Rafael Nadal Stops Roger Federer To Create His Own Spot in Wimbledon History
LIGHTENING ROD O’ RAFA: 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7.
Could you hear me screaming? No doubt my Rafa-induced shrills of joy traveled all the way across the Pacific Ocean…my hands are blistered, my voice is gone and I may have suffered a minor coronary during the Wimbledon Men’s Final. Mother Nature was an evil, evil woman, stopping play more than once while she opened her arms to sprinkle rain on what could-be one of the best matches in history. Between the break points, rains delays, sudden deaths, match points, 18 cups of coffee I drank, 6 tranquilizers I swallowed and Rafa’s grunting, I don’t think I could have survived the night had they halted play due to weather or nightfall.
Prior to the Wimbledon, Roger Federer said: “I don’t think it matters really a lot if I’m the favorite or not,” Federer said. “I’m on an incredible winning streak on grass. First, somebody has to be able to break that before we start talking differently.” Okay, let’s start ‘talking differently’ now shall we?
The skies opened up over Wimbledon as our Lighten Rod ‘O Rafa wiped that smarmy smirk off the face of the Swiss Mister to win the Men’s Final at the All England Tennis Club. Nadal’s sexy Spanish prowess, precise rituals, and tantalizing on-court backhanded-gymnastics were nothing short of spectacular, and after losing the last two Wimbledon Finals to the Swiss Mister, it was beyond sensational to watch our precious Spaniard lift that trophy, kiss it, nibble on it and rejoice in a long overdue historical-stoppage of R-Fed’s oh-so-wonderful winning streak of five-Wimbledon titles.
Rafa was asked how he felt the moment he won: “Is impossible to explain what I feet in that moment,” he said, “Just very, very happy to win this tournement.” Even John McEnroe was blown away, “It’s the greatest match I’ve ever seen in my tennis career,” he said more than once during his post-match interview with Rafa. “Unbelievable effort, unbelievable,” said McEnroe, “It was the greatest match I have seen in my tennis career, how in the world did you do that?” Rafa replied with his natural humility, “I don’t know, I was crying like ten minutes because for Rafa is like dream for Wimbledon,” he said, “For the Spanish, Wimbledon always is very, very difficult…I try to be very concentrate…belief in the victory all the time and be more focused.” And with that, our Rafael Nadal becomes the first man to win Wimbledon and French Open in the same year since 1980…the rest, as they say, is history.
As always, thanks for reading.
delinda@athlebrities.com
Lewis Hamilton Launches Foundation
LEWIS HAMILTON FOUNDATION
Lewis Hamilton…I don’t care about the fact that you’re chasing supermodels around…I do care that you met the former President of South Africa and peace prize winner Nelson Mandela during his his 90th birthday bash in London. Hamilton even got a one-on-one with Mandela: “When I met him it was like walking in to see the king. To be put in front of god. To me, and millions of others around the world, Nelson Mandela has been a true inspiration and not only that, he’s a hero. He has fought bravely, suffered patiently, and forgiven absolutely. Only a truly special man can emerge from 27 years of unjust imprisonment, without rancour and without bitterness, and get straight back to work. Nelson Mandela has taught me the importance of self-belief, integrity, reconciliation and hope. By working together and looking to the future, we can make a difference and we can make a change.”
Don’t know about you, but I got goose bumps…true to his words, Hamilton has taken his first step towards making this world a little bit better by launching the Lewis Hamilton Foundation. The Lewis Hamilton Foundation (LHF) aims to provide funding to a range of existing charities and good causes while also developing its ‘Rise Above It’ program. The ‘Rise Above It’ program is about giving youth and their families access to the tools and the skills to develop their own path for the future by helping them identify their dreams and goals and helping them to achieve their objectives through life experiences and educational programs. The LHF also aims to support existing charities In the following categories: Seriously ill children and young people; Children and young people with disabilities; Helping children and young people out of poverty. (Lewis Hamilton Foundation) Need I say more?
As always, thanks for reading.
delinda@athlebrities.com
Steve Foley Settles With City
STEVE FOLEY GETS A BIT OF JUSTICE
Finally, a little justice has been served. Ex-Charger Steve Foley got his day in court…and lemme just say, I was a bit concerned when I watched the local news recap the situation in the courtroom. (If you need the background on this case, in a nutshell, Foley was driving home one night when off-duty officer Aaron Mansker followed him home and shot him in the leg, ending Foleys career.) Much ado was made about the case and why Foley didn’t stop for the rookie cop who’s credibility is on par with that of Roger Clemens…anyway, back to the news recap I was watching…Foleys attorney unveiled evidence that Officer Mansker shot Foley in the BACK of his leg, had his headlights on essentially blinding Foley as he opened fire on him and never identified himself as a “police officer” according to neighbors-granted, Mansker testified in court that he shouted ‘Police officer, stop!” at the top of his lungs…but the local news, seriously, aired this evidence and then said; “Well, there is still a long way to go in the trial and I’m sure they’ll get it back on the right track.” The right track? Evidence that a rookie cop, shot an unarmed man in the back of his legs is NOT on the right track? The right track, thankfully, prevailed in this case and Foley agreed to settle his lawsuit against Mansker…it’s just too bad Foleys mom didn’t cut him lose in the courtroom…that would have been the sweetest justice of all…thanks to the members of the jury who did speak to the press to voice their disgust with Mansker, his credibility and the City of Coronado.
As always, thanks for reading.
Delinda Lombardo
Phil Ivey Foundation, Ante Up For Africa, Iker Casillas
PHIL IVEY BUDS BIG
One of the most talented and recognized poker players in the world, Phil Ivey, popped his Foundation-cherry at the Annual World Series of Barbeque last week and raised a total of $260,000 for the Budding Ivey Foundation and others. The Golden Nugget hosted the party and poker tournament while guests enjoyed the Tank, Golden Nugget’s famous pool with an actual shark tank in the middle of it, an air guitar competition, a hula-hoop contest, even a game or two of Chutes & Ladders.
“This is unbelievable. I never expected so many people to come in support,” said Ivey. “I’ve never done anything like this before.” Ivey is a big-donator in the charity world, and usually does so ‘under the radar’…Props to Phil Ivey for giving some love ‘above the radar’ in efforts to promote the Budding Ivey Foundation which was founded by Ivey and his mother. “The main purpose is to provide scholarships for underprivileged kids and give them an educational opportunity that they wouldn’t otherwise receive,” said Ivey. “My grandfather passed away about a year ago, and he was the most influential man in my life. My mother decided to keep his memory alive.” Other charities that benefited from the first annual Budding Ivey Foundation World Series of BBQ included the Las Vegas Boys & Girls Club, the Springs Preserve, and Empowered 2 Excel.
ANTE UP FOR AFRICA
One day after Phil Ivey was busy giving love to the kids, a host of celebrities gave their support to actor Don Cheadle and his Second Annual Ante Up for Africa Tournement…the event raised more than $400,00 for Not on Our Watch, a charity founded by Matt Damon, Cheadle, Brad Pitt, and George Clooney. Cheadle said the the poker tournament has already made a positive impact in Darfur. In reference to a UN Security Council vote authorizing a peacekeeping force in the area, Cheadle said: “It wouldn’t have taken place [without us].” Other celebrities who kicked in the $5k for a spot at the felt included: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jason Alexander, Jennifer Tilley, Shannon Elizabeth, Adam Sandler, Ray Romano, Casey Affleck, and poker pro Phil Helmuth. Affleck, who made it all the way to the final table, remains optimistic about the Sudan, “I do think that [Sudan’s leaders] are afraid of the next administration being tougher, and are probably a little bit more willing to be more cooperative,” Affleck said. “But I’m optimistic about what’s going to happen.”
IKER CASILLAS & ORPHANS
Spanish national soccer team treasure, Iker Casillas is busy making the rounds…hot stuff visited the Inca citadell of Macchu Picchu on July 04 with a group of orphaned kids who are members of an NGO which Casillas supports…he then played a soccer match with the kids before taking off to another two towns in Cusco, Peru….now, I gotta administer a major slap-in-the-face to Yahoo- their caption from one of the photos: “Spanish national soccer team captain…blah, blah…in Cusco, Peru…blah, blah…Casillas supports an educational program of an international NGO in this place.” IN THIS PLACE. That’s a quote…yes, that place, for the record, is Cusco (also spelled Cuzco), a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubama Valley (Sacred Valley) of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region as well as the Cusco Province. The city has a population of about 300,000 and is located on the eastern end of the Knot of Cusco, its altitude is around 3,300 m (10,800 ft). Cusco is the historic capital of the Inca Empire…(For the Yahoo’s out there-it’s called Wikipedia, ya might wanna use it sometime.)
As always, thanks for rading. Delinda Lombardo
Francesco Totti Endorses New Website, Ronaldinho’s Asia Tour Summer 2008, Out With the Old Golden State Warriors-In With the New, Brian Clay is Golden
FRANCESCO TOTTI
A new website, Giovani, launched on Monday, with the goal of encouraging young people to express themselves on issues from politics to sex and sport. And who better to encourage ‘young people’ than AS Roma babe Francesco Totti. The new site allows users to upload their own videos, photos or other content, and encourage them to participate in forums of discussion…Totti shot a short video (that I can not find anywhere) in which he noted how important it was to allow young people to express themselves. “The silence of youth should scare us. We must not allow them to isolate themselves. Young and less young, should be allowed to speak about everything they hear and feel,” Totti said in the video message. “Come on youngsters, do not be silent. Speak, speak your mind.”
And in efforts to promote Totti’s message, here’s an older Pepsi ad featuring David Beckham and a young boy who wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. Priceless.
RONALDINHO’S ASIA TOUR SUMMER 2008
The two-time FIFA World Player of the Year, Ronaldinho, participated in a charity match in Venezuela last weekend, before heading to Tokyo to kick off his Asia Summer Tour…next stop: Seoul and Shanghai. And can you believe that the majority of Ronaldinho news is criticism over his weight? The critics seem to think he’s “hideously overweight” and refer him as the “little fat one.” After the charity game in Venezuela, Ronaldinho hinted that he might be saying buh-bye to Barcelona and hello to AC Milan? “Now I am thinking about working and returning to my level of play as soon as possible, it does not matter where,” Ronaldinho said after the game. “It was a beautiful story, everything that we conquered. The supporters will never forget it, just like I never will. Everywhere I go in Barcelona I am treated very heartily.” Ah- maybe avoid using the word “heartily” about now…
FRESH GOLD FOR THE WARRIORS
The 14th selection in the 2008 NBA Draft, Anthony Randolph (2nd-R) and second round selection Richard Hendrix® of the Golden State Warriors meet some children from the community following a press conference at ORACLE Arena June 30, 2008 in Oakland, California…love the new picks for the Warriors, they need some fresh blood, and with Baron Davis taking his ego to So-Cal, there’ll be pa-lenty of room for some good guys…within hours of the deadline on Tuesday, Baron opted out of the $17.8 million owed him in the final season of his six-year contract to sign with the Clippers and be to closer to the posee’s of weed stealing punks they got in Carson.
GOLDEN CLAY
Brian Clay won the gold medal in the Decathlon with a score of 8,832 during day four of the U.S. Track and Field Olympic Trials on June 30, 2008 in Oregon. Clay’s score is his personal best, an Olympic Trials record and the best score by an American in 16 years…which definitely earns him some love from this girl.
As always, thanks for reading.
delinda@athlebrities.com