Captain Mary Joe Fernandez, speaking today at a USTA press conference call, said that--as of now--all the top U.S. players have made themselves available for the upcoming Fed Cup tie against defending champion Italy. The World Group competition will be held February 8 and 9 in Cleveland, Fernandez's residence, for the first time in Fed Cup history.
Commenting on Sloane Stephens, Fernandez said: "I think Sloane still gets a little bit confused about how she should play, constructing her points. I think she relies on her speed and doesn't play as aggressively as she could....I think now she's more aware of, when she wins, she she wins. I think that's something we'll see more of in 2014, more consistency."
Fernandez added that Stephens was "at the top" of the list of potential Fed Cup doubles team members, but also stressed that chemistry is an important factor in putting together a doubles team. She mentioned both Jamie Hampton and Taylor Townsend as having very good doubles skills.
The USA captain said that when she began her duties, the USA had only three players in the top 100, but now there are eleven.
Thursday, December 5, 2013
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Monday, December 2, 2013
Holiday sing-along with Women Who Serve, part 1
Every Monday until Christmas, Women Who Serve is giving you a famous holiday song with some new, WTA lyrics. Apologies to all original writers, and to readers--enjoy!
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| Photo by Daniel Ward |
O little land of Serbia
How still we see you lie
But above your deep and dreamless sleep
A sound pervades the sky
Then from a helicopter
Her concrete hair intact
JJ descends to greet her friends
She waves "Hello I'm back!"
Some people said that she was done
Her glory days all past
They said she was a drama queen
And that she played too fast
She tangled with Ricardo
Complained she had hot feet
She caused a quake and often was
Upended on her seat
A twinkle always in her eye
And glitter in her hair
Queen Chaos twists and does the splits
And argues with the Chair
Now she's back among the top 10
Glad tidings--spread the news
The smiling Serb is standing tall
in her five-inch Jimmy Choos
How still we see you lie
But above your deep and dreamless sleep
A sound pervades the sky
Then from a helicopter
Her concrete hair intact
JJ descends to greet her friends
She waves "Hello I'm back!"
Some people said that she was done
Her glory days all past
They said she was a drama queen
And that she played too fast
She tangled with Ricardo
Complained she had hot feet
She caused a quake and often was
Upended on her seat
A twinkle always in her eye
And glitter in her hair
Queen Chaos twists and does the splits
And argues with the Chair
Now she's back among the top 10
Glad tidings--spread the news
The smiling Serb is standing tall
in her five-inch Jimmy Choos
Thursday, November 28, 2013
Radwanska is fan favorite for third straight year
World number 5 Agnieszka Radwanska has been voted the 2013 WTA Fan Favorite. Radwanska also received the fan award in 2011 and 2012. 80,000 fans voted this year.
Fans also voted Radwanska's Miami 360 spin backhand volley (see number 10) as the Shot of the Year. The thing is, she made some other shots this year that could also qualify, though--for most of us--the Miami shot was especially spectacular.
The Fan Favorite Doubles Team is Elena Vesnna and Ekaterina Makarova, a Russian fire and ice combo who are especially fun to watch.
Maria Sharapova got the nod for both Fan Favorite Facebook and Fan Favorite Twitter. 40 LOVE Story, episode 10 was named Fan Favorite Video of the Year.
Fan Favorite Match of the Year was the semifinal played between Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova at the French Open.
Finally, here's a little something in honor of Radwanska:
Fans also voted Radwanska's Miami 360 spin backhand volley (see number 10) as the Shot of the Year. The thing is, she made some other shots this year that could also qualify, though--for most of us--the Miami shot was especially spectacular.
The Fan Favorite Doubles Team is Elena Vesnna and Ekaterina Makarova, a Russian fire and ice combo who are especially fun to watch.
Maria Sharapova got the nod for both Fan Favorite Facebook and Fan Favorite Twitter. 40 LOVE Story, episode 10 was named Fan Favorite Video of the Year.
Fan Favorite Match of the Year was the semifinal played between Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova at the French Open.
Finally, here's a little something in honor of Radwanska:
Tuesday, November 26, 2013
Friday, November 22, 2013
Serena Williams named Player of the Year
Serena Williams, the world's number 1 ranked player, was named Player of the Year today by the WTA. Williams won 11 titles this year, including the French Open, the U.S. Open and the WTA Championships. At age 32, Williams is the oldest player to ever receive the award, and this is the fifth time that she has received it.
Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, the number 1 doubles team in the world, were named Doubles Team of the Year. Errani and Vinci won the Australian Open and the Paris indoor tournament. And as much as I thoroughly enjoy and respect the Italians, I do have a quibble about this award. Hsieh Su-Wei and Peng Shuai won Wimbledon, the WTA Championships, Rome, Cincinnati, and Guangzhou. They didn't knock Errani and Vinci out of the number 1 spot, but their performance in 2013 was the one that was truly outstanding.
Who do you pick--the number 1 team, or the team who won a major, the year-ends, two premier titles, and another title? I woud have gone with the latter, but I understand the decision.
Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci, the number 1 doubles team in the world, were named Doubles Team of the Year. Errani and Vinci won the Australian Open and the Paris indoor tournament. And as much as I thoroughly enjoy and respect the Italians, I do have a quibble about this award. Hsieh Su-Wei and Peng Shuai won Wimbledon, the WTA Championships, Rome, Cincinnati, and Guangzhou. They didn't knock Errani and Vinci out of the number 1 spot, but their performance in 2013 was the one that was truly outstanding.
Who do you pick--the number 1 team, or the team who won a major, the year-ends, two premier titles, and another title? I woud have gone with the latter, but I understand the decision.
Thursday, November 21, 2013
Sweeping the court
Everyone likes a class yearbook, and there's no yearbook quite like the one published by the Backspin Academy. It's all there in photos, videos, student election results, lecture series, classes--everything. The Radwanska Abbey "lost footage" has been restored, too, so if you missed the tour the first time, be sure to check it out. Do your homework.
Maria Sharapova has hired Sven Groenefeld as her coach. I didn't see that one coming.
Sloane Stepehens has entered a trial coaching agreement with Paul Annacone, who--until recently--coached Roger Federer.
Laura Robson has hired Jesse Witten as her traveling coach and hitting partner, and Nick Saviano as a coaching consultant. The word is that she wanted to hire Mark Woodforde as her coach, but that the two could not come to a financial agreement.
Elena Baltacha has retired from professional tennis. The veteran Brit (born in Scotland) player was a lot longer on talent than she was on luck. At age 19, Baltacha was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, but didn't let a compromised immune system stop her from playing. She and her coach, Nino Severino, currently run the Baltacha Academy of Tennis. The 30-year-old Baltacha, who has suffered numerous injuries, said, in announcing her retirement, that all those injuries have finally taken their toll. Bally will be missed, for sure.
Maria Sharapova has hired Sven Groenefeld as her coach. I didn't see that one coming.
Sloane Stepehens has entered a trial coaching agreement with Paul Annacone, who--until recently--coached Roger Federer.
Laura Robson has hired Jesse Witten as her traveling coach and hitting partner, and Nick Saviano as a coaching consultant. The word is that she wanted to hire Mark Woodforde as her coach, but that the two could not come to a financial agreement.
Elena Baltacha has retired from professional tennis. The veteran Brit (born in Scotland) player was a lot longer on talent than she was on luck. At age 19, Baltacha was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis, but didn't let a compromised immune system stop her from playing. She and her coach, Nino Severino, currently run the Baltacha Academy of Tennis. The 30-year-old Baltacha, who has suffered numerous injuries, said, in announcing her retirement, that all those injuries have finally taken their toll. Bally will be missed, for sure.
Bouchard, Halep and Kleybanova get WTA awards
The WTA is handing out its annual awards on a gradual basis this year. Newcomer of the Year is Eugenie Bouchard, Most Improved Player of the Year is Simona Halep and Comeback Player of the Year is Alisa Kleybanova. This is the second time that Flavia Pennetta has staged an unbelievable comeback from lengthy rehab, and, for the second time, that comeback wasn't recognized. But that doesn't mean that Kleybanova's comeback shouldn't be recognized with the award; I thought both players were equally qualified to receive it.
Bouchard began the season ranked number 144 in the world, and ended it ranked number 32. The numbers say it all for the Canadian player. Halep, of course, went on a tear (beating Kuznetsova, Radwanska, Vinci, and Jankovic) in Rome, and then won six tournaments on three surfaces. She is now number 11 in the world.
Bouchard began the season ranked number 144 in the world, and ended it ranked number 32. The numbers say it all for the Canadian player. Halep, of course, went on a tear (beating Kuznetsova, Radwanska, Vinci, and Jankovic) in Rome, and then won six tournaments on three surfaces. She is now number 11 in the world.
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