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Guess Who?

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 13:00:00 PDT

Guess who was courtside watching Roger Federer win the 2008 US Open?

Show Me the US Open Money!

FitSugar — Tue, 09 Sep 2008 09:00:00 PDT

The US Open drew to a close yesterday afternoon, as Roger Federer beat Andy Murray in three sets. Federer claimed his 13th grand slam victory and vowed to try to win another one, because staying at 13 would be so unlucky. On the women's side of things, Serena Williams rallied through two sets to beat Jelena Jankovic.

Along with gaining another grand slam title and the silver chalice, how much did these folks win in prize money? Take this quiz and see if you can show me the US Open Money.

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Will You Be Watching the US Open?

FitSugar — Sat, 06 Sep 2008 03:30:00 PDT

While I am loving the fashion of the US Open, it is the exciting tennis that keeps me watching - like the amazing quarterfinal battle between Venus and Serena. The women's final airs today at 8:00 p.m. EST, and the men's final will be Sunday at 4:00 p.m. EST. Both finals will air on CBS.

I want to know . . .

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US Open Is a Fashion Grand Slam

FitSugar — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 04:30:00 PDT

As always, I am really enjoying the US Open right now. I love watching all the strong players battle it out on the court, but this year I am noticing an added element to the game: fashion.

Maybe it was because Anna Wintour has been frequenting the stands or because fashion week is just around the corner, but the tennis outfits are awesome this year. The colors are bright and the dresses and skirts are cute. Most of you loved Maria Sharapova's red dress last year, so I am guessing you're digging the fashion, too.

Check out all the cool looks at this year's Open and if you're feeling inspired, do a little shopping for your own cute little tennis dress.

There's a lot more after the break so

View 12 Photos ›

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Words That Move You . . .

FitSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 16:00:00 PDT

"What defines a person's character is not how you are when you're on top. It's how you are when you're on the bottom and working your way back." - Serena Williams, in the August 2008 issue of Glamour

After taking home a gold medal in women's doubles at the Olympics, Serena Williams is moving on to the US Open this week.

For even more motivation, check out these quotes.

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Ball Stomp'r: Spoiled Sweet or Spoiled Rotten?

PetSugar — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:15:10 PDT

Here's yet another way to chuck a tennis ball without actually throwing it – time to use the power of da' feet. The Ball Stomp'r ($12) features a launch tube that fits a standard-sized ball and when you step, it soars up to 100 feet! If your dogs love to fetch and your throwing arm works about as well as mine (read: not good), this could be a nice option . . . and there's even a mini version ($8) for those teeny tennies. Will you step up for this product?

Trend Setters: Preppy Pets Rock . . . Tennis Chic

PetSugar — Tue, 26 Aug 2008 12:30:36 PDT

It's been a while since I've gave you a preppy update, but here I am with some tennis-inspired dog gear to celebrate the US Open.

If your dog's ready to play a game of fetch (and not a fan of dressing up), why not sub a simple prop like a collar or accessory? I especially love these visors – I thought I found every possible hat back on National Hat Day, but guess not . . . it's totally tennis prep for pups!

Bring the US Open Love Home!

PetSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:00:33 PDT

Today marks the start of the US Open (which coincidentally coincided six years ago today when I brought North home to NYC)! To celebrate the beginning of this event, I'm rounding up the first round thing to come to mind . . . tennis balls, obviously.
North loves the extra small Air Kong versions 'cause they're super squeaky and fit him perfectly. (He usually tears all the fabric off a normal doggy tennis ball to use the frays to fetch 'em since they don't fit in his mouth.) Since he's pretty darn destructive, I'm shocked how long it takes him to kill the squeakers in this version – they sometimes last a couple months, which is an eternity in his chompers. From flavored to colored, check out all my faves . . . and don't forget to bring Daisy home, too!

Goodbye Olympics, Hello US Open!

FitSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 12:00:00 PDT

Whether you're relieved or disappointed that the Olympics are over, you can now channel your sports watching elsewhere. The US Open kicks off today in New York!

I always love watching the Open: It's the only Grand Slam tournament held in the US, which makes it feel more familiar even if I can't sit courtside. This year, the Open is celebrating its 40th anniversary, so there'll be some extra nostalgia, including an opening ceremony (tonight at 7 p.m. EDT) highlighting the tournament's singles champs over the past four decades.

The Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal rivalry will be in full force. Though Federer ceded his number one ranking to Nadal, he has won the past four US Opens, so a potential final against Nadal would be a must-see. Other big names to watch will be Lindsay Davenport, who is back after battling injuries, and Elena Dementieva, who just won the gold medal in women's singles Beijing. The way the matches shake out, there's no way that the Williams sisters, who scored Olympic gold in doubles, could face each other in the final match, but here's hoping they come back strong after Beijing.

Check out the schedule here to find out when all the good matches air. Will you be watching the US Open? Who are you most excited to see?

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Swimmer Dara Torres on the Quest For Her Sixth Olympic Games

espnW — Fri, 11 May 2012 04:12:32 PDT

We are pumped to share one of our fave stories from espnW here on FitSugar!

By Luke Cyphers

Dara Torres once wrote a book called Age Is Just a Number. Nowadays, though, the feel-good story of the 2008 Olympics admits to, well, feeling her age. Torres won two silver medals as a 41-year-old mother and swimmer in Beijing, but she harbors no illusions about repeating the feat four years later. "You have to be realistic," Torres said. "I am 45 years old. I'm that much closer to being 50, and my body just can't recover the way it used to."

Her goal was gold in 2008. In 2012? "I don't feel like I have anything else to prove going into these Olympic Games," said the 12-time medalist. "It's not about medals. I have enough."

So why does she put herself through grueling training five days a week in the hopes of making her sixth - and she swears last - U.S. Olympic team? Because, at her best, she's still one of the fastest sprinters in the world. She placed second in the 50-meter freestyle (25.24 seconds) at the winter nationals. Last month, she swam a solid 25.36 seconds in the prelims of the Indianapolis Grand Prix, but faded to 25.47 in the final to finish sixth. She'll need to place within the top two at the Olympic trials in Omaha in June to make it to London.

Kim Rhode is not your typical Olympian

Dara Torres says it is harder for her body to recover compared to when she competed in the 2008 Olympics. "If I had to just swim the race once, I don't think it would even be an issue making the team," she said. "But I have to swim it three times, and having my body recover for those three races is my issue."

Torres embraces the actuarial challenge of capping an Olympic career 28 years after it began in 1984, even as her world has changed and her body has creaked. Her longtime coach, Michael Lohberg, died of a rare blood disorder in 2011. One of Lohberg's assistants, Bruno Darzi, now coaches her. Her daughter Tessa is now 6. And her left knee required surgery and more than a year to rehab. Through it all, "I still have a passion for the sport of swimming," she said.

But there's also a sense of obligation to the public following she has built through her success and frequent television appearances. (The former telecommunications major and frequent morning-show guest announced her comeback on "Live with Regis & Kelly.") "I have so many people come up to me and say I'm inspiring them to do things that they thought they couldn't do because they were too old, or that they put off because they couldn't find a balance in their life to do it," Torres said.

Keep reading for more on Dara Torres' Olympic past and present.