Tennis Tour Tidbits

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 24th October 2013

Tennis Tour Tidbits

epa03922299 Na Li of China returns the ball to Jelena Jankovic of Serbia during their match for the WTA Championships tennis tournament in Istanbul, Turkey, 24 October 2013. EPA/TOLGA BOZOGLU |

Serbia’s Janko Tipsarevic, who is dealing with a left foot injury, says main goal is to “play healthy for Serbia in Davis Cup final.” . . . Ryan Harrison caught viral pneumonia while playing in Asia and when he arrived in Vienna to play the ATP tournament there he couldn’t get out of bed. He was so sick that he was stuck there for two weeks before doctors cleared him to return home. He had his first hitting session on Wednesday. . . Former world No 4 Jonas Bjorkman, will be at the JA Jebel Ali Golf Resort in Dubai from October 27-31, where he will be available for one on one lessons. . . Roger Federer says that despite his recent split with coach Paul Annacone, that they still talk quite a bit. “We are still in touch almost every other day,” said Federer. “He has been super professional, super nice in this entire process.” . . . Jelena Jankovic: “When I have a smile on my face, I think I get more dangerous, too.” . . . No. 18 Maria Kirilenko on why she isn’t playing Fed Cup for Russia: “It was tough decision but due to my injures I feel not good enough and I can’t help my team. Team is more responsibility.” . . . Li Na as to why she’s trying to incorporate serve and volleying into her game: “Because I always stay on the tour so many years, I think everyone know what Li Na play looks like. So I have to change a little bit to prove myself. Before the coaches, they never try to ask me to do serve/volley. Never. So that’s why when [my coach Carlos Rodriguez] says, Oh, you should do serve/volley, I talk to my husband and I say, This guy is crazy. I mean, I was stay on baseline for 20 years. How he can change my mind? I think it was good.” . . . Jelena Jankovic asked reporters whether they thought that she’s a better player than she was in 2008, when she reached the No. 1 ranking. One reporter answered: “Technically, you have more shots, but mentally? Sorry. You asked.” The Serbian replied. “Yeah, but that’s one person’s opinion.”

We Hear —

–that the now retired Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli has pulled out of a French version of the ice staking talent show Dancing on Ice, scheduled for the next few weeks. Reportedly she does not feel sufficiently fit to endure extensive rehearsals and training.

Topics: 10sballs, Atp, Janko Tipsarevic, Jelena Jankovic, Li Na, Maria Kirilenko, Marion Bartoli, Paul Annacone, Roger Federer, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News