Nadal in Paris for first time since French defeat Nov 11, 2009
Rafael Nadalback inParis first time following French Open loss - Tennis - SI.com ... Nadal returns to Paris for first time following loss at French Open ... Nadal had dominated the French Open since his first match on the red clay. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Gasquet gives cocaine evidence at CAS hearing Nov 11, 2009
That would allow Gasquet, who was suspended for the French Open and Wimbledon, to prepare for the Australian Open in January if he is cleared by the CAS panel of three lawyers. "That is part of their considerations," Reeb told The Associated Press. (ESPN -- Tennis)
1/28/09 - Pablo's great adventure: Pro tennis player from Marin seeks fame, fortune, funding By Jim Welte, Marin Independent Journal Nov 10, 2009
The 22-year-old Nadal is the top-ranked player in the world and an international superstar who already has five Grand Slam titles to his name, including both Wimbledon and the French Open in 2008. At 26, San Rafael resident Pires de Almeida is at yet another crossroads in a career that has been marked by tragedy, triumph and more than anything, debt. (Usfdons.com)
REACTION: 'The game held him ransom' Nov 10, 2009
Agassi writes that he thought of all Bollettieri had done for him when he won the 1999 French Open, his proudest career moment. Bollettieri says they have both come around and have a good relationship. (USA Today -- Life)
ON TENNIS: Dislike turned into acceptance Nov 10, 2009
I did pray for one result in my life, and that was the 1990 French Open Final, that my hair stayed on ... You don't need to expand too much on this, but the French Open, you never liked clay, you had your best early results in majors there, then it became your sort of albatross before you finally shook it off by winning in 1999. (USA Today -- Life)
Agassi Reveals Lies He 'Can't Live With' Nov 9, 2009
--On Chang: "He thanks God -- credits God -- for the win, which offends me. That God should take sides in a tennis match, that God should side against me, that God should be in Chang's box, feels ludicrous and insulting. I beat Chang and savor every blasphemous stroke." When Chang wins the 1989 French Open, Agassi thinks, "I feel sickened. How could Chang, of all people, have won a slam before me?" ... --On his fake hair: Of the 1990 French Open final, Agassi writes, "Warming up before the... (Click2Houston, TX)
I was never doped up on court: Agassi Nov 9, 2009
On a lighter note, one of the other startling revelations of Agassi's book is the fact he won the 1999 French Open without wearing underwear for the duration of the tournament. It started when he forgot to pack some for his first-round match and didn't have time to find a spare pair so decided to go ''commando. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Glatch, Oudin beaten as U.S. trails in Fed Cup Nov 8, 2009
Glatch routed Pennetta 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of this year's French Open, but she was never in control on the slow clay during a cool and overcast day in southern Italy. "She definitely played better than last time," Glatch said. (ESPN -- Tennis)
C'mon Bart, where's the sex, drugs and rock'n'roll? Nov 7, 2009
Since reading that Agassi's hair piece fell apart in the shower on the eve of 1990 French Open final, I've had my rug stapled to my cranium. Thanks for the life lesson, Andre. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Glatch opens Fed Cup final for U.S. vs. Pennetta Nov 7, 2009
Glatch routed Pennetta 6-1, 6-1 in the first round of the French Open. That's been the only blemish on a career year for Pennetta, who won back-to-back titles in Palermo, Sicily, and Los Angeles en route to becoming the first female Italian player to reach the top 10 in August. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Andre Agassi: The man, the meth Nov 7, 2009
We are now told the streaked tresses were a wig and it cost him the 1990 French Open final against Andres Gomez ... On reaching the 1991 French Open final, he said the effort had left him "as happy as a faggot in a submarine" ... The following year, he beat Andrei Medvedev, to win the French Open. (India Times, India)
Tennis: Italy holds Fed Cup edge as Williams sisters absent Nov 7, 2009
com - Tennis Italy holds Fed Cup edge as Williams sisters absent. " onclick="Next();" src="/images/butt_next. (Channelnewsasia.com)
Sam can win a slam, says doubles partner Nov 6, 2009
Stubbs said she did not feel Stosur truly believed she was worthy of grand slam success when beaten by eventual champion Svetlana Kuznetsova in a three-set semi-final at the French Open, but compelling evidence had been provided by defeats of Serena Williams, Dinara Safina, Caroline Wozniacki and Kuznetsova, among others, in the past year. Sam's never going to blow her own trumpet,'' Stubbs said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Djokovic rolls Hernych 6-0, 6-0 at Swiss Indoors Nov 6, 2009
His one failure to reach the last eight since January was a third-round exit at the French Open. On Friday, Djokovic will play sixth-seeded Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland, who defeated Jarkko Nieminen of Finland 7-5, 2-6, 6-1. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
French Open could leave Roland Garros Nov 5, 2009
PARIS: The French tennis federation (FFT) is considering to move the French Open out from Roland Garros if its extension project does not get the green light within a year ... Last May, tennis officials said a new centre court equipped with a retractable roof would be used at Roland Garros for the French Open by 2013 or 2014. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
JonWertheimTennis Mailbag The most compelling part of Andre Agassi's book, more mail. Nov 5, 2009
Andre Agassi admitted that his wig was falling off at the 1990 French Open final -- one of several revealing anecdotes from his book ... I like Andre's revelation that he lost the 1990 French Open final because his wig was falling off. (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
French Open stadium building blocked by politics Nov 5, 2009
New French Open stadium construction blocked by political issues - Tennis - SI.com ... French Open stadium construction blocked by political issues ... The building of a new stadium for the French Open has been blocked. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
French Open says it might leave Roland Garros Nov 4, 2009
French Open: Officials threaten to move tourney if Roland Garros expansion not approved - ESPN ... Officials say French Open could move ... PARIS -- The French tennis federation is considering moving the French Open from Roland Garros if an expansion project does not get the green light within a year. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Federer to prep for French with more clay play Nov 4, 2009
BASEL, Switzerland -- will play an extra clay-court tournament next year to prepare for his defense of the French Open title. The top-ranked Swiss intends to play 19 events in 2010, according to a playing schedule published Tuesday on his Web site. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Fed to play extra clay court tourney pre-French Nov 4, 2009
Roger Federer to play extra clay courttourney before French Open - Tennis - SI.com ... Roger Federer will play an extra clay-court tournament before the French Open ... BASEL, Switzerland (AP) -- Roger Federer will play an extra clay-court tournament next year to prepare for his defense of the French Open title. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Agassi admits lion mane was a wig Nov 2, 2009
Agassi said he wore a hairpiece held together with pins in his first Grand Slam final, the 1990 French Open final, and blamed his concerns that it would fall apart for losing the match to Andres Gomez ... Vanishing act: A combo image of Andre Agassi at the French Open finals on June 9, 1991 and four years later during a third-round match on June 2, 1995 in Paris. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
* Nations best set to hit the courts in Taipei Ladies Open Nov 1, 2009
However, the Portuguese caused a stir at this years French Open and Wimbledon tournaments when her on-court grunting caused some consternation. At Roland Garros, opponent Aravane Rezai went so far as to complain to the match referee that the noise was distracting her, while British newspaper the Sun described Larcher De Brito as the loudest player on the circuit, estimating some of her grunts at 109 decibels X as much noise as a Formula 1 car. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Business)
'Airplane!' actor gets Hollywood star Nov 1, 2009
Excerpts published yesterday reveal Agassi wore a hairpiece that nearly fell off at the 1990 French Open, became jealous during ex-wife Brooke Shields' appearance on "Friends," and how Shields put a photo of Steffi Graf now married to Agassi on the fridge for motivation to get in better shape before their wedding. Palimony' pioneer Marvin dies at 76. (Honolulu Advertiser)
Henin has sights on Wimbledon in return to tennis Nov 1, 2009
(AP) -- The moment Justine Henin realized her tennis career wasn't finished came this past June, when the Belgian watched Roger Federer finally hoist the French Open trophy, the one Grand Slam title he was missing. His triumph reignited a passion that had been dormant inside her. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
I wore mullet wig: Andre Agassi admits Nov 1, 2009
Agassi said he wore a hairpiece held together with pins in his first Grand Slam final, the 1990 French Open final, and blamed his concerns that it would fall apart for losing the match to Andres Gomez. Before the match he prayed "not for victory, but that my hairpiece would not fall off", he writes in "Open". (Sydney Morning Herald -- World)
People he did meth 'for a year or so' ">Agassi tells People he did meth 'for a year or so' Oct 31, 2009
New excerpts reveal Agassi wore a hairpiece during the 1990 French Open ... Andre Agassi admits he wore a hairpiece for the French Open in 1990, the first time he had reached a Grand Slam final ... New excerpts published Friday reveal Agassi wore a hairpiece that nearly fell off at the 1990 French Open, became jealous during ex-wife Brooke Shields' appearance on Friends, and how Shields put a photo of Steffi Graf -- now married to Agassi -- on the fridge for motivation to get in better shape... (SportsIllustrated.CNN)
Venus reaches Doha semis as Kuznetsova wins Oct 31, 2009
Dementieva needed a win to advance, while French Open champion Kuznetsova had nothing to play for but cash. She had her best match of the tournament and never faced a break point. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Friday's Sports In Brief Oct 31, 2009
New excerpts published Friday reveal Agassi wore a hairpiece that nearly fell off at the 1990 French Open, became jealous during ex-wife Brooke Shields' appearance on "Friends," and how Shields put a photo of Steffi Graf-now married to Agassi-on the fridge for motivation to get in better shape before their wedding. DOHA, Qatar - The Williams sisters could be headed for a final matchup at the Sony Ericsson Championships after Venus Williams advanced to the semifinals along with Jelena Jankovic... (OregonLive, OR -- Sports)
Disney sets out to make 'The Passion for kids' Oct 31, 2009
Tennis star confesses he lost the French Open due to a defective wig. Freestyle snowboard and ski festival at Battersea Power Station. (Yahoo News -- 'The Passion of the Christ')
Shields motivational effort for Agassi backfired Oct 31, 2009
Diane Freed / Getty ImagesNew excerpts published Friday from Andre Agassi's upcoming autobiography revealthe tennis greatwore a hairpiece that nearly fell off at the 1990 French Open, became jealous during ex-wife Brooke Shields appearance on Friends, and how Shields put a photo of Steffi Graf now married to Agassi on the fridge for motivation to get in better shape before their wedding ... New excerpts published Friday reveal Agassi wore a hairpiece that nearly fell off at... (MSNBC -- Sports)
The Sam and Dave show will stay on the road Oct 31, 2009
The French Open semi-finalist was told several months ago that after another six tournaments she would be on her own; that Taylor was returning home to fulfil his Fed Cup and AIS duties ... Meanwhile, Venus Williams retained some hope of a successful title defence with a three-set win over French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
WTA Tour's 'roadmap' on right track, players, officials say Oct 30, 2009
"Definitely, there can always be improvement, and not everybody is going to be happy all the time," adds reigning French Open champ of Russia, who believes the overall schedule has improved. Tweaks will be necessary. (USA Today -- Sports)
Safina withdraws; Serena to end year at No. 1 Oct 29, 2009
She was the runner-up this year to Williams and lost the French Open final to , leaving her still looking for her first Grand Slam title -- a blotch on her record that has led to persistent questions about her claim to the top ranking. But she has been one of the most consistent performers throughout the year, winning titles in Rome, Madrid and Portoroz, and holding the top spot for 26 weeks. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Agassi admits using crystal meth Oct 29, 2009
In 1997, Agassi pulled out of the French Open and slumped down the world rankings in a loss of form. But he resurrected his career in 1998, making the biggest one-year leap in history into the top 10 before going on to win the French Open the next season. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
'Druggie' Andre not alone Oct 29, 2009
Happily, she turned things around, coming out of retirement a more mature player, and capturing the French Open, Australian Open and the world number one ranking. Who did we miss. (iAfrica.com)
Violent father » Oct 29, 2009
"Agassi turned pro in 1986, reached his first major final at the French Open in 1990, quickly drew plenty of attention and kept drawing it -- for his service returns, considered by many to be the best in the game; for his quick-as-could-be reflexes at the baseline; for his denim shorts, Day-Glo shirts, flowing hair and dangling earrings; for his two-year marriage to Brooke Shields and friendship with Barbra Streisand that provided fodder for the tabloids.He won Wimbledon in 1992, was ranked No.... (ESPN -- Tennis)
* Andre Agassi confesses to having used crystal meth Oct 29, 2009
The next season, he won the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam, then added a second career US Open title en route to finishing 1999 at No. 1. A writer from Sports Illustrated first revealed the crystal meth reference on a Twitter posting on Tuesday. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Wimbledon confirm move to prize money equality Oct 28, 2009
The US and Australian Opens have treated both sexes equally for several years now, while the French Open paid both singles champions the same sum for the first time last year, but the All England Club has previously refused to back down on the issue. Chief among their arguments has been the fact men play best-of-five-set contests, while women only play best-of-three, but outgoing chairman Tim Phillips has also cited club polls indicating that men's tennis gave better value for money. (Yahoo News -- Women's Issues)
Tennis: Dementieva sends Venus crashing at Doha tennis Oct 28, 2009
" Dementieva's shock win now adds extra spice to Williams' second group game against sister Serena on Wednesday where she will have to win to stay alive in this eight-woman, 4.55 million dollar event. Serena was due on court later Tuesday to take on French Open winner Svetlana Kuznetsova as she began her campaign to reclaim the world number one spot from Dinara Safina. Williams, the holder of 11 Grand Slam titles, was knocked off top spot by Safina on Monday, but she will reclaim the end-of-year... (Channelnewsasia.com)
Report: Agassi used crystal meth, lied to ATP Oct 28, 2009
"The ATP threw out the positive drug test and it did not surface until now.Agassi had won the Olympic gold medal in the 1996 Atlanta Games, but didn't win a major in 1997, dropping to No. 141 in the rankings. He resuscitated his career in 1998, making the biggest one-year jump into the top 10 in the history of the ATP rankings. The next season, he won the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam, then added a second career U.S. Open title en route to finishing 1999 at No. 1.He went on to win... (ESPN -- Tennis)
Agassi used crystal meth, lied about it Oct 28, 2009
The next season, he won the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam, then added a second career U.S. Open title en route to finishing 1999 at No. 1. In a posting on Peoples Web site, Agassi says he was worried for a moment, but not for long, about how fans would react if they found out he used drugs. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Venus, Jankovic stumble at WTA Championships Oct 28, 2009
Later Tuesday, second-ranked Serena Williams faced French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. The tournament features the top eight players in the world, with four women in each group. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Venus loses, Serena wins in Doha » Oct 28, 2009
Kuznetsova, the French Open champion, led 6-4 in the first tiebreak but Serena erased the first set point with a return winner and the second with an ace -- after a challenge to overturn the line judge's call that the serve was out. Serena had led 3-1 earlier in the tiebreak and said she let her focus slip before closing it out. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Sony Ericsson Championships Commence Tuesday Oct 27, 2009
Wimbledon and Australian Open champion Serena Williams and Aussie and French Open runner-up Dinara Safina will decide who finishes the year on top ... A second-seeded Serena will meet third-seeded French Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova, while fifth-seeded Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva will encounter seventh-seeded Wimbledon runner-up Venus Williams and sixth-seeded Victoria Azarenka will face eighth-seeded Jelena Jankovic. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Serena and Safina ready to battle for world supremacy Oct 27, 2009
The American is also in the much tougher Maroon Group in Doha where she must play sister Venus, the defending champion, and formidable Russians Svetlana Kuznetsova, the French Open winner, and Olympic gold medallist Elena Dementieva. To have the battle for No.1 going to the wire is a dream scenario for womens tour chiefs and the Qatari tennis authorities who paid US$42 million to stage the season-ending event for three years until it moves to Istanbul in 2011. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Dellacqua to return to court next month Oct 26, 2009
Dellacqua hit a career high world ranking of No.39 in 2008 after catching the country's attention with her gutsy fourth round appearance at the Australian Open, which she backed up by advancing to the third round at both the French Open and Wimbledon. "I had such a good first part of 2008 but then I really started to have shoulder problems after Wimbledon and struggled through the year and didn't play too many tournaments," she said. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Soderling bows out of semis with injured elbow Oct 25, 2009
The 10th-ranked Swede, a surprising finalist in the French Open this year, was the only seeded player left in the tournament. "I'm sorry for Robin first of all," Baghdatis said. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Greenbrier's volleyball season ends in Elite Eight Oct 25, 2009
The 10th-ranked Swede, a surprising finalist in the French Open this year, was the only seeded player left in the tournament. - In Luxembourg, Switzerland's Timea Bacsinszky defeated fifth-seeded Belgian Yanina Wickmayer , 3-6, 6-2, 7-5 to make the finals of the Luxembourg Open. (The Augusta Chronicle)
* Zvonareva and Safin tumble out at Kremlin Cup Oct 24, 2009
Soderling, a surprise finalist in the French Open this year and ranked 10th in the world, will next play Guillermo Garcia-Lopez of Spain. Olivier Rochus rallied to beat eighth-seeded Feliciano Lopez of Spain 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 in another second-round match. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Grizzlies’ Iverson likely out of opener Oct 24, 2009
The 10th-ranked Swede, a surprise French Open finalist, will play Marcos Baghdatis, who ousted qualifier Arnaud Clement, 6-4, 6-4. Olivier Rochus will meet Thomaz Bellucci in the other semi. (Boston Globe)
Soderling, Baghdatis reach semis in Stockholm Oct 24, 2009
The 10th-ranked Swede, a surprise French Open finalist, will play of Cyprus in one semifinal on Saturday. Baghdatis ousted French qualifier 6-4, 6-4. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Soderling breaks into quarterfinals in Stockholm Oct 23, 2009
Soderling, a surprise finalist in the French Open this year, will play. A two-time finalist in the Swedish capital, Soderling is the only seeded player left in the tournament. (ESPN -- Tennis)
A Swede start for Soderling in front of own fans Oct 23, 2009
He served well in the beginning but the longer the match went on the more I got into it, said the French Open finalist, who only lost seven points in his serve during the match. Its always fun with a packed centre court during an evening match, added Soderling, who last cracked the top 10 in the ATP rankings for the first time. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Henin set for comeback at Brisbane meet Oct 22, 2009
Tournament director Steve Ayles said Henin will also be up against Serbias former French Open champion, Ana Ivanovic, and home favourite Jelena Dokic at the Jan 3-10 event ... With the former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic and Australian Open quarter-finalist Jelena Dokic confirmed, we are looking at an extremely strong womens field. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Soderling cruises in first round at Stockholm Oct 22, 2009
The 10th-ranked Soderling, who was a surprise finalist at the French Open this year, will play of Italy in the second round. of Cyprus ousted third-seeded of Spain 6-4, 6-2 in another first-round match. (ESPN -- Tennis)
Swede begins battle for a berth to the World Tour Finals Oct 21, 2009
Soderling has established himself as a top player since his French Open breakthrough, where he beat Rafael Nadal in the fourth-round to end his four year reign, then lost the final to Roger Federer. The Swede continued to thrust himself into year-end contention for one of three remaining spots in the eight-man field with a Wimbledon fourth round defeat by Federer and a New York quarter-final, where he was beaten by the Swiss again. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Henin confirms tour return in Brisbane, Australia Oct 21, 2009
Fellow Belgian comeback player Kim Clijsters is also in the women's draw, along with former French Open champion Ana Ivanovic. Despite having a No. 1 ranking when she retired in May last year, the 27-year-old Henin does not have a protected ranking. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
Sampras says Federer will win more Slams Oct 20, 2009
U.S. tennis legend says all-time major win leader isnt finished. Pete Sampras says Roger Federer is going to win some more majors. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Davydenko's Day APNikolay Davydenko, who claimed his 18th career title, has taken three of seven matches against Rafael Nadal.Nikolay Davydenko upset top-seeded Rafael Nadal at the Shanghai Masters 7-6 (3), 6-3 for his fourth title of the season. Nadal remains without a title since the Rome Masters in May. Oct 19, 2009
The winner of six Grand Slam tournament titles also was sidelined after the French Open for two months with tendinitis in both knees. "I have my chance in the first set and I am especially happy with one thing -- it's the first match after my injury comeback against one top player," Nadal said. (SportsIllustrated.CNN -- Tennis)
Wickmayer, Kvitova Into Linz Final Oct 18, 2009
Radwanska was last week's Beijing runner-up to French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, but she was no match for Kvitova, who was playing her first semifinal since she went all the way to the title at Hobart at the start of the season. That marked Kvitova's first career championship. (ABC 7 News, DC)
It's time to give Tennis Australia another serve over those UScourts Oct 17, 2009
The French Open its red clay. The US Open has an American hardcourt and so does the Australian Open. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Pennetta, Radwanska Land In Linz Semis Oct 17, 2009
Agnieszka Radwanska was last week's Beijing runner-up to French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova. ABC 7 Talkback. (ABC 7 News, DC)
Federer-Nadal era ending, says Agassi Oct 15, 2009
Nadal has struggled with injuries since his shock exit in the fourth round of the French Open. Federer won the French and Wimbledon, breaking Pete Sampras' record of 14 grand slams, but was beaten in the US Open final by 21-year-old Argentine del Potro. (Sydney Morning Herald -- Sport)
Agassi says Federer-Nadal era is ending Oct 15, 2009
Nadal has struggled with injuries since his stunning exit in the fourth round of the French Open. Federer won the French and Wimbledon, breaking Pete Sampras' record of 14 Grand Slams, but was beaten in the U.S. Open final by 21-year-old Argentine del Potro. (MSNBC -- Sports)
Joker jives in China Oct 14, 2009
Kuznetsova, who defeated Radwanska earlier this year en route to the French Open title, dominated the first set, breaking the 20-year-old Pole three times and running her around the court with her penetrating pinpoint ground strokes. In the second, the 24-year-old Russian also went up an early break and never looked back, keeping Radwanska on the run by hitting difficult angles from the baseline. (The Star Online, Malaysia -- Sports)
