PHOTO OP: Days 5 + 6 of Andy Murray's off-season training intensive including a fat lip for the Brit

Andy Murray continued Days 5 + 6 of his off-season training intensive in Miami.

DAY 5

Team Murray actually caught a break today from the usual training practices so Andy could participate in an upcoming TV segment for BBC Sports Personality. The director of the episode was inspired by the movie "300" and Andy's part involved the use of a helicopter shooting the Brit baller from above as he hit tennis balls out to sea (above). Very Miami Vice.


The day continued with lots of eating and ended with some time singing karaoke from a Playstation with Ross Hutchins.


Here's a breakdown of Day 5:

Calorific intake: 5,800

Fitness: None (day-off)

Sun tanning: No chance today

DAY 6

The rest of Team Murray finally arrived for the toughest day so far. The day began with 10 brutal sets of 400 metres on the track which was enough exercise to set the team up for some potential puking (while BBC filmed) and then their daily 3-hour sushi run.



Back at UM, Andy joined the university's girls' soccer team for what was supposed to be 45 minutes but resulted in a 90 minute session and a fat lip for the Brit. Geez - those girls weren't playin'!



The day concluded with a light hit (since fitness is still the priority) and more weighted chin-ups this time with a 11kg weight, a 1kg increase for the world No.4 already.

Day 6 breakdown:

Calorific intake: 5,800

Track: 10 x 400 metres

Football: 90 minutes

Tennis: 45 minutes

Weights: Upper body

Sun tanning: Becoming questionable

(images via andymurray.com)

PHOTO OP: A-Rod flashes skin + abs for charity

Andy Roddick was spotted cracking a big forehand during the 8th Annual Andy Roddick Charity Event in Boca Raton, Florida this past weekend.

A-Rod sure looks in tip-top shape here - I mean hello abs. Do you think his newly released 2009 calendar has any body shots for his die-hard fans (fine - and me)?

(image via WENN)

Quote of the Day: Venus on playing tennis

I love what I do. When I win, it's pure joy. It might only last a moment, but it's a great moment. And I could never hang up my racket knowing I had more in me. I'd never be able to forget that I had more left. I couldn't forgive myself.

- an eloquent Venus Williams on why she continues to play tennis

You guys should read this ESPN the Magazine article linked above about how Venus + Serena's resurgence was the most overlooked sports story this year. It's well written...and I couldn't agree more with the sentiment.

In fact, I think the resurgence of tennis as an exciting, competitive, and engaging sport with great personalities was overlooked this year in mainstream sports media. And it's only just beginning...

(image via Getty)

+ MONDAY NETCORDS: Ana gets "sexy" for Sport & Style L'Equipe...Steffi gets sued...Stretch gets his Booty

* Ana is everywhere, for better or worse. The wannabe Serbian sex-kitten posed for the cover, some inside shots, and video of Sport & Style L'Equipe while cutesy Anando were spotted getting more smiley + smoochy back in Mallorca.

Boytoy Nando, though, lost his exo match against compatriot Tommy Robredo at the Master-Copa del Ray 6-1, 5-7, 4-6 while Ana looked on...I suspect more actual practicing might be in order here. Check out more images from Sport & Style L'Equipe at Women's Tennis Blog.

* Frenchie Cedric Pioline defeated Pete Sampras then saved a match point against Greg Rusedski 6-7(4), 7-6(3), 11-9 (Champions’ Tie Break) on his way to his first BlackRock Masters title. "I took my chances and it worked,” said Cedric.

* A newly single Serena Williams is out of the Hopman Cup citing a hamstring injury she sustained during the WTA Championships last month. ReRe will be replaced by a resurfacing Meghann Shaughnessy. Wait - didn't she withdraw from the Championships with a stomach muscle pull? Whatever. She'd be better off "spraining" her ankle - at least she could still surf on that one.

* Good news for Lleyton Hewitt: the Aussie hothead is still recovering from hip surgery but is set to return at the Hopman Cup. I guess all the Aussie eyes will be on Lleyton and whether he can make it out of the mixed-team tourney unscathed - stay tuned.

* Kei Nishokori seems to be having an off-season romance of his own with table tennis star Ai Fukuhara but still managed to win the Celebrity Invitational in the Bahamas. Note to Nando: you may want to give Kei a call...just sayin'!

* Perry Rogers, a long-time friend and former agent to Andre Agassi and former ATP board member, filed a lawsuit on Friday against Andre's wife, Steffi Graf (still can't call her Stefanie.) The German tennis star allegedly owes Perry and his Alliance Sports Management Company $50,000 for service rendered and that "Graf agreed to pay Rogers' company 15 percent of all business ventures once an investment account had reached $20 million. Graf stopped paying Rogers' after the October split with Agassi, the suit claims."

Agassi released the following statement: "Several weeks ago, my agent, manager and lawyer, Perry Rogers, and I decided to sever our business relationship. At that time, I had every hope that we could do so amicably and in the interest of maintaining our long-term friendship.

"As a result, I am both saddened and disappointed to learn that Perry has filed a lawsuit, and sadder still that he has sued my wife, Stefanie.

"I remain hopeful that we will be able to resolve our business issues with minimal damage to our families and mutual friends."

What a sad turnaround for these two long-time friends. Another example of why mixing business + friendship isn't always the best option.

* Check out the oversized Head Metallix 6, for the big-headed ballers on your gift list

* James Larosa for the Tennis Channel gives his rundown of the best women's matches of 2008 and a certain pair of swingin' sisters top the list.

* 4-time Grand Slammer Jim Courier gives his picks on the young guys to watch in Melbourne while Johnny Mac talks Player of the Year (any guesses???)

* Stretch looks to be gettin' his Booty back...

(images via Women's Tennis Blog, HCFoo, What's All the Racquet)

Serena + Common reportedly call it quits, won't have to deny relationship anymore

Word on the web is that Serena Williams + Common have reportedly split up!

A trusted insider told gossip site MediaTakeOut,

They're both extremely busy and their schedules don't match up - so they decided to put things on hold. It was very amicable ... and who knows, maybe they'll get back together.

Though they've been spotted everywhere together including at the year's US Open where ReRe took the title and on a surfing trip in Hawaii, the pair never enjoyed discussing their relationship. Most recently, Common denied dating the 9-time Grand Slammer telling Complex.com,

Ha, nah man. My best girl-friend is hip-hop. I’m a single man.

Oh well - I guess they won't have to keep denying what's been right in front of our eyes anymore. I mean, that must get tiring.

PHOTO OP: Days 3 + 4 of Team Murray's off-season training intensive, Ross on full display

Andy Murray continued his off-season training intensive this weekend in Miami with Strength and Conditioning coach Jez Green and doubles specialist Ross Hutchins. Here's a rundown:

DAY 3

The day began track work at Tropical Park in 80 degree heat - 12 x 200 metre sprints in under 32 seconds, with just one minute to recover in between.




The day was topped off by an on-court session focusing on movement followed by a light hit.


You know how every group of friends has the "hot one"? I'm thinking Ross fits the bill (though Dani Vallverdu is right there too) - the face, the tan, the ridiculously sexy body (hello abs). No offense Andy, just being honest!


Here's a breakdown of Day 3:

Calorific intake: 5, 800

Track: 12 x 200 metres (32 seconds on, 60 seconds off)

Tennis specific movement work

Tennis: 45 minutes

Sun tanning: Continuous

DAY 4

Today Team Murray hit famous South Beach for a 5 mile run in the sand. If you've ever run in the sand then you know how tough this exercise can be, especially in South Florida heat.

The ran for about 45 mins, made a quick Starbucks stop, then concluded the day with a light hit and some lower body work.



Day 4 breakdown:

Calorific intake: 5,800 calories

Running: 5 miles on South Beach

Tennis: 2 hours, University of Miami

Gym: Lower body weights, 1.5 hrs

Sun tanning: Still working on it...

(images via andymurray.com)

VIDEO VAULT: Rafa spotted autograph signing + wedgie picking at Basquet Mallorca game

Thanks again to DtL reader meri for tipping me off to the latest Rafasighting!

The world's top baller, who just attended the Nike store opening in Barcelona, was spotted sitting in the stands for a Basquet Mallorca game recently. And, to top it off, Rafa also accepted ANOTHER honor on court at some point during the game, though I'm not sure what it was for.

Wow - the autograph hounds were in full force that day but I have to say he seemed really gracious about signing all of them. But who knew his wedgie-picking habits (around 1:13 of the video) were also an off-court issue? The boy needs some better undies...or an ass-et reduction (but I'd push for the former - and help him shop.)

PS - If someone can translate Rafa's words (he's speaking in Catalan) feel free to leave them in the comments section!

CHECK IT:

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

(Royal Albert Hall, London)


Rafa vs. Iker, Part Deux
Ana buys and blogs about new Mallorcan digs
Aussie Open fashion previews: Rafa, Roger, Nole, Ana, more boys, more ladies
Shrieka update: what's the latest?
Rafa honored again, attends Barcelona Nike store opening
Under 30 Fed + Shrieka rake in biggest bucks
Rafanatics have reason to rejoice
Team Murray begin training in Miami, Day Two
Verdasco gets vampy
Feli gets his cougar
Prince has a secret and they're not telling...yet

(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Anando says good-bye, gets smiley + smoochy at Mallorcan airport

Thanks to DtL readers Maja, Meri + Tessa for tipping me off to the latest Anando sighting!

After spending a single day practicing together at Palma Racket Club, the stalkeratti spotted a shawled Ana Ivanovic dropping off boytoy Fernando Verdasco at the Mallorca airport for his trip to Salou, Spain where he vamped his way through a Port Aventuras Park sponsor event.

The pair will reconnect in Queensland for the holidays and both will compete at the Brisbane International beginning January 4.


Awww Anando. Puppy love can make anyone get smiley + smoochy and they're CLEARLY no exception. Plus, they're actually not wearing matching outfits this time and that's good news. Nando in a shawl isn't exactly the sexiest image - I'll take him in those jeans he's already wearing (and well I might add).

Do ya think it's getting serious? Me thinks so!




(images via tennis.co.cc)

(UPDATED) VIDEO VAULT: Rafa attends Nike store opening in Barcelona

Here's a video fix (in Spanish) for all you ravenous Rafanatics out there: your boy attended the opening of the new Nike store in Barcelona's Corazón del Paseo de Gracia.

The new store will take over more than 1,000 square meters and will occupy 3 of the building’s floors.

Blah blah blah. Okay enough about the store, right? Fine - heeeere's Rafa!

PS - If you can translate the video, please feel free to do so in the comments section of this post.

CHECK IT:



UPDATE: Thanks to DtL reader Sara for the translation of the subtitles (first) followed by Rafa's comments. Enjoy!

Rafa doesn’t enjoy losing. In the midst of the crisis that Real Madrid is facing, he has decided to surround himself with players from Barcelona at the inauguration of a new store from the brand that sponsors him.

Rafa: The end of the season hasn’t been what I hoped for but the year has been really good. I’m beginning to train,trying to prepare for next season, which is my next objective, and attempting to begin Australia well; that’s where we are. The last four years have gone well and my objectives have been able to change, I’ve been able to become more ambitious hopefully it will be like that but I’m always cautious because everything is very difficult.