Former world no. 1 Ana Ivanovic expecting first child with Bastian Schweinsteiger

Schweinsteiger accompanied by Ivanovic at the Bambi awards where he received the Special Jury prize.

Sporting power couple Ana Ivanovic and Bastian Schweinsteiger are expecting their first child together. Reports in Germany claim that the 30 years old former world no.1 woman tennis player is already five months pregnant.

Ivanovic revealed the pregnancy news on her social media platform by sharing a picture of three sets of Adidad Yeezy trainers - including a tiny pair.

The retired ace captioned the image: "A little extension to our family."

"Couldn’t be more happy!"

A little extension to our family 👫👼🏼. Couldn’t be more happy❤️ !!! @BSchweinsteiger pic.twitter.com/9ZXLWVQrCV

— Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) November 23, 2017

Serbian Ivanovic tied the knot with former Bayern Munich and Manchester United midfielder Scheweinsteiger in a stunning ceremony in Venice last year.

They currently live in the United States, where Schweinsteiger, 33, plays for Chicago Fire in the Major League Soccer (MLS).

We are expecting a new family member and are so grateful! ❤ @anaivanovic pic.twitter.com/9wzyQkXQKQ

— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger) November 23, 2017

Ivanovic retired last December following a string of injuries.

Schweinsteiger, who won eight German league titles, the Champions League and the 2014 World Cup, has a contract with Chicago Fire until March next year.

Schweinsteiger and Ivanovic out and about in Italy before they travelled to England recently. 

Tributes pour in as Ana Ivanovic retires from professional tennis

Ana Ivanovic won the French Open in 2008

“I can only play if I can perform up to my own high standards, and I can no longer do that. So it’s time to move on.” ~ Ana Ivanovic

I still couldn't come to the term that Ana Ivanovic has finally retired. We've watched the talented Serbian played since she was only 18. By the time she was 20, Ivanovic reached her peak winning the French Open and becoming the world no. 1. She became the first Serbian woman to win a Grand Slam tournament, following in the footsteps of compatriot Novak Djokovic who clinched the Australian Open title the same year.

“There is no other way to say it. I have decided to retire from professional tennis. It has been a difficult decision but there is so much to celebrate,” Belgrade-born Ivanovic said on Facebook.

“I began dreaming about tennis when I was five. My dear parents backed me all the way and by the time I was the world number one and won Roland Garros in 2008, I have seen the heights I never dreamt of achieving,” she added.

To my dear supporters.... pic.twitter.com/9ycCamNela

— Ana Ivanovic (@AnaIvanovic) December 28, 2016

Here are some of the well wishes from her colleagues:

We will miss seeing your smile on the court! Fighter, professional, great person. Enjoy your post-tennis life, Ana 😘 pic.twitter.com/1FXcBl4C2Z

— Petra Kvitova (@Petra_Kvitova) December 28, 2016

@AnaIvanovic my goodness I will miss your smile. All my love ❤️❤️

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) December 28, 2016

Absolutely glorious career from @anaivanovic Sad to see retire...Good luck in your future… https://t.co/mfDJQC5yGf

— Janko Tipsarevic (@TipsarevicJanko) December 29, 2016

I will miss one of my best friends on tour @AnaIvanovic ❤️ You've had an incredible tennis career. Best wishes for the exciting new chapter! pic.twitter.com/IUlbkHHGVE

— Angelique Kerber (@AngeliqueKerber) December 29, 2016

I will miss one of the kindest people I've met on tour. You had an amazing career, @AnaIvanovic! All the best for the new chapter! 😘😘

— Carla Suarez Navarro (@CarlaSuarezNava) December 29, 2016

Our friendship is a gift we share from the past, the present and the future. I will miss you dear Ana! pic.twitter.com/tt71nSO6wH

— Shuai Zhang (@zhangshuai121) December 29, 2016

@AnaIvanovic 😔👏😘❤️ pic.twitter.com/ORjdKK3z7P

— Kristina Mladenovic (@KikiMladenovic) December 29, 2016

Congrats on your career @AnaIvanovic good luck and have fun on what's coming next! We had some fun matches together 🎾😬 pic.twitter.com/95flZJ5whh

— victoria azarenka (@vika7) December 28, 2016

@AnaIvanovic wishing u the very best in your future Ana! You were truly one of THE NICEST PEOPLE EVER ON TOUR! Beautiful inside & out!!

— rennae stubbs (@rennaestubbs) December 29, 2016

Will miss you on tour, but excited for you and what your new chapter has to bring😘 see you soon!!😊😊 https://t.co/twK95j9Dnl

— Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki) December 28, 2016

@AnaIvanovic hey girl!!! You had an amazing career that many people can just dream about! I want you to wish you all the BEST 🎉🎊🍾💞❤️👼💞

— Dinara Safina (@Dinarik27) December 29, 2016

She always was able to smile on the court.Will miss you @AnaIvanovic!!Best of luck for the new chapters of your life with @BSchweinsteiger 💋 pic.twitter.com/1f3U8A53tr

— Marion bartoli (@bartoli_marion) December 29, 2016

We wish her all the best in her future endeavors and be happy always.

BMW Malaysian Open shows interest in Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic

BMW Malaysian Open is back in action on Facebook and announced that they'll be making some interesting announcements over the next couple of weeks.

In an article published on NST in January, it was reported that the tournament has shown interest in Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic. Both players have never played in the tournament before.

Williams was supposed to play in the 2012 edition but withdrew due to illness and injury.

This year, the BMW Malaysian Open will take place on April 14-21 at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur.

During the Australian Open in January, Williams was shown the early exit. It was only the second time Williams had lost in the first round of the Australian Open in 14 appearances. This week, Williams didn't get to pass the second round after losing to Petra Kvitova in three sets at the Qatar Open. It is unknown if she is fully fit to play in the next couple of months as she has been struggling with back injury, fatigue and inconsistency.

Ivanovic also suffered a second round loss at the Qatar Open. Earlier this year, she had quite a successful run claiming the Auckland title and reached the quarterfinal round at the Australian Open.

(Image via REUTERS)

WTA Launches "Road to Singapore" Journey to WTA Championships 2014

It's going to be an exciting year ahead for many of us in Asia, particularly tennis fans in the Southeast Asia region as we're going to have the year-end WTA Championships in Singapore in 2014.

Here's the official press release from the PR team in Singapore in regards to this highly anticipated event.

For immediate release

Serena Williams

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) launched today the "Road To Singapore", a season- long campaign which will see the WTA stars through their journey from the beginning of the year to its culmination during the season-ending WTA Championships in Singapore. For the first time in the 44-year history of the WTA Championships, a city in Asia-Pacific will host the prestigious year-end event, which will take place during October 17-26, 2014, and through 2018.

 "I am starting my 2014 season today, but I’ve already made qualifying for the WTA Championships one of my biggest goals,” said Serena Williams, WTA World No.1 and four- time WTA Championships winner. "I am really excited about the WTA Championships being held in Singapore for the first time, as it's an amazing city that I'd like to visit. Women's tennis is definitely growing and becoming more and more global each year."

Ana Ivanovic

Li Na

The fans of women's tennis will have the opportunity to get closer to their favorite stars and the Championships via a season-long "Road To Singapore" journey. Throughout 2014, fans can be fully engaged with the Championships and WTA Stars' journeys to Singapore by visiting the newly launched Championships website www.wtachampionships.com and becoming "A Road To Singapore Insider". Through the dedicated platforms, newly launched for the "Road to Singapore" adventure, fans will enjoy an unparalleled access to their favorite players' season-long journey, including enhanced editorial coverage across all platforms.

(Images via Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, Ana Ivanovic to play in Richard Branson's event this week

While Novak Djokovic is back to Belgrade to play in the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic this weekend, Rafael Nadal is already in the Caribbean for Richard Branson's Necker Cup.

Nadal with girlfriend Maria Francisca and baby Kristian Kriek in a car ride to the hotel in Necker Island

The Necker Cup is an exclusive Pro-Am event held on Sir Richard Branson’s private island Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands held on November 12-16th. If the Necker Cup is not exciting enough for you, then it has to be Super Bowl to be held in February next year in New Orleans. To get yourself prepared for more winning moments, visit Super Bowl XLVIII Bets.

Cirstea and Ivanovic on a private flight to the Necker island

Back to the Necker Cup, some of us may not be too familiar with the event. Sixteen (16) ATP/WTA Tour Players/Legends are paired up with sixteen (16) amateur teams of all levels to compete in the fun tennis event. A handicapped scoring format is implemented to make it competitive for every player. Each team consists of one pro and up to two amateurs. Teams will compete to win their bracket and earn a chance to play in the Necker Cup Finals.

Of course besides playing tennis, participants also get to do a lot of island activities.

(Images via Facebook, Instagram)

Fernando Verdasco: Valentine's Day with Jarah Mariano

Fernando Verdasco flew to Memphis to have dinner with his model girlfriend Jarah Mariano on Valentine's Day. How romantic!

The couple has been together since 2010.

Previously, Verdasco had a high profile relationship with Ana Ivanovic which lasted for only a few months.

(Image via Fernando Verdasco's Twitter page)

Australian Open 2013: Kids Tennis Day with Nickelodean and tennis stars

A special show was presented at the Rod Laver Arena in conjunction with Kids Tennis Day today. The annual kids event featured Novak Djokovic, Victoria Azarenka, Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Ana Ivanovic.

The event also featured singer Guy Sebastian. Nickelodeon stars SpongeBob SquarePants, Patrick Starfish, Dora the Explorer and Diego joined the entertainment line-up as well. 

Federer's and Lleyton Hewitt's children were spotted at the event.

(Images via Australian Open website, Sina Tennis, Tennisfoum)

Australian Open 2013: The heat is on

Last year I had the opportunity to attend my first Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne. Everything was great except the crazy weather. Although I only spent one day at the Australian Open due to a packed schedule but I thought I had enough of the heatwave. I only managed to sit through a game where Stanislas Wawrinka was playing and that was it.

While I look to bet on march madness online, the same month Rafael Nadal is scheduled to be back on court in Indian Wells, I'll still be following up closely with the AO tournament despite the absence of Nadal. I believe the competition is going to be very tight this year (isn't that happen every year?).

Here are some training pictures from Melbourne before the tournament kicks off next week.

Ana Ivanovic (she looks too skinny these days)

Novak Djokovic

Andy Murray

Victoria Azarenka

Lleyton Hewitt

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Serena Williams

Roger Federer

(Images via Sina Sports)

Caroline Wozniacki bumps into Josh Hartnett in Monaco

Monaco must be a really small country that Caroline Wozniacki bumped into Hollywood star Josh Hartnett while she is there.

Hartnett, who resembles Rafael Nadal, reminds me of a few years ago when Wozniacki denied dating Nadal on her blog.

By the way, did you know what Hartnett once confessed that he likes Ana Ivanovic?


(Image via Caroline Wozniacki's Twitter page)

Practice photos ahead of Wimbledon

Here are some practice photos ahead of the Wimbledon tournament.

Surprising there aren't many practice photos of Roger Federer this year.

In fact, this year's digital team has been slacking without much effort being done on it's social media sites.  

Practice partners - Rafael Nadal and Stanislas Wawrinka

Shirtless Nadal

Pretty Ana Ivanovic

Stylish Maria Sharapova

Not-so-funny Novak Djokovic 

Home favourite (or not) - Andy Murray

Agnieszka Radwanska

(Images via zimbio.com; Wimbledon's Facebook fan page)

WTA Tour pre-Wimbledon bash video and photos

The women's tennis players arrives at the WTA Tour Pre-Wimbledon Party at The Roof Gardens, Kensington yesterday ahead of the SW19.

Maria Sharapova is the favourite player to win this tournament.

Petra Kvitova

Ana Ivanovic

Caroline Wozniacki

The Williams sisters

Li Na

Sorana Cirstea

(Images via Sina Sports)

UNICEF Ambassador Ana Ivanovic promotes Olympic values in school violence prevention

UNICEF National Ambassador for Serbia Ana Ivanovic met up with pupils from Belgrade primary and secondary schools for the “School without Violence” programme yesterday.

During the event, Ivanovic talked to the children about the importance of nurturing Olympic values and spirit in sport and in life alike, respect for others and friendship.

“Sport and the values that characterise it are important for children and young people in developing self-esteem, commitment to teamwork, problem-solving, respect each other and nurturing friendships. Adopting these fundamental values can also help decrease violence and bullying in schools and create a better and more enabling environment for children and youth,” Ivanovic said.

(Images via Mondo)

Race heats up at Roland Garros

We're less than an hour before the French Open LIVE draw.

Meanwhile, here are there selected photos of the players from the official website.

Too bad that Kim Clijsters is out of the tournament due to hip injury.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet

Jo with Roger Federer

Looks like Ana Ivanovic is pretty confident this time.

The two divas - Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova

(Images via French Open website)