Archive for December, 2006

Make a big hit at your team’s party this year with this beautiful gift basket geared especially to tennis lovers. This gift basket is a thoughtful way to remember coaches and hitting partners who have helped you throughout the year, too. Though they differ in nutritional value, you might also consider sending this five pound box of chocolate tennis balls, they’re sure to score smiles.

Tell your favorite tennis player that he’s money this year with this cool silver money clip. What better way to pocket the winnings from his next big tournament? Okay, maybe they’re simply crisp bills from his next paycheck, but believe me, he will feel like a winner drawing this clip from his pocket.

Imagine you are at CBGBs in NYC and you overhear John McEnroe go to Henry Rollins, “Yeah, whatever. F— Lendl.” [Laughs]. No, really, it happened. You may know Rollins as a hardcore/punk singer/songwriter, spoken word artist, prose and poetry writer, radio and TV personality, movie actor, comedian, or voice-over artist, but he also plays a wicked game of tennis. Read more at tennis.com.

Tennis fans of all ages will enjoy collecting and trading all of their favorite heroes with these cool Ace tennis cards. In years to come, these tennis card collections will be cherished nostalgia, reminding the holder of lots of great matches watched (and debated) together in the 2006 season.

If you are beginning a collection or simply want more cards featuring more players, the 2005 ACE Tennis Trading Card Set is also available. (Aside: I used to store my Charlie’s Angels cards in a red metal bandage box, remember those? They were the best for keeping cards unbent, dry, and safe from my sister’s prying fingers).

Send a subscription to Tennis magazine and your favorite tennis nut will wait for the postman to come once a month, rain or shine. This thoughtful gift keeps the tennis neurons firing even if the weather isn’t cooperating. Loads of tips, news, and photos are sure to captivate the tennis fans on your list for hours. If you need a more regular helping of tennis love, Tennis Week is also an option.

Andre Agassi is scheduled to appear in a special, Barbara Walters Presents the 10 Most Fascinating People of 2006 on Tuesday, December 12, 2006 at 10 p.m. (ET) on ABC.

Agassi’s amazing career includes eight Grand Slam titles, a total of 21 US Opens (including two championships), and spans two decades. He is the second American to win all four major titles.

Agassi is a giant on and off the court; since retiring from tennis he devotes more time to championing abused and underprivileged children with organizations such as Grand Slam for Children. The March of Dimes recently honored Agassi as Sportsman of the Year.

Also featured on the Barbara Walters special will be Vogue Editor-in-Chief Anna Wintour, Grey’s Anatomy star Patrick Dempsey, and rapper Jay-Z.

In some parts of the world, tennis season feels a long way off as the year winds down. But in fact, it’s only 40 days to go until the next Grand Slam event: the Australian Open! Let’s take a peek at the schedule of next year’s events, then a player can dream of sunny matches ahead.

AUSTRALIAN OPEN
January 15-28, 2007
Melbourne, Australia

PACIFIC LIFE OPEN
March 5- 18, 2007  
Indian Wells, California

SONY ERICSSON OPEN
March 21 - April 1, 2007
Key Biscayne, Florida

FRENCH OPEN (Roland Garros)
May 27 - June 10, 2007
Paris, France

WIMBLEDON
June 25 - July 8, 2007
Wimbledon, England

US OPEN
August 27 - September 9, 2007
Flushing Meadows, New York

TENNIS MASTERS CUP
November 12-18, 2007
Shanghai, China

Okay, so we have the racquet and the balls all wrapped up, let’s take it to the next level. What’s your favorite player to do when there’s no one around to hit? Grab the ball machine and get down to the courts! Precise and consistent, the Tennis Tutor won’t want to stop until you do. Features 150 ball capacity and weighs just over 40 pounds. This is one gift that will continue to give for years to come.

If this is a bit heavy for your taste, try the Lobster Ball Bucket Machine instead. At only 28 pounds, it is one of the lightest options around for ball machines. If you are a more manual person, then a Gamma Ball Hopper may be more your style. The important thing is to get out there and hit it!

Let your favorite tennis princess know that she’s got game. With these sterling silver racquets dangling from her ears, everyone will know she’s a player.

Former world #1 Marat Safin overtook Jose Acasuso in a tiebreak in the fourth set to win the Davis Cup for Russia. Safin beat Acasuso 6-3, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-5). Earlier, David Nalbandian beat Nikolay Davydenko 6-2, 6-2, 4-6, 6-4. This is Russia’s second Davis Cup and their first won at home; Argentina lost to the US in Cincinnati in their only other Davis Cup final 25 years ago.