Sharapova, Wozniacki Get Watches, Kerber Gets Ice Cream
(September 24, 2012) -- While Maria Sharapova was having diamond encrusted watches delivered to her door, we were busy putting together the latest and greatest stories from around the tennis world.
Hey Tennis Fans, I’m Blair Henley and welcome to the Tennis Now News Update!
Yes, Maria Sharapova received a pretty amazing gift last week as she was packing her bags for Tokyo. She explained on her Facebook page that she opened her door to a special delivery from her sponsor TAG Heuer. Not only was the watch drizzled in diamonds, but it also had all four of Maria’s Grand Slam wins engraved on the back.
Not to be outdone, Rolex recently gifted world No. 11 Caroline Wozniacki with an amazingly bedazzled watch just for fun. Perhaps the timepiece inspired the Dane, who won her first title of 2012 in Seoul over the weekend after routing Kaia Kanepi 6-1, 6-0 in the final. But even after a win, the former number one still faced questions about her lack of ranking points this year. Needless to say, she didn’t take kindly to the criticism.
“I think that's offending for the other players. I think the other players should be offended by that comment, because if I don't have a lot of points, than what about the other thousand girls who can't get that high?”
As you think back on this year’s U.S. Open, you might remember afro-ed LMFAO frontman, Redfoo. The guy was everywhere! Not only did he seem to be BFF’s with the WTA players, but more than one of them performed the Party Rock shuffle on court after a win. In addition to sponsoring his own women’s ITF event called – what else – the Party Rock Open, he is also rumored to be coaching a 17-year-old Japanese player named Ayaka Okuno. And no, we have absolutely no idea if he has prior coaching or playing experience.
As reported by Tennis Now, Angelique Kerber trains with a clear goal in mind, and no, it’s not a Grand Slam title. According to a post on her Twitter page, the world No. 6 earns ice cream for her efforts.
Starting next year, the ATP will be experimenting with the elimination of service lets. The rule change will be given a three months test run on the Challenger Tour before it is determined whether or not to make the change permanent.
And Tennis South Africa is telling their side of the story after 35th-ranked Kevin Anderson criticized his country for failing to pay him to play Davis Cup matches. Anderson said it costs a minimum of $250,000 to support himself, his coach, and his physio on the ATP Tour, and he won’t risk injury at Davis Cup for nothing. Tennis South Africa said they paid Anderson handsomely to play last year, but the cash-strapped country didn’t have the funds this time around.
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