British princess celebrates graduation with tennis trip (AFP)

LONDON (AFP) – Britain's Princess Beatrice, whose eccentric hat made headlines at the royal wedding, celebrated her graduation Friday by spending the day at the Wimbledon tennis championships.

Beatrice, fifth in line to the throne, earned a 2:1, the second-highest grade, in her history and history of ideas degree at London's Goldsmiths College.

The 22-year-old, the eldest daughter of Queen Elizabeth II's second son Prince Andrew, was diagnosed with dyslexia in her childhood.

"I have had the most amazing university experience," the princess said in a statement.

"I am so excited about my results."

The redhead's flamboyant hat, which stunned onlookers at the April 29 wedding of her cousin Prince William and Kate Middleton, was likened to a giant pretzel and a toilet seat.

It made ?81,100 ($130,375, 89,700 euros) when it was auctioned for charity.

Beatrice was in the Royal Box on Centre Court on Friday to watch the men's semi-finals.

The princess does not currently carry out royal engagements.

A Buckingham Palace spokesman said: "In terms of her future, like a lot of students she'll be considering her options."

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Tennis great Jimmy Connors to write memoir (Reuters)

NEW YORK (Reuters Life!) – A memoir by brash tennis player Jimmy Connors that promises to address his broken engagement to fellow tennis star Chris Evert as well as his rivalry with John McEnroe will be published in 2012, HarperCollins said on Monday.

The release of the autobiography by the man regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time will coincide with his 60th birthday and 30th anniversary of his last Wimbledon title, the publisher said.

"A lot has been written about me, my family, my on-court behavior and my off-court life," Connors said in a statement. "This book is going to change that. People may think they know Jimmy Connors. They don't, but they will after they have read my book."

Connors, 58, a former gritty left-hander with fiery on-court antics and a dominant two-handed backhand, won a record 109 titles including eight Grand Slams and was No. 1 in the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) rankings for 160 consecutive weeks from 1974-77 in a tennis career lasting more than two decades.

He also promised to address in the memoir his close but complicated relationship with his late mother Gloria, who was a teaching tennis pro who helped her son in the early years of his career.

(Reporting by Christine Kearney, editing by Patricia Reaney)

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No more barefoot dancing for tennis star Clijsters (AFP)

PARIS (AFP) – Kim Clijsters admitted on Friday that her days dancing barefoot are over after a freak injury almost ruled her out of the French Open.

Clijsters, returning to Roland Garros for the first time since 2006, is still wearing a heavy strapping on her right ankle which she injured at a cousin's wedding.

"I was dancing barefoot, not in high heels, and I landed on another girl's foot and twisted my ankle," said the 27-year-old, world number two.

"I limped off the floor and then someone else stood on my small toe. I was having a good time until then."

Despite the injury, the Belgian, who currently holds the US and Australian Open titles, insists that her fitness and movement should not be affected when the French Open starts on Sunday.

"I still have the heavy strapping on the ankle," she said. "I will keep it on until after Wimbledon and then see if I am able to play without it."

Clijsters has been a two-time runner-up at the French Open, in 2001 and 2003 losing to Jennifer Capriati and compatriot Justine Henin respectively.

Her last visit in 2006 ended in a semi-final loss to Henin while plans to play in 2010, after a brief spell of retirement where she married and started a family, were scuppered by a leg injury.

"I enjoy the challenge of clay," said Clijsters, who will start the event as one of the favourites.

"I never used to feel comfortable because of the movement aspect, but I have always enjoyed the challenge of trying to win every point and battling for every rally.

"I prefer the impact that the my strokes make on a hardcourt when eight times out of 10 you know that the ball isn't going to come back; on clay it will come back five times in every 10.

"You have to be more patient and accept that more balls will come back at you."

Fellow former world number one Maria Sharapova said she regards Clijsters as a potential champion.

"You can never count her out. It might take her a few matches to get into form. That's normal when you haven't played for a while," said the Russian, herself full of confidence after clinching the Rome International last week.

"She's a great champion, she's won the last couple of Grand Slams and is number two in the world, I believe. She's certainly the one to beat here."

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