Tennis stars take the plunge with #IceBucketChallenge

The #IceBucketChallenge has soaked the US and across the world in the past weeks raising awareness of ALS (Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis), a neurodegenerative disorder commonly known as the Lou Gehrig's disease.

Celebrities videoed themselves emptying buckets full of icy water and challenged three other people to do the same stunt. As a result, the campaign has gone viral.

In the tennis scene, Andy Murray was first nominated by Jesse Levine in July to take up the challenge. Later, the former Wimbledon champion named his coach Amelie Mauresmo for the challenge.

Murray has also challenged Justin Gimelstob earlier this week live on air after his second round match in Cincinnati.

“Obviously we witnessed someone going through this right in front of our eyes with Brad Drewett, and it was tough to watch,” said Murray.

“It’s a horrible disease. I wasn’t aware of it personally before the situation with Brad, but now there’s been a few cases of it in tennis the past few years. It’s great to raise awareness for it and hopefully we can raise a lot of money to try and help find a cure.”

ATP Executive Chairman and President Brad Drewett passed away last year after a short battle with the disease, which has no cure.

Laura Robson also did the #IceBucketChallenge recently and has nominated Caroline Wozniacki. The latter performed the stunt in Cincinnati few days ago and has put forward the challenge to Serena Williams and John Isner.

With the US Open coming up, we hope to see more big names taking up the challenge to raise more awareness of the disease. However, our priority is still back on the game - who will win the year-end Grand Slam championships. If you're betting for the game, check out the SportsBettingInfo.com site for betting on tennis which also feature other sports like the NFL, NHL, etc.

(Via ATP World Tour Website, Kpopstarz)

Players hit the practice court prior to French Open

Here are some photos of some of the star players at the practice court.

Sorry but there's no shirtless photos... This is not the Australian Open.

Roger Federer

Sebastien Grosjean did some shopping at the Roland Garros souvenir shop.

Paul-Henri Mathieu

Marcos Baghdatis

Gaston Gaudio

Amelie Mauresmo

Venus Williams

Serena Williams with daddy Richard who just got married recently.

Jelena Jankovic

(Images via French Open official website)

What the players said about Shahar Peer UAE ban

Dinara Safina: "It's pretty disappointing she's not playing here. She's a great player and a great athlete. I hope she will have many more chances. I think the WTA is doing its best for them."

Amelie Mauresmo: "It's not acceptable. I think sport should be above issues like that to do with religion and wars and whatever. I'm surprised."

Elena Dementieva: "I feel very sorry for her. She's a very good girl and very sensitive. I played her in Auckland and there was some kind of demonstration during the match. I just feel sad for her. She really cares about what's going on between Israel and Palestine and it's just a very tough situation. I think the tour takes it seriously and I wish she could play in Dubai."

Venus Williams: “All the players support Shahar. We are all athletes, and we stand for tennis.”

Ana Ivanovic: "It's very unfortunate, I feel very sorry for her. Shahar is a friend of mine and I feel sorry she's not here. It's always a pity to mix politics and sport. But the WTA is looking into it."

(Images via sports.sina.cn)

Fernando Verdasco still not seen with Ana Ivanovic at the Brisbane International

Fernando Verdasco attended the Brisbane International tennis tournament draw.

Here he is pictured together with Amelie Mauresmo.

Ana Ivanovic is also in Bisbane for the same tournament. Here are some photos of her at photo call and press conference.

So far there are no photos of Ivanovic and Nando together in Australia.

After being photographed together with Australian golfer Adam Scott at the beach, and now without the usual practice photos, we're still asking the question, is it off between Ana and Nando?

(Images via menstennisforums.com, zimbio.com)

Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo can cook

Dinara Safina and Amelie Mauresmo attended the Whirlpool culinary lesson at the Whirlpool booth at the VIP area during the Kremlin Cup 2008 today in Moscow, Russia.

Guided by an experienced chef the two players cooked two very tasty fish meals using state-of -the art processors manufactured by the world famous producer of kitchen and home electronics.

The numerous tournament guests who attended the culinary clinic tasted the meals and highly appreciated the work of the two players and Whirlpool equipment.

Good job, girls!


(Via Kremlin Cup official website, Images by Dima Korotayev/Epsilon/Getty Images)

Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis begins this week

The women tennis players were at the main draw and did a press conference for the Toray Pan Pacific Open Tennis 2008 held at Hotel Grand Pacific Le Daiba on September 15, 2008 in Tokyo, Japan.


The main draw of the tournament is to be held at Ariake Colosseum from September 16 to September 21.

Here are some pretty pictures for your viewing pleasure.

Left to right: Amelie Mauresmo, Daniela Hantuchova, Ai Sugiyama and Ana Ivanovic.

Ana Ivanovic, Dinara Safina and Elena Dementieva.

Jelena Jankovic and Dominika Cibulkova

Alize Cornet works her locks.

Elena Dementieva can work it better and sexier.

But Daniela Hantucova is the most natural among the girls.

(Images via www.toray-ppo.co.jp, zimbio.com)

Australian Open 2008: Looking at tennis in a different angle

This is the second part of my 'Tennis is NOT boring' post.

No wonder Andy Roddick lost to Philipp Kohlschreiber in the third round at the Australian Open. He is too busy to see the ball coming.

"Roddick, your habit is inappropriate on court!" Philipp Kohlschreiber is trying to teach Roddick a lesson. And he did.

Elena Dementieva showing off her sexy back. She is definitely too hot to handle by Shahar Peer, who lost to Dementieva in straight sets in the third round yesterday.

What the heck is Richard Gasquet doing? Oh no, tennis forums will be discussing about his gay rumour again!

When you win, everyone will be there and cheer for you. When you lost, you'll be crying alone. Try again next year, Mauresmo!

(All pictures from Getty Images)