With Rafia's win in Shanghai, some are already talking about his place in history. Is he the best men's tennis player of our time? No, No, No!
He had a great year on the ATP tennis circuit. I'll even go so far as to say he had an awesome year. He won just about every men's tennis event out there. He also has charisma, good look and is a great ambassador for his sport.
BUT....
It was one awesome year. I personally think that he needs to have a couple of great years to be considered in elite company.
He also needs to play not necessarily more events but a variety of events. Tennis seems to be nationalized. It is a given each and every year that the foreign players are going to stay in Europe and play 'at home'. They will come to the US to play those events that they are required to play. To be considered on my list of 'best men's players of our time' - he owes it to the fans of Indianapolis to play the Indy Tennis Championships at least once. Not every year, just once. In fact, the fans in Los Angeles, Delray Beach or San Jose deserve to see the world's greatest player (if he is that) at least once every 3-4 years.
So, Rafia - congratulations on an awesome year - please come play tennis in Indianapolis this summer! Our wonderful tennis fans should have the opportunity to see you play!
Big Dog - Gillis Simon will be competing in the Tennis Masters Cup semi-finals match this Saturday against Novak Djokovic. Simon who jump started his year with an unprecedented victory in Indianapolis this past July, also defeated the four-time Masters Cup champ Roger Federer earlier in the week. This is Simon’s second victory over the former #1 in the world and currently #2, Federer, since winning the Indy crown. This guy is on fire!!! Good luck this weekend Gillis, everyone here at the Indianapolis Tennis Championships Presented by Lilly is pulling for you.
2007 Indianapolis Tennis Champion, Dmitry Tursunov is one of the players showcased. Also within the calendar pages are Paradorn Srichaphan, another Indy Tennis favorite as is Tommy Hass. The number one doubles team in the world, Mike and Bob Bryan represent the United States.
Each region of the world is represented and in total players from 12 countries are showcased. To check out the calendar, 2009 ATP World Calendar.
My hats off to the ATP for showcasing some of the lesser known players and a different 'side' to men's professional tennis
Over the weekend, Gilles Simon, beat Carlos Moya 6-3, 6-4 to take the BCR Open Romania title. What is significant about Simon's victory? Well, Gilles is the reigning Indianapolis Tennis Championships Presented by Lilly champion and has significantly boosted his chances of qualifying for the Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai event.
Simon was virtually unknown when he arrived in Indianapolis. He was Indy's number two seed but to be honest, I even had no idea who he was. Since his victory in Indy's men's professional tennis tournament, Simon has had an impressive run. The 23 year old went on to defeat Roger Federer in Toronto and advanced to the semi-finals. This has undoubtably been his best year - with three titles so far.
Simon moved up three spots and is now number 12 in the ATP race. Gilles has played more tournaments than the 11 players ranked ahead of him. There are two Masters Series event left before Shanghai so let's cheer for Indy Tennis Championships' Gilles Simon!
I know I should be writing about men's tennis and the Indianapolis Tennis Championships but I feel I should devote some space to Serena Williams. It seems you either love her or hate her. How can any sports fan or general fan not be able to applaud her performance at the US Open?
After five years and one month, Serena is now the number 1 ranked women's professional tennis player in the world. She beat Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5 to take the US Open crown. What an achievement. Not only did she win a major, the major tennis tournament in the world but she moved into the number 1 ranking.
She has gone the longest period between the top ranking by any player since the early 70s. I don't care if you aren't a tennis fan, you have to applaud her unbelievable effort and perservance to comeback and take the US Open crown and ascend to the #1 ranking.
Go Serena!!!
Since I'm still in the dumps about my recent US Open picks, I not going to recount last night's tennis match. Roddick was not mentally prepared. Hats off to the Williams sisters, though. That has to be a tough stage to be playing your sister on the national stage for a semi-final spot at the US Open. The greatest tennis event in the world!
I want to grip about the Indianapolis Star's coverage of the US Open. I am a faithful reading of the Sports page every morning before work. This morning, I was excited to read about last night's mens tennis match, todays matches and other general comments from the US Open. Yes, the largest standalone sporting event in the world! I expected the Colts to get the front page and the US Open to be on the inside of the front page.
I read through the Colts, high school football, NFL, baseball, transactions/AP info and then finally found the US Open information. How can this huge event on the sports calendar be regulated to the back page - especially when the Indianapolis Tennis Championships feeds into the US Open. There is a men's professional tennis tournament in Indianapolis - there are fans of tennis in Indianapolis. How can the US Open, generating $200 million in revenue, be slammed to the bag page?
In further investigation, I decided to check out www.indystar.com for the lastest US Open news. After much searching, I found a blurb about US Open highlights under the National News section-at the bottom and fifth on the list. It even appears after a story about Marion Jones being released from prison early. Game, Set and Match - how can tennis compete with a convict being released from prison early.
My picks:
Bjorn Phau
Giovanni Lapentti - brother Nicholas won the RCA Championships several yrs ago
Robert Smeets - love the last name
Robert Kendrick - a US player who recently competed in Indy
Brian Dabul - Da bulls, Da bulls
Thiago Alves
Ryler De Heart - another US player
Aisam-Ul-Haq Qureshi - played in Indianapolis this year and was great
Flavio Cipolla - have to root for a guy with the first name of Flavio
Thierry Ascione
Rik de Voest
Paul Capdeville - played well in the Indianapolis Tennis Tournament
Kevin Kim
Alex Kuznetsov - an upcoming American
Gille Muller
Stephane Bohli
With major deals in place for the newly titled Olympus US Open Series and supporting sponsors such as Evian Water tennis is showing continued growth despite a sluggish economy. Regional tournaments such as the Indy tennis event continue to receive support from a number of local and regional businesses. There have also been talks around the ATP and the replacement of the high level Mercedes-Benz sponsorship by the insurance company Aviva plc. (IEG)
Now if we can get everyone to active these partnerships through grassroots efforts that will help grow the game of tennis. That will in turn increase the participation, following and support of regional/Midwest tennis tournaments, i.e. Indy Championships.
I wanted to give you all an update on an exciting event coming up this fall! In our efforts to promote healthy active lifestyles in the Hoosier state, we will be visiting two schools and a tennis club this fall to educate our citizens on living healthier, active lifestyles. We are in the process of securing a player from the ATP to join us on this exciting venture through the state of
Did you know...
Tennis players scored higher in vigor, optimism and self-esteem while scoring lower in depression, anger, confusion, anxiety and tension than other athletes and non-athletes.
*Dr. Joan Finn and colleagues at Southern
Tennis outperforms golf, inline skating and most other sports in developing positive personality characteristics.
*Dr. Jim Gavin, author of The Exercise Habit.
The average person burns more calories playing tennis that doing low impact aerobics, weightlifting, riding a stationary bike, hiking, walking a golf course, or playing softball, baseball, or volleyball.
co-workers, family and friends to this exciting day of golf, food, prizes and fun. For more information take a closer look at the attached PDF.
No James Blake will not be playing the event with us in Fishers, Indiana but as you can see even professional tennis players enjoy some golf every once and awhile.
Thank you again to James Blake for another fantastic run at the title in Indianapolis, Indiana.
Congratulations to the 2008 Champion: Gilles Simon. Simon has had incredible July, cracking the top 15 in world ranking for men's professional tennis, capturing the crown in Indianapolis and beat current world #1 Roger Federer.
Simon is still in the lead on the greatest road trip in sports: Olympus US Open Series.
The week of tennis in Indianapolis is still very fresh to all that attended and even more so to the generous tournament partners, season ticket holders and volunteers. Special thanks to all those involved in the success that was the 2008 Indianapolis Tennis Championships Presented by Lilly.
Check out the tournament website for the 2009 tournament dates and be sure to contact Brad Weiland at the tournament office (1-800-622-LOVE) to secure your seat at the 2009 Indianapolis Tennis Championships Presented by Lilly.
As you can see, there are more than just tennis winners here in Indy!
The tennis in Indianapolis continues to heat up as we approach the quarterfinals on Friday July 18th! Young americans continue to carve their way through the player field.
My job takes an interesting twist this week when we begin to think about the 2009 event and discuss sponsorship options with partners over the next 2 weeks. A unique aspect of my job that has developed this year is the ability to showcase assets that we have available at the tournament for 2009 partnerships. Our mens professional tennis event provides a unique venue that touts a demographic of 55/45 womens and mens split with a high level of discretionary income.
Our tournament staff has always believed that this demographic is a sought after demo for any corporation looking to make an impact with this particular audience.
As we invite existing and possible future sponsors out the event we will be showcasing naming rights opportunities, hospitality venues, VIP experiences and many other custom built programs meant to grow a sponsors bottom line.
The first stop on the Olympus US Open Series starts in less than 8 days and we are counting down the minutes to world class Indy Tennis...
