Black Tennis Pros

Read the rest of this post...........

Being honored by induction into the 2019 Black Tennis Hall of Fame are the following individuals in their respective categories:

PIONEERS

Nathaniel and Franklyn Jackson
Theodore (Ted) Thompson

PLAYERS/CONTRIBUTORS

Richard Russell
Chanda Rubin
Phil Williamson
Benny Sims, Jr.

REGIONAL LEGENDS

Dr. Emily Moore
Arvelia Myers
Lonnie White
Norvell A. Brown

Full bios can be read here.

Read the rest of this post...........

Read the rest of this post...........

 
EASTBOURNE, England -- Madison Keys claimed the first title of her career on Saturday when she defeated Angelique Kerber of Germany 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to win the Aegon Championships.

Playing in her first final, the unseeded 19-year old is the first American to win the event since Chanda Rubin won back-to-back titles in 2002 and 2003, and she is the youngest American to win a singles title since Vania King (17 yrs, 254 days) triumphed in Bangkok in October 2006.

Keys' triumph also marks the first time that two American women have won titles in the same week since 2002, following Coco Vandeweghe's win, also on Saturday, at the grass-court Topshelf Open in the Netherlands.

It is the second defeat in the final for fifth-seeded Kerber, who fell to Tamira
Paszek in 2012, and the third time she has lost a final this year after defeats in Sydney and Doha. She was seeking her first title came winning Linz in October 2013.

"I'm so incredibly happy," said Keys, who on Monday should be ranked in the top 30 for the first time. "You know, it's one of those things where when you're training and you don't want to be there, you're tired or everything hurts, it's one of those things where you think of this moment, and, you know, it really helps push you through all the hard times.

"My serve was definitely a weapon today, and it really helped me through the entire time."

Keys' win came after she fired 17 aces and struck a serve clocked at 126mph, the fastest this year on the WTA Tour and one that if confirmed would establish her as one of the top five fastest servers since records began in 1989.

Most of the rallies were short and just one break of serve decided the first two sets, with Keys breaking to lead 3-1 in the first and Kerber 2-0 in the second.

"It's always not easy when somebody is serving like she did the whole match," Kerber said. "She played at a really high level."

Kerber fought off two break points as she served out the second set, and games went with serve in the third until the dramatic 12th game. Kerber held two game points to take the set to a tiebreaker before Keys claimed victory on her fourth match point.

Read the rest of this post...........

At the W Hotel on August 27, 2009 in New York City, the BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis presented by Rums of Puerto Rico was a feast for the senses. This is the only event in the world where you can sample sensational food prepared by world class chefs, enjoy interactive lounges, sip signature rum cocktails, groove to great music, mingle with celebrities and rub elbows with world’s greatest professional tennis players! This is not just a tasting event; the BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis is a once-in-a-lifetime food and tennis experience!

Proceeds from the BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis benefit Food Bank for New York City. Thanks to funds raised at the 2008 Taste, Food Bank for New York City was able to provide 103,900 meals for needy New Yorkers.

Vera Zvonareva, Russia

Andy Roddick, USA

MLB's Carlos Delgado and wife Betsey

Martin Maginley, Restaurant At Round Hill Chef

Nicolas Kiefer, Germany

David Ferrer, Spain

Read the rest of this post...........

I am always so happy to give people what they deserve, be it praise or a little nudge to let them know that their shoe belongs on their foot and not in their mouth. Today Justin Gimelstob decided that he would like to chew on a little leather.

Gimelstob was commentating along with Chanda Rubin and Barry Tompkins at the Pacific Life Open in Indian Wells, California. Each of the three was legitimately discussing the very poor play of American Ahsha Rolle and attempting to asses what could be wrong.

Well, Gimelstob wondered if her problem could be emotional because, as he assumes, that does occur in the women's game. Rubin stated that there are emotional issues with the men too.

The very Goofy Justin Gimelstob says , "are we talking about the men that you date?" (not an exact quote, but very close.) Rubin very professionally and succinctly said, "don't get personal."

*drum roll please* For bringing up a subject, and then attempting to take a nasty jab at Chanda Rubin who kept everything above board and did not tell Gimelstob to kiss her behind as I would have, Black Tennis Pro's awards Justin Gimelstob the Goofy Commentator award that he so richly deserves.

Read the rest of this post...........

BEAUMONT - The CRISTUS Pro Celebrity Classic has confirmed that tennis stars Chanda Rubin and Justin Gimelstob will play in the event rescheduled for Nov. 2, at Ford Arena.

Gimelstob, an ATP Tour star, will face Pete Sampras in the feature match as a replacement for Todd Martin who cannot make the rescheduled date forced by Hurricane Humberto.

Tickets are available on-line through www.ticketmaster.com or by calling (409)-833-7747. Tickets are also available at the Ford Park box office. Ticket prices are $29, $39 and $59.

Source - Beaumont Enterprise

Read the rest of this post...........

BEAUMONT — The CHRISTUS Pro-Celebrity Classic, presented by Texas State Bank and sponsored by Port Arthur’s Motiva refinery, will be rescheduled as a result of the impact of Hurricane Humberto.

The Ford Arena event featuring Anna Kournikova, Chanda Rubin, Dr. Phil McGraw, Stone Phillips, Pete Sampras, Todd Martin, John Lucas and KFDM-TV’s Dan Gresham is on hold until a later date.

“We extend our sympathy to the residents who suffered as a result of Hurricane Humberto and recognize it is in the best interest of the fans, sponsors and participants to allow the area to fully recover from the aftermath before bringing this first year event to Southeast Texas,” said Tim Stallard, event producer, in a released statement Monday.

“This is the first time in our company’s eleven year history of producing sports and entertainment events across the country that we have had to reschedule an event.

”Stallard added that he hopes to have a new date announced later this week.

All tickets sold for the Friday, Sept. 21 tennis event at Ford Arena will be honored for the rescheduled date. Anyone wishing to receive a ticket refund may do so by contacting the location where they purchased their tickets.

Source -- The Port Arthur News

Read the rest of this post...........

Unfortunately for Chanda Rubin and Jamea Jackson who both received wild cards into this year's Open, the same injury that probably cost Jamea her singles match against Nicole Pratt cost both of them an opportunity in the doubles. Jamea withdrew today prior to the match that she and Chanda would have played. Truly unfortunate.

As you know, some months ago Jamea had hip surgery and has not been able to really compete this year. Go home and get well sweetie, we want to see you on the court healthy and happy.

Read the rest of this post...........

I must have been half asleep when I reviewed the main draw just before the U. S. Open began. Because I also missed the fact that Chanda Rubin is entered into the doubles draw and is partnered with.........none other than Jamea Jackson whom I thought we had seen the last of in this year's Open. Two fantastic revealations at once. I haven't seen Chanda Rubin play in quite a while and this extends Ms. Jackson's time at the Open.

Rubin and Jackson are on schedule for play tomorrow against the doubles team of Agnes Szavay of Hungary and Vladimira Uhlirova of the Czech Republic.
I hope that they have fantastic play and put their first win under their belt.

Good luck ladies!

Read the rest of this post...........