Watch Sloane Stephens Risk Life And Limb – She Got Knives Thrown At Her! [Video]
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 12th, 2015 @ 9:18 am
Sloane Stephens took a different route in her preparation for the Australian Open by allowing a circus magician “throw” knives at her in Hobart.
Here’s the incredible video (real or fake?):
Would you allow someone to do that
The 34th-ranked Stephens won her opening round match in Hobart. She made the Australian Open semifinals two years ago.
UPDATED: Federer, Ferrer Show Old is the New New; Wawrinka Also Titles
Posted by Staff on January 11th, 2015 @ 4:59 pm
Federer Beats Raonic, Records 1,000th Match Win for Title
Swiss Roger Federer defeated Milos Raonic 6-4, 6-7(2), 6-4 in the final of the Brisbane International presented by Suncorp on Sunday, in the process becoming the third player in the Open Era to win 1,000 matches. He joined greats Jimmy Connors and Ivan Lendl, and had Aussie greats Rod Laver and Roy Emerson on hand after the match.
“Looking back, it’s almost nicer …
Roger Federer Wins His 1000th Career Match! [Charts And Videos]
Posted by Staff on January 11th, 2015 @ 10:14 am
Roger Federer reached another milestone in his career becoming just the third player in the Open Era to reach the 1,000 match win plateau today. And Federer did it in fantastic style beating Milos Raonic 64, 67(2), 64 to win his first Brisbane title, 83rd overall.
“This is a special moment, obviously,” Federer said. “To receive this from you guys – I will never forget this match.”…
Tennis-X Previews: Sydney, Hoe-bart, More; X-Notes!
Posted by Staff on January 10th, 2015 @ 11:15 pm
APIA INTERNATIONAL SYDNEY
Sydney, Australia; Surface: hard
Men’s Seeds: Fabio Fognini, David Goffin, Philipp Kohlschreiber, Julien Benneteau, Leonardo Mayer, Pablo Cuevas, Jeremy Chardy, Martin Klizan
Men’s Floaters: Juan Martin del Potro, Nicolas Almagro, Vasek Pospisil, Sam Querrey, Bernard Tomic
Men’s Notes: Only one Top 20 entrant in No. 19 Fabio Fognini…Wildcards went to the wrist-hobbled former US Open champ Del Potro, and Aussies Sam Groth and Marinko “Mad Dog” Matosevic…(1) Fognini after a bye …
WTA Wrap: Sharapova Closes on Serena; Venus, Halep Title
Posted by Staff on January 10th, 2015 @ 2:46 pm
Sharapova Closes on No. 1 Serena After Brisbane Title
While world No. 1 Serena Williams was busy not winning the Hopman Cup exhibition this week, Maria Sharapova started the year collecting WTA Rankings points, on Saturday grinding out a win against fellow former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3 in the final of the Brisbane International in Australia.
With the win the world No. 2 Sharapova moved to within 681 points …
Federer Tames Dimitrov, Seeks 1000th Career Win Against Raonic In Brisbane Final; Berdych Baffles In Doha
Posted by Sean Randall on January 10th, 2015 @ 2:30 pm
It’s a new year but really some things never change, even in tennis. For example today, Roger Federer once again showed who’s boss hammering Baby Fed Grigor Dimitrov 6-2, 6-2 in the Brisbane semifinals.
Dimitrov, who’s 10 years younger than Roger, just hasn’t found the answer against the guy he’s copied his game after. I’m not sure he ever will, nor if he really wants to – Roger’s Team 8 agency …
Marin Cilic Withdraws From The Australian Open
Posted by Staff on January 10th, 2015 @ 1:21 pm
US Open champion Marin Cilic officially withdrew his name from the Australian Open. The Croatian has been struggling with a right shoulder injury for six months now.
“I am really disappointed to announce that I had to withdraw from the Australian Open,” Cilic wrote on his website. “Right shoulder injury, that hampers me for some time now and forced me to withdraw from the ATP event in Brisbane, is improving day …
Venus, Woz Final in Auckland a Gut Check for Both
Posted by Jeremy Davis on January 9th, 2015 @ 6:29 pm
Auckland has it’s “dream final” on Saturday when former No. 1 Venus Williams takes on former No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki.
The Woz is hoping to capitalize on her stellar play at the end of last year and win a first Grand Slam title in 2015. Venus is hoping to prove she can again be a regular title factor while dealing with the energy-sapping Sjogren’s syndrome.
For Woz, who has lost all five …
Roger Federer: I Prefer Playing Exos To Training!
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 9th, 2015 @ 10:23 am
Roger Federer admitted yesterday that he’d rather play exhibition matches and events – like the IPTL – than be stuck in the solitude of training.
“I think the XOs in India and at home for the foundation against Stan in Switzerland was good for me because it reminded me where my game is at,” Federer said Thursday in Brisbane. “It’s nice to play some competitive matches in a situation where you …
Despite The Loss To Karlovic, Novak Djokovic Says He Still Had A “Good Week” In Doha
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 9th, 2015 @ 10:15 am
Despite two losses yesterday, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic leaves Doha in good spirits. Playing in Doha for a first time, Djokovic fell yesterday to Ivo Karlovic in the singles quarterfinals and then later lost to Rafael Nadal in the doubles.
“Well, I had plenty of matches, singles and doubles, I think six in total, so I think it’s good,” Djokovic said. “Obviously I wish I could go further at least …
Isner, Monfils Withdraw From Auckland; Will The Frenchman Play The Australian Open?
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 9th, 2015 @ 10:08 am
Defending champion John Isner and Gael Monfils both withdrew from next week’s event in Auckland. Isner, who is playing in the Hopman Cup final tonight, wanted to prepare for the Australian Open in Melbourne while Monfils withdrew due to personal reasons, the tournament said.
Monfils may also miss the Australian Open. Tournament director Karl Budge said he was “unsure” if Monfils would play at the Australian Open.
Said Isner, “As much …
Novak Djokovic’s Restaurant Was Robbed!
Posted by Tom Gainey on January 9th, 2015 @ 9:48 am
According to Serbian reports, Novak Djokovic’s restaurant “Novak” in Belgrade was robbed of 7000 euros ($8.3K USD) earlier this week.
The theft took place in the early hour of Monday morning while the restaurant was closed. The thieves are apparently still at large!
The week didn’t go much better for Djokovic who lost twice yesterday in Doha, both in singles and doubles.
Australian Open Boosts Prize Money By $7M, Total Pot Now At $40M, Double From 2007!
Posted by Staff on January 8th, 2015 @ 11:50 pm
The Australian Open announced today that prize money for the first Slam of the season will increase by $7 million dollars, putting the sum total for the 2015 event at $40 million (AUS) which is double the purse of 2007!
Men and women singles winners will each get $3.1M ($2.52M USD) while a first round loser will take home $34,500 ($27.8K USD).
“Obviously this is not a decision we have taken without …
Andre Agassi: Kei Nishikori Is One Of The Few Players I’d Pay Money To See
Posted by Staff on January 8th, 2015 @ 11:28 pm
TimeTime Magazine ASIA features new tennis star Kei Nishikori on its cover this month. Inside, the magazine offers a lengthy profile on Nishikori, here’s a sample of what you can expect:
Andre Agassi tells TIME of Nishikori: “Kei is one of the few players that I’d pay money to see play. He’s one of the greatest shotmakers in the …
Djokovic Follows Nadal Out Of The Doha Draw; Federer Survives In Three In Brisbane
Posted by Sean Randall on January 8th, 2015 @ 2:02 pm
We are not even a week into the 2015 season and already we’ve seen a bunch of surprising results. First defending champion Rafael Nadal got bounced by qualifier Michael Berrer in his 2015 opener Tuesday in Doha. Then hours ago top seed and Doha debutant Novak Djokovic was stunned in three by Ivo Karlovic 6-7(2), 7-6(6), 6-4 in the QFs.
Meanwhile, last night Roger Federer struggled against someone named John Millman …