TennisToday

Roger Federer Picks Up Rafael Nadal at the Zurich Airport for their Exo Match Today

Love these photos. I wish their fans got on as well as they do.

Roger Federer is on His Way to Zurich Exo Y'all

Roger Federer updated his Facebook page today...

On my way in the car to the airport to fly to Switzerland for the exhibition.

Just got this picture from the event team in Zurich...

Should be a great match with Rafa!

*****

These two matches this week ought to be mighty interesting...

So can't wait!!!

Roger Federer Practices for Rafa Nadal Exos Next Week

Roger took to his Facebook page today with this photo - captioned:

Just finishing one of my practices today...

Getting ready for the exos next Tues & Wed vs Rafa in Zurich and Madrid.

Exos are usually lighter affairs during the off-season but...

I have a feeling the fans are in for a real high-level treat with these tho.

What with the Aussie Open just around the corner... Stay tuned.

Andy Murray Plays an Exo in the Bahamas

Happened a few days but I love the photo.

He participated in Mark Knowles' 10th Annual Celebrity Tennis Invitational.

Anna Kournikova & Dominika Cibulkova - That's a Whole Lotta Blonde Going on There

The two bombshells are in Bratislava to play a mixed dubs exo tomorrow.

Anna is partnering with Thomas Muster; Dominika with Dominik Hrbaty.

Fair is fair: If you're gonna have hot babes - get some damn studs too!

See what I mean?

Photos: Getty Images

 

Caroline Wozniacki & Victoria Azarenka Visit Childrens Hopital

After the visit with the kids the pair played a fun exo match in Minsk.

Afterward Vika tweeted: Mind blowing experience.

Caroline was amazing and again I can't thank her enough.

We did great event and raised a lot of money for kids.

And Caro tweeted: Amazing experience today playing with Vika!

So many people came to support the charity!

Cant describe how good that felt!

Oh and, Caro gave me my 2nd favorite photo of the year, so far...

Photo: Getty Images

John McEnroe is Calling - From Doha...

He probably gets better service in Doha than I do in West Hollywood.

I HATE AT&T.

John played fellow legend Bjorn Borg in an exo yesterday in Doha.

Photo: Getty Images

Tennis Legends Having Fun at Champions Downunder

Patrick Rafter protects his daddy maker.

Looks like things got a little too hot for Henri Leconte.

If he wins will Goran Ivanisevic strip down to his undies again?

JMac with the sour puss, natch.

Photos: Getty Images

A Few Photos from Nike's Primetime Knockout

I tried to watch the heavily promoted stream. Um, crap crap crap.

Well, we got a preview of the night match outfits for the Nike stars.

Photos: Getty Images

Anna Kournakova is still making money playing tennis...

Today Anna announced plans to play an exhibition match in Bogota.

She said will attend the event with Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi.

If nothing else one thing is fo-sho, she is still quite the stunner...

The last ball Anna struck on tour was in Charlottesville in 2003.

Injury forced premature retirement. Beauty breeds continued popularity.

She has stayed 'in' tennis with her participation in World Team Tennis.

She & Martina Hingis played the legends doubles at Wimbledon this year.

Photos: Reuters

Rafael Nadal Hits with the Kids in a Cool Swimming Pool Exhibition in Paris

There's no telling how many kids Rafa (& Roger) has brought into the game.

That's not a backhand I recognize there Rafa:

Rafa had to like his draw this morning - hand-picked by Roger too!

Photos: Getty Images

Kim Clijsters & Justine Henin Announce Exhibition Match in Belgium

The match will be played at the 40,000 seat King Baudouin stadium in Brussels July 8th. The Bobby Riggs/Billie Jean King "Battle of the Sexes II" duel in 1973 still holds the attendance record for a tennis match at 30,472. With the popularity of these two stars in Belgium expect that record to be shattered.

They made the announcement along side Prime Minister Yves Leterme.

Next month Justine seeks a 5th Roland Garros title - Kim her 1st.

Photos: Reuters

Serena Williams is Playing Tennis - Just not for the WTA

Serena and Venus played in something they called the Williams Invitational today. I know plenty of people are going to have a problem with Serena pulling out of tournament after tournament since the Australian Open (including next weeks event in Charleston) but I think people need to take a step back and realize that she is obviously not playing full-out here... She's more likely having a bit of fun and probably testing things out. Not hard to understand. I know she may be flirting with WTA rules but for me - I'll let this one slide.

From Serena's Twitter page:

1. Playing the first annual Williams Invitational. Singles are happening now...Hopefully my partner @vernondavis85 and I will win doubles!!!

2. So much fun!!!! And the best part is the snack table on the courts!!! Lol

3. I made it to the finals but I'm playing sascha! He's going down!!!!!!!!!!

4. Ugh! We lost! But @vernondavis85 was a great partner! I'm off to play singles final against Sascha now. Wish me luck!!!!

Serena won.

Photos: Serena Williams Twitter

'Champions for Chile' Raises $125,000 for Earthquake Relief

Grand Slam champions Jim Courier, Andy Roddick and Gustavo Kuerten joined Chilean tennis star Fernando Gonzalez for a charity match in Miami last night to raise funds for disaster relief. 

The foursome raised just over $125,000 for victims of the February 27th 8.8 magnitude earthquake in Chile which caused widespread devastation leaving behind 400 fatalities and nearly a million homeless.

Said Jim Courier, "Tennis is one big family, and we're good about supporting each other. Initiatives like this in a time of crisis, we're lucky we have a platform to raise money and raise awareness."

Good work guys.

Photos: Getty Images/AP

Sean Jay & Mel B take the Court with Novak Djokovic & Ana Ivanovic for Glam.Set.Match to begin Play in Miami

The beautiful people have hit Miami.

Why are there about five fans in the stands?

Tip: Don't fall back on your forehand.

Mel B to Ana: Well, you could always try Dancing with the Stars.

Sean Jay to Novak: I've been to #1.

Fila?

Photos: Getty Images

So Pete Sampras & Andre Agassi have a really weird moment at the Hit for Haiti event in Indian Wells

I thought this was a charity thing. Play nice boys.

Photo's from the Hit for Haiti Event in Indian Wells

Just a quick post before I head out there.

Henin/Navratilova d. Davenport/Graf - 86

Federer/Sampras d. Agassi/Nadal - 86

Photos: Reuters

Venus Williams Wins Billy Jean King Cup

Venus Williams d. Kim Clijsters - 64 36 75

Venus must be exhausted. She has won Dubai, Acapulco and BJK Cup all in the span of 15 days. Rest she will - we won't see her again until Miami at the end of the month.

All the headlines seem to be calling for a 'Venus Rising' type of thing... let's not forget that she did pretty much the same thing last year (except runner-up at BJK Cup) and then faded with a few good results here and there the rest of the year - not winning another title.

She is heading to Miami where she hasn't won since 2001. Then she is off to the clay court season and truth to told that hasn't been kind to her lately either. So if history is any indication - Wimbledon might just be the next time Venus actually rises.

Kim Clijsters on the other hand must be licking her chops for the tournament schedule the next few months. She is a past champion at both the Indian Wells and Miami tournaments and I bet she has a keen eye on winning her first French Open. She took the entire month of February off so she is well rested.

Kim Clijsters d. Ana Ivanovic - 76(2)

Venus Williams d. Svetlana Kuznetsova - 64

Photos: Reuters/AP

Kim Clijsters in NYC for Billy Jean King Cup

This, from the Kim's Twitter page...

1. First hit at the Garden today for the BNP Paribas Showdown, brought back so many great memories of being here 10 years ago.

2. Had a carriage ride in Central Park with Brian and Jada last night and talked to the press this morning with Ana, Sveta and Venus.

3. I'm first match on at 710 against Ana Ivanovic, one set with no ad scoring, it'll be fun, going to relax now.

Hmm, last year HBO carried the matches. This year one has to watch on ESPN360.com. I don't have access to ESPN360 - boo.

Kim Clijsters & Svetlana Kuznetsova Attend Basketball Game in NYC ahead of Billy Jean King Cup

Last night Kim Clisters and Svetlana Kuznetsova attended a Mets/Grizzlies game at Madison Square Garden.

They will both be back to MSG tomorrow night to play in the 2nd annual Billy Jean King Cup. The exhibition will feature 2 one-set semifinals and a best-of-three final.

Kim will play Ana Ivanovic and Svetlana will play Venus Williams in the $1.2 million exhibition.

Loving that smile Kim. Momhood certainly suites you.

Photos: AP