Russian world number six Vera Zvonareva signed with IMG, global sports and entertainment company, for exclusive worldwide marketing and management representation.
“I feel like I have worked really hard and accomplished quite a lot on court the last six months and working with a company like IMG, that has such a worldwide presence will help me capitalize on these results. It will be great to have a global team guiding and helping me to take care of my business career so I can focus on my tennis,” said the 24-year-old Zvonareva.
Fernando Soler, Head of IMG’s Tennis Division, added, “We are really looking forward to working with Vera at this exciting time in her career. She is a very talented athlete with tremendous potential and we are thrilled she has chosen IMG to further develop her blossoming tennis career.”
It seems to have been the season for chaning coaches and management companies. Here is a list created by tennis.com which shows a quick breakdown of what has been happening around the place.
Jelena Jankovic
Jankovic hopped onto the International Management Group (IMG) bandwagon on January 1, joining Maria Sharapova, Venus Williams, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal, among others, on the sports marketing giant’s star-studded client list. She will be represented by the company’s London office. The former world No. 1 was previously signed to Virginia-based Octagon.
Andy Murray
Several management companies were vying to sign the U.S. Open finalist, currently ranked No. 4 in the world. Creative Artists Agency (CAA) Sports, Lagardere Group, IMG, and Simon Fuller’s 19 Entertainment (think American Idol fame) were all suiting the 21-year-old Murray whose endorsement earnings could reach nine figures (one outlet reported his earnings potential as $200 million). Eventually, Murray left Ace Group and signed on with CAA, whose sports division also represents David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.
Ana Ivanovic
After the breakup of her four-month courtship with fellow pro Fernando Verdasco, Ivanovic also ended her coaching relationship with Sven Groeneveld just prior to the start of the Australian Open. While Groeneveld was not acting in an official coaching capacity, he was seen in Melbourne courtside with his former charge during practice sessions.
The world No. 8, who dropped three spots in the rankings after her third-round loss at the Australian Open, announced on Wednesday that she will be working with Craig Kardon on a trial basis, starting next week in Dubai.
Andy Roddick
A leaner Roddick made the semifinals in Oz before falling in straight sets to Roger Federer. In addition to the 15-pound weight loss, much credit for Roddick’s impressive run was given to his new coach, veteran Larry Stefanki, who joined the American’s team late last season.
Peng Shuai
China’s Peng has begun working with Frenchman Tarik Benhabiles, who previously coached Richard Gasquet, Tatiana Golovin, Andy Roddick and most recently, Benjamin Becker.
Daniela Hantuchova and Tamira Paszek
Austrian phenom Paszek has parted ways with Lari Passos, the former coach of Gustavo Kuerten, and is now being coached by Angel Gimenez of the Sanchez-Casal Academy in Barcelona. Gimenez had recently been coaching Daniela Hantuchova, but the Slovak began working with former ATP Tour player Albert Portas in November.
Yanina Wickmayer
The 19-year-old Wickmayer, an heir-apparent to the Belgian tennis throne who is currently ranked No. 76, is under the tutelage of Carlos Rodriguez, who was Justine Henin’s lifelong coach.
It has been reported that Lleyton Hewitt is in a bit of a court battle with his former management company Octagon. Octagon are taking Hewitt to court for breach of contract and then Hewitt is now fighting back with a countersuit, citing incompetence and deception on the part of the agency.
In 2005 and 2006, Hewitt earned $6.75 million net in endorsements and appearance guarantees — including $3.5 mil from Nike and $2.3 mil from Yonex. He also received $340,000 in appearance fees for Sydney, Adelaide, and Queen’s Club.
We will keep you post on how this all turns out.
