Clay Court notes: Sweeting takes dive after victory

Making a splash

Ryan Sweeting made a flying leap into the River Oaks pool after Sunday's victory, soaking a number of the camera-ready onlookers with a perfect cannonball.

This champions "tradition" goes back only to 2008, when the ATP returned to River Oaks after a quarter-century hiatus. Apparently one of the Tour trainers convinced doubles champions Ernest Gulbis and Rainer Schuettler they had to take the plunge because all the winners had done it at River Oaks for decades.

Not knowing any better, they jumped in, and so did singles champion Marcel Granollers the next day. Now it's expected.

All that River Oaks officials ask is that the players take their clay-caked shoes off first.
Going forward

Only the 2012 tournament remains on River Oaks' five-year contract with the USTA to host the Clay Courts. Tournament director Van Barry admitted he has had no discussions yet with the governing body for American tennis, which owns the century-old competition, about extending the relationship, saying talks don't need to begin before next spring. But Barry said he fully expects the relationship to continue.

River Oaks was affiliated with the ATP from the early 1970s through 1983, then continued hosting an independent exhibition tournament through 2007, when Westside Tennis and Fitness decided to give up the Clay Courts after a seven-year run.

Hoping the keep it in Houston — it's Texas' only major tournament for men or women - despite strong interest from at least three other cities, the USTA entered into talks with River Oaks and the deal got done by early May. Originally, it was for one year with a four-year option to follow if both parties were pleased with how the 2008 tournament went. They were, and they remain so, according to Barry.

"It's been a great partnership," he said.
Across the pond

The European clay court season kicks off in Monte Carlo this week. American tennis will be represented there only by the Clay Courts champions Bryans, Bob and Mike, in doubles.

Eight tournaments on clay follow leading into the French Open, the season's second major, at the end of May. The Bryans won the first of their 10 doubles majors there in 2003, but they've been shut out since.
By the numbers

2 Americans given wild cards who have gone on to win the tournament: Sweeting and Mardy Fishin 2006.

4 Americans to have won the clay courts title since it moved to Houston in 2001.