TennisToday

Brad Drewett - RIP

A very sad few days for the tennis world.

Today in Madrid the players honored Brad with moment of silence.

Much deserved.

The Radwanska Sisters Giving Back

Here is a great photo of Agnieszka & Urszula in Krakow giving back.

They went shopping for two single-mother households for the holidays.

Aggie: These families are in a particularly difficult situation,

because a single mother cares for all of her children and

they really need some help.

Urszula: The shopping list was very long,

but we weren't concerned about that or the money -

all we wanted for these people was to maintain basic living standards,

especially in the Christmas season.

Well done ladies.

Jürgen Melzer & Iveta Benesova Marry

So sweet.

Pic from Michaella Krajicek's Twitter account.

Andy Murray is Honored with Royal Mail Stamp in GB

All Team GB gold medalists have been awarded 1st class stamps.

And in his hometown of Dunblane they painted a post box gold.

Even his dogs got into the act.

But Andy is not home - he's playing the Masters 1000 in Toronto.

He is the 2nd seed and into the 3rd round where he'll play Milos Raonic.

There seems to be a bug going around Indian Wells

2 players have pulled with intestinal trouble: Vania King & Gael Monfils.

Maybe hospital masks are in order on court!

Also, how about we protect the ball kids...

Let the players deal with their nasty sweaty towels on their own.

And not just now - always.

Rafael Nadal & Novak Djokovic Play Soccer at Indian Wells

Though I won't make it to Indian Wells this year...

I love hanging out by this field. It's between the courts & locker room.

And spontaneous soccer matches always spring up.

Rafa & Nole are on the same team. Shirts hmph, should be skins!

Photo from On the Go Tennis.

Rafael Nadal Recieves the Key to My Heart

He looks puzzled. But it's a temporary confusion.

Once they told him it was for OUR beach house in Playa Nueva Romana...

He was all smiles.

Ha, but seriously folks.

Rafa spent a few days in the Domincan Republic.

The keys are to a beach house there.

Hey, get your 'famooos' butt to Indian Wells already.

You've got a serious score to settle.

Photos: Reuters

Martina Navratilova Set to Goofy-Foot on Season 14 of Dancing With the Stars

Inspired casting would have had Chris Evert on the show as well.

You know - one more H2H in their unmatched (in all sports) rivalry.

***

A little something about the legend that is Martina Navratilova:

Born in Czechoslovakia. Defected to the US in 1975. Out and proud lesbian.

She won 167 singles titles & 177 in doubles - both records for men & women.

In Grand Slam play she ranks 3rd (w Evert) with 18: 3 AO, 2 RG, 9 W, 4 US.

In doubles she won 31 Slams (most with Pam Shriver) & 10 in mixed doubles.

Her 1st & last Slams were both mixed titles: '74 RG & '06 USO.

And in that that span of 32 years she won a grand total of 59 Slam titles.

A perfect set: Martina owns a title in singles, duds & mixed at all 4 Slams.

The Hall of Famer held the year-end #1 ranking 7 times.

***

For Dancing With the Stars Martina is partnered with Tony Dovolani.

In 12 seasons he has made the finals once: 3rd with Melissa Rycroft.

Oops: The last tennis player to dance was Monica Seles. A 1st round loss.

Best of luck Martina. Those bitchy judges better be nice to you.

Roger Federer Attends Rotterdam Philharmonic Then Orchestrates Quarterfinal Win

ATP 500 Rotterdam - Quarterfinal

1 Roger Federer d Jarkko Nieminen - 75 76(2)

Roger took his mother to hear Beethoven's violin concerto for her birthday.

You can see the proud GOAT birther photo-bombing in the 2nd photo.

Rog has not played this event since winning it in '05.

Me thinks he's on a bit of a ranking points gobble...

He wants stay #3 or even - to move up.

He is looking for title #71.

He's 4th on the title list behind Connors (109), Lendl (94) & McEnroe (77).

He'll catch Mac - but this is one record he'll not hold.

Photos: Leonike at the Rotterdam Phil

Rafael Nadal Got a New Car...

I call... SHOTGUN.

Novak Djokovic Meets His Wax Figure in Serbia

Can you say creepy?

Arantxa Sanchez Vicario Peddles Book in Barcelona

Former #1 Arantxa was in Barcelona to promote her new tell-all.

Broke: In it she blames her parents for blowing her $60 million fortune.

I bet she's pissed. And probable why she's doing commentary.

Arantxa won 4 Slams: RG in '89, '94, '98 & USO in '94.

I still haven't forgiven her for beating Monica Seles in that '98 French final.

I also hated that ball holder she employed at the base of her back.

Blame: She ushered in the era of multi-names when she added the Vicario.

But I loved her grit and tenacity - she got to everything and sent it back.

In winning RG.89 she became the youngest Slam winner at the time and...

Prevented Steffi Graf from winning a 2nd consecutive Grand Slam.

Now 40, Arantxa is on husband #2 raising a boy and girl.

Photos: Getty Images

Maria Sharapova at Vera Wang's NYC Show

A glimpse at how Maria spent part of her Valentine's Day.

Viola Davis looks bored - maybe she's daydreaming about Oscar.

And don't get me started on Roger's bestie, Anna Wintour.

I have a pet-peeve about sunglasses indoors - it's rude and just dumb.

She's so gross. Just go home - surely your ice bath has been drawn.

Photos: Getty Images

Roland Garros Snow Job

Rafa's house in Paris got some snow.

These photos were posted on the Facebook last week.

I thought it looked pretty damn cool.

Rafael Nadal Shirtless with Bar Rafeali for Sports Illustrated

Well Happy Valentine's Day to me. Thank you SI.

But wait, they've even favored us with a making-of clip:

Novak Djokovic Sends His Valentine's Day Love

Captioned: To eternal inspiration, to love, my love...

And all the lovers around the globe: happy Valentine's day people!

Captioned: Lepo je kad je dan pun povoda za čestitanje i slavlje!

Danas je Sveti Trifun, ne propustite da nazdravite dobrim vinom.

A zaljubljenima sretan svaki dan a i ovaj "zvanični" ;)

--- Uh, no clue. I just know that I'd like to be where he is right now!

Photo's from Novak's website.

Elena Dementieva Marries Maxim Afinogenov

And of course she makes a beautiful bride.

Photo from Alla Kudryavtseva's Twitter page.

It's an Away Family Weekend...

So I won't be blogging this weekend.

I'll wager the farm that my first post back will be something like:

"Novak remains unbeaten in 2011 as he wins 5th title of the year."

Any takers?

The Duchess of Kent Attends Will & Kate's Wedding

Awe!

So nice to see the Duchess of Kent again.

Elegant and lovely just as I remember her.

I really miss her at Wimbledon.

Rafael Nadal Receives Juan Antonio Samaranch Prize

Roger Federer may have more titles & Slams than Rafa (for now)...

But I'm willing to bet Rafa has tons more 'special' awards.

I think they invent them for him just to get him to come to an event.

Yesterday he added the Juan Antonio Samaranch Prize in Madrid.

Something about sportmanship and all-around sporting values.

Anyway, Rafa will begin defense of his Madrid title next week.

He has a ton of points to defend thru Wimbledon, Novak has very few...

The battle for #1 is hotting up folks. This might get good real soon.

Photo: Getty Images