Forgive us for being a week behind with the trophies from last week’s exhibitions (Hopman Cup and the ladies’ JB Group Classic). But the Hopman trophy is cool, so here we go…
First, the Hopman Cup, won by the American team of Serena and Mardy over injured Serbians Jelena and Nole.
Team USA also went home (or to Melbourne, I guess) with these diamond-encrusted tennis balls. According to ABC, a new design by Doris Brinkhaus is conjured up each year, always with an Australian map and a diamond marking Perth’s location. It takes 8 months to construct.
The balls cost $35,000 each. The last one Serena won (back in 2003) ended up a gift to her mother, Oracene.
Venus Williams started off strong in 2008 with a 6-4, 6-3 win over Maria Sharapova in the finals of the JB Group Classic on January 5.
More photos: Hopman Cup trophies plus JB Group players’ party and press conference photos after the cut…
Mardy and Serena
Nole and Jelena
Peng Shuai beat Caroline Wozniacki in the losers’ final of the JB Group Classic.
Players’ party
Press conference
(Hopman Cup and JB Group Classic photos by Getty Images; diamond ball photo by Jiro)
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