Photos: Rafael Nadal and Marcel Granollers Play Dubs at the Sony Ericsson Open

You looking at me?

I caught a little Rafael Nadal and Marcel Granollers round two doubles action at the Sony Ericsson Open.   The number 6 seeds Mahesh Bhupathi and Rohan Bopanna ended up prevailing over the Spanish duo, but I think I secured a solid win with this pics, no?  Enjoy! 

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Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal Play Soccer at the BNP Paribas Open

While I was watching Sam Querrey defeat Tim Smyczek on Stadium court, I was alerted via Twitter that there was a soccer match happening on the green that included Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Janko Tipsarevic, and Feliciano Lopez.  I tried to get there before the match was over, but unfortunately I got there two minutes too late.  Luckily for me (and YOU) @bellyflopz was there and provided these fab pictures of the game.   Rafa and Nole played on the same team, and as you can see from the pictures, there is absolutely no bad blood between these two.  The bromance is intact.  Enjoy!

(Click on the pictures to enlarge)

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Photos and Video: Rafael Nadal poses with Bar Refaeli in the SI Swimsuit Edition

Just in time for your Valentine's Day perusing pleasure, Sports Illustrated included a sexy shirtless Rafael Nadal posing with an equally sexy (and sometimes topless) Bar Refaeli in their 2012 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition.

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Rafael Nadal Skit: Fair or Foul?

Earlier this week, a comedy show called Les Guignols (translation: The Puppets) aired a skit where Rafael Nadal urinated into the gas tank of his car to fill it up and then was later arrested for speeding, with the not-so-subtle implication that Rafa's "doped-up" urine would have the energy to power a car.

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Reading room

Andy Murray's mom, Judy Murray, "sparks a row" in the House of Lords over a picture of the loo.  Seriously.

While speaking of Judy, her program Set4Sport, which is a program to help kids become more competent in sports with fun and inexpensive activities, just launched a mobile app!

If you are keeping up with the war of words between the Wozniacki Clan and ex-coach Ricardo Sanchez, he is now saying that that he felt "deceived" by Piotr.

Venus Williams made her return to tennis at Fed Cup over the weekend, playing doubles with Liezel Huber, but she still has a long road back to life on the tour since her diagnosis with Sjogren's syndrome.  "My life is going to be different, but I’m glad to know what’s wrong with me so I can get better."

Serena Williams has to make a hard decision about who will be her mixed doubles partner at the 2012 Summer Olympics.  But hey - it's never bad to have choices.

If Laura Robson leaves her career in tennis, she might make a decent rapper.

Bernard Tomic has withdrawn from the SAP Open to appear in court over traffic violations.

Rafael Nadal denies that he is shuffling around his money to evade taxes.

And to end on a lighter note, future tennis star, Micaela Byran, entered the world this week.  Congratulations to Bob and Michelle Byran.

Australian Open 2012 Men's Final: The Joy of Suffering

With great suffering comes great joy; although throughout the 5 hour and 53 minute long match of the Australian Open Men's final, fans could argue that great suffering only caused sweaty palms and stomach pains. 

Novak Djokovic fans suffered when he had and then squandered 3 break points, which if converted, would have allowed him to serve for the match in the 4th set.  Rafael Nadal fans suffered when he missed an easy backhand at the net which eventually lead to a break of serve and was later considered the point that cost him the match (although not by Rafa himself).  But more importantly, the players of this epic match suffered, with only passion to will themselves to the finish line to kiss (or bite) the Norman Brookes trophy before their burning lungs and legs could betray them. 

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Inside the Wilson Stringing Room at the 2012 Australian Open

The Wilson stringing room is a feature of the Australian Open.  With its large windows, the public can peer in and watch the world’s best stringers as they perfect their craft.  Kait O’Callahan caught up with one of the stringers, Jarrod, for a quick chat.

Is stringing your full-time job?

It isn’t my full time job, I actually run a tennis centre. But I string at the Australian Open and the US Open each year.

What qualities do you need to become a world-class stringer?

You need a lot of experience; you need to have strung a lot of rackets. You need to do a very consistant job in the quickest time possible.

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