TENNIS BITS & PIECES – Djokovic to be a dad soon. Petra Kvitova has booked her place for the WTA Finals in Singapore and Rolex has signed an endorsement deal with Grigor Dimitrov. Angelo Lo Conte
Djokovic is going to be a father in one month
Novak Djokovic is scheduled to play the Shanghai Masters next week, but could see his indoor season interrupted for the birth of his first child. The Serb had not previously said when his wife, Jelena Ristic, was due, but told press in Beijing that it was a few weeks away. “We are expecting it to happen in about a month,” he said. “So for now I’m playing here. I’m playing Shanghai. I’m supposed to play Paris and London. Nothing particularly changes in terms of tennis schedule.” Djokovic, who has emphasized that his family will be his priority, also said that finishing the season at No. 1 is his own professional goal for this year.
Kvitova ready for Singapore
Petra Kvitova has qualified for the WTA Finals in Singapore following her title at Wuhan, becoming the fourth player to earn a spot in the eight-player event. Kvitova has moved up to No. 4 behind Serena Williams, Sharapova, and Halep, having been No. 6 at the beginning of the week. “It was my goal when I lost the U.S. Open third round, so I was really looking forward to make it,” she said.
Five players are in tight contention for the other four spots, though most of the Top 16 could contend with a title in Beijing, which gives 1,000 points to the winner. Agnieszka Radwanska, Eugenie Bouchard, Caroline Wozniacki, and Ana Ivanovic are in the next four spots, followed by Angelique Kerber. There are two weeks of smaller tournaments following Beijing, with each player scheduled to play at least one.
Rolex Signs Grigor Dimitrov As Endorser
Sportsbusinessdaily.com reports that Rolex has signed Grigor Dimitrov to an endorsement contract. The deal is expected to be announced next week in China when the Rolex Shanghai Masters starts. Rolex, which could not immediately be reached for comment, plans to use Dimitrov in global advertising together with Roger Federer, whose tennis style largely influenced the development of Dimitrov’s career.
