Posts Tagged ‘Tennis’

Roger Federer to be a Dad

March 12th, 2009

He’s conquered the tennis world, now it’s time to pass a little of his expertise on to the next generation.

On Thursday, 13-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer announced he is expecting a baby this summer with girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec . This is the first child for both Federer and Mirka. The tennis champ is in Indian Wells, Calif., for the Masters’ Tournament.

On his official website, Federer writes:

"Dear Fans
I arrived in Indian Wells earlier this week and I am eager to get back out on court. My back is feeling much better and I am ready to go.

I also have some really awesome news to share with all of you: Mirka and I are excited to let you know that we will be parents this summer! Mirka is pregnant and we are so happy to be starting a family together. This is a dream come true for us. We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well.

Speak soon and thanks for all your continued support! Roger "

 

Well ladies, looks like Roger is officially off the market!

Serena Williams is a Closet Screenwriter

March 3rd, 2009

Serena Williams may be the number one tennis player in the world, coming off of last night’s win over her elder sister Venus, 28, in the single elimination Billie Jean King Cup at NYC’s Madison Square Garden, but she’s got other things on her mind besides her backswing.

"My dream of dreams is to write a screenplay," Serena, 27, told OK! at the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour U.S. kick-off luncheon March 3 in NYC. "I love writing. Venus bought me this book about writing screenplays so I look forward to doing that."

Serena, who dated X-Men director Brett Rattner from 2004-2005, won’t have any trouble getting connections in Hollywood–not that she needs the help. On Thursday, she’ll be a guest on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon in the historic first week of the show.

"I’m so excited. I love him!" the reigning U.S. and Australian Open champion says of Jimmy. "I’ve been a fan forever–I even saw the movie Taxi. He has a good personality. Comedians are always great hosts. It was really a no-brainer."

Also on the show alongside Serena will be Donald Trump and her pal Ludacris, who’s teaming up with Serena to launch a nationwide songwriting competition through the rapper’s WeMix.com site in search of an original song about Serena that will be used at tennis matches and other appearances.

Music’s become a hobby for Serena and her sister Venus Williams. "Venus is really into music and she’s really into writing," Serena says. "I play the guitar actually. Venus plays the guitar too, so we have a lot of fun with it."

The sisters might become the next Beyonce and Solange Knowles if they have anything to say about it. "I really love music production," Venus said during a Q&A at the Sony Ericsson luncheon. "I wish I would have gone to school for that. Everybody goes to school and afterwards they know what they really want to do."

If they do pursue music, it will be just another notch on their creative belts. The sister’s resume includes not only tennis, but fashion, acting, modeling and charity work.

"I see myself always being in the arts and being creative and definitely being involved in charity," said Venus when asked about her plans post-tennis. "And taking a long vacation once this is over. And staying off airplanes."

"We’re going to retire at the same time, right?" Venus asks her sister at the end of the luncheon. " "Yes," Serena replies happily.

By Laura Lane

Serena’s Game, Set, Memoir

September 16th, 2008

Tennis phenom Serena Williams definitely has a story to tell.

 

She’s only 26 and already has nine Grand Slam tennis titles under her belt, as well as a gold medal in the women’s doubles at the Beijing Olympics, so it’s no wonder publishers have been fighting for the rights to release her memoir.

 

An editor for Grand Central Publishing announced today that in 2009 they will publish Serena’s story of her rise to tennis glory.

 

”Serena Williams is one of the world’s most remarkable athletes,” said editor Karen Kosztolnyik in a statement. ”We’ve watched her rise to No. 1 despite physical and emotional setbacks, and her hard work and determination have inspired legions of fans young and old. Serena will give her memoir a strong motivational slant.”

 

We can’t wait to see how Serena serves it up!

 

 

OK! Interview: Maria Sharapova

August 22nd, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

While a shoulder injury prompted tennis beauty Maria Sharapova to skip this year’s Olympics in Beijing, she’s keeping busy and "absolutely" hopes to compete in the 2012 games

 

"It’s disappointing, of course, but I’m not sitting at home watching TV with popcorn in my hand and munching on things," she tells OK! at the launch of Canon PowerShot Diamond Collection Wednesday in N.Y.C. "I’m doing things that are productive and I’ve been able to do things that  I never have the chance sometimes to do, which has made the experience much more fun." 

 

The young athlete has many more years to compete – she’s only 21 – but even when it’s time to hang up her racquet, she won’t be sitting still. Fifteen years from now, Maria says she wants to be "with a family, relaxed and retired but meanwhile still running around, doing things."

 

Off the court Maria is known for her fresh look and sleek style. Her best beauty tip? "Less is much, much more," she advises.

 

While she won’t say whether or not the low maintenance approach has helped her net that lucky someone, she does confess that the right guy doesn’t necessarily have to have a killer backhand.

 

"Just like any other woman, I want them to be their normal self, I want them to have their own life and to respect the business that I’m in," she says.

 

Of course, a little practice on the court couldn’t hurt your chances.

By Valerie Nome

Serena Williams: Common is a “Great Guy”

June 5th, 2008 / Author: OK! Staff

Is it a love match between Serena Williams and Common?

She won’t say!

Though the eight-time grand slam champion has been spotted out and about with the rapper since the fall, she won’t give inquiring minds the satisfaction of a confirmation of a romance.

"I think he’s a great guy," Serena tells EBONY in its July issue. "He’s obviously a great artist who is timeless and classic. You can’t beat that. But I have to focus on tennis because that’s my goal in life."

But the 26-year-old, who suffered a shock elimination in the third round of the French Open last week, will carve out time to check out the movies, first and foremost, Wanted. It’s not because she’s an Angelina Jolie fan, but because of someone else in that film. Who? No other than Common.

"I’m really looking forward to seeing that film," she says.

Serena and Common first turned heads in November when they were caught getting a little friendly at her sister Venus‘ EleVen clothing line launch party.

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Venus is not the only one with the fashion bug though — Serena has her own collection, Aneres (her name spelled backwards), and plans to also spend her off-court time this summer working on an accessory line, which will hit boutiques next winter.

"It’s fabulous jewelry that I’m really proud of," she says. "Really fun small pieces at good prices."

So really, who has time to date?

For the complete story, pick up the next issue of EBONY, on sale June 9.

Fact or Fiction: Is Serena Williams Pregnant?

September 14th, 2007

At the beginning of last month’s U.S. Open tennis tournament, rumors began to swirl that Serena Williams, 25, and her longtime boyfriend, Jackie Long,were expecting. Serena’s dad, Richard, no stranger to controversy in the tennis world, added fuel to the fire when he tried to explain his daughter’s subpar performance against Justine Henin in the quarterfinals. “Serena has a few problems that we haven’t talked to no one about," Richard told reporters, refusing to go into more detail. “I think she’s done a marvelous job of hiding it. Extremely marvelous."

So… what’s the truth? Is Serena the Christina Aguilera of the tennis world? Well, if you believe her rep, who tells OK!, “Serena’s not pregnant,” it’s probably best to hold off on sending your congatulations cards… for now.

By Alisandra Puliti

Quote of the Day

September 4th, 2007

"I’m into old-school classic, all-white staples. I love what they do at Wimbledon. I’m actually a little bit of a snob about tenniswear."

— Ivanka Trump to New York Magazine

10 Sexiest Tennis Stars

August 27th, 2007

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