Astro SuperSport+: LIVE ARAG World Team Cup & French Open

Few weeks back, I wrote to a local paper expressing my disappointment with Astro (a subscription-based TV) for not showing the live telecast of the Monte Carlo Masters semifinal and final matches, although they showed the earlier rounds.

There were also no live coverage for the semifinal and final matches from Rome Masters and I presume this will happen again for the Madrid Masters.

However, thankfully, there will be an additional sports channel - Astro SuperSport+, which will broadcast 2 LIVE tennis events: the ARAG World Team Cup and the French Open 2009.

Astro SuperSport+ (channel 816) will be available to all Sports Package Customers from 11 May - 9 June 2009.

Here are the event highlights:

Tennis: ARAG World Team Cup
Mon, 18 May, 8am - Day 1 (Delayed)
Mon, 18 May, 7pm - Day 2 (Live)
Tue, 19 May, 7pm - Day 3 (Live)
Wed, 20 May, 7pm - Day 4 (Live)
Thu, 21 May, 6pm - Day 5 (Live)
Fri, 22 May, 7pm - Day 6 (Live)
Sat, 23 May, 6pm - Day 7 Finals (Live)

Tennis: French Open 2009
Sun, 24 May, 5pm - Day 1: Men’s & Women’s Singles 1st Round (Live)
Mon, 25 May, 5pm - Day 2: Men’s & Women’s Singles 1st Round (Live)
Tue, 26 May, 5pm - Day 3: Men’s & Women’s Singles 1st Round (Live)
Wed, 27 May, 5pm - Day 4: Men’s & Women’s Singles 2nd Round (Live)
Thu, 28 May, 5pm - Day 5: Men’s & Women’s Singles 2nd Round (Live)
Fri, 29 May, 5pm - Day 6: Men’s & Women’s Singles 3rd Round (Live)
Sat, 30 May, 5pm - Day 7: Men’s & Women’s Singles 3rd Round (Live)
Sun, 31 May, 5pm - Day 8: Men’s & Women’s Singles 4th Round (Live)
Mon, 1 Jun, 5pm - Day 9: Men’s & Women’s Singles 4th Round (Live)
Tue, 2 Jun, 8pm - Day 10: Men’s & Women’s Singles Qtrfinals Round (Live)
Wed, 3 Jun, 8pm - Day 11: Men’s & Women’s Singles Qrtfinals Round (Live)
Thu, 4 Jun, 8pm - Day 12: Men’s & Women’s Singles Semi Finals (Live)
Fri, 5 Jun, 7pm - Day 13: Men’s & Women’s Singles Semi Finals (Live)
Sat, 6 Jun, 9pm - Day 14: Women’s Singles Finals (Live)
Sun, 7 Jun, 9pm - Day 15: Men’s Singles Final (Live)
(Schedule is correct at time of Press Release. Schedule is subject to change)

Through this exclusive channel, tennis fans will have the opportunity to watch their favourite tennis players in action at their convenience through multiple screenings of each match and events, both LIVE and repeat.

So, unlike previous years, this year we won't miss Rafael Nadal creating another history at the French Open again. *Fingers crossed*

Thanks to Astro for the press release.

Jeff Ooi promotes Kings of Tennis, appears to be ignorant

Dear Jeff Ooi,

I do hope you know what you are talking about. You might be good in politicking but when it comes to tennis, I really hope you do some homework first.

It will be a wish come true to see all tennis super stars in action in one city.

How I wish Marat Safin would come to Penang. Or even Rafael Nadal who is currently injured but still preparing for Davis Cup final next week.

And if you still haven't know, Tennis Masters Cup has just begun, so don't even hope that Roger Federer and Andy Roddick will drop by this week.

But you can meet up with Roger Federer on November 18 though, if you have purchased your Showdown of Champions ticket.

Yeah, Arianna said the tournament is on but that contradicts with the statement made by the media at Kings of Tennis,Sweden. And Roy Emerson, the captain of Team America again said the event has been canceled.

I hope there is a back up plan. Or the organizers come up with a solution by early this week.

And Jeff Ooi, please stick to your politics. Now I'll have to shut up and stick back to my topics too.

Updates:
Yeah, some of you might think I'm trying to make this Kings of Tennis event a political one.

But first, this post is meant to tease Jeff Ooi.

Now here's the serious part. Please.... read carefully.

Read again the article from Sunday Star today and you'll realized the organizer is trying to blame the Penang government for not being supportive which is denied by the Penang State Tourism Development, Culture, Arts and Heritage Committee chairman Danny Law.

Think about this, if the event is canceled as stated by media team at Kings of Tennis based in Sweden and also by the player himself, who do you think will face the consequences? You can't blame the Penang government because they are just the key sponsor and doesn't own Kings of Tennis. The event belongs to some Swedish entrepreneurs!

By the way, Kings of Tennis event has been removed from the Visit Penang website. Click on the images to enlarge.


The conclusion is I'm on the Penang government side and also the players sides, who are all former no. 1 players in the world. The organisers must solve their own problems.

Now I really, really have to stick back to my usual topics.

Updates:
Click here to read about the event which is now officially cancelled.

World no.1 tennis players to battle out in Penang

For the first time ever Kings of Tennis, a team event, will be played between the two leading continents in tennis, America and Europe. And there's no better place to begin with than Penang, Malaysia from November 14-16, 2008.

That means this prestigious event dubbed Big Bang Penang will be held just one week before Showdown of Champions in KL.

This is pretty similar to golf's Ryder Cup. Perhaps even better because Kings of Tennis will only be participated by players who have been ranked as world no. 1 in men’s singles.

When I first heard about the idea, I got immediately excited. It is time for a new big tournament in tennis and I believe it is going to be very successful," says American Captain, Roy Emerson.

Emerson has selected a strong team consisting of John McEnroe, Marcelo Rios and Pete Sampras.

European Captain, Ilie Nastase, has faith in Bjorn Borg, Stefan Edberg and Mats Wilander.

"For sure this is no exhibition event. We are eager to bring the Cup to America and we will certainly not be easy to beat," says Pete Sampras, winner of a record 14 Grand Slam singles titles.

The two captains also have the luxury to choose one wild card player each to their teams. The two names will be announced well in time before the event (Come, bring Andre Agassi and Marat Safin!)

"I am considering many options, but for sure it is going to be a former world number one and Grand Slam winner," says European Captain, Ilie Nastase.

The objective of King’s of Tennis is to create the first, biggest and best annual team event for the World no.1 in tennis.

The first year eight former stars will take part, but in the future, active dominants of the game will also battle out for individual and team glory.

"I am proud to be a part of the first European team. I think we have a good chance to win. One of the key matches will definitely be me against McEnroe," says Swedish legend, Bjorn Borg.

Schedule of Play
The first tournament will be played in Esplanade, Penang, Malaysia, the 14th to 16th of November 2008.

Friday 14th of November
1 doubles match and 2 singles matches

Saturday 15th of November
1 doubles match and 2 singles matches

Sunday 16th of November
4 singles matches

Point Schedule and Match Format
The continent who earns most points will win the Cup. Each match win is worth 10 points. Additionally each game won is worth 1 point. A tiebreak game counts as an ordinary game. In the case of a match tiebreak however, every point won is worth 1 point.

The singles matches will be played in best of three sets. The final set will however be played as a Match Tiebreak (to 10 points). The doubles matches will be played in the same format, except for the no-ad scoring which will be employed.

Owners of the Event
The owners of King’s of tennis are Fredrik Alama, Bjarne Borg, Lasse Olsson, Mark Zurevinsky and Urban Johansson. The organiser is Arianna Event Management.

Tickets Availability
The tickets are open for priority booking. Please call Axcess Hotline 603 7711 5000 to place your booking now or to obtain further information. No further information of when you can purchase the ticket yet. But according to source, this event is confirmed.

(Via Kings of Tennis website)

Updates
Click here to read about the event which is now officially cancelled.

Malaysia's parliament dissolved

Despite complaints over inflation, increased of crime rates and ethnic tension, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi announced the dissolution of the national parliament.

Voting must be held within the next 60 days at a date to be fixed by the election commission, which will be announced soon. Some say it could fall on March 2.

This is going to be my first year casting my vote. Personally, I don't think Barisan Nasional deserves a landslide victory after poor performance in the last term. However, I doubt the opposition parties have the credibility and experience to rule the country. Honestly I'm not convinced at all.

My hope is pretty simple: Barisan Nasional continues to run the country but rakyat have to deny BN's 2/3 majority in the parliament.

Updates: It's confirmed that the Election Commission has set Feb 24 for parties to nominate candidates for 12th general election and Malaysia will go to the polls on March 8.