Anando no more: Ana reportedly dumps Nando in Queensland

Anando is no more. Boo.

Matt Cronin for FOXSports.com is reporting Ana Ivanovic + Fernando Verdasco have split. A friend of the Serb confirmed Ana broke up with her boy toy during the Brisbane International in Queensland, where she fell to Amelie Mauresmo.

Color me (not) shocked. I mean, from a PR standpoint it was a good move for Nando but it did nothing for Ana besides becoming a major distraction.

But could it also have something to do with his recent hairy situation? If so, I DEF don't blame her.

Bad hair kills. Seriously.

(FOXSports via Forty Deuce)

Rafa launches media assault for Aussie Open, explains wedgies but avoids sex (maybe)

Rafael Nadal, who plays his first round Aussie Open match tonight against diminutive Belgain Christophe Rochus, began his full-on media assault this fortnight with his blog for The Times UK:

Hi everyone or should I say g'day mate? I have been told that this is the way Australians say hello so wanted also to say it like this.

This is my first blog here from Australia and I am very thankful to this newspaper to have given me this opportunity. Here you have read my blogs in the 2 last years but this is the first time from Melbourne. Hopefully it will bring me that luck I need here and get me to the final rounds...

I know I have a lot of fans that read my blogs in the UK and when at the very last moment I was asked I was very happy to do it. Once again I ask you to forgive my mistakes, my bad English, my non-professional way of writing and I also hope that the media who traveled all the way to Melbourne doesn't get upset with me for doing this. Why should they? I only say things here that they would never write about right? :-)

Anyway here we go again with a new season. I am back here in Melbourne, back in Australia and I have to say that I love being here. You know, coming from the cold weather we have back there in Europe, less in Mallorca of course... it is nice to be here in the middle of the summer. It is something that makes me happy.

You know, at least those following me, that I love the competition. And the real competition starts here. I have to say that I am excited about it. The end of my best year ever was kind of not the way I expected it to be. So to be back playing a big event like this makes me happy.

I hope we will have a lot of time these weeks to talk about many things. Hopefully I'll be around for a few days and we will be able to talk about many things. after my 5th or 6th blog I start thinking what am I going to write about..., but anyway I am also answering your questions so come one and send me easy ones, really looking forward to them...

Many thanks

Rafa

The Malloran Matador also answered reader questions for the UK paper and for the Aussie Herald Sun (some people still wonder why he picks his wedgies - get a grip. Oh, and he completely avoids the s-e-x question...)

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Nole already bares down at Aussie Open - is he saving the best for last?

Novak Djokovic was spotted (typically) disrobing after his 6-2, 6-3, 7-5 win over Italian baller Andrea Stoppini. The World No.3 battled back from 0-4 in the third to reach the second round where he'll battle Frenchie Jeremy Chardy.

Though I never complain about seeing shirtless brigade members doing what they do best, it seems a little early in the tourney for Nole to be flashing the crowd.

What's the sexy Serb going to do if he actually defends his Aussie Open crown? Is he taking requests this fortnight??

If so, I have some ideas he may want to consider and they don't involve girlfriend Jelena Ristic. *blushes*




(image via Getty + AP)

FASHION FIX: Regal Rog downs Andreas, feels concord blue in Melbourne

Roger Federer's feeling blue in Melbourne but not because of his first round match.

The 3-time Aussie Open champ got past pesky Italian veteran Andreas Seppi 6-1, 7-6 (4), 7-5 even though he struggled somewhat with his serve. Fed hit 5 double faults and only connected with 59% of his first serve deliveries but still managed to hit 9 aces in the match. He'll next face Russian Evgeny Korolev for a place in the third round.

So when I previewed Regal Rog's Nike duds for Melbourne I wrote that the sketches, though clean + classic, looked a bit stale but I would wait to see the gear on him to give a final verdict. Lucky I did: the outfit is quite striking. The concord blue in the outfit leans more towards a deeper shade of cobalt and the shadow striping on the shirt, the piping on the polo's placket + cuffs, and the tuxedo-style side stripe on the shorts give nice texture and elegance to these duds.

And, BONUS, Fed was looking kinda sexy strolling out in his grey warmup jacket (could it be the new 'do too?). Yums.

Nice moves, Regal Rog. Nice moves.


(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: JJ defeats Yvonne, debuts an ANTA dud in Melbourne

Jelena Jankovic got off to a flyer in Melbourne today. The top lady baller easily dismissed Yvonne Meusburger 6-1, 6-3 in the Aussie Open first round hitting 27 winners against 24 errors and keeping 73% first serve percentage - nice. She'll face Belgian Kirsten Flipkens in round two.

Some of my anticipation and curiosity was settled earlier yesterday when JJ announced her new sponsorship with ANTA via her website yesterday. But I still was very excited to see what incredible fashions the top baller in the world would debut in the first Grand Slam of the year.

To say I was disappointed (and I did) to see JJ walk out in this boring green sheet would be an understatement. WTF?!

I like the color - it's bright, summery, and perfect for the season. The element of fun infused her past duds, however, is def missing (plus the sweat marks are unsightly.) Don't get me wrong, I didn't particularly love the past "designs" of her other fashions, but there was something carefree and humorous about them nonetheless.

This one? MEH.

Onto Round 2.

(images via Getty)

Readers say Murray makes Aussie Open final, loses support (in a good way)

"You must LOVE me...and my muscles."

Thanks to everyone who participated in the DtL's first weekly poll featuring Aussie Open fave Andy Murray.

Based on your votes, an overwhelming 42% of readers think the Brit baller will at least make the finals while 28% believed he'll get that much-needed suntan while still longing for Ross Hutchins sightings (get in line). That result was closely followed by 22% of readers who think his results will mimic last year's when he was knocked out of the first round by Jo-Wilfried Tsonga. Only 7% believe Andy has this major sign, sealed, and delivered.


Well good news for Team Murray today: the 21-year old, who was spotted with some questionable support on the practice courts yesterday, was seen without any taping in practice today. Phew!

Let's just hope that (most likely) tired knee holds up this entire fortnight.

*fingers crossed, now toes*

PS - Look out for this week's poll which I'll post later today!



(images via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Top ballers get their party started at Crowns IMG Party

The top ballers in the world traveled over to Breezes at the Crown Entertainment Complex for the annual Crown IMG Baller Party celebrating the start of this year's Aussie Open!

Rafael Nadal: "I don't know why but that red powder sprayed all over my rippling muscles really worked, no?"

Roger Federer: "Do I look twelve?"

Jelena Jankovic: "For my new tennis collection with ANTA, I'm thinking bolero hats and satin."

Nicole Vaidisova + The Worm: "Are we tennis' creepiest coupling?"

Feliciano Lopez: "I'm channeling Scarface today - and for all the reasons you're thinking."

Tommy Haas: "Oh, this wasn't a post-match presser? Damn, I would've worn my good t-shirt."

Arnaud Clement: "I'm cute and I don't even try - it's a French thing."

James Blake: "Banking or balling - I can't decide."

F-Lo, Carlos Moya, Rafa: *swoons*

(images courtesy of Getty via MTF)

MEDIA MASHUP: Rafa celebrates new Nike stylings, tempers expectations in Melbourne

Top baller Rafael Nadal has launched a new section on his website called 'Rafael Nadal - Open Australia 2009" which celebrates the launch of his controversial new Nike stylings this week in Melbourne.

The section features an image of the Mallorcan Matador in the new gear and information on the Short Sleeve top, Long Check Short, and new head scarf and wristbands he'll be wearing during his campaign towards a first Aussie Open championship.

In other news Rafa, wearing the Nike Eugene Track Jacket from his forthcoming sexy ad campaign, was also interviewed recently by Eurosport about his current form and chances the next two weeks:

CHECK IT:



Something about his statements struck me strangely. Is it me or does it seem he's tempering expectations and playing down his chances in the next couple of weeks? He definitely isn't conveying the usual quiet confidence he gives off about himself and his bullish game.

(image via rafaelnadal.com)

Ana feeling antsy, ready to get started in Melbourne

Ana Ivanovic, who was spotted reuniting with Sven Groenefeld on the Melbourne Park practice courts last week, posted a new blog for the Sunday Herald Sun, their sister pubs, and her website:

The week before a grand slam can sometimes be a little boring. I love competing so much I often get restless and want the tournament to start.

But the past week was enjoyable from a social viewpoint. Practice conditions varied. One day the heat was intense, the next it was very windy. Several people have been complaining about the cold, too.

The weather in Melbourne is crazy!

I have been working with Sven Groeneveld. He is head of the Adidas Player Development Program and I have worked with him, on and off, for more than two years. You could say he is my part-time coach. I am fortunate to have the opportunity to train with him often, but I also enjoy working on my own. That said, I am considering appointing a full-time coach soon.

The week started badly when I got stuck in the lift. It was scary. But luckily my phone had reception so I was able to call for help.

In the evenings I have been going to lovely restaurants, including an Italian one on Collins St that I am told is popular with the players. Our waiter told us stories about visiting players, what they ate and how they behaved.

My favourite restaurant is Nobu at Crown and I have been twice since I arrived.

On Friday night I went to my uncle's house in Mentone for a barbecue. I love to catch up with my relatives. It's great to see them in the stands during my matches here, too.

Travelling on the tennis tour can be a lonely experience, so to have family around you during a tournament is always special.

I remember having a barbecue at their house last year, on the night I lost in the final. I was so disappointed, I was thinking about the match the whole time and didn't enjoy it the way I should have.

This kind of memory motivates me to try to do better this year.

Love Ana

Yes Ana, please repeat: FULL-TIME COACH. Good luck!

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Hair today, gone tomorrow - so it is with Fed

Thanks to DtL reader Courtney for the link to this image of Roger Federer and his new shorter 'do.

Gone are his lovely locks which have been replaced by a much more clean + classic cut. It's much shorter now on the sides and back than it's been for while.

On a side note it seems Regal Rog is also sporting some fancy new Nike checked shorts - they don't look exactly like the Long Checked Short supposedly set aside for Rafa but something else.

Could it be another Aussie switch-a-roo from the sports brand? Ugh.

Anyway, what do you guys think of this new look?

DO TELL!



(image via PAUL CROCK/AFP/Getty Images)