PALIN MITENK BLOG

By Alanah Eriksen


Have a word: Serena Williams launched an angry tirade at the umpire after she was penalised for yelling 'come on' before her opponent had reached the ball


Serena Williams launched an angry verbal attack on an umpire during the U.S. Open final, calling her 'unattractive inside' and a loser - and she's been fined $2,000 over it.

The American had received a code violation for yelling 'come on' after battling to hang on to her serve during the start of her second set against Samantha Stosur yesterday.

The ball had not yet reached the Australian and, under grand slam rules, a deliberate hindrance, such as an intentional shout during a point, sees the perpetrator lose the point.


Williams, who eventually lost 6-2 6-3, found out on Monday that the Sunday night outburst cost her $2,000 - a drop in the bucket consider the $1.4million she earned at the Open.

She earned $900,000 for reaching the final, plus a $500,000 bonus for finishing first in the standings of the U.S. Open Series, which takes into account results at hard-court tuneup tournaments.

The USTA also said Grand Slam committee director Bill Babcock determined "Williams' conduct ... does not rise to the level of a major offense." She was under probation because of an outburst at the 2009 U.S. Open.

Hitting out: Williams argues with Greek umpire Eva Asderaki during her grand slam defeat to Sam Stosur


The incident follows her infamous verbal attack on a lineswoman which cost her a point penalty and her US Open semi-final against Kim Clijsters in 2009.

She was given a hefty fine and was still playing under a two-year suspended ban this year.

Yesterday, Williams was being outplayed by Stosur at Arthur Ashe Stadium and had already lost the first set when she let out a huge cry.

Chair umpire Eva Asderaki then told her the point would go to Stosur because she had committed an intentional hinderance.

Williams asked for a replay but when the Greek umpire refused, the tennis star accused her of being involved in the 2009 incident.

Pointing her finger, Williams yelled: 'Aren't you the one that screwed me over last time here? Yeah you are.

'Seriously, you have it out for me?

'I promise you, that's not cool. That's totally not cool.

'I truly despise you.

And during the break, she continued her tirade.

Sitting in a chair while drinking water, Williams warned her: 'If you ever see me walking down the hall, look the other way because you're out of control.

'You're a hater and you're just unattractive inside.

'Who would do such a thing? And I never complain. Wow. What a loser.

'You get a code violation because I express who I am. We're in America last I checked.

'Can I get a water? Or am I going to get violated for a water?

'Really, don't even look at me. I promise you don't look at me... Don't look my way.'
Ms Asderaki didn't respond as she listened to the rant.

Williams hugged Stosur after the match but then immediately walked off, ignoring Ms Asderaki as the Australian athlete reached up to the umpire's chair to shake her hand.

Ranting: Williams called the umpire 'unattractive inside' and a loser and warned her to 'look the other way' if she sees her in the hall


Williams refused to apologise and was unwilling to discuss the incident in a press conference.

She laughed as she told reporters: 'I don't even remember what I said, I'm sorry.

'It was just so intense out there. It's the final for me. I guess I'll see it on YouTube. I don't know. I was just in the zone. I think everyone when they play kind of zones out.'

But she spoke highly of her opponent, saying: 'She was cracking 'em today. She definitely hit hard and just went for broke.

Pointing her finger, Williams yelled: 'Aren't you the one that screwed me over last time here? Yeah you are'

Williams laughed in a press conference afterwards, saying she didn't remember what she said but would probably 'see it on YouTube'

Still going: Williams continued her rant during the break while sipping water and drying herself off with a towel


'And I think sometimes, a lot of people were putting me as the favorite and I definitely was trying not to put myself as the favorite. I was like 'It's anyone's game' as you can see after the result today.'

The United States Tennis Association decided today to fine her.

A statement from the organisers yesterday said : 'Any impact this code violation might have on Serena Williams' Grand Slam probation would require the incident being ruled a major event. That determination will be made by the Grand Slam Committee Director.'

The match was Stosur's first at Arthur Ashe Stadium where she secured a maiden grand slam title.

The 27-year-old became the first Australian woman to win a grand slam title since Evonne Goolagong in 1980.

Stosur said it was intimidating playing against Williams.

Sealed with a kiss: Stosur celebrates her first her Grand Slam success in New York

Big crowd: Thousands watched Williams' rant during her defeat by Stosur


'She's probably the best player of at least my generation of playing. Not only is she big in stature and all that, she's got a huge game.

'But it kind of becomes more irrelevant and becomes about the task on that day, playing the match.'

She added of her win: 'I'm still kind of speechless. I can't actually believe I won this tournament.

'I've played matches where I feel like I can't miss a ball, and it's fantastic, but to do it under these circumstances in this kind of final against a player like Serena, for sure I'm going to think it's one of the best days of my career.'





source:dailymail

By Sarah Bull

You're a sight for sore stomachs! An exhausted-looking David Walliams looks delighted to see his wife Lara Stone as he completes day three of his Sport Relief swim challenge

After he was struck down by a nasty stomach bug, many feared that he may not be able to complete his charity swim of the Thames.

But David Walliams overcame his ailments to complete day three of the Sport Relief challenge - and immediately fell into his worried wife's arms.

The comedian arrived at Wallingford Bridge in Oxfordshire yesterday evening only an hour behind schedule.


Relief: Lara and David flung themselves into each others arms as he climbed out the water


And his concerned wife Lara Stone greeted him with a big hug as he climbed out of the water clearly exhausted but delighted to see his beloved.

Moments earlier she had stood by the water's edge looking very worried as she watched her husband swim towards her.

She then rushed down to meet him and flung herself into his arms, the relief he was ok clear on her face.


I'm so proud of you: Lara holds David's head in her hands as she gazes up at him in admiration


David contracted a serious stomach bug yesterday after swallowing some of the murky water.

Doubts were cast over his ability to complete the grueling 140-mile swim after he was struck down with a serious stomach bug and a high temperature and many feared that he may not pass a medical examination and be allowed back in the water.

But all in the name of a very good cause, he pushed through his pain to continue swimming making a slow, but steady pace.

Concerned: Lara looked close to tears as she watched her husband complete day three of the challenge


Before a short break this lunchtime the comedian had completed five miles this morning.

Yesterday he said: 'I always knew there was a risk that taking in the water could cause problems, but now it's happened it's still hit me really hard.'

'I was sweating in the night and have been to the toilet a lot this morning. When I heard the total raised had jumped to more than £200,000 it gave me a real boost, as do the thousands of people who have been turning out and cheering.'

Pushing through the pain: David Walliams was seen having a rub down as he stood in his wetsuit before taking to the water. He has swum five miles today so far


'There were so many last night I thought Take That were in a boat behind me.'

'This is already much harder than I thought it would be - but this Thames Tummy I've got is making the task seem incredibly difficult and London seems a long way away.'

A spokesperson for the swim told MailOnline: 'He is back in the water and a doctor has confirmed that his stomach is settling.'

'He is having to stop regularly to take re-hydration salts because he just can't keep anything down and he needs the fuel.'

Helping hands: David has been making slow and steady progress today but had to be helped out of the water for a rub down

Give us a hand: Walliams is helped out of the water as he prepares to take another break to rehydrate


In a picture posted on the Sport Relief Twitter page yesterday, Walliams appeared to be struggling to continue after coming down with 'Thames Tummy', an upset stomach caused by intake of the murky water which harbours a cocktail of bacteria such as E.coli, salmonella and hepatitis.

Walliams had attempted to put the bug behind him as he once again got into the water and tried to complete his 18 miles of swimming today.

And he did just that, even if he was an hour behind schedule

Struggling: David Walliams appears to be in a lot of pain as he receives a massage


He is swimming for up to eight hours a day in order to complete the challenge in just eight days.

In other pictures of Walliams' Sport Relief challenge, the comedian was seen receiving treatment from a physiotherapist in between swimming the length of the river.

Still clad in his wetsuit, Walliams grimaced as the physiotherapist gently helped him stretch out his sore legs.

You can do it! But Walliams got a lot of support along the way, with school children cheering as he swam past them in Wittenham, Oxfordshire

Fighting through: Walliams struggled through the pain to continue in his charity challenge


The comedian is attempting to swim from Gloucestershire to London over eight days to raise money for Sport Relief.

On Tuesday, the comedian was up at dawn in a bid to make up some of the distance he lost the day before.

He said: 'I was determined to make up for the time I lost yesterday so I started at dawn and made up two miles but the weather is causing a real issue.

Painful: As well as his aches and pains, Walliams has now contracted a serious stomach bug which is putting the swim into doubt

'The wind on my face is harsh and the torrential rain is making today extra difficult.

'Plus, the fact that I got up so early to make up for lost time means that I'm having to refuel more often, making the schedule difficult to stick to.


Demanding: Walliams is attempting to swim the length of the River Thames for Sport Relief


'Despite how tough it is, every pound donated is really helping to keep me going.'

Walliams is no stranger to getting wet for a good cause - in 2006 he swam the Channel, raising £1 million in aid of Sport Relief.


Battling through: Walliams has been struggling with the physically-demanding swim


He has also swum the Straits of Gibraltar, and last year cycled from John O'Groats to Lands End, also for Sport Relief.

Walliams, was supported by his wife, model Lara Stone, and mother Kathleen as he set off.

source:dailymail

By KIRSTY MCCORMACK

One big happy family: Peter Crouch, his wife Abbey and their daughter, Sophia Ruby, enjoy a day out while on holiday in Capri, Italy

Most people may sit at home twiddling their thumbs when waiting on a decision that shapes their future career, but not footballer Peter Crouch.

The lanky striker fled to the Italian island of Capri with his wife Abbey Clancy and their five-month-old daughter, Sophia Ruby, ahead of his move to Stoke City.

The couple, who married in June this year, were seen holidaying in the popular resort spending quality time as a family.


Mummy's girl: Abbey holds on to five-month-old Sophia Ruby as the family settle down by a lake while on holiday in Italy


Check me out: Abbey relaxes by the pool in a bikini and sunglasses getting ready to take photos of her husband and daughter

Clancy, 25, wore a skimpy blue and white checked bikini with dark sunglasses as she relaxed by the side of the pool and watched 30-year-old Crouch take a splash with Sophia Ruby in the swimming pool.

The family were also photographed making the most of the Italian culture and mingling with the locals as they strolled through the town.

Crouch, who previously played for Tottenham Hotspur, was seen pushing his daughter's buggy as his child, who wore a pink headband, took in the Italian atmosphere in her mother's arms.


Bum's the word: Abbey adjusts her hair, not her skimpy bikini bottoms, while posing by the pool in the sun

Clancy chose to cover up for their day out and wore a low-cut linen dress and gold sandals over a bikini.

The happy family were later pictured taking a break from their walk at a nearby lake, where Hells Kitchen contestant, Clancy, had decided to show off her slender figure again, this time in khaki green halterneck bikini top.


That's my girl: Peter teaches Sophia Ruby how to swim while the family enjoy some quality time together

The lingerie and catwalk model didn't strip completely though as she folded her dress down to her waist and put her dark sunglasses on, whilst her husband chose to keep his long sleeved top on in the hot weather.

It was announced that the 6ft 7in football player was moving to Stoke City on August 31.


Stoked: Peter was bought by Stoke City for £10 million last month and has begun training with his new team

The Premier League club announced that they had bought the striker for a record fee of £10million which could rise to £12million on a four-year contract.

After the move was finalised, Crouch revealed that his former Tottenham Hotspur colleague, Jonathan Woodgate, was a major influence upon his decision to join Stoke City.

source: dailymail

By MIKE DICKSON and HUGO GYE

In pain: Rafa Nadal slid off his chair and on to the floor

His opponents will testify to his seemingly super-human fitness levels, but Rafael Nadal has shown that his body is fallible with a dramatic collapse during a press conference at the U.S.Open.

Very publicly and without warning, he went into seizure while answering questions in his post-match interview, and while there is no lasting damage the incident vividly showed the physical demands of professional sport.

Nadal was answering questions after his victory in the third round of the U.S. Open.


Concern: Nadal later returned to announce he felt cramp in his thigh


Suddenly, the 25-year-old clutched at his right leg and then put his hands to his head as his discomfort grew with the threat that he could go into full body spasm.

He slipped back into his leather chair and gently slid down, finally allowing himself to fall to the floor behind the desk.

The room was cleared as a physio and doctor were swiftly sought and, within minutes of being given the correct stretches and liquids he was walking around as if nothing had happened.


As the cramp takes hold Nadal heads for the floor


A similar thing happened to British No 1 Elena Baltacha's opponent Jamie Hampton on court last week and, again, while that looked dramatic it was quickly remedied.

A grinning Nadal, who went on to do his round of TV interviews, made light of the whole episode, saying: 'It was just unfortunate that it happened in the front and back of my leg at once

'It's just bad luck that it happened in public. It was really hot, I ran a lot and you sweat a lot in these conditions.'


Pleasure and pain: Rafa celebrates his victory against David Nalbandian before succumbing to the pain of cramp in the post-match interview


Andy Murray thought it was not that unusual an occurrence.

'I don't think it's odd that someone's cramping,' he said.

'I'm sure a lot of people were surprised because it was him that was cramping, but Rafa's human. I think some people forget that sometimes.

'I think around midday loads of people were struggling with the heat. He very rarely plays that early.

'So if you mess up like your eating or get it wrong or you're drinking wrong before the match - and from the parts of the match I saw today he did quite a lot of running, as well - you can get yourself in a bad way in these conditions.

'I'm glad he's all right, but I'm sure it was a bit of a shock for him.'



Andy Roddick also played down Nadal's drama, saying: 'Not to put a dampener on the story, which I know you guys think is really big, but people cramp after matches when you're cold. It's just something that happens.

'It's just unfortunate it happened in front of you all. Every single player in there has had that happen before. Every single one.

'What we do, we run around, run miles and miles and miles and miles on the tennis court in nasty weather. You throw nerves in there, I mean, it happens. As long as it doesn't happen during a match, you're fine.

'I heard about it. They were telling me it was like this whole thing and people were surrounding him. I started laughing. I saw Rafa and he was laughing about it later on.'



source: dailymail

By CHRIS JOHNSON



Swinging into action: Justin Bieber took part in a charity basketball match today in Atlanta, Georgia



Justin Bieber slam dunked his way to victory today in a charity basketball match.

The 17-year-old singer showed off his impressive ball skills in Atlanta, Georgia in the LudaDay Celebrity Basketball Game 2011.



The teen star headed up Team Bieber, playing against rapper Ludacris's Team Luda in a close-fought match.





Victory: The teen singer celebrates after learning his team had won after taking on rapper Ludacris





Ludacrus confirmed he had been beaten by Bieber on Twitter, posting the message: 'FINAL SCORE 134-132 TEAM BIEBER.FUN GAME.'



The game raised $10,000 for the Ludacris Foundation, which supports the youth of struggling communities build a better future for themselves.



Confident Justin informed his fans of the match on Saturday, tweeting: '#TEAMBIEBER is going hard on sunday in ATL. #LUDADAYWEEKEND.





Who's the man! The final score was 134-132 in the close-fought match





'Victory is the only outcome! WHO IS COMING?! #charity.'



Bieber has also spent the weekend in the recording studio, revealing: 'Finished in the studio for the night. did something real special for u. now heading to ATL for this bball game btw #TEAMBIEBER and #TeamLuda.'



Last week Justin was involved in a minor fender bender in Los Angeles after crashing his Ferrari into a Honda.



Both parties were uninjured.







Ball skills: The game raised $10,000 for charity for the Ludacris Foundation





source: dailymail

By Daily Mail Reporter



Vile: One Bulgarian supporter gives a Nazi salute during the game against England in Sofia



Football Association chiefs have made an official complaint after black England soccer players were subjected to vile racist abuse from Bulgarian fans.



Manchester United's Ashley Young and Arsenal's Theo Walcott were taunted with monkey noises and Nazi salutes during England's victory in Sofia last night.



The chants could be heard when Young was substituted and Walcott was targeted when he missed a chance late in the Euro qualifier.





Hateful message: Bulgarian fans unfurl an abusive banner as a supporter gives a Nazi salute





FA officials reported the behaviour to the UEFA match delegate after the game which saw home supporters unfurl a banner which said 'F*** UEFA.



England's two-goal match winner Wayne Rooney slammed the Bulgarian fans' behaviour.



He said: 'We could hear it on the pitch. It has been going on for years.and it's not right.





Fiery salute : Bulgarian soccer supporters light up a flare in Sofia





'It needs to stop and hopefully something will be done about it.'



Walcott told Mail Sport: 'It was very clear. I ignored it. I think the FA will deal with that and I don't want to comment too much. The result was the important thing.'





Abused: England's Ashley Young in action last night in Sofia against Bulgaria





England captain John Terry had not heard the abuse during the game, but told Sky TV: 'You don't expect that at all. It was a great spectacle for everyone to watch let's not let that spoil it.'



Like Terry before him, he admitted to being 'not very informed' about what had occurred, having been focused on the match.



But he added: 'It is very pitiful for such things to happen. Because of that I would like to apologise on behalf of the Bulgarian Football Federation.'





Bulgaria boss Lothar Matthaus, a former German World Cup winner, apologised for the conduct of the minority of his team's fans.





England have encountered racism problems on their travels before. Seven years ago Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole were targeted by home spectators during a friendly played in Madrid.



A spokesman for the FA confirmed: 'We've raised it with the Bulgarian FA and the UEFA delegate after the match. That's all we're saying about it.'





source:dailymail

By THOMAS DURANTE



Struggles: An emotional Oscar De La Hoya admitted battling with alcohol and cocaine, as well as cheating on his wife, in an interview with Univision



Recounting his rise to the top of the boxing world and his fall from grace in an ego-busting photo scandal, Oscar De La Hoya is confessing the truth.



Speaking about the claims of stripper Milana Dravnel, as well as his own substance abuse and infidelity, the retired boxer has bared it all.



It has been nearly four years since photos purportedly of the former champ clad in fishnets, panties and high heels were splashed online.





Feminine side: In 2007, De La Hoya was the subject of a photo scandal when a stripper who claimed he cheated on his wife with her made these images public

De La Hoya reportedly hired a team of lawyers, a PR firm and business





At the time, Mr De La Hoya’s handlers brushed off the photos as bad Photoshop jobs and his accuser as a money-grubber.



But in a tell-all interview this week, the former welterweight champ revealed: ‘It was me.’



In the interview with Univision, the former welterweight champion spilled the details of his marital, drug and alcohol problems.





Costume party: Milana Dravnel, who claimed Oscar De La Hoya cheated on his wife with her, allegedly leaked several embarrassing images on the internet





Known as 'The Golden Boy,' Mr De La Hoya became the subject of the photo scandal in 2007 when Ms Dravnel, who claimed he had cheated on his wife with her and posted the embarrassing images on the internet.



At the time, the De La Hoya camp claimed it wasn’t him in the photos and that the stripper was 'out for money.'



The Golden Boy’s legal team even brought in their own ‘photo expert,’ who said the photos were a computer-generated forgery.



His spokeswoman said of the photos: 'His head's too small and it doesn't even look like his body.'





Family man: Oscar De La Hoya poses with his wife Millie, right, and children Nina and Oscar Jr in this 2009 photo





De La Hoya reportedly hired a team of lawyers, a PR firm and business associates to discredit Ms Dravnel and goad her into retracting her story.



But in the interview with the Spanish-language network, which aired Tuesday night, the troubled pugilist revealed the truth.



'Let me to tell you, yes, yes, it was me,' he said.



TheSmokingGun.com reported that in June 2008, Ms Dravnel settled a federal lawsuit she brought against Mr De La Hoya.



Details of the settlement were never revealed as they signed confidentiality agreements, the website reported.





Kiss: Oscar De La Hoya has two daughters with Millie Coretjer, whom the retired boxer married in 2001





Warrior: In his last fight, Oscar De La Hoya, left, suffered a beating at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, right





De La Hoya retired from boxing in 2009 after a 16-year career that won him 10 world titles in six divisions.



His last match was a punishment at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, and De La Hoya's corner stopped the first after the eighth round.





Calling it quits: After 16 years in the ring and several world championships, De La Hoya retired in 2009





Oscar De La Hoya highlights





source: dailymail

By THOMAS DURANTE



Struggles: An emotional Oscar De La Hoya admitted battling with alcohol and cocaine, as well as cheating on his wife, in an interview with Univision



Recounting his rise to the top of the boxing world and his fall from grace in an ego-busting photo scandal, Oscar De La Hoya is confessing the truth.



Speaking about the claims of stripper Milana Dravnel, as well as his own substance abuse and infidelity, the retired boxer has bared it all.



It has been nearly four years since photos purportedly of the former champ clad in fishnets, panties and high heels were splashed online.





Feminine side: In 2007, De La Hoya was the subject of a photo scandal when a stripper who claimed he cheated on his wife with her made these images public

De La Hoya reportedly hired a team of lawyers, a PR firm and business





At the time, Mr De La Hoya’s handlers brushed off the photos as bad Photoshop jobs and his accuser as a money-grubber.



But in a tell-all interview this week, the former welterweight champ revealed: ‘It was me.’



In the interview with Univision, the former welterweight champion spilled the details of his marital, drug and alcohol problems.





Costume party: Milana Dravnel, who claimed Oscar De La Hoya cheated on his wife with her, allegedly leaked several embarrassing images on the internet





Known as 'The Golden Boy,' Mr De La Hoya became the subject of the photo scandal in 2007 when Ms Dravnel, who claimed he had cheated on his wife with her and posted the embarrassing images on the internet.



At the time, the De La Hoya camp claimed it wasn’t him in the photos and that the stripper was 'out for money.'



The Golden Boy’s legal team even brought in their own ‘photo expert,’ who said the photos were a computer-generated forgery.



His spokeswoman said of the photos: 'His head's too small and it doesn't even look like his body.'





Family man: Oscar De La Hoya poses with his wife Millie, right, and children Nina and Oscar Jr in this 2009 photo





De La Hoya reportedly hired a team of lawyers, a PR firm and business associates to discredit Ms Dravnel and goad her into retracting her story.



But in the interview with the Spanish-language network, which aired Tuesday night, the troubled pugilist revealed the truth.



'Let me to tell you, yes, yes, it was me,' he said.



TheSmokingGun.com reported that in June 2008, Ms Dravnel settled a federal lawsuit she brought against Mr De La Hoya.



Details of the settlement were never revealed as they signed confidentiality agreements, the website reported.





Kiss: Oscar De La Hoya has two daughters with Millie Coretjer, whom the retired boxer married in 2001





Warrior: In his last fight, Oscar De La Hoya, left, suffered a beating at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, right





De La Hoya retired from boxing in 2009 after a 16-year career that won him 10 world titles in six divisions.



His last match was a punishment at the hands of Manny Pacquiao, and De La Hoya's corner stopped the first after the eighth round.





Calling it quits: After 16 years in the ring and several world championships, De La Hoya retired in 2009





Oscar De La Hoya highlights





source: dailymail