Tennis Tour Tidbits – Sharapova, WTA, Raonic and more…

Written by: Staff on 16th May 2013

Tennis Tour Tidbits - Sharapova, WTA, Raonic and more...

epa03699720 Maria Sharapova of Russia during a press conference at the Italian Open tennis tournament at the Foro Italico in Rome, Italy, 14 May 2013 EPA/ETTORE FERRARI |

Canadian Milos Raonic has split with his longtime coach, Galo Blanco of Spain. He has already interviewed former top 5 player Ivan Ljubicic. . .

Rafael Nadal says that since his knee trouble his daily routines have changed: he is now practicing 50 minutes each day, and one year ago it was close to 2 hours. . .

The USTA s Ola Malmqvist said this to the Connecticut Post about Taylor Townsend’s strengths. “She’s not scared of hard work. She’s a lefty, that’s a plus, too. Her serve is improving, that will end up being a weapon. She can play defense, she can come to the net very well. There is a lot of upside to her game.”. . .

Maria Sharapova doubts that she will compete in Mahesh Bhupathi’s Asian Tennis League, which is being planned for next fall or in 2014. “I think it’s great that we get the opportunity to take tennis to new cities but it won’t happen for me,” she said. “I mean, I’d do a couple of matches but I don’t think I could do the whole thing.” Sharapova also said that she doesn’t like to talk when her coach, Thomas Hogstedt, comes on court to coach her. . .

Former top 20 player Alisa Kleybanova, who has been battling cancer, has begun her comeback in Futures level tournaments and says she will play lower level events until she gets her rhythm back. . .

Laura Robson will work with adidas Player Development coaches through Wimbledon and then try and hire a new private coach. . .

University of Arkansas tennis coach Robert Cox is resigning after 26 years as head coach. He will take a position in the University’s administration facilities and event management divisions. . . .

Melissa Schaub has been named head women’s tennis coach at Ohio State University….

Juan Martin del Potro yesterday took time out from the Internazionali BNL d’Italia in Rome after being granted an audience with the new Pope, Francis. The pair are Argentine compatriots…

The tv coverage from Rome has been amazing. With one question . (?) Where are the women? Shout out to the WTA ” why ?” Stacy and her staff have the most superstars ever in the history of the sport. The ladies are the highest paid athletes on the planet. Week after week goes by and we see awesome ATP matches but almost no WTA matches? Why?

Big congrats to the Tennis Channel for 10 amazing years. Wish every household that wants it could have it. Steve Bellamy lost sleep and blood, sweat and tears but thanks Steve.

“Alex the Dog o ” more shocking instagrams . They are going to bounce you…

Hear the new Solinco racket is amazing. A real threat on the market. No surprise as the Solinco strings are first rate.

It’s always great to have a new tennis book published. Jimmy Connors book arrives tomorrow. Can’t wait. Hear its really open and raw and honest. Sounds like Jimmy. The book is called “The Outsider”. Check it out. Jimmy’s been doing the talk shows. Big congrats to Jimmy’s buddy and one of the best friends of Tennis Lorne Kuhle. Lorne has a tennis museum in Southern California and this year was the proud new owner of the world famous Easterbowl. Lorne saved it from extinction. Lorne was a great friend to Bobby Riggs and is often seen with longtime buddy Pancho Segura. He loves to help give the older players some gold to their golden years.

If you haven’t read our story on Gene Scott by Richard Evans please read its getting rave reviews. New section coming soon to 10sballs.com. Stay tuned…

Topics: Asian Tennis League, Gene Scott, Jimmy Connors, Laura Robson, Mahesh Bhupathi, Maria Sharapova, milos raonic, Rafael Nadal, Sports, Taylor Townsend, Tennis News, Wta