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Bob Larson's Tennis Newsletter

The following are excerpts from Bob Larson's Tennis International Newsletter, published weekly by TennisONE. For more Larson tennis news products, go to: www .tennisnews.com

Jensen Brothers and Williams Sisters to Host USTA TV Show

Topspin, the new USTA TV show to be shown on CBS next month, is expected to have Luke and Murphy Jensen host one of the two shows to be shown this year.

Venus and Serena Williams are scheduled to host the other show.

Content is expected to be personal features and behind the scenes look at professional tennis.

Personnel Changes for Davis Cup

Andre Agassi said last week he was not available for the Davis Cup semifinals vs. Italy in September in Milwaukee. Agassi said he will be participating in a fundraiser in Las Vegas.

Richey Reneberg might not be ready in time after having had surgery, so the US will have two replacements. The faces won't be new to the Davis Cup family, however. It is likely that the two will from a pool of Pete Sampras, Justin Gimelstob and Jan-Michael Gambill.

Gambill was almost named for a singles spot in Indianapolis, but captain Gullikson decided at the last minute to re-name Jim Courier. That decision proved to be a good one.

Todd Martin will likely be re-named along with Courier. That will open up the possibility of the two Super G skyscrapers; Gimelstob (6'5") and Gambill (6'3") moving up from practice partners to players in Milwaukee.

Connors and Navratilova Boost WTT Attendance

Jimmy Connors and Martina Navratilova are not regular members of World TeamTennis teams, but they are making a few marquee appearances this season.

When Navratilova appeared last week in Idaho, attendance was higher than normal by more than 1,000.

Connors raised attendance by more than 1,500 in Kansas City and Springfield.

Asian Financial Crisis Hits International Tennis

In an all too real display of the scope of the financial crisis gripping the Asian countries, the Indonesian Tennis Association couldn't afford to send its Davis Cup team to Lebanon for its recent tie.

The president of the federation paid for the team's trip out of his own pocket. The federation is broke. On top of that, the team lost to Lebanon 3-2.

The federation is currently scraping together to find funds to send the team to China next month. It requested funds from KONI, the national sports body.

KONI rules stipulate that if funds are to be awarded to any international sports team, the players must be ranked in the top four in Asia. Regrettably, none of the players qualify.

Click here, to see past Larson Newsletters.

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