Pro Tennis

Rafael Nadal’s return from a long-term knee injury has been delayed due to a stomach virus that has ruled him out of an exhibition tournament in Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. The 26-year-old Nadal has been out of action since June with a right knee injury when he suffered a loss in the second…

World number 95 ranked Russian Vera Zvonareva has pulled out from the Australian Open with a right shoulder injury. The two-time Grand Slam runner-up made the announcement via her Facebook page, stating: ”I will not be able to go to Australia this year … my body is not 100 percent recovered.” Zvonareva also missed the U.S….

IMG Worldwide, the global sports, fashion and media company, has announced that it has signed ATP world number one-ranked Serbian Novak Djokovic for exclusive worldwide management and representation. Under the terms of the exclusive multi-year agreement, IMG will represent Djokovic in developing a brand building strategy through marketing, endorsements, appearances and licensing along with select global…

The 2013 Australian Open will pay more prize money per round than any other tennis event, officials have announced. The Australian Open 2013 men’s and women’s singles champion will each receive $2.55 million (U.S.)–the biggest prize money purse in the history of the sport. The biggest percentage increases were in the first three rounds: The first…

Madison Keys and Rhyne Williams won the USTA Australian Open Wild Card Playoffs last weekend in Atlanta, earning a trip to Melbourne to take part in the 2013. For Keys, it’s her second win in a row at the Australian Open Playoff. For Rhyne, it will be his first appearance at a Grand Slam other than the U.S. Open where he…

American Serena Williams has had surgery on her big toes and withdrew from an exhibition match against top-ranked Victoria Azarenka in Thailand. Florida podiatrist Jeffrey Rockefeller said Serena ”was treated for a chronic foot disorder which involved minor procedures on both of her great toes.” Dr. Rockefeller said Serena needs to minimize activity to fully recover. Serena, recently…

James Blake of Yonkers, N.Y. and Jack Sock of Lincoln, Neb. are among 13 American men accepted to the qualifying draw of the 2013 Australian Open, beginning Jan. 7 in Melbourne. Steve Johnson (Orange, Calif.), Denis Kudla (Arlington, Va.), Alex Kuznetsov (Tampa, Fla.), Wayne Odesnik (Weston, Fla.), Rajeev Ram (Denver), Tennys Sandgren (Gallatin, Tenn.), Tim Smyczek…

The ATP has reportedly expressed concern with the U.S. Open’s switch to hosting its finals on a Monday in 2013 and has voiced its opinion on the prize money increase for the tournament. The move to Monday for the men’s finals builds in a rest day ahead of each final and leaves room for makeup days…

The WTA has announced Cali, Colombia, as the third WTA $125 tournament on the 2013 calendar. The event will be played on clay the week of February 11, one week prior to the WTA’s International Tournament in the Colombian capital of Bogotá. Cali will offer $125,000 in prize money and will feature a 32-player singles main draw,…