Tennis Talking Points

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Jul 26, 2009

Tennis Talking Points

Roger and Mirka Federer

<i>Our weekly Friday look at newsmakers in the tennis world.</i><br><br>The world's top-ranked player and his wife, who met as teammates on the Swiss tennis team at the 2000 Olympics, welcomed twin girls Thursday. Federer made the announcement of the new additions -- Charlene Riva and Myla Rose -- on his personal Web site and Facebook page. "This is the best day of our lives," he said. British bookmakers already have posted odds on the twins' chances of winning Wimbledon (100-1).

Kim Clijsters

The 2005 U.S. Open champion, who retired in May 2007, returned to competitive tennis this week. In two World TeamTennis singles matches, Clijsters defeated Vania King and 14-year-old phenom Madison Keys. The 26-year-old Clijsters, who spent 19 weeks at No. 1, is set to play in WTA tournaments in Cincinnati and Toronto followed by the U.S. Open. If she's happy with the results, Clijsters could make a permanent return for the 2010 season.

Andy Murray

After volunteering his services as an emergency fill-in at a local amateur tournament in Scotland on Wednesday, the third-ranked Murray passed his driver's test on the first try and finally got his license. Murray shared the happy news on his Twitter page: "Sorry for passing my driving test first time this morning. just two minor faults. Thanks to blaine at adi training for the lessons!"

Andy Roddick

Inactive since losing to Roger Federer in the Wimbledon final, Roddick announced plans to return at next month's U.S. Open tune-up event in Washington, D.C. Roddick cited a hip injury in withdrawing from this week's tournament in Indianapolis.

Maria Sharapova

The three-time Grand Slam winner and former world No. 1, who's turned in some uneven performances since returning in May from a nine-month injury layoff, gave notice that her right shoulder is fully healed. "I am a hundred percent," Sharapova told reporters during a World TeamTennis appearance. Sharapova has entered next week's Bank of the West Classic in Stanford, Calif.

Nathalie Dechy

The three-time Grand Slam doubles champion is retiring to start a family. Dechy won one WTA singles title and stood No. 88 in the latest rankings. The 30-year-old Frenchwoman also competed in the Fed Cup every year since 2000.

The U.S. Open provisional fields

The top 100 players in the men's and women's rankings received direct entry this week into the last Grand Slam of the decade, which begins Aug. 31. Serena Williams is taking aim at her third major championship of the season, while Roger Federer will try to become the first man since '20s superstar Bill Tilden to win six consecutive Opens.