Shut up before they hate you!

With the Australian Open campaign is on, practicing on court is just not enough. Some players will play the psychological war too.

But we hate any kind of war, don't we?

Roger Federer usually starts as the favourite to win the Australian Open. Not anymore.

Federer arrived in Australia over the weekend after losing to Andy Murray in the semifinals at Doha, Qatar.

Some British bookmakers listed Murray as the favourite to win the Grand Slam after he defended his Doha title and won an exhibition at Abu Dhabi.

Federer, who needs another Grand Slam to equal Pete Sampras’ record of 14 Grand Slam titles, was surprised to hear it.

"Who said that? The bookies? Good for him," Federer said Tuesday at a news conference for the Kooyong exhibition tournament.

"It doesn’t help him a whole lot. I’ve been in that position before as well and didn’t make it."

Federer said Murray was a contender due to his form and no. 4 ranking, but winning a Grand Slam was a new level for him.

"He’s put himself in a great position. He started off well, going well in Doha. He finished strong last year. It still does surprise me that the bookies say that," Federer said.

"He’s never won a Slam."

"He’s shown for a year now he’s knocking on the door, trying to make his move. Sure, he’s put himself in a position, but winning a Grand Slam is a different animal."

"Not many guys have been able to win a Grand Slam in the last few years. Rafa and me took a lot of them, Novak won here last year. They don’t come easily."

Murray then hit back at Roger jibe.

"You get used to being expected to win matches when you play at Wimbledon. The pressure that comes with that gets you used to these situations."

"The older you get, the more matches you play, you realise what the bookies are saying doesn't make any difference once you get on court, whether they are saying good things or bad things. You just get on with your job."

Murray has beaten Federer five times in their seven career meetings with his only defeats coming in their first meeting at Bangkok in 2005 and in the US Open final last year.

"The more you play against him the less fearful you are, you're not scared to win the match. If you're young and you play against the top guys, once you get close to winning you get nervous," Murray said.

"Now when I play him I don't get nervous and if I play my best tennis I can beat him."

Now I can't wait for the Australian Open to begin! Can Murray win his first Grand Slam here or is he going to prove Roger's comments right? We'll see.


(Via AP, independent.co.uk; Image by William West/AFP/Getty Images)

Ana Ivanovic loves herself more; Fernando Verdasco's moving forward

Ana Ivanovic's latest Adidas marketing campaign has a hidden message.

The narcissistic tagline "Me, Myself" sends out a message to tennis fans that she loves herself more than Fernando Verdasco :P

But let's see what Ana has to say about the real meaning of the tagline.

“The new adidas philosophy of Me, Myself is inspiring to me because it shows women as individuals; that we are all athletes in our own right and that we all have things that we do differently whatever level of athlete we are.”

The campaign, which showcases vivid behind-the-scenes images of Ana during her training sessions, features a number, which at first glance suggests that it might be her age.

The number 30 is in fact a reference to a narrative about Ana and the products she is wearing, providing a intimate insight into her dedication and commitment.

The text, which explains an athlete's need to combine rest and reflection with hard work, reads, 'Ana, 30. Thirty minutes of 'me' time - it's what I need before I can meet my next challenge. Impossible is nothing.'

The campaign will be featured in adidas stores and in print and website advertising in the coming months.

So what about Nando? Seems like he's putting the relationship aside/behind too.

Just look at his performance last week. He kicked off 2009 with a great start by making it in the men's singles and doubles finals in Brisbane. I've never seen him so focused and serious in his match before.

Hopefully Nando will break into the top 10 this year. You know, nothing is impossible (perhaps Nando would prefer to say 'impossible is nothing').

(Images via Ana Ivanovic's official website; menstennisforums.com)

The new ATP Executive Chairman and President speaks...

“There is no doubt that men’s professional tennis is one of the world’s most popular sports and, as a lifelong fan, it is a great honour to have been given the opportunity to take the helm at such an exciting time for the ATP. The ATP World Tour is a truly global sporting event, featuring some of the world’s best athletes and followed by millions of the most dedicated sports fans and I could not be more excited about being its new Executive Chairman.”

~ Adam Helfant

The ATP, governing body of the men's professional tennis circuit, recently announced the appointment of Adam Helfant as ATP Executive Chairman and President.

Mr Helfant, 44 begins his role with the ATP immediately and will be based in London.

(Via ATP website)

Is David Nalbandian eyeing a switch to motorsport?

Nah, not yet. The tennis player who would consider such a career change would be Paradorn Srichaphan.

David Nalbandian took time out from his practice for the Medibank International, an ATP World Tour 250 tennis tournament in Sydney, by satisfying his need for speed.

The 27-year-old, whose hobbies include fishing and watching rally races, travelled to Eastern Creek - the home of Australian Motorsport - on Sydney’s outskirts to compete in a go-karting session.


(Via Medibank Sydney website)