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U.S. Davis Cup: Two Year Extension For Captain MacEnroe

The USTA, the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S., announced today that Patrick McEnroe will continue as United States Davis Cup Captain through 2008, tying Tom Gorman (1986-93) for the longest tenure as U.S. captain.
McEnroe has been already in charge of six Davis Cups. During his tenure the best showing by the United States was losing in the 2004 final. McEnroe also twice took the team to the semifinals, in 2002 and this year. The United States just lost to Russia last month. Since the Davis Cup began in 1900, the United States has won 31 titles, but the country's last championship dates back to 1995
McEnroe, 40, is the 38th U.S. Davis Cup Captain since the competition began in 1900.  He debuted as the U.S. Davis Cup Captain in 2001, succeeding his brother, John. As a player, McEnroe competed for the United States in Davis Cup in 1993, 1994 and 1996, posting a 3-1 record in doubles.  As a he was a 1988 graduate of Stanford University, McEnroe also serves as a TV commentator for CBS Sports and ESPN.  He also coached the U.S. Olympic men’s tennis team in Athens in 2004.  In addition to his Davis Cup duties, McEnroe will serve in an advisory capacity to the USTA Player Development Program. After granting MacEnroe a two-year contract extension to stay on as captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team, The USTA wants to clearly reaffirm his support to the captain. The 2007 U.S. Davis Cup campaign will begin February 9-11 in the Czech Republic.

Blake’s Win at the Thailand Open (October 2006)

The American James Blake dominated the Croatian Ivan Ljubicic (6-3, 6-1), ranked No. 1, to win the Thailand Open final last weekend. The third-seeded Blake controlled the match from the beginning to the end with superior ground strokes and was never seriously challenged by his opponent. Blake wrapped up his fourth title of the year in less than an hour. Ljubicic seemed to be off his game.
In the first set Blake quickly took a 2-0 lead and went up 4-0 after Ljubicic double-faulted. Ljubicic won a game back with his powerful serve and trimmed Blake's lead to 5-3 before the American closed out the set with a strong forehand. In the second set, Ljubicic all but handed Blake the match with an error- prone performance that saw him repeatedly hit the ball into the net or out. Using his dominant forehand and backhand, Blake ran the score up to 5-1 before closing out the match after Ljubicic double-faulted again.
The victory at the Thailand Open grants Blake a seventh ATP title. It was also his first victory against the Croatian player, Ljubicic. Ljubicic displayed his real tennis capabilities during the tournament and showed why he was seeded No. 1. He quickly won over the local hero Paradorn Srichaphan (6-3, 6-2) in a semifinal encounter lasting only 67 minutes. Ljubicic served his 17th ace to seal the match against the Thai player. Despite this loss Ljubicic, now seeded the world No. 3, is close to secure a place in the season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai in October behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Tennis
Wimbledon

Wimbledon is the oldest and most prestigious tennis event in the world. It is held every year in either June or July, played as the third event of the “Grand Slam” of tennis tournaments (following the Australian Open and French Open, then followed by the U.S. Open). It is the only event of the four that is played on a grass court and lasts two weeks, with exception to rain.

Separate tournaments are held for Gentlemen’s Singles, Ladies’ Singles, Gentlemen’s Doubles, Ladies’ Doubles, and Mixed Doubles. There are also youth tournaments and special invitational tournaments that are less popular but still highly watched.

First played in 1877, the event hosted only a competition in Gentlemen’s Singles and was expanded in 1884 to include Ladies’ Singles and Gentlemen’s Doubles. All others were added in 1913. Until 1922, the games were played at a ground near Worple Road, Wimbledon, when they were moved to a ground near Church Road. Until 1968, the tournament showcased top amateurs.

Brits are very sensitive about the game, although many find the reason humorous – no British male has won since 1936 (Fred Perry was the last), and no British woman has won since Virginia Wade (as far back as 1977).

The Wimbledon grounds are comprised completely of rye grass. The grass is beneficial for serve and volley players due to the speed and low bounce of the grass courts. There are two main show courts, Centre Court and No. 1 Court, which are used only the two weeks a year during the Championship. The other seventeen courts are used to host other tennis events throughout the year. Originally, all of the Grand Slam tournaments were played on grass courts. However, the French Open opted for red clay (1928), the U.S. Open switched to synthetic clay (1975) and changed to a hard surface later (1978), and the Australian Open finally moved to a hard surface in 1988.

Wimbledon uses dark green and purple coloring traditionally; the chair umpire, linesmen, ball boys, and ball girls wear green. Strict rules apply to competitors, including the requirement that players wear predominantly white uniforms. Ladies are referred to as Miss or Mrs., though Mr. is never used for male players.