TennisToday

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 :)

Novak Djokovic into Rome Semifinals to Face Roger Federer

ATP Masters Series 1000 Rome - Quarterfinals

1 Novak Djokovic d 5 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - 75 61

3 Roger Federer d Andreas Seppi - 61 62

Novak reaches his 4th Sf in Rome - a round where he has never lost.

He will face long-time rival Roger Federer - H2H: 14-10/RF.

They haven't played this year but they played 5 times in '11: 4-1/ND.

Novak is the defender and has won this tournament twice.

Roger has never won in Rome dispite 2 final round showings.

This will be an interesting encounter if for no other reason than ranking.

Roger is closing in on Novak's spot at the top.

Between Nole, Roger & Rafa - the next few months will be very interesting.

Game on boys.

Photo: From Novak's Facebook

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

Rafael Nadal & Janko Tipsarevic Practice in Madrid

 

Janko posted this photo on his Facebook page simply captioned:

Done with first practice on blue clay.

Hmmm, I wonder how I'm gonna feel about this blue clay thing. Anyway.

***

RAFA at Madrid:

Rafa has won this Masters Series event twice: '05 & '10.

In '05 it was an indoor hard court fall tournement.

It moved to a spring tourney in '09 and he's been to all three finals since.

Remember last year he lost in straight sets to Novak.

***

Janko at Madrid:

Odd but true: He has play one main draw match - and lost.

Ranked #8 his 1st round bye will automatically get him his best result.

Points!

Ryan Harrison is on His Way to Madrid Y'all

Ryan posted this pic on his Facebook simply captioned: Traveling to Madrid.

He is heading there from Belgrade after suffering a 1st round loss.

Let's hope this travel goes better than his trip to Sebia, of that he wrote:

Maybe the worst trip ever but I finally made it to Belgrade...

After three days of travel but my luggage did not.

Fortunately, I carried on a pair of shoes and my racquets so...

At least I can practice and get ready for my first round match tomorrow.

Ryan is playing Madrid for the 1st time.

Currently ranked #58 he'll be one of the top seeds in the qualifying.

Next year he'll get directly in the main draw. Trust me...

Micaela Bryan Wins 1st Title - at Monte-Carlo

This was just too cute not to post.

Micaela's dad and uncle won the 2012 Monte-Carlo doubles title.

They beat the second seeded team of Mirnyi & Nestor - 62 63.

This is their first title since her birth. Awwwwww x 1000000000000.

Photo 'borrowed' from their Facebook.

Rafael Nadal Wins 8th Title at Monte-Carlo

ATP Masters Series 1000 Monte-Carlo - Final

2 Rafael Nadal d 1 Novak Djokovic - 63 61

Historic: No man has ever won 8 straight titles anywhere. Ever.

During his 8 title run Rafa has lost only 6 sets.

In fact, he won 4 MC titles without dropping a single set, including this year.

Only 1 other player has 8 titles at a tourny: Guillermo Vilas at Buenos Aires.

Rafa is also the leader in Masters 1000 titles - this being his 20th.

This represents his 47th ATP title & another great start to the clay season.

Rafa will play Barcelona this week as the defender and looking for title #7.

With this win Rafa also turned the tables on Novak after 7 straight losses.

Rafa to Novak post-match: After seven times, thank you for this one.

He increases his H2H against Nole to 17-14.

As for Novak - he was clearly depleted after a tough emotional week.

He'll head home to be with the family and celebrate his granddad's life.

Today's Novak is not the one that'll show up for the rest of the clay season.

Match #31 is in the books. Expected one or two more thru Roland Garros.

Photos: Top Getty Images - bottom from Rafa's Facebook

Rafael Nadal Poses with Clay Court Legends at Monte-Carlo

Rafa posted this photo on his Facebook page, captioned:

Today at the MC tournament's dinner, a tradition of this special tournament!

Rafa poses with legends: Nicola Pietrangeli, Bjorn Borg and Ilie Nastase.

Rafa is the 7-time defender at Monte-Carlo 2005-2001.

The other 3 are all 3-time winners at M-C themselves:

Nicola ('61, '67-'68), Bjorn ('77, '79-'80) & Ilie ('71-'73).

Kings of Clay: All four are also champions at Roland Garros.

Roger Federer is Practicing on Clay Y'all...

Roger posted this on his Facebook page today.

Captioned: Great practice session today in Switzerland....

As he heads into the clay season tightly chasing Rafa for #2.

I love the setting of that court. So beautiful.

The court I play on has a lovely view of a Trader Joe's.

 

Janko Tipsarevic into 4th Round at Miami

ATP Masters Series 1000 Miami - Third Round

9 Janko Tipsarevic d 18 Alexandr Dolgopolov - 64 57 62

Janko matches his result of a year ago.

Good thing cuz Isner is about to overtake him at #9 in the ranking.

Only 55 points separate them.

Janko's best Miami result was a Qf here in '08. He can match that on Tuesday.

If you follow him on Facebook or Twitter you'll know that he loves Miami.

And he's offered evidence:

Photo: Top Getty Images - Bottom Janko's Facebook

Fernando Gonzalez Set to End Career at Miami

It's a bit sad to see this guy go.

He received a wildcard into Miami and opens against Nicholas Mahut.

If he wins that match he'll get the 7th seed Tomas Berdych.

We'll have a better goodbye to Fern after he plays his last match.

There was a farewell party for him last night.

Rafa posted this pic on his Facebook.

Roger Federer is in NYC Y'all

Roger with the self-portrait! He posted this on Facebook today captioned:

Just landed in New York City from Dubai! Very excited to be in the Big Apple

For the exo tomorrow night at Madison Square Garden.

'Tis true. Roger is playing an exo match against Andy Roddick.

They've met a couple times before in NYC - both US Open wins for Rog.

Including a memorable 4-set match in the final.

But wait... it's a double bill: Caro Wozniacki vs Maria Sharapova.

Between Roger, Maria & Brooklyn I'm guessing Anna Wintour is in the chair?

Fernando Verdasco & David Marrero Win Doubles Title in Buenos Aires

The unseeded Spanish team beat (2) Michel Mertinak and Andre Sa - 64 64.

Fern posted this on his Facebook page. I swiped just cuz I think they're cute.

So, there's that.

Rafael Nadal DInes with Fellow Armani Underwear Man Cristiano Ronaldo

Rafa posted this on Facebook captioned: Having a dinner with Cristiano.

Today we filmed the new commercial for Nike. Had a great day!!

Bah: I'd way prefer an Armani underwear commercial together! I'm so gay.

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 Shirtless Sexy Practice in DC

And then this happened to me this morning on Fern's Facebook page.

Fern has Qf points to defend in DC and at the US Open.

However, the US swing in between he only has 145 points to defend.

Let's see if he can get that ranking into the top 16 before New York.

Vamos Fern.

Novak Djokovic on Jay Leno's Tonight Show 8/2/11

Cute - as usual.

He posted these photo's on his Facebook page:

And how about the actual clip:

Rafael Nadal Meets Rory McIlroy at Wimbledon

The faces of the two reigning US Open champions.

Rafa updated his Facebook with this photo captioned: For those that like golf: On Tuesday I was talking with Rory McIlroy, He won the U.S. Open Golf. He is one of the best golfers and he is even better outside the courses.

Rafael Nadal Goes Grocery Shopping in London as He Prepairs for Wimbledon

I wonder if he's a bargain shopper?

Earlier today Rafa updated his Facebook with this photo captioned:

I just arrived in Britain! And I’m doing the grocery shopping. Getting ready.

The defending Wimbledon champ was named the top seed this afternoon.

He's been to 4 straight finals - winning 2: '08 & '10. He did not play in '09.

This will be Rafa's 7th time at SW19 and he has a W/L record of 29-4.

He is looking for his 3rd Roland Garros-Wimbledon sweep: '08 & '10.

All this and he has only just turned 25.

Chef Janko Tipsarevic Grilling some Burgers

Grillin' like a villian.

Janko took to his Facebook to post this pic & compliment his friend:

Even tho he lost today, Viktor will be top 10 latest after US Open.

You heard it hear first...

Viktor suffered a tough loss to Andy Murray today 7-5 in the 5th.

Janko could be onto something...

Vik only has 275 points to defend from now thru the US Open.

Two Serbs in the top 10 - who'da thunk it?