Court Six: Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column (January/February 2015)
He's back ….!!!
Juan Martin del Potro plans to make a comeback in 2015, and he will start by participating in the seventh annual Brisbane International presented by Suncorp. The tournament begins Jan. 4, and will mark the first time the Argentine has played since Dubai back in late February.
Tying the knot
After nearly a decade of hits together, Andy Murray and Kim Sears are engaged. Murray and Sears have been a couple for close to nine years, showing that their decision to tie the knot is far from a whirlwind. BBC News states that the pair met at the U.S. Open in 2005 and she has since been present at a slew of his matches. One of their most memorable moments was at Wimbledon in 2013 when cameras caught Murray kissing Sears after beating Novak Djokovic in the Men's Singles Final.
You're out!!!!
A French chair umpire has received a lifetime ban, becoming the first official suspended for corruption by the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU). Morgan Lamri, an umpire on the Futures and Challenger Tours, was banned for life for violating four articles of the TIU’s anti-corruption program. The 22-year-old Lamri violated articles that address betting on matches and match-fixing. He said he was contacted by the TIU a year ago after he worked a couple of Futures events in France.
Crybaby
During a match between Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka at the ATP World Tour Finals, the focus shifted from the on-court battle, to one coming from the stands. Wawrinka became increasingly agitated as Federer's wife, Mirka, yelled from the stands. Wawrinka believed she was talking too loudly as he gathered his concentration. A woman’s voice then can just about be made on video to call out “cry baby” in response to Wawrinka's objections.
Time to Move on
Ivan Lendl, the eight-time major tennis champion, recently put his 450-acre estate in Goshen, Conn. on the market. The former world number one bought the land in the 1980s and had the four-story Georgian mansion built in 1992. It's listed with William Pitt of Sotheby’s at $19,750,000. The 10-bedroom, 12-bathroom house also includes an 1,800-square-foot gym, tennis and basketball courts, and an exercise room. There's an elevator, indoor and outdoor pools, along with a guest house, cabana and horse barn.
Wozniacki and the gridiron
Caroline Wozniacki has had a busy offseason, running in the New York City Marathon and going on vacation with Serena Williams. But, she reportedly still found time to meet her new boyfriend, Ryan Kerrigan, who plays defensive end for the Washington Redskins of the National Football League (NFL). The two were seen attending a benefit dinner together.
Billie Jean King and Sir Elton John Raise $1 Million-Plus
Billie Jean King, Elton John and a slew of WTA and ATP World Tour stars raised over $1 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation at Mylan WTT Smash Hits. WTA stars Martina Hingis, Kim Clijsters, Sabine Lisicki, Heather Watson and, of course, WTA legend and founder Billie Jean King, were all a part of a magical night at Royal Albert Hall, helping Mylan WTT Smash Hits raise more than $1 million for the Elton John AIDS Foundation, just the second time in the event's history that they crossed the $1 million mark. The night featured five matches, starting with Hingis and Watson beating Clijsters and Lisicki in women's doubles, 5-4, followed by Tim Henman and Jamie Murray beating John McEnroe and Andy Roddick in men's doubles, 5-0. Lisicki then beat Watson in women's singles, 5-3, followed by Hingis and McEnroe beating Clijsters and Murray in mixed doubles, 5-3. The on-court action wrapped up with a 5-3 victory for Henman over Roddick in men's singles. Team Billie Jean beat Team Elton, 22-16.
Tweets from the pros
â–ºNovak Djokovic (@DjokerNole): #1. Thank you all, especially my #nolefam. It has been a crazy and wonderful year.
â–ºRafa Nadal (@RafaelNadal): Today is #HumanRightsDay. All my support in creating a more equal society.
â–ºVenus Williams (@VenusesWilliams): RT @EleVenbyVenus: Cutting ribbon on #WilliamsArena #WashDC, renovated @SETLC_Tennis. Six indoor courts #tennis 4 kids!
â–ºChris Evert (@ChrissieEvert): Could Gwen Stefani be any lovelier?
â–ºNicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios): Tough running session with the star @KikiMladenovic—anytime
â–ºCaroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki): From the Dubai International Film Festival. Loved the movie, Escobar Paradise Lost. Would definitely recommend it!
â–ºAga Radwanska (@ARadwanska): So happy to announce @Martina as the newest member of my coaching team!
â–ºNoah Rubin (@Noahrubin33): Thanks Air France 0 for 8 with baggage! Your stats are unreal. Really messing up my day.
â–ºSloane Stephens (@sloanetweets): Unless they know you PERSONALLY, don't take it personal.
â–ºAndy Roddick (@andyroddick): London I've missed you … Happy to be back!
â–ºJohn Isner (@JohnIsner): My Canadian friend, @domesticdrew, thinks Bret Hart was better than the HBK Shawn Michaels. Can y’all please help out and settle this 4 me
â–ºRoger Federer (@RogerFederer): The great moments I spent here will forever be in my memory. Thank you New Delhi! Tremendous crowd support! Forever grateful
â–ºJustin Gimelstob (@JustinGimelstob): I'm excited 2 be coaching @JohnIsner. He is a unique talent, I look forward 2 helping him maximize his vast potential.
â–ºEugenie Bouchard (@GenieBouchard): 6th anti-doping visit this off season … Think we're good guys #tiredgenie
â–ºSerena Williams (@SerenaWilliams): You can do whatever you set your mind to.
â–ºMilos Raonic (@MilosRaonic): When you want something you go out and you get it. The best feeling is having put in all that work to have your aspirations come true!
â–ºSabine Lisicki (@SabineLisicki): One more tuff session to go & then Christmas shopping to get the last gifts! Have you got all your presents yet?! #hardworkouts #xmas
â–ºMardy Fish (@MardyFish): @JohnIsner, who wins the geek bowl today? Harvard or Yale?
â–ºGael Monfils (@Gael_Monfils): Thx to the @iptl for the amazing 3weeks. Very proud and lucky to be part of the first edition. You guys rocked! Thank u so much again!
►Victoria Azarenka (@Vika7): All about the kids today @ChildrensLA I had a great time meeting with all the kids and make their holiday more fun 🙂
â–ºLindsay Davenport (@LDavenport76): Not in a hurry to leave. Two weeks in paradise. Back to reality. See you soon Kohanaiki. Love Kona.
â–ºAngelique Kerber (@angeliquekerber): My first helicopter flight was amazing! Looking forward to the next one!!!
â–ºCoCo Vandeweghe (@cocovandey): If I can feel your breath down the back of my neck, you are standing too close to me. #PersonalSpace
â–ºTomas Berdych (@tomasberdych): Happy new year world!! Let’s make 2015 even more special!!
â–ºMadison Keys (@madison_keys): Lakers game with the crew!
â–ºGrigor Dimitrov (@grigordimitrov): Trying my own dish, well with a bit of help of course. #cookingskills #healthylunch
â–ºSabine Lisicki (@sabinelisicki): Good to catch up @andreapetkovic again!!! Yes.. … we practiced a little too #hotandhumid #Brizzy
â–ºJack Sock (@jacksock): Happy New Year! I'm beyond hungry to get back and start my 2015 season in Memphis. #fastfasteryou @adidas
â–ºAndrea Petkovic (@andreapetkovic): Re-watching 'Almost Famous' for the 5 millionth time.
â–ºMonica Puig (@monicaace93): Was such a privilege for me to visit the Ronald McDonald House in Auckland yesterday. It brings me joy …
