Kei Nishikori “splits” with New York Mets 1st baseman Ike Davis

Rising tennis star Kei Nishikori splits his time between the tennis court and baseball field when he meets up with New York Mets first baseman Ike Davis to talk about the importance of prep.

Grigor Dimitrov gets his spin on

Wilson’s Next Gen players can’t wait to leave their mark on the ATP & WTA Tour.
They are the future of our sport. They bring serious energy to the courts and their passion, desire and heart will lead them to success.
Get to know the Wilson Next Gen crew as they meet up with experts from other fields and have their hand at something new while having some serious fun.

Check out Wilson Next Gen’r Grigor Dimitrov spin with Crossfader King Dj’s

Inside Wilson Next Gen……Milos Raonic

Milos Raonic is part of Wilson Next Gen

Milos Raonic has made his presence known on the ATP Tour.

Using his Wilson Blade 98 racket, Raonic qualified and took down #10 seed Youzhny and #22 seed Llodra  to reach the 4^th round of the Australian Open for the first time in his career. He also recorded the most aces of the tournament. Raonic is currently at a career high #94 on the ATP Tour.  Australian Open was his breakout tournament and marks the beginning of great things to come.

We caught up with the 20 year old Canadian Raonic to get to know him a little bit better.

 

Milos Raonic

Racket: Blade 98

Grip Size: 4 3/8

Grip: Wilson Pro Overgrip

String: Luxilon M2 Pro

String Tension: 43 lbs.

Twitter: www.twitter.com/milosraonic

 

Getting to know Milos……….

How old were you when you played you won your first tournament?

I was 10 years old, I won the doubles even of the under 12 provincials. My first singles win was a year later at a very low level tournament.  

Do you still have your first tennis trophy? If yes, where do you keep it?

I am not sure, but I am pretty sure I haven’t thrown many or any trophies away. All of them are kept in my parents house.  

If you were to perform in the circus, what would you do?

I have pretty long legs, so maybe I would be the guy that walks around on sticks. My sticks would be shorter than normal since my legs are already long enough.

Tea or Coffee?

Neither. Hot chocolate please.  

Name a singer or band that you cannot stand to listen to

Hardcore rap, I really don’t like it. So I don’t know many artists in this genre.  

Name a movie you love to watch over and over

Hangover, also I am waiting to see Due Date again, I feel in love with the movie the first time.

What is your favorite curse word?

I try to be polite and stay away from them.

What do you love about your Wilson Blade 98 racket?

I love the feel and control of the racket. The rackets responce as well, I feel the ball stay on the racket a millisecond longer allowing me to do more with the ball. And on top of all of this the Blade 98 still provides the power I need in my serve and the rest of my game to make my opponents run and help with my ace count.

 

Milos Raonic gets pumped with his Wilson Blade 98 racket

 

WILSON RACQUET SPORTS & KEI NISHIKORI PARTNER WITH SOLES4SOULS AT SWETKA’S

Kei Nishikori swings his Tour BLX tennis racket

Wilson Racquet Sports, the leading tennis manufacturer in the world, is proud to announce a partnership with Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity.

On Saturday, February 5, from 12:30 – 2:00 p.m., Wilson Racquet Sports will be partnering with San Jose tennis specialty store, Swetka’s Tennis Shop, to offer tennis consumers the opportunity to trade in their current tennis shoes from any brand and purchase new Wilson adult tennis shoes at half the retail price. As a part of this very special day, professional tennis player and Wilson athlete, Kei Nishikori, will be appearing at Swetka’s to sign autographs for his fans. Nishikori, currently ranked #70 in the world and from Japan, is one of the most popular and promising young tennis stars globally and is scheduled to play in next week’s SAP Open men’s professional tournament in San Jose, California.

Every 9 seconds, Soles4Souls gives away another pair of shoes to someone in need. The shoe charity has earned glowing endorsements from Hollywood stars and professional athletes, but the people that truly make the non-profit organization effective are those who clean out their closets to personally drop off their ‘gently worn’ shoes at a participating location.

“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 Swetka’s 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 Swetka’s Tennis Shop, 1039 El Monte Ave # J., Mountain View, California 94040, 650-968-8952, www.swetkas.com

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

People and companies interested in donating can visit the Soles4Souls website at www.giveshoes.org.

Kei Nishikori hit a big forehand with his Tour BLX tennis racket

Dimitrov continues to rise with Wilson BLX

Grigor Dimitrov plays with the Wilson Six.One Tour BLX tennis racket

 

Dimitrov continues to rise with Wilson BLX

Grigor Dimitrov swung his Wilson Six.One Tour BLX tennis racket to take his third straight ATP Tour Challenger title in Bangkok.

Dimitrov has now won 27 of his last 28 matches and is slated to reach another career high #136 on the ATP World Tour this week after gaining 80 ATP Tour points.

Dimitrov is starting to come into his own and prove why he is one of the top prospects of Wilson’s Next Gen.

We caught up with the 19 year old Dimitrov shortly after his win.

Q:What are your goals till end of year and 2011?

Grigor Dimitrov: Before the end of this year, I would like to get into Top 100 to get a jump start for Australian Open. And 2011 is gonna be an exciting year for me, so I’m looking forward to it. And of course, I have high expectations for my game and attack the Top 50, but most important is to stay healthy and in good condition. 

Q: What is the picture/screen saver on your Blackberry?

Grigor Dimitrov: On my BB my picture is: black and white wallpaper over looking New York City made by Henri Silberman! 

Q: What is your off court style?

Grigor Dimitrov: I don’t know from where should I start!! haha. I like clothes a lot. Actually in the end of the day, I’m trying to get off the tennis gear, when I go for dinner or have time off. Love stores, you can find all sorts of nice stuff in outlets and for sure in the expensive top brands stores. I personally like retro and rebel style, therefore my favorite designer was Alexander McQueen. All of his lines and models were different every time and you can find your style in it and you can express yourself in the way you want.

Q: Who would you like to see in concert?

Grigor Dimitrov: Well, I like all types of music but if I could really pick one, that would be the rapper Lil Wayne. I’ve been following him for a while and I like the background of his life and way to the top.

Q: What do you love about your Wilson Six.One Tour BLX?

Grigor Dimitrov: Simple: It’s THE BEST racket ever!!! 

 

Federer and Fish, a Wilson BLX Final in Cincinnati

Roger Federer plays with the Wilson Six.One Tour BLX tennis racket

Federer and Fish, a Wilson BLX Final in Cincinnati

Roger Federer and Mardy Fish will go head to head with their Wilson Six.One BLX rackets for the Western & Southern Financial Group Masters title in Cincinnati.

 “Wilson is proud to have both finalists playing with the new BLX technology,” said Wilson Global Tour Director Massimo Calvelli. “The tennis has been terrific this week and it’s nice to see Roger and Mardy find their form leading into the Open.”

Roger Federer eased into the finals with a 6-4 6-3 win over Baghdatis. Defending champion, Federer is vying for his fourth Cincinnati title.

Mardy Fish has been in outstanding form throughout the summer hard court season, taking the singles title in Atlanta and doubles title in Washington DC. This week, he defeated ATP Tour World #8 Verdasco, #4 Murray and former World #1 Roddick en route to the final and put himself in position to capture his first ATP Tour Masters Series tournament title.

The Western & Southern Financial Group Masters Series finals will be played at 12pm Eastern time.

Mardy Fish plays with the Wilson Six.One 95 BLX tennis racket

Wilson Tour Team use Wilson BLX Racket to Sweep Atlanta Tennis Championships

Mardy Fish plays with the Wilson Six.One 95 BLX tennis racket

Wilson Tour Team use Wilson BLX Racket to Sweep Atlanta Tennis Championships 

Swinging their Wilson Six.One BLX tennis rackets, Mardy Fish, Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram swept the Atlanta Championship titles for the Wilson Tour Team. 

Mardy Fish won his second straight tournament and 10th straight match, swinging his Six.One 95 BLX tennis racket to beat Isner 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (4) in the final of the Atlanta Tennis Championships. 

“Feels awesome to be winning,” said Fish. “With my fitness level being at its best and having my BLX racket that I know I can count on, I have no frivolous worries and focus on the important things on court.” 

Fish, who won in Newport earlier this month, defeated Isner in a scorching 2 hour, 45 minute match with the on-court temperature nearing 150 degrees. 

In doubles action, Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram beat Bopanna and Vliegen 6-3, 6-7 (4), 12-10 in the doubles final. Lipsky and Ram did not lose a set until the final. 

“We are proud of our guys,” said Massimo Calvelli, Wilson Global Tour Director. “This is the beginning of the US Open Series and it’s nice to see them playing some great tennis already.” 

US Open Series continues in Los Angeles.

Scott Lipsky and Rajeev Ram talk strategy before serving it up with their Wilson Six.One BLX rackets

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 

Horia Tecau sports all Wilson in Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Final

Horia Tecau in all Wilson gear and pumped with his Six.One 95 BLX tennis racket

Horia Tecau sports all Wilson in Wimbledon Men’s Doubles Final

Horia Tecau will be fully representing Wilson when he takes the court wearing Wilson apparel and swinging his Six.One 95 BLX tennis racket as he and partner Robert Lindstedt vie for their first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon on Saturday.

“I’m having my best results this year and I think my cool clothes and racket are bringing me luck,” said Tecau with a smile. “I’m feeling great right now and to bring home the title would be amazing.”

Tecau has had an outstanding year thus far. The 6’4 Romanian won his first ATP doubles title at the 2010 Heineken Open in Auckland in January and his results continued to pick up, as he won the ITF Pro Circuit Challenger in Marrakech and then went on to team up with fellow Wilson player Robert Lindstedt to take the ATP World Tour Casablanca title. Leading into Wimbledon, Tecau and Lindstedt continued the partnership winning ‘s-Hertogenbosch for their second title as a team and lifted Tecau to a career high #32 on the ATP World Doubles Tour.

Tecau now finds himself in uncharted territory, playing in his first Wimbledon final against fellow Wilson player Philipp Petzschner and Melzer for the 2010 Wimbledon Doubles title.

“Wilson has always had many successful doubles teams,” said Tecau. “3 out of the 4 players this year are Wilson players…but I hope I can be the first all Wilson player to bring home a Grand Slam title. Robert and I are playing well together and this is an exciting time for us.”

The Wimbledon Men’s Doubles final will take place on Saturday July 3rd.

Tecau ready with his Wilson Six.One 95 BLX tennis racket

Wilson Dubs Team Horia Tecau & Robert Lindstedt reach Wimby finals

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