Best wishes Ms. O'Connor

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Happy Birthday and all the best to one of my favourite actresses Xena Warrior Princess alum Renee O'Connor who turns 39 today (and doesn't look a day over 30!).

Roger Federer visits Ethiopia

In honor of Valentine's Day here's a vid of Federer spreading some love in Ethiopia.

Just when you thought you couldn't possibly love the man anymore. Enjoy =).



Video courtesy of allineedisapicketfence blog

Roger Federer gets stamped in Austria

Roger shared this on his Facebook:

"I am on my way to visit one of the projects that I support in Ethiopia. But before I left home yesterday, the Austrian Postal Service presented me with a stamp. It was a nice honor".

Now that's what I call awesome!.

Martina Hingis to play WTT NY Buzz

ALBANY — Even in the cold days of February, mere thoughts of this Swiss Miss can warm the hearts of Capital Region tennis fans.

Martina Hingis, a 14-time Grand Slam winner, is coming out of retirement to play for the New York Buzz in World TeamTennis. And not just for a match, but the whole season.

The former No. 1 singles star will be the only designated WTT “marquee” player who will play all 14 matches for a team. She is expected to play both singles and doubles.

Hingis is the highest-profile player ever to play for the team since Martina Navratilova played for the Buzz two seasons in the 2000s. It’s a marked departure from last year’s team, comprised of all junior players.

“We are trying to establish ourselves in a way,” owner Nitty Singh said Thursday. “Right now things are tough. Right now you have to take a chance. … I had to take it.” Singh would not disclose Hingis’ salary for the season that runs roughly the month of July.

In 2007, Hingis, 29, retired for a second time following her being suspended for two years after testing positive for cocaine. (Hingis did not appeal, but denied drug use.) There’s a chance she will use the Buzz’ WTT schedule to gauge a comeback bid, a similar tactic used to success by Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin — and even Hingis herself after first returning to the game in 2005 following her 2002 retirement.

“There’s a spark,” Hingis said in a recent interview with The Associated Press. But she ruled out returning to the tour immediately because of travel. “If it was played in the backyard,” she told AP, “then I’d probably think about it twice.”

In World TeamTennis, much of the marketing appeal comes from “marquee” players coming to town. The signing of Hingis means the Buzz will have one for every match.

“I did not pick her up just because of the name,” said Singh, who made Hingis the second overall selection in a league draft of available players. (Andy Roddick went first.) “I picked her up because she will play like a champion.”

The Buzz — previously known as the New York OTBs and Schenectady Country Electrics before changing to the Buzz nine years ago, is entering its 16th season. After years in Central Park in Schenectady, and one season at the Washington Avenue Armory, the team will play at SEFCU Arena on the UAlbany campus for the second year in a row.

But out of their seven home matches, one — and it’s a huge one — will be played at Glens Falls Civic Center, and will feature Serena Williams coming to town. The tentative date in July 17. In addition to Serena Williams, John McEnroe will be coming to Albany for matches.

The league’s schedule is expected to come out in several weeks.

Source: times union blog

Can't wait, that's gonna be a lot of fun!.

Is it just me, or are people starting to mix Martina up with Roger Federer? . 14 grand slams?.

Um...yeah not so much although I'm sure Martina wishes that were true (as would all her fans).

Sometimes a little research can go a long way, just sayin' ;).

Memorable Martina Moment: Toray Pan Pacific Final 2007

http://www.guba.com/watch/3000036143/2007-Toray-Pan-Pacific-Final-Hingis-Vs-Ivanovic-Part-1

Ah....good memories. Damn how I miss Hingis out on court. I think I always will. Good thing she's playing some WTT this year :).

Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin cannot be the only ones helping to revitalize the women's game. Especially since they're not exactly playing full schedules.

Song of the Moment: Lady Gaga-Bad Romance

I can't seem to get enough of Lady Gaga at the moment. Those songs are so damn catchy!. *LOL*

World's awesome and weird benches

Benches, particularly park benches are another one of those every day items we take for granted. We just expect that when we are tired, have time to kill or our feet hurt, that there will be some sort of bench for us to veg out on.

So plop your firm buttocks on a hard wooden bench, and enjoy 31 examples of some not-so-average benches.

Wouldn't you rather stand, than look like a moron?

Cool tree bench.


Ah, you got punked son!


Finally, a good use for a snowboard (skiing rules).


Fancy.


For some reason all I can think of is Poltergeist 2, with that braces scene.




Mr. Sandman, , bring me a dream (bung, bung, bung, bung) Make him the cutest that I've ever seen...


Oh, sleek.


Rude, but funny.




This one is awesome.




For the very large.










For the very tall.


For the very lazy.


This one is cool. Reminds me of something you would see in the Shire, but that's only because I am a nerd.


Bike rack and bench.


Not very practical, but it's cool.




This one rolls so that you can expose the clean side... As if park benches have a clean side.


I think these swing.




In case you ever wanted to sit on a bench with John Lennon. I'm more of a Ringo Starr kind of guy.


No, skaters won't grind on this all day.




See my first comment.


Sources: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Original source: neatorama via nowthatsnifty

Kim Clijsters vs Serena Williams exhibition rematch

New York, NY (Sports Network) - World No. 1 Serena Williams and former top- ranked star Kim Clijsters will meet in an exhibition tennis match at Madison Square Garden on March 1.

The reigning Australian Open and Wimbledon champion Serena and reigning U.S. Open titlist Clijsters will meet in a rematch of their U.S. Open semifinal from last year, which came to an abrupt end when Serena lost on a penalty point after berating a line judge at Ashe Stadium.

Clijsters went on to capture the U.S. Open, while the 12-time major champion Serena wound up being fined a record $82,500 and placed on two years probation at Grand Slam tournaments.

The BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup in New York will also feature a semifinal match between French Open champion Svetlana Kuznetsova and seven-time Grand Slam titlist and 2009 Wimbledon runner-up Venus Williams.

The $1.2 million one-day event will feature three matches, a pair of one-set semifinals and a three-set final at MSG.

Source: TSN

Kim Clijsters and daughter Jada get Barbie-fied

A one-of-a-kind Barbie doll modeled after reigning US Open champion Kim Clijsters was unveiled on Wednesday during the opening day of the world’s largest toy fair in Nuremburg, Germany.

The doll has been sculpted in the likeness of Kim Clijsters with her golden blonde hair, accented with light blonde highlights, pulled back in a low ponytail, while wavy curls frame her face.

“When I was a young girl I played with my Barbie dolls all the time and took them with me everywhere I went. I am therefore deeply honoured and humbled as I today join the ranks of iconic women who represent Barbie’s aspirational values,” said Clijsters.

She wears a tennis ensemble inspired by the one she wore when she won the final of the US Open in 2009. Created of authentic Fila fabric, the ensemble includes a miniature re-creation of Kim Clijsters’ top and skirt. She wears a silvery necklace with clear Swarovski® crystal. Also included are real socks, and tennis shoes that sport the Barbie® silhouette and logo graphics.

Her racquet features authentic tennis grip and Barbie® logo; the ball is authentic tennis-green. The proud symbol of her accomplishment, a genuine pewter replica of the US Open trophy is included.

The doll also comes with a miniature version of Kim Clijsters’ daughter, Jada. This tiny doll charms with golden blonde curls, styled in a cute and playful look. Jada wears a re-creation of the actual outfit she wore on the day her mother became the US Open champion. The pants and black and white striped top, created of single knit, were meticulously designed to match the original.

“My family means everything to me, so I was really excited when I found out that Jada would also receive her very own “Jada” Barbie doll. This is something that is very special to me and my family and we will cherish it for life,” added Clijsters.

The dolls will be showcased in Mattel’s showroom at the Nuremburg Toy Fair from February 4-10. As the dolls are one-of-a-kind and made exclusively, they will not be sold at retail.

Source: onthebaseline

Awww, cute! even though the Kim doll looks nothing like her *lol*. Her daughter does though.

Martina Hingis Schweizer Illustrierte photos

Earlier this week I posted a translation with snippets of Martina's interview with Schweizer Illustrierte.

Along with some behind the scenes pics from the photoshoot.

Hilarius a kind member of the hingis.org messageboard has posted scans with the official pics from the magazine. Enjoy ;).

Red definitely suits her :)

The last pic is of Martina and her boyfriend Andi. Rumor is that the two are engaged :). They certainly make a cute couple.

Kim Clijsters to play at Roger's Cup in August!

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Former Rogers Cup champions and world No. 1's confirm their participation in this summer’s tournament

After each of the Top 10 players confirmed their entry into the 2010 Rogers Cup presented by National Bank in December, Kim Clijsters and Ana Ivanovic have added their names to the impressive list of players who will be at Uniprix Stadium in Montreal from August 13-22.

“We are thrilled about the addition of these two great players, former Rogers Cup champions and former World No. 1’s to our tournament and their participation further confirms the popularity as well as the prestige of our event in the eyes of the players,” said Rogers Cup Tournament Director Eugène Lapierre. “Combined with the announcement last December of the Top 10 players all confirming their presence in Montreal, we believe our loyal fans are in for quite a show in August. We already feel the excitement in our ticket sales.”

Clijsters, crowned Rogers Cup champion in 2005, is currently ranked No. 15 on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour rankings following a remarkable return to the sport last summer after the Belgian former World No. 1 stepped away from the game for 18 months to start a family.

The hiatus proved beneficial for Clijsters who, in just her third tournament back, won her second Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open last September.

She became the third mother in women’s tennis history to win a Grand Slam title (R.L. Chambers – Wimbledon 1914; Goolagong Cawley – Wimbledon 1980).

Clijsters and Ivanovic are being added to an already stellar field for 2010 which boasts the Top 10 players in the world including both Williams’ sisters, Dinara Safina, Elena Dementieva and Caroline Woznacki.

Following a tournament schedule restructuring in 2009 under the new roadmap, the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour now counts five “Premier” events on its calendar including the Rogers Cup presented by National Bank. In 2009, the top 25 players in the world played the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

Source: ladydragon.com

Awesome news!.

Kim has always had great success at this tournament. I just hope the players don't canel right before the tournament as has been the case in the past couple of years.

Martina Hingis to join World Team Tennis!

Martina Hingis can't help but contemplate yet another comeback when she sees the success Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin are having after being away from tennis.

"There's a spark," Hingis said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press.

But she also said she would rule out the possibility of a return to the tour "at this point," primarily because of all the travel.

"If it was played in the backyard," Hingis said from her home in Switzerland, "then I'd probably think about it twice."

The five-time Grand Slam singles champion and youngest woman to be ranked No. 1 retired for the second time in 2007, when she was given a two-year suspension for testing positive for cocaine. Hingis denied taking the drug but did not appeal the ruling.

That ban ended Sept. 30, and the 29-year-old Hingis is eager to get the chance to play more tennis this year: She has committed to a full season of World TeamTennis, the coed league founded by Billie Jean King and heading into its 35th season.

Hingis will be picked by a team in the marquee player draft Feb. 11. Other top names in the draft include the Williams sisters, John McEnroe and Maria Sharapova, although they're going to be playing only one to five matches, while Hingis is slated for all 14 in the regular season.

In 2005, Hingis used World TeamTennis to help prepare for her first comeback. Clijsters also played in the WTT last year as a way to warm up before getting back on tour after more than two years away while getting married and having a baby.

For Clijsters, that return was as successful as could be: She won the championship at the 2009 U.S. Open, the very first Grand Slam tournament — and only third event overall — of her return. That helped prompt another Belgian, Henin, to come back, too, and she managed to reach last weekend's Australian Open final at her first Grand Slam tournament in two years.

"It's great to see them dig deep and come back that well. I don't know if I could handle it," Hingis said.

She watched more of this Australian Open than she has in years.

"Of course it makes you think. Tennis was all my life, and the most natural thing is that it makes you think. It would be sad if it didn't make me think, don't you think?" Hingis said.

"Tennis is still my life. Well, part of it," she continued. "But my life is very comfortable, on the other hand. Tennis gave me a lot of things and sometimes you have to put things behind. It's a lot of sacrifice, as well. I wouldn't want to risk it anymore."

She originally quit tennis in 2002 because of foot and leg injuries. When she rejoined the circuit full time in 2006, she reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals, won two smaller tournaments and made it to No. 6 in the rankings.

"It has been awhile since I have seen her play, but Martina did ask me a few years ago if I thought she still had what it took to win on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour today. I think she still knows what it takes to win and is committed to the task at hand," said King, who won 12 Grand Slam singles titles. "With her talent and a renewed commitment, she could do very well. She may not be as powerful as some players, but she knows how to make the most of any point."

At the height of her powers, Hingis was brilliant at controlling exchanges and working every angle. Nicknamed "The Swiss Miss," she became the youngest major champion of the 20th century when she won the 1997 Australian Open at 16, and later that year she moved up to No. 1 in the rankings. She went on to win Wimbledon and the U.S. Open that season, too, coming within a loss in the French Open final of a calendar-year Grand Slam.

"What I miss is probably ... the winning moments — when you hold up the trophy and you know you are the best in the world and you end up winning Grand Slams. That is probably the moment an athlete is most happy," Hingis said.

"You miss that, but you know that getting to that point takes a lot of years, a lot of hard work, a lot of practice. It doesn't come from heaven," she added. "You never forget how much work, how much pain, you go through to get there."

Source: Yahoo News via Associated Press

I remember reading about this a lot last year (back when it was still a rumor). I guess now it has been officially confirmed (yay!).

That's very good news, it'll be quite a treat seeing her out on court again even if it's not on the women's circuit.

Since she's clearly not going to play on a full time basis anymore. This is definitely the next best thing!. I just hope the event will be televised.

Martina Hingis, tennis star, horse rider and model?

Gotta love the "Flashdance" influence :) and I love the bangs!

SI: Martina Hingis, you have been working together recently with the modeling agency "option". Will you now start a catwalk career?

Me on the catwalk? For that I do not have the right mass and I'm not big enough, with 1.70 meters. The main purpose is to have fun.

This job is not quite so new for you?.

Yes, I have previously worked with greats such as Annie Leibovitz, Helmut Newton, and Michel Comte. I feel good and happy to flirt with the camera, which is a prerequisite for the job. And above all, one can learn a lot when you work with such professional people.

"Option" chief, Ursula Knecht referred to you as extremely photogenic. What attracts you to the model job?

To see how we can transform a person. Probably every girl dreams of, being a model, I'm no different. It's nice when people see me in something different not just a tennis skirt.

Which campaign would you advertise the most?

I would imagine, a cosmetics line, or a fine chocolate brand to represent - I love chocolate! Not for bikinis, my thighs and backside are too muscular. If one of the great designers such as Dior and Dolce & Gabbana knocked, I would not say no.

What the former tennis queen says to Nackaufnahmen about posing in Playboy, living with friend Andi and her family, check out the Schweizer Illustrierte No. 5, 1 February.

Author: Alejandro Velert

Source: schweizer-illustriete.ch translated with Google edited by me.