Round one concludes and round two commences Wednesday on Day 3 of the 2011 US Open, as a stellar cast of tennis’ top talents take to the courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Former US Open champs Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Andy Roddick and Juan Martin Del Potro headline the day’s play, which also features Andy Murray, Vera Zvonareva, John Isner and Christina McHale in starring roles.
Williams, unseeded here for the first time since her US Open debut in 1997, was efficient, if not electrifying, in her first-round win over Russia’s Vesna Dolonts. That’s hardly surprising, considering this is only her fourth tournament of the year, and that the 31-year-old missed the entire summer hard-court season. But in winning her 60th career US Open match, Williams showed she still can dig deep when need be, converting on three of five break opportunities to pull out the win. Even without a number next to her name, no opponent is anxious to see the two-time US Open champ on the other side of the net. Today, that view belongs to No. 22 seed Sabine Lisicki, who has won two titles this year and reached the semis of Wimbledon—her best-ever Grand Slam showing. This should be a good test for Williams, as the two women have split a pair of career meetings. This goes three; Williams goes on.
Sharapova, champion here in 2006, was less-than-spectacular in her first-round match, dropping the first set to Heather Watson before rallying for a three-set win. The No. 3 seed made 58 unforced errors and was broken five times in that match, so she’s going to have to sharpen up considerably if she’s considering slicing deep in this draw. Tonight, she can start honing her edge against 24-year-old Anastasia Yakimova of Belarus, whose appearance here in round two marks her best-ever US Open showing. Yakimova did take a set off Sharapova in their only career meeting—a first-round Sharapova win at the 2009 French Open—but on this surface and in this place, the former champ should be too tough to trump. It’s Sharapova in two.
Playing here this year as the No. 21 seed—his lowest seeding since his first US Open appearance in 2000—Roddick, who turned 29 yesterday, has had a decidedly indifferent 2011 campaign. The 2003 US Open champ has won just one title while compiling a 24-11 match record, including a fourth-round finish at the Aussie Open and a third-round loss at Wimbledon. He did, however, reach the semis of last week’s Winston-Salem event, which gave him some much-needed match play entering the Flushing fortnight. Roddick opens up against fellow American Michael Russell, a scrappy veteran who has ranked as high as No. 60 in the world, but who has yet to win a match here in six tries. This ought to be a good opportunity for Roddick to cement his hard-court feet and work his way into a Slam state of mind. Expect the first set to be tight, then expect Roddick to let loose. In three, Roddick advances.
No. 4 seed Murray seems forever on the verge of a major breakthrough, but despite remarkable talent, the 2008 US Open runner-up has remarkably never been able to string seven matches together at a Slam. Murray comes here fresh off a win at the Olympus US Open Series event in Cincinnati, where he beat both Mardy Fish and Novak Djokovic, and he’s absolutely at home on the hard floor of Ashe. But “potential greatness” is one of sport’s most obvious oxymorons, and Murray—one of tennis’ most tenacious competitors—has surely had his fill of runner-up trophies. He’ll get a good early test against India’s No. 1 player, 26-year-old Somdev Devvarman, who won back-to-back NCAA singles titles while at the University of Virginia, beating Isner in the collegiate final in 2007. Devvarman is not in Murray’s class, but he’ll hustle, get a lot of balls back and make the No. 4 seed work hard for points. In an entertaining three, Murray moves on.
The 19-year-old New Jersey native McHale is enjoying a career-high ranking of No. 55 on the heels of a career year in which she’s recorded victories over some of the game’s biggest names, including Daniela Hantuchova, Caroline Wozniacki and former US Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova (twice). At just 5-foot-5, McHale plays a big game and has an equally large heart, and she’ll need both today against No. 8 seed Marion Bartoli of France. Bartoli, who this year reached the semis at Roland Garros and the quarters at Wimbledon—knocking out Serena Williams en route—is a major talent, but as McHale has shown, you need to bring more than your name when you’re facing her. I like McHale’s grit and I like her game, so I like her chances here. In three, the American plants a seed.
Vera Zvonareva Bio
Venus Williams Bio
Maria Sharapova Bio
Andy Roddick Bio
Andy Murray Bio
Christina McHale Bio
Sabine Lisicki Bio
John Isner Bio
Juan Martin Del Potro Bio
Del Potro serves his way into second round
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina cruised into the second round of play of the 2011 US Open on Wednesday, handily defeating Filippo Volandri of Italy 6-3, 6-1, 6-1 on Louis Armstrong Stadium in just under an hour and a half. “It was a short match, you know, against Volandri, but I served well,” Del Potro said after the match. “I was improving my game during the match. And to be playing here after win[ning] here, it's special. It's my favorite tournament, so I'm really happy to take the opportunity to play here again.”
The veteran Volandri got a taste of del Potro’s signature serve early, when he watched three del Potro aces blow by him in the fourth game of the match, one of which clocked in at 130 mph. The 18th-seeded del Potro relied on his serve throughout the match, notching 18 aces.
After both players held serve twice in the first set, del Potro earned his first break, taking a 3-2 lead and holding serve throughout the rest of the set. Volandri’s one-handed back hand failed him repeatedly in the first set as he sent many returns into the net or off the court entirely.
Del Potro allowed Volandri to hold serve only once in the second and third sets, as he played lights out tennis, unleashing more aces and powerful overhead slams on his opponent, who didn’t have an answer for the shots he was bombarded with.
Though Del Porto’s serve was in top form, his powerful groundstrokes weren’t always there for him as he watched several powerful backhands and forehands slam into the net. He had 24 unforced errors in the match and despite the score on the board, looked frustrated at times when he missed easy returns.
Del Potro, the 2009 US Open champion, has had a rocky past two years. In 2010, he was sidelined for eight months due to a right wrist injury, for which he had surgery last May, but he is in the process of staging a long climb back to the top. He has battled back from dipping to 485th in the world in January to his current rank of 18. In each Grand Slam he has competed in this year he has advanced one round further than in the previous tournament. He started the year in Sydney at the Australian Open and exited in the second round in a loss to Marcos Baghdatis. At Roland Garros, he lost to Novak Djokovic in three sets in the third round, and at Wimbledon in July, he eventually fell to then defending champion Rafael Nadal in a five set barn burner in the fourth round.
“I keep improving very slowly, that's important,” Del Potro said of recovering from his injury. “I think I'm serving much better than two years ago or in the beginning of this year. I know that other players are playing much better than me at this moment, especially the top 10 players. But, to be here playing this tournament, for me it's a great signal for my future. I know I'm getting closer to my best level, and that's important.”
Del Potro will face fellow Argentine Diego Junqueira in the second round.
Match Facts
- Voldrani has never made it past the second round of the US Open. His best Grand Slam performance to date was making the fourth round of Roland Garros in 2007.
- Del Potro is on an eight match winning streak at the US Open. His last loss at Flushing Meadows was in 2008 to Andy Murray in the quarterfinals.
- This was del Potro and Volandri's first meeting.
Louis Armstrong Stadium - Men's Singles - 1st Round
Maria Sharapova, 2011 Western & Southern Open Champion
Maria Sharapova
Jelena Jankovic
Last year’s runner-up Maria Sharapova took it one step further this year, defeating former World No. 1 Jelena Jankovic in a three-set thriller on Center Court to claim the title 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3.
With the win, Sharapova will now be ranked World No. 4 when the Monday rankings are released.
"In the end, it could have gone either way. We kept breaking each other in the beginning. Felt like one of us played a few good points and than the other one and the levels were up and down throughout the match. So, yeah, I'm just fortunate that at the end of the day I'm the winner," said the three-time Grand Slam tournament champion.
In a match that saw numerous breaks of serve, Sharapova clinched the lead after taking Jankovic’s serve at 4-3 in the third set.
By pushing the Serb to a deciding set, Sharapova now holds a perfect 11-0 in three set matches this year, including her win over World No. 2 Vera Zvonareva in the semifinals.
Leading their career head-to-head 6-1 after the win, this meeting was the childhood rivals’ first since 2009 Tokyo, which Sharapova won due to Jankovic’s retirement.
The Serb, who fought back to take the first set after being 1-4 down, hit just 11 winners to 49 unforced errors. This was her second final of the year with the first at Monterrey.
To advance to the championship, Jankovic defeated World No. 11 Andrea Petkovic, who beat her twice this year at Stuttgart and Miami. Both matches were decided in three sets. This time around, however, Jankovic won 7-6(4), 6-1.
About the loss and her run her in Cincinnati, she said, "Gives me a lot of confidence because I've beaten a lot of good players here that are in-form. Today as well I could have won. It was few points here and there. It proves to myself that I'm right there."
Jankovic continued, "I was competing. I was playing. I was really grinding. You know, I cannot really ask for more. Unfortunately didn't go my way. You know, Maria, at the end, was a better player. Congratulations to her."
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Maria Sharapova Cincinnati Masters 2011 Champion
Maria Sharapova becomes the winner in Cincinnati Masters 2011. In the final Cincinnati Masters 2011 woman, Maria Sharapova beats Jelena Jankovic in rubber set 4-6 7-6 6-3.
The final game Maria Sharapova versus Jelena Jankovic in the final Cincinnati Masters 2011 is so tight. Both of the tennis player created 16 breaks before Maria Sharapova got the chances to get the champion of Cincinnati Masters 2011. Cincinnati Masters 2011 title is the 24th titles for Maria Sharapova in her tennis career.
Maria Sharapova quotes about her winning in Cincinnati Masters 2011. According to her, Maria Sharapova just got luck in that final.
Now, Maria Sharapova wants the 4th grand slam title in US Open 2011 Grand Slam. Last time, Maria Sharapova got the champion of grand slam at Australian Open 2008.
Maria Sharapova Cincinnati Masters 2011 final match review
Sharapova started the game with a dazzling, well served by Jankovic through quick movements until she can lead the game 4-1. But then Jankovic fight and make the Russian play alarming. Jankovic won the next five games to win the first set Sharapova was marred by errors as much as five times.
In the second set, Sharapova and Jankovic both together make unforced errors, but Jankovic was forced by the Russians to do the tie-break, the score 7-3 for excellence Sharapova.
Six games in the third set both players to play is not stable, before Sharapova held serve for 4-3, but she finally showed a killer instinct that he did not show a long time, to finish the duel and grabbed Maria Sharapova Cincinnati Masters 2011 title this year.
M. Sharapova - 08.19.11 1
M. SHARAPOVA/S. Stosur
6-3, 6-2
An interview with:
MARIA SHARAPOVA
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please?
Q. Can you comment on the speed of
the courts here in Cincinnati compared to what
you've experienced the rest of the summer and
how it may compare to New York?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Well, I think, I
mean, obviously the court always changes
depending on the weather and the conditions a
little bit. You know, when it's as warm as it gets
here, it's obviously not only the court but the ball
flies a little bit more.
I'd probably say it's medium speed, but I
think the speed varies with tournaments, you know.
It's just about adjusting, I guess.
Q. You must be pretty pleased with this
win. She's been in good form.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, I
played a really great match, and, yeah, did many
good things today, you know, which caused her
trouble. I was aggressive; I didn't give her much
time to do things that she likes to do when she
plays well.
Yeah, felt like I controlled most of the
points.
Q. It's almost an ideal week to be
hitting your form at this point in the week.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I came in
here, you know, not having the greatest last couple
of tournaments, so it was really important for me to
emphasize -- it was going to be really important to
play a few more matches.
Yeah, I'm quite happy that I've improved
with every match. Gotten two really good wins.
Q. Kim pulled out of US Open this
morning.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I heard.
Q. You know what it's like to not be
able to defend a major title because of injury.
Can you speak just from your experience what
that was like to have to sit home and watch as
the tournament goes on without you when
you're the defending champion?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it's
frustrating, there's no doubt about it. It's probably
one of the most frustrating feelings for an athlete
just sitting there knowing that even before the
tournament your name is not going to be in the
draw, that you won't have that spot to compete for
the title.
It's tough, but I think, you know, Kim,
amongst many of us, we all know what it's like to
deal with tough moments like this. So it's really
about adversity and just realizing that you're
fortunate to almost come into a position to be a
defending champion. Obviously means that you've
achieved something big there.
Q. When you were unable to defend,
did you still watch the tournaments from
home?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, I mean, it's
not like I give up on the sport. I mean, I probably
don't watch tennis as much as maybe other
players do, but I do if I'm at home and nothing else
good is on TV. (Laughing.) I'll turn it on on mute.
(Laughing.)
Q. What would you consider to be
something better on TV?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'm not sure. Just I
don't know, when you hit a tennis ball for a living
since you were four years old, sometimes the last
thing that you really want to do after playing and
August 19, 2011
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M. Sharapova - 08.19.11 2
practicing is seeing a lot of it on TV.
I don't watch TV too often, to
be honest.
Q. Why on mute?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I just -- I don't
know, I prefer just to watch the game instead of
hearing about people's opinions. Just a lot easier
to watch. You appreciate the game more.
There are some people that are there that,
you know, are just there to say things because
they're obviously there commentate on the match.
So, yeah, I prefer to watch the game, the
sport itself, rather than hearing about it.
Q. You were done pretty early. How
are you going to spend the rest of the day?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I'll go back, do
treatment, maybe get a glimpse of the match of my
next opponent a little bit. That's about it. Pretty
simple.
Q. Speaking of giving commentary, you
gave some on Facebook about a video Novak
did doing an impression of you in a blonde wig.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Uh-huh, yeah.
(Smiling.)
Q. What are your thoughts on that, and what
does it take to do a good Maria Sharapova
impression in your mind?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: All I can say is it's
on between me and him. It is on like Donkey
Kong. (Laughing.)
Yeah, I have a few ideas in my mind that
I've talked to Head about. I'm going to get him
back, no doubt about it.
Q. Are you going to do a better job
than him? He didn't even wear a dress?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: He didn't, I know,
and I don't think he had the right shade of blonde
either. I think he exaggerated that, among other
things.
But it's fun. We always have a good
laugh. Just one of the many things he does pretty
well and funny.
Q. So you're going to get him back?
Are you going to write the script or let Head do
that?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I actually love
writing scripts, so I'm sure I'll be involved in it.
Don't you worry.
Q. When players come here, we hear a
lot of talk about the US Open coming up, et
cetera. How important is this tournament for
you to play well here?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, very
important. It's my last event before the Open.
Coming here, I said that it was really important to
play these matches. Obviously the more matches
you play against different opponents and winning
them, obviously it gives you more confidence going
into New York.
Yeah, that's why we're all here. Everyone
came here, except Kim and Venus I believe, so it's
a tough field for us. Yeah, to be playing good
tennis before New York is really important.
Q. When you go to a match where
you're going to play the winner, what are you
looking to see when you're scouting?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: You mean for the
next round?
Q. Yeah, exactly. Like this afternoon if
you check out the match.
MARIA SHARAPOVA: I think it's more I
haven't played Vera in a long time. I haven't seen
too many of her matches.
Played Daniela few weeks ago, so I know
her game quite well.
But it's just a matter of I'm not going to be
sitting there with a notebook and pen or anything
like that.
Yeah, just to get a look at a few things.
Q. Reaching the semis puts you to No.
5 in the world probably in the next rankings.
Do you get some satisfaction out of that? I
know the numbers probably don't matter too
much, but to get in the top 5...
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, it's great. I
mean, I certainly don't finish the match and go
count up the points to see where I'm going to end
up.
I mean, no, it's not something that I do.
But, yeah, it's great. I've always said that the more
matches you win, obviously the higher and better
you're going to be in the standings.
So, yeah.
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M. Sharapova - 08.19.11 3
Q. How much would a Roland Garros
win mean to you to get the complete career
slam?
MARIA SHARAPOVA: Yeah, of course it
would mean a lot. It's a tournament that I've
always said would be the most challenging for me
to win. But I feel like overall my game has
improved with every year that I've been coming on
the clay.
Yeah, I love that challenge. I love
competing against the best players on clay. I had
a decent result there this year, and I hope I can
improve on that.
ANDY MURRAY, THE MEN'S WINNER
Andy Murray Cincinnati Masters 2011 champion
Andy Murray is surprisingly rising up the crown of Cincinnati Masters 2011. In the final Cincinnati Masters 2011, Andy Murray beats Novak Djokovic in the score 6-4 3-0.
This is the luck way for Andy Murray in Cincinnati Masters 2011. In this case, Novak Djokovic should retire from the final Cincinnati Masters 2011 because of the injury. Beside, Novak Djokovic looks so exhausted with the tournaments he followed before Cincinnati Masters 2011.
Andy Murray Cincinnati Masters 2011 versus Novak Djokovic review
Novak Djokovic could give the battle in the first set. Serbia’s national tennis player could make as strong score to 3-3. But Murray back in the next game and change the position to be 4-3.
Since then Novak Djokovic was unable to find the best games. Practically, this situation could put to good use by Murray. Scottish-born tennis player took the first set with the score 6-4.
The second set belongs to Murray. Tennis world number four was directly leading with the score 3-0. Djokovic seemed to realize not able to keep pace. He decided to quit. Murray became the champion.
Practically, this defeat Djokovic tarnished a brilliant record in this season. Evidently, the tennis player who dijuluk The Joker is just suffered two defeats, including two grand slam championships Australian Open and Wimbledon. Well, Andy Murray Cincinnati Masters 2011 becomes the sweet title to face US Open 2011.
A. Murray - 08.19.11 1
A. MURRAY/G. Simon
6-3, 6-3
An interview with:
ANDY MURRAY
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. There were quite a lot of long rallies in that match. Was that a tactic, or is it just the way it the game panned out?
ANDY MURRAY: It's always the same playing him. I've never seen a match of his where he doesn't have long rallies. You need to be very patient against him. He moves great. He's one of the best movers on the tour.
He kind of tries to get you to overpress and get you to go for winners early in the rally, and, you know, did a pretty good job of staying patient in the rallies, mixing it up, and use my slice wall. Once I managed to push him further behind the baseline, my dropshots worked well, too.
Q. You were coming in behind his second serve quite well, too.
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I thought I returned well today. You know, he had had a very long match yesterday as well, so if I could get myself sort of ahead in the rallies and keep him moving that was going to help.
Especially early on in the match managed to have quite a lot of long rallies. Especially on his serve I made it very difficult for him to get free points.
I was happy with that.
Q. A lot of guys are saying the courts are playing slower, even some of the women are saying it's medium speed. What's your take on the speed of the courts?
ANDY MURRAY: They're very fast, for sure. Very fast. No chance these courts are slower than they were last year. No way.
Q. There is a trend from Cincinnati that you always play during the day. Last year we always talked about you played during the day. It was very hot lost year and the year before. Are you requesting the day matches or how does that...
ANDY MURRAY: No, actually last year I requested the other way round because I played -- like in the buildup I played in Toronto, I played five matches, every one of them right in the heat of the day.
Then I came here and played my first two matches right in the middle of the day. I asked before the quarterfinals, Can you please put me on a little bit later? It's not fair, because the other guys that are playing a lot of matches are playing night matches when it's cooler.
You know, I played the whole way through in Toronto and, you know, kept still getting put early and right in the heat of the day.
Then, yeah, this year it's kind of always the same because of the TV back home. I don't mind playing in the day, but it's when it's every single day it kind of adds up.
I'm sure I'll play early again tomorrow.
Q. Andy, tomorrow you could play against Mardy Fish who is up a set and a break. What you do think about his sudden rise through the game and playing him?
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, I mean, he's played his best tennis the last year or so. You know, if you look at his game, it hasn't changed, again, a whole lot. It's just confidence of winning matches and understanding how to play his game most effectively.
He's in good shape. Yeah, that definitely helps. Yeah, he's been very, very consistent, which maybe he wasn't in the past. That's why his ranking has gone from being in the 20s to 7 or 8 in
August 20, 2011
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A. Murray - 08.19.11 2
the world.
Q. After your semifinal loss at Wimbledon to Nadal, and I know you've also said it a couple other times since then, you said you needed to improve your game 10% to 15% to be able to beat people like Nadal and Djokovic and Federer. Since then, what specific aspects of your game have you worked on to get that additional percentage?
ANDY MURRAY: Pretty much everything. I think if you can improve each part of your game by 1% or 2% that, makes a big difference. It adds up. So it's not one thing in particular I've been working on. Just trying to practice every single shot, get better.
If you can get stronger physically as well, that helps and can make you more consistent and quicker on the court.
But, yeah, I'm not trying to sort of mimic any other players. Like I want to have a better serve to compete with this guy or better backhand to compete with this guy. Just got to keep working and it'll come.
Q. We were talking about your diet before you came in. Tell us what the green foods are that you do eat.
ANDY MURRAY: Well, I mean, pretty much any meats, fish, rice, vegetables. The only stuff I'm not eating now is pretty much wheat. Anything that's got corn in it, which is actually a lot of like snacks and stuff like biscuits, those sorts of things.
It's tough to find stuff that doesn't have corn in it. Yeah, milk, cow's milk even. Having like soy milk instead.
Q. Has that been tough? Are you those things you like?
ANDY MURRAY: No, I haven't found it that different. You just need to make sure you have enough snacks that you can have. That's the one thing. And you have to eat enough protein and have enough meat.
Before I would have a lot of protein shakes and a lot of protein bars, supplements after I finish playing and practicing. Now I can't have any of them because they've got all the bad stuff in it.
So that's what's been difficult, getting the right amount of food on board. But it's not too bad.
Q. You're an adidas player. Can you elaborate a little bit on the benefit you have from Darren Cahill Gil Reyes and maybe even Agassi?
ANDY MURRAY: I haven't spent much time with Gil or Agassi. I spent more time obviously with Darren and Sven, you know, Groeneveld. Spent quite a lot of time with him over the clay court and grass court stretch.
It's just good, because if you look at a lot of guys now, people always go, Oh, he's got a big team or two coaches isn't right. But, you know, Rafa has had two coaches for pretty much the whole of his career; Roger is now doing the same thing; obviously I've been doing the same thing for quite a while now.
I think it works well, because you've got someone like Danny who I've known for long time and is a very good friend of mine. It helps when you're traveling the world to have someone like that around.
He's obviously not that experienced but has good knowledge of tennis, and I can use Sven and Darren when they're available to give that extra bit of experience. It's worked well.
Q. I know you obviously compete for a living. I saw something about you competing at some nonmatch time here in like a world search contest. Does that go into your regular competitive spirit, things like that?
ANDY MURRAY: No, I mean, among friends, yeah, we have quite a lot of banter and chat about it. Yeah, we always try and compete with each other at most things.
I get very competitive, especially if I'm doing something that I think I'm good at and I'm losing, I don't really like it. I don't mind being bad at something. I don't get as competitive then. But if I think I'm quite good at it, I don't like losing.
Q. The world search thing was against two people who English wasn't their first language, right?
ANDY MURRAY: Wasn't there first language, but also the world search isn't always English.
Q. Oh.
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah, like sometimes it's Argentinian football teams, for example. Yeah, sometimes it's like cities around the world that are in their whatever, national language or spelling.
So that's not a huge advantage.
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A. Murray - 08.19.11 3
Q. Just changing gears, you Tweeted some lyrics to a Pink song the other day.
ANDY MURRAY: Yeah.
Q. Are you a huge Pink fan?
ANDY MURRAY: Not a huge fan, but like some of her songs.
The WTA unveiled a new global ad campaign with the tagline "Strong is Beautiful", featuring 38 current and next generation stars of the sport. The campaign includes TV, print and digital ads along with social media applications and will be unveiled across 80 markets over the next two years.
Drawing upon athleticism and grace - a unique combination that has turned the stars of the WTA into the most recognizable and followed female athletes on the planet - the campaign places the personal stories, pressures and dreams of the players front of stage. The creative is designed to support the WTA's efforts to establish a deeper engagement with fans around the world and to promote both the sport's next generation of players along with current established names.
In addition to a WTA driven media campaign to promote women's tennis and the WTA Championships in Istanbul, the advertising is expected to be utilized by WTA events around the world, establishing a unified promotional message.
Famed Los Angeles photographer and filmmaker Dewey Nicks, who produced a series of stunning videos and photos of a select group of WTA players last fall for the cover feature of the New York Times magazine, formed the inspiration for the ad creative and shot the campaign. World class advertising agency Goodby, Silverstein & Partners produced the campaign and developed its iconic tagline.
"We want to develop a closer relationship with our fans and attract a new generation of fans to women's tennis, and the Strong is Beautiful campaign is one way to get it done. This campaign will serve as a creative marketing platform for our players, tournaments, year-end WTA Championships and the entire sport," said Stacey Allaster, Chairman & CEO of the WTA. "The personal stories are inspirational. The unique combination of athleticism, strength and determination on the court and success, interests and inner beauty off the court is what makes women's tennis so attractive to millions around the world."
"It takes so many elements to reach the top of such a competitive sport as tennis - strength of character, discipline and willpower. All of these things define who we are as people and as athletes. For me the new campaign captures the inner strength of players in a beautiful way," Caroline Wozniacki said.
"Strong is Beautiful was an extraordinary project and I was incredibly impressed with these athletes that embody all of the characteristics of physical and mental strength," Nicks said. "The raw emotion that spoke from the heart of the players really inspired me and I am thrilled to have been able to portray these amazing women in a beautiful way that I believe fans have not seen before."
The set of 30-second television and digital ads focuses on women's tennis stars' lives and the intense and sometimes difficult social undercurrents of realizing their dreams as professional athletes. The campaign's overall focus is on the global nature of women's tennis and reveals unique and heartfelt storylines that include Serbia's Ana Ivanovic having to practice in a war-torn Belgrade; Chinese star Li Na having the pressure and hope of 1.3 billion Chinese people on her shoulders; and Belgium's Kim Clijsters being torn about giving her all to tennis while raising a young daughter. Serena Williams' ubiquitous self-confidence comes through while assuring the viewer that the only reason she brings seven tennis outfits to each Grand Slam is because she intends on wearing them all, for each match she plans on winning.
The end result is a celebration of strong women from all corners of the world. Through all of life's difficult circumstances, the players' love for the sport and determination to succeed prevails. The new ad campaign is a life example that being physically and mentally strong is beautiful.
The TV, print and digital elements of the campaign will begin to run globally later this month, culminating at the season-ending WTA Championships in Istanbul.
Viewers and fans can continue the conversation with the WTA players through social platforms such as Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and a series of Chinese social media networks where the WTA serves up daily in-depth exclusive content from 53 tournaments in 33 countries to more than 17 million fans.
The ad campaign follows on the heels of an 18-month momentous period during which the WTA relaunched its brand and signed with three new major sponsors - leading European cosmetics brand Oriflame, Chinese apparel company Peak and Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas airlines. WTA also renewed lead global partner Sony Ericsson, and resigned and significantly upgraded its partnership with USANA, a leading global vitamin and health supplement manufacturer.
China has a population of 1.3 billion people yet they've never had a No.1 player or a Grand Slam champion. China's Li Na talks about the pressure and hope of her country's 1.3 billion people on her shoulders, yet she is willing to take on the challenge
KIM CLIJSTERS STRONG IS BEAUTIFUL WTA VIDEO CAMPAING
While balancing motherhood and professional tennis is quite challenging, Kim Clijsters has taken on the challenge by devoting 100% of herself to tennis.....and 100% to raising Jada.
Victoria AZARENKA: Strong is Beautiful
Victoria Azarenka is known for her power game, using every inch of her body to crush the ball. However, it's not physical strength alone that has propelled the Belarusian up the rankings, but mental prowess too.
The first in a series of advertisements for "Strong is Beautiful" - WTA's new global ad campaign - this :30 second commercial focuses on all of the characteristics necessary to become a successful professional tennis player. World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki described the video this way: "It takes so many elements to reach the top of such a competitive sport as tennis - strength of character, discipline, and will power. All of these things define who we are as people and as athletes. For me the new campaign is able to capture the inner strength of players in a beautiful way." Shot by famed Los Angeles photographer and filmmaker Dewey Nicks, the stunning imagery portrays the players in a unique way with an ultimate focus on their inner strength.
Featured players: Sam Stosur, Ana Ivanovic, Li Na, Caroline Wozniacki, Vera Zvonareva, Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka & Kim Clijsters.
Elena Dementieva: Anuncio Spot WTA Strong is Beautiful. 2011
Elena Dementieva protagoniza esta versión del spot "Strong is Beautiful" o "La fuerza es bella" es una campaña ideada por la WTA, que cuenta con numerosas estrellas del tenis femenino. Basada principalmente en mostrar al publico la vida y sueños de cada una de las participantes de esta gran campaña.
"Strong is Beautiful" o "La fuerza es bella" es una campaña ideada por la WTA, que cuenta con numerosas estrellas del tenis femenino. Basada principalmente en mostrar al publico la vida y sueños de cada una de las participantes de esta gran campaña.
Esta nueva campaña cuenta con 38 tenistas de la generacion actual. Se basara principalmente en TV, anuncios digitales y medios impresos como diarios y revistas, ademas de aplicaciones para las muy utilizadas redes sociales.
Encontraremos historias fuertes como la de la serbia Ana Ivanovic que entrenaba en Belgrado ante la presion de la guerra que se vivia en ese momento; Na Li con la esperanza de no defraudar a millones de compatriotas; Clijsters entre la lucha de su pasio por el deporte, y dar una buena crianza a su hija; entre muchas otras tenistas que disputan cada dia su continuidad en este deporte. Tambien podremos encontrar a tenistas como Victoria Azarenka, Dominika Cibulkova, Serena Williams, Gisela Dulko, Daniela Hantuchova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, entre otras.
