Tennis, Athletes | featured news

Maria Sharapova's life-changing move from Siberia to Florida as a seven-year-old propelled her on a path to fame and fortune but she says she would never turn her back on her mother country.

The United States is suffering the consequences of leaning on a model that often limits tennis to those who can afford it. The solution would be using the public school system to widen the talent pool.

Always a fan favorite at the United States Open, and the 2003 champion, Andy Roddick headed into retirement with a 6-7 (1), 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-4 loss to Juan Martin del Potro... More than an hour after hitting one last shot as a professional tennis player, then delivering one last, voice-wavering speech to an adoring U.S. Open audience, Andy Roddick exited the locker room one last time.

Kim Clijsters hit her last shot as a pro tennis player into the net. Doubtful anyone will remember that, though. Smiling right until the end in front of 2,800 buzzing fans on Court 17 at Flushing Meadows, Clijsters officially made her way into retirement Saturday night.

The Williams sisters have not had it easy in recent years. Two of the modern era's most successful women tennis players have been beset by health problems which have deprived the game of two of its most marketable stars.

Serena Williams is recovering in a Los Angeles hospital after undergoing emergency treatment for a blood clot in her lungs, People magazine reported on Wednesday.