Rafael Nadal, Richard Gasquet to return to tour

Double good news! Buddies Rafael Nadal and Richard Gasquet are set to get back on tour soon.

Nadal’s publicist, Benito Perez-Barbadillo, said on Tuesday that the six-time Grand Slam title winner was in Barcelona for tests on his sore knees.

Perez-Barbadillo said Nadal will return to practice next Monday and will play in the hard-court tournament at Montreal that begins August 10.

And moment ago, Gasquet has been cleared by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) to return to the tour after tested positive for cocaine.

The ITF said Gasquet's 'inadvertent contamination' in a nightclub the night before his scheduled match meant a 12-month suspension would be disproportionate and instead handed him a ban of 2 months and 15 days which expired today.

Statement from Richard Gasquet said, "It has been terrible. It was an unbelivable suffering not to go to Roland Garros and Wimbledon. I maintain that I have never taken cocaine.

"I am happy that I can return to the courts. It's a huge joy to play tennis again. What will I retain? That I can play tennis. Justice has been done.

"I thank those close to me, who have been with me. There were one or two people who said things against me. To them, I say: look at the sanction... I'm eager to play again. I'm eager to get back in the top 10."

(Via AP, Reuters)

Caroline Wozniacki's new Stella-style makeover revealed

On Monday, July 13, Caroline Wozniacki has been announced as the representative for the new fall/winter 2009 adidas by Stella McCartney tennis range starting with the US Open.

The world no. 9 replaces Maria Kirilenko as the new face for Stella McCartney.

Do you realise that Wozniacki not only had her wardrobe changed, it seems like her hair has gone dark blonde and wavy (gone are the curly hair) in these latest ads too?


(Images via tennisforum.com)

Malaysian Open 2009: Lleyton Hewitt confirms participation

Tournament Director Nick Freyer and President of LTAM Datuk Abdul Razak Latiff watching the video message by Lleyton Hewitt.

Lleyton Hewitt is the latest player who confirmed his participation at the Malaysian Open scheduled to run from September 26 to October 4, 2009.

This will be Hewitt's first visit to Malaysia.

"I have played in many other parts of Asia and I have always had a great time so I am keen to enjoy Malaysian hospitality which I have heard a lot about," Hewitt said.

"To have guys like Verdasco and Soderling and Davydenko playing makes it a very strong tournament and that will make it exciting for all the fans there."

Is Hewitt going to bring along his wife Bec Cartwright and their children Mia and Cruz?

I really hope so!

(Image by IMG)

Venus Williams promotes EA Sports’ fall lineup

Venus Williams comparing guns with Dwight Howard. I bet Serena can do better than this.

Venus Williams joined Dwight Howard (Orlando Magic), Milan Mucic (Boston Bruins) and Sacha Kljestan (Chivas USA) at the annual EA Sports media event today at EA Canada in Burnaby.

The sports pros were brought up to highlight EA’s fall lineup which included NBA Live, NHL 10, FIFA 10, and Grand Slam Tennis.

“It was really cool being able to play with so many world-class athletes here,” Williams said.

“The hardest was probably basketball. I did better at hockey than I thought I would.”

There's nothing Venus can't do.

After teaching everyone how to serve on the real court, Venus showed off some virtual moves on the new Grand Slam Tennis on the Wii.

“This is a lot tougher than it looks,” Williams said.

“It’s not much fun losing to yourself.”

(Via straight.com, theprovince.com; Images by EA Sports)