Tennis-X Notes: Federer, Tiger Woods Best Buds

Posted on March 28, 2007

TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS
From SI.com's Jon Wertheim: "Tennis Channel: Thanks for the coverage. But to paraphrase Sheriff Bart in Blazing Saddles, "Where are the women at?" -- It's called not having your own cameras and broadcasting straight off the ATP feed...The ITF is working with the ATP to possibly award rankings points for Davis Cup play.

From USA Today on the rift between the USTA and the WTA Tour: "The USTA believes a reduction of genuine events in North America will undermine the longstanding role it has played in the sport globally. Officials believe a regional model, like the US Open series, is a winning formula. In board meetings this weekend in Arizona, the USTA is expected to move ahead with details for a self-run regional tour, officials said."...Ivan Ljubicic speaking to the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on the ATP meeting in Miami regarding changes to the future ATP calendar: "The players are disappointed, especially the European guys. There's a lot of pressure on us (Europeans) because the ATP is trying to downgrade Monte Carlo and Hamburg, but nothing will change in the U.S., and there will be more tournaments in Asia. They feel like a lot of bad things are happening to European players and tournaments and yet we are a very big part of the ATP. Most of the guys are from Europe. So, it's not very pleasant. It's nothing against...I mean, it's not like we hate Americans or American tournaments. But if we have to sacrifice something, why not something in the U.S. and Europe. At least make it even."...The WTA Tour announced their 2006 Players Awards: Player of the Year -- Amelie Mauresmo; World No. 1 Doubles Team -- Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur; Sportsmanship Award -- Kim Clijsters; Comeback Player of the Year -- Martina Hingis; Most Improved Player -- Jelena Jankovic; Newcomer of the Year -- Agnieszka Radwanska...The WTA Amelia Island stop added Daniela Hantuchova to the field, with the Slovak receiving the payday to show after the withdrawal of Amelie Mauresmo...From the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Charlie Bricker: "A round of applause for those writing in response to the Sun-Sentinel.com blog item on the tumultuous players' association. Unfortunately, most people who respond to blogs are not emotionally mature enough to avoid making rude personal comments about others who have blogged opinions."...Roger Federer on Tiger Woods watching him in Miami as compared to last year at the US Open: "No, it was way more difficult at the US Open, I thought, you know. First time. Didn't know Tiger very well. Finally I got to meet him, and finally I got to play in front of him. That was my feeling first up. He was sitting right, first row in my players' box, so I was like, Oh, I better play well tonight, you know. So today was no problem. He was sitting far back, and it was much more easy. But now I know him, too. So it's more relaxed. But I was a bit tense at the US Open."