Rafa's Road to Wimbledon

Wimbledon starts tomorrow! Most players had about two to three weeks to prepare for the grass. Some played grass-court warm-up tournaments, others took a mini-break. We wonder what else have they been doing? Rafael Nadal was one of the last players to arrive in London. Let's take a look at what he's been up to the past couple of weeks. 

First Stop: Halle, Germany

Rafa usually plays the Aegon Championships as Wimbledon warm-up, but this time he decided to try Halle (Gerry Weber Open). The transition to grass has always been difficult to the Spaniard, and this year is no exception. He was defeated in the quarter-finals by German Philipp Kohlschreiber. A little loss, perfectly understandable after the intense clay-court campaign and the emotional victory at the French Open.

"I have really enjoyed Halle. Now I'll have a rest after two months of hard competition", Rafa posted on FB.   

Second stop: Home, Mallorca, Spain

Nadal was begging for some time off. He told the BBC Sports after his defeat at Halle that he "played almost every match possible since Indian Wells". "It's better not to practice for a few days. It's time to rest with my family, friends, to relax," he added. And so he did.

Hanging out with friends

After a lunch with his cousins

 Beach time with friends and girlfriend Maria Francisca Perello (Xisca)

Third stop: Wimbledon, London

Rafa arrived in London on Wednesday and went to practice, just like any other player. On Thursday, he had a surprise for his fans and it had nothing to do with tennis. On his Facebook and Twitter, he announced he was learning how to play poker! The Spanish star signed a deal with Poker Stars and will represent Team PokerStars SportStars (that includes ex-tennis player Boris Becker) in online tournaments, advertising campaigns, and charitable events. The endorsement deal is valid for a two-year period and according to some sources is worth 12 million euros.

Fourth Stop: Getting ready for the Grass

June, 21- Morning practice cancelled due to rain. Nadal heads to the kitchen. :)

Multi-talented Rafa!

Friday, cloudy but good enough to hit some volleys. Practicing with Gilles Simon.

Later in the evening, Google + hangout with the fans. Time for some lovin'!

Saturday, practice as usual, this time with Stanislas Wawrinka

Football in the evening. Cheering for his Spanish fellows at the Euro 2012

Spain is in the semis

That's all folks. Hope you enjoyed the public weeks/life of a tennis player :)

(Images via Nadal's Official Facebook, except photos on the beach which belong to Rafaholics)

Pre-Wimbledon Party confirms Sharapova as Tennis's "It" Girl

Maria Sharapova is now truly the "It" girl of tennis. She's got the brains, the looks and the success on all fronts. Last night, she was the brightest star at the Pre-Wimbledon party, but she wasn't the only one to sparkle. Everyone, we mean E-VE-RY-ONE, was looking absolutely stunning. Take a look:

(Video via WTA)

Victoria Azarenka is a joker!

Victoria Azarenka is a joker, oh, yes she is! She made just one public appearance since her loss at Roland Garros to tell the world she got a new hair cut. And chose the day Maria Sharapova overtake her as world Nº1 tennis woman! Fans were stunned: "Really, Vika cut her beautiful long hair?", some asked. Others commented she was pulling some kind of stunt to joke with "Masha". From Vika, no answer or explanation whatsoever. Since then, zero posts on Twitter or Facebook, zero tournaments, zero interviews. Azarenka literally got herself off the radar.

Yesterday, Tennis Boulevard was anxiously trying to get some pictures of her at the Pre-Wimbledon party in London. At first, we thought she wasn't going to attend but then Boom! There she was! Boom! Same old long blonde locks! Boom! Looking gorgeous and happy!

End of story...she made us all look like a bunch of fools! But we enjoy a little bit of sarcasm too, so we forgive her and we are glad that she kept her gorgeous long hair and that she is back to play some kick-ass-tennis!:)

Is Vika following the footsteps of the Djoker? :)

(Images via WTA's Facebook Page)

Wimbledon: Federer and Djokovic could meet in the semis

Photo via Wimbledon's Facebook Page

The Wimbledon Singles Draw is now available. Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer are on a collision course once again, and could meet in the semifinal at Wimbledon. It's the 16th time in the past 21 majors, that the Serbian and the Swiss find themselves in the same half of the men's draw. Both will face Spaniards in the first round: Novak will play against Juan Carlos Ferrero and Roger will face Albert Ramos.

This means Rafael Nadal has eventually an easier path to the final. The Spanish has home hope Andy Murray, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Feliciano Lopez, Tommy Haas and Alexandr Dolgopolov as possible opponents. 

In the ladies draw, Maria Sharapova seems to have her way clear to the final. Her possible opponents are Sabine Lisicki, Jelena Jankovic and Angelique Kerber. Victoria Azarenka is on the bottom half of the draw and she will have Caroline Wozniacki on her course for a quarter-final clash.

Possible quarter-finals:

Men's singles: 

Top half of the draw

Roger Federer - John Isner

Novak Djokovic - Thomas Berdych

Bottom half of the draw

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga - Rafael Nadal

David Ferrer - Andy Murray

Women's singles:

Top half of the draw

Maria Sharapova - Angelique Kerber

Agnieska Radwanska - Samantha Stosur

Bottom half of the draw

Petra Kvitová - Serena Williams

Victoria Azarenka - Caroline Wozniacki

Maria Sharapova premieres new racquet bag at Wimbledon

Maria Sharapova will premiere her new own line of racquet bag at Wimbledon. "In-line with the tradition of wearing white at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, Maria will premiere her new white HEAD Tennis Racquet Court Bag on the grass courts at the Wimbledon Grand Slam", says HEAD Tennis in a press-release.

The brand, together with Maria, designed a "new bag series to satisfy women’s needs for functionality and style on the tennis court". This is the second edition of the HEAD Maria Sharapova Tennis Racquet Bag collection, which will come in white and gold colouring.
The new bags will hit the stores at the end of August, right in time for the US Open. Fans of HEAD Tennis on Facebook will then have the chance to win a special version of the bag, signed by Maria, says the brand in a statement released on Thurday.

(Images via HEAD Tennis)

Wimbledon: Tennis ladies party in London!

Pre-Wimbledon party is happening right now in London! Players are looking glamorous on their way to Kensington Rooftop Gardens in West London, a restaurant and event space owned by Virgin's Richard Branson! The WTA party is presented by Dubai Duty Free. 

For the second year, in partnership with the British Fashion Council, leading British designers will dress the WTA's stars, says WTA on its website. Maria Sharapova is wearing Antonio Berardi, accessorized with Roger Vivier shoes, Amrapali jewelry, and Alexander McQueen clutch.

Serena Williams is in a Burberry dress, while Petra Kvitova is rocking a creation by Alexander McQueen.  Mulberry made the gown for Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki is styled by her sponsor Stella McCartney. Ana Ivanovic looks stunning in Matthew Williamson and Li Na is gorgeous in a Giles Deacon.

Check out the latest pics from the players arriving at the event.

Sharapova wearing a Antonio Berardi's gown

Petra Kvitová looking gorgeous in Alexander McQueen

Ana Ivanovic with BBC presenter Sonali Shah (via Twitter)

Stunning Ana Ivanovic in Matthew Williamson

Caroline Wozniacki's sexy version in Stella McCartney

Serena's rocks a gorgeous Burberry dress

Venus Williams is all smiles 

Agnieska Radwanska (via her Official Facebook)

Agnieska Radwanska in Mulberry

British player Anne Keothavong 

Jelena Jankovic

Li Na in a beautiful Giles Deacon's dress 

French players arriving at the party

  

Sabine Lisicki (via her Official Twitter)

(Images via WTA's Facebook Page except Sabine Lisicki and Radwanska) 

Nadal chosen as Spain's 2012 Olympics Flag Bearer

Nadal is bidding to become the first two-time Olympic singles champion

Reigning Olympic champion Rafael Nadal will be Spain's flag bearer during the opening ceremony at the 2012 London Olympic Games. The announcement was made just a few moments ago by the Spanish Olympic Federation. The institution voted unanimously in Nadal over the other contestant, Regatta sailor Iker Martinez. 

For Rafa, this is "one of the happiest moments" of his career. In a message sent to fans on Facebook, the King of Clay said it's "an honor to be the carrier of the Spanish flag at the London Olympics". 2012 French Open champion had already expressed, on several occasions, that carrying Spain's flag would be "a dream of a lifetime".

According to Spanish newspaper Marca, the Federation chose Nadal due to his list of achievements, which include 11 Grand Slam titles and the Olympic title at 2008 Beijing.  Nadal is bidding to become the first two-time Olympic singles champion, male or female.

Other tennis players, such as Russian Maria Sharapova and Serbia's Novak Djokovic, have already been selected to carry the flag for their countries. Roger Federer will likely be Switzerland's flag bearer.

Nadal's message on Facebook posted this afternoon:

Sharapova shines for Samsung Russia

Samsung became Maria Sharapova's sponsor in April 2012, but the mobile phone brand waited until just a few weeks ago to released its first advertising campaign with the famous Russian blonde. The timing is perfect, no doubt about it: Maria just won Roland Garros, completed her first career Grand Slam and reached the Nº1 ranking position.

Although Masha's deal with Samsung covers tablets, television sets and mobile phones, the current campaign  only advertises mobile phones for the Russian market. 

Following the footsteps of other Maria's sponsors, Samsung celebrated her win at Roland Garros with a special advertisement. On Facebook, the brand left her this message: "We congratulate Maria Sharapova for her victory at the prestigious tournament of Roland Garros and for her comeback to the world Nº1 position! Maria, you are the best, we are very proud of you! Hurrah!" 

Samsung, as official sponsor of 2012 London Olympic Games, also created an ad with Maria for this event. The tennis star will be Russia's flag-bearer in the opening ceremony at the Games. 

Behind the scenes at the photo shoot: 

(Images: Samsung Russia and Elle Russia)

Wimbledon: Calendar and Battle for World Nº1

Roger Federer can reclaim the Nº1 ranking if he wins Wimbledon and Novak Djokovic doesn't advance beyond the semifinal. ATP World Tour created a table to show how tough the battle will get at Wimbledon for the top position in men's tennis.

If Djokovic makes it to the final, there is no chance for Federer or Nadal to regain the top spot. But if the Serbian only gets to the quarter-finals or the semis, Nadal and Federer could both retake the most-wanted position in the ATP ranking.

Wimbledon Championship begins next Monday, June 25. This is the tournament's calendar: