Check out some pics and video of the draw ceremony which took place at one of Rome’s most popular tourist sites, the Spanish Steps (Piazza di Spagna). Attending the ceremony: former Italian players Nicola Pietrangeli, Lea Pericoli, but also Francesca Schiavone, Flavia Pennetta, Ana Ivanovic, Andy Murray and Fabio Fognini.

Nicola Pietrangeli:

Francesca Schiavone:

Flavia Pennetta:

Thanks a lot to Mauro, webmaster of STE Fans, dedicated to the one and only Stefan Edberg.

Paddle Tennis courts:

Svetlana Kuznetsova practicing at the Sanchez Casal Academy, a few weeks before her 2009 French Open victory:

Want to know more about the Sanchez Casal Academy? Read our other reports:
- 2 years at the Sanchez Casal Academy
- Four weeks at the Sanchez Casal Academy part1, part 2

Wanna share your story and pics of your stay at a tennis academy? Feel free to contact us.

On this self-guided five-city tennis journey, I flew to Spain, France and Great Britain to retrace the footsteps of the tennis legend and my personal hero – Rafael Nadal. Along the way I discover many wonderful cultures and met individuals from all walks of life, all of whom celebrating tennis.

From the Bull-fighting in Madrid, to the Picasso Museum nestled in the Gothic quarters of Barcelona; I wanted to explore Nadal’s homeland of Spain both as a traveler and as a tennis fan.

First leg of the tour: the Madrid Open

Some pics of Palacio Real, Parco del Retiro and Plaza de Toros:

La Caja Magica – the Magic Box – home of the Madrid Open:

Women’s final: Dinara Safina defeats Caroline Wozniacki 6-2 6-4

Men’s final: Roger Federer defeats Rafael Nadal 6-4 6-4 (it was the day after the thriller semifinal opposing Nadal and Djokovic)

Read the complete story on tennis-8.com

Tie Breaker Knit Dress:

Nike SS Baseline Top and Nike SS Baseline Knit Skirt:

Serena’s shoes: the Nike Air Max Mirabella: