BMW Tennis Championship Features Top Officials As Well

One look at the tournament field makes it evident that this event is gaining in popularity amongst players. However, one might not realize the impact it has had on the officiating crew, led by Chief of Officials “Woodie” Walker. “This is the best kept secret in the entire country,” Walker said. “The quality of players and the tournament director (Gabe Norona) are what makes this a great event.” The same can be said for Walker and her troops. Walker, the Assistant Chief of Officials at the U.S. Open, is a past recipient of the coveted McGovern Award, given to the official who has contributed the most to the game of tennis. And the crew she assembled for this week’s BMW Tennis Championship had well over 100 years of combined U.S. Open experience. “The BMW Tennis Championship probably has the best officials of any (like-sized) tournament in the entire world,” added Walker.

Mayer vs. Mayer

One challenge the head chair umpire had in Saturday’s first singles semifinal was how to refer to the players. Since both have the surname Mayer, the umpire resorted to using each players first name when referring to them.

Ball Boy Wins BMW Adult Men’s Championship

In conjunction with the BMW Tennis Championship, the BMW Adult Men’s Championship completed its tournament Saturday at Sunrise Tennis Center. Olympio Campos (Wellington, Fla.) won the 3.5 title, while Luis Rodriguez-Terol (Myramar, Fla.) captured the 4.0 championship. The 4.5 crown went to Kalvin Alexander (Pembroke Pines, Fla.) and the 5.0 champion was Leon Ojalvo (Aventura, Fla.). Ojalvo also doubles as one of the head ball boys at this week’s BMW Tennis Championship.

Saturday Night’s For Fighting?

Pardon Lukas Dlouhy (CZE), one-half of the top-seeded doubles tandem with Leander Paes (IND), if he rushed over to the Florida Panthers’ Bank Atlantic Center following one of his matches this week. Dloughy is a huge hockey fan and a personal friend of fellow Czech Jaomir Jagr.

Sunday is for Dancing

Sunday at the BMW Tennis Championship will feature not only the exciting Finals match to conclude this week-long tournament, but will also feature the popular dance group, Live In Color. This dance group is a culturally diverse dancing sensation that combines Caribbean, African, Latin, and Urban styles to create a unique performance. Also on Sunday, immediately following the Finals, will be live music from the local classic-rock band, The Spoon Benders.

Kids' Day A Tremendous Success

Saturday was Kids Day at the BMW Tennis Championship, and from 2-4 pm kids 12 and under received a free ticket with the purchase of an adult admission. There were fun-filled games, lessons and prizes given away, as well as live music from the local classic-rock band, The Spoon Benders.

Apparel Sponsor Holds Raffle for Haiti & Chile

BMW Tennis Championship Sponsor Gunn, a British sportswear company, will be holding a raffle for Haiti on Sunday, immediately before the Finals match. Participants will have the chance to win great prizes, including the Sony PS3, XBOX 360 Elite, Sony PSP. A percentage of the proceeds from the raffle will go to charity to support Haiti and Chile earthquake victims. “We have a lot of players here from Chile, and back home I trained with a lot of players from Haiti…we have to do something to help,” said Anthony Law, owner and CEO of Gunn.

Ticket Sales Going Well for Finals

“Our talented draw of top players, along with fantastic weather, has provided a strong boost to our ticket sales this year,” said Gabe Norona, the BMW Tennis Championship tournament director and co-owner. “Our chair-back section is almost sold out, but we do have general admission and box seats still available.” Tickets start at $20 for the Sunday session.

Seen at the BMW

ATP players returning from the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells have come by the BMW Tennis Championship to practice. On Friday, Dudi Sela (ISR) and Thomaz Bellucci (BRA) both practiced in the brilliant sunshine at the Sunrise Tennis Club. Both played at last year's BMW Tennis Championship. Former Wimbledon doubles champion Joakim Nystrom (SWE), who teamed with Mats Wilander to win that event in 1986, was also spotted at the Sunrise Tennis Center Saturday. Nystrom also won 13 career singles titles and achieved a ranking as high as seventh in the world (1986).

Story by Cory Rogers and Briana Bramm, BMW Tennis Media Staff
March 20, 2010