TENNIS.com - Ticker

Young stops 17-match losing streak

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:12:00 GMT

American Donald Young ends a 17-match losing streak with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Leonardo Mayer in Winston-Salem. Before Monday, Young hadn't won a match since February (in Memphis) and was just four losses shy of tying Vince Spadea’s record of 21 consecutive defeats. Young recently hired Roger Smith as a coach and said last week he hoped that move would turn things around for him.

Djokovic needs mental rest before U.S. Open

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:38:00 GMT

World No. 2 Novak Djokovic, who hasn't had a week off since the start of the Olympics, says he needs to rest. Djokovic reached the semifinals of the Olympics, won Toronto, and on Sunday lost in the final of Cincinnati to Roger Federer.

"Maybe playing couple weeks in a row, four weeks in a row, got me maybe mentally. Physically it didn't," he told reporters. "I felt OK on the court. We move on. There is New York in a week, and I really need to perform my best there. No doubt obviously we know there is disappointment…The conditions here are quite different from U.S. Open. It's a bit slower there, which I think goes in my favor a little bit more. More suitable to my style of the game. I'm going to have a week that I think is very necessary for me right now mentally and physically."

Li already has faith in new coach Rodriguez

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 14:32:00 GMT

Li Na, who won her first title of 2012 in Cincinnati, says she already has faith in her new coach, Carlos Rodriguez, who joined her for the first time last Thursday. Rodriguez, who exchanged text messages with Li during her run to the Montreal final (where she lost to Petra Kvitova), is the former coach of Justine Henin.

"Of course I was trust him because before we have communication," she told reporters. "Like even lose the first set, he's still like, 'Oh, come on, let's go.' If I lose the match or I lose the set, I think we can work. I know he's doing very good job before, so that's why I was trust him a lot already."

Comcast to move Tennis Channel to better tier

Mon, 20 Aug 2012 00:40:00 GMT

Comcast will move Tennis Channel from a more pricey sports tier to a basic digital tier on September 7, the cable giant said on its web site.

The Federal Communications Commission recently ordered Comcast to place Tennis Channel on the same tier as NBC Sports Network and Golf Channel, two channels it owns.

Comcast will challenege the FCC's decision to the U.S. Court of Appeals, but that process could take months. Tennis Channel says that once Comcast makes the tier adjustment, the network will be available in about 18 million more homes.

"Tennis Channel will remain available in the Sports Entertainment Package, but it also will be included as part of our Digital Starter or Digital Preferred level of service, depending on where you live," Comcast said. "If you receive Digital Starter or Digital Preferred—and most of our customers do—you will receive Tennis Channel, except for in a relatively small number of systems…on your channel lineup on or before September 7, 2012."

Federer aims to extend reign as No. 1

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 19:35:00 GMT

Roger Federer says regaining the No. 1 ranking was important and he would like to hold the top spot for a good deal longer. Federer swept No. 2 Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 7-6 to win Cincinnati and will take a nearly 900-point lead into the U.S. Open, which means its likely that he will retain the top spot even after it concludes. Djokovic is defending 2000 points from winning the 2011 U.S. Open crown, and Federer, who has lost to Djokovic in the last two U.S. Opens, is only defending 720.

"For me to come back to world No. 1 was obviously a goal I always had," said Federer, who regained the top spot after Wimbledon. "When you lose it you want it back right away. Then when three months go by, six months go by, and you understand how much more difficult it is to get back there. You know it's going to take one or two slams or at least between five and ten tournament victories. You need the World Tour Finals in it and you need to win the big tournaments and beat the other Top 5, Top-10 players on a regular basis. If you don't do all those things, you're probably not going to be back to world No. 1. You want to stay strong mentally.

"[It] takes a lot of hard work, dedication, sacrifice, the traveling from everyone involved. And so when you get there it's a great feeling, because doesn't happen by chance… I have to look at the long term, and I would like to stay around for as long as I can. For that reason I have to pace myself at times."

Del Potro plans to rest sore wrist

Sun, 19 Aug 2012 17:25:00 GMT

Juan Martin del Potro says that he will likely take some time off due to pain in his left wrist. The Argentine will visit his doctor at the Mayo clinic before determining when it’s safe to hit again. Del Potro fell to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of Cincinnati on Saturday.

"I will rest couple of days" del Potro told reporters. "The doctor will tell me what the schedule is for me in the next day, but I think I will rest some days before hitting again. It bothers me all the time, and I don't want risk too much. I have experience in wrist problems, and I would like to take time to fix this little problem."

Coach: Li must change temperament

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 13:50:00 GMT

Carlos Rodriguez, the former coach of Justine Henin who is now coaching Li Na, tells USA Today's Bobby Chintapalli that he will be cautious in instituting changes into the former Roland Garros champion’s game, but he already sees that she has to make some mental improvements.

"Like I say to her, we are all professionals but my way to work is to go deep into each point. It could be for her very difficult to deal with that at the beginning," Rodriguez told USA Today. "That's why I say to her, ‘I watch first. I talk to your husband, because he knows you better than anybody'...I see already a lot of potential. "The temperament is explosive — there (points to heart) is something that you have to know how to manage. I say to her, ‘For the moment you have to learn how to drive this (points to heart) with this (points to head).' Because when the opposite happens, it's a real disaster. When your feelings and your heart on the court drive this (points to head again), you don't see the road. I think she's very clever and smart…She moves very well but not that efficiently, not in the right way to be really 100 percent on the ball at the right time to take the right decision."

Serena says her body needs a break

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 13:50:00 GMT

In the aftermath of her 6-4, 6-4, quarterfinal loss to Angelique Kerber in Cincinnati, Serena Williams says she needs to shut it down for a while. Williams has played nearly non-stop since the tournament in Miami in late March. She recently won Wimbledon, Stanford and the Olympic gold medal.

"It was probably for the best that I didn't win today, even though I wanted to win," Serena told reporters. "But maybe my body was like telling me to… [I] probably just need a break.”

Williams added that she isn’t sure whether being called a U.S. Open favorite makes a difference.

"I embrace being [the favorite]," she said. "I also embrace — like at Wimbledon I wasn't the favorite and I was shocked. I actually got angry. So I don't know if it's better not to be a favorite or better for me to be a favorite."

Djokovic commits to 2012 Davis Cup

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 13:49:00 GMT

Novak Djokovic, who has not played Davis Cup since 2011, says that he will begin playing for Serbia again. After Djokovic led Serbia to the 2010 title, he only played doubles against Sweden in July of 2011, and retired against Juan Martin del Potro in a semifinal loss to Argentina in September, 2011. Playing without Djokovic, Serbia lost to the Czech Republic in the quarterfinals last April and won't play again until the first round in February, 2013 against an undetermined opponent.

"Last two years haven't played much," he said. "Had a tough schedule, but I spoke to my national captain during the Olympic Games. He asked me if I will be available to play Davis Cup and I said yes. I'm really looking forward going back to the team and try to get it another title."

Venus ready to walk the walk

Sat, 18 Aug 2012 13:42:00 GMT

Venus Williams, who reached her first semifinal since the 2010 U.S. Open after she beat Samantha Stosur in Cincinnati, says that her level is rising, but that she does not care if she's not considered a U.S. Open favorite. Williams has not won the U.S. Open since 2001.

"I'd like to think that this is only the beginning for me of more semifinals," she said. "Of course I'm going to stay focused and try to make it a final match as well. So for me I'd like to take it a lot further. I haven't played a lot since 2010, so this is awesome for me already. It takes a lot more than talking to win a tournament. That's one thing that I do know. You have to walk the walk, hit the shot, and execute. No matter what people say, obviously it's nice to have positive things said about me, but I need to focus on every point when I get to the Open."

Nadal's doctor: Knee injury not significant

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:38:00 GMT

Rafael Nadal’s doctor, Angel Ruiz-Cotorro of the Spanish Tennis Federation who has treated the 11-time Grand Slam champion since he was 14, tells Mundo Deportivo that Nadal’s injury "is annoying and painful, but not significant."

Ruiz-Cotorro said that Nadal suffers from the disease Hoffa's syndrome, which is "fat inflammation" behind the patellar tendon and is part of the tendonitis suffered by Nadal. Hoffa's syndrome occurs when the fat pad becomes pinched between the distal thigh bone and the kneecap.

"He's doing well. Next week it will be tested and if the result is positive we will continue with the same treatment," said Cotorro, who added that Nadal is trying to deflate the tissue in his knee during his rehabilitation process via physical therapy, electrodes, laser and deep thermotherapy.

According to medical web sites, if the type of treatment Nadal is using now does not work then surgery may be advised. This may involve the complete or partial removal of the fat pad itself.

Nadal told Reuters TV that he wants to make a full recovery from his knee injury before returning to the tour, but is aiming to play Spain’s Davis Cup tie against the United States the weekend after the U.S. Open.

"The important thing is to recover well and come back when my knee is 100 percent perfect. We'll see if I will be ready for Gijon, for the Davis Cup. My goal, my dream is to be there if the captain has confidence in me, but it always depends on the captain and the knee."

Nadal also revealed that he first started feeling pain around February before Indian Wells.

"I played these months with some problems, like in Miami [where he retired against Andy Murray], but normally I had the control of the pain, of the injury. But after Roland Garros the injury got worse and it was impossible to continue competing, and of course the important thing today is to recover as fast as possible after not arriving in perfect conditions in Wimbledon."

Del Potro to have left wrist examined

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:31:00 GMT

Juan Martin Del Potro tells the Argentinian web site FueBuena that he'll visit the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, to have his sore left wrist examined after Cincinnati. Del Potro had surgery on his right wrist in 2010 that sidelined the 2009 U.S. Open champion for several months, preventing him from defending his U.S. Open title. Del Potro will face Novak Djokovic in the semifinals of Cincinnati.

Venus & Serena will play U.S. Open doubles

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:27:00 GMT

Venus Williams confirms that she and her sister Serena will play doubles at the U.S. Open. After not having played for a year, the Williams sisters won their 13^th Grand Slam doubles title at Wimbledon and won their third doubles gold medal at the London Olympics.

"Doubles is is very important to me," Venus told reporters. "Those titles add to your Grand Slam count. It feels very good. It's nice to have a full day off, but when you're going for both [singles and doubles] titles, it takes a lot of focus, and I want both titles. They both mean a lot to me. I never, never, never throw in the towel if I've lost in singles no matter what. I have been rewarded a lot of times with those titles. For me, both are important."

Players object to college scoring changes

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:26:00 GMT

A slew of current and former collegiate players as well as coaches react to changes in the format of college tennis matches announced by the NCAA. Under the new rules, singles matches will no longer be played as best-of-three sets, but with a 10-point tiebreaker played in lieu of a third set. The NCAA also shortened the doubles format from an eight-game pro-set to one six-game set. The NCAA is trying to reduce the overall time of matches and has also reduced changeovers from 90 to 60 seconds, and has eliminated pre-match warm-ups between opponents.

"The shortened format may provide exposure opportunities through television coverage, live streaming and local media coverage," the NCAA wrote. "It is difficult and cost prohibitive for television to air a 4.5 hour college tennis match. In addition, it is very challenging for local media (television or print) to watch and cover an entire dual match. Therefore, the sport lacks local and national coverage, which will be improved with a format that consistently finishes within a three-hour time frame."

Among those objecting in social media were NCAA champs Steve Johnson and Nicole Gibbs, as well as former NCAA champ Bradley Klahn and NCAA runner-up Mallory Burdette. There is a Facebook group that has been set up that has organized an online protest for Saturday.

"I play tennis for tennis, not for TV coverage and frat boy attendance. Playing a [tie breaker] for a third set compromises the integrity of the sport!" Gibbs tweeted.

University of Georgia coach Manny Diaz tweeted: "Disturbing news re: future NCAA tennis format. Will kill our college game as we know it today…We could just flip a coin for doubles point. That would shorten it. Don’t see baseball playing 6 innings or BB 3 quarters."

Klahn said: "It is unfortunate that in this era media accessibility and popularity trumps the best interests of those student athletes who have sacrificed much to achieve their dreams. You can't sell your program as a stepping stone to pro tennis with super breakers for a third set."

The Intercollegiate Tennis Association and the USTA is preparing a joint opposition letter to these changes.

Federer: Celebrating win with daughters special

Fri, 17 Aug 2012 15:24:00 GMT

Roger Federer says that will he was ecstatic winning Wimbledon again for several reasons, the one that made the day so special was having his twin daughters Myla and Charlene there to celebrate with him.

"I don't know yet what it's going to exactly mean for my career and my legacy, whatever you want to call it, but it was one of those very strong, strong moments in my life," he told reporters. And then obviously the moment with my kids at the end at the trophy ceremony was very special and can never be repeated. That's one that's going to stay with me forever, obviously."

Li hires coach, husband back to spouse status

Thu, 16 Aug 2012 15:51:00 GMT

Li Na is thrilled that Justine Henin’s former coach, Carlos Rodriguez, has agreed to become as her new coach on trial basis.

Li was scheduled to meet him face to face for the first time on Wednesday night in Cincinnati. Last week in Montreal, when the ninth-ranked Li reached the final, they were exchanging emails.

"I’m so happy he can be on my team and coach me," she told a small group of reporters about Rodriguez, who coached Henin to seven major titles. "After Wimbledon I texted to my agent, 'I need to find a new coach.' My husband was doing a good job but it’s tough to find a balance between husband and coach, because we are together every day and it’s too long. I said perfect, I need this. The first time I heard the name, I said, ‘OK I really need this.' I was so surprised he wanted to help me. A Chinese coach told me he’s positive and has good communication with the players. He did well with Justine and I know he’s very good and I’m really looking forward to it."

Rodriguez owns a tennis academy in Beijing, China. Her husband, Jiang Shan, who has coached her for most of her career, will continue to travel and hit with her.

"It’s good for both me and my husband,” the 30-year-old Li said."After Carlos comes, now husband is husband. It’s too tough for my mind. Sometimes we are training so hard on court and I’m thinking, You are my husband, why are you training me so hard?’ It's tough to find a balance. He did a good job, it’s just not good way for the wife."

Players react to Nadal's U.S. Open withdrawal

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 19:59:00 GMT

Reactions from players in Cincinnati to Rafael Nadal's withdrawal from the U.S. Open due to knee tendinitis:

Roger Federer: "It’s not a surprise, because I wrote him and he told me like it wasn't looking good at all. I kind of knew. Saw it coming. But obviously when it's official it's disappointing for tennis, there's no doubt about it. I would love to have him in the draw. In particular, sort of the 12 days before the Open you figure he might still have time to fix what he has to fix to get ready. If he pulls out that early before the Open, it must be something serious.That's why it’s sort of scary. There is obviously the whole debate going on if he is going come back for this year. I hope he will. He's definitely got some more weeks off now because of it. I hope in hindsight this is a very smart decision by him. But it's obviously a big blow and disappointing news for the tennis world."

Novak Djokovic: "He's a great competitor, and he’s somebody I know really well on and off the court. I'm sure that if he was able to perform in the U.S. Open he would come. So I wish him a quick recovery. The fact is that tennis is going to lose a little bit because of Rafa not being there and playing, because he's somebody that has made a history of this sport. We all know how good he is and how popular he is. There is everybody else except him who is going to play there, so I am sure we will have a good tournament."

Andy Murray: "Obviously a shame. I like Rafa a lot as a friend. I'm disappointed for him. But I think for tennis and also a major competitions, it's a huge benefit when you have the top players playing. It’s obviously tough for him. He's had trouble with his knees in the past. So I hope he can rest, doesn't come back too early, and gets them fixed so he can get back to playing his best tennis."

Juan Martin del Potro: "Everybody knows Rafa. He's a big fighter. He will be with us very, very soon, and could be dangerous for us when he come back because he gonna be much better than the rest of the players. He's still very, very young. He has many challenge to do it, so he will be ready very soon. I wish all the best for him because he's a nice guy."

Sloane Stephens: "I love Rafa, so I love seeing him at tournaments. I get star struck when I see him. I'm like, 'Oh, my God I wish I could touch him.' It will be sad with him not there. He's such an amazing player. I like seeing him practice. He's on [Practice Court 1 through 5] and he's always on the first court so everyone can see. I like eating my lunch and watching him. I'm kind of bummed he won't be there."

Nadal withdraws from U.S. Open

Wed, 15 Aug 2012 16:07:00 GMT

Rafael Nadal has pulled out of the U.S. Open, the USTA announced today. The 2010 U.S. Open champion has not played a tournament since Wimbledon due to tendonitis in his knees. The U.S. Open starts on August 27th.

"Rafa has informed us that he will not be ready to compete at the U.S. Open this year and has withdrawn from the tournament," said U.S. Open Tournament Director David Brewer in statement. "We hope to see him back on the court soon and look forward to his return to New York next year."

Nadal recently told the Spanish TV station Laverdad that the injury "is not the same as other years, and I have found it a little different." The 11-time Grand Slam champion also recently told Reuters Television that "I will compete when my knee says I am ready to compete. I don't want to go on court with bad feeling because then it is terrible."

After Nadal, the 2008 Olympic gold medal champion, pulled out of the London Games, his uncle and coach Toni said: "Rafael has gone through bad times and serious injury, but I think this is the worst moment of all."

Toni Nadal told IB3 TV on Monday that they are aiming for a return at Spain's home Davis Cup final against the United States, which will be played five days after the U.S. Open. Be he cautioned: "We don't know when Rafa is going to feel better. If he doesn't for Davis Cup. He's not going to play that either." Former No. 1 Nadal has experienced knee trouble for years, but his most recent long-term stint off the tour during a critical period of the season came in 2009 when he was unable to defend his Wimbledon title. Nadal was sidelined for nine weeks in 2009. Currently, he has been off tour for almost seven weeks dating back to his Wimbledon second round loss to Lukas Rosol on June 28. Given that he will not return until sometime after U.S. Open, this spell off the tour will be the longest of his career. As it stands today, it appears that unless Andy Murray loses very early at the U.S. Open, the fourth-ranked Briton will pass Nadal for the No. 3 spot after the Open ends. After winning the Madrid tournament in mid-October of 2005 when it was still played indoors, Nadal suffered a left foot injury and did not return to the circuit until February, 2006 in Marseille, missing the Australian Open.

This marks the first time Nadal, the 2011 U.S. Open runner-up to Novak Djokovic, will miss the Flushing Meadows major.

Pained Roddick uncertain on Winston-Salem

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:30:00 GMT

Andy Roddick suffered what he believes to be a minor back injury in his loss to Jeremy Chardy in the first round of Cincinnati today. Roddick, who has suffered a slew of injuries in the past two years, says he is more confident than he was last summer due to recent title runs in Eastbourne and Atlanta and because he’s been striking the ball well in practice. But the world No. 21 is unsure whether he should play the tournament in Winston-Salem next week because he wants matches, or skip it, and rest his body for the US Open.

"I don't know that there is a perfect answer," Roddick said. "We will know more in two, three days than we do now. It's tough for me to say what side of the fence I'm sitting on. I don't know where I'm going to be in two or three days. In a perfect world I'd love to play next week. I feel like I'd benefit from that. That's what we're going to try to do."

Djokovic: Murray belongs in Big 4

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:20:00 GMT

Novak Djokovic says that Andy Murray, who has never won a major, does deserve to be part of men’s tennis so-called Big 4, rather than just calling it a Big 3 with Djokovic himself, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

"There was different kinds of talks with the rivalries between Roger and Rafa, between me and Rafa, me and Roger, and then Andy," Djokovic said. "So there is really no story that I can say, 'Okay, that's the right one.' Andy was always part of that group of the top players. He's, what, for last four, five years in top 4 of the world. Now he has won Olympic games. He's played couple of Grand Slam finals, so he deserves to be out there."

Kvitova is hoping asthma won't flair up

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:19:00 GMT

Former Wimbledon champion, Petra Kvitova, who beat Li Na in last night's Rogers Cup final to win her first title on North American soil, says that the lack of humidity in Montreal was reason why she felt better last week. Kvitova is hoping for repeat performances at Cincinnati and the U.S. Open, but is unsure if her asthma will flare up.

"Montreal wasn't that bad as normal," she said. "[In Cincinnati] it's more humid. I will see how is it going here. I will try my best and try to fight not only with the opponent, but with my asthma also. I think that it's hard to answer this question, because I never know."

Venus believes her health, level improving

Tue, 14 Aug 2012 17:18:00 GMT

Venus Williams says that the reason she played well in singles at the Olympics and reasonably well in her three-set victory over No. 14 Maria Kirilenko at the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati today is because her health is improving. Williams discovered a little more than a year ago that she is stricken with the auto immune disease Sjögren's syndrome.

After a decent spring, the former No. 1 was crushed in the second round of Roland Garros by Agnieszka Radwanska and was shocked in the first round of Wimbledon by Elena Vesnina. However, at the Olympic she played well in straight-sets wins over Sara Errani and Aleksandra Wozniak before losing to world No. 7 Angelique Kerber in two tiebreakers. She also won the doubles gold medal with her sister, Serena.

"I'm doing a lot better than this time last year," Venus said. "So much better than a couple months ago as well. I also am learning to deal with everything a lot better. If I wake up and I don't feel great, then I would panic and lose my match 2 and 1. I had a few 2 and 1's this year, too, but I had to take those losses in order learn and get better. Now I realize that I just kind of hang in there if I'm not having the best day and still try to get the win….

"I wasn't really feeling well during [Roland Garros and Wimbledon]. It was a very hard time for me. It was very difficult, so actually qualify for the Olympics during that time was definitely one of my biggest achievements for sure, a personal battle. I started feeling better. I was really nervous in the first-round match because I didn't want to go out there feeling horrible and lose again first round. At Wimbledon it was really tough, so..."

The 32-year-old Venus said she's continuing to work with her doctors to adjust to her illness.

"But I'm learning to cope better. I'm trying different things all the time," Venus said. "I keep working with my doctors. Nothing can prevent bad days, but the bad days aren't as bad as they used to be. I am learning to deal with it. It's a work in progress. My main goal is to be 100 percent, but it's not like it goes away. It's still in my body trying to fight against me, but I'm fighting it as well."

Nadal is questionable for the U.S. Open

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:15:00 GMT

Rafael Nadal tells the Spanish TV station Laverdad that he is questionable for the U.S. Open, which begins on August 27. Nadal has not played a tournament since Wimbledon due to tendonitis in his knees. "I don't know if I’ll be ready in time for the U.S. Open," he said. "I can't say yes or no. [The injury] is not the same as other years, and I have found it a little different."

Federer concerned for injured Nadal

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 21:14:00 GMT

Roger Federer says he’s concerned about the health of his longtime rival, Rafael Nadal, who hasn't played since Wimbledon due to a knee injury.

"I was going to write him and check on him because I can't believe he's been out that long," Federer told reporters in Cincinnati. "I thought the Olympics, okay, that's fine. That's a personal choice. I thought for sure we would see him in Toronto, but now he missed Toronto and Cincinnati. It's very surprising, because it was nothing that we heard of prior to the injury. He played so well on clay, and then actually seemed fine at Wimbledon. He had more time by losing earlier at Wimbledon. So it came as big surprise now, these two pull outs for me. Even the Olympics, too. So I'm sad for him. I hope he'll be back for the [U.S.] Open."

Caro on playing big match during Rory's run

Mon, 13 Aug 2012 18:52:00 GMT

Carline Wozniacki tells TENNIS.com what it was like during her boyfriend Rory McIlroy’s run to the PGA Championship on Sunday, which was going on while she was playing Petra Kvitova in the semis of Montreal, a match she lost in three sets.

"I could follow until he was on the 12th [hole] and then we had to go on and then after I won the first set someone yelled out, ‘He’s leading by 5,'" she said with a laugh. "Then I lost second set and then there was a rain delay so I saw the last two holes and saw he won by eight, and that’s a lot."

Wozniacki added that it was interesting to have both of then contesting big events at the same time. McIlroy will join Wozniacki in Cincinnati this week.

"It was a positive situation to be in, so more of those please!" she said.