WTA News and Gossip 2014

[kskate2]

One of the traditions unique to the tournament in its first incarnation, and which will return for this reboot, is the coveted diamond racquet - anyone who wins the tournament twice in three years wins a special racquet made with 4.5 kilograms of gold and 2008 diamonds. It's worth $1.5 million. Mauresmo is the only previous winner of the racket:

Do you think she lets Andy Murray use it?

:nono I could see her telling him to get his own. :snigger

 

[sk310]

Former world No.1 - Kim Clijsters - will be the Tournament Director for the BNP Paribas Fortis Diamond Games in Antwerp, a Premier-level indoor event that is returning to the WTA calendar in 2015 the week of February 9.

New tournament director @Clijsterskim ready for her New rol. Diamond Games (9-15 Feb).
One of the traditions unique to the tournament in its first incarnation, and which will return for this reboot, is the coveted diamond racquet - anyone who wins the tournament twice in three years wins a special racquet made with 4.5 kilograms of gold and 2008 diamonds. It's worth $1.5 million. Mauresmo is the only previous winner of the racket:

It's soooo pretttyyyy... But I imagine Mauresmo would rather have the 1.5 mill.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Bencic,Riske vie for First WTA Title at Tianjin report from AP,Saturday 11th October.

Belinda Bencic and Alison Riske will be vying for their first WTA Tour Title when they face each other in the inaugural Tianjin Open final on Sunday.Both players eliminated Chinese opponents in the s/finals on Saturday.Riske won the first nine games on route to a 60 61 rout of Zheng Saisai,while Bencic advanced when home town favorite Peng Shuai retired with a lower back injury while trailing 3-1.

The 17 year old Bencic will try to become the youngest champion on the WTA tour since Tamira Pasek of Austria won in Portoraz,Slovenia,in 2006 at the age of 15.

Riske's best previous results were two s/final appearances at Birmingham in 2010 and 2013.

 

[GameSetAndMath]

Go Bencic!

She has only 1.6 years left to get ready for Gold with Roger in Brazil.

 

[Hoergren]

We haven't had a thread about the new Chinese event but here is the winner Alison Riske who won 63 64 over the new hope from Suisse Belinda Bencic, who was a bit devastated over her loss. Riske played well and got a well deserved first title - congrats to her. One funny thing to mention from the ceremony. The presenter forgot to mention one of the people behind the tournament but it was all done with a laugh and a smile - nice to see:

A very heavy trophy.

With her win Alison jumps 18 places in the rankings and are now #44 and still got Moscow to play.

 

[Hoergren]

I suggested to get pictures from screenshots in Dropbox but it doesn't work directly - it's only me who can see it - so I have to use my other method going via Twitter but it's ok - thanks. As Beatles say "we can work it out"

 

[Correspondent Kiu]

Congrads to Alison, great Job.

 

[Hoergren]

What's cooking? Caroline in Copenhagen celebrating Halloween in Tivoli and has a little De ja vu.

And of course preparing for the NYC marathon in the woods north of Copenhagen

And she'll also be in perfect form for the YEC in Singapore

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

What's cooking? Caroline in Copenhagen celebrating Halloween in Tivoli and has a little De ja vu.

And of course preparing for the NYC marathon in the woods north of Copenhagen

And she'll also be in perfect form for the YEC in Singapore

BTW it will be my birthday when Caroline runs her NYC marathon...

I will raise my glass to her when she runs over the finishing line......

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Per Ben Rothenberg Twiiter 12th October

CiCi Bellis continues her great form from the US Open winning the $25,000 challenger in Rock Hill,South Carolina.

 

[Hoergren]

New from the WTA:

WTA to launch Tournament of Losers must be for ?
The WTA announced today that, in the near future, the first annual Tournament of Losers will be added to the tour's calendar. The event, which the WTA's chairwoman, Stacy Allaster, says will be held "somewhere in China," will feature players who make it to finals of tournaments but do not win them. There will be eight spots to fill in the round-robin tournament.

"We are excited about this innovation," Allaster said in making the announcement. "As the world leader in women's sports, the WTA wants to make certain that our most promising losers are given an opportunity to show their talents on an international stage."

read the rest here:

http://womenwhoserve.blogspot.dk/2014/10/wta-to-launch-tournament-of-losers.html

 

[Kieran]

New from the WTA:

WTA to launch Tournament of Losers must be for ?
The WTA announced today that, in the near future, the first annual Tournament of Losers will be added to the tour's calendar. The event, which the WTA's chairwoman, Stacy Allaster, says will be held "somewhere in China," will feature players who make it to finals of tournaments but do not win them. There will be eight spots to fill in the round-robin tournament.

"We are excited about this innovation," Allaster said in making the announcement. "As the world leader in women's sports, the WTA wants to make certain that our most promising losers are given an opportunity to show their talents on an international stage."

read the rest here:

http://womenwhoserve.blogspot.dk/2014/10/wta-to-launch-tournament-of-losers.html

From the website above, related to this Losers Tournament:

The WTA will award prizes for Most Hopeless Shank, Longest Streak Without Getting a First Serve In, Most Double Faults In A Match, Biggest Choke (there will be runner up prizes in this category for the next 60 girls), and a special award to Highest Ranked Girl Without Ever Winning a Tournament or Even a Single Match.

Caroline Wozniacki said "it's great that the WTA are starting to take us seriously", while Jelena Jankovic said "it's a pity they didn't think of this when I was in my prime. I'm ****ing gutted."

Serena Williams couldn't be contacted for comment...

 

[special700]

New from the WTA:

WTA to launch Tournament of Losers must be for ?
The WTA announced today that, in the near future, the first annual Tournament of Losers will be added to the tour's calendar. The event, which the WTA's chairwoman, Stacy Allaster, says will be held "somewhere in China," will feature players who make it to finals of tournaments but do not win them. There will be eight spots to fill in the round-robin tournament.

"We are excited about this innovation," Allaster said in making the announcement. "As the world leader in women's sports, the WTA wants to make certain that our most promising losers are given an opportunity to show their talents on an international stage."

read the rest here:

http://womenwhoserve.blogspot.dk/2014/10/wta-to-launch-tournament-of-losers.html

From the website above, related to this Losers Tournament:

The WTA will award prizes for Most Hopeless Shank, Longest Streak Without Getting a First Serve In, Most Double Faults In A Match, Biggest Choke (there will be runner up prizes in this category for the next 60 girls), and a special award to Highest Ranked Girl Without Ever Winning a Tournament or Even a Single Match.

Caroline Wozniacki said "it's great that the WTA are starting to take us seriously", while Jelena Jankovic said "it's a pity they didn't think of this when I was in my prime. I'm ****ing gutted."

Serena Williams couldn't be contacted for comment...

OMG I can't stop laughing at this.....Thanks for the laugh first thing this morning.

 

[kskate2]

New from the WTA:

WTA to launch Tournament of Losers must be for ?
The WTA announced today that, in the near future, the first annual Tournament of Losers will be added to the tour's calendar. The event, which the WTA's chairwoman, Stacy Allaster, says will be held "somewhere in China," will feature players who make it to finals of tournaments but do not win them. There will be eight spots to fill in the round-robin tournament.

"We are excited about this innovation," Allaster said in making the announcement. "As the world leader in women's sports, the WTA wants to make certain that our most promising losers are given an opportunity to show their talents on an international stage."

read the rest here:

http://womenwhoserve.blogspot.dk/2014/10/wta-to-launch-tournament-of-losers.html

From the website above, related to this Losers Tournament:

The WTA will award prizes for Most Hopeless Shank, Longest Streak Without Getting a First Serve In, Most Double Faults In A Match, Biggest Choke (there will be runner up prizes in this category for the next 60 girls), and a special award to Highest Ranked Girl Without Ever Winning a Tournament or Even a Single Match.

Caroline Wozniacki said "it's great that the WTA are starting to take us seriously", while Jelena Jankovic said "it's a pity they didn't think of this when I was in my prime. I'm ****ing gutted."

Serena Williams couldn't be contacted for comment...

:laydownlaughing:lolz::laydownlaughing
One day somebody is going to string Kieran up. Thank goodness it is not this day. Bravo K. :clap

 

[Kieran]

Seriously though, is the WTA gone crackers or something? If that idea isn't a parody itself, what is it? Really? It's literally the most stupid thing we'll hear all year... :nono

 

[kskate2]

Seriously though, is the WTA gone crackers or something? If that idea isn't a parody itself, what is it? Really? It's literally the most stupid thing we'll hear all year... :nono

Sadly, I don't think it's worst thing we'll hear. :speechless:

 

[faradubii]

New from the WTA:

WTA to launch Tournament of Losers must be for ?
The WTA announced today that, in the near future, the first annual Tournament of Losers will be added to the tour's calendar. The event, which the WTA's chairwoman, Stacy Allaster, says will be held "somewhere in China," will feature players who make it to finals of tournaments but do not win them. There will be eight spots to fill in the round-robin tournament.

"We are excited about this innovation," Allaster said in making the announcement. "As the world leader in women's sports, the WTA wants to make certain that our most promising losers are given an opportunity to show their talents on an international stage."

read the rest here:

http://womenwhoserve.blogspot.dk/2014/10/wta-to-launch-tournament-of-losers.html

From the website above, related to this Losers Tournament:

The WTA will award prizes for Most Hopeless Shank, Longest Streak Without Getting a First Serve In, Most Double Faults In A Match, Biggest Choke (there will be runner up prizes in this category for the next 60 girls), and a special award to Highest Ranked Girl Without Ever Winning a Tournament or Even a Single Match.

Caroline Wozniacki said "it's great that the WTA are starting to take us seriously", while Jelena Jankovic said "it's a pity they didn't think of this when I was in my prime. I'm ****ing gutted."

Serena Williams couldn't be contacted for comment...

OMG I can't stop laughing at this.....Thanks for the laugh first thing this morning.

I loved the "Rising Headcases" category of players.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

Kvitova to lead Czech Republic in the Fed Cup....report from AP Monday October 13th.

Wimbledon Champion Petra Kvitova will lead the Czech Republic team next months Fed Cup final against Germany.Karolina Pliskova,22 year old rising star of Czech tennis,was named in the preliminary squad for the first time.Pliskova defeated Camila Giorgi of Italy in the final of the Generali Ladies on Sunday for her second WTA title this year to reach a career high ranking of No 27.

Lucie Safarova is also in contention for singles,while doubles specialists Andrea Hlavackova and Lucie hradecka have been selected for the Nov 8-9 series on a indoor hard court in Prague.

Czech coal Petr Pala still has to narrow his team down to four players.

The Czechs,who beat germany in their three previous encounters,won the Fed Cup in 2011 and 2012.

 

[MargaretMcAleer]

New from the WTA:

WTA to launch Tournament of Losers must be for ?
The WTA announced today that, in the near future, the first annual Tournament of Losers will be added to the tour's calendar. The event, which the WTA's chairwoman, Stacy Allaster, says will be held "somewhere in China," will feature players who make it to finals of tournaments but do not win them. There will be eight spots to fill in the round-robin tournament.

"We are excited about this innovation," Allaster said in making the announcement. "As the world leader in women's sports, the WTA wants to make certain that our most promising losers are given an opportunity to show their talents on an international stage."

read the rest here:

http://womenwhoserve.blogspot.dk/2014/10/wta-to-launch-tournament-of-losers.html

From the website above, related to this Losers Tournament:

The WTA will award prizes for Most Hopeless Shank, Longest Streak Without Getting a First Serve In, Most Double Faults In A Match, Biggest Choke (there will be runner up prizes in this category for the next 60 girls), and a special award to Highest Ranked Girl Without Ever Winning a Tournament or Even a Single Match.

Caroline Wozniacki said "it's great that the WTA are starting to take us seriously", while Jelena Jankovic said "it's a pity they didn't think of this when I was in my prime. I'm ****ing gutted."

Serena Williams couldn't be contacted for comment...

:laydownlaughing:lolz::laydownlaughing
One day somebody is going to string Kieran up. Thank goodness it is not this day. Bravo K. :clap

Putting my hand up to 'string up Kieran'...as you are aware I have Mafia Links.....

 

[Kieran]

^^ That old cricket bat, eh? :snigger :smooch