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)

Serena wins 5th Wimbledon title, 14 Grand Slams in total

After losing her first round match at the French Open, no one would guess that Serena Williams could come this far to win the Wimbledon. 

Williams wins the championship for the fifth time after defeating Polish Agnieszka Radwanska 6-1, 5-7, 6-2 today in a dramatic match.

Serena with father Richard and sister Venus

This is her 14th Grand Slam titles and becoming the first woman over 30 to win Wimbledon since Martina Navratilova in 1990.

(Images via zimbio.com)

TENNIS WATCH: Meet Gonzo in NYC, Sharapova's bling bling earrings, Navratilova's engaged, Hingis lines up on dance reality show

If you're a Fernando Gonzalez fan, head to Mason's Tennis Mart in Manhattan, this Saturday, on August 29, 2009 at 4.30PM as he'll be meeting fans to promote the new Babolat Pure Storm line of racquets.

Where: 56 East 53rd Street (between Madison and Park Avenues)

Gonzalez will sign autographs and free gifts will be presented to patrons who attend while supplies last.

*******

Maria Sharapova never failed to showcase her Tiffany earrings at Grand Slams.

Designed by Frank Gehry, this latest sterling silver and diamond earrings were created especially for Sharapova to wear at the US Open.

*******

Tennis legend Martina Navratilova, 52, is engaged with Julia Lemigova, 36.

The couple were spotted walking together in Saint-Tropez.

*******

Former world no.1, Martina Hingis, who is banned from tennis for cocaine abuse, has been revealed as a contestant in this year's BBC-produced Strictly Come Dancing.

This is Hingis' second foray into British reality TV after taking part in Beat the Star earlier this year.

(Via tennisweek.com, wtawomenstennis.co.cc, tennisforum.com)

Leander Paes, Lukas Dlouhy win French Open men's doubles

Leander Paes celebrated his ninth Grand Slam doubles! Seems like this guy never slow down!

Paes teamed with Lukas Dlouhy to capture the French Open title with a 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win over Wesley Moodie and Dick Norman.

It was 35-year-old Paes's fifth men's doubles Grand Slam. He has also won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles, including the 2003 Wimbledon and Australian Open trophies with Martina Navratilova.

Navratilova was spotted at the stand sitting next to Bill Gates.

"Martina has been a soulmate for many years. We've been through a lot in life, especially me in the last eight years. She's been along with me, supporting me, guiding me at times," said Paes.

"When I was diagnosed with cancer and I couldn't play, she basically stayed away from the game and didn't play mixed doubles until I came back."

"Whenever I look at a person like Navratilova, she gives me a lot of inspiration. It was strange that just at the end of the second set when we were getting a bit nervous and a bit edgy, she came out there and was just making eye contact."

"Lukas served three doubles faults early in the third set. I told him at one point, Martina is out there. Come on. Have a look at her. She's inspiring us."

Paes and Dlouhy first teamed up at Roland Garros last year, losing in the last 16 to eventual champions Pablo Cuevas and Luis Horna.

They then finished runners-up to Mike and Bob Bryan in the 2008 US Open final.

"We started playing together at Roland Garros last year. We lost then to the champions so we made it a point that we would come back and try and win it this year," added Paes.

Judging from the way they celebrated their win by hugging and hoisting each other into the air, they'll probably stick around for more Grand Slam moments like this.

In the women's doubles, Spaniards Anabel Medina Garrigues and Virginia Ruano Pascual won their second consecutive French Open women's doubles title by beating Victoria Azarenka and Elena Vesnina 6-1, 6-1 on Friday.


(Via AP; Images by Patrick Kovarik/Matthew Stockman/AFP/Getty Images)