Black Tennis Pros

Yesterday and today I've been feeling like some kind of winter bug is trying to creep through all of my Ester C, green tea and other daily germ defense mechanisms. I haven't been able to eat much of anything, and slept off and on all day yesterday.

As much as I hated to leave the comfort of my bed, I went to Panera Bread, got my favorite french onion soup, came home and got back into bed. Hopefully this is some kind of awful 24-hour bug that I will sleep off today.

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MIDLAND, Mich. -- Mashona Washington, who will turn 33 in May, says she has played her last lower-level prize money USTA Pro Circuit event.


Her doubles rankings is in the 115s in the world, and she lost in the quarterfinals at the recent $75,000 Dow Corning Tennis Classic in Midland, Mich., where she lost in the final round of qualifying in singles.

USTA.com caught up with Mashona at the Childhelp Desert Classic in Rancho Mirage earlier this month after a semifinal doubles loss in the $25,000 event.

USTA.com: Do you still have the drive and desire to play high-level pro tennis?

Mashona Washington: Yeah, I do. I got off to kind of a slow start this year, but I trained real hard all of December. This is the last $25,000 I’ll ever play in my life. It’s just such a grind. The money is horrible, and the points are terrible. It’s just not worth it. I wish they would add a few more $50,000 or $75,000 events. At this point in my career, I would just as soon go train for two weeks than go out there and spend the money to make the semifinals of a doubles tournament and make $196. If I hadn’t already made some money during my career, I wouldn’t be here.

USTA.com: So hitting the top 50 in the world like you did in 2004 is the reason you’re still out here?

Mashona Washington: Yeah, I think so. I’m glad I played well when I did. I still play because I love it, and I feel I still have a lot of good tennis left in me. For me, it’s just going to be a matter of waking up and saying, “OK, I don’t want to play any more.” And that day hasn’t come yet.

USTA.com: What will you do once your pro career does end?

Mashona Washington: I have a lot of options. I have my college degree (obtained online), and I have my real estate license. I mean, I don’t want to have to get a 9 to 5 job until I have to, so why wouldn’t I travel the world and play tennis and kind of live that abnormal life as long as I can and my body and mind will let me? But I see myself maybe working my brother's (MalVai’s) foundation. Maybe doing some TV commentating or other behind-the-scenes work in tennis. I can always coach. I’ve been out here long enough where I think I can offer some valuable information to the younger players. And you never know, maybe marriage and kids are in the picture somewhere.

USTA.com: Who were your role models growing up?

Mashona Washington: I didn’t really have any growing up. My parents, I guess. My dad always told me I should be my own individual.

USTA.com: What does having Barack Obama as the new U.S. president mean to you?

Mashona Washington: It was an amazing event. I followed it since he said he was running. I voted for him and was glued to the TV. It was just an amazing thing. I guess if I had to say I looked up to anyone it would be Michelle Obama. She’s just such an awesome person. Her husband is now the commander in chief, and she has kids. He always says she’s the rock and can be a role model for a lot of people. It’s an awesome thing. I was proud to be black at that moment. But I’ve always been proud; proud of where I came from and my heritage. People like Arthur Ashe and Althea Gibson paved the way for so many minorities to succeed and to just come and play this game. I look at Venus and Serena and know how important it is that they are role models to so many kids. They see them, and they know it doesn’t matter where you come from or what your background is. Hard work is going to get you there.

Photo by Mashona Washington

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American Nicholas Monroe has reached the singles final of the Brownsville Men’s Futures Pro Circuit Tennis Tournament of Brownsville, Texas.

Nicholas defeated Croatian Mislav Hizak 2-6, 6-4, 5-1 Ret. to reach the final, and is scheduled to play American Michael Russell for the title.






American Ahsha Rolle, along with teammate Yanina Wickmayer of Belgium, has reached the doubles final of The Sanderson Volvo Future Stars Women’s Tournament presented by the city of Surprise Community and Recreation Services Department, Surprise, Arizona.

The two defeated Argentines Mailen Auroux and Veronica Spiegel 6-2, 6-1 in the semifinals. They are scheduled to play teammates Jorjelina Cravero of Argentina and Russian Ekaterina Ivanova for the title.

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After winning the South African Open title earlier this month, Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is right back into another final at the Open 13 Tournament in Maseille, France.

Tsonga put his big game on display once again in today's semifinal and barreled over Serbian Novak Djokovic for the fourth time. The Frenchman took the first set in just under a half hour! The win came in at 6-4, 7-6(1)

“I told myself I had to go for it,” Tsonga said in a courtside interview.

"It’s amazing, I played unbelievably. Novak did a very good job today so it was tough to beat him. For me, it was my best match since the start of the year and I’m really happy about that. I hope tomorrow I will win and take the trophy."

“I have played an extraordinary match. I have been heroic on every important point. I am proud of having played such a match.”

Tsonga will meet fellow Frenchman Michael Llodra in the final on Sunday.

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After a 6-4, 6-2 win over France's Virginie Razzano, American Venus Williams took her 40th career title and returned to the world's top five at the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships today.

Venus has displayed excellent mental and physical form since hitting the courts in 2009. That same look and precision game was evident today. The match consisted of great hitting and impressive rallies. Razzano was definitely no fluke getting to the final, she put forward a very strategic defense, though it never seemed to be enough to diminish the power coming at her from the other side of the net.

Post match Venus said, "It was a great week to be able to win against the world's best player, my sister."

When asked about the possibility of getting back to world no. 1 Venus said, "well I would love to be the best in the world - and I am coming. So I am going to try."

With regard to Razzano Venus said, "I have to congratulate her, she beat some top players and played well again today."

Congrats Venus!

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Celebrate Black History Month And Tennis with Charity Auction to Support Apollo Theater

In honor of Black History Month, Time Warner Cable, HBO and Target have teamed up for a one of a kind charity auction to benefit the historic Apollo Theatre in New York City. Exclusive VIP experiences and signed memorabilia are being auctioned off – with all proceeds benefiting the Apollo Theater Foundation, the non-profit organization helping to preserve and develop the legendary Apollo Theater. This is your chance to gets your hands on two tickets to the tennis event of the year – the Billie Jean King Cup! The upcoming March 2^nd event, which celebrates tennis legend Billie Jean King –will feature Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic for the inaugural BNP Paribas Showdown. Designed to honor King's place in tennis history and promote youth tennis as part of "Tennis Night in America", the Showdown will be broadcast live on HBO. Bid on VIP tickets for two for this tennis extravaganza, which even includes tickets the HBO Sports Sponsored VIP Reception! Can’t make it to the event? No problem, you can bid on two brand-new tennis balls signed by the Williams Sisters themselves, along with a racket signed exclusively by Serena! Check it out at www.ebay.com/supportapollo and show your support for the women of tennis!

VIP Tickets to the Billie Jean King Cup

Serena Williams Signed Tennis Racquet

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Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga took it to Spaniard Feliciano Lopez defeating him 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 at the Marseille Open on Friday.

In doing so, Tsonga set up what is sure to be another fabulous match to watch against Serbian Novak Djokovic. Tsonga and Djokovic met four times last year with Tsonga winning three of those matches.

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In a little over two hours and a gripping toe-to-toe battle that ended in a tiebreak, American Venus Williams defeated younger sister Serena 6-1, 2-6, 7-6(3) to move into the final of the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships.

Venus took the match to Serena full force from the very beginning. It looked as if there would be no stopping her... not so. Serena pulled it together in the second set and turned the beat around on Venus, at which time it appeared as if she would run away with the match... again, not so. Both ladies hit the ground running in the third set and it was a pure battle until the tiebreak when Venus took over and took the match. It was time well spent watching.

Post match Venus said "Obviously Serena is number one, but I think we are the best in the world."

I agree with Venus, now I can't wait to hear the dramatic statements that will flow from the commentators mouths in response.

"There are other great players but it would have been better if the two best are in the final. I would definitely be more pleased if it were a final. But I guess I will have to keep working on my ranking," continued Venus.

When asked about the difficulty of playing Serena Venus said, "you know I am always the big sister. I have to stay focused when I am out there. I can't worry too much whether she is okay. She's an unbelievable player. So I have two problems out there."

Before the match, Venus looks like she's hiding a surprise for baby sister.

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