The International Tennis Federation has named Rafael Nadal and Jelena Jankovic as their world champions of 2008. Nadal stepped past Federer in the Wimbledon final win, and he is the first Spaniard to achieve the honor of men's world champion. Nadal also won the French Open title in 2008, his fourth, again besting Federer in the final, the third time he had done so. At 22 years of age, Nadal also won the Olympic gold at Beijing and brought Spain to the Davis Cup Final, and despite his injury the Spaniards won the Davis Cup. Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario is the only other Spanish tennis player to win the International Tennis Federation women's champion in 1994. Jankovic, despite losing the Grand Slam in 2008, to Serena Williams, still won the most matches than any other player, having won the WTA titles in Rome, Stuttgart, Moscow and Beijing.
The selection process for the International Tennis Federation includes results from Olympics, Davis Cup, Fed Cup, Grand Slams, and both the ATP and WTA tours. The ITF president, Francesco Ricci Bitti, said that "Both [tennis players] are excellent ambassadors for their countries, for whom they have achieved considerable success both as individuals and in the ITF team competitions."
Jelena Jankovic started playing at age nine, and in the 2001 Australia Open she won as a junior. In her career, she has a 330 to 171 record, having achieved nine WTA titles and one ITF title. Rafael Nadal began playing at three, and at eight, he won his first competition. Over his career, he has a 335 to 31 singles record, and 31 titles to his name. Both players represent the top of their respective leagues, and are definitely are well deserving of the honors they have received.
For the doubles teams, the International Tennis Federation named Canadian Daniel Nestor and Serbia's Nenad Zimonjic the men's world champions. The womens doubles honor was given to Zimbabwe's Cara Black and American Liezel Huber. Junior world champion whet to the winner of the French Open boys, Taiwan's Yang Tsung-hua, and Thailand's Noppawan Lertcheewakarn, a finalist of the Wimbledon girls competition. The ITF Wheelchair world champion honors went to Japanese Shingo Kunieda and Netherland's Esther Vergeer. The award ceremony and dinner will be held in Paris on Jun 2nd.
The International Tennis Federation, formed 95 years ago, represents 205 countries in the world of tennis. The organization was based in Paris until WWII, where it was moved to London. It is responsible for running the Davis Cup, Fed Cup, the Hopman Cup, as well as the four grand slams, the Austrailian, US, French Opens and Wimbledon. The rest of the major competitions are controlled by the ATP and WTA tour. Lower tier matches are organized by the ITF. The world champion title began to be awarded in 1978 for singles, and 1996 for doubles. Roger Federer has been the World Champion for the last four years, and Nader has just managed to push him out of the honor. Justine Henin, was the prior two time winner of the womens world champion title.
Related Posts -
Sam Querrey Manages to Clinch Olympus Tennis US Open Title Sam Querrey managed to clinch the men's title for the 2009 Tennis Olympus Tennis US Open with a 7 to 5, 6 to 3 round for a 16 defeat over Bjorn Phau while playing the final series event at Pilot Pen Tennis in New Haven. This was the final season...... -
US Open Facts and Figures Lets take a look at some of the pertinent facts and figures for the upcoming US Open tennis championship tournament: What: This is the final major championship tournament for the pro tennis season. When: Play will continue for two weeks, with the women's singles finals to be held on September...... -
Tennis Preview: Roger Federer withdraws from Japan Open and the Shanghai Masters In what is perhaps a shocking move to some, and not shocking at all to others, Roger Federer has announced that he is pulling out of the Japan Open and the Shanghai Masters. Roger Federer recently withdrew himself from both the Japan Open as well as the Shanghai ATP Masters...... -
Carole Caldwell Graebner Remembered Carole Caldwell Graebner passed away at the age of sixty five following a brief but courageous battle with cancer on November 19, 2008. Carole Caldwell Graebner served as a chair of the United States Tennis Association's Fed Cup Committee. Graebner was born on June 24 in 1943 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania,...... -
French Open: Tennis Tournament Recap The French Open tennis tournament is billed to be the most challenging out of all of the grand slam tournaments, and the 2009 French Open Tournament is slated to adhere to the same rigorous competitive nature of all of the French Open tournaments that preceded it. The 2009 French Open......
Related Websites -
Muhammad Ali Sports Memorabilia -> Fan Apparel and Souvenirs -> Boxing Not that long ago, everyone recognized the name Muhammad Ali. He wasn't just popular during his heyday, though, even though many of the younger generation might not recognize his name today. As recently as 1999, he was given the title “Sportsman...... -
Ian Poulter Earns #5 World Ranking On Sunday in Marana, Arizona, Ian Poulter won the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, giving him his first US victory, and moving him to number 5 in the world, a career-high for Poulter. Often more well-known for his colorful clothing line and the precise ironing of his pants than his golf,...... -
Tiger Woods Helps End Fitting President's Cup In San Francisco The Presidents Cup wrapped up this Sunday with the American team is still undefeated at home. Making a flop shot from out in the trees, Tiger Woods won the cup, and became the third player in the history of the Presidents Cup who was able to win...... -
Golf Preview: Padraig Harrington at the British Open The British Open is on its way, here are the things that you should be watching out for at Turnberry this year. The What: This is the third of the four annual majors for Golf. The Where: The Ailsa Golf course at Turnberry in Scotland, with a par of 70...... -
Golf Tournament Preview: Turning Stone Resort Championship The Turning Stone Resort Championship is Slated to Be an Autumn Spectacle. After three years of play, fans and golfers alike are coming to expect a truly entertaining week. The Turning Stone championship has made the autumn scenery its home in the Mohawk Valley, and the Mohawk Valley has made......
- Double French Horn Brass Acoustic Musical Instruments
- Graphite Racquets Tennis Discount Tennis Gear
- Wilson Racquets Tennis Discount Tennis Gear
- Whitney Baby Grand, Baby Grand Piano Acoustic Musical Instruments
- Everett 23262 Grand, Baby Grand Piano Acoustic Musical Instruments
Categories:
News, Tennis, Tournaments and Championships
Tags:
0 comments ↓
There are no comments yet...Kick things off by filling out the form below.
Leave a Comment