Hang out with Andre Agassi for free plus a $10,000 processing fee

Andre Agassi’s Foundation for Education will host a benefit March 16 during the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden. These honored guests will have an opportunity to spend part of the day in a private suite with Agassi.  Here are some of the perks for the $6,000 individual tickets (or $10,000 per couple).

Andre Agassi Foundation for Education

You’ll watch the women’s round of 16 and men’s third round singles matches at the 2010 BNP Paribas Open.
• You will enjoy both the day and night sessions on Tuesday, March 16 at the BNP Paribas Open.
• Watch the matches in the comfort and privacy of a stadium suite – the air-conditioned suite is professionally hosted and catered, and features TVs and intimate seating both inside and out for only 15 couples.
• Enjoy match commentary from eight-time Grand Slam singles champion Andre Agassi during one of the day matches.
• Experience a VIP tour of the Indian Wells Tennis Garden by former Davis Cup member and Tournament Chairman, Charlie Pasarell.
• A visit in the suite from a surprise special guest.
• Complimentary valet parking.
• Take away a commemorative photo and gift to remember this remarkable experience.
• Transform public education for underserved youth; proceeds from this event will benefit the Andre Agassi Foundation for Education in Las Vegas

To purchase tickets, go to darian@agassi.net.

Your opinion of the Wilson six one tour blx tennis racquet?

We’ve heard all the hype about this new racquet from Wilson but is it living up to it’s name for Roger Federer and Justine Henin. Based on the results from the Australian Open, it sure seems to be.

Wilson released a new line of tennis rackets called BLX back at the end of 2009. These new rackets have volcanic basalt in them in addition to Karophite, which was in the [K]Factor. BLX can block the frequency harmful to your body and thus relieving a lot of stress to your arms if you play often. Federer will definitely notice a difference as much as he plays. Last year Federer had an occasional sore back, so this new racket will definitely be able to prevent that in the coming year. Compared to the [K]Factor Six-one Tour, the BLX Six-one Tour is just a tiny bit lighter. Some people say BLX plays better than the [K]Factor and feels better. Some have complained [K]Factor being too stiff, so Wilson made the new rackets less stiff.

Wilson six one tour blx racquet

Of course, Roger Federer wielded his Wilson Six One Tour BLX tennis racket meticulously as he defeated Murray in straight sets to win his 4th Australian Open title and extended his record to 16 Grand Slam titles. Here’s a great video at the bottom of this post

What is the cause of increased professional tennis injuries?

It’s obvious we have a problem in the world of professional tennis.  Imagine if 15% of the star players in soccer, basketball, baseball or football were all injured in one season?  The sponsors of the game would investigate safety issues and see if the season was to demanding.  Even Nadal complained in a recent interview about the ATP schedule citing the toll it has taken on his body. “It’s impossible to play first of January to finish fifth of December,” he said. “It’s impossible to be here playing like what I did the last five years, playing a lot of matches and being all the time 100 percent without problems.” 

Here is the quick list of tennis injuries that have happened in 2009 and what tournament it occured at:

Tennis injuries - is the season to long?

• Roger Federer (fatigue) – after US Open taking a break
• Rafael Nadal (knee, stomach) – US Open
• Andy Roddick (knee injury) – Shanghai Masters – “I think it’s ridiculous to think that you have a professional sport

Chris Evert & Greg Norman headed to divorce court?

Is divorce the only way for this celebrity couple to settle their differences?

Chris Evert & Greg Norman getting Divorced?

Last week, Norman announced in a statement that he had separated from his wife of 15 months, tennis legend Chris Evert. And that came just a few days after Norman had surgery on his right shoulder.

This week Greg Norman has flown to San Francisco to captain the International team in the Presidents Cup.  Cris Evert is home in Florida, where a photo was  snapped a shot of the tennis legend’s unadorned ring finger, just 15 months after the couple laid out $2 million for a wedding ceremony.

Roger Federer’s insane between the legs shot against Novak Djokovic – 2009 US Open

Can anyone prevent Roger Federer from taking his 6th US Open? He’s just tore up Novak Djokovic in the semi-final of the 2009 US Open & is on course for another US Open title. How many total titles is that, I’ve lost count….

And what a way to do it. Watch this shot, between his legs, already been described as the best shot of his career & arguably the most audacious & best in tennis history:

Roger Federer between legs tennis shot - 2009 US Open

On the next-to-last point of the match, Federer hit what he called the best shot of his life. Djokovic was serving and seemingly in control of the point, standing at the net and watching for his just-hit lob to land out of Federer’s reach.

Except Federer materialized at the baseline just when the lob landed. With his back to the net, Federer swung the racket between his legs – and hit a clean winner past Djokovic. The crowd roared, and Federer’s forehand return winner that followed on match point was anticlimactic.

“On those shots, you just say, ‘Well done, too good.’ What can you do?” Djokovic said. While Federer was still on the court, the point was replayed on the scoreboard video screens at Arthur Ashe Stadium, and Federer exclaimed, “That’s unbelievable.” After this exciting win he is now facing Juan Martin del Potro in Monday’s final.

It’s this kind of split second, athletic genius & audacity that sets the champions out from the mere greats. Who would dare attempt a crazy shot like this when the entire match has been so close?  I am linking over the to the entire youtube clip if you want to see this in action.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TVQhIEPbM0g

Many are now arguing this could be the best tennis point in history….I disagree.  What do you think was the best tennis point in history?

Roger Federer’s greatness is now becoming standarad fare – 2009 US Open

When someone achieves greatness for such a long time it doesn’t even make headlines anymore.  Fans of the tennis world expect the final of the 2009 US Open to be Federer VS ??????.   They just have to wait for the question marks to be figured out.  In fact this press conference from yesterday proves the point.

“It’s just not easy to win Slams. It’s just that simple,” Federer said before the room roared ith wlaughter. “OK, you might think I have a lot, but I played many matches before where I didn’t win, as well. And semis or finals just doesn’t give you the win yet. It’s a tough road, and you have to finish the deal and it’s a hard thing to do.”

Federer’s eventual undoing of Sweden’s Robin Soderling – heavy winds aside – from last night’s quarterfinal, 6-0, 6-3, 6-7 (6), 7-6 (6), turned dramatically competitive late but was a good enough exhibit for a small place in the Federer hall of masterpieces. It was Federer’s 12th-straight victory over the 12th-seeded Soderling.

Roger Soderling shakes hands with Roger Federer

Another title in Flushing Meadows would make Federer the first man since Bill Tilden in 1925 to win 6 straight U.S. titles, a comparison Federer called “fantastic” even as he reminded that he never saw Tilden – Tilden died 3 decades before Federer was born.
 

Federer’s march has gone largely unnoticed, as well, but his brilliant tennis will keep all eyes on his game this weekend. One aspect of his genius is his return of serve, notes Doug Robson in a USA Today analysis of men’s tennis trends. The return of serve has become the most important shot in modern men’s tennis, according to the study.

I was also reading yet another comparison between Roger Federer and Tiger Woods that said Tiger Woods was the greater athlete of his sport?  Why? Let’s compare the gap between Woods and Federer and the second-best player in their respective sports.  Woods has won 14 Grand Slam tournaments, and is within reach of Jack Nicklaus’ all-time record of 18. Federer has 15 Grand Slam singles titles, the best in tennis history.

Rafael Nadal gets a surprise kiss at the US Open

A little bit after Nadal defeated Gael Monfils on Tuesday night in the fourth round of the 2009 US Open, a spectator came out of the stands and hugged and kissed him his naked chest before being escorted quickly by security guards.

Nadal gets kissed at the 2009 US Open

Although caught off guard, Nadal did not seem to be shaken, in fact he smiled and chuckled after it happened.

Nadal stomach patch US open injury

“For me it wasn’t a problem,” said Nadal, noting that the man spoke in English. “The guy was really nice.”

“He was a great fan,” he said. “He said, ‘I love you,’ and he kissed me.”

Nadal had just removed his shirt (showing his stomach patch) and was preparing for an on-court interview when the man suddenly emerged with a camera to approach him. I’ve included a quick YouTube video showing the highlights of the quick hug, kiss, & run guy.  He actually attacks him about the 57 second mark.

Thirty minutes after the match, the police had a man in custody, and they handcuffed him to the bleachers alongside Court 5 (were they better setas for the match then he had before, who knows?). A USTA spokesman said the incident was being reviewed, as were on-court security procedures.

Tournament spokesman Tim Curry said police arrested the man for interference with a sporting event.

“We’re reviewing what happened and then will determine if we have to make any changes to our on-court security procedures,” Curry said.

The scene reminded me of the French Open final in May, when a fan came out of the stands and tried to greet Roger Federer during play, although that incident was scary. Federer was in the middle of a match and it broke his concentration, requiring a few minutes during play to compose himself.

Exclusive photos of Roger & Mirka’s Federer Twins

It’s about time Roger changed out the batteries in his camera and posted pics of his beautiful baby girls, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose, on his facebook page. Meanwhile, Wimbledon champion Federer has released the first public picture of his daughters on his Facebook page.  Belo is the photo of himself and wife Mirka each holding one of the babies, Federer wrote: “As promised, here is a family picture that my dad took. He thinks he’s becoming a professional photographer.”

Roger Federer Exclusive photo, Charlene Riva & Myla Rose

“It was very funny as both girls had the hiccups while we were trying to take a decent picture. The girls and mom are doing great – thanks for all your warm wishes.”

The 27-year-old top-ranked tennis great married Mirka in April. He announced her pregnancy in March, but it was a well-kept secret that she was expecting twins.  Charlene Riva and Myla Rose were born July 23 on what Federer said was the best day of his life.

I wonder if Federer waited to take pictures of the babies so their heads would return to a normal shape instead of the infamous cone shape most babies heads look like.

One fan had this to say:

Awwww, so sweet! Gorgeous family, I love how each parent is looking at the other twin, kind of like they want to be involved in both whether they’re being held or just watched. Congrats to them on their lovely girls!!! BTW, does anyone know, are the girls identical or fraternal? I can’t tell from the way they’re positioned.

PS Great pic, grandpa! Yo ushould have gotten $100,000 and let a professional take it anyway.
Anyone know the answer to this question.  No one has told us yet? Are these twin girl identical or franternal?

Double the trouble – Roger Federer has twins

Double the trouble with Roger Federer’s new twins.  Seems like he is playing a whole new kind of doubles.

15 Time Grand Slam Champion and #1 Ranked Player In The World, Roger Federer & wife become proud father Of twin baby girls

Roger Federer and his wife Mirka Vavrinec, proudly announce the birth of twin daughters, Charlene Riva Federer and Myla Rose Federer, who were born Thursday night, July 23rd,  2009 in the private clinic Bethanien in Zurich, Switzerland. “This is the greatest day of our lives. Mirka, Myla and Charlene are all healthy and doing very well.”

The birthplace of Roger Federer's twins - Charlene Riva and Myla Rose

“This is the best day of our lives,” he said on his Facebook page.

The 27-year-old tennis great married Mirka in April. He announced her pregnancy in March, but it was a well-kept secret that she was expecting twins.

More than 1,500 fans worldwide sent congratulations to Federer’s Web site.

“Here comes the future tennis players,” said one fan.

“Wait 15 to 20 years,” another said. “The Williams sisters will look like a joke compared to the Federer sisters.”

Federer is not scheduled to return to the tour until Aug. 10 in Montreal. Mirka sat courtside this month when Federer won an epic, five-set Wimbledon final against Andy Roddick for his 15th Grand Slam title, breaking Pete Sampras’ record.

Federer met Mirka — born Miroslava Vavrinec in Slovakia — in 2000 when they were competing for Switzerland in the Sydney Olympics. Mirka, 31, emigrated with her family to Switzerland as a small child. Formerly a tennis player herself, she became one of Federer’s managers after retiring early due to injury.

Here are some fan’s comments to the new proud tennis parents:

• Warmest congratulations and love sent to you all! Twin girls….double the blessings! Enjoy them…I know they are surrounded by love!
• Congratulations!! You will have your hands full, but as someone who has 2 girls, I can tell you that they are the best! I hope they take after your fine example!
• So happy for you two. Charlene and Myla are beautiful names. Twice the joy with twins.

Here a few oddities surrounding the celebrity birth:

1. Gamblers – British bookies Ladbrokes were offering 100-1 for either Charlene Riva or Myla Rose to win the grasscourt title just a day after their birth.  50-1 to win a grand slam as part of the same doubles team and 200-1 to take the Wimbledon doubles crown. “The twins certainly come from good tennis stock. If they are half as good as their dad they will still be a potent force on the court,” said Ladbrokes spokesman Nick Weinberg.”
2. Andy Roddick twitter: “Wimbledon women’s champs in 2029-2040 …. the Federer girls: congrats to the new parents!”
3. Nike is releasing shoes celebrating the Roger Federer’s twins

Nike shoe celebrating the brith of Federer's new twins

Andy Roddick slips past Lleyton Hewitt at the 2009 Wimbledon

Andy Roddick brought former champion Lleyton Hewitt’s fine Wimbledon run to an end on Thursday with an energy-sapping 6-3 6-7 7-6 4-6 6-4 quarter-final victory on Court One.

Quick recap of this amazing 3 hour game between Andy Roddick & Lleyton Hewitt at the 2009 Wimbledon:

Adny Roddick thumbs up after beating Lleyton Hewitt at the 2009 Wimbledon

5pm: Would Murray prefer to face Hewitt or Roddick in the semis? “Both are tough, they’ve got a lot of experience,

Roger Federer is betterer & joins Pete Sampras as a tennis legend

Roger Federer wins the French Open, finally

Is Federer the greatest tennis player ever or just one og the legends now?  Of course, Roger would have preferred to enter history without the retarded Jimmy Jump disrupting his game but old Federer proved he could still even win with a distraction as crazy as that one.

With Robin Soderling about to serve at 1-2, 15-0 in the second set, an intruder ran down a staircase in the lower section of the stands at Philippe Chatrier court, jumped over the barrier and onto Roger Federer’s half of the court. It took guards about 9 seconds to realize they were paid to do more than stand there, & they quickly ran after and apprehended the man.  It’s sad what some people do for publicity.

In the New York Times, Harvey Araton notes that the tennis world agrees not just on Federer’s greatness, but also his goodness. “Count on the sport continuing to root for Federer to climb higher up the mountain of immortality, as it has championed him since he rocketed to the top with the beautiful game and the embraceable persona,” Araton writes. “Even Soderling, who by reputation shuns discourse with most players, became a humble charmer during the awards ceremony, paying his respects. ‘You really gave me a lesson on how to play tennis,’ he told Federer.”

Brother & Sister have achieved #1 tennis ranking, now what?

Dinara Safina yells in victory

Russia’s Dinara Safina has now became the No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player in the world this past Monday, knocking out Serena Williams of the United States. Safina’s brother, Marat Safin, was once the top-ranked men’s player. Thanks to the latest Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Rankings Williams fell to No. 2 after 11 straight weeks at the top. We all know WIlliams has been bothered by a leg injury, lost in two recent tournaments, and withdrew from a third.

The 22-year-old Safina, winner of four WTA titles in the past year, is the second Russian to hold the No. 1 ranking. Maria Sharapova, now famous, previously was top-ranked for 17 weeks. Safina has nine WTA titles overall and has placed second in two majors. Definitely not a shabby record to say the least.

“It’s a great honor to reach the No.1 ranking and it is a dream every girl who has ever wanted to play professional tennis shares,” Safina said. “It is even extra special for me since my brother Marat was able to reach the No.1 ranking and I am happy to share this achievement with him.” Of course, Marat didn’t hold the position very long, maybe Safina can do better. Of course Marat would do well well at prison tennis tournaments.

Russian Elena Dementieva is third in the rankings, Jelena Jankovic of Serbia is fourth and Venus Williams of United States is No. 5.

Who will be the next woman to take the #1 position and hold it for at least a year. This is how legends are remembered. It’s hard to get to #1 in tennis, but much harder to stay their any length of time. Just ask new daddy Roger Federer or Tiger Woods, they’ve been there and lost that. Who do you think Safina will get sponsored by now that she’s #1. She definitely doesn’t have the “marketing appeal” that the mighty Maria Sharapova had so she probably will not land the massive endorsements.

Roger Federer knocked up Mirka Vavrinec, now pregnant

Here’s a quick  picture of Roger Federer & Mirka Vavrinec.

 

Mirka Vavrinec & Roger Federer now pregnant

Former #1 tennis player Roger Federer has announced that his girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec is pregnant with their first child. The 30-year-old Vavrinec, who also serves as Federer’s manager, is a former WTA Tour player.

“This is a dream come true for us,” the 27-year-old said in a post to visitors on his website on Thursday. “We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well.” Ironically in 2007 he was quoted as saying, “Thoughts like family and marriage cross my mind more and more often.” I guess so, since you seem to at least have started the family part.

He also stated his greatest fear was, “accidents, illness or injuries to my loved ones and myself.”. So are you afraid now that Mirka is pregnant, I am guessing it was an accident?

The baby is due in the summer, he added. The couple met at the Olympic Games in Sydney in 2000.

Unlike Levi Johnston, Federer is not saying he’s going to marry the girl. As you know recently Sarah Palin’s teenage daughter Bristol and her boyfriend, Levi Johnston, have called off their engagement, about 10 weeks after the birth of their child. Federer has not moral feelings to marry a woman he does not love. He is her shawty, a friend with benefits.

Here’s a great YouTube video highlighting their “love”.

Rafael Nadal & Fernando Verdasco, the greatest tennis match of all time

How many of you saw this amazing semifinal between two great Spaniards? This one is going in the history books as the longest match in Australian Open history (five hours and 14 minutes) and the most memorable yet. With a final score of 6-7 (4-7), 6-4, 7-6 (7-2), 6-7 (1-7), 6-4 I know they must have been exhausted at 1am in the morning. I’m only functioning at that time of day even with a shot from a Frappuccino. You can see a hint of what this game was like over at Youtube here.

Photo by Cameron Spencer/Getty Images

JANUARY 30: Rafael Nadal of Spain falls to the ground after winning match point in his semifinal match against Fernando Verdasco of Spain at the 2009 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 30, 2009 in Melbourne, Australia. This is the kind of tennis I dream to watch. Every time I’ve gone to a venue in person I’m always watching the “other” match that is not having all of these amazing moments. Thanks God for the internet where we can relive the greatest moments quickly as people post them. I can’t wait to watch the final between Roger Federer and Nadal. I know it will be good but I doubt it will even touch the magnificence of the match that happened last night between Nadal & Verdasco.

What was your favorite point? Do you think Fernando Verdasco is going to break into the top 15 this year?

Roger Federer getting old?

Roger Federer losing his edge?

Does it seem Roger is losing his edge.  He has endured much, achieved much, tolerated much and delivered much this season. Do you think he can continue to have the weight of the tennis world on his shoulders, this is Roger Federer, not superman.

The day after his painstaking 5th consecutive triumph in the US Open last month, Roger Federer talked about how he had not felt stronger and fresher for a long time (yeahh…..) – that he believed the old invincibility (not quite) was flowing back. The chirpy champion looked as if he could have slipped straight into his tennis gear and played a few more sets.

Federer spoke, too about the period at the beginning of the year when he was not feeling at all chipper, about the glandular fever that had affected him and how he had worried about how he should tell the world that he had been suffering from it without any of his words sounding like an excuse for the semi final loss to Serbia’s Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open and the first round defeat in Dubai to Andy Murray. When Federer said yesterday that he might not play again this year, it was not that much of a shock, because his twin aims for 2009 are to regain his No.1 ranking from Rafael Nadal and collect a couple of grand slam titles so that he can overhaul Pete Sampras’ tally of 14, from which he is currently one removed. This is no time to flog himself to death.