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Recent articles...

Dwyane Wade - " COOL?"..............
05/19/2012 @ 06:24 AM
Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade throw tantrum during Game 3 nd it's all caught on national television....

"Clemens & Sleeping Juror's".................................
05/15/2012 @ 09:53 AM
The Judge dismissed a second juror for sleeping....

"BASEBALL in IRELAND?".................
05/13/2012 @ 08:55 AM
Did you know there's an organized baseball league in Ireland? I never did and the American games spreading across the Irish Nation.

"Let's Go To The Game!"...................
05/11/2012 @ 10:11 AM
Taking your kids to a pro game these days near impossible for the average working stiff......

"Defining Seasons"" ............................
05/10/2012 @ 07:27 AM
In my generation there was a time when you could tell the change of seasons by what sport was playing...now, forget it....

'"God Protect's Fool's and Drunk's!"................
05/09/2012 @ 07:12 AM
That expression most of us have heard before certainly can be applied to baseball's Josh Hamilton.....

"WHO CAN PITCH?"......................
05/07/2012 @ 07:48 AM
The Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles played 17 innings of baseball last night and both managers stood in their dugouts and shouted, "who the hell can pitch?"

"JUNIOR, WHY YOU NEVER TELL ME?"....................................
05/05/2012 @ 07:04 AM
The suicide of NFL's most dominant linebacker Junior Seau once again puts the spotlight on suicide's of our pro athletes.

Mariano Rivera - "tough act to follow".........
05/04/2012 @ 07:50 AM
New York Yankee closer Mariano Rivera may be out for the rest of the season. Shagging fly balls prior to last nights game in Kansas City, Rivera suffered a torn ACL to his right knee.

"STOP THE MADNESS" .........................
05/03/2012 @ 07:29 AM
Former MLB great Roger Clemens is back in court with his pal Andy Pettitte being used by Federal prosecutors to "hang" his baseball friend. Stop the "charade."

TENNIS - "how it's changed".................

Posted on 01/20/2012 @ 07:04 AM

The game of tennis is played by millions around the world. Tennis is one of the major global sports with over 75 million participants. That's the number of players recorded according to a 2007 study. I couldn't find any study more current and with the sports popularity growing every year that number could be over 100 million. Worldwide there's almost 200 National Tennis Federations. Global the game is number one in many countries. In Australia where the "Australian Open" in underway it's that countries number one sport. Here's how Tennis "popularity" ranks worldwide, (1-10)...Australia - France - New Zealand - Switzerland - United Kingdom - Belgium - Singapore - U.S.A. - Philippines - Italy.

The game of tennis originated in Birmingham, England in the late 19th century as "Lawn Tennis." Rules of the game hasn't changed much since the 1890's. Some historian's say tennis really began in the 12th century in France. Then the ball was struck with the palm of the hand. Racquets came into use in the 16th century. But the game as we play and know it today began in Birmingham.England. The game was considered an "elitist" sport, played primarily by people of wealth. Public tennis courts unheard of, and certainly here in America, the only tennis courts available were at expensive resort hotels and Country Clubs. Over the years that's changed dramatically as most large and small towns and cities have public courts placed throughout their communities. Public and private indoor tennis facilities are now available and playing tennis is within the reach of every working person. Today, playing tennis is enjoyed by millions of recreational players, and is highly popular worldwide as a spectator sport. The major drawback playing tennis has always been "finding someone to play with." Tennis experts predict when we solve that problem, the game will reap "major benefits" and explode in popularity and keep people playing longer.

Tennis may have found the answer to their "partner" problem with the new "CARDIO TENNIS" craze sweeping America and abroad. In fact, last year Tennis star Anna Kournikova became the new spokesperson for the popular Cardio Tennis program and appears in public relations campaigns to promote the program. Kournikova say's "the sport of tennis gives your whole body a workout, and Cardio Tennis takes it up another level." She went on to say it''s designed for players of all ages and levels from beginners to advanced. There's no need to look for a playing partner. It's a "group" activity featuring drills, and play-based games to give players of all abilities a high-energy workout that burns calories. It's a new program that help's people achieve overall good health and fitness.

Cardio Tennis National Program Manager Michele Krause said, "I'm looking forward to working with Anna promoting Cardio Tennis not just in the U.S., but Worldwide." Cardio Tennis has been expanding rapidly, as people realize it will not only help them achieve fitness goals, but also will help them improve their tennis. Cardio Tennis first appeared in 2005. It was developed by the Tennis Industry Association in conjunction with the U.S.Tennis Association as a "fun" and "healthy"exercise to get in shape and lose weight. Cardio Tennis is about the "workout" not "competition." It's popularity has not only caught on in this country but it's already caught hold in 8 other countries worldwide.

While Anna Kournikova hasn't played on the WTA Tour since 2003 she continues to promote her game by participating in exhibition matches and charitable events throughout the U.S. and World. She's currently an Ambassador for the Boys & Girls Clubs of America involved in causes that promotes health and fitness among young children. She also devotes time to the USO visiting military bases speaking to families about health and fitness. Obviously "Cardio Tennis has found themselves a great spokesperson. She's beautiful, smart, a proven tennis star, who knows the value of good health and fitness.

TENNIS, "how it's changed." No need to spend time looking for a partner to play with. Just sit at your computer and "Google" "CARDIO TENNIS." There's one nearby.

Larry Upton
"Upton on Sports"- source:reuters/tennisindustry/cardiotennis/