Tennis FanHouse

Top 20 Things About Billie Jean King Cup

Tom Herrera — Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:19:00 EST

Filed under: FanHouse Exclusive, Billie Jean King Cup

NEW YORK -- FanHouse was all credentialed up for Monday night's BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup. From Bill Clinton's speech, to what Serena's triumph over her sister means moving forward, here's a list of 20 observations from a night of tennis involving Ana Ivanovic, Jelena Jankovic, Serena Williams and Venus Williams at New York's Madison Square Garden.

1. The format for the semifinal matches were one set each, and no tiebreakers (no deuce). So you either got hot early, or you were out. The final match was a traditional best-of-three-sets format, however.

2. In the first match of the night, Venus got a huge response from the New York faithful. And rightfully so; Venus started off slow against Jankovic, but after double-faulting in the 10th game, Venus seemed to wake up and kicked it into a gear that is nearly impossible for anyone other than her sister to keep up with. It was impressive to see.

3. To her credit, Jankovic had a strong showing and was aggressive from the start. She definitely received a warm reception from the audience for her efforts. Jankovic also had an upbeat outlook after her night was done. "Unfortunately the Serbian girls didn't win, but we had fun and that's what's important," she said. (Audio here.)

4. The atmosphere in the Garden is so very different from what one gets at a Knicks game. You could honestly hear a baby crying during a serve. It's just a funny thing to experience in a place that's usually filled with boisterous (and that's putting it mildly) fans.

5. After winning her semifinal match, 6-4, Venus said she changed her approach vs. Jankovic due to the sudden-death format. Venus said there were a couple of shots that she wouldn't have normally taken, but with there being only one set, it really adds pressure, meaning every game counts that much more.

6. Venus also seemed to be having trouble with flash photography during her serves. She stopped mid-toss more than a handful of times during both of her matches.

7. In the Ivanovic-Serena semifinal match, Ivanovic went to the net early, which seemed to take Serena out of her comfort zone a little bit. But Serena's service game and power proved to be just a little too much for Ivanovic. Here's what Ivanovic said after falling to Serena: "Everything was happening too fast, especially with knowing scoring. I had so many breakaway chances today with Serena, her first serve was unbelievable. I think the big difference today was her first serve."

8. After Serena beat Ivanovic, she said, "It doesn't get better than playing in New York." And then she promised the crowd a great final match between her and her sister.

9. All the players lobbed signed tennis balls up to the crowd after their semifinal matches. It looked a lot easier, and far more efficient, than the T-shirts they normally shoot out of air cannons during Knicks games.

10. Some of the players mispronounced the sponsor's name during their post-match interviews. It's "pair-ee-bah" not "pair-ee-boss". Oh, the horror.

11. HBO On-Camera Wardrobe Note: John McEnroe wore black patent leather dress shoes with his suit. Mary Carillo? Yellow sneakers and a suit. Just sayin'.

12. After both semifinal matches were done, Bill Clinton honored Billie Jean King. The ovation for Clinton was twice as loud as that for King or any of the players. As Clinton took the podium, there was plenty of hooting, hollering and camera flashes.

13. A few choice Clinton quotes about King: "She probably has done more than any woman in the world to empower women, and to educate men." ... "If you have the heart of a champion, if you have the heart of Billie Jean King, you can prevail." Based on the crowd's response, Clinton aced his appearance.

14. Both sisters were very open all week during interviews about how they wanted an all-Williams final. Much to the crowd's delight, they got their wish. Serena and Venus took the floor for their final match to enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

15. In the ninth game of the first set, which dragged on to an unbelievable nine deuces, one fan said (to much laughter): "Come on Venus, finish this. Let's go home." And then, as if on cue, with play flagging, the sisters delievered one of the best points of the night. Venus capped it with a baseline winner that left Serena doing a split. It was some impressive tennis, to say the least.

16. While play in the Venus-Serena match was uneven, it can't be said that both sisters weren't putting forth strong efforts. Both were visibly into the match -- with Venus grunting and Serena yelling at herself after missed shots -- and after a tremendous rally in the eighth game, Serena took a scary tumble while trying to track down a great shot by Venus. They might not have been consistent, but both sisters were giving it their all.

17. Serena wound up topping Venus, 6-4, 6-3. Coming into the match, Venus and Serena had met 19 times, with Venus leading the series, 10-9. But after Serena's win Monday night, it's now flush at 10-10.

18. Venus Williams after losing to her sister: "I wish I could have won, but there's always next year ... hopefully this is the first of many, that's what we would like."

19. There seemed to be an awkward hush when Serena was awarded her $400,000 novelty check after beating Venus in the final. For all of Clinton's talk earlier in the night about how tough things are in the U.S., it was strange to see a player play a few hours of tennis and then walk away with that much money.

20. But it's also worth mentioning that the Dreams Vaccines Foundation was presented with a $50,000 check, which is yet another example of Billie Jean's social activism. All in all, a slightly uneven, yet pretty enjoyable, night of tennis in New York City.

FanHouse's Randy Kim also contributed to this story.

Billie Jean King Cup

Serena Williams is introduced for the championship match against Venus Williams at the Billie Jean King Cup tennis exhibition Monday, March 2, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Julie Jacobson)

NEW YORK - MARCH 02: Serena Williams accepts the Billie Jean King Cup from Billie Jean King after defeating sister Venus Williams in the Final during the BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean Cup at Madison Square Garden on March 2, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams;Billie Jean King

Getty Images

Serena Williams (L) and her sister Venus clap before Serena is presented with the Billie Jean King Cup after she beat her sister in the final of the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Serena Williams holds up the Billie Jean King cup after she beat her sister Venus to win the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Serena Williams (R) holds the Billie Jean King cup presented by Billie Jean King (C) after she beat her sister Venus, holding the consolation trophy, to win the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Serena Williams gets a kiss from Billie Jean King (R) as she is presented the Billie Jean King Cup after beating her sister Venus to win the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Serena Williams holds up the Billie Jean King cup presented by Billie Jean King (R), after she beat her sister Venus to win the BNP Paribas Showdown tennis match at Madison Square Garden in New York March 2, 2009. REUTERS/Ray Stubblebine (UNITED STATES)

Reuters

Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams, right, pose for a photo with Billie Jean King after Serena beat her sister 6-4, 6-3 in the championship match of the Billie Jean King Cup tennis exhibition Monday, March 2, 2009 at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

Serena Williams holds up the championship trophy after beating Venus Williams 6-4, 6-3 in the Billie Jean King Cup tennis exhibition Monday, March 2, 2009, at Madison Square Garden in New York. (AP Photo/Stephen Chernin)

Top 20 Things About Billie Jean King Cup originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 03 Mar 2009 11:19:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Serena Williams Takes Out Sister Venus At Madison Square Garden

Shane Bacon — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:45:00 EST

Filed under: WTA, Billie Jean King Cup

The BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup might have included four of the top women's tennis players, but the Madison Square Garden crowd wanted only two to make it to the finals.

They got their wish when Serena Williams took down Ana Ivanovic, and Venus Williams beat Jelena Jankovic to set up an all-Williams final that Serena took, 6-4, 6-3.

At times you could definitely tell the match was an exhibition, even if the winner was guaranteed $400,000. Neither seemed to be pounding the ball as they might on the grass at Wimbledon, but Serena was sharper the entire night and won the Billie Jean King Cup.

"She was too good today," Venus said after the match. "She didn't miss."

Serena, who was a big player in getting women's tennis back to Madison Square Garden, was gracious in victory, saying she was just excited to have the opportunity to play under the bright lights.

"Hopefully everyone had a really good time out here," Serena said. "Venus and I are so excited to be playing in Madison Square Garden for HBO and it has been really, really exciting."

Serena wasn't the only winner on Monday night. Billie Jean King and BNP Paribas presented a check to the Dream Vaccines Foundation, which provides help for AIDS and malaria victims in Africa, for $50,000.

Billie Jean King Cup

Getty Images

Reuters

Serena Williams Takes Out Sister Venus At Madison Square Garden originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 23:45:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Serena and Friends Hit 'The Mecca'

Shane Bacon — Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:39:00 EST

Filed under: WTA, Billie Jean King Cup

LeBron James recently called Madison Square Garden "The Mecca." It's the first arena you think of when basketball comes to mind. Well, Monday night, Serena Williams, Venus Williams, Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic will turn the Garden into a tennis "Mecca" in the four-player BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup

And Serena, for one, couldn't be more excited about it.

"I think growing up I've always watched tennis on Madison Square Garden," the 2009 Australian Open champion said via conference call. "You know, there was the WTA event that was there as long as I can remember, and I've always wanted to play there and you know, I never thought I would actually have a chance in my career to play once that tournament was removed and then here I am."

The BNP Paribas Showdown will take place Monday at 7:30 PM ET with Serena going up against Jankovic, and Ivanovic taking on Venus. Serena said she is excited because it will give the people a chance to see, in her opinion, the best of women's sports.

"I think women's tennis right now is the Mecca of female sports, and to have an event like this put on, you know, I just think having myself and Venus and Ana and Jelena play just shows how amazing women's tennis is and how, you know, these New Yorkers can get to see such high quality tennis for one night," said Serena.

What do the Williams sisters hope to happen on Monday in the opening matches? Well, two wins of course.

"I'm hoping for an all-Williams finals," said Venus Williams. "I think that would be most exciting thing for us, and hopefully for the fans too, but of course there will be -- each one of us will be hoping to get to the final and there's a lot on the line ... I love playing with Serena, against her and in doubles, so it will be great."

With New York suffering through some serious snowfall, watching four of the top female tennis players in the world take the court indoors could be the perfect event to help Gothamites weather the nastiest day of the week.

Serena and Friends Hit 'The Mecca' originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 02 Mar 2009 11:39:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Williams Sisters, Jelena Jankovic Enjoy Lighter Side of Tennis

Bryan Tucker — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:38:00 EST

Filed under: Billie Jean King Cup

The Billie Jean King Cup is only days away. In the clip provided by HBO below, tennis stars Serena and Venus Williams, along with Jelena Jankovic, have a unique experience at comedian Dave Hill's Tennis Academy.

Williams Sisters, Jelena Jankovic Enjoy Lighter Side of Tennis originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Fri, 20 Feb 2009 12:38:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Garden Suits Venus Just Fine

Shane Bacon — Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:58:00 EST

Filed under: WTA, Billie Jean King Cup

On March 2, Madison Square Garden will showcase some of the finest talent the women's game has to offer.

Venus Williams, Serena Williams, Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic will be competing in the four-player BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup. On Wednesday, Venus talked about competing in the tournament (via conference call), and said as much as she respects the other players, an all-Williams final is what she wants.

"I'm hoping for an all-Williams finals," said Williams. "I think that would be most exciting for us and hopefully for the fans too, but of course there will be -- each one of us will be hoping to get to the final and there's a lot on the line ... I love playing with Serena, against her and in doubles, so it will be great."

Serena is coming off an Australian Open victory while sister Venus got bounced early in the second round. That doesn't stop Venus from being excited about getting an early chance to hit it around in the Big Apple.

"I love playing in New York. I love playing in the Garden. And like I said, I only had one chance to do it and I ran the event when I did play in the Garden, it was my opportunity to have a big win at Madison Square Garden, I'm looking forward to it."

That wasn't all Venus talked about. In the recent Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue, three tennis players, Maria Kirilenko, Tatiana Golovin, and Daniela Hantuchova, were featured. Venus modeled for the magazine in 2005, and said the reason she did it back then was because of Serena.

"I did it because Serena did it," said Venus. "And I wanted to be like her. So that's why I did it. I love tennis more than anything though I'd give up the photos and makeup and everything anyway for a match win."

The Billie Jean King Cup will be live on HBO on March 2.

Garden Suits Venus Just Fine originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 07:58:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Catching Up With Billie Jean King

Ted Starkey — Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST

Filed under: Media Watch, WTA, Billie Jean King Cup

Even though tennis icon Billie Jean King turned 65 just last November, that doesn't mean she's ready to head off into retirement.

On the contrary, King's as visible in the public eye as ever, helping to promote the Billie Jean King Cup -- a one-night only event that will be held on March 2 at Madison Square Garden that will feature four of the top women's players in the world and televised on HBO -- as well as her appearances in numerous commercials and her involvement in promoting the game and World Team Tennis.

And, she isn't shy about telling you what she thinks of today's game.

Did You See That?

The field clears a fence during the New Season Handicap Steeplechase during the at Ludlow Racecourse on September 16, 2008 in Ludlow, England.

Emanuele Canonica of Italy helps his caddie in the rescue of a pigeon from the water around the 18th green during the first round of the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on October 16, 2008 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

A multiexposure image showing Britain's Andy Murray returning to Croatian Marin Cilic during a last sixteen tennis match at the Madrid Masters in Madrid on October 16, 2008. Andy Murray won 7-5, 7-6.

English football fans dressed in armours and tunics play in a friendly match against Belarus fans in Minsk on October 15, 2008 before the start of the Belarus vs. England 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifier of European group 6 match.

Travis Brigley (R) of Hamburg fights with Matt Keith (L) of Ingolstadt during the DEL match between Hamburg Freezers and ERC Ingolstadt at the Color Line Arena on October 14, 2008 in Hamburg, Germany.

Russian Nikolay Davydenko returns a ball to US Robby Ginepri during a second round tennis match at the Masters in Madrid on October 15, 2008.

A golf ball which has been enveloped by the tree over many years is pictured during the pro-am for the Portugal Masters at the Oceanico Victoria Golf Course on October 15, 2008 in Vilamoura, Portugal.

Andy Murray of Great Britain plays football during his training session prior to his thrid round match tomorrow at the Madrid Masters tennis tournament at the Madrid Arena on October 15, 2008 in Madrid, Spain.

Samuel Peter from Nigeria gets a punch from Vitali Klitschko of Ukraine during their WBC heavyweight boxing world championship fight in Berlin, Germany, Saturday, Oct. 11, 2008. Klitschko won the fight after round nine due to technical knock out.

Herbert Knosowski, AP

Japan's Kyoko Hamaguchi (lower) fights with China's Hong Yan (red) during the semi-final of the 72kg class of the Women's Wrestling World Championships in Tokyo on October 13, 2008. Hong defeated Hamaguchi and will face Bulgaria's Stanka Zlateva in the final.

Yoshikazu Tsuno, AFP/Getty Images

For anyone thinking she'd rather live in the past, she makes no bones about how today's players are much better than her generation.

"They're a lot better today, every generation just gets better," King said. "Older athletes talk about the glory days, but we're not the best ever.

"It's amazing the spins and what they can get on the ball. Everything's more exaggerated than ever before. They're so good, they train better, and the information available is better than anything than what we had. It'd be great to be a player today. It's great to have choices when you have money and resources."

She even comments how while players struggled to keep their racket strings in playing shape, today's players have no problems just ripping them out and replacing them -- thanks to the resources they have at their disposal.

One complaint she does have about today's game is the "Q factor" that's now involved on the women's side of the game, that style bleeds through more than substance in the media.

"Here's what happens with women's athletes today - their accomplishments aren't talked about enough. They are what they are, but if you succeed on the court that'll eventually take care of itself."

Serena Williams Snapshots

Serena Williams of the United States poses with the WTA world number one ranking trophy during a photocall after her Australian Open straight sets victory over Russia's Dinara Safina in the Women's singles final at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Andrew Brownbill)

Serena Williams of the U.S., makes a return to Russia's Dinara Safina in the Women's singles final match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Serena Williams of the U.S. hugs her trophy after winning her women's singles final match against Russia's Dinara Safina at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 31, 2009. REUTERS/Tim Wimborne (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Serena Williams of the United States makes a return to Russia's Dinara Safina to win the Women's singles final match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Venus Williams, top, and Oracene Price, center, family members of Serena Williams of the U.S., watch her Women's singles final match against Russia's Dinara Safina at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Russia's Dinara Safina reacts after losing to Serena Williams of the U.S., in the Women's singles final match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Russia's Dinara Safina reacts during a press conference after she lost to Serena Williams of the U.S., in the Women's singles final match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

Russia's Dinara Safina reacts after losing to Serena Williams of the U.S., during the Women's singles final match at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rob Griffith)

Serena Williams of the United States poses with her Australian Open trophy after her straight sets victory over Russia's Dinara Safina in the Women's singles final at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 31, 2009. (AP Photo/Rick Stevens)

She also weighs in on the state of tennis in the United States, particularly on the men's side.

"We have a good young group of guys right now, but it's just no one's broken through to become No. 1 in the world. But it's a lot harder now than it was then because now you're competing with the rest of the world.

"We don't have as many tournaments played [in the U.S.] anymore. ... but junior rackets are way up, we've more than doubled the number of players in the last few years, and it's the only traditional sport that's currently growing.

"Everyone's trying to pull together, and the last few years, we're starting to do that."

As part of that goal, the tournament featuring three of the four defending women's Grand Slam champions -- Australian Open and U.S. Open champion Serena Williams, Wimbledon champion Venus Williams, French Open champ Ana Ivanovic, along with U.S. Open runner-up Jelena Jankovic -- is being held in conjunction with "Tennis Night in America," an event aimed at signing up youngsters to play the game.

And with the four vying for a trophy named after King -- "that wasn't my idea" she says with a laugh -- she hopes the $1.2 million purse and the game's return to HBO for the first time in nine years will help sign up new players and expose them to tennis.

"To have these great athletes and tennis players in one event is great, and two players [Jankovic and Ivanovic] that people haven't seen as much. Venus is playing great, she's doing great, despite what she says - it always cracks me up when she says she isn't playing well, and she's simply terrific."

"It's pretty exciting, and people should appreciate these athletes - they're great.

"Jankovic so fantastic with the media. She's fun. I can give her a hard time, and she just laughs at herself. She was saying it was such a privilege to be No. 1. If Serena and Venus would play more they'd have it regularly.

"Ana probably replaces Gabriela Sabatini, because she's a popular one now. She's talented, I but don't want to talk about looks."

Ana Ivanovic Snapshots

Russia's Alisa Kleybanova talks with supporters as she enjoys a game of short tennis, at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. Kleybanova defeated Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in a Women's singles match on Jan. 23. (AP Photo/Fiona Hamilton, Pool) ** AUSTRALIA OUT **

Russia's Alisa Kleybanova, enjoys a game of short tennis at the Australian Open Tennis Championship in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, Jan. 24, 2009. Kleybanova defeated Serbia's Ana Ivanovic in a Women's singles match on Jan. 23. (AP Photo/Fiona Hamilton, Pool) ** AUSTRALIA OUT **

Russia's Alisa Kleybanova celebrates winning her match against Serbia's Ana Ivanovic during their match at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 23, 2009. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

Serbia's Ana Ivanovic leaves the court after losing her match against Russia's Alisa Kleybanova at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne January 23, 2009. REUTERS/Petar Kujundzic (AUSTRALIA)

Reuters

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 23: Ana Ivanovic of Serbia talks to the media at a press conference after her third round match loss to Alisa Kleybanova of Russia during day five of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 23, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Matt Blyth/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Ana Ivanovic

Getty Images

Alisa Kleybanova of Russia gestures as she celebrates victory after her women's singles match against Ana Ivanovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23, 2009. Kleybanova won 7-5. 6-7. 6-2. . AFP PHOTO/Paul CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

Alisa Kleybanova of Russia waves to the crowd as she celebrates victory after her women's singles match against Ana Ivanovic of Serbia at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 23, 2009. Kleybanova won 7-5. 6-7. 6-2. . AFP PHOTO/Paul CROCK (Photo credit should read PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)

AFP/Getty Images

""They're coming out to play in this tournament, it's amazing."

As for which players draw her attention now, she mentioned that two American stars were who she wanted to see play.

"I'm prejudiced, I do text message a lot of the boys. Andy Roddick's doing better, so I'm happy for him.

"Really, I'm interested in all of them. If you asked me about the player with the best ability that I'd want to watch, it'd be Serena, especially with her success at the Australian Open."

King's also excited about bringing this event to her adopted hometown of New York, particularly to the "World's Most Famous Arena."

"There's a narrow focus here, and New Yorkers get pumped up for events. We're going to go out for one night and it's going to be great. Spike Lee and John McEnroe are going to come out, and he's going to do commentary on the broadcast."

And, for King herself, she stays busy, and gets recognized for everything from her recent car insurance ad spoofing the 1973's "Battle of the Sexes" match with Bobby Riggs to a 36-year-old cameo on a sitcom.

"I was walking down the street the other day, and someone yelled 'Hey Billie Jean, I saw you on the The Odd Couple last night!' All thanks to TV Land."

"I'm very fortunate. It's very nice."

Catching Up With Billie Jean King originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 09 Feb 2009 05:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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