Queen of Sports

Hot Or Not: Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal took home the Wimbledon title last year, and has another shot at the title again this year. Tomorrow, Nadal will be taking on Andy Murray in the men’s singles semifinals of Wimbledon. The winner of the semifinals match will go on to play the winner of the Novak Djokovic/Jo-Wilfried Tsonga match in the finals.

At only 25 years old, Nadal is currently ranked No. 1 by the Association of Tennis Professionals. With ten Grand Slam singles titles, and an Olympic gold medal in singles, Nadal is the second male behind Andre Agassi to complete the Career Grand Slam. From Majorca, Spain, Nadal was introduced to tennis at the age of 3. In his younger years, Nadal played both soccer and tennis but had to choose between the sports when he was 12. At age 15, he turned pro. From being endorsed by Nike, to becoming the new face of Emporio Armani Underwear and Armani Jeans, and being featured in a Shakira music video, Nadal is on everyone’s radar. His Rafael Nadal Foundation provides opportunities and aid to those in need.

What do you think?

Photos: Wenn.com and Armani

Ron Artest Talks To ESPN About Name Change

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Ron Artest appeared on ESPN’s “Pardon The Interruption” show yesterday, and spoke to Tony Kornheiser and Michael Wilbon about his push to change his name to Metta World Peace. He talked about how Ochocinco was the initial inspiration behind wanting to change his name, how he came up with the new name, and what the back of his jersey will say. He also talked about the rumors he may play professionally in Finland. He said, “I’m definitely not leaving America.”

Sports Date Of The Week: Take Me Out To The Ball Game

Baseball games and summer pretty much go hand-in-hand. Now that summer is officially here and the weather is starting heat up, it’s time for you and your date to head out to your favorite ball park, eat some hot dogs, and catch some rays! (Maybe you’ll even catch a baseball, too.)

If you’re a last-minute planner, sites like Stubhub, Barry’s Tickets, and VIP Tickets are made for you. You can purchase tickets days before a game, or trade tickets you already have if you want better seats. If you’re really a last-minute planner, you can probably expect to get tickets at the stadium if arrive a little early, as long as the team’s not playing a big rival. When purchasing tickets, always consider the sun and the time of day: if you want to get a tan, find seats that aren’t under any coverings. Just remember: wear sunscreen!

If you don’t have any plans for the 4th of July, consider going to a baseball game! They almost always have fireworks shows at the stadium. The Angels have them every Friday night that is a home game!

MLB teams also have some great promotions during this time of year. Check out the team’s promotions schedule if you’re one of those people who want a bobblehead included in the baseball game experience.

Dirk Returns To Germany

NBA Champion Dirk Nowitzki returned to hos hometown of Wuerzburg, Germany just two weeks after winning the NBA Championship with the Dallas Mavericks.

Thousands of fans came out to greet the latest NBA Finals MVP. Dirk became the first German to win an NBA Championship. He addressed fans from the balcony of the Wuerzburg Residence and then took part in a parade through the city ending at s.Oliver Arena.

Photo: WENN

Athlete Sighting: Charles Barkley

Check out former NBA player and current TNT analyst Charles Barkley walking the streets in Toronto. The big mound of rebound is in town for a charity golf tournament taking place today.

Photo: Splash News

Joe Torre Safe At Home Foundation Golf Classic

Joe Torre and his wife Ali spent last weekend in Briarcliff Manor, New York at the Trump National Golf Club promoting their foundation, Safe At Home. Also at the event was Yankee legend Yogi Berra (pictured above)!

Joe and Ali created the Joe Torre Safe at Home Foundation, inspired by Torre’s experiences growing up as a witness to domestic violence in his home in Brooklyn. The foundation operates approximately a dozen domestic violence resource centers called Margaret’s Place, named after Torre’s mother, in New York City and Westchester County, New York. In January 2010, the foundation announced they would be expanding to the west coast.

Photo: PR Photos

New York Yankees Distribute Hearing Aids To Those In Need

New York Yankees pitcher CC Sabathia, manager Joe Girardi, and former Yankees pitcher and coach Mel Stottlemyre assisted in the distribution of hearing aids to 175 hearing-impaired children and adults from the New York city area. Working with the Starkey Hearing Foundation, the Yankees hosted the special day at Yankees Stadium and were present to witness some of those patients who were able to hear for the first time in their lives.

“The Starkey Hearing Foundation’s mission is to bring the gift of hearing to those in need that they may be able to realize their full potential,” said Bill Austin, Chief Executive Officer of Starkey Laboratories and Founder of the Starkey Hearing Foundation. “We thank the New York Yankees organization and our New York mission partners and volunteers in helping us make a difference in a child’s quality of life and future just by opening them up to a new world of sound.”

The Starkey Hearing Foundation has set a target of reaching 1 million individuals in need by the end of this decade. Hearing loss affects 1 in 10 Americans but with the help of hearing aids, hearing loss can be corrected in most cases.

Photos: PR Newswire

Tiger Woods Gets New Endorsement Deal

Athlete Sighting: Dwyane Wade And Gabrielle Union

Miami Heat star Dwyane Wade and girlfriend, actress Gabrielle Union, attended last night’s New York premiere of “Transformers: Dark of the Moon” in support of their friend Tyrese Gibson who plays Sgt. Robert Epps in the movie. Dwyane Wade was sporting some hot pink suede shoes which caught our eye.

Wade has become increasingly interested in fashion. He tweeted a photo of he and Union and said, “Who likes the way I dressed ms. union.” Wade just returned from a trip to Europe where he met up with Donatella Versace and Giorgio Armani. He spoke to Forbes writer Hannah Elliott about fashion and how his dad inspired him, his recent trip to Europe, and his representation of the Hublot watch brand. He debuted a new $20,000 Hublot watch while in New York, also. Could he be the next athlete with a fashion line coming soon?

Photo: PNP/WENN.com

Jason David Hosts 3rd Annual Celebrity Charity Weekend

DJ Felli Fel, Jason David, and Kristel David

Football player Jason David, of the Super Bowl-winning Indiannapolis Colts team, hosted his non-profit‘s 3rd Annual Celebrity Charity Weekend this past weekend in L.A. The weekend kicked off with red carpet cocktail party at the W Hotel in West Hollywood, where celebrities including DJ Felli Fel of Power 106 FM, actors James Denton and Alan Thicke, ABC7 News Anchor Phillip Palmer and other pro athletes were in attendance.

Jason David and a couple Laker Girls

The following day, David hosted a celebrity golf classic at the Pacific Palms Resort at the Industry Hills Golf Club. The Laker Girls were on hand to cheer on some of the celebrities and support the cause.

The last event of the weekend was an NFL Youth Football Skills Camp for youngsters. The camp was held at David’s alma mater, Charter Oak High School in Covina.

All proceeds from the golf tournament went toward increasing the awareness and research of kidney disease, a cause close to David’s heart after losing his cousin to kidney disease in 2007.

*Big thanks to Ebonie Bender for all photos