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by Bob Stockton

@BobStockton10

Just when we thought we’ve seen it all, the new headline keeps popping up in an unprecedented manner. The Year 2020 has been filled with lots of negativity throughout the year, since the birth of Coronavirus in December 2019. Many doors were shut, many movements were restricted and the economy was closed by the government in which the world of Tennis was not immune. 

However, the reopening of the tennis has since produced some memorable actions and many more to talk about, but the rise and rise of Nadia Podoroska in Roland Garros could be the next big thing in the world of tennis which could alleviate the negativity surrounding the unprecedented year in the world of sport at large. 

It only took one hour and nineteen minutes for the Argentine, Podoroska to clinched victory in straight sets against the Ukrainian Svitolina, 6-2 6-4, to win through to the last four in just one hour and 19 minutes, and the Argentine unseeded was heading to the final four through the last two of the Roland Garros but the Argentina international luck was off the ride as the Czech, Swiatek ran riot over her to book her final piece with Kenin in the Final, in which online blackjack casinos tabled odds ahead of the game.

Elina Svitolina and Nadia Podoroska were facing each other for the first time. The Ukrainian was aiming for her first semi-final in the French Open. But, Podoroska certainly didn’t want to lose as she was the first Argentine woman to reach the quarter-finals of a Grand Slam in 16 years. Her determination was visible throughout the game as she stunned the No.3 seed of the tournament.

Despite facing many obstacles on her way to her first-ever Roland Garros semifinal this year, the Argentina international certainly lived beyond expectation right from the tournament qualifier where she where proved to be not just an underdog going through her matches. 

Nadia Podoroska made history at the French Open yesterday by becoming the first-ever qualifier to reach the women’s singles semifinals at Roland Garros. The world number 131, Argentine Podoroska had never beaten a top 50 player coming into the tournament but stunned No.3 seed Elina Svitolina in straight sets, while the 23-year-old showed impressive efficiency and nerves of steel throughout the quarterfinal match.

Coming to the Roland Garros as an unseeded, no sports book and some would not give the chance to Argentina’s Podoroska, to advance her match, talk less of the reaching the seminal. But, her prowess, nuance, and tenacity have shown the world the birth of new force in tennis. Podoroska also becomes the first female qualifier in 21 years to reach the final four of any grand slam. However, the Argentine prowess manifested throughout the French Open – in which casinosnz.io dropped odds on a daily basis – as World number 131 lost only two sets against Putintseva and Krejcikova in her quest to reach the semifinal of the tournament despite her coming to the event as a great underdog. 

Podoroska is now facing IgaSwiatek in the semifinal who is another unlikely hero in the semifinal, which made the two an unlikely candidate in the latter stage of the final grand slam of the season. Moreover, the world number 131, in just her second appearance in the main draw of a Grand Slam, follows Belgium’s Filip Dewulf in 1997, as the only other qualifier since tennis turned professional in 1968 to reach the last four at Roland Garros.

The Argentine throughout the tournament has shown exquisite skill, tenacity, perseverance, agility, and tennis prowess which is a trait of the star that has come to dominate the female category of the tennis. We certainly hope she stays for long. 

by Bob Stockton

@BobStockton10

Gone are those days, where the Williams sisters dominated the world of tennis as they constantly share the majors among them at the helm of their career. Dominating the world of tennis, they both shared the sisterhood as they won three gold medals in Olympic reigning from the year 2000-2008. However, due to the age factor and family obligations, the sister is not the force they once were in the women category of the tennis. 

Although the elder sister of the William has not been up to her apex game in 2009, her loss at 2017 campaign in Australian Open and Wimbledon mark the beginning of the end of an era as her sister had begun to grow low in the game as she lost all her majors final in 2018 and 2019. These finals were placed odds on by online baccarat, where tennis lovers were able to claim several winnings.

The constant retardation of the William sisters is an obvious relegation of the American reign in the world of tennis. Gradually, another American, Sofia Kenin is on the rise and she is making a wave in the ever competing category of the tennis, the women category. The player across the world would be hoping to bank on the American tennis princess to be consistent and to build on her early major triumph in 2020 in the Australian Open, as she’s a step to clinch her second major in the capital of France at the ongoing French Open. 

 But, the American heir will be hoping to look back on 2020 as the year she has crowned the American tennis throne to reign for a longer time. 

Many people on this planet aren’t entirely sure what they want to do with their lives. Kenin is not one of them. Driven by a singular focus winning tennis matches she makes no bones about her lofty goals. “I really want to become No. 1 in the world,” Kenin said in March 2019, while ranked No. 33. “I’ve worked so hard to get where I am. The next goal is to win a Grand Slam.” 

Sofia doesn’t own a Serena-like serve, Lindsay Davenport’s raw power, or Kim Clijsters’ explosive movement. In addition to her world-class backhand, her mind is her primary weapon. She has an extremely short memory, a desirable quality for any pro athlete, and regularly finds ways to win points and matches she shouldn’t. She plays her finest tennis in the throes of an old fashioned street-fight.

More importantly, out of all the skills required to play professional tennis, anticipation may be the most difficult one to teach. Part of it knows your opponents’ tendencies, part of it is quickness, but the rest is just a gift that Kenin has in spades.

Moreover, as Sofia Kenin’s serve is by no means a weakness, she has one of the most unorthodox movements on the court, tossing the ball high into the air without looking, then at the last second glances up to focus on the ball before making contact. But her agility and quickness will always a fondly attribute that would ensure her dominance in the tennis world. 

Also, the current world number six is plying her trade in the France where she is currently in the final of the Roland Garros where she’ll be looking to win her second grand slam after her victory in Melbourne at the beginning of 2020 at the Australian Open as meilleur casino en ligne Français are working the numbers to be placed on her game.

Gradually, the 23-year-old is climbing the ladder of the world best tennis player and she is currently running towards fulfilling her dream of being the world number one that Serena William succumbs to two years ago. Moreover, in as much as Serena Williams is rather participating and not competing anymore, Sofia Kenin has already substituted herself for the greatest American tennis player in the competition and not participating in the WTA. The Williams sisters might not have been the force they once were in the world of Tennis, another American superstar has emerged to take the mantle and she is currently making her statement known, throughout the world. 

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation has announced that the 2020 edition of its annual Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships pro tennis tournament will be held October 19-25 at the Boulevard tennis club.

The popular annual tournament, Vero Beach’s leading international sporting event, was originally scheduled for April, but was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 global pandemic.

The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation Tennis Championships is regarded as one of the best entry-level professional tennis tournaments in the world. Proceeds from the event benefit the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, the non-profit organization named for Vero Beach native son Mardy Fish, former top 10 tennis star and current U.S. Davis Cup caption, benefits at risk children in Indian River County.    

“After many challenging months, we are so relieved to finally be able to host this popular tournament, the biggest annual fundraiser for the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation, which helps at-risk children in Indian River County lead active and healthy lives, which is now even more important where health and improving one’s immune system is critically important,” said Tom Fish, President Emeritus of the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation and the father of Mardy Fish. “Vero Beach is one of the leading tennis towns in the country and we are so thrilled to continue this annual tennis tradition in as normal a circumstance as we safely can.”

The event will be for the first time staged on the Universal Tennis Rating (UTR) platform rather than as an International Tennis Federation (ITF) World Tennis Tour event on the U.S. Tennis Association (USTA) Pro Circuit. Players from around the world will compete for $10,000 in total prize money in singles and doubles, with an increased first prize payout of $3,000 in singles and $1,500 per team winner’s check in doubles. However, ATP Tour ranking points will not be awarded at this year’s event.

While the tournament is popular with many of Vero Beach’s robust tennis community, the event will only accommodate about 35 percent of full capacity for social distancing purposes. No daily tickets will be sold to the event this year, with only sponsors, season-ticket holders and randomly-drawn members of The Boulevard allowed to attend. The Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation also asks all attending fans to wear masks while attending the event. For more tournament information, fans can email co-tournament director Randy Walker at Rwalker@NewChapter.com or go to www.MardyFishChidlrensFoundation.org

This year’s tournament, under the UTR platform, is “open” for any aspiring player to enter in singles and doubles. Entry information can be found on the MyUTR.com website here: https://app.myutr.com/events/30593?_ref=randywal270

Some of the past competitors at the USTA Vero Beach Futures 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 new top 10 start 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. Eight 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, Frances Tiafoe and Tommy Paul.

Founded in 2007, the Mardy Fish Children’s Foundation (www.MardyFishChildrensFoundation.org and @MardyFishFound on Twitter) currently supports over 2,400  children in 15 elementary schools, six middle schools,  and several other community organizations 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.

Leading tournament sponsors for 2020 include Presenting Sponsor: PNC Bank, Grand Slam Sponsors: Boston Barricade, George E. Warren Corporation, The Jake Owen Foundation, Tom Collins Insurance, Cabana/Box Seat Sponsors: Michael and Kathleen Pierce, Gene Simonsen, John and Charlotte Klein, Peter and Maureen Lee, John’s Island Real Estate, Wilmington Trust, Bob and Lace Milligan, Micky and Rob Stein, Lynn Southerly, John and Sara Marshall, John and Marie McConnell, Shirley Becker, Hadleigh Investments and Supporting Sponsors: Syde Hurdus Foundation, Mike and Meg Hickey/The M&M Group, Nalzarro Music, Coastal Van Lines, Diamond Resorts, Center Court Outfitters, Foglia Contracting, Offfutt, Barton, Schlitt, Inc, Vero Fitness, Treasure Coast Financial, Willem and Marion DeVogel, Ron Chesley, Dr. Collin Kitchell and Minuteman Press.

Fifty years ago this week, nine brave women took a stand against a growing disparity in prize money and playing opportunities for women in professional tennis by signing $1 contracts for the purpose of forming a new tournament for women. Two days shy of the fiftieth anniversary of this historic moment, the International Tennis Hall of Fame announced today that tennis’ Original 9 are among seven tennis greats who have been nominated for tennis’ highest honor – induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 ballot features five accomplished athletes in the Player Category, and two nominees in the Contributor Category, which honors those who have made a transcendent impact on the sport.

On the Contributor Category ballot, the Original 9 are the first ever group to be nominated, as the honor has previously only been presented to individuals. The nine women who comprise the Original 9 are Americans Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Julie Heldman, Billie Jean King, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey, Valerie Ziegenfuss, and Australians Judy Tegart Dalton and Kerry Melville Reid.

Also nominated in the Contributor Category is Dennis Van der Meer, legendary coach and “teacher of teachers,” who recognized the need and developed a universal manner of teaching tennis in order to grow the sport. Van der Meer, the founder of Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), is nominated posthumously.

In the Player Category, four ATP Tour greats and an accomplished WTA doubles specialist have been named as candidates on the ballot for the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Class of 2021 in recognition of their outstanding careers.

The Player Category nominees are:

●  US Open and Wimbledon champion and a former world No. 1, Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt

●  United States’ Lisa Raymond, winner of 11 Grand Slam titles in doubles and mixed doubles

●  2003 French Open Champion and a former world No. 1, Spain’s Juan Carlos Ferrero

●  Sweden’s Jonas Björkman, winner of nine major doubles titles and a former doubles world No. 1

●  Two-time, back-to-back Roland-Garros champion Sergi Bruguera of Spain

Additional information about the Player Category nominees and the Contributor Category nominees is included below.

REACTION

Billie Jean King, who was inducted into the Hall of Fame in the Player Category in 1987, commented, “In a time where defying the odds and having a voice is more important than ever, it’s extremely rewarding to see the impact the Original 9 made 50 years ago can still be felt around the world today. There were three things we wanted for future generations. First, that they would have a place to compete. Second, that they would be recognized for their accomplishments, not just their looks. And, finally, that they could make a living playing professional tennis. Today’s players are living our dream. I was honored to stand with those eight women 50 years ago and am thrilled to see the Original 9 recognized by the International Tennis Hall of Fame today.”

I’d also like to add my congratulations to the other 2021 nominees. My friend and coach Dennis Van der Meer was a brilliant tennis mind and instrumental in our sport’s growth. Lisa Raymond, Lleyton Hewitt, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Jonas Bjorkman, and Sergi Bruguera are all champions, and I congratulate them on their nomination.”

Player Category nominee Lleyton Hewitt commented, “I’m incredibly honored and grateful to receive this nomination. I had so many great Australians to look up to while I was coming up in the sport. To know that my career is up for consideration to be recognized alongside the likes of Hall of Famers Tony Roche, John Newcombe, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Ken Rosewall, and so many other greats who I admired is just an amazing honor.”

TENNIS’ ULTIMATE HONOR

Induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame is the ultimate honor in tennis, representing a sum of the honoree’s achievements and impact as being at the highest possible level in the sport.

“This year’s nominees, players and contributors, have all made a tremendous impact in and around the sport of tennis in their own unique ways, on and off the court,” said ITHF President Stan Smith. “All five Player Category candidates have achieved incredible results on tennis’ biggest stages – Grand Slam titles, Olympic medals, and topping the world rankings. Dennis Van der Meer’s lasting impact is seen in work of thousands of coaches and teaching pros around the world every day.”

He continued, “Additionally, as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Original 9’s brave actions to create a opportunities for women to compete and have professional career in tennis, and we look at the sport’s massive success in the past 50 years thanks to their courage, it is truly my honor to be able to announce that the Original 9 have been nominated for the Hall of Fame.”

FAN VOTING & THE INDUCTION PROCESS

Now that the ballot has been set for the Class of 2021, voting will take place to determine who is to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. There is no minimum or maximum number of ballot nominees that can be inducted.

The ballot will go before the Official Voting Group, comprised of tennis journalists, historians, and Hall of Famers this fall. Additionally, the International Tennis Hall of Fame’s Fan Vote presented by BNP Paribas will run October 1 – 25, for the Player Category nominees only.

Fan Voting offers tennis fans around the globe the opportunity to voice their opinions about who is deserving of Hall of Fame induction and to have an impact on the election outcome by casting a vote online at vote.tennisfame.com. The top-three vote getters in the Fan Vote will receive bonus percentage points on their Official Voting Group result.

The candidate with the highest result in the Fan Vote will receive three additional percentage points, while second and third place will receive two and one additional percentage points, respectively.

To be elected into the Hall of Fame, a candidate must receive an affirmative vote in 75% or higher of ballots submitted from the Official Voting Group or a combined total of 75% or higher from their Voting Group result and any bonus percentage points earned in the Fan Vote.

The results of the ITHF Fan Vote will be announced at the conclusion of the voting period.

The Class of 2021 Inductees will be announced in early 2021 with the Induction Ceremony slated to take place July 17, 2021.

Since its inception in 1955, the honor of Hall of Fame Induction has been granted to 259 great champions and contributors to the sport from 27 different nations.

ABOUT THE 2021 NOMINEES

PLAYER CATEGORY

The Player Category recognizes ATP and WTA players who have achieved a distinguished record of competitive achievement at the highest international level.  

Five of this year’s candidates are nominated in the Player Category. Hewitt, Ferrero, and Raymond are new to the ballot, and Bjorkman and Bruguera are returning nominees, as the ITHF policy is such that a player candidate remains on the ballot for up to three consecutive years, unless voted in, per the ITHF Enshrinement Policies and Procedures.

The youngest player to ever claim the No. 1 spot in men’s professional tennis, Australia’s Lleyton Hewitt did so at just 20 years of age in 2001, fueled by his victory at the US Open where he defeated Pete Sampras in straight sets. Hewitt won his second major title in 2002, when he was victorious at Wimbledon. He was also a finalist at the Australian Open in 2005. Hewitt maintained a ranking in the top-10 for more than five years and won 30 career singles titles. Twice he helped Australia win the Davis Cup – in 1999 when he was 18 years old, and again in 2003.

Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero reached his first major final at Roland-Garros in 2002, upsetting then world No. 4 Andre Agassi and No. 2 Marat Safin en route. He fell in the final to compatriot Albert Costa. Ferrero returned to the final one year later, winning the 2003 Roland-Garros title. Later that year, Ferrero reached the final of the US Open. His success in 2003 propelled him to the world No. 1 ranking, and he spent 139 weeks inside the world top-5. In 2000, Ferrero became a hero of the first-ever Spanish Davis Cup championship team when he won the final point in Barcelona against fellow nominee Lleyton Hewitt.

American Lisa Raymond won 11 major titles with six different partners over the course of her career. Raymond won six in women’s doubles, where she has a career Grand Slam, and five in mixed doubles. She also earned a bronze medal at the 2012 Summer Olympics with her mixed doubles partner, Mike Bryan, and was a member of a championship United States Fed Cup team. Raymond was ranked world No. 1 in doubles for 137 weeks and reached a career high of world No. 15 in singles.

Former world No. 1 doubles player Jonas Björkman of Sweden won nine major titles and achieved a doubles career Grand Slam. He was twice a champion at the ATP Tour Year-End Championships, and he captured 54 doubles titles in all. In singles, Björkman reached a career high of world No. 4 and was a semifinalist at both the US Open and Wimbledon. A dedicated team player, Björkman played a major role on three Swedish Davis Cup championship squads.

Spanish clay court great Sergi Bruguera accomplished a massive feat when he won back-to-back titles at Roland-Garros in 1993 and 1994. His first title came against two-time defending champion Jim Courier, after Bruguera came back from being down 2-0 in the fifth set. Bruguera reached a career high ranking of world No. 3 and won 14 titles in all. He earned a silver medal at the 1996 Olympic Games.

CONTRIBUTOR CATEGORY

The Contributor Category recognizes a true pioneer, visionary leader, or individual / group that has made a transcendent impact on the sport. This Category is considered once every four years.

The Original 9 – Americans Peaches Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Julie Heldman, Billie Jean King, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey, Valerie Ziegenfuss, and Australians Judy Tegart Dalton and Kerry Melville Reid – took action 50 years ago when they refused to accept the growing disparity in prize money and playing opportunities between women and men in the sport.

On September 23, 1970 the Original 9 signed what would become iconic $1 contracts under the leadership of tennis promoter and World Tennis Magazine publisher Gladys Heldman in order to compete on their own terms.

By creating their own non-sanctioned event, they were faced with expulsion by the sport’s governing bodies, which would mean they would be stripped of their rankings and eligibility to compete at the Grand Slams or on national teams. The Original 9 risked their livelihood for equality in the sport, but they were prepared to do so because they envisioned a better future for female athletes.

The first tournament was such a success that it led to the creation of the Virginia Slims Circuit the following year, featuring nearly two dozen tournaments. The Original 9 and their colleagues took active roles in promoting and growing the circuit, ultimately paving the way for today’s thriving WTA Tour, where women’s tennis flourishes as the world’s leading global sport for women.

Dennis Van der Meer, legendary coach and “teacher of teachers,” was a successful junior player who turned his attention to teaching at age 19 and then spent more than 65 years dedicated to working in the sport. As a young teaching pro, Van der Meer quickly recognized a need to develop a universal manner of teaching tennis in order to grow the sport. He sourced input from the finest tennis educators and assembled manuals and videos on teaching techniques. Van der Meer then set out to standardize group teaching methods and to develop a teaching certification. He was the founder of both the Van Der Meer Tennis University and the Professional Tennis Registry (PTR), a leading tennis industry organization that works to educate, certify, and serve tennis teachers and coaches. PTR became the first international tennis teaching organization and it now has more than 16,000 certified members in more than 125 nations.

Van der Meer is nominated posthumously, as he passed away in July 2019.

For additional information, visit tennisfame.com.

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About the International Tennis Hall of Fame

The International Tennis Hall of Fame (ITHF) is a non-profit organization that preserves and promotes the history of tennis and celebrates its champions, thereby serving as a vital partner in the growth of tennis globally. The ITHF is located in Newport, Rhode Island in the United States, with Hall of Famers hailing from 27 nations around the world. The Hall of Fame honors these legends and chronicles the sport’s history in a comprehensive interactive museum in Newport and programming to celebrate the sport around the world. For information on the International Tennis Hall of Fame and its programs, visit tennisfame.com.

Tributes were paid around the world Wednesday as the WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) celebrated the 50th anniversary of the game-changing tennis professionals known as the Original 9 and the iconic $1 contracts they signed with visionary promoter Gladys Heldman on September 23, 1970. In recognition of one of the most influential moments in the history of gender equality in athletics, celebrities across sport, music, film and media mobilized virtually to honor the courageous acts of the nine women who risked their careers, in order to pave a better future for women in sports. Five decades later, the activism of the Original 9 and Gladys Heldman has helped shape women’s professional tennis to become the world’s leading female sport. The formal commemorations of the anniversary included a virtual charity fundraiser staged by WTA Charities in association with the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative, dedicating a portion of funds raised to support COVID-19 relief efforts for women. Highlights of the special event will be featured on WTA channels this week, including a conversation between renowned broadcaster Mary Carillo and the Original 9 members, special tributes from celebrities such as Elton John and Sarah Silverman, and musical entertainment by Sara Bareilles and Gladys Knight. Instrumental support for the fundraiser was provided by the global tennis, business and charitable foundation communities that helped raise more than $1 million in donations. The evening culminated with the announcement of the WTA Courage Award, a new honor established by the WTA and awarded to individuals or groups who reflect the solidarity and courage demonstrated by the Original 9 and Gladys Heldman. The forthcoming annual award will serve as a legacy to the Original 9’s leadership and their extraordinary contribution. Reflecting on the evening’s celebration, WTA President Micky Lawler stated, “We are humbled and privileged to have such courageous women at the heart of our sport and history. They took a risk on themselves and the future of women’s tennis in 1970, and today we’re fortunate enough to be living their dream. Through the new Courage Award, we look to carry their legacy on for future generations to come and will continue to champion for equality just as the Original 9 and Gladys Heldman did for us 50 years ago.” Celebrations continued as WTA players, legends, tournament partners, and fans across the global tennis community joined the WTA’s “A Dollar Makes a Difference” campaign by posting tribute images on social media, many holding a dollar bill, using #Original9. Fans can show their support and continue the legacy of the Original 9 by: Supporting WTA Charities’ and the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative’s fundraising COVID relief effort for women and additional programs that continue to support and produce positive changes in communities worldwide. Donations can be made at wtacharities.wtatennis.com/donateLearning and sharing the history of the Original 9 here as told by the Tennis Channel’s 11-part series   For additional information on the WTA and the ongoing stories of the Original 9, visit the WTA’s dedicated Original 9 web page, or follow #Original9 on social media.

The 50th anniversary celebration and virtual charity fundraiser, A Salute to the Original 9 & Gladys Heldman, was organized with the support of valued contributors including the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Tennis Australia, French Tennis Federation (FFT), AELTC – Wimbledon and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Generous donations have also been received from Altria Group, Anthem Foundation, Atria Senior Living, Brightstar Capital Partners, Bristol Myers Squibb. Centene Charitable Foundation, EY (Ernst and Young), Franklin Templeton, Jeff Bezos, Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation, The Kraft Group, The Margaret Fund by Deborah and John Larkin, Susan Anderson and Bob Arthur, Teneo, Tennis Channel and UBS.

The ITF has today announced that Fed Cup, the women’s world cup of tennis, has been renamed the Billie Jean King Cup by BNP Paribas.

It is the first time a major global team competition has been named after a woman, ushering in a new era for the historic tournament and representing a landmark moment for sport.  A champion on the court and a pioneer off it, Billie Jean King is a global campaigner for equality who has dedicated her life to fighting discrimination in all its forms. The values she represents epitomise the ethos of a tournament that has evolved to become the largest annual international team competition in women’s sport, with 116 nations entered in 2020.

The rename also follows the introduction of a new finals format that will bring the 12 best nations together over one week in Budapest to compete to become world champions. From 2021, under its new name, the Billie Jean King Cup Finals will award the biggest annual prize fund in women’s team sports – equivalent to that offered to the men playing Davis Cup Finals.

ITF President David Haggerty said, “From playing the first Fed Cup as a member of the victorious US team in 1963, founding the WTA and becoming its first President, to being the first female athlete awarded the US Presidential Medal of Freedom, Billie Jean King has never stopped breaking new ground. Today she adds another ‘first’ to that list. The new name is a fitting tribute to everything she has achieved and will provide a lasting legacy that will inspire future generations of players and fans.”

King’s close personal association with the Fed Cup began at the inaugural tournament and was cemented over the next 40 years. She went on to lift the trophy on a total of 10 occasions – more times than any other individual in history – triumphing seven times as a player and four times as a captain (including once as a player-captain).  King was presented with the Fed Cup Award of Excellence in recognition of her achievements in 2010, before being appointed as the competition’s first Global Ambassador in 2019.

Billie Jean King said, “There is nothing quite like the feeling of representing your country and being part of a team, which is why this competition is so special and important to me. It is an honour to have the women’s world cup of tennis carry my name and a responsibility I will not take lightly. Our job is to share this vision with future generations of young girls, because if you can see it, you can be it.”

The name change will provide the opportunity for increased global exposure and investment in women’s tennis.  As a historical tennis partner, BNP Paribas has supported women’s tennis since 2006 through the ITF’s flagship women’s global team competition, the women’s world cup of tennis. The ITF has today also announced Microsoft and Magellan Corporation as new partners. Microsoft become the Global Technology and Innovation Partner in a collaboration that represents another step in embracing King’s legacy of advancing the sport of tennis for all by bringing real-time data insights to the court at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Illinois-based global steel distributor Magellan Corporation has a strong track record supporting major sports properties and women-forward initiatives; their involvement as a Global Partner of the Billie Jean King Cup underlines their commitment to equality and represents another boost for women’s tennis.

With equal prize money and increased opportunity for more nations to compete to become world champions, the competition is today, more than ever, a powerful platform for the ITF to deliver on its Advantage All gender equality initiative – a key pillar of its ITF 2024 strategy. The bold rebranding of the competition not only recognises Billie Jean King’s achievements, it will also ensure she continues to be a visible role model for generations to come.

ITF vice president, Fed Cup Committee Chair and Chair of the ITF Gender Equality in Tennis Committee Katrina Adams said, “This rebrand represents a significant moment in our sport. The Davis Cup is named after a man, so it is absolutely right that the women’s world cup of tennis is named after a woman. Given all she has achieved in our sport and her tireless efforts to champion equality around the world, I can’t think of a more worthy recipient of this honour than Billie Jean King.” The announcement of the name change comes in the week before the 50th anniversary of the creation of the Virginia Slims Circuit, which saw nine women, including King, risk everything to take a stand for equal rights in tennis. Known as the ‘Original 9’, these players took a leap of faith that led to the formation of the WTA and ultimately paved the way for tennis to become a leading light in the fight for equality in sport and society.

by Staff and Wire Reports

A US Open unlike any other finished unlike any other — with an unprecedented fifth-set tiebreaker as Dominic Thiem became the first man in 71 years to win the tournament final after dropping the opening two sets.

So close to defeat in a nearly empty Arthur Ashe Stadium — fans were banned because of the coronavirus pandemic — Thiem slowly but surely turned things around against a faltering Alexander Zverev and surged to a 2-6, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 7-6 (6) victory at Flushing Meadows to earn his first Grand Slam title.

When a backhand from Zverev landed wide on the third championship point, a weary Thiem dropped to his back way behind the baseline and covered his face with his hands. When he arose, he was met by Zverev, who walked around the net to clasp hands, then embrace his friend and foe, two sights rarely seen in this era of social distancing.

Thiem then rested his head on the shoulder of the taller Zverev, a 23-year-old from Germany who himself came within two points of what would have been his first major triumph.

“I wish we could have two winners today,” Thiem said. “I think w

The 27-year-old from Austria is the first man to win the American Grand Slam tournament after trailing 2-0 in sets in the final since Pancho Gonzales did it against Ted Schroeder in 1949 at an event then known as the U.S. Championships and held in Forest Hills.

The event never had been settled by a fifth-set tiebreaker; no major tournament ever had until Novak Djokovic edged Roger Federer that way at Wimbledon in 2019.

“I wish you would have missed a little bit more so I could have held that trophy up,” Zverev said, choking up when he mentioned his parents, “but here I am, giving the runner’s-up speech.”

As Thiem stepped forward to pose for pictures with his shiny new bit of hardware, Zverev remained a few feet behind, one hand clutching his less-impressive silver tray, the other hand on a hip.

The proceedings took 4 hours, 2 minutes. And to think: After just 1½ hours, Zverev was up by two sets and a break in the third at 2-1.

by Staff and Wire Reports

Naomi Osaka of Japan outlasted an inspired Victoria Azarenka from Belarus 1-6, 6-3, 6-3 in the final to win the women’s singles title of the US Open on Saturday.

It’s Osaka’s second US Open title and third Grand Slam title after her victories at the 2018 US Open and 2019 Australian Open.

“In the end all I focus on is what I can control on the tennis court. That’s what I did in 2018 final. I feel like that’s what I did this time,” said the 22-year-old Osaka, who defeated Serena Williams of the United States to win the 2018 title.

Azarenka, 31, stormed to win the first set 6-1 in just 26 minutes while the No. 4 seed Osaka was uncharacteristically sloppy hitting a whopping 13 unforced errors.

At the start of the second set, Azarenka broke again for a 2-0 lead, but from there Osaka fought back to break her opponent’s serve twice and took a 4-3 lead.

Osaka then gained the momentum and broke a third time to take the match to a deciding set.

“I think in the first set I was so nervous, I wasn’t moving my feet. I felt like I was not playing to my best. There are too many things in my head. It would be very embarrassing to lose this in under an hour so I just have to try my best,” Osaka said of the turnaround.

Osaka broke in the fourth game of the third set to take a comfortable 3-1 lead. In the next game, Azarenka blew a golden opportunity to get back into the match, wasting all three break points as Osaka recovered from 0-40 down to hold for a 4-1 lead.

After that, Osaka dominated and claimed the set 6-3.

With the runner-up finish, Azarenka said she’s proud of herself.

“I haven’t had such results in quite a long time, so I’m very excited for it. Today, it’s a loss, but it doesn’t change for me much. Of course I would have loved to win today. It is what it is,” Azarenka said.

“I gave everything that I could today on the court. I felt that I progressed a lot. I’ve played a lot of great matches. I felt that I’ve tested myself physically, mentally on very difficult stages. It’s been great. I want to continue to keep going the same way, enjoy myself,” she added.

The WTA (Women’s Tennis Association) will pay tribute to the game-changing tennis professionals known as the Original 9 this month, five decades after they signed $1 contracts with legendary promoter Gladys Heldman to compete in a groundbreaking women-only tournament in Houston, Texas in September, 1970. That act, in defiance of the male-dominated tennis establishment of the era, is considered the birth of women’s professional tennis as fans around the world enjoy it today.

Focal point of the commemorations will be a virtual charity fundraiser, A Salute to the Original 9 & Gladys Heldman, staged by WTA Charities in association with the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative. Renowned broadcaster Mary Carillo will serve as host for the program on Wednesday, September 23, facilitating conversation and stories with Original 9 members along with special tributes and musical entertainment. Proceeds from this fundraiser will go to WTA Charities and the Billie Jean King Leadership Initiative and will be used in part to support COVID-19 relief efforts with a focus on women.

Instrumental support from the global tennis, business and charitable foundation communities has already ensured the success of the fundraiser. Valued contributors include the International Tennis Federation (ITF), Tennis Australia, French Tennis Federation (FFT), AELTC – Wimbledon, and the United States Tennis Association (USTA). Generous donations have also been received from Altria Group, Anthem Foundation, Atria Senior Living, Brightstar Capital Partners, Centene Charitable Foundation, EY (Ernst and Young), Jeff Bezos, Jennifer and Jonathan Allan Soros Foundation, Franklin Templeton, The Kraft Group, Magellan Corporation, The Margaret Fund by Deborah and John Larkin, Teneo, Tennis Channel and UBS.

“The courage and commitment displayed by the Original 9 in 1970 remains a defining moment not just for sports, but in the push for equality in society as a whole,” said Steve Simon, WTA Chairman and CEO. “These special athletes played an historic role in changing our sport forever and made an impact far beyond the tennis court. Fifty years after their courageous stand for independence, the WTA is proud to honor these inspirational women in such an impactful way.”

While the introduction of Open Tennis in 1968 meant amateur and professional players could compete transparently on the same stages, prize money disparity between the genders continued to grow. Matters came to a head in the summer of 1970 when a high-profile tournament in Los Angeles announced its men’s draw would be paid approximately eight times as much as the star-studded women’s line-up.

In response, Gladys Heldman, the high-profile publisher of World Tennis magazine, rallied her corporate contacts to stage the Virginia Slims Invitational at the Houston Racquet Club. The sport’s authorities refused to sanction the tournament and threatened to blacklist any rebel players – meaning they could be denied entry to Grand Slam tournaments and team competitions and lose their national rankings.

Still, nine women – the Original 9 – took a bold leap of faith in order to compete on their own terms: Jane ‘Peaches’ Bartkowicz, Rosie Casals, Judy Dalton, Julie Heldman, Billie Jean King, Kerry Melville Reid, Kristy Pigeon, Nancy Richey and Valerie Ziegenfuss. The tournament, which culminated with Casals defeating Dalton for the title, proved such a hit that Virginia Slims extended its sponsorship to a full-blown circuit in 1971, and the momentum generated by its innovations would ultimately lead to the formation of the WTA in 1973.

“I felt a sense of both fear and exhilaration,” recalls King of the day when matters came to a head – September 23, 1970. “We knew we were making history, and we had such a strong sense of purpose. I just kept thinking about the vision we had for the future of our sport. We wanted to ensure that any girl in the world who was good enough would have a place to go and make a living playing tennis.”

Highlights from the virtual charity event will be released on September 24. Fans can also join the festivities by visiting WTA’s dedicated Original 9 web page, following #Original9 on social and supporting WTA Charities’ campaign, “$9 Changed The World and $1 Dollar Still Makes A Difference” by visiting wtacharities.wtatennis.com/donate which will be launched on International Equal Pay Day on September 18.

Furthermore, the USTA will continue to celebrate the Original 9 and Gladys Heldman today (September 10), women’s semifinals day at the US Open, as part of its “Be Open” social activation campaign around the themes of equality and inclusiveness. At 2pm ET, a virtual panel discussion on gender pay equity will air on US Open Facebook and Twitter channels, moderated by Hannah Storm with leading female athletes across sports, including Annika Sörenstam, Venus Williams and Billie Jean King. And from September 13-23 the WTA’s broadcast partner, Tennis Channel, will air a dedicated 11-part series on Tennis Channel Live coverage and Tennis.com.

“Women’s professional tennis began with symbolic $1 contracts signed by the Original 9 with Gladys Heldman in 1970, and today a dollar can still make a difference,” said Ann Austin, Senior Director of Community Development for the WTA. “In honor of this heroic journey, WTA Charities continues to carry out their legacy by making a difference and giving back to communities around the world through values of progress and empowerment.”

Top seed Novak Djokovic of Serbia was disqualified from the US Open on Sunday after a tennis ball he hit in anger struck a female line judge in the neck.

After dropping his serve to trail 6-5 in the first set of his fourth round match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta, Djokovic angrily smashed a ball in frustration which struck the line judge in the neck, causing her to fall to the ground.

Djokovic immediately rushed over to check if she was okay and placed his hand on her back as she struggled for air. After a few minutes she was able to get up and walk off the court.

After a discussion of around 10 minutes between tournament referees and officials, Djokovic was disqualified from the match in accordance with the rules.

The organizers released a statement explaining the referee’s decision.

“In accordance with the Grand Slam rulebook, following his actions of intentionally hitting a ball dangerously or recklessly within the court or hitting a ball with negligent disregard of the consequences, the US Open tournament referee defaulted Novak Djokovic from the 2020 US Open,” the statement said.

Djokovic’s unexpected exit ends both his 26-match winning streak this year and his attempt to win his 18th Grand Slam title, with the drama also sending Carreno Busta into the men’s quarterfinals.

“I was a little bit in shock,” Carreno Busta said. “The rules are the rules. The referee and the supervisor did the right thing, but it’s not easy to do it.”

Djokovic apologized later through social media.

“This whole situation has left me really sad and empty. I checked on the lines person and the tournament told me that thank God she is feeling ok. I’m extremely sorry to have caused her such stress. So unintended. So wrong,” Djokovic said.

“As for the disqualification, I need to go back within and work on my disappointment and turn this all into a lesson for my growth and evolution as a player and human being.”

Djokovic has won five of the past seven Grand Slam tournaments to raise his total to 17, closing in on rivals Roger Federer, who has a men’s record of 20 titles, and Rafael Nadal, who has 19.

With reigning US Open champion Nadal, who cited concerns about traveling amid the COVID-19 pandemic, and an injury-hit Federer opting out of the event, Djokovic had been favorite to win another title in New York.