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.

More off-court photos at Madrid Masters

Here are more off-court photos on day 4 and day 5 in Madrid.

Let's start off with a series of photos of Andy Murray. I think he look good in a neater haircut like this.

And we also have Nikolay Davydenko and Richard Gasquet with the children in Masters Boutique.

As well photos of David Ferrer and Gilles Simon.

And finally a picture of David Nalbandian and Carlos Moya busy playing foosball.


(Via Madrid Masters official site)

Kei Nishikori's knee OK!

According to a Japanese sports website Daily Sports Online, Kei is receiving treatment on his right knee in Florida.

The good news is, Kei was told that the injury is due to fatigue and won't get any worse.

So we can expect him to return to court next week in Basel!

Updates:
Well, apparently things are not okay and Kei has to take a break from the rest of this season. Get well soon!

(Via menstennisforums, Image via Olivier Morin/AFP/Getty Images)

Bryan Twins off-court; Dubs results at Madrid Masters

Top seeds and two-time defending champions Bob and Mike Bryan took time out from their first-match preparations at the Mutua Madrilena Masters Madrid yesterday to sign autographs and copies of the new ATP Feel the Speed of Doubles book for fans.

The American twins, who have amassed a 60-14 doubles record and clinched five titles this year, will contest their first match since winning the US Open crown last month against Brazilians Marcelo Melo and Andre Sa in Madrid on Thursday.

In second round action, fifth seeds Jonas Bjorkman and Kevin Ullyett—who are tied No. 5 in the Stanford ATP Doubles Race—boosted their chances of qualifying for Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai after beating Tomas Berdych and Nicolas Kiefer 6-3, 3-6, 10-7 in 80 minutes.

Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic, who are locked in a two-team battle with the Bryan brothers for year-end No. 1 honours, advanced to the quarterfinals with a 7-6(3), 6-4 win over Spaniards Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco.

Polish duo Mariusz Fyrstenberg and Marcin Matkowski also advanced to the quarterfinals on Wednesday, after edging past French duo and recent Metz titlists Arnaud Clement and Michael Llodra 7-5, 7-6(14) in 91 minutes.

Rafael Nadal, who had been due to partner compatriot Carlos Moya in the second round against fourth seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles on Wednesday afternoon, withdrew from that match due to slight pain in his lower back.

(Images by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)