Wednesday, February 29, 2012

Passing shots

Billie Jean King and Virginia Wade will be the coaches. The players will include Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Tracy Austin, Martina Hingis, Rennae Stubbs, Jimmy Connors, and Aaron Krickstein. That sounds irrsistible, and it's going to be a reality on Saturday, April 7, at 7 p.m. at the Family Circle Cup. 40 Love: A Night of Empowerment Celebrating 40 Years of the Family Circle Cup, a special evening presented by Dove, will include a stadium court dedication to Billie Jean King. The Original 9 of the WTA will be on hand, and proceeds will go to the WTA Player Assistance Fund. Tickets are available now from Ticketmaster.

Bruce Jenkins makes a passing shot at Caroline Wozniacki because she made one at Martina Navratilova. (And while I agree that Wozniacki is as unfunny as they come, I disagree that others don't even try. Jenkins is the second writer to make this remark in recent times, and it seems that he and the other man--I forget who it was--have somehow managed to miss the interviews and press conferences of Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Dinara Safina, Serena Williams, Andrea Petkovic, Maria Sharapova, and other genuinely witty and funny WTA players.)

Navratilova is going to be on "Dancing With the Stars." She and Chris Evert have turned down multiple offers to be on the show. "No, no and no" have always been her answers, Evert said a few years ago, but the show managed to get at least half of the pair to participate.

Here's some really good news: Alisa Kleybanova will play in the Sony Ericsson Open next month. Kleybanova has completed her treatment for Hodgkin's lymphoma. She has a wild card into the Miami tournament.

Andrea Petkovic says she may be back on the tour in a month. She is recovering from a stress fracture in her back.

Melanie Oudin has moved to New York and is working at the USTA Player Development Center in Flushing Meadows.

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