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Maria Sharapova: The fashionista lost at French Open
2008-06-02 16:53:00
Any tennis fans can't miss talking about Maria Sharapova 's Nike Paris Dress at the French Open 2008.Sharapova might have lost her campaign in Roland Garros and possibility in losing her WTA no. 1 crown to Ana Ivanovic too if Ivanovic wins (which I think she will!), but she is definitely winning with the classy Nike Paris Dress and Tiffany & Co jewelry.Sharapova arriving in her navy blue cape windbreaker. Looks classy, eh?Sharapova oozes the charisma of a tai-kah-jeh (big sister).She's loaded with weapon ready to go on war against Dinara Safina.Isn't she's graceful like a ballerina girl?Novak Djokovic can do better with this pose.Boohoo, the world no. 1 lost 7-6, 6-7, 2-6 to Dinara Safina, Marat Safin's sister.(Images from JACQUES DEMARTHON/AFP/Getty Images)
More About: Lost , French Open

How to celebrate a win like a Frenchman
2008-06-01 07:44:00
The French players are always passionate especially when it comes to celebrating a win.Julien Benneteau must be overjoyed defeating by Robin Soderling in their third round match at the French Open tennis tournament.The world no. 55 celebrates by kissing the red clay court.Then of course we love the part when he takes off his shirts!Not enough of that, Benneteau takes off his Asics Gel Resolution shoes and throw them to the spectators.However that's where he stops.(Images from AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
More About: Celebrate

Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova are gay icons
2008-05-31 19:11:00
It's official that Andy Murray and Maria Sharapova top the male and female tennis-pin ups amongst the gay community in the UK.Gawd, the English gay men and gay women really have bad tastes.Research conducted by dating website gay-PARSHIP.co.uk puts Murray and Sharapova atop a long list of players gay men and gay women would most like to date with.Top 5 Male Tennis Pin-Ups are:1 Andy Murray 24%2 Mark Philippoussis 20%3 Andy Roddick 18%4 Roger Federer 18%5 Rafael Nadal 14%Speaking before his second round at the French Open, Andy said: "I'm flattered. The more fans I have, the better."Top 5 Female Tennis Pin-Ups are:1 Maria Sharapova 33%2 Anna Kournikova 28%3 Serena Williams 14%4 Martina Hingis 11%5 Ana Ivanovic 8%Anna Kournakova might have hung up her sneakers a while ago, but that doesn’t stop her taking the second place.(Images from andymurray.com and Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)
More About: Icons

It's a clear and sunny day!
2008-05-31 02:07:00
It's clear in Roland Garros and hopefully there will be no more rains that will delay the French Open.Say bye bye to my ear block!It's also a clear and sunny day for me! Finally my ear block is gone. I've went through suction with an ENT specialist, Prof. Prepa at UM Specialist Centre yesterday. It's painless and in fact it's quite a cool experience (that's exactly what Che-Cheh convinced me).Guess what? After the procedure, I can't stop smiling from ear to ear. It feels like a heavy burden has been lifted off my shoulder (or ears). I wasn't comfortable at the beginning and even a little bit now because it feels like I've just discover my superpower hearing. Now I realized how sound polluted our environment is!Thank you everyone especially my loved ones for their patience, love and understanding. I know I've been moody for the past 2 weeks due to 'I can't hear you, you can't hear me' and 'you don't understand me' kind of situations. Thanks a lot to my boss for her u...
More About: Sunny , Clear

Listening to my own voice (part 2)
2008-05-24 15:42:00
Finally this morning I said to myself I had enough. I've been suffering for a week now due to ear blocked and it has been affecting my work, relationship and my lifestyle. I can't communicate properly due to partial hearing loss.I thought probably Cerumol has helped me to loosen the wax and it's time to get a small procedure done. I am not entire mentally ready for the suction but I just can't take it anymore. Meeting an ENT expert is my last resort. Thank you to Che-Cheh for giving me some advice and confidence. It does help!So I went to UM Specialist Centre (UMSC) and was consulted by Prof Dr. Prepa. I was told to use the ear drop (Cerumol) for few more days (in a correct way and sufficient amount) until the wax has loosen. And by Friday he'll have the suction procedure done.Hence I still have to bear with the echo of my own voice inside my head. Haih... I need a dose or two of the French Open matches to numb myself already.
More About: Voice , Part , Listening

Maria Sharapova will wear Tiffany & Co at the French Open
2008-05-23 16:55:00
It sure pays to be the world no. 1. Especially when you are Maria Sharapova . Login into her official site, you'll be greeted by Ms 'Shriek'apova and an expensive pair of Tiffany & Co earrings.Tiffany & Co. has announced that Maria Sharapova, the world's top-ranked player in the WTA, will wear Tiffany designer Elsa Peretti's Wave earrings in 18K gold at the French Open .In addition to the jewelry, Tiffany will also accessorize Sharapova's custom French Open tennis dress. The "Paris dress," by Nike is a 1920s-inspired design that reflects her dynamic sense of style. "Maria Sharapova is a longtime friend of Tiffany and a champion on and off the court," said Linda Buckley, vice president, worldwide public relations. "It gives us great pleasure to accent her on-court look with earrings that epitomize both the quality of her championship play and Tiffany's reputation for design excellence."The partnership will extend for the next two years and will cover the four Grand Slam ...

Here comes the French Open!
2008-05-23 14:54:00
Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic were caught arriving in the same car.But they are not dating. Apparently they arrive together in the same vintage car for the draw of French Open tennis tournament at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris. The prestigious tournament will start this Sunday.Both Nadal and Ivanovic have avoided tough first round draw. However former champ Gustavo Kuerten, who will be making his farewell appearance, will face 18th seed, Frenchman Paul-Henri Mathieu. (Images from AP Photo/Christophe Ena)
More About: French Open , The French

Listening to my own voice...
2008-05-23 03:29:00
I'm taking a break from blogging for awhile. I've been experiencing ear block for about a week now and not in the mood to do anything. I've been physically distracted and not able to concentrate at work, no appetite, no interest to do any kind of activities except rest and hoping to regain my full hearing soon.I've seen GP, applying Cerumol every day and night to loosen the earwax and started to drink salt water and barley to reduce heatiness. Worse come to worst I'll have to go to ENT and do suction or syringing which I really hope not.In the meanwhile I'll just continue to listen to my own internalized voice (which I don't really enjoy) and the quietness of the surrounding.Will be back soon.
More About: Voice , Listening

Please, Rafael Nadal is no 'ogre' or 'beast'
2008-05-19 16:07:00
It seems that Rafael Nadal 's success on clay has created humongous jealousy particularly among Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic supporters.It is truly unacceptable when the self-proclaimed 'Britain's No. 1 quality newspaper website', Telegraph.co.uk called the King of Clay an 'ogre'. Since when the world no. 2 is known as an 'ogre' in France?And what exactly is an ogre?1. A giant or monster in legends and fairy tales that eats humans.2. A person who is felt to be particularly cruel, brutish, or hideous.I don't see the definition match Rafael Nadal at all.Please accept the fact that Nadal is the best on clay. He has denied Novak Djokovic the no. 2 spot on Saturday and he also took away the Hamburg Masters from Roger Federer. But Nadal is no 'ogre' or 'beast' as some of the media would love to call him. Give Nadal some respect.
More About: Beast

Nadal the Master of Clay; Jelena Jankovic wins in Rome
2008-05-18 19:00:00
Roger Federer might received the most support here at Hamburg but still nothing can stop Rafael Nadal from winning the Hamburg Master s, the only major clay-court title which is still missing from his impressive collection.Nadal beat Federer the defending champion 7-5, 6-7, 6-3 in less than 3 hours. In the first two sets, Federer lead Nadal by 5-2 but somehow Nadal fought back and win the first set and almost did it again in the second.Now Nadal has raise their head-to-head to 10-6.In Rome , Jelena Jankovic had a splashing time (with Italian Ferraelle spring water - sparkling bottled water) defending the WTA Rome International by beating Alize Cornet 6-2, 6-2. (Images from AP Photo/Fabian Bimmer/TIZIANA FABI/AFP/Getty Images)
More About: The Master , Clay , Wins

Janko Tipsarevic in Men's Vogue
2008-05-18 08:50:00
The fashion magazine, Men's Vogue certainly loves tennis players particularly the Serbians.After Novak Djokovic being featured in the May issue, it's Janko Tipsarevic's turn to take the beach by storm in the June issue. Photo shots were taken in Maldives featuring summer collections of Prada, DKNY, Y-3, Bottega Veneta, Osklen and CP Company.(Images via Mens Tennis Forums)

Federer and Nadal to meet at Hamburg Final
2008-05-18 06:46:00
Perhaps not many have predicted a repeated final match between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal at Hamburg Masters Series 2008. However the world no. 1 and 2 proved that they still dominate despite poor performance at the beginning of the year.It's a total relieve for many Nadal's fans out there after beating Novak Djokovic 7-5, 2-6, 2-6. It's not much about beating the Djoker to be in the final but last night's match is all about maintaining the no. 2 spot on the ATP rankings. Djokovic has been a big threat for both Nadal and Federer this year.In that slightly more than 3 hours match, Nadal proves that he is still the King of Clay, chasing down almost anything Djokovic threw at him.Earlier on, Federer has no problem beating Italian Andreas Seppi 6-3, 6-1 to book a place in the final.So who will win tonight? Personally I just want to see Nadal win this and widen the gap further away from Djokovic in the ATP Rankings.(Images from ATP Tennis)
More About: Final , Meet

Tennis players when they were young
2008-05-16 18:56:00
I thought this youtube video is pretty cool (except for the music). It is a compilation of most of the current top tennis players childhood pictures.Here are the list of the players again:Andre AgassiPete SamprasTommy HaasDavid FerrerMarcos BaghdatisJames BlakeRichard GasquetAndy RoddickNovak DjokovicRafael NadalRoger FedererMarat Safin/Dinara SafinaSerena/Venus WilliamsSteffi GrafMonica SelesLindsay DavenportTatiana GolovinNadia PetrovaAmelie MauresmoKim ClijsterMartina HingisAnna KournikovaElena DementievaAna IvanovicSvetlena KuznetsovaMaria SharapovaJustine Henin
More About: Players , Tennis , Young

Celebrating gay marriage?
2008-05-16 17:10:00
Errr, not quite actually. For your information, these are not Californian men celebrating the legalisation of gay marriage. They are tennis players having fun at the ATP Players' Night in Hamburg, Germany.Israeli doubles stars Jonathan Erlich and Andy Ram joke at the ATP Players' Night.Tournament Director Carl-Uwe Steeb and Thomas Muster attend the ATP Players Night in the Copper House in Hamburg, Germany.And speaking about the controversial legalised gay marriage by the top court in California, Ellen DeGeneres announced during a taping of The Ellen DeGeneres Show that she and girlfriend Portia de Rossi plan to swap vows.(Images from Getty Images)
More About: Marriage , Gay Marriage

Quote of the Day: Maria Sharapova on Justine Henin's retirement
2008-05-16 03:37:00
“If I’m 25 and I won I don’t know how many Grand Slams she’s won, I’d call it quits as well. You know, I wouldn’t be disappointed leaving the sport, because obviously there’s a lot more to life than tennis.”~ Maria Sharapova *Yawn* Maria Sharapova will be the new no. 1 player when the updated WTA Tour rankings are released next Monday. Hopefully Ana Ivanovic will catch up soon and grab that away from Ms "Shriek"apova.(Image from AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)
More About: Retirement , Quote Of The Day , Justine , Quote

WTA Tour "Superheroes" marketing campaign
2008-05-15 11:23:00
Here is the behind-the-seen images and video of the multi-million dollar WTA Tour "Superheroes " marketing campaign photo shoot. The advertisement was shot around some historic sites in Rome.Jelena Jankovic to the rescue!Ana Ivanovic runs rather gracefully, isn't she?Serena Williams looks as if she's on a regular jog in the evening.So, Venus Williams is the real superhero.Maria Kirilenko and Ana Ivanovic sat at an outdoor cafe during the shooting ofthe "Superhero" marketing campaign TV commercial.(Images from Getty Images)
More About: Marketing , Campaign

Justine Henin retires from tennis
2008-05-14 16:21:00
Coach Carlos Rodriguez is sad now that he has lost his job due to Henin's retirement.It is confirmed. Top-ranked Justine Henin has announced her retirement from professional tennis at a press conference in her native Belgium. So this means that the no. 1 spot on the WTA Rankings will go to Maria Sharapova and tailed very closely by Ana Ivanovic.After her loss to Safina in Berlin, following a month of rest, Henin said:"What I am have just gone through is not very reassuring.""I was hoping to rediscover my confidence, and it is not easy.""I don't know if something is broken, but I seem to lack the ability. I need to think about."The 25-year-old Belgian, who has won seven Grand Slam titles, is making the surprising announcement at a press conference on Wednesday.Henin’s decision comes less than two weeks before the start of the French Open. She has won that clay court tournament four times. The only Grand Slam still out of reach is the Wimbledon.Henin won 10 tournaments last year, ...
More About: Tennis

The winners are Nole and Dinara
2008-05-13 15:13:00
Last weekend win proves to me that Novak Djokovic is an opportunist and seriously working his way to the no. 1 spot over taking Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.And even though Stanislas Wawrinka lost to Djokovic at the ATP Rome Masters, he is definitely the new name in the men's tennis. Now he has reached the an all-time high Top 10 in the ATP rankings making him the next best tennis player from Switzerland after Roger Federer.At the German Open, Dinara Safina snatches the title after beating Elena Dementieva. If you still haven't know, Safina's brother is Marat Safin.(Images from Getty Images)
More About: Winners

The 'Worm' got the girl and a short success
2008-05-13 14:59:00
Boy shows off his move.Radek 'The Worm ' Stepanek success is at Rome didn't last long. He might have beaten World No. 1 Roger Federer but he couldn't survived the match against Novak Djokovic due to wrist injury.Girl in love.But what the heck, he still got the girl. While playing against Roger Federer, girlfriend and tennis player Nicole Vaidisova was spotted supporting his match. Ah, isn't that sweet?(Images from Getty Images)
More About: Success , Short , The Girl

Congrats to the winner of last week's Weekend Challenger!
2008-05-13 14:50:00
Congrats to AndroJ for being the winner of last week's contest!The answers are:1. Rafael Nadal2. Fernando GonzalezThe winning weekly question is:My favourite player is Roger Federer because he is a record breaker and tennis legend who is such a classy player and able to play effortlessly.For those who did not win, don't give up. Try again end of this week!
More About: Weekend , Winner , Challenger

What the f@#% is going on at the semifinals?!
2008-05-10 18:05:00
Novak Djokovic and Stanislas Wawrinka just got free tickets to enter the final at Rome Open.What the heck is going on? There are two injuries in the semifinals where Radek Stepanek had to stop playing due to wrist injury and overheating while Andy Roddick had to pull out due to a back problem. And the day before, during one of the quarterfinal, Nicolas Almagro had to retire while playing against Djokovic due to wrist injury.Stepanek complaining wrist injury and overheating.Roddick experiencing back injury.Perhaps it's a bad timing for the Italian Masters. These players are having physical injuries and there's nothing can be done to avoid it. These retirements are definitely not the same as Djokovic's pull from Monte Carlo recently. Hopefully Djokovic-virus won't spread and spoil the world of men's tennis.(Images from (AP Photo/Alessandra Tarantino)

Dinara 'Giantkiller' Safina ends Serena Williams unbeaten run
2008-05-10 02:06:00
Safina celebrates victory.Out of a sudden (or maybe since the Australian Open earlier this year), the top and favourite players suddenly seems so vulnerable.Williams looks dejected.24 hours after booted off Justine Henin at the German Open, Dinara Safina out-muscled Serena Williams in a dramatic 2-6, 6-1, 7-6 match to end Williams 17-match unbeaten run and of course book her way into the semifinal.(Images from STEFANIE DODEL/AFP/Getty Images)
More About: Ends

AS Roma football players are into tennis
2008-05-10 01:55:00
It seems that tennis is a favourite sports among the AS Roma football players. Besides Francesco Totti, other players from the same club, Alberto Aquilani (left) and Mancini of Brazil also taking time off to watch the men's quarter-final match between Roger Federer and Czech Republic's Radek Stepanek at the Rome Master tennis tournament, in Rome. Unbelievably, the match saw Federer lost 6-7, 6-7 to Stepanek.(Images from (AP Photo/Luca Bruno)
More About: Players , Football , Tennis

Is tennis a boring sports or it's just Roger Federer?
2008-05-09 02:58:00
Miroslava 'Mirka' Vavrinec, girlfiend of Roger Federer looks rather bored while watching him play against Ivo Karlovic of Croatia during the third round match at the Rome Master Series.(Images by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
More About: Sports , Tennis , Boring

Weekend Challenger: Guess who and win RM50
2008-05-08 04:56:00
Guess who are these players and walk away with RM50 (so that you can buy your mom a cup of coffee this weekend). I've raised up the money this week and of course in return pose more challenging pictures. And don't forget to tell me who is your favourite tennis player. Picture 1Picture 2Read the following:This contest is simple. Just do the following in the comment page of this post. No emails will be entertained.1. Guess who are the tennis players in the pictures.2. Tell me in 20 words or less who is your favourite tennis player and why.3. Leave your email address.The first contestant who guess it right will win. If there are more than one correct entries, winner will be based on your creativity in answering task no. 2. Winner will be contacted via email.Conditions: I will only bank in RM50 to the winner via Maybank2U or Public Bank. Contest only open for Malaysians.Closing date of submission is tomorrow, 10 May, 2008 midnight (Saturday).
More About: Guess Who , Weekend , Guess , Challenger

Winner for Weekend Challenge
2008-04-30 07:24:00
Congratulations to Will Chua for the correct answer: Mario Ancic on last week Weekend Challenge .I've sent an email to your yahoo email for details of your account but I have yet to receive your reply. Looking forward to hear from you soon.
More About: Winner

Will be back next Monday
2008-04-30 07:15:00
Younes El Aynaoui and Igor Andreev pose for photos at the BMW Open player part. Tommy Haas plays an interactive golf computer game.While the players at BMW Open are taking a break to attend the player party, I'll be taking a break from tomorrow onwards till Monday . I'll be back again with more tennis updates in and off courts next week. (Images from ATP)
More About: Back

Dress up in Munich, strip off in Barcelona
2008-04-29 11:50:00
Gael Monfils and Fernando Gonzalez are not only making their debuts in the BMW Open at Munich this week but it is also their first time dressed up in lederhosen (leather trousers) and a full traditional Bavarian costume.They took time out to visit Munich’s world famous restaurant and brewery ‘Hofbräuhaus’.However, in Barcelona where Rafael Nadal is also playing, another player Fernando Verdasco is not interested in dressing up. He followed compatriot Tommy Robredo's footsteps as he posed in the buff for UK Cosmopolitan magazine's Everyman campaign.Verdasco felt that entire Barcelona could see him naked during the rooftop shoot. He is scheduled to appear in the July edition of the magazine.(Images from Thomas Exler/ATP)
More About: Dress , Strip

Rafael Nadal launches new website
2008-04-29 07:53:00
Still fresh from winning at the Monte Carlo Tennis Tournament, Nadal is already aiming for another 4th straight wins at Barcelona.Before getting down and dirty, Nadal managed to take some time to launch his newly revamped website.(Images from JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)
More About: Website , Rafael Nadal , Rafael

Federer shuts up Djokovic family
2008-04-29 02:13:00
Well, it's not exactly parent-bashing as what Down the Line! claimed in his blog. It's not that serious actually. I must say that Roger Federer has been quite a gentleman for just saying "Be Quiet".Personally I find Novak Djokovic is the one who is annoying (and his family too). It's not the first time he pulls out from critical matches halfway through especially playing against big players. I can't really remember the exact matches but Down the Line! has cited:"It sounds like he gave up big time. But, no one knows how serious or not his condition is right now. However, this retirement is the fourth since 2007: two in Davis Cup play, semifinals of Wimbledon '07, and Monte Carlo - all big matches, right?"Djokovic pulls out from the match citing sore throat, dizziness and fatigue.That's very unprofessional, isn't it?
More About: Family