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Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Blonde, leggy, and beautiful. If those are the only adjectives you use to describe Maria Sharapova, then you’re selling the tennis world’s newest star short. While she may compare favorably to Anna Kournikova on the modeling runway, Maria is most dazzling when she steps on the tennis court. Her serve is overpowering, her ground strokes are penetrating, and her will to win is punishing. Maria officially arrived with her 2004 Wimbledon title—and she’s not likely to leave anytime soon. This is her story…
Maria Sharapova personal details:
Date of Birth
19 April 1987, Nyagan, USSR [now Russia]
Birth Name
Maria Yuryevna Sharapova
Nickname
Masha
The Siberian Siren
Height
6' 2" (1.88 m)
Mini Biography
Maria started hitting tennis balls at the age of four. At the age of six, Maria Sharapova participated in a exhibition in Moscow that featured Martina Navratilova. So, at the age of nine, she began training at Nick Bollettieri's Tennis Academy located in Bradenton, Florida, USA. Therefore, during those two years, she was separated from her mother for two year due to visa restrictions and finances. Maria occasionally travels with her father and works with tennis coach managers Michael Baroch and Robert Lansdorp. During her leisure time off court, Maria's interest includes modeling in fashion, singing, jazz dancing and movies (Pearl Harbor (2001)). Maria enjoys reading books of her interest in the "Sherlock Holmes" and "Pippi Longstocking" collection series. Basically, Maria's favorite dessert is 'anything'. Maria favors Russian music and food, but except for Italian bread.
Trade Mark
Plays right -handed
2 handed backhand
Grunts loudly when striking the ball
Maria Sharapova Trivia:
2004 women's Wimbledon champion. Defeated two-time defending champion Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4.
Born in Siberia, Russia, and raised in the United States since age seven. Father Yuri brought her to the U.S. in 1994, but mother Yelena didn't join them until two years later due to visa problems.
She was (and still is) so ambidextrous that she almost became a left-handed tennis player.
She won the 2004 WTA Championships, defeating Serena Williams 4-6, 6-2, 6-4 in the final to pocket one million dollars and win a new Porsche Cayenne to donate to a charity of her choice.
Her loudest grunt was measured at 101.2 decibels (louder than a motorcycle or a lawnmower) on 21 June 2005 at Wimbledon Centre Court. Previously the loudest grunt was by Monica Seles at 93.2 decibels.
According to the LA Times and Orange County Register, Maria said at a press conference she has grown a few cm this year and is now 6' 2". She's been having back pains and has had to pull out of some tournaments due to the pain which she thinks is from a growth spurt.
Became number 1 in the world in August 2005 & is the first Russian player to become the best player in the world
On the Forbes 2006 Richest Young Celebrities List, it is reported she earned $18.2 million in 2005. She was the highest-paid female athlete of the year.
Named #19 in FHM's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2005" special supplement. (2005)
Very close friends with fellow tennis player Maria Kirilenko.
Was named one of the 50 Most Beautiful People by People Magazine in 2005.
She defeated world #1 'Amelie Mauresmo' 6-0, 4-6, 6-0 in the semifinals and world #2 Justine Henin 6-4, 6-4 in the final of the 2006 US Open to win the title and $1.7 million in prize money.
Named #8 in FHM magazine's "100 Sexiest Women in the World 2006" supplement. (2006).
Ranked #17 on the Maxim magazine Hot 100 of 2007 list.
In 2007, Forbes Magazine estimated her earnings for the year at $23 million.
Personal Quotes
"I wouldn't say I'm in love with them." (about her endless legs)
Of course, because another three Slam titles will bring a lot more than $25 million, they would be worth even more [than $100 million]. (On whether she would give up her millions for more slam titles)
more maria sharapova
maria sharapova pictures
Monday, March 30, 2009
Friday, March 27, 2009
Anna Kournikova and Jimmy Fallon Playing Beer Pong
Thursday, March 26, 2009
What would an NRL league season be without controversy? The NRL rugby league season is only two weeks old and already we have a side being deducted the points for winning as they had too many people on the field, we have last year's premiers winless and we have one of the dark horses playing some fantastic football.That dark horse is the New Zealand Warriors who currently sit in top spot on the NRL ladder. They've done well in defeating Parramatta and Manly and would be firming in NRL betting. Last year they shocked Melbourne in the finals with one of the biggest surprise NRL results witnessed in some time. It looks like they have built on that momentum and overcome the tragic loss of Sonny Fai. This is one of the saddest stories ever to have happened in the NRL rugby world but it could be one which galvanizes the Warriors and inspires them to their first NRL title.
In this early stage of the competition, you don't want to get carried away. There is still plenty of time to regroup but you don't want to dig yourself too much of a hole too early. It's critical to maintain at least a 50% ratio in the win-loss column.
Zinedine Zidane’s son Enzo Zidane has been called up for Spain’s U15 side. Enzo, is playing for Real’s youth team, and thus Enzo has decided that he would rather play for Spain.
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Maria Sharapova at a Promotional Event for Cole Haan - Pictures
0 comments Posted by wedos at 11:29 PM
Maria Sharapova attended a promotional event for Cole Haan at the CH store at the Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables, Florida on Wednesday.
Image Courtesy: Celebrity-Gossip.net
Rafael Nadal and Ana Ivanovic decided to give it a go on the golf course. They got their golf clubs out for the Krendon Park golf tournament and the result was surprising as big golf fan Rafael Nadal was beaten.
Image Courtesy: Pacmanjonesin.com
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
Iraqi Goalkeeper from Sinjar Killed during Victory Celebration
0 comments Posted by wedos at 11:02 AMTwo teams of Iraq representing the Shiite villages of Sinjar and Enana, near Hilla, which is south of Baghdad, played a close-fought match on Saturday, with Sinjar winning, 2-1. During celebrations, an off-duty police officer Jawad Kadham, 28, started firing his service pistol into the air but lost control of it, the police said. A bullet struck the Sinjar goalie, an 18-year-old high school senior named Mohammed Amin, in the head, killing him instantly. There was no indication the goalie was shot intentionally; Jawad Kadham was a Sinjar fan.
News Courtesy: Nytimes.com
Tuesday, March 17, 2009
The scandal could not have come for a worst time for the NRL. A week before the start of the 2009 NRL Rugby League season and Brett Stewart, the face of the NRL league is charged with sexual assault. As the NRL rugby is all too well aware, no amount of good publicity and fantastic NRL results can erase the stench an incident such as this occurs.The media thrives on these types of stories. Players get up to mischief all the time and sometimes the clubs are able to intervene before the story gets out of hand. They nip it in the bud or try and brush it under the carpet so you never hear about it. Not this time.
Some people are calling for an alcohol ban; that players shouldn't go out to pubs and clubs. The fact of the matter is that the players need to be sensible enough to realize that prevention is better than cure. As athletes and celebrities they have a target on their back when they go out in public, even more so when it's to places where alcohol is involved. They need to be discreet where they don't have to worry about people trying to bait or provoke them. Even if it's their fault, the only thing that makes news is that a celebrity was involved. It might be unfair, but some may say loss of privacy is a fair price to pay for the huge pay check in return.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Monday, March 9, 2009
Friday, March 6, 2009
The Russian Tennis sensation Ana Kournikova stars in a seductive new ad campaign for sports label K-Swiss.
Photographer Zach Gold was the man behind the lens, and Anna revealed on her blog that the session was great fun.
Image Courtesy: Dailymail.co.uk
Thursday, March 5, 2009
Women's World Cup 2009 A three-way battle to stand on top of the world
0 comments Posted by wedos at 8:36 PM
Being uncertain as to who will be the winner this time indicates a time of strength for the women's game. Australia, New Zealand and England are the three main contenders and have sides brimming with talent, desire and ability. They are the only teams to have won the tournament since its inception in 1973.
It would be foolish to write off India, the fourth main contender, and the beaten finalist in 2005. However, they have been on the wrong side against the three big players, with a 12-match losing streak stretching back to 2007.
This is where another number clouds the truth. India head into the tournament ranked at No. 2, based on their final appearance four years ago. Since then they have won eight and lost 35 against the top three. A more realistic billing on current form would be a distant fourth.
Australia are rightly No. 1 for their consistent record, and it is hard to split England and New Zealand for the No. 2 spot. What of the other contenders? Sri Lanka are only in their 12th year, but have already won more of their 70 games than they have lost, albeit against the lesser teams.
West Indies surprisingly took the final qualifying place last time ahead of the hosts South Africa. Since then they have hardly played international cricket, meaning that during last year's European tour the majority were debutantes. Their raw talents had a steep learning curve - and were boosted by further experience in Sri Lanka - and will head into the World Cup with some confidence and nothing to lose.
South Africa usually present a decent challenge, and have beaten some of the top teams already this decade, while the fellow qualifier Pakistan have managed only two wins from their past 23 matches. It's hardly inspiring.
Though many teams have not faced each other this millennium, video recordings of the warm-ups should assist with last-minute analysis. Not that any upsets are really expected.
As for the format, for the first time in World Cups there is a Super Sixes stage. The two groups of four will compete to move into the last six, with points from the group games carrying over. It means fewer matches of lower quality, with the bottom two sides knocked out quickly.
New South Wales won the right to host the tournament, although some group-stage games will be played in Canberra, which sits in the Australian Capital Territory. All of the matches at North Sydney Oval will be televised globally, giving the largest exposure for the women's game. They have put the most attractive fixtures up for showcasing, with only one contest there not featuring a top-four team.
Though North Sydney Oval is only the second non-Test ground to host a women's World Cup final the choice is sound. The ground offers intimacy and grassy banks and its smaller capacity should allow for better pictures of the crowds, rather than swathes of empty seats.
While we can't be sure how many will turn up, and we can't hope to know the eventual winner, one thing is for certain: this World Cup has the potential to be the most exciting yet. The batsmen are hitting harder than ever before, the fielding is generally of high quality and the mark for winning totals gets higher and higher. There is plenty of anticipation surrounding the most important tournament of all for the women's game.
by Jenny Roesler
for full information and live updates about icc women worldcup visit Cricinfo
women cricket worldcup pictures
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Chantelle Houghton has ended her relationship with Spurs striker Jermain Defoe.
The Celebrity Big Brother star, 25, is thought to have dumped him over the phone - just days after they returned from a romantic trip to Dubai.
‘He’s a difficult guy to trust. She was always worrying what he was up to,’ a pal tells the News Of The World.
‘Chantelle has never really been sure about Jermain. He has a string of girl ‘friends’ and is always on the phone. Most genuinely are his friends. But Chantelle just wants a quiet life.’
Jermain, 24, previously dated glamour model Danielle Lloyd, 25, and was engaged to Charlotte Mears, 22.
News Courtesy: www.nowmagazine.co.uk
Monday, March 2, 2009
A witness told Reuters he believed two police commandos were killed along with a regular policeman and a traffic warden. Shopkeeper Ahmed Ali said the two police commandos had been driving behind the team bus when they were hit.
"It was a very heavy firing and I heard at least two explosions at the time," said a Reuters witness who had been on his way to cover the test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
City police chief Haji Habibur Rehman said:"It was a terrorist attack and the terrorists used rocket launchers, hand grenades and other weapons."
The attackers had managed to flee, he added.
The test match has been cancelled, officials said.
News Source: Reuters, http://news.sky.com/
Russian Olympic champion and pole vault world record holder Yelena Isinbayeva has signed a sponsorship deal with Li Ning, the Chinese sportswear retailer confirmed on Thursday.No details on the size or length of the deal were available but Isinbayeva, the 2008 female athlete of the year, will attend a news conference in Beijing on Monday to formally announce the deal, a Li Ning spokesperson said.
It has been heard that the agreement would be worth $1.5 million annually for five years, a record amount for a track and field athlete.
Li Ning was founded by the 1984 Olympic triple gymnastics gold medallist who last August lit the cauldron at the opening ceremony of the Beijing Games. It has around 10 percent of the Chinese market.
News Courtesy: http://uk.reuters.com/
