Tennis

The Davis Cup Finals and Billie Jean King Cup Finals are set to take place in Malaga, Spain, with the United States fielding strong teams in both competitions.Bob Bryan, captain of the U.S. Davis Cup team, believes his squad has a legitimate chance to win the title. With three Top 25 singles players (Taylor Fritz, Tommy Paul, and Ben Shelton) and the Olympic silver medalists in doubles (Austin Krajicek and Rajeev Ram), the Americans have a formidable lineup. However, they face a tough first-round opponent in Australia, who boasts Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, and Matthew Ebden.Lindsay Davenport, captain of the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team, is also optimistic about her team's chances. While they will be without some top players like Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula, they have a solid lineup that includes Danielle Collins, Peyton Stearns, and Ashlyn Krueger. They will open their campaign against Slovakia in the round of 16.Both Bryan and Davenport acknowledge the challenges of playing in a neutral venue without the home-court advantage. However, they believe their teams have the depth and experience to overcome these obstacles.Bryan praised the current generation of American tennis players, highlighting their depth and versatility. He also expressed gratitude to the players who helped the U.S. qualify for the Finals, including Sebastian Korda, Chris Eubanks, Brandon Nakashima, Mackenzie McDonald, and Reilly Opelka.Davenport emphasized the importance of team chemistry and the contributions of all players, regardless of whether they are on the court. She also praised Stearns, a rising star who has shown great potential in her first full year on the WTA Tour.If either U.S. team can make a deep run in the Finals, it will be a testament to the strength and depth of American tennis.

Andre Agassi and Lindsay Davenport graced the Cincinnati Music Hall on Saturday, reminiscing about their illustrious careers and unveiling scholarships in their honor as part of the 125th anniversary celebration of tennis in Cincinnati.The gala dinner transported guests back to 1899, the inaugural year of the Cincinnati tournament. Actors portrayed the era, while tributes honored champions from the Open Era and beyond.Agassi and Davenport captivated the audience with their candid conversation moderated by Jon Wertheim. Their Hall of Fame journeys intertwined, from their world No. 1 rankings to their Olympic gold medals in 1996. In 2004, they triumphed together at the Cincinnati Open."Cincinnati was a tournament you always watched on TV," said Davenport, who broke the women's title drought in 1988. "I loved the facility and the history. It felt special to bring women's tennis here."Since then, the Cincinnati Open has evolved into a prestigious 1000-level event, hosting tennis legends like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Serena Williams. A $260 million investment and a 25-year deal will transform the Lindner Family Tennis Center, making the tournament a two-week spectacle from 2025 onwards."The crowd turnout was always fantastic," recalled Agassi, who overcame Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt in thrilling three-setters in 2004. "The intensity and competition were palpable. I loved the atmosphere and the surface."Agassi and Davenport's post-retirement paths have mirrored their playing careers. Agassi will lead Team World at the Laver Cup, while Davenport captains the U.S. Billie Jean King Cup team."I'm excited about the American players," said Davenport. "This is their time to shine. We have a huge tournament here in the United States, and they appreciate the fan support."The evening culminated in the announcement of scholarships in Agassi and Davenport's names. Four winners will receive $5,000 each annually to support after-school nutrition, math and literacy, and tennis instruction.

Tennis Channel is set to provide extensive coverage of the prestigious Wimbledon tournament, the oldest major in tennis, from July 1-14, 2024. The network will dedicate close to 65 unique hours to the event, including six-hour and four-hour match segments, analysis, interviews, news, and feature reporting.Tennis Channel's coverage will feature Hall of Famers Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport, and Jim Courier, who will offer their expert insights and perspectives on the tournament. Navratilova, with her record-breaking nine Wimbledon singles titles, will provide invaluable commentary on the women's game. Davenport, a former Wimbledon singles and doubles champion, will share her knowledge of the tournament's unique challenges. Courier, a Wimbledon singles finalist, will offer his analysis of the men's competition.In addition to the on-court action, Tennis Channel will provide in-depth analysis and interviews with players, coaches, and experts. Announcers Brett Haber and Steve Weissman will provide commentary, while Jon Wertheim, author and CBS' 60 Minutes correspondent, will offer special reports throughout the tournament.Tennis Channel will also follow Wimbledon on its Tennis.com and social media platforms, as well as its Tennis Channel Podcast Network. Viewers can participate in the channel's Match Point Predictor Game and "Racquet Bracket" for a chance to win prizes.Tennis Channel is the exclusive U.S. home of all men's ATP World Tour and women's WTA Tour competitions, as well as the four majors: US Open, Wimbledon, Roland Garros, and Australian Open. The network's comprehensive coverage of Wimbledon provides tennis enthusiasts with unparalleled access to the world's most prestigious grass-court event.

Team USA's dominance continued on Day 2 of their Billie Jean King Cup Qualifier against Belgium, securing a 4-0 sweep to advance to the 12-nation Finals in Seville, Spain.Jessica Pegula, ranked No. 5 in the world, showcased her prowess against Hanne Vanderwinkel, winning 6-2, 6-0 in just 51 minutes. The favorable weather conditions played to Pegula's advantage, and her victory clinched the tie for Team USA.Vanderwinkel, making her BJK Cup debut, faced a daunting task against Pegula, who proved to be too strong. Despite a quick turnaround from her three-set loss on Day 1, Vanderwinkel acknowledged Pegula's exceptional level of play.In the dead fourth rubber, Taylor Townsend and Caroline Dolehide made quick work of Marie Benoit and Kimberley Zimmerman, 6-3, 6-1. Dolehide replaced Madison Keys in the original lineup, adding depth to Team USA's roster.Captain Lindsay Davenport expressed her satisfaction with the team's performance, particularly their ability to come together and support each other. She praised the Belgian teenagers for their spirited play on Day 1, recalling her own experience facing Belgium in the 2000 Fed Cup title match.Davenport's leadership and guidance have been instrumental in Team USA's success. The players have embraced her mentorship, eager to learn from her Hall of Fame experience.Team USA joins Australia, Germany, Great Britain, Japan, Poland, Romania, and Slovakia as qualifiers for the Billie Jean King Cup Finals. Defending champion Canada, runner-up Italy, host nation Spain, and wild card entry Czech Republic have automatic byes to the final.

Lindsay Davenport, the former world No. 1, has taken on the role of captain for the United States Billie Jean King Cup team with a clear vision. Her approach emphasizes both team-building and individual player development, drawing inspiration from her own experiences under Billie Jean King's guidance.Davenport believes that the Billie Jean King Cup can be a catalyst for individual success, just as it was for her. She aims to create a supportive environment where players feel empowered and encouraged to reach their full potential. By understanding each player's goals and working closely with their coaches, Davenport hopes to foster a sense of camaraderie and mutual support.While team unity is paramount, Davenport also recognizes the importance of player health and well-being. She has tailored practices to be efficient and has prioritized rest and recovery, especially given the demanding schedule and recent surface transitions.Davenport's ultimate goal is to restore the dominance of the United States national team. With a strong roster featuring three Top 20 players, she believes the team has the potential to reclaim the Billie Jean King Cup. However, she emphasizes that nothing should be taken for granted, as every team brings its best effort to this prestigious event.Davenport's approach is influenced by her close relationship with Billie Jean King, who remains a mentor and source of inspiration. King's unwavering belief in Davenport's abilities helped her unlock her full potential, and Davenport hopes to do the same for the current generation of American players.

Tennis Channel will broadcast the Billie Jean King Cup qualifier between the United States and Belgium on April 12-13, marking the debut of Lindsay Davenport as captain of the American team. The event will be held at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, with the winner advancing to the tournament finals in Seville, Spain, in November.Davenport, a Hall of Famer who played for the United States 20 times, will lead a roster that includes Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, Taylor Townsend, and Caroline Dolehide. Pegula is currently ranked No. 5 in the world in singles, while Navarro has leaped 100 places in the WTA rankings in the past year, up to No. 21 in singles today. Townsend is ranked No. 13 in doubles.Belgium, captained by Wim Fissette, includes Sofia Costoulas, Hanne Vandewinkel, Marie Benoit, and Kimberley Zimmermann.The broadcast will feature four hours of live competition both days of the event. The United States and Belgium will play two singles matches Friday, and two singles and a doubles match Saturday, with each worth one point. The first country to three points gets to move on.Former players CoCo Vandewegh and Mark Petchey will provide commentary for Tennis Channel. Vandewegh led the United States to its record-extending 18th cup in 2017, the nation's most recent title. Petchey appeared for Britain in Davis Cup from 1991-1997.T2, Tennis Channel's second network, will have live coverage of two other Billie Jean King Cup qualifier matchups this weekend: Poland-Switzerland and Romania-Ukraine. Subscription service Tennis Channel Plus will have live coverage of competition between Brazil-Germany, Britain-France, and Japan-Kazakhstan, as well as encore replays of these and the matches on Tennis Channel and TC.Tennis Channel's international channels will also carry Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers this weekend. Austria, Germany, and Switzerland will offer Germany-Brazil, while India, Spain, and the United Kingdom will show Britain-France.