Jo-Wilfried Tsonga favoured to win at SA Open

The SA Tennis Open, an ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament, is returning to the ATP World Tour circuit for the first time since 1995.

And Jo-Wilfried Tsonga is the favourite player to win at this tennis tournament.

“I know there is Marcos Baghdatis and David Ferrer to watch out for this week. They are good players but I’m here to get through the draw and go all the way,” Tsonga said.

Born in Le Mans 23 years ago to a French mother and Congolese father, Tsonga says his appearance at the Montecasino entertainment centre in Johannesburg is a “homecoming”.

“Playing in South Africa is almost the same as being in France and I’m honouring a wish of my family, to appear at an African tournament.”

Tsonga will play against Brazilian Thiago Alves in the first round.

Here are some pictures of Tsonga in Johannesburg.


(Images via SA Tennis Open website)

India welcomes Aussie Open champions

Australian Open boys champion Yuki Bhambri and mixed doubles champion Mahesh Bhupathi and Sania Mirza returned to India yesterday.

The Indira Gandhi International airport in New Delhi and the Chatrapati Shivaji International airport in Mumbai welcomed the nation's tennis stars with a heroes welcome.

Sania Mirza and Mahesh Bhupathi returned to Mumbai today amidst an arousing welcome, where fans of the duo cheered the Australian Open mixed doubles champs.



The pair received a grand reception (although Bupathi said he wasn't feeling comfortable about big reception like this) after their successful stint down under and the two expressed relief and joy on arrival.

It was a moment of rejoice for the Bhambri family, who were present at the IGI airport.

Huge banners announced Yuki's homecoming as thousands were wating patiently for their hero.

Yuki was received by the All India Tennis Association officials and greeted with garlands.

The young champ just smiled to the waiting mediapersons and shutterbugs.

Yuki is also seen here with his mother Indu Bhambri as he comes out of his residence in New Delhi to talk to journalists.

(Via timesnow.tv, Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Rafael Nadal reveals what drives him, calls for fewer hard courts

Finally Rafael Nadal is at rest in Melbourne posing with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup following his victory at the men's singles at the Australian Open 2009.

When asked why does he need to fight that much with a racket in hand, Nadal said, "I love the competition, not only in tennis."

"I love the competition in all aspects of life. When I compete, I love to be there and fight for the win."

"Maybe," he said, after a pause, "I like more fighting to win than win."

Rafael Nadal also called on tennis officials to be mindful of the physical toll the hard surface takes on players in an ever expanding schedule.

“This calendar I am playing with this surface—hard court surface—is tougher than grass or clay for the body, and all the time we are playing more on this surface,” said Nadal.

“In my humble opinion, we have to change that a bit more."

“I can say that because I won a grand slam on hard (courts).”

Nadal, 22, has previously won four Grand Slams on the French Open clay courts, as well as Wimbledon on grass last year.

“Before if I say that, a lot of people think `He wants to change because he’s a clay player.' But believe me, I don’t think anything about if I am a clay court player or not.”

“When I say this, I think about the best for the players and for the future. It’s not possible to have a lot of injuries on tour like this. So we have to try to change something.”

(Images by William West/AFP/Getty Images via Yahoo! Sports)

Mahesh Bupathi not a big fan of receptions; Mike Bryan doesn't need to pick up the bills

"Hopefully not too big. I'm not a big fan of receptions. I'd like to sneak out the back door at the airport tomorrow."
~ Mahesh Bhupathi on the reception he expects back in India after winning the country's first Grand Slam mixed doubles title with Sania Mirza.

Mirza and Bhupathi beat Nathalie Dechy of France and Andy Ram of Israel 6-3, 6-1 at Rod Laver Arena.

"All I know is Serena usually picks up the bill."
~ Mike Bryan makes plan for an all-American celebration in Melbourne.

American twins Bob and Mike Bryan won their seventh Grand Slam title with a 2-6, 7-5, 6-0 win over Mahesh Bhupathi and Mark Knowles in the Australian Open doubles final.

The brothers, who regained their No. 1 ranking by reaching the final, were the second set of American siblings to win Grand Slam titles after Venus and Serena Williams won the women's doubles.

(Images via Yahoo! Sports)