News and Notes

Juan Martin Del Potro is ready to replace Andy Murray as the #4 ranked mens player in the world.  Murray will not be defending his champions points at Doha, causing him to slip #5.

Mario Ancic is working towards another comeback.  The 25 year old Croatian who once was ranked as high as #7 , but has struggled since contracting mono a couple years ago.  During his time away while being sick, Ancic began studying law and recently became a lawyer.  During this past season (2009) Ancic announced his retirement to focus on his law career.  It seems the "tennis bug" has now hit Ancic, and he is now taking small steps  to get himself back in action on the tennis court, not the court of law.  "I don't even want to consider a return to the Top 10" said Ancic.  "the most important thing is to start to roll now."  Ancic is pointing towards a possible Davis Cup appearance in March, when Croatia faces Ecuador.

The ITF is pissed about the ruling to let French tool Richard Gasquet play after testing positive of traces of cocaine in his system.  I can't blame them, but they need to realize hes an underachieving turd and won't really make much noise on the court...now off the court is a different story.

The United States Davis Cup Team's 2010 first round opponent has been named.  The Americans will face Serbia in Belgrade on indoor clay March 5-7.  Look for a first round loss for the USA.  Americans and clay do not mix well, and will have to face Djokovic and possibly Tipsarevic in the homeland.  Should make for some crazy atmosphere.

Victoria Azarenka and coach Antonio van Grichen are no longer working together.  Van Grichen took Azarenka from junior champion to the #6 ranking in the world....This may not be a good thing for Azarenka in my opinion.  She seems to have come a long ways in just a short period of time.  Hopefully her new coach will help her with the mental aspect of the game.  She needs to quit having the on-court meltdowns when things are not going her way.