BOYS ON THE SIDE: In Toronto, Tom Tebbutt reported that
the ATP will announce this week "it is dropping its plan to
have more combined men's and women's top-level tour events"
(GLOBE & MAIL, 6/29). WTA players continue to draw the most
notice at Wimbledon. In Raleigh, Caulton Tudor writes that
"the world's most prestigious tennis tournament rapidly has
become a ladies-before-gentlemen event of the first order.
But it's not just Wimbledon. It's the entire sport, really"
(NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/30). In L.A., Lisa Dillman wrote that
"it is becoming obvious that female tennis players are
attracting more attention than their male colleagues. ...
What will truly be interesting in the future is how and if
the teenagers evolve into leaders, on the equal-pay issue
and other matters impacting the women's tour" (L.A. TIMES,
6/29). In DC, Jennifer Frey wrote under the header, "As The
Men Face Break Point, Women Stars Grab Center Court"
(WASHINGTON POST, 6/29)....In Tampa, H.A. Branham: "The
question becomes how the men plan to turn things around, or
at least begin to rival a competitor that once presented no
competition" (TAMPA TRIBUNE, 6/29)....In N.Y., Phil Mushnick
wrote, "Is there a major sporting event that has vanished
from the forefront of the American public's consciousness
faster than Wimbledon?" (N.Y. POST, 6/29).
NOTES: The L.A. Times reported that the WNBA's Lynette
Woodard and ESPN women's basketball commentator Mimi Griffin
are candidates to head the WNBA players union. But the
union "is slow to develop in the league's second season"
(ARIZONA REPUBLIC, 6/30)....ABL players and their agents
"are wondering about the rumor" that Michael Jordan "will
buy the ABL's Chicago expansion franchise," according to
Earl Gustkey of the L.A. TIMES. ABL CEO Gary Cavalli
"wouldn't comment," other than saying that Jordan's
involvement would be an "exciting possibility." Jordan was
not available for comment (L.A. TIMES, 6/30).
