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.

Click to read more ...

Video: Play Like Andy Murray!

Can you play all the way to the "ultimate level" in this Andy Murray video game?  Hilarious.

Thanks to Racquet Required for posting this!

Andy Murray Has A Pain in His Arse

Yesterday Andy Murray withdrew from The Swiss Indoors minutes before playing his first round match against Robin Hasse because he somehow strained his right gluteal muscle (medical terminology for his arse) while sleeping. 

I don’t know how I did it or what it came from.  I’ve never had anything like this before.

From the picture above it looks like Andy had a long night so I am not completely buying the "I have no idea how I did it" excuse, but hey......no judgement.    You know the saying, "Whatever happens in Switzerland stays in Switzerland" or something like that.

Feel better!

Photo:  Getty Images

Andy Murray's Funny Interviews in Shanghai

Andy Murray was THE MAN at the Shanghai Rolex Masters, where on Sunday he successfully defended his title, completed the Asian hat trick, and passed Roger Federer in the rankings as the new number 3 in the world.

During the course of the tournament, Andy gave a couple of pretty funny interviews that I think you will enjoy.  The first interview is the video above in which he had to chose between Ana Ivanovic and Caroline Wozniacki, Adele and Lady Gaga, and.....perfume and a tie??  Yeah, he didn't get that question either, but it sure gave him the giggles!

Click to read more ...

Twitpic of the Week: Andy Murray

Andy must be thinking, "Damn Neil [Harman], isn't anything private anymore?"

Apparently not....

Pic via ATPWorldTour