Indian tennis darling Sania Mirza has always been surrounded with controversy. And this one is her boldest move.

Sania has confirmed yesterday that she is planning to marry former Pakistan cricket captain Shoaib Malik on April 11. Watch her video announcement here. NPR also had a story on how the love across Pakistan-India border can complicate the matters.

Indian right-wing nationalist protesters have already started their protests by burning an effigy of the tennis player in Mumbai on Wednesday.

Good for your Sania!  Be happy!

(Photos: Getty Images)

Charlie Ebersol is old news. So who is Maria Sharapova’s new boyfriend? Maria has been spotted recently with her rumored boyfriend Sasha Vujacic–a Slovenian basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers. The Los Angeles Lakers drafted him in 2004, and in 2008 he signed another three year deal worth fifteen million dollars. You can follow Vujacic’s on Twitter. Here are some photos of the lovely couple.

More photos after the cut… Read more »

The tennis world, except China perhaps, is anxiously hoping for a grand slam final between Justine Henin and Serena Williams. But before that Justin and Serena have to square off against Chinese opponents Zheng Jie and Li Na for a place in the final. Nobody from China has ever reached a grand slam singles final. So this must be a huge event there! Serena and Henin never played in a grand slam final against each other.  Who will be the ONE?

P.S. I love this photo. Both of them show Number 1. In Europe, when you do finger counting, you start with your thumb. Holding up your thumb means 1. I wonder how they do it in China?

Maria Kirilenko turns 23 today. Happy Birthday! Good luck at the Australian Open!

photo: wtatour.ru

Maria Sharapova asks for some good luck from monks in Thailand. Her luck will be tested soon at the Australian Open.

photos: mariasharapova.com

Former Russian tennis star Anastasia Myskina did a photo shoot recently with the OK magazine and gave a quite candid interview about her life. Here are some of the notable quotes:

About relationship

“I have been with my current partner for three and half years (who is also the father of her son Zhenya). We met at a gathering. Everything was logical and not romantic. I think he has never watched tennis. My husband is a businessman and he is quite far from any sports. I am not planning to say his name, he is quite private and I don’t see any need to publicize our relationship.”

About TV anchor job

I have worked as a football TV commentator for about a half year and, to tell the truth, I never felt comfortable in that role. I have never been interested in football, even though the players are interesting personalities. I like more commenting about tennis. Also, I am a co-host of the TV program called “Tell me, what’s wrong.” Along with a therapist, we help couples solve relationship issues.

(Source)

Ana Ivanovic knows how to enjoy life, AND how to take a vacation when you don’t have any vacation time. The solution is simple–lose in the first round of US Open and VOILA!!! Now you have two weeks of free time to enjoy New York City with your boyfriend golfer Adam Scott.

You can tell the media and the tennis fans are all warming up for the US Open. There is so much happening on the count-down days.

Maria Sharapova has unveiled her new fashion collection by Cole Haan. The three-time Grand Slam singles champion has debuted her Maria Sharapova by Cole Haan collection of handbags and footwear at the Rockefeller center in New York on August 28th.

More photos after the cut. Read more »

Apparently those two couples are still together. Regardless of what they say,  the photos say it better.

Serena Williams and Common attended the “Just Wright” wrap party at Greenhouse on August 25, 2009 in New York City. Serena must be emotionally in a good place, something which can help her secure the US Open title.

Remember them? Photo is as recent as it gets, taken at the US Open’s players party.