Kim Clijsters and Caroline Wozniacki favored - 2011 Australian Open

Kim Clijsters, the two time defending US Open champion, is the top pick to win the women's singles event at the 2011 Australian Open, the first Grand Slam of the calendar year. Clijsters, currently ranked 3rd in the world, has never won the Australian Open however that is a statement that can be said about several of the favorites.

Caroline Wozniacki, the second favorite, has never won the event nor has Vera Zvonareva, the 4th favorite

Maria Sharapova, the 5th favorite, won the event in 2008 although she was a first round upset victim last season as Maria Kirilenko hit form and made a run, through Sharapova, to the Melbourne quarterfinals.

With Serena Williams out of the draw, the best chance for a repeat champion at the 2011 Aussie is Justine Henin as the former champion made the finals last season. Her fitness/health is questionable at this point in her career and that makes her status as third favorite questionable as well.

Aussie hopeful Samantha Stosur, the 6th favorite, has enough promise to make the quarters or the semis however the fact remains that she has not had much success in her home country's Slam, having never made the quarters as a veteran of 8 Australian Opens now.

The global tennis season starts at Abu Dhabi

The global tennis season starts here with true legends of the game competing for top honours and USD $250,000 prize money that includes current World #1 and defending champion Rafael Nadal along with 16-time grand slam winner and World #2 Roger Federer, as well as last year’s finalist Robin Soderling, the excitable Jo-Wilfried Tsonga from France, fast charging Tomas Berdych from the Czech Republic and rounded out with Cyprus’ Marcos Baghdatis..
Six of the world’s top men’s players will compete in a single elimination series of matches with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer being granted the top two seeds and therefore being given a bye from Thursday’s first day matches (30th December 2010). Semi-Final matches will take place on day 2 with the final and consolation (3rd & 4th place) matches taking place on Saturday 1st January 2011.

How to generate the most power into your forehand.

Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer in Madrid

MADRID -- Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-1 on Wednesday to square a two-match exhibition series for charity between the world's top-ranked tennis players.
Nadal sealed the win with a powerfully angled forehand cross-court shot in front of a capacity crowd at Caja Magica sports arena that included many of Spain's leading dignitaries.
Nadal says Federer's "gesture to play a game here to raise funds for needy people is incredibly generous."
Federer responded by saying it is wonderful that Nadal supports charities "at such a young age."
Federer beat Nadal 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 on Tuesday in the opening match in Zurich, Switzerland.

Roger Federer Wins The Match For Africa Against Rafael Nadal

(December 21, 2010) Today, the Roger Federer Foundation started the first of two day extravaganza of Roger Federer vs. Rafael Nadal charity face offs in the packed Hallenstadion Arena in Zurich, Switzerland.Roger won the his charity match, "The Match for Africa," 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

"This money is going to a really good cause for the kids in Africa," Roger Federer said after the match and was happy to be a part of it with Rafael. "I'll look back at it with fond memories."

This is the first event of its kind. Nadal said "This will be the first time the Foundation will introduce an event of this magnitude to so many people... We are friends and we are both very committed to solidarity."

Nadal took two break points and won in the first set. This is a pretty hilarious/ ironic fact because if you saw their commercial promo Roger Federer said he would give Nadal the first set as a Christmas present. Check it out:

They last faced off at the ATP World Tour Finals in which Roger took the title which was the first time. Former World no. 1 Federer took on the current World no. 1 Nadal with the agreement that they would play in each others home countries. Fundacion Nadal hosts the match on December 22 at Madrid's Magic Box in Madrid, Spain called the "Joining Forces for the Benefit of Children” for needy children.

Australian Open 2011 Nike Outfit for Federer and Nadal

Tennis TV: Nadal vs Federer Charity Matches

Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer will play two special exhibition matches in Zurich and Madrid on 21 and 22 December to benefit their foundations.

Below is a list of the TV broadcasters that will show the matches.
 Broadcaster and Territories
ESPN: North America, Africa, Oceania, Latin America and Middle East
Eurosport: Europe and Asia
WOWOW: Japan
TVE: Spain
SRG: Switzerland
DirecTV: Latin America
Globo: Brazil
Megastone: Taiwan
TVB: Hong Kong
ABS CBN: Philippines
Cineplex: Thailand
Astro Supersport: Malaysia
Starhub: Singapore
Indovision: Indonesia
Reuters: News Access
SNTV : News Access
TennisTV: Pay per view internet rights

Sharapova, Federer, and the Williams sisters named on Forbes Best Dressed List

Named on the Forbes Magazine “2010 Best Dressed Athlete” list, stars from football, basketball, tennis, and other arena’s are named for their innovations in design both in their field and off. In tennis, on the list Maria Sharapova is no newcomer to the world of fashion; the recent Instyle Russia covergirl showed fans that she could step out of the traditional tennis apparel box with her tuxedo jacket worn at Wimbledon. Moving into accessories, Sharapova’s collaboration on a shoes and handbags for Cole Haan has been well received with fashion critiques, awarding the 6’2” Russian the 2010 ACE Awards in New York City for her collaboration.


On the list as well was Roger Federer, the Swiss tennis player always gives the classic appeal of players from the past. His style of clean and crisp polo’s, rarely wavers when out on the court, a style that would seem monatonous on some but works for the quiet player. Off court shows no difference, the 29-year-old player is typically photographed with his children in preppy sweaters and clean khaki’s. In addition to this, his friendship with Vogue Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour certainly doesn’t hurt his runway cred.


Featured together, Venus and Serena Williams have been causing a stir on the court since they first stepped on the scene, beaded braids shaking in the wind. The sisters daring outfits, think Venus’ 2010 French Open Dress, have successfully managed to raise eyebrows with fans over the years. But these burst of individuality didn’t go unnoticed by the fashion world, with Serena being spotted next to Anna Wintour during the 2010 Fashion Week, and even being asked, personally, to model by Editor-At-Large Andre De leon Tally.


Also making the list were New England Patriots Quaterback Tom Brady, LA Galaxy Midfielder David Beckham, New York Rangers Left Wing Sean Avery and Goalie Henrrik Lundqvist, amongst others.

Serbia wins first Davis Cup title

BELGRADE, Serbia - Serbia celebrated its first Davis Cup title Sunday, becoming only the second unseeded nation to win the trophy when Viktor Troicki beat Michael Llodra 6-2, 6-2, 6-3 to complete a 3-2 combeback win over France.

Troicki, who had replaced Janko Tipsarevic in the final singles match, dropped to the court in jubilation after his victory and his teammates fell into each other's arms to celebrate.

"This is unbelievable. I don't know how to react, what to do. This is the best moment of my life," Troicki said as his teammates kept their promise to have their heads shaved on court.