Tennis Spice Andy Murray hits the beach

Looks like Andy Murray's PR team is serious in doing their job.

With the beach boy image, a cheesy smile and a pink beach tennis racquet, who wouldn't love the red hot Andy?

Check out these too:

Patriotic Andy? Okay that's not Union Jack or Scottish flag but the Aussie's.

Fun Andy

And of course the shirtless Andy

Late last year, Andy signed a deal with Simon Fuller's 19 Entertainment, the management company who look after David Beckham's commercial activities and also represent Victoria and the rest of the Spice Girls.

The deal with 19 will also see his interests represented by the Los Angeles-based Creative Artists Agency (CAA), whose clients include Tom Cruise, a friend of the Beckhams.

19 and CAA do have plans to turn Andy into a serious tennis player in the world of sport and entertainment, to move him up the money list as well as the ranking list.

But before all that happen, Andy has a more important thing to do at the Australian Open, to win his first Grand Slam title.

He is scheduled to play against Romanian Andrei Pavel in the first round at the Australian Open.

(Via telegraph.co.uk; Images Yahoo! Sports)

Oi Oi Oi Year of Ox: HCFoo's Australian Open predictions based on Chinese zodiac (Men's Singles)

The Australian Open tournament (Jan 19 - Feb 1) coincidentally falls on Chinese New Year (Jan 26). That means by the time the men's and women's finals are played, we are already in the year of Ox.

I'm not trying to be a Feng Shui master here but from the research that I've done, I believe the following predictions could shed some light on who will be the AO winners in the next 2 weeks.

Will it be bookies' favourite Andy Murray? Or are we not listening to Roger Federer who believes the top AO favourites should be Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic or the Mighty Fed himself?

Will Jelena Jankovic finally get her first Grand Slam? Or Dinara Safina's going to continue her family tradition by following her brother's footsteps? Or one half of the Williams sisters will prevail again in the Grand Slam?

Let's take a look at the possible winners' luck this year.

Men's Singles

Tiger
Rafael Nadal - June 3, 1986
This is the year for keeping a low profile, tiger. Because of the slow pace of the Ox year, it will be a frustrating time for you. You like things to be move quicker, you will need to show restraint.
AO Prediction: Currently Rafa is doing the right thing which is keeping a low profile and remain humble despite his achievement. Too bad because it seems like the hardcourt Grand Slam title is still out of reach. Perhaps this year's slower pace will suit his slow-paced clay court better.

Rooster
Roger Federer - August 8, 1981
Great opportunities for rooster this year. A good time to recoup losses. You will make great progress at work, reaping rewards of your labor. Emotional ties bring joy. Your prestige and reputation increase.
AO Prediction: Roger could be right about Murray! He could be winning his precious 14th Grand Slam right here in the AO to level with Pete's record! Watch out for a slammin' year by this guy!

Rabbit
Novak Djokovic - May 22, 1987
Andy Murray - May 15, 1987
The year of the Ox is well suited to the rabbit nature. The slower pace of this year will see you spending more time with friends and family. A good year to upgrade your home, or for buying or selling a house.
AO Prediction: Once ushering into the year of Ox, defending champion Nole and everyone's favourite Murray could have a slower pace and less stiff competitions like the previous year. Try again next year. In the meanwhile, Nole and Murray can spend more time with their brothers and motivate them to up their game instead.

Ox
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - April 17, 1985
This is not a year to be outrageous. A slow but steady year. This Ox year will bring stability and growth where patience and diligence pays off.
AO Prediction: Could have a chance here. But sometimes it takes more than hard work to win. You need to have that extra edge and luck to win at such high profile tournament. Perhaps he should take it slow with the backache or take a break to rejuvenate and come back to compete again at later part of the year.

Dog
Andy Roddick - August 30, 1982
A year for dogs to keep a low profile. Put more attention into matters at home, spending quality time with loved ones. The simple pleasures will bring happiness this year.
AO Prediction: Not much achievement in the year of Ox. Can forget about winning here. But hey there's a good news; wedding bells are on the way :D !

So, the year of Ox is on Roger's side!

Well, I won't be spending time mentioning every single player. AO is always full of surprises so anyone besides these guys has a chance to lift the prestigious Grand Slam title too. If you want to check how's your favourite players fair this year based on Chinese zodiac predictions, you can google and find out.

And here are the men's singles draw. Who do you think will meet in the final?

I'll come back with the part 2 of this post and we'll take a look at the favourite women players' luck in the year of Ox.

Updates: Click here for the women's singles predictions.

*'Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi', also spelt 'Ozzie Ozzie Ozzie, Oy Oy Oy', is a cheer or chant often performed at Australian sport events.

(Original prediction via earthyfamily.com)

Bernard Tomic's Dad launched verbal attack on Roger Rasheed

"Roger Rasheed is not a coach, he's a fitness conditioner. He took Lleyton Hewitt from no. 2 in the world to no. 60 and I think that Gael Monfils should be very careful."

~ John Tomic, Bernard Tomic's dad

Tomic Sr. the father of Australia's future top-10 prospect, Bernard Tomic has launched a stinging attack on leading coach and commentator Roger Rasheed.

Tomic Sr. questioned the credentials of Rasheed, the former coach of Lleyton Hewitt who is now steering Frenchman Gael Monfils.

He made the comments in his hometown paper, The Gold Coast Bulletin, and refused to back down.

Tomic said Rasheed had never taken a player from the "bottom" to the top echelon.

Rasheed declined to comment on the verbal attack by Tomic Sr.

Bernard Tomic had the opportunity to hit with Rafael Nadal yesterday..

Tomic's assault on Rasheed stems from comments the coach made about Bernard.

Last month, Rasheed said Tennis Australia should consider cutting ties with Tomic if problems persist with either the teenage star or his father.

I don't have much things to say except this: Never ever mess with the parents of your country's future star players.

(Via new.com.au)

Australian Open wildcard recipient Meng Yuan in tip-top condition

WTA's world no. 123, Meng Yuan who resides in Hong Kong, has received a wildcard into the main draw of the Australian Open, her favourite tournament.

She has posted her best results here – second round appearances in both 2006 and 2008.

We didn't hear much about her last year as she was plagued by illnesses. Fever, stomach problems and allergies were the main culprits, and Yuan was forced to take two-and-a-half months off to recover.

Now, fully rested and with the all-clear from doctors, she is back hitting the court starting the new year in high spirits.

Last year, Meng battled through qualifying before her defeat to Serena Williams. This year, she was handed a wildcard as part of an exchange agreement between Tennis Australia and the Asian Tennis Federation.

The initiative has also awarded Denis Istomin - the other highest Asian player not yet in the main draw – a wildcard as part of a move to promote tennis in Asia.

“Every time I come here, I’m feeling very good," Meng said.

"I have fans here. I don’t know where they are coming from,” she laughs.

“I have Chinese fans and last year there were more Australian boys and girls.

“It’s fun. I like hot weather. The people are very helpful; (the) service is very good. I relax here. It’s my favourite tournament.”

Off the court, Meng likes to explore the city, and lists Chinatown as her top destination.

“I like Melbourne for the city because I can find everything – shopping, it’s very good for walking, beautiful buildings. I have a very good feeling for here in a different way.”

Meng travelled here with her coach Yu Fung Ming. The pair have worked on strengthening Meng’s body and tailoring her training program that shaped her current tip-top condition.

“I wanted to change my body because last year I got a lot of fever," she explained.

"Now it’s better. Everything is fine and my coach has changed my treatment. My body is getting stronger.”

Psychologically, Meng is mentally ready especially by starting the year fully fit at a tournament where she feels at home.

“First to play here is good, my thinking is better, body is better. I am positive about this year,” she said.

So will she be able to make it past the second round this year?

(Via AO official website; Image by Brent Bignell)