Ex-clay-mation!
Hola! Clay season is underway and we’re only one month away from the start of French Open! Hard to believe.
Just wanted to give some major kudos to the King of Clay, the Destroyer of the Dirt, the Star of Spain …. okay, I’m done.
Barcelona Open Winner! (AP Photo)
Really, the stats speaks for themselves. With his win at the Monte Carlo Masters last Sunday (over Novak Djokovic), and his 7-6, 7-5 win over David Ferrer today in Barcelona, Rafa became the first player in the Open Era to win two tournaments seven times each. Each!
According to Greg Sharko, since the beginning of 2005, Rafa is 214-8 on clay, winning 33 of 41 ATP level clay events. Just insane numbers. Can’t deny that he’s our GOAT clay champion!
Eyes on the prize. (Reuters)
Can’t wait to see more amazing clay season action… my eyes are on Madrid and Rome next!
And special shoutout to David Ferrer who played an amazing game today and had some spectacular shots. I felt for him by the end of the match. This is the fourth time he’s played Rafa at the Barcelona Open and just can’t seem to pull out the win. In his words, ”Like always, Rafa. I’ve lost four times but four times against a great.”
Celebrating! (Getty Images)
In WTA news, Maria Sharapova beat Victoria Azarenka 6-1, 6-4 today at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Germany. It was a pretty solid win, with Maria clearly outplaying her opponent.
She wins a Porsche Carrera 911 GTS! And a bunch of wildflowers. (Getty Images)
The real drama came into play with the words and actions of these two; first, a shoulder bump during changeover…
Second, the sore loser persona that Vika displayed during the trophy ceremony and her words during the presser:
Azarenka: “It’s not the end of the world, there is gonna be another tournament in one week, a tournament bigger than this.”
Umm, Vika? Maybe it’s not a good idea to insult the tourney, too. Buck up, lady. This is sports.
No net love here. (Getty Images)
Tennis News & Shoutouts!
Updates from the tennis world:
A big WELCOME BACK to … Alisa Kleybanova, who just recovered from a tough battle with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and made a sweet video to thank everyone for their support. Kleybs played her first match in 10 months at Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and won her first round but went out in the second round to Maria Kirilenko. Wishing her much success in upcoming tourneys!
A HAPPY RETIREMENT to Fernando Gonzalez! Gonzo has definitely felt like a staple in my tennis fan career, so I’m feeling pretty old right about now. He had announced that the Miami tournament would be his last, and he went out in the first round against Mahut. Wishing him healthy and happy post-tennis years. 
Enjoy this little tribute video.
A quick YAYYY! for Venus Williams, who has made it into the 4th Round in Miami! She beat Wozniak yesterday in a tough 3-setter and is up to play Ana Ivanovic next. Keep it up, V!
Another win!
(Reuters)
Novak Djokovic had a moving interview on 60 Minutes last night that highlighted his tennis, his personality, how much of an impact he has on Serbia, and how much of an impact Serbia has on him. After you watch him return to Serbia with the trophy, and see how he’s greeted by his fans (aka ALL of Serbia), it’s hard to imagine a tennis star being that highly revered in America, right? He’s a special player, that Nole, carry all of Serbia on his back. (Also, Kid Novak is so cute.)
Lastly, a much belated SQUUEEEEEE! to Team Cute (made up of BFFs Rafa Nadal and Marc Lopez) for their Doubles win at Indian Wells! I mean, seriously. Those grins. You guyyys.
Team Cute! (Getty Images)
Doubles bites! (Getty Images)
I’ll have what Rafa’s having.
I’m stopping my blog hiatus to bring you the opposite of my last thoughtful post about the amazing talent of tennis players. This one is purely fangirling.
So. A bazillion players, line judges, and even fans are suffering from a killer virus that is blowing through Indian Wells. (For reals! The Eisenhower Medical Center in Indian Wells has seen a 15% increase of patients with vomiting and nausea during the past week. Monfils, Melzer, Seppi, King, Schiavone, Rybarikova, Bethanie Mattek-Sands, and Kvitova have all withdrawn with virus-like symptoms. Even Fed confessed that he threw up after the first set in his last game. Um, TMI, dude. Tennis epidemics are scary. 
I guess the lack of funds to send myself to Indian Wells seems like a blessing right now.)
Yet, in the middle of all those yucky symptoms, Rafa is like our anti-virus. (Seriously, did I just say that? Yes. Yes I did.) I caught his game against Granollers today (Rafa won 6-1, 6-4) and he looked healthy, tanned, and toned. The five-weeks off obviously did Rafa good. He even looks like he’s put on a little weight, probably from mom’s home cookin’. Lucky us.
Anyway, happy drooling, fanpeople
(Reuters)
(Getty Images)
Non-tennis... Rafa holds the keys to his new beach house. Adorbsss. (Reuters)
Non-fangirling tennis headlines:
1. Ivan Ljubicic will retire in April!
2. Federer criticizes Rafa’s extended time between points.
3. The big upsets thus far in Indian Wells!
4. Michael Llodra fined $2,500 for a racial slur directed at a fan. Gross.
Ashley’s Thoughts: Australian Open 2012, Men’s Final
Has everyone’s Aussie Open hangover finally dissipated? If so, this means you’re sleeping through the night again, on time for work, and no longer singing the “I wanna know…. when you go, when you goooo” song from the Melbourne promo commercial 24/7. Ahhh, the good old days of last week. The year’s first Grand Slam kicked off with such an emotional bang that I’m not sure any other tournament this year will be able to match its intensity. (Except remind me that I said this when we’re in the middle of the tennis ecstasy stretch known as the French Open, Wimby, and *gasp!* Olympics!) So before our fake Aussie accents fade away (I suppose it’s no longer appropriate to greet my coworkers with a cheery “g’day mate!”), let’s relive that monster of a men’s final.
5hours, 53minutes
Winner: Djokovic, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7(5), 7-5
(Getty Images)
Almost 6 hours. For serious. Longest final time in the history of finals. Besides the first set and a half when I overslept (*facepalm* — thanks to the 13 previous days of AO that I never slept), I spent most of this match simultaneously screaming at my television and being unable to form words. So my screams just sounded a lot like, “raaafffaaoommmgggbllaaarrggg.” You get the idea.
If you watched this match, you can count yourself as one of the lucky people who watched one of the most heart-wrenching displays of bravery, commitment, and athleticism in all of sports, not just tennis. Djokovic and Rafa were warriors down to the last second, fighting for every single point, enduring excruciatingly long rallies that left them winded and panting. At one point in the 5th set, Djokovic actually had to lie down on the court after an intense 31-shot rally, just to catch his breath. Yet 30 seconds later they were both back at the baseline, eagerly awaiting the next punishing serve. Repeat that routine (times a bajillion) and that sums up this match.
(Getty Images)
In the end, I was left with a few questions:
1) Djokovic’s return of serve is the best on tour, undoubtedly, right??
2) HOW ARE THEY SO FIT? (Seriously, no severe cramping, at least visual to the eye, for over 6 hours? Unbelievable athletes.)
3) Where did Djokovic get the strength to rip his shirt off in Hulk style at the end?
4) Why can’t there be two winners? :/
Yes, the fact that Rafa was up a break at 4-2 in the 5th set and still lost will haunt my dreams for the next few months, but this match was still a beautiful display of everything I love about tennis. The resolve and focus required to even get to a 5-set, almost 6-hour match is fascinating, let alone the level of fitness that these two displayed. This, my friends, is tennis in 2012. Everyone’s said it, but I think this match really solidifies it: Gone are the days of a trusty serve and volley and 2.5-hour match. If you’re not physically and mentally capable of consistently holding your serve, hitting repeated aces, hitting cross-court winners from practically the first row of seats while also running a marathon, over 6 HOURS, then I suppose you should find a new sport. Oh, and don’t forget: you’ll also have to have your own hawk-eye vision to call the balls that are out, since the lines judges have taken up napping during points. Catch all that? #2012tennisisnojoke.
Anyway. I digress.
With the victory in Djokovic’s hands, the two embraced at the net, in a ritual of good sportsmanship and mutual respect that *almost* outshines their tennis talent. How lucky we are to have these two outstanding players leading our sport.
(AP Photo)
In their post-match pressers, each player lauded the other with warm compliments. And they BOTH talked about loving this type of muscle-exhausting, bleeding-toe suffering. (This is exactly why we love you crazy kids.)
Quotes from Rafa:
Is something unbelievable how he returns, no? His return probably is one of the best of the history. That’s my opinion, no? I never played against a player who’s able to return like this. Almost every time.
But that’s nice be there fighting, you know, trying to go to the limit, bring your body to the limit of his chances. Something I really enjoy, and I always said is good suffer, enjoy enjoy suffering, no?
So when you are fit, when you are, you know, with passion for the game, when you are ready to compete, you are able to suffer and enjoy suffering, no?
(And as a down-and-out Rafa fan who just watched her all-time favorite player lose his 7th final in a row to Djokovic (#ouchhhies), I think it’s normal to have a mild freak-out after this loss. However, Rafa played much better against Djokovic this time around, came much closer to winning, and is gaining some footing against this unyielding force known as Nole. While such a close loss stings for sure, this quote helped soothe my worries:
Important thing for me, during all 2011 I didn’t play much like this. I’m happy I am in the real right way. I am very happy about my mentality tonight, the mentality worked like in my best moments. So very happy about the beginning of the 2012 season. That’s all that I can say.
Phew. Thanks, Rafa. Just what I needed to hear.)
Quotes from Djokovic:
But these kind of matches I’m a professional tennis player. I’m sure any other colleague tennis player would say the same: We live for these matches. We work every day. We’re trying to dedicate all our life to this sport to come to the situation where we play sixhour match for a Grand Slam title.
And to be able to mentally hang in there and physically, you know I mean, it was obvious on the court for everybody who has watched the match that both of us, physically, we took the last drop of energy that we had from our bodies.
I really thought what I said sincerely on the court, is that unfortunately there had to only be one winner because we both gave it all. We both put 100% of our abilities on the court and played to the last moment.
Unfortunately there couldn’t be two winners, but he definitely deserved to be a winner as well tonight. You know, I would be saying same thing if I’m sitting here as a loser.
Did I mention that at the end of the match, neither of the boys could even stand up? I’m pretty sure it must have been the first time ever that chairs had to be brought out for the players to sit in during the final ceremony. A good thought for future ceremonies though, eh Australian Open? Check the vid below. I actually got a little teary-eyed, watching Rafa and Djokovic painfully morph back into normal human beings, their tired bodies coming down from whatever ridiculous adrenaline-fueled states they were in for the last 6 hours.
Thank you, boys. (Getty Images)
I could go on about this match for a long time, but I’m reaching the point where the emotions are running into the words again, and soon enough it would all turn into “ahhhhhtennnisisamazzzinngggggblargggg” anyway. Plus, I’m sure I’ll have to use these same types of words and phrases again soon, when Rafa and Djokovic meet in another epic final that will beat all recorded tennis records ever and then finally they’ll just morph into actual tennis robots on court and prove to us that they have been Martians all along. So, until then, my tennis friends…
The first stage of tennis-robot transformation. (Getty Images)
Australian Open: Week 1 Review
Well, we are halfway through the first Grand Slam tournament. Only one week left!
I forgot how intense of a commitment watching the Australian Open actually is, with all the mini-naps throughout the night and the 3am alarms going off. I’m assuming all of you reading this are as sleep-deprived and delirious as I am. I’m calling this new lifestyle “tennis vampire.” And instead of drinking blood, we just drink coffee! It works.
As expected, many of the top players have fought their way through their early round matches; 7 of the Top 10 ATP players are still playing into Week 2. (We’ve lost #s 8-10: Fish, Tipsarevic, and Almagro.) Save for Andy Murray, who dropped one set in his first-round match against tricky American Ryan Harrison, none of the Top 4 Players have even dropped a set. Boring, right??
So, let’s recap a few of the more news-worthy happenings during the first week!
CHUMP CHANGE
It was an expensive week for a handful of ATP players who lost the battle of self-control and now have to pay the piper. Let’s start with Marcos Baghdatis, who decided to take his frustrations out on 4 racquets. In a row. His fine was $1,250. Fernando Verdasco was hit with a $2,000 fine for illegal coaching during his first-round loss to Bernard Tomic, and John Isner was slapped with a $800 fine for racquet abuse. Julien Benneteau got a $2,500 bill for verbal abuse during his match against Gilles Simon. But nothing comes close to the $8,000 unsportsmanlike conduct fine that David Nalbandian was given based on the accusation (via the International Tennis Federation) that he threw water on an Australian Open staff member after his heated match against Isner. Ouchies. Rumor is that Nalbandian plans to appeal this fine.
Alright, boys, let’s remember to take deep breaths and count to 10 next time, okay? Yipes.
NOUNI No-No
Speaking of Nalbandian, let’s review the Challenge Heard ‘round the World. Picture it, a stressful 8-all in the fifth set (remember, no tiebreaks in the 5th at AO), Isner facing a break point, and chair ump Kader Nouni overrules an out call on Isner’s first serve. The crowd was incredibly wild and noisy, Nalby tries to clarify what was called, then walks over to inspect the line for marks, and raises his hand to challenge. Even Isner encouraged the challenge when Nalby looked over at him for support. However, Nouni then denies the challenge, claiming that Nalby didn’t challenge fast enough. This resulted in much frustration and yelling from Nalby, and the supervisor was called out to the court, though the call didn’t change.
Did Nalby take a while to make up his mind? Sure he did. However, my main problem with this system is that there really isn’t a “time rule” that the chair umps can reference in this situation, and that really opens up a big ol’ subjective grey area can of worms. Yes, Nalby did take some time to first clarify and then challenge, but a zillion other players on tour do the same thing. Hell, even my beloved Rafa will take his sweet old time walking up to a line to check for discarded yellow fuzzies on the court. I just think there should be a cleaner process for challenging, especially when in this situation, video review showed the ball was clearly out. A shame for Nalby, and he ended up losing the 5th set at 10-8.
THE UPSET KIDS
While the Top 10 are blazing through their opponents without much difficulty, I think it’s important to highlight the up-and-comers who made quite some splash during the first week. You’ve probably heard their names before, but by the end of 2012 I think these guys (and girl) will be sitting pretty with much higher rankings. The tides are changing.
Bernard Tomic: Australia’s new sweetheart, currently ranked at #38, lost to his idol Federer this week, but not before taking out Fernando Verdasco, Sam Querrey, and Alex Dolgopolov along the way. He’s a dangerous player, and definitely one who will make bigger runs in the future.
(Speaking of Dolgopolov, keep an eye on him and his crazy game. This week, I described his serving motion as a sneeze, if that’s any inclination to what it looks like.)
Milos Raonic: a 6ft5in Canadian player ranked #23 in the world, is powerful and level-headed and did some serious damage this week before losing in a center-court battle against an inspired Lleyton Hewitt.
Ekaterina Makarova: a dangerous Russian tennis player, ranked #56, who took out Kai Kanepi and Vera Zvonareva this week. AND, ahh yikes, just took out Serena Williams as I wrote this post. (There goes my choice for winner!) That’s a huge accomplishment, even over a gassed Serena.
Shoutouts, Funnies, and other news:
*Dear Lleyton, I had you going out in the 2nd round to Roddick, and I apologize for my lack of faith! You have proven me (and probably everyone else) wrong, and your fighting spirit has been missed. Way to show the young gun Roanic who’s boss. 
*Dear Bob Bryan, GOOD LUCK on the impending birth of your daughter! I hope you make it home in time for the January 28th due date. I know you joked about watching her being born via Skype, but I can already hear “my dad cared more about Grand Slams than my birth” coming up in future therapy sessions.
*Dear Tomas Berdych, I’m sorry that Almagro hit you in the arm with a powerful shot at the net. Howevs, I don’t think that gives you any reason to act like a poor sport and refuse to shake his hand at the finish of the game. I think you will pay for this in the next round against Rafa, when all of Australia refuses to root for you. Sorry, bud. (For the video, click here.)
*I’m not going go into the whole Federer/Nadal men’s game battle, but you can read a comprehensive article about it here.
*For some FUN Andy Murray (my favorite kind of Andy Murray), watch this highlights vid.
Teaser: he does a backwards somersault.
*Lastly, I’d like to share my favorite Open Drive video which comes from none other than Judy Murray. Who else would I choose?!
And on to Week 2 we go! Enjoy, tennis vamps.
Ashley’s Australian Open Predictions
Here we are again, Grand Slam time! Yippee! How it’s January 2012 already is baffling to me, but if tennis is starting, I won’t complain.
So, filling out my brackets was harder than I thought. I’m not sure if it’s because I missed some of the fall 2011 tennis matches or just haven’t been following certain players as closely or just (begrudgingly) think that Djokovic might beat everyone, including the women.
So, here it is. No judging allowed.
WOMEN:
Quarters: Wozniacki v Na Li / Azarenka v Schiavone / Serena v Sharapova / Stosur v Kvitova
Semis: Na Li v Azarenka / Serena v Stosur
Final: Azarenka v Serena
Champion: Serena
I don’t have much to say about this except that choosing a winner felt kind of ridiclous when, in my opinion, it’s definitely anyone’s game on the women’s side. I don’t think Kim has been playing enough, I don’t know if Sam will handle the pressure well in front of her home country, I don’t know if Vika will get injured or collapse on court, I don’t know if Na Li or Schiavone will arrive with a fighting spirit (although they both have potential upset factors), and I don’t think Kvitova is ready for another Grand Slam win yet. Out of everyone, Serena is the most mentally tough in my book, she’s had a lot of success in OZ, and if she is feeling her game, she’ll be our winner. I think.
MEN:
Quarters: Djokovic v Ferrer / Murray v Tsonga / Fish v Federer / Berdych v Rafa
Semis: Djokovic v Murray / Federer v Rafa
Final: Djokovic v Rafa
Champion: Djokovic
As much as it pains me to say it, I just don’t know if anyone else can take on Nole right now. His bracket seems easy until Quarters, but then he would have to potentially take down Ferrer and Murray back-to-back to make it to the final, which could be tricky. Obviously, I would *love* to see Rafa win and if he can’t do it, I would jump for joy if Murray won (#heyyooLendl). And you can’t ever really underestimate Federer, I suppose. I realize my “serious bracket” chose Nole as the winner, but my not-so-secret “fantasy bracket” hopes someone other than Djoker wins, only because I think it would definitely change the momentum in the tennis world for the rest of this year. And plus, he’s totally hogging the attention.
And when it comes down to it, it will really just be about who has spent time in the off-season pruning their game to beat Djokovic. I’m realllyyy wishing for one of those 2010 US Open secret weapon-”holy cow, Rafa, where did this ultra-fast serve come from?!”-moments right about now.
So, let’s settle in and watch beautiful tennis for the next two weeks. Happy viewing, tennis fans!
Maggie’s Australian Open Predictions and Preview
I can’t believe the Australian Open starts tomorrow. I know, I know, there’s no off season, but really, it’s completely snuck up on me. I’ve been traveling for work the last week so I haven’t been keeping up with Twitter or blogs, I haven’t read anyone else’s predictions or heard much news so my picks could be totally bogus. But away we go!
WOMEN (see my full bracket here)
Quarters: Wozniacki vs. Na Li / Azarenka vs. Schiavone / Williams vs. Lisicki / Stosur vs. Kvitova
Semis: Na Li vs. Azarenka / Williams vs. Kvitova
Final: Azarenka vs. Williams
Champion: Serena Williams
I honestly don’t think I could pick against Serena in a major tournament. Yes, she was injured, but I still believe she’s the best player out there and I think she’d do pretty much anything to win a major. Of all my quaterfinal picks the one I think I stand the most chance of being wrong with is Stosur/Kvitova. Kvitova is obviously playing really well, both won majors last year, but I still think Stosur could go into panic mode at home.
Exciting first round matches:
Safarova vs. McHale: Let’s see how this young American who got a lot of attention at the US Open handles herself down under, especially against a very streaky player.
Dulko vs. Sharapova: I’m sure we all remember the upset at Wimbledon a few years ago. Maria hasn’t been on top of her game lately, but she should make it through.
Dokic vs. Chakvetadze: Are there two players who have had to deal with more heartbreak and difficult situations off the court? It’s too bad only one of them can make it through.
MEN (see my full bracket here)
Quarters: Djokovic vs. Ferrer / Murray vs. Tsonga / del Potro vs. Federer / Berdych vs. Nadal
Semis: Djokovic vs. Murray / Federer vs. Berdych
Final: Djokovic vs. Federer
Champion: Roger Federer
I really, really believe that Roger Federer will win another major. And I think his best chance of doing it is at the Australian Open. Yes, he’s had injury problems, but so has everyone else. Nadal is in bad shape, I can’t pick Murray any more just on principle, and Djokovic had such an outstanding year last year, and I’m sure he’ll have a great one this year, but I’m still picking Roger.
Exciting first round matches:
Hasse vs. Roddick: Andy is vulnerable and someone like Hasse can step up and take advantage.
Murray vs. Harrison: I can’t even imagine how many cries of frustration/thrown racquets/cussing will occur in this match.
Tomic vs. Verdasco: Which Verdasco will show up? Which Tomic will show up? Who will emerge alive?
Bellucci vs. Sela: These guys played an incredibly strange first-round match at the US Open last year that Sela won in 5 sets.
Anyone else want to share their predictions?
Tweeting in to 2012
Happy New Year everyone! The title of this post is pretty ironic since I haven’t Tweeted about tennis in quite a while, but let’s just go with it. The 2012 tennis season is upon us and the Twitter universe is buzzing, shall we see what’s happening?
Go Sam! I wear Asiacs running shoes, stop trying to be like me, Sam.
What will Ivan Lendl say?
There’s also been players posting for their sponsors…
(Yeah, right, Isner wishes he was sponsored by Coca-Cola.)
Ed. 1/6: Apparently John is sponsored by Coke. Who would have thought? (Does this say something about American men’s tennis or what?) Thanks Ang for the correction!
My thoughts are not good. My main thought is I will unfollow them.
And bad news:
I love Serena (I know, controversial opinion) and I really hope she’s fit for the Aussie Open.
Sad. But maybe it’s time to throw in the towel? (Bound to be an unpopular opinion, I know.)
Anyone else see any good Tweets? Anyone have opinions on tournaments Tweeting every point? Or about Fernando Gonzalez?
(And if you click on the image of the Tweet it will take you to the original Tweet so you can click on pictures/media or follow anyone if you’re so inclined. And don’t forget to follow me (and Ashley!) I promise I will get more into Tweeting about tennis and less about my extraordinarily ordinary life, I’ve just had massive tennis fatigue over the last few months, but I LOVE the Aussie Open.)
2011 Rewind
As 2011 is about to close with a bang (or at least a mildly entertaining night with friends…), I wanted to quickly reflect on this past year. We had our tennis ups and downs, wins and losses, rain delays and extreme heat… and with my travels to Cincy and New York for tournaments and amid the countless hours I logged watching tournaments on TV at all hours of the day and night, I’ve learned some important lessons from tennis this year.
Before we reflect, let me say that it’s been really fun writing for FourHands on Court for the last couple months and I’m hoping Maggie and I can bring you awesome, funny, informative tennis musings on a more regular basis in 2012. And we hope you’ve enjoyed reading!
And, actually, I hope no one is reading this right now and instead you’re off doing fun New Year’s Eve things! But definitely read this tomorrow, okay? 
And Happy 2012!
10 Things Tennis Taught Me in 2011:
1. It’s okay for one man to pinch another man’s butt in public! Especially as a greeting or a way to show excitement. Forget the hugs or butt slaps or pats on the back! Forge the way, boys.
Rafa & Pico, image via @olerafa
2. Rafa doesn’t like dogs! Because he can’t read their intentions. (I’m still giggling about this one.) Besides being afraid of dogs, Rafa is afraid of water, doesn’t like the dark, and driving makes him nervous (just like me!). Have you read his book? You should! I LOVE learning ridiculous things about our tennis champions. I also am pretty sure that Rafa is harboring a serious anxiety disorder, and this makes me like him even more. #twinsies
Rafa! Ok, not looking nervous. Just adorable. (Reuters)
3. Serena has x-ray vision! While normally I would like to put her tantrums behind us, her sound bytes from the 2011 US Open final were just too good to pass up. At least once a week I feel like saying to someone, “you’re ugly… on the inside!” #justtoogood Serena, here’s hoping some anger management classes are on the agenda for your 2012.
Run, chair judges and umpires. Run. (Getty Images)
4. Judy Murray is still my dream BFF! Between her love of Spanish men, (judmoo judy murray: “@EsCachetona @piratesswoop I can always spot a good looking Spaniard….:)” ) and her penchant for cocktails (Judmoo: “Well what’s a girl to do when there’s time to kill between flights? Mmmm strawberry mojitos rock!!! http://yfrog.com/kk1edcbj“), we’re definitely long lost friends separated by age and continents. CALL ME, Judy! Until then, I’ll just reminisce about the time I met her in Cincy last year, told her I loved her blog, and then we took a self-portrait together. GIGGLYGIGGLE.
Best. Day. Ever. (p.s. how excited am I in this picture?! Poor Judy, haha)
5. I love Andy Murray! Speaking of Judy, 2011 also taught me that my burgeoning fangirlness with her youngest son Andy is going strong. I’m going to PRAY I don’t have to tennis-break-up with him again in 2012, so before that can happen, let’s revisit some of my favorite Andy moments from this year:
And don’t forget this video of Andy chumming around with his friends during rain delays!
OR this beautiful article about Andy that I LOVED!
6. Nole is a Serbian superhero! His magical powers involve a combination of on-court dancing, flawless English, and looking handsome in suits. And somewhere in the middle of that he has perfected his tennis game. Gees, Djokovic, cut the kids a break in 2012, huh?
7. Cincy Tennis loves me and Maggie! And the feeling is mutual. Our fave little tournament, The Western & Southern Financial Tournament in Mason, Ohio, showed us some love again this year when we got to flip the coin for the second year in a row! This year, Maggie flipped the coin for the Simon/Ferrer game. I promise, this is the LAST time I’ll link the coin toss video (I mean, well, for this year anyway ) It’s just so darn cute.
8. Wozzilroy was born! Since the moniker really speaks for itself, I’ll just say… what kind of other relationship-flaunting/attention-seeking tactics can Caroline Wozniacki and Rory McIlroy come up with in 2012? Monogrammed jackets? Matching tattoos? I’m guessing Rory will show up to a tournament wearing a shirt with a huge Caro face on
the front soon. Someone call Mr. Djokovic.
Subtle. (image from Caro Wozniacki's tweet!)
9. Even tennis players have “should I kiss him? Cheek? Lips? Just a hug? Chest bump? Fist pound?” awkwardness! Nothing else to say about that. Feel free to spend the next hour just watching this clip on repeat and laughing to yourself.
(via Chulobear’s album)
10. Tennis players like to get nekkid! Here’s a little montage of all our favorites who showed some skin t
his year.
Vera showing some skin for the SI Body Issue (Image via ESPN)
Tipsarevic in his skivvies! (image via Extreme Intimo
Rafa modeling for Armani!
Cheers to a tennis-filled 2012!
World Tour Finals Gala
Well, gosh golly, don’t our boys clean up well! Enjoy these pictures of the ATP players who have qualified for the end-of-season World Tour Finals, also known as WTF (#seriouslyATP?), which start on Sunday. They attended ‘A Night with the Stars’ Barclays ATP World Tour Finals Gala hosted by Great Ormond Street Hospital Children’s Charity and supported by Moet & Chandon on November 17, 2011 in London, England. The final eight players who made the cut are Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Roger Federer, David Ferrer, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Tomas Berdych (surprised? me too.) and Mardy Fish.
(All pictures from Getty Images)
Enjoy!
AMAZING picture.
Handsome men.
Jelena = adorable.
Cute! But whyyy the gel, dude??
Joe's smileeeeeeeeeeee. Winner.
Countrymen.
Xisca and Rafa!
Tomas!
So dapper!
Mardy & wifeyyy
Giggggles! Adorbz.
Let's wait until the games are over before you pop the bubbly, Muzz!
