Sports Notes - Serena Williams Wins Australian Open

Williams sisters defy all odds remain the WTA's # 1 & 2 (We told you so). Serena takes Serena slam by defeating Venus at Australian Open - Nrbelex photo

Venus Williams - Sascha Wenninger photo

James Loving - National Radio Text Service

Serena Williams Wins Australian Open By Defeating sister Venus. They Are The WTA's Best - Fickert Ends Tenure As Cambodian Football Coach - Thailand's FAT Thaws Withe Freeze - Kobe Bryant Big Winner

Saturday January 25, 2003

SERENA WILLIAMS WINS AUSTRALIAN OPEN - SISTERS BEST IN WTA

We told you so… two years ago!!! We predicted that the Williams sisters would rise to number one rankings in the WTA. It happened in 2002. To cap it off Serena defeated Venus today to win the Australian Open. That gave Serena four straight Grand Slam titles or as she calls it "The Serena Slam." The sisters also won the Australian Open's Women's doubles title.

Venus was the first to rise to the top in February 2002. . Serena came on strong and also gained the number ranking July. Last year she won three of the four Grand Slam events (French, Wimbledon & US Open). Serena has held on to the top spot longer then Venus entering 2003 as # 1 with Venus ranked 2nd.

It was only four years ago that we covered the then Virginia Slims tennis (now Acura) tournament in Los Angeles, California (USA) when media and fans were complaining about the beads in the sister's hair. Many expressed how displeased they were with the way their father was raising them. We disagreed and predicted that the sisters would some day be ranked # 1. We rest our case and will serve crow to those that couldn't see past their wagging tongues.

CAMBODIAN COACH JOACHIM FICKERT OUT

After seven years at the helm coaching and helping resurrect the Cambodian football program Joachim Fickert will leave the squad when his contract runs out at the end of January.

The 55-year-old German coach was in a situation where he had to make a silk purse out of a sow's ear without the support of the Cambodian Federation. Regardless what he taught the players the CFF didn't arrange any International matches for the squad to improve their skills to be competitive.

Fickert also had to endure being slandered by a highly respected English language newspaper in Phnom Penh (more on that later).

With no help from the CFF in acquiring test matches to develop and improve the squad Fickert was beating a dead horse.

If there was one lesson to be learned from the experience it was futility. Fickert and CFF president Ravy Khek decided to part company. Full story coming: Cambodian Football Hits The Wall. (FULL STORY)

AFC WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIP (FOOTBALL)

The AFC Women's (Football) will be held in Bangkok, Thailand April 17-30. They will vie for the two add a half spots open for the FIFA World Cup to be played in China. Participating teams include: defending champions DPR Korea, China, Taiwan, Guam, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Korea Republic, Burma, Philippines, Singapore, Uzbekistan and Vietnam.

 

Kobe Bryant NBA photo

KOBE BRYANT BRINGS IN 2003 WITH A BANG

The Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant has started the year 2003 with a bang. Bryant broke the NBA 3-point shooting record earlier this month making 12 three points shots in a game, including nine in a row.

This week Bryant and his wife Vanessa became the proud parents of a 2.8 kilo/six pounds four ounce) baby girl. They named their daughter Natalia Vanessa. Bryant was with his wife during the birth and cut the baby's umbilical cord.

DID YOU KNOW?

According to television sportscaster and former NBA player Sean Elliott the Dallas Mavericks acquired their entire team through trades. None of their players are their own number one draft picks. Elliott made his statement during the telecast of the Mavericks Boston Celtics game January 11 (10th in the USA) on ESPN/Star. NBA FOREIGN PLAYERS:

There are 63 foreign NBA players from 38 countries. THREE of the first seven and five of the first sixteen draft picks in the draft were foreigners. A record seventeen foreign-born players were selected of the 58 overall first and second round draft picks.

FAT WANT WITHE

The Football Association of Thailand (FAT) continues to conduct their business in nerve-racking fashion in giving coach Peter Withe a new contract. Since our story last week the Bangkok Post reported that the FAT received numerous complaints from Thai people urging that Withe's contract be renewed. The FAT have now changed their stance.

A new pact brings stipulations should Withe agree. The FAT's has been displeased with the coach about matters that have nothing to do with football. It wasn't about winning; it was that Withe didn't wear a suit. It was as though the FAT was thinking they hired a fashion model and not a football coach.

The FAT has relaxed those demands and now will forbid Withe to wear shorts o the sidelines. They will permit him to coach the side in the upcoming Kings Cup February. He will have to work with the Brazilian coaches the FAT has hired. The FAT PICKS the squad. (FULL STORY)

KINGS CUP

The Kings Cup tournament will be held in Bangkok February 16-22. Sweden, North Korea and Qatar have agreed to participate. Sweden said they would bring their full squad.

TOMMY MADDOX NEVER QUIT & WINS

The Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Tommy Maddox proved that winners never quit.

The 31-year-old left UCLA University early to become the first round draft pick of the Denver Broncos. He lasted two seasons and spent one year respectively with the then Los Angeles now St. Louis Rams and the New York Giants before being released.

Maddox took a day job as an insurance salesman. His love for the game brought him back to football where he played in the Arena League, the equivalent of the lowest level of professional soccer/football in England, Spain, Italy or Germany.

Undaunted then he took a job in a new league the XFL and won the leagues MVP trophy. Maddox then got his big break when the XFL went out of business and the Steelers signed him in 2001. After five seasons out out the league Maddox was used sparingly playing in only five games. This season he became the teams starter playing in 12 games.

Maddox suffered a head injury in November but returned a month later to guide the Steelers to the playoffs.

They were eliminated when they lost a controversial game to the Tennessee Titans. His efforts paid off when he was voted the NFL Comeback Player of The Year.

NO WOMEN'S FOOTBALL IN CAMBODIA

A reader E-mailed NR wanting to know if there was a woman's football team in Cambodia. She currently lives in the US but would return to Cambodia if there were a women's team that she could play for.

Tola May the CFF's Director of Coaching and Youth Development said there isn't a women's team or program. There is no plan to establish one in the near future. May said the focus at this time is to develop the men's program.