THE LOW DOWN: More Nole + Maria from Miami, romance rumors hit all-time high

Well, well...

Thanks to Elaine + Mark over at my fave tennis social networking site Tennisopolis for sending me the images and video of Novak Djokovic + Maria Sharapova at Opium in Miami for the Sony Ericsson player party.

Let's set the scene: Nole + Maria arrive separately to the party and take a fun photo with Maria's Hollywood friend Camilla Belle.

Next they're photographed with Nole's arm lovingly wrapped around the Russian. Fast forward to the end of the evening - Maria + Camilla are filmed exiting Opium and getting into an SUV. As the car is about to leave, a certain someone (who looks a bit nervous to me) jumps into the backseat as the group takes off.

Click here and see for yourself.

I know they constantly dismiss the rumors that they're dating, and Nole was dating Jelena at one point. But the proof is SO in the puddin' this time baby!

(image via tennistalk.com)

Serena gives up acting while still appearing on The Game - evil twin to blame

Serena Williams, who just tied Steffi Graf with the most Miami titles (5) after her win over Jelena Jankovic this weekend, wants to make sure we really believe her this time when she says tennis is No. 1 in her life.

But what about the many off-court activities that have distracted her in the past, including acting? "I actually haven't done anything in acting in a while because I have been so focused," said ReRe in a post-match press conference.

So why was she just guest-starring as herself on the CW series The Game? Was it really her or just her evil (acting) twin??

I think ReRe should save the drama for the small screen and leave it there.

(image via AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

THE LOW DOWN: Rafa's frustrated with March Madness and he's not gonna take it anymore!

Miami finalist Rafael Nadal isn't happy - and it's not because he lost a winnable final to Nikolay Davydenko. The World No. 2, who recently blogged about his annoyance with doubles policies, thinks the March US hardcourt swing is too tightly scheduled and compromises the success at the tourneys for many European players, including himself.

After Rafa dismissed nemesis Tomas Berdych on Friday he told the press,

It's not fair to have one month, two tournaments, and after go back to Europe and we have to play three Masters Series on clay. We only have three Masters Series (Monte Carlo, Rome and Hamburg) during all the season, and we have three in four weeks. For us it's terrible. And three Masters Series in the middle of the biggest tournament on clay in the world: Barcelona. So if you see the calendar, that is unbelievable.

And what does the 21-year old blame for the 'unbelievable' scheduling in his mind?

I know here it's very important, the college basketball, because I saw always the American players and the men in the locker room watching always this. But, we can't have the (ATP) thinking about the college basketball, no? So we are 100 per cent disappointed about this (scheduling) decision of the ATP.

According to Rafa, he's not the only baller feeling this way either:

European players are very angry about these decisions. For me it's terrible. I'm a clay player, but I can play very well on all surface. But playing four weeks it's impossible if you are playing well.

Me thinks Rafa doth complain too much. A baller can be successful at both tournaments and sometimes win the Indian Wells-Miami double, though it's rare. But the same argument could be made for American ballers and their love for the European clay-court swing, including Roland Garros, and then the grass-court warm-ups leading to Wimbledon. If you throw a Davis Cup match on foreign soil in the mix, which falls right after Wimby, you're screwed.

I believe the schedule is too long in general, but the it effects everyone in one way or another. That's the way the yellow ball bounces so suck it up.

(image via AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

Quote of the Day: Jankovic on Woody Harrelson

I was thinking that one of the actors was in that movie, if you know, White Men Can't Jump. I was feeling when I was playing that match, I thought, White Girls Can't Play, you know.

- Jelena Jankovic on seeing Woody Harrelson in the stands during the Miami final

I guess Serena could make anyone feel that way, whatever color you are...though papa Richard may have something to say about it.

(image via AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

SIGHTING: More celebs take in Sony Ericsson Open

Hollywooders Owen Wilson and Woody Harrelson were spotted watching Serena Williams win her fifth Miami title over Jelena Jankovic on Saturday and Nikolay Davydenko defeat Rafael Nadal in Miami, his second Masters Series win on Sunday. They join fellow celebs Terrell Owens and a lippy Brittany Murphy who also made an appearance at the tourney last week.

These boys truly love their tennis!

(image via Getty)

Sony Ericsson Open 2008 wrap-up: The boys

Hello readers,

I'd like to introduce Jimmy, a new contributor to DtL! He'll be periodically penning previews + wrap-ups of tennis' major tourneys for us. So, without further ado, heeeere's Jimmy:

Another Sony Ericsson Open has come and gone, complete with the usual assortment of upsets, off-court antics, on-court antics, and one seriously hideous dress. This tournament is supposed to be about the actual tennis, but you wouldn’t know that this year with the abhorred handling of the broadcast by Fox Sports Network, which left even the professionals struggling to take a peek at a match or two. But that's all fine and dandy, because what was happening off the court was just as interesting, if not more so, than what occurred on it. A look back:


Part 1 – The Men’s Side

Perhaps the biggest story of the tournament was Andy Roddick. On the heels of his continued charity work, Roddick seemingly completed his transformation from the bad boy of the ATP tour to elder statesmen with his engagement to model Brooklyn Decker. And, what do you know, that lit a fire under A-Rod as he managed to defeat Roger Federer in the quarterfinals, his first win over Fed in almost five years! So he slays the beast and he gets the girl? I’m so jealous. Expect a baby announcement soon, if only to bet Federer to the punch.

Speaking of Federer, how many more “flukes” are we going to allow before we call a spade a spade? He lost in the semis at both the Australian Open and Indian Wells, now he falls in the quarters to A-Rod, whom he has basically owned ever since they started playing against each other. And I’m not sure how much longer the mono excuse is going to hold up. How did he get mono anyway? I thought only college students majoring in face-sucking get that?! The season started shaky for Fed down under and now it appears he’s sinking lower and lower.

In other ATP news, who can forget this indelible image Mikhail Youzhny’s bloody face after smacking himself repeatedly with his racquet during his match against Nicolas Almagro? Prior to this, Youzhny was best known for his cute if slightly sinister military-style salute (a remnant of his childhood days spent in Soviet youth programs?). I know coaches always tell their players to get their heads in the game, but this is ridiculous (ZING!). At the very least, Youzhny’s profile certainly increased tenfold after the incident, which is more than his consistent yet unspectacular game will ever do for him.

Speaking of consistency, Nikolay Davydenko entered the tournament ranked #4 in the world. I’m not quite sure how he has achieved that ranking since I honestly cannot recall the last major tournament he won - but now I can because he just won this one! Davydenko played Dream Killer at the 2008 SEO, taking out rising Serbian Janko Tipsarevic in the quarters (those Serbs are everywhere!), ending A-Rod’s fairy-tale like run in the semis, and crushing Nadal in the finals. Both Roddick and Nadal were coming off big wins against Federer and Blake and are no strangers to winning big tournaments, which makes Davydenko’s triumph all the more surprising. Perhaps now he can put those match-fixing scandals behind him. And if he betted on himself to win the tourney, well than more power to him.

Of course there were so many happenings during the tournament that I didn’t get to. But if the last two weeks have taught us anything, is that the ATP tour is swiftly becoming a free-for-all. You know things are crazy when the men’s game is even less predictable than the women’s. If you had told me at the beginning of the year that Federer and Nadal would still be without a tournament title in April, I would have scoffed. But now here we are, and we haven’t even entered clay court season!

Stay tuned for Part II of my review of the Sony Ericsson Open, where I'll turn my attention to the ladies...

(image via AP Photo/Alan Diaz)

SIGHTING: Terrell gives A-Rod support, Brittany's career could use some

Andy Roddick's new card-playing BFF Terrell Owens was spotted in the stands again last night to watch him defeat Federer in the Miami Masters quaterfinals. Could Terrell have been the lucky charm for A-Rod? The Dallas Cowboy footballer told the press in Miami this week,

He was really pressing, trying to get some wins in there instead of letting things flow [...] He’s on the cusp of really being that No. 1, No. 2, No. 3 guy. If he keeps pushing, letting the games come to him and try not to press so much during the matches, he’ll win. He just has to keep his focus.

Maybe. But I think getting his personal life together is playing a bigger role, which he eluded to in his post-match press conference:

I knew [the engagement] was either going to go one way or the other. Either [it] was going to be the end of me or ­­ if I would have lost the first round, or the reason I beat Roger tonight. I think it's somewhere in the middle. I think being happy and content off the court is only going to help in my mind.

Interesting - maybe those two things are related.


B-list (or C?) celeb Brittany Murphy and some suspiciously over-pouty lips were also spotted in the stands for the match. Could she be milking the tourney as a PR opportunity for a flagging movie career? I hope her publicist told her the match was being broadcast on the bumbling FSN Network (read: no one's watching Brittany.)

(images via Getty)

Quote of the Day: A-Rod on Federer win

You know, let's not act like ­­ I'm not going to sit here and act like all of a sudden I've fixed the problem. I think I'm batting 2 for 16. Still pretty crappy, it's a little less crappy.

- Andy Roddick after finally defeating Roger Federer at the Miami Masters

Nice match, Andy...nice.

(image via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Federer is solid No. 3 in Rafa's mind

With all of Roger Federer's recent struggles (not decline, I don't think), even Rafael Nadal thinks someone else is the No. 1 player right now: Novak Djokovic. In an interview after his 3-6, 6-3, 6-1 win over James Blake, his second in a row over his American nemesis, the Spaniard said,

I think Djokovic is the No. 1 right now [...] He's a very good player. I am No. 2, so my position doesn't change. And Federer, he's not far away from the top. Roddick is still there, too, so for me not much changes.

So I guess that makes Fed a solid No. 3 in his mind? Sorry Rafa, but I would put you there before Fed. But I agree, Nole has been playing like the world's top-ranked baller for sure.

(image via AP Photo/Wilfredo Lee)

SIGHTING: Common spotted in Miami, Serena spotted on TV show

Serena Williams and Common's "relationship" must be heating up. The rapper was spotted taking in ReRe's match against Kaia Kanepi this past weekend according to the Sony Ericsson Open site:

Boyd Tinsley, a member of the Dave Matthews Band came back for another dose of Sony Ericsson Open action. Tinsley was in the stands earlier this week. Grammy-award winning hip hop artist Common stopped by to watch Serena Williams defeat Kaia Kanepi. Passions' soap star Adrian Bellani was in attendance at Andy Roddick's match. Helio Castroneves, Indy Race car champ and Dancing with the Stars reigning champion, parked his car long enough to see Roddick defeat Ivo Minar.

I don't think he just "stopped by". Common was there to see ReRe play and then some. But, what's with all the secrecy? Don't they know that we're always watching?? Just come out already!

BTW - I don't know if anyone saw it, but ReRe was a guest star on the CW's The Game this past Sunday, stretching her acting skills by playing herself. A screen capture from her appearance is below and she looks great.

If anyone actually saw the episode, let me know how she did!


(image via tv.com)

PHOTO OP: Nole served a bang-er sandwich at Miami player party

C'mon Nole + Maria - how are you going to stop those pesky romance rumors from spreading if you keep "bumping" into each other when you least expect it (well, more likely here at the SEO player party than anywhere else but...well...um...you know what I mean!)

And, just so you know, dragging Camilla Belle along won't work either.

(image via novak-djokovic.com)

Youzhny entertains Miami crowd with racquet self-abuse, and he even draws blood!

Thanks to DtL! reader Erin for alerting me to this video that ran on CNN's Morning Express featuring Mikhail Youzhny, who's known for some bizarre behavior on-court, including his post-match salute to the crowd while wearing his racquet on his head.

Well, the quirky Russian found another use for his equipment yesterday. During his match 7-6 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (6) win over Spaniard Nicolas Almagro yesterday the Russian smacked his head with his racquet three times after dropping his serve in the third set, drawing blood which ran down his face! The trainer had to be called courtside to mend the cuts.

Shouldn't there be a new code violation for racquet self-abuse? But, I guess if a baller wants to beat themselves silly with their equipment in front of thousands of people, we shouldn't get in the way. That's entertainment!

Here's the video:

SIGHTING: Brooklyn supports Andy, shows off engagement rock

For the ladies: Here's a look at the ring Andy Roddick gave fiancee Brooklyn Decker after proposing last week. The swimsuit model was spotted supporting her man as he battled past Ivo Minar yesterday at the Sony Ericsson Open.

Pretty nice rock, eh?

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Minar falls in Miami, works TTK style

Ivo Minar took on the newly engaged Andy Roddick last night at the Sony Ericsson Open but fell easily 7-6 (4), 6-4 to the American.

Though the Czech didn't last too long in the tourney, he made an impression with his tennis gear. I was drawn to his striking red, white, + grey tennis gear and had to find out more about his sponsor.

He's wearing TTK or Tennis Teknology, an Italian-based sportswear and equipment company. The brand also dressed the 2005 Davis Cup winning team from Croatia. Here's a shot of their home base:


Unfortunately, the rest of the site is in Italian so if you know anything else about the company, feel free to send in my way!

(image via AP Photo/Alan Diaz + tennisteknology.com)

Quote of the Day: Serena on age

Yeah, you know, I was like 14 or 13, whatever. It might have been five. It might have been five years ago.

- Serena Williams on watching Gabriella Sabatini play in the Grandstand Stadium at Sony Ericsson Open as a child

So that would make you 18 or 19-years old right now ReRe. Fine - you never said you were a math major.

(image via AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)

FASHION FIX: It's a pastel party at the Sony Ericsson Open

The lady ballers are having a pastel party in Miami right now after being hit with yellow fever earlier in the year. Serena Williams in Nike, Jelena Jankovic in Reebok (though I can't account for the uber-orange tone of her skin), and Svetlana Kuznetsova in Fila are all feeling the softer side of the color wheel at the Sony Ericsson Open.

And, just like he caught the ladies' fever while practicing at Indian Wells, Roger Federer will also go lilac for the French Open - I can't wait!

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Azarenka falls apart in Miami, but outfit saves the day

In due time: Up-and-comer Victoria Azarenka is making moves and showing she's a baller to watch. The Belarusian nearly knocked out Svetlana Kuznetsova at the Sony Ericsson Open taking the first set 6-1 and holding a match point before succumbing to the Russian's superior experience, losing the final two sets 5-7 and 0-6.

I'm liking the Nike tennis duds Victoria is working here - she's matched up the black Rally Skirt with the white Set Point Polo which features polka-dotting if you look closely enough.

Clean + classic...what more could you want?

(image via AP Photo/J. Pat Carter)

Rafa as tennis commissioner, takes on doubles rules

Rafael Nadal has been blogging from Miami for TENNIS.com is giving insight into his training, practices, and off-court activities. But the Spaniard had a piece of advice for tennis organizer in his last post:

I have always said I like doubles and I like to play doubles. But I also think that there are some rules nowadays that make us not play as often. It is true it is easier now to play since we can get in the doubles draw with our singles ranking but there are also times that when we have an injury, or we lost in singles and don't want to stay for doubles, only we have to stay and play or we lose ranking points and prize money. Then we play with no motivation and it is kind of ridiculous. They explain that the rule is to avoid that we sign in and then we retire, but in the end I am not sure what's worst, specially for the spectators. I would redo these rules and make them better, to tell you the truth.

I'm on the fence on this one. What do you think? Do you think players should lose ranking points and prize money if they pull out of doubles??

(image via tennis.com)

PHOTO OP: Peek-a-boo Mathieu, I see you

Frenchie tennis baller Paul-Henri Mathieu gave the Sony Ericsson Open crowd a show today - check out that panty line. Très zexy...

(image via Doug Benc/Getty Images)

A new hairy situation: Michael Berrer goes all Morrissey at Sony Ericsson Open

Berrer hair: I hate to say it y'all but it looks like we have another hairy situation on the ATP Tour.

The one-time Dr. McDreamy look-alike Michael Berrer was spotted at the Sony Ericsson Open working a Morrissey-style pompadour circa 1984 during his match against Igor Andreev. I'm certain it was N.O.P. (not on purpose, duh) but one can never be too sure with these matters.

Will the madness never end?

(image via Al Bello/Getty Images)