Some of the quirks and quibbles we’ve spotted off the court this week…
“I think I just played in the sweatiest WTA final of the year.”
A few takeaways from Laura Robson’s week in Guangzhou. It was humid, she had some enthusiastic support, she helped some tournament staff practice their English, and she even managed to download and watch Downton Abbey.
So that’s what he’s been doing…
LMFAO’s RedFoo was a veritable regular at this year’s US Open, spotted in player boxes, in the press dining room, in the players’ garden, and even out on the town with Victoria Azarenka. Well, it turns out there’s a reason for his new-found dedication to tennis. The band’s frontman is reportedly taking time out from his musical career to coach a Japanese junior, Ayaka Ofuna. Who knew?
You’ll also see him at the Party Rock Open, taking place next week.
Rafa the football fan
While he attends to his troublesome knees, we’ve seen many different faces of Rafael Nadal. Boating in Mallorca, lots of stretching, a bit of golfing, even attending an awards’ ceremony as Vanity Fair’s man of the year. But the world No.4 produced some expressions none of us had ever seen before as he watched Real Madrid take on Manchester City in the first round of the Champions’ League this week.
When height matters
Hopman Cup participants beware. You will come up against one of the tallest mixed doubles pairings in history when Venus Wiliams (6ft 1ins) and John Isner (6ft 9ins) take to the court in Perth next January. Venus will be making her Hopman Cup debut in what she thinks will be a “wonderful experience.” Venus is no stranger to putting it out there in the name of the team, having helped the Washington Kastles to yet another World Team Tennis win last weekend.
Speaking of Venus, she’s also been stepping out with a new beau…
What on earth…
It’s the photo-prank sweeping Facebook. And Juan Monaco and his trainer got involved during their Davis Cup tie in Prague. So. Real or fake?
Maria puts her stamp on Tokyo
A few days after being named the model Manhattan Beach resident, Maria Sharapova spent the morning with Japanese children at a charity tennis clinic in Tokyo ahead of the WTA tournament there.
In case you missed it…
Andy Murray got up close and personal with a canine fan during his victory parade in Dunblane. Maggie was not best pleased.
Credit to the fans, who came far and wide to see the US Open champion, bringing some rather creative banners with them.
Murray meanwhile is pushing to have a national tennis academy in Scotland.
Who really is the greatest?
The Australian Open is running a GOAT poll between Roger Federer and Rod Laver, and it’s not nearly as close as you might expect. Facebook’s younger demographic to blame?