TennisToday

Rafael Nadal Serves Drinks and DJ's at Bacardi Event in Mallorca Last Night

Champions Drink Responsibly.

Nice to see him smile on grass again!

Make mine a Blonde Bombshell.

Anything but Ke$ha, ok bud?

Agnieszka Radwanska Goes Nude for ESPN Magazines 2013 Body Issue

TA-DA.

Maria Sharapova Thru to 3rd Round at French Open

French Open - Women's Second Round

2 Maria Sharapova d Eugenia Bouchard - 62 64

It took two days but the defending champ is thru to the 3rd round.

They stopped the match owing to rain at 4-2 in the 2nd set yesterday.

Post match: It was a pretty long day on Thursday. But we all knew the

weather wasn't going to be good. On Thursday at 8.45pm when it was

raining, it was pretty tough to continue. I was happy to play part of

the match and get myself into a good position to finish it.

She'll have a quick turn-around and play Zheng tomorrow.

Hmmmm. Maria fans shouldn't be too worried about that one.

Serena Williams Opens Madrid Title Defence with Win

Madrid WTA - Women's 2nd Round

1 Serena Williams d Lourdes Dominguez-Lino - 62 75

You know you can't handle Serena's recent Vibe bikini photo shot. Truth.

And I am not touching this whole Sloane Stephens thing.

Except to say there will be no rematch at Madrid.

Sloane couldn't get out of the 1st round.

But Serena did and is seeking a second straight title at Madrid.

And she needs to win or lose in the same round as Maria to remain #1.

It makes for a tantalizing final. And I hope it happens.

 

Maria Sharapova Esquire Swimsuit Spread

Maria is in Madrid this week as the 2nd seed behind Serena.

Maria is in a position to yank the #1 spot away from Serena.

All Maria needs to do is finish the tourny one round better than Serena.

That makes for a very tasty final. Make it happen ladies.

Roger Federer's Bubbly New Sponsor: Moet & Chandon

Another elegant sponsor for the GOAT.

Roger posted this photo on Facebook captioned:

Dear fans, now you know why I worked with P. Demarchelier.

I’m very happy to become Moet & Chandon’s new ambassador.

More than ever, I look forward to toasting new victories with you!

Grigor Dimitrov Spends the Day with Nike

These photo's showed up on Nike's Facebook page yesterday.

I'm sooooo ready for this kid to be a big star already. Just do it. Please.

I mean, I already made a personal category for him ages ago.

Grigor finished the year at a career-high #48.

He has yet to play in an ATP final. I think that will change in 2013.

Hopefully.

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 & Victoria Azarenka Take Their Aussie Trophies on a Tour of Melbourne

Not only Aussie champions - but also a pair of good looking #1's.

Photos: Getty Images

Dinara Safina: The Horseback Riding Archer

This began floating around Twitter this morning.

I have no idea where this is from. I just know it funtastic.

Thanks to FortyDeuceTwits and tejmeglekvar on Twitter.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Nude for Cosmo Centerfold

"Bedroom action." Hilarious.

This photo was taken for prostate and testicular cancer awareness.

The full image can be seen after the jump.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova into Quarterfinal at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Women's Fourth Round

14 Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova d 3 Vera Zvonareva - 76(4) 26 62

The talented teenager moves into her first Slam quarterfinal.

Many have looked to her as one of the best of the coming years.

She's proving it in Paris.

She will next face the winner of the Schiavone/Jankovic match.

Win.Ab.Bull.

***

This is the first time in the Open Era the top 3 seeds have to make the Qf's.

Photo: Sindy Thomas

Svetlana Kuznetsova into 4th Round at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Women's Third Round

13 Svetlana Kuznetsova d Rebecca Marino - 60 64

This is Sveta's 7th ride to the 4th round at RG: 2-4.

Remember she is the 2009 champion - beating Dinara 'Chicken' Safina.

A couple more match wins and she should return to the top 10.

She will next face a tough one against Daniela Hantuchova - H2H: 7-4/SK.

If they both show up in form this could be a helluva match.

Photo: Sindy Thomas

Novak Djokovic Featured in Vogue Daily: Speedo Alert

And then this happen today. You're welcome.

Here is an exceprt from Vicki Woods Vogue Daily article: Easily the world’s most famous living Serb (Q. Who is the president of Serbia? A. Me neither), Djokovic lives in the pretty principality of Monaco, where the tennis club is spectacular, the winters are balmy, and Monegasques are cool. He, on the other hand, is so hot (both on court and in person) that he can visit his native Belgrade only on a quick in and out, lest his countrymen mob him to pieces.

Further in: The best feeling Djokovic has had on the tennis court, he tells me later, was Serbia's first-ever Davis Cup win. I'm surprised because, at his exalted level, tennis is always High Noon, is it not? Two duelists, one winner, roll credits? He says no, nothing compares with the Davis Cup. Not winning two Grand Slams, not "beating the top players, Roger, Rafa." "We’re individual athletes, and everything we do, we do by ourselves," he says. "But the success you have there, you don’t get for yourself. You share it with your people and your teammates."

Photos: Norman Jean Roy

(We need the outtakes please.)

While in Rome Rafael Nadal Shops at Emporio Armani as They Release New Underwear Ad

Rafa enters, weighs some fashion options and leaves with a couple of bags.

Funny, I don't really fancy him as much of a shopper.

Ad Rafa: While playing in Rome Emporio Armani has released a new ad:

Top photos from Rafa's Facebook

Rafael Nadal Into Quarterfinals at ATP Rome

Rome ATP Masters Series 1000 - Third Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Feliciano Lopez - 64 62

Rafa righted the ship today - but says he's still not feeling well:

I had a fever this morning but I feel better now.

Certainly I didn't really understand why yesterday I felt slow & without energy.

I understand now better today.

That is that and I am here to fight and to try my best like I have always done.

I am ready for everything.

Surely he'll be ready for Marin Cilic tomorrow - H2H: 1-1.

Rafa beat him pretty handily at the Aussie Open this year in straights.

I'm feeling Rafa will at least leave Rome with #1 in tact...

For now.

Photo: GQ Italia via Rafaholics

Rafael Nadal Sees Off Early Scare at ATP Rome

Rome ATP Masters Series 1000 - Second Round

1 Rafael Nadal d Q Paolo Lorenzi - 67(5) 64 60

Rafa sure escaped an early scare today as that 2nd set was far too close.

This is the 1st time in his career he's lost the 1st set in 3 straight matches.

Of course he's tired - he just played a very grueling weekend in Madrid.

Even Judy Murray (Andy's mum) tweeted before the match:

Saw Rafa in hotel lobby... He looked exhausted. Cud c it in his eyes.

He'll next play the winner Lopez/Kohlschreiber - playing a 3rd set now.

Rafa: Tomorrow will be better because it can't get any worse.

He needs to make the Sf's to secure that #1 ranking.

Photo: From GQ Italia - via Rafaholics

Here is the Cutest Pic of Li Na - Ever!

I was emailed this today - no idea where it came from or who to credit.

Li Na looks wonderfully playful in this shot, totally adorbs.

She will play Iveta Benesova tomorrow in Madrid.

UPDATE:

Li Na overwhelmed Benesova 61 64 in today's 2nd round match.

This is only her 3rd match win since losing the Aussie Open final in Jan.

Interesting: Andy Murray (the Aussie men's finalist) has slumped since too.

Moral of that story is: don't lose the final in Australia!

Ana Ivanovic Covers Serbian Cosmopolitan

VA VA VA VOOM!

Ana lost 1st round in Madrid to Bethanie Mattek-Sands.

May she have better luck next week in Rome.

Shirtless Sexy Novak Djokovic in Gloria Magazine

YOWZA - you're welcome ladies and gays!

Foto: Guliver/Getty Images/Clive Brunskill