Kourtin Karen’s Tennis Week in Review

15 – 0

The Streak Continues 37/39

 

Novak Djokovic extended his consecutive match winning streak to  37 in a row for 2011 and 39 going back to the 2010 Davis Cup final.

“It is an incredible honor to be part of the history in some ways and part of the elite of players like Federer and Nadal and McEnroe and Lendl and those players who have won many matches in a row.”

Djokovic is just three matches away from tying John McEnroe‘s 1984 record of 42-0 to begin a season and seven from equaling Guillermo Vilas‘ 1977 record for consecutive match wins at 46.

15 – 15

Out of the French Open

Serena and Venus Williams, David Nalbandian and Dinara Safina have all officially withdrawn from Roland Garros.

Serena Williams’ statement: “While I am making good progress, unfortunately I won’t be able to compete in Roland Garros as I am continuing to rehab my foot and recover from the pulmonary embolism. I am grateful for every moment I have and the fact that I have returned to the court. I am hopeful that I will be back competing this summer. Thank you all for your continued prayers.”

Venus Williams is still nursing a hip injury sustained at the Australian Open.

Nalbandian is not fully recovered from surgeries on a herniaand a leg muscle. He is also suffering form a virus.

Dinara Safina in addition to withdrawing, the Russian is taking an indefinite hiatus from tennis. She has been struggling with back problems.

“I don’t know how long my time out (from the game) is going to last because I don’t want to torture myself and my body anymore,” Safina was quoted as saying by Russian media.

Safina speaking to Russian media: “I’m just tired of hearing constant questions from my coach during training ‘How is your back? Can you do this exercise?’ I’m just tired of fighting with myself.”

“At the moment I can’t do anything tennis-wise. When I can do certain moves without feeling lots of pain, then I would consider resuming my training,”

15 – 30

Kenn Rosewall Ill

76-year-old  Hall of Famer Ken Rosewall had to be hospitalized while he was attending the Italian Open. Various media eports say he suffered no brain or heart damage after suffering “a suspected disturbance of the brain circuit.” Former Rome winner Rosewall  was to be presented with a golden racquet at a  tournament awards dinner which was accepted by his wife Wilma. Rosewall is being kept in the hospital for observation.

 

Rosewall won eight major tournaments in his career including four Australian Opens, two French Opens and two U.S. Opens.

 

30 -30

Ins and Outs

In – Lleyton Hewitt will play his Wimbledon warm-up in Eastbourne.

In – Milos Raonic will play the Atlanta Tennis Championships.

In DC -The WTA has a presence in the Washington, DC area with International Series event the Mid-Atlantic Women’s Tennis Championships scheduled for July 23-31.

Out – Anna Kournikova has listed her Miami Beach home for sale at $9.4 million dollars.

In – Former Pro and current tennis commentator for ESPN Cliff Drysdale has opened a tennis school in Red Ledges, Utah.

In – USTA Names Jamea Jackson, Audra Cohen, Bo Hodge and Ryan Sachire to Coach Collegiate Teams

In – Esurance Expands US Open Sponsorship

 

IN  – Former Bengals Exec Vince Cicero Named Tournament Director of Western & Southern Open

In the TV booth – Mary Carillo Joins Tennis Channel

Tickets are out – Some US Open Series events already have tickets for sale – they include the Mercury Insurance Open,Winston-Salem Open, the Mid-Atlantic Women’s Tennis Championships and the New Haven Open.

 

40 – 30

New WTA Campaign

WTA Launches “Strong is Beautiful” Global Advertising Campaign

 

Deuce

Docked Doubles Pay

The Times of London newspaper reported that Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish were only awarded semifinalists pay by the ATP World Tour for failing to play the Rome final. Roddick withdrew from the final with a shoulder injury. The Times reported that that the ATP World toru docked Roddick and Fish USD $31,400 after for the withdrawal.  It was reported that they pulled out so that three of the doubles finalists (John Isner, Mardy Fish and Sam Querrey) could make a flight to Düsseldorf, Germany for World Team Cup. Allegedly World Team Cup tournament organizers were allegedly going to levy sanctions if  Isner, Querrey and Fish did not show up on time to play.

 

Advantage

Tweener of the Week

 

 

 

Game, Set, Match and Rome Champions

Maria Sharapova won her first Rome title with a 6-2, 6-4 victory over Samantha Stosur.

“Moving wise I feel better on clay. I feel better and better and although I may not be the best slider or have the strongest legs there’s more than that in tennis and that’s why I won,” said Sharapova.

 

Novak Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal for the second week in a row on clay, this time in Rome 6-4, 6-4.

“I am most happy about the game this year on clay. The way I was fighting all the way, I am confident and aware and [have] self-belief that I can win against the top players.”

Women’s Singles – Final
(7) Maria Sharapova (RUS) d. (6) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 62 64

Women’s Doubles – Final

Peng/Zheng (CHN/CHN) d. (3) King/Shvedova (USA/KAZ) 62 63

Men’s Singles – Final
[2] N Djokovic (SRB) d [1] R Nadal (ESP) 64 64

Men’s Doubles – Final
J Isner (USA) / S Querrey (USA) d M Fish (USA) / A Roddick (USA) w/o (Roddick – right shoulder)