Tennis News

Monica Seles Hosts Kids Clinic In Budapest

Former World No.1 Monica Seles arrived in Budapest for the Hungarian Day of Tennis, which celebrates the past, present and future of Hungarian tennis, and hosted a kids’ clinic alongside other Hungarian former players.

“It’s been fantastic to be invited by the Hungarian Tennis Federation to be a part of the WTA tournament here in Budapest, and also to participate in the Hungarian Day of Tennis kid’s clinic,” Seles told wtatennis.com.

“I hope we can spread the love of tennis and inspire a lot of young kids to pick up a racquet, and hopefully one day see them on center court.”

Budapest Champion Timea Babos & Monica Seles Auction Signed Racquets

Timea Babos captured the title in front of her home crowd in Budapest at the Hungarian Ladies Open, and she’s also helping to give back to her community.

Babos and Seles have donated autographed tennis racquets – the same racquets they played with this past week – which will be put on auction for two weeks after the tournament. All proceeds will benefit the Ronald McDonald House, the tournament’s charity of choice.

“I think it’s wonderful that the WTA tournament here in Budapest has a charitable side,” Seles told wtatennis.com. “And it’s great that the WTA has started a charitable foundation – I think it’s so important to give back.

“We in sport are very lucky to do what we love and make a living out of it, and anytime that we’re able to give back, it’s a huge honor and happiness in my heart.”

Johanna Larsson & Chan Yung-Jan Host Clinics In Dubai

Over in Dubai, Johanna Larsson and Chan Yung-Jan (Latisha) hosted a set of children’s and youth clinics to inspire the next generation of tennis hopefuls.

Larsson enjoyed some mini-tennis with children at the JP Morgan Kids Clinic and also had a hit with two promising juniors from the region, while Latisha hosted the Lacoste Special Needs Clinic, which involved children and teenagers who don’t let their disabilities hold them back when it comes to keeping active and enjoying tennis.

Latisha interacted with the children, posing for selfies, signing balls and answering their questions about what life is like as a professional tennis player.

“I always like coming to these clinics as it’s so much fun to make the kids happy and help them enjoy tennis,” she said. “It’s great to put smiles on their faces, and Dubai Duty Free always puts on a great show for the children.”

JP Morgan’s Breakfast With A Champion

Also in Dubai, hosts Mickey Lawler, President of the WTA, and former British No.1 Annabel Croft were joined by former doubles World No.1 Sania Mirza at JP Morgan’s Breakfast With A Champion.

In front of an audience made up of JP Morgan’s female bankers and employees, the event celebrated powerful female role models.

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Former World No.11 Shahar Peer, 29, officially announced her retirement on Tuesday. Peer retires as the most successful Israeli woman to ever play on the WTA.

“I want to share with you one of the hardest decisions I have had to make in my life,” Peer wrote on Facebook. “After 23 years, in which 13 of those years I was an international professional tennis player, I am retiring 🙂

“I made this decision following a chronic inflammation in my shoulder, that has been lasting for over two years, and prevents me from competing at the high level that I am used to and expect from myself. At the same time, I lost my desire for the game of tennis and the intense way of life I have lived since I was 6.5 years old.

“I look back on this experience with a huge smile, a lot of happiness and satisfaction. I am proud of all of my accomplishments as well as the huge honor I was given to represent the state of Israel.

“I want to thank everyone for your never-ending support that I received every single day, every hour and every place I went to around the world. This Friday, ‘Ulpan Shishi’ on Channel 2 will broadcast a segment about my career, my deliberation about my retirement, and my plans for the future. I promise to continue to update you about every interesting development of Chapter 2 of my life.”

After turning pro in 2004, Peer won five WTA titles and became the first Israeli woman to make the quarterfinals of a Slam, doing it twice in 2007. In 2008, she became the first Israeli ever to compete at a WTA tournament in the Arabian Peninsula at the Qatar Total Open.

In addition to her successful WTA career, Peer was a Fed Cup stalwart for Israel, playing over 75 matches and compiling at 45-31 record. In 2008 she represented Israel at her first and only Olympic Games in Beijing.

Peer had not played a match on tour since the 2016 Abierto Monterrey, where she lost in the opening round of qualifying to Viktorija Golubic.