Roger Federer Doesn’t Care Anymore

Roger Federer’s tantrum at the Sony Ericsson Open has left me aghast. In case you missed it, the Swiss Mister smashed his racquet while losing to Novak Djokovic during the men’s semifinal of the Sony Ericsson Open on April 3, 2009.

Granted, had Federer simply lost instead of acting like a child, I’d be well over it, but I gotta get this off my chest…. On March 25, the ATP announced the recipients of their “awards” prior to the start of the Open. For the fifth consecutive year, Roger Federer won the ATP World Tour’s Stefan Edberg sportsmanship award.

Other-more appropriate awards included our Spanish delicacy, top-ranked Rafael Nadal chosen as player of the year, while James Blake nabbed the Arthur Ashe humanitarian of the year award for his charitable efforts. (More on that in another post.)

Interesting, no? Ten days after receiving his fifth “sportsmanship” award, Federer decides to throw a tantrum because he was outplayed? This would be like James Blake going out and kicking a homeless person after winning his humanitarian award. Come on ATP, can we please stop kissing R-Fed’s Nike laced ass.

“It is great to receive two more awards,” Federer said. “It is always important for me to be a good sportsman on the court and give the right example for others to follow and hopefully inspire the next generation. It also means the world to me to be the fans’ favorite player for the sixth year in a row.”

What is it, arrogance? A cultural difference? A sense of entitlement? I’m confused. Sure, I’ve met R-Fed before, and yes, he was sweet as a button- there’s an undeniable charm to R-Fed. He is a ‘nice guy. But a sportsman award? I think not.

How did he win this? Why did he win this? Because he wears blazers, he’s automatically a ‘gentleman’? Classy sportsmen don’t smash their rackets like a two-year-old having a tantrum because the “wind” carried his ball out-a-bounds. And let’s please remember his loss to Rafael Nadal at the Australian Open earlier this year. Instead of graciously stepping aside and allowing Rafa to enjoy his spoils, Federer broke down in tears and hijacked Rafa’s moment. Sportsman-like conduct? Not in my book.

And I bet anyone it’s just a matter of time before the ‘baby’ is blamed for his lackluster performances. Federer excitedly announced his news last month: “It’s not going to really disturb my mindset on tennis a whole lot.” Really? You can’t even play in the wind Roger, what kind of distraction is a courtside Mirka and mini-me going to cause?

The hypocrisy that is Roger Federer even comes via his words: “Thank God the hardcourt season is over,” he said. “It’s the end of the hardcourt season. I don’t care anymore. I’m moving over to clay, a new chapter.” Um, new chapter? You mean playing on your least favorite surface-red dirt? The one on which you have been the least successful? Good luck Roger, we’ll be seeing ya in ‘He Lost It Hall of Fame.’

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

Chelsea is Coming! AC Milan is Coming! Inter Milan is Coming!

Team Chelsea, one of the sexiest squads in Euro soccer, is coming to the States for the fifth time in six years-this time, as part of the inaugural World Football Challenge.

And it’s not just news about Chelsea making me squeal, its news that the tournement will host four international squads…Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan and Club America. The round-robin style tournament will make stops in Palo Alto, Pasadena, my house, Atlanta, Baltimore, Massachusetts, and Texas…with Chelsea playing a friendly on July 18 versus the Seattle Sounders at Quest Field.

Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon spoke about the teams fan base here in the U.S.: “Coming here regularly has definitely helped us so far. Our fan base over here has more than doubled in the last three years and we are seeing a genuine interest in our team, our club and our brand from people in this part of the world.”

Indeed. It’s not difficult to take a genuine interest when Chelsea’s roster of hot babes include: Captain John Terry, Didier Drogba, Frank Lampard, Deco, Joe Cole, and Salomon Kalou and others…and giving me reason to learn Italian, from Inter we’ve got: Luis Figo, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Marco Materazzi and AC Milan babes in serious danger of a chance meeting with me: Ricardo Kaka, Paolo Maldini, Alessandro Nesta, Andrea Pirlo, Filippo Inzaghi, Ronaldinho, Clarence Seedorf, and Gianluca Zambrotta to name just a few.

The World Football Challenge begins July 19 where this crazy redheaded blogger will stalk Inter Milan as they take on Club at Stanford Stadium in Palo Alto, Calif. My next stop will be on July 21 when Chelsea battle Inter Milan at Rose Bowl in Pasadena, where you’ll likely find me trying to get into both locker rooms. Once the hotties have escaped California, the tour continues: July 22: AC Milan vs. Club America at Georgia Dome in Atlanta; July 24: AC Milan vs. Chelsea at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore-where I expect Angela to do me proud; July 26: Inter Milan vs. AC Milan at Gillette Stadium, in Foxborough, Mass.; July 26: Chelsea vs. Club America at Cowboy Stadium in Arlington, Texas.

If you just can’t wait until July to see the hottest soccer players alive, remember, you can catch most of them-and then some- in New York on June 14 for the ‘All Stars for Hope’ celebrity soccer game. This one of the biggest and best events for charity this summer…hope to see you all there!

As always, thanks for reading. Delinda@athlebrities.com

RONALDINHO TRANSFERS TO AC MILAN

Barcelona’s president Joan Laporta shook hands with AC Milan sports director Adriano Galliani in the offices of Barcelona FC, on July 15, 2008… And just like that, AC Milan adds Barcelona’s Brazilian star Ronaldinho to their roster of sensational players. (Ronaldinho is the third Brazilian on Milan’s roster, along with Kaka and Alexandre Pato). The 2-time FIFA World Player of the Year has been actively seeking new employment after being publicity ripped by new coach Pep Guardiola, who said: “(If) he can get back to being the player he was, perhaps we could have a rethink,” Guardiola said last month. (Sweet justice would be a Milan v Barca match, no?) Ronaldinho also helped Barca land a spot in both the 2005 and 2006 Spanish league titles and the Champions League trophy in 2006.

“AC Milan and FC Barcelona have reached an agreement for the transfer of Ronaldinho,” said a Milan statement released on the club’s official website. Ronaldinho transferred to AC Milan late Tuesday…Ronaldinho is expected to arrive in Milan on Wednesday for his medical and to sign a contract through June 30, 2011.

Some of you may be shaking your heads at my newfound love for Ronaldinho, but its important to remember I’m not judging our babies on looks alone anymore-there’s gotta be something exceptional, humane, sincere, or just downright good about the hotties who land on my pages.

So why do we love Ronaldinho? Because Ronaldinho is transferring to AC Milan for reasons other than money. Milan’s coughing up $33.4M and another $6.3M if they land a place in next season’s Champions League…on the other hand, Manchester City had offered a considerable amount more-$50.7M-to Ronaldinho. Name me one other player who has said ‘no’ to $10M? Aside from his passion for the game, I also adore Ronaldinho because even though he desperately needs veneers, he dedicates a ton of time giving love to his fans and his recent tour of Asia made me one step closer to adoring him.

Now we only one more player to transfer to Milan for my ‘dream team’ to be completed…please Drogba, get over your Jose-crush and VENGO QUI already!

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As always, thanks for reading. Delinda Lombardo
delinda@athlebrities.com