TENNIS – The world of tennis is in shock after the news of Elena Baltacha’s death. The former British no.1 died of liver cancer aged 30. This week also Bethanie Mattek-Sands underwent hip surgery last Monday. Prize money at Wimbledon is increased. Tomic returns and the Bryans celebrate their 36th birthday. Joshua Bosco
Former British No.1 Elena Baltacha has died from liver cancer at the age of 30.
She was diagnosed with a severe liver condition in her teens but,despite this, still managed to win11 singles titles in a career spanning 16 years.
She was diagnosed with cancer in mid-January, two months after retiring from professional tennis and just a few weeks after marrying her long-time partner and coach Nino Severino.
She announced her condition in March and the “Rally for Bally” – a series of matches for the Elena Baltacha Foundation and the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity – will now take place in memory of this amazing young woman.
Bethanie Mattek-Sands hip surgery
World No.81 Bethanie Mattek-Sands underwent hip surgery last Monday. According to her agent the American, who had another hip operation back in 2008, wanted to resolve some discomfort that was hindering her movement.
It’s been a tough six months for Mattek-Sands, who missed the end of last year due to knee injury. A timetable for her return hasn’t yet been announced but apparently she’s already up and walking around.
Losing just got better
The All England Club has announced an 11% rise in total prize money at this year’s Wimbledon Championships, bringing the total up to £25m.
The increase is once again weighed in favour of those who lose in the early rounds: first round losers will get a £27,000 cheque (just three years ago they won only £11,000), second round losers will take home £43,000 and third round losers will bag a nice £71,000. They didn’t forget about the winners though, as the champions will receive a hefty 10% increase on the £1,6m Murray and Bartoli won last year.
Who’s missing Madrid (and Rome)
Venus Williams has announced her withdrawal from the WTA Premier Mandatory Madrid Open citing an illness. Americans Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Jamie Hampton have also announced they won’t play in Madrid while Victoria Azarenka, who is side-lined since the BNP Paribas Open in early March due to a foot injury, will also miss the Internazionali in Rome next week.
Richard Gasquet has joined del Potro, Florian Mayer, Gael Monfils and Vasek Pospisil in the list of players who have withdrawn from the Madrid Open. According to L’Equipe, Gasquet will also miss the Internazionali and is doubtful for the French Open.
The news was already in the air: newspaper Marca.com had reported that Novak Djokovic could have missed the Masters 1000 in Madrid due to his ongoing right arm injury, suffered three weeks ago in Monte Carlo. Yesterday, with a statement released on the ATP World Tour website, the player confirmed he won’t take part in this year’s Madrid Open and hopes to be ready for the Internazionali in Rome, which starts on May 11th.
While top players Nadal, Wawrinka and Murray are already in Madrid, Roger Federer is expected to arrive only today and that’s if his wife Mirka, pregnant for the second time, is in good health.
Tomic comeback
Last week saw a double comeback from the Tomics: Bernard, now ranked World No.77, has made his comeback on the tour fifteen weeks after withdrawing from his first round match against Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open (and six weeks after his humiliating match against Nieminem in his first attempted comeback). He defeated Michael Llodra in the first round of the qualifying tournament in Madrid, but then lost in the final round to Benjamin Becker.
His father John could also make a comeback on the tour after the 12-month suspension for assaulting his son’s sparring partner expired. It remains to be seen if he’ll make his comeback in Rome, where his son will once again play in the qualifiers on Saturday and Sunday.
Heather Watson comeback
World No.121 Heather Watson is set to make her comeback on the tour after missing more than two months due to a shoulder injury sustained at the Sony Open in Miami.
The 21 year old, who dropped in the rankings after reaching the Top 40 last year, will play at the ITF Cagnes-sur-Mer Open in south-eastern France, starting today.
Gonzalez turns coach
Former World No.5 Fernando Gonzalez is the newest name on the list of ex top players turned coaches: beginning at Roland Garros, he will travel with Colombian Santiago Giraldo, as assistant coach, to 10 tournaments a year. Giraldo will continue to work on a full-time basis with current coach Felipe Beròn.
Del Potro Update
Six weeks after undergoing surgery on his wrist, World No.7 Juan Martin del Potro has finished his rest period and has now entered a long period of intense rehabilitation.
“[…] even though I need to keep using the splint, now I can start the rehabilitation exercises to recover the mobility in my left wrist” wrote del Potro on his Facebook page.
Happy American Birthday
April 29th was the birthday of three great American tennis players: 8 time Grand Slam champion Andre Agassi turned 44, while doubles World No.1s Bob & Mike Bryan turned 36 years old. Happy Birthday to them all!
