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Post by jimm on Feb 27, 2008 22:12:51 GMT
Seles admitted it?! I wasnt aware that she has. Coincidently I intend to blog something about Seles following her official retirement. Being Marion's idol and all. I think it was her coach that said that Alice.
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Post by SuperMarion on Feb 28, 2008 23:14:51 GMT
Ah. Ok. Maybe Monica could coach or mentor Marion.
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Post by jimm on Mar 4, 2008 18:30:11 GMT
Ah. Ok. Maybe Monica could coach or mentor Marion. LOL
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Post by jimm on Mar 4, 2008 18:31:47 GMT
Hingis set to play in Liverpool Hingis will play in England for the first time since Wimbledon Former world number one Martina Hingis is to play at the Liverpool International tennis tournament at Calderstones Park in June. The Swiss star, 27, retired from tennis in 2007 after testing positive for cocaine and receiving a two-year ban. Her last competitive match was a defeat by Shuai Peng in Beijing in September. Hingis - a five-time Grand Slam winner - is able to play in Liverpool as the Wimbledon warm-up event is invitational and not part of the WTA Tour. "I have heard a lot about Liverpool over the years and all the fine work they have done up there to develop tennis in a region that is mostly famous for football," said Hingis. "I am very much looking forward to playing the event and to visit all the things that have made Liverpool the European Capital of Culture." Tournament director Anders Borg said: "It is a great boost for us to have Martina playing in Liverpool. "She still has a lot to offer the world of tennis and we are just very pleased we can take advantage of that." Two more Wimbledon legends - Goran Ivanisevic and Pat Cash - have also confirmed they will play in the event. The tournament takes place from 10-15 June. " I wish she would fight this ban But great that she is still playing. Who knows she will only be 29 when its lifted, and maybe she can be back as a doubles player.
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Post by SuperMarion on Mar 4, 2008 19:24:19 GMT
Whilst I abhor both performance-enhancing and recreational drugs, in Martina's case it was more a personal tragedy than a banning offence in my opinion.
The sport can benefit from the lingering presence of the likes of Ivanisevic and Sampras, Hingis and Seles.
Her comments are interesting. Alluding to social inclusion v elitism in tennis. Something we touched on the other day.
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Post by jimm on Mar 16, 2008 14:26:20 GMT
LTA and InBev (makers of Stella Artois®) announce end to 30- Year sponsorship Queen's Club The Lawn Tennis Association and InBev UK, producers of the premium lager brand Stella Artois®, today announced the end of their successful 30-year association. The 2008 Artois Grass Court Championship will be the last to carry the Artois name.
The Lawn Tennis Association and InBev UK, producers of the premium lager brand Stella Artois®, today announced the end of their successful 30-year association. The 2008 Artois Grass Court Championship will be the last to carry the Artois name.
The decision to conclude one of the longest sport sponsorships in Britain was taken by both parties by mutual consent. The move is part of the LTA’s new commercial strategy to boost income into British tennis by attracting a sponsor to support a wide range of activities rather than just one tournament.
Roger Draper, LTA Chief Executive, said: “The association with Stella Artois® has been extremely successful and rewarding for British tennis and the LTA is very grateful to InBev for the long-standing support and investment provided over the last 30 years.
“As part of our new commercial strategy we are looking to market the sport as a complete package, rather than as a series of individual events and programmes. Once we explained this new approach, ourselves and InBev both agreed that now is an appropriate time for a change.”
Roger Draper, LTA Chief Executive
Stuart MacFarlane, President of InBev UK, producers of the country’s number one premium lager Stella Artois®, said: “We have been delighted to support British tennis over such a long period, and are proud to have created and been associated with such a prestigious event as The Artois Championships – a shining jewel in the UK tennis crown.
“The LTA’s decision to expand the sponsorship deal just no longer fitted with our own strategic vision for the brand and so we have, very amicably, agreed to go our separate ways.”
Draper added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank InBev and Stella Artois® for their substantial investment and commitment to making the tournament at Queen’s one of the very best events in the summer sporting calendar.”LTA and InBev (makers of Stella Artois®) announce end to 30- Year sponsorship
The Lawn Tennis Association and InBev UK, producers of the premium lager brand Stella Artois®, today announced the end of their successful 30-year association. The 2008 Artois Grass Court Championship will be the last to carry the Artois name.
The decision to conclude one of the longest sport sponsorships in Britain was taken by both parties by mutual consent. The move is part of the LTA’s new commercial strategy to boost income into British tennis by attracting a sponsor to support a wide range of activities rather than just one tournament.
Roger Draper, LTA Chief Executive, said: “The association with Stella Artois® has been extremely successful and rewarding for British tennis and the LTA is very grateful to InBev for the long-standing support and investment provided over the last 30 years.
“As part of our new commercial strategy we are looking to market the sport as a complete package, rather than as a series of individual events and programmes. Once we explained this new approach, ourselves and InBev both agreed that now is an appropriate time for a change.”
Roger Draper, LTA Chief Executive
Stuart MacFarlane, President of InBev UK, producers of the country’s number one premium lager Stella Artois®, said: “We have been delighted to support British tennis over such a long period, and are proud to have created and been associated with such a prestigious event as The Artois Championships – a shining jewel in the UK tennis crown.
“The LTA’s decision to expand the sponsorship deal just no longer fitted with our own strategic vision for the brand and so we have, very amicably, agreed to go our separate ways.”
Draper added: “I would like to take this opportunity to thank InBev and Stella Artois® for their substantial investment and commitment to making the tournament at Queen’s one of the very best events in the summer sporting calendar.”
Another of Mr Drapers great ideas in the long sad history of great ideas. Dumping a sponsor, who has been steadfast in their support, could prove to be a costly mistake. British Tennis does not remotely attract the attention of the Tennis world.
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Post by SuperMarion on Mar 16, 2008 15:38:19 GMT
Ah, thanks Jim for reminding me of the conversation we were having last month before we were interrupted by downtime. I meant to ask you what's your beef with Roger Draper? I dont know much about it/him. Instinctively I agree with you, we know it as the Stella Artois. And example were a brand association has become part of our national sporting/cultural fabric. Posh beer Posh sport British summertime However, things move on and all that. I just hope that Roger Draper has a clear and viable sponsorship strategy.
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Post by jimm on Mar 16, 2008 20:38:18 GMT
He does not understand Tennis Alice. He was with Sport England dealing with the UK's Top Sports, and did all right it has to be said. But our Tennis is not as high on the tree as Soccer, Rugby, Cricket, Athletics etc
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Post by jimm on Mar 27, 2008 20:09:30 GMT
BBC agrees new Wimbledon contract The Centre Court had no roof during its refurbishment in 2007 BBC Sport has secured the rights to broadcast Wimbledon until 2014.
The new five-year extension will incorporate TV, radio, broadband and, for the first time, BBC iPlayer.
"We are deeply proud of historic ties with Wimbledon, but this is focused on state-of-the-art digital services," said BBC director of sport Roger Mosey.
Digital viewers will again be able to enjoy extensive extra coverage of the Championships via the red button, which will also be available on broadband.
Wimbledon was first staged in 1877 and moved to its present site in 1922, with the BBC screening the event for the first time 15 years later.
The new contract will also enable coverage of the two major courts, Centre and Number One, on the BBC's Higher Definition (HD) channel.
"We're determined to make the event an even bigger part of our national sporting life through the use of new technology and working with the club to innovate across digital platforms," Mosey added.
Chief executive of the All England Club, Ian Ritchie, also welcomed the deal.
"Like the BBC, we are always looking to bring The Championships to a wider audience at the same time as improving the overall quality of the coverage.
"Through the latest digital technology Wimbledon fans can choose to stay in touch with all the drama and action in a way that suits them best."
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Post by jimm on Mar 29, 2008 9:57:40 GMT
Major sports events threatened by plan to tax foreign players
By Glenn Moore and Colin Brown Saturday, 29 March 2008
A furious inter-Governmental dispute has broken out between the Treasury and the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) following a change in the interpretation of tax laws which could threaten a number of major sports events.
As part of a general crackdown on foreign earners, which includes the recent action on taxing non-doms, the Treasury has decided to tax foreign sportsmen and women on money earned in this country at UK rates. While some will be able to claim the tax back from their home country, individuals and companies without such a reciprocal arrangement will be double-taxed.
The change came to light when Uefa, the governing body of European football, revealed it had awarded the final of the 2010 Champions League, the sport's premier club competition, to Madrid rather than the new Wembley stadium because of the change. "The reason is the taxes," said Michel Platini, president of Uefa, after awarding the final to Real Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. "The concerns we had over players being taxed were minimised by the English FA but not confirmed by the British Government."
M. Platini also said that Hamburg would stage the 2010 Uefa Cup final ahead of Arsenal's Emirates Stadium.
As well as the Champions League final the ruling could affect England's bid to host football's 2018 World Cup finals, the staging of the British Formula 1 grand prix, athletics events and international cricket tournaments. It could also result in individual players boycotting events in other sports.
The Football Association is astonished and DCMS infuriated. Prevailing Government policy has been to attract major sporting events. "The Treasury are playing silly buggers," said one Whitehall source. "They haven't changed the rules, they've just changed their view and decided to go after foreign players for tax. They are being quite aggressive about it."
Andy Burnham, the Culture Secretary, and ministers, have been applying pressure on the Treasury to relent. Other sporting bodies are likely to join in but the Treasury is said to be "digging their heels in".
A Treasury spokesman last night said: "We don't understand why Uefa are concerned. There has been no change in the rules." He added that the Treasury was hoping further talks with Uefa would resolve the issue.
It is believed in senior football circles that should the issue escalate to the extent that it might affect England's World Cup bid that Gordon Brown would step in and slap down the Treasury. Certainly, the financial spin-offs of staging such an event would dwarf any tax take from its participants. Uefa maintains that footballers should be taxed in their country of domicile and that taxing them separately in every country they play matches in would be both unfair and unnecessarily complicated.
Such taxation is not, however, unknown. Indian cricketers were taxed on their prize money, but not their match fees, in Australia last year. This was, after some negotiation, accepted as India does the same. Athletes were also taxed on their prize money in Germany at the 2006 World Cup meet in Stuttgart.
In respect of football events M. Platini said the German government had given the required assurances. Uefa did recognise Wembley's "outstanding" bid, and offered hope by deferring the decision on the 2011 final, which was expected yesterday. However, this year's Uefa Cup final will continue to be held in Manchester.
Uefa said in a statement: "The home stadiums of Real Madrid and Hamburg were chosen on the basis of capacity, facilities, accommodation and security, among other considerations."
Uefa had been set to announce the venue for the 2011 final yesterday but delayed the decision in a move that William Gaillaird, an advisor to M. Platini, said would give Wembley a chance to provide assurances over the tax issues. "It gives them the chance to provide the necessary answers to the tax question. Clearly Wembley is an outstanding venue," he said. The London stadium, which last hosted the final in 1992, remains on the shortlist for the 2011 final.
Selection of the Bernabeu, which has a 71,569 all-seater capacity, comes four months after Uefa awarded it "Elite Stadium" status, a condition for hosting the finals. The stadium has hosted the final in 1957, 1969 and 1980 and their selection.
This year's Champions League final will take place at the Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow.
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Post by SuperMarion on Mar 30, 2008 15:22:47 GMT
That sounds very Old Labour. It's pointless taxing the 'rich' to death, because they just wont visit our country anymore, and so we lose vital talent and prestige.
What's of more benefit to our country - The kind of petty cash raked in by the treasury that this measure would gain? Or talented stars worth a fortune to the domestic economy in merchandising, hospitality, tourism, etc?
Petty is the operative word. Because maybe this has got more to do with old fashioned class politics than it does have to with revenue.
Ok, no one likes brash n flashy sports stars swaggering around with more money than sense, accountable to no one. But that's the culture we've created. That's the global free market. Without sounding fatalistic, it would probably be more hassle to regulate and tax all that ilk than not.
Any thoughts Jim?
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Post by jimm on Mar 30, 2008 17:19:20 GMT
I agree. The only peopel who are making money at present are those of already have plenty. The working class is underpaid. In fact wages vs cost of living its the worst Government in decades
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Post by jimm on Apr 1, 2008 11:52:58 GMT
LTA plan to merge events for south coast showpiece By MALCOLM FOLLEY - More by this author » Last updated at 21:14pm on 29th March 2008
Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray could play at the same pre-Wimbledon grasscourt tournament in Eastbourne — if the Lawn Tennis Association successfully conclude negotiations to reshape the British tennis summer.
From next summer, the LTA would like to combine the existing women's tournament in Eastbourne with the men's event in Nottingham to provide a showpiece competition on the south coast in the week before Wimbledon begins.
WARM-UP: Sharapova could be a guest star at Eastbourne
Historically, the Eastbourne tournament has attracted stars like Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Jana Novotna, Amelie Mauresmo and Justine Henin, and for most of the past 25 years it has been broadcast on television.
Usually, the field has at least five of the world's top 10 women.
In contrast, Nottingham, a low-tier event on the ATP calendar, relies heavily on boosting box office appeal from 'wildcard' invitations to top players who have lost in an early round the previous week at Queen's Club.
Last summer Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman signed up to play in Nottingham only after being beaten in London.
It is understood the LTA explored the possibility of having women players join men at Queen's Club next summer after the Artois beer company announced that its 30-year sponsorship would end in June.
But this was ruled out due to the size of the venue and the difficulty of organising a date with the ATP and WTA, the governing bodies for men's and women's tennis.
Instead, the LTA have proposed this new event with Devonshire Park, near the sea front, the preferred location. The plan would be to have a 32-draw for men and women.
The LTA are seeking one major sponsor for the grass court season but neither Eastbourne nor Nottingham have a sponsor for this year.
Sharapova, who won Wimbledon in 2004, has yet to appear at Eastbourne but has told LTA organisers that she has not ruled out the possibility of playing on the south coast.
Murray is always likely to target Queen's Club as his first-choice preparatory tournament for Wimbledon.
Yet, if he was to be an early casualty in London, or had to miss the event through injury, it is feasible that the 21-year-old British No 1 could turn to Eastbourne.
An ATP spokesman said: "The blueprint build for the tour, for the fans, is to have top players, men and women, at top events so this proposal (of combining Nottingham and Eastbourne) fits our strategy."
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Post by jimm on Apr 1, 2008 11:54:39 GMT
March 29, 2008 USTA, ATP battle over future of Tennis Channel Open
Posted by Charles Bricker at 7:39:41 AM
KEY BISCAYNE -- One of my moles (not a shadowy human but an actual talking rodent) tells me that the letter sent by USTA czar Arlen Kantarian to ATP CEO Etienne de Villiers over the sale of the Las Vegas Tennis Channel Open was candid, clear and extremely tough.
I'd love to see a copy of the letter and I'm working on it, but neither organization is anxious to air this one out publicly. The ATP wants to buy the tournament from the Tennis Channel and move it out of the U.S., possibly South Africa. The USTA, which has invested $6 million in the Tennis Channel, is ready to call up the Marines if that tournament tries to leave the country.
And just to make things more interesting, Butch Buchholz, who is chairman of the Sony Ericsson Open, is putting together a consortium to buy the tournament and move it to Saddlebrook, just outside Tampa. That happens to be where Mardy Fish, the Bryan brothers, John Isner and James Blake practice and call home.
I asked Blake on Friday to comment on the possible loss of this tournament and it was obvious that he's in the loop, which is not surprising, considering his association with Saddlebrook.
"As an American, I know there's been quite a bit of a migration of tournaments from the U.S. I think not that many years ago there were 20 tournaments in the States," he said. There are now 14.
"So I would definitely like to see that number at least stay where it is. The tournament in Vegas, I know, hasn't drawn huge crowds. But if there is a possibility to have it somewhere else in the States, where we can keep kind of the swing going among Delray Beach, Memphis and San Jose, I think that would be great.
"Obviously, I'm a little biased, being an American, but I think it makes sense for the tour."
And if it moved to Saddlebrook? Did I see Blake's eyebrow raise there? "Yeah, I love playing in New Haven because it's so close my home, where I grew up. And if there's a chance to play another tournament close to Tampa, where I live now, whether it be Saddlebrook, that would be ideal. I'd do everything I can to make sure it sells out. I'd invite every single one of my friends."
There's going to be ample opportunity to keep the pressure on to hold onto that 14th U.S. tournament because no decision on sale of an event can be made without
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Post by jimm on Apr 3, 2008 7:19:39 GMT
Lundgren quits as Davis Cup coach
Peter Lundgren has resigned from his position as Britain's Davis Cup coach and will be replaced by Paul Annacone.
Davis Cup captain John Lloyd said: "I would like to thank Peter for all his work over the past 18 months. He has been a great asset to the Davis Cup team.
"Peter is keen to spend more time with his father, who is unwell, and our thoughts are with Peter and his family at this difficult time."
He added: "I am very much looking forward to working with Paul Annacone in the build-up to and during the Davis Cup tie in September and beyond.
"Paul has been working closely with many of our top players in his role as head coach and his knowledge and experience will be vital as we prepare for the World Group play-off."
Great Britain's opponents in September's World Group play-offs will be announced on April 16.
Lundgren is a former coach to Roger Federer and Marat Safin but will also be remembered for being given a leave of absence by the Lawn Tennis Association during last year's Wimbledon.
The Swede was reported to slur his words while speaking in front of fellow coaches at the LTA's headquarters in Roehampton the weekend before the championships.
At the time, head of men's tennis, Paul Hutchins, refused to confirm or deny exactly what happened, but revealed Lundgren was taking a leave of absence for around a month for "personal reasons." He would only concede "certain things happened at the coaching conference."
Asked if Lundgren was in a position to do his job properly at the conference, he added: "That's a discussion that's going to go on."
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