Thursday, July 18, 2013

Serena Williams wins ESPYS for Best Female Athlete and Tennis Player

Serena Williams was awarded last night with two ESPYS. World Nº1 player took home the trophy for Best Female Athlete of 2012, leaving behind tough competition such as Olympic champions Missy Franklyn and Gabby Douglas. Miss Williams had already won this award back in 2003. 

Serena - who won two Grand Slams in 2012 (US Open and Wimbledon) and two Gold medals at the London Olympics (in singles and doubles) - also got the ESPYS for Best Female Tennis Player. Venus's younger sister is in Sweden playing a tournament and the award was accepted for her by actor Jason Sudeikis. 


Novak Djokovic couldn't attend the ceremony too despite being the winner of the ESPYS for Best Male Tennis Player for the second year in a row. Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova were the only tennis players attending the event

ESPYS red carpet: Azarenka in black, Sharapova goes for sparkling silver

It's ESPYS's night! Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka, both nominated for Best Female Tennis Player,  made their walk down the red carpet and got their pictures snapped by the paparazzi. Vika showed up at the event with her plus one LMFAO's Redfoo. 

Victoria Azarenka on her way to the ESPYS...looking gorgeous, by the way.
(via Azarenka's Instagram)
Photo: Nacion ESPN (Instagram)
Redfoo and Vika (via Azarenka's Instagram)

Maria Sharapova chose a black and silver J. Mendel gown for the cerimony. Masha arrived alone but once inside the Nokia Theatre she enjoyed the company of  Le Bron James and Colin Kaepernick. :)


Saturday, July 13, 2013

Wimbledon 2013 in Lego

We know it's not a new thing but we're still loving this Lego re-creations of major sporting events. This time, it´s tennis turn to be immortalized by Lego. First, take a look at some of the highlights of Wimbledon 2013 (including some stylish haircuts from Nadal and Federer):



Second, the "Brick by Brick" series by The Guardian with the best moments of the men's final between Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic, including Nole's famous slides on the grass and a glimpse of Kim Sears and Judy Murray cheering in the Royal Box. Quite imaginative and funny :)



Wednesday, July 10, 2013

Aga Radwanska and John Isner nude for ESPN Body Issue

Long-awaited nude pictures of Agnieszka Radwanska and John Isner are finally out for the entire world to see. The North-American tennis player and Poland's tennis star are among 21 athletes chosen to pose for ESPN The Magazine Body Issue.


John Isner was asked to go naked for ESPN last year but refused the invitation. "I was too nervous, I guess. This time I said I’d do it. It’s not as bad as it may sound.", said the American player to "The Newport Daily News". Isner, who is now the first male tennis player to bare it all for The Body Issue, admitted that posing was a "bit awkward at first", but it felt more comfortable as the minutes wore on.



In his interview to ESPN's Body Issue, the 6'10 player talks about what he likes and dislikes about his body and what he does to stay fit.

Radwanska reveals to ESPN her workout routine which can include 300 sit-ups in a single session. But she admits that while training hard she often thinks about her guilty pleasures like chocolate. Aga says she loves to run by the river in her hometown Krakow with her sister, tennis player Urszula Radwanska, and eat home-cooked Polish meals. The newly-awarded Polish star favorite fast-food is McDonald's cheeseburgers or cheesecakes from The Cheesecake Factory.

The ESPN Magazine Body Issue was released online Tuesday, July 9 and will hit the stands on Friday, 12. You can see the Body Issue full gallery here. Last year, tennis was represented by Daniela Hantuchova.

Photos: ESPN



Aga Radwanska rides chopper to receive Merit in Poland

Radwanska posted this photo on Facebook with the note "Thank You"
Agnieszka Radwanska took a ride from an helicopter to get to Warsaw on Monday where she was awarded with the Gold Cross of Merit of the Republic of Poland.


"They let me fly it for a while. Awesome", said Agie on Facebook
Poland's President Bronislaw Komorowski wanted to recognize the achievements of Radwanska, Jerzy Janowicz and Lukasz Kubot, who were also awarded with state honours (Silver Cross Medal) for their success at Wimbledon. "It was a Polish Wimbledon", said the chief of State.

Photo by Anna Klepaczko
The two fellow male Poles played against each other in the SW19 quarter-finals with Janowicz getting to the semis only to lose to champion Andy Murray. Both players made history as they were the first Polish to get to the QF at Wimbledon since 1980. Janowicz became the first Polish male Grand Slam semi-finalist. But tennis fans will remember mostly their sportsmanship: Kubot and Janowicz hugged and exchanged shirts after their history-making Wimbledon QF.  You can watch that moment here.

Radwanska got to the semis too, but was defeated by Sabine Lisicki, the losing finalist. Komorowski, who offered a small and elegant get-together with tea and champagne to the players, received a commemorative racquet from the hands of Agie. 

News story on Polish TV:



Images via Radwanska's Facebook Page and sportowefakty.pl (gallery here)

Tuesday, July 9, 2013

Novak Djokovic Foundation raises 1,3 million € for kids in Serbia


Novak Djokovic Foundation raised in London, last night, more than 1,3 million euros (about 1,6 million USD) to help vulnerable and disadvantaged children in Serbia. The world Nº1 tennis player, who is also UNICEF Ambassador, got together some of his famous friends from fashion, sports and film for a tennis themed gala dinner at The Roundhouse in London. Jelena Ristic, Djokovic's partner in life, and Milutin Gatsby, the charity’s Global Fundraising Chairman, organized the event.


Among the 300 guests were Sir Richard Branson, Ronnie Wood from The Rolling Stones, actors Jeremy Piven, Gerard Butler, Kate Hudson and Goldie Hawn, Jonathan Ross, Serbia's football player Branislav Ivanovic, Ladies Wimbledon Champion Marion Bartoli, Tim Henman, Boris Becker, Matt Bellamy, Naomi Campbell, Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and their mother Sarah Ferguson, The Duchess of York.


Jonathan Ross, Jelena Ristic, Novak and Boris Becker

Novak and Goldie Hawn 

Some of the auction prizes included on this inaugural London gala were a yatch getaway with Goldie Hawn and Kate Hudson, a signed guitar by Ronnie Wood and a seven day holiday at Sir Richard Branson’s private island, Necker, situated in the British Virgin Islands, reports the NDF in their website.


Next fundraising event will be held in New York, September 10, after the US Open.

Here is part of the auction and Nole's speech at the gala:



Photos by NDF and social media. Full event coverage at NovakDjokovicFoundation.org

Monday, July 8, 2013

Andy Murray meets fans, gives prizes today in London

Andy Murray will be in about two hours at the Black Prince Community Hub in London to play with fans and give them the chance to win a signed Adidas kit and Murray t-shirts. Queues are huge already with people standing in line since 5am. But if you wanna meet the champion get there fast and try your luck. :)


Wimbledon: Andy Murray & Kim Sears glam up for Champions Dinner

"History boy", as The Times of London is calling Andy Murray, arrived late at the Intercontinental Park Lane Hotel in London for the winner's celebration ball. And no one can blame him! Since the winner fourth match-point in the men's final, Murray's day has been a roller coaster of events.

Photo: AP
The first British man to win Wimbledon in 77 years arrived holding hands with girlfriend Kim Sears for the black-tie dinner and ball. How cute are they? :)



Wimbledon Champions Dinner: Marion Bartoli rocks Christian Louboutin booties








Wimbledon: First pics from Champions Dinner (social media)

Judy Murray and Marion Bartoli pose at the Champion's dinner. Marion went for a short grayish dress, high heels, instead of the white gown she tried out this afternoon




Ivan Lendl in full smile mode with "Wimblemum" Judy Murray


Ladies' Doubles champions China's Su-Wei Hsieh and Shuai Peng


Rod Laver and Paul McNamee looking dapper.


Brazil's Bruno Soares, finalist in Mixed Doubles.


Mixed Doubles Champion Kristina Mladenovic with her brother



Images via McNamee and Judy Murray's Twitter; Bruno Soares's Instagram 

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Wimbledon: Emma Watson, Lewis Hamilton, Ewan McGregor, others congratulate Andy Murray




Wimbledon: Andy Murray and mum Judy meet Gerard Butler, hot-topic during the final


After his historic victory at Wimbledon, Andy Murray took a few minutes in today's busy schedule to meet actor Gerard Butler. "Meeting Gerard Butler after the match, really good guy!", said the new Wimbledon champ on social media just a few minutes ago. Mum Judy Murray also got to bond with the movie star. But we think that given the occasion it's more like Butler met Andy and Judy than the other way around :)


Scottish pride (Image via @MiguelSeabra)

Before meeting Wimblemum and Wimblechamp, "Rocknrolla" star was a hot topic on Twitter. Wearing similar outfits, the Scottish actor and his fellow Hollywood star Bradley Cooper caught everyone's attention with their perky expressions during the men's final. They were also caught on TV stations taking selfies and the image quickly spread on Twitter during the final.

Here's a rundown of funny tweets about the Butler&Cooper male bonding:

More on Butler and Cooper geeking out on The Daily Mail.

Wimbledon Champion's dinner: Sneak peek of Marion Bartoli's white gown

UPDATE (12am, July  8) - Marion tried out several dresses, including this white gown and a green one, but she decided to wear a sparkly and short grey dress.  Pics coming up next!

Marion Bartoli will be wearing a long white gown with hints of glitter over the shoulders to the Champion's dinner on Sunday night. Wimbledon women's champion joined fellow French player Kristina Mladenovic this afternoon to try out tonight's dresses. Right now, Mladenovic is still playing the Mixed Doubles final while Marion is most likely doing hair and make-up.

Photo via @KikiMladenovic

Famous tweeps celebrate Andy Murray's historic win at Wimbledon

























Andy Murray is first Brit in 77 years to win Wimbledon



Andy Murray is the first British player since 1936 to win Wimbledon. Fred Perry was the last Brit legend to get the trophy. Murray overcome on Sunday Novak Djokovic in three sets 64 75 64.

Murray's glory moment (Photo via Wimbledon's Facebook page)
It was the hottest final since 1976 with temperatures around 33ºC. Temperatures were also high among the crowd that cheered non-stop for Murray. Centre Court was pretty much like hell for Nole, who still forced Murray to four match-points.

It's also the first Wimbledon win for Murray's coach Ivan Lendl. 

Rooney, Gerard Butler, Posh Beckham, Bradley Cooper watch Wimbledon men's final

Wimbledon Men's final is underway and the Royal Box is full of celebrities. Here are some of the famous faces that showed up at SW19 to watch Andy Murray vs Novak Djokovic.

Wayne and Coleen Rooney
Rooney and actor Gerard Butler
Butler and Manchester United's player chatting
Bradley Cooper and Butler

Ronnie Wood from the Rolling Stones


Victoria Beckham sitting behind Rooney and Rod Laver
Kim Sears, Andy Murray's girlfriend
Brit prime-minister David Cameron (with baby blue tie)
 Plenty of stars in the crowd for the #Wimbledon #mensfinal pic.twitter.com/dj5TBNoA4S
Images via Twitter

Wimbledon: Djokovic-Murray battle begins on Today's front pages

UK - Sunday, July 7th





Serbia - Sunday, July 7th






Serena Williams in Disneyland Paris with boyfriend & coach

Serena Williams and her supposed boyfriend & coach Patrick Mouratoglou visited Disneyland in Paris after the elimination of the 1-ranked player from Wimbledon.


Williams has bought a house in the French capital and has been seen in the city of lights more often in the last year.

Photo: Serena's Twitter

Saturday, July 6, 2013

Tweeps reaction to Marion Bartoli's victory in Wimbledon

France's Marion Bartoli conquers Wimbledon

Photo: WTA
Marion Bartoli wins her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, booking her place in tennis history. The French was able to stay calm and focused with her heavy and powerful shot making the difference in an unprecedented final. Fifteen-ranked player didn't give Germany's Sabine Lisicki a chance (6-1 6-4) and wins Wimbledon without giving away a single set.

Lisicki, who had the crowd on her side after defeating Serena Williams and Aga Radwanska, had a tough time to control her emotions and was close to tears at one point in the match, which was her first Grand Slam final.

Jude Law, Bradley Cooper, Fergie & other celebs enjoy Wimby

Kim "Sam Jones" Catrall (Image: Catrall's Twitter)

Friday, July 5, 2013

Serena Williams leads tennis players nominations for 2013 ESPYS

Serena Williams got two nominations for the 21th annual ESPY Awards, which recognizes last years major sports achievements, best moments and leading players and performances. World Nº1 WTA player, who brought home in 2012 a Gold Medal from London Olympics and two Grand Slam titles (Wimbledon and US Open), is nominated for Best Female Athlete and Best Female Tennis Player. Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka are the other nominees for Best Female Tennis Player.


Novak Djokovic is once again nominated for Best International Athlete alongside last year's winner football player Lionel Messi. Also competing for this prize are Cristiano Ronaldo, Usain Bolt and boxer Juan Manuel Marquez. Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Rafael Nadal compete with the Serbian in the Best Male Tennis Player category, which Nole won for the first time in 2012. Roger Federer is a six-time winner of the ESPYs - from 2005 to 2010 - and Rafael Nadal got his first award in 2011.


Britain's pride and joy Andy Murray books a place in a special category: Best Moment. The Brit won his first major title at the Olympics, which were played at Wimbledon, but will have tough competition from other unforgettable events such as Alex Morgan's goal in the Olympics women's football semifinal.

Fans will determine the winners in all ESPY categories (except the Arthur Ashe Courage Award and other special awards) by voting online at ESPN. Voting ends July 17 9 p.m. ET.

The 21th annual ESPY Awards will take place at the Nokia Theater in Los Angeles, USA, on July 17, 2013. Mad Men's Jon Hamm will be the host and will be joined by Ben Affleck and Le Bron James who are confirmed as presenters of the Jimmy V Perseverance Award and the Arthur Ashe Courage Award.