Americans tend to love team sports. Football, basketball, hockey, soccer, and, of course, baseball all inspire rapid fan bases and make billions of dollars for players, coaches and teams — to say nothing of broadcasters and advertisers. Individual sports tend to get less attention. One major exception to this the game of tennis.

Why tennis has such an uncharacteristically wide appeal may never be fully understood. It is, however, one of the few sports that is played by individuals that has devoted fans all over the world. It may even be the one sport where national boundaries are blurred, since Americans may just as easily follow star players from Eastern Europe or South America as from their own country. The international popularity of stars like Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, Maria Sharapova, and Kim Clijsters prove that beyond a doubt.

In May, the eyes of the tennis world will be turning towards Paris. Hundreds of the best tennis players in the world as well as their most avid fans will converge for the french open 2011 . Those fans that can’t make the trek to France will be glued to their tv screens, computers, and mobile devices for news, scores, and live match play for the duration of the tournament.

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Tennis Stars and Fans Flock to Paris

The registration for the 2010 Airtel Delhi Half Marathon (ADHM) will begin September 1st, and the event itself begins November 21, 2010. This is ADHMs 6th event, which began in 2005, but was then known as the Hutch Delhi Half Marathon, then as Vodafone Delhi Half Marathon. Airtel Delhi seems to be sticking around longer than its predecessors.

ADHM is the 3rd biggest road running event in all of India; the other two being the Standard Chartered Mumbai Marathon and the Bangalore World 10K Run, which are all accredited IAAF Gold Labe Road Race events. Procam International is the brain and bronze behind all 3 marathons and for the ADHM they are stepping up their game and reigning in all the organizational aspects surrounding the event.

Many Delhi hotels are on the ADHM marathon route, so even if you’re not participating in the run, you’ll be able to watch this fantastic event on your balcony or the sidewalk outside the hotel. If you are participating, Procam has launched a ‘selection criteria’ for confirmed participation to the Mumbai Marathon and Half Marathon events, meaning completion certificated with marathon time less than 6 hours and Half Marathon time less than 3 hours will be issued. Entries without either certificate will have to go through an online ballot. Currently, the ‘selection criteria’ hasn’t been extended to the ADHM.

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Delhi is Host to the Airtel Delhi Half Marathon

The Aintree John Smith Grand National is one of the most expected horse race in the world right now and the date has come upon us far quicker than many of us realized. For those who don’t know, it is a jumping race, which obviously means that obstacles are placed in the way which the horses must jump over. What makes the John Smith Grand National so special is the intricate history it has and feelings it leaves in the national memory.

Of all the races this one has come particularly far from it’s roots and now stands as one of the nation’s favorites. Starting back in 1829 organized by a syndicate, the first race was a flat race won by a horse named Mufti. For a while they had three meetings a year, each time accompanied by almost 40,000 people. It would start significantly changing in 1835 when they added the first stone walls and made their first jump fixtures on the track. Lottery was the first winner of these races, becoming a national favorite as well as sealing the horse race into national memory which allowed for the race track to continue to expand. With the growing popularity, they had to make an expansion and in 1953 another race track was added for jumping races. Feeling prosperous the owners built a motor racing track as well the next year, bringing in more people. They even hosted a number of Grand Prixs because of this expansion.

The good times could not last and the property had to be sold. This caused much turmoil for people nation wide as no one seemed quite sure if the new owner really had is heart in the races like themselves and this feeling never really went away after he tripled the admission price to the largest of the races, the Grand National. When Davies announced he was selling the whole thing, many fans were dismayed but ran to their pocket books when it was suggested that all the fans could put together enough money to save the race course. They did not make it in time, but were bailed out by someone else, who has made a point of restoring the old course back to it’s old recognition as one of the best. It has been successful securing great horses, jockeys and sponsors to keep the sport and the event alive and well in Liverpool.

It is now associated with Red Rum one of the most famous horses to race, being the race that really made him give it his all. With the new walls that have been built it once again stands as the true test of a horse.

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A History of the Aintree John Smith Grand National Horse Race

The Cleveland Cavaliers continue to make the news on both a local and national basis. They remain the number one team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference and have cinched that status for the finals and are many people’s pick for the playoff favorite. The team has made these kinds of headlines in the past having secured the Conference Championship as recently as in 2007. And while they are currently the most winning team in the NBA, that does not immunize them against an occasional defeat. Most recently they lost to the San Antonio Spurs when they played the Texas team at the Spurs home arena. And while the achievements of the Cavaliers continues to make news across the nation, it is actually a bit more surprising and newsworthy when they have a loss, as their fifty seven win to sixteen loss record indicates the rarity of the event.

It is unlikely that most of the guests who are staying in one of the Cleveland luxury hotels will be fans of the city’s basketball team, though they are certain to have a level of respect for the players and coaching team. Meanwhile, the city itself loves the team enough and the Cavaliers enjoy a tremendous amount of local support. Since 1970 this expansion team has thrilled fans and been a major company of the city’s social atmosphere. Their most recent period of success has been largely attributed to the arrival of LeBron James , who first landed in Cleveland after the 2003 draft. This also ushered in a period of hope and renewed enthusiasm after a decade of losses and struggles. Last year they added the star center Shaquille O’Neal who was traded from the Phoenix Suns. As the playoffs approach, the prospects for the Cavaliers to take the Eastern Conference Championship look increasingly better and they are the top choice for the NBA Championship in many analysts’ pick.

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The Cleveland Cavaliers Continue to Make National News

If you are in England or anywhere near it for that matter, you probably know about the Cheltenham Racecourse and the fact that the Cheltenham Gold Cup festivities are starting on Tuesday the 16th. All four days are a great time to be in the area, but if you can only attend the event for one day I suggest you make it Lady’s Day. This is a great day to be at the track as the jump races are happening as well as the ladies fashion awards.

This is a famous fashion contest that starts early in the morning until the first race. There are always a number of great prizes and this is no different. This ear three well dressed women will be presented with a prize package consisting of 24 hours use of a Aston Martin DB9, 12 months use of a a new Alfa Romeo Mito, a deluxe overnight stay at one of the top hotels The Greenway, which includes in it a personal style taster session with Stuart Weir while there, a tweed coat and a Magnum of Rose Champagne.

It’s easy to enter this contest, but it is hard to win it. There are only three categories, Best Dressed Lady, Lady with the Best Hat, Lady with the Best Accessories. All you need to enter is to head over to the fashion area and be over the age of 17. Fashion scouts are out as soon as the gates open to direct well dressed ladies into the fashion area.

This is not the only event happening on Lady’s Day however, and there will be a lot of fun to be had by all. If you are not interested in getting dressed up, there is also the Outstanding Contribution Award as well as a visit by the Ladies Day Ambassador, this real Georgie Browne. The Outstanding Contribution Award is in recognition of the ladies that have contributed to Jump Racing. In past years the award has been given to Heather Atkinson, Chicky Oaksey, and Nina Carberry each have been fundamental parts of the ongoing sport of Jump Racing.

This is a great opportunity to see and be seen, and most of all to see some really great races. Make sure you come out with a large group of your friends to get a great group discount, and don’t forget about the great restaurants in the area to grab a snack when you get hungry.

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Ladies Day at Cheltenham Gold Cup

Once of Frank’s life long obsession oriented dreams finally occurred, after an almost eternity of waiting, after all he was a whole nine years old, last year when his uncle took him to a live Philadelphia 76ers basketball game. It was really the greatest evening of Frank’s young life, up to that point. He had been a 76ers fan for as long as he could remember. His mother claims that it was not always his choice because his grandfather was always coming over and propping him up as a baby in front of the television and watching the games with him. However, she didn’t complain too loudly because every time Frank was upset and crying she could prop him up in front of a game and he would be okay. Naturally, his parents collected tapes of 76ers games and had them on hand.

Inadvertently this also contributed to Frank’s obsession. He started memorizing game details, team and player statistics before he was even aware of it. There was simply no way for Frank to grow up and not love basketball and be a loyal lifelong 76er fan. Well, his father was afraid it would all backfire one day and he would actually despise basketball, but his fears were unfounded.

On the evening Frank and his uncle went to the game his uncle thought about surprising him and just showing up there but his mother wouldn’t let him. She explained that Frank would be extremely upset to learn he was going to a game and didn’t have on his Willie Green jersey. So, to make the evening complete, his uncle told him what they would be doing and with both of them in jerseys they enjoyed a cheese steak sandwich before heading to the Wachovia Center. They passed a few of the hotels in Philadelphia and Frank wondered if any of them contained fans for the other team. It was truly a magical evening, one that Frank would never forget.

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Philadelphia 76ers Game at Wachovia Center

Serena Williams has been known to wear the same pair of socks throughout an entire tennis tournament.  Will she do this alleged habit/superstition of her for the Australian Open Tennis Championship this year?  Probably, as all players have kooky little pre game and post game rituals that they indulge in.  They will no doubt be fashionable since she has her clothing line now that she designs for.

In fact, fashion (she used to have a line with Puma but switched over to Mike with whom she is currently with) among other things (she has had brief acting stints on shows like Law and Order and in music videos too), such as the money from copious advertisements and fame, were said to be at the root cause of her failure in her match against Madison Keys.  Though it was simply an exhibition game, in addition to her John McEnroe meltdown at the U.S. Open in 2009 over a foot fault in which she physically threatened a judge, some of her former fans have become less enamored of her lately.

However, she is still the number one women’s player in tennis.  She also has two gold medals to put on her credentials, and has won more money than current female players till active in the game.  Perhaps most importantly is that she is a role model for African American girls and the kind of success they can have through focus and hard work.

She plays a high-risk game, staying close to the baseline, and has great volleys, the kind of which her opponents cannot duplicate.  Her sister, Venus, has provided her with a great kind of rivalry that has pushed her onto the higher accomplishments and greater feats.  Perhaps her saavy business sense for fashion and copious deals with companies for advertising is not necessarily a fault showing that she is stretched too things, but a strength showing how far a woman can go and be a success—and in several different ventures.  However, she better show better behavior this year at the Australian Open if she wants to coninue to be a good role model and popular with the crowds.

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The Champ On and Off Court: Serena Williams

The New Orleans Saints are the professional football team based in New Orleans, Louisiana. They are one of two major iconic factors of the city, other one being the annual celebration of Mardi Gras. And while these are two of the main aspects of the city that are recognized around the country and even the world they are not the only offerings New Orleans has to share. The Saints, however, one of their own pride and joys. And while many of the guests who stay in one of the New Orleans luxury hotels are there specifically to enjoy the Mardi Gras parades and festival, the Superdome is full of supportive Saints fans.

The Saints and the Superdome itself were the focus of national attention during the 2006 home opener. This sold out game marked the Saints’ return to the Superdome after the horrific damage it suffered during the Hurricane Katrina. This game was also nationally televised and the Saints beat their opponents the Atlanta Falcon’s by a score of 23 to 3. The following year, in 2007, this spectacular event received official recognition by ESPY as one of the best moments in sports. That season they also reached the NFC Championship Game, though they ended up losing to the Chicago Bears.

The team was founded as an expansion team in 1967 and they had a slow time gaining wining seasons and critical recognition. Finally in 2000 they defeated the St. Louis Rams, who were at the time the defending Super Bowl Champions, and earned the Saints their first playoff win. The team has a strong local support base and the New Orleans Saints Hall of Fame was established to encourage continued enthusiasm and sponsorship. It is intended to preserve the history of the franchise and notable memorabilia for generations of loyal fans.

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New Orleans Saints

For fans of Jo-Wilifried Tsonga Petsonga, they will have a chance to see him and many more through the US Open sweepstakes that is still happening right now.  Though watching his moves on TV is good, watching this fantastic and rising star in person would prove to be even better.  
 
His history seems to always show a proclivity toward sports.  Didier, his father, moved from the Congolese to France to pursue handball, which perhaps explains his interest in tennis as something evolved from his father. Growing to become a imminent figure in tennis when he crushed four seeded tennis players in the 2008 Australian Open, Jo-Wilifried Tsonga Petsonga has shown great potential to become the top tennis professional in the world ever since.  Not only did he defeat four seeded players, but he also defeated them while he himself was unseeded.  He conquered Rafael Nadal, a player with a world ranking of two when Jo-Wilifried Tsonga Petsonga played him, during the semifinals of the US Australian Open.  He did finally lose to Novak Djokovic.  Though Jo-Wilifried Tsonga Petsonga won the first set of the match, he lost the others.  
 
Other facts that make him a favorite at the US Open are his excellent serves which are full of power but also extreme precision.  Forehands that are on the heavy side also aid in the playing style that has helped him to become 7th in the world in such a short period of time.  His US Open tennis scores are sure to please fans.  He and his friend in fact used to practice the moves and styles of another favorite for the US Open—Andy Roddick. 
 
Employing the serve-and-volley style of play that most players no longer use, he also plays his baseline on the offensive.  Jo-Wilifried Tsonga Petsonga has been credited with having a great, almost intuitive feeling of the tennis net as well.  Another trick he holds up his sleeves is his down the line backhand, which is now widely considered to be one of the greatest among the men’s tennis match ups.  Though clay-court is not his best surface on which to play upon, it is a surface he works on improving his techniques upon.  Perhaps this is one of the few faults of this almost prefect tennis who is a favorite to win.

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Player Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Petsonga to compete at US Open

Once just a small, simple fishing village dating as far back as the 2nd century AD, Singapore’s location eventually made it an integral center of trade. In 1819, Sir Stamford Raffles established a British trading post here, thus putting it under Britain’s rule. However, the Japanese occupied Singapore during World War II, causing the proclamation by Winston Churchill that this was possibly Britain’s biggest defeat. After much struggling and severe diligence and determination, on August 9, 1965, Singapore became an Independent Republic. It is the smallest nation in Southeast Asia and consists of 63 islands. Over the centuries, this small fishing village grew to become a very solid, economically sound, business friendly, import/export driven modern city.

Here in Singapore you will find the term “melting pot” so appropriate. The Chinese, Malay, Indian and Arabic communities make up the majority of the population. So follows, there is a wide mixture of cultures, languages, religions and not to be forgotten, the foods. Ahhh, the delectable foods, with most featuring fresh seafood, vegetables and aromatic spices. Certainly savory enough for the most particular of palettes. Find out about India hotels here

Tourism, not unexpectedly, is one of Singapore’s largest industries, with over 10 million visitors arriving in 2007. A modern, cosmopolitan city is what Singapore is striving for and it seems to be on its mark. It has become well known the world over as a cultural art center to be reckoned with. Stand up comedy has become increasingly popular here. You might want to attend a team sport, such as football, cricket or basketball. Or enjoy one of the many water sports, such as boating or swimming, or the ever-popular scuba diving. Singapore spa resorts are also extremely popular. Visitors can find the calming, Asian tranquility most soothing for overworked bodies and minds. Allow yourself to be pampered and spoiled, refreshed and renewed. You know your body and your inner spirit will thank you.

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Singapore