Serena Williams is involved in an auction and all proceeds will benefit Sophie's Voice Foundation, which advocates for individuals with spina bifida.

Serena will give a 30-minute tennis lesson in West Palm Beach, Florida, that includes roundtrip coach airfare for two and one night hotel stay, with breakfast, lunch, and dinner provided.

Sophie's Voice Foundation was founded in 2008 by actors Boris Kodjoe and Nicole Ari Parker in honor of their daughter, Sophie, who was diagnosed with spina bifida at birth.

Fans can place their bids in the auction at Charity Buzz until October 15, 2009.

Who would have thought back in June that Kim Clijsters would win the 2009 US Open? Well, neither did her coach Wim Fissette when he said to Kim at the exhibition in Rosmalen: "If you win the US Open I'll shave my head." Kim won the bet, and her coach has lost his hair.

Look at Kim’s little daughter Jada with a soother at 2:40. I know I’m repeating this all the time, but she’s so cute.

Info: You should click through to watch this video on YouTube, because the administrators of Kim's profile have disabled embedding (don't ask me why).

World No.59 Anna Chakvetadze is expected to skip all the tournaments in the next four to six weeks due to a stress fracture in her right foot.

The 22-year-old Russian said:

The doctors gave me this boot that I have to use for the next three or four weeks. I must admit having them on is like weird and funny. I feel like I’m a pirate.

Chakvetadze may play the October 19 – 25 Kremlin Cup in her home Moscow. (source: Women Who Serve, photo: Ralf Reinecke)

Surprise US Open quarterfinalist Melanie Oudin made an appearance on the Ellen Degeneres Show to talk about her spectacular experience at the Grand Slam.

Among other things, Melanie was of course asked to give her opinion about the Serena Williams incident.

Interesting detail: The 17-year-old Melanie has a boyfriend and he’s 15. Hihi.

Magnificent 2009 US Open champion Kim Clijsters arrived at Brussels Airport and was welcomed by a crowd of people.

The world No.19 Clijsters was willing to sign some autographs and later thanked everyone via Twitter.

Arrived back home this morning, after three months! Its good to be home again! Thanks to all the fans for the welcome at the airport x

(source: Down the Line)

World No.6 Caroline Wozniacki and world No.5 Elena Dementieva join Top 2 players Dinara Safina and Serena Williams on the list of those who have qualified for the elite $4.45 million Sony Ericsson Championships in singles.

The finalist at the just-finished 2009 US Open Wozniacki will play the prestigious tournament for the first time, while Dementieva has qualified for the ninth time in her career.

The Dane and the Russian have each won three titles this year.

The season-ending Championships will take place at the Khalifa International Tennis Complex in Doha, Qatar, from October 27 to November 1, 2009. (photos: Ralf Reinecke, Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

Newly-crowned US Open champion Kim Clijsters, who has from an unranked player amazingly propelled to No.19 in the rankings, showed off her trophy in New York’s Times Square, joined by husband Brian Lynch and super cute daughter Jada.

The former world No.1 Clijsters has never looked better, and why wouldn't she, her US Open triumph is highlighting the whole tennis season.

Just to mention: Kim’s fellow Belgian and great champion Justine Henin used her official website to congratulate Kim on this great success.

Dear Kim,

Congratulations with your magnificent victory.
Once again, Jada can be very proud of her mama. Your achievement is just fantastic! Warm applause to you and your whole family.

Best regards,
Justine

(photos via Down the Line)

Venus and Serena Williams won their 10th Grand Slam doubles title together and their third this season.

The fourth-seeded Williams sisters, who have already won the Australian Open and Wimbledon doubles titles this year, defeated top seeds and number ones Cara Black and Liezel Huber 6-2 6-2 in the 2009 US Open final.

In singles, both Venus and Serena lost to eventual champion Kim Clijsters. Venus was upset in the fourth round, while Serena controversially exited the tournament in the semifinals. (photo via BBC)

Serena Williams was fined $10,500 by officials at the US Open and could face further sanctions for her angry outburst during the semifinal against Kim Clijsters.

Sony Ericsson WTA Tour CEO Stacey Allaster issued a statement in support of the United States Tennis Association’s decision.

Serena Williams’ conduct last night was inappropriate and unprofessional. No matter what the circumstances, no player should be allowed to engage in such behavior without suffering consequences. I have spoken with the USTA about this matter and I agree with the action they have taken.

Pursuant to the Grand Slam Rule Book, the USTA fined Serena the maximum penalty of $10,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct and $500 for racquet abuse.

Not formally, but Serena Williams apologized to her fans via a written statement released by her management.

Last night everyone could truly see the passion I have for my job. Now that I have had time to gain my composure, I can see that while I don’t agree with the unfair line call, in the heat of battle I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly. I would like to thank my fans and supporters for understanding that I am human and I look forward to continuing the journey, both professionally and personally, with you all as I move forward and grow from this experience.

(source: On the Baseline, photo by our reader Colleen)

What a way to start a comeback! Playing only her third tournament after taking a two-year break and starting a family, wildcard Kim Clijsters went all the way to the US Open title, and from an unranked player she'll soon become No.19, according to projections.

I suppose that everyone, except Denmark, rooted for the 2005 US Open champion Clijsters in this final, and despite her ranking and lack of match play, the Belgian was favored to defeat the first time Grand Slam finalist, No.9 seed Caroline Wozniacki. That was exactly what happened, and Clijsters clinched title with a 7-5 6-3 victory.

Nevertheless, congrats to the 19-year-old Wozniacki for making the finals and becoming the first Dane, man or woman, to reach the finals of a Grand Slam in the Open Era.

On route to the title Clijsters defeated Viktoriya Kutuzova, No.14 seed Marion Bartoli, Kirsten Flipkens, No.3 seed Venus Williams, No.18 seed Li Na, No.2 seed Serena Williams and finally No.9 seed Caroline Wozniacki.

The 26-year-old Clijsters has become the first mother to win a Grand Slam title since Evonne Goolagong Cawley, who won Wimbledon in 1980. (photo via Life.com)