Fridae

Annual earnings: US$36 million 

Career prize money: US$50 million 

Grand Slam titles: 15

Despite losing the US Open final to Argentine Juan Martin del Potro in a tight five-setter, the Swiss mastero has enjoyed a stellar 2009 with his first French Open title, a sixth Wimbledon title and regaining the world number one ranking in the process. He is the undisputed best tennis player in history with the most number of Grand Slam titles. Since the birth of the twins, Federer has proofed that fatherhood and tennis can co-exist with his Cincinnati Masters win and his run to the finals of the US Open. 

The first gentleman of tennis drives a Mercedes SLR McLaren, which is rather out of character with his on-court demur. This mega SLR McLaren has been much criticsed for its cramped cabin, poor brakes, high price and an old-fashioned five-speed automatic gearbox. One thing Federer has done correctly was to pick the convertible over the coupe. 

Do not ever go to Roger Federer for car-advice. With arrival of the twins, we suspect the Fed express will have to be a more practical (dull) car; maybe a Mercedes R-Class?       

Annual earnings: US$20 million 

Career prize money: US$25.2 million 

Grand Slam titles: 6

The Spaniard heartthrob has failed to complete a career Grand Slam when he was bundled out of the US Open by eventual champion, Juan Martin del Potro as he struggled with abdominal injuries in a one-sided semi-final. Regardless, he has proven he can win outside of clay courts with his first Australia Open title. Reclaiming the world number two spot from Andy Murray is perhaps the first of his goals after an injury ridden summer.   

Although Nadal is Kia's ambassador until 2011, he (thankfully) does not have to drive one. The left-handed tennis sensation has been appearing in Kia's global advertising campaigns in TV and print media since 2006. He promotes the Kia brand by taking part in various initiatives held by the automaker, including major international motor shows.

What Nadal drives is an Aston Martin DBS, which made its Bond debut in 2007 in Casino Royale. With 60 more horsepower and 65 kg less kerb weight than the DB9, on which the DBS is based on. The 6.0 liter V12 musters 510 bhp and will hit 100km/h from 0 in just 4.3 seconds. Built in limited numbers, the costly DBS is strictly for driving enthuse and the very rich. Nadal paid about US$269,000 for his DBS.   

It appears that Rafa knows a thing or two about cars. The chunky manual gearbox on his Aston Martin DBS seems to suit the muscle-bound star to a tee. Perhaps his likings for Aston Martins can help him to be short listed to be the next Bond after his tennis career.  

Annual earnings: S$18 million 

Career prize money: S$26 million 

Grand Slam titles: 11

“That girl” of tennis has whipped up a storm when she had an angry outburst at a lineswoman for a foot-fault call. Last checked, Serena Williams has finally apologised to the lineswoman for her “little” episode during her US Open semi-final against Kim Clijsters. 

Well the price for threatening a match official is US$10,500 (USTA imposed a fine on her for unsportsman like conduct), an investigation by ITF (International Tennis Federation) and losing plently of fans and respect among the tennis community. 

Apparently, Serena William’s first car was a BMW Z3, which she still has it in her garage today. And going deeper into adulthood, she says she is more into SUVs.  

So, besides the Z3, what else is sitting in her garage?

“I have a truck, a Cadillac truck,” Serena said. “I have a Range Rover Sport.

“I’m an SUV kind of girl.”

Her choice of cars is as challenged as her sportsmanship. Honestly, we think that Serena has shifted into SUVs mainly because she can’t find a comfortable sitting position in ANY sports car. Time to lose the attitude and weight, Ms Williams.