Sampras to USTA: ‘Show Me the Money’

Pete Says He'll Help, but Wants Bigger Financial Commitment; Hall of Famer Also Mends Fences with Agassi (Well, Sort Of)

SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Not long after Andre Agassi’s tell-all book “Open” hit the shelves, Pete Sampras began to hear whispers that his name was liberally tossed about throughout the best-selling autobiography.  And not always in a positive light.

PMac ‘Energized’ Despite Davis Cup Loss

Serbia Advances to Quarters with 3-2 Triumph

The U.S. Davis Cuppers may have come up short in Belgrade on Sunday, but considering the less-than-ideal circumstances — no Andy Roddick, no James Blake and one nasty case of food poisoning — team captain Patrick McEnroe was encouraged by what he saw in his new-look roster.
Following the 3-2 loss at the Beogradska Arena, McEnroe [...]

Woodforde: ‘It’s a Bookend to Our Career’

Aussie On HOF Induction, Bryan Bros., Health of Doubles Game

The accolades keep rolling in.  Sports Australia Hall of Fame.  Australian Tennis Hall of Fame.  Now 11-time Slam doubles champs Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge – aka the Woodies – are headed for the International Tennis Hall of Fame.
Inside Tennis caught up with the Adelaide-born Woodforde at his home in Rancho Mirage, Calif.  The 44-year-old [...]

BNP Paribas Open Preview

The Dirty Dozen: 6 Men / 6 Women Who Could Win It

There’s a new sheriff in town.  In December, Oracle co-founder/CEO Larry Ellison bought the BNP Paribas Open from an ownership group headed by Charlie Pasarell and Ray Moore, quashing rumors that the combined ATP/WTA event — which each year pulls in more fans than any other tournament outside of the Slams  might be headed to [...]

A Sport for Rogues, Eccentrics and Non-Conformists

Hip Surgery Sidelines Haas…Shino Speaks…Quotebook

A SPORT FOR ROGUES, ECCENTRICS AND NON-CONFORMISTS: San Francisco Chronicle columnist Bruce Jenkins observed, “For a sport founded on upper-class convention, replete with 19th-century Londoners leaping across pristine lawns in long white pants, tennis has been molded by rogues, eccentrics and non-conformists. Its history would be as stodgy as four o’clock tea without its relentless [...]

Roger, Roger On the Wall…

Bryan Bros. Hit 58...Murray's Troubles...Quotebook

IVO THE RAT: Harvey Fialkov likened 6-foot-10 power server Ivo Karlovic to “Randy Johnson in shorts.”
CHILE RECEPTION?: Despite the devastating earthquake that’s claimed the lives of more than 700 people, Chile still plans to host its Davis Cup tie against Israel in the port town of Coquimbo.
‘…AND INTRODUCING FERNANDO VERDASCO AS MAXIMUS’: Fernando Verdasco may [...]

Valentine’s Day Massacre: Verdasco Downs Roddick at SAP

Smooth-Stroking Spaniard a 3-6, 6-4, 6-4 Winner at the HP Pavilion

SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Andy Roddick is acutely aware that his sport has changed in leaps and bounds since he debuted on the ATP Tour as a brash, all-forehand-and-smashmouth-serve 18-year-old back in 2000.  And if the now-27-year-old Texan —who last year finished inside the top 10 for the eighth straight year — is proud of [...]

‘Dangerous’ Istomin’s Dream Run Ends at SAP

First Uzbek to Reach ATP Semi Falls to Verdasco; Roddick Tops Querrey In Three

SAN JOSE, CALIF. — Talk about a global game.  In a matter of one week, we’ve seen a Lithuanian reach the quarters, and an Uzbek in the semis at the SAP Open — both ATP firsts.
As if men’s tennis didn’t have enough worldwide depth already.

Sciatic Nerve Could Keep Verdasco Out of Davis Cup

Spaniard Moves On to SAP Semis; Roddick, Istomin, Querrey, Too

SAN JOSE, CALIF. — The mere mention of sciatica is enough to produce goose flesh, to make the hair stand up on the back of most ATPers’ necks.  They saw first-hand the pain that Andre Agassi experienced in his final days on the tour.  All the cortisone shots, the endless hours on the trainer’s table, [...]

A-Rod: Agassi’s Story One of Vengeance, of Rising From ‘Ultimate Depths’

It’s the very reason why Jim Bouton was shunned by many of his fellow Major Leaguers when he penned the myth-shattering “Ball Four” in 1970.  The ex-Yankee had violated that long-standing unwritten locker room code: “What you see here, what you say here, what you do here, stays here.”
Whether they admit it or not, it’s [...]