TennisToday

Happy 31st Birthday Jurgen Melzer

While I'm giving bday shout-outs, why not one for Melzer as well.

As a singles player he may not have a ton of years left...

But I do hope he and Petzschner stay around in doubles for a long time.

I enjoy them.

Happy 25th Birthday Novak Djokovic

Still just a kid. A kid sitting atop the ATP rankings, that is.

Novak had a dream year in 2011 but is not quite repeating in 2012.

Yesterday he gave back his Rome title to rival Rafael Nadal.

And he has Rafa and Roger both looking to snatch #1 away as well.

The next few months will be very telling.

Nole heads to Roland Garros next week to make a bit of history.

If he can hoist the trophy he'll be the 1st man to hold all 4 Slams since 1969.

Of course in '69 Rod Laver did it in the all in the same year.

Novak will then look to defend at Wimbledon and then add an Olympic gold.

He does all of this with the weight of Serbia on his shoulders.

But for today let's keep things simple: Happy Birthday.

The photo was taken from Novak's Facebook page captioned:

Thank you all for your great wishes, love, photos and nice words!

I had a great day with my closest ones!

My Jelena even made me a Bday cake!

Can you imagine what was my wish?

#bestfansintheworld #nolefam #anolderguy :)

Andy Murray Celebrates 25th Birthday with Tight Win at Rome

ATP Masters Series 1000 Rome - Second Round

4 Andy Murray d David Nalbandian - 61 46 75

Andy is becoming an old man! But... and this is a big but...

Only 13 men in the Open Era won their maiden Slam after their 25th bday.

I hope he becomes the 14th.

Photo: Andy's Facebook

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Celebrates 27th Birthday with Win at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Second Round

5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga d Philipp Kohlschreiber- 62 64

The big Frenchman celebrated his 27th win a nice win over the German.

This is Jo-W's 3rd trip to M-C - and only his 3rd match win. W/L: 3-2.

He is 20-6 on the season with a title coming in January at Doha.

He'll next face 13 Fernando Verdasco - H2H: 1-1. Jo won their last match.

Joyeux anniversaire!

Photo: Reuters top - Jo's Facebook bottom

Juan Monaco Celebrates 27th Birthday with Upset Win Over Mardy Fish in Quarterfinals at Miami

ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami - Quarterfinal

21 Juan Monaco d 8 Mardy Fish - 61 63

Juan gave Mardy a birthday beat-down.

This is Juan's 2nd Masters Sf: 0-1, the other being Shanghai '10.

Interesting that neither is on clay.

Don't celebrate too much tonight - you've got Novak tomorrow.

Photos: Getty Images

Roger Federer: Happy 30th Birthday

Roger posted this photo on his Facebook page with thanks for his fans.

Everyone seems to have an opinion on Roger over 30.

Here's what I think...

Yes, he will win another Slam or three. Agassi, Connors & Sampras all did.

No, he will never be #1 again.

Yes, he will continue to dominate lesser ranked players.

No, he will not dominate Rafa & Novak - both ranked above him.

Yes, he will spend another few years in the top 5.

No, he will not retire any time soon.

Yes, he will play the 2012 London Olympic Games.

No, he will not win the singles gold medal. Nor defend the doubles.

Now... I hate all this prediction stuff so take them as you will.

We've witnessed some legendary stuff from this man.

We will continue to as well for many years to come.

To be sure.

Fernando Verdasco Turns 27 Today - A Very Sexy 27

Happy birthday sexy man.

Fern finished 2010 ranked #9 - his second consecutive year in the top 10.

He went to 4 finals this season - winning two: San Jose & Barcelona.

Oh and... thankfully he's advanced the story in his modelling career.

And I took this one in Indian Wells:

Kimiko Date Krumm Celebrates 40th Birthday with Upset Win over Maria Sharapova in Tokyo

Tokyo - Women's Singles First Round

WC Kimiko Date Krumm d 12 Maria Sharapova - 75 36 63

Ok, so her birthday is actually tomorrow but happy early birthday!

Kimiko thrilled her home crowd while upsetting the defending champion.

After an 11 year absense Kimiko has been back on tour since January '09.

From '94-'96 she made the Sf's once at the Australian, French & Wimbledon.

Kimiko is currently ranked #67 but has been as high as #4 in '95.

She has won 8 career titles including here in Tokyo 5 times: '92-96.

Well done birthday girl!

Photo: Getty Images

Roger Federer - Happy Birthday!!!

The greatest tennis player of all-time turns 29 years old today.

The Rogers Cup officials presented him a cake in Toronto.

And they let hockey star Sidney Crosby present it for the photo-op.

Roger has won the title in Toronto twice before: '04 & '06.

He's been having a difficult year - losing a lot of matches to 0-fers.

Seeded #3, Roger has a 1st round bye then will play either Chela or Falla.

Danger ahead: Tomas Berdych is the big seed in his quarter.

Tomas has won their last 2 meetings - this year in Miami & at Wimbledon.

29 is NOT over-the-hill & I'm thinking Roger will have a nice USO Series.

Enjoy your day Roger.

Roger Federer's Twin Girls Turn 1 Year-Old Today

Roger took to his Facebook page moments ago and published this very sweet photo of the twins. Twins who's passports already have more stamps in it than mine - and I've traveled some too! The twins should next be on their way to Toronto.

Roger writes: We are celebrating Charlene Riva and Myla Rose's first birthday today! We are currently staying in Switzerland and are having a great time together. We will be enjoying a birthday party later today which will certainly be a treat for our two little ones.

We would like to thank all fans and friends for your gifts, cards and nice words for Charlene and Myla. We are very grateful to receive all your support.

Kim Clijsters Celebrates Her 27th Birthday Today

I fell in love with Kim watching her play the Roland Garros final in '01.

She lost to Jennifer Capriati that afternoon but a star was born.

Since, she has been to #1 & won 37 titles including 2 US Opens - in '05 & 09.

Kim has 2 titles this season - she skipped Roland Garros owing to injury.

Kim's next tourny will be the Wimbledon tune-up in Eastbourne next week.

Kim Tweeted today: Thanks for all the birthday wishes!!! :-)

Jada sang happy birthday for me this morning!

Nenad Zimonjic Celebrates 34th Birthday at Roland Garros

And talk about 'happy birthday to me' for the old guy...

Nenad won the mixed doubles title yesterday with Katarina Srebotnik.

And he will play for the men's doubles title this weekend with Daniel Nestor.

Makes me think - what was I doing at 34? Oh yea, Jagerbombs.

That's not quite the cake Rafa got yesterday.Where are the sparklers?

Photo: ATP's Twitter page

Rafael Nadal Celebrates 24th Birthday at Roland Garros

Will he gift himself a 5th RG title and a perfect clay court season on Sunday?

And the icing on the cake - the #1 ranking should he bite the trophy.

Of his 6 appearances at Toland Garros - this is his most heavily favored year.

He should get through his semifinal match pretty easily.

His final opponent (Soderling or Berdych) will be tougher than most think.

Still, a betting man would pluck all down on Rafa.

Photos: Reuters

Andy Murray: Happy 23rd Birthday

Andy actually turned 23 during the 2nd set of his loss to Ferrer last night.

Great way to start your 23rd year, huh?

Andy started 2010 well by reaching the final of the Aussie Open.

Things have since tapered making only the QF's twice - Indian Wells & Madrid.

Presumably, he'll be eager to move on to the grass and hard court seasons.

***

Andy is a 2-time Slam finalist: US Open '08 & Australian Open '10.

He has won 4 Masters titles: Madrid & Cincy in '08 - Miami & Canada in '09.

In all Andy has lifted 14 tour trophies and has reached a ranking high of #2.

He is currently #4.

A Slam title is certainly in the offing.

***

Being a Brit an entire nation's hopes rest on him annually at Wimbledon.

He has picked up the heartache just where Tim Henman left it off.

In fact, Henman Hill is now being referred to as Mount Murray.

With each year he has progressed a round further - last year the semifinals.

Surely at some point he'll be the man to end Britain's Wimby title drought.

The last man to win at SW19 was Fred Perry waaaaay back in 1936.

No pressure Andy, no pressure at all.