Ping-pong, love triangles, and pedicure injuries. That’s the best way to summarize the first week of the 2013 tennis season. Weird, right?
It’s been a bad week for …
Victoria Azarenka
Top-ranked Victoria Azarenka was forced to withdraw from her Brisbane semi-final against Serena Williams because of a bad pedicure. No, that’s not a typo. It happens.
Azarenka got a pedicure and subsequently, her toe became infected.
Azarenka should be healthy in time to try to defend her Australian Open title next week.
It’s been a good week for …
Serena Williams
Can anyone beat Serena Williams? Mmmm, I don’t think so.
This week Serena easily won the Brisbane title and I’m quickly beginning to think that she could win all four Majors this year. She’s that good.
Pavlyuchenkova to Serena” I always feel like I don’t know how to play tennis when I play you.”
— Matt Cronin (@TennisReporters) January 5, 2013
Just hours after embarrassing Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-2, 6-1 in the Brisbane final, Serena showed up to a local restaurant to do one of her favourite things — karaoke.
But come on — Serena can’t be good at everything, right? Well, apparently she can’t beat Jeff Daniels (IE: Will McAvoy … any Newsroom fans out there?) at ping-pong.
I’m calling it now: Serena will win the Australian Open … unless she suffers a pedicure injury.
Grigor Dimitrov
Never heard of him? Well, that’s fair. Grigor Dimitrov is only 21-years-old, ranked No. 48 in the world and he’s never won an ATP title.
This week Dimitrov reached his first career ATP final, where he eventually lost to Andy Murray 7-6, 6-4 in the Brisbane final.
Peter Lundgren, who was Roger Federer’s coach in his formative years, has compared the young Bulgarian to the 17-Grand Slam champion. Dimitrov is very talented and will become a household name in due time.
But before Dimitrov becomes a star on the court, he’s already making the tabloids off the court — Dimitrov is reportedly dating Maria Sharapova.
Maria Sharapova is off the market again. Got confirmation she’s dating Bulgarian tennis player, 21-year-old Grigor Dimitrov
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) January 6, 2013
Sharapova’s boyfriend is currently No. 48 in the world, but has been hyped up as “Baby Federer.”
— darren rovell (@darrenrovell) January 6, 2013
Dimitrov and Sharapova were first spotted together in early December walking around Milan. Dimitrov was eating Sugarpova candy at the time. You can’t make stuff like this up.
So what did Dimitrov have to say about their reported relationship?
“What about that?” he asked with a smirk on Sunday. “I never talk about my private … yeah. Sorry.” Awkward.
This isn’t the first time Dimitrov has dated a big tennis star. Last season the rising star reportedly dated Serena Williams when they were both working with coach Patrick Mouratoglou. This is when things get juicy. Guess who Serena is dating now? Patrick Mouratoglou.
Serena Williams, watched by coach Patrick Mouratoglou, has had an early hit up at #BI2013 twitter.com/BrisbaneTennis…
— Brisbane Intl (@BrisbaneTennis) December 31, 2012
It’s a tennis love triangle that resembles more of a love square.
It’s been an embarrassing week for…
Is anyone else sick of Gangnam Style? I know I am, but for some reason tennis players love it.
Here’s Novak Djokovic and Ana Ivanovic breaking out during their Hopman Cup mixed doubles match.
Spain upset Serbia to win the Hopman Cup 2-1.
Quote of the Week
When Gael Monfils was given a time violation in Doha this week, he wasn’t very impressed. So what was his excuse for taking so long between points?
“I’m black so I sweat a lot.”