(UPDATED) "Beefcake" Rafa officially moves into ATP penthouse, featured in New York magazine's Fall Fashion issue

After his golden triumph in Beijing this weekend, Rafael Nadal officially moved into the penthouse of the ATP Tour today rising to world no. 1 after a record 160 weeks in the second position.

I think it'll take a moment to get used to the order but no other baller is as deserving of the top position as the Majorcan Matador.


And, in honor of the US Open and his rise to the top, New York magazine is featuring a sexed-up Rafa in "The Beefcake in the Backcourt" for this week's Fall Fashion 2008 issue.


The mag discusses the above right image saying,

Take your time. It’s okay. That photo of Rafael Nadal on the back cover of this magazine is undeniably … what’s a polite way to put it? Arresting. The mussed locks curled just so above the shoulders. The biceps curved like a particularly ripe aubergine. The shadows playing across the deeply grooved abs. All demand extended scrutiny.

When you’re done, ask yourself this: Would Roger Federer ever pose for a photo like that?

Most definitely not and I don't know if I'd want him to! New York also delves into Rafa's boundary-pushing on-court fashions saying,

And now here’s Nadal. His has been called a “pirate” look, but the interesting thing about Nadal’s style is that it’s so feminine—a thinner, less physical player could not pull off those clothes. Maybe that’s why he’s been greeted with the kind of moral outrage—“Abominable!” “Infernal!”—usually reserved for the latest female player to show too much skin. Debate over the pants in particular, and Nadal’s habit of reaching back to loosen them between points, has trespassed on the familiar terrain of comfort versus sex appeal. Are they too tight? Is it one of his many elaborate on-court rituals (Nadal’s own explanation)? Or are his butt muscles just too big?

I'd say all the above - and aren't we all lucky for it.

Check out more on tennis' influence on fashion over the years.

Thanks to Preppy Princess for the NY mag tip!






(image via ATP, NY mag image courtesy of Nigel Parry)

Creators of Marc Jacobs tennis ad revealed - and they model too!

Mystery solved: The identity of the artists behind the hilarious site I wrote about mocking a Marc Jacobs Summer 2008 ad campaign and featuring tennis legends John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg have been revealed!

According to New York Magazine's fashion blog The Cut the site was created by Thomas Larsson and Greg Hart of creative firm Hart + Larsson and they had this to say about the idea:

We're Hart+Larsson. We're photographers, filmmakers, and advertising creatives. We call what we do The New Enthusiasm: an aesthetic movement (or philosophy) of sorts.

Borg+McEnroe is something we'd been wanting to do for a little while now. We thought it'd be interesting to adopt two generally well-known personas, style them, identify them as Borg and McEnroe, place them within a popular commercial context (the Marc Jacobs display ad), and then turn them loose. In a world dominated by replication and automation, we wondered whether or not we could create an 'authentic' Marc Jacobs ad. And we think we succeeded, for the most part. You know, in truth, we're not really sure anyone would naturally consider Juergen Teller to be a great photographer; perhaps he is, perhaps he's not — obviously, it's all rather subjective. We do know, however, that if one views his work within that instantly recognizable Marc Jacobs frame, one can't help but conclude that one is looking at the work of a master.

Geez - I can't help but be a little disappointed that these images aren't really part of an MJ ad campaign. One can dream.

(image via nymag.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Anna Wintour hearts Federer big time, becomes his personal stylist

Vogue fashionatrix Anna Wintour's obsession with Roger Federer continues to astound. Wonder how the World No. 1 stays looking so fashionably styled? According to gossip monger Page Six, Anna has become Fed's personal stylist. "Anna sends stuff to Federer with little notes that say 'This would look great on you,' " according to an insider. A Vogue rep pushed back saying, "Vogue certainly helps a number of people with fashion, but Roger's style is all his own."

However, New York magazine had a different take. Daily Intelligencer had this to say about the Men's Vogue cover shoot featuring the stylish Swiss: "Wintour draped Federer in over $4,000 worth of Prada, $2,500 worth of Gucci, $1,500 worth of Dolce & Gabbana and Michael Kors, and $2,500 worth of Dior Homme. Since much of that shoot took place at sea or on the beach, it wouldn't be outrageous if some of the clothes didn't get returned to the designers."

Having worked in the fashion business we know how beautiful, expensive things tend to "disappear." We guess it always helps to have a fashion cougar in your back pocket. But what we want to know is: what does Mirka, Fed's longtime girlfriend, think of all this attention?

+ THURSDAY NETCORDS: Venus & Serena, US Open seed report, Andy's troubles...Tim says farewell, being a ballboy (or girl) and more

(image courtesy of fotoizm)

- Farewell: Britain's Tim Henman is retiring after Davis Cup in September.

- The Sisters Sledge, Venus and Serena Williams,will be opening the night sessions at the US Open, with both sisters playing Monday evening after the tribute to Althea Gibson on the 50th anniversary of her win in New York.

- Reality check: Some in the media are criticizing the US Open Series commercials for suggesting the players in the spots are playing the tournaments and coming to a town near you. Geez, if we believed that then we'd believe cavemen really were living in LA and starring in their own TV show. Get a grip.

- The NY Sun profiles Roddick's year so far, and gives us this stat: "Roddick has had one of the worst years of his career as a returner [...] This year, he has won only 17% of his return games, 5% less than last year. In the four return categories tracked by the men's tour — return games won, points won off first serves, points won off second serves, and break points won — Roddick ranks among the worst in the game. He doesn't break the top 50 in a single category and is ranked 60 or below in three of them." Coached by one of the greatest returners in the history of tennis, what gives?

- SI's Jon Wertheim services his men's and women's seed reports for the US Open...no surprise on the men's draw, but check out his semifinal bracket for the women...interesting.

- Playing with balls: A inside look at the ball(person) tryouts, and images of those who made the cut in action

- Daily Racquet wonders: Was the AGK Ball Lounge Chair from the Agassi Graf Collection inspired by Unisphere at the USTA National Tennis Center?

- New York magazine, our latest obsession, gives their tips for enjoying the US Open experience. Our personal fave: "Family drama! Juniors matches are also held during the Open, and they can be riveting. It’s especially fun to pick out the parents and watch the match through their facial expressions and gesticulations."

+ TUESDAY NETCORDS: Nicole, Patrick, Roger vs. Nadal...Wilson goes green, TENNIS magazine gets caught and more

Arthur Ashe Stadium, USTA National Tennis Center

- Go green: Wilson Racquet Sports is following the green trend has launched a new Green Initiative that will work to develop and implement environmentally responsible products and manufacturing procedures across the racquet brand’s major product categories.

- Eye candy: A clip of a bunch of shirtless male tennis players for your viewing pleasure...

- SI's Jon Wertheim profiles the rivalry between Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal and compares them to the days of Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova saying, "Classic rivals Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova became fast friends. Once, before they met in a Grand Slam final, one of them had her period, and together they scoured the locker room for a tampon. While Federer and Nadal aren't quite at that point yet (and not simply because neither menstruates), unmistakable warmth passes between them." That's T.M.I - too much info, Mr. Wertheim.

- Everything you ever wanted to know (and a few things you probably didn't care to know - favorite breakfast cereal?) about Nicole Vaidisova

- The USTA and JP Morgan Chase bank have signed a 5-year worldwide promotional partnership agreement to be the premiere sponsor of the US Open which includes naming rights to the electronic line calling challenge system and "Chase Review" branded replays on television broadcasts and on in-stadium video boards.

- Patrick McEnroe gives New York magazine his "Nine Rules for Watching the US Open". Our personal fave: 3. Watch the players from behind. That's never a problem for us...

- Checkmate: Chess bloggers wonder aloud: Did chess help Roger Federer?

- Tennis heads staying at The Ritz-Carlton in Cancun can now visit The Cliff Drysdale Tennis Center, a premier sporting facility offering world-class tennis programs all year round. Services range from private lessons and morning clinics, to group tournaments and corporate socials. Custom-designed classes using Drysdale-style and technical instruction take place at the three outdoor hard courts overlooking the Nichupte Lagoon and the Caribbean Sea.

- Busted: Is TENNIS magazine guilty of comment boosting on their blog (posting fake comments to boost readership numbers)? Tsk, tsk...

Venus goes on shopping spree for New York magazine

New York magazine, the magazine of news and cultural happenings for our beloved city, interviewed 6-time Grand Slam winner Venus "V" Williams and asked her to imagine how she would spend her Wimbledon (equal prize) winnings - $1.4 million dollars, that is. Here's some of what V said:

• Hire V Starr, her design company, to furnish the NYC apartment she shares with sister Serena (at a nice discount of course)


• Gibson J45 acoustic ($8,000 for a vintage 1955 model at Matt Umanov) & a purple Fender Stratocaster ($6,000 at Sam Ash) for herself


• A pink Fender Strat ($6,000 at Sam Ash) for Serena


• Custom king-size mattress ($10,400 at Duxiana), and sheets from Frette ($6,950 for a Helena Limited six-piece set)


• A Frette bathrobe ($550)


• 12 pairs of Giuseppe Zanotti strappy shoes embellished with big jeweled alligators, snakes or butterflies ($7,800 for twelve.)


• For mom, Oracene: A shopping spree at St. John or Escada ($50,000) and an Infinity QX56 ($57,960, fully equipped).

Not a bad list at all. But, tennis superstars V & Serena playing dueling guitars on the Eagles' "Hotel California"? Now that's something we'd pay to see.