The Circus

Andy who?
A quick google search on Andy Roddick then – former world No.1 tennis player, 2003 US Open champion and all-American heartthrob (The Circus is told) – and you will find the very first story relates to his wife.

It seems these days the fast-serving American is better defined by his better half, Brooklyn Decker, the newly announced 2010 Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover girl.

Decker, 22, is set for a long stint in the spotlight, in the tradition of former SI swimsuit cover girls Heidi Klum and Tyra Banks, but the real issue here is how can she improve poor Andy's form with the racket?
 
The world No.7 has a 2-19 record against current king Roger Federer, and it seems Decker may have played a part in Roddick's last win over the sobbing Swiss. Roddick proposed to the "perfect 10" one hour before his quarter final clash with Federer at the 2008 Sony Ericsson Cup and went on to win 7-6, 4-6, 6-3.
 
Given the pair met in 2007, Roddick might have been well advised to keep the ring stashed until a few moments before his 2009 Wimbledon final, which he heartbreakingly happened to lose 5-7, 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 16-14 to Federer.
 
Ballack's nasty through ball
Always refreshing to hear a professional sportsman speak his mind, particularly when his mind contains a few vicious barbs aimed directly at the heart of a much-celebrated Premier League manager.
 
While Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger probably expected to cop a whack here, a clip around the ears there and a considered assessment of his post-match form there, Michael Ballack's broadside must have been especially brutal.
 
The Chelsea star was frank when asked about Wenger's belief that Arsenal, 2-0 losers to Chelsea, were indeed the better side in that clash.

"I think he always says this when he loses. When he loses he always finds an excuse. But football is not possession on the ball or playing nice passes. Good football is winning games and that's what we do when we play against them."

Kop that, yanks
While Wenger defends the philosophies and culture of "beautiful football" at Arsenal, Liverpool fans must be wondering which hand will feed them in coming seasons.
 
Three years after Americans Tom Hicks and George Gillette Jr took over the barren coffers at Anfield, the seventh richest man in the world, Mukesh Ambani, is after a stake in the club, according to The Times.
 
However, with £237m owed, it could be a while before India's wealthiest man can buy the Reds a path to Premier League glory.
 
The numbers game
5 – Super Bowl statistical records broken in Monday morning's match
11 – Super Bowl records tied in the 2010 edition
42 – Age of Indianapolis' Matt Stover, the oldest player to play in a Super Bowl
0 – Turnovers made by the victorious New Orleans Saints
 
Quote of the day
"For me good football is a mix of winning, successful football, mental strength, good football technically and also physically. I think we have a good mix in the team and we have done this all season. We can't do more. First in the table."
– Chelsea star Michael Ballack after his side's 2-0 win over Arsenal.
 
Headline we'd like to see
I deserved swimsuit cover: Wenger


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