Tennis Talking Points

Author:
SI Staff
Publish date:
Sep 28, 2009

Tennis Talking Points

Justine Henin

The seven-time Grand Slam winner is returning to the women's tour, two years after becoming the first player in history to retire with the top ranking. Her No. 1 goal? To capture Wimbledon, the lone major she's yet to win. "It is a dream of mine," Henin said Tuesday. "I want to work to get it."

Davis Cup

This year's tournament is still in progress, but fans are already licking their chops for the first round of next year's World Group. Just days after the Czech Republic and defending champion Spain coasted in their respective semifinal ties to advance to December's final, Switzerland drew the Spanish in next year's first round -- setting up a potential showdown between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.

Andy Murray

The third-ranked Murray, who suffered a career-threatening wrist injury in 2007, underwent an MRI scan this week that indicated no long-term damage to the joint -- a huge relief to fans of the 22-year-old Scot.

Martina Hingis (first eliminated from Britian's Strictly Come Dancing)

The former Wimbledon champion was the first celebrity voted off Strictly Come Dancing -- Britain's answer to Dancing with the Stars -- along with partner Matthew Cutler. "It was a great experience, I learned so much," said Hingis, who is currently serving a two-year ban from professional tennis for a positive cocaine test. "I wish it would continue but here we are. Maybe I will come back for a few more lessons to London."

Kimiko Date Krumm (surprise victories in Korea Open)

The 39-year-old Japanese star, who returned to the women's tour in 2008 after a 12-year retirement, moved through to the semifinals of this week's Korea Open with upsets of fifth-seeded Alisa Kleybanova and top-seeded Daniela Hantuchova.

Kim Clijsters

The recent U.S. Open winner will play in all four Grand Slams in 2010, in addition to about 12 other tourneys.

Richard Gasquet

With kiss-gate behind him, the reticent Frenchman defeated Germany's Michael Berrer 6-3, 7-5 at the Open de Moselle. Gasquet was suspended in April for a positive drug test and reinstated in August.

Serena Williams

What image problems? Proctor & Gamble stood by the second-ranked American and kept her image in a Tampax endorsement. The stance shows that Williams may not face financial fallout from her U.S. Open semifinal meltdown with a linesperson.

Bryan Brothers

America's favorite doubles family continues to enjoy success off the court, as well. The four-song debut album surged to No. 12 on Amazon's list of new pop releases.

David Nalbandian

The former world No. 3 and 2002 Wimbledon finalist David Nalbandian will make his comeback from hip surgery in an exhibition tournament in Buenos Aires in December. He plans to return to the ATP circuit in January in Sydney, where he will defend his title.