Miami hate Rafael Nadal, no?

"Maybe it was wonderful for the crowd but it was terrible for me."
~ Rafael Nadal after he lost 4-6, 6-3, 6(3) to Juan Martin Del Potro.

The 20-year-old Argentine delighted a "partisan crowd" by upsetting the top-ranked Nadal in the quarterfinals at the Sony Ericsson Open.

According to AP, Del Potro "was buoyed by a home-court advantage, with many transplanted Argentines in the crowd singing "Del-Po" between points".

(Via AP, Images by Al Bello/Getty Images)

Kei Nishikori's official website is up and running

Finally, Kei's official website is ready and has been updated!

It's available in both Japanese and English language.

If you are a fan, do drop Kei an encouraging message.

Filippo Volandri: 3-month doping ban lifted, will sue ITF

Italian hottie Filippo Volandri’s 3-month ban for using an asthma drug has been lifted after he appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

The Switzerland-based court also ruled that Volandri will be restored the ATP points and earnings he lost, the Italian tennis federation said yesterday.

The only punishment that will remain will be the elimination of Volandri’s points and earnings at a tournament a year ago in Indian Wells, Calif., where he lost in the first round and failed a doping test.

Volandri was suspended by the International Tennis Federation on the eve of the Australian Open in January. The ban was due to expire on April 14.

“The nightmare is over,” Volandri said.

“CAS recognized my good faith. I used the drug only for therapeutic needs and the ban was excessive.”

Volandri claimed he had a severe asthma attack the night before his match in Indian Wells and was forced to take more of the drug, salbutamol, than the allowed amount.

“Finally I can start playing again,” he said.

“I didn’t skip one day of training.”

Volandri indicated he will sue the ITF.

“Someone made a mistake and will pay for it,” he said.

Under the initial ruling by the ITF, all of Volandri’s results from March 13 onward were voided, including about $166,000 in prize money won and ATP points gained over a nine-month period.

Volandri said he would ask the ATP to restore his ranking and that he would aim to play in the French Open.

“It should just be a formality,” Volandri said.

“If not, I’ll roll my sleeves up and start over with the smaller tournaments."

He's already planning to play in Monza next week.

(Via AP, Image via Filippo Volandri's official website)

Winners of 2008 ATP World Tour & Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Awards

While Ana Ivanovic is still not done with the "kickoff" party last night (clue: look for a tennis ball), let's take a good look at the nice rundown of winners of the 2008 ATP World Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Awards.

2008 ATP World Tour Player Awards
Player Of The Year - Rafael Nadal
Doubles Team Of The Year - Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic
Arthur Ashe Humanitarian Of The Year - James Blake
Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award - Roger Federer
Most Improved - Jo-Wilfried Tsonga
Newcomer of the Year - Kei Nishikori
Comeback Player of the Year - Rainer Schuettler
ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favorite (Singles) - Roger Federer
ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favorite (Doubles) - Bob & Mike Bryan
Ron Bookman Media Excellence Award - Alan Trengove

2008 Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Player Awards
Player of the Year - Serena Williams
Doubles Team of the Year - Cara Black and Liezel Huber
Most Improved Player - Dinara Safina
Comeback Player of the Year - Zheng Jie
Newcomer of the Year - Caroline Wozniacki
Humanitarian of the Year - Ana Ivanovic
Karen Krantzcke Sportsmanship Award - Elena Dementieva
Player Service Award - Liezel Huber
Favorite Premier Tournament - Porsche Tennis Grand Prix (Stuttgart)
Favorite International Tournament - Commonwealth Bank Tennis Classic (Bali)

(Images by Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)