Ladies Links: Rafa Hearts Real Madrid

I am having the world’s craziest work week (Wednesday’s job duties  ran the gamut from making a caprese salad to coordinating logistics with a Fox News film crew) and so this will have to be a links post.  However, as I began writing this post I had no good picture to jazz things up a little.  And then, through the power of serendipity, I stumbled onto a little slideshow called “Rafael Nadal Cheers At A Soccer Match.”  And thus my day and, I hope, yours, is saved.  Unless you are a Machester City fan, I suppose.

What Happens After A French Open Final

REUTERS/Benoit Tessier

Look, it’s just like in 5th grade when your school got the really cool photographer who let you bring props and pose in front of cool fake backdrops.  Of course, when you win the French Open, you get a real Eiffel Tower and a real trophy.

What I Think About While Trying Not To Think About the 6 Run 9th Inning Lead The Cardinals Just Blew That Will Likely Cost Them The Wild Card

(Subtitle: Probably I’m Overreacting, Since They’ve Certainly Blown Plenty of Other Games This Season, And Anyway If They Make The Playoffs We’ll Never Get Rid of La Russa and AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH.)

• That the AL Wildcard has suddenly gotten triply interesting.
• That Jeffrey Loria used to own a team with an iconic “M” logo and still thought this was a good idea.
• That somehow, all you have to do is become a Bengal to act like a Bengal. (Yes, that’s two different stories.)
• That safeties are awesome.  And even more awesome when it’s a rookie’s first NFL sack (h/t TheJetsBlog)

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to go stare at Rafa in his underwear. I find it clears the mind.

Why yes, it IS time for the French Open!

Maria, you're dating Sasha Vujacic. Don't get so excited about the Rafa pics.

We’ve been very team-sport oriented around here lately (though not without reason), so I thought I’d take a moment to skip across the Atlantic and check in on the French Open, which begins semifinal play on Friday (NBC just informed me that they will have live coverage Friday morning, for those of you who have summer work schedules.)

Despite the fact that no one has been paying attention, some interesting storylines are developing at Roland Garros. Chaos has broken out in the women’s draw, where the top seeds remaining are last year’s champ Francesca Schiavione (the 5 seed), and a rejuvenated Maria Sharapova (the 7 seed). The men’s draw has been by-the-numbers, with the top four seeds winding up in the semifinals.  This does not, however, mean these matchups are lacking in excitement — or pictures.

2010 French Open Digest: Why Yes, That Does Mean New Rafa Pictures

Nothing sadder than an about to be defeated millionaire tennis player in the rain.

I’m back from my brief moving-related hiatus just in time: the French Open wraps up this weekend, and I’d hate to think we missed the chance to bring you new pictures of certain tennis players who may or may not be the favorite to win this event for the fifth time, especially now that Federer is out.

Yes, that’s right: for the first time in six years (that’s 23 consecutive Grand Slams), Federer lost before the semifinal round of a Grand Slam tournament …

Lusty Locks

In honor of Troy Polamalu’s return to the field yesterday and because this commercial

never fails to make me laugh, we’re starting off Monday morning with an ode to boys with long hair.

Theme Thursday: Tennis Edition

This week's theme is NOT: hedgehogs, first aid, or Beatrix Potter characters.

Theme Thursday makes a triumphant return with our first “themed” Theme Thursday, in honor of the Wimbeldon tournament currently underway.  Which means this week’s answer is a little more complicated then just “they’re all tennis players,” okay?  I won’t promise it’s as complicated as the last round, which Dakota ultimately won, but it wouldn’t be fun if it was too easy.

Let’s begin, shall we?

The Weekend Of Great Disappointment

I suppose if you’re a Red Wings, Magic, Lakers, or Serena Williams fan, then it really wasn’t a disappointment of a weekend at all. But over all, this weekend seemed to be filled with disappointment from all over the world of sports – from a 25 inning game 1 showdown to missing the mark in the NBA finals.

Rafa is the best. Can we stop this debate now?

Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open! Effectively kicking Roger Federer’s ass (mind you it took 5 sets), and even making him cry. (Srsly, Federer seemed broken-hearted over the loss.) Roger is still on the quest to beat Pete Sampras’ record of 14 individual Grand Slam titles. He was going to do it too. Easily. And then 4 short years ago, this kid shows up on the scene. Rafael Nadal has a ridiculous 13-6 record against Federer, better than anyone else in the world. They have played against each other in 7 Grand Slam finals, which Rafa winning 5 of them. Roger, who was almost unbeatable in his prime, looks distinctly human playing against Nadal. Welcome to the Age of Rafa, my friends. Pete Sampras’ record might just be safe (from Roger that is) after all.

Yeah he's making a weird face, but look at that arm!

Our Year End Hump Day Hottie Spectacular!

Chances are you’ll be reading this in 2009. That’s okay. It’s a holiday and you were preparing yourself for the New Year’s Eve celebrations. But if you are reading this in 2008 then let’s go through a review of what happened this year. Specifically what happened every Wednesday of this year. Yes, we’re going to be taking a look back at the Hump Day Hotties that have graced our blog in the ’08. Why? Because how could you not want to take a trip down memory lane and remember Ryan Lochte?

So let’s go back through the year that was and enjoy our hotties one more time before we sing “Auld Lang Syne.” And if you’re reading this in 2009, remember when Lochte was so smoking in 2008 he made the Ladies… HDH? Yeah, that was awesome.

The Ladies… Gift Lists

Chances are if you’re reading this blog then you are a sports-minded lady. Do you know what to ask for from your family and/or friends? Maybe you have a certain special female  in your life that love sports more than you? Do you know where to start in purchasing her the perfect gift this holiday season?

I thought not. So take a gander at the Ladies… gift lists and get inspired. It’s not all tickets. Someone wants this.

A bit late, but worth the wait! Rafa wins 4th consecutive French Open

No, the Ladies… have not turned into a Rafael Nadal fangirl site. Nonetheless, I will be the first to celebrate his awesomeness and overall hotness at each and every occasion. So here’s to you Rafa. Congrats on doing what only Bjorn Borg had managed to do before you: win 4 consecutive French Open titles. Here’s to continuing that streak (you are only 22 after all) and repeatedly dominating that most wretched of all players, Roger Federer, on the beautiful red clay. We here at Ladies… salute your triumph.

Hump Day Hottie: Rafael Nadal

The French Open started this week which means we get to fawn tennis hotties again. And who better to make our HDH this week then the king of clay Rafa Nadal? We love him around Ladies… headquarters and we’re sad that he hasn’t been able to play an entire set yet (much less a match) because of the rain in Paris. French weather-get your act together! There is only so many days we can go without the smoking Spainaird.

So here’s the HDH to tide you over until we get some Rafa goodness.