Sharapova to skip exhibition tourney

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

HONG KONG -- Defending Australian Open champion Maria Sharapova has withdrawn from a Hong Kong exhibition tournament saying she is still recovering from a shoulder injury just weeks ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.

The three-time Grand Slam winner started playing tennis again just over two weeks ago and isn't match fit, organizers of the Jan. 7-10 Hong Kong event said in a statement on their website Wednesday

"I'm just not ready to play against the top-class competition in Hong Kong, although I remain hopeful for Australia where I'm the defending champion," the statement quoted Sharapova as saying.

The Australian Open runs from Jan. 19 to Feb. 1.

"Maria needs to get 'tennis fit' now and she's working hard," Sharapova's agent, Max Eisenbud, was quoted as saying.

Sharapova has not played competitively since pulling out of the Rogers Cup at Montreal in late July after beating Poland's Marta Domachowska in a nearly three-hour match in which she double-faulted 17 times. The Russian was examined by a trainer midway through the three-set victory and withdrew from the event before her next match..

Medical tests later found a torn rotator cuff tendon in the 21-year-old's right shoulder.

Sharapova missed the rest of the just-concluded season, including the Beijing Olympics and the U.S. Open, ending her streak of 23 consecutive major tournaments.

She hadn't missed a major since her Grand Slam debut at the 2003 Australian Open. Sharapova also won the singles titles at Wimbledon in 2004 and the U.S. Open in 2006.

While she briefly held the No. 1 spot this year, her time off the court led her to slide down before ending the season at No. 9.

Sharapova went 32-4 with three titles in 2008, earning nearly US$2 million in tour prize money.

Organizers in Hong Kong have replaced Sharapova with fellow Russian Anna Chakvetadze.

The field at the team-format event also includes top-ranked Jelena Jankovic of Serbia, American Venus Williams, Russia's Vera Zvonareva, Zheng Jie of China and India's Sania Mirza.

Jankovic sets sights on GS title

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON -- After finishing the season as the world's top-ranked tennis player, Jelena Jankovic is ready to concentrate on winning her first Grand Slam title in 2009.

The 23-year-old Serb, who reached the U.S. Open final this year and also made the semifinals at the Australian and French Opens, first took over the No. 1 ranking on Aug. 11 and then again ascended to that height on Oct. 6. She has held the top ranking for a total of 12 weeks.

"My priorities will be on the big tournaments, Grand Slams and Tier 1s," Jankovic said Thursday on a conference call. "When you prepare 100 per cent, when you put all the hard work in, then you can really have higher expectations and you can expect yourself to achieve great things."

Last season, Jankovic won more matches (65) than any other woman on the WTA Tour, claiming titles in Rome, Beijing, Stuttgart and Moscow in the 22 tournaments she played. But she said injuries bothered her for much of the season, and that's why she has already started working out to prepare for next season.

"I'm really training hard," said Jankovic, who started training in November and is currently practicing in Florida. "Before I came here I was in Mexico in high altitude ... trying to get stronger and fitter."

On Wednesday, Jankovic and top-ranked Rafael Nadal were honoured as the International Tennis Federation's world champions of 2008. But for 2009, Jankovic expects to go about her season differently, easing her schedule in order to stay healthy.

"What matters is how fit you are, how well you prepare," said Jankovic, who admitted she was only injury-free for a major tournament this year at the U.S. Open, where she lost to Serena Williams in the final. "Last year in December, I didn't have a good preparation before the new season. I only trained two weeks before the Australian Open.

"When you're not ready, when you're not prepared, when you're not fit and playing at a high level ... you're going to have a high risk of getting injured."

As the top-ranked player, Jankovic is also going to have to deal with others trying to prove themselves by beating her.

"I want the girls to play their best tennis against me and I want to win in those circumstances. I'm up for the challenge," Jankovic said. "I want to compete in those best tournaments with the best players out there."

As for simply being on top of women's tennis, Jankovic is relishing that, too.

"I love being in that role, being in the role of the No. 1 player in the world. I like that position and I want to stay there as long as it is possible," Jankovic said. "I haven't trained in my whole career as hard as I'm training now, and I hope and I believe that all this hard work will pay off."

Jankovic also hinted that she would continue playing in the Fed Cup for Serbia, which hosts Japan in the first round of World Group II in February.

"I am a huge patriot," said Jankovic, who helped Serbia advance from the zonal group in 2008. "I love playing for my country and defending the colors of my flag."

Costa new Spain Davis Cup captain

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BARCELONA, Spain -- Former French Open champion Albert Costa was named Spain's Davis Cup captain Thursday, a month after the team beat Argentina for the 2008 title. Costa, 33, replaces Emilio Sanchez Vicario, who stepped down after leading Spain to its third Davis Cup title with a 3-1 win over Argentina in Mar del Plata. Costa was a member of Spain's first Davis Cup winning team in 2000. He also won 12 ATP singles titles during his playing career, including the 2002 French Open. He is currently coaching Feliciano Lopez. "I accomplished a lot of my dreams as a player, winning at Roland Garros and now I've managed another one, becoming captain of our Davis Cup team," said Costa, who agreed to lead Spain for one year. Costa's debut will be a first round World Group match against Serbia at Benidorm from March 6-8. "We're very ambitious. We want to keep working really hard and we want to win the Davis Cup again," Costa said. Sanchez Vicario, who led Spain for three full seasons after taking charge in October 2005, had publicly pushed for the Spanish tennis federation to pick Costa. Sanchez Vicario announced his retirement after Spain's unlikely victory -- it came with top-ranked Rafael Nadal unavailable due to injury -- against the heavily favoured Argentines. "He did an incredible job and he's kind of left me in a bad spot. It'll be nearly impossible to better what he did," Costa said. Costa had an 11-8 career record in 13 Davis Cup series.

No Aussie for pregnant Davenport

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS CLEVELAND -- American Lindsay Davenport is withdrawing from the Australian Open because she is pregnant with her second child. The three-time Grand Slam singles champion and former No. 1-ranked woman gave birth to a son, Jagger, in June 2007. Davenport then returned to the tour, although she hasn't played since the U.S. Open in August of this year. Just last week, the Australian Open announced Davenport would play in the tournament, which begins Jan. 19. "Of course this unexpected but exciting surprise now means I will be putting tennis on hold for the foreseeable future," Davenport said in a statement issued Wednesday by her agent.

All-England centre court gets a roof

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

WIMBLEDON, England -- The first match under the new retractable roof of Wimbledon's Centre Court will be played in May, almost two months before the 2009 tournament.

Wimbledon will hold a test event on May 17 "in order to test the new roof and air conditioning system," the All England Club said Tuesday in a statement.

Tickets will be sold to the event, details of which have yet to be announced.

"We plan to recreate normal playing conditions," Wimbledon spokesman Johnny Perkins said.

The Daily Mail newspaper reported that four-time Wimbledon semifinalist Tim Henman, who retired in 2007, is being lined up to take part in the opening event.

The traditional roof overhang on Centre Court was removed after the 2006 tournament, leaving the grass surface more open to the elements in 2007. But the overhang was back in 2008, along with 1,200 extra seats.

Installation of the sliding roof -- which will help alleviate Wimbledon's perennial rain delays -- is due to be completed in early 2009.

The 2009 tournament will run from June 22-July 5.

Davenport to play Aussie Open

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

SYDNEY, Australia -- Three-time Grand Slam-winner Lindsay Davenport of the U.S. is returning to the WTA Tour, entering January's 2009 Australian Open.

Davenport, 32, who won the 2000 Australian Open title, has not played a tournament since the U.S. Open in August, fuelling speculation she was planning to retire.

"We are really excited that she has entered," tournament director Craig Tiley said Thursday. "She is a world-class player and a great ambassador for our sport."

As well as her Australian Open singles title, Davenport won Wimbledon in 1999 and the U.S. Open in 1998. She took part in this year's Australian Open, losing to eventual champion Maria Sharapova in the second round.

Davenport took a break from the WTA circuit for part of the 2006 and 2007 seasons before giving birth to a son, Jagger, in June 2007.

Entries for next year's Open have closed and the top-100 men and women are all on the list for the main draws.

Serena Williams out of Hopman Cup

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS PERTH, Australia -- U.S. Open champion and No. 2-ranked Serena Williams has withdrawn from next month's Hopman Cup international mixed team tournament. Organizers announced Monday that Williams would not recover from a hamstring injury she picked up at last month's WTA Championships in time for the tournament, which starts Jan. 3. She still intended to play at the Australian Open starting Jan. 19. Two-time champion James Blake will now be joined by Meghann Shaughnessy on the U.S. team, which retains the No. 1 seeding. Williams and Blake combined to win the 2003 Hopman Cup. Marat Safin has confirmed he will partner his sister, Dinara Safina, in the Russian team.

Sampras falls in London event

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON -- The memories all came flooding back to Pete Sampras, even if a title didn't come with the nostalgia.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion, playing in a seniors tournament at Royal Albert Hall, lost to Cedric Pioline 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) Saturday. But not reaching Sunday's final didn't diminish the enjoyment of his first trip to England since losing at Wimbledon in 2002.

"This place brings back memories ... just being here and seeing the British people," said the 37-year-old Sampras, who beat Pioline in the 1993 U.S. Open final and the '97 Wimbledon final. "It was good to be back.

"When you drive around the streets here, I think about my titles. I think about my wins. But unfortunately I couldn't win it here."

On Wednesday, Sampras had 19 aces and defeated John McEnroe 6-3, 6-4 in the opening match. Pioline had never beaten Sampras in nine matches on the men's tour, but he finally got the better of him as both players dropped serve once in each set.

"It was a dogfight," Sampras said. "Cedric is returning better today than he did back when."

Pioline also thought it was the return game that allowed him to win and reach the final, where he will face Greg Rusedski.

"I always had problems to return his serve," the 39-year-old Frenchman said. "Suddenly, I could read his serve. I don't know why."

Back in 1997, it was different story. Sampras was starting another winning streak at Wimbledon after falling to Richard Krajicek in the '96 quarter-finals. He would go on to win four straight and cement his status as one of the greatest ever to play on grass.

"He'd rather have the '97 Wimbledon than this one," Sampras joked.

McEnroe said Sampras would still be competitive if he played on the tour. But Sampras said "never."

"I could be competitive, and there's a big difference as far as being competitive and winning," Sampras said. "I could play Wimbledon and hold serve a few times, but that's not why I play the game. I play to win. I play to win titles."

Sampras did that in his last professional match, earning his 14th major title at the 2002 U.S. Open.

"I gave it every possibility after the U.S. Open to play again," Sampras said. "After six months ... after Wimbledon came and went, that's when I knew I was done. I didn't know what I was going to do next, but I knew was done with tennis."

But he has slowly returned to the game, playing a pair of seniors events this year and taking on Roger Federer in an exhibition match at Madison Square Garden. He said he'd like to face Rafael Nadal, who deposed Federer as the top-ranked player this year.

"I'd like to see Nadal's game, his sort of ball, his quickness out there," Sampras said. "If it's a match or practice I don't care. That'd be interesting for me."

Sampras even thinks he'd have a chance against the Spaniard, given the right circumstances.

"If I played him out here, on this court, I could be competitive. That's all I'm going to say," Sampras of the fast indoor surface at Royal Albert Hall. "He's the best player in the world and I'm not."

On this trip, Sampras entertained the idea of dropping by the All England Club but decided against it. After winning seven Wimbledon titles in eight years from 1993-2000, Sampras lost to George Bastl in five sets in the second round of the 2002 tournament.

"It just wasn't the right time," said Sampras, who would likely return if 13-time Grand Slam champion Federer can break his record of 14. "When it's all prime and pretty, I'll be back."

Sampras downs McEnroe in England

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON -- A fast court, plenty of fast serves and a straight-sets win. It was all vintage Pete Sampras.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion played tennis in England on Wednesday for the first time since 2002, beating John McEnroe 6-3, 6-4 in a seniors match at the Royal Albert Hall.

"To be retired six years and still play in front of good crowds is an honour," the 37-year-old Sampras said. "It was a fun night of tennis."

On the court, Sampras dominated.

Wearing a dark blue shirt and white shorts -- instead of the usual all-white attire he used to don at the All England Club in his heyday -- Sampras served 19 aces, including three in the final game.

"That serve is just scary," said the 49-year-old McEnroe, who wasted four break points in the opening game of the match. "It's not often you get a chance to break a serve like that."

In true McEnroe fashion, however, the seven-time Grand Slam champion wasn't happy with all the calls.

"At 30-40 (in the first game), that serve, to me it was clearly out," McEnroe said.

In the final game of the first set, McEnroe thought another of Sampras' serves was out, but his opponent was all too happy to show him where it landed.

The record 14-time Grand Slam champion walked toward the net with a tennis ball held over his head, mimicking the trajectory of the previous shot. He approached the net, then hopped over it, continued walking toward the centre service line and placed it down, right on the line.

"The ball was clearly in," Sampras said later.

Despite the result, McEnroe played well, too, impressing the much younger Sampras with his fitness and his serving ability.

"I had a hard time sort of picking up his serve," Sampras said. "To be 49 and be able to serve and volley and be effective, and has the hands and the movement.

"Forty-nine's not young in tennis."

McEnroe was even more impressed with Sampras, saying again he thinks the American great still has the ability to be playing on tour with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

"They wouldn't want to play him," McEnroe said.

Sampras won three of the world's four major tennis tournaments and McEnroe won two, but neither could claim a Grand Slam title on clay at the French Open. Sampras, however, was wishing for a little of the red dirt on Wednesday because the court at the Royal Albert Hall was too fast.

"Everyone thinks I like fast courts. I really don't," said Sampras, who also won five U.S. Opens and two Australian Opens. "I need time to break. I don't need time to hold.

"Not to criticize it, but let's put some clay on it or something."

Sampras will next face Jeremy Bates on Friday before finishing Group A play against Cedric Pioline on Saturday.

That will give Sampras a day off on Thursday and a chance to visit the grass courts of Wimbledon for the first time since he lost to George Bastl in five sets at the 2002 tournament.

Sampras asked no one in particular if he needed to wear anything special to get into the club, and he was answered with a round of laughter.

"I know I'm a member," said Sampras, obviously still bitter about losing in the second round at his final Wimbledon. "I haven't been there since I was humiliated."

Federer cuts back on clay schedule

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS BASEL, Switzerland -- Roger Federer will play only two clay-court tournaments before the French Open, the only Grand Slam tournament he has never won. Federer will head to Paris on May 24 after playing Masters series events on his least favourite surface in Rome and Madrid, according to a schedule published on his website. Federer played four clay-court events this year ahead of the French Open -- Estoril, Portugal; Monte Carlo; Rome; and Hamburg, Germany. He lost to Rafael Nadal in the French Open final. "I am really pleased with the season the way we have planned it and I am looking forward to an exciting year," Federer said. Federer had a tough 2008 season marred by illness and a back injury. He surrendered his Wimbledon title and No. 1 ranking to Nadal, but won the U.S. Open for his 13th Grand Slam title. Federer's agent, Tony Godsick, told The Associated Press in October that the Swiss star would play a 2009 schedule "that works for him physically." "He is not going to overplay next year," Godsick said. "He is just going to try to make sure that he peaks for the tournaments that mean the most to him." Federer has won five U.S. Opens, five Wimbledons and three Australian Opens but never captured the French, where he has lost to Nadal in the final three straight years. Federer will start the year on hard courts at an invitation tournament in Abu Dhabi then play events at Doha, Qatar, and Kooyong, Australia, before the Australian Open starts Jan. 19 in Melbourne. His grass-court schedule is unchanged with a single warmup for Wimbledon, at Halle, Germany. Federer will defend his U.S. Open title from Aug. 31 after playing Masters events on hard courts at Montreal and Cincinnati.

Sampras set to lose records

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

LONDON -- Pete Sampras has long been preparing for the day when Roger Federer eclipses his record of 14 major tennis titles. He's now starting to come to grips with the fact that Rafael Nadal may be able to do it as well.

The 37-year-old Sampras, who is in London to play in a seniors tournament at the Royal Albert Hall, won the 2002 U.S. Open in his last competitive match, giving him 14 Grand Slam championships. Federer has 13 and Nadal has five, including the last four French Open titles.

"If you think about it, Rafa's got as good a chance to win double digits as anyone," Sampras said Tuesday. "I think Roger's going to break this record over the next couple of years. I think Rafa, he could win some more French's, he could win a couple more Wimbledons. He could have 10-12 majors when he's done, if not more."

The 2008 season saw a shift on the tennis circuit from Federer's dominance to the ultimate rise of Nadal, who beat the former top-ranked Swiss to win both the French Open and Wimbledon and took over the No. 1 ranking.

This year's Wimbledon final was considered one of the greatest matches of all time, with Nadal winning 9-7 in the fifth set in near darkness.

"One guy had to win. It was Rafa's year," said Sampras, who won seven titles at the All England Club. "It was one of the best matches I've ever seen."

But even though Nadal got the upper hand this past season -- finally beating Federer on grass to snap his five-year winning streak at Wimbledon -- Sampras believes Federer has plenty more titles to win.

"There's a lot left in him," Sampras said of Federer, whom he called a friend, adding they text each other regularly. "I think he's gotten to a stage where it's about the majors."

As for next season, Sampras is already curious.

"It'll be interesting to see what happens with Nadal next year," Sampras said. "It takes so much work for him to keep it going, to stay healthy, to stay on top. That's one thing Roger has over him. I think it takes a lot less energy for Roger to stay on top."

Sampras also talked about Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, saying both are just a step below the top two players but a step above everyone else.

"He's right there with Nadal and Roger," Sampras said of the fourth-ranked Murray, adding that he hasn't been asked to give any advice to the British player. "I do know what it takes to win Wimbledon, if he wants advice on that."

This week's BlackRock Masters tournament marks the first time Sampras has been to Britain since 2002, when he lost to George Bastl in five sets in the second round at Wimbledon.

"Last time I was here was a major low point, but I feel pretty good. At 37 I can still play pretty well," said Sampras, who won a seniors event in Brazil back in June. "I can still serve and volley really well."

If they would let him, Sampras would even put on his whites this week for another chance to get on the court at the All England Club -- if only for practice.

"I've missed the place," said Sampras, who won three straight Wimbledon titles from 1993-95 before winning another four straight from 1997-2000. "I'd like to play on the court one more time. Take my kids there.

"There's no other place like it in the world."

This week, Sampras will play John McEnroe, Jeremy Bates and Cedric Pioline in Group A of round robin play, starting with McEnroe on Wednesday. Montreal-born Greg Rusedski, Pat Cash and Guy Forget are in Group B.

"It's still competitive. We all have a lot of pride in playing well and winning," Sampras said of the seniors tour, before noting it's not exactly the same as when he was at his peak. "It's not like I need to come here and have to win the event. I mean I'd like to, but it's not like it used to be.

"That being said, people want to see me play well. And all the guys play well."

He'll try to play better than he did in his last appearance in Britain, even if certain things rarely change.

"It's raining still," Sampras said with a smile as drizzle fell outside the Royal Albert Hall.

Sampras: Nadal could surpass me

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LONDON -- Pete Sampras has long been preparing for the day when Roger Federer eclipses his record of 14 major tennis titles. He's now starting to come to grips with the fact that Rafael Nadal may be able to do it as well. The 37-year-old Sampras, who is in London to play in a seniors tournament at the Royal Albert Hall, won the 2002 U.S. Open in his last competitive match, giving him 14 Grand Slam championships. Federer has 13 and Nadal has five, including the last four French Open titles. "If you think about it, Rafa's got as good a chance to win double digits as anyone," Sampras said Tuesday. "I think Roger's going to break this record over the next couple of years. I think Rafa, he could win some more French's, he could win a couple more Wimbledons. He could have 10-12 majors when he's done, if not more." The 2008 season saw a shift on the tennis circuit from Federer's dominance to the ultimate rise of Nadal, who beat the former top-ranked Swiss to win both the French Open and Wimbledon and took over the No. 1 ranking. This year's Wimbledon final was considered one of the greatest matches of all time, with Nadal winning 9-7 in the fifth set in near darkness. "One guy had to win. It was Rafa's year," said Sampras, who won seven titles at the All England Club. "It was one of the best matches I've ever seen." But even though Nadal got the upper hand this past season -- finally beating Federer on grass to snap his five-year winning streak at Wimbledon -- Sampras believes Federer has plenty more titles to win. "There's a lot left in him," Sampras said of Federer, whom he called a friend, adding they text each other regularly. "I think he's gotten to a stage where it's about the majors." As for next season, Sampras is already curious. "It'll be interesting to see what happens with Nadal next year," Sampras said. "It takes so much work for him to keep it going, to stay healthy, to stay on top. That's one thing Roger has over him. I think it takes a lot less energy for Roger to stay on top." Sampras also talked about Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, saying both are just a step below the top two players but a step above everyone else. "He's right there with Nadal and Roger," Sampras said of the fourth-ranked Murray, adding that he hasn't been asked to give any advice to the British player. "I do know what it takes to win Wimbledon, if he wants advice on that." This week's BlackRock Masters tournament marks the first time Sampras has been to Britain since 2002, when he lost to George Bastl in five sets in the second round at Wimbledon. "Last time I was here was a major low point, but I feel pretty good. At 37 I can still play pretty well," said Sampras, who won a seniors event in Brazil back in June. "I can still serve and volley really well." If they would let him, Sampras would even put on his whites this week for another chance to get on the court at the All England Club -- if only for practice. "I've missed the place," said Sampras, who won three straight Wimbledon titles from 1993-95 before winning another four straight from 1997-2000. "I'd like to play on the court one more time. Take my kids there. "There's no other place like it in the world." This week, Sampras will play John McEnroe, Jeremy Bates and Cedric Pioline in Group A of round robin play, starting with McEnroe on Wednesday. Montreal-born Greg Rusedski, Pat Cash and Guy Forget are in Group B. "It's still competitive. We all have a lot of pride in playing well and winning," Sampras said of the seniors tour, before noting it's not exactly the same as when he was at his peak. "It's not like I need to come here and have to win the event. I mean I'd like to, but it's not like it used to be. "That being said, people want to see me play well. And all the guys play well." He'll try to play better than he did in his last appearance in Britain, even if certain things rarely change. "It's raining still," Sampras said with a smile as drizzle fell outside the Royal Albert Hall.

Rpt; Sharapova, family threatened

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

MADISON, Wisconsin -- A former American college football player was charged Monday with making threats against tennis star Maria Sharapova and her family in profanity-laced telephone messages to his former coach.

Leonard Taylor Jr., 32, of Indianapolis, faces one felony stalking count and one misdemeanour count of telephone harassment involving his former coach, Barry Alvarez.

His father told police Taylor has been diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and hasn't taken his medication for three months, according to the criminal complaint filed in Dane County Circuit Court.

Taylor played defensive back for Wisconsin from 1995 to 1998, when Alvarez was the coach. Taylor also played briefly for the Madison Mad Dogs professional indoor football team.

According to the complaint, Wisconsin head athletic trainer Denny Helwig told police in September that Taylor had been calling Alvarez's office phone and leaving six to seven disturbing messages each night since the beginning of the football season.

Police contacted Taylor by phone the same day they took Helwig's information. Taylor was apologetic and said Alvarez had nothing to worry about.

He said he thought he could talk to his former coach about his problems, but he would stop calling.

A University of Wisconsin employee identified only as "LW" told detectives Wednesday that Taylor left 29 voicemails on Alvarez's office phone on Nov. 24 and Nov. 25.

Messages relating to Sharapova accused her of committing various injustices against him. He said he wanted to marry her and kill her and her family.

Taylor also said he intended to come to Madison and kill Alvarez and his family if unspecified demands weren't met within 24 hours.

"Barry, you heard that (expletive) message, (expletive) it. I hate that (expletive) Maria Sharapova ... I just want to look at you one (expletive) last time before I pull the (expletive) trigger, Barry," one message said.

He also left messages in 2007 that consisted mostly of complaining that a television network hadn't paid him money it owed him, the employee identified as "LW" in the complaint told police.

Leonard Taylor Sr. told detectives his son hasn't been seeing his therapist and refused to go to a hospital for treatment, the complaint said.

Taylor was arrested Friday in Indiana, the Wisconsin State Journal reported Monday. A message The Associated Press left for a University of Wisconsin Police spokesman Monday afternoon wasn't immediately returned.

Alvarez referred questions to Amy Toburen, a spokeswoman in University of Wisconsin-Madison Chancellor Biddy Martin's office. Toburen didn't immediately return a message.