Serena Williams joins Rafael Nadal against new drug-testing rules

Serena Williams joins Rafael Nadal who criticize the new anti-doping procedures in tennis.

In the new rules, players must let drug-testers know their whereabouts for a period of 1 hour on EVERY DAY of the week - a measure which Nadal said makes players feel "like a criminal".

Andy Murray called it "draconian".

Previously players only need to keep anti-doping authorities informed of their whereabouts on 5 days a week.

After her 6-1, 6-2 victory over Karolina Sprem in the second round of the Paris Open last night (I slept half way through the match), Serena spoke to the press and backed Nadal over the drug-testing issue.

"It's too much," she said.

"If I want to go on vacation to Barbados for one day, I shouldn't have to say I'm going to Barbados."

"I'm always complaining to my agents. I never tell people where I am, because I like to do my own thing."

According to the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) rule operates on a 'three strikes and out' basis over a period of 18 months.

Serena thinks she had already fallen foul of that rule!

"One time, I was out at dinner and someone turned up at my house to test me. I think I might even have got a strike."

"It's bizarre. I can't run home from dinner and get tested. It's very invasive."

However Serena believes this move is to help make tennis drug-free and safeguard the sport's reputation.

"I think tennis is the purest sport out there," she said.

"We won't have problems in tennis that we have in other sports, so it's definitely a pure sport and that's the only upside to it."

(Via AFP, Image via opendfsuez.com)

Pre-Valentine's Day post: Jelena Jankovic and boyfriend Mladjan Janovic say Hello!

I think it never really crossed our minds that Jelena Jankovic and boyfriend Mladjan Janovic would do a photo shoot together for a magazine.

The couple is featured on the cover of the latest Serbia's Hello magazine.

Aren't they match made in heaven? Now bring on the wedding!


Now back on court news, I've just finished watching the match between JJ and Li Na on Eurosport.

I can't believe JJ needed 3 sets to beat Li Na 6-0, 3-6, 6-2 to reach the Paris Open quarterfinals!

JJ will have a tough match against French player Alize Cornet next.

Updated: Gosh, I can't believe I ended this post in such an unromantic note.

(Images via tennisforum.com, Serbia's Hello! magazin)

The Ratiwatana twins simply not ready for the Bryan twins

Wildcard recipients, the Ratiwatana twins knew they were in trouble before lost to world no. 1 doubles team Bob and Mike Bryan 6-0, 6-3 in the opening match at the US$436,000 SAP Open in San Jose on Tuesday.

The Thai twin brothers were simply not prepared for tough opponents like the Bryan twins.

The problem started on Monday when Sonchat and Sanchai were stuck at the airport in Philadelphia due to flight delays and were only due to fly to California on Tuesday morning for the match scheduled for evening.

"We asked the organisers to move the match to Wednesday but they didn't seem to sympathise with us."

" We just hoped to have a day's practice and be fresh for the match,'' complained Sonchat, who won a challenger event in Poland on last Sunday.

However the Ratiwatana twins expressed they were excited to play the world top doubles pair, especially when they are twins like them.

(Via nationmultimedia.com; Image via SAP Open website)

Rafael Nadal meets Esther Vergeer & his brand new Aston Martin

Champion wheelchair tennis player Esther Vergeer of Netherlands finally met Rafael Nadal at a tennis exhibition at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament.

Vergeer, a multiple Paralympic champion, is well known for her winning streak. So does Nadal who dominates the clay court.

Some off court news, Nadal received his perk for winning the Australian Open. It comes in a cool Aston Martin!

He took his Mom for a ride in the brand new car instead of girlfriend, Xisca.


(Images via zimbio)