SWISS DAVIS CUP READY TO ROLL: Swiss Stan Wawrinka’s runner-up effort at the Masters Series-Rome puts him in the Top 10 for the first time, and the first time that two Swiss players have ranked in the Top 10 at the same time in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973).

MAURESMO FRENCH OPEN IN JEOPARDY?: Former No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo was forced to withdraw from Berlin with a rib injury, with no exact date for her return: “I really don’t know what to say. I have been looking forward to this week here at the Qatar Telecom German Open in Berlin — it is a great tournament and a great start into the claycourt season…I just have to do some further examinations next week and I will try to come back on the tour as soon as possible.” Mauresmo also withdrew from Rome.

PLACE YOUR BETS: A French court ruled that betting companies do not violate the rights of the French Tennis Federation by offering bets on Roland Garros matches. The federation had filed a lawsuit, but the European Gaming & Betting Association said the court concluded “these operations had behaved in a prudent and diligent matter.”

MEMPHIS MOVING?: The Memphis Commercial Appeal reports that a deal to sell the combined ATP/WTA event to keep it in the city fell through, and now the event could be sold to outside interests who could move the event (see: Middle East, Asia, the usual suspects — goodbye to another U.S. event).

ATP BLEEDING MONEY FOR LEGAL FEES? Dan Kaplan of the Sports Business Journal: “The ATP World Tour is losing millions of dollars because of steep legal expenses tied to a lawsuit brought by one of its tournaments against the men’s circuit, tennis sources said. Last year, the sources said, the ATP lost $5 million, and it is projected to lose $6.4 million this year. In 2005 and 2006, the ATP earned $9.2 million combined, so the losses mark a significant shift in fortunes for the men’s tour. They also come as the ATP has been criticized by top players, the U.S. Tennis Association and representatives of top events on the tour. The ATP is in the midst of a tumultuous remake of its calendar, as well as its image, and the fallout has left bruised feelings and depleted coffers.”

QUOTE OF THE MONTH: Octagon’s Scott Seymour on golf: “I think when you have the No. 1 athlete on the planet participating in your sport it’s a great thing.” — Huh? The term “athlete” has really taken a hit when you elevate a golfer (Tiger Woods, standing still, hitting a ball that is standing still) over Roger Federer (sprinting for hours on clay while hitting a moving target).

Also Check Out:
OPINION ON: ATP and ITF Agree on Ranking Points for Davis Cup
Tennis-X Notes: Argentine Fight Club; Mauresmo Not Done
ESPN to Finally Grab US Open Tennis Coverage?
Australian Open Day 2 Notes: Tastes Like Chicken to Federer?
US Open Notes: Federer Open Era v Pre-Open Era

This entry was posted on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 5:03 pm and is filed under ATP, Anna Kournikova, Barcelona, Clay Season. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.