Casa Grande Aspiring Stars- Welcome initiative for Indian Tennis

Hey all,

As you all are aware, inspite of being the 2nd most populous country with almost 1.252 billion people & with almost, every 5th person of the world being an Indian, India is still a laggard in the Tennis world.

Obviously, their are the Sania Mirza’s, Bhupathi & Leander Paes, but what after them?

India’s highest ranked player singles players SomDev Devvarman is ranked #139 in the latest ATP Rankings while the Top ranked WTA Singles player Ankita Raina is ranked 245 in the latest WTA Rankings.

Don’t you think, a country with such a strong human force & which is one of the world’s fastest growing economy (with India’s GDP expected to touch 2000 BILLION USD in 2015-16) deserves to have a bigger presence in the Tennis world?

The biggest reason according to me for India lagging in the Tennis world has been the lack of corporate support & programs. Indian corporates though have been spending heavily in other sports (viz Cricket, Soccer, Hockey), but Tennis has always remained a last priority for them.

Welcome Initiative by Casa Grande Pvt Ltd

On Friday, I got an invitation from a Chennai’s leading Real Estate Company Casa Grande Pvt Ltd as they were launching the “Casa Grande Aspiring Stars” program with the main motive of identifying & sponsoring young sporting talent.

The program’s main motive is to nurture deserving, young talent in Sports by funding coaching, equipment & other essential needs of the young sportsmen/women. Also, I was thrilled to know that the first two beneficiaries of “Casa Grande Aspiring Stars” will be two of the most young talented Tennis players. R. Abinikka (Girls Under-16 is ranked #4 as per AITA’s Under 16 ranking) while Dhakshineshwar is ranked #5 in Boys Under-14. They both also received a cash donation of Rs. 1 Lakh from the company Casa Grande Pvt Ltd.

The programme was launched in the presence of eminent sporting personalities including Vijay Amritraj. Casa Grande Pvt Ltd‘s MD Mr. Arun Kumar was also present on the occasion & he stated that, “We believe it is an opportunity for us to give something back to the society through Sports.”

Vijay Amritraj said to the young Tennis players, “Smile brightly. This is a moment in your lives. It is essential to identify young talent at the grassroots level & encourage them. In this way, it is an unique concept & I call upon other corporate houses to follow the lead taken by Casa Grande Pvt Ltd.”

I am sharing a few pics with you all of that event —-

 

 

 

For all of you, who are interested in knowing more about the program can do so by directly contacting Casa Grande Pvt Ltd right here.

Here’s hoping, other corporate houses too will take the lead and more Indian young boys/girls will be encouraged to take up Tennis.

Until next time,

Cheers

Vibhu

Terms & Conditions of Twitter Contest

General Terms & Conditions for #ACOPlayersQuiz to be run on my Twitter Page ::

  • Contest will be run on my twitter page (http://twitter.com/vibhuism) on 20th December, 2013.
  • The contestants will be asked a few general questions about the players contesting in the Aircel Chennai Open, 2014. The contestants/participants who get the maximum correct answers will get to win prizes.
  • Prizes include three season passes for Aircel Chennai Open, 2014. The season pass will be valid for all 7 days (Monday to Sunday).
  • Other prizes include 4 daily passes (valid for Monday to Thursday). The winner of the daily passes will have to inform us the day of his/her preference in advance.
  • Consolation prizes include some Aircel Chennai Open autographed Merchandise.
  • Besides that, there will be a bumper prize & that will be announced during the contest.
  • The Prizes are sponsored by Aircel Chennai Open & the contestants need to follow Aircel @ChennaiOpen twitter id, failing which, the contestant will be ineligible for any prize.
  • The tickets of Aircel Chennai Open, 2014 are available for sale on BookMyShow.com website.
  • Participants need to tweet the contest hashtag #ACOPlayersQuiz without fail in all tweets related to this contest.
  • The organizer reserves the right to discontinue the contest at any time and at his sole discretion may cancel, terminate, suspend or modify the contest.
  • The organizers’ decision in all matters pertaining to this contest will be final.
  • The winners name will be announced on my Twitter id by 20th December, 2013 mid-night.
  • Participants should not be in violation and he/she must agree to abide with these terms and conditions to participate in the contest.

Maria Sharapova appoints Sven Groeneveld as her new coach

Maria Sharapova today appointed Sven Groeneveld as her new coach. Maria Sharapova who has been out of action from the Tennis arena since August, 2013 because of a right shoulder bursitis that has been causing problem to her since Wimbledon, 2013.

 

Maria Sharapova last played a competitive match at Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati where in she lost to Sloane Stephens & that lead to the dismissal of Jimmy Connors who was appointed as her coach on 15th July, 2013.

 

masha working out

Maria Sharapova has been working on her rehab & is expected to be fit in time for the 2014 season starting from Brisbane International

 

Who is Sven Groeneveld?

Sven Groeneveld in picture above is a Tennis coach from Netherlands who has coached former grand slam champs including Monica Seles, Mary Pierce & Ana Ivanovic

 

Sven Groeneveld was born on 22nd July, 1965. He became a Tennis professional at the age of 19, but couldn’t achieve much success & his highest singles ranking was 826 & highest doubles ranking was 837 in 1986.

 

So, he decided to quit the game in 1989 & decided to make Tennis coaching as his main profession & that move changed his life for ever & gave him wide spread recognition in the entire Tennis world.

 

His first accomplishment as a coach was Monica Seles winning the Australian Open title in 1992.

 

In 1993, he coached Aranxta Sanches Vicario who went on to reach finals of Australian Open & US Open that year.

 

He then coached Mary Pierce from late 1993 to October, 1995. During that period, Mary Pierce reached the finals of Roland Garros in 1994 & won the Australian Open title in 1995.

 

After that, he joined as a coach of Michael Stich & helped Stich reached his 1st ever French Open final in 1996. Stich had a terrible injury in 1995 at Vienna.

 

Working With Swiss Tennis Federation & Roger Federer in 1997

 

In 1997, Sven joined the Swiss Tennis Federation & worked with Roger Federer who was 16 year old then. Roger Federer then went on to win the Wimbledon Junior title in 1998.

 

From 1998 to 2000, Sven worked with Greg Rusedski & during his tenure as a coach, Greg became the first Britisher to win an ATP masters Title. They were separated after Greg’s 1st round in the Wimbledon in 2000.

 

The next 18 months, Sven coached Nicolas Keifer & Tommy Haas.

 

Sven later re-joined Greg Rusedski in November 2001 & was with his coach for the whole 2002 season.

 

He then coached Mario Ancic from July, 2002 (post Wimbledon) to the mid of 2003. During that period, Ancic rose from 157 in the ATP Rankings (before Wimbledon, 2002) to Top-50 by 2003.

 

After that, he coached Natalie Dechy from September, 2004 to December, 2005. During that period, Dechy reached semi-final of Australian Open, 2005.

 

In 2006 October, Sven Groeneveld signed a 7 year contract with Adidas for Adidas performance programme in which he trained many young players sponsored by Adidas.

 

During this period, he worked with Sania Mirza in 2008 & helped, Ana Ivanovic win her first ever grand slam at the  2008 French Open.

 Other famous players with whom he has worked in these 7 years include-

Caroline Wozniacki (Sven had a great role to play in her rise to No. 1 WTA ranking).

Maria Kirilenko

Kimiko Date

Fernando Verdasco

Sorana Cirstea

 

Laura Robson: It is said that Sven Groeneveld was the first to spot Laura Robson at the age of 10 & called her a future star on first sight.

 

Also, Sven Groeneveld coached the great wheel chair Tennis champion Ester Vergeer from 2010 to 2012.

 

Sven Groeneveld’s contract with Adidas expired in Mid November, 2013.

 

and Today on 21st November, 2013, Maria Sharapova announced that she has appointed Sven Groeneveld as her new coach.

Picture of Maria Sharapova and her whole team and her new coach  Sven Groeneveld

 

So, here’s wishing Sharapova & Sven Groeneveld all the best for the upcoming season.

 

Feel free to drop in a comment or tweet me..

 

Vibhu batra

 

Follow me on Twitter right here.

 

For more such articles, see our Tennis site right here.

Roger Federer’s Tennis Schedule/Calendar/Programme in 2014

Now, that 2013 Tennis season is over, the thing to watch out for is the 2014 schedule that players will be announcing for the upcoming season.

For the last 3 years, Roger Federer announced his official schedule in the 3rd week of November. So, even 2014 schedule of Roger Federer is expected any time soon.

 

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Roger Federer’s 2014 schedule is likely to be announced in this week

 

As, Roger Federer has announced that he will start off his 2014 season by playing at Brisbane International starting from 30th December, 2013.

 

Also, Richard Krajicek has confirmed that Roger Federer won’t be playing at Rotterdam Open in 2014.

So, is that a hint that Roger Federer might decide to fly to Belgrade to play in the Davis Cup 1st round vs Team Serbia in February, 2014?

The next big question if you are a Federer fan is that, will Roger Federer in 2014 play at Davis Cup or Miami Masters or Monte Carlo Masters or Toronto Masters or for that matter, China Open or Tokyo Open? These are some of the bigger tournaments that Roger Federer missed in 2013.

Federer had taken a wildcard for German Open, Hamburg & Swiss Open, Gstaad in 2013, will he do the same in 2014 or not?

For getting answers to all these questions about Roger Federer’s 2014 schedule/calendar/programme, please visit this detailed article by me on our forum right here —-


http://www.rogerfedererfans.com/forum/topic/1776-roger-federers-proposed-2014-tennis-schedule/

 

I posted the detailed ATP 2014 schedule/calendar (with all tournaments date wise/week wise) right here.

 

Feel free to drop in a comment or tweet me..

 

Vibhu batra

 

Follow me on Twitter right here.

 

For more such answers, see our Tennis site right here.

WHICH PLAYER DID ANDY Murray BEAT TO MAKE THE TOP 100 FOR THE FIRST TIME?

Hey all,

 

Just now, Andy Murray announced a competition where in one (yes, one) lucky winner will get a racket signed by him. You too can participate in that contest right here.

 

 

Okay, let me quickly answer this question. Firstly, the question is not as simple as it looks to be.

 

Reasons —-

 

(i) On 26.09.2005 (just before the start of Thailand Open, where Murray got a wild card), Murray was ranked #109th with 396 ranking points. On that very day, the #100th ranked player was Albert Costa with 410 points.

 

(ii) So, in simple words, what I intend to explain is that Murray needed about 14 points to break in to Top 100.

 

Thailand Open then was a part of ATP International Series

 

 

During those days, the following were the points that players used to get ATP International Series including Thailand Open

 

Round 64 losing player 1 point

Round 32 losing player 3 points

Round 16 losing player 5 points

Round 8 (QF) losing player 12 points

Round 4 (SF) losing player 22 points

Losing Finalist got 35 points

Winner got 50 points

 

So, according to me, after Andy Murray wn his QF match, he surely booked his place in the Top-100 for the first time.

 

& his opponent in the QF was Robby Ginepri.

 

So, my technical answer is Robby Ginepri :).

 

But, wikipedia page of Andy Murray suggests the answer is Paradorn Srichaphan :)..

 

What about you? Feel free to drop in a comment or tweet me..

 

Vibhu batra

 

Follow me on Twitter right here.

 

For more such answers, see our Tennis site right here.

Roland Garros, French Open Paris 2013 draw and seedings

As unfortunately Andy Murray had to withdraw from French Open, 2013 because of back pain, Juan Martin Del potro because of not having fully recovered from Bronchitis viral and Mardy Fish deciding to take a break till the start of  the grass season.

 

The mens seeding for French Open, 2013 will be as follows :

 

  1. Novak Djokovic
  2. Roger Federer
  3. Rafael Nadal
  4. David Ferrer
  5. Tomas Berdych
  6. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
  7. Richard Gasquet
  8. Janko Tipsarevic
  9. Stanislas Wawrinka
  10. Marin Cilic
  11. Nicolas Almargo
  12. Tommy Haas
  13. Kei Nishikori
  14. Milos Raonic
  15. Gilles Simon
  16. Philipp Kohlschreiber
  17. Juan Monaco
  18. Sam Querrey
  19. John Isner
  20. Andreas Seppi
  21. Jerzy Janowicz
  22. Alexandr Dolgopolov
  23. Kevin Anderson
  24. Benoit Paire
  25. Jeremy Chardy
  26. Grigor Dimitrov
  27. Fabio Fognini
  28. Florian Mayer
  29. Mikhail Youzhny
  30. Julien Benneteau
  31. Marcel Granollers
  32. Tommy Robredo

 

The French Open 2013 draw will be held on Friday, 24th May, 2013 at 05:30 EDT (New York Time) or 9:30 GMT or 10:30 BST (London Time) or 11:30 CET (Paris Time) or 15:00 IST (New Delhi Time) or 17:30 PHT/CST (Manila / Beijing time) or 19:30 AEST (Melbourne/Sydney time).

 

The great news is that French Open 2013 draw will be streamed live on Roland Garros official DailyMotion channel. You can catch that draw live right here.

 

At least, the hate mongers or doubt mongers, will have no doubts after seeing the draw live in front of their eyes as I am really fed-up from people who keep calling draws as fixed. Come on guys, grow up, its not a primary school draw that its that easy to be fixed.

 

Though, the most interesting thing for me in the draw is :

 

Will Roger Federer or Novak Djokovic be the more lucky man today?

 

This is because in Tennis draws, either the first or second seed can get to play vs the 3rd or 4th seed in the semi-finals.

 

So, I am sure, both Djokovic or Federer will be very lucky if they get to play vs David Ferrer in the semi-finals draw :).

 

As, Roger Federer has joined twitter and has been verified on twitter today, so who knows, he might just get lucky and get David Ferrer in his side of draw :).

 

Also, in the Ladies segment, will be interesting to see if Serena Williams gets to play vs Azarenka or Radwanska or will we see Sharapova vs Radwanska or Azarenka in the semi-finals of French Open, 2013?

 

Also, I will be covering draw of Tommy Haas, Grigor Dimitrov, Milos Raonic, Kei Nishikori, Jerzy Janowicz, Ernests Gulbis and of course, one of my favorites Stan Wawrinka.

 

I will be uploading the draw immediately as soon as it gets announced on our draw. That will feature per round probable opponents of Top 10 and the players mentioned above, also, the popcorn matches to watch out in Round-1, 2, 3, 4, QF, SF.

 

So, please bookmark the following link of our Tennis forum where in all the details of the draw will be posted by me —-


http://www.rogerfedererfans.com/forum/topic/1324-seedings-and-pdf-printable-draw-of-french-open-roland-garros-paris-2013/

 

Feel free to ask me any question on this blog or the forum and I will try my best to answer it as fast as possible.

 

Vibhu batra

 

Follow me on Twitter right here.

An Aircraft Named after Stanislas Wawrinka

Stan Wawrinka who is the darling of twitter world got a very distinguished honor as “Pilatus PC12 Fly7” aircraft got renamed as “Stan”.

 

It needs to be mentioned that Stan Wawrinka is the brand ambassador of Fly 7 and to honor him the management decided to rename the aircraft on his name “Stan” at a ceremony at Blécherette airport, Lausanne.

 

stan8.jpg

 

 

For more pictures of the ceremony where in the Aircraft got renamed as “Stan”, see our forum right here.

 

 

Also, unfortunately because of a torned thigh muscle, Stan Wawrinka might just have to withdraw from the French Open, 2013. Clearly, that’s a big set-back as clearly he was the man in-form. The final decision will be taken by Wawrinka by Thursday 23rd May, 2013 evening as the draw of French Open, 2013 is on Friday, 24th May, 2013.

 

Also, Andy Murray who is suffering from a lower back pain and Del Potro who is recovering from a Bronchitis will take a final decision to play at French Open, Roland Garros, 2013 by Thursday evening (one day prior to the main draw at French Open, 2013).

 

 

Thanks for reading

 

Vibhu batra

 

Follow me on Twitter right here

Seedings and ATP Detailed Draw of 2013 Mutua Madrid Open (Madrid Masters)

The seedings of Mutua Madrid Open got announced announced today. Juan Martin Del Potro has withdrawn from Madrid Masters because of a viral fever.

 

la%20majica.jpeg

 

 All other seedings as per the ATP rankings as last announced on 29th April, 2013. First 8 seeds will receive a draw from Round-1.

 

In the Top half , Djokovic and Murray are scheduled to meet in the semis

and In the bottom half, we might possibly see Federer vs Nadal in the 2nd semi.

Also, Nadal and Ferrer will face-off in the Quarter-finals.

 

Roger Federer has an easy draw leading up to semi-finals. His 2nd round opponent will most probably be Bernard Tomic

 

Djokovic is scheduled to meet Dimitrov in Round-2 and Wawrinka in Round-3.

 

For the full draw, seedings, see the following detailed post on our forum —–

 

 

 http://www.rogerfedererfans.com/forum/topic/1281-seedings-and-pdf-printable-draw-of-2013-mutua-madrid-open/

 

 

(c) Vibhu batra

 

 

Exclusive interview of Stanislas Wawrinka taken by Rene Stauffer (28th April, 2013)

Rene Stauffer interviewed Stanislas Wawrinka for Sonntagszeitung. The interview was published in today’s edition of Sonntagszeitung and is in German.

 

 

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In the interview Rene Stauffer asked Stan Wawrinka about his new coach Magnus Norman, his 2013 seasons, his goals for the year, can Stan Wawrinka reach the Top-10 and what are his other priorities.

 

Stan Wawrinka also talked about his fans and how much he enjoys while interacting with fans on Twitter, re-tweeting funny pictures and messages.

 

Also, Stan Wawrinka talked about he has grown over the years in the shadow of Roger Federer and will Roger Federer play Davis Cup world group play off in September, 2013.

 

 

Here is my English translation of the full interview —-


http://www.rogerfedererfans.com/forum/topic/1278-english-translated-interview-of-stanislas-wawrinka-by-rene-stauffer/

 

 

(c) Vibhu batra

 

Follow me on Twitter or Gplus to stay in touch with me or ask me any ATP, WTA related question :-)

Detailed disussion on No. 2 ATP Ranking tussle between Roger Federer and Andy Murray

Hey all,

 

Recently after Andy Murray lost in the 3rd round to Stanislas Wawrinka at Monte Carlo Rolex Masters, 2013 , Murray lost his No. 2 ATP Ranking to Roger Federer.

 

As Andy Murray has skipped Barcelona Open 2013, so he is gonna lose 90 points earned last year.

 

This is how ATP Points of Federer & Murray will look like on 29.04.2013 (after Barcelona)

 

Federer: 8670


Murray:  8570

 

So, after Barcelona, we will be left with only 2 tournaments before French Open, 2013 begins.

 

fedray.png

Picture of Andy Murray on left and Roger Federer taken at WTF 2012

 

Now, the main questions that are relevant if you a Murray or a Federer fan or ATP rankings fan?

 

Will Roger Federer be able to retain his #2 ATP Ranking after Madrid Masters or Mutua Madrid Open 2013 or will Andy Murray regain the #2 ranking after Madrid 2013?

 

As the seedings for French Open will be based on the ATP Rankings announced after Internazionali BNL d’Italia Italian Open 2013 or Rome Masters 2013, so the most important question is will Federer or Murray will be #2 after Rome 2013?

 

Getting the No. 2 seeding for French Open, 2013 might just make it easier for Murray or Federer (who ever is seeded No. 2) to reach the finals of French Open, 2013 as they won’t have to face the hot favorite Novak Djokovic in the semi-finals of Roland Garros, French Open, 2013.

 

 

For an in-depth analysis of Federer & Murray’s ATP ranking leading up to French Open & their possible seeding at French Open, 2013, see this detailed discussion on our forum —


http://www.rogerfedererfans.com/forum/topic/1273-will-roger-federer-or-andy-murray-be-ranked-no-2-after-italian-open-2013-and-thus-get-2-seeding-at-french-open-2013/

 

 

Also, I have been discussing this for quite long now, but still Rafael Nadal has a mathematical chance to regain #4 ATP Ranking from David Ferrer before French Open, 2013.

 

If you are yet to see, you can see that detailed calculation sheet on our forum & here is the link of that —-

 

www.rogerfedererfans.com/forum/topic/1183-discussion-on-rafael-nadals-ranking-leading-up-to-roland-garros-french-open-2013/page-2

 

 

(c) Vibhu batra

 

Follow me on Twitter or Gplus to stay in touch with me or ask me any ATP, WTA related question :-)