Black Tennis Pros

Shown above with various WTA Tour players, Dee Dutta (center) who served Sony Ericsson for six years, will resign at the end of March. Dutta was largely responsible for the the Sony Ericsson-WTA Tour partnership.

"I am very proud of the achievements that my team and I have made in growing the brand and look forward to the next challenge in my career" said Dutta in a statement.

During Dutta's tenure, Sony Ericsson became the title sponsor of the WTA Tour and brought about the Sony Ericsson Open which is currently being played in Miami, Florida through April 6, and the ATP Tour calendars.

To mark the forthcoming Sony Ericsson Open, the tournament celebrated by hosting the world’s first ever game of tennis on water. Two of the world's leading tennis players, Serena Williams and Rafael Nadal, took to a custom-made court to try their luck on a more challenging surface than usual. The revolutionary game took place at the top of the new Gansevoort South Hotel as it officially opened its doors for the first time. The water-covered court was constructed in the 110ft swimming pool set in the Gansevoort's exclusive 22,000sqft rooftop retreat overlooking Miami's South Beach.

Defending Sony Ericsson Open Champion Serena Williams commented "It was a once in a lifetime chance to play tennis on water and it was great to be involved in a true world first. Playing against Rafa was a new challenge but I think the surface helped to level the playing field - particularly as he volunteered to play at the deep end!'

After the photo shoot, Rafael Nadal commented 'I love playing on ALL surfaces, but this was different and playing against Serena made it even more special. Playing a game on water was a first for me, and I also liked the setting here in Miami overlooking the ocean since I love the sea'.

Round 1 - Women's Singles

Venus Williams, USA vs. BYE
Serena Williams, USA vs. BYE
Milagros Sequera, VEN vs. Yaroslava Shvedova, RUS


Round 1 - Women's Doubles

Mashona Washington, USA and Bethanie Mattek, USA
vs.
Patty Schynder, SUI and Meghann Shaughnessy, USA


Women's Qualifying

Ahsha Rolle, USA defeated by Anastasia Rodionova, USA
7-6(4), 6-0 1st round

Mashona Washington defeated by Alisa Kleybanova, RUS
6-1, 6-2 2nd round


Round 1 - Men's Singles

James Blake, USA vs. BYE
Gael Monfils, FRA vs. John Isner(WC), USA
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, FRA vs. BYE


Round 1 - Men's Doubles

Draw Not Released


Men's Qualifying

Donald Young, USA defeated by Bobby Reynolds
2nd round 6-3, 7-5

As I listened to Barack Obama support, defend, chastise and embrace America this morning, I became very proud of that man and all that he embraces. Obama reached out to an America that is possible if only we try.

One of the blessings of blogging is that we reach and receive people from all walks, races and cultures of life. We read what each other has to say and realize how much we have in common and operate from that perspective. Yes, the blessing also comes with the curse of those finding you who don't want to believe in anything outside of what they know, but they very fortunately are few.

Today, a man who embodies a number of cultures stood before us and told us why he wants to preside over this country with all of its rich and painful history, loving and hateful people, and resistance to change as it changes. I believe him. I believe in him and his mission. I did not know what else Obama could have done to further my belief in his ability to be the President of the United States, and this morning, he did it.

NOTE: The bell of evil rings so much louder than the bell of good, amazing!

We're a couple of hours out from Obama's incredible speech, and I've seen a few commentators try to pick at it, though they know they're wasting there time. However, it is playing nowhere near the television time given to Geraldine Ferraro's words or the Reverend Wright's sermon footage. My, my my.