WTA Launches New Logo

The WTA, the world's leading global sport for women with a 37-year history, launched a new logo Sunday. The new mark is designed to serve as a distinctive and modern reminder of the captivating athleticism and excitement that has driven the international popularity and growth of women's pro tennis and placed it firmly at the nexus of sport and entertainment.

"For close to four decades the WTA brand has stood for premium athleticism and entertainment on a global stage," said Stacey Allaster, Chairman and CEO of the Women's Tennis Association. "The WTA identity unveiled today is intended to be a modernized presentation of our logo that is both functional and effective for our partners and members across all forms of media."

"I think that this is a very exciting time for the WTA with great new sponsors and now the very cool and fresh look and feel for women's tennis," said Caroline Wozniacki. "I'm so proud to be a part of this time for the sport and the players will definitely have a greater connection to the fans through the new brand."

To create its new logo, the WTA enlisted Chermayeff & Geismar, a leading global brand design firm behind many of the world's most recognizable trademarks including Chase, Mobil, NBC, PBS, Armani Exchange, National Geographic and Barney's New York, among others.

"By diverging from the expected approach of featuring an image of an athlete, we created a mark that is unusual in pro sports, and its appropriately bold identity will over time come to recall the incredible athletes that represent women's tennis," said Chermayeff & Geismar Partner and designer Tom Geismar.

The design of the new brand image departs from conventional sport logos by not featuring a figure of a female tennis player, but rather putting the emphasis on the letters W, T and A. The symbol also incorporates subtle references to the sport: the oval shape of the mark is a reference to both the imprint a tennis ball leaves on the court and to the shape of a racquet, while the yellow circle as the crossbar of the A recalls a tennis ball. The new core brand identity will be fully integrated throughout the WTA and women's tennis, including in TV graphics, print materials, tournament branding, advertising, promotion and digital and social media in all its forms throughout the 2011 season.

Earlier this year, Sony Ericsson, the WTA's title sponsor since 2005, renewed its landmark partnership with the sport in the role of lead global sponsor in lieu of title sponsor, providing women's tennis the opportunity to reestablish its core identity. During the course of 2010, the WTA has renewed both Sony Ericsson and Travelex and signed new partnerships with Oriflame, a Swedish cosmetics company and Peak, a Chinese apparel brand.

Serena wins 13th Grand Slam at Wimbledon

World No.1 Serena Williams kept adding to her grand legacy in London, defeating Vera Zvonareva in straight sets for her fourth Wimbledon crown and 13th overall Grand Slam title.

Williams, the No.1 seed, and Zvonareva, No.21, went toe-to-toe from the baseline in the first six games of the match, but from 3-all Williams' big stage experience really began to shine, as she took the power level up a notch - particularly on her serve and crosscourt backhand - and she took a 6-3 first set.

After winning the first set at a major Williams was 174-3, and after winning the first set in major finals she was 10-0 - the 28-year-old American's record was phenomenal in the situation and that trend continued, as she made it 175-3 and 11-0 with a 63 62 victory, serving it out at love and ending it with a big smash.

Williams tied Billie Jean King for fourth most Wimbledons in the Open Era (Martina Navratilova nine, Steffi Graf seven and Venus Williams five). She passes King for sixth most overall majors in the Open Era (Margaret Court 24, Graf 22, Helen Wills Moody 19 and Navratilova and Chris Evert 18 each).

"This one's very special. Hey Billie, I got you," Williams said in the on-court interview with Sue Barker. "I want to congratulate Vera. She played amazing here. She's been through so much in the last year. Everyone should give her a round of applause... she defines what a champion and never giving up means."

Williams' serving throughout the tournament was a centerpiece of her success. She was out-acing even the best men's players in the world (going into the semifinals she had over 1.6 aces per service game while none of the men's semifinalists even had 1) and she smashed the women's tournament ace record of 72 (which she set herself last year), finishing with 89 after the final.

"I've honestly never served this well," Williams added. "Whenever I come on this grass, on this amazing Centre Court, I start serving well. I want to keep it up."

This was Williams' sixth career Wimbledon final. She is now 4-2 in those, winning in 2002, 2003, 2009 and 2010, and finishing runner-up in 2004 (losing to Maria Sharapova) and 2008 (losing to Venus Williams).

How far is Williams planning to go? She was asked in press: "I love my dogs; I love my family; I love going to the movies; I love reading; I love going shopping. I would love to open more schools in Africa or in the United States, and I would love to help people. I would like to be remembered like, 'She was a tennis player, but she really did a lot to inspire and help other people.' That's what I think about - not about Serena Williams won X amount of Grand Slams."

Schiavone bests Stosur to capture first Grand Slam title in Paris

The name Francesca is derived from the Latin Franciscus, meaning French. So perhaps it was only destiny as Francesca Schiavone, a longshot No.17 seed, would win her first career major at the French Open.

Playing the red hot Samantha Stosur in the final, Schiavone was solid in every way, giving away almost zero free points and taking control of the rallies in many ways - loopy topspin groundies, creativity at the net, crafty retrieving.

After breaking serve in the ninth game of the match and serving out the first set, Schiavone rallied from 4-1 down in the second set against the No.7-seeded Stosur, eventually playing a perfect tie-break to clinch one of the most unlikely Grand Slam title runs in the Open Era - and in tennis history, 64 76(2).

"I didn't prepare anything, because whenever I prepare something for the future, it doesn't happen," Schiavone told the crowd during the trophy presentation. "I've watched every final of this tournament and I know what the big champions say. So I want to thank everybody. I felt amazing today. I'm really, really happy."

Schiavone had a few words to add for Stosur, who, like herself, was in her first major final. "Congratulations Sam. I think you're a great, great person and a great athlete. You deserve to be here and you're young, so you'll do it too."

Schiavone, who turns 30 years old this month, is the second-oldest player in the Open Era to win their first Grand Slam title (Ann Jones was 30 years, 8 months when she won Wimbledon in 1969). But she doesn't see things as other players her age may: "I can still improve," she told Italian reporters earlier in the week. "I can still be more explosive. I can still put more spin on my shots. I can still hit deeper. I can still improve my serve. I'm just beginning."

Not only was Schiavone the first Italian woman ever to win a major, she was the first to reach a major final, and the first in the Open Era to reach a major semi.

Stosur had been on fire throughout the tournament and the last few months. She has had more clay court wins and more overall wins than anyone else this year, and had beaten three No.1s en route to the final: Justine Henin in the fourth round, Serena Williams in the quarters and Jelena Jankovic in the semis.


Saturday, June 5, 2010

Singles - Final
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) 64 76(2)

Schiavone advances after Dementieva retires with injury; will face Stosur, who crushed Jankovic in straight sets, in the final of Paris

Her semifinal may not have ended the way she wanted, but Francesca Schiavone's dream run at the French Open kept going, and now she is the first Italian woman ever - Open Era, all-time - to play a major final.

On Court Philippe Chatrier, the No.17-seeded Schiavone took on No.5 seed Elena Dementieva in a contrasting match-up between crafty clay courter and aggressor. The rallies were tight as Dementieva hit strong and deep, with Schiavone using topspin, slice and angles. With the exception of one exchange of breaks mid-way through the set it was dead even through the tie-break, where Schiavone won six points in a row from 0-2 to reach quadruple set point, 6-2.

It was then where things started going down. After a long rally Dementieva hit a backhand drop volley winner, grimaced and appeared to be holding back tears. The Russian had been troubled in earlier matches with a calf injury - Schiavone won the breaker on the next point, went to her chair and was approached by Dementieva, who said she could play no more. 76(3) retired.

"I didn't really know what happened, but it was a very tough set. We both played well. I was just a little more consistent than her," Schiavone said to the press. "When I saw her, I thought, 'Do you need something?' I hope she's good now. I've spoken with her and I hope she can come back in Wimbledon."

Schiavone kissed the clay, like she did after beating Caroline Wozniacki in the quarterfinals. "Two days ago," the Italian said when asked if she had ever kissed a court before. "This is just the second time. It was good. So good."

Schiavone, who was the first Italian in the Open Era to reach a Grand Slam semifinal, is now the first Italian ever to reach a Grand Slam final. She will also crack the Top 10 for the first time next week - just the second Italian ever to do so, after Flavia Pennetta (who will also be in next week's Top 10).

Dementieva had never before retired at a major: "I have a tear in my left calf, so it's very painful to even walk. I got it after my second match, and I've aggravated it during three matches now. It was just sharp pain... it was a bit too much. I couldn't move. It is a disappointing moment... I did everything I could."

Next up for Schiavone will be No.7 seed Sam Stosur, who steamrolled No.4 seed Jelena Jankovic in an hour in the second semifinal of the day, 61 62. Stosur, who had taken taken out Justine Henin and Serena Williams in the two previous rounds, is the first Australian woman to reach a Grand Slam final since the Aussie Open in late 1980; she is trying to become the first Australian woman to win a major since Evonne Goolagong at Wimbledon in 1980.

"Samantha played really well," said Jankovic, who had a 2-0 lead early in the second set before losing six straight games. "When I had chances, I made mistakes. It wasn't my game out there. I couldn't get a rhythm. Unfortunately, I lost - she was the better player. I'm angry. It's not easy to lose like this. But it's the way the game goes. I have to stay positive and I'll have another chance."


Thursday, June 3, 2010

Singles - Semifinals
(7) Samantha Stosur (AUS) d. (4) Jelena Jankovic (SRB) 61 62
(17) Francesca Schiavone (ITA) d. (5) Elena Dementieva (RUS) 76(3) ret. (left calf strain)