Serena Pulls Out of Charleston Clay Tourney

Serena Willams notified officials that she would withdraw from the Family Circle Cup in Charleston due to a knee injury that his sidelined her since the Australian open in January. Williams said in a statement released by the tournament that her knee "has not fully healed" and that she looks forward to "returning to the WTA Tour in Europe." According to her website, she is scheduled to play in the Madrid Open (May 10th) and then the French Open (May 24th). I'm hoping that she makes a full recovery so that she can prepare well for a good showing at the French Open.

Still, this fashionista has to question some of her fashion choices. Based on one of her latest tweets she's been sporting some pretty high heels. Doesn't that put more pressure on the knees and ankles? I'm just saying. Of course, I'm wishing Serena a very speedy recovery so we can see her back in action.

courtesy: www.twitter.com/serenajwilliams

Fresh Off Win in Miami, Clisters Looses on Clay in Marbella

Kim Clijsters lost to qualifier 258th-ranked Beatriz Garcia Vidagany of Spain 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 in the second round of the Andalucia Open on Thursday. This was her first match on the European clay. She accepted the tournament wild card to help prepare her for the French Open. Now that Justine Henin is back do you think will win the French Open?

Kim tweeted:

courtesy: www.twitter.com/Clijsterskim

Melanie Oudin Advances at MPS Group Championship in Florida

Atlanta native Melanie Oudin has made it through to the 2nd round of the MPS Group Championship in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida defeating veteran Rossana De Los Rios 7-5, 6-2. She was able to fight off 2 break points and eventually won the set 6-2. "It's weird because when I'm down a break point or something, I know exactly what I'm going to do in that point, because I know that I'm not going to give them anything," Oudin said. "I already know where my ball's going to go. I'm not going to go for anything huge, but I play aggressively because I'm confident in my shots, going for it." Question (for those of us who are tennis players)...How do you approach a break point? Do you have a plan? Do you play aggressive, tentative, confident, or just hope that it goes in and your opponent has an error?

Melanie is the No. 8 tournament seed and is currently ranked No. 41 on the Sony EricssonWTATour. In her 2nd round match she is scheduled to play Shuai Peng of China. Anyone traveling to Florida to check out the tourney?

courtesy: Francine King, The Florida Times Union www.jacksonville.com

Congrats Andy Roddick winner of Sony Ericsson Open!

courtesy: www.andyroddick.com

What a great final between Andy and Thomas Berdych. So happy for Andy and he played a really smart tennis match - mixing up pace and not giving Berdych the same ball more than once in a rally. We can all learn from this tactic (but can we execute?) LOL Also, a great tourney for Berdych. I continue to be impressed by his talent and mental strength. Next up for the ATP U.S. clay court tourneys and then overseas to prepare for the French Open. Will this be Andy's year to win a Grand Slam? Wimbledon or the US Open? Stay tuned.

Mommy Kim Takes The Title in Miami

Congratulations to Momma Clijsters on her Sony Ericsson Open win! I always get a little weepy when I watch her matches and they show her 2-year old daughter smiling while watching mommy play tennis. While Kim played a great match to beat Venus 6-2, 6-1 in the finals, it was obvious that Venus had not brought her A, B or C game to the stadium, today. Wondering if it was her sore knees - she always seemed a couple of steps slow trying to get to the ball and her timing was way off. Still, a great tournament for Venus. Hoping she (or Serena) will play for the U.S at Fed Cup against Russia in Birmingham, AL at the end of the month!

courtesy: Getty Images

Venus & Kim Battle Into Final

courtesy: Getty Images

Sony Ericsson WTA Tour | News | Latest News | Venus & Kim Battle Into Final

Did anyone see these matches? Was the Clijsters/Henin match televised? Looks like it was another incredible match!

Dream Big Play in the U.S. Open

This summer, the USTA is giving non-professional players the chance at the dream of a lifetime. The US Open National Playoffs is a series of tournaments that gives participants the opportunity to earn a singles wild card entry to compete in the US Open Qualifying Tournament. The Southern Sectional Qualifying Tournament will be held in the Atlanta area at Racquet Club of the South, June 12-16. Entries close May 31. The good news is that for those of us amateurs who always dreamed of playing in a tennis Grand Slam or maybe thought that we could have turned pro if we'd "just started playing when I was 5 years old" now is our chance. The not-so-good news is that to actually get to the point where you will play in the US Open you've got to win a Sectional Tournament, National Tournament, and place in the US Open Qualifying Tournament. That's about 15 matches! And have you ever played just one competitive USTA league singles match in June when it's about 95 degrees? Well I have and it's not a lot of fun. But I'm not trying to burst any bubbles heck I've even thought about signing up myself. So if you can get through those 15 plus/minus matches, here's hoping you don't meet Serena Williams or Roger Federer in the first round of the US Open tournament main draw.

courtesy: www.usopen.org

U.S. Open Series Atlanta Tennis Champship Tickets On Sale

USTA members will receive discounts on Atlanta Tennis Championships tickets on sale, now. USTA Member Appreciation Day will be during the Friday, July 23 day session. Members who buy tickets for that session will get 20 percent off. Use code: 2010USTAATL. Limit: four discount tickets per member. Daily Tickets will go on sale Monday, April 5.

Currently, Americans John Isner (UGA Alumni), James Blake and Robby Ginepri (Georgia native) have committed to play the tournament, which will kick off the Olympus US Open Series and will be played July 19-25 at Atlanta Athletic Club, in Johns Creek, GA.

courtesy: www.southern.usta.com

Make sure you come out and support this tournament. It's important that we have a great turnout of fans so that we can bring professional tennis back to Atlanta!