QUOTE OF THE DAY: Roger Federer

I'm aware that Novak had to do something extremely special to get past me. Same thing for Rafa. I think we all had to do something very special to get past each other in the rankings. I think that's a good thing.

- Roger Federer during his conference call for the USTA promoting the US Open Series today

Never change, Fed. Or do. Whatevs.

[Photo(s) credit: AFP PHOTO / LEON NEAL]

USTA claims rebuffed as Juan Martin del Potro updates status

Status: CONFIRMED. Uh, not quite.

Juan Martin del Potro took to Twitter to clear the air about his status after the USTA claimed the Argentine had begun hitting in preparation for the defense of his U.S. Open title:

Translation (via Tennis.com): "I haven't picked up a racquet yet so I can't tell an exact date. When I know I'll tell you the news here. I'm improving, that's a good thing."

Also, according to a tweet by Fue Buena, Delpo's kinesiologist spoke to ESPN Radio in Argentina and confirmed he will return at the Thailand Open in September and not at Flushing Meadows.

This incident is a big PR strike against the USTA. They made public information about Delpo that obviously wasn't confirmed by anyone in his camp. Even if, hypothetically, they received some kind of update from someone on his team it wasn't information that should've been shared so quickly especially after Bangkok was the only tourney actually mentioned as a return by the 21-year old himself. The officials needed to treat this information as a "hopeful sign" rather than official news and if, by chance, he somehow made it to Flushing Meadows it would have been a surprise bonus for everyone involved. Now, THAT would have been a better lead-up headline than what they're dealing with now.

We all know they have their motives for wanting the defending champ to be mentioned in their communications and marketing of the U.S. Open (e.g. sponsorships, advertising, ticket sales) but, unfortunately, they're now walking around with an omelette and a side of bacon on their face.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

(UPDATED) VIDEO VAULT: It still must be love for the U.S. Open Series

Here we go!

Next week the 2010 Olympus U.S. Open Series commences with the new ATP World Tour stop at the Atlanta Tennis Championships and ends with a bang at the the U.S. Open. And, the USTA has decided to continue the "It Must Be Love" marketing campaign from last year to promote the run up to the season's final major.

I know, I know. I'm still recovering from the long stretch that was Roland Garros + Wimbledon but the tennis won't wait for us. So put your big girl panties on (or big boy jock if you're into that kinda thing) and get ready.

As a bonus (and because the other embed codes were a total USTA fail), here's Chef Rafael Nadal talking pasta + gambas courtesy of someone smart enough to get it to YouTube. I know what you're thinking: He'd look better cooking in nothing but an apron, right? No gambas there. Huh-uh.

CHECK IT:



See the rest of the spots at USOpenSeries.com.

UPDATE: More of the promo vids have been uploaded to the U.S. Open YouTube channel...











[Videos: USTA] 

USTA offers apology for Dinara dust up

The USTA has offered an apology for the handling of Dinara Safina's third round match which saw the top lady baller ousted by Petra Kvitova.

The Russian, whose match was first up that evening, was none too pleased about being moved to Louis Armstrong so James Blake's match could be started.


According to WTA tour CEO Stacy Allaster,

The U.S.T.A. has acknowledged they should have notified Dinara and the players much earlier in the process of what was going to happen. I think they’ve apologized for that and I think that what’s most important now is we move forward. They’re going to look at their procedures and try to make sure that doesn’t happen again.

Serena Williams was asked about the incident in her post-match presser and came to D's defense:

Q. Safina, because the day session ran long, her match was supposed to be the first on at night on Ashe got moved to Louis Armstrong. She was disappointed in that. She thought it was disrespectful that the women's match got moved. Any opinion on that? If placed in a situation like that, would you be upset?
SERENA WILLIAMS: Well, why didn't they move the men's match again? They were second on.

Q. She said they told her they wanted to give fans the chance to see a best of five set match and they moved her to Armstrong.
SERENA WILLIAMS: Yeah, I think that was just a good thing to tell her to silence her at that moment. But I have to take her side on this. I think that she was first on. She should've played at 7:00. They should have moved the men's match. Simple as that, that's how it should be done. If you're supposed to play a match, you're supposed to play it, and then you move the next match.

Firstly, nice to see the ladies' stick up for each other here even amongst all the smack talk that's been going around.

It was a total slap in the face to the top seed Dinara and I'm glad the USTA acknowledged their unfortunate mistake.

(Photo: Getty)

PHOTO OP: Pucker your lips and blow NaturAna

Here's a new image of Ana Ivanovic in her US Open print promo for the USTA's "It Must Be Love" marketing campaign currently underway. If you haven't seen her commercial, click here.

It's actually kinda cute and very fitting for the sweet Serb.


And here we have modelquin NaturAna in another locker room shot featuring her adidas Adilibria Ivanovic night dress for the US Open to go along with this day one. I'm really hoping she sticks around long enough for us to actually see both of them (read: why the HELL did you change your service motion? It's the BALL TOSS silly. Oy.)

(images via anaivanovic.com, USTA)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: Justine, Andy, Lindsay, Billie and Elton...Pete vs. Andre, match-fixing update and more

(image courtesy of J R E Y)

- On top of the world: A huge "congrats!" to World No. 1 Justine Henin for clinching the year-end No. 1 ranking (for the third time in her illustrious career) and winning the United States Sports Academy’s Female Athlete of the Month for September. Plus, she's an astonishing 54-4 this season.

- All bets are off? The tennis gods are gathering in London this Friday to hash out all this match-fixing business. In addition Tennis Diary has reported that players' cell phones may be banned from the locker rooms to avoid inside information from leaking to betters. And, Hall-of-Famer Pam Shriver has some choice words for those prone to betting. Can it be stopped? Stay tuned...

- New chief in town: Arlen Kantarian has been newly named CEO, Professional Tennis for the USTA. What does this mean exactly? As part of his new duties, Arlen will oversee the development of a new USTA elite player development program, focused on identifying and developing the next generation of American champions. He will still lead the USTA's Professional Tennis operations, and serve as the lead executive overseeing the USTA's involvement in the professional sport, including the US Open, US Open Series, USTA Pro Tour events, U.S. Davis Cup, Fed Cup, and Olympic teams, and the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center.

- Music superstar Sir Elton John and long-time friend Billie Jean King will host the 15th annual Advanta WTT Smash Hits, a special night of tennis featuring superstars including Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport and Anna Kournikova. The event, which benefits the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the local charity ActionAIDS, will be held in Philadelphia on Oct. 10. Visit Ticketmaster to purchase tickets to this event and to support AIDS research and charities.

- Getting to know: Stefan Koubek

- If it ain't broke...: In the "What were they thinking?" file, the ATP announced it's 2009 schedule to include the new format of giving tournaments ranking points to determine they're importance (1000 = Master Series level, 500 = Tier II). Is that even correct? We're confused just writing about it...oy...

- Think pink: Daily Racquet has been supporting October's Breast Cancer Awareness month by posting on all things pink and tennis. Check it out!

- Wanna know more about the history of the Lacoste brand? Click here.

- Video vault: Reminisce about the good ol' days of tennis with this great, classic Nike commercial featuring legends Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi playing an improptu set of tennis in a New York City intersection.

+ TUESDAY NETCORDS: Nicole, Patrick, Roger vs. Nadal...Wilson goes green, TENNIS magazine gets caught and more

Arthur Ashe Stadium, USTA National Tennis Center

- Go green: Wilson Racquet Sports is following the green trend has launched a new Green Initiative that will work to develop and implement environmentally responsible products and manufacturing procedures across the racquet brand’s major product categories.

- Eye candy: A clip of a bunch of shirtless male tennis players for your viewing pleasure...

- SI's Jon Wertheim profiles the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and compares them to the days of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova saying, "Classic rivals Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova became fast friends. Once, before they met in a Grand Slam final, one of them had her period, and together they scoured the locker room for a tampon. While Federer and Nadal aren't quite at that point yet (and not simply because neither menstruates), unmistakable warmth passes between them." That's T.M.I - too much info, Mr. Wertheim.

- Everything you ever wanted to know (and a few things you probably didn't care to know - favorite breakfast cereal?) about Nicole Vaidisova

- The USTA and JP Morgan Chase bank have signed a 5-year worldwide promotional partnership agreement to be the premiere sponsor of the US Open which includes naming rights to the electronic line calling challenge system and "Chase Review" branded replays on television broadcasts and on in-stadium video boards.

- Patrick McEnroe gives New York magazine his "Nine Rules for Watching the US Open". Our personal fave: 3. Watch the players from behind. That's never a problem for us...

- Checkmate: Chess bloggers wonder aloud: Did chess help Roger Federer?

- Tennis heads staying at The Ritz-Carlton in Cancun can now visit The Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center, a premier sporting facility offering world-class tennis programs all year round. Services range from private lessons and morning clinics, to group tournaments and corporate socials. Custom-designed classes using Drysdale-style and technical instruction take place at the three outdoor hard courts overlooking the Nichupte Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea.

- Busted: Is TENNIS magazine guilty of comment boosting on their blog (posting fake comments to boost readership numbers)? Tsk, tsk...