Wanted to wish everyone a seasons’ greetings and a healthy and happy New Year before I take off for the long weekend. I’m also announcing a contest we are going to have.  In an effort to spread our readership, I am encouraging all of our current readers to get their tennis friends to sign up for our blog.  The rules are simple: 1. Ask your friends to sign up for our blog, you can forward them this registration link: http://www.grandslamtennistours.com/blog/wp-register.php 2. Once they sign up, ask them to email me, the blogmaster, at jeremy@grandslamtennistours.com, and in the subject line have them write your name so I can keep tally of who refers the most bloggers 3. The person who refers the most will receive $50 worth of Grand Slam Tennis apparel 4. The contest will end at 12:00pm, January 2nd, when I will count up all the referrals and email the winner.  See, I told you it was simple.  Since this blog post will inevitably move down the page as I write more entries, I will also post this on the page titled “December Contest,” the link is on the right hand side of the page. 

For now, here are some tennis related articles to keep you busy through Christmas:

Apparently banned substance use has spread to Wheelchair Tennis.

A win and a loss for the Williams family.

Christmas comes early for American teenagers.

Actually, they really aren’t so little.  I’m referring to the Pacific Life and Sony Ericsson Opens, two of tennis’ bigger tournaments that are frequently looked over because they are not Grand Slams.  They are, however, both Masters Series events, and take place back to back throughout March. 

Last year’s Pacific Life Open boasted 9 of the top 10 men in the world, and 15 of the top 25 women in the world.  The player fields at the Sony Ericsson (named the NASDAQ 100 Open last year) were more or less the same.  In addition, these two tournaments are also the most highly attended tournaments besides the four Grand Slams, with both sites totaling more than 270,000 people. 

The locations of both tournaments have plenty to offer as well.  The Sony Ericsson takes place on Key Biscayne, a ten minute drive from downtown Miami.  So there is plenty of shopping, dining and clubbing to suit anyone’s needs, not to mention South Beach.  Indian Wells, California, is a bit tougher to get to that Miami, but once you do it is definitely worth it.  Surrounded by four different mountain ranges, including the Sierra’s, there really isn’t a more picturesque backdrop to watch top tennis players, play on any of Palm Springs’ 125 golf courses, or take a jeep tour of the California Desert. 

The real beauty of these tournaments lies in the intimate settings.  Everything at these tournaments feels, and in most cases is, more accessible than at the larger Grand Slams.  Food lines (and bathroom lines!) are typically shorter, practice courts are easier to view, and the crowds are usually a bit friendlier.  So, while the Pacific Life and Sony Ericsson may not have quite the same prestige as the Grand Slams do, they will surely not disappoint, even the most die-hard tennis fan.

Soon after the completion of the Australian Open, the US will face the Czech Republic if the First Round of the 2007 Davis Cup.  The tie will take place in Ostrava, CZE.  Unfortunately for the American side, in addition to playing away from home, they will also have to compete on an indoor clay court, in the Czech Arena.

On paper, the Americans have the upper hand.  James Blake and Andy Roddick (4th and 6th in the world) have been playing singles for the last four Davis Cup Ties, and are expected to play again, although Davis Cup Captain Patrick McEnroe could always shake things up last minute.  The Czechs will counter with youngster Tomas Berdych (13th in the World), however the second singles spot seems more up for grabs.  Radek Stepanek is the country’s second best singles player at 19th, however has not represented his country since 2004.  If he does not play, someone like Jiri Novak or Tomas Zib will be expected to step up- both are currently ranked outside the top 100.  Top doubles team Mike and Bob Bryan should represent the Americans, while the Czech team will be anchored by Martin Damm (currently ranked 9th in doubles) and possibly Berdych, who were successful together in their last Davis Cup doubles match in September against the Netherlands.

So, although it seems like the Americans should be victorious, the biggest wildcard here is clay.  Both Roddick and Blake clearly struggle on clay more than any other surface (the US bowed out to Russia in the 2006 Semi-finals 3-2, on indoor clay), and will have to be on top of their game if the Americans want to advance and try to capture their first Davis Cup Championship since 1995.  I expect the US to finish on top 3-2, as it should be a close tie that could possibly come down to the final match.    

Other Tennis News:

The USTA is going to combine efforts with the Tennis Channel.

Here are Bonnie DeSimone’s Men’s Review and Women’s Review for 2006.

A pregnant Lindsay Davenport, seems reluctant to throw in the towel completely.

2007 is just around the corner, and with that comes the first Grand Slam of the year- the Australian Open, from January 15th-28th.  Being so early in the season, don’t be surprised if lots of seeds go down early, as many players will not be in top form quite yet.  On the Women’s side I think Sharapova still has plenty to prove, and will make at least the semifinals, with or without the aide of bananas.  Also look for Mauresmo to come out strong, as she tries to repeat as Aussie Open champ (remember last year when she took home the title after Henine_Hardenne’s infamous default).  As for youngsters, look out for Dinara Safina (Marat Safin’s younger sister) and Ana Ivanovic to build upon last year’s success.

On to the Men’s side.  Would it be obvious to predict a Roger Federer victory?  Yes, it would be, but it isn’t going to stop me from doing it.  As for the best candidates to take him out, look out for a rejuvinated Marat Safin, who may have the biggest game on tour when he is healthy, and David Nalbandian, who has always given Roger trouble.  American’s Andy Roddick and James Blake will be amongst the top seeds looking to get 2007 started off right as well.  There are quite a few young guns who could make a run a well, including Tomas Berdych, Richard Gasquet, and Andy Murray.  Lastly, let’s not forget fan-favorite Marcos Bagdhatis, who was outside the top 50 last year and made it to the final’s, before falling to Federer.  No matter what happens, the 2007 Australian Open will be a great one, so don’t let the time difference stop you from tuning in.

Our travel packages generally include two or three days of tennis at Roland Garros, leaving clients plenty of time to get to know the in’s and out’s of Paris.  I will try to give everyone a head start.

Paris is split into two different “banks,” the left and right, separated by the Seine River.  Both sides have their fair share of tourist attractions (e.g. - the Louvre is on the Right Bank, and the Eiffel Tower is on the left).  In general, the Right Bank is characterized by ritzier stores, compared with the artsy Left Bank.  The famous Champs-Elysees, on the right bank, boasts some of the richest real estate in the world, and is home such stores as Armani and Chanel.  The Left Bank is known more for its sidewalk cafes, where American writers such as Ernest Hemingway would frequent (for shopping on the Left Bank, try Le Bon Marche, Paris’ version of Bloomingdale’s).

As far as sightseeing goes, the highlights are obvious - Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, The Louvre, and Musee D’orsay to name a few.  One quick tip: if you only have a few hours and have to pick between museums, I would not suggest the Louvre.  There is simply to much to see at the Louvre to make one morning or afternoon visit worthwhile.  Instead, try the D’orsay (a far more manageable size), located in an old railway station in the center of Paris.  Don’t forget to post a comment with your own ideas or questions!