He coached women's tennis at Penn State and knows the tennis scene real well.

He did real well in baseball. During the summer of his freshman year, we went out and played some tennis together and he liked it well enough to try out for the team.

Most tennis players, especially those in foreign countries, start play at a much younger age. That can be a huge advantage and also a disadvantage. A disadvantage in that a lot of them are bored or tired of tennis by the time they reach high school and are ready to move on. Not Eric. He's as enthusiastic a player as you'll find.

We do not see a pattern; it's not like there's one injury befalling tennis players like, say, ankle injuries, ... to continue to improve the schedule to allow for appropriate rest.

This schedule reflects the continued global expansion of and investment in women's professional tennis. The return of the Tour Championships to Europe in Madrid is particularly exciting for our European fans and players, and will ensure a fantastic finale to the 2006 season.

There are lots of kids getting more serious about their tennis at a much earlier age than elsewhere.