ALPHABET SOUP: Former WTA chief Larry Scott, who now runs the Pac-10 (or is that Pac-12?), said his only regret in tennis was not “bringing the two tours together and minimizing some of the alphabet soup.”
NO TEAM MURRAY-CAHILL: ESPN analyst Darren Cahill has ruled himself out of the running for the job of Andy Murray‘s coach.
BACK-TO-BACK: Sam Querrey became the first man since Andre Agassi in 2001 and 2002 to win consecutive titles in L.A.
NO FREE TIX FOR SERENA: Serena Williams was less than pleased when Farmers Classic organizers refused to give her a free ticket to the semifinals. The world No. 1 later tweeted, “Omg! the@farmersclassic tennis tournament in LA is charging me $100 a ticket…After I plugged them!!! Lol ill send a bill for my plug!” Williams had visited the tournaments earlier in the week and was seen posing in photos with James Blake.
THE RETURN OF IVAN: Ivan Lendl says he will join the ATP Champions Tour and, after 16 years away from the game, will make his long-awaited debut at the Jean Luc Lagardere Trophy (Oct. 1-3) in Paris. Said John McEnroe of Lendl’s return, “Oh boy, I’m looking forward to it. We had some great matches together, but it’s been a long time and he hasn’t played for more than 15 years so I think we need to discuss a few things, both on and off the court.”
FOREST HILLS GOING CONDOS?: The West Side Tennis Club is reportedly working on a deal to sell its historic stadium (the former home of the U.S. Open for more than six decades) to a local developer for $9 million.
A HILL TO CLIMB: Gene Hill, who was born without a right arm, has developed into on of the top players at New Jersey’s East Christian High School. The 17-year-old senior lost only two sets in his junior year and boasts a 100 mph serve.
AHHH, THE SPOILS OF VICTORY: Of what flashed through his mind after clinching the historic win No. 62, Bob Bryan said, “Lot of Sundays and bad sleep and not eating good.”
THE NUMBERS
3: Titles on the year for Spain’s J.C. Ferrero, who on Sunday captured the Studena Croatia Open title with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Italy’s Potito Starace.
100: Career doubles finals registered by the Bryan Bros.
QUOTEBOOK
“What they’ve achieved in doubles is incredible.” — Andy Murray on the Bryan Bros.
“We were the best of the ’90s and they’re the best right now, but I never played to be considered the best ever and when Bob and Mike first started out, I don’t think they did either.” — Mark Woodforde on the Woodies vs. the Bryan Bros.
“Sixty-two — I’ll never forget that number. It’s been an emotional ride talking about it every day for the last couple of months. Definitely there were nerves out there, and in that first set it felt like we couldn’t get the pickle out of the jar. The legs felt like jelly, the arms like spaghetti.” — Bob Bryan
“I went through a really tough time and it did hurt my confidence for awhile. On the other hand, my name got out there and you’re getting eight grand, five grand every time you play.” — Donald Young
“For [Mardy] Fish, making the most of what’s left of his career meant giving up French fries. For James Blake, it’s meant giving up some of his famous stubbornness.” — Kamakshi Tandon
“Sam truly believed he could be Sam Querrey, play Sam Querrey’s game and beat Andy. He didn’t have to try to be someone else.” — Querrey’s coach, David Nainkin, on the Californian’s title win over Andy Murray in L.A.
“I’d be shocked if she ever approached the top ranking again.” — The USA Today’s Doug Robson on Ana Ivanovic
“Obviously, I’m aware that my career is finite. It’s not going to last forever.” – James Blake, who fell 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 to Ryan Sweeting in the first round in Washington, D.C.
