Baron Court

It must be the ultimate indulgence but we've learnt that the injured US Open champion, Juan Martin del Potro, has just bought the street he lives in, in his hometown of Tandil, Argentina!

The street splits two properties he already owns and by buying it for an alleged $50,000 he hopes to keep inquisitive fans away for his privacy's sake.

The purchase has the full approval of the mayor and the city council but there are people

Including neighbours and preservationists who are scrutinizing the deal as they are worried it will start a trend.

I can't see it catching on in the United Kingdom but some footballers might well attempt it.

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To capitalize on their asset, Lindt chocolates hasve teamed up with Roger Federer, their Global Brand Ambassador, to launch "The Perfect Match" sweepstakes, an online game offering consumers the chance to win a variety of premium chocolate prizes and an opportunity to meet Federer.

To participate you must log on to Lindt.com, where until September 12, you can win daily prizes, including a variety of the chocolatier's products, plus Nike duffle bags filled with truffles and autographed by Federer.

In addition, five winners will receive a three-day summer trip for two to New York where they can watch Federer in action. The company does not state which event but infer it is the US Open.

Everyone though, will be entered into the grand prize sweepstakes for a chance to win the ultimate Swiss vacation -- a three-day trip for two to Zurich, Switzerland to visit, not Federer's home, but Lindt's global headquarters where the lucky winner will get to meet the former world number one.

If you like chocolate, good luck.

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The USTA is running a competition to establish the ‘Best Tennis Town' in America with Delray Beach nominated amongst the ten finalists from 82 nominations. The reaction of the commissioners of the city, which was first settled in 1895, was to immediately issue a proclamation to change the city's name to ‘Tennis Beach' in honor of the achievement. The change however, was for just a week.

I wonder, if the LTA were to introduce a similar competition for the UK, what the reaction would be from fans. Would many know that tennis was played in this country outside the Wimbledon Fortnight? Would London walk away with the title because they host Queen's, Wimbledon and the O2?

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It must be embarrassing for Ana Ivanovic, world number one just two years ago and now languishing outside the top 60, to find herself being declined wild cards for events she has won. This has proved the case at this year's Canadian Open at Montreal with the organisers preferring to hand their last wild card to a local girl, Stephanie Dubois believing she will be a bigger attraction than the Serb who is now being asked to go through the qualifying event. Her appaearnace should certainly liven that up.

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Swedish star Robin Soderling wasn't happy when he lost Nicolas Alamgaro in the Bastad final and he showed his displeasure by not acknowledging either Almagro or the chair umpire. It wasn't a topuch of bad loser syndrome, but a reaction for receiving a warning for smashing his racket at the end of the first set, and then receiving a points penalty for a similar offence later on. He explained: "I bounced the racket and caught it twice. If you're supposed to give warnings and point penalties for such things, it would be 10 warnings in every match." To calm down he has apparently gone fishing!

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Former world's No.9 tennis star Paradorn Srichaphan has admitted he will not be returning to the pro tour and will now concentrate on a motorcycle racing career. Last weekend he was competing in the Pro Series Thailand Championship but was told by doctors not to race because he hadn't fully recovered from a previous motorcycle accident! Tennis would seem to be a safer option!