Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams
Fresh off equaling Bjorn Borg's six French Open titles, Rafael Nadal could match another of the Swede's impressive feats: winning on the French clay and Wimbledon grass back-to-back for the third time. "It's the toughest turnaround in tennis," says NBC analyst Mary Carillo, "but Nadal is something very special indeed." Borg did it from 1978-80, and the Spaniard took home both trophies in 2008 and last year...
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Serena Williams
Tennis star Serena Williams was recuperating at home Wednesday after emergency treatment for swelling from a blood clot in her lungs.
"Serena did indeed suffer from a pulmonary embolism last week, and the hematoma was another unexpected scare. Thankfully, everything was caught in time. With continued doctor visits to monitor her situation, she is recuperating at home under strict medical supervision," Williams' rep, Nicole Chabot, told TVGuide.com.
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Alicia Keys
Alicia Keys, Justin Timberlake and Lady Gaga are among the many celebrities who will relinquish their digital life Wednesday in an effort to raise money for charity, according to The Associated Press.
On Wednesday, which is World AIDS Day, celebrities involved in the Digital Life Sacrifice event will...
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Roger Federer
Wimbledon begins bright and early Monday morning (June 21, 6:30 a.m./5:30c, ESPN2) and the top two seeds — Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal — have pulled off what NBC/ESPN2 analyst Mary Carillo calls "the hardest, trickiest thing to do in tennis." That is, win two ...
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Kanye West, True Blood
This was not a good week for Emily Post, as the week's top TV moments exhibited an alarming lack of etiquette. Kanye West crushed tender flower Taylor Swift's hopes and dreams by barging in on her VMA moment. Serena Williams unleashed a tirade of four-letter words at the U.S. Open. And True Blood's Maryann was in serious need of a wedding planner, as her Dionysian bachelorette party offended our delicate sensibilities. Welcome to Top Moments, Common Courtesy Edition.
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John McEnroe
John McEnroe is being serious when he says he thinks someone not named Roger Federer will hoist the 2009 U.S. Open trophy. The seven-time Grand Slam winner, who will call the tournament for ESPN2, is looking to a pair of Andys — Roddick and Murray — to dethrone the five-time defending champion. "I think Roddick can beat [Federer]," he tells TVGuide.com. "If he won the second set [at Wimbledon], I think he would've won it. He seems to be fit as he's ever been." Get more of McEnroe's thoughts on the final major of the year below. Plus: What doesn't he want to talk about?
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Venus Williams by Chris McGrath/Getty Images; Serena Williams by Al Bello/Getty Images
As expected, the Williams Sisters are set to meet in the U.S. Open quarterfinals Wednesday. Following their fourth-round victories on Labor Day, Venus and Serena will play under the lights at Arthur Ashe Stadium (Sept. 3, 7 pm/ET, USA Network).
Fourth-seeded Serena advanced to the quarters with a straight-set win over France's Severine Bremond. No. 7 Venus had an equally breezy triumph against Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland.
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Venus and Serena Williams facing off in a Grand Slam final is usually a ratings ace and Saturday's Wimbledon title match was no exception. Venus' 7-5, 6-4 win over her younger sister pulled a 3.4 overnight rating for NBC's broadcast, which began at 9 am/ET. That's a 21 percent rise from last year and the best overnight number since 2005.With the win Venus earned her fifth Wimbledon title and evened her professional record against Serena at 8-8. (Serena still holds the advantage in Grand Slam finals, 5-2.)UPDATE: Final Nielsen numbers show that 3.7 million viewers watched the match.
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Fast Cars & Superstars: The Young Guns Celebrity Race
On a steamy March afternoon, former NASCAR Nextel Cup champ Kurt Busch sits in a stock car at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina, revving his engine in anticipation. The question hangs in the air: Which of three nearby celebrities, decked out in racing jumpsuits, will be the first to gulp back fear, strap into the makeshift passenger seat, and join Busch in a three-lap, cement-wall-kissing 190 mph run around the famed 1.5-mile track?
Laird Hamilton, best known for riding 70-foot waves, finally stands and pulls a helmet over his long blond locks. "Oh, sure," Hamilton calls to NFL legend John Elway and tennis champ Serena Williams with a grin. "Get the stupid surfer to do it."
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Various-grade celebrities have already attempted dancing and skating on reality shows, and now a fresh slate of would-be winners will be mashing the gas for an ABC series set to air this summer. A dozen stars have signed on for the Fast Cars & Superstars — Gillette Young Guns Celebrity Race, with the would-be leadfoots including William "Take Her to Warp 7" Shatner, tennis champ Serena Williams and singer Jewel. This week, each celeb is behind the wheel for speed trials at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Charlotte, N.C., with top NASCAR drivers such as 2006 Nextel Cup champion Jimmie Johnson showing them the ropes.In Monday's first practice sessions, as half the stars got trial runs in, a clearly rattled Serena Williams was at the bottom of the speed chart — with her best time slower than her vaunted tennis serve. NFL legend John Elway made a very respectable showing for a newcomer, with a bubbly Krista Allen hot on his heels.The celebrity participants also include skateboard...
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