subject: Tennis Rumors and Gossip [print this page] Tennis Rumors and Gossip Tennis Rumors and Gossip
Kim dumps Andy: too much Playstation The bad spell continues for Andy Murray, this time also off the court. Welcomed as a hero at the Masters in London, the young Scot disappointed everyone by not even reaching the semi-finals.
It is perhaps why Andy decided to take refuge headlong into the parallel reality of video games, certainly a less stressful one.
A little too far for his historic fiance Kim Sears who has dumped him suddenly after a four years' relationship. According to Sears, Murray spends even up to seven hours a day on his Playstation, with a particular preference for the "Call of Duty" war game.
A true videogaming obsession. And so it is that the Scotsman's 2009 ends without an advancement in ranking and with one less love.
The young Murray had better puts aside his joystick and virtual wars if he wants to really aim for a 2010 of absolute leadership. His chances of reaching the number one are concrete; those of winning back gorgeous Kim's heart appear unfortunately far less realistic.
Ana restarts from Groenefeld Ana Ivanovi has decided to return full time into the hands Sven Groenefeld, a coach with whom the Serbian has reached the top of the WTA ranking and raised the 2008 Roland Garros trophy.
This is not the first change in the very troubled season for the Serbian who during the course of the year ended her collaboration with Scott Byrnes - who had been her conditioner for the last three years - and hired coach Craig Kardon, only to then part ways after only 4 months.
Then, in between the Eastbourne and Wimbledon tournaments, she had gone back part-time to the Adidas working group (Sven Groeneveld, Darren Cahill and Gil Reyes) "I feel rested and ready to start all over again. The most important is to stay injury free and train the best possible way.
I will work again with Sven and that gives me confidence on how well we worked together two years ago ", said the Serbian, which this year dropped below the top 10 in the ranking.
Muster and the battle of the sexes A curious exhibition was held in Salzburg: Thomas Muster, former ATP number one in 1996, is finally back on the court.
His compatriot Sybille Bammer, a mother tennis player currently number 55 of the WTA rankings was the one to pay for the comeback. For the record, the man prevailed over the woman for 6-3 6-2.
Justine warms up her engine Belgian Justine Henin is preparing for her return after an 8 months' absence from the courts by beating Flavia Pennetta 6-4 6-4 in an exhibition match. The match was valid for the final of the trophy of Charleroi in Belgium.
The Belgian had beaten fellow countrywoman Kirsten Flipkens in the semi-finals, there too with a double 6-4. Henin, 27, was set to play in another exhibition match in Cairo, against Russian Nadia Petrova.
Her official return to the WTA circuit will be in Brisbane in January. Other players can start shuddering.
Maria in Santiago: tennis and fashion Maria Sharapova has recently visited the Chilean capital to present some of her fashion items and to play in an exhibition match against a no less attractive Argentinean Gisele Dulko, so much so that the media have defined the encounter a 'Beauty Contest'. "I love designing.
I love the fact that it's very creative. The tennis world has opened up many doors in my career and I've been able to experience many of them and fashion is certainly one of them and I definitely hope that after my career I'll be able to expand on that ", declared Masha.
Jankovic in love in Italy After a season that was far from exciting and which saw her slide to number 8 in the rankings, Jelena Jankovic recharges her batteries and chooses Italy as her destination: the Ligurian Riviera to be precise. Why Italy? Simple, in Italy Jelena has found love: Mladjan Janovic, a waterpolo player for Rari Nantes Savona and for the Montenegro national team who has lived in Italy for several years.
At Abissola, in between walks on the Riviera di Ponente and excursions to Cote d'Azur, beautiful Jelena has no doubt been able to put the season that has just ended firmly behind her.
