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Game – Set – Match!

Game – Set – Match!

Cincinnati, Ohio – The Western & Southern Open concluded Sunday with Roger Federer and Li Na each hoisting a Rookwood Cup, the official trophy given to the tournaments victors. At the end of their respected tournaments, Federer and Li Na got to express their gratitude towards all the fans who attended the finals and any of their previous matches.  

While Midwest Sports isn’t a 17 time men’s Grand Slam champion we’d still like to show our deep appreciation for everyone who stopped by our 10,000 square foot retail tent. Without patrons, sponsors, and the tournament itself the Midwest Sports retail tent would not be possible. The Midwest Sports staff truly enjoys the face to face interaction that takes place in our retail tent which features all of the apparel and equipment that the pros use at the Western & Southern Open. 

Each year we try to go a step further to ensure the Midwest Sports retail tent is a unique experience for all of the tournament goers who choose to pay us a visit. We hope this year we were able to achieve that unique experience for our patrons.  We’re already looking for ways to make the 2013 Midwest Sports tent even better!

Our year round retail store is located in Sharonville, Ohio and we encourage you to stop by anytime.  Also check out our website for all your tennis needs.

Again, thanks to all the patrons, sponsors, and the tournament itself for making the 2012 Midwest Sports retail tent possible.

The Queen City is King of Tennis

The Queen City is King of Tennis

Cincinnati, Ohio – In a little less than a month the top men’s and women’s tennis players in the world will be taking center court in Cincinnati.  Located in the suburbs of Mason, Ohio, the Linder Family Tennis Center plays host to the Western & Southern Open.  The Open didn’t magically become the massive Masters 1000 series event is today overnight.  Originally starting all the way back in 1899, the Cincinnati tournament has changed locations and titles several times. Some of the more notable Cincinnati locations that hosted the still youthful tournament included: Avondale Athletic Club, Cincinnati Tennis Club, and Coney Island.

In 1979 a long term solution came to fruition when a permanent stadium was constructed in Mason to house the tournament.  Prior to 1979, the tournament court surface was exclusively clay but switched over to hard-court when the new stadium was built. With a Center Court already established the tournament later built two other stadium style courts: Grandstand Court and Court 3.

In 2002 the Western & Southern Financial Group took over as the primary sponsor to the tournament.  In the last ten years the tournament has grown to new heights, upgrading and expanding multiple times.  In 2010 the tournament added a fourth permanent stadium style court.  The event now features a total of 16 courts, including four tennis stadiums — Center Court, Grandstand Court, Court 4 and Court 9 (formerly known as Court 3).  The Cincinnati tournament is the only venue that features more than two permanent stadiums outside of the 4 major grand slams.

Midwest Sports is a proud partner of the Western & Southern Open. This will be our 10th year at the tournament. Midwest Sports sales generated at the event account for over 1 million in donations to local charities.

Andy Murray v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – Wimbledon LIVE Tennis review

Andy Murray v Jo-Wilfried Tsonga – Wimbledon LIVE Tennis review

Wimbledon Semi Final Review – Murray vs. Tsonga

Tsonga and Murray are having an excellent match on the courts of wimbledon. Both Murray and Tsonga have made the semifinals at wimbledon before. For Tsonga this is only his second appearance and for Murray this will be his forth appearance in this round of WImbledon.

Murray has had his journey ended by Rafael Nadal and Andy Roddick at this stage of Wimbledon. With that being said it does not mean that he is favored to win this match and make his way to finals in 2012. These two have met on six separate occasions and once on the same grass in 2010, Murray has won 5 of those meetings.

Tsonga is known for making up for lost ground but currently he is letting the Frenchman take the upper hand.

Murray – Tsonga are in the 3rd set (6-3, 6-4, 6-3, 4-4)

Update 10:30 PST – Murray and Tsonga are facing the impending danger of rain.

Murray: Is dominating 2nd serve points won. (Aces – 9 Double Faults – 1)

Tsonga: Loosing in terms to 2nd points won but dominating in serve speed and net points won. (Aces – 11 Double Faults – 2)

Midwest Sports Blog On Court Outfit Review

– For more information on the products be sure to click the links below the photos.

Murray is currently wearing in this match:

Adidas Barricade Mens Tennis Crew – Product code: MFa12_w53576

Adidas Adizero Bermuda Mens Tennis Short - Product code: MFa12_W65152

Adidas Barricade 7.0 Mens Tennis Shoe - Product code - G60520

Tsonga is currently wearing in this match:

Adidas Adizero Wimbledon Mens Tennis Polo - Product Code:  MFa12_W41590

Adidas Adizero Bermuda Mens Tennis Short - Product code: MFa12_W65152

Adidas Adizero Feather Mens Tennis Shoe - Product Code: V23762

Midwest Sports Coupon Code – Extra 15% off Clearance

Midwest Sports Coupon Code – Extra 15% off Clearance

Midwest Sports Coupon Code

To celebrate 100,000 Midwest Sports Facebook likes, we have decided to give our fans an extra 15% off all clearance apparel and shoes!! Thank you to all our Facebook fans who have liked, shared and commented on our page. Here is a small token of our appreciation to everyone who has been part of the ride!!

Venus Williams Loses in the First Round at Wimbledon

Venus Williams Loses in the First Round at Wimbledon

Venus Williams, five-time singles champion, is quickly out of the 2012 Wimbledon Championship after losing 6-1, 6-3 to Elena Vesnina of Russia. Venus was quickly down 5-0 in the first set and was never able to recover. After dropping out of the US Open in 2011 and learning she has an autoimmune disease, Venus has competed in various tournaments and hoping to come back to the grass-courts she once dominated and prove to herself that this disease hasn’t hindered her game. Today’s first round loss is Venus’ first loss this early at Wimbledon since her debut in 1997.

Source: ESPN Tennis

5 quick facts about Wimbledon

5 quick facts about Wimbledon

With this year’s third Grand Slam just a few days away I started to scour different resources to brush up on the historic tournament. I’ve put together a list of several facts that should help any tennis fan breeze through a Wimbledon pop quiz!

• The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club is considered by many to be the most historic tennis tournament in the world. Wimbledon was founded all the way back in 1868. The first men’s singles tournament was held in 1877 and was won by Spencer Gore.

• The traditional Wimbledon colors are dark green and purple. However the dress code for the players is very strict. All participants are required to wear all white clothing. The always ‘radical’ Andre Agassi never was a fan of the dress code and even skipped the tournament because of it a couple times.

• The two trophies the champions of Wimbledon receive are quite unique and are special in their own right. The gentlemen’s victor receives a giant cup like trophy that has a classical vibe just like the tournament. The gentlemen’s trophy is 18½ inches tall and 7½ inches wide. The lid of the giant cup features a pineapple on top. The ladies champ gets a large plate style trophy that’s been referred to in the past as the “Rosewater Dish”. The dish is 18½ inches in diameter.

• Just like the other three Grand Slams, Wimbledon has had some dominant players in its long history.

Here are the gentlemen of the Open Era with the most titles:
Pete Sampras – 7 titles
Roger Federer – 6 titles
Bjorn Borg – 5 titles

The ladies who have racked up the most Open Era titles are:
Martina Navratilova – 9 titles
Steffi Graf – 7 titles
Venus Williams – 5 titles

• It’s been over 75 years since a British man won Wimbledon. The last gentleman to accomplish the feat was Fred Perry all the way back in 1936. Many have been waiting on Andy Murray (World No.4) to bring the title home to the Brits but he has yet to reach the finals of Wimbledon.

Nalbandian after kicking the ad banner

Nalbandian Disqualified for Outburst

Watch Video of Nalbandian outburst
David Nalbandian threw away a perfect opportunity to win his first ATP title in almost two years when he kicked an ad banner into the leg of a service linesman.

The incident happened at the Queen’s Club in London. Nalbandian was playing his first grass final since 2002. He was leading opponent Marin Celic by a set and only 3 games from victory.

Celic was handed his 7th career ATP title and his first on grass. Celic would have clearly preferred to complete the match. He told the BBC “It’s definitely not the way I wanted win. To end like this is not easy.”

Nalbandian was fined earlier this year in Australia for throwing water on a doping official.

The Argentinian was immediately disqualified as defined by ATP rule. He also received the maximum fine of $12,000.00. He will forfeit all ranking points and prize money he would have earned for reaching the final. Further fines and penalties are also possible.

The injured linesman was treated on site after the incident and then again by a physician with no additional treatment needed. The outburst was clearly not directed at the official but the chair umpire had no choice but to disqualify Nalbandian after the injury, based on ATP rules.

Nalbandian was quoted as saying: “I feel sorry and regret hurting the line judge. I never tried to hurt him but this regretful moment was entirely my fault”. His statement appears true after viewing the video of the incident.

Adding another layer to the incident, The Metropolitan Police confirmed on Monday that they were looking into an assault complaint made by a member of the public. They did not reveal that person’s identity, but Telegraph Sport understands the source is likely the injured judge McDougall.

5 things you may not know about Roland Garros

5 things you may not know about Roland Garros

I overheard a discussion between a few of my co-workers regarding some facts about the French Open. I realized my knowledge and history of this prestigious event could use a refresher. Maybe yours too?

1.Roland Garros was built specifically in 1928 to defend the Davis Cup. The “les Quatre Mousquetaires or “Four Musketeers” consisting of Jacques “Toto” Brugnon, Jean Borotra (the “Bouncing Basque”), Henri Cochet (the “Magician”), and René Lacoste (the “Crocodile”) were largely responsible for France retaining the Cup until 1933. The champions trophy is aptly named “La Coupe des Mousquetaires”.

2.Roland Garros, a pioneer aviator completed the first solo flight across the Mediterranean Sea. An engineer inventor of the first forward-firing aircraft machine gun, and World War I hero. The first pilot to shoot down five enemy aircraft, and to be called an “ace” for doing so who was killed in aerial combat in 1918.

3.Center Court or “Court Philippe Chatrier” is named for long time president of the Fédération Française de Tennis.

4.The Roland Garros surface is invariably characterized as “red clay”, the courts are in fact surfaced with white limestone frosted with a few millimeters of powdered red brick dust.
The current facility is due to undergo a major expansion expecting to be complete in 2017.

5. Rafael Nadal will be defending his title in 2012. A win will make him the only seven time victor surpassing Björn Borg who holds six titles.

Bonjour!

Rome Masters 2012 – Internazionali BNL d’Italia

Rome Masters 2012 – Internazionali BNL d’Italia

The Rome Masters is the 5th masters 1000 event of 2012, as well as the 3rd and final one of this years clay season. The Internazionali BNL d’Italia features the best players at the beautiful Sports Complex the Foro Italico in Rome. The event has been more than just tennis, it is a total entertainment experience featuring fine dining, high fashion and celebrity musical performances. The festive atmosphere has made it one of the most elegant stops on the ATP World Tour.

With Roger Federer Winning the Madrid Masters on the controversial blue clay – Its hard to say who has an advantage at this years Rome Masters. I can only assume Federer will be looking to continue the pace from his recent win in Madrid. With Federer telling reporters that he is taking anti-inflammatory medication during Madrid. He said briefly after the win in Madrid, “The truth is my body hurts after this tournament.” Roger Federer with his body in the condition it is, has managed to defeat his opponent Fernando Verdasco in the second round (May, 15th) of play in the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. (6,3 | 7,6)

Serena Williams is considered to be a favored to win the Rome Masters and having most of the chances to return back to the top five. 30-year-old Serena has been seeded as No. 9th seed at Rome Masters, where she will face tough challenge against best players on the tour Maria Sharapova, Victoria Azarenka and Petra Kvitova. After her win at the Mutua Madrid Open we will surely see how she measures up against her opponents on the Roman red clay.

For this year we can only hope that we see a final round worthy to the match between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic in last years Rome Masters.

With Novak Djokovic being the defending champion its hard to say who has the best chance at winning Internazionali BNL d’Italia but lets take a look at what Novak had to say about his return to the city of Rome. In an interview for TennisTV.com Novak Djokovic mentions his comfort for the clay court in Rome by saying “After a strange week in madrid on the blue clay that I did not like very much. I am back in Rome where I feel comfortable, it feels like home.” Djokovic goes on to say that he is expecting some great serves and long rallies for this years Masters in Rome. (for the video @ tennis tv click here)

Red vs. Blue: How are you voting?

Red vs. Blue: How are you voting?

Clearly the 2012 bid for the White House isn’t the only red and blue controversy heating up this Spring.

The new blue clay frustrated Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and others who called the TV-friendly surface slippery and dangerous. Both threatened to boycott the tournament next year if the blue clay remained.

Serena Williams isn’t buying it saying “Women are way tougher than men. That’s why we have the babies. You guys could never handle kids,” Williams told Reuters after she won the Madrid title Sunday. “We ladies don’t complain, we just do our best. On the WTA we are real performers, we are not going out there and being weenies.” Williams overpowered the top-ranked Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-3 to win the women’s final.

Roger Federer rallied to beat Tomas Berdych 3-6, 7-5, 7-5 and win the Madrid Open for a third time on Sunday. Federer had no issues with the blue clay. He was focused on Berdych who had beaten him 3 of their last five meetings.

Ion Tiriac who owns the Madrid Masters tournament said that keeping them or not for 2013 championship would be the ATP’s decision.

The blue surface has been criticized for being too slick, due to over-pressing the base in order to insure minimal bad bounces.