Tennis players are NOT boring

Well, you might not be a tennis fan simply because you judge the sports as boring. Here's what you might missed on the court (or on sports channel) at the 2008 Australian Open.

Novak Djokovic was demanded by the spectators to impersonate Maria Sharapova. He is more likely to kick ass(es) rather than being kicked at the Australian Open.

Jelena Jankovic is a charismatic player on court and off court. No wonder everyone wants to take a peep into her life right now.

Venus Williams is concentrating on the Grand Slam to fall on her laps.

Anna Chakvetadze might not be able to match Maria Sharapova's popularity when they came to Singapore recently, but trust me, many fans would love to know what's behind the towel.

Justine Henin might have a failed marriage but I'm sure she's balancing well between her personal life and tennis.

Well, that's all for today. Hope there will be more interesting photos to be shared here. All pictures are from Getty Images.

Australian Open 2008: Nadal advances & his Kia Motors print ads

Rafael Nadal continues to shine at the Australian Open by punishing Frenchman Florent Serra 6-0 6-2 6-2.

With the new slower-paced court surface, I supposed Nadal has more confident to go even further than the third round. Perhaps this Grand Slam will be a good head start for Nadal to win his first title of the year and be the best training ground for him to chase the fourth French Open title, which is even slower-paced.

And by the way, if you have been reading The New Straits Times and The Star, you'll get to see Nadal in a full page print advertisement for Kia Motors. There are two different version and the first one was first published yesterday (which I don't have here). Nadal is the global brand ambassador for Kia Motors for two years (until 2008). But this is the first time I see him in a local print advertisement which to me, it proves his significance and presence in Malaysia.

Australian Open 2008: Sania Mirza advances despite flag disrespect controversy

Earlier this month, at the Hopman Cup in Perth, Sania Mirza has landed herself in hot water after a photographer captured her in a simple act of resting her bare feet near a small Indian flag.

Mirza, a tennis star from India, could be put behind bars for allegedly disrespecting her national flag. A complaint has already been filed against her under India's Prevention of Insult o the National Honour Act.

However, this allegation does not deter her from advances to the second round at the Australian Open after defeated Iroda Tulyaganova, of Uzbekistan, 6-4 6-2 yesterday.

"It's not easy to deal with things like that off the court. There are some misunderstandings happening," Mirza said.

"At a (grand) slam, the most important thing now is playing tennis. Under the circumstances, I'm just happy I came through the first round.

"It's in court right now. I just know I wouldn't do anything to disrespect my country. I love my country. I wouldn't be playing Hopman Cup otherwise. I'm not allowed to comment right now. It's in court."

This is not the first time Mirza has landed herself in controversies. Mirza, a Muslim, has been the target of a fatwa for wearing short skirts and singlet tops. Then she was incorrectly accused of supporting pre-marital sex.

According to tournament officials at the Hopman Cup, who defended Mirza, explained that the reason why Mirza kept her feet raised was to stop a build up of lactic acid.

I'm sure many would have agree that, Mirza is a talented player, but all these continuous controversies and judgment against her are definitely going to destroy her future career in tennis.

Faizal Tahir stripped at 8TV birthday bash

Faizal Tahir, the first runner up of the reality singing programme, One In A Million, is giving 8TV a shocking birthday present, by stripping in front of thousands of viewers at Central Park Avenue, Bandar Utama.

Now you see...Now you don't...

As usual, he likes to take off his jacket and throw towards the audience. But this time, Faizal has a better plan to celebrate 8TV's birthday. He decided to strip his singlet and belt to bear the letter 'S' on his chest, which everyone know his craze for the Superman logo.

My colleague who watched the show last night, was shocked and said 'biar betul ni'' when seeing Faizal stripping off his clothes one by one. Although he only went shirtless on television, his act is controversial and not acceptable on local television. What more it was a live show. According to my colleague again, the show was suddenly cut off during the climax and went into commercial, fear for further advance by Faizal.

At the press conference, Faizal expressed his regrets over the controversial incident and stressed that he is not under the influence of drugs.

As for his punishment, he will have to do community service. Well, just 6 months of community work in return for an instant popularity and a new title as the latest sex symbol, perhaps it's a win-win situation for both Faizal and 8TV's One In A Million Season 2 which has already started November last year.

(Images from mSTAR Online)