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Post by jimm on Apr 22, 2008 8:44:07 GMT
Please Note The Sports Network website and other major news sites have been hacked by a political entity from China, and as a result are temporarily unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience and hope to be back up and running as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience and understanding.
Sports Network Management
The Day of Terminator draws closer
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Post by jimm on Apr 22, 2008 9:01:05 GMT
Evert, Navratilova: Team sports makes tennis in US suffer CHARLESTON, S.C. It is a dubious distinction for the United States in a sport loved by tens of millions worldwide. There are only three Americans ranked among the top 50 women tennis players in the world. One of them, Serena Williams, notched her 31st career title on Sunday, winning the $1.3 million Family Circle Cup, defeating Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. It was Williams' third tournament title of the year. Besides Williams, the only Americans in the Top 50 are her sister, Venus, and Lindsay Davenport. Why aren't there more Americans among the world's elite? It's partly due to the allure of team sports and more choices for girls, say tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. "We didn't have players from Croatia when we were playing. We didn't have players from China or any of these countries," said Evert as she sat beside her friend and former tennis rival during a news conference at the Family Circle Cup. "Tennis is the No. 1 sport in a lot of these countries. There was only tennis, golf and figure skating when we played in America," Evert said. But now girls can choose from everything from soccer and lacrosse to basketball and softball. "I see the kids feel more comfortable playing a team sport. You have that camaraderie. It's not all that pressure," Evert said. "So much easier," Navratilova said. "I just feel like our good athletes are going to other sports, which is great. That means girls have more choices," Evert said. The two tennis stars, who between them hold 12 Family Circle titles, were back last week for the 35th anniversary of the tournament. The two, who faced each other in 80 matches - Navratilova holds a 43-37 edge - agreed there is no other time they would have wanted to play. "I wouldn't have traded being in the '70s and '80s for anything because there was much more camaraderie and much less pressure," Evert said. "I wouldn't pick a different time period at all," agreed Navratilova. "We were still playing when Billie Jean (King) and Margaret Court and Virginia Wade were still playing at their peak. Then we went through to the next generation of Steffi Graf and Monica Seles." Evert, who runs a tennis academy, said it may be a few more years before another young American superstar surfaces. "In the 16s and 18s, I don't see anybody in American tennis," she said. "But I do see some potential in the 12s and 14s ... and I see No. 1s in the world in the 12-and-unders. It's probably going to be another five or six years before we see any." "Evert, who runs a tennis academy, said it may be a few more years before another young American superstar surfaces. "In the 16s and 18s, I don't see anybody in American tennis," she said. " Really!? Obviously she has not heard of Madison Brengle and Melain Oudin (17) Maybe if she spent less time getting married every couple of months she would be able to keep up with the news.
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Post by SuperMarion on Apr 22, 2008 21:13:26 GMT
Evert, Navratilova: Team sports makes tennis in US suffer CHARLESTON, S.C. It is a dubious distinction for the United States in a sport loved by tens of millions worldwide. There are only three Americans ranked among the top 50 women tennis players in the world. One of them, Serena Williams, notched her 31st career title on Sunday, winning the $1.3 million Family Circle Cup, defeating Russian Vera Zvonareva 6-4, 3-6, 6-3. It was Williams' third tournament title of the year. Besides Williams, the only Americans in the Top 50 are her sister, Venus, and Lindsay Davenport. Why aren't there more Americans among the world's elite? It's partly due to the allure of team sports and more choices for girls, say tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova. "We didn't have players from Croatia when we were playing. We didn't have players from China or any of these countries," said Evert as she sat beside her friend and former tennis rival during a news conference at the Family Circle Cup. "Tennis is the No. 1 sport in a lot of these countries. There was only tennis, golf and figure skating when we played in America," Evert said. But now girls can choose from everything from soccer and lacrosse to basketball and softball. "I see the kids feel more comfortable playing a team sport. You have that camaraderie. It's not all that pressure," Evert said. "So much easier," Navratilova said. "I just feel like our good athletes are going to other sports, which is great. That means girls have more choices," Evert said. The two tennis stars, who between them hold 12 Family Circle titles, were back last week for the 35th anniversary of the tournament. The two, who faced each other in 80 matches - Navratilova holds a 43-37 edge - agreed there is no other time they would have wanted to play. "I wouldn't have traded being in the '70s and '80s for anything because there was much more camaraderie and much less pressure," Evert said. "I wouldn't pick a different time period at all," agreed Navratilova. "We were still playing when Billie Jean (King) and Margaret Court and Virginia Wade were still playing at their peak. Then we went through to the next generation of Steffi Graf and Monica Seles." Evert, who runs a tennis academy, said it may be a few more years before another young American superstar surfaces. "In the 16s and 18s, I don't see anybody in American tennis," she said. "But I do see some potential in the 12s and 14s ... and I see No. 1s in the world in the 12-and-unders. It's probably going to be another five or six years before we see any." "Evert, who runs a tennis academy, said it may be a few more years before another young American superstar surfaces. "In the 16s and 18s, I don't see anybody in American tennis," she said. " Really!? Obviously she has not heard of Madison Brengle and Melain Oudin (17) Maybe if she spent less time getting married every couple of months she would be able to keep up with the news.Ouch She skipped 14-16. Maybe she hasnt made her mind up about De Britto. I think the post-Soviet and developing Asian countries are more hungry. Americans are fat. Obesity and complacency go hand in hand. Of course, America is still producing top class athletes in other individualist sports such as Jeremy Wariner and Allyson Felix in athletics... But for how much longer? So maybe the state of American tennis today is the state of American sport tommorrow. I for one hope not. PS. America has the ignaminious distinction of being the only nation fatter than our own Scotland. W.H.O
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Post by jimm on Apr 22, 2008 22:51:09 GMT
"She skipped 14-16. Maybe she hasnt made her mind up about De Britto."
Uhm Michelle Larcher de Brito is Portuguese
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Post by SuperMarion on Apr 23, 2008 11:47:49 GMT
I dont know why I thought she was American.
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Post by jimm on Apr 24, 2008 7:44:25 GMT
French chief slams Gasquet after Davis Cup exit By Eric Salliot PARIS, April 16 (Reuters) - French tennis federation president Christian Bimes criticised Richard Gasquet on Wednesday for refusing to face Andy Rodthingy in a 4-1 Davis Cup quarter-final defeat by the United States at the weekend.
"I'm disappointed about what happened this weekend in Winston-Salem," Bimes told reporters.
"We're considered as a nation capable of winning the Davis Cup and I see that for the past three years we have struggled to rely on our best players and they're not always determined to win, which was our problem this weekend," he said.
With France trailing 2-1, France number one Gasquet, the world number 10, who was undermined by a sore hand and a knee problem, refused to face Rodthingy in the tie's third match. Captain Guy Forget picked Paul-Henri Mathieu instead and he was brushed aside in straight sets.
"You have to make the players understand that they need to fight, to make sacrifices, even if they are undermined by an injury," Bimes said.
Bimes said Gasquet, who was left out of Friday's opening singles, had promised him and Forget that they could rely on him on the Sunday if needed.
"Guy Forget did what he could but next time, we'll have to thump the table to make ourselves clear," Bimes said. A gifted player, Gasquet has often been criticised for lacking character. (Writing by Patrick Vignal, editing by Rex Gowar)
"French tennis federation president Christian Bimes criticised Richard Gasquet on Wednesday"
Shock! Horror! Probe!! The found someone else to have a go at, at left Marion alone for a change!
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Post by SuperMarion on Apr 25, 2008 8:22:38 GMT
lol i had the same thought.
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Post by jimm on May 20, 2008 16:59:30 GMT
TENNIS GOVERNING BODIES TO IMPLEMENT ALL RECOMMENDATIONS OF INDEPENDENT TENNIS INTEGRITY REVIEW
The four Grand Slams, the International Tennis Federation (ITF), ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour have today published the full findings, and accepted the recommendations, of the independent Environmental Review of Integrity in Professional Tennis. The Review concludes that professional tennis is neither systematically nor institutionally corrupt. The Review’s findings have been welcomed by the governing bodies, who will start the process of implementing all 15 recommendations contained in the report, including the creation of a global tennis Integrity Unit and co-ordinated Anti-Corruption Programme.
Led by Ben Gunn and Jeff Rees, leading sports integrity experts, the comprehensive review was launched in January 2008, following and complementing work already under way by tennis governing bodies to create a common set of integrity rules, procedures and sanctions across the professional tennis industry. Its remit was to identify the nature of potential threats to the integrity of professional tennis; consider the regulatory resources and policies necessary to combat current and foreseeable threats and to report recommendations on next steps for the sport’s governing bodies.
The Review followed a detailed consultation process that involved 95 stakeholders from the sport including players, officials, sponsors, media and representatives of betting organisations. Together with its principal assessment that professional tennis is not institutionally or systemically corrupt, it also concludes that no evidence of a link to organised crime exists.
Ben Gunn commented: “We applaud the governing bodies for taking bold and decisive measures to meet the challenges they face. Their decision to accept the recommendations outlined, underpinned by an agreement to introduce a uniform Anti-Corruption Programme, will help to maintain and enhance the integrity of a global sport enjoyed by millions.”
Jeff Rees added: “The findings of this Review clearly demonstrate the need for having an Integrity Unit. The aim to rid any uncertainty or implication of corruption in tennis is fundamental to the reputation and future standing of the game and is fully supported by all international tennis bodies.”
The Review identifies five potential threats to the sport, namely corrupt practice by players and others in respect to gambling; breaches of the rules in relation to tanking; violation of credentials; misuse of inside information and illegal or abusive behaviour towards players. The Review also concludes that, as in many sports, some players are vulnerable to corrupt approaches and there are people outside tennis who seek to corrupt those within the sport.
The Review also identified 45 professional tennis matches played in the past five years that had unusual betting patterns that require further review to ascertain if they affected the integrity of professional tennis or if there were other tennis reasons for the outcome of the matches.
With these findings in mind, the Review has outlined the following recommendations to encourage a more focused anti-corruption culture for the sport. The four Grand Slams, ITF, ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour have accepted and will implement all 15 recommendations outlined in the Review:
1. A uniform Anti-Corruption Programme to be agreed by the Tennis Authorities; 2. An Anti-Corruption Programme to focus on ‘prevention’ and ‘detection’ and be supported by an education programme which identifies threats to professional tennis and the action to address them; 3. The creation of an Integrity Unit; 4. The Director of the Integrity Unit to prepare an intelligence strategy; an investigation strategy; and a user requirement for a computer database; 5. The current ban on players betting to be reiterated and maintained; 6. The current ban on tournament representatives betting to be reiterated and maintained; 7. Officials to examine those matches that players take part in over and above those necessary to achieve ranking points; 8. A review of current accreditation for all Grand Slam, ITF, ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments; 9. Only players and essential tournament personnel to have access to the players’ locker room; 10. The term ‘insider information’ to be defined for tennis; 11. The creation of an ‘integrity module’ to assess threats and recommendations made in this Review and used for education and awareness; 12. A single hearings tribunal for all disciplinary cases involving integrity issues to be established; 13. Any player caught cheating to continue to be punished by lengthy suspension, and if appropriate, up to a life ban; 14. A co-ordinated media strategy for integrity issues to be established; 15. The Professional Tennis Authorities to consider seeking the support of other sporting bodies for the development of legislation creating income streams from selling sporting rights and/or the creation of a right to bet.
The four Grand Slams, ITF, ATP and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, through the joint Anti-Corruption Programme, will now start the process of implementing the 15 key recommendations. A Steering Committee will oversee this process and a formal progress review and update will be forthcoming during Roland Garros. The governing bodies intend to have the Tennis Integrity Unit in place this season and will make further announcements in due course.
At the same time, in order to enhance and expand the Anti-Corruption Programme, the governing bodies will turn to public bodies and authorities for help in combating the threat of corruption. To this end, the governing bodies will create a Working Group comprising representatives from each stakeholder to develop an effective global approach to the issue of integrity.
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Post by SuperMarion on May 20, 2008 21:54:02 GMT
Thanks Jim. It all sounds good. It isnt just whether or not corruption in the sport exists, but the public perception of whether there is or not. Confidence in the integrity of the sport has to be reaffirmed. Lest people get as disillusioned with it as they have cycling and athletics.
This TIU sounds laudible. But is it independent enough? They talk about working with public bodies, but didnt disclose how.
Fine words. But thingy Pound is good at that too. Results and Outcomes are the acid test.
By the by. A commitment to implementing a Duty Of Care policy towards players and those involved in the sport, might be helpful. Players need nurtured and protected not just chastised and controled. To many players getting into too much mess, both young up and coming, and lost retired pro's.
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Post by jimm on May 21, 2008 6:31:07 GMT
A proper doping committee and Laborotories would be better. Im still fuming over what they did too Martina
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Post by jimm on Jun 7, 2008 9:15:59 GMT
Slazenger to sponsor ATP Nottingham 6/5/08
The Lawn Tennis Association pulled off a big deal this week with leading ball brand Slazenger agreeing to sponsor this year ATP event in Nottingham, which will now be called the Slazenger Open.
Going from 14th-21st June, it is one of the leading grass-court warm-up events before Wimbledon and regularly features elite stars like Richard Gasquet and 2007 winner Ivo Karlovic, looking to fine-tune their game before the most prestigious tournament on the calendar.
It’s the tournament’s final year of being held in Nottingham before moving to Eastbourne in 2009 to merge with the WTA event there. Once again it has attracted a stellar field featuring top 20 players like Paul-Henri Mathieu, 2006 Wimbledon semi-finalist Jonas Bjorkman, and defending champion Karlovic.
Slazenger’s bond with British tennis has been lasting for over a century. Slazenger is the ball of choice for Wimbledon and all the British grass courts events.
Robin Gibson, Dunlop Slazenger’s Head of Marketing, said, “Slazenger is delighted to support the 2008 tournament under the guise of The Slazenger Open. Slazenger is committed to working with the LTA to expand the game in this country encouraging more people to play and developing future champions on the world stage. The Slazenger Open is part of this program and one that through the on-site participation programs will be a forerunner for the future.”
Roger Draper, the LTA’s Chief Executive, said, “We’re delighted that Slazenger is supporting The Slazenger Open in 2008. We’re looking forward to growing our relationship with Slazenger as we develop the game in the future. The British grass court season plays a key role in the sporting summer calendar with this year’s event in Nottingham expected to draw a world class field of players.”
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Post by jimm on Jun 7, 2008 9:17:19 GMT
Tennis stars out to oust ATP boss De Villiers
By Sebastian Fest
Paris (dpa) - ATP boss Etienne de Villiers has good reason to be afraid. The three superstars of the circuit - Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic - are out to get him.
The South African - who signs his letters with the initials E.T., the name of the alien of the Steven Spielberg blockbuster - has led men's tennis for over two years.
As tennis players from around the world were fighting for glory on the courts at the French Open, a decisive and discrete battle for power was shaking the insides of the tennis scene: The top three men in the game put themselves forward as candidates to be part of the ATP's Player Council.
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are very annoyed with the decisions made by De Villiers since he replaced Mark Miles at the helm of the ATP in 2006.
In this context, they have made a historic decision to set aside the lack of interest in sports politics traditionally displayed by stars and get fully involved.
"There are many things about which we do not like how they have been done, and by getting in (the Council) we are going to try to hear about things before they happen," Nadal said as he attempted to win his fourth consecutive title at the Bois de Boulogne.
Nadal is becoming an expert in politics around tennis, as he is involved in another, parallel battle alongside Spain's top players, against Spanish federation president Pedro Munoz.
"We want to be able to stop things before they happen, so that they do not surprise us, as happened this year. Because at the end of the day the Council is set to represent players, and not the president, as it sometimes seems to," Nadal explained.
Federer, Nadal and Djokovic are angry at the reorganization of the tennis calendar that De Villiers is planning for 2009. That calendar remains uncertain, moreover, since it is pending a US court decision on a suit that the Hamburg Masters Series filed against the ATP.
However, there is more than that. De Villiers was never popular among the players. Far removed from tennis and coming from the Disney factory, the South African is based in London, where he is surrounded by loyal aides, and he does not often show up in tournaments.
His mandate ends later this year, and the three stars are planning to make the most of that situation.
At the top of a list of 20 players, Federer, Nadal and Djokovic signed a letter in which they ask the ATP to evaluate other candidates for the position of executive chairman currently held by De Villiers.
They pulled a few strings and also managed to change the balance of power in the ATP Board, which now holds three spots for representatives of the players.
They got rid of Perry Rogers - an agent and family friend of Angre Agassi who sat in the Board as a "player" - and they plan to do the same with former Dutch doubles specialist Jacco Eltingh.
Since the Player Council nominates three of its members to sit on the Board, it could well be that Federer, Nadal and Djokovic get to share meetings and decisions with the business "sharks" that have taken over men's tennis. And that could be the end for De Villiers.
Current Player Council Ivan Ljubicic knows he will not keep the position for long.
"I think it is great that three players like them get involved. Definitely any of them will have more power than me as president," the Croat told Deutsche Presse-Agentur dpa in Paris. "I will help them at the beginning, but then I will leave things in their hands."
Wimbledon will hold the key, as 10 members of the Player Council are set to be picked from 23 candidates there. Nobody can quite imagine that tennis professionals would leave out Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, who would then have two years to get their hands on the tennis business from the inside.
"E.T. call home," some might say.
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Post by SuperMarion on Jun 7, 2008 11:18:51 GMT
Thanks Jim. Concurs with my blog post.
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Post by jimm on Jun 11, 2008 18:17:46 GMT
British tennis player sues three papers
Wednesday June 11 2008
Lawyers representing a British tennis player yesterday began libel proceedings against three media organisations following the publication of stories claiming that the 21-year-old was the world's worst professional in his sport.
Libel writs have been lodged at London's high court against Daily Mail publisher Associated Newspapers, news agency Reuters and Independent News and Media, owner of the Independent titles.
The libel claim focuses on a series of articles that appeared in the British press including the Daily Mail, the London Evening Standard and the Independent on Sunday from April 22 onwards.
These articles alleged that Robert Dee had lost 54 consecutive professional matches, making him the world's worst player. British-born Dee, who works full time as a tennis professional at La Manga in Spain, has denied the claim.
According to his spokesman, Dee said that while he has lost 54 consecutive International Tennis Federation matches he also won 20 other professional matches in that time.
The Guardian, which reported in April that he had not won a professional game in three years, published a correction and apology on May 23 accepting that this was not true. The paper was not named in yesterday's writ.
David Engel, of law firm Addleshaw Goddard, which represents Dee, said: "These articles were wrong and extremely damaging to our client's professional reputation as a tennis professional who earns his living from the game.
"The continued refusal by a number of media organisations to accede to our client's request for printed apologies has left Mr Dee with no option but to sue for libel."
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Post by jimm on Jun 11, 2008 18:19:25 GMT
World's Biggest Racquet to Honor Evonne
The hometown of tennis great Evonne Goolagong Cawley is honoring the former world number one by building the world’s biggest tennis racquet, to be situated in the Evonne Goolagong Park in downtown Barellan.
The racquet, constructed from steel supplied by Steel Supplies of Wagga Wagga, will be13.8 metres long and stand 11 metres high on a 45 degree angle. It will be erected alongside a similar 20/1 scaled tennis ball on an imitation grass minicourt installed by Sports Technologies Ltd. The racquet will be a replica of Evonne’s autographed wooden Dunlop model which she used during the height of her success in the 1970s.
The landmark giant racquet will be unveiled by Evonne during Barellan’s centenary celebrations in October 2009.
Evonne, one of eight children born to Melinda and Ken Goolagong, lived in Barellan until the age of 14 when she left for Sydney to further her tennis career. The town was proud of its only Aboriginal family and came together to help fund the dreams of the future Wimbledon champion. The wheat farming community was rewarded with the sporting success of Evonne, their most celebrated daughter.
David Irvin of the Barellan Big Racquet Committee said “We are delighted to build this landmark in honor of Evonne. She has never forgotten her roots here and has become one of the truly great ambassadors for Australia. We’re looking forward to the Centenary celebrations and welcoming Evonne home again.”
An ecstatic and flattered Evonne said “I’ve always tried not to make too much fuss but this is a ‘Big Racquet’ that I’m really happy with! The people of Barellan were my first sponsors and I’m so grateful for their help. This tribute is incredible and I can’t wait to get home to see it.”
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