Tennis News You Can Use
Headlines this week were dominated by Ukrainian storylines that dwarfed a couple of blockbuster business deals in women’s tennis.
A tennis star returned to Ukraine to help fight the Russians. He didn’t tell his kids.
Ukrainian tennis star Sergiy Stakhovsky made a tough decision to leave his wife and three young children at their home in Hungary and return to his homeland to join the fight. He’s now a member of the army reservists helping defend the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Full Story: CNN
Tennis Suspends Russia and Belarus but Will Allow Their Players to Compete
The move will allow stars like Daniil Medvedev of Russia and Victoria Azarenka of Belarus to participate in tournaments but as neutral players with no national identification. Full Story: New York Times
From chess to tennis, global sports organizations distance themselves from Russia
As Russia pushes forward with its invasion of Ukraine, the International Chess Federation — which ranks more than 20 Russian athletes in in its top 100 — banned tournaments in Russia and Belarus, a close Russian ally that has supported the invasion. The action is among several taken by sports organizations against Russia in the wake of the invasion. Full Story: NPR
Cal State Northridge doubles tennis partners from Russia and Ukraine find support from each other
“They were already super close. And now I think they’re even closer,” said Gary Victor, the Northridge tennis coach. “They’re sharing a life experience that we can only imagine. This has brought them closer and their bond is really unbreakable.” Full Story: Los Angeles Times
Tennis-Bryan brothers to raise funds for Svitolina’s Ukraine aid
Bob and Mike Bryan, the most successful men’s doubles team in tennis, said on Thursday they will raise funds at this month’s Indian Wells tournament to support Elina Svitolina’s drive to provide humanitarian aid to Ukrainian refugees. Full Story: WTVB
Ukranian Seniors Star Stanislavsky
Pictures featuring distinguished Seniors star Leonid Stanislavskyi were a big winner at a prestigious photographic competition. The photo story focused upon 97-year-old Ukrainian Stanislavskyi as he competed at the 40th edition of the ITF Super-Seniors World Championships in Mallorca, Spain in October 2021. Full Story: ITF
‘I hope I live to reach 100’: World’s oldest tennis player staying put in Ukraine war zone
Stanislavskyi survived the Second World War, when he was an engineer who helped build Soviet warplanes to fight the Nazis. “I never thought that I would have to live through another, more frightening war where people from both sides are dying — mothers are losing their children, wives are losing their sons and their husbands,” he added. Full Story: ITF
Former top-20 women’s tennis player Varvara Lepchenko suspended four years for doping
Former top-20 women’s tennis player Varvara Lepchenko has been suspended four years for committing an anti-doping rule violation, the International Tennis Federation announced Friday. The 35-year-old’s suspension will run from Aug. 19, 2021 to Aug. 18 2025, when she’ll be 39. Full Story: CBS Sports
ATP Chairman outlines goal to merge with the WTA and all leading tennis organizations
Andrea Gaudenzi has revealed his plans to unify the ATP, WTA, ITF and all four Grand Slams under one organization to better improve the level of efficiency in tennis. Full Story: tennishead.net
UK tennis fans fume at ‘ridiculous’ prices for Laver Cup tickets in London
While it can be assumed that these ticket prices have been set to attract corporate clients, tennis fans have taken to Twitter to express their annoyance at being priced out of the race to buy tickets for the biggest indoor tennis event in the UK this year. Full Story: Tennis365.com
Venus Williams Becomes Global Brand Ambassador for Lacoste
It isn’t clear what the partnership entails including whether she will wear her own eleVen line on court or Lacoste branded items. Full Story: tennis.com
WTA women’s tennis tour gets 1st title sponsor since 2010
The WTA Tour has agreed to a multi-year, multimillion-dollar title sponsorship deal with Hologic, a medical technology company. The agreement, announced Thursday, gives the women’s professional tennis tour its first title sponsor since a deal with Sony Ericsson ended in 2010. Full Story: The News & Observer
Zina Garrison Tennis Academy celebrates 30 years of service to Texas
The Zina Garrison Tennis Academy provides 45 weeks of free tennis and education programming for youths ages 6 to 18 annually in Houston and its suburbs. Full Story: USTA
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location (GMT) |
| 3/9-20 | BNP Paribas Open | WTA 1000 ATP 1000 | Indian Wells, CA (GMT – 8) |
At the beginning of the Zina Garrison section, there is an extra “t” (Tthe).
Thanks! The correction has been made.