Clijsters Out of BNP Paribas Open

Two-Time Desert Titlist Sidelined By Ankle Woes

Kim Clijsters has withdrawn from the 2012 BNP Paribas Open (March 5-18) due to a left ankle injury. “I’m very disappointed that my ankle injury is preventing me from playing the BNP Paribas Open this year,” said Clijsters in a statement.  “Indian Wells has been a very special tournament for me, winning in 2003 and [...]

Johnny Mac: Big 4 Should Fear Isner

Hall of Famer Says Ex-Collegian Has Stuff of Slam Contender

SAN JOSE, CALIF. — He called his 4-6, 6-3, 7-6(4), 6-2 Davis Cup upset of Roger Federer the biggest win of his life.  And for good reason.  After all, John Isner had just nullified the 16-time Slam champ on enemy turf, taking down the Swiss master on the clay of Fribourg, giving his American teammates [...]

Raonic: ‘There’s Room Among the Big 4′

Canadian Poised to Challenge Djokovic, Nadal, Federer, Murray

It’s rare to see a player leap from well outside the ATP Tour’s top 100 into the top 25 in a matter of one year.  But that’s just how special a player Milos Raonic is.  In an era of big-boy tennis, the 6-foot-5, 198-pound Montenegrin-turned-Canuck has all the tools — big serve, big groundies, an [...]

Aussie Open: Serena’s Lousy Exit

American Upset 6-2, 6-3 By Lowest Ranked Player Remaining In Draw

Serena Williams experienced much frustration in losing her fourth-round Australian Open match to Ekaterina Makarova. “I can think of a hundred things I can do better.” This is how Williams described her dismissal at the first Grand Slam event of 2012. That’s a lousy exit. When you’re Serena Williams — a 13-time major champ, including [...]

Australian Open Draw Analysis: The Men

Return of Roger In 2012?

TOP HALF 1st QUARTER: The question on everybody’s mind is whether or not Novak Djokovic can sustain the kind of awe-inspiring momentum he displayed in 2011, when the Serb went 70-6 in capturing 10 titles, including three Slams (Australian Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open), five Masters 1000 crowns and the No. 1 ranking.  While it’s hard [...]

WTT Finals Return to Charleston

Family Circle Tennis Center to host WTT Finals Weekend, Sept. 14-16

The World TeamTennis Finals are returning to Charleston in 2012. The Family Circle Tennis Center in Charleston, S.C., will once again host the WTT Finals Weekend presented by Geico, Sept. 14-16. The Road to Charleston begins when the 37th season of the WTT Pro League kicks off with regular season action, July 9-28.  The top [...]

Vickery, Rubin Capture Year’s First ITF Jr. Titles

Unseeded Rubin Knocks Off Nos. 2, 4, 5 En Route to Victory

Sachia Vickery of Miramar, Fla., and Noah Rubin of Rockville Centre, N.Y., started 2012 in fine fashion on Jan. 8, capturing the year’s first singles titles on the ITF World Junior Circuit, winning all-American finals at the prestigious 48th Copa Del Café in San Jose, Costa Rica. No. 5-seeded Vickery, 16, didn’t drop a single [...]

Where Have All the American Champions Gone?

“Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing…after they have exhausted all other possibilities.” — Winston Churchill The politician’s eyes twinkle. His voice quivers as he speaks of “a shining city upon a hill.”  The TV analyst muses on “American exceptionalism,” while down at the arena frenetic fans rock the gym with [...]

Motevassel Edges Tarango at 40s Nationals

In Battle of Former Touring Pros, NorCaler Takes Men's Singles Title

A year can sometimes make all the difference between victory and defeat and that was certainly the case on Nov. 4 at the La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club. In a singles final featuring two former touring pros, second-seeded Oren Motevassel of Sunnyvale, Calif., defeated defending champ and top-seed Jeff Tarango of Manhattan Beach, Calif., [...]

Oudin, Ginepri Among AO Wildcard Hopefuls

Atlanta’s Racquet Club of the South to Host Dec. 16-18 Event

The home-court advantage could pay off for five Georgians who are among 16 men and women invited by USTA Player Development to participate in the Kia Motors Australian Open Wildcard Playoff, which for the third consecutive year will be held at Atlanta’s Racquet Club of the South, Dec. 16-18. The winners will receive main draw [...]