TennisToday

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.

Andrea Petkovic Attends Women's World Cup

In case you didn't know Japan beat the US in overtime penalty kicks.

It was insanely thrilling.

I'm guessing by her tweets that she had a FREAKING good time...

1. At the FIFA world cup final Japan vs. USA... I'm sooo FREAKING excited!

2. I'm absolutely totally unstoppably freakingly FREAKING out! What a game!

3. I'm FREAKING watching the most exciting game...

in history of women's soccer! What a lucky bastard I am!

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.

Andy Murray Survives Injured Ankle to Advance at Roland Garros

Roland Garros - Men's Third Round

4 Andy Murray d Michael Berrer - 62 63 62

Andy went over on his ankle early in the 2nd set.

He had it taped and was able to finish the match (un)comfortably.

But how it reacts in before his next match on Monday is still unknown.

Andy: I don't know if I will be 100 per cent fit.

I don't know if I will be playing the next match. Maybe I will be.

And with his beloved Wimbledon just weeks away... Well, you get the idea.

Tough luck: Just as Andy seemed poised for a Sf run.

Photo: Getty Images

Novak Djokovic Wins First Match at Madrid then Meets Footballer Cristiano Ronaldo

Madrid Masters Series 1000 - Second Round

2 Novak Djokovic d Kevin Anderson - 63 64

Keeping count: Novak is now 28-0 for 2011 & is on a 30 match win streak.

He will next face Garcia-Lopez in the 3rd round - H2H: 4-0/ND.

Garcia-Lopez has taken 3 set off Novak but not this Novak.

His 1st real test may come in the Qf's where he's on course to play Ferrer.

After his match today he had a chat with footballer Cristiano Ronaldo.

Novak captioned the photo he tweeted: With Ronaldo in Madrid.

Good to see one of the best football players in the world coming to tennis.

Two (handsome) sports stars at the top of their respective games.

Andy Roddick Attends Golfs Masters at Augusta National

As Andy sits on the 18th hole at Augusta National...

Mardy Fish is in Houston trying to pad his lead as the US #1.

Historically neither has done well on clay so...

I think the real US #1 battle will engage after the French.

By the way, Mardy has more points to defend than Andy this summer...

From the grass season thru the US Open Mardy has 1370, Andy has 720.

Sooooooo... I'll bet on Andy getting that back. Maybe.

***

Yesterday Andy caddied for Zach Johnson at the Par 3 Contest:

Photos: Getty Images

Rafael Nadal Billboard Presides Over LA Marathon

I just couldn't resist walking up there to snap this pic.

You gotta feel for these runners - it's not merely raining, it's pouring today.

And then Samperer (or Fedpras?) take in a Laker Game

The Roger Federer & Pete Sampras bromance continues...

With floor seats. Kobe Bryant. No wives. It's all too much.

Shouldn't one of them be feeding the other one popcorn?

Just kidding folks... Calm down.

Fernando Verdasco Takes In Some Acapulco Cliff Diving

If I were Fern I'd stay away from all forms of the word 'dive'...

Cuz if he isn't careful that's what's about to happen to his ranking.

Serena Williams Photo-bombing Super Bowl Weekend

As usual, Serena looks fantastic and having great fun.

The bad news is - she's still wearing that damn boot.

That. Damn. Boot.

Hangin' with celeb-pals Rev Run, Pete Wentz & Landon Donovan.

Photo's from PepsiCo Kick-Off Party & Leigh Steinberg's Party.

From Getty Images

***

Also, moments ago Serena tweeted this photo, captioned:

This is as close as I could get to the armadillo... Lol

Yep, she's in Texas y'all!

Former Tennis Stars Amelie Mauresmo & Justin Gimelstob to Run NYC Marathon this Weekend

I get a feeling that Amelie is gonna smoke Justin (with Jonathan Stark).

Kidding aside: this is no small feat - best of luck to all three.

Andy Murray Loses 2nd Round Match in Valencia

Valencia ATP 500 - Second Round

Juan Monaco d 1 Andy Murray - 62 36 62

Andy came into the event as the defending champion.

And with a bit of momentum as he won his last event in Shanghai.

He has 2 tournaments left on the season: Paris & London.

He found time to play a little football with Valencia star Roberto Soldado.

Photos: Getty Images

But I Don't Care About Table Tennis...

I hate when I do a photo search with the keyword 'tennis' and I get a bunch of results featuring table tennis. What ever happened to the words 'ping pong' anyway? It only happens a few times a year - when they are have a major table tennis tournament. 'A major table tennis tournament' is the funniest thing I've typed all day.

Now that I think about it... it would be kind of cool if Tennis Channel broadcast some of this. I mean, how many times can the run Best of Five: Bad Boys or Celebrity Tennis with Dr. Phil? And what ever happened to Murphy Jensen? Bring him back already - he's cool.

Photo: Getty Images

Kim Clijters Throws Out First Pitch at Mets Game

Here's a little awesomeness Kim Tweeted earlier tonight.

Andy Roddick Throws 1st Pitch at Braves Game

He tweeted: threw first pitch out at braves game always get nervous and wimp out,but actually tried to throw it hard tonight and it went over the plate!

Andy is the top seed at the ATP 250 stop in Atlanta. He plays his first round match against Rajeev Ram. They played once before - last month in the 1st round at Wimbledon, Andy won comfortably in straight sets.

Photo: ccompton

Rafael Nadal Enjoys the World Cup Victory for Spain

Rafa showed up at Soccer City dressed as Captain Spain, or something.

Rafa said that after Spain's win he "cried like a baby."

It's been a good few months for Spain in sports...

Well, except for their 0-5 loss in Davis Cup today... can't win 'em all.

Hey look, he's not biting it:

Spain's Davis Cup Team Supports Spain's World Cup Team

Tomorrow Spain's World Cup team plays a semifinal against Germany.

This weekend Spain's Davis Cup team plays a quarterfinal against France.

John Isner: First Pitch at Yankee Stadium Last Night

I love that John is getting and enjoying all this well-deserved attention.

And for the record, the Seattle Mariners beat the NY Yankees 7-4.

 

Photos: Reuters/Getty Images

Wimbledon has BANNED the Vuvuzela Horn

Within three minutes of watching the first match of the World Cup last week I was going out of my mind with this mysterious buzzing sound coming through the broadcast. Initially I thought ESPN's sound was messed up but then it was quickly explained that the sound was coming from the thousands of VUVUZELA horns being blown in the stadium.

Nobody seems to be enjoying it - the players are complaining that they can't hear each other over the din and broadcasters are complaining that their viewers are complaining. Tune into a match for a few minutes and see for yourself - it's quite jarring.

I've grown to tune them out (mostly) and as token of South African cultural support I got the vuvuzela iPhone app. It's free and it's perfect for spicing up a dull party or getting your puppy to behave. I wish I could set it as my alarm - now that would get a lazy slug out of bed pronto.

Not that a single vuvuzela has ever passed the gates of Wimbledon they decided to preemptively ban them all the same.

All England Club chief executive Ian Ritchie said in a press release today, "Out of courtesy to the players and their fellow spectators, we make a point of asking spectators not to bring items which could either cause a distraction or interfere with the enjoyment of the occasion. Rattles, klaxons and vuvuzelas all fall into that category and they will not be allowed into the grounds. Our message is do not bring them in the first place."

In case you are one of the dozen or so people who have no idea what I am talking about here is an example of a vuvuzela in full droning action:

Kim Clijsters Weighs in on the World Cup

I'm very excited for the World Cup (tho I'll never understand how a game can end tied or worse 0-0!) - during Wimbledon I'm going to be nothing but an ESPN (WC) and ESPN2 (W) junkie. Heaven help me.

From Kim Clijsters Twitter page:

1. Having a massage now! I need it... :-) Watching France play Uruguay !! Can't wait to watch England play the USA!

2. I dont really have a favorite because Belgium isn't in... Who do you think will win between England - USA! Score???

3. Brian will make me support the US but i love English soccer! And my brother-in- law will be playing in England next year!