Updates from the world of tennis – Part one
Jelena Dokic and Alicia Molik triumphed in first round of 2011 Australian Open Wild Card playoffs
Jelena Dokic, who was once ranked as high as number four in the South African Airways WTA list, posted a win at the playoffs for a wild card entry into the next month’s Australian Open to be held in Melbourne. Following her was the former world number eight
Alicia Molik on Wednesday.
Jelena won the first round of the Australian Open Wild Card playoffs after getting the better of Viktorija Rajicic in two sets. The final match score was 6-2, 6-2. Alicia, on the other hand, overpowered the nineteen-year-old Jade Hopper in straight sets.
Hopper, however despite of losing the opening round put up a good fight until the end and proved a tough opponent without any question.
The Australian Open wildcard play off’s for the women’s side are contested in the Round-robin format.
Novak Djokovic made a visit to Special Olympics Centre
World number three Novak Djokovic made a visit to the Special Olympics Centre in Monte-Carlo. The professional tennis ace from Serbia met the members of the centre, gifted them signed personal stuff and also posed for photographs.
The right hander Djokovic, who finished runner up to the World number one Rafael Nadal in this season’s final Grand Slam, the United States Open in New York back in September, became involved with the organization earlier in 2010 as he sponsored the European
Soccer Special Olympics Championship in Monte-Carlo and also invited the Serbian squad to be part of it.
“I was really impressed with the good organization of the centre and the nice and dedicated people working there. It is always very nice to be able to give time and resources to these kinds of causes here in Monte-Carlo, where I live,” said Djokovic.
The Serbian ended the season strongly, helping his country picking up its first Davis Cup crown by triumphing in his both single rubbers.
Caroline Wozniacki and Rafael Nadal named the 2010 International Tennis Federation world champion
The 20-year-old, Caroline of Denmark, who is currently enjoying the top spot in the South African Airways WTA list won a total of six crowns in 2010. She, along with Rafael Nadal has been crowned the 2010 ITF World Champions of the season.
While talking to the media about her recent achievement, the Dane said that it feels great and she is extremely proud to be named as the ITF World Champion on the very first occasion in her career.
World number one, Rafael Nadal, on the other hand, wins the award for the second occasion on the tour. The 24-year-old Spaniard, after successfully overcoming his knee injury during the initial few months of the season came back strongly on the tour. He
won French Open, Wimbledon as well as the United States Open in New York.
By virtue of his U.S Open victory, the left hander also registered his name as the youngest contender ever and only the seventh in men’s history to complete his career Grand Slam.
Having previously lifted a gold medal at the Olympic Games apart from two Davis Cup titles, Nadal has now picked up all of game’s major prizes.
While commenting on his recent ITF award, the Spaniard reflected, "It is an honour to be named world champion for the second time. After a difficult year in 2009, it was an amazing feeling to regain the number one ranking and finally win the US Open. My
goal all the time is to keep improving and be a better player each year than I was the previous year."
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