Show me the money: Serena Williams breaks WTA season prize mark

Serena Williams, finishing off her most lucrative year in women’s tennis with a win at the Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, is again ranked No. 1 in the world.

And with her latest win, Serena has set the record for single-season prize money in women’s tennis by topping $6.5 million in 2009.

Williams broke the WTA mark of slightly under $5.5 million, earned by Justine Henin in 2007.

The American won the season-ending tour championships Sunday, beating older sister Venus in the final, to regain the No. 1 ranking. The younger Williams also won the Australian Open and Wimbledon in 2009.

The Doha tournament, which featured the top eight women in the world, saw top-ranked Dinara Safina retire in her first match with a serious back injury, and No. 4 Caroline Wozniacki forced to quit in her semifinal against Serena Williams.

Earlier this year, $erena became the top earning female athlete ever,  and with these latest wins her  career prize money is now at a record $28.5 million.

Serena remembers earning her first check of $240 at Québec City in 1995 so that’s quite a pay raise!

She’s Baack! Sharapova digs deep for comeback victory

After a number of false starts, announced comebacks and lingering injuries,  Maria Sharapova played her first tour singles match in nearly 10 months, beating Tathiana Garbin of Italy 6-1, 6-7 (6), 6-3 in the first round of the Warsaw Open.

The 22-year-old Russian, who last played a singles match in August after being sidelined with a torn rotator cuff in her right shoulder, wore a criss-crossed bandage on her shoulder.

Sharapova secured her place in the second round of the tournament despite being taken to the deciding set.

“It was a little bit longer than I wanted it to be, a lot longer than it should have been,” said Sharapova, who attended the post-match press conference with an ice pack on her troublesome right shoulder.

“But I had good opportunities and I played really well in the first set.”

Sharapova looked on course for a straightforward victory at 5-3 up in the second set, but some jittery service games allowed Garbin to take the match to a decisive third set.

“I was definitely nervous closing that second set up,” Sharapova added. “I think that’s normal. I’m human.”

Sharapova has seen her world ranking slump from No.1 to 126 during her absence from the sport, but she played with plenty of grit to secure her place in the second round of the claycourt Warsaw Open. Her next opponent  was expected to be top seed Caroline Wozniacki, but the Dane withdrew today with back injury.

Sharapova has 19 career singles titles to her name but only one on clay and has made no secret of the fact that playing on the slower surface is not her forte.

The claycourt French Open is the only Grand Slam title missing from her collection and she will hope to be fit enough to compete in this year’s tournament, which begins in Paris on May 24.

Welcome back Masha. You were missed!

Venus Williams, Wyclef Jean on Iconoclasts

Ever wonder what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes? How about the shoes of someone that shatters expectations and stands above the crowd?  That’s what the Sundance Channel’s TV series Iconoclasts explores. 

Executive Producer Robert Redford says “Iconoclasts explores the intersection where two great talents meet – and where creativity becomes alive.”

As part of the current season, tennis great Venus Williams joins Grammy winner Wyclef Jean on episode five of the critically acclaimed series.

A five-time Wimbledon champion, Williams towers over the world of professional tennis and still finds time to challenge herself off the courts as a designer running her own fashion line.

Born June 17, 1980, Williams has won 56 titles, which includes 17 Grand Slam titles – seven in singles, eight in women’s doubles, and two in mixed doubles. She has won more Olympic gold medals than any other tennis player (male or female) in history – one in singles and two in women’s doubles.

She is the chief executive officer of her interior design firm “V Starr Interiors” and in2007 teamed with retailer Steve & Barry’s to launch her own fashion line EleVen.

Jean, a former member of the Fugees is equally ambitious, testing himself in new realms. Born October 17, 1972, the multi-platinum Haitian-American musician, actor, and producer has sold more than 31 million albums throughout his career including album sales with The Fugees.

Jean has been active in his support of his native country and created the foundation Yele Haiti in 2004, to provide humanitarian aid and assistance to Haiti. He describes Yéle as a non-political organization intended to empower the people of Haiti and the Haitian Diaspora to rebuild their nation. In January 2007, Jean became a roving ambassador for Haiti, to help improve its image abroad.

Viewers can watch Wyclef give Venus her first guitar lesson, while she returns the love with a crash course in tennis. A playfully competitive friendship unfolds as both of these self-made superstars explore the discipline and dedication of each other’s pursuits.

The Iconoclasts series pairs two leading creative innovators from different fields including film, sports, architecture, fashion, food, music, and business. Unlike an ordinary interview programme, it captures the essence of these headline-makers through the eyes of the creative visionaries who respect and admire them the most. 

The Iconoclasts visit each other’s worlds to explore their creative process, their inspirations and their passions. Each pair provides viewers with an inside glimpse into the inspiration and motivation that made them who they are today and offers insight into the real people behind the public personae.

If you’re a fan of Williams and/or Wyclef, this sounds like must-see TV.

Kim Clijsters is baaack

It’s official: Former No. 1-ranked player Kim Clijsters is returning to the tennis circuit after two years in retirement.

If you don’t recognize Clijsters’ name (pronounced KLY’-sturz), you will shortly. The 25-year-old is a former World No. 1 ranked player in singles and in doubles. Known as Kim Kong or Kim Possible to many fans, Clijsters is recognized for her deep, powerful, well-placed groundstrokes, as well as her court-wide defense,  speed and athleticism. Clijsters became  the first Belgian — man or woman — to be ranked World No. 1 and she was considered by her peers as one of the most likeable players on tour.

For nearly a week, rumors and speculation swirled about Clijsters comeback plans. 

 “I intend to play in the US Open and almost certainly in the tournaments at Cincinnati (early August)- my first official tournament back – and Toronto,” the Belgian told a press conference in her hometown on March 26th.

Clijsters’ return from retirement is planned for the US hardcourt season. She has asked for Cincinnati, Toronto and US Open wildcards. According to the plans, the tennis player who retired in May 2007 will make her comeback on August 10, at the Cincinnati Open.

After retiring from tennis, Clijsters married basketball player Brian Lynch and gave birth to daughter Jada Ellie.

Clijsters, who has appeared in five Grand Slam finals, said her decision to resume professional play was spurred by her recent resumption of training, in preparation for an exhibition against tennis great Steffi Graf on May 17.

Among those expected to compete with Clijsters for the WTA title include Venus & Serena Williams, Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Elena Dementieva and Dinara Safina to mention only a few.

“I don’t need to be number one again. I have done that and I don’t need to do it again. I am just going to see how things evolve.”

We think she makes a great addition to the competitive pool of women players and will definitely tune in to see how she plays. Welcome back!

WTA Dubai Update; Visas, Quarterfinals & More

Venus Williams is on course for a possible semi-final clash with her younger sister Serena after beating Alize Cornet 6-3 6-1 at the WTA Barclays Dubai Championship.

The 19-year-old Cornet, from Nice, proved no match for the Wimbledon champion, who will now face Elena Dementieva in the quarter-finals.

Venus was forced to mix up her game more than usual against an opponent who has risen more than 50 spots in little more than a year.

Russian fourth seed Dementieva came through 6-1 6-3 against Spain’s Anabel Medina Garrigues, while French Open champion Ana Ivanovic also made it through to the elite eight after defeating Camille Pin 6-2 7-6 (7-5).

Top seed Serena Williams won 6-4, 6-2 against Zheng Jie the Wimbledon semi-finalist from China . Serena now plays Ivanovic for only the second time.

But former world number one Jelena Jankovic is out after losing 6-2 7-5 to the 16th-seeded Estonian, Kaia Kanepi.

Jankovic attributed her loss to a bad performance (rather than a worthy opponent). “This was the worst match of my career. It was a horrible day. I kept framing the ball, kept making unforced errors and could not put two balls together on the court. I didn’t move properly, and I didn’t see the ball properly.”

Visa Controversy

Earlier this week, Israeli Shahar Peer was denied a last minute visa to compete in Dubai despite qualifying for the event. The tournament’s organizers supported the decision to deny Peer a visa, saying local tennis fans would have boycotted the championships if she had been allowed to compete.

So why is Israeli doubles specialist Andy Ram receiving a visa by the United Arab Emirates to play in Dubai?

The double standard is reprehensible. Shahar earned the right to be in the tournament just as Ram did. WTA officials criticized the decision and said they may consider dropping Dubai as a future site. How would the ATP have responded had the same thing happened to one of their ballers?

Athletes should never get caught in the middle of politics. Ever.

Tennis: Jelena’s World

November 15, 2008 – If you can’t wait until next year to see your fave tennis players in action,  a documentary film was released this week  in Serbia called “Jelena’s World.”

Apparently cameras followed #1 player Jelena Jankovic around for more than a year to capture what exactly a tennis player’s life looks like behind the scenes.  Producers hope that the 80-minute film, directed by Tanja Brzakovic, will be distributed worldwide.

The 23-year old Jankovic secured the year-ending women’s number one ranking with three successive titles in recent months though she has yet to win a Grand Slam title.

From the Qatar paper Peninsula Online,

“Although a fighter, mentally and physically strong, she is not a super-hero, but above all, natural and honest… and the director recognises it skillfully,” a review in the [Serbian] Politika newspaper said. “She will laugh at herself, cry over sad memories, swear if she is angry, be shy about intimate details, and that is why she is a perfect movie hero,” film critic Dubravka Lakic wrote in the daily.

So what is life really like for JJ? Check out the trailer to find out: (btw – it might help to understand a bit of Serbian)

Top 10 shake-up in women’s tennis

November 10, 2008 – If you followed the WTA rankings this year, you know what a roller coaster it’s been. For the first time in recent memory, the top spot in the tennis world was within reach of more women players than ever.

The WTA-season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha, won by Venus Williams over the weekend, shook up the Top 10 of the women’s world tennis rankings once more.

The elite tournament, which invites just eight top players, concluded Sunday with Williams’ 6-7, 6-0, 6-2 victory over Vera Zvonareva. The win moved Williams from eighth to sixth in the world – her best result since 2002 – while Zvonareva improved from ninth to a career-high seventh.

Serena Williams, who had to drop out of the Doha tournment due to an injury, moved from third to second, switching places with Dinara Safina, and Elena Dementieva jumped one spot to fourth, knocking Ana Ivanovic to fifth.

Svetlana Kuznetsova dropped one spot to eighth and Maria Sharapova, whose play has been limited by injury and who withdrew prior to the Sony Ericsson Championships, fell from sixth to ninth.

The only two ranking positions not to change in the Top 10 released Monday were No. 1 Jelena Jankovic – her fate was sealed a couple weeks ago and she was assured the top spot regardless of how she fared in Doha – and 10th-rated Agnieszka Radwanska.

Here are the current rankings:

1. Jelena Jankovic
2. Serena Williams
3. Dinara Safina
4. Elena Dementieva
5. Ana Ivanovic
6. Venus Williams
7. Vera Zvonareva
8. Svetlana Kuznetsova
9. Maria Sharapova
10. Agnieszka Radwanska

The next scheduled WTA events are to begin Jan. 5 in Auckland, New Zealand, and Brisbane, Australia, two weeks before the Australian Open.

Will the 28-year old Williams carry her end-of-year momentum into the new season in Australia?  Having just claimed one of the few big titles to elude her, it’s likely she’ll press forward and try to capture the elusive AO title.

Venus captures Sony Ericsson Championships title

November 9, 2008 – The WTA Sony Ericsson Championships – Doha 2008 have concluded with Venus Williams winning her first season-ending title, and the world’s number one doubles team  Cara Black and Liezel Huber defending their crown.

Venus Williams rallied to defeat Vera Zvonareva 6-7 (5), 6-0, 6-2 Sunday at the season-ending event in Dohar, Qatar.

The players were both 4-0 coming into the match but Wimbledon champion Williams took command in the last two sets with powerful serving, smashes and aggressive groundstrokes against her Russian opponent.

Williams won $1.34 million at the event, which for the first time offered the same prize money as the men at the ATP’s season-ending Masters Cup. With the check, Williams overtook Martina Navratilova and became fourth on the all-time women’s prizemoney list.

The first lady of Qatar, a conservative Muslim sheikdom, presented the trophy to Williams, shaking her hand and kissing her on both cheeks. Sheika Mozah bint Nasser al-Missned wore a traditional black head scarf and robe.

Such a public appearance by a ruler’s wife is unusual in the region. Mozah might be one of several wives; many emirs and kings in the Gulf have multiple wives — up to the four permitted by Islam.

Billie Jean King sat with Mozah and other dignitaries during the match and joined Williams on the court for the awards ceremony. The trophy is named for King. 

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Venus Williams defeats Jankovic in Doha to advance

November 8, 2008 – Venus Williams will play Vera Zvonareva in the Tour Championships final after she beat world number one Jelena Jankovic 6-2 2-6 6-3 in Doha. 

Williams came through a close third set when she saved four breakpoints for a 4-2 lead and the sixth game alone had all the drama of a whole match. With the win, she will be making her first appearance in a final of the end of season event.

In the other semifinal, Zvonareva beat fellow Russian Elena Dementieva 7-6 3-6 6-3 to advance. [+]

Match Highlights:

Tennis: Promoting gender equality in Doha

November 7, 2008 – As the top women’s tennis players battle it out at the last tourney of the WTA season, the spotlight is on female athletes in the host country of Qatar, a conservative Muslim sheikdom.

Girls and women have far fewer opportunities than men in sports and other fields in Qatar, which sent an all-male team to the Beijing Olympics this year. 

Even advertising the WTA event in a way that doesn’t offend Muslim culture is challenging. In other words – there can be no pictures of women players in their skirts and tanks – only silhouettes.

Billie Jean King, who formed the Women’s Tennis Association in 1973,  is in Qatar this week to promote gender equality in sport. She acknowledges that change is difficult and takes time.

According to Sportsline:

“That’s actually one of the big reasons I wanted to come here, was to learn,” said King, who is attending the WTA’s season-ending Sony Ericsson Championships in Doha. “I really want to listen this week more than anything.”

King, a vocal proponent of equal prize money for male and female professional tennis players, said a shift toward gender parity in sport is a gradual process that requires respect for all cultures and religions.

Two years ago, the WTA Tour and UNESCO started a program to promote women’s equality in sport, and King was declared “global mentor” of the program at a news conference in Doha on Thursday.

King joins fellow tennis players Venus Williams, the partnership’s global Promoter for Gender Equality, Frenchwoman Tatiana Golovin and Zheng Jie from China, who are regional Promoters of Gender Equality for the partnership. Visit WSF or UNESCO site for more info on the program.

Championship Play: On the competition front,  Serena Williams and Ana Ivanovic have both withdrawn from their Friday matches at the Sony Ericsson Championship due to injury and illness. Alternates Agnieszka Radwanska and Nadia Petrova have stepped up.

Ivanovic, who turned 21 on Thursday, won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in June and briefly topped the world rankings, but has since lost 10 out of 20 matches.

Meanwhile Venus Williams and Jelena Jankovic both reach the semifinals. Venus beat sister Serena to advance.  Jankovic moves on along with Vera Zvonareva who upset her during the round-robin competition.

WTA Results

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