona Washington Into Doubles Final In Phoenix

2009-11-14T20:05:00.005-05:00

Mashona Washington, USA

At the $50,000 2009 Goldwater Classic in Phoenix, Arizona, American Mashona Washington and teammate Sharon Fichman of Canada, reached the doubles final with a 6-4, 7-5 win over number three seeds Americans Kimberly Couts and Lindsay Lee-Waters. The two will play Canada's Marie-Eve Pelletier and Georgia's Anna Tatishvili.

Monfils Powers His Way Into Paris Final - WooHoo!

2009-11-14T19:33:00.004-05:00

Gael Monfils, France
(Photos by Clive Rose and Jacques Demarthon/AFP/Getty Images)

Gael Monfils delighted the home crowd by overcoming the Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek to reach the final of the Paris Masters.

The Paris-born player, world No 16, shared the opening two sets with the Czech but broke at 5-4 in the third to take the match 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 and set up a clash with Novak Djokovic.

Monfils said, "I know on Sunday I'll give my life on the court. I want to win. I'm not listening to my body any more."

A lot of Monfils’ best results have come in France. Last year he made the French Open semis and he won his first title this autumn for four years in Metz. "When I play in front of my family and the French crowd, I feel immediately a lot better," Monfils explained. "I believe in myself. I don't have much autonomy, but I believe in it. I try to do my best, and my level of game gets higher. I move well. I surprise myself."

Tsonga Opens Title Defense In Paris With A Win

2009-11-11T01:31:00.004-05:00

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, France
(Photo by Clive Rose/Getty Images)

(AP) PARIS — Defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Nikolay Davydenko won second-round matches at the Paris Masters on Tuesday to stay in contention for the ATP World Tour Finals.

Tsonga defeated Albert Montanes of Spain 6-1, 7-5 and Davydenko cruised past Benjamin Becker of Germany 6-2, 6-1.

Davydenko and Tsonga are among five players who can still qualify for the eight-man, season-ending event in London. Fernando Verdasco, Robin Soderling and Fernando Gonzalez are also in the running to secure the two remaining spots.

The 28-year-old Davydenko, who won the Paris Masters in 2006, needs to reach the semifinals to take a spot, while Tsonga must defend his title without facing Verdasco in the final to advance.

Tsonga showed no signs of the wrist injury that forced him to retire in the first round of the Valencia Open last week. The eighth-seeded Frenchman won five straight games in the first set. He broke in the 11th game of the second and closed it out on his first match point.

Davydenko, who broke Becker five times and saved four break points, said he didn't feel under pressure going into this week.

"There are three guys who need to win this tournament to qualify," said Davydenko, who has won four titles this season. "It won't be easy for the likes of Tsonga, Soderling or Verdasco and it makes me feel good."

James Blake Advances In Paris

2009-11-11T01:07:00.003-05:00

James Blake, USA
Photo by REUTERS/Jacky Naegelen (FRANCE SPORT TENNIS)

PARIS -- James Blake of the United States beat French veteran Fabrice Santoro 6-4, 6-3 in the first round of the Paris Masters on Sunday.

The 36-year-old Santoro, who is playing his final season on the ATP tour, swapped jerseys with Blake after the match and did a lap around the court to warm applause from the crowd at Bercy indoor arena.

Blake broke Santoro's serve twice in each set, and afterward paid tribute to the Frenchman.

"He's a great competitor, such a classy guy. Someone I've had a lot of tough matches with," said Blake, who next plays fourth-seeded Andy Murray of Britain. "He's had a great career. It's unbelievable how much success he's had in singles and doubles and how well liked he is by his competitors."

Murray beat Mikhail Youzhny in the Valencia Open final on Sunday, winning his sixth title of the season in his first tournament back since injuring his wrist at the U.S. Open in September.

In another first-round match in Paris on Sunday, Benjamin Becker beat Michael Llodra of France 3-6, 6-2, 6-3. The German next meets sixth-seeded Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.

Becker converted all three break chances, and saved two second-set break points and another in the decider. Both players served nine aces.

Championship Match Of The Titan Sisters Goes To Serena

2009-11-01T17:28:00.005-05:00

Serena Williams, 2009 Sony Ericsson Champion

(Photos by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images)

DOHA, Qatar (AP) — Serena Williams bested big sister Venus again Sunday, winning 6-2, 7-6 (4) in the season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships final.

Serena broke twice in the first set and lost just seven points on serve in her last match of the year. She looked sharper than Venus in every facet of a match that featured few long rallies and little of the spectacular tennis the two have provided in some of their previous meetings.

Serena sealed the match with a crosscourt forehand winner, and celebrated calmly with a simple fist pump before hugging her sister at the net.

"It feels great," said Serena, who also won the WTA Tour's season-ending event in 2001. "I totally didn't expect to come here and win."

It was Serena's fourth straight win over her sister. She also beat Venus in the round-robin stage of the Doha tournament, the Wimbledon final and the semifinals in Miami this year. She leads their head-to-head record 13-10.

"Playing a final against Venus is really tough," Serena said. "Even though she wasn't really feeling great, she kept hitting every ball back."

Serena earned $1.55 million for the win after finishing the event undefeated. She also clinched the year-end No. 1 ranking earlier this week after Dinara Safina of Russia pulled out injured in her first match.

The tournament featured the eight top-ranked women in the world divided into two groups, with the semifinalsts decided by a round-robin stage.

Venus lost two of her three round-robin matches but still advanced. The defending champion looked tired after rallying for a three-set win over Jelena Jankovic on Saturday, and each of her other group matches went three sets.

She played with her left knee strapped while Serena had strapping on her left thigh.

"It was the end of the season, so I have no complaints," Venus said about her fitness level. "You have to show up and play no matter what. So that had nothing to do with it."

Serena, who advanced after U.S. Open finalist Caroline Wozniacki retired injured in the semifinals, held five of her last seven service games at love and lost just one point in each of the other two.

It was her third tournament win of the season after Wimbledon and the Australian Open.

"I haven't won a tournament that wasn't a Grand Slam in a while, so that was even more exciting," she said. "My losing streak in (other) tournaments in over."

The Sisters Are Headed The Same Way - Final In Doha

2009-10-31T15:35:00.006-04:00

Americans Venus and Serena Williams

(Photo by KARIM JAAFAR/AFP/Getty Images)

As unlikely as it seemed in the beginning, American sisters Venus and Serena Williams will appear in yet another final, this one being that of the year-end Sony Ericsson Championships.

As defending champion, older sister Venus had a hard time sinking her teeth into this tournament and it was the actual performance of others in the Maroon Group, Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva, that allowed Venus to ascend to the semifinals.

Against Serbian Jelena Jankovic in Saturday's final, Venus came out strong but was not able to hold on to the first set. More consistent play and some impressive serving propelled Venus to a 5-7, 6-3, 6-4 win.

Serena has literally sailed through the tournament undefeated and had no problem making her way to the final. The semifinal against Caroline Wozniacki even provided a little more breathing time as the high-spirited Dane retired at 6-4, 0-1.

For big fans of the sisters, such as myself, the title will remain in the family for at least another year.

Gael Monfils Advances In Vienna

2009-10-29T04:29:00.005-04:00

VIENNA -- Third-seeded Gael Monfils of France beat Guillermo Garcia-Lopez in a straight-set, first-round match Wednesday at the Bank Austria Tennis Trophy in Vienna.

Monfils, the tournament's 2008 runner-up, defeated his Spanish foe 7-5, 6-4, winning 79 percent of service points and hitting seven aces.

If Monfils, a Paris native, wins the Vienna event, he will earn 160 points in his effort to qualify for the season-ending men's singles final at London next month.

Monfils, provisional 16th, faces long odds to make it into one of the two spots remaining for the ATP World Tour Final starting November 22 in London. But he says the chase is the last thing on his mind as he competes at the event where he lost the 2008 final.

"I'm really not thinking about London, not at all. I'm more excited about maybe winning a title here after missing it last year.

"I hope to play well here and next week in Valencia - maybe I can grab the title in Bercy (Paris Masters), that would help."

Source UPI/AFP

Safina's Loss Is Serena's Gain

2009-10-29T02:12:00.009-04:00

Americans Serena and Venus Williams
(Photo by AP)

In what was one of the strangest retirements from a match that I've ever witnessed, on Wednesday at the Sony Ericsson Championships during a second round match between Russian Dinara Safina and Serbian Jelena Jankovic, a sobbing and clearly overwhelmed Dinara Safina simply began crying, walked over to the official, retired, shook her opponents hand and made her way off court. It was heart wrenching to see.

We were later informed that she had been struggling with a back injury for three months and had been taking cortisone injections.

Safina said she will be sidelined for at least six weeks and is struggling to compete in the opening grand slam of 2010 in Australia.

"My body just gave up. I did everything possible to play. I went to have a cortisone injection, but I couldn't handle the pain anymore," Safina told reporters.

Hopefully she will have a speedy recovery.

On the flip side, the woman that caused all kind of ruckus earlier this year when she stated "we all know who the real number one is, will indeed be the real world number 1, again, come Monday, November 2.

After playing a very tight match against big sister Venus, and then being asked if she knew that she would regain the number one ranking Serena said," It's a great feeling to be world number one, but I feel really sorry for Dinara. She's a great player and never gives up."

Top Seed Tsonga Advances In Lyon

2009-10-27T23:41:00.006-04:00

LYON, France (AFP) — Top seed and home favourite Jo-Wilfried Tsonga squeezed past Kevin Kim and into the second round of the Lyon ATP event here Tuesday.

The unseeded American belied his 87th world ranking to give Tsonga a run for his money but the 2008 Australian Open finalist eventually prevailed 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/5).

The unexpectedly tight first round duel had the Gerland crowd captivated for an hour and a half.

In the second tie break Tsonga was trailing 5-3 but he managed to raise his game to close out the set and match.

The 24-year-old is aiming for his sixth career title and his fourth this season after wins in Japan, Johannesburg and Marseille.

Elsewhere Croatian third seed Ivan Ljubicic, who took the Lyon title in 2001, ended the hopes of Argentina's Martin Vassallo Arguello with a 6-3, 6-4 success.

Tsonga's compatriots enjoyed differing fortunes.

Veteran Fabrice Santoro, a winner here back in 1997, was knocked out by Spanish eighth seed Albert Montanes 6-4, 6-4, but Michael Llodra lives on after brushing aside Algerian Lamine Ouahab 6-1, 6-2.

Two qualifiers, France's David Guez and South African Kevin Anderson, respectively saw off Rajeev Ram of the United States and German Simon Greul to also make it into the second round.

Round Robin Play Puts Serena Up One, And Venus Down One

2009-10-27T20:45:00.004-04:00

Americans Venus and Serena Williams
(Photos by Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images)

A picture is worth a thousand words, and the above photo says it all...

On Tuesday evening in Doha at the 2009 Sony Ericsson Championships, American sisters Venus and Serena Williams split the outcome of their round robin play down the middle... Venus lost and Serena won.

First up was Venus against Russian Elena Dementieva. During the first set Venus played beautifully and was in total control, it appeared that the outcome of Venus winning was a foregone conclusion. Wrong.

Somewhere mid second set, after being up a set and a break, Venus took her foot off of the gas, loaded up her game with errors and allowed Dementieva to breeze right on by her to set up a third and final set; the handwriting was already on the wall.

Dementieva came out even stronger in the third set and sealed the deal by defeating Venus 3-6, 7-6(6) 6-2 - very disheartening.

Serena Williams and Russian Svetlana Kuznetsova immediately followed that match and played in very different fashion. The two ladies were literally toe-to-toe until the very end. Serena was able to win critical points when necessary and came out the victor defeating Kuznetsova in straight sets 7-6, 6-5.

Serena Williams Returns To Fed Cup Play For 2009 Final

2009-10-26T20:35:00.000-04:00

2007 USA Fed Cup Team (l-r) Vania King, Lisa Raymond, Venus Williams, Serena Williams
(Photo by Getty Images)

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) -- Serena Williams is back on the U.S. Fed Cup team for the first time since 2007.

Surprise U.S. Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin is also on the roster announced Tuesday by the U.S. Tennis Association for the Nov. 7-8 final against host Italy.

Williams leads active women with 11 Grand Slam singles titles and is 4-0 in Fed Cup singles matches over her career. Her sister Venus is not on the team.

Top-ranked doubles player Liezel Huber and Alexa Glatch round out the roster.

U.S. captain Mary Joe Fernandez says she strongly believes her team can win the Fed Cup title, something the country hasn't done since 2000.

(PHOTOS) Venus And Serena Williams Join WTA Elite Eight In Doha

2009-10-26T04:41:00.007-04:00

Last year's Sony Ericsson Championships winner, American Venus Williams, shares the stage with 2009's WTA elite eight.
(Photos by Karim Jaafar/AFP/Getty Images)

American super sisters (l-r) Venus and Serena Williams.

(L-R) Jelena Jankovic, Serbia, Victoria Azarenka, Belarus, Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, Serena Williams, USA, Dinara Safina, Russia, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Russia, Elena Dementieva, Russia, and Venus William, USA.

The ladies line up during the draw for the WTA Championships at the Museum of Islamic Art on October 25, 2009 in the Qatari capital Doha. The 1.55-million-dollar championship willl take place in Doha betwee October 27 and November 1. The eight players are split into two groups of four with the top two in each making the semi-finals.

(l-r) Russian trio of Dinara Safina, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Elena Dementieva

(l-r) Caroline Wozniacki, Denmark, Jelena Jankovic, Servia, Victoria Azarenka, Belarus

The Young One Shines As He Takes Title In Calabasas: "I'm Just Happy To Get One"

2009-10-26T01:41:00.009-04:00

American Donald Young
(Photo by Getty Images)

By Erik Boal, Special to the Daily News

Although his opponent in the final of the $50,000 USTA Men's Pro Tennis Championship of Calabasas was 11 years his senior and ranked 129spots higher on the ATP World Tour, it was 20-year-old Donald Young who played like a savvy veteran Sunday.

Relying on clutch serving and some timely passing shots, Young recorded the final six points to capture the first-set tiebreaker and rode the momentum to win the last five games of the match en route to a 7-6 (4), 6-1 victory over No. 100 Michael Russell of Houston at Calabasas Tennis and Swim Center.

It was Young's first singles title since winning a $50,000 Challenger event in Sacramento a year ago and his third as a professional, including a victory at the $75,000 Aptos Challenger in July 2007.

"I'm just happy to get one," said Young, an Atlanta resident and former world junior No. 1. "These are few and far between."

Young's performance also helped erase the disappointment of losing in the semifinals of last year's event to Sam Warburg, in addition to a 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-4 setback to Robert Kendrick in the final of the 2007 tournament.

"It gives you a lot of confidence doing that," said Young, who defeated No. 112 Taylor Dent 6-3, 6-2 in the round of 16.

"For me, it's all about being consistent. I've started keeping more balls in play and playing a lot smarter. And I feel like if I'm moving well, I'm playing well."

After recording the match's first break to take a 3-2 lead, it appeared the left-handed Young would be able to serve out the first set. But Russell, who dropped only one set entering the final, broke back in the 10th game, then held to take a 6-5 lead.

Young also held to force the tiebreaker, but hit unforced errors after his first two serves to face a 3-0 deficit.

After Young, who trailed 4-1, hit a backhand winner on the line to tie the tiebreaker at 4-4, Russell hit a backhand into the net, followed by two forehand errors to relinquish the set.

"Donald obviously played great all week," said Russell, who reached the final of the first Calabasas event in 2001. "He handled the conditions much better than I did today."

Young, who rebounded from a first-set loss in his opening-round match against qualifier Louk Sorensen to win his final 10 sets, broke Russell twice in the second set to atone for a 6-4, 6-2 loss in February in Dallas.

"If you don't come with your `A' game against (Michael), you're going to lose," Young said. "It was a big key for me to win the first set, especially serving for it. (Trailing 4-1 in the tiebreaker) I wasn't going to give it up because I knew it would be even tougher to come back and win two sets."

Missed Serena On Conan O'Brien? Here's The Interview Clip

2009-10-16T00:35:00.003-04:00

Serena Conan Int
by yardie4lifever2

Funky Round For The French: Tsonga Defeated, Monfils Retires

2009-10-15T06:19:00.008-04:00

(l-r) J0-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils of France.

Even though both Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils have been having a pretty good go of it lately, Thursday morning presented all manner of issues for both of them at the Shanghai ATP Masters.

First up was Big Jo-Willie, whose forehand was an obstacle in and of itself. In falling to Swede Robin Soderling, Tsonga was all over the place. He couldn't seem to get his game organized in his head or on the court. I've rarely seen Tsonga so frustrated on court. He demolished one of his uncooperative racquets after an errant forehand. He may have killed that stupid racquet, but it didn't improve his game.

Soderling was playing much better and took advantage of the out of sorts Tsonga. He went on to defeat the number five seed 6-3, 6-3.

The same seemed to be true for fellow Frenchman Gael Monfils who went up against Croatian Ivan Ljubicic after the Tsonga vs. Soderling match. After losing the first set and continuing to play very poorly, down 6-3, 3-0, Monfils came to net, shook Ljubicic's hand, then retired.

I didn't catch the nature of the injury, but I'm sure we'll be hearing about it at some point today.

Serena's Nude Mag Cover: Her Body, Her Choice

2009-10-15T06:01:00.004-04:00

I don't understand all of the negative hoopla surrounding this cover. I think the photos of all the athletes are very artistically done and represent 'the body' beautifully.

The cover of Serena shows a very athletically built, yet feminine Black woman who is proud of her frame - what's wrong with that?

Blake And Barker Have Parted, Is It Too Late?

2009-10-15T04:59:00.005-04:00

James Blake, USA
(Photo by Frederic J. Brown/AFP/Getty Images)

American James Blake had a brief glimpse at winning again when he took out Croatia's Ivo Karlovic 3-6, 7-6⁴, 6-3 on Monday in the first round of the Shanghai ATP Masters, but the victory was short lived.

On Wednesday Spaniard Rafael Nadal defeated Blake in three sets 6-2, 6-7⁴, 6-4. And the hits just keep on coming... perhaps not for good though. Blake is now working with former pro and longtime friend American Kelly Jones. Shockers!

After 17 years on the job, American Brian Barker can now contemplate doing something different with his days, as he is no longer coaching Blake. Nevertheless, Blake states that they continue to have a strong relationship and that this parting is on good terms.

"It's not like we're ending our relationship, we're still good friends, which will never change. Right now we both feel like I need to hear some things from a different voice. Kelly's been close to both of us for a long time, and he's a perfect fit for now. If things go well with him, every one's happy. Brian wants nothing but the best for me. If they don't, then I go back to Brian and we know there's a reason I'm back. It was just time to take a little break and see how it goes with someone else.''

Of the change Barker stated, "I told him that the most important thing in his tennis career is to have a clear head and peace of mind for the rest of your life that you did everything you possibly could to get better, maximize your potential and not leave anything on the table. He eventually agreed that was a good idea."

Barker anticipates that Blake will "... hear the same things in a different way. Sometimes when you're not playing your best, the thinking is that you stir the pot. You put your hat on backwards. There are no guarantees, but you need to look at every option."

After mounting more loss in Cincinnati in August, Blake also stated that he and Barker again discussed the possibilities of a change. "We were going through the same things over and over, and I was looking for answers that probably weren't there. It may not have had anything to do with the coaching. Going into the Open, we had both had come to the understanding that we were going to stop, but we didn't want to change anything during or before the Open, being so important. The comfort level between us is very good and will always be very good."

In response to a cry from various persons that he should get rid of Barker, Blake stated, "If they're talking about you that much, you must have earned that pressure that you've gotten. We never let it affect us. I didn't keep him just to spite people. I'm going to do what's best for me. Now I've hit a point where I need to try something a little different. Kelly's a great coach and people he worked with clearly improved when they worked with him.''

Well, we'll see how it goes, I truly hope that this is a change for the better.

Source

Venus Shoots Cover For Upcoming Book: "Come To Win"

2009-10-15T03:57:00.005-04:00

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida (October 14, 2009)-
Venus Williams, at PGA National Resort & Spa, shooting cover for upcoming book "Come to Win" by Amistad/Harper Collins on shelves summer 2010.

Venus Toppled In Tokyo

2009-09-29T03:56:00.004-04:00

Venus Williams, USA

(Photo by Junko Kimura/Getty Images)

Tokyo (AP) -- Defending champion Dinara Safina and Venus Williams were knocked out of the second round by qualifiers at the Toray Pan Pacific Open on Monday.

Chang Kai-chen, an 18-year-old from Taiwan, upset the top-ranked Safina 7-6 (5), 4-6, 7-5. Russian teenager Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova edged Williams 7-6 (6), 7-5 to reach the third round.

Safina was serving for the match in the third set when she double-faulted to give up a break. Chang, ranked 132nd and playing only the fourth time in a WTA main draw, held her serve and broke Safina again for victory.

“The double-fault didn't affect me that much,” Safina said. “Whether it's a double-fault or a mistake it's the same. It's just the way I played at 5-4. It wasn't the right game, I didn't use my first serve the whole game.”

A dejected Williams made a hasty exit from Ariake Colosseum, saying only she was looking forward to her next match in Beijing.

Williams took a 3-0 lead in the first set but the 18-year-old Pavlyuchenkova fought back, breaking Williams to tie it 5-5 before holding serve and winning the tiebreak.

Pavlyuchenkova hit a forehand down the line to go up 6-5 in the second set. She had a triple-match point in the 12th game and won when Williams' return was long.