Kim 
Clijsters progressed comfortably today with a 6-1, 6-3 win over Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro who has arguably one of the best single handed backhands on the WTA.
Carla, who has spent a significant period of time dealing with an ankle injury, previously took Venus Williams out in the 2009 Australian Open and has struggled to regain that level of play. Read more
Posted in Carla Suarez Navarro, Injury, Kim Clijsters, Media, Todd Woodbridge
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Bernard Tomic has been rewarded for his form in Sydney with a wild card into the Australian Open but has been warned by Tennis Australia that he must put more effort into his career. Todd Woodbridge announced today on channel 7two (normal channel viewing was taken by extensive flood coverage) that the teenager would be given a chance but that both he and his father have been told that Bernard’s competition schedule last year was insufficient and he needs to play more if he wants more chances.
Carsten Ball has also received a wild card.
“These are always difficult decisions. He needed to produce something in Sydney and he has done that with three good wins. His tennis has now earned this wild card. We wanted to see players achieve some results, and Carsten has certainly done that throughout the year.
Bernard is a talent but cannot be rewarded with a wild card on that alone, nor should he ever expect that. He has not had much tennis and he missed the AO playoff, so the pressure was on him to perform, particularly after he did not play well in Brisbane.
He had not done enough. He needed to produce something in Sydney and he has done that with three good wins. His tennis has now earned this wild card.” -Todd Woodbridge
“In making these decisions, we are also looking at creating a culture that will help us build a strong Davis Cup team. I want to see a real work ethic, attitude and sense of camaraderie that reflects our proud tennis history. That’s always stood out as being a point of difference with the Aussie players.” – Pat Rafter
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Controversial Bernard Tomic has made a quick exit from the Brisbane International, which he was recently awarded a wild card to. As Tomic awaits news on a possible Australian Open wild card after his recent issues with Tennis Australia, the 18 year old would have been hoping for a more impressive showing in Brisbane.
Tomic was easily handled by Florian Mayer 6-2, 6-2. Throughout the match Tomic appeared to be somewhat hampered by an ankle injury, after being unable to withdraw after accusations that he withdrew from the AO qualifiers because he was apparently sick, before being seen on practice courts.
In the past Tomic has received three wild cards to the Brisbane event and yet the local boy is yet to win a set at the tournament.
His performance jeopardizes his chances at the Australian Open, particularly if his ankle is really injured. If he is given such opportunities again and he withdraws in the next few weeks it is unlikely that it will be looked upon favourably.
Todd Woodbridge believed there was more at hand than an ankle problem, he believed Tomic was nervous. “A lot of it has to do with anxiety … he’s more figidity than I’ve ever seen him.”
Posted in Bernard Tomic, Brisbane, Todd Woodbridge
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In a press release just issues The Legends Ball has been announced for September 10, 2010 in NYC. The ball benefits the International Tennis Hall of Fame and Museum. Former players who will be in attendance include Gigi Fernandez, Natasha Zverea, Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde.
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In Australian Davis Cup it’s all about Lleyton Hewitt (and a little bit about snubbing Tomic). The tie is being held on clay because the Davis Cup heads wanted Hewitt to play and recognised that having him fly from the clay courts of Europe, play on a hard court in Australia, and return to European clay courts over the course of 3 weeks would not be helpful to the Australian number 1 or his hip.
Hewitt has arrived in Australia and was seen practicing ahead of the May 7-9 meet against Japan in Brisbane.
Pat Rafter Arena, normally a hard court, has been converted to a clay court for the benefit of Hewitt, much to the delight of Peter Luczak who plays well on clay. The presence of the clay also gives selectors a reason to keep Bernard Tomic off the team now that Hewitt is back without blatantly favouring what Hewitt would no doubt prefer aka a Tomic free Davis Cup team. The issues between Tomic and Hewitt have been well publicised and it comes as no surprise that with the return of Lleyton Hewitt, Bernard Tomic has been told to practice his craft.
“It’s mid-season and we wanted Lleyton. The way his body is, it wouldn’t have been particularly good for him to be playing on clay, then hard and clay because surface changes can affect the body. It’s pretty impressive that he’s going to come back in the middle of two Masters series in Rome and Madrid. So the scheduling is horrendous for our team.” – Todd Woodbridge
Posted in Bernard Tomic, Davis Cup, Lleyton Hewitt, Peter Luczak, Todd Woodbridge
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Australian Bernard Tomic has been named as a member of the Davis Cup squad in the absence of Lleyton Hewitt and Chris Guccione, both of whom are injured. However, Tennis Australia have only invited Tomic after first speaking to Tomic’s father John and telling him to keep his mouth shut.
If Tomic does indeed end up playing he will be the youngest ever play to play David Cup for Australia at 17 and 135 days, 42 days younger than John Alexander was in the 1968 final.
Davis Cup Coach Todd Woodbridge today said “Like any other father, or parent, or personal coach, he will not have any input into the team. Like any other parent, he will be welcome to attend the tie and support the team.” He also stated that all other meetings had nothing to do with Bernard himself, i.e. his dad is a royal pain in Tennis Australia’s backside.
Bernard will join team mates Peter Luczak, Carsten Ball and Paul Hanley. With this line up against Chinese Taipei, the Australian team consists of only one player born in Australia.
With Bernard’s history with Lleyton Hewitt, it is doubtful that Tomic would’ve had a chance to play if Hewitt was healthy.
Posted in Bernard Tomic, Carsten Ball, Davis Cup, Injury, Lleyton Hewitt, Peter Luczak, Todd Woodbridge
