Russian mafia’s attraction to the world of sports is nothing new. There are many examples how the Russian organized crime has successfully targeted top sports players, has socialized with them, and in some cases established businesses together. Most of these cases have involved hockey players, one of which is world famous Pavel Bure (Anna Kournikova’s ex-boyfriend/fiancé). However, after months of match-fixing allegations in tennis, AFP reports that US tennis legend John McEnroe expressed his concern that organized crime, such as the Russian mafia, could be infiltrating tennis. The outspoken former world number one believes that threats to tennis players or their families could be forcing them into throwing matches. Read more »

Forbes has just released the list of top-earning celebrities under 25. The top four slots of the 20 Under 25 list went to athletes. Basketball superstar LeBron James landed at #1 ($27 million), followed by NFL rookie Reggie Bush ($24 million), Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova ($23 million) and golf prodigy Michelle Wie (19 million). The rest of the list was dominated by actors and entertainers.

According to Forbes, the 20 Under 25 list of the Top-Earning Young Superstars examined earnings from June 2006 to June 2007. They included salaries, winnings, endorsement deals and royalties.

Sharapova, Serena Among “Most Searched” on Yahoo!

According to Yahoo!, Sharapova is not only rich but also “most searched.” Yahoo! has announced the Top Trends in Search of 2007 based on the billions of searches conducted by millions of Yahoo! searchers around the world. Top sport-related searches show that Maria Sharapova was very hot this year, and Serena Williams’ win at the Australian open, after a series of injuries, also made her a favorite of Yahoo! searchers. Maria took the second spot (after NASCAR:-), and Serena was the fifth. GO GIRLS!

Visit Maria Sharapova’s section on the site to see all the other TOP lists that Masha made. Has anyone seen Sharapova’s Pepsi commercial in the U.S. or Europe? Is it for Japan-only?

Gossip sites are reporting that U.S. tennis star Serena Williams is dating rapper and actor Common (real name is Lonnie Rashid Jr.). The new couple was spotted at Venus Williams’ new EleVen fashion line launch party.

The 35-year-old Common, who was linked to singer Alicia Keys, hit the charts on the number 1 spot earlier this year in the American music charts with his CD “Finding Forever.” You can currently see Common in the movie thriller American Gangster. You can check out Common’s new video “I want you” on YouTube. The video also features Alicia Keys and Kanye West.

Masters Cup, Shanghai - Andy Roddick to Novak Djokovic about his tendency to bounce the ball numerous times before serving.

“I could make like eight phone calls and order a pizza by the time you hit a service.”

Russia’s tennis captain Shamil Tarpischev has decided not to put charismatic Marat Safin on his team’s roaster in the upcoming Davis Cup final against the U.S.

Nikolay Davydenko will lead the Russian team which also includes world number 19 Mikhail Youzhny, Igor Andreev (33) and Dmitry Tursunov (34) for the three-day tie that starts on Nov. 30 in Portland, Oregon.

“There’s no point in drafting Marat to play the Americans. He only began training again this week after an extended break,” Tarpishchev told Reuters.

“But you can always change a player even just before the draw, so there’s is still a small chance that he would be in the team if someone’s injured or is not in top form. Marat might go to Portland anyway. He could be our secret weapon there.”

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“What souvenirs did your sister Venus ask you to bring from Moscow?”

“Just the trophy.”

At a press conference in Moscow, eight-times grand slam champion Serena Williams said she was extremely motivated and was ready to reclaim the world’s number one ranking.

“I definitely think I’m ready for it. I’m ready to dedicate myself. I’m excited by the fact that I have so much motivation.

That’s why I was so upset at the U.S. Open. I’m really motivated now, my whole attitude has changed.”

[…] If I didn’t believe I could be number one again I wouldn’t be out here trying. Will I? If I dedicate myself and do the work, I will. And I’m ready. But I’m not going to stop doing what I do. I’m stubborn. That’s a flaw that I have.”

While she accepted that she was very frustrated after the loss at the U.S. Open, she didn’t offer any apologies.

“I want to know what I said that was such a problem.” “It was what it was.”

A lot has been said and discussed about Serena’s attitude during the post-match press conference after losing to Justine Henin. What I really disliked is when she said “I really don’t feel like talking about it, to be honest. It’s like I don’t want to get fined. That’s the only reason I came (laughter). I can’t afford to pay the fines because I keep losing.” You hear these words and then you see Serena’s HP commercial on TV, reflect on her nearly 18 million dollar career prize money, (and I am not talking about the endorsements) and something seems to be wrong.

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