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Tennis News Net Notes for October 10, 2012

Tennis News Net Notes Podcast for October 10, 2012 [ 4:47 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Filed Under: Features, Front Page News, Net Notes, news conference, Podcasts, tennis news, tournaments Tagged With: Andy Murray, Hopman Cup, podcast, PowerShares Series, Rafael Nadal, Rainer Scheuttler, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Tennis News Net Notes, Tennis Panorama News

On the Red Carpet with Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten at the Legends Ball

Gustavo Kuerten photo by Jennifer Pottheiser

NEW YORK, NY (September 7, 2012) – Tennis Panorama News caught up with recent inductee to the International Tennis Hall of Fame Gustavo “Guga” Kuerten at the Legends Ball held during the US Open.

Kuerten spoke about what it means to him to be in the Hall of Fame and his involvement in his foundation.

Gustavo Kuerten talks to Tennis Panorama News

From the International Tennis Hall of Fame website:

One of Brazilâ€™s most beloved and successful athletes, Gustavo â€œGugaâ€ Kuerten, received the highest honor in the sport of tennisâ€“ induction to the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Guga was the worldâ€™s No. 1 player for 43 non-consecutive weeks, and he is a three-time major tournament champion, having captured French Open titles in 1997, 2000, and 2001.Â Gustavo Kuerten’sÂ induction was announced in a special presentation in SÃ£o Paulo at the offices of Banco do Brasil, a long-time sponsor of the tennis champion.

With his beaming smile, engaging personality, and high energy game, the lively atmosphere that Guga brought to tennis stadiums around the world was nothing short of extraordinary.Â Universally adored by both fans and peers, the Brazilian star is quick to state that the feeling is mutual, and that this support was integral to his success.Â Â

Often referred to as “King of the Clay Courts”, although it was not a final, Guga often cites his fourth round French Open match in 2000 as one of the most memorable and treasured of his career. After saving three match points for the win, Guga first etched his iconic heart in the clay court, in an expression of love for his fans.

In 1997, Guga was ranked world No. 66 and had just eight ATP World Tour level wins to his name when he entered Roland Garros. While no one may have seen Guga coming that year, when he lifted the championâ€™s trophy and thanked the fans with his giant smile, it was clear that a star had arrived.Â In the years that followed, Guga became one of the most dominant clay court players of his time. He captured the French Open title again in 2000 and 2001, and won a total of 20 singles titles and 8 doubles titles.

Guga started playing tennis when he was six years old, and his family was always very much part of his career. His father, a talented player himself, first taught Guga the game, before tragically passing away when Guga was just eight years old. Gugaâ€™s mother supported her sonâ€™s career emphatically. His older brother, Raphael, served as his business manager. His younger brother, Guilherme, who had cerebral palsy, was undoubtedly one of his biggest fans. Guga presented Guilherme every one of his tournament trophies, including the coveted Roland Garros trophies.

In 2000, for the first time in history, the No. 1 year-end position came down to the final match of season. Guga defeated superstar Andre Agassi in the match, breaking an eight-year reign of No. 1 finishes by Americans. It was the first time that a South American had ever been ranked world No. 1, a position Guga held for 43 weeks over his career.Â

That same year, Guga embarked on another important venture, to which he is still dedicated today. Inspired by his late brother, Guilherme, he opened the Institute Guga Kuerten to help disabled people. The institute is dedicated to providing developmental opportunities, sports, and education, as well as to promoting social inclusion throughout the nation. The institute is located in Gugaâ€™s hometown of Florianopolis, Brazil, and since its inception, it has assisted more than 40,000 people in over 168 Brazilian cities. Guga was awarded the ATP World Tourâ€™s Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Award in 2003, and in 2010, he was honored with the Philippe Chatrier Award by the International Tennis Federation. Currently, he works in order to win a new challenge: to support the social activities developed by Institute Guga Kuerten.

A national hero to Brazilians,Â champion beloved by tennis fans worldwide, three-time winner at Roland Garros,Â world No. 1, and now, a Tennis Hall of Famer, Guga Kuerten.

Grand Slam Record

French Open

Singles Champion- 1997, 2000, 2001

Career Achievements

Davis Cup Team member- 1996-2003, 2005-2007

Guga Kerten talks to Tennis Panorama News at 2012 Legends Ball [ 3:24 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Filed Under: Events, Features, Front Page News, interviews, Podcasts Tagged With: Guga Kuerten, Gustavo "Guga" Kuerten, International Tennis Hall of Fame & Museum, Legends Ball, podcast, Tennis Panorama News, US Open

Sharapova Launches Sugarpova Candy at Henri Bendel in New York City

NEW YORK – Maria Sharapova – tennis player,Â designer and endorser of many products is now a candy entrepreneur. On Monday on Fifth Avenue the four-time major winner and current World No. 3 launched her own candy line called “Sugarpova.” It features 12 different types of treats for sweets consumers which range from gummies and licorice to tennis ball shaped gumballs.

Sharapova spoke about why she went into candy-making business in the first place. “I’ve always had a sweet-tooth, she explained. “My earliest memory was being a kid asking my parents after practice if I could have a lollipop, the tough-to-find European lollipops. If you have a great week of practice you can get it.” Sharapova told herself. “That’s kind of where it started.”

“I’m a big “foodie” with a big sweet-tooth,” she said. Sharapova said that she’s always looking for a treat that you can have after a good workout and trying to be healthy.

“So I wanted to own my own business for awhile and I’ve been part of many great collaborations and collections,” Sharapova added. “But I felt it was really time tostart things on my own a little bit – be involved make the final decisions. “it’s been 18 months sinceit all started. To see it at Henri Bendel’s is incredible.”

Sharapova’s favorite of her candy wares is named “quirky” – a licorice with marshmallow inside with a rainbow on the outside. The Russian is also reponsible for the concept and development of the products as well. “I went to the factory Spain and made sure that they, you know when things are getting mass produced it can lose it’s quality a little bit. From the beginning I wanted it to be a premium candy line from the packaging to the quality of the candies, that was very important to me.” For example Sharapova wanted the “tennis gum balls” to look exactly like tennis balls. “All those little things really matter,” Sharapova noted.

Sharapova is set to play the US OpenÂ where she’ll be the third seed in the Women’s singles draw. The tournament begins next week.

Listen to the short interview she did with Tennis Panorama.

Maria Sharapova at Sugarpova Launch

Maria Sharapova Interview at Launch of Sugarpova [ 1:55 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Filed Under: Books, Events, Features, Front Page News, interviews, Podcasts, tennis news, tournaments Tagged With: candy, Maria Sharapova Henri Bendel, New York City, podcast, Sugarpova

Podcast – Meet the Pliskovas of the Philadephia Freedoms

RANDALLâ€™S ISLAND, New York, NY â€“ In World Team Tennis on Friday night the the NY Sportimes defeated the Philadelphia Freedoms 22-16. Among the players on the Freedoms’ roster are twins out of the Czech Republic – right-handed Karolina and left-handed Kristyna Pliskova.

The 20-year-old Pliskovas areÂ currently ranked 107 (Karolina) and 125 (Kristyna) andÂ are playing their first season of World TeamTennis.

The sisters paired up in women’s doubles to stopÂ Ashley Harkleroad and Martina Hingis of the Sportimes 5-2, while Kristyna lost to Martina Hingis in singles 5-3 and Karolina paired with Jordan Kerr to fall 5-3 in the mixed doubles.

The sisters took time out to talk about their respective goals and their favorite cities.

Pliskova twins and WTT July 13, 2012

Meet the Pliskova Twins of the Philadelphia Freedoms [ 1:50 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Filed Under: Front Page News, Podcasts, tennis news Tagged With: Karolina Pliskova, Kristyna Pliskova, Philadelphia Freedoms, podcast, World TeamTennis

Podcast – Catching up with Jesse Witten of the NY Sportimes

RANDALL’S ISLAND, New York, NY – In World Team Tennis on Friday night, Jesse Witten helped to lead the NY Sportimes to a 22-16 win over the Philadelphia Freedoms by winning a singles and doubles match at Sportime Stadium on Randall’s Island.

Do you remember Jesse Witten? Â Back in 2009 the resident of Naples, Florida ranked 276th at the time, made it through the qualifying tournament to the main draw and Â reached the third round of the US Open taking out No. 30 in the world Igor Andreev along the way, before losing to then world No. 4 Novak Djokovic 6-7(2), 6-3, 7-6(2), 6-4.

Wiiten, playing in his 6^th WTT season spoke to me after the match about whatâ€™s been happening in his life on and off-court. Listen to the podcast.

Jesse Witten talks to Tennis Panorama News WTT July 13, 2012

Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News

Catching up with Jesse Witten of the NY Sportimes [ 2:11 ] Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Filed Under: Features, Front Page News, interviews, Podcasts, tennis news Tagged With: Jesse Witten - NY Sportimes, podcast, World TeamTennis, WTT

Podcast – NYSportimes’ Martina Hingis – WTT player, Entrepreneur and Coach

Randall’s Island, New York, New York – Five-time major champion and former world No. 1 , Switzerland’s Martina Hingis is playing World TeamTennis again this year with the NY Sportimes. On Tuesday night she helped to lead her team to a 22-14 home opener win over the Springfield Lasers. Marquee Player Hingis was victorious in her singles, doubles and mixed doubles.

After the match, Hingis spoke to Tennis Panorama News about playing World TeamTennis this year, designing her own clothing line Tonic and her new role coachingÂ juniors at Patrick Mouratoglou Academy in Paris.

Martina Hingis NYSportimes Interview with Tennis Panorama News on July 10, 2012

Karen Pestaina for Tennis Panorama News

Martina Hingis talks to Tennis Panorama News July 10-2012 Play Now | Play in Popup | Download