Maria Sharapova celebrates victory at Juan Carlos Ferrero's Equelite tennis academy in Villena

Instead of moving on straight to the grass court after her triumph at the French Open, Maria Sharapova spent some time at Juan Carlos Ferrero's Equelite tennis academy in Villena and stayed at Ferrero's luxury hotel in Bocairente.

The academy organised a dinner specially for her. Juan Carlos Ferrero and Nicolas Almagro also attended the event.

According to the academy's website, Sharapova has been training there since young and last year has trained under the guidance of Antonio Martínez Cascales, Juan Carlos Ferrero's coach.

In case you want to know, there was a rumour between Sharapova and Ferrero dated back in 2005 but it didn't get anywhere because Ferrero had a girlfriend back then.

Sharapova is heading to London to prepare for the next Grand Slam, the Wimbledon.

In another news, Sharapova has been chosen to be Russia's flag bearer at the opening of next month's London Olympics, she announced on Facebook.

(Via Equelite.com)

Weekend winners

Agnieszka Radwanska wins the WTA Brussels Open.

Nicolas Almagro poses with his trophy after winning the Nice ATP tennis tournament.

 

Francesca Schiavonne holds her trophy after winning the Strasbourg WTA tennis tournament.

Serbian Team, Nenad Zimonjic, Janko Tipsarevic, Miki Jankovic and Viktor Troicki celebrate after winning the final of the World Team Cup tennis tournament against Czech Republic at the Rochus club in Duesseldorf, Germany.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

2010 Malaysian Open Tennis Tournament

We're just 1.5 months away from the 2010 Malaysian Open Tennis Tournament!


I was at the press conference recently to witness the launching and players announcement.



So far Robin Soderling, Nikolay Davydenko, Tomas Berdych, David Ferrer, Mikhail Youzhny, Nicolas Almagro, Marcos Baghdatis, Lleyton Hewitt and Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun are the confirmed line-up who will headline the USD947,750 prize money tournament.

I've uploaded the players message video which features Baghdatis, Youzhny, Soderling and Ferrer.

The ATP 250 tournament is scheduled to take place from September 25 to October 3, at Stadium Putra, Bukit Jalil.

Tournament director Nick Freyer makes a brief intro of Rendy.

I'm looking forward to meeting Rendy Lu again.


Together with some fans, we're planning to make a banner to welcome him when he arrives in Malaysia and of course to support him throughout this tournament.


The line-up are strong but who knows he will grab his first ATP 250 title here ;-) Drop me an email if you're interested to join us!

With Lina Teoh the emcee of the Malaysian Open. She's a reason not to miss the tournament.

Giant sized buntings at the presser.

To purchase your tickets soon you can get it from Ticketpro's website:
http://www.ticketpro.com.my/jnp/sports/tennis/435460-atp-2010.html


Here's the official website of the tournament: http://www.malaysianopentennis.com/2010/



(Photos credit to HSFoo of hcfoo.com)

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2009 French Open: Monday mourning cheer up

Let's put French Open disappointments aside and cheer up a bit.

Rafael Nadal finally decided to let his hair down and head for early vacation.

Roger Federer, the man to watch at Roland Garros... and I don't mean his hairy chest.

Fernando Verdasco should know that losing and that face aren't sexy.

Age is catching up with Andy Murray... according to the top players' standard, he should have at least a Grand Slam by now.

Nicolas Almagro shows he can spit better than any footballers.

The French Open should be made indoor. Go tell the Australians.

Portable milking machine for hardcore tennis moms.

For more photos go to menstennisforums.com under the thread "Funny Photos".

2009 French Open Day 1: This is just the beginning...

Defending champion Ana Ivanovic was made to sweat before concluded a 7-6, 6-3 victory over Italian Sara Errani to reach the second round of the French Open.

Errani was not very happy with the umpire during the match with Ivanovic.

Li Na, who missed last year's tournament due to injury, had the honour of becoming the first player to reach the second round thanks to a 6-4, 6-2 win over Marta Domachowska.

Eighteen-year-old Russian qualifier Vitalia Diatchenko, the world no.151, can't bear to see a tearful Mathilde Johansson whom she beat 2-6, 6-2, 10-8.

Diatchenko, making her Grand Slam debut, will face either world number one Dinara Safina or Britain's Anne Keothavong for a place in the third round.

Ivo Karlovic had set a record of 55 aces in a tour-level match but still he lost to former world no.1 Lleyton Hewitt who will move on to the second round after winning 6-7 (1), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 6-4, 6-3.

Marat Safin made sure there would be at least one more date on his French Open farewell tour when he eased past French wildcard Alexandre Sidorenko 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Smoking hot Fernando Verdasco had an easy first round win over Florent Serra after beating the Frenchman 6-2, 6-1, 6-4.

Nicolas Almagro gave Agustin Calleri a brotherly hug after defeating the Argentine 6-4, 6-1, 6-3.

Andy Murray is another player who had an easy win. He defeated Juan Ignacio Chela 6-2, 6-2, 6-1.

Gilles Simon survived a five-setter against American Wayne Odesnik. Simon was forced to work hard before winning 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 4-6, 6-3.

Hottie Robert Kendrick also survived a five set match after beating Daniel Brands 6-7 (7), 7-5, 7-6 (13), 4-6, 6-3.

For further results, click here.

TV is not showing Ernests Gulbis vs Sam Querrey match. I better go catch my beauty sleep now. Good night!

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)

The Spanish Armada troops turn sunny beach boys

The Spanish Armada (Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, David Ferrer and Nicolas Almagro) has invaded and conquered our hearts again!

The shirtless, chest-baring poses...

In plain white, see through shirts

But one man is missing!

How can they pose for Elle without Captain Rafael Nadal?

(Via Forty Deuce, Images via abc.es)

Thumbs up for Rafael Nadal, a big yawn for 2008 Davis Cup

Seriously, I'm kinda get used to Rafael Nadal's new outfit already. I can't believe I can get over his signature sleeveless/pirate pants this fast!

Here he is looking classier than ever.

Together with Nicolas Almagro, they attended the presentation for the Spanish Davis Cup team for winning the 2008 Davis Cup during Day 3 of the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park yesterday.

They received their individual mini Davis Cup presented by ITF President Francesco Ricci Bitti.

I hope there's no more last year's Davis Cup celebration or stories again after this. Let's move on!

(Images by Scott Barbour/Getty Images AsiaPac)

Madrid Masters' tennis draw and players party

The 2008 Madrid Masters has already begun.

So here some pictures from the tennis draw at Telefonica Arena and players party at Puerta America Hotel.

To check out the draws, click here.

Madrid Masters Series tournament's director Manolo Santana tennis players Spaniard David Ferrer and Serbian Novak Djokovic, and tennis umpire Tom Barnes take part in the tennis draw at Telefonica Arena.

Novak Djokovic poses with the Hugo Boss ball team at the Telefonica Arena pavilion.

Nicolas Almagro at the players party.

Novak Djokovic and Nenad Zimonjic.

Ernests Gulbis and companion (sister, friend, girlfriend, does anyone know?)

Lovebirds Radek Stepanek and Nicole Vaidisova.

David Ferrer.

(Images via Madrid Masters website, EPA/Alberto Martin, Sergio Carmona via fuebuena.com.ar)