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Nadal, Alcaraz, Gauff to Headline as Tennis Plays for Peace in Australia on January 11
The event hopes to raise funds for victims of Russia's invasion of UkraineBy Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday January 4, 2022
Like it did at the 2022 US Open, when it raised over $2 million, tennis will play for peace at the 2023 Australian Open.
Rafael Nadal, Carlos Alcaraz, Maria Sakkari, Alexander Zverev, Frances Tiafoe, Alex de Minaur Coco Gauff will lead a Tennis for Peace event on January 11, to raise money for humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.
💙 Tennis Plays for Peace 💛
Join some of the world’s best players including @carlosalcaraz, @RafaelNadal, @CocoGauff, @mariasakkari, @AlexZverev, @FTiafoe, and @alexdeminaur as they show their ongoing support for the people of Ukraine.
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 4, 2023
The money raised will go to UNICEF Australia and Global Giving, charities that are involved with providing aid to Ukrainians who suffer due to Russia’s invasion.
Through Tennis Plays for Peace the tennis community can offer practical assistance through fundraising, as well as show our heartfelt support for the victims of the war,” Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said in a statement.
Greece Hero Sakellaridis On A Debut Win, Advice From Tsitsipas & Racquet Repairs
When the World No. 803 Stefanos Sakellaridis arrived in Perth as part of Team Greece for the inaugural United Cup, the 18-year-old needed some time to adjust to his surroundings.
“It was the first time in my life this week seeing a Top 100 player in front of me, actually,” Sakellaridis, who competes regularly on the ITF Men’s World Tennis Tour, told ATPTour.com in Perth. “When everyone was coming by, like [David] Goffin, [Grigor] Dimitrov, I was like, ‘Oh, wow’.”
On Tuesday, an injury to his teammate Michail Pervolarakis meant Sakellaridis was called upon to make his tour-level debut against Team Belgium’s Zizou Bergs. Taking on the World No. 129 in front of the biggest crowd of his career could have overwhelmed a player who had never played a match on the ATP Challenger Tour, but Sakellaridis battled to a stunning 5-7, 6-1, 6-3 win.
What a win!
Greek teen Stefanos Sakellaridis has just scored the biggest win of his young career, leading to emotional scenes in Perth#UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/6pZtnsMSf1
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) January 3, 2023
The result triggered huge outbursts of emotion from his teammates, including Top 10 stars Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari as well as his sister Sapfo Sakellaridi. Sakellaridis acknowledged that the positive atmosphere in the Team Greece camp this week played a key role in believing he could step up his level when required.
“You can see that the team chemistry is unbelievable, so it’s a huge boost for every one of us to play much better,” said Sakellaridis. “When you feel good, you play good.”
Even prior to his standout win, Sakellaridis felt supported by his teammates in Perth, where Team Greece will compete in the City Finals on Wednesday after winning Group A. The ATP World No. 4 Tsitsipas is an obvious role model for the teen as he seeks to improve his game.
“To be able to live with [Tsitsipas] throughout the day, you can see how much work he puts in and my respect towards the top players has grown immensely,” said Sakellaridis. “Stefanos has given me lots of advice, he has helped me a lot. Also all the team, they seem like they really want to help me, all of them gave me advice.
“Obviously from watching here, what they do and how they do it on the court and outside the court, I can also see some things for myself. All in all it is an amazing experience to come here.”
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One part of that experience has been playing with a fully maintained racquet for the first time in months. In his on-court interview, Sakellaridis paid tribute to a member of the tournament stringing team, who had solved an ongoing issue with the 18-year-old’s stock of equipment.
“I was competing for the last two or three months, [but] I was using only one racquet,” explained Sakellaridis later. “I had grip problems with all my racquets, so I didn’t want to use any others. I was only using the same racquet because it was the only one that felt like the grip was how I like it.
“That racquet, after I played with it a bit, the butt cap [at the bottom of the handle] started moving, so in the past month I was playing with one racquet, and the grip was moving. Then I came here, and he fixed all my racquets, so now I can freely play.”
As well as precious experience on the big stage, Tuesday’s win earned Sakellaridis 20 Pepperstone ATP Ranking points and $25,900 in prize money. It is a potentially career-changing moment for the 18-year-old.
“It’s my ATP debut, and it came with a win, and prize money that I couldn’t imagine,” said Sakellaridis. “[After the United Cup] I’m going to compete in Monastir for the next few weeks. There is a 15K ITF tournament there, but we’ll see how it goes. It was a big win and a big step up in the rankings.”
Aussie No.1 Kyrgios Pulls out of United Cup with Injury
The World No.22's announcement surprised his teammates. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday, December 28, 2022
Nick Kyrgios is a last-second injury withdrawal at the United Cup.
The Aussie broke the news on Thursday, just ahead of Day 1 of the 18-team competition, which kicks off the 2022 tennis season across Perth, Sydney and Brisbane.
SYDNEY: Updated #UnitedCup schedule based on the Team Australia update. pic.twitter.com/xEn6OZHXHH
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 28, 2022
22nd-ranked Kyrgios, who was set to lead Australia as its top-ranked player, was scheduled to face off with Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie on Thursday evening in Sydney. He will be replaced by Alex de Minaur in Group D action, while World No.107 Jason Kubler slips into the No.2 spot.
The news came as a bit of a surprise to Kyrgios’ Aussie teammates.
“We literally just found out 10 minutes ago. Obviously it’s news to all of us and we just move forward now,” Australian co-captain Sam Stosur told reporters.
Kyrgios has reportedly been dealing with an ankle injury which was sustained during an exhibition in Dubai last week.
Tsitsipas Jabs Kyrgios on Withdrawal
Nick Kyrgios' late withdrawal from United Cup is par for the course suggests Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Frenemies Nick Kyrgios and Stefanos Tsitsipas gave us a wild Wimbledon showdown complete with body blows and trash talk.
Looks like this rivalry won't be simmering down soon.
More: Venus Receives AO Wild Card
Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios stunned his teammates withdrawing from the inaugural United Cup the day before he was schedule to play for Team Australia in Sydney. Kyrgios was slated to potentially face both Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal and British No. 1 Cameron Norrie in round-robin play of the mixed team event.
Instead, Kyrgios pulled out. Davis Cup stalwart Alex de Minaur is slated to play men's singles for Australia in the mixed-team event.
"We literally just found out 10 minutes ago," Samantha Stosur, who co-captains Team Australia with Lleyton Hewitt, told the Australian media of Kyrgios' departure in comments published by AAP.
Kyrgios' sudden withdrawal did not surprise sparring partner Tsitsipas, who offered blunt response when asked his reaction at a United Cup press conference.
“It is not a surprise, I hope he enjoys his holidays,” Tsitsipas told the media.
Chillin' on the west coast 🌊
Team Greece and Team Bulgaria take on the sights in Perth📍@WestAustralia | #WAtheDreamState | #UnitedCup pic.twitter.com/M3JkyPDAaY
— United Cup (@UnitedCupTennis) December 28, 2022
The fourth-ranked Greek said Kyrgios' antics are a distraction.
“I don’t know where all of [Kyrgios'] energy comes from,” Tsitsipas told the Australian media. “There is so much of it, I don’t know how he does it.
“You cannot concentrate on your own game, there is so much noise coming from the other side of the net. It’s distracting, you have to be at your best to overcome it all.”
The mercurial Kyrgios, who returned to Australia after playing a Middle East exhibition, incurred Tsitsipas' wrath at Wimbledon with persistent chatter and discussions with officials.
Kyrgios rode his massive serve and major mind games to topple fourth-seeded Tsitsipas 6-7(2), 6-4, 6-3, 7-6(7) in a wild, crazy and contentious clash at Wimbledon last summer.
Both men were hit with code violations as Court No. 1 felt like the octagon at times. Tsitsipas summed up this tennis tempest of sound and flurry as "a circus."
The match saw Kyrgios deploy the underarm tweener serve, some superb drop shots and near constant chatter that unnerved Tsitsipas. The Greek, who belted a ball into the stands and splattered another shot off the back wall, spent a few games trying to tag Kyrgios and eventually accomplished his mission drilling the Aussie in the chest.
Photo credit: Getty
Storm Sanders, Beatriz Haddad Maia Take Home BJK Cup Heart Awards
The duo overachieved on the international stage this autumn. By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Wednesday, December 21, 2022
It takes heart to play for your country.
This year, Australia’s Storm Sanders and Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia took it next-level, winning the Billie Jean King Cup Heart Award.
Sanders won the award for her performance in the BJK Cup Finals; Haddad Maia took home accolades for her achievements in the Play-Offs.
Sanders won three of four matches in the Billie Jean King Cup Finals as she guided Australia to the finals. Ranked 237, each of Sanders three wins came against higher-ranked players. In the final against Switzerland she was edged by 35th-ranked Jil Teichmann, 6-3, 4-6, 6-3.
Congratulations @stormsanders94 ⛈🇦🇺
The #BJKCup Heart Award recognises players who have represented their country with distinction, exceptional courage and outstanding commitment 💜
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) December 19, 2022
"It is a huge honor to receive it because for me representing my country and my team is something that I dreamed of,’ Sanders said.
Haddad Maia, who finished the season at No.15 in the WTA rankings, was undefeated at Billie Jean King Cup in 2022. She also won the Heart Award for her performance in the Americas Group in April.
Parabéns Haddad Maia! 💜
The first player to win the #BJKCup Heart Award twice in one season 🇧🇷@biahaddad1 | @cbtenis
— Billie Jean King Cup (@BJKCup) December 19, 2022
"This award is so special because it says so much about the attitude and value of players. It gives me motivation to keep strong and to chase new goals for 2023,” the 26-year-old said.
Adam Barrett Named Chief Financial Officer of Desert Champions
Former Miami Open tournament director will be working on BNP Paribas Open.
The former Miami Open tournament director has joined the BNP Paribas Open team.
Desert Champions announced today the hiring of longtime tennis industry veteran Adam Barrett as Chief Financial Officer.
More: Venus Receives AO Wild Card
Barrett joins Desert Champions with a highly accomplished background that includes a multi-decade career in the tennis industry working at global sports, event and talent management company IMG. Barrett will take over as CFO effective immediately following the recent departure of Steve Birdwell.
Barrett’s established career in the tennis industry includes a 29-year stint at IMG where he worked with the Miami Open, serving as Tournament Director from 2006-2019. Barrett’s tenure at IMG included the coordination of the Miami Open’s venue change from Key Biscayne to the Miami Dolphins’ Hard Rock Stadium, as well as time spent working on the annual WTA Tournament in San Jose. He currently serves as the Council Chair and Americas Representative for the WTA Board of Directors.
“I am incredibly excited to join the award-winning team at Desert Champions and one of the finest sporting events in the world in the BNP Paribas Open,” Barrett said. “Tennis Paradise continues to serve as a gold standard not only in the tennis industry, but across all of sports and entertainment, and I look forward to working alongside the incredible team at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden as we strive to make the 2023 event the best yet for players, fans and partners. I can’t wait to get started.”
In other moves across the organization, Steve Christian has been elevated to Chief Operating Officer, having worked as a strategic advisor to the Desert Champions’ executive team since December 2018. Christian carries with him more than 30 years of experience in the banking industry and expert knowledge of the Coachella Valley Region.
Philippe Dore has been elevated to Chief Marketing Officer having overseen the organization’s marketing and media department since 2016. Dore’s tenure at Desert Champions has included the creation of the award-winning ‘Tennis Paradise’ campaign and moniker. In the new role, he will continue to lead all brand, consumer and partnership marketing efforts, as well as oversee the tournament digital platforms, media and public relations, and serve as the Executive Producer of the BNP Paribas Open in-stadium experience. Brittany Trabert was also promoted to Marketing Director, having been a key contributor to the Desert Champions marketing and media team since 2008.
Desert Champions manages and operates a curated selection of sports and entertainment events and properties, the largest of which is the BNP Paribas Open, the largest ATP Tour and WTA combined event in the world. In addition to hosting this prestigious sporting event, Desert Champions manages the Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships – all held annually at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden.
Photo credit: BNP Paribas Open Facebook
Chilean Player Banned Three Years for Match Fixing
Bárbara Gatica Avilés admitted intentionally losing for payment.
Match-fixing has earned Bárbara Gatica Avilés a three-year ban from tennis.
Former world No. 158 Gatica Avilés was hit with a three-year ban after admitting breaking the Tennis Anti-Corruption Program (TACP) rules, the International Tennis Integrity Agency announced today.
The case was ruled on by independent Anti-Corruption Hearing Officer Raj Parker and the sanction means that Gatica Avilés is prohibited from playing in or attending any tennis event sanctioned by the governing bodies of tennis for a period of three years, starting on December 9, 2022 until December 8, 2025. In addition, she was fined $5,000.
The charges relate to a match in 2016, which Gatica admitted losing deliberately in return for payment.
The 26 year-old Gatica Avilés was found guilty of the following breaches of the 2016 TACP:
Section D.1.d: “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, contrive or attempt to contrive the outcome or any other aspect of any Event.”
Section D.1.b: “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or facilitate any other person to wager on the outcome or any other aspect of any Event or any other tennis competition. For the avoidance of doubt, to solicit or facilitate to wager shall include, but not be limited to: display of live tennis betting odds on a Covered Person website; writing articles for a tennis betting publication or website; conducting personal appearances for a tennis betting company; and appearing in commercials encouraging others to bet on tennis.”
Section D.1.f: “No Covered Person shall, directly or indirectly, solicit or accept any money, benefit or Consideration with the intention of negatively influencing a Player's best efforts in any Event.”
Photo credit: Getty
Boris Becker Released From British Prison, Deported to Germany
Former world No. 1 Boris Becker will be home for Christmas.
By Alberto Amalfi | Thursday, December 15, 2022
Boris Becker celebrates life as a free man today.
Former world No. 1 Becker was released from a British prison today after serving eight months of a two-and-a-half year sentence for bankruptcy fraud.
Hall of Famer Becker “has thus served his sentence and is not subject to any penal restrictions in Germany," his lawyer, Christian-Oliver Moser, said in a statement.
Last April, the 55-year-old Becker was sentenced to prison for hiding about $3 million in assets after his 2017 bankruptcy.
Following his early release today, Becker boarded a private plane and was deported back to his native Germany.
The private plane is reportedly part of the deal Becker signed with a Munich TV station in exchange for his first interview after his release. Becker received an early Christmas and is planning to reunite with his 87-year-old mother, Elvira Becker, in his hometown of Leimen, Germany.
The Hall of Famer has spent the past seven months in Huntercomb in Oxon prison where he’s taught yoga, physical education and ancient Greek philosophy.
Overcrowding in British prisons is a main reason why Becker was sprung 10 days before Christmas after serving only eight months of that two-and-a-half year sentence.
In an effort to alleviate crowded prisons, officials created an early release program for foreign nationals. Any foreign national serving a fixed sentence who is liable to be removed from the UK is eligible to be taken from prison and deported to their home country up to 12 months before the earliest release point of their sentence.
Three-time Wimbledon winner Becker, who has lived in Wimbledon Village for many years, is originally from Leimen, Germany. Elvira Becker had pleaded with the judge to spare her son prison time at his sentencing saying “he is a decent boy overall.”
Photo credit: Boris Becker Instagram
Federer On Wimbledon Security Guard Denying Him Entry
Winning Wimbledon eight times doesn't give Roger Federer automatic entry into SW19.
Roger Federer played transcendent tennis winning Wimbledon eight times.
Though Federer has soared on Centre Court, he recently got the run around trying to enter Wimbledon.
More: Federer's Plans for Fans
In his appearance on Comedy Central's The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Federer recounted how one security guard did not recognize him and denied him entry into SW19.
The 20-time Grand Slam champion was in London for a doctor's appointment and second opinion on his cranky knee. After wrapping the appointment, Federer found himself "with two hours to kill" before his flight back to Switzerland.
The former world No. 1 decided to pop into Wimbledon alongside coach Severin Luthi for some tea before his flight.
One problem: The security guard failed to recognize one of sport's most famous faces and repeatedly reminded the Swiss superstar entry is only for club members. As a former Wimbledon champion, Federer is an All England Club member, but didn't have his membership card.
"I have not really been at Wimbledon when the tournament's not on. So I drive up to the gate where usually guests come in," Federer told Noah. "So I quickly get out to tell my coach, Severin, who was with me, I quickly go out and speak to security lady. I got this.
"And I did not. I'm like yes hello I'm just wondering how I can get into Wimbledon? Where's the door? Where's the gate?
"She's [like]: 'Do you have a membership card?' I'm like do I have one? Because when you win Wimbledon you become a member automatically. I honestly don't know about membership cards they're probably at home somewhere. I'm like, no, I don't have my membership card but I am a member."
That answer drew a skeptical security response as the guard sent Federer to another entry gate.
"I'm just wondering where I can get in. And she's: 'Yeah, but you have to be a member,' " Federer said. "So I'm like this is going to be a difficult one. I tell her normally when I'm here I'm playing and there's loads of people and I come in a different way. I'm just asking again where I can get in.
"She's like other side but you have to be a member. Now I'm in a panic now and I'm so sorry I still can't believe I say it. I still feel about about it. I look at her and I say 'I have won this tournament eight times. Please believe me I am a member and where do I get in?' "
Eventually, Federer went to a different gate where a random fan recognized him on the sidewalk and asked for a selfie prompting a different set of security guards to also recognize the Swiss Maestro and lead him into the Club for tea.
"I get out of the car and a random person walks on the walkway and says 'Oh Mr. Federer I can't believe you're here at Wimbledon can we take a selfie?' " Federer said. "I'm like yes, let's take a picture. The security guards standing there are like 'Oh my God Mr. Federer what are you doing here? Do you have your membership card?'
"I'm like 'No, I don't, but is it possible to get in?… I walk in the chairman and everyone there. I was having tea over an hour. I thought of going to the other side and giving a wave that I was in but I didn't do it."
Photo credit: Getty
Djokovic, Medvedev Headline Adelaide 1 Field
World No. 2 Ons Jabeur and Aryna Sabalenka lead women's field.
Novak Djokovic will celebrate the New Year with his Australian return.
Wimbledon champion Djokovic and 2022 Australian Open finalist Daniil Medvedev head a loaded men's field for the Adelaide International 1 set for January 1-8, 2023.
More: Federer's Plans for Fans
The ATP 250-level tournament will be Djokovic's first appearance in Australia since he was booted from the nation last January over his unvaccinated status.
The 21-time Grand Slam champion's Australian visa has been approved and Djokovic is eager to return Down Under to launch his quest for a record-extending 10th Australian Open championship.
World No. 6 Felix Auger-Aliassime, who defeated Djokovic at Laver Cup last September, world No.8 Andrey Rublev, Jannik Sinner and three-time Grand Slam champion Andy Murray are among the top stars in the ATP field.
Four of the world’s top 10 women will begin the new year in Adelaide, with world No.2 Ons Jabeur, world No.5 Aryna Sabalenka, world No.8 Daria Kasatkina and world No.9 Veronika Kudermetova all entered.
“I really enjoyed my time this year in Adelaide,” WTA Finals runner-up Sabalenka told the Adelaide International website. “The tournament is always very strong, and I know I am going to have some tough competition.”
See the complete Adelaide International 1 entry list here.
Photo credit: Mark Peterson/Corleve
