Sergiy Stakhovsky Tweets Disputed Line Call At French Open
Siri Wouldn't Lie
Angered by a line call, Sergiy Stakhovsky pulled out his phone and uses it to snap a photo of the mark left in the clay by the ball at the French Open.
Stakhovsky of Ukraine set down his racket and briefly became an amateur photographer in his 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 loss to seventh-seeded Richard Gasquet of France in the first round of the Grand Slam tournament.
Stakhovsky plans to show the picture to the tournament supervisor in hopes of avoiding losing some of his prize money.
“I’m now expecting a fine, actually, so I’m going to go and fight,” Stakhovsky said.
Andy Roddick sues cancer charity
Only Prize Andy Ever Won
Andy Roddick is suing a children’s cancer charity for failing to pay him $100,000 after he agreed to play in a tennis tournament.
The retired tennis star is suing the Miracle Match Foundation for failure to pay him a $100,000 after playing in a charity match and doing a meet-and-greet last September. The suit says the foundation sent Roddick two $50,000 checks before the September event. Both allegedly bounced.
If the filing is accurate, Roddick agreed to perform a service for a specific amount of money, then performed the service and received no money. That’s simple breach of contract.
Things get even murkier when you read more about the charity. The IRS revoked Miracle Match’s non-profit status in 2010 after it filed its 2004 financial statement six years late. A Michigan television station reported last year that Miracle Match had a $377,000 negative balance for 2004 and donated less than $4,000 to “sick kids/family.” No money was given to cancer research.
A website for the Miracle Match Foundation says the charity charter was approved last year, giving it tax-exempt status.
The organization put on three events last year, featuring players including Pete Sampras, Chris Evert, Mats Wilander, Todd Martin and Roddick. At the moment, there are no upcoming events listed on the site.
Serena Williams tweets picture of swollen ankle
Ouch
No wonder Serena Williams made an early exit from the Australian Open. One night after her upset loss to 19-year-old American Sloane Stephens, the tennis star tweeted a picture of a severely swollen ankle.
Serena Williams hits herself in the face
In the middle of Serena Williams match against Garbine Muguruza Blanco, Williams ran across the baseline and tried to return a tough shot. Her racquet came up and caught her in the mouth as she followed through.
Jerzy Janowicz temper tantrum at the Australian Open
Tennis needs more temper tantrums. That’s why we’re thankful for Jerzy Janowicz and the Australian Open outburst on Wednesday that literally sent him to his hands and knees.
Vivica A. Fox Cheers Extremely Loud At US Open
TALENT
Actress Vivica A. Fox was at the US Open in a late-night classic cheering on Venus Williams and, according to reports from The New York Times and others in attendance she became extremely invested in the match as Venus pushed it deep into a third set.
Frequently during the third set, fans watching at home could hear a woman yelling out during points. It was Vivica.
One time she cheered so loud in the middle of a point that it drew a stern rebuke from the chair umpire.
“NO IT WAS NO. NO IT WAS NOT!,” Fox shouted at another shot that was called wide, according to the New York Times. Williams challenged and it proved that she was right.
It was all for naught, as Angelique Kerber defeated Venus in three sets, 6-2, 5-7, 7-5.
U.S. Open Tennis Referee Charged With Murder Of Husband
ITF Rules Do Not Permit This Behavior
Lois Ann Goodman, a professional tennis referee from Los Angeles has been arrested in New York City on a felony warrant charging her with murdering her elderly husband in April.
The district attorney’s office said Tuesday that 70-year-old Goodman was taken into custody as she prepared to work as a referee at the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
She was charged with murdering her 80-year-old husband, Alan Goodman, in their Woodland Hills home. Prosecutors allege she bludgeoned him to death with a coffee mug on April 17.
Goodman is in custody in New York awaiting extradition proceedings to return her to Los Angeles. Prosecutors said they would ask that her bail be set at $1 million. A warrant for her arrest was issued on Aug. 14.
She was charged with murdering her 80-year-old husband, Alan Goodman, in their Woodland Hills home. Prosecutors allege she bludgeoned him to death with a coffee mug on April 17.
Goodman is in custody in New York awaiting extradition proceedings to return her to Los Angeles. Prosecutors said they would ask that her bail be set at $1 million. A warrant for her arrest was issued on Aug. 14.
Rory McIlroy Drives Tennis Balls Into Tunnel
Golf star Rory McIlroy and tennis phenom Caroline Wozniacki have long been paired so leave it to McIlroy to combine the two sports on his off time. Fresh off his PGA Championship victory, McIlroy decided to test his swing in a wacky new fashion by hitting tennis balls with his driver at the Yale Bowl.
Maria Sharapova Hits Novak Djokovic In The Apple Sack
While filming a commercial female tennis star Maria Sharapova nailed male tennis star Novak Djokovic in the apple sack.
Nike Releases Roger Federer Limited Edition Shoes Costing $287
GOAT
Have your kids ever wanted to be like Roger Federer? Well, you can pick up those young tennis stars a pair of Nike’s new Roger Federer shoe called Nike Zoom Vapor RF.
For those of you sneaker heads out there wanting to be like Roger Federer, Nike has decided to release a special limited-edition pair of those shoes that will celebrate Roger passing tennis legend Pete Sampras for the most times ranked as the world’s number one men’s player.
“We’ll let the folks over at the Examiner explain the rest: To celebrate the occasion, Nike has put together a special colorway of Federer’s signature shoe, the Nike Zoom Vapor RF – which is a re-skinned Nike Zoom Vapor 9 Tour – that will be limited to only 287 pairs. The black upper will be complimented by gold accents all throughout the shoe and will come with a special box and certificate of authenticity that is signed by Federer himself. Each serial number commemorates a week of Federer’s reign and it looks like each shoe will come with a little news blip about that particular week.”
Andy Murray’s Emotional Post Match Speech
Andy Murray admitted it was “not going to be easy” addressing the home crowd after the Wimbledon men’s final. A native of Dunblane, Scotland, he fell short in his bid to become the first British man to win the Wimbledon singles title in 76 years, losing in four sets to Roger Federer on Sunday. Murray fought back the first tears, the ESPN camera panned the Centre Court crowd, and many fans had trouble holding back tears of their own.
Gilles Simon Says Women Shouldn’t Earn As Much As Men
Score One For The Jackass
French player Gilles Simon, who sits on the ATP Player Council alongside Swiss superstar Roger Federer, reopened old wounds when he insisted that women, who play best-of-three sets rather than five, should receive less cash than men.
And Federer is desperately hoping the dramatic re-emergence of the Grand Slam equal prize money row will not overshadow Wimbledon.
Federer, the world number three and a six-time Wimbledon champion, on Wednesday said: “I hope it doesn’t become a big issue during Wimbledon. It’s obviously a debate that’s out there ever since I guess the slams have made equal prize money.
“There’s nothing you can do anyway about it. It’s just a matter of who believes what, and then that is an endless debate.”
Simon, the world number 13, had criticised the move towards equality, insisting that the men’s game has more to offer spectators.
“We often speak of equal money, but I think it’s something that doesn’t work in sport,” said Simon.
“Tennis is the only sport today where we have parity even though men’s tennis remains more attractive than women’s at this time.”
Simon has also criticised the move towards more joint-tournaments outside of the four majors — last week, men and women played at the same event in Eastbourne and ‘s-Hertogenbosch.
“I am not against these tournaments, it’s just that I think that today men’s tennis is really ahead compared to women,” he said.
Simon also added: “When Rome became a joint tournament it was to save the women because I remember a final with 20 spectators”.
Simon’s remarks drew a stinging rebuke from compatriot Marion Bartoli, France’s top women’s player and the 2007 Wimbledon runner-up.
“Over the whole year, we are a long way from winning as much as the men — only in a few tournaments and Grand Slams,” said Bartoli.
“We are fully-invested as much as them. The physical demands, training, investment on a personal level are the same as theirs,” she said.
“The early rounds of men’s matches do not attract many people either. Players who really attract spectators in men’s tennis, there are only five to six.”
Former women’s world number one Ana Ivanovic was also adamant that women earn every penny they get.
“It’s always been talked about, but we are different physiques, as well. I think we earn our money. I mean, I was two and a half hours out there today,” said the Serb after a three-set win over Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez on Wednesday.
US Open winner Samantha Stosur also criticised Simon.
“I think there are a bunch of men’s matches that go five sets that are pretty boring to watch,” said the Australian.
“We deserve it (the equal money) because people want to come and watch us play.”
Women’s Tennis Association Aiming To Eliminate Excessive Grunting
Started It All
The WTA says it is working with Grand Slam tournaments and the International Tennis Federation to “drive excessive grunting” out of tennis.
In a statement, the women’s professional tour says it is developing a “sport-wide plan” to keep future players from grunting by educating them and instituting rule changes.
The WTA had said in January it was looking at ways to deter players from grunting, noting then that “some fans find it bothersome.”
WTA spokesman Andrew Walker declined on Wednesday at Wimbledon to provide specifics of the plan. However it does include developing a device for umpires to measure grunting during matches, and a rule to set limits on how much noise is acceptable.
Wimbledon Cameraman Falls Over
The biggest fall at Wimbledon on Monday wasn’t Venus Williams, who was knocked out in the first-round by Russian Elena Vesnina in straight sets, it was the BBC cameraman.
Serena Williams Is Now A Rapper
Tennis star Serena Williams has always prided herself on being a Renaissance women. So don’t be surprised that she is getting into the music business. Here is a cut off her new rap album.
Williams laid down tracks last year at B Major Music Group owned by Baltimore Ravens offensive tackle Bryant McKinnie.
Maria Sharapova Shows Off New Short Haircut
TALENT
Late Monday night, Maria Sharapova unveiled a new, short haircut on her Facebook page to rave reviews from her 7 million fans.
“So what do you guys think??” she wrote. “I kind of love it!”
Sharapova has mostly kept to the same hairstyle since making her WTA debut as a teenager in 2002. She’s favored a long ponytail and visor combination for much of her career.
Bar Refaeli Plays Tennis In Her Underwear
Underwear model Bar Refaeli has launched her own line of underwear and wanted to show off their practical by putting them through the rigorous test of playing tennis.
Advantage in
Bernard Tomic Requests His Father To Be Ejected
Bernard Tomic grew upset with a spectator during his loss to David Ferrer at the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and that spectator happened to be his father and coach, John Tomic.
Between games during the second set, the 19-year-old asked chair umpire Cedric Mourier to remove his father from the stands.
“He’s annoying me,” Tomic said. “I know he’s my father, but he’s annoying me. I want him to leave, but how is that possible?”
Andre Iguodala Compares Jeremy Lin To Black Hockey Player
Ball So Hard
Boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr caused a stir earlier this week when he said all the hype surrounding New York Knicks sensation Jeremy Lin was because he was Asian. Philadelphia 76ers forward Andre Iguodala listens to the Sports Grind Entertainment on iHeart Radio and went one further than Calvin Casey’s explanation of the Williams sisters to the tennis game and said Lin is like a black hockey player.
“Jeremy Lin is a good player but all the hype is because he’s Asian. Black players do what he does every night and don’t get the same praise,” Mayweather wrote.
Iguodala agreed Lin’s race, as he is the first Asian-American to start an NBA game, has factored in the attention he is receiving, but did not want to detract from what the former Harvard star was achieving on the court.
“When you see the majority doing it you say, ‘Ah, he’s been doing it since he was a kid. It’s in his blood, whatever.You see Lin doing it and you say, ‘You’re serious?’ It’s kind of like seeing a black hockey player doing well. Race does play a role in it but at the same time you have to respect it, that’s how I feel. You have to respect it whether you like it or not. It’s a feel-good story.”
Lin hit a game-winning three with less than a second on the clock against the Toronto Raptors Tuesday and then added a career high 13 assists against the Sacramento Kings on Wednesday.
His No. 17 jersey has become the league’s top seller, while Madison Square Garden Co.’s share price has soared to an all-time high.
Iguodala said the interesting thing will be seeing if Lin can maintain his success long-term.
“He’s only six games in the league. Game 30, game 40, that’s where you can kind of see where a guy’s at,” he said.
Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player: Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic
Every Tuesday Sports Grind Entertainment presents you with the Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player of the Week. This week the recipient of this prestigious honor goes to tennis star Novak Djokovic for winning the Australian Open after beating Rafael Nadal. They battled for 5:53 in a memorable final at the Australian Open as Djokovic won in five sets, 5-7, 6-4, 6-2, 6-7, 7-5. The match began Sunday night and ended Monday morning at 1:37am in Melbourne. It was the longest final at a grand slam in history and the longest match ever at the Australian Open. Djokovic has now won five majors and has won three in a row. His three straight finals wins have come over Nadal.
Congratulations Novak Djokovic you are this weeks Buffalo Wild Wings Blazin Player.
Australian Open Ball Girl Freaks Out Over Cricket
The Australian Open tennis tournament is currently going on down under and it provided us with this rather amusing moment during a singles match between Cedrik-Marcel Stebe and Lleyton Hewitt when a ballgirl was instructed to remove a cricket from the court.
Rory McIlroy Leaves Manager Chubby Chandler
HAM
U.S. Open champion Rory McIlroy has split with his management company. McIlroy, 22, has been with Chubby Chandler of International Sports Management since turning pro in 2007.
Chandler also manages Lee Westwood, British Open champion Darren Clarke, Masters winner Charl Schwartzel and three-time major winner Ernie Els.
“Onward and upwards. We have had a quite brilliant year,” Chandler said in a statement. “The company is growing and adapting to ensure it stays at the forefront of golf and the business of managing players. We wish Rory every success.”
It has been a year of changes for McIlroy who also split with his long-time girlfriend and is now dating Caroline Wozniacki, the No. 1 ranked women’s tennis player.
Tennis Bans David Savic For Life
We Don't Need Your Kind
Serbian tennis player David Savic has received a life ban for attempting to fix matches. The Tennis Integrity Unit says the 659th-ranked Savic was also fined $100,000 after being found guilty of three violations of the sport’s international anti-corruption program. The ban begins immediately.
He’s the second player to get a lifetime ban. In May, Austrian player Daniel Koellerer was the first to be banned for match-fixing. The 26-year-old Savic was found guilty of the same three violations of the sport’s anti-corruption rules as Koellerer, including “contriving or attempting to contrive the outcome of an event.”
The TIU has been set up on behalf of the International Tennis Federation and the ATP and WTA Tours.
Mary Carillo Calls Serena Willams Ass Clown
TALENT
On Monday the the people at the U.S. Open fined tennis star Serena Williams $2,ooo for her verbal abusing of chair umpire Eva Asderaki in the women’s finals. But in a national radio interview it was CBS tennis analyst Mary Carillo who did a little bit of verbal abusing as she ripped Williams behavior. Carillo likens Serena to “an ass-clown.”
“Serena doesn’t seem to understand how courtside microphones work. [...] She was surprised to know that all of that stuff she was saying to that woman was getting picked up. I don’t understand how she thinks that that stuff isn’t going out over the air. I don’t like bullies. I think they’re the scourge of the universe. [...] What happens in the sport of tennis is that there are no substitutions. The player has so much power on that court. If you throw her off the court, the match is over. It’s not like in any other team sport where someone is acting like an ass-clown and you can toss them out and the game continues. Believe me, tennis players have always understood how much power they have and they’ve pretty much always understand how much abuse they could dole out before they get in trouble.”
