Serena Attends Louis Vuitton 2010 Cruise Collection Launch

Serena Williams attended the launch of Louis Vuitton's 2010 Cruise Collection at Saks Fifth Avenue in NYC and the tennis star continued her stylish ways in a body-con black LV curve-hugging dress with lace panels on the sides. The world number 1 accesorized with black pumps and a bright necklace.

Serena and Daniel LaLonde, CEO of LV North America

Safin Says Goodbye in Paris; Federer Upset

Marat Safin's dramatic, hilarious and succesful tennis career came to a quiet close on Wednesday when the Russian former number 1 was defeated by 5th seeded Juan Martin del Potro, 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 in the 2nd round of the Paris Masters. It wouldn't have been a match without some racquet-crushing, but Marat did sow some glimpses of his old self to the Parisian crowd, firing some baseline cannons for winners on occasion.“Today I will put all my memories, all my wins and losses in a small box,” said Safin, following a ceremony honoring the 2 time Grand Slam champion. “Today a door is closed, hopefully another one will open.” In other results, Julien Benneteau stunned Roger Federer, who continues to play his worst tennis in the latter stages of the year, in a tight 3 setter, 3-6, 7-6 (4), 6-4. Rafael Nadal saved 5 match points in his 3 set win over Nicolas Almagro, while Novak Djokovic, Robin Soderling, Fernando Gonzalez and Gael Monfils advanced with straight set victories. Last week's winner in Valencia, Andy Murray, edged out James Blake in 3 sets, 6-3, 6-7 (5), 7-6 (4).

Serena Covers Glamour

Serena Williams, named one of Glamour Magazine's "women of the year" covers the mag along with Michelle Obama, Rihanna and others.

Serena looks great in her mini-dress on the cover, but the inside is a whole different story, as I posted about earlier.

Shazza + Sasha= It's On!

No denying it anymore, Maria! Confirmed by the above picture, taken by the Paps, Maria Sharapova and LA Lakers player Sasha Vujacic are definitely dating. Now, Sasha, make sure you don't move too fast like your fellow laker, Lamar Odom, did with Khloe Kardashian, marrying the socialite after a month.

Serena Stuns At Glamour's Women of the Year Awards

Serena Williams looked magnificent as she attended the 2009 Glamour Magazine Women of the Year awards along with powerful ladies like Tyra Banks, Iman, Rihanna, Amy Poehler, Maya Angelou and Catherine Zeta Jones. The world number 1 wore a Pamela Roland red one-shouldered gown with silver heels as she was honored as one of the most inspiring women of this year.

VA V A V O OM

Serena In Style

Serena Williams looking mighty stylish leaving the ITV Studios in YSL Tribute Pumps.

Saying Au Revoir to the "Magician"

Instead of trying to sum up what Fabrice Santoro has done for tennis, I think I should let the following videos do the talking, but the Frenchman's contributions to the sport over the last 20 years deserve commendation beyond what he gets. On Sunday, Santoro played in what he says to be his final singles match against James Blake. Blake defeated "The Magician", and had nothing but praise for him afterwards. “He’s had a great career. It’s unbelievable how much success he’s had in singles and doubles and how well liked he is by his competitors, which I think says a lot about a person, when they do retire, how respected they are by the rest of the tour," said Blake. Santoro played a record 69 Grand Slams, defeated 17 number 1's at some point in their career, played the longest match in Open Era tennis history, and should he change his mind and decide to compete in one last major, the '10 Aussie Open, Santoro will have played professional tennis over 4 different decades. He also won 6 singles titles and 24 doubles titles.

The stats tell a tale, but noone can understand the magic Fabrice brought to the table unless you watch his highlight reel:

Agassi on 60 Minutes with Couric

Part 1

Part 2

Web Extras

Serena Wants YOU to Know That She is a Serious Actress!

We love Serena to death, but she is the number one tennis player in the world, at the top of her game, and is already seriously considering a full-on acting career. This IS sort of why we admire her. She doesn't care how many occupations she has at once, because she just conquers them all.

After dying on E.R. back in '05, Serena claims that she is getting into the industry to stay......as oppose to, um, die. "I really enjoy acting. I like being in front of the camera. I think I should be an action star. I always wanted to die in acting and then I died (in E.R.) and I was miserable!" Now the younger Williams wants to be an action star. "I can do a real mean chop and kick," Serena boasts. "And I can jump high and run fast and cartwheel."

And this qualifies you to be the next Jackie Chan....how?

Whatevs, we still love her, but perhaps she should consider toning it down a notch. Tennis Pro, Jewelry designer and script writer are enough...right?

Italy Blanks U.S.A to Take Fed Cup, Djokovic Wins Basel

The Italians dominated the United States at the Rocco Polimeni club in Italy to take the Fed Cup title easily on Sunday, after Flavia Pennetta and Francesca Schiavone each won their singles duels, and the doubles team of Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci won the doubles. The US team, noticeably Williams-less, consisted of teen Melanie Oudin, Vania King, Alexa Glatch and world number 1 doubles player Liezel Huber. Italy's run is undoubtedly impressive, considering they beat the Russians, who make up 1/3 of the WTA's top 15, in the semifinals. “We’re the world champions, it’s simple,” said Pennetta enthusiastically. “We’ve played against some great teams this year.”

Novak Djokovic captured the title at the Davidoff Swiss Indoors after defeating world number 1 Roger Federer, at his hometown tournament, in 3 sets, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2. It is the Serb's 4th tournament victory of 2009 and improves his record against Federer to 3-2 on the year. Federer, who lost just his 3rd match since May, sprayed errors all over the court while Djokovic found a way to save crucial break points and keep the errors to a minimum.“I have to produce something special to win,” said Djokovic to a crowd of adoring Federer fans. We know exactly what Roger is thinking right now: "Better get a wildcard into the Serbian Open and take this kid's hometown title." Get on it, Rog!

So Much for Those "Economic Troubles"

According to the federation at Roland Garros, a project is underway to have an entire new venue created for the French Open built in the next several years. Here is the statement:

The federation announced this year a project to build a new center court with a
retractable roof that could be in use by 2013 or 2014.

The new 14,600-seat stadium would be located just under 500 yards from the current center court and surrounded by two other smaller, covered arenas at a cost of $177 million.

The project is reportedly facing opposition from green
members of the city council and residents living near the stadium. Paris city
hall said it remained committed to the project.

“Paris city hall and its
political majority wants the French Open to stay in Paris,” city hall said in a
statement. “We are well aware of the necessity for the French tennis federation
to modernize its facilities to stay competitive. We want to find a solution in
this area.”

Ysern said the federation has the right to use Roland Garros
until 2015.

“We have already injected a lot of money, an architect has
been appointed and has already started his works. We can’t lose our time. We
have to build,” Ysern said.

The FFT chose architect Marc Mimram, who
designed the overpass that connects France and Germany across the Rhine River in
Strasbourg.

Ysern added the FFT would pursue other options—including the
possibility of moving the tournament away from its historical site—in case the
new stadium project falls through.

“We are thinking about the impact of
such a relocation,” Ysern said. “When you want something and you understand it’s
not sure that you are going to get it, you have to think about other options.”

The FFT hasn’t determined a site yet but it would be difficult to build
a new arena in Paris itself, with the organizers probably being forced to
consider a move toward the suburbs.

Vika and Caroline Bring the LOLs, Video from the Doha After-Party

Don't you love the playfulness of all the ladies, even after being called a "bad pusher" and a "brainless ball basher.".

Who knew JJ was an up-and-coming designer?

Roger and Novak Advance to Basel Semis

It has surely been "Rogerfest" over in Basel this entire week, as the world number 1 and Switzerland's leading man, Roger Federer, is competing in the Davidoff Swiss Indoors. After defeating Andreas Seppi and Evgueni Korolev, Federer is in the semifinals, where he will take on fellow Swiss, Marco Chiudinelli. Novak Djokovic recorded his first ever double-bagel when he crushed Jan Henrych, and the Serb followed it up with a 3-set comeback win over Stanislas Wawrinka. Djokovic will take on Radek Stepanek, who upset Marin Cilic in the quarters.