Former ATP top 100 Federico Luzzi passes away at 28

Federico Luzzi, a former ATP top 100 tennis player, has died of leukemia. He was 28.

Luzzi died at a hospital in Arezzo, the Italian Tennis Federation said Saturday.

He had been there for a few days after retiring last weekend from an Italian league match citing a high fever.

Luzzi reached a career-high ranking of No. 92 in 2002 before a shoulder injury that affected him the rest of his career.

He had a 2-2 record with Italy’s Davis Cup team.

In 2001, Luzzi beat Ville Liukko of Finland 14-12 in the fifth set after 4 hours, 35 minutes—the longest Davis Cup match ever played by an Italian.

In February, Luzzi was suspended for 200 days and fined $50,000 by the ATP for betting on tennis.

Luzzi is survived by his parents, Paola and Maurizio, and his sister, Francesca.

Updates:

World no. 1 Rafael Nadal paid tribute to Luzzi:

I’d like to take a minute to send my condolences and a big hug to the family of Federico Luzzi. He will be buried today after passing away 2 days ago.

To me, it was quite difficult to believe the news, I knew it wasn’t a joke but at the same time I didn’t want to believe it was true. I got to train with Federico a few times and I remember him as a great person, fun to be with and very Italian.

All of us who are here in Paris have been talking about it and all of us are in shock and very upset.

One of us is gone, someone who was part of our tennis family.

Federico, wherever you are, I hope you're resting in peace.

Rafa

(Via AP)

Rafael Nadal at the Prince of Asturias Awards ceremony

Finally the prestigious award has arrived.

Prince Asturias awards ceremony was held today at Hotel Reconquista in Oviedo.

Besides Rafael Nadal, other winners of the awards include one half of the Google guy Larry Page and Ingrid Betancourt.

Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain were present and received in audience guests of the Prince of Asturias Awards.

Watch the youtube video below. Certainly Nadal's (and fans) proudest moment!

Crown Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia.

Rafael Nadal looking good in suits.

Rafael Nadal and mom Ana Maria Parera.

Larry Page, founder of Google.

(Images by Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images Europe)

Rendy Lu's updates at Seoul Challenger

I think I should spend some time to blog a bit about Rendy Lu Yen-Hsun (盧彥勳) who is having a great run at the Seoul Challenger this week.

Despite suffering from a jet lag and rain delay during the tournament, Rendy is doing everything he can to repeat his feat at Tashkent Challenger last week.

By the way, the new ATP ranking reveals a better position for Rendy; at no. 65, he is right behind Kei Nishikori.

Well, Kei is already out for the season due to a right knee injury. Here's a chance for Rendy to redeem himself and snatch back his position as the top Asian male player.

Today, Rendy who is the 2nd seed beat Bjorn Phau in the third round 7-6 (6), 7-5. He will play home boy Lee Hyung-Taik in the semifinal tomorrow.

In another semifinal match, Ivo Minar will face off with Thailand no. 1 Danai Udomchoke.

Click here for the main draw singles and here for the main draw doubles.

I'll leave you with some pictures of Rendy Lu at the Seoul Challenger forwarded by Esther via Rendy's brother, Thomas. The second picture below was taken earlier this week with Takao Suzuki.


Rendy, 加油 (Jia you in Mandarin means C'mon) and good luck for the weekend!

(Via Rendy's website)

Maria Sharapova in Russian Vogue: Is she fashionably fury or sorry?

Maria Sharapova is in the new Russian Vogue for November 2008 issue.

No, the cover isn't her but the gorgeous Alana Zimmer photographed by Tom Munro.

Sharapova only has a few pictures in that fashion magazine along with other familiar names like Linda Evangelista, Lauren Bacall and Olga Kurylenko.

Sharapova looks great in the photos below but I don't think the people at PETA are going to be impressed.

Hope those are fake fur.

Госпожа Подача [Madam Serve]
Photography: KT Auleta


(Via tennisforum.com, thefashionspot.com)