Tennis News and Tour Tidbits

Written by: Bob Larson Tennis on 16th December 2013

Tennis News and Tour Tidbits

epa03691154 Russian tennis player Nadia Petrova serves the ball to compatriot Svetlana Kuznetsova during their second round match of the Madrid Open tennis tournament at the Caja Magica pavilion in Madrid, central Spain, 07 May 2013. EPA/Emilio Naranjo |

Tennis Australia CEO Craig Tiley is very high on teenagers Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, saying that have elite potential. . . .Roger Federer won’t say how much Rod Laver will be involved at his charity event on Laver Arena prior to the Australian Open. “The stadium is named after him after all and he’s a legend of our game,” Federer said “I love the history of our game because they have paved the way for us in such a big way that tends to be forgotten. I always like to get former legends and greats and icons back involved in the game and particularly Rod because he has achieved things that will never be achieved again. It’s nice that he is respected and appreciated and that he is willing to participate in our event. How? You’ll find out because it’s built from a little secret.” . . . Canadian teenage phenom Eugenie Bouchard had another career ambition growing up. “I know it’s kind of weird but I want to be an air traffic controller. I spent so much time in airports and on planes and I’m always sitting there looking up at the tower and I’m like, ‘What on earth are they doing up there?’ I heard it’s such a high-stress job they can only do it for two years and then you have to stop before you get burnt out. For me, I love that. Those high-stress, high-pressure situations. I enjoy those moments. It would be so cool to be up there and landing 747s from Japan and wherever.” . . . Samantha Stosur on working with her new coach, Miles Maclagan, who coached Andy Murray and Laura Robson. ”Laura’s been the only female he’s coached, so he says he’s still feeling out the women’s tour and learning it all himself. I think he’s got a good demeanor on court, he seems to be very professional and when you’re away, even when you’re not looking for anything, you watch what’s going on and I’ve always kind of got a good vibe from him, and been able to say hello; we’ve been at the same table for lunch a few times. So there’s still a lot to get to know about him, but so far so good.” . . .The International Tennis Hall of Fame voting has closed and there are analysts who think that 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez might not get in. An essay on Tennisreporters.net stated that if Gabriela Sabatini was inducted, that Martinez should also be as she had better numbers overall. “If Martinez does not get in, the only reason why Sabatini was able to and she was not was the Argentine’s glamour factor: Gaby was and still is an international sex symbol, while Conchita is a more demure person who does not push her, let’s say, off court qualities, other than being easy to get along with, which is why she will likely have a productive term as Fed Cup captain.” . . . Former ATP Player Council chief Ivan Ljubicic on how the men feel about more combined events with the women: “When I was on the council and Etienne de Villiers was CEO we were discussing a Brave New World of more combined events and how it would be good for the sport. Today I’m not sure it is. It’s definitely good for the girls, but for the guys I don’t know, there are some events when it’s really cramped, if you talk about getting enough court time. The main issue with some of the guys is they feel like they should be getting more [prize money] and they can’t get it.”

We Hear —

— that Nadia Petrova has withdrawn from Auckland & Hobart following the passing of her mother, Nadezhda, who recently died in a car crash.

Topics: 10sballs, Andy Murray, Eugenie Bouchard, International Tennis Hall Of Fame, Laura Robson, Nadia Petrova, Rod Laver, Roger Federer, Samantha Stosur, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News