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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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10 Things You Need To Know About Dominika Cibulkova

10 Things You Need To Know About Dominika Cibulkova

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

1. Fantastic First.
Dominika Cibulkova will round off a fantastic season by appearing at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global for the first time in her career. “I can’t describe with words what qualifying for the WTA Finals Singapore means to me,” said Cibulkova. “After such a tough year last year, this year has been amazing – so reaching the WTA Finals is a dream come true. It was my goal to be a consistently great player and I have achieved that this year. I want to enjoy it, play good tennis and end the year the best way I can.”

2. Linz Leader.
She wrapped up her place at the season-ending showpiece when she beat Viktorija Golubic 6-3, 7-5 in the final of the Generali Ladies Linz.

3. Comeback Queen.
Singapore will crown a terrific comeback season for Cibulkova. She has won three titles in 2016 — at the Katowice Open, Aegon International Eastbourne and most recently Linz – and she finished as runner-up at the Abierto Mexicano TELCEL, Mutua Madrid Open and the Dongfeng Motor Wuhan Open.

4. Flying High.
She’s flown up the rankings this year – Cibulkova was ranked No.66 in February and thanks to her scintillating form has since hit a high of World No.8.

5. Wedding Worries.
Cibulkova’s wedding this year was scheduled for the day of the Wimbledon final – and when she made it all the way to the quarterfinals it looked like the nuptials might have to be delayed for a day or two. Elena Vesnina solved the potential problem, though, beating a fatigued Cibulkova, 6-2, 6-2.

6. Missed Chance.
It’s all such a contrast from 2014, when Cibulkova had her first chance to qualify for the WTA Finals – and her late season form took a nosedive, winning just three regular season matches after Wimbledon.

7. Impressive Improvement.
It’s also a huge improvement from 2015, when she missed five months of the season after surgery on her heel and dropped down the rankings, falling out of the Top 50, although she managed to rise up to world No.38 by the end of the year.

8. Rival for Radwanska.
Cibulkova leads defending Singapore champion Agnieszka Radwanska 3-1 this year — and all four matches went deep into three sets. That will be intriguing should they face off in the Finals.

9. Set Fair.
It’s not just Radwanska she has great three-set form against. Cibulkova is the player on the WTA tour with the most three-set wins in 2016 — her record currently stands at 18 wins and nine losses.

10. Follower of Fashion.
With the help and support of her friend Marion Bartoli, in 2014 Cibulkova launched a clothing line, ‘Pome!’, named after her on-court rally cry.

Official WTA Finals Mobile App, Created by SAP

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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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WTA FINALS SINGAPORE – LIVE STREAMING

WTA FINALS SINGAPORE – LIVE STREAMING

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

The WTA is live streaming the singles & doubles draws, practice sessions, press conferences & Future Stars final, for the duration of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global.

You can watch it all here, LIVE, from October 21 through to the end of the tournament!

Be the first to find out which of your favorite WTA stars will face off against each other at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global!

Follow the Draw Ceremony LIVE on Facebook and wtatennis.com Friday, October 21 at 18:30 SST / 06:30 ET / 11:30 BST.

LIVE STREAM SCHEDULE:

Friday, October 21:
Live Practice – 1:30 PM-2:00 PM (SST) | 6:30 AM-7:00 AM (BST) | 1:30 AM-2:00 AM (EDT)
Live Singles Draw Ceremony – 6:15 (SST) | 11:15 AM (BST) | 6:15 (EST)

Saturday, October 22:
Live Practice – 5:00 PM-6:00 PM (SST) | 10:00 AM-11:00 AM (BST) | 5:00 AM-6:00 AM (EST)

Sunday, October 23:
Live Future Stars Final – 10:45 AM (SST) | 3:45 AM (BST) | 10:45 PM Saturday (EST)

More streams to be announced – stay tuned!

*Stream times and duration subject to change

Official WTA Finals Mobile App, Created by SAP

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Kerber Leads The Pack Into 2017

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

Angelique Kerber

2016 Quick Hits
Week 1 Ranking: No.10
Year-End Ranking: No.1
Season Highlights: Australian Open, Stuttgart, US Open Champion – Brisbane, Wimbledon, Cincinnati, Olympics, Singapore RU
Best Major Result: Winner (Australian Open, US Open)

2016 was all about Angelique, as the German star rose up from No.10 in the world to capture a pair of Grand Slam titles and finish the year atop the WTA rankings. Hard to believe just 12 months ago.

“To win two [majors] right now and to be in one final at Wimbledon, that means to me everything,” she told WTA Insider in her Champions Corner interview in Flushing.

“To then be No.1, what I was always dreaming when I was a kid, that shows me I played a really consistent year. To be No.1 you have to play great, not one day or one week, you have to play very well a few months, and this is also incredible to me.”

A surprise finalist in Melbourne, Kerber stunned then-World No.1 Serena Williams, keeping the American from tying idol Stefanie Graf’s 22 major titles. She maintained a high level all year, reaching finals on all surfaces and winning silver at the Olympic tennis event in Rio.

“I’m feeling much more confident now in my skin and how I am. I think it’s because of my experience I know what’s happened, I know how to deal with pressure, how to deal with the things I have to do off court. That’s what gives me the confidence to dress up, speak, work, being how I am.

“Of course it takes a little while to get where I am, and it was really tough but really good.”

Looking into 2017, Kerber has to hit the ground running as top seed in Brisbane, the tournament where it all began last year. She’ll also have a Grand Slam title to defend right out the gate, but she and coach Torben Beltz were eager to kep working in the off-season, and do what needs to be done to extend her reign at the top of women’s tennis.

“I’m playing the best tennis in my career, but I’m trying to be better and better. I’m trying to motivate myself to be better in my matches and in practice. I will try to still play my best tennis in the next months.”

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WTA Stars Say #ThankYouKobe

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

LOS ANGELES, CA, USA – On Wednesday night, Kobe Bryant hit the court for the last time in his career. After 20 extraordinary seasons, ‘The Black Mamba’ will hang up the purple and gold for good. With a sold-out crowd, Bryant dropped a season-high of 60 points and led the Los Angeles Lakers to a 101-96 comeback win against the Utah Jazz.

It was a night to remember and current WTA players, as well as a few WTA Legends, took to Twitter to show their support and say #ThankYouKobe…

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Keys Rolls Into Singapore Eager To Upset Red Group Rivals At WTA Finals

  • Posted: Jan 01, 1970

SINGAPORE – Madison Keys’ slow and steady climb up the Road to Singapore began in the most unexpected place: the European clay season. A fierce hitter who excels on grass and hardcourts, Keys spent the last three seasons dreading the clay season, unmoored by her unrefined movement and necessary patience on the surface.

But something clicked for Keys at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia, where she proceeded to beat Andrea Petkovic, Petra Kvitova, Timea Babos, and eventual Roland Garros champion Garbiñe Muguruza, to make her first final on the terre battue. From there everything began falling into place.

“I kind of had a slow start to my season,” Keys told reporters at All-Access Hour at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, referring to a left forearm injury she sustained off-court during the off-season. “[Singapore] wasn’t really on the radar. Then even after Rome when I made the finals I noticed I was slowly kind of moving up in the race.

“After winning in Birmingham I was kind of definitely in it at that point. So that’s when I really knew that I could make it, and it became a big goal of mine to be able to get here.”

Keys secured her spot by advancing to the Generali Ladies Linz final last week. Illness forced her to withdraw from the tournament. She spoke with a raspy voice but reassured reporters that she is ready to start her tournament on Sunday against Simona Halep.

“[I] was definitely not feeling good in Linz,” Keys said. “[I’ve] had a couple days to recover and I am feeling a lot better.”

Keys has been drawn in the Red Group, which includes Halep, World No.1 Angelique Kerber, and Dominika Cibulkova. It’s a tough group for Keys, who is a combined 2-9 against Kerber and Halep, though she is 3-0 against Cibulkova.

“It’s a big opportunity,” Keys said, when asked how she felt about landing in a group with Kerber and Halep. “It shows these are some of the best players of the year, and the good news is that I have beaten them before. I do know I can do it.”

On Sunday, Keys will be looking to get revenge on Halep, who has beaten her in all three of their meetings this year.

“I’m looking forward to it,” she said “Just playing her in Wuhan, I think she played really well there, but I think a big part was that I got really passive and I got behind the baseline and let her start dictating. That’s going to be something I’m going to have to step up and go for my shots in the smartest way I can, really just believe that I can do it.”

Reflecting on her consistent season, which saw her make the second week of all four majors and eight of 12 tournaments outside of the Slams, Keys pointed to her rankings rise. After winning the Aegon Classic in June she became the first American since Serena Williams in 1999 to make her Top 10 debut.

“I just look at it as a great accomplishment and a huge opportunity to go out and just play tennis and have fun and maybe inspire some more young American girls to pick up some racquets,” Keys said.

“I think highlights were getting into the Top 10 for sure, winning my second title. I think another big highlight was making a final on red clay…in the past I haven’t always loved red clay. Slowly I’m beginning to love it. I think probably the toughest moment has been losing that third and fourth match in Rio,” she said, referring to her run to the semifinals only to lose the bronze medal match. “Definitely one of the toughest matches that I’ve had to play.”

Speaking of adversity, the discussion turned to the topic of cyberbullying. Keys has occasionally posted screen grabs of the horrible tweets she receives on social media after losses, and more players have done the same over recent months. The 21-year-old says it’s a problem she hopes social media companies address soon.

“I think just showing that it’s kind of a daily struggle that all of us are dealing with,” Keys said when asked why she does posts the vile comments, which can veer into pure racism and sexism, particularly from men who have lost money betting on her matches. “Sometimes it just becomes too much. I just think there has to be a way to kind of monitor it a little bit more. It seems like a lot of times we’ll report a person and we get a response that they couldn’t find enough evidence that they did anything.

“So I think social media has to be able to kind of help us in that sense. But also just [to show] that it’s happening, and we as people have to do the best that we can to stop it, which is a big part of why I’m doing FearlesslyGIRL, going into schools where cyberbullying is also happening, and stopping it at a younger age I think could be really beneficial.”

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