Black Tennis Pros

Gael Monfils reached a milestone Tuesday, recording his 300th match win by defeating Tunisian Malek Jaziri 7-6(5), 7-5, 6-4. Monfils, making his first appearance since 2011, has never advanced beyond the Wimbledon third round and called every grass-court win a "bonus" after the match.

The 24th-seeded Frenchman will next face Czech Jiri Vesely, who led 5-1 when Victor Estrella retired with a leg injury. "For me on grass, he is a good player," said Monfils. "It's hard for me to play on grass court. Basically, no matter what, is going to be tough match for me."

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Frenchman Gael Monfils in quarterfinal match against Finland's Jarkko Nieminen

Gael Monfils, who is currently No. 13 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings and third seed at the Open Sud de France, hit nine aces and lost six points on serve in a convincing 6-3, 6-3 victory over Jarkko Nieminen of Finland in just 54 minutes. Monfils will next face countryman Gilles Simon for their semifinal match.

Monfils reached the Qatar ExxonMobil Open final (lost to Tsonga) in the first week of the 2012 ATP World Tour season. Nieminen dropped to an 8-3 season record, which includes lifting his second ATP World Tour title at the Apia International Sydney (defeated Benneteau) last month.

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Former ATP pro MaliVai Washington, who has run the MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation that has promoted academic achievement and positive life skills to youth through the game of tennis since 1994, admitted “it was a great honour” to receive the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Of The Year award for 2009 at the Sony Ericsson Open.

I didn’t expect to receive the award. It was very humbling [at the presentation ceremony] and provides recognition to the foundation’s staff and volunteers for all their efforts and financial assistance over the years.”

During a decade-long pro career, between 1990 and 1999, former World No. 11 Washington reached the 1996 final (l. to Krajicek), captured four ATP World Tour singles titles and represented the United States at the 1996 Olympic Games and in three Davis Cup ties.

“I was one of the fortunate few to play pro tennis. It was a great pleasure and a great ride. I loved representing my country and I met some great people. The sport has and continues to open doors for me.”

But for Washington, “playing tennis was more than hitting a ball.”

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Inspired by the impact his father, William, had on young children from difficult backgrounds, long before he handed his son his first tennis racquet aged five, Washington’s passion was fuelled by talking to under-privileged children early in his tennis career.

“In the first few years when I was on tour, my father and I often had people come up to us asking if we could talk to small groups and big organisations looking for small amounts – like $1,000 – in cities around the United States,” he said.

“At first I was the fundraiser, writing the cheques out. But in 1997, when I was sidelined with a left knee injury, I found I had more time to build our own programs in Jacksonville [Florida] and build as an organisation.

“We have seen kids in the foundation undergo 180-degree transformations. Having got into fights in school they have gone on to receive scholarships and college education. Every student has potential; we have helped to bring it out.”

The MaliVai Washington Kids Foundation has since helped over 20,000 children in north-east Florida. Currently supporting around 150 children, the flagship Tennis-n-Tutoring program is an after-school youth development program that offers free homework assistance, tennis lessons and life skills classes.

In May 2008, assisted by financial help from Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Andy Roddick, the ATP and members of the tennis family, a 9,000-square-foot youth centre inclusive of eight tennis courts was opened in Jacksonville.

“Within the next 12 months the facility will be at capacity,” said Washington, who admits the foundation will be discussing this year whether it is viable to duplicate the program in other parts of town.

“In 10 years we’ll still be growing and will be offering support to children in Jacksonville. But if we are to expand into different towns our partners will have to be just as passionate, because anything we do, we want to do well.”

Washington had no significant weaknesses and an unflappable demeanor as a pro tennis player, always taking “the good with the bad” during an injury-plagued end to his career.

“I loved playing the Wimbledon final, but my goal was to win the title,” he admitted. “I had hoped to play a couple more years, to return to Wimbledon, but my left knee injury prevented me from doing so.

“In retrospect, my injury allowed me to grow the foundation, to bring it to Jacksonville and it has developed tremendously. I am a big believer that there is a plan for all of us.”

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Top seed Gael Monfils defeated fellow Frenchman Josselin Ouanna 6-4, 7-5 on Thursday in Johannesburg to book his place in the quarter-finals at the SA Tennis Open, an ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament.

Ouanna managed to save 13 of the 16 break point chances he faced on serve, but it still did not prove enough to prevent his more experienced countryman from closing out the victory in one hour and 21 minutes.

Afterwards, World No. 13 Monfils admitted he had to work for the win against the 88th-ranked Ouanna. “I think he knows me well, and it’s hard all the time when players know you well,” he said. “Also, I just didn’t get the big serve. It was a bit tough. I needed to be focused to get back the return. Also, sometimes he can hit very hard with his forehand, so today was definitely harder than the first game.”

Monfils made an impressive tournament debut Tuesday, taking just 53 minutes to dismiss Slovakian veteran Dominik Hrbaty. The 23 year old is attempting to keep the Johannesburg title in French possession, after Jo-Wilfried Tsonga won the SA Tennis Open last year.

He will look to reach an ATP World Tour semi-final for the second time this season when he next plays seventh seed Yen-Hsun Lu. Earlier in the evening, after a 90-minute rain delay, Lu knocked out South African wild card Raven Klaasen 6-4, 7-5 in one hour and 56 minutes.

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Two of the hottest tickets on the ATP World Tour are Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils. As the world rankings shifted on Monday, April 27, these two each bumped up one spot - Monfils to World No. 9 and Tsonga to World No. 10.

Fellow Frenchman Gilles Simon also ascended from World No. 9 to 7. The wind seems to be blowing very nicely towards France.

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This is the first opportunity that I’ve had to talk with WTA Tour player Mashona Washington, it was a genuine pleasure. At 32 years of age, Mashona is currently analyzing and potentially redefining her career as she looks to the future.

Mashona is one of three tennis professionals in her family. Both brothers MaliVai and Mashiska Washington play/have played on the ATP Tour. She was very congenial and open, making this conversation interesting and fun.

One of my priorities in talking with Mashona was to not approach her as the little sister of well known older brother MaliVai Washington’s little sister, but as a person, woman and athlete in her own right. Interestingly enough, she talked about him and her other siblings on her own, portraying a very close knit relationship with each of them and her parents as well.

We talked about a little bit of everything so there’s no need for too much preamble, but I will say that I think you will find her ‘Conversation’ enjoyable, enlightening and a nice read.


Shelia: Hello Mashona, thank you for consenting to do this interview for Black Tennis Pro’s, I appreciate it.

Let’s start with some current issues in tennis, one of the most prominent being the recent resignation of WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott. Do you think that the WTA benefitted during his tenure?
Mashona: Yeah I think so, but it’s hard to speak specifics because I haven’t actually played full time on the tour since I was injured in ‘06, so I really haven’t been able to experience all of the pluses that he has brought to the tour.

After having been injured, you’re missing the tour meetings and while they send newsletters, I haven’t kept up as well as I should because I wasn’t playing that much, so it didn’t affect me. But he has had a lot of positive contributions, I’m sure.

Shelia: One of the things that Scott has talked about with reference to his decision making process to leave, was the rejection of his proposal to merge the two tours. Have you ever given any consideration to their being a single combined tour?
Mashona: I think that would be a great idea because I’ve found that when our tours in general are combined with the men’s events the quality of our tour - our tournament - is automatically raised because we just get a lot of the amenities men get. They get so much more in terms of ... sometimes I think if they came to one of our tournaments and had to deal with some of the things that we did, like with our - maybe amenities - or just some things that we get, they’d be like, 'oh my god!'

You know, they’re really spoiled. We’re still spoiled, but I had two brothers that played on the men’s tour, so I could go with them and see all of the things that they are offered. Don’t get me wrong, we still have a lot of great things that are offered to us.

I think it’s a great idea, it makes tournaments more fun. You don’t have to see the same players all the time, or just women. I think it’s a great thing.

Shelia: I think that’s true for the public, at least it is for me. I always enjoy the combined events much more, of course from a different perspective.
Mashona: Most definitely when both the men and women are seen. And then even if they entertained adding at some of the bigger events a couple of rounds of mixed doubles or something like that; make it like a mini Grand Slam, because they only offer mixed doubles at the Grand Slam tournaments.

Shelia: Now, on another issue that has been making noise recently, the new drug testing rules which dictate that players must inform testers of their whereabouts for a period of one hour of everyday for a period of a week - how hard is that?
Mashona: Well, I haven’t really experienced that. When I was outside the top hundred I thought it was interesting that I was probably drug tested once, maybe twice; but as soon as I was in the top hundred, I was drug tested probably like eight or nine times in one year.

Shelia: Interesting....
Mashona: Now, it could be coincidental, yes. Or it could have just been, as they say ‘random.’

Shelia: That’s pretty random - that’s some interesting random....
Mashona: That’s some very interesting random. And now that I’ve been out of the top hundred, I think in the last couple of years I was drug tested once and that was this year in Memphis. I don’t know, but I think they were drug testing everybody there.

But as far as calling every hour on top of the hour or however much they’re doing, I mean, if that’s what it takes - if somebody’s using something illegal. I guess if you’re not using anything, then it’s a little bit of a pain to have to do that, but if you’re not using then you don’t really mind.

Shelia: It certainly seems a bit restrictive, especially if you’re one who values your privacy.
Mashona: It does kind of, in my opinion, borderline a little bit of ... well, I do appreciate my home time. When I’m at home and sitting on my couch, I don’t want to have to worry about reporting to anybody or answering questions. You should be able to be in the relaxation of your own home.

It’s kind of a difficult situation, like say a regular 9 to 5 job, are they calling people at home to bother them to see what they’re doing or to drug test them ... no, it’s drug testing at work and I kind of think that it should go along those lines. I think it can be pushing it a little bit when you can’t even escape your job to come home and relax.

Shelia: Yeah, it does basically seem as if you’re never off the job under these guidelines.
Mashona: No, you’re not. And is it just because you’re an athlete? You should technically be able to be off the clock when you’re at home.

Shelia: When I read what some of the other players had to say about this new rule I felt for you all, I wouldn’t want to be so subjected.
Mashona: Sometimes it can be the last thing that you want to deal with. When I come off the road - my first three or four days - depending on how long I’m on the road, say six, seven, eight weeks, then the first two or three days - two days for sure - I’m like, in the bed. I don’t take any phone calls, I just want to be a vegetable. I want to just walk my dog in the park and that’s it. I don’t want to do anything.

Like I said, on the other hand, if that’s what it takes, I mean if you don’t have anything to hide, its just the way it is to catch the ones that are doing something.

The only unfortunate part is, you have like one person and it’s like the ‘lucky loser’ rule or the rule for the qualifiers. Because of a past issue, now it’s no longer the highest ranked player who gets in the draw. Now, there’s a draw and anybody who loses can get in.

Shelia: So, there’s no specific criteria within those who have lost during qualifying of who will become a lucky loser?
Mashona: Okay, so you have qualifying, and you have four people that qualify, let’s say it’s a 64/32 player draw, you’re going to have four qualifiers - then each of the four players that lost in the final round of qualifying; then say there’s somebody in the main draw that withdraws, leaving a lucky loser spot, then one of those four can get in - a lucky loser.

So, in essence, it used to be where the highest ranked loser in the final round of qualifying would take that lucky loser spot, but because a couple of players on the men’s tour, they kind of did the math and they were saying ‘hey, I already know I’m going to get in and if you want to get in too, give me a little bit of your prize money and we can call it a day. I’ll throw the match so you can get in, I already know I’m going to get in....’ And so they would kind of cheat a little bit - get people in and get a little extra money.

So they changed the rule that if you lose in the final round of qualifying, then it’s pure luck of the draw. They take the four that lost and pull their names out of a hat. I don’t really think it’s that fair - you’re the highest ranked player, you should get in. They do that on the ITF and USTA events, they’re not doing that on the tour. Well, I think they did that at Wimbledon last year, maybe they’re using it at their discretion. I just don’t think that it’s very fair.

It happened to me when I thought I was going to get in because I was the highest ranked player, they were like, ‘the rule has changed, and I was like, what? I was crushed, I couldn’t believe it.

Shelia: I’m sure. That could really cause animosity among some players.
Mashona: Yes, there were some players that could not believe it, they were just livid.

Shelia: Let’s switch gears and talk about you and tennis, when you began playing, when you knew that this was something that you could do well and when you knew that this could be a career for you.
Mashona: (laughing) I still don’t know if this is a career for me. When did I start playing ... I started playing initially just because I had my older brothers and sisters that played and it was just kind of a natural thing because we all went to the courts and I started playing and playing and I got better and began entering junior tennis tournaments. And I started winning because I was practicing all the time and I started getting the trophies and was like wow I really love the trophies. I got to travel to national tournaments and they were in Boca Raton or Miami, Florida. Growing up in Michigan it was awesome to go to Boca in the summertime.

That was one of the things that my dad told me ... I remember that my older brothers and sisters would travel to tournaments and I’d be like, I want to go, I want to go. And my dad would say “well the only way you can go is to start playing tennis.” I started playing from then on, so he kind of tricked me.

I don’t know exactly at what point I made that transition, I just think that I was playing pretty well in juniors and I just decided to give it a whirl. I enjoyed the travel and I enjoyed working hard, so I just decided to give it a go.

Shelia: How many siblings do you have?
Mashona: I have two older brothers and two older sisters.

Shelia: Do all of them play tennis?
Mashona: At one time, yes.

Shelia: Wow, that must have been a daunting proposition, you being the youngest; or did it make it more fun?
Mashona: Well it was fine because by the time I was really playing seriously/competitively, actually my oldest sister had stopped playing at that point. Mal was still playing, he was in college and in the early years of his professional career, so he was already off and gone; I had a middle sister who had health issues, so she wasn’t able to continue to play; so then it was just my brother who is a year-and-a-half older than I am, Mashiska, so we practiced a lot together; and every now and then we’d practice with Mal.

We were far apart ... I remember one tournament, it was actually the U.S. Open, I was playing playing qualifying and my brother Mal was playing out in Long Island when they had the Long Island Tournament and my dad was driving back and forth. I can remember a few times that he had to do that.

Shelia: So your dad was coaching all of you?
Mashona: No, Mal had his coach; at that particular tournament he just happened to be driving back and forth all over New York to see us play.

Shelia: Did your dad or your mom play? How did the family become so tennis oriented?
Mashona: No, my dad just kind of picked up the game and my mom never played tennis. My dad learned just by watching, reading and trial and error.

Shelia: Well it obviously worked. Tell me about World Team Tennis, I believe I saw that you were playing again for the Washington Kastles.
Mashona: No, I’m not playing this year.

Shelia: You’re not playing this year - Did you enjoy your previous experience?
Mashona: I did enjoy it, it was such a team atmosphere and it was great to have your teammates to rely on, and the crowds were great. And I was fortunate enough when I played for Houston and Washington to have really good owners of the teams and they really took care of us. Well, in Houston I was at home so I loved being five minutes away from the club. In Washington last year owner Mark Ein did an amazing job and I think that he’ll probably even step it up a notch. Not everybody is going to do exactly what he did, how he took care of us and he ran the team; I think a lot of the teams can step up a little bit more.

Shelia: One of the things that I enjoy when watching World Team Tennis is that everybody appears to be having so much more fun than on regular tour tournaments.
Mashona: Yeah ... it’s different, a different kind of pressure; you have your teammates that you don’t want to let down, you don’t want to let your fans down because it’s more than when you’re playing individually or with your doubles partner.

It’s a great atmosphere and a great opportunity, I wish that I had done it earlier. I always tell a lot of players ‘enter your name into the draft and see what happens.’ I think everybody should play at least one, maybe two seasons. Although, it’s definitely not for everybody, because as much as I enjoy team tennis, I always find that my game afterwards is not as high as it could be because you don’t get a chance to practice, you’re traveling so much that you don’t have an opportunity to work on your game, so my game suffers a little bit; but I like the team atmosphere and the money is good.

Shelia: So how are the teams put together? Since it’s private ownership I assumed that the owners approached players they were interested in and made a deal.
Mashona: No, they have a draft; I think this year it was March 31. I’m assuming that all of the owners come down to Miami and pick the players that they want to play for them for that season. It’s literally a draft, you have first, second, third and fourth round picks; they can protect their past players, wipe everything out and start over, they can trade players - it’s a regular draft.

Shelia: Well I learned something new today, I had no idea. I really thought the owner just picked whoever they wanted.
Mashona: They pretty much do, the owners have all the say if they want. They talk to whomever their coach is and make their decision. I know one particular team owner who picks a team based on the attitude and how he thinks the teammates can get along together.

Shelia: If I had to spend the summer with a group of people, I can definitely see the value in that.
Mashona: Yeah, because you’re spending a month with these people, you definitely want to get along with them.

Shelia: Do you plan to play tournaments this summer?
Mashona: Yeah, that was my plan. I’m currently 313 singles, 115 doubles and you’re actually sacrificing a month of tennis when you play team tennis. It’s great if you can afford to do it, ranking wise, because you sacrifice playing three to four tournaments that month. I’m not necessarily getting any help wildcard wise, I’m too old, I guess in their eyes (laughing); so I’m just going to spend the summer in Europe. I’m going to slide around on the clay for four weeks and hopefully I can have a good two or three weeks and move up my ranking.

Shelia: If there’s anything I envy you all, it’s definitely not the exercise or all of the work that you put in, it’s the travel - wonderful.
Mashona: It is, you travel so much. I was at a women’s doubles luncheon in Charleston talking with Jill Craybas, my doubles partner there, Lisa Raymond and Kveta Peschke, and our lives as tennis players are typical - they aren’t normal - but for tennis players they’re normal. Jill was saying, and I totally feel the same way, “when I’ve traveled a long time on the road and you get home, then you’re like, okay I’m home for this two or three days, then once you sleep and you get your rest caught up then start practicing for four or five days a week; then you’re like okay, I need to get on the road again, why am I sitting at home; I’ve been at home for two weeks, what’s wrong with me.” And Jill is one of those players that plays a lot of tournaments a year, she’s in great shape too.

For me, I’m usually three or four weeks on, a week or two off cause I always find value in resting; I’ve always been that way.

Shelia: Yes, with regard to Jill, I see her name in the draws a lot. I often wonder about that with some of the players, do these people ever rest!
Mashona: Sometimes they do the numbers, sometimes if you have to play X amount of tournaments, you can do the math and keep your ranking at a certain level. I’m not one to do math and numbers and all of that; maybe that’s what I need to do, I just play.

Shelia: Tell me about your longevity in tennis, do you have a planned timeline or do you think that the remainder of your time in tennis will work itself out.
Mashona: Yeah, I think it’ll work itself out for the most part; but I also realize ... I’m realistic and I think my emphasis has changed. I still enjoy playing singles, I still enjoy getting out there and one of my goals and challenges to myself is to get back into the top hundred. A lot of people say that being ... what am I now, how old am I now ... 32? A lot of people my age are getting older, but hey - I can still run down the same balls just as well, if not better; but like I said, I’m being realistic - my focus is changing to a lot of doubles. And if I’m turning into a doubles player, that’s fine with me, because I know I can make a heck of a lot more money playing doubles than I would in anything else.

Shelia: 9 to 5s paying that kind of money aren’t easy to come by.
Mashona: Yeah, and I’d have to go back to school and get another degree. For example - and this is an exception - Rennae Stubbs, she’s a little bit older, but she’s still out there, she’s top ten. I’ve yet to be top ten in doubles, but she’s showing you right there and she’s making a great living at it.

I still have the ability, I still have the drive, and until the day that I get up and I say ‘I don’t want to do this anymore,’ then that’s when I’m going to stop. I’m not going to let any federation or whoever, the naysayers ... Believe it or not, actually I was at a tournament this year and the coach of another player asked me - actually it was kind of funny - he asked me, “why are you still playing?” and I said well, what do you mean? He said “well, you’re not that young.” I said well am I old, I’m 32 ... since when was 32 old? First of all I love it, second of all I can, and third of all I don’t want to have to get a real job until I have to.

Shelia: That was a bold and interesting question to ask anyone, especially if they’re still out there competing.
Mashona: I don’t know, I think maybe he had dreams of playing and things didn’t work out - I don’t know, it was just the way he asked me. On the other hand, you have other people and run into other players who say ‘if you love it, play.’

Shelia: It’s such a physically demanding game, but so much more of what can be done for the body is better.
Mashona: Oh yes, from sports drinks to recovery drinks, I drink recovery drinks. I went onsite the other day and ordered some. It’s like the new thing to help relax your muscles and get you going in spirit. I’m real, real big on eating the right foods to give you the optimum energy and even brain power you know? You need that out there on the court. And I think that has a lot to do with my longevity ... I drink tons of water.

Shelia: Well the water is working on your skin. From all of the photos that I’ve seen, you have great skin.
Mashona: That’s genetics! That’s something my mom and dad have.

Shelia: Tell me something about you that we, the viewing audience and tennis fans, don’t know.
Mashona: I am a big, big family person. I talk to my sisters probably everyday, it doesn’t matter where I am in the world. My brothers are the same way. Mal will never tell you this, cause he always tells me that he’s tired of talking to me, but if I don’t call him for like, two or three days he’s like “Why haven’t you called me ...? What, you can’t call a brother?”

I’m very, very close to my family and I love the holidays. I love spending time with my extended family, my cousins and their families. Hopefully one day I’ll get married and have kids too. I’m just really big about my family and close friends. Those are the people that mean the most to me; it’s the old saying, ‘you mess with my family, you mess with me.’ Those are the ones that I really count on, when you’re up, when you’re down ... I just love being with my family and hanging out.

Shelia: Okay, we’re winding down, let’s get some fun facts about you. What do you enjoy doing during your down time? I know that you said you like to chill and get some rest, after that’s accomplished, what do you like to do?
Mashona: Well, I have a Mini Schnauzer named Colby, as you know ...

Shelia: Oh she is soooo cute!
Mashona: We go into the dog park and I always take her to the water because she never wants to go into the water and I’m trying to get her to swim. I really enjoy doing things with her, she’s like my little daughter - I enjoy her having a good time at the park for hours and hours with the other dogs.

Shelia: How old is she?
Mashona: Colby will be two in July.

Shelia: Still really young ...
Mashona: Yes. I wish I could travel with her a little bit more but the airlines have gotten ridiculous with the price of travel, now I can’t really travel with her as much as I would have.

I actually enjoy cooking even though I really don’t have anybody to cook for. When I go to Mal’s house I cook all the time because they don’t really cook there, they eat out a lot. I actually want to take cooking classes one day just to improve. My sisters and my mom cook unbelievably and I’m just, kind of like dragging up the rear here.

I also love football, I love the Texans; there’s the rodeo as well, I always enjoy that. I just try to keep things fun. I also like to go the spa and spend the whole day there doing the whole mani-pedi thing, part of my relaxation.

Shelia: What are your favorite foods?
Mashona: Well, my mom makes this dish, and this is the only time my mom ever cooks, because after raising five kids my mom just doesn’t ever cook. My mom is so humble and sweet, but she always finds a way to say, “ahhhh, why don’t we just go out and get something?” But she makes this turkey, gravy and rice dish, it’s really good. I love lasagna, I make a really good lasagna and I love a good steak. One of my favorite restaurants in Houston is Pappas, they serve a really good steak.

I have famous chocolate chip cookies that only a handful, maybe a couple of players have ever tasted - it’s my own recipe.

Shelia: I didn’t get the baking gene, I can cook very well, but I pretty much crucify anything needing to be baked.
Mashona: It’s all about patience. And once you eat my chocolate chip cookies, then there’s like no other chocolate chip cookie that tastes the same - I’m just going to say that. I’m not trying to toot my own horn, but that’s what I’ve been told.

Shelia: I wouldn’t be one to know because I absolutely detest chocolate.

Tell me which is your favorite book, and what you’re reading right now.
Mashona: My favorite book is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. I’m currently reading And The Shofar Blew also by Francine Rivers; I just bought this book when I was in Charleston so I haven’t really got into it yet.

Her Redeeming Love, I really enjoyed that book. It was about unconditional love, forgiving and whatever you believe in.

Shelia: Your favorite current and classic movie?
Mashona: My favorite classic movie is Lean On Me; current movie is Facing The Giants.

Shelia: Your favorite type of music?
Mashona: R&B

Shelia: Your favorite current and classic R&B artists?
Mashona: Let’s see, what’s on my Ipod. Well, I don’t know if Sade would be considered classic, but she’s been around for awhile. Current, I like Robin Thicke among other artists.

Shelia: What are you currently listening to on your Ipod?
Mashona: When I was in the gym today I was listening to Mike Jones. He’s in my workout music along with Shakira, L.L. Cool J, Beyonce, Janet Jackson.

Shelia: Favorite video/computer game?
Mashona: For awhile I was playing on Facebook, Word Challenge and Geo Challenge. I don’t know how Lindsay Davenport got like 60,000 points, cause I can’t get over 12,000. I asked her, I said Linday how did you do that? She said, “One day I put Jagger down to sleep for two hours, and I’ve been doing word scramble games all my life.” I said oh, okay, that explains it.

I’m trying to get back into my studying mode, last October I got my degree in business administration and I was a bit burned out from that; then I was going to go straight to get my real estate license, but I’m still burned out ... I just couldn’t study anymore. Playing and studying is really difficult ... not difficult, but just a challenge because I wanted to maintain and get my grades in.

Mal is in real estate and I gained an interest from him because I’m always going around to the different properties that he manages and owns and getting that first hand/hands on from him. He actually was helping me quite a bit, so now I’ll be able to make that transition whenever. Even in playing I can still do some real estate, that’s my plan.

I’m veering from the video games and trying to get back into studying so that I can be productive again in life (laughing).

Shelia: It is so unfortunate how addicting, whether it be video, computer or internet games can be. You really have to make yourself get up and get away from the computer.
Mashona: Yeah, you do. I think it’s just maybe human nature how you want to better your last score ... one more, okay one more, okay one more; and before long you’ve been on there for two hours and you’re like, what in the world did I just spend two hours for.

On the other hand Facebook, it’s been an amazing thing because I’ve actually gotten in touch with friends, so I love it in one sense. I actually haven’t gotten on as much lately, I go on like once a day now; but tennis fans and friends can stay in touch, they can see where I am and I post a lot of pictures, they can see what I’m doing. I could not believe that I’ve actually gotten in touch with people from kindergarten.

Shelia: What’s your favorite sport outside of tennis?
Mashona: Oh my gosh, that’s so hard; I like anything with competition. When I’m watching the Olympics I’m glued to everything. I love sports.

Shelia: Your favorite vacation spot?
Mashona: My couch (laughing) - I was actually talking to Mal, and I was like come on Mal, we have to go on a vacation somewhere. He’s like “who...” I said you, me, Jen (my sister-in-law), let’s just go, he says “Plan it.”

I don’t have a favorite vacation spot because I don’t ever have anybody to go with. I have my friends in Houston but their schedules are so off and different, it just never works out. I’d love to go to Cabo, Puerto Vallarta, a couple of places in Mexico; there’s a handful of states that I haven’t been to.

Shelia: Which of the grand slam tournaments is your favorite?
Mashona: U.S. Open then Wimbledon, French and Australia

Shelia: What has been your favorite place in all of your travels?
Mashona: I like Quebec City in Canada, Old Quebec because of the ambiance. It’s very old and has a stone wall that surrounds the entire City, cobblestone streets and it’s always so cold when you go there; you can walk off of the streets into the restaurants and it’s very French and quaint.

On the other side of the world Tokyo, because I love sushi.

Shelia: Finally, your favorite place to be overall?
Mashona: Probably on my couch at home.

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Could the big four international grand slams someday become the big five? The Soweto Open in South Africa certainly would like to make that happen. The famous township, a symbol of the anti-apartheid fight where Nelson Mandela lived, has started its own.


Hopefuls Get Chance To Play In Soweto Open

The South African Tennis Association (Sata) has announced a pre-qualifying tournament for the upcoming Soweto Open men's and women's events for players from previously disadvantaged communities.

The tournament will be played at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Complex in Jabavu, Soweto, from April 3-5. Finalists will earn wildcard spots in the qualifying draw of the Open with the losing semi-finalists playing out for third and fourth place.

Following his controversial decision to play in the SA Open at Ellis Park in the 1970's, the legendary Arthur Ashe sponsored the tennis complex in Soweto in order to assist budding young black tennis players.

Sata chief executive Ian Smith said: "This is one way of making sure that the late Arthur's dream becomes a reality. We are calling out to all those interested to register for the event.

Selection will be in accordance with current national rankings

"One of the South African Tennis Association's main objectives is to develop tennis players in communities that were previously disadvantaged"

To participate, players must be 14 or older. Selection will be in accordance with current national rankings in open and age categories. A R10 fee is payable at the registration desk at the Arthur Ashe Tennis Complex between 8am and 9am on Friday.

The Soweto Open will be the first major international tennis tournament to be staged in South Africa's most populous and renowned township.

For more information on the pre-qualifying tournament contact the South African Tennis Association on 011-442-0500 during office hours.


Soweto Deals Four Wildcards

Three South African tennis players and a Frenchman have been given wildcards into the Soweto Open beginning at the Arthur Ashe Stadium on Monday.

Fabrice Santoro, who was forced to withdraw from the recent SA Open at Montecasino for personal reasons, was keen to make up for that by playing in this event.

However, according to ATP World Tour regulations, a player ranked in the top 50 may not enter directly into a Challenger and has to be given a wildcard in order to participate. Santoro, ranked exactly at number 50, fell into that category.

The three South Africans who have been given direct entry into the tournament are Izak van der Merwe, Raven Klaasen and Andrew Anderson.

Van der Merwe, ranked 271st in the world, narrowly missed out on making the main draw directly. He is a member of the South African Davis Cup team and won both of his matches in the recent 5-0 clean sweep over Macedonia.

Klaasen, ranked 338, reached the second round of the SA Open after beating Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo, but then lost to former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis of Cyprus 6-3, 7-5.

Anderson qualified for the SA Open and also went down to Baghdatis, in his case in the opening round.

Fritz Wolmarans, who has been plagued by a string of injuries lately, will need to go through the qualifying process in order to get into the main draw.

"Fritz has not played much due to injury. He needs match practice and playing in the qualifiers will benefit him if he goes through,'' said SA Tennis Association chief executive Ian Smith.

"It is great for us to have a player of Santoro's stature at this event, especially in his final year on the tour.

"It should also benefit Izak, Raven and Andrew to get the chance to improve their rankings at an event in their own country.''

The Soweto Open is the first ATP World Tour tournament to be staged in this sprawling township and is sponsored by the City of Johannesburg.

Entrance is free and the qualifier for the event will be played on Saturday and Sunday.

Photo by Alexander Joe/AFP/Getty Images

Source

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Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who defeated Russian Dmitry Tursunov 7-6(6), 6-2 in one hour and 29 minutes, will face World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the ABN AMRO quarterfinals in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. Nadal has a 2-1 record against Tsonga, and prevailed in a 7-5 third set in their last meeting in March at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tennis tournament in Indian Wells.

Tsonga has now reached the quarter-finals in all five of his ATP-level appearances this season, and has a 14-2 record. The World No. 13 won his third ATP World Tour title last week in Johannesburg (defeating Chardy).

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands (AP) -- Gael Monfils of France defeated defending champion Michael Llodra 6-4, 6-4 Thursday to advance to the quarterfinals of the ABN Amro tournament.

He will face fellow Frenchman Julien Benneteau. In another all-French match, Marc Gicquel defeated Paul-Henri Mathieu 6-4, 6-3.

"It's interesting that French players have done so well in Rotterdam in recent years," Monfils said. "We like it here."

Source

Photo by AP

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Top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga defeated first-time finalist Jeremy Chardy 6-4, 7-6(5) in an all-French final at the SA Tennis Open on Sunday to win his third ATP World Tour title. Courtesy of winning the ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament in Johannesburg, Tsonga collects 250 South African Airways 2009 ATP Ranking points and $79,000.

World No. 14 Tsonga was contesting his fourth ATP World Tour final. The Le Mans native reached his first final at the 2008 Australian Open, where he lost out to No. 3 Novak Djokovic. However, he was able to avenge that defeat later in the season by defeating the Serbian to capture his first ATP World Tour title at Bangkok. One month later in November he won his first ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tennis tournament in Paris (d. Nalbandian) to clinch his spot at Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai.

“Every time I play [ATP World Tour] finals now my level is going up and I play great, so it is good,” said Tsonga afterwards. “I think for the first edition it was just amazing,” added the Frenchman about the inaugural tournament. “Everything was fine, I have nothing negative to say. The court was perfect.”

The 23-year-old Tsonga, who raced to the Johannesburg title without the loss of a set, made a strong start to his 2009 ATP World Tour campaign by reaching three consecutive quarter-finals at Brisbane (l. to Gasquet), Sydney (withdrew due to back injury against Nieminen) and the Australian Open (l. to Verdasco). However, his South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings dropped from No. 7 to No. 14 after his 2008 Australian Open final points dropped off.

In the first all-French ATP World Tour final since Casablanca in May 2008, Tsonga was able to secure a one-set lead after breaking through in the 10th game to seal it 6-4. A fifth double fault from the right-hander gave Chardy a triple break-point chance at the start of the second set, however he was able to recover and hold for 1-0. Tsonga was presented with his first match point with Chardy serving at 4-5, but he failed to convert and the set went to a tie-break – which the older Frenchman won 7-5 after one hour and 48 minutes to improve to a 12-2 match record on the season. After his customary post-match celebration, Tsonga dropped to his hands and knees and kissed the court in jubilation.

“I think he played well today because it was really tough,” said Tsonga. “I played a great match, I served very well and I think his inexperience was evident at 5-4 in the first set when he missed some easy shots. But now he has some experience and I hope he’s going to do well next time.”

Tsonga, who saved all eight break points that he faced in the final, lost serve only twice in 48 service games in his five matches at the SA Tennis Open. He served 16 aces in Sunday’s championship match and lost only six points behind his first serve.

“I think it’s the best part of my game,” said the Frenchman. “I improved it a lot last year and now I’m really confident on important points.”

Photo by © SATO/Reg Caldecott

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Top seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga eased past Frederico Gil 6-3, 6-4 at the SA Tennis Open on Saturday to set up an all-French final at the ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament at the Montecasino in northern Johannesburg. Earlier, fifth seed Jeremy Chardy (pictured) had saved three match points as he defeated World No. 13 David Ferrer 1-6, 7-6(9), 7-6(4).

It is the first all-French final on the ATP World Tour since Gilles Simon defeated Julien Benneteau in the Casablanca final in May 2008. It will be the first meeting between Tsonga and Chardy.

World No. 14 Tsonga advanced to his fourth ATP World Tour final after breaking serve three times from four opportunities in his 64-minute victory over first-time semi-finalist Gil. The right-hander, who has yet to drop a set this week, reached his first ATP World Tour final at the 2008 Australian Open (l. to Djokovic) and later that year captured his first two ATP World Tour titles at Bangkok (d. Djokovic) and the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 tennis event in Paris (d. Nalbandian).

Despite missing three months of the 2008 ATP World Tour season with a knee injury, the Le Mans native finished inside the Top 10 at No. 6 in the South African Airways ATP Rankings and qualified for Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai (now re-named the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals to be held at London’s O2 Arena in November).

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SINGLES

Round 1

Serena Williams, USA defeated Samantha Stosur, AUS
6-3, 6-7(4), 7-5

Round 2

Serena Williams, USA defeated Sara Errani, ITA
6-1, 6-2

Quarterfinal Round

Serena Williams defeated Caroline Wozniacki, DEN
6-7(6), 6-3, 7-6(3)


DOUBLES

Round 1

Racquel Kops-Jones, USA and Vladimira Uhlirova, CZE
defeated by
Jill Craybas, USA and Galina Voskoboeva, KAZ
4-6, 6-2, [10/4]


SINGLES

Round 1

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA vs. BYE


DOUBLES

Round 1

Jeff Coetzee, RSA vs. Rohan Bopanna, IND
defeated by
Nicolas Almagro, ESP and Ivan Navarro, ESP
3-6, 6-3, [10/6]




WOMEN'S SINGLES

Round 1

Angela Haynes, USA vs. Ajla Tomljanovic, CRO

Ahsha Rolle, USA vs. Alexandra Anghelescu, USA


WOMEN'S DOUBLES

Round 1

Ahsha Rolle, USA and Tiya Rolle, USA
defeated
Sabrina Capannolo, USA and Christian Thompson, USA
2-6, 6-4, [10/8]

Mashona Washington, USA and Maria-Fernanda Alves, BRA
defeated
Simona Dobra, CZE and Monika Kochanova, SVK
6-4, 6-1

Angela Haynes, USA and Christina Fusano, USA
defeated
Alexandra Anghelescu, USA and Hsu Chieh-Yu, USA
6-1, 6-0


Eliminated during singles qualifying rounds:

Tiya Rolle, USA
Whitney Jones, USA
Jennifer Elie, USA


MEN'S SINGLES

Round 1

Nicholas Monroe, USA defeated by Michael McClune, USA
0-6, 6-3, 7-6(6)

Phillip Simmonds, USA vs. Todd Paul, USA


DOUBLES

Round 1

Nicholas Monroe, USA and Phillip Simmonds, USA
defeated by
Uladzimir Ignatik, BLR and Tigran Martirosyan, ARM
3-6, 6-4, [10/3]

Paul Todd, USA vs. Gregory Ouellette, USA
defeated
Rhyne Williams, USA vs. Dennis Zivkovic, USA
1-6, 6-4 [11/9]

Marcus Fugate, USA and Andreas Siljestrom, SWE
defeated by
Tihomir Grozdanov, BUL and Simeon Ivanov, BUL
1-6, 6-3, [10/8]

Eliminated during singles qualifying rounds:

Marcus Fugate, USA

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London, UK - The ATP, governing body of the men's professional tennis circuit, today announces the appointment of Adam Helfant as ATP Executive Chairman and President. Mr Helfant, 44, will begin his role with the ATP immediately and will be based in London. Mr. Helfant, an MIT and Harvard Law graduate, brings a wealth of global sports, business and legal experience following 12 years as a senior executive with NIKE, three years with the National Hockey League (NHL) as an attorney and four years as an associate at the international law firm Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton. Most recently he served as NIKE’s corporate Vice President, Global Sports Marketing a role in which he was responsible for NIKE’s relationships and contracts with athletes, clubs, teams, universities and sports governing bodies throughout the world. Previous to that, he held a number of senior roles at NIKE including Director of Global Sports Marketing and Vice President of U.S. Sports Marketing.

Adam Helfant, ATP Executive Chairman and President, said:
“There is no doubt that men’s professional tennis is one of the world’s most popular sports and, as a lifelong fan, it is a great honour to have been given the opportunity to take the helm at such an exciting time for the ATP. The ATP World Tour is a truly global sporting event, featuring some of the world’s best athletes and followed by millions of the most dedicated sports fans and I could not be more excited about being its new Executive Chairman.”


Source

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FEEL IT is one part of a global marketing overhaul for the ATP which also includes a full rebrand of the Tour, a new online approach and a global promotional campaign designed to better promote the sport globally and broaden the appeal of men’s professional tennis by making it easier for fans to follow. The changes have been made following two years of extensive and independent, global research of over 20,000 fans at all levels of tennis interest.

From January 2009 the Tour’s name and logo will change to ATP World Tour to reflect the unique, global nature of the men’s professional tennis circuit. In addition the tournament categories will be renamed to reflect the importance of the particular event. There will be three tiers of events:

• ATP World Tour Masters 1000
• ATP World Tour 500
• ATP World Tour 250

The new category names reflect the number of South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings points available to the tournament winner and at a stroke help fans better understand how tournaments relate to each other and to the ranking table.

At the end of the season the world’s top 8 ranked men’s singles players and 8 doubles teams, based on their performance throughout the year, will qualify to compete in the season’s climax - the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. To be held at London’s O2 arena, the event will officially crown the 2009 ATP World Tour Champion and determine the final 2009 player standings.

To support and communicate these exciting changes to players, sponsors, media and fans, the ATP has developed a new, strong and distinctive ATP World Tour approach that will bring all 63 tournaments in 31 countries under one, exciting and accessible overarching brand. The logo, along with the respective tournament category will, for the first time, be included on the net at every ATP World Tour event from early 2009 as an easy way for fans at home to understand the new brand.

Phil Anderton, ATP Chief Marketing Officer, said: “When over 60% of fans tell you that they do not understand how your Tour works, then changes are needed. We are the world’s most global sporting circuit, attracting millions of fans, but it is clear that we can still achieve much more for men’s professional tennis. The marketing strategy announced today will help us to do just that by establishing a new, simplified, tour structure that tells the best story of our global tour: the best players, playing in the best stadia in the best territories at the right time. The ATP World Tour is undergoing huge change from next season, but it is change that will help unlock the huge potential within men’s professional tennis.”

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DOUBLES

Raquel Kops-Jones, USA and Abigail Spears, USA
defeated by
Julie Ditty, FRA and Carly Gullickson, USA
6-1, 6-3


SINGLES

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA vs. Agustin Calleri, ARG


DOUBLES

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA and Marc Gicquel, FRA
defeated
Mario Ancic, CRO and Paul Henri Mathieu, FRA
7-5, 4-6 [10/4]


SINGLES

Gael Monfils, FRA defeated Jan Hernych, CZE
6-2, 6-2


DOUBLES

Jeff Coetzee, RSA and Wesley Moodie, RSA
defeated
Igor Andreev, RUS and Jaroslav Levinsky,CZE
6-4, 2-6 [10/1]

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