Tennis Tour Tidbits

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 12th August 2013

Tennis Tour Tidbits

epa03769570 Laura Robson of Britain celebrates a winner against Kaia Kanepi of Estonia during their fourth round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 01 July 2013. EPA/KERIM OKTEN |

Roger Federer is playing with his new Wilson prototype racquet in Cincinnati. “Right now I’m happy with the prototype and plan to keep playing with it here,” he said. The 32-year-old Swiss added that getting ready for matches is no snap anymore: “When I was younger, a teenager for instance, I would jump up and down for two minutes and then go ‘OK, here we go’ for a five set match. Today I take half an hour. I mean, it’s no problem but that can also wear you out eventually, to do all the little things to be somewhat ready. It’s like a car, you sort of need to warm it up. For me that’s a bit of a change, but it sort of happens gradually, to be honest.” . . . Madison Keys has tendinitis in her right shoulder and has pulled out of her last two tournaments. The 18 year old hopes get healthy before the US Open. . . . Britain’s Laura Robson, pulled out of Cincinnati with a right wrist injury. . . Bradley Klahn has earned a main draw wild card into the 2013 US Open by winning the most ranking points in two of four USTA Pro Circuit hard-court events (Binghamton, N.Y., Lexington, Ky., Vancouver, B.C., and Aptos), Shelby Rogers won the women’s 2013 US Open wild card. . . Former great Pete Sampras likes Andy Murray’s chances at the US Open. “I think Murray is on his way to doing great things “I think he’s got a great shot at the US Open. He’s progressed into this great talent that mentally is very strong, has a great coach in Ivan [Lendl] who has helped him a lot. He’s well on his way to winning many majors. . . Ernests Gulbis was upset with Canadian fans that clapped when he double faulted in his loss to Milos Raonic in Montreal. “I don’t understand why you need to clap for a double fault. Simply, I don’t understand it. There can be emotions, but I think it’s stupid…. “I can’t call a thousand people stupid. Don’t put it as a quote.” . . . Serena Williams has won 16 Grand Slam titles and eight titles this year but still get butterflies going on court. “I think it almost is exciting to have butterflies, because it means that you care about it so much and you still get nervous. I think when the day comes and I’m not nervous and don’t have butterflies, then I need to start rethinking what I’m doing.” . . . Jack Sock, joined American Express and the USTA to break ground at Irvingdale Park in Lincoln, Nebraska, where three courts will be refurbished as part of the Fresh Courts program, a community funding effort in which American Express, in partnership with the USTA, invests in developing new generations of fans, players and champions by renovating existing tennis facilities in communities across the country. . . Adidas consultant and coach Darren Cahill was in Toronto working with Sorana Cirstea, who reached her first WTA Premier level final. . . Even though she has struggled with cancer, former top-20 player Alisa Kleybanova still considers winning to be important. “I think no matter what I have been through, wins and losses are still important, because as an athlete I go on the court and with all my heart I want to win every match,” the Russian said. “ So of course when you lose it’s very tough. So obviously you go out there to win.