Fan Club: The good, the bad, and the crazy

Sometimes, being a manic fan can the most rewarding affliction in the world.  Waving the Swiss flag in 2006, cheering on Novak Djokovic in 2011 in mispronounced Serbian, raising a knee and fist in time with Nadal in 2010; all good.  At some point, though, things take a turn for the worse.  Supporting Federer now without losing your dignity?  It’d be easier to show more grace running naked up the street.  Vamosing on Nadal can’t be easy either, and yelling for Murray?  Well, who said that’s ever been anything but bad news?  But heartbreak won’t stop a true fan.  These are the people that admit they’re a little obsessive, that take the good times with the bad, and don’t stop being crazy for their player just because times are tough.  Chances are, we all have a little mad fan in us. Every week we take a look at one high-profile fan and analyze just how crazy they are...

Today you bring you a man who has sacrificed almost everything for Serena Williams, Diano.

The Short

Name:  Diano Eko 
Age:  31
Country:  Indonesia
Occupation:  Event Organizer
Twitter handle:  @tennis_updates / @diano_eko
Blog:  www.dianotennis.blogspot.com
Would take a bullet for:  Serena Williams

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Grigor Dimitrov and Serena Williams are besties

During Grigor Dimitrov's amazing 3rd round match against Tomas Berdych (his first top 10 win), there was a certain Williams sister spotted in the crowd cheering for him. 

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Video: Serena Williams and Gisela Dulko dance on water

Serena Williams loves to dance, so it's no surprise that while at an exhibition at the Abierto de Tenis Monterrey with Gisela Dulko, Serena broke out some signature moves as Enrique Iglesias' song  'I Like It'  was spun by the DJ.  Serena unfortunately had to pull out of Monterrey with an ankle injury, but I'm glad she's still there having a good time and entertaining her fans.

Video after the jump!

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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.

Fed Cup Superbowl XLVI Predictions

Serena knows what's upAre you ready for some FOOTBALL!?!

At the pre-Fed Cup press conference, members of the US Fed Cup Team:  Serena Williams, Christina McHale, Serena Williams, and Liezel Huber, and team captain Mary Joe Fernandez, were asked to make a prediction on this weekend's Superbowl by holding up the jersey of the team they thought would win.   Huber was the only one of the team that held up a New England Patriots Jersey (and by God I hope she is WRONG).  By the look in Serena's eyes, I think the New York Giants are a sure bet.

So the question begs to be asked - Who do you think will win the Superbowl this weekend?

Photo:  AP 

Aussie Open Day 8 Recap: Upset Monday

The Tennis Gods can't even help you today

Special Kei:  Kei Nishikori defeated number 6 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in a 5-setter to advance to the quarterfinals.  With this win he becomes the 1st Japanese man to reach the quarterfinals of the Australian Open in 80 years, and he also breaks into the Top 20 for the first time.

Stunned Serena:  5-time Australian Open winner, Serena Williams, who also was the last American standing, was dismissed in straight sets 6-2, 6-3 by number 56 in the world (and Steffi Graf look-a-like) Ekaterina Makarova.  It is the first time in 4 years that she has lost a match at the Australian Open and the first time she has lost to someone outside of the top 20 in OZ.  Serena said this in her presser,

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Aussie Open Recap Day 6

Rusty's on a rollThe old man's still got it:  Former number 1 Lleyton Hewitt, who has been plagued by injuries over the past few years, defeated the young up-and-comer and number 23 seed Milos Raonic in 4 sets, 4-6, 6-3, 7-6, 6-3.  According to ATP manager Greg Sharko, Rusty's wins over Roddick and Raonic are his first back to back top 25 wins since 2005.  I'm not even a fan of Lleyton but his reaction to winning almost (almost) made me cry.

Hitting a milestone:  Not a tennis milestone, (he already did that) but Nicolas Mahut turned 30 today.  His present?  A bagel and some breadsticks in a straight set loss to Novak Djokovic, 6-0, 6-1, 6-1.  BUT, he did get a cake in his presser, although he doesn't look too happy about it.

Best cocktail: 

Tweeted by @BrettHaber

Upsets: Vera Zvonareva [7], Marion Bartoli [9], and Gael Monfils [14].

Getting into character:  - Zheng Jie, "After my video, every player watch me don’t say hello, say Yo, Yo".  She also apparently "brushed her shoulders off" in her presser!

Last American standing:  Serena Williams.  Vania King lost in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 to Ana Ivanovic.

The 'Business End':  And with this post we journey into the Round of 16.  A lot of crazy good match-ups coming your way.  Get your popcorn ready folks.

Photo:  Reuters