Eight-meter high mural of Novak Djokovic immortalised in Trnovo

Source: Novak Djokovic's Facebook

An academic painter Milos Popovic, from East Sarajevo, painted an 8-metre giant sized mural depicting Novak Djokovic, on a residential building in Trnovo, near the capital of the Republika Srpska entity of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Popovic said the initiative is the brainchild of the Tourist Organisation of the Municipality of Trnovo. 

Artist paints eight-metre mural of Novak Djokovic in Trnovo Photo taken on July 29, 2020. shows mural of Novak Djokovic on Srdjan Knezevic Square, in Trnovo, near Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.
📸 ArminxDurgut/PIXSELL pic.twitter.com/he4NtfJzK7

— C Kristjánsdóttir ●🐊 (@CristinaNcl) July 31, 2020

The artist believes the mural is the largest in the world dedicated to the Serbian who is currently the world's no. 1 tennis player. 

The project took him 5 days to complete with the help from graphic design students Djordje Pastar and Boris Tomic. 

Where to get Rafael Nadal's face mask, Kia-Nadal partnership extended till 2025

Source: via Twitter handle @coachdal

There has been a buzz going around on the availability of the face mask that Rafael Nadal is wearing. 

A fan emailed Rafa Nadal Academy and has been informed the stock will arrive in matter of weeks and announcement will be made on social media. 

FYI, I already emailed his academy store lol pic.twitter.com/MxJLBf8HpD

— Sassy Jax, Esq, ⚦♊︎ (@RafaLover16) July 24, 2020

Source: via Twitter handle @coachdal

Meanwhile, Kia Motors Corporation, the major partner of the Australian Open, has announced a five-year partnership renewal with Nadal via a global livestream training session hosted on his official Facebook page.

The signing will extend the Kia-Nadal partnership beyond the 20-year mark. The Spaniard was first sponsored by Kia Spain back in 2004 before becoming Kia’s global brand ambassador two years later at the age of 19.

The announcement was live streamed on Facebook from the Rafael Nadal Academy in his hometown of Mallorca, Spain. 

Source: Rafael Nadal's Facebook

Update:

The reusable mask is now available for sale on Rafa Nadal Academy online store. However the design is different from the one that Nadal has been wearing. Kindly take note that delivery is only limited to certain countries only. The size is available for both adult and child.

Source: Rafa Nadal Academy

Rafael Nadal defeats Usain Bolt as the most dominant player, poses on a luxury yacht and wears a mask

Source: Reuters

ESPN started a fan poll to determine the most dominant individual performance in sports and the result is none other than Rafael Nadal, who has been announced as the winner. 

The King of Clay proved that he's the most popular beating the fastest man on earth, Usain Bolt, in the final round. 

In a separate occasion, the Spaniard has been spotted enjoying his brand new 80 Sunreef Power Great White yacht. The majestic yacht hit the water at the Gdansk based yard and was delivered to Mallorca, his hometown just last month.

Meanwhile, stay safe and wear your mask just like Nadal!

Omg I want the mask Raf is wearing 😭 pic.twitter.com/L2PIWifqZA

— monse 🌺 Buenos días 😁 (@coachdal) July 22, 2020

Novak Djokovic reportedly ready to play at the US Open but wants exemption to quarantine

Source: Adam Hunger/AP

World no.1 Novak Djokovic is reportedly set to take part in the US Open, but only if the officials agree to waive off the quarantine requirement upon returning to Europe.

Meanwhile players around the world are still in doubt whether to take part in the upcoming US Open after the organisers announced the Grand Slam would go ahead despite an ongoing pandemic. Officials decided to go ahead with the major tournament from 31 August to 13 September, with the Rome and Madrid Masters planned between the French Open a few weeks later. The issue with some players is missing the Madrid and Rome Masters could impact their ranking points more than missing the Grand Slam in New York. 

Players such as Australian Nick Kyrgios have also expressed concerns about holding the tournament in the current climate. Rafael Nadal is set to miss defending his US Open title to prepare for a 13th Roland Garros.

Source: Adria Tour

Serbian Djokovic has been seen practicing on hard courts after cleared of coronavirus. He was recently forced to apologise after the Adria Tour he organised was forced to be cancelled due to safety concerns around the virus. Staged in his hometown Serbia, as well as neighbouring Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia and Herzegovina, the event was cancelled after Grigor Dimitrov confirmed he had tested positive for the virus. Since then, Viktor Troicki, Borna Coric, Djokovic and his wife Jelena and coach Goran Ivanisevic have also revealed positive COVID-19 tests. Dimitrov, Coric and Jelena announced they too recovered from COVID-19.

Sam Stosur and partner Liz Astling reveal birth of baby girl, Genevieve

Australian tennis player Sam Stosur has revealed that her partner Liz has given birth to a baby girl, Genevieve. 

Stosur shared a sweet family photo on her Instagram and revealed that the baby was born last month. 

View this post on Instagram

Life in lockdown during coronavirus has been challenging in many ways but personally it’s been one of the most exciting and happy times of my life. On the 16th of June, my partner Liz gave birth to our beautiful little girl, Genevieve. It has been a whirlwind time but we could not imagine life without her now. Mum and Evie are doing well and it’s so amazing to be home with them both. We are absolutely in love with this little bundle and rolling with the happy chaos. We can’t wait for what’s to come and to watch little Evie grow up....Although not too quickly we hope! 👧🏻🥰❤️ #babygirl #homecourt #wta #tennisaustralia #family

A post shared by Samantha Stosur (@samstosur) on Jul 13, 2020 at 1:32am PDT

 

Stosur is currently 97th in the world singles rankings and has given no indication if she will be returning to tennis when events resume on August 1 for the first time since the season was put on hold in March due to COVID-19.

Grigor Dimitrov recovered from COVID-19 and ready for the US Open

Source: Grigor Dimitrov's Instagram

Grigor Dimitrov announced on Instagram that he has recovered from COVID-19 and ready to get back to his training regime to prepare for the US hardcourt swing. The Bulgarian informed his fans that he has received the news from his doctor in Monaco that he is now confirmed negative for COVID-19. 

Three (3) weeks ago, Dimitrov and Borna Coric were both tested positive after participating in the Adria Tour events organised by Novak Djokovic. 

Coric has also took on Instagram to announce he is free from COVID-19 and has started practicing outdoor on hard court again.

 

View this post on Instagram

I just got great news from the doctor in Monaco that I am confirmed Covid-19 negative. Thank you for all the support these past weeks during my quarantine. I look forward to getting back to training shortly in order to be ready for the US hardcourt swing.

A post shared by Grigor Dimitrov (@grigordimitrov) on Jul 13, 2020 at 12:04pm PDT

 

View this post on Instagram

I’m corona-free and happy to be back on the court! It feels good to practice outdoors again ☀️

A post shared by Borna Coric (@bornacoric) on Jul 10, 2020 at 9:17am PDT

Success Lessons From Serena Williams For All Fields Of Life

When it comes to tennis, there is one name nobody can avoid and it is Serena Williams. Phenomenal woman, incredible player, unique feminist, and loving wife as well as the mother. It seems this woman can do anything in the world when this goes as her priority. So far, however, it is tennis, personal life and entrepreneurship being in the top of the to-do list for Serena, a woman we all cannot but admire endlessly.

In this article, we will look at the lessons this incredible woman can teach all of us whether for tennis or for real life. For some spheres of life, like love and relationships, we tend to visit different special platforms or apps to try to find the significant other. For other spheres, like personal success, we usually crave advice of those who have achieved substantial heights. And this is exactly what we are going to learn today from Serena’s experiences and life lessons.

Learning About Success From The Ever Most Successful Sportswoman
When it comes to reading stories of achievements of the world-wide known sportsmen, we are subconsciously ready to hear about a lot of sacrificing and dedication. However, rarely do we really comprehend the extent to which professional athletes’ lives differ from the ones we peacefully lead. Nevertheless, it is their success that enormously impresses us and motivates on further achievements.

So, how did it happen that Serena, a simple girl from Michigan, managed to become the best tennis player as well as a most empowering feminist leader to follow? Let us look at the secrets to her unprecedented accomplishments below:

• mental imaginary technique: being born to the tennis coach, Serena started to play tennis where she was a kid. As the whole world recently learns from Nike ads featuring Williams, it was her dream from the very first steps onto the court to become the best at it. Basically, imagining yourself in the situation of the ultimate success as you define and understand it for yourself is a number one lesson. This works not only for sportsmen but also for people from all other fields of activities, including professional players in the world of betting sites online.
• “I have not made it yet” mentality: in one of the most recent interviews, Serena mentioned that she did not think she had made it. In her book, it is not about becoming the best once but about becoming the best for yourself every day and every time you enter the court. And for us court can also mean life;
• embracing your power: in the modern realities of yet existing glass ceilings and gender gaps, Serena sets an incredible example of being a powerful and successful woman. She believes in female power but does not diminish the power of men. In the end, it is all about being the best version of yourself.

To wrap things up, it seems every one of us can become just as successful as the world’s best female racket. However, this will require lots of devotion, constant work and unstoppable mentality.

Stefanos Tsitsipas captures ATP Finals title, Rafael Nadal clinches year-end no.1 for fifth time, Tomas Berdych retires

Source: ATP website

Newly crowned  ATP Finals champion, Stefanos Tsitsipas rallied to beat Dominic Thiem 6-7 (6), 6-2, 7-6 (4) on Sunday for the biggest win in his career. He becomes the youngest champion at the season-ending tournament in 18 years.

Tsitsipas first met Thiem at the O2 Arena in 2016 when he was the world's top-ranked junior and was invited to be a hitting partner for the ATP Finals participants. Three years on and they faced each other in the final.

Source: Tsitsipas' Instagram

It has been quite an exciting year for Tsitsipas, who reached the semifinals of the Australian Open, won two ATP titles and became the first Greek to break into the ATP top 10, a very unlikely scenario according to some of the best UK betting sites.

He leaves London with $2.6 million in prize money for this win. It is the fourth year in a row that there is a first-time champion at the ATP Finals, following wins by Andy Murray in 2016, Gregor Dimitrov in 2017 and Alexander Zverev last year.

Source: Reuters / Tony O'Brien

Also, congrats to Rafael Nadal, who is at 33, becoming the oldest player to finish year-end no. 1 in the history of the ATP Rankings (since 1973).

It has been quite a year for Nadal after getting married to longtime girlfriend, Maria Francisca Perello, in Majorca, Spain last month. He won two Grand Slam titles, including his 12th Roland Garros and his fourth U.S. Open title, and also reached the Australian Open final, losing to Djokovic. Nadal at the pinnacle of his career now has 19 Grand Slam titles, one behind Federer’s 20, and could tie and pass the Swiss maestro in 2020.

Nadal previously finished at the top in 2008, 2010, 2013 and 2017, The Spaniard is the fifth player to finish the year at the top of men’s professional tennis on five or more occasions, following in the footsteps of Pete Sampras (6), Jimmy Connors (5), Federer (5) and Djokovic (5), via the ATP.

View this post on Instagram

“Game Set Tennis Career"

A post shared by Tomas Berdych (@tomasberdych) on Nov 16, 2019 at 11:29am PST

Meanwhile, former Wimbledon runner-up Tomas Berdych has announced his retirement from tennis. The 34-year-old Czech reached the 2010 Wimbledon final, beating Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic along the way before losing to Rafael Nadal.

Berdych, thank you for all the amazing games in tennis over the years. I'm thankful I had the opportunity to meet you and watch you play in the past.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal confirmed for Team Europe

Tickets for the highly anticipated third edition of the Laver Cup has been announced and will go on sale at 10am Central European Time (CET) on Friday February 8. The three-day men’s team tennis competition will take place at the Palexpo in Geneva from September 20 to 22, 2019.

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who made history playing doubles at the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague, have both confirmed to represent Team Europe in Geneva, adding to the sense of occasion for the event.

Multi-session tickets will be available for purchase Friday February 8 online via Ticketcorner.ch and offer fans the same seat to all five sessions over the three days. Purchasers will receive five separate tickets, one for each session, and can choose to attend the entire tournament or share the tickets with others to tailor their experience.

Prices for multi-session tickets start at CHF 250 with a limit of six multi-session tickets per purchaser.

The Laver Cup sold out in both Prague and Chicago and the demand for tickets is expected to be high. Fans can take part in a special pre-sale by registering at LaverCup.com by midnight Monday February 4 CET.

There will be a limited number of single session tickets available for sale at a later date.

Premium Hospitality Ticket packages have been on sale since mid-December, and are also available for purchase at LaverCup.com hospitality

The three-day tournament pits six of the top male tennis players from Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg, against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world, led by John McEnroe, and has sold out stadiums in Prague and Chicago to date.

Named in honor of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the event will be played in a specially constructed 17,000-seat arena at the Palexpo in Geneva on a dramatic black court, with the players supporting each other from the sidelines.

A fan village will feature a range of food and beverage options, sponsor activations and the chance to see the players up close on the full scale practice court.

Via LaverCup.com

The Role & Popularity of Credit Unions in the UK

Since they were first established in the UK in 1964, credit unions have becoming increasingly popular so that there are now over 300 different ones in England, Wales and Scotland. Over more than 5 decades, they have offered their financial services to over 1.3 million people.

The objective of a credit union is to encourage their members to use money wisely. One of the cornerstones of their philosophy is to promote the habit of saving regularly so as to avoid costly loans. This is achieved through standard savings accounts as well as more specialised financial products such as children’s savings accounts or ones to put by money for Christmas.

Apart from emphasising the importance of saving, some credit unions also offer budgeting and debt management advice for any of their members who have faced – or are facing – problems with poor financial decision-making in the past. Although credit unions often impose limits on how much money someone can save (usually up to £10,000-£15,000), all members are offered the same financial protection as they are by mainstream banks and building societies. Regulated by the PRA and FCA, each member’s savings account comes under the protection of the governmental FSCS (Financial Services Compensation Scheme) which has a maximum limit of £85,000.

As a credit union is owned by its members, it doesn’t have to pay out dividends to its shareholders and can act as a non-profit-making enterprise. Instead of offering those with savings a standard interest rate, it offers dividend rates at the end of the year. This rate can vary from year to year, but is usually around 1.3% depending on the size of the credit union, and how much has been ploughed back into it to improve the services it offers.

Small loans of £50-£3,000 are also available although some credit unions might stipulate that the borrower holds a savings account with them before approving a loan. They have no charges for paying off a loan early, and the loan usually comes with free life cover so any outstanding loan is automatically repaid in case of death.

To become a member of a credit union, you must share a ‘common bond’ with the other members. This could take many forms: living in the same area, working for the same employer/profession or could concern a shared interest. Once you’ve joined, you can remain a member even if your circumstances later change. For example, you move or get a new job.

One problem that some people have is finding a credit union for which they are eligible. If you aren’t eligible and are in urgent need of cash to tide you over, high acceptance payday loans direct lenders can often be the answer you’re looking for. With their streamlined and fast online application, you don’t have to wait long until the loan has been deposited into your account. Credit unions have many benefits, but they aren’t always available for everyone.

Rafael Nadal to team up with Roger Federer for Laver Cup 2019 in Geneva

Press release

Spanish superstar Rafael Nadal will join Roger Federer for the highly anticipated third edition of the Laver Cup to be held in Geneva, Switzerland from 20-22 September, 2019.

The news is a major coup for Bjorn Borg’s Team Europe as it looks to build a team to defend its unbeaten record.

Tickets will go on sale to the general public in early February, with a variety of Premium Hospitality Ticket packages available from today.

Image credit: LaverCup.com

Federer and Nadal, two of the greatest players and strongest rivals of all time, joined forces for the inaugural Laver Cup in Prague in 2017, famously playing, and winning, a memorable doubles match together.

Team Europe captain Bjorn Borg is understandably delighted to name both Federer and Nadal as he aims to build the strongest possible Team Europe for 2019.

“It doesn’t get much better for a captain than naming both Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal for the Laver Cup in Geneva,” Borg said.

“Bringing together two of the greatest players, and rivals, the sport has ever seen together on one team is very exciting for our sport – and will give us the best possible chance to win the Laver Cup three years in a row.

“At the first Laver Cup in Prague, with both Roger and Rafa on the team, we knew it would be very special, bringing together two such great champions. But I think we all underestimated how powerful it would be to see them sitting side by side, coaching each other and cheering each other on, along with their teammates from the player bench.

“We saw again the same special moments in Chicago, and how much this event means to the players. I can’t wait to see how the Laver Cup unfolds in Geneva as Team Europe regroups to defend our title,” Borg said.

Roger Federer also has his eye on a third Laver Cup trophy as he looks forward to the event coming to his home country of Switzerland.

“We’ve all been blown away by the success of the Laver Cup, which in just two years has become so special to all the players who’ve been involved from both teams.

“I’m excited Captain Borg has named both me and Rafa to the team. We had a lot of fun in Prague and it will be very special for me to team up with him again in Switzerland to try and defend our title.

“John McEnroe has made it very clear how motivated Team World is to win and we’ll need to compete hard to stay undefeated. I know from lots of first-hand experience how tough it is to compete against Rafa and it’s a huge boost to our team to have him on Team Europe.”

Nadal is also looking forward to re-joining Team Europe.

“I’m looking forward to playing the Laver Cup in Geneva next year and am very excited to be named to the team by our captain Bjorn Borg. I will do my best to live up to the great performances we had in Prague last year,” Rafael Nadal said.

Since its inception two years ago the Laver Cup has established itself as one of the most prestigious tennis events in the calendar, bringing together top-class tennis and entertainment with premium sponsors and hospitality offerings to create a unique spectacle for sports fans around the globe.

The three-day tournament pits six of the top male tennis players from Europe, captained by Bjorn Borg, against six of their counterparts from the rest of the world, led by John McEnroe, and has sold out stadiums in Prague and Chicago to date.

Named in honor of Australian tennis legend Rod Laver, the event will be played in a specially constructed 17,000-seat arena at the Palexpo in Geneva on a dramatic black court.

Fans will be able to soak up the unique atmosphere as rivals become teammates through a range of ticket options, including multi-session tickets offering the same seat to all five sessions, single session tickets and a variety of hospitality experiences.

Full details of all hospitality packages, pricing and how to purchase can be found at LaverCup.com.

Multi-session tickets, excluding hospitality, will go on sale in early February 2019, with a limited number of single session tickets to follow. Prices for multi-session and single session tickets will start at $250 and $25 respectively.

Register at LaverCup.com for more information and to receive updates on ticket sales.

Angelique Kerber secures second singles qualification spot for 2018 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore

Press Release

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced today that Angelique Kerber has qualified for the 2018 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, set to take place from October 21-28, 2018. The German becomes the second player to secure her spot at the $7 million year-end event, joining Simona Halep who booked her spot in August.

Photo credit: Getty Images

A former WTA World No.1, Kerber has enjoyed a stellar campaign to date, highlighted by winning her third Grand Slam singles title at Wimbledon. Having also reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and quarterfinals at Roland Garros, she is the only player this season to reach the final eight in the first three Grand Slams of 2018.

Kerber started her 2018 season by lifting the Sydney International trophy and also made back-to-back quarterfinal showings at the BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) and Miami Open. With 42 match wins this year, Kerber has won 40 or more matches in six of her last seven seasons.

“I am honored to qualify for the WTA Finals in Singapore this year,” said Kerber. “I have many memories of competing in Singapore, especially reaching the final in 2016, and I’m excited to be back and play in front of the amazing fans.”

Kerber has secured her fifth qualification at the WTA Finals, most recently appearing in 2016 when she posted a 3-0 record in the group stage and reached the final, falling to Dominika Cibulkova in the championship match. Her first two appearances at the year-end event were in Istanbul, Turkey, in 2012 and 2013, and also Singapore in 2015.

Staged at the Singapore Sports Hub from October 21-28, the 2018 BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global is a 10-day tennis festival featuring the world’s best players vying for a US$7 million in prize money and two of the most prestigious titles in women’s tennis. The Top 8 singles players will compete in a round-robin format with the winner taking home the Billie Jean King Trophy. The Top 8 doubles teams will compete in a knock-out format for the WTA Finals Martina Navratilova Trophy.

The Porsche Race to Singapore Leaderboard is updated each Monday (every two weeks during Grand Slams events) and can be found at www.WTAFinals.com.

The winner of the Porsche Race to Singapore - the player who sits at No.1 in singles leading into the WTA Finals - will not only seal a spot at the season-ending showpiece, but also be congratulated with a new Porsche 718 Boxster GTS.

Tickets to the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global are on sale at www.WTAFinals.com, an immersive one-stop destination for all things tournament-related, bringing fans the latest news from the top players on their journey on the Porsche Race to Singapore.

WTA Future stars returns to Bangkok

WTA Legend and hometown hero Tamarine Tanasugarn welcomed back the WTA Future Stars in Bangkok, Thailand, today as she introduced 50 children aged 10-12 years from a local primary school, the Preedavittaya School, to tennis for the first time in a series of fun basic activities and drills.

Tanasugarn, who will be returning as a WTA Finals Legend Ambassador in Singapore this October, shared her experience with the next generation saying, “It has been great working with the WTA to promote tennis in Thailand through the WTA Future Stars programme over the last few years. Each time, we are able to reach out to a new group of children and introduce them to tennis, and I really enjoy being able to share my experience with them. It would be great to see more children take up tennis in Thailand and hopefully we will see some Thai stars in future!”

“Over the last four years, the WTA has built a strong foundation in the Asia-Pacific through the WTA Future Stars initiative, which has been an integral part of raising awareness on tennis and the WTA Finals in the region. The WTA Future Stars was launched alongside the first edition of the WTA Finals held in Singapore in 2014, and we have since gone on to conduct clinics and masterclasses in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia and Singapore. Working closely with our WTA legends like Tamarine Tanasugarn, the WTA Future Stars outreach is aimed at highlighting how sport is great way for young boys and girls to develop beneficial life skills that will help them to achieve whatever goals they may set for themselves,” said Melissa Pine, Vice President of WTA Asia-Pacific and Tournament Director of the WTA Finals.

Speaking after assisting Tanasugarn during the clinic, the 2017 WTA Future Stars Under-14 finalist from Thailand, Pimrada Jattavapornvanit, said, “It was a wonderful experience to be able to represent my country at the WTA Future Stars tournament in Singapore last year, and I am glad to be able to attend the clinic today to share my passion for tennis with other local children. Tamarine Tanasugarn is our role model and being able to stand next to her to encourage more children in Thailand to play our sport is a very special experience for me.”

Mr. Kitsombat Euammongkol, President of the Lawn Tennis Association Thailand (LTAT), said, “This is the second year that the WTA has worked with the LTAT to host the WTA Future Stars at our national tennis centre, and it has been a great success. We look forward to more opportunities in the future to work with the WTA to promote tennis in Thailand. I would also like to wish our 2018 WTA Future Stars representatives from Thailand all the best at the tournament in Singapore in October.”

The WTA Future Stars Clinic is part of a regional platform to promote tennis among children throughout Asia-Pacific and includes the WTA Future Stars Tournament where each country sends two representatives to compete in the U14 and U16 categories respectively.

Launched in 2014 when the WTA Finals was first hosted in Singapore, the WTA Future Stars tournament started with 12 countries, and in 2018 will bring together players from 21 markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

The WTA Finals, which is the crown-jewel of the WTA calendar, will take place in Singapore from October 21 – 28 2018 where the best in women’s tennis will compete for the year’s biggest prize purse of US$7 million. Players accumulate points throughout the season and the top eight singles players and doubles teams on the Porsche Race to Singapore Leaderboard then compete in the season finale at the Singapore Indoor Stadium.

BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore holds Wimbledon viewing party for women's finals

Get the Pimm’s chilling and crates of strawberries ready as Wimbledon fever takes over.

Tennis fans are invited to join in the summer Grand Slam festivities and enjoy free pints and snacks at the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global Wimbledon Women’s Finals viewing party, on 14 July 2018 at Harry’s Bar, Boat Quay.

Date:14 July 2018 (Saturday)
Time: 7PM till late
Venue: Harry’s Bar (Boat Quay), Level 2, 28 Boat Quay, 049818

Fans can catch the exciting Wimbledon Women’s Finals match live, test their tennis knowledge by joining the trivia, or participate in a lucky draw. Prizes include VIP hospitality passes to Racquet Club, exclusive access to the Aces Lounge, as well as match tickets to catch the greatest in women’s tennis live at the WTA Finals Singapore.

WTA Finals Singapore 2017 Champion Caroline Wozniacki

Fans dressed in their best Wimbledon whites can also participate in a best dressed competition, and walk away with a racquet autographed by past WTA Finals Singapore qualifiers.

Interested fans can form teams of six and register here. (Seats are limited and registration is on a first-come-first-serve basis).

The final edition of the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global takes place from 21 to 28 October 2018 at the Singapore Indoor Stadium. The WTA Finals is the crown jewel of the WTA calendar, where the world’s greatest eight Singles players and Doubles team battle it out for the US$7 million prize purse and prestigious Billie Jean King and Martina Navratilova Trophy.

For more ticketing information, please refer to ANNEX A or visit www.WTAFinals.com.

Nadal reclaims ATP no.1 spot and trains for Davis Cup

Source: Marca.com

Rafael Nadal is finally back from his hip injury by training for the upcoming Davis Cup match against Germany. While I bet you are going to enjoy the online live streaming of the match, feel free to also check out Dreamz.com if you're up for a thrilling session of online casino.

After the 10-time French Open champion dethroned arch-rival Roger Federer from the number one spot, Nadal started training again under the direction of Spain captain, Sergi Bruguera alongside with his fellow compatriots David Ferrer, Feliciano Lopez, Roberto Bautista and Pablo Carreno Busta.

Source: laht.com

Nadal, who just completed his first training at the iconic Plaza de Toros de Valencia, could be playing when the two countries meet from April 6-8. Spain defeated Great Britain in the last round of the competition to reach this stage of the Davis Cup.

By returning to the top spot in the ATP ranking, it will certainly boost Nadal's confidence a little bit more. I do not mean to jinx him but it seems like every time he reached the no.1 rank, he could go on to finish the year as the no.1 ranked player.

Meanwhile, Roger Federer who had an amazing run in 2018, will not be competing throughout the entire clay court season. With just 100 points behind Nadal, and no points to defend, it seems like the perfect plan for Federer. As for Nadal, he couldn't afford to make any error. A small slip by Nadal's side would make the Swiss maestro the top-ranked player again.

Nadal has been out of action since the Australian Open quarterfinal match in January.

Andy Murray could make return from hip injury before Wimbledon

Great news to all Andy Murray fans! The former world no. 1 and current British no. 2 is set to make a return to the ATP Tour in June after revealing his plan to play at the Libema Open in the Netherlands this June. This will be his first event since a hip surgery in January and after missing from the tour for 11 months.

A little post op photo. I'm feeling really positive and looking forward to starting rehab. Thanks to everyone for the well wishes and support the last few days.. It really helps. And everyone try and find a partner who looks at you the way @jamie__delgado looks at me 💪💪👍🎾

A post shared by Andy Murray (@andymurray) on Jan 8, 2018 at 8:06am PST

The grass court tournament in Rosmalen, which is formerly known as the Ricoh Open, will take place from 11 to 17 June.

With that, it means Murray will miss the entire clay surface. The ATP250 event that he's planning to take part is the week right after the French Open. It will be a warm up tournament for Queen’s, where he has won a record five times, and which will serve as his main and only preparation for Wimbledon.

Source: https://www.mouratoglou.com/

Currently, Murray is stepping up his rehabilitation by practising at Patrick Mouratoglou's Tennis Academy near Nice, France. On social media he has posted a photograph of himself on the court hitting with Aidan McHugh, a 17-year-old Glaswegian he has been mentoring.

Chasing down another @aidymchugh error today during practice #progress #hip #unforced #youngpup

A post shared by Andy Murray (@andymurray) on Mar 28, 2018 at 10:58am PDT

In his long absence, Murray has surrendered the British no.1 ranking to Kyle Edmund and has slipped 29 places from the no.1 ranking he surrendered to Rafael Nadal last August, although the 31-year-old Spaniard subsequently has had his own hip problem. By the time the draw is made for the Libema Open, Murray is very likely to have fallen out of the world’s top 40 and by the time the Queen’s tournament starts he could be outside the top 150.

Fortunately, Murray will have no problem getting into tournaments for the rest of 2018 because he can use a “protected” world ranking besides the potential number of wildcards that will be given to him.

Serena Williams to Host 14th Desert Smash 3/6/18 @ La Quinta Resort & Club

Press Release

The Desert Smash is known for bringing together some of the biggest names in Hollywood with some of the world's most renowned tennis players, and this year again is no exception as one of all of sport’s biggest names is set to kick off the 14th annual event in the desert!

Twenty-three time Grand Slam Champion Serena Williams is returning to the desert and will be hosting and participating in this year’s entertaining Desert Smash Pro/Celebrity Tennis Exhibition to benefit The Yetunde Price Resource Center (YPRC), founded by Serena and Venus, in honor of their eldest sister who was killed by an act of senseless violence in 2003. Its namesake, Serena and Venus’ sister, based in Compton, CA and committed to helping others heal, The YPRC assists, educates and strengthens individuals and families affected by violence and trauma. The YPRC works collaboratively with the other Southern Los Angeles based partner organizations to offer a variety of free programs in safe, healing-centered environments.

In an exciting new partnership with Tennis Channel, this year’s event will take place on Tuesday, March 6th, 2018, and will be returning to the world-renowned La Quinta Resort & Club, a Waldorf Astoria Resort in La Quinta, California, where the Desert Smash originally began 14 years ago. Consistently ranked one of the top tennis resorts in the country, La Quinta Resort & Club boasts state-of-the-art tennis facilities surrounded by vibrant flower-filled patios and breathtaking views of the rugged Santa Rosa Mountains and offers nothing short of an extraordinary tennis experience. This year’s annual charity “Live-Ball” play will also be hosted by actor Boris Kodjoe and benefit Sophie’s Voice Foundation.

Tennis Channel will provide Desert Smash with live national television exposure for the first time in the exhibition’s history. Live television segments along with digital and social media activity throughout the day – as part of the network’s coverage of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Calif. – will feature event updates with celebrity and player interviews. The network is also working closely with the Desert Smash team this year to facilitate celebrity introductions and expand the exhibition’s roster of star participants.

“We’re beyond excited for Tennis Channel to partner with Ryan Macaulay and Boris Kodjoe in supporting Desert Smash, the world’s biggest tennis celebrity pro-am event,” said Ken Solomon, president, Tennis Channel. “Professional tennis and Hollywood have always been deeply entwined, and over the years Desert Smash has brought together the strength of the biggest celebrities and top tennis stars to raise awareness and resources for those in need. We’re hopeful that this marks the beginning of a new era in this unique event’s successful history, and that a national television platform and worldwide digital presence, along with our Sinclair-owned sister stations, bring even more people to support this cause and enjoy the festivities this time around.”

"La Quinta Resort & Club is the original home of the Desert Smash and it is exciting to once again play host to this annual event. We look forward to celebrating the tournaments’ 14th year in support of the Yetunde Price Resource Center,” said Victor Woo, General Manager, La Quinta Resort & Club. “Known as the original desert hideaway and Hollywood’s favorite escape for over ninety years, our desert oasis is a perfect match for this event and we are honored to welcome top tennis professionals and celebrities to our world-class tennis facilities.”

Ryan Macaulay, Founder of the Desert Smash notes, “We’re thrilled to be back to La Quinta Resort & Club, where it all began. There is not a more picturesque or beautiful setting than their stadium court and we know their accommodations and other facilities are the desert’s best. The Desert Smash has always been about accessibility to players and celebrities, and La Quinta Resort’s intimate tennis stadium continues in that tradition. We look forward to a full house and a great day raising money for charity!”

The Desert Smash Celebrity/Pro-Am Tournament is arguably one of the country's most prominent charitable set of matches, composed of ranked WTA and ATP Tour players and some of the most notable and recognized celebrity players from Hollywood. Past professional tennis participants include ATP World No. 1 Novak Djokovic, John Isner, Stan Wawrinka, ATP World No. 1 doubles team Mike and Bob Bryan, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf, Maria Sharapova, Caroline Wozniacki, Victoria Azarenka and Eugenie Bouchard.

Each year, this sell-out event attracts both celebrity and tennis fans for a once in a lifetime opportunity to play and rub elbows with the world’s best tennis players. Past celebrity hosts and attendees include Will Ferrell, Jon Hamm, Kevin Hart, Rebel Wilson, Joel McHale, Michael B. Jordan, Justin Chambers, Timothy Olyphant, Lance Bass and Boris Kodjoe.

In traditional Desert Smash fashion, the day kicks off with the renowned Southern California competitive, high-energy on-court workout, “Tennacity,” also known in some tennis circles as “Live Ball.” Following this fun, interactive experience is the fan favorite Pro vs. Celebrity Exhibition singles and doubles matches, which will take place on La Quinta’s picturesque Stadium Tennis Court.

Following an unmatched day of tennis and fundraising, La Quinta Resort & Club will host an evening cocktail party and live entertainment with a set by world famous DJ Bob Sinclar and other to be announced surprise celebrity entertainers. Previous performances included sets by Justin Bieber, Ja Rule, Lifehouse, Nelly, Natasha Bedingfield, RedFoo, Boyz II Men, Skunk Baxter and Gavin Rossdale.

Tickets are available for purchase now! For more event information, AND TO PURCHASE PLAYING SPOTS AND TICKETS, please visit: www.desertsmash.com