Black Tennis Pros

Olympic rings

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) today launched a mobile App for the Olympic Tennis Event taking place at The All England Club, Wimbledon from 28 July until 5 August. The smartphone App forms part of a wider digital strategy that makes the ITF Olympic Tennis website ITFtennis.com/Olympics the number one destination for tennis fans during London 2012.

The mobile App provides fans with live scores, schedules, drawsheets, news, photos, and player and event information, and is available for free download to iPhone and Android users. For other smartphone devices, a mobile friendly version of the website is available equipped with the same features.

The new-look ITF Olympic Tennis website was launched earlier in 2012 alongside a Spanish-language version of the site ITFtennis.com/Olimpiadas. During the Games, the website will offer a comprehensive live scores console with match statistics, the first time live scoring has been available on the ITF Olympic Tennis website.

The ITF Olympic Tennis website will offer in-depth coverage from the All England Club including news, match reports, interviews, photos and blogs. The website aims to build on the success of Beijing 2008 when a record number of visitors followed the action.

Fans can also keep up-to-date with the tennis through the ITF Olympic Tennis social media channels on Facebook and Twitter. These pages provide behind-the-scenes insight as well as giving followers the opportunity to have their say on current and topical issues.

ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti said: “We are delighted to launch this mobile App, which will provide fast, informative and easy-to-access information on the Olympic Tennis Event to fans around the world wherever they might be. The other new online features, including live scores for the first time, will make tennis one of the easiest sports to follow at this year’s Games.”

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British Actor Patrick Stewart participates in the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

British actor Sir Patrick Stewart takes his turn on the Olympic torch relay, praising the celebratory crowds. Stewart, best known as Star Trek's Captain Jean-Luc Picard, said carrying the torch through well wishers in Croydon was an experience he will 'never forget', adding that it was better than any movie premiere.

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Andy Murray, GBR and Venus Williams, USA participate in the 2012 Olympic Torch Relay.

Along with Britain's Andy Murray, American Venus Williams holds the Olympic Torch in the All England Tennis Club in Wimbledon Stadium where she and Andy just participated in the Wimbledon Championships. Venus may be about to become the first American tennis star to feature in four Olympics, but she intends to keep playing until the 2016 Rio Games when she will be 36.


The torch relay is on its final leg of a 70-day journey, touring the neighborhoods of host city London before being taken to the Olympic Stadium for the opening ceremony on Friday.


 The torch has visited the Channel Islands, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland and gone past national landmarks like Stonehenge and Mount Snowdon.

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As the curtain goes up on the BB&T Atlanta Open, the questions that come rushing forward seem too numerous to count..First there is a tournament field that includes the top ranked American Mens players in the world, four of which will head back to the All-England Club for the Olympics in two weeks.

The early commitment from Andy Roddick was big for the image of this event. Roddick won his first career ATP title in Atlanta and remains popular despite a recent drop in rankings. A-Rod is looking to ramp up his game before heading back to England.

Mardy Fish is two-time defending champion of this event, and after dealing with health matters in the Spring, looks to be ready to go for a threepeat. Fish passed on a spot on the Olympic team and is expected to play at Washington instead. Atlanta will be he most talented field he will face until after the Olympics.

Then there is John Isner.The UGA alum and two-time runner up here is coming to town on the heels of a strong showing at Newport. A great week in front of a supportive crowd could give him the boosted he needs headed back to the scene of a disappointing early exit at Wimbledon.

There are still more questions than answers about players like Ryan Harrison. The first time Olympian is coming off a semi-final run at Newport.. Donald Young is bound for London too, but is in the throws of a 13 match losing streak. Perhaps playing before the home crowd will help he regain the form that made him a hit at the US Open last year. The more interesting story coming to the Atlanta tournament for me has to be Brian Baker, who at this time last year was ranked #752 in the world. The one time junior phenom is now an overnight sensation at age 27 and ranked 76 in the world.Look for a few folks to drive down from Music City to see Baker play in Hotlanta.

But the biggest question may be the new venue for Atlanta's ATP event. Atlantic Station is a shopping, entertainment and residential development in the heart of the city. It is an idea that is so fresh and outside of the box that some are wondering how the traditional tennis community will treat it.With over 150 thousand card carrying league tennis players in the metro Atlanta area, this is a city that has long been know for choosing to play rather than watch. Let's see if they will accept and embrace a new approach to professional tennis, not just for Atlanta but for the entire nation. Instead of Tennis Anyone it time to say Tennis Everyone...Enjoy the tournament Ya'll !!!!

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American Donald Young

American Donald Young has not fared too well in the first round of his last two tournaments.

Last week we saw the twenty-two-year old get knocked out of the first round of the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships by fellow American Michael Russell 1-6, 6-1, 6-4.

American Steve Johnson

On Monday night at The BB&T Atlanta Open, wildcard Steve Johnson was also able to send Young packing in three sets 6-3, 3-6, 6-3.

Young, who is currently ranked 58th in the world, will join the USA Olympic team in London next week.

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©ATP

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American James Blake in full swing as he captures his 350th match win at the BB&T Atlanta Open.

Thirty-two-year old American James Blake earns his 350th career win in round one of the BB&T Atlanta Open on Tuesday after a 2 1/2 hour rain delay.

Rock it out Blake!


Blake, who took out the No. 6 seed Ryan Harrison 1-6, 6-3, 7-5, comes into the Open with with a world ranking of 110, an injured shoulder and is recovering from knee surgery.  Blake said, "My knee hasn't been that far off, but it's been far enough off that it's affected me.  When that starts getting better, my shoulder starts giving me problems, and it makes me realize I'm not 20, like Ryan, anymore."

Welcome to the club Blake.


We'll just have to wait and see what the former World No. 4 can muster during the rest of the Open, but for now, its nice to see him get the win.

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Serena Williams during quarterfinal play in Stanford, California at the Bank of the West Classic

2012 Wimbledon Women's Singles Champion Serena Williams is through to the US Open Series Bank of the West Classic semifinals in Stanford, California.

Though quite fatigued from just winning her fifth Wimbledon crown, as well as not sleeping through last night, Serena out played South African Chanelle Scheepers 6-4, 6-0 making it through to the semifinals in her quest to defend her 2011 title here.


In her post-match interview Serena said that "this is where it all began last year..." as she was coming off of various injuries and serious health related issues. She also said "I said I would come... and that is why I am here."

On Saturday Serena will meet Sorana Cirstea of Roumania. Cirstea defeated Slovakian Dominika Cibulkova 6-7(5), 6-2, 6-0.

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