In Their Words: Aussie Open Interviews Days 1 - 4

Video of a ball girl afraid of a large cricket she had to remove from the court

Yeah.  Bugs fell on my back twice.  I hate bugs more than you can imagine.  I hate bugs.  Like, they kept jumping on me.  I just, Yuck!  So I'm going to request not to play at night anymore because I hate bugs, except for the final.  I heard it's at night, though.  I'll try to get used to them.

-Serena Williams on bugs

So everybody arrives late because they thought that I am late, no? (Laughter).

-Rafael Nadal on why people were coming into his presser late

Actually, I didn't get my coffee in the morning today, so I was really pissed off (laughter).  So tomorrow I'm definitely getting it. 

-Victoria Azarenka on being tired because she mised her coffee

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In Their Words

To me this is like Groundhog Day, I have been in this movie.

-Ivan Lendl on coaching Andy Murray

I've actually never liked sports, and I never understood how I became an athlete. I don't like working out. I don't like anything that has to do with working physically.

-Serena Williams on being a girly-girl.

I'm not that kind of girl.

-Julia Georges about potentially retiring in one of her matches at the ASB Classic

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Weekend Wrap Up

We have our first winners of the new year folks!  Here is how we rang in the 2012 season:

The Brisbane International:

As new coach Ivan Lendl watched from his box, Andy Murray bagged his 22nd title by defeating Alexandr Dolgopolov 6-1, 6-3 in just 66 minutes.

Unseeded Kaia Kanepi won her 2nd WTA title, defeating Daniela Hantuchova 6-2, 6-1.

Chennai Open:

Twenty-one year old Milos Raonic blasted 35 aces in a marathon 3h 16m match to win his 2nd ATP title, defeating Janko Tipsarevic 6-7 (4), 7-6 (4), 7-6 (4).

ASB Classic:

Zheng Jei aka Jay Z won her 4th WTA title, and her first since 2006, after Flavia Pennetta retired with a back injury down 2-6, 6-3, 2-0.

Doha:

It was an all-French final but it was Jo-Wilfried Tsonga that prevailed, defeating countryman Gael Monfils 7-5, 6-3.

The Week Ahead

Play is currently underway in Sydney, Hobart, and the Heineken Open.  It should be an amazing week, but the best thing about the week ahead......there are only 7 more days until the beginning of the Australian Open!!!

Let the countdown begin.

Reading Room

If you've been hiding under a rock........Andy Murray has hired Ivan Lendl as his full time coach!

Rafael Nadal, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and Gael Monfils brought in the New Year together as they sang to Coldplay.  It made me feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

After the New Year, Rafa enjoyed a candlelit date in Doha with Roger Federer.

Li Na helped raise awareness for Native Animal Rescue.  She is adorable when she says, "It’s my first time (holding an animal) and it’s one of the best experiences of my whole life."

Who does the Macarena to Adele?  Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki do.

In other Caro news.....check out this video of Caroline Wozniacki, her boyfriend Rory McIlroy, and friend John Isner riding elephants in Thailand!

Ana Ivanovic shares some inside deets about her romance with Adam Scott.

Serena Williams has no regrets out her most recent outburst at the US Open.

and last but not least.....

Brisbane International has a great Youtube site! Check it out!

Andy Murray Goes "Street"

Prior to the start of the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals,  Andy Murray went to a secret location to take part in a challenge by Adidas which launced the new Adipower Barricade 7.0 tennis shoe.  The challenge pitted Murray against the world's best player of Road Tennis, which is a cross between table tennis and traditional tennis and is played on the street.  Andy's good friend, former boxing champion David Haye also participated in the competition, and rapper Example was the umpire for the event.

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