Paradorn Srichaphan eyeing a switch to motorsport

Paradorn Srichaphan with Novak Djokovic at the Thailand Open 2008 final

Plagued by injury for almost two years, Thai tennis ace Paradorn Srichaphan is eyeing a switch to motorsport to rediscover his competitive edge.

The former world no. 9 has been busy promoting the sport in his home country and admits he is considering ditching his racket to race fast cars and motorcycles.

"I've been really bored and it would be huge challenge to move from one sport to the next," Paradorn said.

"I'm involved in a racing team and my sponsors are interested in having me racing for them, but only when I retire from tennis. I still plan to return to the tour."

The 29-year-old has been off the court since December 2006 after a recurrent wrist injury.

However, his marriage to former Miss Universe Natalie Glebova, who was recently seen on The Amazing Race Asia season 3, ensured he never disappeared from the limelight at home as his dwindling career took a nose-dive.

Unlike many Thai sportsmen, Paradorn has resisted the temptation to become a singer or television actor and believes motorsport, at domestic level at least, is where his future lies.

"In Thailand, motorsport is getting bigger and bigger. I love the sport, bikes and cars, and I'm not bad at it," said a suited, lean-looking Paradorn, who no longer has his muscled physique.

"When I watch the other (tennis) players I wish it was me, I miss the thrill of the competition.

"In the long term I need something else and I'm not ruling out getting behind the wheel of a fast car or riding a bike."

(Via Reuters)

Wedding bells: Mardy Fish seals deal with Stacey Gardner

Tennis star Mardy Fish weds model Stacey Gardner in a lovely ceremony at the Four Seasons Hotel in Beverly Hills, CA on September 28, 2008.


Mardy and Stacey Gardner became engaged on November 13, 2007. She is a certified attorney in California and one of the briefcase models on the TV game show Deal or No Deal.

The nuptials were attended by fellow tennis pros and bros James and Thomas Blake.

James Blake (right)

Thomas Blake (left)

Also present at the wedding were Boston Celtics star Kevin Garnett and wife Brandi.

Andy Roddick missed the wedding as he was playing at the China Open final, which he eventually won.

Updates:
(via People.com)

Gardner, a model on TV's Deal or No Deal, had six bridesmaids in black dresses. (The bash was overseen by wedding planner Linda Howard, from Sensational Celebrations, while Mark's Garden provided the flowers.)

After the 30-minute Jewish ceremony, the couple walked back down the aisle hand-in-hand while wedding guests waved little sparklers and a live band played U2's "Beautiful Day." Awww... so sweet...

They then headed to a reception in the hotel's ballroom.

(Images via zimbio.com)

All-Star Tennis Smash: The Bryan twins following the lead of the altruistic Andre Agassi

Andre Agassi's philanthropic ways inspire Bob and Mike Bryan to establish their own foundation.

The 30-year-old twins held their inaugural charity event for their Bryan Brothers' Foundation on Saturday at Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks and got the man himself to headline.

Agassi made a rare appearance to help raise money for the foundation — in the All-Star Tennis Smash — which benefits at-risk kids in Ventura County — and was joined by American tennis stars James Blake, Robby Ginepri, Justin Gimelstob, Paul Goldstein and Lindsay Davenport.

"I have been privileged to lead a privileged life with this sport and my choice to give back and do what I decided to do was something I felt deeply for a long time," Agassi said.

"For others to be inspired by it is one thing. But the truth is, they are doing the hard hours every day. You can't just wake up and say this is what I want. You have to earn it every day, and these guys are doing it."

The Bryans knew from the moment they began planning their foundation they wanted Agassi to help kick it off.

"He knows we idolize him and still have his posters up in our garage and are the reason we have rackets in our hand," Mike Bryan said.

"Out of the goodness of his heart, he did this for us and really made this event happen. We'll never forget it. We are his slaves for life."

Agassi became the pioneer for charity in men's tennis when he established The Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation and Andre Agassi College Preparatory Academy in Las Vegas.

"We know that if we band together and commit to support each other that is the best opportunity to affect change," said Gimelstob, who started the Justin Gimelstob Children's Fund in 1998.

"We have all been very loyal to each other and the Bryans do so much for so many people and are always the first to promote tennis, so for them to ask is a no-brainer. Just tell me where and when to be there."

Last year, Blake established the Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund to help support cancer research.

The fund is named in memory of his father, who died of gastric cancer in 2004.

"If you have a voice, you might as well use it for a positive change," Blake said.

"That is the way we have all felt and I have been fortunate enough my parents instilled that in me and it seems like this generation has a great group of parents to lead them and teach them the right way to be a role model."

Ginepri remembers struggling to finance his tennis career while growing up in Georgia.

Once he turned professional, he began working with the Atlanta Youth Foundation for underprivileged kids.

"If you can give a kid a racket and reach out to them and help them pursue their dreams that is what matters," Ginepri said.

"We all realize that and will always be there to help each other's causes."

The giving nature even crosses over to the women's side, although it might not be as apparent, says Davenport.

"You probably don't see it as much because we don't have tons of Americans up there playing," she said.

"Obviously, the Williams sisters and I know Maria (Sharapova) has her own foundation, but there are not as many Americans doing so well at the top like the guys have to help each other out."

The Bryans raised $285,000 in pre-sale tickets alone for their event, and figured to raise much more through an auction.

After seeing the turnout at Sherwood, Bob Bryan knew he could rest easy at his Spanish Hills home.

"At 30 years old, it's not all about tennis," he said.

"It is about what helps you sleep at night and doing stuff like this makes you feel good because you know how many lives it will impact."

Updates:
Thanks to Adam for this extra piece of info and photos.

Later that evening, at a Gala Dinner, the brothers feted Agassi for his charitable endeavors in front of a star-studded audience of players and celebrities, including Maria Sharapova and Kaley Cuoco.

The evening began with an incredible auction featuring autographed tennis racquets, an evening with Bob and Mike Bryan, and a day with Maria Sharapova, and was capped off by performances from a host of musical guests, including acoustic singer/songwriters Evan and Jaron and a surprise performance by Columbia Records recording artist Brandi Carlile.

(Via venturacountystar.com, Image via zimbio.com)

'AIG SUNDAY' packed with 10,000 tennis fans

The pre-tournament event at the AIG Sunday saw an attendance of about 10,000 tennis fans.

The event saw the practice sessions of Kei Nishikori (錦織 圭) vs Go Soeda and Kimiko Date vs Ayumi Morita as well as exhibition doubles match between Takao Suzuki/Satoshi Iwabuchi vs David Ferrer/Tommy Robredo.

The exhibition match between world No. 1 wheelchair tennis player (also Paralympic gold medallist) Shingo Kunieda and Satoshi Saida was also on schedule but it was canceled at the last minute due to Kunieda's elbow injury.

Here are some photos from the event.

Kei Nishikori and Go Soeda

Kimiko Date is still very much popular with the tennis fans

(From left to right) David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, Satoshi Iwabuchi and Takao Suzuki

Kei Nisihikori with Paralympic gold medallist, Shingo Kunieda

(Via jta.blog.so-net.ne.jp)