Maria Sharapova will be playing Nike Knockout event on August 25th in New York City.  According to the organizers, it will be a star-studded event with the participation of the biggest names in tennis with the hottest celebrities in entertainment for head to head doubles. The event will feature Serena Williams, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, Rafael Nadal, Victoria Azarenka, John McEnroe, Madison Keys and more. There will also be live-streaming.

WHAT? It is not OK to kiss Rafa Nadal? Apparently not! 23-year-old Noam Aorta was arrested at the U.S. Open after running on the court at Arthur Ashe Stadium and giving Rafael Nadal  a nice smooch.“For me, it wasn’t a problem. The guy was really nice,” Nadal said. “He said, ‘I love you,’ and he kissed me.” The kiss might not come cheap to the fan. He faces one year in jail and $5,000 fine for rushing the court. Check out the video here.

Roger Federer interview
Wimbledon Final, July 5, 2009.

Q. How hard was that compared to other finals you have played here?

ROGER FEDERER: It was difficult, because I thought Andy played great. You know, I mean, I’m obviously ?? I know how it is to play a Wimbledon final. I know how it is to play a fifth set in the final, in a Wimbledon final.

But it felt different. It was so different to what I experienced the last few years with Rafa, you know, where it was a baseline game. Today it was a serve and return game, which is more classical for grass.

Read more »

I really appreciate when celebrities use their name and power to do charitable work and get involved in humanitarian causes. The Guardian reports that the world number one Rafael Nadal is planning to open a tennis school in the southern Indian state of Andhra Pradesh. The school will be a joint venture between the Rafael Nadal Foundation and Fundacion Vincente Ferrer, the Spanish arm of India-based non-governmental organisation Rural Development Trust. Thanks Rafa!

One of the biggest upsets in the tennis history. World number 1 Rafael Nadal has lost to 24-year-old Swedish Robin Soderling’s 6-2, 6-7 (2), 6-4, 7-6 (2). Unbelievable. His first loss EVER in Roland Garros. Read more in detail about it here.

What is it about the Australian Open that makes Roger weep like this?

————Transcribed interview provided by The Australian Open.

Q. Could we have your thoughts on the match.

ROGER FEDERER: Yeah, I thought it was a good match. But, no, I mean, I think I had, I guess, many chances. You know, I mean, I was up a break in the first twice. Yeah, I mean, I had many chances. I missed them, you know, and they cost me dearly.

It was a tough match. I don’t think I served particularly well, unfortunately. And I think that was the key to the match in the end.

Q. When you’re not serving well, what kind of things are going through your mind to try to get back?

ROGER FEDERER: Well, just hang in there. I mean, I won a set against Rafa serving, what, 30% first serves. You know, I mean, it’s makable. I got a great second serve. Very reliable normally. I hit some stupid double?faults, but that’s going to happen in a five?set match usually.

But, no, I mean, I tried to kind of get the grip on my serve, but never really found the rhythm, which was a pity. You know, but it happens.

Q. Can you take us through your emotions.

ROGER FEDERER: I mean, I fought hard, you know. I mean, I think I played well. I’m happy with where my game’s at. I wish my serve would have been better, but that’s something that sometimes is a bit, you know, day?form issue, you know.

I have a completely different type of serve than Rafa. You know, he makes sure he gets it in; I try to go and chase the lines. So obviously you’re always going to miss a few.

But, look, I mean, I love this game. It means the world to me, so it hurts when you lose. Read more »

Russian Ria news agency reports that Rafael Nadal will be a guest of honor at the gala opening of a Millionaire Fair in Moscow from Nov. 27 to 30.

He is invited by Vitaeibiza Homes, a company specializing in green homes. The company will also be building a luxury villa for Nadal on the southern island of the Balearic archipelago.

Why is Rafa mingling with millionaires? Because he IS a millionaire. He made $6,7 million this year, and that is only in career money. I wonder how much he is making for that appearance. Or maybe he is getting a nice discount on his house?

Sports Illustrated this week features Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on its cover, calling their five-set Wimbledon final is “the greatest tennis match ever played,” and “a four-hour, 48-minute infomercial for everything right and virtuous about tennis….”

Pacific Life Open photos.