For a busy tennis pro on the tour circuit there can't be too many opportunities to meet glamorous women. Beach babe: Andy Roddick spotted wife Brooklyn Decker in an American swimsuit magazine and got in touch to ask her for a date Cover girl: Tennis ace Andy Roddick picked his future wife swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker from the pages of a magazine, and got his agent to arrange a date Pneumatic blonde: Andy Roddick was so taken with the image of model Brooklyn that he got his agent to phone 'her people' Blonde Miss Sears and Murray met during the U.S. Open in 2005. He bombarded her with text messages and they have been an item ever since. English rose: Andy Murray met girlfriend Kim Sears during the U.S. Open in 2005 and bombarded her with text messages Occupation: Straight-A student, who is now studying English in her final year at Sussex University in Brighton Look: Classic English rose with blue eyes, a mane of chestnut hair and impossibly long legs Style: Smart blazers, floaty dresses, tailored shorts and big sunglasses Men: Has dated Murray since meeting at the U.S. Open in 2005 Battle: Andy Roddick, left, faces Andy Murray, right in today's semi-final Cheering them on: TWAGs (that's Tennis Wives and Girlfriends) Brooklyn and Kim
But while skimming a copy of US magazine Sports Illustrated's swimwear edition in 2006, one model in particular caught his eye. And resourceful tennis star Andy Roddick, 26, got his agent Ken Meyerson to contact and ask the model in question, stunning blonde Brooklyn Decker, 21, for a date.
Miss Decker's career began after she was spotted at the age of 16 in a shopping mall in North Carolina. She quickly gave up her studies to become a fashion model.
The couple married in April this year at their home in Austin, Texas, and it's fair to say that the swimsuit model is now Roddick's number fan.
Even though they are the same age, the two couldn't be more different.
It's the battle of the pneumatic swimsuit model versus Murray's very own English Rose.
Murray, 22, is attempting to be the first British man to win Wimbledon since Fred Perry in 1936, and Roddick, 26, meet for a place in Sunday's final.
She is regarded as tennis royalty, having grown up with it. Her father Nigel was a highly successful coach and is now head of women's tennis in the UK.
Miss Sears, an English student, has helped Murray curb his explosive temper and encouraged him to express his emotions.
He has said he feels more relaxed on court when she is watching.
Now only Roddick stands in the way of him reaching the men's final - an achievement no Briton has accomplished since Henry 'Bunny' Austin in 1938.
She is regarded as tennis royalty, having grown up with it. Her father Nigel was a highly successful coach and is now head of women's tennis in the UK.
Miss Sears, an English student, has helped Murray curb his explosive temper and encouraged him to express his emotions.
He has said he feels more relaxed on court when she is watching.
Age: 21 Height: 5ft 8in
Home: Has just moved to a £5.45million mansion in Surrey near Cheryl and Ashley Cole.BROOKLYN DECKER
Occupation: Swimwear model who poses provocatively in very little. 'Discovered' at age 16 in a U.S. mall
Look: All-out American beach babe with bleached blonde hair and impressive decolletage
Style: Favours short skirts, tight tops and sequinned catsuits
Men: Married Roddick at their home in April after a two-year relationship
Home: £7million lakeside house in Austin, Texas, complete with tennis courts and marina.
Murray's appearance in today's semi-final already represents the best performance by a Briton at the tournament since Tim Henman reached the last four in 2002.
He has been preparing himself for the clash by watching boxing videos on YouTube. After his quick-fire quarter-final win against Juan Carlos Ferrero on Wednesday, which attracted 4.5million viewers on BBC 1, he went home to watch Floyd Mayweather Junior attempting his comeback.
If, as predicted, it is Murray against Roger Federer in the final, he will have to put on the biggest fight of his career.
Tomorrow, the Williams sisters will face each other in the women's final for the fourth time. It will be the eighth time Venus has faced Serena in a Grand Slam final.
The sisters have won seven of the past nine championships at the All England Club.
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'I found my wife Brooklyn on the pages of a swimsuit magazine,' says Andy Roddick
Wimbledon girls are 'just there to sell sex', says BBC pundit Michael Stich
As a former Wimbledon champion, Michael Stich might be expected to have an expert appreciation for the skill and dedication required to play tennis at its highest level. Looks and talent: Russian tennis star and swimwear model Maria Kirilenko takes part in her sixth Wimbledon this week Sister act: Serena Williams and her sister Venus pose for the cameras; Serena admitted 'sex sells' Michael Stich claims Wimbledon ladies are 'just there to sell sex' At full stretch: Serbian player Ana Ivanovic has starred in men's magazines
But on the eve of this year’s tournament, the BBC Radio 5 Live commentator has caused outrage among the sport’s female stars by claiming their role is as much about ‘selling sex’ on court as it is about their sporting prowess.
Stich, the 1991 men’s singles champion, made his politically incorrect comments last night as he waded into the argument over the loud grunting of many of the game’s top women.
He said: ‘Just play it back to the women. It sounds disgusting, ugly, unsexy!’
When challenged that it was the women’s role to play the best tennis they could, rather than look sexy, Stich stuck to his guns. ‘That’s what they sell,’ he told The Mail on Sunday.
‘They want to look good, they pay attention to their looks and everything.’
However, not everyone took offence.
Two-time Wimbledon singles winner Serena Williams admitted: ‘Sex sells! It’s great for Angelina Jolie and it’s true across the board.’
She added: ‘I’ve never been one of the loudest grunters. I just play my game and sometimes I grunt and sometimes I don’t.
'I’m not conscious when I’m doing it. I’m just zoned out. It doesn’t really affect me if my opponent is [grunting].’
Stich, who beat Boris Becker to the 1991 title, also joked that the only way of stopping the grunting from women players such as Portuguese teenager Michelle Larcher De Brito was to ‘shoot them’.
He added: ‘How are you going to prevent it? How are you going to measure it?’
Former Wimbledon referee Alan Mills added that there was ‘nothing in the rules’ to stop players grunting.
Jermaine Jenas and his WAG can't keep their hands (or lips) off each other in hotel pool
With her tongue sticking out as she leans forward, there is only one thing this WAG is tasting - her meal ticket. Tight marking: Tottenham star Jermaine Jenas and his WAG get all heated in the pool at the Ocean Hotel, in Marbella What a nice break: Spurs footballer Michael Dawson and his partner ignore the swine flu headlines as they soak up the sun in Mexico Bathing beauty: Cheryl and Ashley Cole soak up the sun in the south of France
The brunette stuck an OTT pose as she enveloped Tottenham Hotspur player Jermaine Jenas in an embrace by the poolside in Marbella.
Perhaps she was celebrating the fact that 26-year-old Jenas is rumoured to be the target of a £6million transfer bid by Aston Villa.
The luxurious beach club is known for attracting an audience of trendy party-lovers.
And in her halterneck animal print bikini, Jenas' girl fitted right in.
No petting: Jermaine Jenas ignores the old pool rules at the beach club
Now that the football season is over, players from across Britain have been making the most of their summer break.
Wayne Rooney has whisked his pregnant wife Coleen away to their £5million Barbados holiday home for their anniversary.
What a hard life: Dawson and his girl lather on the sunscreen
And Ashley Cole has treated wife Cheryl to a break in the south of France, where they have joined friends for some low-key fun.
A group of his Chelsea teammates, including John Terry, Wayne Rooney and Frank Lampard, have headed to Las Vegas for a lads' holiday.
Meanwhile, Tottenham footballer Michael Dawson has ignored the swine flu headlines to treat his girlfriend to a break in Mexico.
Over in Miami, Michael Ballack and his wife Simone have been spotted frolicking in the waves while Djibril Cisse, currently on loan at Sunderland, and Arsenal's Samir Nasri were spotted enjoying themselves with their partners.
Rio does Ronaldo: Ferdinand braves abuse in denim hotpants and cropped top on lads' holiday
Bizarre: Rio Ferdinand shows his feminine side in a tiny pair of denim shorts and minuscule cropped top as he holidays in Israel Chowing down: Rio looked comfortable with his bizarre outfit as he munched on a sandwich at a Tel Aviv beach cafe Wedding bells: Rio and his fiancée Rebecca Ellison will marry in August Time for fans: Rio signed a Manchester United shirt for a fan
As Manchester United prepare to say goodbye to Cristiano Ronaldo, it looks like another of their stars is stepping up to fill the striker's void - style wise at least.
Spotted enjoying a lads' holiday in Israel, Rio Ferdinand appears to have stolen his outfit from his Portuguese former team-mate's wardrobe.
The 30-year-old Londoner's tiny pair of denim hotpants and red and yellow cropped T-shirt showed off an athletic physique but could hardly be described as manly.
Fans will have to hope the defender was taking the mickey out of the metrosexual look favoured by Ronaldo, who is about to join Real Madrid for £80m. But then again...
Inspiration? Rio's outfit may have been mocking Ronaldo's metrosexual look
With just two months to go before he marries long-term love Rebecca Ellison, Rio's outfit could also simply be a spot of stag-themed fun.
Holidaying in Italy last month, Ronaldo showed off his metrosexual style in a tiny pair of white hotpants, pink baseball cap and a flower behind his ear.
If Rio's friends were in on the joke, they certainly didn't join him and wore normal swimming trunks and T-shirts as they joined their friend at a beachside cafe.
With no women in sight, Rio chatted and laughed with his male friends, including St Johnstone player Jody Morris, as they bonded over cocktails and sandwiches.
An onlooker said: 'You might expect Ronaldo to wear something like that but not a big, tough defender like Rio.
'He looked really comfortable in the outfit and was laughing and joking with his friends.'
Boys' talk: Rio chats to his friends over lunch, including Jody Morris (far right)
Peckham-raised Rio is planning to wed fiancée Rebecca at Peckforton Castle in Cheshire in August.
The couple were originally set to wed last year, but postponed it after Rebecca fell pregnant with their second child Tate, now ten months.
Rio proposed to his girlfriend of seven years in 2007 while they were holidaying in Las Vegas.
The couple also have a three-year-old son Lorenz.
Among the footballers expected at their summer wedding include Wayne Rooney, Wes Brown, David Beckham, Joe Cole and Ashley Cole.
However, there are rumours Wayne and wife Coleen may snub Rio's marriage after he was a no-show at their own ceremony last year.
Reports claimed Rio and Rebecca had accepted an invitation to attend the £5million wedding in Italy, but dismayed the celebrity couple when they failed to arrive.
Rio is also reported to have invited rapper 50 Cent, DJ Chris Moyles and actor Mickey Rourke.
Beckham has to wait for 108th cap
If Beckham comes on in the friendly, the 33-year-old midfielder will match Bobby Moore's record 108 caps.
Capello opted to start with Shaun Wright-Phillips on the right of midfield for the match in Seville.
Beckham's international career has been prolonged by Capello after he was axed by Steve McClaren in 2006.
The former England coach eventually recalled Beckham in a bid to help England qualify for Euro 2008, though he then suffered another spell in the international wilderness when Capello took over.
Speaking ahead of Wednesday's game, Beckham's AC Milan team-mate Clarence Seedorf praised his fellow midfielder for adjusting so quickly to life in Serie A.
"He is training well and playing well and has done a good job in adapting himself to the work of our team," Seedorf told BBC Radio 5 Live.
"Of course when you play with leading players who know how to play it is much easier and I can imagine his frustration playing over the last year in the Major Soccer League."
Beckham, who is keen to make his move from Los Angeles Galaxy to Milan permanent, made his international debut against Moldova in a World Cup qualifier as a 21-year-old in 1996.
The midfielder was key to England's progression to the 1998 World Cup, though his petulant flick at Argentina's Diego Simeone earned him a red card as Glenn Hoddle's side crashed out on penalties.
Two years later, with Hoddle and his successor Kevin Keegan departed, Beckham was stand-in coach Peter Taylor's surprise choice to fill the vacant post of captain.
New coach Sven-Goran Eriksson would reap the rewards of his and Taylor's decision to promote the right winger as skipper the following year, when Beckham dragged England through to the 2002 World Cup finals, notably scoring a last-gasp free-kick against Greece to secure automatic qualification.
His subsequent metatarsal injury months before the World Cup dominated England's preparations and threatened to ruin his hopes of reaching Japan and Korea.
Beckham made it to the Far East, but short of match fitness, he struggled to recapture his dynamic qualifying form and England eventually exited to Brazil in the quarter-finals.
His importance to England was brought into question at Euro 2004 when he missed two penalties - the second in the shoot-out eliminator to Portugal.
In October 2005, Beckham's red card against Austria made him the first England captain to be sent off and the first, and only, player to be sent off twice while playing for England.
But he captained England for the 50th time in a friendly against Argentina the following month.
More records were broken in Germany 2006 when Beckham scored from a free-kick against Ecuador, becoming the first English player to score in three World Cups - giving England a 1-0 victory and a place in the quarter-finals.
Once again England went out on penalties, though Beckham did not get to take a spot-kick this time after being taken off with an injury earlier in the game.
A day after the loss, an emotional Beckham stepped down as England captain, saying he felt it right to pass on the armband under incoming manager McClaren.
Since succeeding McClaren, Capello has used Beckham sparingly, but the Italian has always been prepared to use him as an impact substitute.
Goalkeeper Peter Shilton holds the record for the most England appearances with 125 caps.
Tiger’s wife gives birth to son—Charlie Axel
On the day Tiger Woods usually hoists a trophy at Torrey Pines, the world’s No. 1 golfer was busy with the birth of his first son.
Woods announced on his Web site early Monday that his wife, Elin, had given birth to a boy, Charlie Axel Woods. It is the couple’s second child following the birth of daughter Sam Alexis in June 2007 on the day after the U.S. Open.
“Elin and I are thrilled to announce the birth of our son, Charlie Axel Woods, who was born on Sunday February 8, 2009,” Woods wrote in the statement. “Both Charlie and Elin are doing great and we want to thank everyone for their sincere best wishes and kind thoughts. Sam is very excited to be a big sister and we feel truly blessed to have such a wonderful family.
“I also want to thank our doctors, nurses and the hospital staff for their personal and professional care. We look forward to introducing Charlie to you at the appropriate time, and again thanks from all of us for your kindness and support.”
The 33-year-old Woods is a six-time winner of the Buick Invitational, where he also won the U.S. Open last summer for his 14th career major. That was the last tournament he has played because of knee surgery a week later that ended his 2008 season. He is expected to return before the Masters, possibly as early as the Accenture Match Play Championship on Feb. 25.
He wrote in a newsletter last week that his return to golf would depend largely on the birth of his second child.
Woods was the only child born of his parents, Earl and Tida Woods. He had said after his marriage in 2004 that he looked forward to having more than one child.
Nick Watney won the Buick Invitational on Sunday, the sixth time that Woods has been unable to defend a title since his knee surgery.
On the Net: www.tigerwoods.com
