Daily Bagel: Roger Federer's twin girls get early start in tennis
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLU946JCKOc
The Daily Bagel is your dose of the interesting reporting, writing and quipping from around the Internet.
• Video: Here's a glimpse of the famed practice field at the BNP Paribas Open, where players and entourages can be spotted warming up in a number of creative ways. Here, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet play soccer as Marion Bartoli goes for a jog.
• Interesting bit buried in this CNN interview with Roger Federer: His 3-year-old twin girls have already started playing tennis.
"We've tried to put them into lessons, just for their hand-eye coordination and all of that. I think it's important for kids to do all sports if they have an opportunity," he said.
"I'm a big believer that it's a great lesson in life, so we try to give them opportunities because we can and I think tennis is a great thing, so we'll see if they pick it up."
• Greg Garber of ESPN.com catches up with Petra Kvitova, who is coming off a title in Dubai.
ESPN.com: You hit your shots so big. Do you ever think of taking a little bit off?
Petra Kvitova: Well, no, I don't think so. I mean, yes, I am trying to play more rallies and not play for two shots. I know I can play in the rallies. The things I have to improve are my serve, for sure, and my fitness. I need to be quicker to the ball. I'm also working on playing more volleys and slices. My game is changing. But in the big moments, I know I need to go for my shots.
• Venus Williams dishes on her fashion line to Tennis.com's Richard Pagliaro.
TENNIS.com: I was told you were on a tight deadline for the [fall] collection, even texting ideas and revisions during a changeover on court at one point?
Venus Williams: That was an exhibition match in Belgium. We had a deadline for print and I'm looking at my phone, like 'I have to get this done.' Obviously, in a tournament competition, I would never be able to do that; it's probably against the rules to even look at your phone (laughs). But in any case, whatever it takes. Part of the design process is answering and exchanging ideas—that's me and Barbara, that's the design team.
• Some behind-the-scenes photos from ESPN's upcoming documentary Venus Vs., which centers on Williams' role in helping bring about equal prize money at Grand Slam tournaments.
• Jesse Pentecost of Tennis Grandstand laments the lack of television coverage over the first two days at Indian Wells. With the top-32 seeds getting first-round byes, I'm not entirely convinced missing out on two days of coverage is a huge loss.
• The WTA launches "40 Love," a season-long campaign to celebrate the tour's 40th anniversary.
