The WTA has launched a new, "Strong is Beautiful" global ad campaign, featuring a number of the tour's players. I really like the idea, though I'd like the campaign better if the women were shown in their tennis clothes, on a tennis court, rather than in "photoshoot" style. Still, the ads are attractive and refreshingly simple. Kim Clijsters' ad also contains an unexpected feminist message, so--if we have to keep hearing about how she had a baby and came back--this is certainly a a great way to hear about it. (Of course, the WTA had to go and ruin the effect by once again delivering the sexist message that Clijsters "balances" motherhood and professional tennis.)
Here is the Sugar and Spice video, narrated by Heather Watson:
And here is Li Na's video:
Showing posts with label WTA. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WTA. Show all posts
Friday, May 13, 2011
Friday, May 6, 2011
My, how things have changed
It wasn't that long ago that:
Things have changed. Williams, a victim of especially nasty bad health luck, has been out for months and months. Clijsters has three injuries and may not play in the French Open. Sharapova is slowly getting her groove back, but fans are nervous. Stosur hasn't been the same since she lost the 2010 French Open to Francesca Schiavone.
Ivanovic, who can't even keep a coach in her employ, is lost somewhere in the tennis cosmos, and her countrywoman, Jankovic, has sadly misplaced her confidence. Lisicki, who was either sick or injured for months, is finally making a bit of a comeback, but she is still a shadow of the player who came out of nowhere and won Charleston in 2009. In the meantime, German player Andrea Petkovic has steadily increased both her skills and confidence, and has become a threat in many tournaments.
The most interesting German story, however, is that of Julia Goerges. Goerges has shown potential for a long time, with her strong hitting on both sides, but she broke through and won Stuttgart, beating world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the final. Then she beat her again in Madrid, and will play in the semifinals tomorrow. Sometimes people forget how important confidence is, and Goerges must be feeling a lot of it right now.
Consistency has been Wozniacki's strength, though she hasn't yet won a major, and her chance to do so may not come until the U.S. hard court season arrives.
Then there's Petra Kvitova--whom some of us have been watching for a long time. She sneaked into the 2011 season with two titles, then backed off a bit (there was an injury issue), but is making a surprising run on red clay in Madrid. Kvitova has semifinal points to defend at Wimbledon, and her chances of defending them are pretty good. More focused and careful than she used to be, Kvitova is mentally strong and probably has nowhere to go but up.
What about the other Russians? Elena Dementieva has retired, and the extraordinarily gifted Svetlana Kuznetsova has trouble winning. Dinara Safina was taken out of the tour by a serious back injury, and has not found her way since her return. Nadia Petrova has some health problems, but she has run hot and cold for a few years now. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova keeps getting better, but it's Vera Zvonareva who has outshown them all. A two-time major finalist, Zvonareva has a lot to prove this year; she is now "the" Russian, and it's a bonus that she is intelligent and articulate (and can break a racquet with more panache than anyone in history). But despite Zvonareva and Pavlyuchenkova, the Russians no longer dominate.
Since we're talking about change, Ii's only natural that people would speculate about the Williams sisters' retirement. I think they will try to be around for the 2012 Olympic Games, but both of them now have health issues that make it hard for them to compete. Of course, it's the work of a fool to ever count out Serena Williams, so--like everyone else--I'm waiting to see what will happen.
Everything, by the way, could change again tomorrow--that's the nature of professional tennis. And if you doubut that, I have two words for you: Francesca Schiavone.
- Serena Williams was the player to beat
- Maria Sharapova was a very bright star on the tour
- Kim Clijsters was headed toward a great 2011 season
- Jelena Jankovic was "a step away" from meeting her potential
- Sabine Lisicki appeared to be Germany's Next Big Thing
- Julia Goerges was a good-enough German player who showed some potential
- Ana Ivanovic looked like she was regaining her prestige
- Sam Stosur was heralded on clay surfaces
Things have changed. Williams, a victim of especially nasty bad health luck, has been out for months and months. Clijsters has three injuries and may not play in the French Open. Sharapova is slowly getting her groove back, but fans are nervous. Stosur hasn't been the same since she lost the 2010 French Open to Francesca Schiavone.
Ivanovic, who can't even keep a coach in her employ, is lost somewhere in the tennis cosmos, and her countrywoman, Jankovic, has sadly misplaced her confidence. Lisicki, who was either sick or injured for months, is finally making a bit of a comeback, but she is still a shadow of the player who came out of nowhere and won Charleston in 2009. In the meantime, German player Andrea Petkovic has steadily increased both her skills and confidence, and has become a threat in many tournaments.
The most interesting German story, however, is that of Julia Goerges. Goerges has shown potential for a long time, with her strong hitting on both sides, but she broke through and won Stuttgart, beating world number 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the final. Then she beat her again in Madrid, and will play in the semifinals tomorrow. Sometimes people forget how important confidence is, and Goerges must be feeling a lot of it right now.
Consistency has been Wozniacki's strength, though she hasn't yet won a major, and her chance to do so may not come until the U.S. hard court season arrives.
Then there's Petra Kvitova--whom some of us have been watching for a long time. She sneaked into the 2011 season with two titles, then backed off a bit (there was an injury issue), but is making a surprising run on red clay in Madrid. Kvitova has semifinal points to defend at Wimbledon, and her chances of defending them are pretty good. More focused and careful than she used to be, Kvitova is mentally strong and probably has nowhere to go but up.
What about the other Russians? Elena Dementieva has retired, and the extraordinarily gifted Svetlana Kuznetsova has trouble winning. Dinara Safina was taken out of the tour by a serious back injury, and has not found her way since her return. Nadia Petrova has some health problems, but she has run hot and cold for a few years now. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova keeps getting better, but it's Vera Zvonareva who has outshown them all. A two-time major finalist, Zvonareva has a lot to prove this year; she is now "the" Russian, and it's a bonus that she is intelligent and articulate (and can break a racquet with more panache than anyone in history). But despite Zvonareva and Pavlyuchenkova, the Russians no longer dominate.
Since we're talking about change, Ii's only natural that people would speculate about the Williams sisters' retirement. I think they will try to be around for the 2012 Olympic Games, but both of them now have health issues that make it hard for them to compete. Of course, it's the work of a fool to ever count out Serena Williams, so--like everyone else--I'm waiting to see what will happen.
Everything, by the way, could change again tomorrow--that's the nature of professional tennis. And if you doubut that, I have two words for you: Francesca Schiavone.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Passing shots
A man in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida has been arrested for stalking Serena Williams.
Sandra Harwitt writes about the notable career of Esther Vergeer.
The WTA website is featuring an interview with Kristina Barrois, who joined the tour when she was 25 years old.
Eurosport's "Tramlines" column informs us that "nobody is really watching" women's tennis, so combined events are good for the WTA.
Steffi Graf will participate in the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro Celebrity Tennis Class, which will be played November 11-13. This will be Graf's first appearance at the event, which is a fund-raiser for at-risk families in Florida.
Sandra Harwitt writes about the notable career of Esther Vergeer.
The WTA website is featuring an interview with Kristina Barrois, who joined the tour when she was 25 years old.
Eurosport's "Tramlines" column informs us that "nobody is really watching" women's tennis, so combined events are good for the WTA.
Steffi Graf will participate in the Chris Evert/Raymond James Pro Celebrity Tennis Class, which will be played November 11-13. This will be Graf's first appearance at the event, which is a fund-raiser for at-risk families in Florida.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Passing shots
It's official: Vera Zvonareva has hired Karen Krotov to be her coach, at least for the U.S. hard court season; sources differ as to whether Krotov will work with Zvonareva in that capacity during clay season. Krotov did coach Zvonareva during the Fed Cup semifinals. The world number 2 parted with coach Sergei Demekhin because, she said, he didn't want to work with a team. Says Demekhin: "I have experience and I know girls' psychology, so let's wait for offers."
You can get to know Nadia Lalami.
"Neither as muscular nor as deep-voiced as she appears on television, she was strikingly normal, if that makes any sense." Yeah, Malcolm, we get it.
Rebecca Marino has begun taking Pilates classes.
James LaRosa has a fantasy about the WTA and on-court coaching.
You can get to know Nadia Lalami.
"Neither as muscular nor as deep-voiced as she appears on television, she was strikingly normal, if that makes any sense." Yeah, Malcolm, we get it.
Rebecca Marino has begun taking Pilates classes.
James LaRosa has a fantasy about the WTA and on-court coaching.
Monday, March 21, 2011
Passing shots
Joel Drucker wishes other WTA players would emulate Marion Bartoli's strong offensive game.
Kim Clijsters, who has been troubled by a shoulder injury, has been practicing in Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open.
The Fed Cup tie between Japan and Argentina, scheduled for April 16-17 in Tokyo, has been postponed for three months. Japan will have an opportunity to choose the venue.
The top ten has changed a bit since the completion of the BNP Paribas Open. Francesca Schiavone went from 5 to 4, Sam Stosur went from 4 to 5, Li Na went from 7 to 6, Victoria Azarenka moved from 9 to 8, and Venus Williams went from 8 to 9. The significant move, however, was Indian Wells runner-up Marion Bartoli's. She went from 17 to 10. Former number 10 Agnieszka Radwanska is now number 14.
Serena Williams is out and about in Los Angeles, probably on a limited basis.
"Xperia Hot Shots," the YouTube show that follows selected players on the tour, begins tomorrow. Participating are Sabine Lisicki, Dominika Cibulkova, Heather Watson, Alize Cornet, Sorana Cirstea, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Kim Clijsters, who has been troubled by a shoulder injury, has been practicing in Miami for the Sony Ericsson Open.
The Fed Cup tie between Japan and Argentina, scheduled for April 16-17 in Tokyo, has been postponed for three months. Japan will have an opportunity to choose the venue.
The top ten has changed a bit since the completion of the BNP Paribas Open. Francesca Schiavone went from 5 to 4, Sam Stosur went from 4 to 5, Li Na went from 7 to 6, Victoria Azarenka moved from 9 to 8, and Venus Williams went from 8 to 9. The significant move, however, was Indian Wells runner-up Marion Bartoli's. She went from 17 to 10. Former number 10 Agnieszka Radwanska is now number 14.
Serena Williams is out and about in Los Angeles, probably on a limited basis.
"Xperia Hot Shots," the YouTube show that follows selected players on the tour, begins tomorrow. Participating are Sabine Lisicki, Dominika Cibulkova, Heather Watson, Alize Cornet, Sorana Cirstea, and Bethanie Mattek-Sands.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Passing shots
Doug Robson interviewed Serena Williams for USA Today. The former world number 1 has had a really difficult time lately, and talks quite openly about it.
Ana Ivanovic has parted ways with trainer Marja Lojanica.
Shelby Rogers, last year's SMASH Junior Cup winner, has received a wild card into the main draw of the Family Circle Cup.
Guess who's playing mixed doubles in the U.S. open qualifying sectionals?! This broadcast is a bit long, but definitely worth listening to.
“It's never easy to play, I think, your countryman or countrygirl." That quote, unfortunately, comes from Novak Djokovic (from whom I expect more than, say, Brett Haber or Lindsay Davenport).
Steve Flink reviews Allen Fox's new Book, Tennis: Winning the Mental Match.
Chris Oddo interviews Bud Collins about the WTA.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (who recently hit her first winning tweener) will make her debut as a BBC commentator during Wimbledon this summer.
Ana Ivanovic has parted ways with trainer Marja Lojanica.
Shelby Rogers, last year's SMASH Junior Cup winner, has received a wild card into the main draw of the Family Circle Cup.
Guess who's playing mixed doubles in the U.S. open qualifying sectionals?! This broadcast is a bit long, but definitely worth listening to.
“It's never easy to play, I think, your countryman or countrygirl." That quote, unfortunately, comes from Novak Djokovic (from whom I expect more than, say, Brett Haber or Lindsay Davenport).
Steve Flink reviews Allen Fox's new Book, Tennis: Winning the Mental Match.
Chris Oddo interviews Bud Collins about the WTA.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands (who recently hit her first winning tweener) will make her debut as a BBC commentator during Wimbledon this summer.
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
Passing shots
The WTA site, in recognition of International Women's Day, has posted a gallery of black and white photos of former tennis stars. The first one is of great interest because it is a portrait of Suzanne Lenglen, and we are so accustomed to seeing her in action shots. Also, be sure to check out Frankie Durr and Topspin.
Venus Williams recently joined the 311 cruise and added to her karaoke routine.
Sony has purchased Hawk-Eye. (Good luck to the ITF if they ever need to get a part replaced.)
You can get to know Zhang Shaui.
En route to Indian Wells, Caroline Wozniacki visited Serena Williams at Williams' house, and reports that the former number 1 is in good spirits as she recuperates from illness and surgery.
Main draw play begins tomorrow in Indian Wells. Defending champion Jelena Jankovic is in the same quarter as Petra Kvitova, Marion Bartoli and Kim Clijsters. Andrea Petkovic and Jarmila Groth are in that quarter, too.
Venus Williams recently joined the 311 cruise and added to her karaoke routine.
Sony has purchased Hawk-Eye. (Good luck to the ITF if they ever need to get a part replaced.)
You can get to know Zhang Shaui.
En route to Indian Wells, Caroline Wozniacki visited Serena Williams at Williams' house, and reports that the former number 1 is in good spirits as she recuperates from illness and surgery.
Main draw play begins tomorrow in Indian Wells. Defending champion Jelena Jankovic is in the same quarter as Petra Kvitova, Marion Bartoli and Kim Clijsters. Andrea Petkovic and Jarmila Groth are in that quarter, too.
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