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)

US Open: Novak Djokovic, Serena Williams serve up double bagel each

We are already in Day 10 at the US Open. The men's quarterfinalists and women's semifinalists are on line-up, battling for the weekend's finals.

Earlier today, World no.1s Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams both powered through the next round by serving double bagel each. If you think that's a heavy meal to take on, you might need some weight loss tips.

Djokovic eliminated Spaniard Marcel Granollers 63 60 60 in just 79 minutes while Williams shut another Spaniard Carla Suarez Navarro 60 60 at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Meanwhile Wimbledon and US Open defending champion Andy Murray dropped the first set but eventually came back to beat Denis Istomin in the first New York night session of his US Open title defence. He will face Stanislas Wawrinka on Thursday's quarterfinal match.

Djokovic is set to play against Mikhail Youzhny next, Richard Gasquet to meet Ferrer and Tommy Robredo and Rafael Nadal will battle it out in an all Spanish showdown.

In the women's category, Williams will play against Li Na in the first semifinal after the Chinese player defeated Ekaterina Makarova in three sets.

Roberta Vinci will play against Flavia Pennetta while Daniella Hantuchova will compete with Victoria Azarenka for places in the semifinals.

(Images via zimbio.com)

Victoria Azarenka defends Australian Open crown in dramatic final

Victoria Azarenka not only had to fight against Li Na who was a crowd's favourite but also overcame an accusation of gamesmanship after taking a medical timeout late in the semifinal against Sloane Stephens to triumph in the Australian Open women's final.

Li Na takes a tumble

Luck was clearly on the defending champion's side when Li Na had to have her ankle taped after the first fall. The second tumble came and Li Na was blacked out momentarily after hitting her head. 

The dramatic final was also interrupted by a nine-minute break due to the Australia Day fireworks.

It was an emotional win for Azarenka

Azarenka prevailed after playing for two hours and 40 minutes with the score 4-6 6-4 6-3 to win her second Grand Slam title. She will retain her no.1 world ranking.

"I feel really happy right now," Azarenka said. "It's been a long match. It's been a tough match. Li Na was absolutely playing great tennis. Unfortunate things that happened to her, you know, but that's sport."

 Azarenka poses with the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup in the changerooms

A bottle of champagne to celebrate the win

Redfoo was at the changerooms to celebrate Azarenka's triumph

(Images via Zimbio.com, Sina Tennis)

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)

Australian Open 2013 gets thumbs up from tennis stars

While it must be love for the US Open, the Australian Open gets the most 'likes' from the tennis players and fans. This is not a surprise since the 'Happy Slam' is usually the most anticipated tennis event after a year-end break.

Here are some of the players who show their support for the event.

Andy Murray

Victoria Azarenka

Bernard Tomic

Novak Djokovic

Li Na

(Via Australian Open Facebook page)

Li Na's photo shoot for China's Olympic team

Recently Li Na did a photo shoot for the Chinese Olympic team. Others who took part were China's hero hurdler Liu Xiang and Dallas Mavericks' Yi Jianlian. 

Li Na has been very busy with life outside of the tennis court after her triumph at the French Open last year receiving many invitations to events and of course sponsorship deals. Speaking of sponsorship, I wonder if the many online poker rooms sponsoring football clubs will also move into tennis. After all, poker and sports are quite synonym to each other. 

Coming back to Li Na, time is running out for her as this could be her last chance to win an Olympic medal.

(Images via Sina Sports)

Behind the scenes: Nike players receive their gears

Nike is a little behind when it comes to posting photos of their players getting their gears compared to Wilson and Adidas.

Nevertheless, it's nice to see the happy faces on their sponsored players.

These are just a few selected ones. You can get to see more on their Facebook page. Surprisingly Rafael Nadal is not in the album.

Roger Federer

Li Na

Juan Martin Del Potro

Sabine Lisicki

Grigor Dimitrov

(Image via Nike Tennis's Facebook page)

Kids' Day at Roland Garros

It's Roland Garros Kids' Day today. As usual there are quite a lot of events happening on the eve of the French Open.

Here are some pictures to summarize the events.

Novak Djokovic becomes an umbrella boy during his exhibition match with Ryan Harrison.

 Caroline Wozniacki, Sabine Lisicki, Na Li and French Pauline Parmentier play an exhibition match on the Philippe Chatrier-central court.

  Juan Martín del Potro becomes the umpire for an exhibition match where Roger Federer and Sebastien Grosjean against French Nicolas Escude and Fabrice Santoro.

Serena Williams joins DJ Big Ali and DJ Bob Sinclar at the turntables on the Philippe Chatrier-central court.

Retirees Grosjean and Santoro make a special appearance at the Kids' Day.

Local hero Jo-Wilfried Tsonga meets the fans.

Xavier Malisse enjoys beach tennis at Roland Garros.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports and French Open official website)

Rafael Nadal and Li Na at Roland Garros draw ceremony

The draws are out. You can check out the men's singles and women's singles draws from the official French Open website linked here.

Last year's champions, Rafael Nadal and Li Na attended the ceremony.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Kim Clijsters and Li Na test Babolat's new e-racquet

Babolat's technologically advanced "Play & Connect" racquet made its debut at the French Open yesterday.

It is said that the tennis racquet stuffed with electronic sensors is capable of tracking a player's every slice, spin and smash.

Babolat's players Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Kim Clijsters and Li Na tested the product on the clay court in Roland Garros.

According to Reuters, Babolat's aim is to appeal also to non-professional players, who will be able to upload data to an online application and track their performance to improve their game.

However beware because the racquet could potentially burn a hole in your pocket as it costs about 250 euros. It will be available for sale in 2013.

(Image via Babolat and Rafael Nadal's Facebook pages)

Li Na, get back on the court!

Is Li Na ready for the clay court season? Not quite.

Li Na has been too busy attending award shows and shooting for commercials lately.

In a latest update, Li Na was seen shooting commercial ads for the new Beijing Open stadium.

She really needs to concentrate on her game and avoid losing in the first round again.

(Images via Sina Sports)