As Monica Seles prepares to take on Martina Navratilova on
Saturday, thus ending her 27-month absence from the women's
tennis circuit, many in the media are examining her return and
the impact it will have on the WTA Tour and Seles' sponsors. In
a feature in USA TODAY, Doug Smith reports that Seles' "long
hiatus has been costly." She reportedly has lost close to $10M
in potential endorsements and earnings. And, although her deals
with Yonex and Sony are solid, a settlement on Fila's breach of
contract suit against Seles is still being negotiated. Seles'
"drama prone" personality has also turned off some in tennis
circles. CBS' Mary Carillo believes a series of announcements at
the French Open and Wimbledon about her return "were timed to
focus attention" on Seles. Chris Evert: "It baffles me. It's
sort of like two different people, because I've had nothing but
wonderful dealings with Monica. I don't know if it's
calculating." WTA Tour CEO Anne Person Worcester hopes Seles'
return will bring a much-needed title sponsor to the tour.
Stephanie Tolleson, Seles agent at IMG: "Now that Monica's
coming back, companies that we've had one meeting with about
being title sponsor are requesting second and third meetings"
(USA TODAY, 7/37). Last night "ET" and "Extra" previewed Pat
O'Brien's upcoming CBS interview with Monica Seles. O'Brien:
"Tennis realizes, women's tennis especially, they are in trouble,
that they need some big names" ("Extra," 7/26).
MARTINA PULLS UP LAME: Navratilova is battling a groin
injury, but she said in a statement that she intends to play
Saturday. IMG's Sean McManus said with 500 media requests, the
match "won't be postponed." USA TODAY's Rudy Martzke notes, with
the injury, "You wonder if CBS and the viewers will be getting a
competitive match" (USA TODAY, 7/27).
