Exclusive Wilson players Nieminen and Keothavong going strong

Anne Keothavong decked out in all Wilson Tennis gear

Exclusive Wilson players Nieminen and Keothavong  going strong

Sporting Wilson Tennis gear from head to toe, Jarkko Nieminen and Anne Keothavong are playing some of their best tennis this week.

Jarkko Nieminen wore his Wilson Tour Vision sneakers and swung his Wilson Six.One 95 BLX tennis racket to speed past Blade 6-0 6-2 to reach the Stockholm semifinals.  It’s been a fantastic back half of the year for Nieminen, as he reached the finals of Bangkok and the quarterfinals of both Tokyo and Metz.

“Wilson is an elite performance brand and playing with the best stuff out there is helping me play some of my best tennis,” said Nieminen. “As Wilson’s first exclusive player, it’s nice to see the tour presence grow so that players around the globe recognize just how great Wilson is with all products.”

Nieminen will now take on Soderling for a spot in the final of the Stockholm Open.

In Luxembourg, Anne Keothavong swung her Wilson Tour BLX racket to reach the semifinals after defeating fellow Wilson player Iveta Benesova in three sets. Coming back from injury earlier this year, Keothavong has been climbing back up the ranks and has found her form this week, with wins over former Top 10 player Schnyder and former Top 20 player Razzano.

“Wilson has always been there for me for my rackets and with the new apparel, it’s just fantastic. There is definitely buzz around who’s wearing what in the locker room and it’ll be great to have even more players on the Wilson Team.”

Keothavong will play Vinci as she vies to reach her first WTA Tour singles final.

Wilson renews Kei Nishikori

Kei Nishikori plays with the Wilson Tour BLX tennis racket

Top touring pro, Kei Nishikori, has signed a multi-year contract to continue with his long time racket sponsor, Wilson Racquet Sports.

Nishikori has been a member of the Wilson Team since he was 10 years old and in that time climbed to a career high #56 in the ATP World Tour rankings.  “I am pleased to continue playing and endorsing Wilson,” Nishikori said. “They have supported me so much throughout my career and I am excited to continue our relationship for many years to come.”

The #1 Japanese player returned to the tour this year after recovering from elbow surgery, and has been making a statement ever since. He won back to back ATP Challenger Tour titles at the Savannah Challenger followed by a win at the Sarasota Open. At this year’s US Open, Nishikori ousted the 11th seed Marin Čilić, 5-7, 7-6, 3-6, 7-6, 6-1, to advance to the third round. He was also named the 2008 ATP World Tour Newcomer of the Year.

Following his strong showing at the US Open, Nishikori will play a full fall schedule in Asia and Europe. “Kei is a dynamic player with an aggressive style of play,” said Massimo Calvelli, Global Tour Director of Wilson Racquet Sports.  “This partnership represents a significant piece of our overall marketing strategy.  Kei has a strong following in Japan and the local region and his influence on our overall sales is key and integral to the brand.” Nishikori is currently playing with the Wilson Tour BLX racket.

Wilson Next Gen player Raonic reaches 1st ATP Tour Quarterfinal

Wilson Next Gen player Milos Raonic plays with the Wilson Blade 98

Wilson Next Gen player Raonic reaches 1st ATP Tour Quarterfinal

Wilson Next Gen player Milos Raonic reaches his first ATP Tour quarterfinal in Kuala Lumpur. 19 year old Raonic swung his Wilson Blade 98 tennis racket to upset seventh seed Stakhovsky 6-7 (10), 7-6 (9), 6-3 and continue his winning ways at the Malaysian Open. Raonic, ranked #237 in the world, took just under two and a half hours to dispose of the ATP World Tour #31.

It has been a steady climb up the rankings for the 6’5 Canadian, winning 2 ITF Pro Circuit Futures events earlier this year, reaching the finals of the ITF Pro Circuit Granby Challenger, winning three rounds to reach his first Grand Slam main draw at the US Open and now he has found success at a major ATP Tour tournament.

“Milos fits the bill of the Next Gen of tennis. Players coming up now are all talller, bigger and stronger,” said Wilson Massimo Calvelli, Wilson Global Tour Director. “He has a huge game and it’s great to see all the pieces coming together.”

Raonic will now take on Andreev for a spot in the Malaysian Open semis.

For a video interview with Milos Raonic go to: Wilson Tennis Facebook

European Junior Champ de Vroome signs with Wilson Sporting Goods

Indy de Vroome plays with the Wilson Blade Team tennis racket

European Junior Champ de Vroome signs with Wilson Sporting Goods

14 year old Indy de Vroome commits to using her Wilson Blade tennis racket for years to come. 

“I love my Wilson racket and cannot imagine playing with anything else,” said the young Dutch player, de Vroome. “Since I switched, Wilson has helped me lift my game to a new level and I think Wilson can continue to help me reach my dream of playing pro tennis.”

The energetic teenager has been on the rise, winning 3 ITF Junior Circuit titles, reaching the finals and semis of two other ITF Junior Circuit events.  Most recently, de Vroome swung her Wilson Blade Team tennis racket to take the European Girls Singles title in the Under 14’s age division. 

“Indy’s intensity and determination are great qualities we look for in a young player” said Jacob Martin, Wilson Junior Tour Manager Europe. “To have Indy within the 7 out of the 8 European Junior Champions that Wilson had this summer, really speaks highly for the future of the Wilson team.”

de Vroome will play several ITF Junior Circuit tournaments this summer before playing the Eddie Herr and Orange Bowl later this year.

For more information on Indy, go to: 

http://www.facebook.com/IndydeVroome

European Junior Champ Indy de Vroome

All Wilson Sunday on WTA Tour

 

 

 

Agnes Szavay uses the Wilson Blade Team tennis racket

All Wilson Sunday on WTA Tour

Showing that tennis rackets do help bring results, it will be an all Wilson affair for the singles titles in Palermo and Prague when Wilson Tour Team players Flavia Pennetta, Kaia Kanepi, Agnes Szavay and Barbora Zahlavova Strycova take the court.

“Wilson prides itself on providing the best technology and equipment for each player to help them reach their goals,” said Global Tour Director Massimo Calvelli. “All four players use a different tennis racket from our line and I think that shows the great depth and diversity in our products. We believe we can find the right racket for any player.”

Flavia Pennetta serves with her Wilson Blade 98 tennis racket

In Palermo, World #12 Flavia Pennetta will swing her Wilson Blade 98 tennis racket as she looks to defend her title when she takes on Kaia Kanepi. Recently, Kanepi has ignited her game playing with the Pro Open BLX as she reached her first Wimbledon quarterfinals and now this finals appearance.

Barbora Zahlavova Strycova swings the Tour BLX tennis racket

After using her Blade Team tennis racket to win Budapest last week, Agnes Szavay is looking to continue her nine match win streak and take her fifth career WTA Tour title when she takes on Barbora Zahlavova Strycova for the Prague title. Vying for her first WTA Tour title, Zahlavova Strycova will swing her Tour BLX tennis racket when she takes the court against Szavay on Sunday.

“There is no question in a players mind that the racket is one of the most important components of confidence on court,” said Kanepi. “Wilson provides the rackets that feel the best and I am happy to be at the top of my game with the new Wilson BLX racket.”

Kaia Kanepi plays with her Pro Open BLX tennis racket

Taylor Dent at Racket Doctor on July 24th to benefit Soles4Souls

On Saturday, July 24, Wilson Racquet Sports will be partnering with Los Angeles tennis specialty store, The Racket Doctor, to offer tennis consumers the opportunity to trade in their current tennis shoes from any brand and purchase new Wilson tennis shoes at half the retail price. As a part of this very special day, professional tennis player and Wilson athlete, Taylor Dent, will be appearing at The Racket Doctor to celebrate the store’s 40 year anniversary and to sign autographs for his fans. Dent has been ranked as high as #21 in the world and recently broke the Wimbledon tournament record with a serve of 148 miles per hour.  

“Soles4Souls makes such a difference in the lives of so many and has really helped us to ensure we stay true to our core values. Health and wellness is important not only for our feet and body but also for our environment. Wilson and The Racket Doctor are happy to be pairing up to contribute to this cause,” said Claire Ortiz, Global Business Director of Apparel & Footwear at Wilson Racquet Sports. “As the number #1 global brand in tennis and leader in performance tennis products, we are excited to help people around the world and truly make a difference.”

Soles4Souls and Wilson Racquet Sports will be collecting your gently worn tennis footwear or monetary contributions to ship to people in need, whether they are victims of natural disasters or subject to living in extreme poverty. It is estimated that Americans have 1.5 billion pairs of unused shoes lying in their closets. The charity can use each and every one of these pairs to make a tangible difference in someone’s life.

“Wilson Racquet Sports is a terrific partner and we are excited they are offering customers a great way to get involved in our mission,” said Wayne Elsey, Founder and CEO of Soles4Souls. “Their efforts will benefit many people in need and we are proud to have their support,” he said.

For more information, please contact The Racket Doctor, 3214 Glendale Blvd., Los Angeles, California 90039, 323-663-6601, www.racketdoctor.com

To learn more about Wilson Racquet Sports, please visit www.wilson.com and www.facebook.com/WilsonTennis.

Getting to know French Davis Cup hero Michael Llodra

Michael Llodra plays with the Wilson Pro Tour BLX tennis racket

Michael Llodra led the French Davis Cup team to victory as he used his Pro Tour BLX tennis racket to win both his singles and the doubles rubber, giving France their first win over Spain since 1923.

Get to know Michael as he answers these important questions! 🙂

 

If you were NOT a Professional Tennis Player what would you see yourself doing instead?

Soccer player

Who do you admire the most?

My wife

What was your worst injury while playing tennis? 

In Roland Garros Under 16’s, Fell on the court, and broke my arm

Tell us something that no one would know about you. 

My passion is wine

Describe your idea of a perfect vacation.

Spend some time with my family in Bordeaux

What is your favorite fast food place? 

Burger King, Double Whopper

What kind of pet do you have?

Dog, a lab named Sonny

Favorite Color?

Pink

What is the most listened to song on your iPod?

Bruce Springsteen – The River

 What is your favorite movie quote?
“Okay, okay” – The Visitor

Mac or PC?

Mac

Blackberry or iPhone?

BB

One word you use too much 

Fais chier, it means Shit

What is your most memorable story from tennis?

When I won Wimby dubs with Clement……we were drunk the night before…..just a little drunk

How many years have you been with Wilson?

17 years

What is the best thing about being part of the Wilson Team?

Everybody is nice and cool 

Serena Williams captures 4th Wimbledon title, 13th Grand Slam

2010 Wimbledon Champion Serena Williams

Serena Williams made her presence known when she defended her Wimbledon title. The match was all about Serena’s well known power game as she defeated Zvonareva in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

“It feels incredible to defend my title here at Wimbledon,” Serena said after her victory. “Vera is such a great competitor but I knew that if I stuck to my game, I had a good chance of winning.”

With her [K] Blade Team racket, the 13 time Grand Slam champion held strong throughout the entire tournament and did not drop a set over two weeks at the All England Club.

Serena knows that her powerful serve gives her an advantage on any opponent and hit 9 aces Saturday, taking her tournament total to a Wimbledon record- 89.

This title gives Serena her 4th Wimbledon in the span of eight years and her 13th Grand Slam overall. She is continues to be world No.1 and is certain to stay at the top, where she has reigned for 110 weeks.

Serena currently stands as world No.1 at both singles and doubles, only the sixth woman in history to do so. With this 13th title, Serena surpasses Billie Jean King’s 12 Grand Slam title record, and Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova are Williams’ next goal, with 18 majors each.

“Honestly, I’m just doing what I can and working hard,” Williams said. “These great champions give me the motivation to reach my goals.”

Taylor Dent Geared up for Centre Court in all Wilson

Taylor Dent is geared up in Wilson

Taylor Dent Geared up for Centre Court in all Wilson

Tomorrow Taylor Dent will take Centre Court at Wimbledon swinging his Wilson Blade 98 tennis racket and sporting his all new Wilson apparel when he takes on ATP World Tour #3 Djokovic.

“I am ready to rock Centre Court tomorrow with my Wilson gear,” said Taylor Dent smiling. “Wilson has been a big part of my tennis career from the beginning and I’m excited to be wearing the new clothing line.  The clothes look and feel almost as great as my rackets do.”

Taylor Dent owns 4 career ATP Tour titles and reached a career high #21 on the ATP World Tour in 2005.

After recovering from a devastating back injury, Dent returned to the tour in 2009 and reached the 4^th round of the Sony Ericsson Open, defeating Almagro and Robredo in the process. Later that year he reached the 3^rd round of the US Open, where he upset Feliciano Lopez 1^st round, setting the stage for a second round matchup against Navarro. After winning that grueling five setter, Dent famously climbed to the umpire’s microphone to thank the crowd for their support, and then enjoyed a victory lap around the stadium to the delight of the fans.  Dent hopes for another crowd-pleaser on Center Court tomorrow.

“Taylor Dent is one of the great stories in American tennis and we a proud to have him on the Wilson team,” says Wilson Tour Manager Americas, Adam Schaechterle. “We look forward to seeing him bring his big serve and volley game to Centre Court tomorrow.”

Dent vs. Djokovic – June 23^rd is third match on Centre Court

19 yr old Federico Delbonis joins the Wilson Team

 

19 yr old Federico Delbonis joins the Wilson Team

19 year old Federico Delbonis is part of Wilson’s Next Generation of stars.

Currently ranked #146, Delbonis is the youngest player in the Top 150 on the ATP World Tour. 

“His huge forehand and serve will establish Fede as a force on the ATP Tour in the years to come,” said Wilson Tour Manager Adam Schaechterle. “His ability to generate great pace from the ground is something special.”

With already three ITF Pro Circuit titles to his name, Delbonis knows that there is still a lot of work to be done and looks forward to the challenge.

“This is just the beginning of my career,” said Delbonis. “Wilson has helped many players become great champions and I hope to have my best results with my Wilson Blade 98 racket.”

Del Bonis’ next tournament will be an ITF Pro Circuit Challenger in Milan.

Federico Delbonis (left) signs with Wilson Sporting Goods