Special Feature: Six Updates from the World of Tennis - Part I
This two part feature will provide a brief overview and update of current incidents in the world of tennis. Part one discusses Andy Roddick and the Davis Cup, Sampras and his stolen trophies, and the possibility of Clijsters and Henin teaming up for a 2012
Olympics doubles run.
Andy Roddick returns to Davis Cup in 2011
American Number 1 Andy Roddick plans to return to the US Davis Cup team next year, after skipping the premier championship in 2010.
This Thursday, the US Tennis Association released a statement in which Andy Roddick confirmed that he would indeed be playing in next year’s Davis Cup, and that he considered winning the tournament “a top priority”. Critics have been doubtful of his commitment
to the Davis Cup, but the American Number 1 managed to prove his own dedication by saying that he believes the event is, “[something which players] should commit to for the entire season and not when it is convenient.”
Andy Roddick is a former World Number 1 player. He also won the 2003 US Open championship, and has a 31-11 win-loss record in Davis Cup play; the only player with more wins is John McEnroe, with 41 singles victories. Roddick, who assisted the US in winning
their 2007 Davis Cup title, will be returning to the team just in time to play under the new Davis Cup team coach, Jim Courier. The US will play their first round at Chile from 4-6 March.
Sampras is offered replica of Davis Cup trophy by ITF
The President of the International Tennis Federation, Francesco Ricci Bitti, issued a statement regarding the theft of Pete Sampras’ trophies, and offered the player a replica trophy of his two Davis Cup wins in order to replace the ones which were stolen.
Sampras, who took away 14 Grand Slams over the duration of his career, lost many of his trophies and other memorabilia in a burglary from his public storage facility in LA.
Bitti declared, “We were sorry to learn of the theft of so many of Pete Sampras’ trophies. We know how special a Davis Cup victory is for a player, and if he is unable to recover the loss of his two Davis Cup trophies, we would like to offer him a replica
trophy in recognition of his outstanding record in the event.”
Henin and Clijsters may join forces for 2012 Olympics
2010 US Open champion Kim Clijsters and Women’s Tennis Association pro Justine Henin may team up together for the 2012 Olympics in London to play doubles. The two Belgian players confirmed that they were considering the idea at a press conference on Thursday,
but that they would need to overcome some scheduling conflicts.
Kim Clijsters also commented that 2012 might be her last full season, and said, “it would be nice to go out in such a way.” Meanwhile, Henin also seems enthusiastic, saying, “There is a real willingness to be there. We can already think about it.” The two
players have joined forces once before, but lost in the doubles of the quarterfinals of the Fed Cup in 2006. Justine Henin won the 2004 Athens Olympics singles title, while Clijsters has not yet competed in the Olympics.
Both the players are working to regain top form for the 2011 Australian Open; Henin will have to work especially hard in order to get over her Wimbledon elbow injury.
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