TENNIS WATCH: Ernests Gulbis hires Marat Safin's coach

• Latvian press reported that Ernests Gulbis has hired Hernan Gumy as his coach. Looks like Gumy will not be out of job after Marat Safin retires at the end of the season.

• Roger Federer was slapped with a $1,500 fine for using profanity while arguing with a chair umpire during the US Open final. A total of $31,500 is being collected by the season ending grand slam for audible obscenity, including a large portion of $10,500 from Serena Williams.

• Anna Kournikova was reportedly two months pregnant with Enrique Iglesias’ baby after pulled out from the Malibu Triathlon last weekend.

• More endorsement deal for American Melanie Oudin. She has just signed a deal with Air-Tran Airways Limited, which is based in her home state of Georgia.

• Rumours have been circulating that the French Open may be considering a move to Disneyland Paris. However this have been downplayed but not dismissed by French Open tournament director Gilbert Ysern.

• Hot-looking player Nicolas Lapentti could put his retirement on hold if Ecuador wins its Davis Cup tie against Brazil this weekend and secures a place in next year's World Group.

• Kim Clijsters will begin next season at the WTA event in Brisbane a tune-up tournament before the Australian Open.

(Image via bbs.tennis.com.cn)

Rafael Nadal set to play in Krabi (read: vacation) then Bangkok

Rafael Nadal attended Spain's Davis Cup tie against Israel to support his Spanish Armada's team mates yesterday.

Later he told television crews that he is recovering from his abdominal injury "little by little."

Despite his injury, Nadal is still scheduled to compete at the PTT Thailand Open in Bangkok end of this month, with organisers saying the world no. 2 has confirmed his participation

Nadal is scheduled to arrive in Bangkok on September 23 for his Thailand Open debut.

Nadal will be heading to Krabi Island for retreat

However, he will fly to Krabi for a vacation before returning to Bangkok on September 29 (Tuesday).

At first I was tempted to go to Bangkok during that weekend but looking at his schedule, I decided to cancel the plan and concentrate on covering the PROTON Malaysian Open instead.

Defending champion Jo-Wilfried Tsonga will arrive in the morning on September 26 (Saturday) and the draw will be made in the afternoon.

The PTT Thailand Open will be held at Impact Arena, Muang Thong Thani from September 26 to Oct 4.

While Nadal playing in Thailand, his team mates including Fernando Verdasco, David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez will be playing in the neighbouring country at the PROTON Malaysian Open during the same week.

(Via bangkokpost.com)

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!

*******

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)