TENNIS magazine hit by layoffs, print work to be outsourced

Tough times for TENNIS magazine.

The word going 'round the Internets is that there have been at least four layoffs at the print arm of the pub, not including Peter Bodo + Steve Tignor who are said to be safe. The website will continue to run while print work is being outsourced to 10TenMedia.com.

I noticed the alarming lack of ad pages all the way back in September 2008 so this news doesn't come as a surprise. They did a really good job of getting this far in a tough economy but I don't think it'll go much further. I would bet by next year TENNIS will be fully online.

I'll make sure to update this post as more news becomes available. Feel free to contact me, though, if you have any more info at DownTheLineTennis[at]GMail[dot]com.

[Photo(s): TENNIS magazine]

PHOTO OP: Freudian slippage

Either the Rafael Nadal web team is relying too much on Google Translations (because we all know what a bang up job THAT does) or he'll have some 'splaining to do next time he bumps into Roger Federer and/or Tomas Berdych.

On a personal note, I'm hoping for the latter and for someone to upload it to YouTube. It's a keeper.

[via NadalNews, screen capture via RafaelNadal.com]

Wait - didn't TennisWeek.com shut down already?

"I could crush you both with a single decker. And you'd like it."

Eye-spy two smiley people on this page who don't seem to mind having their journalistic endeavors smothered by "Brooklyn's Double Deckers", the top headline on the TENNIS.com site highlighting its continued desire to move from serious media outlet to, eh, another blog. Good luck to ya.

Anyway, I bet there's one person who can't believe she got passed over for a swimsuit model on the main page of a tennis site. Sheesh, Brooklyn really IS powerful. She so deserved that cover.

[PHOTO[S]: TENNIS.com]

(UPDATED) Apparently NaturAna's club name is K-Stew

Kristen Stewart, eh, Ana Ivanovic unveiled the redesign of her website which now looks like some kind of disco wonderland. There's even a new section called "Club Ana" where you can send in questions for the Serb to answer, get downloads and participate in the forum. No beats at 140 bpm as of yet, though.

So, I guess if you can't have the world at your fingertip (read: going 0-3 in FED CUP this past weekend) then a disco ball might do, right K-Stew?

She also announced a new lifetime deal with sponsor adidas that includes wearing their products for the rest of her career and becoming an ambassador for the brand upon retirement from competitive tennis.

"I’m very proud to wear adidas for the rest of my career. adidas has helped me immensely over the last few years by providing me with great products and unique services off the court including the adidas Player Development Program," she said in a statement. "Therefore, this long-term contract extension means a lot to me and was a logical decision. I feel thrilled to be a member of the adidas family and I am very much looking forward to working with adidas on many projects in the future."

It's pretty impressive - or foolhardy - to see a brand like adidas make a lifetime commitment on a lady baller whose career is heading anywhere but up. They must really believe in the "Ana Brand" and her ability to turn her results around. But if Nike can back up Maria Sharapova with $70 million over what's likely the remainder of her career even though she's in a rut then I don't see why adidas can't do the same with NaturAna.

UPDATE: I think the post-tennis adidas option should help with the big fam she's hoping to have... (thanks Djangoo!)

[Photo(s): AnaIvanovic.com]

THE LOW DOWN: R.I.P. TennisWeek.com?

TennisWeek.com is apparently no more.

The IMG-owned website is down today and word has it the company shut it down permanently though no official statement has been released.

Earlier this year the sports marketing giant closed the print version after 35 years and it seems the tough economic climate made the kill complete.

I have to say it's sad to see another staple in the tennis media go down, even though their material wasn't always original. But no hard feelings TW.com - you'll be missed. 

[Photo(s): tennisservedfresh.com]

Nike Tennis launches new Fed-centric site, fangirls (and boys) rejoice

Nike LOVES them some Roger Federer, though you wouldn't know it by the way they dressed him at Wimbledon this year. Anyway...

On June 24 the brand is launching a special Nike Tennis website to commemorate the Swiss' 14 major titles and his attempt at a record-breaking 15th at The All England Club over the coming fortnight. The site includes interactive, historical information on each of his 14 wins.

Fans, especially those infamous Fed fangirls/boys out there, can also leave him personal messages through the site, via Twitter by including #goroger in the tweet, or through Facebook Connect.

More screen captures below. Visit the site at http://niketennis.com/rf.



(images via nike tennis)

FASHION FIX: Incredible, edible Rafa now comes in sorbet

Rafael Nadal will be working the pink option of the Nike Summer Bold Open Polo that I previewed and the grey + pink Air Max Courtballistec 1.3 as he goes for a record fifth consecutive Roland Garros crown.

And the Mallorcan Matador loves this pink moment so much he opted for a pink backdrop on his website:


Wow - first we get a giant, chocolate Rafa and now we get RafaSorbet. Yums.

*licks chops*

(image via rafaelnadal.com)

Bethanie launches website, keeps hair big and fashion bad

Bethanie Mattek just launched a new website featuring all the usual stuff we've come to expect from B (read: bad hair, worse fashion).


It's good to see her back on court too after getting married and dealing with injury. However, I'm not loving the red/orange/copper crap dye job at all - icks - though it's not quite a hairy situation yet.

But with B I've come to learn to expect the worse but prepare for hilarity. It's just a matter of time.


(via Great Tennis Photos, images via bmattek.com, getty)

THE LOW DOWN: IMG reportedly shutters Tennis Week magazine after 35 years

So long Tennis Week magazine.

Last year IMG, the mega sports marketing agency who bought the mag, were reportedly considering its viability after publisher Randy Master left and returned to the Tennis Channel.

Now comes word today the mag has indeed folded after 35 years:

Tennis Week Magazine has folded after 35 years of publication, TennisReporters.net has learned. Founded in 1974 by Eugene L. Scott, a former US Davis Cup player who was once ranked within the world top 15, the magazine was acquired by IMG in December of 2006, seven months after Scott’s death. It has been through a series of publishers since then and apparently, was unable to generate much cash, a big no-no when it comes to IMG’s philosophy of profit or perish. There is now word yet on whether its web site will continue to publish.

A sad day for Tennis Week mag but certainly not unexpected in these harsh economic times. Media + publishing have been one of the hardest hit since advertisers have tightened their belts tremendously. With readers turning to websites and blogs in greater numbers, many high-profile influential pubs are trying to understand how to utilize their online presence more effectively. Plus, I don't know a single person who actually read Tennis Week or even knew where to get it.

As I said last year after hearing the rumors, IMG would be smart to stick to the web which, in my opinion, is where it's happening for our sport. TennisWeek.com has a unique brand identity and seems to have a good mix of content including tennis news, sidebar "off-court" stories, editorial, and video.

(image via Tennis Week)

PHOTO OP: This headline is giving me a serious case of déjà vu

Tennishead posted a very recent story about Tommy Robredo's haircut with the headline "Hair today, gone tomorrow...".

Hmmm - why does that headline sound SO familiar, and familiar, and familiar, and familiar?

Coincidence or Conspiracy - you decide!

(image via tennishead.com)

Nole gets cheeky with "Speed Lessons", helps HEAD launch Speed Pro stick

Novak Djokovic and sponsor HEAD have launched a new, interactive website called Speed Lessons to help promote the new Speed Pro racquet launching this spring.

The site will roll out six cheeky, live action sketches over a few weeks time showcasing different lessons on various techniques and the sexy Serb will provide a voice-over during parts of each lesson.

In addition, visitors to the site can take the "Speed Test", a multiple choice quiz where readers can enter to win 1 0f 10 Speed racquets signed by Nole himself.

This is a great example by the racquet maker of creating innovative marketing that smartly infuses a baller's personality with their messaging. Babolat may want to take some notes - just sayin'.

Check out Lesson #1 - "The Service" below featuring a Pamela Anderson cartoon look-alike. I figured she liked balls and a good stick but who knew she liked tennis? Ca-razy.

Prince officially launches EXO3 performance frames and website

Prince has officially launched the much-anticipated EXO3 line of performance frames here in the US, which they teased us with late last year.

The line's patented Energy Bridge and Energy Channel advanced technology provides the racquets with a larger sweet spot for more power, 25% increase in spin compared to traditional construction, dramatically reduced frame vibration by up to 50%, and increased control and stability on every shot. The EXO3 provides up to 26% more energy back into the ball.

Availability for the new sticks stateside includes:

• January 15, EXO3 Graphites and EXO3 Rebels
• February 15, EXO3 Silver and EXO3 Red

The racquet-maker also launched a new website for the line which includes product info, images, video, and a chat function which will allow you to speak with the team at Prince.

No word yet, however, on whether Jelena Jankovic will continue her partnership with them.

(images via Prince)

MEDIA MASHUP: The ATP World Tour revamps site for 2009 - love it or leave it?

The newly-named ATP World Tour, which recently debuted the next evolution in their "FEEL IT" global marketing campaign, has also revamped their website to match the the campaign's other worldly, celestial theme. The Tour also released the following video promoting their new campaign:



So the gods of tennis are hitting into the heavens? Interesting, if not reaching a bit. I'll definitely be watching to see how the ATP World Tour continues to infuse this theme and messaging throughout the 2009 season - remember, consistency is the key here.

What do you guys think of the new website - love it or leave it??

DO TELL!

(image via atpworldtour.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Will IMG shut down Tennis Week magazine?

Is Tennis Week magazine down in the dumps?

According to Tennisreporters.net, publisher Randy Master has left the pub to return to Tennis Channel and IMG, who bought Tennis Week two years ago, is considering its viability.

Full disclosure: I've only seen one hard copy of Tennis Week and it was pretty awful. The articles weren't interesting or in-depth, the images were either out-dated or stock photography, and the paper quality was low. In these tough economic times, media of all kinds are struggling for ad dollars and subscribers which is causing many to shutter their print editions. Frankly, I'm surprised Tennis Week mag is still around.

I think they'd be better off shutting down the print edition only and focusing completely on the web where they can be more current with news and give a broader perspective on the sport.

Besides, what would we do without Carrie Milbank's perky tennis roundups? Perish the thought.

(via tennis-x.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Tennis has a dirty, little secret - or so it thinks

Steve Murray wonders aloud in his recent article for TennisWeek.com whether the tennis world is harboring what he calls a "Sexist Secret"?

Essentially he argues that as much as the sport wants to view everything in terms of athletic ability and wins, it's struggling with TV viewership, sponsorship dollars and a dwindling fan base. And, who better to PR the sport than many of the top lovely lady ballers (and those floating somewhere below.) Sex sells, of course, but is that okay in tennis?

Hell yeah. C'mon, most other sports play up the sexy celebrity status of their top female AND male athletes with no issue. Think soccer's David Beckham + Christiano Ronaldo, baseball's Madonna-loving Alex Rodriguez + Derrick Jeter, racing's Danica Patrick or swimming's Amanda Beard for instance. These sports understand that "personalities" sell and build interest and awareness and, as a result, their very loyal fan bases continue to grow - something tennis sorely lacks.

WTA CEO Larry Scott hit the mark when he told The London Financial Times,

All sports are trying to distinguish themselves through their athletes and the glamorous nature of what they do. That’s what sponsors are after.

Sports marketing 101, people.

But why is tennis so stuck in the mud? My guess is the sport has been lost in its long, stodgy history of crisp whites and politeness. Purists continue to argue that tennis media concentrates too much on the ballers' personalities, fashion, gossip, etc. and doesn't focus enough on the simple yellow ball.

But think about it - some of our sport's best rivalries were great not only because of the matches played but also because of the contrasting personalities involved and how they were played up. McEnroe vs. Borg, Evert vs. Navratilova, Graf vs. Seles, Federer vs. Nadal. Personalities sell the sport, and the sport is a business at the end of the day.

The irony here is the ballers themselves are pushing the envelope and building their own brands through forays into the worlds of entertainment, fashion, music, etc. Ana knows her FHM cover builds a certain image that can be sold to her sponsors and fans. Same goes for Roger Federer walking onto Centre Court in his Gatsby-esque cardigan moment. Besides, how do you think we get a lot of the stories we write about on a daily basis? Ballers' websites.

There's no denying anymore that tennis needs to fast forward into the 21st century. No secret there.

(image via FHM magazine)

Alexandra Stevenson blogs for ESPN.com, still relevant for some reason

Hey - remember Alexandra Stevenson? Yeah exactly, but she and ESPN.com are hoping we'll still care.

The sports site has given the oft-injured baller, who made headlines in 1999 when it was revealed her father was NBA legend Julius "Dr. J" Erving during her run to the Wimbledon semifinals, a prime assignment to blog about the trials and tribulations of the low-paying Challenger circuit. (Geez - I hope she's getting something for this.)

In her second post for the site Alexandra, apparently the "It Girl" of the Challengers, discusses the media circus that swarms her every move saying,

Most players don't have a press contingent come around at Challengers events after they lose. I've lost count of how many reporters show up in small towns and big cities to interview me, win or lose. My mother, Samantha Stevenson, a journalist, tells me, "Feel flattered that they care about you."

True. Still, nice one Momma Stevenson!

The world no. 205 even waxed poetic (literally) about what it's like to constantly lose for a class at the University of Colorado. Here's an excerpt:

A feeling of despair, her muscles twitching
The player's racket dangling by her side
The actress inside forcing a cool appearance on her face
But she is thinking, "My God, not again."

Wow. Maybe if her racquet was doing more than "dangling" she might be winning more matches.

But Alexandra wants to make sure she clears the air with tennis fans about her delayed progress when she asks aloud,

You might wonder why it's taking me longer to get back than it took Martina Hingis during her comeback or Lindsay Davenport following the birth of her son?

Actually, I'm not. In fact, it makes perfect sense to me.

Now, can we get a real baller who's actually won something to blog for the site or, at the very least, a true up-and-comer?

(image via tennisserver.com)

VIDEO VAULT: What will tennis look like in 2083? Lacoste has a (brilliant) idea...

Lacoste is taking us back to the future.

The sportswear brand is continuing its 75th anniversary celebrations with the launch of a new website called Lacoste Future featuring vintage clips of the legendary baller Rene Lacoste playing old-school and a viral video showcasing their vision of tennis in 2083, another 75 years later.

It looks to be a mix of tennis, TRON, and jai-alai with full body armor - a masterpiece:

Lacoste-future
by lacoste-future

(image capture via lacoste-future.com)

VIDEO VAULT: Roger + Maria sharpen tennis skills with Nike Training

Nike has launched a new commercial and website in Hong Kong for their Nike Training program. The spot features Roger Federer and Maria "Shriek"apova in a "behind-the-scenes" look into their training practices.

Roger is shown performing leg presses, shoulder presses, and lunges with a medicine ball while Maria sharpens her footwork and eye-hand coordination by jumping rope and grabbing at tennis balls being fed to her. Fascinating.

In addition to our tennis ballers, the spot also features stars from other sports including boxing champ Manny Pacquiao, basketball player Kobe Bryant, footballer Cristiano Ronaldo and hurdler Xiang Liu.

Check it out:



(video via starmometer.com)

Tennis Week now hiring obscure, but pretty, former tennis ballers for writing gigs

Beautiful former top-30 tennis baller and apparent renaissance woman Angelica Gavaldon has recently been pulled from the depths of obscurity by Tennis Week to pen some musings about ballers and the superstitions they keep safe in their racquet bags. But Angelica, who included the large-scale glamour shot above with her in-depth piece, makes sure we know it's all about her.

We get to read Angelica wax poetic about her superstitious early days - loaning a "lucky" shirt to then unknown junior baller Monica Seles at a tournament actually called Sport Goofy, getting high marks from Anna Kournikova for warming up the Russian beauty before a match that she actually won, and her own superstitious doodlings from her old playing days:

"I had a different routine at the Grand Slams:

• At the Australian Open, I would eat a chocolate chip cookie everyday.
• At Wimbledon, I made sure to eat corn on the cob.
• At Roland Garros, I really didn’t have any kind of a ritual or superstition, but maybe I should have, since the furthest I advanced in the tournament was the second round.
• At the U.S. Open, I ate plain pasta before every match."

Eating a chocolate chip cookie everyday? Now there's a fool-proof method of winning!

Angelica even attempts to explain superstitions by speaking with Marc Sagal, a psychologist and managing partner at a company that helps overachievers strive for their personal best. Sagal gave his insight into superstitious behavior saying, "We all make connections between what we do and what happens — and, we often believe that because something has happened before, it will happen again." Very logical, indeed.

Nevertheless, the article regains focus on our 2-time Aussie Open quarterfinalist and ends with a link to her sports apparel line called, of course, Angalo (play on her name maybe?) We immediately jumped on over to her website and were greeted by these images:


Wow - she models too! Is there anything this woman can't do? Smart choice, Tennis Week...smart choice.

(images via tennisweek.com + angalo.com)