PROTON Malaysian Open Kuala Lumpur, Malaysian Tennis Classic

Here are some updates on the ATP and WTA events in my country.

PROTON Malaysian Open secured it's first ever title sponsor after the country's first national car maker Proton Holdings Bhd came on board to support the inaugural tennis tournament from September 26 - October 4.

Not only that the marquee players will be chauffeured in Proton Perdana, a fan will get a chance to drive away a Proton Satria Neo in the "Catch the Signed Ball Challenges" during the tournament week.

Other attractive prizes waiting to be given away are Philips televisions, 5-star Mandarin Oriental hotel stays, Wilson tennis gear which add up to a staggering RM150,000 (USD$43,000)!

Now, here's a little bit update on Fernando Verdasco...

Despite his abdominal muscles injury and foot surgery plan (mentioned during the US Open interview), the tournament organiser has confirmed that Verdasco WILL participate in the US$947,750 PROTON Malaysian Open, which will also feature another top 10 player, Nikolay Davydenko, and five from the top 15 and seven of the top 20.

By the way, if you're a fan of chair umpire Mohamed Lahyani, he'll be here too.

For insider's information regarding the PROTON Malaysian Open, you can read Giri's blog on the tournament's official website.

Players will start arriving in Kuala Lumpur from Wednesday onwards (as mentioned by Giri in his blog). So don't be surprised if you see any of the players in this country by middle of next week!

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Earlier this week, I attended the official launch of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Malaysian Tennis Classic scheduled to take place at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort from February 22-28, 2010.

From left to right - Kevin Livesey (a Member of the Board of Director, Sony Ericsson WTA), Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff (President of the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia), Dato' Ahmad Shabery Cheek (Minister of Youth and Sports), Valen Goh (Director of Berjaya Clubs), Keld Kristiansen ( Executive Chairman of Carbon Media Management)

Launch gimmick

Malaysian players (the Boeys and Jawariah Noordin) - Jawariah could get a direct entry into the Main Draw.

Not much info was given at the event simply because it was too early to mention who are the players who have confirmed their participation, sponsors, etc.

However the USD$220,000 (tentative) tournament will be guaranteed of the presence of at least two players from the top 20.

Besides a 32-player singles event, the tournament will also have a doubles event featuring 16 pairs.

This event will be a permanent fixture in the WTA calendar for two years.

By the way, thumbs up for the event venue. The resort already has quite a number of tennis courts and surrounded by beautiful greenery. A makeshift centre court will be built for the tournament.

Although it is not as easily accessible as the ATP tournament which is located at Stadium Putra Bukit Jalil, fans would still be able to reach there by public transport like bus and cab.

Thanks to the tournament organiser Carbon Media Management for giving me the opportunity to attend this event.

Delpomania hit Tandil, newly-crowned US Open champ's homecoming

Every celebration should end with an explosive climax... and Tandil was the biggest, most close to heart venue to celebrate the victory of Juan Martin del Potro.

The newly-crowned US Open champion was greeted by 40,000 people in his hometown of Tandil yesterday!

The US Open champ was paraded through the streets on a fire engine and gave a speech thanking his fans for their support.


Here are some interesting facts about del Potro:

• He switched to tennis after growing up playing football, rugby union and basketball.
• He always wanted to play against others three or four years older—and he’d win.
• The 6-feet-6 Del Potro is known at home as the “Tower of Tandil.”
• Growing up, his friends called him “Midget” and described his long, thin legs as “little sticks.”
• The president of the club where he used to play tennis said del Potro is a great goalscorer in football. The president said, if del Potro had stayed with soccer, he’d be a Maradona or Pele."
• His father Daniel is a veterinarian and mother Patricia a literature teacher.
• He gave his 18-year-old sister Julieta a luxury car he won last year in a tournament in Stuttgart, Germany.

(Images by Daniel Garcia/AFP/Getty Images)

Post-US Open: Juan Martin Del Potro from NYC and back to Argentina

A day after he dethroned Roger Federer in the US Open final, Juan Martin del Potro knew he would have a busy day meeting the press and fans.

He started the day posing at the top of the Empire State Building and appear on several TV shows including NBC's "The Today Show" and CBS's "The Early Show".

Meets with CBS anchors on "The Early Show"

An interview on the "Charlie Rose Show"

Meets with NBC anchors on "The Today Show"

Q & A with Johnny Mac

Then del Potro attended a promotional activity for his sponsor Nike. He was interviewed by John McEnroe on a Q & A session at Niketown NYC.

With fans upon his arriving at the international airport in Ezeiza, Argentina

Later that day del Potro was back in his homeland Argentina, a country who loves football more than tennis.

Del Potro was greeted at the Buenos Aries airport by chants of “Ole, Ole” and “Del Pooo, Del Pooo".

At a news conference in Buenos Aires

The champ is set to return to his hometown of Tandil where the city of 100,000 was expected to hold a parade in his honor.

He will be designated the official “sports ambassador” and receive a key to the city.

(Via AP, Images by Getty Images, Nike)

Meet Del Potro at Niketown NYC today

New US Open champ, Juan Martin del Potro will celebrate his victory by meeting fans in New York City today.

He'll be making an appearance at Niketown New York at 1:00PM.

John McEnroe will be on hand for a Q&A with del Potro, who is scheduled to appear for about one hour.

If you're a fan (or just jumped on the Del Potro bandwagon) and happen to be in NYC, go and support him!

WHO: 2009 US Open Champion, Juan Martin del Potro

WHAT: Q&A with John McEnroe

WHEN: Tuesday, Sept. 15, 2009 (1:00 pm - 2:00 pm)

WHERE: Niketown New York, 6 E. 57th St, New York, NY 10022

(Image via Yahoo! Sports)