Angelique Kerber gets birthday wish and a cake

It's Angelique Kerber's 25th birthday today.

She described that she had one of the most beautiful moments that she could ever experience on a tennis court on her Facebook.

Right after she defeated 17-year-old Madison Keys in the third round earlier today, a cake was immediately presented to her at Rod Laver Arena and the crowd sang her a birthday song.

(Images via Dailymail.uk.co)

Rafael Nadal spotted leaving his hotel in Barcelona

Rafael Nadal was seen leaving his hotel in Barcelona. He was carrying his racquet bag. So he could be heading out for a day of training at the Real Club Tenis Barcelona.

(Images via Zimbio.com) 

Happenings: Dope claim, tech-savvy grandparents, wins and losses

Lu seems to have gotten over the loss yesterday after befriending a wombat

It was quite a devastating loss for Rendy Lu Yen-hsun yesterday. After bageled the 'injured' Gael Monfils in the third set, it seemed like Lu had the ticket to the third round in his bag. He also twice forced Monfils to hold to stay in the match. However, Monfils who double faulted 23 times converted his fourth match point to win in an ugly fashion.

Sexy Seppi

It wasn't an easy match for Italian Andreas Seppi either. After enduring a 4-hour long match against Denis Istomin, Seppi cooled down at the Garden Square fountain on-site at the Australian Open while doing an ATP photo shoot.

Stephens and her grandpa

Meanwhile, Sloane Stephens who is currently world no. 25 said the reason why she likes winning at the Australian Open is that her tech-savvy grandparents can keep watching her from the States.

"My grandpa texted me," the 19-year-old Stephens said. "He said they stayed up again to watch me 'on the machine' as my grandpa calls it."

Murray defends tennis over Rochus doping claim

On a more serious note, retired Belgian tennis player Christophe Rochus recently gave an interview to a newspaper in his home country claiming that doping was widespread on the ATP tour.

“There’s a lot of cheating,” he said. “Simply, people don’t like to talk about it. I simply would like to stop the pretending. This hypocrisy is exasperating.”

He suggested that the authorities might as well give up and legalise performance-enhancing drugs.

However Andy Murray hit back at Rochus doping claim.

"I would say that is far from the truth," said Murray. "Anyone can see the amount of hours of training and practice that go into what we do and there are other sports that are endurance-wise far more challenging than tennis."

"The guys can't play five or six hours and then come back the next day and run around like a rabbit.

"When guys play five or six hours in the slams, like we often do, we have a day's rest. I was told that after our match last year here, I was told that Novak, on the day off, didn't practice, didn't hit a ball, didn't get out of bed till three o'clock. Providing you put the work in, it doesn't mean it hurts any less when you have to play a couple of days later after a five-hour match, but I would not say it is impossible."

(Images via Rendy's FB Fanpage, ATP website, Sloane Stephen's Twitter page, Zimbio.com)

Victorious Blaz Kavcic collapses after a nearly 5-hour long match

The longest match so far at the Australian Open was clocked at 4 hour 52 minutes by Slovenian Blaz Kavcic who defeated Australian James Duckworth in their second round match yesterday.

When the players returned to the locker room, the winner Kavcic collapsed into a fetal position as he suffered a full-body cramp. It was said that doctors had to treat him with morphine but he denied that it was just a joke later on his Twitter page.

(Image via Blaz Kavcic's Twitter page)

Paul-Henri Mathieu's partner Quiterie Camus has cancer

After news about Ross Hutchins and Brad Drewett, the ATP family suffers another blow after Paul-Henri Mathieu's partner/companion was diagnosed with cancer.

Mathieu who lost to Novak Djokovic in the first round at the Australian Open, said Quiterie Camus had her first chemo treatment on his Twitter page on January 15.

The couple has a son Gabriel who was born last year.

(Image via Familledesport)

Rafael Nadal passes medical tests, sets for return

More good news for the fans.

Rafael Nadal has passed the latest medical tests on his injured knee and he is scheduled to return to the tour after more than seven months hiatus. The Brazil Open in February will be his first tournament.

Nadal who is currently training in Barcelona took advantage of his stay in that city to undergo tests at the Mapfre Tennis Medicine Clinic under the supervision of the head of the Spanish Tennis Federation's medical team, Dr. Angel Ruiz-Cotorro.

Both Flavia Pennetta and Nadal are recovering from their injuries and practising in Barcelona

(Image via Flavia Pennetta's Twitter page)

Brian Baker wheeled off court at Australian Open

Brian Baker must be the most unlucky man on tour.

He was wheeled off court earlier today after retiring from his second round match against fellow American Sam Querrey at the Australian Open.

The 27-year-old only returned to the tour last year after almost six seasons out with a variety of injuries.

However, sadly, Baker who was making his debut at the first grand slam of the year was forced to quit with a knee injury.

"He's the last person that deserves anything like that with his five or six surgeries already," Querrey said.

Baker under the knife:

• Left hip (2005)
• Hernia (2006)
• Right elbow reconstructive surgery (February 2008)
• Left hip (April 2008)
• Right hip (June 2008)

(Via Dailymail.co.uk)

Victoria Azarenka signs endorsement deal with Red Bull

Victoria Azarenka has just signed a multi-year endorsement deal with Red Bull.

This is the first time the energy drink giant signs a deal with a tennis player.

"I am really excited to be part of the Red Bull family,” said Azarenka. “I've always enjoyed the product and admired how they have worked with their athletes."

The current world no. 1 already has Wilson, Nike, MuscleTech, Citizen Watches, Six Star Pro Nutrition and Tourna Group as her sponsors.

(Image via ESPN)

Players at the Lacoste lounge

David Goffin and Albert Ramos spent some time at the Lacoste lounge today for some photo shoot.

Sadly the two players lost in their first round matches. Both Goffin and Ramos fought hard in five-setters but eventually defeated by Fernando Verdasco and Marcos Baghdatis respectively.

Albert Ramos

Arnaud Clement who retired from professional tennis last year also dropped by at the lounge.

(Images via Lacoste's Twitter page)

Rafael Nadal prepares for clay court return in February

Looks like fans will not have to wait any longer. Rafael Nadal is set to make a comeback from injury at next month's Brazil Open.

It will be Nadal's first appearance on the tour in South America since 2005.

The clay court tournament has moved from outdoors to indoors due to regular wet weather in Sao Paulo in February.

Currently Nadal is practising at Real Club Tenis Barcelona.

(Barcelona Open Banc Sabadell Facebook page) 

Andy Murray turns poster boy

Any tennis fan would already come across the famous Crocodile Dunblane poster by now.

The image recently went viral after Andy Murray's mother, Judy, tweeted it, describing it as "fabulous".

Scotsman Nial Smith who created the poster also produced a series of other posters featuring Murray for his Australian Open campaign.

(Images by Nial Smith)

H&M signs partnership with Tomas Berdych

Swedish chain H&M has signed Tomas Berdych to be their brand ambassador on and off court. That means they will collaborate to co-design the brand's first ever line of tennis wear.

According to the announcement issued by H&M, they named Berdych as "one of the brightest talents in a globally popular sport, who also has a personal love of fashion and style, which means he is the perfect partner for H&M".

(Image via Tomas Berdych's Facebook page)

Rafael Nadal hits the gym with Flavia Pennetta

Both Flavia Pennetta and Rafael Nadal who missed the Australian Open are training together in Barcelona as both continue to rehab from their injuries.

Pennetta who is recovering from a wrist injury tweeted pictures of them working out in a gym. Meanwhile, Nadal who is expected to return to clay court in South America has not played since June last year due to a knee injury. Both of them were consulted by the same doctor.

And if you haven't know yet, Pennetta used to date Carlos Moya, Nadal's mentor and long time friend.

(Images via Flavia Pennetta's Twitter page)

Redfoo in Melbourne to support Victoria Azarenka

Redfoo, the American singer/DJ and one half of LMFAO is at Melbourne Park today to support defending champion Victoria Azarenka.

Although there's no official announcement about their relationship, he came close to admitting that the pair are an item. But who cares about whether they admit it or not. The pictures and his presence at Azarenka's matches tell it all. After the pictures, check out the YouTube where he talks about falling in love. You can tell that he is quite head over heels in love.

They were in Hua Hin recently for an exhibition match that featured Azarenka and Li Na

(Images Menstennisforums.com)

Fernando Verdasco takes over #AusOpen Twitter

Fernando Verdasco survived a five setter in the Australian Open opening match against Belgian David Goffin earlier today. 

Which one is scarier? The snake or the match against Goffin?

Right after the win, he took over the tournament's official Twitter account and answered some fans questions.  Here's the chat if you missed it.

1. 
   

   Australian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   Thanks to @FeVerdasco7 for taking over the #AusOpen Twitter! And to you all for submitting your #AskFeVer questions :)

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2. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   Real Madrid RT @7Raul_11Pirata Who’s your favorite football club?#AskFeVer

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3. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   It’s a tough draw, but what do you expect in a Grand Slam? Always tough RT @jamesmuller How are you feeling about your draw?#AskFeVer

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4. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   It’s not. You need to know when to do it. I do all of my tweets. RT@Phantom_Delight Is tweeting while on tour stressful? #AskFeVer

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5. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   Go to the cinema, read, be with my family and friends RT@simone689 What do you like to do in your spare time away from the court? #AskFeVer

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6. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   No. RT @alcapponi Do you wear any good luck charm? #AskFeVer

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7. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   Beating Murray in 2009 and Losing to Nadal in 2009. RT@PiScEaN_Slim Which match is your favourite which u played at the AO? #AskFeVer

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8. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   Federer RT @VOLTAGErockcity Who is the greatest of all time?#AskFeVer

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9. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

   Motivation music. Nothing in particular. Good rhythms RT@baskin_abby What’s playing on your iPod before a match?#AskFeVer

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10. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

    I like to change sometimes. I want it to be back to my 20s RT@AmyFetherolf What’s up with the hair? #AskFeVer

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11. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

    I'm feeling good and happy. Physically good RT @yatgunners How are you feeling right now after your tough match vs Goffin?#AskFeVer

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12. 7hAustralian Open ‏@AustralianOpen

    .@FerVerdasco7 is taking over our twitter right now. Tag your questions #askFeVer pic.twitter.com/5jX21avI

(Image via Fernando Verdasco's Instagram, Australian Open Twitter page)

Finally, Maria Sharapova joins Twitter

Maria Sharapova once said her life was too boring for Twitter.

Looks like her life is no longer boring when she tweeted her first post @mariasharapova. Within the first hour, she had racked up more than 12,000 followers.

The Russian, who won her opening match at the Australian Open earlier today, also tweet a photo taken from one of the many graffiti and street art seen in Melbourne.

(Images via Maria Sharapova's Twitter page)

Mahesh Bhupathi tweets picture of Mascos Baghdatis semi naked on the massage table

It's not every day you get to see players in their locker rooms or half naked on the massage table.

Doubles specialist Mahesh Bhupathi tweeted a picture of daddy Marcos Baghdatis half naked on the massage table getting a good treatment not only from one Australian Open staff but three!

Which tennis player would you like to massage?

(Image via Mahesh Bhupathi's Twitter page)

Crown Melbourne's IMG Tennis Players' Party

Held on the eve of the Australian Open, the IMG Tennis Players' Party was attended by world class tennis professionals and entertainment industry heavyweights.

The event saw the appearances of Maria Sharapova, Li Na and Daniela Hantuchova among other tennis players. Also gracing the event were Elizabeth Hurley and Ian Thorpe.

Elizabeth Hurley and Shane Warne

Maria Sharapova

Ian Thorpe

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova

Heather Watson

Janko Tipsarevic

Sabine Lisicki

Daniela Hantuchova

(Images via Zimbio)

Agnieszka Radwanska gets high fashion makeover

How do you know when a tennis player is already up there? When she is winning back to back titles and getting a high fashion makeover.

This is obviously happening to Agnieszka Radwanska who is currently ranked no.4 in the world.

Radwanska recently launched a new website and it features some interesting photos of the Polish player. Hope there will be more to come.

(Images via Agnieszka Radwanska's official website)