GILLES SIMON IN TENNIS WHITES AT THE ALL ENGLAND CLUB

ALL HAIL, THE KING OF TENNIS BALLS!

// WE KNEW GILLOU WOULDN'T LET US DOWN! //

RAFAEL NADAL WINS RECORD 8TH FRENCH OPEN TITLE

LOOK, MA! TENNIS BALLS!
THANKS FOR INDULGING US, RAFA.

PH // GETTY IMAGES

The 2013 French Open finale was an anticlimax, really, after the 5-set semifinal nail biter in which Rafael Nadal had disposed of Novak Djokovic. Rafa against David Ferrer was predictably lopsided. Rafa is just the King of Clay. If there's one thing he knows, it's how to take the title on the surface he loves. Meanwhile, it was only Ferrer's first time at Grand Slam finale. Rafa's win makes it a record eighth at Roland Garros. Hurray, world order is as it should be, our beliefs hold strong, we're all satisfied, life goes on as usual.

One thing that kept me excited throughout the tournament, though, was the possibility that another superstar would emerge from the shadows of Roger Federer, Rafa, Nole and Andy Murray. I was rooting for either Gilles Simon or Jo Wilfried-Tsonga - both of whom would have at least enjoyed home court advantage over the formidable Rafa. But alas, it was fellow Spaniard Ferrer who made it all the way through. Though both are from the tennis system that makes clay specialists like McDonald's makes Big Macs, Ferrer hasn't been able to challenge Rafa's dominance on this surface. Or on any other surface, really! Prior to the start of the French Open, Rafa has defeated Ferrer thrice this season.

The older Ferrer (31) can at least take comfort in the fact that he still has thicker, healthier, better hair than Rafa (27). I was super shocked to see on the Saturday edition of the South China Morning Post that Rafa's once-lustrous locks are about to disappear. He may be unstoppable on clay but he can't stop male pattern baldness. No records required; that's just the way the hairline retreats.

Rafa, beat it before it beats you! Just chop it all off right now and own up to your new image as a DILF! You'll be in good company. Look at dear, old Tommy Haas (35), who scored a straight-sets victory against Nole three months ago in Miami and reached Roland Garros' quarterfinals this year!

PH // SOUTH CHINA MORNING POST

SOPHIA SHEK WINS OUR VERY FIRST HYPERACTIVE GIVEAWAY!

OUR 'TENNIS BALLS' MASCOT, GILLOU, IS CLEARLY EXCITED
TO PRESENT YOUR PRIZE!

Last week we asked you to share in 50 words or less why you love tennis, and here's Sophia's winning answer:

Tennis is a huge part of my life and I can't imagine living without it. When you hit that fuzzy yellow ball on the sweet spot of your racquet, that sound pulsates through my body and you see the ball gracefully fly over the net and land in the court, that's euphoria and nothing makes me happier. Tennis has given me a huge sense of belonging and it burns within me. Win or lose, so long as you know you've played your best nothing beats that passion I have for this sport. Tennis Rocks my world! 

OK, so that's way over 50 words - but there's so much heart and soul in it, how could I have chosen otherwise?? Sophia wins a program book autographed by John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl, Agnieszka Radwanska and Caroline Wozniacki!

Dear Sophia - we'll be in touch to let you know how you may claim the prize.

A special thanks to everyone who participated including Riley, AD and Carla. And thank you, too, to our Tennis Balls 'mascot' and prize presenter, Gillou.

Stay tuned for more Hyperactive Giveaways!

WIN A PROGRAM BOOK AUTOGRAPHED BY MCENROE, LENDL, WOZNIACKI AND RADWANSKA

PRETTY AUTOGRAPHS, CLOCKWISE FROM TOP-LEFT:
RADWANSKA, LENDL, WOZNIACKI, MCENROE

I was lucky enough to have seen the Hong Kong leg of the BNP Paribas Showdown - thanks to the kind invitation of SkyCity Marriott's Director of Communications, Elizabeth Wan. Myself, Chris, and our dear friends, LadyLit publishers Caroline and Lore, had awesome box seats within sniffing distance from the tennis stars.

John McEnroe and Ivan Lendl clowned around 90% of the time. They mostly parodied themselves. McEnroe threw fake tantrums and crawled across the court to catch one of Lendl's legendary deep, low shots. Lendl didn't miss the opportunity to remind McEnroe that he, Lendl, is coaching Andy Murray; perhaps McEnroe should hire Lendl as his coach, too. We saw hints of their storied rivalry only 10% of the time, but I don't think anybody really expected competitive tennis from the two gentlemen. They delivered pure entertainment for tennis nerds.

The real draw of the night was Li Na vs. Wozniacki. Just before the ladies came onto the court, though, a message from Li Na was projected onto the jumbotron. She apologized for not being able to make it; she's still healing from her injuries at the Australian Open. Poland's Agnieszka Radwanska has been called on to replace her.

The ladies stunned the shiznit out of me with breathtaking tennis. Radwanska is currently ranked 4th and Wozniacki 10th on the WTA. They showed the kind of stamina, agility, athleticism and charm required to be a bona fide tennis star today. It was as close to a Grand Slam as I've ever been, next to watching one on TV. I hope to see a Roland Garros finale in the next three years!

"I've been a fan for 10 years," I shared with Elizabeth. "Seeing my idols play in person and getting to blog about the experience - I've come full circle. Thank you."

So anyway -

I'M GIVING MY AUTOGRAPHED PROGRAM BOOK AWAY!

Just post a Comment below in 50 words or less, why you love tennis. I'll pick my favourite and, next Sunday, June 2 at 7pm HKT (UTC + 8), I'll announce the winner!

This is a small way to thank you, dear readers, for having been steadfast fans of my Tennis Balls posts.

Isn't the human anatomy a beautiful thing?

GILLOU, WE AGREE.

// GET HYPERACTIVE! //