As everyone is aware we have 46 chromosomes meaning 23 pairs exist. On average the blood circulates the body every 23 seconds. Various faiths and some areas of science subscribe to the importance of the number…Rather than continue, 2023 looks to be promising for a number of reasons…
In the first quarter of the new year the ITF is increasing the number of women’s tournaments, upping the total to 114 and more important, adding $3.3 million in earning potential.
It is always difficult to understand the ITF’s approach to “Bettering the Game…” the rebirth of the storied Hopman Cup, (calling it the ITF’s Official Mixed Team Competition) is a case in point.
Last played in 2019, the convivial competition will be held at the Nice Tennis Club, a spectacular location July 19-23…But, it will be on clay, following The Championships, just as the summer hard court season is about to begin…As meaningful as the return is for tennis, it must be asked – Was There Any Thinking Involved When This Was Planned? Was it simply because Tennium, the Barcelona management company, which is looking to make tennis promotion inroads, is providing big money support. Frenchman Richard Gasquet, who won the Hopman Cup in 2017 with Kristina Mladenovic, is the event’s ambassador.
Good news for entry and mid-level competitors, during the first quarter of the year the ITF has increased the number of Women’s World Tennis Tour $40,000, $25,000 and $15,000 events to 114 offering $3.3 million in prize money.
Philip Mok, the President of the Hong Kong Tennis Association has high hopes that tennis, including ATP and WTA tournaments, will be returning to the region in ’23. Johns Hopkins University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology educated, he co-founded and is Vice-Chairman of Verde Holdings Limited, an apparel design and manufacturing company based in Hong Kong and China. Eight years before Mok was born, Dusty Springfield’s version of “Wishin’ and Hopin’” was a hit…Hopefully Mok will be doing more…
Also, “Wishin’ and Hopin’”…
…that the game’s Big Seven-ATP, ITW, WTA and the slams-make the effort to truly focus on player interests and not attempt to subtly increase their power while profiting because of their control…
…That the youngsters, who became names in ’22, continue to progress while the older players, who surprised with performances a year ago, are able to do it one more time…
… That those who are passionate about the game find time to watch the International Tennis Hall of Fame TennisWorthy Series…
…That the Ukrainian conflict is somehow resolved…
…Finally, here is hoping that 2023 follows a thought from Anne Frank…
“How wonderful it is that nobody needs to wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.
Just imagine the colors of the rainbow that would result…”
Title photo of the train to Wimbledon by Simone Kemler