WOW. Someone is maaaad and isn't going to take it anymore. Well, until another someone tells them to delete it. Thank GAWD for the internets.
UPDATE: So it looks like Donalddeleted his Twitter account. I'm serious.
UPDATE #2: This keeps getting better. Or worse, depending on which side blah blah blah...
UPDATE #3: Oh. Did I mention Amer Delic was getting in on the action??
And him too.
UPDATE #4: So here's the apology Donald tweeted right before his account disappeared. I'm hearing some talk over Twitter this morning that his account may be back up but private. His original account is still down so if he is back it's under another name. Weird.
Milos Raonic fell to Croat Ivan Dodig in Barcelona today and even went pointless in the first set tiebreak before falling 7-6 (0), 4-6, 6-3. I'd say that's a pretty shocking stat for someone with Milos' serving prowess.
But all wasn't so bad considering what the Canadian was wearing in the match. Milos was working the Lacoste Boys Color Block Polo ($55) in white (alternate version in ocean blue).
Yes, I said 'boys' - strange, eh? I did a further search for a men's version but nothing came up. Anyway, I think it's super cute and the color blocking is fun and perfect for spring. The design is still in keeping with Milos' classic stylings but adds that pop of freshness. There's even a jacket in the same style but, please, DO NOT wear them together. I'm begging.
The appeal by the Spanish tennis federation (RFET) concerning the court surface that will be used during their Davis Cup tie versus the U.S. was denied today by the ITF, tennis' world governing body. The RFET brought on the appeal because the courts manufacturer, Premier Courts, Inc., is not one of the 91 ITF-approved manufacturers. However, the ITF's Davis Cup committee found the court surface itself to be in accordance with DC regulations; the court surface name "Premiere Court" is considered a generic acrylic hard court . Moreover, there is "no requirement for specific brands" under DC rules. It was a unanimous ruling.
Here's the full statement from the ITF:
ITF Davis Cup Committee decision regarding RFET (Spanish Tennis Federation) appeal
The ITF's Davis Cup Committee unanimously agreed that the surface, "Premier Court", chosen by the United States for their quarterfinal tie against Spain, 8-10 July 2011 in Austin, Texas, complies with Rule 38 (a) of the Davis Cup Regulations for the Competition, "Surface of Courts."
The Davis Cup Committee determined that the court surface chosen by the Americans is of the type, "Acrylic", which is used in over 30 tour events and two Grand Slam tournaments. In the Davis Cup Regulations, Rule 38 (a) does not specify or imply a requirement for specific brands.
The Davis Cup Committee also confirmed that the ITF Classification of surfaces does not constitute any form of ITF Approval and is not a mandatory requirement of the court surface selection process for any ITF tournaments including Davis Cup.
The Davis Cup Committee also stated that the court must comply with rule 38 (b), "Court Pace Rating (CPR)," in order to ensure that the pace of the court is neither too fast nor too slow. CPR testing will be carried out by the ITF Science and Technical Department with the tie ball once the match court is laid and available for play.
The Davis Cup Committee is comprised of five members: Chairman Juan Margets of Spain, Armando Cervone of Argentina, Tom Gullikson of the United States, Geoff Pollard of Australia and Charles Trippe of Great Britain. Both Chairman Juan Margets and Tom Gullikson recused themselves from voting in this matter because of their national affiliations.
The court speed will be tested once the court is laid down and ready for play.
Rafael Nadal was asked about the ITF's decision in his post-match presser after reaching the quarterfinals in Barcelona:
The most important and the main thing is to see the court and see how it is. The fastest [courts] I've played on are in Tokyo and Montreal. If the Austin court is faster than these, then you have grounds for complaint, because it is illegal. But I know that the ITF has equipment to measure speed the ball and not allow it to violate the limits. However, we all know that when we play away, they always put in the fastest courts they can.
Spain's DC captain Albert Costa also chimed in:
What worries me most is not knowing exactly what the proposed court is. We must know what to expect. However, it is essential that the ITF takes it seriously and not allow irregularities.
I honestly think this brouhardyha over court surface isn't anything but a pre-tie bitchfest. When the court is finally installed and the test the speed I don't think they'll find any irregularities. I'm just hoping the tie is this dramatic. I mean, it BETTAH be after all this.
Serena Williams, looking gorge in purple, was spotted in New York last night at the launch of the 2012 Range Rover Evoque at Highline States. She spoke to People Style Watch at the event and explained her now infamous pink body suit moment:
After my hematoma, I have to wear something like a long bodysuit to keep my stomach warm. My practices are really … interesting right now.
Apparently it also helps with compression, too. She went on to admit that her recent setback hasn't done any favors for her off-court stylings:
I have to wear flats. Hopefully, in the summer I can wear heels. I am a girl that loves heels. I can’t wait.
SAY WHAAAT??? I'm confuzzled guys. Isn't she wearing heels in the photo above? Am I crazy? TELL ME I'M NOT CRAZY. Doctor is not going to be happy with these photos. Nice gams, though.
Two more images of ReRe from last night's event after the jump - click the head.
- Unless you're Andy Roddick or photographer Mark Squires you've probably never seen Brooklyn Decker like this (NSFW).
- The Spanish tennis federation (RFET) be mad. Well, more like they're in a questioning mood. Albert Costa, their Davis Cup captain, has raised issue with the court surface the United States has chosen for the Spain-U.S. tie scheduled for July in Austin. The court's manufacturer, Premier Courts Inc., is not one of the 91 ITF-approved manufacturers according to the RFET. "So the problem I have right now is to explain to the players what kind of court they will encounter because even if we wanted to train on a similar one we could not install it because it is not approved," said Costa. They appealed to the ITF who will give their decision on Thursday. The RFET aren't happy about the USTApresale either.
- Andy Murraypulled out of Barcelona with the elbow injury he sustained at the Monte Carlo Masters while Tomas Berdych sited a stomach virus for his withdrawal.
- With Roland Garros on the horizon SI's Bruce Jenkins isn't seeing this depth in the WTA that some fans and pundits keep discussing. Listen, when you're missing a dominant No. 1 or a compelling rivalry the next best storyline is "depth". Anyway, he's bucking his journalistic objectivity (as if THAT really exists) and backing his fave lady baller to take the RG crown: "So I'll say it again: Go, Francesca. Shameless rooting from the press box. I've got everything but the T-shirt." Way to be honest about it, Bruce.
- Did you know that Julia Goerges isn't "jealous" of the recent attention given to compatriot Andrea Petkovic? Because two female athletes couldn't possibly be competitive without being jealous, you know. Fucking dumb.
- If you like your Roger Federer soaking wet then check out some behind-the-scenes footage (above) from an ad he recently shot for Credit Suisse.
- TENNIS'Tom Perrotta penned a piece for the Wall St. Journal online about Novak Djokovic's brilliant start to 2011 and the rise of Serbian tennis.
- The Monte Carlo Baller Party wasn't a total drag. Janko Tipsarevic and friends took to the stage to give their best impression of Nole dealing with his team. "I had to do it...even thou he is not like this...I had to do it" is what he said on the video's YouTube page. Sure Tipsy. Suuuure.
- Serena Williams, who recently returned to light practicing and flashy on-court fashion, was spotted on Miami beach in a mis-matched tini-wini bikini. Poor thing is struggling. The bikini, not ReRe y'all.
- Anna Chakvetadze was forced to retire from her first round match in Stuttgart against Zuzana Kucova with dizziness. It's the third straight match that Chaky had to retire because of this mystery illness. "I saw a doctor before the tournament and they told me everything would be ok, which is why I decided to play here," said the Russian. "But now it's the third tournament in a row I have had to retire with this dizziness problem. It seems the doctors don't have all the answers yet, so I have to rest. Hopefully we will find a solution." Petty worrisome stuff.
- Balls, Balls, Balls: NaturAna'stop matches in her career so far...TAG Heuer gave Shrieka a sick gift for her 24th birthday...Wozzi was namedFemale Athlete of the Month by the United States Sports Academy...Tommy Haas gets a visit from his fave physio, Klaus Eder...La Monf has launched a new website.
- Totally Off-Topic: Having a horrid day? Well, click here. And if this video doesn't make you feel a little bit better you ain't human. You might want to check on that. Cheers!
Maria Sharapova celebrated her 24th birthday - yup, only 24 today - in the Bahamas where she was taking part in the Allstar Tennis Exhibition Match at the Atlantis with Gisela Dulko which Shrieka won 6-3, 6-1. She also took part in a kids clinic all before getting her party on at Aura.
Now, tell me that isn't brilliant planning - let's schedule an exhibition in the Bahamas during my birthday so I can celebrate while basking in the sun and making some major monies along the way. Happy Birthday smart girl.
The FED CUP final was set over the weekend with Russia and the Czech Republic coming out on top in their respective semifinals.
Vera Zvonareva sealed the win for the Russians when she defeated Roberta Vinci 6-4, 6-2 to give them an unbeatable 3-0 lead. Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova defeated Sara Errani in the fourth rubber while Pavs + Ekaterian Makarova teamed up to defeat Alberta Brianti + Maria-Elena Camerin in the fifth to give the Russians a full sweep. The team also guaranteed home court advantage for their attempt at a fifth FED CUP crown.
In the other semifinal the doubs team of Iveta Benesova + Barbora Zahlavova Strycova clinched the tie for the Czech Republic 3-2 over Belgium when they defeated Yanina Wickmayer + Kirsten Flipkens 6-4, 6-4 in the fifth and deciding rubber. It's their first appearance in the final since becoming an independent nation in 1994; the won it 4 out of 6 times as Czechoslovakia in the 1980's.
And there's more!
- Roberta had a little something to say about her missing FED CUP teammates after getting blasted 0-5 by the Russians: "If they didn't want to come it's their problem. I don't care about Schiavone and Pennetta, they are not on this team. Right now I'm number one for Italy and Sara (Errani) is number two. We're here and we try to give our best." Yikes.
- Dominika Cibulkova may need to wear body armor if she ever decides to visit Serbia or get back on Twitter after remarks she made during the Slovak Republic's tie against Serbia. Don't think the apology is helping Domi. Nice try.
- Speaking of Serbia, congrats to them as well as Spain, Germany and the Ukraine for returning to the World Group next year. Bad news for the USA + France who were relegated to the World Group II after their losses to Germany and Spain, respectively. It's the first time in both country's histories they won't appear in the top tier group. Times are a changin' peeps.
- Check out some of the FED CUP outfits that caught my eye for one reason or another (read into it what you will):
It was lucky number 7 for Rafael Nadal after the Spaniard defeated compatriot David Ferrer 6-4, 7-5 for a record seventh consecutive Monte Carlo Masters. He won his 19th Masters 1000 title and 37th straight match in Monaco. There were some other records broken with this win so click here to read all about it.
Obviously Rafa had a great week here, as usual, though it wasn't his best game on display towards the end. But I'd like to show some love for Ferru who reached his first Monte Carlo Masters final. He's such a workhorse and just goes about his business without huge fanfare or show. Ferru always puts up the good fight but accepts defeat with dignity. I do hope he gets to bag a big one sometime soon. Kudos to him.
It was also a good week for Andy Murray who couldn't buy a set since January but managed to win a few, even grabbing the rare one against Rafa on the clay yesterday. The Brit baller, who needed a cortisone shot in his injured elbow right before their semifinal bout, even showed glimpses of the Muzz who dissected the Spaniard at the 2008 US Open with his deft mix of spins and crafty use of the court. He actually looked like a clay court baller at times. The second set of their match, in particular, gave clues to the right strategy against the Mallorcan Matador on the slippery stuff but even that wasn't enough to stop Rafa. I mean, he ain't the King of Clay for nothin'.
