In brief
Wimbledon might go under cover
By VERA FILIPELLI, Times wire
Published January 6, 2004
[Last modified January 6, 2004, 01:33:37]
When Wimbledon announces plans today to renovate Centre Court, the changes could include a sliding roof to prevent rain delays.
All England Lawn Tennis Club chairman Tim Phillips said before last year's tournament that adding a roof was being considered.
"We know that it is physically possible to build a roof as has happened elsewhere," he said. "We also owe it to tennis fans to investigate all the possibilities for play to take place even if it is raining."
HOPMAN CUP: Kim Clijsters and Xavier Malisse won their singles matches and the mixed doubles to lead Belgium to a 3-0 victory over Slovakia in Perth, Australia. France beat Russia 2-1 in the eight-nation event, with Amelie Mauresmo and Fabrice Santoro winning mixed doubles. The defending champion Americans, with James Blake of Tampa and Lindsay Davenport, play the Czech Republic today. The top teams in two round-robin groups play in the final Saturday.
APT CHAMPIONSHIPS: Vincent Spadea, the No. 2 seed, beat Jurgen Melzer 7-6 (7-4), 6-2 in his first-round match in Adelaide, Australia. Fellow American Taylor Dent also won his opening match as did Thomas Johansson, returning from a 14-month layoff.
EUROPEAN PLAYER OF YEAR: Wimbledon champion Roger Federer of Switzerland won the ATP honor.
FIGURE SKATING: Kwong takes title
Princeton Kwong won the free skate to win the novice men's title at the U.S. Championships in Atlanta. Skating to music from the Disney movie Atlantis, Kwong landed five triples. In novice pairs, Julia Vlassov and Drew Meekins won the title, moving up from fourth last year. In novice dance, 16-year-old Lauren Capehart and Stephen Chasman finished first, skating to the music from Pirates of the Caribbean.
WINTER SPORTS: Top skier out for season
Janica Kostelic, the first Alpine skier to win four medals at a single Olympics, made it official: She is out for the season. The Croatian had four knee operations in the past 10 months, the most recent in October, and has been suffering from thyroid problems. She won three golds and a silver at the 2002 Salt Lake City Games.
MORE SKIING: Sweden's Anja Paerson won her fourth World Cup slalom race of the season, defeating Austria's Marlies Schild in Megeve, France. American Kristina Koznick was sixth.
SNOWBOARDING: Lindsay Jacobelius of the United States and Tom Velisek of Canada won World Cup boarder cross events in Bad Gastein, Austria.
GOLF: Palmer caddie dies
James "Tip" Anderson, longtime caddie for Arnold Palmer at the British Open, died over the weekend at his home in St. Andrews, Scotland. He was 71.
"Tip was the epitome of the Old World caddie," Palmer said. "A man of few words, wry Scottish wit, loyal, punctual and, of course, very good at what he did."
Mr. Anderson caddied for Palmer in the 1960 British Open at St. Andrews, the year Palmer won the Masters and the U.S. Open and created the notion of a "Grand Slam" by playing the British Open for the first time. Palmer finished second at St. Andrews, but he used Mr. Anderson as his caddie in the British Open every time he played. He last caddied for Palmer in 1990.
"We still saw each other from time to time after that," Palmer said. "I hope Tip had one last beverage the day he passed away. It would have been most appropriate."
ET CETERA
HORSES: Kentucky Derby and Preakness winner Funny Cide, Belmont champion Empire Maker and 4-year-old star Mineshaft were among the Eclipse Award finalists. Funny Cide and Empire Maker were chosen in the 3-year-old male category, and Mineshaft, winner of four Grade I races, was one of three finalists in the older male category. All winners will be announced Jan. 26.
COLLEGES: Florida State's Lisa How and Michael Paulus were named ACC swimmers of the week in leading their teams to three victories over the weekend.
TRACK: Charles Dumas, the first athlete to high jump 7 feet and a gold-medal winner at the 1956 Olympics, died of cancer in Inglewood, Calif. He was 66.
GREYOUNDS: WW Apple Jax won his third straight at Derby Lane. The national champion was sent to Florida in hopes of boosting his career as a sire when he retires.
Baseball
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College basketballNew No. 1 Duke takes care of business
Refs eventually give win to Texas
College footballFinally, LSU lives up to its tradition
USC happy, humble and hungry for more titles
HockeyElias sparks Devils to OT win against Oilers
U.S. wins first world junior title
In briefWimbledon might go under cover
NBA8-player deal puts Marbury on Knicks
Bucks spoil Iverson's return
NFLAFC playoff notes
NFC playoff notes
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ObituaryPopular reliever McGraw dies at 59
OutdoorsDaily fishing report
PrepsGirls face dangers on boys teams
RaysRays hope they have bargain in Baez
BucsBucs expected to have shot at Raiders GM
LightningR & R part of Lightning game plan
Tonight: lightning at Senators
