BMW Malaysian Open shows interest in Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic

BMW Malaysian Open is back in action on Facebook and announced that they'll be making some interesting announcements over the next couple of weeks.

In an article published on NST in January, it was reported that the tournament has shown interest in Venus Williams and Ana Ivanovic. Both players have never played in the tournament before.

Williams was supposed to play in the 2012 edition but withdrew due to illness and injury.

This year, the BMW Malaysian Open will take place on April 14-21 at the Royal Selangor Golf Club in Kuala Lumpur.

During the Australian Open in January, Williams was shown the early exit. It was only the second time Williams had lost in the first round of the Australian Open in 14 appearances. This week, Williams didn't get to pass the second round after losing to Petra Kvitova in three sets at the Qatar Open. It is unknown if she is fully fit to play in the next couple of months as she has been struggling with back injury, fatigue and inconsistency.

Ivanovic also suffered a second round loss at the Qatar Open. Earlier this year, she had quite a successful run claiming the Auckland title and reached the quarterfinal round at the Australian Open.

(Image via REUTERS)

Rafael Nadal arrives in Barcelona for Grand Gala Mundo Deportivo, treatment

Nadal and swimmer Mireia Belmonte pose with their Best Spanish Athletes of 2013 trophies

Rafael Nadal was crowned Best Spanish Athletes of 2013 as well as receiving "The Excellence in sports award" in an event held in Barcelona, Spain last night. This came in at the right time to cheer up the world no.1 player after a painful loss to Stanislas Wawrinka at the Australian Open final last month.

Nobody has predicted the results given that Nadal has never dropped a set against the Swiss. If you've been a sportbook enthusiast and never missed a single of these important matches, we hope you've been recommended to some of the top sportsbook websites.

“Sport has two sides: One is victory and the other one is defeat. In this case I had to lose and it was not in very nice circumstances,” Nadal said.

He further added, “But I am very grateful for what sport has given me, the career I have done. Last Sunday I experienced probably one of the most terrible situations in my career: getting injured while you are playing one of the most important tournaments in my life, the final of a Grand Slam.

Besides picking up his awards, Nadal has flown in to Barcelona for an important medical checkup with Dr. Angel Luiz Cotorro, where he will undergo some test on his back injury he suffered at the Australian Open. It is not sure if he will be 100% fit to play in the ATP 250 Buenos Aires clay court tournament.

On Thursday Rafael Nadal will be flying back to Manacor for a session of training. After that, the Spaniard will decide whether to play in Buenos Aires. We hope he will be fully recovered by then and start his campaign on clay court surface.

(Image via zimbio)

WTA Launches "Road to Singapore" Journey to WTA Championships 2014

It's going to be an exciting year ahead for many of us in Asia, particularly tennis fans in the Southeast Asia region as we're going to have the year-end WTA Championships in Singapore in 2014.

Here's the official press release from the PR team in Singapore in regards to this highly anticipated event.

For immediate release

Serena Williams

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) launched today the "Road To Singapore", a season- long campaign which will see the WTA stars through their journey from the beginning of the year to its culmination during the season-ending WTA Championships in Singapore. For the first time in the 44-year history of the WTA Championships, a city in Asia-Pacific will host the prestigious year-end event, which will take place during October 17-26, 2014, and through 2018.

 "I am starting my 2014 season today, but I’ve already made qualifying for the WTA Championships one of my biggest goals,” said Serena Williams, WTA World No.1 and four- time WTA Championships winner. "I am really excited about the WTA Championships being held in Singapore for the first time, as it's an amazing city that I'd like to visit. Women's tennis is definitely growing and becoming more and more global each year."

Ana Ivanovic

Li Na

The fans of women's tennis will have the opportunity to get closer to their favorite stars and the Championships via a season-long "Road To Singapore" journey. Throughout 2014, fans can be fully engaged with the Championships and WTA Stars' journeys to Singapore by visiting the newly launched Championships website www.wtachampionships.com and becoming "A Road To Singapore Insider". Through the dedicated platforms, newly launched for the "Road to Singapore" adventure, fans will enjoy an unparalleled access to their favorite players' season-long journey, including enhanced editorial coverage across all platforms.

(Images via Getty Images)

Rafael Nadal, Ana Ivanovic to play in Richard Branson's event this week

While Novak Djokovic is back to Belgrade to play in the Davis Cup final against the Czech Republic this weekend, Rafael Nadal is already in the Caribbean for Richard Branson's Necker Cup.

Nadal with girlfriend Maria Francisca and baby Kristian Kriek in a car ride to the hotel in Necker Island

The Necker Cup is an exclusive Pro-Am event held on Sir Richard Branson’s private island Necker Island in the British Virgin Islands held on November 12-16th. If the Necker Cup is not exciting enough for you, then it has to be Super Bowl to be held in February next year in New Orleans. To get yourself prepared for more winning moments, visit Super Bowl XLVIII Bets.

Cirstea and Ivanovic on a private flight to the Necker island

Back to the Necker Cup, some of us may not be too familiar with the event. Sixteen (16) ATP/WTA Tour Players/Legends are paired up with sixteen (16) amateur teams of all levels to compete in the fun tennis event. A handicapped scoring format is implemented to make it competitive for every player. Each team consists of one pro and up to two amateurs. Teams will compete to win their bracket and earn a chance to play in the Necker Cup Finals.

Of course besides playing tennis, participants also get to do a lot of island activities.

(Images via Facebook, Instagram)