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Elite Tennis Athletes to Compete in Wheelchair Competition at the U.S. Open September 10-13.

The 2009 U.S. Open Wheelchair Competition runs September 10 - 13 at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center right alongside Arthur Ashe's main court action. David Wagner of the USA, pictured left, is the number one seed in the men's quads division. Wagner is a two time Paralympic Quad doubles gold medalist.

Twenty of the world's top wheelchair athletes will compete in women's singles, women's doubles, quad singles and quad doubles. A quad player is someone who has had substantial loss of function in one or both lower extremities and one or both upper extremities.

Top prize money is a record $100,000, the highest of any of the wheelchair Grand Slam events.

If you are at the Open, stop by to check out the impressive action. You will need a grounds pass only to watch. A few matches may be televised on Tennis Channel. They are negotiating at the moment.

Image: Ando Akira

Ten minutes with Todd Martin.

I recently had a chance to catch-up with Todd Martin at the Hall of Fame Champions Cup in Newport. After a stellar career on the Tour (13 titles and a career high of 4 in 1999) Martin continues to build high-caliber competive tennis into his personal schedule.

What's the biggest change you've seen in the game over the years? "Poly-based string. It makes the ball easier to spin and the combination of an uptick in pace and spin is a big factor now. In addition, the guys at the top of the game are some of  the best athletes in the world, so explosive and agile. The nature of the game is much more physical than it was ten years ago. Skill could make up for a lot before."

Your favorite surface? "European red clay."

Favorite tennis venue? "The Real Club in Barcelona and Roland Garros. That week before Roland Garros starts is just perfect, I could play there for weeks on end."

His gear? Grip, racquet, string, all Wilson. "I've been playing with Wilson since I was a boy and the racquet I use on tour with Champions is a version of one I've always used. It's loaded with subtle tweaks and is very heavy everywhere. It's custom for me; you wouldn't be able to find it anywhere."

 His apparel? Balle de Match and shoes, custom Nike's for grass.

How much do you hit these days and how do you train for Champions Series matches? "I play at least a couple of times a week. Tennis comes naturally to me at this point but I do need to work on my fitness and I mix it up with swimming, gym work, yoga, the medicine ball. The trend now is really in training the body universally for the game."

Image: Philip J. Picott -- MDS

INSIDE Tennis Magazine's September Issue.

Tennis Magazine's U.S Open Preview edition crowns Roger Federer the Greatest of All Time. Read it and see if you agree.

 Other gotta-see goodies inside:

On Court with Will Ferrell, our favorite funnyman is tennis addicted and doing a lot these days to bring attention to our game

Fans' Guide to the U.S. Open.  Current info about the big event.

Good for your game:

Goodbye to the Glove. Ten new vibration absorbing racquets.

The Incredible Shrinking Grip. A look at the grip sizes pros are using and why.

Pick up a copy at your local newstand. The links are not up yet on Tennis.com.

Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark Selected to Wear adidas by Stella McCartney.

 

adidas announced today that Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark will wear fall/winter collection adidas by Stella McCartney beginning at the U.S. Open. Until today Maria Kirilenko was the only WTA tennis athlete allowed to wear the line as a sponsored player. Kirilenko will no longer wear the line.

 Wozniacki, currently ranked No. 9 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, has been selected to become the exclusive new face of the tennis line and will be playing in apparel and footwear from the distinctive sport performance collection.

“For me it is essential to wear products that combine performance and style," said Wozniacki. "I need to have breathable apparel and footwear that is lightweight, stable and well cushioned. With the adidas by Stella McCartney tennis line I feel like I have everything any fashionable female tennis player always dreams about: cutting-edge adidas technologies combined with Stella’s unique designs that actually perform. I always play better when I feel good, that is very important to me so I’m really excited about getting out on court in it!”

Stella McCartney comments “It’s very rare for a fashion designer to dress one of the top 10 players in the world. I couldn't be more thrilled and happy to be given that opportunity. Let’s hope this will enhance her performance!!”

Caroline will be wearing key styles from the new fall/winter 2009 tennis collection including the Performance Dress, the Performance Hot Pant and Bra in smoked pink and the Tennis Image Jacket in dark grape (pictured above). She will also wear the Skynde tennis shoe, in seed pearl, dark grape and white, which is built on the renowned adidas Barricade V tooling.

The fall/winter 09 adidas by Stella McCartney tennis collection hits retail in August. Prices range from $175 for the Skynde shoe, $130.00 for the Performance Dress and $175.00 for the Tennis Image Jacket.

Stay tuned for an overview of my favs including a run down of the details on what Wozniacki will be wearing. Love it all -- but that's not unusual.

Note: new post now up: For more details on the line, click HERE. 

TENNIS Magazine's Adam Milner. Addicted.

 

Adam Milner was recently named associate publisher for TENNIS Magazine, SMASH and Tennis.com, insanely good news to a guy who is indeed addicted to the game. Milner can now very reasonably take his beloved racquet to work, something that didn't sync quite so well in his previous role at Google. About his game:

Singles or doubles: "Singles."

Favorite surface:"Clay, red or Har-Tru."

Best Stroke: "Forehand."

Baseliner or all-court:"Mostly a baseliner but I'm starting to become an all-court player. Short points are better on the legs."

Degree of addiction:  "I left a great job at Google to grow a brand and sport I’ve been involved with since I was a kid; I've been playing tennis pretty much non-stop for 24 years."

Historical: "I played competitively in high school and in junior level USTA. I don't recall a ranking but got good enough to be allowed free court time at my club. That was great incentive. I think I played every day back then. I only played recreationally in college -- but took it as a class and got an A."

USTA rank: "Possibly around a 4.5, but not official."

Stick: "I'm actually looking for something new and am gravitating to the new Fischer Black Granite Tour* which I found in the TENNIS racquet-sample closet.The three rackets I used as a junior are the Prince CTS lightening, Wilson ProStaff 4.5 and Yonex RQ380." Clearly not brand devoted in this category.

Tennis style/Label loves: "The cat-suit which Serena stole from me. When it’s at the cleaners, I wear a fair of Nike shorts and a loose fitting collarless Under Armour shirts."

Male pro you'd most like to play like or you can relate to their style: "I'm an Agassi fan, but would like to have an all-court game like Federer.  My game probably most resembles Courier's with a quick serve and an unconventional two-handed backhand."

Favorite female pro and why? "I had a crush on Sabatini when I was in 7th grade.  I think Graf had a beautiful game and was the most fun to watch."

Why you play? "I love competition, plus it’s a great workout. I also honestly enjoy hitting with beginners at grassroots-style events.  Getting people into the sport is something I hope to do more of."

Court time: "2 times a week, often with someone from the St. John's University tennis team."

Favorite tennis venues: "Summers at Lake Success where they have red clay and hard courts.  Winters at the Port Washington Tennis Academy (home of John McEnroe)."

Tennis thanks: "My father got me into the game and supported me as a junior player.  In addition to paying for all of my gear, lessons and full range of Agassi clothing (including the denim spandex shorts), he stepped onto the court whenever I asked him to.  We had some epic battles and improved each other’s games."

As associate publisher at TENNIS Magazine, Milner will head-up the development of integrated solutions for TENNIS, SMASH and Tennis.com.

*Fischer will debut the Black Granite Tour during the U.S Open

Robert Tuchman, author of "100 Sporting Events You Must See Live." Addicted.

Robert Tuchman is a tennis addict with an enviable job.  As president of Premiere Corporate Events he has attended many of the world's biggest sporting events, multiple times. Pulling from his experiences he has just published The 100 Sporting Events You Must See Live: An Insider’s Guide to Creating the Sports Experience of a Lifetime  ($17.95 USD).

As you might expect of a tennis lover he has included all of the slams although none of them are in the top 10. Just one away, at #11 is Wimbledon; the U.S. Open is  #48; Roland Garros, #54; and the Australian # 84 out of the possible 100. Tennis crazed readers you will have to take up the ranking philosophy with Tuchman yourself but what is noteworthy about the entries is the depth to which they go to present how to best take in and enjoy each of the big-deal events live.

The book is a  Frommer's-esque guide for sports travel fanatics who want to delve into a pilgrimage of live sports events but don’t know where to start. Covered are: ticket brokers, travel and hotel recommendations, best on-site hospitality and local restaurants. I like the Insider’s Edge sections which offers key tidbits that only a regular would know. “It doesn’t matter how large a screen fits into your living room,” says Tuchman. “Absolutely nothing compares to the raw energy and excitement you feel when you’re there live cheering alongside thousands of fans.” Gotta agree there.

About Tuchman’s tennis game; he's an all-court player and lover of singles; rec player since age six; favorite surface: grass; racquet: Prince Speedport Silver; attire: required whites when playing at the Westside Tennis Center in Forest Hills, New York (pictured) but  basic tees and shorts on NYC Central Park Courts; label loves: Nike and Under Armour; weapon: a two handed backhand that delivers a mean flat ball; past tennis influencer: Andre Agassi; current influencer Rafael Nadal;  Facebook friends with Nick Bolletieri (who shares interest in the New York Yankees); Dreams to play on: Center Court at Arthur Ashe.

With what Tuchman does for a living, that dream's a possible reality.

L. Jon Wertheim. Addicted.

 In 1997, the ink still drying on his  J.D. from U. Penn. Law, Jon Wertheim went to work for Sports Illustrated.  Hired as an investigative reporter, his first assignment was covering John Lucas, the fired NBA coach turned tennis coach to Lori McNeil, ranked 93 in the world. Since then Wertheim has written legions about sports,  the game of tennis and the identities that play for a living. Covering tennis is a passion that started with Wertheim's own love for the game. The guy says he doesn’t play enough anymore – a busy/city life makes it challenging – but any chance he gets, he takes. Here’s what makes his personal game tick:

Who got you started? "Lin Loring, the long-time Head Women’s Coach at Indiana University is someone I should thank. His connection to the bigger game, the culture, the pros and gear added excitement to hitting balls out of a cart at summer camp. He knows Billie Jean King and had great stories to tell. "

Why do you play? "Personally I love individual sports. I love the beauty of tennis, the mental component, and the athletes. Having grown up playing, I know how hard it is to play well consistently. I can relate to players when they struggle or choke."

Did you play competitively as a junior? " I think I peaked talent-wise at 16. At that time, my USTA ranking in the State of Indiana was around 9 in doubles and 30 in singles."

Favorite surface? "Clay, although I grew up on hard courts like most American kids. Sliding adds an extra element of fun to the game."

Singles or doubles? "Doubles"

Best stroke?  "Forehand and the occasional drop shot."

Baseliner or all-court? "All court. That’s what makes the game most  interesting."

On court style? "Totally casual, a tee-shirt and cargo shorts or whatever. That new Dri-Fit fabric is nice though."

Stick? "Because of what I do, I’m offered quite a few top-of-the-line racquets to check out. Funny thing is, no matter what I try, after 15 minutes of “trampolining” the ball,  I always go back to the 200 G Dunlops in my bag – left overs from my college roommate, Marc Howard,  who played #1 at Yale.  It’s a comfort thing. I like the feel of that old racquet."

Male pro you can most relate to? "Fabrice Santoro. I’m like a hobo version of Santoro: slices, junk, drop shots. I’m never going to hit a 140 mph serve, but I’ll keep you guessing."

Female?  "Since I have an all-court game, there isn’t one anymore.  I’d like to see the women’s game evolve from the baseline hit it has become."

Ever hit with a tour pro? "I took a clinic with Todd Woodbridge and hit with Mal Washington once. Makes you realize what a ridiculously different level the pros are at."

On on-court coaching: "I’m not a fan. I really like the idea that you are out there trying to figure it out on your own."

Watch for Wertheim's new book on the Federer/Nadal rivalry, Strokes of Genius coming out in May.

Are You Addicted...to Tennis? Tell us About it.

We’re looking for you, the avid recreational tennis nut jonesing to play just about all the time.  You’re not a pro but you’d be pretty happy spending every day on-court. Drop us a note and tell us why we should profile you and your game on Tennisidentity.com, Addicted. Tell us why, where and how much you play.What's your stick and style? Flair it up.

One paragraph is all we need to start.  If we choose to profile you, we’ll be in touch. This is a monthly feature.  Email editor (at) Tennisidentity.com

Mitch Kaplan. Agent Addicted.

Mitch Kaplan is president, founding partner and literary agent at KSB Agency in Beverly Hills, California. Between repping screenwriters, Kaplan can be found on court at the Los Angeles Tennis Club, the oldest tennis club west of the Mississippi. Kaplan says he has not stopped playing tennis since the day he picked up a racquet 52 years ago. In addition to his regular game, he runs a successful tournament and is a voracious pro-tennis fan. For Kaplan tennis is possibly a life requirement akin to oxygen.

Favorite surface: “Clay. Grass if I can find it.”

Singles or Doubles: “Absolutely love both."

Best Stroke: “Forehand and slice, either side.”

Baseliner or all-court: “All court definitely.”

Stick: “Past: Dunlop Maxply or Jack Kramer wood. Present: Prince O3 Speedport Silver.”

On Court Style: “Mostly whites, fitted shirts with collars. I like the shorter shorts but they are hard to find.”

Label Loves: “Lacoste and Nike although I do collect a lot of Grand Slam logo laden clothing. I love that stuff.”

Tennis Travel: “All the Slams, multiple times with my business partner Elliot Stahler (also addicted). One of my favorites is the Australian Open; it’s a party that brings that whole part of the world together.”

Male Pro Whose Tennis Style You Can Relate To: “Justin Gimelstob – only because he’s a friend, although 10 inches taller than me -- otherwise, seriously, Ken Rosewall and Tom Okker. Does that date me?”

Tennis Thanks: "To the pros at the Westside Tennis Club in New York where I grew up."

Current Male Players You Admire: "Roger Federer, perhaps the greatest ambassador of the game ever. I also enjoy watching Andy Murray, Gilles Simon and Juan Martin Del Potro."

Female players: “Justine Henin, my size, style and determination. I don't think that there is a female tennis ambassador at the moment. We don’t get to see much of who these players really are with their entourage alongside at all times.”

Competition: “Bring it on. All comers, all ages.”

Court Time: 3-4 times a week.

Tennis Accolades: Founder of the annual September Tennis for Tots - David & Lynn Angell Memorial Tennis Event which has raised more than $700 K for The Alliance for Children’s Rights in Los Angeles County since 1998.

Mitch Kaplan is pictured above on court (second in from right) with fellow players, Justin Gimelstob, left, Danielle Green, executive in charge of The Jimmy Kimmel Show, and  Tom Spezialy, far right, executive producer of Desperate Housewives.

Joel Drucker. Addicted.

To say that this guy knows tennis would be an understatement. Writer, producer and historian, Joel Drucker is a tennis sage who has worked for Tennis Week, Tennis Channel, ESPN, HBO, CBS, TNT and more. He is quite possibly the person who has written the most about tennis among those who cover the sport. He also plays a ton.

Drucker grew up entrenched in what he terms a “tennis nation unto itself,” southern California, playing in junior tournaments that offered up some of the country’s toughest young draws. There, he says, “a player ranked 20 in the section was likely top 40 in the country. For me, a great junior tournament was when I won two matches. I learned to compete.” Today, Drucker is an avid player and reporter who covers the most elite of pro players and tournaments. His game components:

Singles or Doubles: "Close call, but probably singles."

Favorite surface: Hard court

Best Stroke: "One-handed backhand and backhand volley."

Baseliner or All Court: "All court but with a disruptive, left-handed, aggressive, counter punching mix of spins, paces and attacks, shades of John McEnroe and Brad Gilbert. Some people have the genetic gift of fast feet; I have what could be called the disruption gene." 

Style of Play: "You can tell I learned to play in the 70s. My balls are based on clean, flat hits, a little like Stan Smith or Todd Martin -- but I kind of got off the beam ten years into playing and learned my natural predisposition was to constantly alter spins and paces. Discipline is hard for me. The one-handed back-hand, that’s old-school too."

Stick: Prince Speedport Black with grommets

How often: Three to five times a week

USTA Rank:  "4.5 - 5.0 depending on what part of the country"

Lessons: "The great upside of my job is that I get input from a lot of experts."

Tennis Thanks: "The book I wrote Jimmy Connors Saved My Life: A Personal Biography says it all."

Why You Play: "Tennis is the girl next door. I always liked it but did not appreciate it until later in life. It is a sport where you get to touch the ball on every play, a great vehicle for self-expression and self-improvement.  I also like that tennis is democratic. No matter what you have, a court is a court, same size, lines and net. Show me what you've got."

On Hitting with Tour Pros: "I’ve done this literally dozens of times. Even a former college player does not hit a ball with anywhere near the sustained depth, pace or consistency of a tour pro. It is difficult to compromise them with any kind of shot.  Tennis levels are exponential past 4.5, like earthquakes on the Richter scale."

Tennis style: "Off the court I hardly care about clothing but on I like wearing nice tennis clothes, collared shirts (no tees) and above the knee shorts. I read something once about how quality clothing creates court presence and I loved that notion. As a kid I stole a white Fred Perry vest that Jimmy Connors was wearing at the time (since paid back). I had just lost a tournament and thought it would make a difference."

Label Love:  Fred Perry (still), Thorlo

Tennis Accolades: Tennis Week Writer of the Year, 1999.

Read Drucker's Blog The Roving Player at TennisChannel.com

Tell us. What's Your Tennisidentity?

What's your Tennis identity? What look makes your game tick?  Is it something brand spanking new, something you've seen on a favorite pro player, or is it an old shirt you've won in time and time again? Maybe your style has nothing to do with your game. Maybe it's just an attitude. We want to know. Shoot an email over to editor@tennisidentity.com and we'll compile the answers in an upcoming post. Feel free to send images of yourself on-court in your favorite gear. Thanks and we look forward to hearing from you!

Sika. By night the stage. By day, the court.

First in a series highlighting unique identities for whom tennis is a necessity.

These players quite literally rock. On stage or on court they are passionate about playing big. Their idie-rock style is influenced by such groups as Radiohead, Muse and Sigur Ros, but infused with a sound distinctly their own.

Based in Twin Cities, Minnesota, three of this rising four man band, Sika, play tennis avidly, both professionally and recreationally. All three attribute much of their success in music to principles they learned training on court. “Music and tennis have interesting parallels,” says Nate McLain, guitarist.  “Discipline, commitment and perseverence have proven to be the keys to success.”

Check out their credentials:

Aleksey Zharinov - Lead singer, bass player. 19 years on court; Tennis coach; Aggressive baseliner; Weapon-forehand; Favorite Surface-clay; Game-singles; Stick-Dunlop Aerogel 300; Court Style-trendy; Tennis Accolades- #1 Adult Open, Northern Section, 2002 and 2005; Played on the pro tour; Tennis thanks-to my Dad.

Nate McLain - Guitar, back vocals. On court since age 14; All-courter; Weapons-serve, backhand and footwork; Favorite Surface-just let me play; Stick-Dunlop Aerogel 300; Court Style-all black, all the time; Tennis Accolades-Owns and runs the McLain Tennis Academy in Minnesota, #1 in singles Men’s Open, Northern Section, 2006 and 2007; Played on the pro tour; Tennis thanks-to the kids I teach for keeping me sharp.

David Crevier – Drums and vocals. Playing only 4 years now but a solid 4.5; Tennis coach; Strong baseliner; Weapon-Forehand; Favorite Surface-either; Stick-Wilson K Factor Tour 90; Court Style-Unpredictable but etiquette; Tennis Accolades-2008 Northern Sectional Champ; Tennis thanks-to Aleksey and Nate.

John Torgerson - keyboard, vocals and sound tech. Unconverted, so far...

Top image: Sika band members, from left to right, David Crevier, Nate McClain, John Torgerson, Aleksey Zharinov. Bottom image: on court, left to right. David, Aleksey and Nate.