No sophomore slumps here! The second month of the month of the year is stocked with action and news.
This Month...
Davis Cup - 2006 Edition
The 2006 Davis Cup campaign starts February 10-12. The U.S. heads back to Southern California this month hoping to avoid the misfortunes of last year, when they lost in the first round to Croatia. This time Romania is the opponent, and U.S. captain Patrick McEnroe has called Andy Roddick, James Blake, and Mike and Bob Bryan into action in San Diego.
Johnny Mac in San Jose
John McEnroe, 46, has decided it’s time for another former No. 1 (not named Martina) to come out of retirement. McEnroe, often regarded as the best doubles player ever, will throw his racquet back into the ring at the SAP Open in San Jose with Sweden’s Jonas Bjorkman
Vegas, Baby – The Tennis Channel Open
The ATP tour stops in Vegas for the first time ever, at the Tennis Channel Open at the end of the month. Scheduled to play are Andy Roddick, Lleyton Hewitt, James Blake, Robby Ginepri, the Bryan Brothers, and More…
Agassi’s Last Hurrah?
Andre Agassi’s 2006 started this week in Delray Beach, Fla. Several questions remain unanswered as Agassi begins his season. Is he healthy? Will he retire at the end of ’06?
Koneechiwa
It’s a difficult back-to-back effort for the women, but their major event of the month is going on in Tokyo this week at the Toray Pan Pacific Open. Lindsay Davenport and Serena Williams have withdrawn, but the tournament is still packing some star power with Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis.
Where in the World is the ATP tour?
Zagreb, Vińa del Mar, Delray Beach, Buenos Aires, San Jose, Marseille, Memphis, Rotterdam, Costa do Sauipe, Acapulco, Dubai, Las Vegas.
Where in the World is the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour?
Tokyo, Paris, Pattaya City, Antwerp, Bangalore, Dubai, Memphis, Bogota, Doha, Acapulco
On Newsstands - February 7th
TENNIS Magazine's March issue featuring:
- Kim Clijsters - Nice Girl, Mean Game
- Best Upgrades for Your Old Racquet
- Cardio Tennis - The Great New Way to Get Fit
Subscribe Digitally for only $12!
Buy a single Digital copy for only $2.99!
INSTANT DELIVERY! Click here for more information.
Last Month...
Trophy Presentation
The Australian Open offered up some firsts, a welcome back, and a “surprise, surprise.” Amelie Mauresmo captured her first Slam title but was sadly overshadowed by Henin-Hardenne’s efforts (or lack thereof) in the final. Although it wasn’t based on nationality, pride is at a tennis high in China after Yan and Zheng won the women’s doubles. It might not have been their first Grand Slam doubles title, but it was Mike and Bob Bryan’s first in Melbourne. Martina Hingis welcomed herself back to the majors by capturing the mixed-doubles crown with Mahesh Bhupathi. Lastly, he came, he saw, he conquered: If Roger Federer hadn’t won the Aussie Open, that would have been the real story. There were one or two bumps along the way, but the best player in the world made sure everyone remembered that is his, and only his, distinction.
M & M’s
Two other big stories came out of Melbourne; Marcos and Martina. Coming into the tournament the major question was, How would Hingis do after a three-year hiatus? The envelop please… Really well. A quarterfinal appearance in the singles draw and a title in mixed doubles would be the tournament of a lifetime for almost every other woman on tour.
Marcos ‘Who’s your’ Baghdatis came to Melbourne relatively unknown and left as Prom King. He fell two sets shy of leaving the world speechless, but along the way knocked off three Top 10 players and became the most popular kid at school. How will the rest of his career go? Who knows? But for two weeks he and his many supporters lived it up in Melbourne Park.
Tums and Tissues
Not to belabor the issue, but Justine Henin-Hardenne… WOW! When I was growing up, having a stomachache didn’t get me out of anything. Justine should get herself some Tums and should be handing out tissues to all the people who paid to watch her bail.
No. 1 is So Sweet… and Sour
Kim Clijsters’ rise up the rankings in 2005 after her career-threatening wrist injury peaked this week as she reclaimed the top ranking in the world. The sweetness of her efforts was slightly overshadowed by the ankle injury she suffered in her semifinal loss to Mauresmo. Clijsters will be out of action for at least eight weeks, which will most likely cost her that No. 1 spot.
Off-Season + Reality = Williams Sisters Aussie Open Results
Have you ever heard an athlete at the start of a season say that they didn’t train hard enough in the off-season and that they aren’t prepared to play? Didn’t think so.
That is the song that Venus and Serena should have been singing in Melbourne. Both sisters looked unprepared to compete at the level they (and the fans) have been accustomed to. After talking about how ready they were for the season, they both had horrid early-round loses in Australia. Reality for Serena came quickly—she withdrew from Tokyo saying that she needed practice.
Don’t Miss…
TENNIS.com’s Live Davis Cup Coverage
Peter Dopkin will be live on the grounds at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club with the U.S. Davis Cup team as they tackle Romania February 10-12.
Pacific Life Open - March 6-19, 2006
The best players in the world are coming to Indian Wells, CA to compete in the second largest event in North America and you don't want to miss it! Defending champion and Australian Open champion, Roger Federer, defending champion Kim Clijsters, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport, Rafael Nadal, Justinne Henin-Hardenne and many more will be battling it out at the most scenic stadium in the world, the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Visit PacificLifeOpen.com or for hotel & ticket packages please call 800-208-2410.
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Ace of Spades
Check out ATP veteran Vince Spadea’s blog at SMASHtennis.com. Vince offers up his unique insight into life on tour as he travels the world.
Where are they now? TENNIS.com’s new feature, “Where are They Now?” caught up with Australian tennis star Evonne Goolagong Cawley Down Under. Log on and find out what she’s been up to.
The Big Debut
The Spring SMASH Magazine will be in the mail and on newsstands in March. Check out Maria Sharapova like you’ve never seen her before. Also, go on the court with Olympian Bode Miller, and peruse the guide to college tennis. Click here for subscription information.
Condominiums at the Evert Tennis Academy
Courtside Villas at Mission Bay, adjacent to the Evert Tennis Academy in Boca Raton, Florida is being converted to Condominium residences. For the last several years, Courtside Villas has been the rental community of choice for Tennis families attending or visiting the Evert Academy. You can now own your own residence at the academy with prices starting as low as $269,000. The company marketing the property, Boca Executive Realty will be offering property management and leasing services, providing a hassle-free solution for owners who whish to rent their units when they are not occupying them. Click here for more information.
This Month...
On Newsstands - February 7th
Last Month...