Tennis Talk

by Savannah

IMG Mess Update

LONDON -- The head of management company IMG has told tennis' anti-corruption group that he hasn't bet on the sport since current rules barring gambling were enacted nearly two years ago.

IMG executive Ted Forstmann was accused in a lawsuit of gambling millions of dollars on sports events, including the 2007 French Open final between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Forstmann has acknowledged betting on Federer, who is represented by an IMG agent.

Tennis Integrity Unit spokesman Mark Harrison said Thursday the group contacted Forstmann and "made it clear that since January 2009, he has been covered by the provisions of the game's anti-corruption code."

Harrison said Forstmann "understands and accepts this."

SOURCE

So 2007 is in play no?

WTF Notes

The Elite Eight that will appear in London has been settled.

1 Rafael Nadal 11,450

2 Roger Federer 7,645

3 Novak Djokovic 5,635

4 Andy Murray 5,360

5 Robin Soderling 4,740

6 Tomas Berdych 3,755

7 David Ferrer 3,735

8 Andy Roddick 3,665

The Doubles teams are as follows:

Bob Bryan/Mike Bryan 11,370

Daniel Nestor/Nenad Zimonjic 8,370

Lukas Dlouhy/Leander Paes 4,015

Lukasz Kubot/Oliver Marach 3,735

Mahesh Bhupathi/Max Mirnyi 3,630

Mariusz Fyrstenberg/Marcin Matkowski 3,520

(WC) Jurgen Melzer/Philipp Petzschner 2,745

Andy Roddick is complaining about the week between the end of Bercy and the beginning of the World Tour Finals.

"Considering the ATP sent out an email saying we have to be in London for Wednesday, it doesn't leave much time for me to get home and back now, does it?" said Roddick when asked by journalists about his post-tournament plans.

"So not only do we have a week in between where we're kind of hanging out, apparently we're available for you people for five days."

The American believes bringing the Paris Masters and World Tour Finals closer together would help to have a longer off-season.

"It's tough to change things overnight, but change is happening," he said.

"We moved it (the World Tour Finals) to Europe, so that's good, but it's the same amount of time. There's still no off-season. The point would be to make it cohesive so you run through into the other one.

"You guys (the press) could make it happen. I don't think you need a week to prep your stories. I think it would add 25-30 percent to the off-season."

"It's tough to be objective about yourself, but I know I've had some of my best moments in London," he said.

"I've spent about five weeks there every summer for the last 10 years, so it's hard to believe I've not developed some kind of relationship (with the fans). I certainly reciprocate a lot of the positive feelings."

Source: AP/Yahoo Sports

Really Andy? You got in by the skin of your teeth. If you want to go back to the States and then fly back to London that is your choice. It's this sense of entitlement that turns people off to Roddick.

Miscellany

Jelena Jankovic had what she called "a small eye surgery" this week. Speedy recovery JJ.

A healthier looking Anna Kournikova poses with Venus Williams at an event.

Elena Dementieva at a recent event.

The player pictures from Bali are stunning. Here is a sample.

Daniela Hantuchova

Kimiko Date-Krumm

Ana Ivanovic in traditional Balinese attire

Aravane Rezai