Venus and Serena put in face-time with kids

from the Washington Post:

Nearly every parent brought a camera, and every reporter wielded a tape recorder.

But the 150 children who descended on the Southeast Tennis and Learning Center on Thursday weren’t awestruck by the 20 Grand Slam titles or superstar status of their guest instructors.

And they weren’t concerned about whether Venus and Serena Williams plan to return to competition at next month’s French Open or at Wimbledon in June.

They just wanted to become better tennis players. And the near hour-long clinic with the Williams sisters gave them a chance to do just that.

“Serena is an excellent teacher!” proclaimed Tierra Holloway, 14, among those who hit with the four-time and current defending Wimbledon champion. “Every time she gave me advice, when I went back on court I hit better. She gave me many compliments on my tennis. And she told me my hair was pretty.”

 That's so sweet that I think I've got a cavity.

Tennis ace commits to Australia

from Sydney:

Fed Cup captain David Taylor is delighted that Slovakia-born tennis ace Jarmila Gajdosova has pledged her allegiance to Australia despite the breakdown of her marriage.

In her first tournament since revealing her split from battling Victorian tour professional Sam Groth, Gajdosova beat fellow Australian Casey Dellacqua 6-2 6-4 overnight in Portugal to reach her fourth WTA quarter-final of the year.

The world No.31 then released a statement to confirm she had no intention of turning her back on Australian tennis.

"I have lived in Australia since I was 15 and it is my home," the 24-year-old said.

"I am an Australian citizen and I will continue to represent my country in tennis. Recent events will not change this."

Gajdosova earlier this year made a spectacular Fed Cup debut in Hobart, stunning reigning French Open champion and world No.4 Francesca Schiavone to give Australia a flying start to their World Group quarter-final with defending champions Italy.

Australia ultimately lost that tie but Gajdosova was equally impressive in winning both her singles rubbers in this month's playoff defeat to Ukraine in Melbourne.

"Jarka was fantastic for us this year in Fed Cup," Taylor told AAP on Thursday.

"She beat a top-five player in her debut tie and showed great leadership qualities winning both her singles matches easily versus Ukraine, despite going through some personal challenges off the court.

"I'm very happy to have Jarks in our Fed Cup team."

Gajdosova this week used her Twitter account to express her anger at suggestions she married Groth in 2009 to gain an Australian passport.

"I got married because I loved sam and did it from my heart not because I am from poor country or I need it him (sic) for passport!" she tweeted.

It's like I always say: You can't keep a Slovakian down.  But you can keep her Down Under.  GET IT?

Andrea Petkovic might win some tennis

from The Bleacher Report:

Andrea Petkovic became the first German woman with a top 20 ranking since Anna-Lena Groenfeld made it in 2007. 

After reaching the quarterfinals in Stuttgart, Petkovic climbed all the way to the No. 15 spot. One year ago the German was ranked No. 50.

After reaching the final eight at the Australian Open, Petkovic has remained steadily in the tennis spotlight.

After defeating Maria Sharapova in the fourth round of this year's Australian Open and World No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the fourth round of the Sony Ericsson Open, Petkovic has definitely convinced her opponents that she is a legitimate force to be reckoned with on the ladies tour.

Using deep penetrating groundstrokes and employing patience, waiting for her moments, Petkovic's game seems well-suited to clay.

Expect her to do well on the red clay in Paris. She may be the best dark horse in either draw.

If I know anything about tennis, I know that deep, penetrating groundstrokes are utterly critical.  Utterly.

Don't shop hungry, don't tweet angry

from SportsNewser:

Patrick McEnroe, the respected tennis commentator and head of the USTA’s player development program, took exception to Donald Young, a 21-year-old relative unknown, who went on Twitter and blasted the organization for not giving him a wild-card slot to the French Open. Young, who’s received at least 13 wild-card slots from the USTA in recent years, was given the same chance as everyone else: Win a specific qualifying tournament and you’re in; lose and you’re guaranteed nothing. Well, Young lost in the finals of that qualifying tournament on Friday, and then he went on Twitter and lost his head:

“(Expletive) USTA! Their full of (expletive)! They have (expletive) me for the last time!” Young wrote shortly after his loss to Tim Smyczek.

McEnroe felt quite strongly that Young was biting the hand that feeds him, and he called on Young to apologize. Otherwise, the USTA would break off the relationship.

“I’m offended for people on our team that have worked very hard,” McEnroe said. “When he said what he said, it was taken quite personally by members of the player development team. I think Donald should apologize for what he said. At that point, we can all move on.”

Young did apologize – sort of. And naturally he did it on Twitter.

“That tweet was out of character. ive never been like that before. but im tired of it. sry about the language, but not the thought behind it.”

Soon thereafter Young closed his Twitter account.

I have to agree with Donald, here.  You should be allowed into the French Open, even if you lose your qualifying match.  Especially if you surrender.

Serena Williams turns 'rapper'

from Colorado Springs

She's a tennis superstar, fashion designer, spokesperson and is part owner of the Miami Dolphins.
Now, according to tmz.com, Serena Williams is adding "rapper" to the list.
The celebrity gossip site learned she was in the studio last week and is "working with a record label owned by Minnesota Vikings star Bryant McKinnie.
She worked with hip-hop producer DJ Clue.
Word is she was pretty good.
This comes after Williams survived a major health scare that is keeping her off the tennis courts.

 

As we know, Serena is the most talented person in the universe.  I wouldn't be surprised if she produces one of the greatest rap albums of the last thousand years or so.

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