US Open
August 10, 2010
VIVA VITAS Tshirt Immortalized the Beloved American Tennis Star
The great American tennis player, Vitas Gerulaitis, is immortalized in this tshirt from Old School Tennis.
Vitas was known for winning the men's singles title at one of the 2 Australian Open tournaments held in 1977. He also won the men's doubles title at Wimbledon in 1975 and was a singles semi-finalist at Wimbledon in both 1977 and 1978. In 1977, he lost a long Wimbledon semi-final to Björn Borg 6-4, 3-6, 6-3, 3-6, 8-6.
Gerulaitis was known for his exceptionally quick hands at the net and for his outstanding court coverage. With his dash of long blond hair he was a precursor, in style at least, to Andre Agassi.
Gerulaitis died in an accident on September 17, 1994, at age 40. While visiting a friend's home in Southampton, Long Island, a malfunction in the heating system caused odorless, poisonous carbon monoxide gas to seep into the guesthouse where Gerulaitis was sleeping, causing his death. Gerulaitis is interred in Saint Charles Cemetery in Farmingdale, Long Island, New York.*
I was too young to appreciate his play as much as I'd like. But I do follow his contemporaries quite a bit - McEnroe, Borg, Connors, etc. You will never hear anyone say an ill word of Vitas, he's one of the good guys in tennis, beloved and greatly missed by all.
VIVA VITAS!
Check it out at Old School Tennis.
* via Wikipedia
July 31, 2010
VIVA ARTHUR Tshirt Celebrates the Great American Tennis Champion
This t-shirt from Old School Tennis celebrates a player whose impact on the world and on tennis is difficult to sum up, Arthur Ashe. Let's start with him being one of the best American tennis players ever. As a player, a career record of 818-260, 33 titles, #1 in 1969, Australian Open champ, Wimbledon champ, US Open champ, 18 double titles. And Davis Cup winner when he was captain.
But more than that he was a graceful champion at life. A civil rights leader and activist, he was part of a delegation of 31 prominent African-Americans who visited South Africa to observe political change in the country as it approached racial integration. And despite two rounds of heart surgeries and contracting AIDS through a blood transfusion, Ashe never lost his grace, dignity or class.
Which is why we say VIVA ARTHUR!
You can put the design on just about any shirt in the store. But we like how it is shown, on an American Apparel jersey t-shirt, 100% cotton.
Check it out at Old School Tennis.
September 1, 2009
US Open Day Two's Match Racquet - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga plays American Chase Buchanan today on the Grandstand Court.
What stick does Jo-Wilfriend swing? The Wilson Kobra Tour Tennis Racquet
Its a brand new frame - solid, accurate, impressive. Created for the new generation of aggressive tournament players, the Kobcra Tour offers plenty of power, maximum spin and the legendary ontrol of K Factor.
- Length: 27 in.
- Headsize: 100 in.
- Strung Balance: 7 pts. HH
- Strung Weight: 11.5 oz.
Check out the The Wilson Kobra Tour Tennis Racquetand cheer the one they call "Ali" on today!
Photo Courtesy of the FFT
September 12, 2008
Wilson Dominates US Open
Serena Williams outlasted Jelena Jankovic 6-4, 7-5 Sunday night to win her third U.S. Open championship and ninth Grand Slam title. By capturing the US Open title, she returns to the #1 ranking in the world.
There were four times Williams was a single point from heading to a third set but she was simply relentless with her [K] Blade Team
. She took the final four games, and 13 of the last 19 points. Williams took the title without dropping a set the entire tournament. The fourth-seeded Williams finished with 44 winners, 29 more than Jankovic, and smacked serves at up to 120 mph, a 14 mph edge over her opponent's fastest.
It was Williams' first conquest at Flushing Meadows since 2002, and it guaranteed that she will lead the rankings for the first time since a 57-week run ended in August 2003. Williams' previous Grand Slam title came in January 2007, at the Australian Open.
Roger Federer used his [K] Six.One 95 and rolled past Andy Murray 6-2, 7-5, 6-2 to win his fifth consecutive U.S. Open championship and 13th major title overall. Federer had 36 winners to Murray's 16, as well as winning 31 of 44 points at the net, compared with 7 of 11 showing by Murray. Federer is the first man since 1924 to win five straight US Open titles as well as the only player to win five consecutive titles in 2 different Grand Slam tournaments─US Open and Wimbledon.
Wilson had many other notable achievements at the 2008 US Open including: Novak Djokovic reached the semifinals with [K] Blade Tour and Venus Williams made it to the quarterfinals with [K] Blade Team. Mardy Fish, Juan Martin del Potro and Gilles Muller all reached the quarterfinals with a [K] Six.One 95 racket. Kei Nishikori reached the 4th round with his [K] Tour and Flavia Pennetta reached the quarterfinals with [K] Blade 98. Juniors also went far with [K] Factor: Melanie Oudin reached junior girls semi-finals with [K] Tour, Filip Kraijnovic and Tsung-Hua Yang reached junior boys semi-finals both with [K] Blade Tour.
September 9, 2008
August 29, 2008
August 28, 2008
US Open Top Seeds Racquets - Jelena Jankovic
Can Jelena Jankovic win a grand slam in 2008? We'll see this week at the US Open. If she's going to do it, she's going to need her favorite stick, the Prince O3 Speedport White.It is the latest 'tweener' offering in the Prince O3 Speedport racquet line based on the very successful O3 White, used by Maria Sharapova. The Prince O3 Speedport Pro White features an aerodynamic refinement to the largest sweetspot offered in the Prince racquet line thanks to the use of new square-shaped O-Ports that generates a livelier response across the entire string bed.
Prince has changed some key specifications for the new O3 Speedport Pro White (0.3 oz. heavier, denser 18x19 string pattern for the Pro version) to reward the more advanced player seeking added control, while keeping the headsize and length consistent with the O3 Speedport White. The O3 Speedport Pro White offers another well-rounded, control-oriented option in the new O3 Speedport line to complement the very popular O3 Black. Overall, the O3 Speedport Pro White is sure to be one of the best racquets for an intermediate-advanced to advanced player with a moderate to fast swing speed.
* Racquet SpecificationsHeadsize:100 sq. in.
* Length:27.00 in.
* Weight (strung):11.60 oz.
* Stiffness (Babolat RDC): 66
* Balance:12.90 in. Head Light
* Cross Section:23mm/25mm/22mm Tapered Beam
* Swingweight:328 kg*sq. cm
* String Pattern:18x19
* Grip:Prince DuraPro
* Prince Power Level:1000
The Prince O3 Speedport Pro White is $199 at DoItTennis and Amazon.
August 27, 2008
US Open Top Seeds Racquets - Roger Federer
It feels very odd to say, but...#2 Roger Federer is looking for payback at this year's US Open, and will be swinging his Wilson [K]Six-One Tourto make it happen.
The Wilson [K] Factor Six.One Tour racquet is made using [k]arophite black nanotechnology, a proprietary next-generation structure that results in better feel and a stronger, more stable performance. As a result, it's easier than ever for players to shape their shots and hit the corners with accuracy. And control is a crucial tool, as players who had the fewest unforced errors have won a combined 74 percent of the most recent Grand Slam tournaments. In fact, the [K] Factor Six.One Tour is so precise that it's the favorite of Roger Federer. Recommendations don't come any better than that.
The [K] Factor Six.One Tour also comes around a bit quicker than other racquets, creating more pace and penetration on ground strokes. And the racquet offers plenty of control and hop during serves.
Specifications:
* Si: 6 (fast and long)
* Head size: 90 square inches
* Length: 27 inches
* Weight: 12 ounces (unstrung), 12.5 ounces (strung)
* Balance: 12 points HL (unstrung), 9 points HL (strung)
* Grip size: 4-1/4 to 4-5/8
* Composition: 80 percent karophite black, 20 percent Kevlar
* Cross section: 17.0 mm Flat Beam, tip, shoulder, and handle
* Rec. string: Champion's Choice
* Rec. grip: Leather
* Bumper and grommets: G7861
* Stringing recommendations: 16 x 19 pattern, 50- to 60-pound tension
The Wilson [K]Six-One Tourstarts at $199 from Amazon
August 26, 2008
USTA Launches Green Initiatives at 2008 US Open
Long-term environmental awareness plan will have Billie Jean King as campaign spokesperson.
The USTA today announced an increased commitment to long-term environmental initiatives at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, home of the US Open, which annually hosts more than 700,000 fans during the two weeks of the event. One of tennis' most respected champions and the tennis facility's namesake, Billie Jean King, will participate in the USTA's awareness campaign to encourage US Open fans and others to help preserve the environment.
A top environmental consultant, Environmental Resources Management (ERM), reviewed operations of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center and recommended various initiatives that will have an impact on reducing the carbon footprint of the 2008 US Open, including improved waste and energy management programs and the use of recycled paper. The USTA will continue to work with ERM to develop ongoing initiatives to further reduce the US Open's carbon footprint and overall ecological impact.
Continue reading: "USTA Launches Green Initiatives at 2008 US Open"
August 25, 2008
US Open Top Seeds Racquets - Rafael Nadal
World #1, Rafael Nadal, comes into New York for the US Open wielding the Babolat Aeropro Drive Cortex.
This stick has generally the same specs found in the AeroPro Drive - advanced players will enjoy easy topspin and slice and the large sweetspot yields forgiving power for moderate to fast swings.
- Aero Modular Technology: Thinner width at the upper section of the raquet provides increased power, standard width midsection provides stability and a wider base provides more stiffness for increased control and a faster swing.
- Woofer Technology: Provides better comfort and control. The first and most efficient system which makes the frame and strings interact when striking the ball creating 25% longer ball/string contact.
- Cortex System: The Cortex System is a revolutionary active technology between the throat and handle of the racquet. With this new technology, the two parts of the racquet are linked by an interface in CDS (Cortex Dampening System) material. This technology allows the filtering of the different vibratory modes. It eliminates unnecessary vibrations and enhances the feel of the ball.
The Babolat Aeropro Drive Cortexstarts at $177 from Amazon.
July 28, 2008
McEnroe Saves USTA's US Open Series Ad Campaign
We've all seen the US Open Series ads with the big blue bus and our favorite players talking about "the greatest road trip in sports." This year, the USTA planned on expanding on this theme with ads on the bus with Justin Gimelstob playing the heel to top pros in funny skits. Well, Gimelstob became a heel in real life with offensive comments, so the USTA needed to either fix or pull all these great ads. Enter Johnny Mac, who stepped in to save the day.
From the WSJ
January 2, 2008
Wilson to be the official stringer through the 2009 US Open
Wilson Sporting Goods Extends Contract as Official Stringer of US Open
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The United States Tennis Association has extended Wilson’s contract as the Official Racquet Stringer of the US Open. The contract extension has given Wilson the exclusive on-site stringing rights through the 2009 tournament.
The Wilson Stringing team assembles every year in New York to string for the world’s best tennis players during the three-week event in Flushing Meadows. The stringing team is comprised of 14 world class stringers who fly in from 7 different countries to string for the Wilson team. In 2007, Wilson had a 15% increase in racquets strung (2,726 racquets) over the previous year. This increase is a testament to the quality service provided by the Wilson team.
The US Open is one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, the most prestigious events in tennis. The US Open is held annually in late August/early September at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City. In 2007, Wilson athletes Roger Federer and Justine Henin won the US Open men’s and women’s singles titles, respectively.
Wilson Racquet Sports is a division of Chicago-based Wilson Sporting Goods, one of the world's leading manufacturers of sports equipment and owned by Amer Sports. Wilson designs, manufactures and distributes sporting goods throughout the world and focuses on making technologically advanced products which help players of all levels perform better. Wilson's core sport categories include: Football, Basketball, Baseball, Volleyball, Soccer, Youth Sports, Uniforms/Apparel, Golf, Footwear and Racquet Sports (Tennis, Racquetball, Squash, Badminton and Platform Tennis). For more information, visit www.wilson.com.
More Wilson Tennis Posts
September 10, 2007
Separated at Birth - Federer and...Minelli????
OK, I just got this from Down the Line and I had to write a post. I watched the whole final and it never occurred to me that Liza was dressed pretty much like Federer. Whether on purpose or not (my guess is it was), its laughable...much like Liza Minelli.
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