Black Tennis Pros

Let me begin by saying that I am very glad to see The Wiz back on Broadway, if only for a short period. I really like Ashanti, who will be playing the fabulous role of Dorothy. She's beautiful and talented and should be able to turn in a great performance. That said, why in the hell is Diana Ross still getting props for her "portrayal" of Dorothy?

The fact that Diana Ross was cast as Dorothy in the film version of The Wiz mystifies me to this day ... oh, wait, no it doesn't. Motown acquired the film rights didn't they? That explains it.

Can the international entertainment superstardom of Ms. Ross be denied? No indeed, and you would never catch me even considering the thought. Ms. Ross has my unyielding respect for the career she has amassed - Stop. Ms. Ross was no Dorothy. I believe the woman was in her early thirties, and though attractive, she did not look like the 'young' woman she was supposed to be portraying.

Although I was particularly peeved that Stephanie Mills had been given the boot from the film, I was even more bitterly disappointed when I saw the movie. Karma is a bankable currency and those who thought placing Ross in the role of Dorothy found that out - right in the pocket. Shame on them all these years later for dismissing Mills for what they thought would be a box office bonanza.

The Dorothy that should be getting some residual love off of this new production is none other than the originator of the role, Stephanie Mills. Anyone that has ever sat in a theater seat and heard that big voice come out of such a petite woman would never forget it. I have NEVER heard anyone sing "Home" like Mills, or turn in a better performance than her in this role. Ignoring the life that Mills breathed into Dorothy simply to keep Ross elevated for her lukewarm attempt is just ridiculous.

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(L-R) WTA CEO Larry Scott, tennis players Vera Zvonareva, Venus Williams, Richard Branson Serena Williams, Anne Keothavong, Ana Ivanovic and Elena Dementieva

(L-R) WTA CEO Larry Scott, tennis players Vera Zvonareva, Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Anne Keothavong, Ana Ivanovic and Elena Dementieva, and Sony Ericsson Corporate Vice President of Global Communications Aldo Liguori (R)

Photos by WireImage

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As day four of qualifying at Wimbledon wrapped up, two Americans, Angela Haynes and Shenay Perry, did not make the cut.

Ladies top seed Viktoriya Kutuzova was the first player to reach the main draw on the final day after a blistering 6-0, 6-2 win over Shenay Perry.

Haynes was knocked out by fellow American Abigail Spears 7⁷-6⁴, 5-7, 6-4.

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LONDON (AP) — Gael Monfils of France has pulled out of Wimbledon due to a wrist injury.

Tournament organizers announced his withdrawal on Thursday. His place in the men's singles draw will go to a loser from the qualifying rounds.

The withdrawal comes a week after the 14th-ranked Frenchman had to pull out of his scheduled match against Belgian Steve Darcis in the last 16 of the Queen's Club tournament.

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By Kelly Carter, special for USA TODAY

Venus Williams, the two-time defending Wimbledon singles champion and reigning doubles champ, begins her quest for her sixth Wimbledon singles trophy and eighth Grand Slam singles title when the tournament gets underway June 22 at the All England Club. The world's third-ranked player circles the globe on an annual basis and shares her travel highlights and tips with USA TODAY.

Q: Where have you been recently that you liked or were surprised by?

A: I went to the (Florida) Keys to Little Palm Island. It's really quiet and there are no TVs so you really have to have your books ready. And you have to be ready to get into the water. It was cool. I did two dives there. I'm now a scuba diver. I had been taking classes but I never got a chance to dive. I've never gone on vacation before. Since I travel so much, I really just want to be at home.

Q: What's the best place you've ever visited?

A: The best place is when I go to the Olympics. I went to Sydney, Athens and Beijing. Those are the best times. The whole city is magical. Everybody is happy and really enjoying the city. Olympics transform a city. I don't have a chance to see much. In Athens I had just one or two days. I went to the Plaka and to see the Acropolis, which for me was probably one of the most impressive things I've seen. In Beijing the Bird's Nest was just awesome. Those two were my most impressive sights — and St. Basil's church in Moscow.

When I lost early in Moscow I went to Crete (in Greece). It was really cool. There are so many things you can see there like the ruins. I stayed at the Blue Palace and it was fantastic — plus they have tennis courts. Little did they know my dog was staying there too. He's a Havanese and his name is Harold. He's so quiet and I took him everywhere I went. I was fighting for him too. They were telling me I couldn't take him on the airplane. I paid them some money.

Q: What's the most surprising/unexpected place you're ever visited?

A: Slovenia. It's really beautiful. I went to Portoroz. It's right by the Italian border and really pretty. Every day I took walks. It's so strange when you go to these places. I'm walking down the street and people are honking their horns. I'm like, "I didn't think anybody cared about me in this part of the world" but they do. It was pretty funny. I was actually there playing but I only played on the weekends. During the week I went shopping and took walks. There's not a ton to see there but it's a nice seaside town that is really pretty and relaxed.

Q: What's your favorite vacation spot?

A: I like Kauai. I went there after the Keys on a fitness vacation. It was me, my two sisters, Lyndrea and Isha, and my mom. We did yoga in the morning and mat pilates then we went on hikes and went to the beach. We had the chef cook us meals. It was great that my family was there.

Q: Can you offer an insider tip or recommendation for your favorite vacation place?

A: Stay at the Acapulco Princess in Acapulco. I went this year but I was playing. It was really nice and really pretty. You're so happy every morning when you wake up. I was actually lying in bed and I thought, I need a vacation. And then I realized I'm in Acapulco. Everybody else is vacationing except for me.

In Hawaii I would recommend, if you can, to rent a house. And I would recommend going see the Waimea Canyon.

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LONDON (AP) — Andy Murray defeated James Blake 7-5, 6-4 Sunday to win the Aegon Championships at Queen's Club for his first grass-court title.

The top-seeded Murray became the first British player to win the tournament since Bunny Austin in 1938, who then went on to become the last Briton to reach the Wimbledon final.

"I was quite nervous," Murray said. "People were telling me that no (Briton) had won here for 70-odd years so that got the nerves going, especially when I was serving for the match."

Murray took an early lead with a break in the third game, but Blake immediately evened it with a forehand winner down the line. Both players then easily held serve until 5-5, when Blake missed a forehand on break point.



The second set was equally competitive until Murray broke for a decisive 4-3 lead when a fierce return forced Blake to net a backhand volley.

"I didn't quite know what to expect, but this is some of the best tennis I've played in my life," said Murray, who did not drop a set all week. "I'm a long way from winning Wimbledon, but I feel confident. I'll try and not get too far ahead of myself and focus on my first match there, but if I play my best like I did this week, I've got a chance."

Blake said he was beaten by a better player, but that he was pleased with preparation for Wimbledon, which starts June 22.

"I had a good week," Blake said. "Playing on the grass, I always have a lot of fun playing here. I feel great. I've been working with my coach and trainer, and I know I'm doing the best preparation possible for Wimbledon. I'll be ready to play and feel great about my chances."


It was Murray's fourth title of the year, following victories in Doha, Rotterdam and Miami.

The sixth-seeded Blake was playing his third grass-court final, after finishing runner-up here in 2006 to Lleyton Hewitt and losing the Newport final in 2002 to Taylor Dent. He was seeking his first title since August 2007.

Defending champion Rafael Nadal pulled out of the tournament to rest his knees ahead of Wimbledon.





On day seven of the AEGON Classic at the Edgbaston Priory Club in Birmingham, England, Zimbabwean Cara Black and American Liezel Huber, the top seeds and No.1 pair in the world, won the doubles title in Edgbaston on Sunday afternoon.

Black and Huber retained the title they won together last year by defeating American No.4 seeds Raquel Kops-Jones and Abigail Spears 6-1 6-4 in under an hour.

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