Court Six: New York Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column (July/August 2011)
Fun facts about the stars
►Novak Djokovic took some time off from playing and attended the Cannes Film Festival. With his girlfriend Jelena Ristic by his side, he walked the red carpet and went to see the Mel Gibson movie, “The Beaver.”
►Billie Jean King was the commencement speaker at the Andre Agassi Preparatory Academy on June 1.
►Dirk Nowitzki of the 2011 NBA Champion Dallas Mavericks has signed up to play for the TG Wuerzburg tennis club in a local league near Frankfurt. The Mavs forward is a former junior champion in Germany.
►After years of being anti-Twitter, Mardy Fish finally joined. You may follow him @MardyFish.
►According to CNN, Maria Sharapova is “the most followed of her gender on Facebook with more than four million “Likes.” Impressive … but wait, there’s more. Her number of “Followers” has doubled in the past two years. She now has more than Serena Williams (489,814 Likes), Ana Ivanovic (350,499 Likes) or Caroline Wozniacki (241,826 Likes) … combined! As the story also points out, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer have around six million followers each.
►Dunlop balls have been used at all the major clay court events leading up to the second Grand Slam of the
year, but the French Open switched to Babolat balls. Players claim there is a significant difference between the two, with the Babolats being much faster and likely to favor power hitters who prefer hard courts.
►Tiffany, the legendary jeweler, has inked a deal which means Maria Sharapova will give up her lobe to the company who will (for the French Open, Wimbledon & U.S. Open) accessorize her ears with $3,200 diamond earrings.
►Anna Kournikova will be joining the cast of the hit NBC extreme-weight-loss show, The Biggest Loser. Kournikova will replace trainer Jillian Michaels, who is leaving the series. Executive Producer Todd Lubin told New York magazine’s Vulture that the show is “getting slightly away from just the tape measure, and getting into overall well-being and health. That’s where Loser needs to go.” Kournikova has appeared on the show before, taking the contestants through a tough cardio tennis workout.
►Pippa Middleton and her friends attended the French Open. The sister of the Duchess of Cambridge sported an effortlessly classic chic look to the star-studded match, pairing a basic black top with a black and white polka-dotted skirt. Pippa, an avid tennis player herself, sat on the Court Philippe Chatrier at Roland Garros, laughing with pals as Rafael Nadal defeated Croatia’s Ivan Ljubicic, 7-5, 6-3, 6-3. After the match, Middleton and her friends watched Robin Soderling’s straight set winning effort against Gilles Simon.
►Stepping out to watch one of the most prestigious events in tennis, Bar Refaeli was spotted in the crowd at Roland Garros during the French Open on May 27. Bar looked stylish in beige pants, a white tee, paired with a jean jacket and scarf and looked to be having a fabulous time during the match.
The tennis world’s thoughts on the Royal Wedding
►Bob Bryan was in London celebrating his and his brother’s birthday during the Royal Wedding. He biked and picnicked in Hyde Park and saw the movie “The Lincoln Lawyer” with his bride, Michelle Alvarez. But, he was a little annoyed about the attention the other big event going on in the city at that time was getting, saying on Twitter: “What? Who’s getting married today? No, it’s my day!!! I want attention!!!”
►Novak Djokovic said, “It was nice to see people respecting tradition and history in today’s Royal Wedding. Lots of love and romance.”
►Lindsay Davenport got up “WAY too early” to see the Royal Wedding. Was “fantastic,” though and Kate Middleton was a “beautiful, confident princess.”
Tennis tweets of late
When they are away from the court, the WTA and ATP stars are just like us …
They travel …
►Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki): I love Moncao … 🙂 Enjoying life … Heading to Brussels tonight.
They watch TV shows …
►Serena Williams (@serenawilliams): My favorite show EVER! 2hr. Finale! RT@EvaLongoria: Who is watching Desperate Housewives tonight! Season Finale tonight! It’s soooo good!
They eat sushi …
►Shahar Peer (@shaharpeer): Hi guys, I’m in Paris! It’s an amazing city! I love it here … had sushi tonight and now I’m going to sleep.. Layla tov 🙂
They sing karaoke …
►Serena Williams (@serenawilliams): Just ordered new karaoke CDs. I am about to have a heart attack! Cancel everything for today! Karaoke starts NOW!
They overeat …
►Justin Gimelstob (@justingimelstob): Through two meals in Paris … think I’ve gained eight pounds. Upon return from French Open, I might be eligible for The Biggest Loser!
They get manicures …
►Victoria Azarenka (@vika7): Done my nails to match my dress 🙂 important part of the style LOL!
They get lost driving …
►RajeevRam (@RajeevRam): So our driver at the French Open this morning has no idea where we are going, refuses to use the GPS and refuses to call someone.
They are ready for college football season …
►Amer Delic (@amerdelic): RT @JohnIsner 100 days till kickoff in the Georgia Dome vs. Boise. Go Dawgs (Can you please update us with the daily countdown? 99, 98, 97 …)
They cook dinner …
►Andy Murray (@andy_murray): First up tomorrow, early night required … May even stay in and cook for myself however might not play well with an upset stomach!
They get their hair done …
►Shahar Peer (@shaharpeer): At the hairdresser straightening my hair for tonight … Tali and Noam wedding!
They need time to relax …
►Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki): After the match, I had to talk to the media, had a massage, ate something and had a small meeting. Now back at the hotel chilling.
They exercise …
►Shahar Peer (@shaharpeer): Good night everybody! Waking up tomorrow morning for a run on the beach!
They get robbed …
►RajeevRam (@RajeevRam): Got my clay court shoes stolen from the locker room today!
They go to sporting events …
►Shahar Peer (@shaharpeer): Who is going tomorrow to watch Miami vs. Dallas?!?! MMMEEEE 🙂
