WASHINGTON, December 12, 2020 (by Michael Dickens)
On Thursday, World No. 7 Alexander Zverev reached an out-of-court settlement with a London-based sports management company that began representing the German star when he was a teenager. The action occurred on the same day that a British High Court judge in London was due to begin considering evidence in a civil lawsuit trial.
The 23-year-old Zverev had sued ACE Group International and his former agent Patricio Apey and made a claim of “unlawful restraint of trade,” which ACE disputed.
Details of the case had come forward at a pre-trial hearing.
Zverev originally entered into a representation agreement with ACE Group International eight years ago when he was 15.
After news of the settlement was revealed, Zverev said that he and his older brother, Mischa, wanted to learn from the experience in order to help young players ensure they don’t make the same mistakes in getting caught up in similar disputes with agents.
On his Instagram page, Zverev posted this message:
“What a day. Quite an important one for me. After almost two years of discussions and disputes with my old management, I can now leave an unfair and oppressive contract behind me. I signed it 8 years ago, with the blind trust you have when you are 15 years old.
“Big thanks to my lawyers who encouraged me to stand up and no accept that contract! I hope that by making this public and dealing with it in court, we have raised awareness among up-and-coming players, and their families, that professional sports agents do not always act in the best interest of them. We should think of a way to prevent this kind of challenges for all the young and talented athletes that are out there.”
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Siniakova, Cirstea reach ITF Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge final
No. 5 seed Katerina Siniakova of the Czech Republic and unseeded Sorana Cirstea of Romania have reached the ITF W100 Al Habtoor Tennis Challenge singles final in Dubai.
On Friday, the 64th-ranked Siniakova ended the run of Romanian qualifier Elena-Gabriela Ruse, ranked 177th, 6-3, 6-7 (2), 6-4. Siniakova took advantage of converting seven of seven service breaks against Ruse. Then, the 86th-ranked Cirstea ousted No. 2 seed Polona Hercog of Slovenia, ranked 52nd, 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, for her second straight win over a seeded player.
Saturday’s final will be the first ITF final of the year for both players.
• The doubles final is set between Aliona Bolsova of Spain and Kaja Juvan of Slovenia against Ekaterine Gorgodze of Georgia and Ankita Raina of India. In Friday’s semifinals, Bolsova and Juvan defeated Dalma Galfi of Hungary and Tereza Mihalikova of Slovakia, 7-6 (2), 6-3. Then, Gorgodze and Raina went the distance to beat Anna Blinkova of Russia and Heather Watson of Great Britain, 6-7 (1), 6-3, 10-2.
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Leon Smith: London would be great Davis Cup Finals city
In a recent interview with Tennis 365, Great Britain Davis Cup captain Leon Smith said he believes London would make a great location and the O2 Arena an ideal venue for the Davis Cup to host its end-of-the-year tournament.
“The O2 Arena has been a great place for the ATP Finals,” Smith said. “It is tried and tested as a tennis venue, so what an amazing event that would be if we could host the Davis Cup final in London when Madrid’s run hosting the event comes to an end.
“We have the Laver Cup coming to the UK as well and I think this country is a great destination for something like that.
“The hosting of the ATP Finals has been such a massive success. Ask any of the players and they absolutely love that venue. So, it would be great to get it there if we can.”
Exclusive – Great Britain Davis Cup captain @LeonSmith gives us his views on the prospect of London hosting the Davis Cup, the competition’s new format and whether the event could have been played in 2020 https://t.co/nToHRKcyTS
— Tennis365 (@T365Official) December 10, 2020
Iga Swiatek: Honored by Forbes magazine
💯Dziękuję za wyróżnienie Forbes Women Polska! Lista stu Kobiet Roku 2020 Forbes Women. To bardzo, bardzo miłe!
Thank you Forbes Women Polska for this honor. List of hundred Women of the Year in Poland. 💯 pic.twitter.com/DZYr8lyij3
— Iga Świątek (@iga_swiatek) December 11, 2020
The Way Back Machine / Sofia Kenin, 2014 Orange Bowl
Six years ago, recently announced WTA Player of the Year Sofia Kenin won the Orange Bowl, defeating Ingrid Neel in the final. #tbt to my coverage:https://t.co/guAVPlFk1k
It was Kenin’s only Grade A title, although she did reach USO Jr final in 2015. pic.twitter.com/vd1i6USq9P
— Colette Lewis (@zootennis) December 10, 2020
Jannik Sinner: This is the Prodigy
This is the prodigy 🤩@janniksin | #ThisIsTennis pic.twitter.com/WoD44Uzwai
— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 10, 2020
Madison Keys: For the Moment
“I play for the game and something much bigger than myself.”@Madison_Keys plays for the moments 🙌
#WTAForTheGame pic.twitter.com/TTkzsebDgm
— wta (@WTA) December 4, 2020
Marin Cilic: Off-season training
Off-season training or auditioning for The Rockettes? 🕺😂
🎥: @cilic_marin (IG) pic.twitter.com/Bp8t2FnPNs
— ATP Tour (@atptour) December 10, 2020
What they’re sharing on social media
Naomi Osaka / A champion reinvented
Vogue pic.twitter.com/XLeNUBXyJp
— NaomiOsaka大坂なおみ (@naomiosaka) December 11, 2020
Simona Halep / Every award for my country is an honor
Every award for my country is an honour.
Multumesc 🇷🇴💪❤️ pic.twitter.com/yT662tL3OF
— Simona Halep (@Simona_Halep) December 11, 2020
Belinda Bencic / Week done
Week done✅ #preseason2021 pic.twitter.com/AG1VQZvazE
— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) December 11, 2020
