Maria Sharapova in Manila

My girlfriend and I was channel-hopping late last night when we chanced upon a tennis match coverage of Channel 23 that featured Maria Sharapova here in Manila.

I thought the venue was somewhere out of the country but to my amazement, it was at the Mall of Asia (MOA) Arena in Pasay City. At least to me, the camera angle made the tennis court seemed like at some other stadiums abroad.

Anyway, Maria Sharapova was great in TV. And the fans at the venue were treated with a come-from-behind 1 set win over Kristina (I forgot the surname) 6-5.

It was only an exhibition match made more interesting by a shot clock for serving and the annoying buzzer signifying nearing the time limit or its expiration.

Maria Sharapova's acknowledgement of the warm welcome she, and the rest of the players who were part of the exhibition, received sound sincere. And I felt that the gesture will surely endear her more to Filipinos.

The exhibition tennis match is part of the International Premier Tennis League (ITPL) . I learned more about ITPL via Sports5.ph

Read more...

Roger Federer, now also, A Davis Cup Champion

Congratulations to the Swiss Maestro - Mr. Roger Federer - for leading Switzerland to its first ever Davis Cup Championship.

Screengrab from Roger Federer's own Website

As accomplish and legendary his career is, it is another feather in his hat that he led Team Swiss to the ultimate prize in Tennis team competition.

I still wish that he sets out to win 20 grand slams in Men's Tennis.

Read more...

Roger Federer Fourth in the World Rankings

Roger Federer is now only fourth in the Men's Tennis World Rankings. Ouch!

With Andy Murray getting hot on the tour this past few weeks, my favorite further slides down in the rankings. Federer will bounce back in the next tournaments to end the year with a bang.

Just do it, Sir Roger Federer
Reclaim your place on the top of Men's Tennis Rankings.
Image from here.

Yes! He will.

He can do that.

Roger, please do it!

World no.1 Djokovic' historic year seemed subsiding a bit. Andy Murray, now world no. 3, is really the one surging. He has won 25 out of his previous 26 matches including 3 titles and 2 Davis Cup victories.

While my Federer has only one singles title to show for - the Doha Open way back in January. Yikes!

Still, Federer will next play to defend his title at an indoor tournament in his native Basel. A win there will be a good tune-up before he might face the big three at the BNP Paribas Masters in Paris (Nov. 7) and again at the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London (starting on Nov. 20).

What's really bothering me is the absence of his killer instincts, allowing his opponents (Tsonga & Djokovic respectively) to come from behind and deny him the chance of going deeper into Wimbledon & the US Open.

Still, let's go get them Roger!

Read more...

Andre Agassi and Speech Inspiring during Hall of Fame Induction

Andre Agassi has been inducted to the International Tennis Hall of Fame last Saturday.

I have liked him during his tennis-playing days. The media and being married to Brooke Shields probably played a lot in that. But I liked him more now because of his inspiring speech during his induction.

Agassi was my first favorite tennis player. He was a global tennis star. I mostly saw him play via highlight reels. I had goosebumps watching him lose his last tennis match at the US Open before retiring.

Andre Kirk Agassi
International Tennis Hall of Fame
Image from wikipedia

I have a poster of him in my bedroom. It was a top view of a bald Agassi serving. The tennis ball is up in the air, his eyes in laser-like focus and his arm ready to smash it with his racket. I remember that those were the times when he already returned to the top of tennis rankings.

Completing a career grand slam of men's singles titles put him ahead of Pete Sampras in tennis lore while his Olympic Gold Medal put him a notch against my current favorite player, Roger Federer. [He handed the trophy to Federer when Fed completed his own career grand slam.]

After his accomplishment in the tennis court, he was loved for his Andre Agassi charter school in Las Vegas and his foundation that helped raise $150 million for education reform.

In his speech, he asked that we to look at the nurses and teachers "win their own, personal Grand Slams".

And added, “They know already what it took me decades to find out:

To shine in secret, and to give when there’s no one applauding,” he said. “It’s not to late to be inspired. It’s not too late to change. It’s not too late.”

Read more...

Federer Starts 2011 by Winning Qatar Open

Roger Federer defeated Nikolay Davydenko 6-3, 6-4 in the finals to capture his third Qatar Open Tennis title and made an auspicious start for his campaign in 2011.

Photo by Hassan Ammar/AP
from ESPN/Tennis

After ending 2010 with a title he won against world no. 1 & main rival Rafael Nadal, Federer picked up where he left off. He never dropped a set in the whole Qatar Open tournament, winning it this year 2011 and also in 2005 & 2006.

Davydenko, who defeated an ailing Nadal in the semis, was overmatched in the finals, even saying he had no chance against the fast and fine form of Federer.

Federer's win augurs well for his preparation in defending his Australian Open crown. However, he downplays his performance in this tournament by saying he's not yet on the level that he wants to be for the first grand slam of year.

Read more...

Maria Sharapova Highest Paid Female Athlete

Tennis princess Maria Sharapova is the highest paid female athlete from June of 2009 to June of 2010, earning $24.5 million. Endorsements for blue-chip brands and appearance fees made the bulk of her earnings as she earned (only) $1 million in tournament prize money.

This year is a better year for Sharapova after being hit by a spate of injuries in previous years. And she can end her year in grand style if she wins the upcoming US Open Tennis Championships.

Without a doubt, Sharapova is a looker and really can draw out large audience. But I really prefer seeing her in her ads rather than in action. Her grunts is not good for my ears so I usually mute the TV if she's playing.

World no. 1, Serena Williams is only at number 2 with $20.2 million earnings but she is the all-time leader in career prize money with $32.7 million dollars. Serena and her sister Venus are minority owners of the NFL team, Miami Dolphins.

Photo credits here.

Read more...

Rafael Nadal wins his 2nd Wimbledon Tennis Championships over Berdych

Rafael Nadal, reclaims the Wimbledon crown he failed to defend last year due to injury with a methodical performance and defeat surprise-finalist Thomas Berdych. 6-3, 7-5, 6-4 in the 2010 Wimbledon Tennis Men's Singles Championships.

Nadal played well the entire match, finishing it off with a beautiful cross-court passing shot to break Berdych's serve and win his 2nd All-England Lawn Tennis Championship in three years.

Berdych, being in his first grand slam final, started to show nerves when Nadal broke for the first time in the first set, losing 6-3. In the second set, he managed so keep close to Nadal but lost in the crucial points. He lost the 3rd set after being broken again.

Nadal, already back as ranked no. 1 in the world, has again won both the French and Wimbledon, totaling his haul to 8 grand slam singles tennis titles.

This year will be most remembered for the longest tennis match ever. And on a lesser note, the end of Roger Federer's reign on the most prestigious tennis grass court - Wimbledon.

Read more...

Thomas Berdych beats Djokovic to reach first Wimbledon Final

Thomas Berdych, the conqueror of Roger Federer just advanced to the 2010 Wimbledon Tennis Championships finals disposing Novak Djokovic 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.

I caught the game as the two were battling in the 2nd set tie break. I think it was 6 - 2 in the tiebreak. But Berdych let Djokovic back in it, leveling at 6 - 6. I did something and when I returned the set was already won by Berdych.

Djokovic appeared tired already in the second set and losing it probably made him lose heart.

Thomas Berdych is peaking at the right moment, on the verge of his first grand slam title and may very well be the 2010 wimbledon champion.

Read more...

Wimbledon 2010's Lucky Number - 82

The Wimbledon Gods probably are bored to seeing familiar tennis players and have taken a liking to number 82. Naah, just making up stories.

But in a coincidence for the ages, the 82nd ranked player both male and female upset higher seeds to advance in the 2010 Wimbledon Tennis Championships.

First it was the men's 82nd ranked Yen-Hsun Lu of Taiwan who upstaged 5th seed American Andy Roddick in their fourth round match, winning 4-6, 7-6 (3), 7-6 (4), 6-7 (5), 9-7 to reach the quarterfinals for the first time.

Then, world number 82 on the women's side, Tsvetana Pironkova of Bulgaria dominated five-time champion Venus Williams in their quarterfinal draw, 6-2, 6-3 and advance to the semifinals.

Pironkova's win spoiled what is looking like another All-Williams final at the All England Club.

I am a sucker for underdogs and I definitely love them winning over favorites. After all, that's what makes sports exciting and worth following.

Read more...

Wimbledon Tennis Championship 2010

Wimbledon is the the most pretigious tennis championship in the world. The Wimbledon Tennis Championship 2010 seemed no different from the previous editions. Wowowwimbledon!

The Score:

Last year, it was an epic final between eventual champ Roger Federer and this year's sentimental favorite, Andy Roddick. The year before that, the titanic clash between eventual champ Rafael Nadal and dethroned Roger Federer that changed the balance of tennis supremacy.

This year, we were given an epic clash right at the very first round of the Wimbledon 2010. The longest tennis match ever has been given a lot of names including THE MATCH THAT WOULD NEVER END. I would like jump in the bandwagon and call it wimblethon.

The protagonists: John Isner of the United States and Nicolas Mahut of France.

Savor this score, for you will probably never see its kind again: 6-4, 3-6, 6-7 (7), 7-6 (3), 70-68. Source

When The Match That Would Not End finally did, at 70-68 in the fifth set, after a record 11 hours, 5 minutes spread over three days, the customary handshake between opponents simply would not suffice. Source

With no player showing consistent dominant form, the 2010 wimbledon championships promises to have a very exciting conclusion.

Read more...