Black Tennis Pros

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WTA World No. 245 American Shenay Perry turned her luck around this weekend. Perry defeated American Julie Ditty 6-1, 6-3 to take the title at The Gwinnett Sports Commission Women's USTA Pro Tennis Classic, Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Congratulations Shenay!

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"So when I look at all of this and I think back to my army career, we've got two individuals. Either one of them could be a good president, but which is the president that we need now? Which is the individual that serves the needs of the nation for the next period of time? And I come to the conclusion that because of his ability to inspire, because of the inclusive nature of his campaign, because he is reaching out all across America, because of who he is and his rhetorical abilities – and we have to take that into account – as well as his substance – he has both style and substance – he has met the standard of being a successful president, being an exceptional president.

I think he is a transformational figure. He is a new generation coming into the ... onto the world stage and on the American stage and for that reason, I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama."

On Sunday I watched the very distinguished Former Secretary of State, Former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Former National Security Advisor, Retired General Colin Powell, being interviewed by Tom Brokaw on Meet The Press, "lead into" the thinking that allowed him to cross party lines to vote for Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama...it was an exercise in diligence. It was the type of thought process that we don't see on average, at least not from most politicians.

General Powell was taxed, regretful, considerate, and committed in his choice to cast his vote for Senator Obama and not for his longtime friend and Republican ally John McCain. After vividly displaying the considerable weight carried in arriving at this decision, one of the first responses that Tom Brokaw had was, "and you are fully aware that there will be some, how many no one can say for sure, but there will be some who will say this is an African American, distinguished American, supporting another African American because of race." I just shook my head.

Prior to Sunday morning October 19, 2008, with regard to race General Powell must have been one of the persons least referred to that I've witnessed in my lifetime. He has been respected by most and potentially all on the merits of his commitment to this country, his deliberate decisions and actions that manifest that commitment and his dignity as a human. Yet with the single utterance of the words "I'll be voting for Senator Barack Obama", he suddenly became a questionable poor decision making character who has no vision beyond his Black skin. From Rudy Giuliani to a myriad of other Republicans, "Powell got it wrong."

When General Powell voiced his decision I wasn't the least bit surprised given previous hints that he had given in this direction, but the first words out of my mouth were "oh well, that anonymity of color that you once employed is out the window, you're Black now."

One of the most exciting features of General Powell, for me at least, has been the fact that I've always seen and respected him as a man. His being a Republican may not have been the "norm" for a Black man, but neither was the career and political heights that he achieved. As a matter of fact, his achievements were not the norm for a man of any race. He is an exceptional individual and I continue to see him as such. However, in the short hours that have passed since he voiced his choice for the next president, many have come out to declare that he made this decision only on the basis of race. How very, very sad.

We have seem racism injected into this presidential race with a hypodermic needle. From the primaries until now Senator Obama has been accused of, associated with and insinuated to be all things racially negative in a fervent hope that people will see him for who he "really" is and not cast their vote for him. I am not the least bit surprised. Racism in this country is alive and well and its babies have been speaking loud and proud at and through the McCain/Palin rallies.

How very typical of the race matters in the United States of America. I don't have to talk about those of us who have and continue to make this nation a united one, it is evident in the wide array of faces that stand in front of, behind and alongside Senator Obama in his appearances. It is heartwarming and a blessing to see. On the other hand, those who stand in front of, behind and alongside McCain/Palin exclaim "treason," "terrorist," "kill him," and that is a curse to witness.

The merits upon which I have always assessed General Powell stand firm this Monday morning. As a supporter of Senator Barack Obama, I am so gratified to see someone of Powell's stature aboard the "movement for change." It's a damn shame that effective with the news cycle at 6:00 a.m. this morning, a man who has always been revered for his decision making and experience will be disrespected, questioned, and lambasted for his decision to not only vote for a Democrat, but for that Democrat to be a Black man.

Good morning America, it's 1:49 a.m., the games begins in a few hours.

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Well, that was different...and a bit awkward.

At the 25th and final Zurich Open, American Venus Williams took her 38th title. She last won this title in 1999 at 19. “It is great to have my name on this tournament twice. It does not matter if it is the last final of a tournament, it is a final and you want to win, but it is great to get the last title of a tournament. I had always a good time in this city and I have good memories and it is definitely one of my favourite tournaments.”

It appears that Venus is now firmly into the season-ending WTA Tour Championship in Doha next month. “I'm obviously glad to be healthy to play the Championships and I am happy to have had this good week to going there. Next two weeks I go home and rest a little bit and then I prepare for Doha.”

It also appears that Flavia Penetta talked herself out of the win. She played so well in the semifinal but could not seem to find a groove today, especially after she lost the first set. It looked like she was practicing putting the ball into the net.

Now, on to the awkward trophy presentation. A well meaning but albeit strange serenade...yep, I said serenade. A singer stood in front of Venus on court and sang a version of Tina Turner's "Simply The Best." What?

The singer sang the song very well, that wasn't my issue. It was the fact that she was standing right in front of Venus kind of egging her on to get into the groove of her moment. Ever the trooper, Venus held her flowers and swayed from side to side with a smile as all of the other people stood around watching...creepy. Fortunately for the singer, Venus has a good spirit.

“I was very consistent today and I had a great service game, my service a weapon, when it gets in, it helps. She plays well but I had a lot less errors today and I felt good today too.”

“Of course I try to get the highest rank possible and I think I have good chances to be number 1 again next year.”

“I did not talk to Serena yet, but she is always happy for me.”

After winning the match, Venus' father, Richard Williams, brought her dog Harold over for congratulations.



Photo by AP

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"Venus is so wrong. I mean, I'd win. Come on!" —Serena

Game, set, and... From left: Dress, $4,800, Donna Karan New York. 866-240-4700. Earrings, price upon request, Bulgari. 800-BULGARI. Cuff, $1,995, Yves Saint Laurent. 212-980-2970. Gown, $15,490, Oscar de la Renta. 212-288-5810. Bracelet, $950, Tom Binns.tombinnsdesign.com. Ring, $15,000, De Beers. 800-929-0889.

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Venus Williams advanced to the final of the Zurich Open on Saturday with a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory over second seed Ana Ivanovic.

It marks a long awaited return to the final of this tournament for Williams - she has not played here on the final day since 1999 when - at the age of 19 - she topped then-number one Martina Hingis to claim the ninth of her 37 career titles.

The two-time reigning Wimbledon champion will go for another on Sunday when she faces Italy's Flavia Pennetta, a 6-3, 7-6 (8-6) winner over Anabel Medina Garrigues of Spain in Saturday's other semi-final.

Williams ranked ninth in the world and seeded third here, has now won five of her six meetings against Ivanovic, who has not played well during the second half of this season.

"Winning close matches are rewarding, and especially at the end I think we were both competing very well," said Williams. "I think that sometimes it's tough to get a rhythm against her because when she plays me she's just going for everything.

"She plays aggressive to try and take the match away from me and to try and force the issue."

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DETROIT (AP) — Four Tops lead singer Levi Stubbs, who possessed one of the most dynamic and emotive voices of all the Motown singers, died Friday at 72. He had been ill recently and died in his sleep at the Detroit house he shared with his wife, said Dana Meah, the wife of a grandson. The Wayne County medical examiner's office also confirmed the death.

With Stubbs in the lead, the Four Tops sold millions of records, including such hits as "Baby I Need Your Loving," "Reach Out (I'll Be There)" and "I Can't Help Myself (Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch)."

The group performed for more than four decades without a change in personnel. Stubbs' death leaves one surviving member of the original group: Abdul "Duke" Fakir.

Stubbs "fits right up there with all the icons of Motown," said Audley Smith, chief operating officer of the Motown Historical Museum. "His voice was as unique as Marvin's or as Smokey's or as Stevie's."

The Four Tops began singing together in 1953 under the group name the Four Aims and signed a deal with Chess Records. They later changed their names to the Four Tops to avoid being confused with the Ames Brothers.

I thought we ought to hear a little "Still Water Love."

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