QUICK NEWS:

Serena got to meet President Obama and his family in the White House. The President complimented Serena's shoes and that seems to be the media highlight of the occasion

Federer and Mirka had twin girls! Myla Rose and Charlene Riva Federer were born last night

Nadal's parents are reportedly getting a divorce

Natalie Dechy is pregnant at 30 and retires from pro tennis with 1 career title behind her belt

Roddick is still recovering from his Wimbledon loss and hasn't appeared in any US Open series events

Ivanovic is still focusing on golfer Adam Scott

Novak Djockovic appears to be on a honeymoon type vacation with long time girlfriend

Maria Sharapova claims to be back "100 %" but still spends a lot of time off the court promoting an array of new and old brands

Wimbledon Recap

This year's Wimbledon lived up to its expectations of bringing us great tennis, new records, repeat champions, American hope and once again a men's final for the history books.

The first question on everybody's minds should be, is Roger Federer human? 15 slams makes him a living tennis legend and he is only in his late 20's! With unparalleled class on the court and off, a crisp sense of style and execution, an x-ray vision for winners from any part of the court, and a fit body to play a 7 set final after 2 weeks of tennis and a French Open championship...the question remains the same. The other question is, does being a newly wed help your chances at Wimbledon? As you know, both Federer and Roddick are such. Federer beat A-Rod, 5-7 7-6 (8-6) 7-6 (7-5) 3-6 16-14 in four hours and 16 minutes of service holds. Roddick had a great run of course. With his huge serve that even the King of Tennis couldn't decipher and 140 mph swings that dismissed the draw all the way into the finals, it was hard to feel overjoyed for Federer without feeling quite sad for Roddick. His efforts are no doubt proof of the fact that he has improved, and his hard work is paying off. His post match remarks also marked a funny but more mature Roddick holding back on his sometimes offensive remarks. It is a great result, and hopefully the devastating fact of having been so close to winning, and leaving your heart out on the court and still coming up short, won't stall his career further, mentally that is. Roddick did play two back to back matches of his life, serving huge and ripping inside out forehand winners, leaving Britain without an Andy Murray. Murray will also get there someday, it is a matter of time. Cheers for Tommy Haas as well, a veteran by today's standards, making it to the semis. For now, the top of the ATP is looking good, pinaccled by once again #1 Roger Federer. For now, we wait for the return of Rafa, hopefully by the Us Open, to stop Federer from his quest of tennis world domination =)

On the women's side, the sister's showed their world dominance yet again. This time, Serena coming on top and beating Venus. Serena made that her 3rd Wimbledon, preventing Venus from claiming her 6th, winning 7-6, 6-2. However, the sisters teamed up as usual to steamroll through doubles. It has become hard to keep track of how many titles they both have, and they too, are so young still. Russians, Safina and Dementieva were so close to an all Russian final, but the dominant game style of the William's sisters on grass is a tough one to get through, especially since they are both past champions, a place where neither Russian has been just yet. There were plenty of young surprises on the women's side. Teenager, Melanie Oudin, made it to the rd. 16 by taking out Jankovic. Her result next to Roddick's gives American tennis new hope for future titles. Radwanska, Lisicki and Azarenka all heading the young generation on tour got to the quarterfinals respectively.

In the juniors, Andrey Kuznetsov of Russia beat Jordan Cox of the US in three sets. Two points for Russia and the US in junior development. On the girl's side, Noppawan Lertcheewakarn of Thailand beat the 1 seed, France's Kristina Mladenovic, also in three sets.

Check out the official site for interviews, scores, junior and mixed results and photos!

Goodbye, too young too soon

This was a hard week to say goodbye to some special people who are gone before their time.

It goes without saying how much Michael Jackson has done for the world in terms of children's foundations, breaking down of racial barriers, world peace, dance and music. The King of Pop, died at the age of 50 on June 25th. His memorial service was broadcast live this week and was watched by a billion people. Quoting online Stevie Wonder, Lionel Richie, Mariah Carey, Jennifer Hudson, Usher, Jermaine Jackson, and Shaheen Jafargholi sang Jackson's songs. Berry Gordy and Smokey Robinson gave eulogies, while Queen Latifah read, "We had him," a poem written for the occasion by Maya Angelou. The Reverend Al Sharpton won a standing ovation when he told Jackson's children, "There wasn't nothing strange about your daddy. It was strange was what your daddy had to deal with."Jackson's 11-year-old daughter, Paris Katherine, cried as she told the crowd, "Ever since I was born, Daddy has been the best father you could ever imagine ... I just wanted to say I love him so much."

RIP MJ

The tennis world also recieved its share of shocking news on July 6th, when Mathieu Montcourt was found dead behind his door in his Paris apartment, reportedly of cardiac arrest. Mathieu was one of the most talented French juniors, and was ranked as high as 109 ATP, really just starting his professional career. He had lost to Radek Stepanek second round of this year's French Open. He was a really talented and great guy, and only 24 years old. This is really devastating and a cruel reminder of how fragile life is.

RIP Mathieu


"The secret of health for both mind and body is not to mourn for the past, worry about the future, or anticipate troubles, but to live in the present moment wisely and earnestly." Buddha


http://likemylife.homestead.com/inspirationalquoteslivinglifetothefullest.html

Mental Toughness, A Life Lesson

Federer outlasts Roddick and wins a dramatic victory in the longest match played at Wimbledon. How did he do it, how did Roddick hang in there? Mental Toughness, focus, are all synonyms for the same thing. Our ability to continue to move forward when our body says no.

This is not something unique to tennis. It is necessary in all sports and in life. The runner who hits "a wall", the boxer who "runs out of gas", the pitcher who has "no stuff", are all examples of an inner drive, a force which pushes us to rise to the occasion. Even non athletes face these challenges in life, whether its school, business or health. The ability for families to survive when the economy says no.

Many times a patient is given a poor prognosis. You need an amputation, you will never run again; one year later the patient is in a road race. You have 6 months to live, and 2 years later the patient is still alive and well.

A drive to succeed, a drive to survive, a drive to persevere is in all of us, not just athletes. We need to find this strength and utilize it in all we do. We all have the ability to move forward when obstacles are put in our way. We can be satisfied with just being there or rise to the occasion. Roddick was not just satisfied, to be in a fifth set, he rose to the Moment. He just fell short, but he can always hold his head up high. He gave everything he had when his body said otherwise.

As sport fans and members of society, we should always try and rise to the occasion. Take the lessons from sports, school or work and apply them to help uplift others.

Tennis Racquets for Kids.org does this on a regular basis. Whether its bringing encouragement to those that need a positive word, or collecting racquets and distributing them to those who are less privileged, this tennis charity is there for everyone. While the country is in a recession, many individual requests from families who want to put their kids in a park program, but have no racquets, have been honored. An old Wilson, Head, Prince, Babolat, Yonex tennis racquet is a special gift to someone in need. Help us , help others in their quest to play the game of tennis, when the economy or the environment says no. Break from your daily routine, to take the modest time, to help others.