Quote of the Day: Rafa on Andy

He has just proved in these last few months that he can win the big tournaments, whoever is in his way. He is a massive talent, with a complete game and both an aggressive shot and a containing shot. He makes it all look so easy.

- Rafael Nadal on Andy Murray's progress this season

Agreed - his game has a sneaky quality to it. Andy lulls his opponents and then strikes with devastating effect. He no doubt has a few Grand Slams in his bright future.

(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Rafisca arrive in Paris, stylishness in tow

Following Andy Roddick + Nikolay Davydenko's lead, an argyle-happy Rafael Nadal was spotted with girlfriend Xisca Perello arriving in The City of Lights for the Paris Masters this week.

I have to say Rafisca make a very fine looking couple. They're easily the most stylish couple in tennis right now - I'm loving all the browns, greys, and blacks in their outfits and the dueling scarves. Yummy.

Plus, they both have a relaxed elegance about themselves. Could it be they're actually comfortable in their own skins? Say it isn't so!

Later that evening, Rafisca changed outfits and headed out for an intimate dinner...

Thanks to DtL reader Maja for the tip!

(images by ELIOT PRESS via BauerGriffinOnline.Celebuzz.com)

Fed to play Davis Cup opening round next March - US fans happy, US team sad

Roger Federer confirmed he will be taking part in the next season's Davis Cup opening round here in the US on his website today:

Dear Fans,

After making it back to the world group for 2009, I have decided to play the first round tie of Davis Cup in the USA in March. I am excited to once again join my fellow Swiss teammates, who I have a great friendship with, and I look forward to what I am sure will be a tough weekend.

All the best,

Roger

Yay! This is great news for US fans but probably not the best news for the US team, however. Fed could single-handedly (and I mean that literally) defeat the team even on their home turf.

Oh well - that won't stop me from being there!

(image via Getty)

+ MONDAY NETCORDS: Marat may retire...Elena in waiting...Getting to know Petra

(Elena Dementieva, Luxembourg)

LINKS

Safin on the slide, may quit [BBC]
Is Dementieva due? [ESPN]
More "out" balls are in than "in" balls are out [NBC Sports]
Petra Kvitova who? [WTA]
Ad-In, Ad-Out [SI]


BLOG TALK

JJ meets and greets [WTA Tennis Blog]

(image via Getty)

Quote of the Day: Agent Godsick on Fed

For him, it can’t all be serious. Off the court he is just a kid.

- Roger Federer's agent, Tony Godsick, on the Swiss' focus for 2009

What a strange way to think about Fed. Somehow I can't picture him pulling practical jokes, going to keggers, or playing Guitar Hero II with his buddies (though feeding the Basel ball kids pizza is an interesting start.)

But if he does any of the above and anyone has pictures, send 'em along. Proof is always in the puddin' people.

(image via Getty)

Federico Luzzi dies of leukemia at Arezzo hospital, Rafa pays tribute

This weekend was striking for its series of sad news and the tennis world wasn't spared.

Italy's Federico Luzzi passed away on Saturday in a hospital in Arezzo from leukemia. He was 28. The baller retired from an Italian league match last weekend complaining of a fever.

Earlier this year, Federico was suspended for 200 days and fined $50,000 for betting on matches.

World no. 1 Rafael Nadal paid tribute to Federico:

I’d like to take a minute to send my condolences and a big hug to the family of Federico Luzzi. He will be buried today after passing away 2 days ago.

To me, it was quite difficult to believe the news, I knew it wasn’t a joke but at the same time I didn’t want to believe it was true. I got to train with Federico a few times and I remember him as a great person, fun to be with and very Italian.

All of us who are here in Paris have been talking about it and all of us are in shock and very upset.

One of us is gone, someone who was part of our tennis family.

Federico, wherever you are, I hope you're resting in peace.

Rafa

(image via Getty)

Serena won't be writing so much anymore - how will we be entertained now?

Serena Williams' surfing vacation with boyfriend Common has ended and the US Open champ is back on dry land according to her blog.

Apparently, ReRe's fans clued her into why her posterior is so picturesque but that wasn't the only news:

Thanks for all the answers when I asked why do people always talk about my a$$.... Lol I understand now!

I am revamping the website so we may be down for a few days! We r adding lots of video behind the scene things as well as video blogs as I was never too good at sending written blogs!

Say what? No more badly written blogs that could've been written by a third grader?? I might actually miss them - I know, crazy. But if these vlogs are as good as her Rome love letter, my need for entertainment will be fulfilled.

(image via Getty)

JJ keeps keys to WTA Penthouse, will end year as top-ranked lady baller

Big props go out to Jelena Jankovic who will own the keys to the WTA Penthouse this year, the WTA announced. The slidin' Serb won three matches in a row this fall before her second round defeat in Zurich which helped her hold off Dinara Safina and Serena Williams for the top spot.

JJ has won four titles this year (Rome, Beijing, Stuttgart, Moscow), more matches than any other player on Tour this year - 63 wins against 17 losses so far - and has reached the quarterfinals or better at 19 of her first 21 events, her only early round losses coming at Wimbledon (fourth round) and Zurich (second round).


Well, that takes away some of the drama from what the year-end championships should be about. And if she thought there was pressure on her before to win a major, she ain't seen nothing yet.

Clearly JJ has begun believing she belongs at the top, but now this belief needs to translate into confidence during the tight moments at a Grand Slam. It remains to be seen whether the US Open finalist can pull it out.

But in any case, congrats JJ!!!

(image via Andre Springe, Getty)

WEEKEND WINNERS: Fed, Andy, Robin, Ana, Elena

Roger Federer - Basel

The tourney's homeboy made it three titles in a row Sunday when he dismissed nemesis David Nalbandian 6-3, 6-4 in 70 minutes increasing the pair's head-to-head 10-8 in favor of Fed. Although Basel is a smaller tourney, this win over a baller who has given the Swiss maestro fits in the past in front of his home crowd should give him added confidence. The 27-year old will now travel to the Paris Masters where he will be playing his third consecutive tourney after taking a self-imposed break from the ATP Tour to rest - I suppose he got the recovery he needed, eh?

Andy Murray - St. Petersburg

The Brit baller earned his second consecutive title and fifth overall this year (second to Rafael Nadal's eight) when crushed qualifier Andrey Golubev 6-1, 6-1 in just 56 minutes. Andy is now on a 12-match winning streak after capturing his second consecutive Masters title in Madrid last week and is playing the best ball out out of anyone right now.

Robin Soderling - Lyon

The Swede earned his first ATP title in three years with a 6-3, 6-7(5), 6-1 win over Frenchie Julien Benneteau. The 24-year old had gone 0-3 in finals this year (Rotterdam, Memphis, Stockholm) but will now crack the Top 20 for the first time in his career with this win.

Ana Ivanovic - Linz

After a mid-season slump filled with injury and self-doubt the Serb grabbed her first championship since Roland Garros, utterly dominating an in-form Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 6-1. This win should set Ana up nicely for a big run in Doha - can she steal the moment away from compatriot and top lady baller Jelena Jankovic at the coming WTA Championships?

Elena Dementieva - Luxembourg

The every-ready Russian (does she ever take a break?) took home her third title of the year when she edged out Caroline Wozniacki 2-6, 6-4, 7-6(4).

(images via AP)

INSTANT REPLAY: A look back at the week's top tennis plays

(Ana Ivanovic, Linz)

Weekend Winners: Andy, Venus
Award-winning Rafa earns year-end No. 1 honors
Who's got a pit problem now?
Andy strips then dips
Fernando joins shirtless brigade
Ana + Aggie join Roadmap row
Regarding Rafa
The Ana annoyance
Rafa trades racquets for clubs
Uncle Toni gives good quote
Nadia make pretty
Who knew Amelie could be funny?
Shrieka dons fur, Dolce runs for cover
Rafa's revolving door of fashion

+ NETCORDS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

(image via AP)