You know that Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are friends off the court, right? I remember Vogue’s profile of Nadal last year, where Nadal was talking about how much respect he has for Federer, and how Federer is “one of the greatest tennis players in history, if not the greatest.” Nadal also talked about beating Federer on the court, and Federer’s high emotions afterwards: “I didn’t really know what to do. I felt sad for him. Those are difficult moments when you’re living through them, but over the years they become moments that both he and I will be able to look back on fondly—they’re emotional moments.” So… they’re buddies. Professional friends, arguably the two greatest tennis players working today, if not two of the best ever, in the history of tennis. So is it so surprising that they would join together for two exhibition games, all to support each other’s charities? Honestly, it’s so nice it’s making me tear up a little.

World number one Rafael Nadal has avenged his two recent defeats to Roger Federer with a victory over his rival in a charity match in Madrid, Spain. Wednesday night’s clash was the second of two exhibitions aimed at raising money for the pair’s foundations, with Federer winning Tuesday’s contest in the Swiss city of Zurich.

It was the third time in the last month that the world’s top-two male tennis players have met and Nadal’s first victory in that period, after Federer won in Switzerland and at the ATP World Tour Finals in London, England.

Twenty-four hours earlier the two stars joined forces to raise funds for Roger Federer’s foundation, and the “Match for Africa” raised $2.6 million for the 29-year-old’s charity.

The 23-year-old Nadal thanked his opponent for his participation in the match and was pleased the duo could use their status to raise money for a good cause.

“I say thank you very much to Roger for coming here to Madrid and supporting my foundation today,” the nine-time grand slam winner told the ATP Tour’s official website after winning the match 7-6 (7-3) 4-6 6-1.

“Both of us are very happy that we can finally have this event and raise a lot of money for these kids. I know that with what we’re going to raise … it’s not going to be decisive but it will be a help. It’s going to be important to improve this world a little bit.”

The contest, named the “Joining Forces For the Benefit Of Children” match, attracted an all-star crowd to the Caja Magica, including Spain’s Queen Sofia.

[From CNN]

Sweet, right? Federer won one, and Nadal won one. And they raised millions of dollars, and people got to see two of the best players in the world compete against each other. Lovely.

Oh, and for those who say that we have to pick a side, either Team Rafa or Team Federer… I’m Team Federer, just because I think he’s a very kind, sweet man, and a real gentleman. But Rafa’s not bad at all.

For more information about Rafa’s foundation, go here. For more information on Federer’s foundation, go here.

Photos courtesy of Fame.

We generally don’t cover Gwen Stefani and Gavin Rossdale’s outings, but these are newish photos of the two of them watching Roger Federer at the U.S. Open yesterday, and I found them adorable. Isn’t it weird that we never really wonder about the state of Gwen and Gavin’s relationship? They occasionally walk a red carpet, but for the most part, the photos we have of them are candids shot while they’re out with their kids, or enjoying some downtime at an event like this. They’re just so cute, and they always seem so solid. I love these photos.

They just seem so shockingly normal. I know that’s what people say about Jennifer Garner too – that they like her because she seems so normal, like your neighbor with the cute kids, but I’ve never bought it from Garner. I’m one of the few who dislikes the weekly parade of dimples from the Garner-Affleck clan, just because I get a vibe that they are, at times, forcing it. Forcing the “we’re so normal and down to earth and a big happy family” thing. Specifically, I think Garner is forcing it to promote a very family-friendly image of herself, to continue the whitewash of her past relationships. I don’t get a forced vibe from Gavin and Gwen, ever, in candid shots. Sometimes I get it from Gwen when she’s promoting something, when she’s wearing all of her gear and everything, but shen she’s dressed in her beloved track-suit/muumuus, she looks adorable. They just seem like a cool rock star couple who are really solid. I will be heartbroken if they ever split. Also: Gwen still looks pregnant to me. You think?

And of course, how could you not enjoy yourself when you’re watching Federer? I love him. He’s so f-cking cute.

Roger Federer doesn’t lose very often, and when he does, he only loses to Rafael Nadal. Not so much at this year’s US Open, where Federer was defeated by Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in the final. Roger not only lost the game, he lost his US Open winning streak, having to settle with a five-year winning streak rather than a six-year streak. Afterwards, Federer was ever the gentleman, saying “Five was great, four was great, too. Six would have been a dream, too, can’t have them all…I’m not too disappointed just because I thought I played another wonderful tournament. I had chances today to win but couldn’t take them. It was unfortunate.”

I think Roger was obliquely referencing an incident that happened during the game, where he basically bitched out the umpire in a more contained Serena Williams-esque outburst on live television. It came when Federer thought Martin del Potro took too long to challenge – he berated the umpire, “You have two seconds. He took 10 seconds. He does it all the time… You can’t allow that stuff to happen. Don’t you have any rules in there?” When the umpire told him to be quiet, Federer snapped, “Don’t tell me to be quiet, OK… When I want to talk, I talk. I don’t give a sh-t what you say.” Diva!

NEW YORK — Juan Martin del Potro dethroned five-time defending champion Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6 (7/5), 4-6, 7-6 (7/4), 6-2 to capture the US Open on Monday, ending an era to win in his first Grand Slam final.

Firing consistent winners, the 1.98m Argentine giant kept the pressure upon the player many hail as the greatest in tennis history, one he had never beaten in six prior attempts, and won a shocker after four hours and six minutes.

“A dream came true,” said a tearful Del Potro. “I don’t have words to explain how I feel.”
The shocker made Del Potro only the second South American to win the US Open men’s crown, after countryman Guillermo Vilas in 1977, and denied Swiss world number one Federer a 16th career Slam crown.

Sixth seed Del Potro, who turns 21 next week, snapped Federer’s 41-match unbeaten streak on the Flushing Meadows hardcourts to win 1.85 million dollars and destroyed the Swiss superstar’s aura of US Open invincibility.

“I would like to congratulate Juan Martin on an unbelievable tournament. I had a great one but he was the best,” Federer said. “I would have never believed I could win five in a row here. It has been an amazing run for me.”

Federer’s 11th double fault gave Del Potro another chance and he made the most of it, winning when Federer sent a forehand over the baseline.

Del Potro fell to the court on his back and began to cry.

Federer lost his cool as well as his crown, the usually mild-mannered master shotmaker cursing at umpire Jake Garner during a third-set changeover for being told to be quiet.

Federer was two points from taking the second set in the 10th game before Del Potro fought back to break and went on to win the tie-break to level the match.

Del Potro and Federer exchanged breaks in the seventh and eighth games of the third set before Federer held to 5-4 after a failed Del Potro challenge that came far too late for the Swiss star’s liking.

“You have two seconds. He took 10 seconds. He does it all the time,” Federer told Garner as he took a seat on a changeover. “You can’t allow that stuff to happen. Don’t you have any rules in there?”

When Garner asked Federer to be quiet, the superstar erupted.

“Don’t tell me to be quiet, OK,” Federer said. “When I want to talk, I talk. I don’t give a sh-t what you say.”

[From AFP]

Well, it was no “I swear to God, I’m gonna take this f-cking ball and shove it down your f-cking throat.” But Federer’s cool, gentlemanly Swiss exterior was definitely rattled. And the networks who covered the exchange live will probably have to pay fines for airing the word “sh-t”. What’s in the water at the US Open?

Here are photos of celebrities at the final of the US Open including Justin Timberlake, Charlize Theron, Gwen Stefani, Ashley and Mary-Kate Olsen, Ed Westwick, Djimon Hounsou, Bruce Willis, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Constantine Maroulis taking a cell phone picture with Tony Bennett. Credit: WENN.com

Roger Federer and his wife Mirka have released the first photo of their newborn twin girls, Charlene Riva and Myla Rose. Charlene and Myla were born on July 23, just a few weeks after Roger’s historic 15th Grand Slam win at Wimbledon. The stress was so great during the game, Roger later said, “She thought she was going to go into labor during the match and so did I! I will now regroup after this amazing win and people are asking what am I going to do now – and supporting Mirka is my answer.” Aw…he’s so sweet.

As for the babies – well, they look like newborn babies. I’m sure they’ll grow up to be gorgeous little Swiss girls. Roger and Mirka are both killing me in this picture, they just look so peaceful and happy. Roger’s arm hair is turning me on. Weird? Whatever, I don’t care. I love hirsute men. Mirka and Roger just seem like such a lovely couple, I adore them so much. Roger put this first photo up on his Facebook page, with this note: “As promised, here is a family picture that my dad took. He thinks he’s becoming a professional photographer. It was very funny as both girls had the hiccups while we were trying to take a decent picture. The girls and mom are doing great. Thanks for all your warm wishes.” Congratulations to Roger and his girls!

I called it! When I saw pictures of Roger Federer and his wife Mirka at Wimbledon, I thought that there was no way poor Mirka was due in August – she looked ready to pop at on the Wimbledon court! Roger thought so too, even telling journalists that he was worried Mirka was going to go into labor during the game that ended up being Roger’s historic 15th Grand Slam title. Well, Mirka waited just a couple of weeks, and now we have another reason for why she looked so big and uncomfortable – she was carrying twins! Mirka gave birth to twin girls Charlene Riva and Myla Rose late Thursday evening, according to Roger’s website (via People). I love the names. Honestly. So pretty. Not cat names at all.

There’s a new doubles team in town: Roger Federer and wife Mirka are the proud parents of twin girls, the tennis star announced early Friday on his Web site.

Daughters Charlene Riva Federer and Myla Rose Federer arrived late Thursday evening in Switzerland, Federer, 27, shares.

“This is the greatest day of our lives,” the Grand Slam champ and No. 1 player in the world said in a statement. “Mirka, Myla and Charlene are all healthy and doing very well.”

The couple of nine years – who finally tied the knot in April – had announced the pregnancy in March, but never let on that they were expecting twins. (In fact, word was it was to be a boy, solo.)

Earlier this month, Federer accomplished something far less secret: He won Wimbledon, his 15th Grand Slam tennis title, surpassing Pete Sampras’s previous record of 14.

[From People]

Oh, congratulations to the happy family. And take note, ladies: Roger Federer still bought the cow when he got the milk for free. It was a shotgun marriage, and he seemed ridiculously pleased about it. I mentioned this in another post, but I’ll say it again – I think Roger feels like he’s the lucky one, to be with Mirka. They’re so lovely together, and now they have two little girls! So exciting.

Yesterday, Swiss Roger Federer won the men’s finals at Wimbledon, beating American Andy Roddick in the longest final set in the history of Wimbeldon. It was Roger’s 15th Grand Slam title, and Roger is now back to being the number one ranked player in the world, after being briefly replaced by Raphael Nadal. Roger’s very pregnant wife Miroslava “Mirka” Vavrinec was there to cheer him on, and it seems her condition weighed heavily on Roger’s mind throughout the game. Roger told reporters that “she thought she was going to go into labor during the match and so did I! I will now regroup after this amazing win and people are asking what am I going to do now – and supporting Mirka is my answer.” Aw, that’s sweet. The guy is the best tennis player in the world and all he can think about is supporting his pregnant wife.

Wimbledon champion Roger Federer may have crashed into the record books with his stunning win at the men’s finals last night. But he revealed the tense final had him worried that wife Miroslava ‘Mirka’ would go into labour.

Federer’s other big achievement for 2009 could clearly be seen as he arrived on the purple carpet at last night’s Champions Dinner. The Swiss tennis champ was escorted by his eight months pregnant wife, 31, who was glowing with health despite being close to giving birth to the couple’s first child.

Wearing a dark blue gown, and cheerful pink cardigan, Mirka gamely turned out to support her champion husband. And later Federer said his Wimbledon win over Andy Roddick was so tense he feared his pregnant wife Mirka would go into labour.

Mrs Federer was in the court-side box to see her Swiss husband collect a record 15th Grand Slam and reclaim the world No 1 spot. According to reports, Federer’s practice partner kept a mobile phone in his sock ahead of the match in case his wife went into Labour.

Federer, who beat No 6 seed Roddick 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 in the longest men’s final set, said: ‘This is very special because of the situation with Mirka. In fact, she thought she was going to go into labour during the match and so did I! I will now regroup after this amazing win and people are asking what am I going to do now – and supporting Mirka is my answer.’

Federer beat Andy Roddick of the U.S. in an epic final in front of a crowd of sporting legends and Hollywood stars including Russell Crowe, Woody Allen and Ben Stiller.

The incredibly tight game saw Roddick, 26, fire off 143mph serves against his opponent. But at the end of the marathon lasting more than four hours and a record 77 games over five sets, Roddick finally crumbled and Federer shouted with joy as he won 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14.

The final set – of 30 games – is also the longest ever in a Wimbledon final. The previous record was set at last year’s Wimbledon tournament when Rafael Nadal beat Federer in a match widely considered to be the best of all time.

The victory also puts 27-year-old Federer back as number one in the world, ahead of Nadal in the world rankings. Nadal missed this year’s tournament with a knee injury.

After the four-hour 16 minute match, a gracious Roddick – whose pluck and humility won over the Wimbledon crowd – said: ‘I just want to say congratulations to Roger. He’s a true champion and he deserves everything he gets. Well done Roger.’

Roddick appeared to have won the hearts of many in the 15,000 crowd – taking over from Britain’s Andy Murray, who Roddick knocked out of the tournament on Friday.

One fan carried a banner reading ‘Come on Andy’ with the word ‘Murray’ crossed out and replaced by ‘Roddick’.

After his victory, Federer said: ‘It feels amazing. It feels great. It was a crazy match with an unbelievable end and an unbelievable moment of my career.’

[From The Daily Mail]

In these pictures, Mirka looks ready to pop any minute now, but she’s allegedly not due until August. I heart Roger Federer for so many reasons, and his wife is one of them. He’s this extremely hot tennis player and an extremely attractive man, and he ends up marrying his longtime girlfriend who isn’t some super-gorgeous supermodel. I just get the feeling that Roger thinks she’s a queen, and he treats her like he’s the lucky one. Sigh. This is why tennis is the only sport I follow.

Here’s Roger Federer and wife Mirka arriving for the Champions’ Dinner at the Intercontinental Hotel in London yesterday. Images thanks to BauerGriffinOnline.

Roger Federer is the kind of guy who actually marries the girl he knocks up. Hurray! Good to know, right? Roger announced on his website that he and long-term girlfriend Miroslava “Mirka” Vavrinec were married on Saturday. Roger is 27 years old and Mirka just turned 31 years old. It is the first marriage for both.

The two have been dating since 2000, and they announced Mirka’s pregnancy in March. My guess is that Mirka is due in late summer or early fall. It’s good that she finally got Roger down the aisle, though I doubt he was really one of those commitment-phobic men. Roger has always seemed so nice, very much a gentleman. Never a whiff a scandal, never a temper tantrum – he’ll be a good dad, I’d bet.

Roger Federer is officially off the singles market. The tennis champ announced on his Web site that he married longtime girlfriend and former WTA tennis player Miroslava “Mirka” Vavrinec in Switzerland on Saturday.

“Earlier today, in my hometown of Basel, surrounded by a small group of close friends and family, Mirka and I got married. It was a beautiful spring day and an incredibly joyous occasion,” Federer, wrote on his blog. “Mr. and Mrs. Roger Federer wish all of you a Happy Easter weekend.”

Last month, Federer, winner of 13 Grand Slam singles titles revealed that he and Mirka are expecting their first child this summer. The couple met while at the 2000 Sydney Olympics where they both represented Switzerland.

From People Magazine

Roger is Swiss through and through, but Mirka was born in Slovakia. Her family immigrated to Switzerland when she was only two years old. From what I could find of the tennis ranking systems, Roger seems to currently be ranked the number two player in the world, behind Rafael Nadal. Roger is worth more than $60 million through prize money endorsement deals. Mirka is worth far less, and I would guess that Roger has supported her financially through much of their relationship. However, many sources indicate that she is and has been a vital part of “Team Federer”, acting at times as his manager, his assistant, his cheerleader and moral support. They seem like a really genuine, sweet couple. Congratulations to Roger and Mirka!

Here’s a confession: I barely follow any sports at all. Football, baseball, soccer, basketball, I just don’t care. I never have. The Oscars are my Super Bowl. The Golden Globes are my… whatever baseball has as their final thing-amajigs. But even I follow tennis. Just because I like the guys. And Roger Federer is lovely.

My interest in Federer started, oddly enough, with a profile of the Swiss hottie in Vogue Magazine several years back. The article had information about this girlfriend – Mirka Vavrinec. She’s not just some tennis groupie, some fly-by-night hook-up that in it for the publicity. Federer’s manager was quoted as saying something about how Mirka is essential to Team Federer. They’ve been together for years, and they are each other’s best friend. So it’s very happy news that the two are expecting their first child together. Federer confirmed the news on his website, and OK! has the details:

He’s conquered the tennis world, now it’s time to pass a little of his expertise on to the next generation.

On Thursday, 13-time Grand-Slam champion, Roger Federer, announced he is expecting a baby this summer with girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec . This is the first child for both Federer and Mirka. The tennis champ is in Indian Wells, Calif., for the Masters’ Tournament.

On his official website Federer writes:

“Dear Fans,
I arrived in Indian Wells earlier this week and I am eager to get back out on court. My back is feeling much better and I am ready to go.

I also have some really awesome news to share with all of you: Mirka and I are excited to let you know that we will be parents this summer! Mirka is pregnant and we are so happy to be starting a family together. This is a dream come true for us. We love children and we are looking forward to being parents for the first time. Mirka is feeling great and everything is going well.

Speak soon and thanks for all your continued support! Roger ”

Well ladies, looks like Roger is officially off the market!

From OK! Magazine

Uh, Roger, you were off the market all of those years you were with your girlfriend, before she got knocked up. But no matter! I’m very happy for Roger and Mirka. She seems like a very nice girl who is very invested in Roger Federer the person, not Roger Federer the tennis champion.

In interviews, Roger seems so low-key, and almost excessively polite, compared to his intensity on the court. I bet he’ll make a great dad, and I bet the kid starts training early for future tennis glory.

Roger and Mirka are shown at the airport in Shanghai on 11/5/07. Credit: WENN.com. She’s also shown doing her makeup at the US Open on 8/28/07. Credit: Jano/starmax/Newscom.

Annie Leibovitz has shot another series of celebrity advertisements for the Disney Parks. Her last set of images drew praise for the creative way it brought Disney fantasy to life. Scarlet Johansson was Cinderella fleeing the ball in a flowing gown, David Beckham was Prince Phillip on his bucking steed, and Beyonce, Lyle Lovett and Oliver Pratt were Alice, the Mad Hatter and the The March Hare sitting on the famed teacups.

The latest photos are equally impressive. Rachel Weisz is a lovely Snow White in congress with the birds and animals, Julie Andrews and Abigail Breslin are fairies, and tennis great Roger Federer is King Arthur removing the sword from the stone.

My son hasn’t gone to Disney World yet, but if grandma has her way he will soon. It’s a fun, extremely well-crafted amusement park, but it’s still a pain in the ass dragging your kid around for an entire day, waiting in line, and walking everywhere. You can put celebrities in perfect costumes and add wind and props and it does evoke a feeling of other-worldliness and relaxation. These photos are beautiful, but if I want a fantasy experience I know I should be going to the spa, not to an amusement park with my family.

Here are the latest advertisements, which will run in US magazines in December. Rachel Weisz and Roger Federer are also shown on set. Thanks to The Daily Mail via ONTD for these photos.