Tennis News

Fans pass test during Serbia’s Fed Cup home tie against Russia

The past weekend of tennis at the Belgrade Arena undoubtedly exceeded the expectations of home fans as Serbia took on Russia in a Fed Cup World Group tie. An average of 10,000 fans per day of competition is a telling sign tennis is both loved and respected in Serbia and that its popularity should be expected to grow in the coming years.

Elena Dementieva tries to put a tough loss in last year's final and an unfortunate Australian Open draw behind her this week as she goes for the Open GDF SUEZ title on the indoor hardcourts of Paris.

After a few days off to recover from the first Grand Slam of the season, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour kicks into gear again this week, with defending champion Vera Zvonareva heading the field at the $220,000 PTT Pattaya Open.

adidas and 2008 Roland Garros Champion Ana Ivanovic announced today a long-term extension of their successful partnership. The 22-year-old will wear ‘three-stripe’ products for the entirety of her career and will become an ambassador for the brand upon retirement from competitive tennis. In doing so, Ivanovic is believed to have become the youngest ever athlete – male of female – to sign an agreement of this length.

Martina Hingis can't help but contemplate yet another comeback when she sees the success Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are having after being away from tennis.

"There's a spark," Hingis said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

But she also said she would rule out the possibility of a return to the tour "at this point," primarily because of all the travel.

"If it was played in the backyard," Hingis said from her home in Switzerland, "then I'd probably think about it twice."

This week Ana Ivanovic visited the Municipality of New Belgrade Ceremony Hall to induct 15 more schools into the School Without Violence program, the UNICEF cause with which she is closely involved.

The 22-year-old, who has been a National Ambassador for UNICEF Serbia since September 2007, gave a heartfelt speech just miles from where she grew up and participated in a special workshop with local children, aimed at displaying how aggression in the classroom can be averted.

World number one Serena Williams has withdrawn from next week's Paris Indoor Open, organisers confirmed on Saturday.

Williams blamed a leg injury which she picked up on her way to victory in the Australian Open.

The American has lifted the Paris trophy twice in five appearances, winning both her titles in 1999 and 2003 against France's Amelie Mauresmo.

Former world number one Mauresmo will play her final tournament here before retiring from competition.

Ana Ivanovic, the tennis princess, is currently spending time in Belgrade preparing for the match with Russian national team players who will play the match next weekend at the Belgrade Arena. We met Ana at the shopping center “Zira” where we talked about her life outside tennis courts. Ana talked about herself, her life plans, Belgrade, fashion, her free time and she said to “Blic” that in about twenty years she sees herself as a mother of three children.

adidas has announced the signing of Flavia Pennetta, the No.1 player from Italy and the No.12 player in the world. The 27-year-old started wearing apparel and footwear of the adidas adilibria tennis range this weekend in Fed Cup, where Italy faced Ukraine.

Both are sporting greats, but Roger Federer and John Terry are leagues apart when it comes to sportsmanlike conduct