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TennisONE Launches Groundbreaking Mobile App For Tennis

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MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — TennisONE, the most comprehensive mobile app for tennis fans created by Minneapolis-based mobile sports app developer Bleachr LLC, was formally launched today to coincide with the start of the 2020 Australian Open, the first major tournament of the new decade.

The TennisONE App, available for download in the App Store and on Google Play, is the one-stop destination mobile app for all-things tennis, including live scores, draws and T1 ball tracer, for all ATP and WTA events.  The app also features information and rankings on all the top players, with social postings, insider analyses and statistics.

Beginning with the 2020 Australian Open, tennis fans can play along weekly with Daily Match Picks and Points Streak Live, predicting who will win each point of select matches to win valuable prizes in the TennisONE ProShop. The app’s Game Zone also features competitive challenges and trivia.

 “We invite tennis fans around the world to download our TennisONE app and play along with live matches,” said Kristin Geer, CEO of TennisONE’s parent company Bleachr. “The new TennisONE app is a fresh new approach to help unite the sport by bringing together tennis players, fans, tournaments, and industry organizations into one mobile platform. The app’s predictive social games are revolutionary in how they will directly connect sponsor brands to the highly-desirable tennis demographic.”

Even before its official launch, TennisONE was recognized as a finalist in the Tennis Industry Association’s 2020 Innovation Challenge, which will be showcased at the Tennis Owners and Managers (TOM) Conference in Orlando, Florida.

TennisONE is also already the mobile app developer-of-choice for more than a dozen ATP and WTA Tour events around the world, including the Miami Open, the Rolex Paris Masters, the Rogers Cup in Canada, the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, the Hall of Fame Open in Newport, the BB&T Atlanta Open, the Winston-Salem Open, the Volvo Car Open in Charleston, the Mubadala Silicon Valley Classic in San Jose, the Ladies Open Lausanne and the Swiss Open Gstaad.

TennisONE is a product of Bleachr, the leading mobile sports app provider, whose patented geofence technology has powered more than 12 million fan interactions across more than 600 global sporting events. For more information on Bleachr, go to www.bleachr.co.

Who Is Likely To Make Their ATP Top 10 Debut In 2020?

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by Bob Stockton

It’s typical to start a new ATP season by predicting who might be the next person to win their first Grand Slam. However, the sustained form and fitness of a certain trio of players have consistently made a mockery of those predictions. Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal look set to continue their dominance for a good few years, while you should never write off Roger Federer until the moment that he’s retired.

Rather than predicting who might win a Grand Slam this season, let’s set our sights a little lower and look at those seeking to break into the ATP top 10 for the first time in their career. These players may be eyeing up success at a Masters event this year as a more realistic objective than winning a Slam.

Felix Auger-Aliassime

Most teenagers have a clear weakness in their game that currently holds them back. This 19-year-old Canadian already looks like the complete package, comfortable on every surface. Auger-Aliassime may not head the betting markets at any of the Grand Slams this year, but it appears inevitable. Expect tipping experts like those at Betzcenter to back the Canadian at several points during the year – this may be one of the last seasons where there’s still value in getting behind him.

Auger-Aliassime reached a peak of #17 in the rankings in October 2019, but the top ten beckons. His best performance at a Slam last year came in his third-round run at Wimbledon, so there’s plenty of scope for Auger-Aliassime to rack up lots of new ranking points in 2020.

Denis Shapovalov

Auger-Aliassime’s compatriot boasts a career ranking of #14, with Shapovalov one decent tournament away from the top ten. Shapovalov made a stunning impact on the ATP Tour in 2017, beating Nadal on the way to the semi-final at the Rogers Cup. This made the Canadian the youngest male player to reach this stage at a Masters, so the top ten appeared an inevitability for this powerful hitter.

We’ve seen little reason to change that expectation in the following years, with Shapovalov going one better in 2019 and reaching his first Masters final in Paris. Shapovalov should start the new season in confident fashion, with Tennis365 reporting on his vow to reach more Masters finals this year. Already in sight of the top ten, Shapovalov will fancy his chances of overtaking the likes of David Goffin and Fabio Fognini in 2020.

Alex de Minaur

It’s probably worth giving a shout-out to someone who isn’t Canadian. De Minaur reached his career best ranking of #18 in October 2019, with the 20-year-old Australian impressing fans with his fighting spirit and on-court agility throughout the season. Those attributes stand him in good stead against the bigger hitters on tour, with many fearing that the heaviest ball strikers would overpower de Minaur.

However, the Australian has honed his offensive shots and worked on his strength – the proof is in the three ATP titles he claimed in 2019. De Minaur earned his first win against a top-1o opponent last year – Kei Nishikori at the US Open.

Those are three fairly safe predictions, so let’s end with a couple of dark horses. 18-year-old Jannik Sinner reached a career best of #78, but the Italian appears destined for big things – and soon. Andrey Rublev – career best #22 – is another player who could make a move up the rankings if one of his hot streaks coincides with a big tournament.

Denis Shapovalov
Denis Shapovalov

Can Osaka Win In Melbourne Again?

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by Bob Stockton

Naomi Osaka announced herself on the tennis circuit by producing two outstanding runs to win the US Open and the Australian Open over a year ago. The Japanese tennis player defeated Serena Williams at Flushing Meadows to win her first Grand Slam at the end of 2018. She then followed it up with another brilliant surge to the final in Melbourne to claim the crown with a victory over Petra Kvitova to start 2019 in perfect fashion.

The 22-year-old would have been looking to exert her authority over the women’s game in the rest of 2019, but she was not able to match the excellence of her play in the rest of the Slams. She failed even to reach quarter-finals, progressing only as far as the fourth round of the US Open. Osaka will now return to Melbourne to attempt to defend her crown, being backed in the odds on Australian Open winner outright markets at 7/1 to come away with the title for the second year in a row. Williams is the favourite for the crown, but Simona Halep and Ashleigh Barty will also be in contention and present good value in the betting odds just behind Osaka.

Osaka has the quality to win once again in Melbourne, although she will have to put the disappointments from the majority of last year behind her. After her breakthrough at the US Open and the sustained success in the Australian Open, Osaka was expected to roll towards a period of dominance. She was the number one seed for the French Open at Roland Garros and produced a fine performance to see off Victoria Azarenka in the second round. However, unseeded Katerina Siniakova brushed aside Osaka in straight sets in the third round – with the Japanese admitting that she was struggling with the burden of being the top-ranked player in the draw.

Matters were even worse at Wimbledon as dropping down to the two seed made no difference to the outcome of her first-round match. Osaka was dumped out of the tournament by Yulia Putintseva in straight sets, including the decisive one 6-2. If the defeat was a reality check, it did not appear so in the first round of the US Open. Anna Blinkova took the Japanese into a decider after winning a tie-breaker in the second set, but Osaka found her form to advance.

Order appeared to be restored with victories over Magda Linette and the impressive teenager Coco Gauff. The 22-year-old faced a tough challenge in the form of Belinda Bencic in the fourth round. The Swiss was excellent on the day and secured the win in straight sets, sending the defending champion out of the tournament.

It has been a peculiar decline in form for Osaka at the majors over the past year, but she does have the opportunity to make a statement at the Australian Open. Osaka did win the China Open in October by beating Barty in straight sets, while a shoulder injury ended her season at the WTA Finals. The Japanese is perhaps the brightest talent in the women’s game and it would be a welcome sight to see her return to her best in Melbourne. The odds suggest that she can make a deep surge in the tournament and there is even value there to back her to go all the way. However, Osaka will have to put her disappointing 2019 season outside of her triumph in Melbourne to lift the crown again.

Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka (photo from Peter Wenzel)

Can Rafa Nadal Usurp Roger Federer in 2020?

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by Bob Stockton

By the end of 2019, Roger Federer had won 20 Grand Slams and Rafa Nadal had won 19. So can the Spaniard catch up and maybe even surpass Federer in 2020? Or will the Swiss player extend his lead?

There have been moments in both player’s careers when it seemed they had passed their peak and could achieve no more, either through injuries or lack of form. But both have bounced back to hit new heights of greatness.

Federer’s dip

Federer went close to five years without winning a Grand Slam between 2012 and 2017 and looked destined to his finish career with a total of 17. But at the age of 35, he beat Nadal to win his sixth Aussie Open title and then added two more Grand Slams over the next 12 months to take his total to 20. Now aged 38, he has no immediate plans to retire and will be keen to fend off Nadal for as long as possible.

Nadal’s revival

Nadal had a three-year spell without a Grand Slam between 2014 and 2017 and went on to win another five, reaching seven finals in total over the next three seasons. It was his best run of form since the period between 2008 and 2010 when he won six Grand Slams in three seasons including three in 2010.

The 33-year-old Spaniard ended 2019 as World No. 1. He first achieved the feat in 2008 as a 22-year-old. At 33, Federer had won 17 majors, so Nadal has the edge in terms of age-to-Grand Slam ratios.

Who will win what in 2020?

Federer is now 38 years of age and has started picking and choosing his tournaments more carefully in an attempt to peak at the Grand Slam events. He already has his eye on the Australian Open but will face stiff competition from Novak Djokovic who has bossed the event over the last decade and will start as favourite in the Aussie Open tennis betting in 2020.

Djokovic in the equation

Despite Federer’s brilliance, it is hard to see him stopping the Serbian this time around. After a blip in 2017, the 32-year-old is back to his best and has won four of the last six Grand Slams available. A win Down Under would put him just two Grand Slams short of Nadal and three short of the Swiss.

Nadal has only won once in Melbourne and twice at Wimbledon so his best chance of overtaking Federer will come in the French Open, where he has 12 titles, and the US Open, where he is the reigning champion having beaten Daniil Medvedev in 2019. Based on current form, he will be favourite to win both and that would put him on 21 slams.

With Djokovic favourite to win in Australia and Wimbledon, we predict the season will end with Nadal on 21 Grand Slams, Federer on 20 and Djokovic on 18. The question then will be whether Djokovic can overtake Federer and catch Nadal. Tennis fans should pinch themselves as it may be some time before we see the likes of these three again.

Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal

What Are Some of the Most Common Tennis Injuries?

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Tennis is a fast-paced sport with plenty of twists, turns, and changes in tempo. It is also a sport that involves the entire body making it possible to suffer injuries that sideline you for long periods. Injuries are a common part of tennis and something all players must deal with. Regardless of if you are a professional tennis player or an amateur, you will experience an injury at one time or another. Tennis fans are gearing up for the first grand slam of the season. Tennis fans can use this referral code to wager on the Australian Open and bet on their favourite tennis players to win. Although tennis is not a high-impact sport, these injuries are common and can become serious issues.

Tennis Elbow

Tennis elbow is one of the most often seen injuries by sports doctors and trainers. It is so common that it has even been named after the sport. Tennis elbow occurs when the tendons running from the forearm to the outside of the elbow become inflamed due to overuse. Athletes who play racquet sports can often experience tennis elbow. The injury causes an uncomfortable burning sensation in the forearm and elbow.

Back Pain

As you progress as a player, you may experience far more running and body jostling during a tennis match. This can contribute to back pain but running is not the only reason tennis players suffer issues with their backs. The twisting, turning, and sudden movements related to tennis can cause players to suffer spasms and cramps. Back injuries can be quite serious with fractures and/or muscle tears occurring.

Ankle Strains, Twists, and Sprains

The elbow and back are not the only body parts that get strained during an intense tennis match. The ankles not only support you, but take plenty of punishment when you change directions. Tennis is a fast-paced game in which you change directions quickly. A wrong step or a slip on the court can cause you to roll an ankle. A sprained ankle can cause you to retire from a match and miss competitions.

Rotator Cuff

The rotator cuff can suffer tears from constant use of the arm and shoulder. A torn rotator cuff is painful and you may find the shoulder to be weak when moving it. Overuse can cause a tear in the rotator cuff but it can also occur from a sudden movement like a serve or backhand. Casual tennis players can also suffer tendinitis in the rotator cuff. This occurs due to uncontrolled overhead serves.

Wrist Strains and Sprains

Tennis players make a lot of wrist and hand movements when playing. The rotation of the hand and wrist during a game can cause repetitive strain to the joint. Inflammation can occur in the wrist and strain can be put on the forearm and elbow. Non-serious wrist injuries can typically be treated with rest and ice. This will take down the swelling and return strength to the wrist and hand. Having a good racquet technique can prevent wrist injuries from occurring. It is recommended to use the “handshake” grip when holding a racquet.

World’s Best ITF World Tennis Tour Event In Vero Beach, Florida Gets Long-Term Home

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The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships, Vero Beach’s long-time annual U.S. Tennis Association Pro Circuit tennis tournament, will be held at The Boulevard Tennis Club through 2022, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation announced today.

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation and Vero Beach’s premier tennis club signed a three-year agreement last week where The Boulevard will host the men’s professional event in 2020, 2021 and 2022. The 2020 event will be held April 26 – May 3 and will be a $15,000-level event on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour. The event benefits the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the non-profit organization the benefits at-risk children in Indian River County founded by Vero Beach native son Mardy Fish, the former top 10 tennis star and the current U.S. Davis Cup captain. As part of the agreement, The Boulevard will house and showcase the event’s perpetual trophy, the Rahaley Cup, named for the event founder Mike Rahaley, who passed away earlier this year. The Boulevard will also include the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation in its promotions, including television commercials seen throughout Indian River County.

“We are excited to enter into a multi-year agreement with The Boulevard, which is the epicenter for tennis in Vero Beach,” said Tom Fish, President-emeritus of the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation and the father of Mardy Fish. “We are grateful to The Boulevard and its staff for their support of this Vero Beach sporting tradition that serves as our major fundraiser for the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, which benefits at-risk children in Indian River County.”

The Boulevard has hosted the event eight times since 2010 and has seen such current ATP Tour standout players such as Frances Tiafoe, Denis Shapovalov and Kyle Edmund compete in the event there. A 48-player qualifying tournament will start Sunday, April 26 with main-draw play starting Tuesday, April 28 concluding with the singles final on Sunday, May 3.

Founded in 2007, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation currently supports over 2,400 children in conjunction with several other nonprofit organization as well as 15 elementary schools and six middle schools in Indian River County, Florida by funding after-school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs in a safe environment to prepare them for healthy, productive and successful lives. The Foundation introduced the “Six Healthy Habits” in 2012 which are Get Sleep; Drink Water; Exercise Daily, Eat Healthy; Brush and Floss; Make Friends.

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships has been played in Vero Beach since 1995 and regarded as one of the best entry-level professional tennis tournaments in the world. Some of the past competitors have gone on to succeed at the highest levels of professional tennis, winning major singles and doubles titles, Olympic medals and Davis Cup championships and earning No. 1 world rankings. Andy Roddick, the 2003 U.S. Open champion who attained the world No. 1 ranking and helped the United States win the Davis Cup in 2007, competed in Vero Beach in 1999. Thomas Johansson of Sweden, who reached the second round of the Vero Beach Futures in 1995, won the Australian Open seven years later in 2002. Nicolas Massu, the 1998 singles runner-up in Vero Beach, won the singles and doubles gold medals at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, Greece, beating Fish in the gold medal singles match. Kyle Edmund, the 2013 champion in Vero Beach, helped Great Britain to the Davis Cup title in 2015. Other notable former competitors in Vero Beach include former world No. 2 Magnus Norman, former world No. 4 Tim Henman, 2016 Wimbledon finalist Milos Raonic and most recently world No. 50 player and teen sensation Denis Shapovalov, who played in Vero Beach in 2016. Former Vero Beach competitors have combined to win 19 titles in singles, doubles and mixed doubles at Grand Slam tournaments. Seven former Vero Beach players have gone on to play Davis Cup for the United States – Roddick, Fish, Taylor Dent, Jared Palmer, Donald Young, Ryan Harrison and Frances Tiafoe.

For more information on the event, including ticket and sponsor information, go to www.MardyFishChildrensFoundation.org. Admission for children 18 and under is free. Sponsorships are available by contacting Treasurer/Executive Director Lynn Southerly at LSouth1072@gmail.com or co-tournament directors Tom Fish (Tfish@aol.com) and Randy Walker at (Rwalker@NewChapterMedia.com). Fans can follow news and developments on the tournament on Facebook and on Twitter at @VeroFutures.

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships have an annual economic impact of approximately $500,000 per year on the Vero Beach local economy. Approximately 3,000 fans annually attend the event, which is seen as one of the best-attended events entry-level events in the world.

Dmitry Popko of Kazakhstan and the Kazakhstan Davis Cup team won the 2019 Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships at the Boulevard beating Sekou Bangoura of the United States in the final. Sixteen-year-old Zach Svajda of San Diego, who advanced into the main draw of the 2019 event at The Boulevard via the qualifying rounds, jump-started an incredible summer of tennis in Vero Beach in 2019, winning the USTA National Boy’s 18s Championships in Kalamazoo, Michigan and earned a main draw spot at the U.S. Open, becoming one of the youngest men ever to compete in the U.S. Championships. He lost in the first-round to Paolo Lorenzi of Italy in five sets after leading two sets to love.

The Boulevard Tennis Club, located in Central Vero Beach on Indian River Boulevard, is the fastest-growing tennis club in Vero Beach, featuring 13 clay tennis courts and world-class tennis instruction and programming for all levels of players. The club is also the home of the highly-regarded restaurant and bar Counter Culture, which is open to the public six days a week. For more information, go to www.BlvdTennisClub.com

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships in Vero Beach will be played at The Boulevard Tennis Club Through At Least 2022

Kim Clijsters To Play Volvo Car Open In Charleston As Part Of Sensational Comeback Attempt

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Former World No. 1 Kim Clijsters will compete in the 2020 Volvo Car Open, April 4 – 12 on Daniel Island in Charleston, SC. The 2020 tournament will mark her Volvo Car Open debut. Clijsters is a four-time Grand Slam singles champion and a two-time Grand Slam doubles champion. She retired from tennis in 2012 and will be making her comeback next season. She joins fellow Grand Slam champions Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep, Sloane Stephens and Garbiñe Muguruza in the 2020 Volvo Car Open player field.  

With the entry of Simona Halep and Kim Clijsters in the 2020 Volvo Car Open field, every Grand Slam champion since the tournament moved to Charleston in 2001 has played Charleston.

“It’s hard to believe that I’ve never played in Charleston,” said Clijsters. “I’m excited to visit the city and get to play the famous green courts. I can’t wait to see everyone courtside in April!”

The 36-year-old Belgian is returning to tennis because of the love of the game. She holds 41 career WTA titles – the third highest total among active players, behind Serena Williams (72 titles) and Venus Williams (49 titles).

Clijsters made her tennis debut in 1997 and rose to prominence in 1999 when she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon as a qualifier in her first Grand Slam at just 16 years old. She reached her first Grand Slam final at the 2001 French Open and went on to become World No. 1 in 2003. She captured her first Grand Slam title in 2005 at the US Open.

Clijsters retired from tennis in 2007 to start a family, but returned to the sport in 2009. She won the 2009 and 2010 US Open titles and the 2011 Australian Open title. With her Australian Open win, she once again became the World No. 1 player, for the first time since 2006.

“Kim entering Charleston for the first time brings our prestigious and historic roster of players full circle,” said Eleanor Adams, Volvo Car Open Tournament Manager. “As a member of the Tennis Hall of Fame, an Olympian, a wife and mother of three, welcoming Kim to the Volvo Car Open is incredibly special. A beautiful mover with very clean and precise strokes, Kim is a joy to watch on court… what a gift to our fans!”

“My biggest motivator has been the personal challenge involved – both physically and mentally, I want to test myself again,” said Clijsters. “With so many inspirational athletes and moms competing, I can’t wait to get back on the match court and see what’s possible after having three children.”

The Volvo Car Open will celebrate its 20th year in Charleston in 2020. The tournament relocated to Charleston from Hilton Head Island, where it was held from 1973 – 2000.

The nine-day Volvo Car Open is the largest women’s-only tennis tournament in North America. The event attracts an average of 90,000 attendees and more than 100 of the top singles and doubles tennis players to Charleston every year.

Patrons have the option to choose from individual tickets, ticket packages and travel packages. Ticket prices range from $25 for an individual session to $540 for an all-inclusive weeklong package with complimentary access into a private hospitality suite. The Volvo Car Open also offers packages that include premium seats, ticket savings and membership into the tournament’s Ace Club.

For more information on the tournament and ticket options, visit volvocaropen.com or call 843.856.7900.


About the Volvo Car Open:
The Volvo Car Open is North America’s largest women’s-only tennis tournament. The event, formerly known as the Family Circle Cup, moved to Charleston, S.C., in 2001 from Hilton Head Island, S.C., and will celebrate its 48th tournament in 2020. The Volvo Car Open welcomes more than 90,000 spectators each year. The tournament features a singles draw of 56 players, a qualifying draw of 32 players and a doubles draw of 16 players. In conjunction with Tennis Channel and WTA Media, the Volvo Car Open is showcased from the first ball struck in main draw competition to the last ball played in finals, throughout the U.S. and 174 international partners. The tournament receives more than 100 hours of tennis coverage; live from Charleston, broadcast across the globe to millions of fans. The tournament is operated by Charleston Tennis, LLC. For more information on the Volvo Car Open, visit http://www.VolvoCarOpen.com, call (843) 856-7900, email info@volvocaropen.com, Facebook (Volvo Car Open), Twitter (@VolvoCarOpen) or Instagram (VolvoCarOpen).

Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters

Various Ways To Bet On Tennis For 2020

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Have you ever noticed how some sports seem to come and go in terms of popularity, whereas other constantly remain in favour? Sports such as football and boxing for example, are always popular and always see impressive viewing figures, whereas other sports such as darts, and snooker, can be hit and miss. Another sport that has withstood the test of time, however, is tennis, and if you’re looking to make some good money and enjoy yourself immensely in the process, betting on tennis is extremely beneficial and could be right up your street. Betting on tennis, though, is not as simple as you may have thought. That’s why today, we’re looking at the various ways to bet on Tennis for 2020.

What are Tennis Odds?

We’re going to begin by looking at what tennis odds actually are. As with any other sport, betting odds are put in place to determine the amount that an individual placing a bet can win from any particular bet that they have placed. This of course depends on their selections being successful and that they predicted the correct outcome in advance. In the world of tennis, odds come in three different forms:

Decimal – This is popular across the Southern Hemisphere and Europe
Fractional – Fractional odds are popular within Ireland and the UK
Moneyline – Moneyline odds are popular in North America

What do the odds mean?

Now we’re going to talk about what the odds mean. Now, say that a tennis player has odds listed at 1.60 to win a grand slam tournament, what does this number represent? Well, basically it represents what is known as an implied probability, or a likelihood of a certain outcome. In this instance, the implied probability is the player winning the tournament.

Working out your chances with a betting calculator

Okay, so we now know that a certain player has odds of 1.60 to win a Grand Slam tournament, but what is the chance that they will actually win? Well, this is where you may wish to use a betting calculator for tennis. As not everybody is a genius when it comes to mathematics, working out the equation in decimal odds would be tricky and time consuming. With a betting calculator, you just enter the odds and it does it for you. Betting calculators also hemp you to manage your bets, work out how much you stand to make, and how much a bet will cost. If you go with an accumulator and bet on multiple tennis matches for example, a betting calculator is very useful indeed.

Tournament betting

In 2020, there are a series of Grand Slam tournaments coming up. a Grand Slam is also known as a major. There are 4 Gram Slams a year, and these are considered the most prestigious. They are:

·         The Australian open – 20 Jan – 2 Feb, 2020

·         The French Open – 18 May – 7 June, 2020

·         Wimbledon – 29 June – 12 July, 2020

·         The US Open – 31 August – 13 September, 2020

In terms of bets placed, you can go with:

·         Outright winner of the tournament

·         Matches (Who you predict will win or lose each match)

·         Each way betting

·         Set winners

·         Set handicaps

·         Games handicaps

·         Over/unders for game totals and set totals

If you want to make some good money, it is best to combine different bets into one, in the form of multiple bets, also known as accumulators. Managing multiple bets at once is tricky, which is where betting calculators come into the mix.

Victoria Azarenka parties up with Redfoo at Marquee NightClub Las Vegas

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Victoria Azarenka, the world’s top ranked female tennis player, has continued her musical adventures with Redfoo following their introduction at this year’s U.S. Open.
After partying with him the night she lost in the final, she was again spotted partying with the star at Marquee Nightclub at the Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas on Monday night.
The Belarus-born athlete arrived with Redfoo and the Party Rock crew before hanging out at a VIP table in the main room. Victoria got into the Party Rock spirit and was seen dancing on stage to the sounds of Redfoo and DJ Chuckie while taking in the view of the packed dance floor.

Redfoo and Victoria Azarenka on the red carpet to Marquee Las Vegas (Photo Credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery)

(Photo Credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery)

(Photo Credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery)

(Photo Credit: Brenton Ho, Powers Imagery)

(All photos courtesy of Marquee NightClub)

Does Rafael Nadal really have anything to gain by returning to play this year?

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The big question that seems to be swirling around Rafael Nadal at present is whether or not he will attempt a return to competitive tennis in 2012 after sustaining a knee injury.  Nadal has been out of action for months, and is currently rehabbing the knee for what many expected to be a 2013 return.  However, now there is a slight chance he could return before the end of the year.  The real question is, why?
Nadal has been quoted recently as saying that when his knee is free of pain, he will return to the game.  He also did not totally rule out a return in 2012, although a 2012 return could prove detrimental to his effectiveness.  One has to wonder if there is really any reason for him to return before next year.

Rafael Nadal would be smart to call it a season.

Think about it.  If Nadal was to return now, he would essentially be returning to play in matches that are by and large meaningless.  The majors have come and gone this year, meaning that he cannot add to his grand slam career title.  In addition, there is absolutely no way that he can regain the world’s #1 ranking by the end of year if he were to return now.  As such, the only reason he would be returning is for his own ego.
Ego can destroy one’s career if they are not careful.  Nadal is coming back from an injury that can actually cause him more problems down the line if he does not rehab it correctly.  That requires time, and that is something that he has in excess at the present.
His best bet would be to focus less on returning this year and more on his PokerStars deal that he signed with the site.  Nadal plays as a sponsored poker player with the site.  With a little more practice, he could even make a strong showing at the 2013 World Series of Poker.  It is an event that anyone can win.  The biggest stars in poker have had trouble winning the event because amateurs like Chris Moneymaker and others have taken the title several times in the last few years.
The whole point here is that Nadal needs to put thoughts of returning in 2012 out of his mind.  He should make a goal to make a run at the majors in 2013 and focus on properly rehabbing his knee at present.  Otherwise, he may risk further injury, and that would mean even more down time from the game.