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Five arrested over tennis tournament protest in Auckland
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsFive arrested over tennis tournament protest in Auckland
Five people were arrested on Thursday over demonstrations outside the venue against Israeli player Shahar PeerPeer’s presence at the WTA Tour event in Auckland.
Members of the Global Peace and Justice group who object to Israel’s treatment of Palestinians have been protesting outside the tournament stadium this week against the participation of Israeli player Peer.
The five protesters were arrested on Thursday after refusing police requests to stop using megaphones to disrupt Peer’s quarterfinal match.
They will be charged with charged with obstruction and disorderly behavior. -
Zheng: China top 10 player matter of time
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsZheng: China top 10 player matter of time
Zheng Jie of China visits the Peak in a tram during a promotional event for the upcoming Tennis Classic in Hong Kong January 5, 2010. The tournament will be played from January 6 to 9. [Agencies]
Two-time Grand Slam doubles winner Zheng Jie says it’s a matter of time before China produces a top-10 singles player and predicts the next generation of her compatriots to surpass her results.
Zheng, who partnered Yan Zi to win both the Australian Open the Wimbledon titles in 2006 for China’s first Grand Slam titles, said both public interest in tennis and government support is on the rise in China, fostering an ideal breeding ground for future talent.
“It’s increased significantly from four or five years ago. Even when it comes to media interest, corporate sponsors – in every aspect, there is a deeper interest and understanding in tennis,” Zheng said Tuesday at a press conference in Hong Kong, where she is competing in an exhibition tournament ahead of this month’s Australian Open.
As a result, it’s easier for younger players to compete abroad and hone their talent, the 26-year-old said.
“They enjoy very good conditions … I believe if they take their chances, they can surpass our generation,” she said.
Zheng said one of China’s most promising young talents is Zhang Shuai, who upset then world No. 1 Dinara Safina in the second round of the China Open in October.
Zheng reached the Wimbledon singles’ semifinals in 2008, upsetting then-top-ranked Ana Ivanovic on the way and achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 15 last year, although her ranking has since dropped to 35.
Zheng’s compatriot Li Na is currently No. 15, but no Chinese player has ever broken into the top 10 or won a major singles title.
“There needs to be a process. After all, the development of tennis in China didn’t start as early as it did in foreign countries,” Zheng said. “But I think people can see the improvement in our ranking in the last few years. They can see more Chinese players active on the tennis scene. So I think there will be a top 10 player from China. It’s a matter of sooner or later. But it will take some time.”
Zheng said top 10 players are still physically stronger and have stronger serves than their Chinese counterparts – so she herself beefed up her serve during winter training by reworking her service motion.
She said she will play less with her regular doubles partner Yan this year because Yan wants to improve her singles ranking. -
Questions for the new season start with Tiger
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsQuestions for the new season start with Tiger
The first day of the new PGA Tour season brought a Tiger Woods sighting.
“Right there, through those trees,” a caddie said jokingly, pointing into the distance toward the Pacific Ocean, where a white yacht was cruising along the Maui coastline below Kapalua. “He’s on his boat.”
For a guy who hasn’t been seen in more than six weeks, Woods seems to be everywhere. And while he isn’t at the season-opening SBS Championship, his presence looms larger than ever.
Woods hasn’t played this tournament since 2005, so his absense is not unusual. Last season began with a similar question – when would he return – only that was from knee surgery, and it was a matter of time. He is gone from golf now because of a shocking sex scandal that led him to take an “indefinite break” while he tries to save his marriage.
Indefinite could mean anything from two months to all year.
In the meantime, the PGA Tour faces a pivotal year in renewing title sponsorships and laying the groundwork for negotiations on a new television contract. The Americans have a Ryder Cup to defend in October. The major championship rotation features three of the most famous datelines in golf – Augusta, Pebble Beach and St Andrews.
Every season contains questions, yet every answer winds its way back to one player.
Pat Perez was asked for his list of questions about 2010 on the PGA Tour and he wasted no time rattling off two of them.
“When is Tiger coming back?” he said. “And where the hell is he?”
That’s a good place to start on a few questions for new season:
1. When will Woods appear?
Considering a healthy Woods has started every season at Torrey Pines since 2006, the “indefinite break” really doesn’t start until he doesn’t show up at the San Diego Open.
Woods had planned on playing the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am this year, especially since Poppy Hills was replaced in the course rotation by Monterey Peninsula, the field was reduced from 180 to 156 players, the U.S. Open is returning to Pebble Beach in June and Woods carried the AT&T logo on his golf bag.
That was before AT&T ended its endorsement deal with him and it was agreed Woods no longer would be the host of the AT&T National this summer outside Philadelphia, a tournament that benefits his foundation.
Accenture dropped him too, making it unlikely he would return to the Match Play Championship the end of February. Woods returned from his knee surgery at Match Play and his relationship with Accenture played a part in that.
Speculation has shifted to the Florida swing – either Doral or Bay Hill, as a tuneup for the Masters. But that assumes he will play in the Masters. Would he really skip Augusta National? Maybe. Could he possibly skip majors at Pebble and St. Andrews? Could he return to Torrey Pines – next year?
2. What will Phil do next?
The way Phil Mickelson ended last year, he appeared poised to make a run at several milestones – winning a money title, PGA Tour player of the year and reaching No 1 in the world, none of which he has ever achieved in an otherwise stellar career.
His wife continues her recovery from breast cancer, which has allayed fears at home, and Mickelson regained his putting touch with the help of Dave Stockton. And with Woods out of the picture indefinitely (whatever that means), it would seem the stars are aligned.
Strangely, though, Mickelson is one of the few players who thrives on competition with Woods. He did next to nothing at the tail end of 2008 when Woods was out with knee surgery and didn’t win on the PGA Tour until the week Woods announced his return.
He won Doral with Woods in the field, outplayed him in their final-round pairing at the Masters, outplayed him at the US Open, then ended the year by beating him in consecutive tournaments at the Tour Championship and in Shanghai.
3. Can the Americans win another Ryder Cup?
Tom Watson, who turned 60 in September, is No 6 in the Ryder Cup standings going into the year. That’s because points in a non-Ryder Cup year only are awarded at the majors. David Duval is No 8.
The Americans are defending champions for the first time in eight years, and US captain Corey Pavin has extra large shoes to fill after the job Paul Azinger did in 2008 at Valhalla. Europe are led by Colin Montgomerie, who believes the Ryder Cup is bigger than majors and can only hope he gets a better outcome.
It will be played the first weekend in October in Wales and past captain Nick Faldo wasn’t kidding when he reminded everyone at the closing ceremonies in 2008 to bring their rain gear.
The big question: Will the Americans bring the No 1 player?
Woods has tolerated the Ryder Cup more than he has enjoyed it. Even if he has returned to competition, his family crisis might be a good excuse for him to sit this one out. Besides, the Americans did just fine without him last time. -
Tiger welcome in Australia after windfall
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsTiger welcome in Australia after windfall
Tiger Woods’ squeaky clean image may have taken a battering since his most recent tournament appearance at the Australian Masters but that has not stopped local officials from inviting him back.
Tiger Woods watches play as he stands on the sixth hole during his foursome match at the Presidents Cup golf tournament at Harding Park golf course in San Francisco, California, in this October 8, 2009 file photo. [Photo/Agencies]
Woods was paid US$3 million just for playing the Australian Masters in Melbourne in November but local government officials said his appearance provided them with a financial windfall.
Victoria state tourism minister Tim Holding said the American was welcome back anytime, despite the revelations about his personal life, after his appearance injected A$34 million (US$31 million) into the local economy, almost double the initial forecast.
“We have made it clear that Tiger is welcome to come play golf any time in Victoria,” Holding told reporters on Tuesday. “The question of what Tiger Woods does in the future is a matter for him, we respect that and he is always welcome to play here.” -
Chinese Li Na suffers defeat in ASB Classic tennis
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsChinese Li Na suffers defeat in ASB Classic tennis
No. 2 seed Li Na of China on Tuesday me suffered defeat in the ASB Classic tennis tournament in Auckland, beaten by Estonia’s Kaia Kanepi.
Li, the world No. 15, went down 6-1 6-3 in just 66 minutes to an opponent ranked 43 places below her.
The pair had met once before, at the Beijing Olympics in 2008, with Li winning in three sets on the way to reaching the semifinals.
Li’s next event is Sydney next week. -
Woods appearance brings millions to Oz economy
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsWoods’ appearance brings millions to Oz economy
Tiger Woods’ $3 million appearance fee for playing in – and winning – the Australian Masters in November has paid dividends for the Victorian state economy.
Acting state Premier Rob Hulls said on Tuesday that Woods’ appearance at Kingston Heath Golf Club injected A$34 million ($31 million) into the economy, far higher than forecast.
Woods won the Australian Masters on November 15, his last tournament before a November 27 accident at his home when he ran his car over a fire hydrant and into a tree.
Since then, Woods has been enveloped in an infidelity scandal that has seen him remain out of the public eye and announce that he would take an indefinite break from golf.
State taxpayers paid about half of Woods’ appearance fee.
“This was truly a great event for Melbourne and Victoria that delivered a massive boost to our tourism industry, attracted thousands of visitors to our state and beamed Melbourne to a global audience,” Hulls said while launching an economic impact study into the November event.
“Original projections were that the … Masters would generate a A$19 million ($17.3 million) boost to the Victorian economy but, due to unprecedented ticket sales and public interest, the actual impact was almost double what was forecast.”
Hulls said Melbourne’s major hotels were almost completely booked out during the Masters and golf courses across the state reported a surge in bookings. He said there were also economic spinoffs for restaurants, taxis and the retail sector.
A sellout crowd of more than 107,000 attended the four-day Masters and thousands more the Wednesday pro-am and practice days. -
Top tennis stars to attend HK Tennis Classic 2010
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsTop tennis stars to attend HK Tennis Classic 2010
U.S. player Michael Chang of the Americas team speaks at a press conference in Hong Kong, south China, Jan. 4, 2010. The Hong Kong Tennis Classic 2010 tournament will be held in Hong Kong on Jan. 6-9. Top tennis stars would represent four teams, namely Europe, Asia Pacific, Russia and the Americas in the tournament. (Xinhua/Lo Ping Fai) -
Federer wants to stay at top as long as possible
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsFederer wants to stay at top as long as possible
World number one Roger Federer Monday said he would like to stay as the top tennis player as long as possible.
Federer, 28, replaced Rafael Nadal to reclaim his crown as the world’s top singles player after victories at Wimbledon, the French Open and the Cincinnati Masters in 2009.
The Swiss told reporters before his match in Qatar Open that he hoped to hold on to the position as long as possible.
“I would like to stay the top player in the world … because going from number two to number one was hard work and not an easy thing to do especially with Rafa playing so well,” Federer said. -
Russia beats Germany at Hopman Cup
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsRussia beats Germany at Hopman Cup
Igor Andreev and Elena Dementieva won their mixed doubles match over Germany to give Russia a 2-1 victory Monday at the Hopman Cup.
Andreev and Dementieva beat Germany’s Sabine Lisicki and Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-4, 7-6 (7) in the deciding mixed doubles in their opening match at the eight-country tournament at the Burwood Dome.
Earlier, Andreev beat Kohlschreiber 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-3 to level the match after Lisicki beat Dementieva 6-4, 6-1 to give Germany an early 1-0 lead.
Britain, led by No. 4 Andy Murray, played Kazakhstan in another Group B match later Monday.
Spain and Romania are 1-0 in Group A after winning their opening matches against the United States and Australia, respectively on the weekend. The top teams in each group play in Saturday’s final.
In matches Tuesday, the U.S. takes on Australia and Spain plays Romania. -
Golf star looks forward to South African contest
Posted on 二月 1st, 2010 No commentsGolf star looks forward to South African contest
Rising golf star Danny Lee of New Zealand said he is looking forward to getting his 2010 season off to a strong start in South Africa, the South African Press Association reported on Monday.
The 19-year-old, who charged to a dramatic victory and worldwide headlines in the Johnnie Walker Classic last year, will join a stellar line-up of European and Sunshine Tour winners at the one million U.S. dollar Africa Open, which tees off at East London golf club in South Africa on Thursday.
After his stint at cracking the big time in the U.S., Lee said he is eager to sample the experience of the European Tour, starting in South Africa.
“I’m really looking forward to teeing it up at the Africa Open,” said Lee, who is based in Dallas, Texas.
“This is my first visit to South Africa and from what I hear we can expect a stiff challenge at the East London Golf Club. I can’t think of a better way to start my European Tour season”.
Lee enjoyed a prolific amateur career, becoming the youngest winner of the U.S. Amateur in 2008 at the age of 18 years and one month, earning the number one spot in the World Amateur Golf Ranking and beating the previous record set by Tiger Woods in 1994.
Lee, who was born in South Korea but moved to New Zealand at the age of eight, is pleased with his progress to date, but feels that there is more to come.
“Who knows, it might start for me here in South Africa,” said Lee.
The field will be further boosted by 2009 European Tour champions Nick Dougherty, James Kingston and Richard Sterne, former Ryder Cup stars Darren Clarke, Paul McGinley and Thomas Bjorn, a nine-time winner on the European Tour and local favourite James Kamte, winner of the 2009 Asian Tour International.
Britain’s Dougherty captured the BMW International Open, while Kingston secured his second European Tour title in a playoff triumph against Anders Hansen at the Mercedes-Benz Championship in Cologne and Sterne achieved a triple triumph by winning the JoburgOpen, South African Open and Alfred Dunhill Championship in one year.
