Hello dear readers!

Just to tell you I'm taking some time off, I'm going on vacation, to Greece, and Women's Tennis Blog's posting schedule will be slower in the next 13 days. I've prepared a number of articles in advance to keep you entertained, but only maybe will I follow the latest tennis news.

See you in two weeks!

World No.1 Ana Ivanovic will be the face of an adidas training campaign in retail outlets throughout North America. The Roland Garros champion was photographed working out earlier this year. After the cut there are two more photos. Read more »

World No.1 Ana Ivanovic made up for her early Wimbledon exit by being named Women's Tennis Player of the Year 2008 by the International Sports Press Association (AIPS).

"I feel very honored to receive this award and the recognition by the International Sports Press Association," said Ivanovic.

AIPS is an organization made up of 9,100 sports journalists from over 150 countries. (source: Ana Ivanovic's website)

Recently-recrowned Wimbledon queen Venus Williams appears in the August issue of Shape magazine where she reveals that her sister Serena is her biggest inspiration and also says that practice is the key to success.

Here’s what Venus said about Serena's influence:

"Without her, I couldn't have achieved anything. She's helped me believe in myself." Serena loves to give Venus little sayings to remember, such as, 'If you take your opportunities, more opportunities will come.' "That got me through one final at Wimbledon," recalls Venus.

The five-time Wimbledon champion believes that practice is the pillar of confidence and says: "You have to practice to develop your talents and learn to enjoy putting the effort in." (via Down the Line)

Wimbledon 2008 singles champion Venus Williams, who won her fifth title at the grass-court Grand Slam, attended the Champions Dinner which was held at the Hotel Intercontinental, Park Lane, on July 6 in London.

Don't forget that Venus also won the ladies' doubles title with sister Serena at Wimbledon 2008. (photos via Yahoo)

Maria Sharapova lost in the second round of Wimbledon 2008, but she quickly became active on the social scenes of Paris and London. There’s no better way to forget a disappointment!

Masha made a showing at the Valentino Fall 2008 couture show. Read more »

Eleventh-seeded Venus and Serena Williams defeated sixteenth-seeded Lisa Raymond and Samantha Stosur 6-2 6-2 and won their third Wimbledon doubles title.

That is Venus' and Serena's seventh Grand Slam doubles title, and they have an amazing 7-0 record in Grand Slam doubles finals.

The sisters have added the Wimbledon 2008 title to the ones from the years 2000 and 2002. In addition, Venus and Serena have today scored their 100th victory together. (photo via Yahoo)

Congratulation to the Williams sisters who won the Wimbledon doubles title only hours after their fantastic encounter in the singles final.

Venus Williams successfully defended her Wimbledon title by defeating her younger sister Serena 7-5 6-4. The 28-year-old Williams won her seventh Grand Slam crown, and the fifth one at Wimbledon.

Sixth seed Serena started strong, breaking Venus in the first game, and retaining that lead until the eighth game when Venus broke back to level at 4-4. Venus, seeded seventh, held her serve and in the end broke Serena to take the set. Pity there was no tie-break, Serena deserved it. Read more »

World number six Serena Williams has a passion for sightseeing, and her favorite sights are Wonders of the World.

"This is a wonderful sport," Williams said. "I get to travel all places. For instance, I saw the Taj Mahal. I probably would have never seen it if I hadn't been a tennis player. And I saw the Wall. … My dream has always been to see the Seven Wonders of the World."

Oh, that’s so sweet, if something is called a wonder you simply must check it out. But Serena, are you sure you know anything about the Seven Wonders of the World? Oops.

Serena should stop writing poems and stick to talking about tennis.

Thanks to my Facebook friend Srdjan for telling me about this funny quote. (photo: Getty Images)

Sisters Serena and Venus Williams will clash in Wimbledon 2008 final, but their father Richard won't be there to watch because he simply can't bear to be there while his daughters play against each other. Instead, he will fly back home to the United States.

"If your kids got into a fight with each other, could you stand to watch that? That's the way I feel," said Richard Williams.

"I feel that they are fighting against each other so I wouldn't watch it. I will be on a plane at 36,000 feet," he said. "It is too emotional for me."

The final to take place on Saturday will be the third championship match at Wimbledon that the sisters will play against each other. Defending champion Venus has lost to Serena twice, and is therefore looking for revenge.

Venus and Serena have six Wimbledon titles between them. (source: Reuters)