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Olympic Gold Medalist Puig Brings Tennis To Puerto Rico

Olympic Gold Medalist Puig Brings Tennis To Puerto Rico

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Make no mistake: Monica Puig was already a big deal in Puerto Rico before that Olympic medal was draped around her neck. But that Gold medal has shot her into the stratosphere of recognition back home. Now it’s time to bring tennis to Puerto Rico.

Puig staged her first exhibition last week in San Juan and by every metric, the Monica Puig Invitational was a blazing success.

The 24 year old became the first athlete to ever bring a Gold medal back to Puerto Rico, after beating Germany’s Angelique Kerber in the final of the Olympic tennis event. Her remarkable run, which saw her lose just one set and beat two reigning Grand Slam champions in Kerber and Garbiñe Muguruza – not to mention two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova – was as inspiring as it was improbable.

Monica Puig 

The idea for the exhibition event came during Puig’s flight home. With no WTA tournaments currently staged in Puerto Rico, Puig told her agent Marijn Bal that she wanted a way to not only grow the sport back home but also give her family and fans an opportunity to see her play, not just this year but every year.

She wanted it to be an accessible event, affordable for a family of five to come and enjoy the atmosphere and the tennis. But most of all, she wanted it to be fun. Because if tennis is fun, there’s more of a chance the next Monica Puig might be sitting in the stands.

A lively party atmosphere dominated the Coliseu de Puerto Rico, as a packed crowd of more than 12,0000 fans created a Fed Cup atmosphere as their hometown hero took on Maria Sharapova last Thursday. There was dancing, there was laughter, and there was shot-making throughout the match, which Puig won 6-3, 1-6, 10-6.

“It’s been a really long time since I competed in front of fans, in front of spectators, to come out after so many months and compete in front of some of the most enthusiastic fans tonight….” an emotional Sharapova said to the crowd before being drowned out by cheers.

“I think tonight is a combination of a few things. First and most importantly it’s because of Monica. Without her career and without her path of what she achieved this summer at the Olympics none of us would be here tonight so a huge thank you. A huge thank you for the welcome.”

“Maria, before you go I just wanted again to thank you so much for coming to the first Monica Puig Invitational,” Puig said before addressing the arena in Spanish.

“Like I was telling you before and what I want all of Puerto Rico to know is the reason I invited Maria is because she is not only a great champion but a great ambassador to our sport. She has the values that represent a champion. She’s an amazing person, extremely funny, really really humble, and we’re going to work on the Spanish and the dancing, don’t worry!”

Maria Sharapova, Monica Puig

Puig hopes to make the event an annual exhibition, expanded over multiple days. This year, in addition to the exhibition itself, Puig and Sharapova also held a kids clinic, visited local dignitaries and VIPs. The event was organized in four months with Puig’s heavy involvement, as she and her agency IMG partnered with Ventana LLC, a local event promoter to implement Puig’s vision.

Puig’s personal sponsors, Universal Insurance, AT&T, Chrysler, and the Puerto Rico Tourism Company immediately answered the call to sponsor the event as well. In all, the exhibition served as a celebration of Puig’s journey to Olympic glory as well as a heartfelt thank you to everyone who helped get her there.

Puig is currently doing her off-season training in Boca Raton and will start her season at the Brisbane International, which begins on January 1st.

All photos courtesy of Jimmie48 Tennis Photography.

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US Open Friday: Kerber’s Quest Continues

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Angelique Kerber continues her quest for No.1 as the bottom half of the draw contests its third-round matches in New York on Friday. Chris Oddo previews a busy schedule at wtaennis.com.

Friday, Third Round

[2] Angelique Kerber (GER #2) vs. [Q] CiCi Bellis (USA #158)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Kerber will ascend to the No.1 ranking if Serena Williams does not reach the semifinals in New York.

Angelique Kerber will bid for her 50th win of the season against a 17-year-old fan favorite that relishes the big stage. That 17-year-old would be Catherine Bellis, a diminutive Northern Californian with a surprisingly big game. Bellis came through in three sets on Wednesday, defeating Shelby Rogers to reach the third round at the Open for the first time. Bellis famously became the youngest player to win a match at the US Open since 1996 when she defeated Dominika Cibulkova as a 15-year-old two years ago. On Friday her challenge will be even greater. Bellis will face No.2-ranked Angelique Kerber, a player very much in form and in her prime, and the American knows she’s in for a tough test. Kerber is in the hunt for the No.1 ranking and will bid to reach the second week at the US Open for the fourth time, and first time since 2013. “She’s No.2 in the world obviously and an amazing player,” Bellis said of the German. “It will be a lot of fun for me.” Kerber, who leads the tour in wins, hardcourt wins and Top 10 wins this season, will do her best to ensure that the youngster doesn’t have too much fun.

Pick: Kerber in two

[14] Petra Kvitova (CZE #16) vs. [22] Elina Svitolina (UKR #19)
Head-to-head: Kvitova leads, 3-1
Key Stat: Kvitova reached her first US Open quarterfinal in 2015.

What has Petra Kvitova been up to on her off days at the US Open? Oh, just not practicing. It may sound strange, but it’s true. The Czech says she has been doing everything she can to avoid the stress of the big city, so she passes on the New York City commute on her off days and instead practices on the day of her matches only. “I didn’t practice yesterday,” Kvitova told WTA Insider Courtney Nguyen on Wednesday after her straight-sets win over Cagla Buyukakcay. “I had a day off, so I didn’t come on-site. So that’s a new tradition I think from last year.” Kvitova says she instead does fitness off-site and spends the time saved luxuriating with a coffee in Manhattan. The Czech will hope the new routine leaves her rested and ready for her second meeting in less than a month with Elina Svitolina. Kvitova pummeled the Ukrainian 6-2, 6-0 at the Rio Olympics. The No.22-seed has needed three sets in each of her first two matches in New York.

Pick: Kvitova in two

[8] Madison Keys (USA #9) vs. Naomi Osaka (JAP #81)
Head-to-head: First meeting
Key Stat: Keys owns a 13-4 record in three-setters in 2016.

After Garbiñe Muguruza’s sudden departure from the draw on Wednesday, 21-year-old Madison Keys is the highest-seeded player remaining in her quarter of the draw. Will she take advantage of the opportunity? To do so she’ll have to get by the young, powerful Naomi Osaka of Japan in a first-time meeting. Osaka has yet to fail to reach the third round in all three of her career Grand Slam appearances, but has yet to go beyond. To do so at the Open, she’ll have to upend a blossoming star on her home soil. Keys trounced 16-year-old Kayla Day, 6-1, 6-1 on Wednesday, but the American knows her next test could be a tricky one. “She’s an aggressive player,” Keys said of Osaka. “She’s been playing well. She’s steadily been moving up the rankings. She’s going to be a tough opponent.”

Pick: Keys in three

[13] Johanna Konta (GBR #14) vs. [24] Belinda Bencic (SUI #26)
Head-to-head: Bencic leads, 2-1
Key Stat: Bencic reached the US Open quarterfinals as a 17-year-old in 2014.

Johanna Konta barely survived a harrowing struggle on Day 3, but the top Brit lives to see another day in New York. Konta wilted in the heat and collapsed to the court during her second-round encounter with Tsvetana Pironkova, and was immediately treated by medical staff. Remarkably, the 25-year-old made a stunning return to form to complete her victory over the Bulgarian. It took courage and resilience for Konta to continue; now she’s hoping for a strong recovery before she meets Belinda Bencic on Friday “We push our bodies to the limits… I definitely hit, you know, one of my limits,” Konta said, before adding: “I feel very fortunate that I have one more chance to play here, to give my best again.” Bencic had a much simpler second-round match. She emphatically moved past Andrea Petkovic in straight sets to reach the third round in Queens for the third consecutive year.

Pick: Konta in three

By the Numbers…
3 – Players with a shot at the No.1 ranking at the end of the US Open (Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber and Agnieszka Radwanska).
20-13 – Roberta Vinci‘s US Open record. The Italian was 12-12 at New York through 2014.
1 – Number of players in Top 10 to have yet to play in a Grand Slam final (Madison Keys).

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Azarenka Gives Birth To Baby Boy

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Not long after checking in with fans and friends on Tennis Channel, Victoria Azarenka announced the birth of her first child late on Monday night.

The former No.1 began the season winning three titles in Brisbane and the elusive Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami, but left the tour back in July after announcing her pregnancy. Azarenka took to social media to share her first picture as a mother on Twitter:

Her colleagues and fellow players extended their hearty congratulations to the two-time Australian Open champion on Twitter, as well:

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Wozniacki Resurgence Continues

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Caroline Wozniacki’s US Open revival gathered further momentum as she brushed aside Monica Niculescu to reach the fourth round.

Having arrived at Flushing Meadows with little form to speak of, Wozniacki has been one of the stories of the opening week, following up her upset of No.9 seed Svetlana Kuznetsova with another impressive showing. The two-time finalist dissected Niculescu’s unorthodox game to win, 6-3, 6-1.

As she did against Kuznetsova, the Dane delivered a tidy performance, her sprightly movement betraying no signs of the ankle injury that sidelined her for much of the spring. After trading a couple of early breaks, Wozniacki struck again to edge 3-1 ahead, maintaining this advantage – despite a fraught final service game – to close out the set.

The Romanian had failed to take a set from Wozniacki in their six previous meetings and never looked like breaking this spell, quickly slipping 3-0 behind. With the former No.1 prevailing in the battle of wills from the baseline match point soon arrived, Niculescu surrendering as a drop shot drifted tamely wide.

“I think it’s fun to play against her but also really frustrating because she makes you feel like you can’t play tennis,” Wozniacki said. “You have to be mentally prepared to grind it out. It wasn’t pretty, but I got a good workout running after her drop shots. I just need to step in and hit the ball and go for it. Otherwise, I have no chance.”

Meeting Wozniacki for a place in the quarterfinals will be Madison Keys, who kept alive hopes of a maiden Grand Slam title by producing what she described as the comeback of her career. Trailing Naomi Osaka 5-1 in the final set, the No.8 seed looked dead and buried only to capitalize on some finishing line nerves to somehow turn the match around.

Serving for the match at 5-2, Osaka missed a presentable forehand volley that left her fighting back the tears. And while she regrouped admirably to force a tie-break, her moment had passed, Keys powering towards a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6(3) victory.

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WTA Charities Dedicated To Global Philanthropic Efforts

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

ST. PETERSBURG, FL, USA – The WTA has announced the launch of WTA Charities, its first global philanthropic organization dedicated to making a positive social impact across the globe.

“I am very pleased to announce the formation of WTA Charities,” said Steve Simon, WTA CEO and Chairman. “This is an area that WTA has been actively involved in for years and we are now setting ourselves up to truly have a dedicated division for WTA and its members to make a lasting impact – in our tournament communities, by supporting our player’s charitable efforts and affiliations, along with our partner’s philanthropic initiatives.”

The WTA Charities Board of Directors has been established and will serve as advisors in the development and implementation of WTA Charities. The Board of Directors includes WTA CEO and Chairman Steve Simon, WTA Player Board Representative Dianne Hayes, WTA Tournament Council member Bob Moran, WTA Global Advisory Council member Jan Soderstrom and WTA alumnae Pam Shriver, Tracy Austin and Jennifer Capriati.

“WTA Charities is an important step for the WTA family to both leverage and focus our humanitarian efforts,” said Pam Shriver. “I have been involved in many charitable causes throughout my career and I’m so pleased to be a part of WTA Charities because we can be transformational in providing assistance and serving others with our global reach.”

WTA Charities’ various charitable initiatives will be introduced in January 2017 as the new season starts.

MISSION

The mission of WTA Charities is to be a social responsibility vehicle built on the WTA’s values to empower and provide for a better future. WTA Charities is dedicated to combining, strengthening and enhancing the community and charitable efforts of the WTA through its members (players, alumnae and tournaments), along with its partners.

PILLARS OF ACTION

There are 3 pillars of action within WTA Charities, each giving back in its own individual way:

1. Service – Directing community outreach and local efforts to give back to the communities that host WTA tournaments. Includes grassroots tennis programs that promote opportunity, personal achievement, self-esteem and respect.

2. Assistance – Aimed at providing assistance to those in need primarily through the WTA Assistance Program (WTAAP), helping members of the women’s professional tennis community who suffer from serious illness or other catastrophic loss.

3. Support – Reinforcing WTA member’s charitable initiatives through financial and promotional efforts and aligning with organizations that help advance lives through empowerment, equality and care for others.

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Venus Soars Past Siegemund

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Two-time US Open champion Venus Williams dispatched No.26 seed Laura Siegemund, 6-1, 6-2, to waltz into the second week in Flushing Meadows for the 14th time in her illustrious career.

“I’m happy with putting wins under my belt,” she said after the match. “I’m always in search for perfection. If it’s not perfect, I’m back to the drawing board

“Today was a more straightforward win, but not perfect. So I’ll be working on perfection.”

Playing her first night match of the tournament, Venus played solid tennis against Siegemund, who was into the third round for the first time ever. Hitting 11 winners and breaking serve six times, the elder Williams sister survived several long games against the German veteran – one of the longest coming as she served for the opening set.

“Everything I’ve gone through has proven to me that I love the game, because to be out here is an effort, to say the least. So it’s proved that I love this clearly enough to go through this. And to reach perfection is something I still expect from myself, no matter what, whatever it is I’m going through.”

Saving four break points, Venus took the first set on her second opportunity and immediately broke to start the second. Making no mistake when it came time to serve out the match, she held to 15 and booked the last remaining spot in the round of 16, where she will play No.10 seed Karolina Pliskova.

“Each match is different. I approach them differently. We play kind of a similar game. So it’s about one of us playing that game better.

“I haven’t played her that often. So go out there and put the ball in the court, try to win.”

Pliskova reached the second week of a major tournament earlier on Saturday by knocking out 2011 quarterfinalist and No.17 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, 6-2, 6-4.

“It definitely was always my goal,” she said in her post-match press conference. “So I’m really happy that I got there. I was trying to get there for a long time, but before it probably wasn’t meant to be. So I’m happy to be there now, especially at the US Open, especially on hardcourt, which is my best surface.

“I’m also really happy with the match, how I got through.”

The two have played just once before, with Venus narrowly edging the Czech star in the final of the Huajin Securities WTA Elite Trophy Zhuhai.

“It’s not that long ago, when we played. I remember the match. It was pretty good match from I think both of us. She was playing really good tennis there.

“Obviously with her it’s tough. She’s serving pretty well both serves, playing aggressive on the return. There is not much to do.

“I just have to serve well. That’s the most important thing.”

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Insider Podcast: Week One Recap

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – Week 1 is in the books at the US Open, and catch up with all the best moments on Day 6’s Daily Dispatch from the WTA Insider Podcast.

Save for a three-set struggle from No.5 seed Simona Halep, all the big names progressed into the second week with relative ease on Saturday, include World No.1 Serena Williams, No.4 seed Agnieszka Radwanska, No.6 seed Venus Williams, and No.10 seed Karolina Pliskova, who reached the fourth round at a major for the first time in her young career.

Analyzing the week that was, the WTA Insider team looks ahead to Day 7, and whether there might be an upset or two on the table come Sunday.

Subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, Stitcher, TuneIn or on any podcast app of your choice to ensure you never miss an episode when they go live. Reviews are always helpful, so if you like what you’ve heard so far, leave us one. You can also get new episode alerts by following us on Twitter @WTA_Insider.

Follow @WTA_Insider

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Konjuh Conquers Radwanska Rematch

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

NEW YORK, NY, USA – 18-year-old Ana Konjuh notched the biggest win of her career under the roof at Arthur Ashe Stadium, taking out World No.4 Agnieszka Radwanska in straight sets to reach her first ever Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open, 6-4, 6-4.

Konjuh let three match points slip by in their dramatic second-round clash at Wimbledon earlier this year, but she only needed one to get the job done today against Radwanska.

“I’m just really happy,” Konjuh grinned in post-match press. “I played her in Wimbledon. It was a tough match. This time I took opportunities. You know, I was just going for it. It was the key of the match.”

The Croat shook off a shaky start, going down an early break before she found her footing in her debut match at Arthur Ashe. Despite the initial nerves, Konjuh quickly acclimated to the big stage, digging out of a 2-0 deficit and grabbing the break right back, working the court open with vicious angles from her forehand and backhand.

Her aggressive, crafty tennis proved frustrating to Radwanska, who hit 13 unforced errors – a high figure for the usually stingy player – to just nine winners. Konjuh attacked the vulnerable Radwanska serve and claimed the decisive break at 4-3, managing to out-drop shot Radwanska and beat her at the baseline. She took the match after breaking in the ninth game of the second set, and serving out the biggest win of her career.

“Maybe there was one or two chances,” Radwanska said after the match. She converted just one of three break opportunities. “Then I didn’t really hold my serve. I didn’t serve good enough.”

“Then, well, I’m here not as a winner.”

The 18-year-old Croat won the US Open girls’ title back in 2013, and then two years later became the WTA’s youngest title winner in almost a decade when she captured the Nottingham title. Now, despite a season marred by injury, she’s one match away from the semifinals.

“It’s really a privilege for me to be here, just playing for the finals,” Konjuh said. “I’m 18.I won the juniors here. I have good memories. I love the city. I’m just really happy just to have this chance.”

Konjuh will play Karolina Pliskova, another Grand Slam quarterfinal debutante, for a spot in the US Open semifinals.

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Ever Optimistic, Ivanovic Leaves A Game Changed For Good

Ever Optimistic, Ivanovic Leaves A Game Changed For Good

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

From prodigious talent to scrappy veteran, Ana Ivanovic’s 14-year career spanned every iteration of a professional tennis career. Throughout it all, it was Ivanovic’s thoughtfulness, poise, and grace – on and off the court – that will be remembered most, not just by her fans but also her colleagues and competitors. Tennis lost one of the nice ones on Wednesday, after the 29-year-old took to Facebook and called an end to her milestone career.

Along with Novak Djokovic and Jelena Jankovic, Ivanovic helped put Serbia firmly on the tennis map, so much so that it’s hard to remember that a time when it wasn’t one of the premier tennis nations. She shot out of the gate after turning pro in August of 2003, soaring through the rankings before winning her first WTA title in Canberra when she was just 16-years-old.

In one fell swoop she became the first woman representing Serbia to win a Grand Slam title and be ranked atop the game, after winning the 2008 French Open to ascend to No.1. Her natural, kinetic forehand, which often earned comparisons to Stefanie Graf’s, brought home that championship, and put a cap on what was a career-defining season in 2008.

Ana Ivanovic

Ivanovic had been a consistent threat at the big tournaments, having made the Roland Garros final the year before and the Australian Open final a few months earlier. Her win at the BNP Paribas Open in March of that year further solidified her position in the upper echelons of the game. So when she smacked inside-out forehand after inside-out forehand to knock off Jankovic in the semifinals – in what was a battle for No.1 – and then Dinara Safina in the final, the 20-year old’s ascension felt natural, almost effortless.

Little did anyone know the next nine years of her career would be defined by effort, guts, and grit. Not long after winning her maiden Slam, Ivanovic suffered a right thumb injury that not only ruled her out of the 2008 Olympic tennis event, but also led to changes in her forehand technique that left her vaunted weapon forever changed. While she won eight of her 15 career titles in the three years from 2005 to 2008, she would win seven titles over the next nine years.

Her results may have grown frustrating and her game may have altered, but Ana remained the same personable, thoughtful, intelligent woman throughout her career. Despite her fame and “glamour girl” magazine covers, Ivanovic was notoriously shy. At times it seemed she was more comfortable sitting in the aisles of a bookstore thumbing through her next read than playing in front of a roaring crowd on Center Court.

Ana Ivanovic

Her favorite tournaments were always quieter or smaller, whether it was the Australian Open, where she could enjoy backyard barbecues with her Melbourne family, or the BNP Paribas Open, where bookstores and resort life suited her, or even the French Open or Wimbledon, where the quaintness of the venue and its surroundings kept her at peace. It’s no surprise that those tournaments would also be her most successful.

Through the ups and downs of the latter stages of her career, Ivanovic never stopped believing she could regain her former glory. She was a workaholic, never turning away from hitting the gym or the courts to try and gain that edge. Her optimism was tested time and time again, but Ivanovic faced the press every time, answered honestly, and still looked you in the eye and said, rather confusingly, “thank you,” even as she left the room after another inquisition.

Finally, in 2014 and 2015, Ivanovic got the last laugh. After years of battling to stay in the Top 20, Ivanovic surged into the Top 10, posting consistent and quality results and wins. After reuniting with her coach Nigel Sears to take care of some “unfinished business,” Ivanovic scored one of the biggest wins of her career at the 2014 Australian Open, when she beat Serena Williams in the Round of 16, led the tour in match wins, and qualified for her first BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global since 2008.

Ana Ivanovic

Then, in what felt like a full-circle moment, Ivanovic returned to Paris to make her first major semifinal since winning Roland Garros in 2008.

It was a sweet moment for Ivanovic, a reward for her persistence, self-belief, and work ethic. This time she could savor the moment. Ivanovic will be the first to admit that she was not ready for how her life would change after becoming No.1 at 20 years old. It took her time to get comfortable in her own skin, to shut out the squaks and the stares – and later the whispers – that would follow her wherever she went.

But as she hangs up her racquets and transitions to a new life, Ivanovic’s legacy in the game is a simple one. The game may change but you don’t have to. The sport is cruel but you don’t have to be. And champions will be remembered not just by the number of trophies they’ve won but also their character.

Much like Kim Clijsters, Ivanovic was one of the nice ones. And the game was better for it.

Ana Ivanovic

All photos courtesy of Getty Images.

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Ivanovic To Sit Out Rest Of 2016 Season

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

After a disappointing year of injuries and inconsistencies, Ana Ivanovic took to Twitter on Tuesday, announcing her intention to skip the remaining tournaments in 2016 so that she may be fully fit for the upcoming 2016 season.

Check out her full statement: 

Ivanovic had enjoyed a career renaissance in 2014 and had a strong start to 2015, peaking at No.5 just before the toe injury mentioned in her statement. Though she went on to reach the semifinals of the French Open that year, the former No.1 hasn’t made it past the third round in any of the last seven major tournaments. She last played at the US Open, where she fell in the first round to Denisa Allertova, 7-6(4), 6-1.

The Serb spoke with WTA Insider before the start of the Open on her season, career, and the concept of luck in tennis; catch up on that interview below:

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