Tickets to the gun show...

Did anyone else wince at the sight of Andy Murray showing off his pasty Popeye muscles to the Wimbledon centre court crowd last night? After his marathon 5 set victory against Richard Gasquet which ended at 21:29 BST, Murray pulled back his sleeve and flexed his biceps in celebration.

It was a fantastic comeback by the Scot, but that move was clearly an error in judgment. I can't see him doing the same against Rafa Nadal in the quarter finals. I think it's quite clear who wins that contest!

Marilyn Rocks Rafa’s World

Tennis’ world number two makes his bid for Wimbledon crown by netting an exclusive Marilyn Monroe painting

Fresh from his French Open title and first round win at Wimbledon, Rafael Nadal has picked up an original artwork by renowned Italian artist Daniel Dondé.

The tennis hero acquired Marilyn Rock on the advice of art collector and Dondé’s agent, Daniel Muszkat, and was presented with his new painting earlier this week at the Wimbledon home he is renting for the tournament.

“My agent Carlos Costa introduced me to the work of Dondé. I met Daniel Muszkat two weeks ago in Paris before the final at Roland Garros, and I just fell in love with the painting,” Nadal said. “Not that I am very much in to art but I do like these things, especially paintings.”

Marilyn Rock is regarded as one of the highlights of Dondé’s 30 piece collection. The painting is finished with gold, jewels and other precious stones.

Park Plaza Riverbank London (18 Albert Embankment, London SE1 7DJ) is displaying the remaining paintings in Dondé’s collection until the end of July 2008. Prices range from £3,500 to £5,900.

Dondé’s latest creations celebrate Marilyn as “the modern day Mona Lisa”. Along with more than 20 paintings of Marilyn, the collection includes Bridgitte Bardot, Mona Lisa and a painting of Paris Hilton with Swarovski crystals.

A fan of Glam Rock Art, Dondé has a loyal following among the rich and famous. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Simon le Bon, Sophia Loren, Flavio Briatore, Roger Moore, Prince Albert of Monaco and Giorgio Armani have purchased works by the artist.

Out with Kornikova, in with Ivanovic

A new Ana has emerged on the scene at Wimbledon, and this one is better looking and a much better tennis player.

Ana Ivanovic arrived in SW19 off the back of her first Grand Slam title at the French Open earlier in the year, and she has won over the British public and Press. Ever since the BBC announced that she is single and looking for love, the Serbian has become the most eligible bachelorette on the tennis circuit.

Asides the fact that she is clearly stunning to look at, she plays a beautiful tennis game as well. She hits the ball with power and style, and in a funny but endearing way sounds a bit like a baby crocodile when on court.

Having said that, I don't fancy her for the Wimbledon title this year. The number 1 seed struggled through against Nathalie Dechy by literally a matter of inches, when at Match Point down a shot by Ivanovic hit the net and crept over, proving to be the turning point in the game. At the end of a marathon 6-7, 7-6, 10-8 thriller that lasted 3 hrs 24mis she kissed the net in thanks. My wager this year is on Maria Sharapova who looked very comfortable in her opening game and has clearly made Wimbledon a priority.

And for the men's tournament I fancy Nadal. He is much closer to beating Federer on grass then Federer is to beating him on clay, and he just appears so incredibly focussed this season. I feel the torch could be passed on and the bookies will go home happy.

Federer versus Woods

Who is better? Discuss.....

Tim Henman Joins BBC Wimbledon Team

BBC Sport has signed an exclusive agreement with Tim Henman, Britain's most successful open era player, to join their team of experts at this year's Wimbledon Championships (23 June–6 July, BBC One and BBC Two).

Tim Henman said: "I'm delighted to be joining the BBC team at Wimbledon this year. It's exciting for me to return to Wimbledon in a non-playing capacity and I'm very much looking forward to working alongside other members of the BBC team."

In terms of broadcasting to UK audiences, this is an exclusive agreement with the BBC for the duration of Wimbledon 2008. Tim will be working with the television team as a commentator and studio analyst.

Paul Davies, BBC TV Executive Producer Wimbledon, said: "Tim was an incredibly popular player and the success, drama and passion he experienced at Wimbledon has created a unique connection with both the Championship and British tennis fans.

"Returning to SW19 with the BBC team seems the perfect fit and his on-court experience will add a fascinating dimension to our coverage. We hope this will be the start of a successful partnership between Tim and the BBC."

New Look Tennis Calendar For 2009

The LTA today announced a new look international calendar for 2009 including the first ATP/Sony Ericsson WTA Tour combined event to be held in Great Britain. The changes to the grass court tournaments leading up to The Championships, Wimbledon will be introduced from next year.

Key changes to the major events held in Great Britain throughout June include, from 2009, moving the international men’s event currently staged in Nottingham to produce a combined men’s and women’s event to be held at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne. In 2010 the venue for the women’s (Sony Ericsson WTA Tour) tournament currently held in Birmingham will be determined by a bidding process with any venue meeting the criteria able to bid to host the event.

2009 (Provisional dates)
Week Commencing:

Monday 1st June $50,000 ATP Challenger & $50,000 & ITF women’s event, venue to be confirmed

Monday 8th June ATP event at The Queen’s Club, London Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event at Edgbaston Priory Club, Birmingham

Monday 15th June ATP/WTA combined event at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne

2010 (Provisional dates)

Week Commencing:

Monday 31st May $50,000 ATP Challenger & $50,000 ITF women’s event, venue to be confirmed

Monday 7th June ATP event at The Queen’s Club, London Sony Ericsson WTA Tour event open for bidding

Monday 14th June ATP/WTA combined event at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne

Roger Draper, Chief Executive of the LTA, said: “The new, co-ordinated calendar will help raise the profile of the sport nationally and enhance the experience for fans, players and spectators. We are confident that the changes will help to re-energise the calendar and open up the sport to a new audience as well as offering a better experience for existing fans. The bidding process in 2010 further opens up the calendar and means that new venues have the option of bidding to host world class tennis.

“This is at the heart of the LTA’s new commercial strategy where we hope to position a Lead Partner as the umbrella sponsor of British tennis. The commercial strategy is bringing together all elements of the sport from schools to elite players and provides a real opportunity for us to build a strong partnership with a brand.”