Designed to promote international travel to the region, Rio de Janeiro will be the new presenting partner of ATP World Tour Uncovered – the Tour’s weekly 30-minute magazine-style television show, which airs in more than 150 countries, reaching more than 400 million viewers. Rio de Janeiro also will have significant presence on the Tour’s official website, ATPWorldTour.com, which receives more than 200 million visits annually.

As part of the agreement, Rio de Janeiro becomes a platinum level sponsor of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 in London, beginning this year.

Adam Helfant, ATP Executive Chairman and President, said: “Rio de Janeiro is a spectacular destination in a country with a great tradition in tennis, and we’re pleased they’ve chosen the ATP World Tour as the platform for communicating their international tourism message. The ATP World Tour features 62 events in 32 countries, so the partnership delivers a very strong international presence.”

Rio de Janeiro is the gateway to tourism in Brazil, a main tourist destination in Latin America and the Southern Hemisphere and also a hub for major sports and cultural events.  Rio de Janeiro is one of the main economic, cultural and financial centers of the country and is internationally known for iconic monuments and landscapes, such as Christ the Redeemer and the Maracanã stadium.

For Secretary of State for Sports and Leisure of Rio de Janeiro, Marcia Lins, the goal is to combine visiting Rio de Janeiro with a variety of sport and leisure activities. “The ATP World Tour provides the perfect opportunity for the State of Rio de Janeiro to showcase internationally the unique combination of one of the most beautiful landscapes in the world with the passion for sports. Rio de Janeiro has a history of hosting and supporting big events. The state is experiencing a unique moment in time with upcoming major sporting events like the World Cup in 2014 and the 2016 Olympic Games. We invite sports fans around the world to plan their visit to Rio de Janeiro.”

The State of Rio de Janeiro is the second largest metropolis in the country with a population of nearly 16 million inhabitants, and has the second largest GDP in Brazil. Rio de Janeiro has a natural passion for sports, and tennis, in particular, is gaining popularity and participation every day.

He is the 16th different player to finish No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973).

World No. 2 Rafael Nadal’s third-round loss at the Shanghai Rolex Masters assured the Serb of the top ranking come the end of the season.

The 24-year-old Belgrade native is the first Serbian man to finish No. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973). It also marks a record eighth straight year a European is the No. 1 player on the ATP World Tour. For seven years from 1985-91, Europeans finished No. 1.

Djokovic is the first player other than Roger Federer (2004-07, ‘09) or Rafael Nadal (2008, ’10) to finish No. 1 since American Andy Roddick in 2003.

Djokovic will be officially crowned as the year-end No. 1 at a special trophy presentation at the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London, where he will be competing for a fifth straight year. The tournament takes place Nov. 20-27.

On July 4, Djokovic became No. 1 in the South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings for the first time after winning his first Wimbledon title. He began his outstanding season with a 41-match winning streak (43 overall back to last year). He has won a career-high 10 titles in 11 finals, including his second Australian Open and first US Open crowns.

En route to a 64-3 match record, he has captured a record five ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles in a season, in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, Rome and Montreal. He has also compiled a 20-2 mark vs. Top 10 opponents, defeating rivals Nadal six times and Federer four times so far in 2011.

Between now and the end of the season, the Serb is due to play at the Basel Swiss Indoors, the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris, and the season-ending Barclays ATP World Tour Finals at The O2 in London.

ATP WORLD TOUR YEAR-END NO.  1
(since 1973)

Year  Player
2011  Novak Djokovic (Serbia)
2010  Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2009  Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2008  Rafael Nadal (Spain)
2007  Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2006  Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2005  Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2004  Roger Federer (Switzerland)
2003  Andy Roddick (U.S.)
2002  Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
2001  Lleyton Hewitt (Australia)
2000  Gustavo Kuerten (Brazil)
1999  Andre Agassi (U.S.)
1998  Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1997  Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1996  Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1995  Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1994  Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1993  Pete Sampras (U.S.)
1992  Jim Courier (U.S.)
1991  Stefan Edberg (Sweden)
1990  Stefan Edberg (Sweden)
1989  Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1988  Mats Wilander (Sweden)
1987  Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1986  Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1985  Ivan Lendl (Czech Republic)
1984  John McEnroe (U.S.)
1983  John McEnroe (U.S.)
1982  John McEnroe (U.S.)
1981  John McEnroe (U.S.)
1980  Bjorn Borg (Sweden)
1979  Bjorn Borg (Sweden)
1978  Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1977  Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1976  Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1975  Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1974  Jimmy Connors (U.S.)
1973  Ilie Nastase (Romania)

Hampered by injuries this season, Nadal and Williams have turned to Power Plate Whole Body Vibration to help speed their recovery and increase their endurance. “This is a part of the way I work out regularly,” 2nd seed Nadal has said of Power Plate exercise.  “At the end, work is what makes you feel satisfaction.”

Williams who is seeded 28th stated, “Off court training is as important to me as on court. With Power Plate, I’m able to accelerate my off court training and maximize the benefits.”

“We are excited to see Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams compete to win the US Open title. Both are world-class athletes and we are proud to have them on the Power Plate team,” commented Mark de Gorter, President of Power Plate North America. “With benefits ranging from increased muscular strength and flexibility to greater balance and stability, we believe their training on Power Plate will lead them both to another win.”

Power Plate’s Acceleration Training stimulates fast-twitch muscle fibers, dramatically increasing athletes’ explosive strength, motor learning, muscular endurance and overall agility.

The sweepstakes, which is now underway and runs through August 6, 2011, will award one US consumer a grand prize trip for two to the 2011 US Open finals weekend at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows, New York and a Panasonic Full HD 3D Home Entertainment System including a VIERA Full HD 3D Plasma TV2.

Consumers can enter to win the sweepstakes, which runs now through August 6, 2011, by visiting www.panasonic.com/USOpenVIPSweeps.

The grand prize winner will receive a four-day / three night trip for two to New York, tickets to the US Open men’s singles semifinals and women’s singles final on Saturday, September 10 and the men’s singles final on Sunday, September 11 as well as a Panasonic Full HD 3D Home Entertainment System which includes a VIERA GT30 50-inch class (49.9 diagonal inches) Full HD 3D Plasma TV (TC-P50GT30),  a Panasonic 3D Blu-ray Disc Home Theater System (SC-BTT770) and two pairs of Panasonic Active Shutter 3D Eyewear (TY-EW3D10U).

“For two weeks every year, the sporting world and tennis fans worldwide turn their attention to the courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York for one of the most unique and exciting events in sports, the US Open,”  said Shiro Kitajima, president of Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company.  “As a proud sponsor of the US Open, Panasonic wants to give one lucky consumer the opportunity to experience the excitement of a US Open final in person.  And for those that can’t be courtside, as a worldwide leader in 3D and high definition technology, we are proud to create products that can deliver the stunning action of the US Open right into your living room in Full HD 3D and 2D with a picture quality that is truly the next best thing to being there live.”

The Esurance Tennis Classic today announced an all-star line-up for this year’s event, including John McEnroe, Bob and Mike Bryan, Gigi Fernandez, Tracy Austin and Murphy Jensen.

Held Sept. 24-25 at Mill Valley’s Harbor Point Tennis Club, the Esurance Tennis Classic will again benefit the Celebrate Life Breast Cancer Foundation and Youth Tennis Advantage. The event has raised more than $700,000 for charities since 2004.

Ticket sales for the 2011 Esurance Tennis Classic begin July 1. For more information or to purchase tickets, please visit www.tennisclassic.org or call 415.383.6114.

This year’s event will host 17-time Grand Slam winner John McEnroe, who continues to cover the court both on and off as a Grand Slam tournament commentator for the Tennis Channel and NBC. McEnroe’s connection to the Bay Area stems from his Stanford University days, when he played for long-time Stanford men’s tennis coach and friend Dick Gould.

Gould will be the 2011 “Classic” award honoree at the Esurance Tennis Classic’s dinner gala. The award distinguishes those who have been exceptional in the field of tennis and made lifetime contributions to the sport.  Gould coached the Stanford men’s tennis team for 39 years, and continues to work tirelessly for Stanford tennis as the John L. Hinds Director of Tennis.

Former Stanford men’s tennis stars and identical twins Bob and Mike Bryan will also participate in this year’s event. Currently the world’s No. 1 men’s doubles team, the Bryan brothers continue to make tennis history with their exceptional doubles talent and energy, amplified by their signature chest bumping and fist pumping during matches. The Bryans hold a record 72 ATP World Tour Tournament wins and bring a unique style of play and prestige to contemporary men’s doubles tennis.

Joining McEnroe and the Bryan brothers at this year’s event are:

• 17-time Grand Slam doubles winner and 2010 International Tennis Hall of Fame inductee Gigi Fernandez
• Two-time U.S. Open winner Tracy Austin
• French Open doubles winner Murphy Jensen
• The Stanford men’s tennis team, which joins the women’s team for the first time to compete in the World Team Tennis Shoot-Out at the event

The Esurance Tennis Classic is presented by LRG Capital Real Estate and is produced by Hall of Famer and San Francisco native Rosie Casals, in conjunction with the Harbor Point Charitable Foundation’s COO Bob Kaliski, owner of the Harbor Point Tennis Club. Esurance has been title sponsor of the event since 2007 and is firmly committed to helping the event serve up a winning combination of tennis and philanthropy to Bay Area tennis enthusiasts.

A limited number of these special events will be hosted around the country, spanning the final three days of the prestigious tournament. Starting with the Men’s Semi Finals on 1st July, including Nadal vs Murray, tennis lovers in the UK will be introduced to the ultimate viewing experience outside of Centre Court.

Teaming up with major cinema chains in the UK, tennis fans and cinemagoers are booking their seats to witness this never before seen Wimbledon experience, and get up close with Andy Murray, to see if he can become the first British Men’s Champion in 75 years.

    Wimbledon in 3D: Match Times (BST): 

    July 1  13.00  Men's Semi Finals -- Djokovic vs Tsonga & Nadal vs Murray
    July 2  14:00  Women's Final -- TBC
    July 3  14:00  Men's Final -- TBC

    Confirmed cinemas hosting Wimbledon Live in 3D: 

    Cineworld         Apollo               Odeon           Picture House
    ---------         ------               -----           -------------
    Birmingham*       Altrincham           Bath            Clapham
    Boldon*           Barrow-in-Furness    Belfast
    Bradford*         Burnley              Braehead        Empire
                                                           ------
    Brighton*         Carmarthen           Brighton        Leicester Square
    Bury St Edmunds*  Fareham              Cardiff
    Cardiff**         Leamington Spa       Colchester
    Cheltenham*       Morecambe            Covent Garden
    Crawley*          Piccadilly           Dunfermline
    Didsbury**        Port Talbot          Kensington
    Dublin*           Redditch             Kingston
    Edinburgh*        Stroud               Liverpool One
    Glasgow**         Torbay               Maidenhead
    High Wycombe*                          Manchester
                                           (Printworks)
    Jersey*           Showcase             Norwich
                      --------
    Nottingham*       Bluewater            Southampton
    Sheffield*        Bristol CDL          Trafford Centre
    Wandsworth*       Derby CDL            Wimbledon
                      Leicester CDL 

    n.b. Cinema is denoted by * if only showing Men's  and Women's Finals
    n.b. Cinema is denoted by ** if only showing Ladies  Finals

Presented by Sony, for more information visit http://www.wimbledon.com/sony

Distributed exclusively by SuperVision Media. http://www.supervisionmedia.net

Novak Djokovic has sealed his qualification for the 2011 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals following his win over Rafael Nadal in the final of the Internazionali BNL d’Italia.

Djokovic’s win in Rome adds another 1000 South African Airways 2011 ATP Rankings points to his 2011 points tally, meaning that the Serb is assured of his place at the season-ending finale, set to take place at The O2 in London from 20-27 November. Only the world’s Top 8 players based on results in 2011 qualify to compete in the season’s final showdown in London.

Djokovic qualifies for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals for a fifth successive year. He captured the season-ending title in 2008 when it was held in Shanghai. Last year, Djokovic reached the semi-finals in London before losing to Federer. He has not lost a match since.

The Serb has enjoyed a remarkable run of form in 2011, capturing seven successive titles including the Australian Open in January and four ATP World Tour Masters 1000 titles. He heads into Roland Garros later this week with an incredible 37-0 match record so far this season.

Djokovic becomes only the second player to qualify for the season-ending event before Roland Garros since 1990 (Nadal also qualified before Roland Garros in 2009). Nadal retains his World No.1 ranking (based on the past 52 weeks) ahead of his title defense at Roland Garros, yet Djokovic’s results so far this year make him the current front runner to challenge for the 2011 year-end World No.1 crown, which could be determined at the last tournament of the season in London.

The USTA announced that consumer electronics giant Panasonic has become an official sponsor of the US Open in a new three-year agreement.

Working with CBS Sports, the USTA and Panasonic will spearhead the first-ever 3D broadcasts of the tournament. CBS Sports will produce 3D versions of all the Arthur Ashe Stadium matches that it broadcasts in High Definition on Labor Day Weekend and on Finals Weekend, September 10-12. These matches will be made available nationwide via DirecTV’s exclusive dedicated 3D entertainment channel, “n|3D Powered by Panasonic” (DirecTV channel 103).

On-site at the 2010 US Open, Panasonic will have three 3D viewing galleries–a 3D Panasonic Showcase located in the former International Tennis Hall of Fame Gallery on the floor level of Louis Armstrong Stadium, and another in SmashZone, the US Open’s interactive tennis experience for fans and families located in the state-of-the-art indoor facility and one more in the South Plaza area. Panasonic and DirecTV also will provide the US Open semifinal and final matches live in 3D to hundreds of TV retail outlets nationwide, including scores of Best Buy stores, as part of the September 10-12 “National 3D Demo Days” organized by the Consumer Electronics Association.

“We are very pleased to enter a new era of sports production with a new partner, Panasonic, and our long-time partner, CBS,” said Lucy S. Garvin, USTA Chairman of the Board and President. “We continually explore new innovations for the US Open, and new ways to present our tournament to tennis fans. 3D technology is the wave of the future, and once again the US Open will be on the cutting edge.”

“Panasonic is proud to support the US Open, on site and in homes throughout the country, by bringing live match action to tennis fans in immersive 3D,” said Joseph M. Taylor, Chairman and CEO of Panasonic Corporation of North America. “Panasonic consumer and professional 3D displays will show the Arthur Ashe Stadium matches to spectators on site in Flushing Meadows, viewers nationwide can see them via DirecTV’s exclusive 3D channel, ‘n|3D powered by Panasonic,’ and our professional 3D camcorder will be used to shoot interviews and other footage in 3D for CBS’s production.”

“CBS Sports is looking forward to using this groundbreaking technology during our coverage of the U.S. Open Tennis Championships,” said Harold Bryant, Vice President, Production, CBS Sports. “With the court-level camera positions that will make viewers feel like they are right on the court, and the resonant sounds of the game and the spectators, tennis will be a spectacular sport to see in 3D.”

The 3D broadcasts will use a separate production team and equipment from the traditional HD broadcasts of the tournament. Plans call for six camera rigs (each holding two high definition cameras), two special 3D production trucks, and a unique 3D-dedicated CBS Sports broadcast team. CBS has designed the 3D camera placements lower to the court than traditional TV locations, in order to capture the close-up and personal, athletic dimension of tennis that make 3D such a powerful experience.

Panasonic also will reach out to viewers with advertising geared to the new 3D technology during the CBS Sports broadcasts of the US Open. In order to view the US Open in 3D, fans must have 3D televisions and 3D eyewear and be subscribers to DirecTV.

The Panasonic sponsorship also include sponsorship of Arthur Ashe Kids’ Day, the US Open’s tennis and entertainment spectacular that serves as the unofficial opening to the tournament. In addition, Panasonic will have new, digital signage in the three stadiums and at most of the outer courts at the US Open.

The USTA is the national governing body for the sport of tennis in the U.S. and the leader in promoting and developing the growth of tennis at every level — from local communities to the highest level of the professional game. A not-for-profit organization with 750,000 members, it invests 100% of its proceeds in growing the game. It owns and operates the US Open, the highest attended annual sporting event in the world, and launched the Olympus US Open Series linking 10 summer tournaments to the US Open. In addition, it owns the 90 Pro Circuit events throughout the U.S., is a minority owner and promotional partner of World TeamTennis, and selects the teams for the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Olympic and Paralympic Games. The USTA philanthropic entity, USTA Serves, provides grants and scholarships and through tennis, helps underserved youth and people with disabilities to improve academics and strive for excellence. For more information on the USTA, log on to usta.com.

HSBC, “The world’s local bank” and official Banking partner of Wimbledon, will launch their third-annual initiative to bring the tournament to life for tennis fans in New York. “HSBC presents Wimbledon 2010 at Rockefeller Center” will feature a week of complimentary activities from June 21-25, including live screenings at the HSBC outdoor viewing area and the opportunity to play tennis on Manhattan’s only grass court.

At the June 21 kickoff event on Day One of Wimbledon, former world No. 1 ranked players Monica Seles and Jim Courier will play with select fans on the authentic grass court. The event will take place at noon at the HSBC outdoor Rockefeller Center venue (between 50th/ 51st Streets and 5th/6th Avenues), with former French Open doubles champion Luke Jensen serving as emcee.

“As the world’s local bank, HSBC strives to bring notable international events like Wimbledon to customers in our local markets,” said Ashley Parker, Executive Vice President and Regional President, HSBC Bank USA. “For this year’s Wimbledon program, we’re creating an even more innovative and interactive experience for tennis aficionados in New York City.”

Tennis Goes High-Tech

In a first for HSBC, out-of-home and print advertising here will feature high-tech QR (Quick Response) codes that, when scanned with a smart phone, will unlock exclusive Wimbledon content as a teaser to the event. QR codes will also be posted around the Rockefeller Center venue, offering attendees behind-the-scenes videos and tournament facts. Also new this year, attendees can visit Wii kiosks to play EA Sports(TM) Grand Slam® Tennis with fans on-site at Wimbledon in London.

HSBC Complimentary Activities Bring Wimbledon Stateside
– Live Wimbledon Screenings – Catch exciting match play daily on a giant screen from 7:00am to 5:00pm, followed by classic tournament footage until 7:00pm, courtesy of ESPN. Tennis fans can enjoy their lunch or take a break while watching the action from a special seating area.
– Public Grass Court Play – Challenge friends to a match on the singles grass court. Sneakers required; Prince racquets and balls will be provided or players may use their own equipment. Call 212.525.2367 to reserve court times.
– Prince Sports, Inc. Tennis Clinics- Passersby can get tips on tennis strategy, conditioning and stroke improvement from certified Prince teaching pros June 22-25 from 12:00-1:00pm and 5:00-6:00pm daily.  Walk-ins welcome. Tennis professionals are courtesy of Gotham Tennis Academy.
– Play EA Sports(TM) Grand Slam® Tennis at Wii kiosks vs. fans on-site at Wimbledon in London.
– Racquet restringing while you wait on-site courtesy of NYC Racquet Sports daily from 12:00-2:00pm.
– Photos with the Wimbledon Trophy – Through green screen technology, fans can pose with the Wimbledon trophy and walk away with a photo as a memento.
– Strawberries & Cream Carts – Enjoy the traditional Wimbledon treat! Strawberries and cream distributed 12:00-6:00pm daily, courtesy of California Giant Berry Farms.
– City Parks Foundation (CPF) Tennis Clinic for Kids-On June 23 from 3:30-5:00pm, Jim Courier will host an invitation-only tennis clinic for children selected by the City Parks Foundation, part of HSBC’s ongoing sponsorship of CPF. Courier will take participants through a number of tennis drills on the grass court and conduct a Q&A session. California Giant Berry Farms will provide healthy strawberry snacks.
– Police Athletic League (PAL) Tennis Clinic for Kids- On June 24 Courier will travel to Buffalo, NY, to host a tennis clinic on the hard courts at Delaware Park for children selected by PAL.

The grass court installation will be overseen by Sports Turf of Connecticut, using Diamond Zoysia grass from New Life Turf Farm in Norway, SC. The regulation singles grass court will be trimmed to Wimbledon’s 1/8th inch.

The Washington Kastles have completed a blockbuster trade sending their second and third round picks, Angela Haynes and CoCo Vandeweghe, to the Sacramento Capitals for Rennae Stubbs, the reigning 2008 World TeamTennis Female MVP and 2008 Championship Finals MVP, and Olga Puchkova. With Stubbs’ six Grand Slam championships, the team now boasts 36 total Grand Slam titles among their five players and head coach.

Stubbs, ranked in the top ten in the world in doubles, is a former #1 ranked doubles player and has won 59 career Sony Ericsson WTA titles. She has also represented Australia four times in Olympic and Federation Cup competition. She won last year’s WTT and Championship Finals MVP titles as a member of the Kansas City Explorers and helped lead the Philadelphia Freedoms to WTT championships in 2001 and 2006, and the St. Louis Aces to a title in 1996.

“Our goal this year is to win the Championship when it is played in Washington on July 26th and this trade makes us a clear favorite to accomplish that. Rennae is one of the top doubles players in the world and is a fierce and experienced competitor,” said owner Mark Ein, who brokered the deal. “With this trade, we will be tough to beat in any set, much less a complete match.”

The Kastles also acquired Puchkova, who ranked #32 in the world in singles in 2007. Puchkova played three matches for the Capitals in 2008, compiling a 10-5 game record. She has local ties, having trained at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Maryland, where she has recently begun working again. She is also a professional model represented by Elite Management.

“Olga has the ability to be one of the best women in the league and, with her recent work at the JTCC, we know she is ready to play,” continued Ein. “Both Olga and Rennae bring a lot of personality to our squad on and off the court. Our fans will love this team.”

The two newest Kastles will join their teammates on Thursday, July 2 to kick off the 2009 season on the west coast against the Newport Beach Breakers. The Kastles open the home schedule in DC on July 7 against two-time defending Wimbledon Champion Venus Williams and the Philadelphia Freedoms.

Source: Washington Kastles