Aces
Sharapova plans comeback at Roland Garros
“I have spoken with Maria Sharapova’s father the day before yesterday. He said she is preparing to play at Roland Garros. Prior to that she’ll probably play in two tournaments to get in form. It’s not clear which tournaments that would be now. But it is clear Sharapova intends to play on clay. Let’s hope that it’s the way it’ll be,” Shamil Tarpishchev said.
– Russia Today
Prince Gives Big “Thank You” to Tennis Players for Growing the Sport
Players deserve the biggest “THANK YOU” and for that, Prince, a global leader of performance tennis products, has decided to launch a nationwide “thank you” program giving consumers an instant $20 off any racquet in the new, top-of-the-line Prince EXO3 line – just in time to “gear up” for summer. The offer begins today, Wednesday, April 15 and runs through Friday, June 15, 2009 at all participating tennis racquet dealers nationwide.
– Prince Tennis
Zheng Visits Quake Victims
Zheng Jie, a Sichuan native, returned home on Wednesday near the one-year anniversary of the earthquake that killed nearly 69,000 people. Zheng, who last year donated her Wimbledon prize money to the earthquake victims, shared her personal story of success at the Hong Bai School in Shifang, Sichuan Province, providing hope and inspiration to the children.
Students also had a chance to play tennis and receive tips from the three-time Sony Ericsson WTA Tour singles title holder.
– Sony Ericsson WTA Tour
Allaster’s credentials speak loudly
Shortly after the board meetings, ESPN.com caught up with Octagon agent and WTA board member Micky Lawler at the MPS Group Championships in Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla. Lawler was more forthcoming than the formal WTA statement in suggesting she’d be amazed if the next WTA chairman and CEO didn’t come from within the organization.
“Yes,” said Lawler, emphatically, when asked if she believed Scott’s replacement is already comfortably ensconced at the WTA. She added that she’s aware of the tour chatter that Allaster is considered the front-runner for the position.
– ESPN
Petrova aims to recapture glory of ’06 title
“It was one of my goals. Every time I came here, I saw pictures of the champions. It was my goal to have my picture up there,” said Petrova, who is playing in Charleston for the first time since ’06. “I have to make sure I leave Charleston with a picture of me standing next to my picture.”
– The Post and Courier
Li Na: overhaul of China’s rigid sports model
Outspoken Chinese tennis star Li Na has called for an overhaul of the nation’s famously rigid sports programme to give athletes the right to pursue their careers without strict government controls.
– Eurosport
Tennis Capsules: Dr. J watches daughter play at Charleston, S.C.
Julius Erving watched his daughter Alexandra Stevenson play tennis for the first time Tuesday in a first-round loss at the Family Circle Cup.
Erving, wearing a black sweatsuit and a black and white baseball cap, watched from the porch of the players’ clubhouse as Stevenson lost on clay to Akul Amanmuradova of Uzbekistan 6-2, 6-4.
– Brownsville Herald
Faults
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