SAY IT AIN’T SO: Anna Kournikona’s onetime boyfriend and former Detroit Red Wings star Sergei Fedorov claims that his money manager swindled him out of $43 million…Forty-year-old Jeff Tarango – yes, he of the infamous ’95 slapping incident at Wimbledon — entered the qualifying tournament in Indy, winning his opening match before losing to Sebastien De Chaunac 6-3, 6-4 in the second round.
‘UNTENDER’ MERCIES: There’s no doubt about it. Win or lose, motivated or bored beyond belief, Marat Safin is one of the great characters of the game. In many ways, he’s right up there with Nastase, Gerulaitis, Connors and McEnroe. And with his retirement on the horizon, we know we’re about to lose one of the sport’s most entertaining personalities: “For tennis, I hope there’s much more to come,” said Safin. “Because tennis, actually they need somebody not a little bit not crazy, but just a little bit ‘untender,’ but it has to come natural. So I’m really hoping there will be somebody on the tour. In the early years, like 20, 15 years ago, it was much more character. But over time, it only became more as business and just trying to be less, less, and less like that…But I’m sure it’s a circle. Sooner or later it will come, people like that, and tennis will live another nice era.”
SEPARATED AT BIRTH?: Rafael Nadal and famed Flamenco singer Miguel Poveda.
QUOTEBOOK
“I think she’ll be the first mom since [Evonne] Goolagong to [win a Slam]. — Lindsay Davenport on Kim Clijsters, who returns to the tour beginning Aug. 10
“This is the greatest day of our lives.” — Federer on the July 23 birth of Roger and Mirka’s twin daughters, Charlene and Myla
“Stay off the roads, guys.” — A warning (via Twitter) from Scot Andy Murray, who passed his driving test this week
TIA PROMO OFFERS SHOT AT $1 MILLION
A new TIA initiative is designed to drive consumer awareness and help stimulate retail sales. With “Racket Up, America!” anyone who buys a new racket (of ANY brand) through Sept. 30 could win a trip for two to New York City and a chance to serve for $1 million. The serve will take place at the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup at Madison Square Garden on March 1, during Tennis Night in America. Consumers simply register their purchase at playtennis.com/million. Other prizes include a trip for two to the ’10 U.S. Open singles and doubles finals and 20 $500 prize packs. “We hope [this] will generate excitement and interest in the sport and will continue to bring more people into the game,” said TIA chief Jon Muir. You can follow “Racket Up, America!” on Twitter and Facebook, or visit playtennis.com/million for more info.
