| The WTA has announced season-long plans to celebrate its 50th anniversary in 2023, under the campaign banner WTA 50: Just Starting. The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) was founded at a meeting of players called by Billie Jean King on June 21, 1973, on the eve of the Wimbledon Championships. Frustrated by sexism in the sport and an establishment that split the talent pool with competing circuits, King recognized the need for the women to formally join forces to take control of their destiny. With Dutch player Betty Stöve standing guard at the door of a packed conference room at London’s Gloucester Hotel, King – who had won nine of her 12 Grand Slam singles titles by that time – was determined no-one would leave until definitive agreement had been reached. She emerged from the meeting triumphant, having been elected President of the new Association, with Virginia Wade as Vice President, Lesley Hunt as Assistant Vice President, Françoise Dürrand Ingrid LöfdahlBentzer as Co-Secretaries and Stöve as Treasurer. In addition, committees were formed to work on functional areas, chaired by Rosie Casals (Rankings), Karen Krantzcke (Tournaments), Ceci Martinez (Membership), Hunt (Disciplinary) and Stöve (Finance). To facilitate member communication, regional representatives were also appointed: Ann Jones for Europe, Judy Dalton for Australia and Asia, and Patricia Bostrom in the United States. By the time the US Open rolled around two months later, the body was 64-women strong, boosting King as she successfully argued for equal prize money at a Grand Slam event for the first time. The next step was to hire executive leadership and administrative staff – including Jerry Diamond and Peachy Kellmeyer, for whom annual WTA Player Awards are named – and in the years that followed, the WTA evolved with circuit restructures and leading worldwide sponsors to become the global spectacle fans enjoy in 2023. What started as a player union is now a world-leading member association between athletes and the 50-plus tournaments on six continents that make up the Hologic WTA Tour calendar each year. Heading into 2023, 32 countries are represented in the Top 100 of the WTA Rankings and they will entertain a worldwide audience of more than 900 million. |
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| Alongside compelling tales of victory and defeat, the WTA’s five-decade history is punctuated by a string of notable breakthroughs for women’s sports. Among other milestones, 1975 saw CBS broadcast a series of finals on the Virginia Slims Circuit, under a landmark multi-tournament deal; in 1976, Chris Evert became the first female athlete to pass $1 million in career prize money while in 1982, Martina Navratilova became the first to enjoy a million-dollar season; in 1994, Anne Worcester became the first female chief executive of a major sports league; and in 2007, decades of lobbying came to fruition when Venus Williams added her voice to the campaign for equal prize money across all four Grand Slam events. More recently, in 2017, WTA Charities was created to empower girls and women to live fully and support WTA communities globally through initiatives that focus on equality, education, leadership and health and wellness. This in mind, WTA 50: Just Starting will pay tribute to the legends of the game and current stars but through a lens focused on the future: What more can be done to improve the sporting landscape for women around the world? How can we effectively champion equality and inclusivity for all? “When we gathered at the Gloucester Hotel, we were at a point in our history that we needed one strong, unified voice among the players,” said King, who also managed to capture the triple crown of singles, doubles and mixed doubles titles at Wimbledon, two weeks after founding the WTA. She added: “As women athletes, we needed to create a future based on equality of opportunity, and we could only do that if we presented a united front. When we formed the WTA in 1973, we came together and found promoters and sponsors and fans who wanted to be part of the journey – inspired by champions who led by example, on and off court. We have come a long way, but there is more to be done and when I look at the current generation of game changers, I feel proud and excited for what’s to come.” |
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| As part of commemorations, the WTA’s logo has been adapted to draw attention to five decades of captivating athleticism on the world stage. The WTA 50 brand mark will be fully integrated throughout the WTA in 2023, including on-court signage, in television graphics, print materials, tournament branding, advertising, promotion, and digital and social media. Across the season, fans will be able to engage with content that spotlights their favorite players of all time while exploring their own personal connection to the WTA, and how women’s tennis inspires them in their own lives. For example, a video series produced by WTA Media will feature archive footage and more than 150 interviews with greats of the game and other tennis experts. A group of WTA pioneers will revisit the Gloucester Hotel in June, with a flagship gala set to take place in New York ahead of the US Open, where tennis luminaries will be joined by allies in other fields. “The WTA was born to write a new story – a story that continues to champion women in the sport of tennis and beyond,” said Steve Simon, Chairman and CEO of the WTA. “Billie Jean King and the players who stood with her to create this special organization were trailblazers – and they know better than anyone that trailblazing does not stand still. It is only right that our 50th anniversary campaign pays tribute to five decades of growth and achievement, while looking forward with the fighting spirit and vision that has been part of the organization’s DNA from the start.” Iga Swiatek, current WTA World No.1 commented: “As professional athletes, we have a platform to inspire positive change in the world and use our influence for the better. The history of the past 50 years of women’s tennis is inspiring, thanks to many players who decided to use their voice, too, when it wasn’t always easy. The impact we have now is bigger because of them. They deserve to celebrate this anniversary and I’m happy I’ll be a part of it in 2023, together with fans and other current players.“ |
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Frances Tiafoe Relives Defining Win Over Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal
Frances Tiafoe looks forward to the day when he can tell his grandchildren about a monumental doubles win over arguably the two greatest male tennis players ever.
At the 2022 Laver Cup tournament (held from Sept. 23-25 in London, England), Tiafoe and doubles partner Jack Sock — representing Team World — faced Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal of Team Europe.
Tiafoe and Sock defeated the two icons in the doubles match, and Team World went on to win the Laver Cup by a final score of 13-8. This would be the last match of Federer’s legendary career, as the beloved sporting legend retired afterward.
Sports betting officially went live in Maryland late last month, and it has enjoyed immediate success. The available sportsbooks in the state feature several special welcome/sign-up bonuses, including the Maryland Caesars sportsbooks promo codes in which you can get a free $100 bet.
In a recent ATP Tour video (h/t Pranjali P. of Sportkeeda), the Hyattsville, Maryland native relived the thrilling victory at the Laver Cup.
“If I was to sum it up, I would say that it was a blessing,” Tiafoe said. “That run I had in the US Open, to then back it up with the Laver Cup. To do it in the States and to do it in London, in one of the most iconic arenas – it’s stuff you’re always going to remember. It’s stuff to tell the grandkids one day.”
With sports betting now up and running in Maryland, residents can place wagers on their favorite athletes and local teams, such as the MLB’s Baltimore Orioles and NFL’s Baltimore Ravens. You can even bet on Tiafoe himself to win a singles tournament in 2023. At DraftKings, Tiafoe has strong -175 odds of winning an ATP singles title in 2023.
Mario Tudor Says Raonic Is Not Retiring
Canadian Milos Raonic has not competed in a match since the 2021 Atlanta Open, naturally leading to speculation that he may look at calling it a career.
Raonic sat out the entire 2022 season to nurse his injuries. His last match took place against Brandon Nakashima in the second round of the 2021 Atlanta Open, with the latter pulling off the big upset.
But according to Raonic’s coach Marko Tudor, the soon-to-be 32-year-old isn’t looking at retiring. Rather, Raonic is working towards a return to the court.
While speaking to Sport Klub Slovenia (h/t Dzevad Mesic of Tennis World USA), Tudor explained that Raonic wasn’t able to go at full speed because of his Achilles injury. A broken toe further sidelined Raonic’s return to tennis, but Tudor stated they’re eyeing a return in the first quarter of 2023.
“My goal for him was to come back at US swing, but now we expect to compete in February or March,” Tudor said. “Surely there were black thoughts and contemplating retirement which is reasonable when you lose two seasons in a row.
“But Miloš loves tennis a tad too much and I’m telling you that he’s very motivated to come back on tour. You got to know he has earned enough to live happily ever after. He won’t come back due to money, more so he can do what he enjoys the most.”
Raonic was once ranked as high as No. 3 in the world (in Nov. 2016). Raonic reached the men’s singles 2016 Wimbledon Championships, losing to Andy Murray. To date, that marks the only Grand Slam appearance of Raonic’s career.
The 6-foot-5 Raonic had two other fairly close calls to winning a Grand Slam. He reached the semifinals of the 2016 men’s singles Australian Open and lost to Murray, who would fall to Novak Djokovic in the finals. Raonic got to the quarterfinals of the 2014 men’s singles French Open, where he fell to Djokovic.
Rafael Nadal Hits An Impressive Top 10 Milestone
With Federer now retired, the path is a little clearer for Nadal to further strengthen his case as the greatest male tennis player of his generation.
As noted by Yasmin Syed of the Daily Express, Nadal has now spent 900 consecutive days in the top 10 world rankings. The 36-year-old has been in the top 10 since April 2005, and he hasn’t looked back.
Syed noted that Federer spent 619 consecutive weeks in the top 10. Federer finished his career with 968 total weeks in the top 10, so Federer has a bit of a way to go in catching up to his friend and on-court rival.
Just like Federer, age just hasn’t been able to slow down Nadal whatsoever. Nadal won the men’s singles Australian Open this year and the men’s singles French Open. In what was a story-filled year for Nadal, he also had the honor of teaming up with Federer in the latter’s final tennis match.
Nadal currently holds the No. 2 spot in the world rankings, trailing only 19-year-old phenom Carlos Alcaraz. The latter won this year’s men’s singles US Open and got to at least the third round in each of the four Grand Slam tournaments.
Nadal, who turns 37 next June, has 22 Grand Slam singles championships – 14 of the French Open victories —, one ahead of Djokovic for the most ever. Federer is a close third at 20, followed by Pete Sampras at 14.
The race for the most singles Grand Slam titles between Nadal and Djokovic is far from over, and it’s going to be thrilling for tennis fans to see how it plays out over the coming years. It’ll be a top storyline to follow in the sporting world through the remainder of the 2020s decade.
Are Tennis Stars Getting Younger?
Tennis is an incredibly physically demanding sport, which places huge demands on its professional players. Not only is fitness ever more important to cope with the grueling schedule, but players also have to continually hone and practice their techniques or risk slipping down the rankings.
Many of the very best players were trained from an early age, as the sooner the right techniques are engrained in a player’s tennis habits, the easier it is for them to compete at the highest level. Talent itself is not enough, and there are many supremely talented young players who don’t fulfill that potential.
Being able to spot an individual’s true potential before anyone else, and being able to predict which young players will go on to become champions, is an important skill for both tennis pundits and tennis bettors.
In fact, if you are betting on tennis or claiming one of the many betting offers available to tennis bettors, correctly identifying the stars of the future can prove to be profitable.
If you were one of those bettors who spotted the potential of Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal early on, for example, you would have been able to bet on those legends at a point in their careers when their genius was not widely known, before bookmakers began to cut their odds.
Yet, putting a young person through the necessary intensive training to build the foundation for a career at the top of tennis comes with risks. The pressures put on youngsters who are aiming at a professional career can be enormous, at a time when most of their peers are enjoying free time and leisure.
While we may marvel at the prodigious talents of teenagers who compete for Tour wins, there is a very obvious danger. Many players have spoken about the problem of physical and mental burnout among younger stars, and this leads to concerns that the sport is asking too much at ever younger ages.
Teenage stars, such as Carlos Alcaraz and Cori Gauff, inevitably grab the headlines, and when two or three of them emerge at the same time, the questions about how tennis treats young players resurface, along with the idea that tennis stars are getting younger. But how true is that?
The average age of tennis retirements is significantly under 30, which is lower than pretty much any other sport, but that doesn’t tell us about the trends.
Fortunately, there are some helpful stats out there. A survey by a tennis magazine in 2017 found that the average retirement age for the ATP top 100 players averages 28.26. For the WTA, it was even lower, at 25.8. Those are figures that would be considered low by any sports standard.
They are put in perspective, however, by going back further and looking at the 1987 figures. They showed an ATP retirement average age of 23.74, and for the WTA, it was 22.56. Based on those stats, tennis players are certainly playing for longer.
There are also some high-profile examples of players continuing to play at the very top level well beyond the average retirement age. Although Ken Rosewall remains the oldest player to win a Grand Slam, at 37, Roger Federer is not far behind, at 36, while Serena Williams also played past 40.
Perhaps this apparently increased longevity is the result of improved fitness, which extends the average career, rather than players reaching their peak at a later age.
Another report, published in the International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport in 2015, looked instead at the average age of players in the top 100 of the men’s and women’s games, comparing figures taken from 1984 and 2013.
The report found that the average age of men in the top 100 rose from 24.6 to 27.6 between 1984 and 2013, while for women players in the top 100, there was a smaller rise from 23.5 to 24.8.
Again, it is possible that these figures are reflective of greater fitness levels and advances in sports injury, nutrition, and psychology, as well as increasing financial opportunities that make a career as a top 100 player more viable. But they certainly don’t appear to show that professional players are getting younger.
Anecdotally, it also feels as though players are peaking later in their careers. Many top players of the modern era hit their best form in the mid-late 20s, rather than the early-mid 20s. And of the youngest 10 Grand Slam winners in tennis history, only Rafael Nadal and Maria Sharapova were in the 21st century.
It is right that anyone who loves tennis takes the impact seriously that training for, and playing the game at the top level, can have on young players. In particular, there has been an increasing awareness of the impact of mental health and well-being, which is very welcome.
The concern that tennis players are getting younger, however, is not valid. Tennis players appear to be playing for longer and peaking later than they did 20 to 30 years ago, which is good news as it means that we get to enjoy watching the best of their generation for longer.
Advice for New Tennis Fans
Advice for New Tennis Fans
New to the world of tennis? Tennis is one of the oldest and most popular sports in the world and one that is a fantastic spectator sport. Like any sport, it can also be daunting to get into at first because there is so much to learn in terms of the rules, the history, current and previous famous players, and the different competitions. It is worth sticking with, though, because tennis is such a fantastic sport and one that can improve your life. This article will offer a few tips for those that are new to the world of tennis so that you can start enjoying this sport and seeing what all the fuss is about.
Get a Good Overview
As a new fan, you need to accept that you won’t be able to become an expert in tennis overnight as there is so much to learn. You can get a good overview online, though, which will give you basic knowledge of the history, rules, and some of the key figures in the sport. It is likely that you are aware of the big three – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, and Novak Djokovic – but there were many greats that came before these three and many up-and-coming players to learn about.
Don’t Attach Yourself to One Player
Following on from this, you do not want to make the mistake of attaching yourself to one player early on. Instead, you should simply watch as much tennis as you can and try to see all of the top-ranked players. This will give you a much greater appreciation for the sport, as you can see the different styles and techniques that are used, and help you to find a player that you like both on and off the court. With the previously mentioned big three approaching the end of their careers (or already retired, in Federer’s case), it is an exciting time with many up-and-coming players to look out for in both men’s and women’s tennis.
Try Online Betting
Watching tennis is the best way to get into the sport, but there are ways to make it even more enjoyable. Online betting on tennis matches will make it even more exciting and give you a stake in the outcome. This should ensure that you feel a lot more engaged and will put you on the edge of your seat. Additionally, betting on different aspects of matches could help you to learn more about the game, and you should always fully research before placing a bet.
Many states in the US are voting to legalize online betting in their state.
If you’re from a state where online betting is legal, you can find licensed websites for
Sports betting where you can check out the latest tennis odds and bet on live tennis games.
Play
Watching tennis is a great way to get into the sport, but it is also worth playing to develop a passion for it. Tennis is a fun and exhilarating sport to play and one that is also an excellent form of exercise. It should also give you a much greater appreciation for the speed, power, footwork, and technique used by the pros!
Hopefully, the advice in this post will help you to become a fan and enjoy one of the oldest and greatest sports in the world.
World Tennis League NFTs, Experiences, Memorabilia Offered By Akshaya
Tennis fans will have the opportunity to purchase one-of-a-kind signed memorabilia, experience unprecedented event access and meet and greets with some of the biggest stars in tennis, including Novak Djokovic and Iga Swiatek, and have it all documented and preserved as a NFT via the Akshaya marketplace at the new World Tennis League this week in Dubai.
Akshaya, the world’s first unified NFT and Metaverse “Phygital” (physical and digital) marketplace, has partnered with the World Tennis League to introduce its “SportsVerse” where tennis fans will be able to purchase official World Tennis League (WTL) team jersey’s signed by team members along with a 3D digital NFT that is authenticated and certified and stored in blockchain. Through an experiential NFT for sale, fans will be able to have an opportunity to have meet and greets behind-the-scenes in the WTL team environment that includes photos, videos and autographs that is captured and saved as a 3D digital NFT.
All purchasing opportunities can be found at www.akshaya.io
“This is an exciting and very unique opportunity to take advantage of our physical, experiential and digital experiences offerings at the historic and inaugural World Tennis League in Dubai,” said Ganesh Raju, CEO of Akshaya. “Having an exclusive behind-the-scenes in-person meeting with some of the greatest tennis stars of all time is an unforgettable experience that will be forever preserved as an NFT. For those not in Dubai, having a physical and digital autographed collectible is your way to be a part of this historic World Tennis League event.”
The World Tennis League (WTL) is a first-year mixed-gender team event that will be played December 19-24 at the Coca-Cola Arena in Dubai. The event features four teams – Falcons, Eagles, Kites and Hawks – featuring 18 of the best ATP and WTA Tour players, including Djokovic and Swiatek, as well other top stars Nick Kyrgios, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Caroline Garcia, Elena Rybakina, Alexander Zverev, Paula Badosa among others.
Each match features men’s singles, women’s singles and mixed doubles two-set matches with a decisive match tiebreaker in a best-of-three series. The World Tennis League will not only showcase many of the best men and women players in the world, but will also feature some of the top music entertainers with post-match concerts featuring top global artists including Dutch DJ superstars, Tiësto and Armin Van Buuren.
Each team is as follows:
Eagles: Nick Kyrgios, Caroline Garcia, Rohan Bopanna, Bianca Andreescu, Andres Seppi
Falcons: Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, Grigor Dimitrov, Paula Badosa
Hawks: Alexander Zverev, Elena Rybakina, Dominic Thiem, Anett Kontaveit
Kites: Felix Auger-Aliassime, Iga Swiatek, Holger Rune, Sania Mirza, Genie Bouchard
For more information on the World Tennis League, go to www.WorldTennisLeague.com
NFT, Metaverse and Blockchain Web3 Technologies have shaken up the industry by providing a fantastic avenue for content creators, artists, sports personalities and influencers through sales and royalties. In the last year, the NFT market size grew to be $41 billion and is estimated to grow to $80 billion by next year with the Metaverse to be over $1 trillion in the next two years.
About Akshaya.io:
Akshaya.io is India’s first-ever platform that brings Metaverse, NFT, and Digital Twin together to enable users claim ownership of physical and digital assets with certified proof of authenticity. From those interested in dealing with unique collectibles to rare artifacts, Akshaya.io will be a healthy community of highly astute customers. Since its inception, Akshaya.io has created excitement among companies trading in jewelry, boutique furniture, artifacts, sports, entertainment, and other sectors, and is all set to sign many prominent brands, enterprises, and a few celebrities as partners. Akshaya.io will be the first ever platform to provide the best experience of physical and experiential shopping in the virtual world. This is the only platform which will enable customers to experience and own both digital and physical variants of any and every asset. Akshaya.io has to date invested USD 10 million, through internal accruals from founder and seed investors, to build a robust technology platform that is all set to provide a unique experience to its partners and customers. The money invested has gone in to develop the backend software and to strengthen Network across India. Currently, Akshaya.io has physical offices across 45 cities in India, Bangladesh, and Nepal, and has developed strong connect with prospective partners. Partners will create or add their NFTs to Akshaya.io platform to be sold or traded.
“Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” Book Author Sebastian Torok Wins Prestigious ATP Ron Bookman Media Excellent Award
Sebastian Torok, journalist for LA NACION and the author of the book “Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” has been named the winner of the 2022 Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award.
“Receiving this award really honours me and fills me with happiness and enthusiasm to continue telling stories in the future,” Torok said to the ATP. “I lived intense moments during more than 15 years of coverage of the international tennis circuit and it is a privilege to have known new countries and cultures.”
Torok has been a journalist for the Argentine newspaper LA NACION since 2000. He has covered football, rugby, boxing and handball but focuses mainly on tennis, reporting on Argentina’s Davis Cup Finals title run in 2016, which is also detailed in his “Gentle Giant” book.
Torok has been a radio columnist and, since 2018, has been a commentator on ESPN Latin America. The Argentine received international recognition at the AIPS Sport Media Awards for various investigations and one of his career highlights as a journalist was interviewing Roger Federer in Basel in 2019.
Juan Martin del Potro: The Gentle Giant” for sale and download here via amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1937559920/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_lRArEbY4VMWP3 tells the story of one of Argentina’s greatest tennis players and the most important of his generation. After winning the 2009 U.S. Open, defeating Roger Federer in a glorious five-set final, del Potro was poised to take over the tennis world. However, wrist problems developed and del Potro endured three surgeries over 15 months. One of the world’s most popular players, del Potro’s fan base grew as he made his comeback—watching him win his second Olympic medal in Rio in 2016, where he once lost to Andy Murray, but won the hearts of millions around the world. He followed up by leading Argentina to victory in the Davis Cup. Described as the “Gentle Giant,” del Potro has the sensitivity to comfort a ball girl hit during a match, to stop in the middle of the game to gaze at a butterfly, and to accompany a young fan in the last days of his life. However, when he grips the racket, he becomes one of the most destructive strikers of a tennis ball.
“This book is an unprecedented trip to the emotional and sporting aspect of one of the best tennis players of the last decade,” said Torok, the author of the book, an internationally regarded tennis writer for La Nacion and with ESPN in Argentina. “Juan Martin del Potro is someone who lived with tragedy since his childhood, a tennis player who hit bottom and had the strength to persevere multiple times. This book was created with more than 70 interviews of people who, in one way or another, had to do with the life of del Potro. I am very excited and proud that this book is now available in English around the world.”
The Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award is named for Ron Bookman, an early pioneer in tennis public relations. As described in the “Pioneers of the Game” book, Bookman was the first tennis PR person for the WCT Tour in 1967, an editor at World Tennis magazine from 1971 to 1980 and a former ATP Director of Communications. He also served as the ATP Joint Secretary of the Men’s Tennis Council, Acting Executive Director and ATP Deputy Executive Director before his untimely death at age 46 in a bicycle accident.
Executive Director in 1986-1988 until his untimely accidental death in 1988.
Are Tennis Matches In Norway Worth Gambling At?
Norway is a beautiful country located in Scandinavia. It is also the very cold country, as its position close to the Arctic Circle means that it can have very snowy and cold winters.
Because of this, it is not surprising that winter sports are the most popular sport in Norway. Skiing, hockey, skating, and other similar types of sports in Norway are very popular. This is not surprising considering the conditions are perfect for people to enjoy skiing and skating outside for seven or eight months each year. It is these types of activities that make them a most popular sport in Norway.
Indoor types of sports in Norway are popular as well, but they do not always need to be a traditional type of sport. Those centered around sports or in activities that give Norwegians the ability to enjoy recreational activities in the warmth of a well heated building, like a casino. This is why it is not surprising that ToppCasinoNorge is a place where people can gamble, betting on sporting events or gamble at online sites, like blackjack and roulette, looking to win the bonus or jackpot.
They Know Their Sports
Any review with tell you that winter games are the most popular sports in Norway, they are not oblivious to other types of sports. Sports, like football, is very popular in Norway. In fact, the Norwegian team battled to make it to the FIFA World Cup in 2022. However, they finished in third during qualifying, denying them the chance to compete in the big show.
Football is only one of many popular sports in Norway. Tennis has a very strong following. In fact, there are nearly three dozen Norwegian born players who have competed at the professional level. That includes Casper Ruud, who reached the finals at the French and US Opens.
Norwegians are knowledgeable about the sport, and this has led to gambling on tennis matches in Norway and abroad becoming a very popular option. The question for many is if those who love Norway sports should be placing a wager on these events? In fact, even if they win free spins, some are questioning if a person should be gambling, whether it is betting on tennis or playing blackjack or roulette.
Responsibility Is the Key
The popularity and even knowledge about tennis does not match that of ice hockey or other sports in Norway related to skiing. There are tens of thousands who compete in tennis matches in Norway every year, and so it is these types of sports that have become the passion of the country. In fact, it is cross-country skiing that is the most popular sport in Norway, as it is safest to gamble that large sections of the country are covered in snow for 10 or 11 months each year.
However, tennis has a large following in Norway sports, and there are many who actively follow one of the popular sports in Norway, placing wagers and watching games. Enjoying watching matches is always good, but there are some who feel concerned about wagers placed on these games.
Match fixing and people wagering far beyond their means are always a concern, and many countries across the globe have safeguards in place to protect individuals. They want to ensure that a person is not becoming addicted, destroying their financial success in their family structure.
Gambling establishments have joined in this venture. While they want patrons to enjoy using their services, they also want to be good members of the community, so it is not surprising that many of these establishments are supporters of these types of programs. Responsibility is always the key when playing casino style games, like blackjack or roulette, or when one goes online, using money or free spins to gamble wanting to win the jackpot.
This is why it is perfectly acceptable for those who love sports in Norway to place a wager online on tennis matches. This is a fun and enjoyable sport. There is great action on the court every week, and major events – like the Australian, US, and French Opens and Wimbledon – are always exciting competition that draws media attention and fans from across the globe.
If a person has done a thorough review and learned about the competitors, then they are in a good position to place a wager on the match. It can be a fun way to get more involved in the action besides sitting in front of a television watching the competitors battle against one another to win the big bonus.
Placing a wager on these events can be fun and profitable. If you can review the spreads and lines for tennis matches, then you should get involved. tennis matches in Norway are a lot of fun, and those who watch Norway sports are loving getting to gamble looking to win free spins, a bonus, or win the jackpot.
The Most Unusual Delays In Tennis History
@TennisPublisher
There is nothing worse than when you are locked into playing – or watching – a great tennis match and there is a delay in play. Rain and sometimes darkness are the most commons delays in play but in the history of tennis, there have been some rather unusual ways where play was delayed.
Here are six of the most unusual delays as documented in my book ON THIS DAY IN TENNIS HISTORY, available for sale, download and as an audio book here https://www.amazon.com/This-Tennis-History-Day-Day/dp/0942257421/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=on+this+day+in+tennis+history&qid=1669234943&sprefix=on+this+day+in+tennis%2Caps%2C99&sr=8-1) in no particular order. Which one do you think is the strangest? Please share any other worthy episodes in the comment section below or to the author at Rwalker@NewChapterMedia.com
March 18, 1984 – A bomb scare forces the Rotterdam men’s singles final between Ivan Lendl and Jimmy Connors to be called off. Lendl sweeps through the first set, 6-0, and breaks service in the first game of the second set when the police, reacting to an anonymous telephone call, order the evacuation of the Ahoy Sports Hall. The caller, claiming to represent an anti-capitalism movement, tells the police that a bomb had been placed close to center court. A search does not yield any suspicious articles, and spectators are then allowed to return to their seats. However, the crowd is then informed that Lendl and Connors would not be resuming their match. Wim Buitendijk, the organizer of the Grand Prix tournament, fails to persuade Lendl to stay and finish the match. He says Connors may have been persuaded to resume the game but ”Lendl was not prepared to take any risks.”
March 30, 1980 – Bjorn Borg dominates Manuel Orantes 6-2, 6-0, 6-1 in the final of the Nice Open in France in a match delayed by 25 minutes when a group of local physical education students storm the court and stage a “sit-in” to protest their department being closed by the French education ministry.
April 16, 1977 – Anti-apartheid protestors spill oil on court to protest the United States competing against South Africa and disrupt the doubles match between Stan Smith and Bob Lutz and Frew McMillan and Byron Bertram in Newport Beach, Calif. U.S. Captain Tony Trabert hits one of the two protestors with a racquet before police apprehend the culprits. After a 45-minute delay to clean the oil, Smith and Lutz defeat McMillan and Bertram 7-5, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3 to give the United States an insurmountable 3-0 lead over the South Africans.
April 27, 2006 – The only thing bothering Rafael Nadal during his 6-4, 6-2 second round match with Spanish qualifier Ivan Navaro-Pastor at the Barcelona Open is a female intruder, who bursts onto the court and handcuffs herself to the net post. Nadal is leading 6-4, 4-0 when the woman enters the court and a brief delay ensues while the protester is cut loose and taken away by security guards.
September 4, 1977 – James Reilly, a 33-year-old resident of New York City, is shot in the left thigh as a spectator at the John McEnroe – Eddie Dibbs third-round night match at the U.S. Open at the West Side Tennis Club in Forest Hills. The shooting, from a .38 caliber gun, occurs at the start of the match near Portal 8 in the north section of the stadium and delays play for about six minutes as Reilly is taken from the stands to the first aid station and then to nearby St. John’s Hospital. Most of the 6, 943 fans in attendance are not aware that a shooting had occurred. Police conclude it was likely a shot that came from outside the stadium. McEnroe wins the best-of-three set match 6-2, 4-6, 6-4.
October 20, 1985 – A religious fanatic walks on the court, serves drinks to Ivan Lendl and Henri Leconte and preaches a sermon in the middle of the final round match of the Australian Indoor Championships in Sydney. In the ninth game of the third set, the man, wearing a caterer’s uniform, walks onto the court with a tray with two glasses of orange juice and religious pamphlets that he presents to both Lendl and Leconte. Reports the Associated Press of the incident, “To the astonishment of the players, officials and crowd, he put the tray down in the center of the court and proclaimed loudly, ‘I would like to bring these gentlemen two drinks.’ He then began babbling about the evil of credit cards and the devil before being escorted away by embarrassed officials. The tournament was sponsored by a credit finance company.” Says Lendl of the incident, “I was really, really mad at that. Not for the security reason, but because they were too gentle with him. They should have been rougher with him.” Lendl wins the match from Leconte by a 6-4, 6-4, 7-6 margin.
How Tennis Fans Can Spend Their Free Time
Tennis is one of the most popular sports in the world. It is no wonder why it has so many fans all around the world. Millions of people watch tennis championships and hope their favorite player will win. It is a highly exciting and entertaining sport in general. However, like other sports, this particular activity is most recognized during the season. When the players have time off, the fans come up with different ways to spend their time and return to tennis later. So today, we decided to see how tennis fans can spend their free time during the season and away from it.
Online or Land-Based Slot Machines
One of the first things many sports fans do is register for online casinos. It is one of the most accessible and fun sources of secondary profit. It is not only fine but mostly depends on your luck. This means that you don’t have to master a new skill, especially if you want to enjoy the benefits that come with slot machines. As a matter of fact, slot machines are based on mathematical models, and the odds are already predetermined. You will either win or lose, but if you choose a high RTP, preferably more than 96%, you can increase your chances. Besides, if you play online, you will also get access to different bonuses. The best casino will offer you free spins no wager to attract more customers and minimize the wagering requirements. We recommend using these bonuses because they can increase your profit, especially if you’re playing online. It is also one of the advantages of online casinos that land-based options don’t possess.
Sports Betting and Gambling in General
If you’re not a fan of slot machines, you definitely have many other options. For instance, you can always find sports betting events. In this case, you don’t have to bet specifically on tennis, but you can also enjoy other intriguing sports. Nevertheless, finding the best platform with profitable or generous bonuses is always a good idea. We recommend you start with casino online offers to see what platforms have the best opportunities for you. You also have to make sure that you read through rules and regulations that include wagering requirements. They will determine whether it is actually possible to get a proper bonus. Luckily for you, our suggestion above has a perfect selection with all the rules on display.
Learn to Play
You can learn the game if you are tired of simply being a fan. It is not the easiest sport out there. You will have to get some practice in. Nevertheless, considering that it is the 21st century, some of the learning you can actually do online. There exist many tennis simulators that may not be as perfect as the actual game, but they calm roller close. Some of the players actually train in their free time using online variations. Some of them will also allow you to create your own team and become a manager. Overall, if you are tired of simply rooting for someone, you can become a player yourself.
Spend Time With Their Families
You cannot be engaged in one single activity forever. Tennis is obviously rather entertaining, but it is always a good idea to make some time for your family. Therefore, the majority of fans always reach for some personal time. A good family getaway or a holiday is an excellent idea to take a break from the intense season and relax. It will also inspire you that many successful tennis players spend their time off-season with their families. They choose the best hotels and destinations out there. You can follow in their footsteps and do the same.
Take on Other Hobbies
As we have said before, your hobbies should not, and with tennis, if you suddenly feel like you have enough of it. You can take breaks to enjoy other hobbies. Right now, we would recommend you consider some of the best extreme sports out there. Free diving or even skydiving are good options. They are currently connected with adrenaline and entertainment. However, make sure that you always approach extreme sports responsibly. After all, they are called extreme for a reason.
Bottom Line
Overall, there are quite a few opportunities for people who enjoy tennis. First and foremost, if you are a fan, we would recommend you consider sports betting as well as different slot machines. These are great options that combine entertainment with secondary profit. If you want to try something else, you can become a player yourself. You can do so in real life or even online. Lastly, don’t forget to spend some time with your family and book a quick getaway to the destination of your preference.
Rafael Nadal and Carlos Alcaraz To Play In Las Vegas
The world’s top two men’s tennis players will square off in a special one-night championship match when all-time tennis great Rafael Nadal visits Las Vegas for the first time to meet current world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in “THE SLAM: Nadal vs. Alcaraz,” hosted by MGM Resorts International. The event is scheduled for Sunday, March 5 inside the MGM Grand Garden Arena with the winner taking home The Lion’s Cup presented by MGM Rewards.
Tickets starting at $75, not including applicable service charges or fees, go on sale to the public Friday, Dec. 9 at 10 a.m. PST via www.axs.com. All Club and Seat License members will receive access to a pre-sale Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 10 a.m. PST through Thursday, Dec. 8 at 5 p.m. PST.Members of AXS and Premier Live will receive pre-sale benefits Thursday, Dec. 8 from 10 a.m. PST to 10 p.m. PST.
“I’m very excited for my first visit to Las Vegas, one of the most iconic and entertaining cities in the world,” said Nadal. “I’ll be playing with my fellow countryman Carlos Alcaraz who’s had an amazing year. It should be a great night of tennis at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.”
Nadal, a native of Mallorca, Spain, is the all-time leader with 22 Grand Slam men’s singles titles. The sport’s GOAT, for many, has won a record 14 Roland Garros titles and finished the 2022 season winning his 21st and 22nd Grand Slam Singles titles. He is the only men’s player in history to complete the career Grand Slam twice and win two Olympic Gold medals in both singles and doubles. Nadal has been ranked in the Top 10 for a record 885 consecutive weeks, including 209 total weeks at world No. 1, and currently sits at No. 2 in the ATP World Rankings.
Alcaraz said, “I’m honored and so happy to be sharing the court with Rafa in Las Vegas. He’s an all-time great, of course, and his records and achievements speak for themselves. Rafa also is one of the nicest guys on Tour and I look forward to our match on March 5.”
Alcaraz, coming off his first Grand Slam singles title at the United States (U.S.) Open in September, became the youngest-ever men’s world No. 1 at 19 years and four months, along with becoming the first teenager since 1973 to sit atop the ATP Tour rankings. Alcaraz propelled into the Top 10 in April 2022 after winning his first ATP Masters 1000 title at the Miami Open followed by his win at the Barcelona Open. Alcaraz won five titles overall in 2022 and reached the third round or better in all four of the year’s Grand Slam events.
Both players have the same “suffering” style of gritty play, as documented in the book “The Secrets of Spanish Tennis” for sale and download here https://www.amazon.com/Secrets-Spanish-Tennis-Chris-Lewit/dp/1937559491/ref=asc_df_1937559491/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=312094770123&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=12824307467413008084&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9011844&hvtargid=pla-491109661097&psc=1
In advance of their match, Nadal and Alcaraz will each participate in a 90-minute individual VIP clinic. The two clinics will be followed by tennis’ all-time winningest doubles team of identical twin brothers Bob and Mike Bryan as they take the court in a “celebrity” doubles match.
The Bryan brothers are considered the greatest doubles team of all-time. They held the world No. 1 doubles ranking for 438 weeks, longest in ATP Tour doubles history, and finished an ATP year-end No. 1 in the team rankings a record 10 times while together amassing 119 doubles titles. They have a total of 16 Grand Slam doubles titles together, one Olympic Gold and won seven of the eight Grand Slams in 2005 and 2006. The Bryan brothers retired in August 2020 to shift their priorities to the Bryan Brothers Foundation, providing opportunities for children in need through tennis and music to the arts.
Immediately following the tennis action, THE SLAM Gala supporting the MGM Resorts Foundation, Rafa Nadal Foundation and National Tennis Foundation will be held at Rivea and Skyfall at Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino. Tickets for THE SLAM Gala are now on sale at mgmresortsfoundation.com. Guests who purchase tickets will have the opportunity to take their photo with Nadal.
ABOUT MGM GRAND GARDEN ARENA
ABOUT MGM RESORTS INTERNATIONAL
MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is an S&P 500® global entertainment company with national and international locations featuring best-in-class hotels and casinos, state-of-the-art meetings and conference spaces, incredible live and theatrical entertainment experiences, and an extensive array of restaurant, nightlife and retail offerings. MGM Resorts creates immersive, iconic experiences through its suite of Las Vegas-inspired brands. The MGM Resorts portfolio encompasses 33 unique hotel and gaming destinations globally, including some of the most recognizable resort brands in the industry. The Company’s 50/50 venture, BetMGM, LLC, offers U.S. sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands, including BetMGM and partypoker, and the Company’s subsidiary LeoVegas AB offers sports betting and online gaming through market-leading brands in several jurisdictions throughout Europe. The Company is currently pursuing targeted expansion in Asia through the integrated resort opportunity in Japan. Through its “Focused on What Matters: Embracing Humanity and Protecting the Planet” philosophy, MGM Resorts commits to creating a more sustainable future, while striving to make a bigger difference in the lives of its employees, guests, and in the communities where it operates. The global employees of MGM Resorts are proud of their company for being recognized as one of FORTUNE® Magazine’s World’s Most Admired Companies®. For more information, please visit us at www.mgmresorts.com. Please also connect with us @MGMResortsIntl on Twitter as well as Facebook and Instagram.
ABOUT MGM RESORTS FOUNDATION
The MGM Resorts Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and was created in 2002 as an employee workplace giving program. The Foundation makes giving easy and convenient for MGM Resorts’ 61,000+ employees and now guests, while empowering them to assist communities through donations to more than 1,500 non-profit agencies or programs of their choice. MGM Resorts International assumes all administrative costs, so 100% of donations reach community causes. Since its inception, the MGM Resorts Foundation has raised more than $100 million and supported more than 1,500 charitable organizations in U.S. communities and locations in which MGM Resorts conducts business.
ABOUT RAFA NADAL FOUNDATION
The Rafa Nadal Foundation has a very clear objective: to foster the integration and the personal and social development of children and young adults. Our work is based on our firm belief in the transformative power of sport and education, two tools that enable children and young adults to achieve whatever goal they may set their sights on, regardless of their race, personal and social background or disability. Our mission is based on the conviction that the world should provide a level playing field for all those involved in sports now and in the future. We support youth to assist them in reaching their full potential by empowering them to focus on personal success, self-respect and positive outcomes matter what the results are on the board.
ABOUT NATIONAL TENNIS FOUNDATION
The Inspiring Children Foundation (ICF) is the Las Vegas chapter of the National Tennis Foundation and serves as their showcase program in partnership with tennis legends Bob and Mike Bryan. For 21 years the program has been inspiring physical, emotional and mental health using tennis, mentoring, project driven learning and Entrepreneur skills to help children heal, grow and flourish. ICF serves 2,500 youth in-person and millions online which furthers the reach and commitment of the National Tennis Foundation to the development and advancement of under-served student athletes by providing opportunities through tennis and project-based educational and leadership programs. These programs are devised to promote academic excellence, healthy living, personal responsibility and character development. For more information, please visit www.inspiringchildren.org and nationaltennisfoundation.org.
Bud Collins On Nick Bollettieri
Nick Bollettieri passed away at the age of 91 on Monday and tributes have flooded the social media channels of just about everybody involved in the tennis industry. It is a testament to the man that he touched so many people in tennis – from not only the greatest champions ever in the sport, but also so many lesser-talented players and those who work in all levels in the tennis industry. The overwhelming personal tributes from all spectrums of the tennis world was very reminiscent of Bud Collins, and the very personal and amiable effect he also had on so many.
Bollettieri was featured in two sections of the Bud’s book “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” encyclopedia. He was part of the “They Also Serve” section in an early edition of the volume, prior to his induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2014, which, at the time, surprisingly, was a bit controversial (although hard to believe now) and was many years delayed.
Wrote Collins in the shortened “They Also Served” section of Bollettieri, “Most renowned coach, effervescent Nicholas James Bollettieri, b. July 31, 1931, Pelham, N.Y. Runs assembly line for champs, Bollettieri Sports Academy, Bradenton, Fla. Ex-U.S. Army paratrooper, graduate of Spring Hill (Ala.) College, became teaching pro, 1958. Among pupils to make World Top Ten: Andre Agassi, Jimmy Arias, Carling Bassett, Jim Courier, Aaron Krickstein, Monica Seles, Mary Pierce, Iva Majoli, Tommy Haas, Maria Sharapova.”
After his Hall of Fame induction, the entry from the Collins encyclopedia was as follows; Perhaps the most renowned coach in the sports history, effervescent Nicholas James Bollettieri ran an assembly line for champs via his Bollettieri Sports Academy, now the IMG Academy, in Bradenton, Fla. Among pupils to make world Top 10: Andre Agassi, Jimmy Arias, Carling Bassett, Jim Courier, Aaron Krickstein, Monica Seles, Mary Pierce, Iva Majoli, Tommy Haas, Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams and Serena Williams. An ex-U.S. Army paratrooper, a graduate of Spring Hill (Ala.) College, he became a teaching pro in 1958 and in 1978, he founded the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, the first tennis boarding school that integrated athletic training with academics.
For more information on “The Bud Collins History of Tennis” book, click here: https://www.amazon.com/Bud-Collins-History-Tennis/dp/1937559386/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=bud+collins+history+of+tennis&qid=1670335858&sprefix=Bud+Collins+History+of+Tenis%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1
Hopman Cup Mixed Team Event To Return In Curious July Date In Nice, France
The International Tennis Federation has announced that the Hopman Cup, the ITF’s official mixed team competition, will return for the 2023 tennis season.
The competition will be operated by Hopman Cup event promoter, Tennium, and hosted on clay in Nice, France on 19-23 July 2023. The tournament will be held the same week as the International Tennis Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies in Newport, Rhode Island and its Hall of Fame Open tournament, as well as other ATP events in Gstaad, Switzerland and Bastad, Sweden and WTA events in Hungary and Palermo, Italy.
Last played in 2019, the Hopman Cup has enjoyed an illustrious history as a unique fixture on the annual tennis calendar.
The event has featured a who’s who of the international game with legends such as Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Steffi Graff, John McEnroe, Martina Hingis, Boris Becker, Li Na and Andy Murray representing their nation in both singles and mixed doubles.
Founded in 1989, the event spent its first 30 years in Perth, Australia, and was played in the opening week of the tennis season.
The prestigious Nice Lawn Tennis Club will host the international mixed team event from 2023 to 2027, as part of a five-year agreement between the ITF and Tennium, a Barcelona-based company who operate multiple ATP and WTA events.
As in previous editions of the competition, each team will consist of one male and one female player, with ties between nations featuring one men’s singles match, one women’s singles match and a mixed doubles match.
Six teams will compete in the 2023 and 2024 editions, with the competition expanding to eight teams from 2025 onwards. As hosts, France will field a team each year.
The Hopman Cup was named after renowned Australian Davis Cup captain, Harry Hopman. In addition to a hugely successful playing career that saw him reach three Australian Open singles finals and win seven Grand Slam titles across men’s and mixed doubles, Hopman led the Australian team to a record 16 titles between 1939 and 1967. Hopman’s widow, Lucy, was a regular attendee at the Hopman Cup in Perth until her death at the age of 98 in 2018.
David Haggerty, ITF President, said: “We are thrilled to partner with Tennium and that the Hopman Cup will return in 2023. We are already looking forward to visiting the beautiful city of Nice next July.
“The Hopman Cup, as a unique mixed team event, has always enjoyed a special place in the hearts of tennis fans, and I am sure that spectators in Nice will relish the chance to see some of the world’s top men and women players on the same court. I would like to thank our event partners, Tennium, for helping us reintroduce the Hopman Cup to the tennis calendar, and we look forward to working together over the coming months and years.”
Kristoff Puelinckx, Tennium CEO, said: “We would like to thank the International Tennis Federation for entrusting Tennium to bring the Hopman Cup back to the international tennis circuit. We are looking forward to building out this great event, by leveraging our extensive experience with tournaments, players, and fans from around the world. We will work closely with ITF to ensure this event continues to be a milestone on the tennis calendar and we believe that Nice is the perfect stage for it.”
Christian Estrosi, Mayor of Nice and a former professional motorcyclist, said: “This event confirms once again that Nice is a privileged destination for the biggest international sporting events. After the Grand Départ of the Tour de France in 2020, the Top 14 semi-finals in 2022, the Hopman Cup will precede the Rugby World Cup by a few weeks, and then the arrival of the Tour de France in July 2024. Tennis is a major sport in Nice, a discipline that has a strong history, with a club that is more than a hundred years old, and great players who have marked French tennis.”
