Age is only a number, yet it seems in our current times if you’re number is too high over 50, it’s suggested that you begin settling in for a few years of the Price is Right and possibly bingo. For some, living out the rest of their days as a Wal-Mart greeter is more than acceptable, while others push on and set a new standard for what they love.

            Though Kimiko Date Krumm is nowhere close to being considered a geriatric, for the sport of tennis, she’s no spring chick. Turning 40 during the US Open, Date Krumm has easily made history.  This past week in Osaka, Japan, pushed on with her history making career by being a first round winner at the Japan Open.

            Sixth-seeded Date Krumm leveled British qualifier Laura Robson 6-3, 6-3 on the hardcourts at the Utsubo Tennis Center. Though she struggled in the first set against the left-handed Robson, who is just 16 years old, the 40 year-old Date Krumm was able to break Robson four times in the 63 minute match en route to winning the $220,000 WTA event.

            Two weeks ago, Date Krumm was able to make it to the third round of the Pan Pacific Open taking victories over Maria Sharapova and Daniela Hantuchova.
            Date Krum is the third other Japanese women -- Junri Namigata and wild cards Ryoko Fuda and Aiko Nakamura -- posted wins on Day 2. The veteran was a runner-up in Osaka in 1993.

                Innovation doesn’t come easily. It takes time, skill, and dedication to the trial and error process. Luckily for the consumer, we never have to see this development, as the product is delivered directly to us in a neat package. In the case of the WTA Tour, they’ve been innovators for almost 37 years and they’re showing no sign of stopping.

                Tuesday, Sony Ericsson became the first brand to launch a real home for tennis fans in the rapidly growing social media market. What makes their app so unique is the choice to use the geolocation platform, Foursquare. Followers of “Sony Ericsson Tennis” will be granted access to exclusive insider tips and recommendations about hot spots in cities where WTA tournaments are held.

Starting the app with the season-ending WTA Championship, being held in Doha, fans in attendance can give tips from where the best viewing areas are to the best times to go out to a practice court and see a top player. In addition to this, players will also be joining in on the fun and leaving their own tips and “check-in” hotspots. In the 2011 season, fans will be able to earn the chance to claim exclusive Sony Ericsson Tennis badges along the tour.