HCFoo's Blogyard

Congratulations to Will Chua for the correct answer: Mario Ancic on last week Weekend Challenge.

Gael Monfils and Fernando Gonzalez are not only making their debuts in the BMW Open at Munich this week but it is also their first time dressed up in lederhosen (leather trousers) and a full traditional Bavarian costume.
They took time out to visit Munich’s world famous restaurant and brewery ‘Hofbräuhaus’.

However, in Barcelona where Rafael Nadal is also playing, another player Fernando Verdasco is not interested in dressing up. He followed compatriot Tommy Robredo's footsteps as he posed in the buff for UK Cosmopolitan magazine's Everyman campaign.Verdasco felt that entire Barcelona could see him naked during the rooftop shoot. He is scheduled to appear in the July edition of the magazine.

(Images from Thomas Exler/ATP)

Still fresh from winning at the Monte Carlo Tennis Tournament, Nadal is already aiming for another 4th straight wins at Barcelona.

Before getting down and dirty, Nadal managed to take some time to launch his newly revamped website.

(Images from JOSEP LAGO/AFP/Getty Images)

Well, it's not exactly parent-bashing as what Down the Line! claimed in his blog. It's not that serious actually. I must say that Roger Federer has been quite a gentleman for just saying "Be Quiet".



Personally I find Novak Djokovic is the one who is annoying (and his family too). It's not the first time he pulls out from critical matches halfway through especially playing against big players. I can't really remember the exact matches but Down the Line! has cited:

"It sounds like he gave up big time. But, no one knows how serious or not his condition is right now. However, this retirement is the fourth since 2007: two in Davis Cup play, semifinals of Wimbledon '07, and Monte Carlo - all big matches, right?"

"Maybe I didn't play my best for sure. But it's tough against him and he deserves to win in the end... because he's a hell of a clay court player" - Roger Federer

Yes, I'll buy you a cup of latte and a muffin (worth RM20) if you guess this correctly.

Who is the player in this picture?

I guess Maria Sharapova is one of the very few women tennis players that has posh birthday bash every year hosted by their sponsors.

This year, again, luxury watch brand TAG Heuer hosted another invitation-only birthday party for Sharapova set in New York hotspot Tenjune. Of course there are a whole bunch of well-known people attended the party such as Michelle Trachtenberg and Vera Wang.

During the night's celebration, TAG Heuer President and CEO, Ulrich Wohn toasted the 21 year-old before presenting her with an elegant white and pink eight-tier cake.

"Maria is part of the TAG Heuer family and we are honored that we were able to celebrate this special day with her. To have accomplished so much by this age is truly amazing and the embodiment of TAG Heuer’s ‘What are you made of?’ principle.”

Nadal had a fierce start at the Monte Carlo Tennis Tournament. After all this is his favourite surface. With the result 6-0, 6-3 in just 76 minutes over Croatian Mario Ancic, I believe Nadal still got what it takes to win his first title of the year and his 4th (!) consecutive Monte Carlo titles.

Believe it or not, Nadal has 94 out of 95 clay court matches since April 2005. He only lost to Roger Federer at the Hamburg final last year.

By the way, Rafael Nadal has revamped his official website. I really love the favicon and the flash in the middle that features the main links to the rest of the site.


(Image from Getty Images and rafaelnadal.com)

Both Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic might look like winners in their James Bond suits but ultimately who has the winning hand?

It's the start of Monte-Carlo Masters, and Nadal has won here in the last three consecutive years. Will he make it a triple? Personally I believe Nadal still has it on clay surface. However I do not want to undermine Djokovic although I think he is a much better player on hard court.




Well, before the real title chase begin, let them enjoy a good game on the blackjack table.

(Images from Getty Images)

One of the gay jokes is that you don't bend down to pick up the soap at communal shower. I would like to add that, you don't knee on the bench either like Rafael Nadal.

In this picture, Rafael Nadal knees on a bench during a practice session in Bremen at the Davis Cup World Group quarterfinal match between Germany and Spain.

(Image from AP Photo/Joerg Sarbach)

From a tennis clown to a Grand Slam champion, now Novak Djokovic is transforming himself into a fashion icon.

After being featured recently in Men's Vogue, he now serves up Gucci for GQ's May issue, looking hotter than ever!

(Images via GQ)

Nadal: Will you like go date with me?
Caroline: Yes.
Nadal: VAMOOOOOOOOS!

Nah, that's just a joke I've read from Talk Tennis forum.


Caroline Wozniacki, the WTA world no.37, in her blog, denied dating Rafael Nadal.

"I saw from a lot of newspapers and on the internet that people start talking that I’m dating Nadal. But this is NOT true. We have never been together. The speculation that we were together in Miami is also false. I’m 17 years old, and for the moment Tennis is my main priority."

Ryan Harrison shows his frustration by tossing his racket after losing a game while serving against James Blake during the second set.

Boy, you gotta keep that cool. Know what makes Rafael Nadal a champion? By being discipline and never toss or throw that racquet. You gotta respect your weapon.

Yesterday, top-seeded James Blake beat Ryan Harrison 6-3, 6-2 to move into the quarterfinals in the U.S. Men's Clay Court Championship. In just 50 minutes, Blake eliminates the Texas teenager, who earlier this week won his first-ever tour match. Harrison is only the 11th player since the Open Era began in 1968 to win a main-draw match at 15.

(Images from AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

I can't help but crazy over this yellow and white t-shirt worn by Fedex recently during a training session at the Estoril Open.

This Nike Co-[Lab] Tee is a 100% cotton round neck tee shirt featuring a graphic print by guest artist Misha Hollenbach of Perks & Mini from the 'Running Man' Co Lab collection. There's an embroided Nike logo on the hem.

It's also available in brown colour.

By the way, at the Estoril Open, Fedex is getting help from 55-year-old Spaniard clay court specialist, Jose Higueras who has helped guide Michael Chang and Jim Courier to Roland Garros crowns. So, I'm kind of nervous for Nadal this season.

(Images from FRANCISCO LEONG/AFP/Getty Images and Endclothing)

The Serbs are taking their participation very seriously in the tennis event at the Beijing Olympics. I would say that they do stand a better chance to win gold medals compare to any other countries.

To kick off the Olympics campaign, top tennis players Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic have received the honor to be featured on first day covers and stamps as well as their male colleagues which include Novak Djokovic, world No.41 Janko Tipsarevic, and world No.6 doubles player and Australian Open mixed doubles champion Nenad Zimonjic.

Ana Ivanovic

Novak Djokovic

Janko Tipsarevic

Nenad Zimonjic

Esther, the biggest tennis fan, loves to refer ATP players by their nicknames. Like in the previous post, she refers MIkhail Youzhny as Misha. I believe some of you knows that Roger Referer is famously known as Fedex and Novak Djokovic is known as Nole or Djoker.

Here's a list of tennis players and their nicknames. The next time you read a tennis post or article, you know who the writer is referring to.

Almagro, Nicolás - Nico

Ančić, Mario - Super Mario, Baby Goran

Baghdatis, Marcos - Baghs, Baghster, Baggy, Bagman, Baghdaddy

Cañas, Guillermo - Willy, Giant Killer

Davydenko, Nikolay - Kolya

Djokovic, Novak - Nole, NoDjoke, Djoker, Djokster; Nokia; Nox

Federer, Roger - Rog, The Federer Express (FedEx), (The) Fed, Captain Wasabi, Darth Federer

Ferrer, David - Ferru

Ferrero, Juan Carlos - Juan Carlos Ferrero Donat, Juanqui, (el) Mosquito; Chavalito; JCF

Gasquet, Richard - Richie; Baby Fed

González, Fernando - Gonzo, Speedy González; El Bombardero de la Reina; Mano de Piedra

Grosjean, Sébastien - Sebie, Big John

Haas, Tommy - Hasi; Tommy Boy

Henman,Tim - Tiger Tim; Henners; Timmy

Hewitt, Lleyton - Rusty

Hrbatý,Dominik - The Dominator

Johansson, Thomas - Tompa, ThoJo

Ljubičić, Ivan - Ljubo

Malisse, Xavier - X-Man

Massú, Nicolás - Nico; Vampiro

Moyà, Carlos - Charlie, Carlito(s)

Murray, Andy - Muzzah, Muzcat

Nadal, Rafael - Rafa, Jetboy, Pirate boy,The Boy, King of Clay

Nieminen, Jarkko - Jakke, Shark, Flying Finn

Robredo, Tommy - Tomito; Disco Tommy

Roddick, Andy - A-Rod, Duckman

Safin, Marat - The Safinator

Srichaphan, Paradorn - Ball

Tsonga, Jo-Wilfried - Jo, Baby Ali, Jo-Jo; Jo-Willy

Youzhny, Mikhail - Misha

For the complete list of nicknames, click here.