TENNIS mag's October issue scarily thin - what's with the crazy diet?

So did you get the latest issue of TENNIS magazine yet? No worries - here are some highlights from the pub's October edition:

• "The Curious Case of Nikolay Davydenko" by Peter Bodo which takes a look at the man who sat squarely in the middle of the match-fixing scandal


• "How to be a Good Tennis Parent", a special guide for all those stage parents who want to live vicariously through their (maybe) talented mini-ballers


• "The Golden Year", a look back at Steffi Graf's historic Golden Slam run in 1988

Honestly, I almost missed the issue in my mail today because it's 80-pages thin (down from 136 in their September US Open preview), a featherweight amongst the rest of the full-figured lifestyle mags I've been receiving.

With magazines and newspapers struggling to keep subscribers and the internet taking chunks of their ad revenue, could this be signs of trouble for TENNIS magazine?

(image via TENNIS)

Serena's memoir to hit in 2009, Lifetime made-for-TV movie next

It's official: Grand Central Publishing has won the right to publish Serena Williams' memoir in 2009 after negotiations reportedly reached a top bid of $1.3 million.

Editor Karen Kosztolnyik released the following statement about ReRe:

Serena Williams is one of the world's most remarkable athletes. We've watched her rise to No. 1 despite physical and emotional setbacks, and her hard work and determination have inspired legions of fans young and old. Serena will give her memoir a strong motivational slant.

Word to Ms. Kosztolnyik: make sure to have a ghost writer involved in the process. Why you might ask? Please view Exhibits A, B, and C for your reference. Godspeed.

Word to ReRe: I can't wait for your Lifetime made-for-TV movie. But, who would play you ReRe? Wait - you could!

(image via Getty)

Confessions of a US Open ballboy, reveals juicy baller bits

The New York Observer has a revealing interview with Justin Hom, a 31-year old US Open ballboy who also holds a full-time job as a marketing director for American Express.

Justin has been a ballboy for the last 3 years and has been using vacation time to spend his days and evenings servicing some of the biggest ballers in the world. But it's all worth it to J-Hom:

...when you do a really good match, and last year I did a couple of great matches on the Grandstand, it's so fun! It's so exciting. The crowd is going crazy, you're sprinting around. I feel like I'm there. It's so fun."

But don't be fooled - it's not all fun and games for the ballpeople. J-Hom goes on to reveal a few juicy bits about some of the worst behaved ballers he's encountered:

I did Martina Navratilova's match one year, a mixed doubles match, and, not to me, but to this little girl, she started yelling at this little girl. I guess she got her the wrong water or something, and she was really, really mean about it. I've heard stories about her. A lot of the French guys--this is terrible--are pretty mean. They want the ball to reach at a certain height. You can't come close to them. They'll tell you to back up--like really rude, petty stuff stuff like that. We're busting our butt! They want their towel a certain way.

[Arnaud] Clement last year he was a real dick to a lot of kids. Just really mean. Give me a break. We're here to help you and you're giving us shit.

You don't say! But he admits they're not all bad:

Stanislas Warwinka was super nice. He was in a super tight match and he said thank you for the towel. Little things. He wouldn't bitch about anything. If they don't say anything to you, they're the nice ones.

Sam Querrey was like, 'Hey man, great toss," like fucking around a little bit and that was really cool.

Wow - the Frenchies seem really uptight while Martina, well, I'm not surprised by her behavior for some reason. She always seemed really tough and intense (read: she could beat the crap out of me.)

I'd love to hear more. If you've ever been a ballboy or ballgirl at any Grand Slam, I'd love to read your stories. Feel free to email me at tips@downthelinetennis.com.

Do tell!

(image via New York Observer)

(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)

FASHION FIX: Fila + Wallpaper collaborate on tennis-inspired polos

Fila and design magazine Wallpaper have collaborated on the incredible designs for two tennis-inspired polo shirts.


The first polo, called "Grand Slam", was inspired by Bjorn Borg's iconic tennis gear from the 1970's and "sports gold pinstripes and a solid block of glyphs, which, on closer inspection, reveal themselves to be the scores of each of Borg’s championship matches."

The reverse side features Bjorn's runner-up results which he may not care to see but I wouldn't mind wearing.


The second polo was inspired by Luke Wilson's character Richie (see below), a former elite baller, from the film "The Royal Tenenbaums". The design elements include a blue and white striped design and a graphic pair of sunglasses printed on the chest pocket.

LOVE.

(images via highsnobiety.com)

Nole makes TIME magazine's "100 Olympic Athletes to Watch"

TIME magazine just released their list of the "100 Olympic Athletes to Watch" and Novak Djokovic was the only tennis baller to join the elite group.

Here's what the newsmagazine had this to say about the Serb:

The world No. 3 ranked male tennis player, behind Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, Djokovic started the year by winning the Australian Open, and is known as much for ability to mimic his fellow pros as he is for his down-the-line backhand. He became the European champion by the time he was 14, and rose to world fame in 2007 as a runner-up at the U.S Open, reaching Wimbledon semis, and winning four out of five Master Series finals, beating Federer and Nadal along the way. The Olympics, he says, are the most important challenge of all. "That's how I see the Games, although many players wouldn't agree. There are four Masters Series every year, but the Olympics come only once in four years", he said.

Interesting that he beat out Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal to make the list - what gives?

(image via Getty)

Tennis' lady ballers rule Forbes earnings list, Maria tops with $26 million

Maria "Shriek"apova's game may be struggling these days but the Russian still rules when it comes to making green.

Forbes magazine just released their annual list of the Top-Earning Female Athletes and the Russian fashionista, who also made the mag's Celebrity 100 and 20 Under 25 lists, ranked first making $26 million up from the $23 million she made last year.

Here's what Forbes had to say about the Aussie Open champ:

There's nothing like the combination of talent and good looks to woo corporations looking to spend endorsement dollars. Sharapova's Australian Open title this year was her third Grand Slam win, along with 16 other singles titles. She's recently added Sony to an endorsement portfolio that includes Pepsi, Colgate-Palmolive, Nike and Motorola.

Tennis was the dominant sport on the list with Serena Williams coming in a distant second with $14 million, Venus Williams third with $13 million, Justine Henin sits at fourth with $12.5 million and Ana Ivanovic at ninth with $6.5 million.

The lady ballers are making some serious bank - don't be fooled.

(image via Getty)

PHOTO OP: More of Ashley's spread - tastefully done, mind you

Hot off the press!

The peeps over at the WTA Tennis Blog have the remaining censored (read: boring but PG-13) images of the Ashley Harkleroad Playboy spread from their August issue.

I love when people do these porno spreads and say afterwards they're "tastefully" done. Since when does tastefully mean cheesy? Oh Ash...

(image via Playboy)

The Venus brand continues to build, will pen book for HarperCollins

Hot on the heels of the beautifully photographed coffee table book Venus Williams by Koto Bolofo, Publisher's Weekly has just announced that the 7-time Grand Slammer has signed a deal with HarperCollins to pen The Coach Matters: Life Lessons Beyond the Playing Field, "an inspirational book about how a memorable coach’s winning advice can translate into success beyond sports."

V will draw upon her own experiences with co-coaches and parents Richard Williams and Oracene Price and discuss how the lessons she learned from them have translated into success both on and off the tennis court. She will also interview leaders in the worlds of business, politics, sports, entertainment, etc. who also share similar experiences with coaches from high school, college and/or the professional ranks.

I have to say V impresses me more and more each day with how she handles herself in every situation and how she continues to evolve not only as a baller, but as a human being.

(image by Koto Bolofo for Venus Williams)

First look at Ashley Harkleroad's Playboy magazine moment

Here's a sneak peek at Ashley Harkleroad's much-talked about August Playboy spread, so to speak.

The mag gets down to the nitty-gritty with the 23-year old baller discussing sex, locker room looks and Anna Kournikova. Some choice quotes:

“I do think athletes have better sex,” she asserts with a bashful giggle. “Who wants a waify girl with no definition to her body? I like that I have some power and that everything’s tight.”

“Tennis players don’t mind showing off their bodies,” she said. “Often in the locker room I feel other girls’ eyes on me.”

“Anna [Kournikova] is stunning to look at, but she’s probably a bit damaged from what she’s been through. That’s how she acts — a bit damaged.”

Ahhh - just the way you've always pictured Pebbles, right?

(Update: Just found a "clean" version of the cover and a new ESPN The Magazine interview with Ashley discussing the shoot and other stuff.)

(via celebri-net.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Can Fed vs. Rafa bring US fans back?

Highly-respected Washington Post columnist and ESPN personality Michael Wilbon penned an insightful piece on the state of US tennis through the lens of the Wimbledon men's and ladies' finals and, more specifically, the need for rivalries such as Federer-Nadal and Venus-Serena to bring US fans back to tennis.

But, Wilbon isn't feeling very confident that even those rivalries can stop the slow bleeding of casual fans away from the game. He says the sport needs a "Tiger Woods-like figure on the men's side...or maybe brothers who have the impact and star appeal of Serena and Venus Williams."

And why isn't Fed vs. Rafa enough you might ask? Wilbon has his guesses:

"...we don't like to admit it but we're more than a bit xenophobic when it comes to our sports. We're still begrudgingly accepting international stars in the NBA, even though they've been established since the early 1990s and players such as Toni Kukoc, Manu Ginóbili and Tony Parker won enough to be beyond suspicion as "foreign players." Americans are the only people on the planet who don't embrace soccer, mostly because it ain't ours. And as much as we might be able to appreciate the greatness of Federer and Nadal, the bet here is we're not going to identify with them enough to become rabid followers of what they do."

Sad, but true. We Americans can be so self-absorbed.

Okay fine, but what about our own home-grown ballers like Andy Roddick or James Blake? Why aren't they drawing fans in droves the way John McEnroe or Jimmy Connors did back in the day?? "[They] simply don't win enough or do it charismatically enough to drive Americans to their TV sets or the tennis courts. They're both sweet enough guys; neither is inspiring," says Wilbon. Again, sad but true.

Unfortunately, he isn't seeing any light at the end of the tennis tunnel saying,

Maybe if the Federer-Nadal rivalry continues on, say, through the U.S. Open in September and beyond, more people will come to the tent to watch. But even then it's probably a leap of faith to bet on it.

I prefer to lean more towards the belief that everything is cyclical and some day tennis will gain the respect and fan base that it deserves in the US. I don't think it could ever be at the extraordinary levels seen during the 70's and 80's, though, because it's a global game now with new countries taking a piece of the pie every day and other sports demanding attention.

Maybe that's sad, but I believe it's true.

(image via Getty)

Venus + Serena get gussied up for Glamour magazine

Venus + Serena Williams are meeting up again but this time it's not for a place in tennis history.

The Sisters Sledge, looking strong + confident wielding racquets in designer gowns, are appearing together in the pages of Glamour magazine for their "The 11 Greatest Bodies on Earth" feature which spotlights 11 of the top female athletes heading to Beijing for the Summer Olympics.

About V, the magazine says:

Venus Williams made history when she won her fourth Wimbledon last July: She became the first woman in the 123-year-old event to earn the same prize money as the guys. (The year before, the pay gap was nearly $60,000). Williams, who had been seeded twenty-third in the tournament, was thrilled. "It wasn't about the money," she says. "It was just about being treated as equals." Heading into Beijing, she's playing as strong as ever--last year she set a new record with a 128.8 mph serve. "I'm glad I never had to play Venus," tennis legend Martina Navratilova once said. "She's just too long, too fast."

The mag had this to say about ReRe:

She's won eight Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold, but Serena Williams believes she hasn't "accomplished all that much" in tennis. "I feel like I'm just getting started," she says. After an injury forced her to pull out of the 2004 Olympics, she publicly vowed not to miss Beijing. But by 2006 her ranking had plummeted due to injuries. Still, Williams never gave up. Now she's ranked fifth and headed to Beijing. "What defines a person's character is not how you are when you're on top. It's how you are when you're on the bottom and working your way back," she says. Besides, she adds, "I love proving people wrong."

Love, love, love it...

(images courtesy of Glamour magazine via TennisWTA)

Sports Illustrated sucks it up, finally features tennis on its cover

So it seems Sports Illustrated has decided tennis is finally cool - at least for this week.

The pub, which never had the balls to choose Roger Federer as its Sportsman of the Year, is finally featuring the world no. 1 on its cover with Rafael Nadal and declaring their epic Wimbledon meetup as "the Greatest Match Ever." Thanks for clearing that up SI.

Oh - and as if trying to get all the tennis news in at one time, they're also featuring Anna Kournikova on the cover as part of their "Where Are They Now?" story (as if she still counts as tennis news.)

I guess we'll have to eat these crumbs they're feeding us because we all know how long it'll be before we see another baller on the mag's cover. How about never?

(image by simon bruty for sports illustrated)

Venus featured on cover of Shape magazine's August issue

Thanks to DtL! reader Marcell for tipping me off to newly recrowned Wimbledon champ Venus Williams on the cover of Shape magazine's August issue.

The 7-time Grand Slammer tells the pub that Serena remains her biggest inspiration:

Without her, I couldn't have achieved anything. She's helped me believe in myself.

The mag also gives us a sneak peek at an inside shot of the 28-year old working a bikini - lookin' good V!


(image via shape magazine)

A-Rod gives Outside magazine and inside peek, works out hairy situation

Andy Roddick, who's being supported by a fashion-y Brooklyn Decker as he defends his Queen's Club title this week, is featured on the cover of Outside magazine working his recent hairy situation out. It's amazing what hair stylists can do, right?


The mag also shot some behind-the-scenes video of the American baller and, in his usual dead-pan way, he "talks about what he would be doing if he wasn't on the pro tour and his honeymoon plans with fiancé, Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker."

(via Towleroad, images via Outside + Marc Hom)

Forbes lets us know that Fed, Maria, Serena + Justine are famous and well-paid

Tennis has some of the most powerful and well-paid celebrities in the world. Like, duh.

Forbes just released their annual "Celebrity 100" list which ranks celebrities based on "earnings, then factors in media metrics like Google hits, press mentions as compiled by Factiva, TV/radio mentions from Lexis/Nexis and the number of times an A-lister appears on the cover of more than 50 consumer magazines." Wow - that's so scientific!

Anyway, Roger Federer, Maria "Shriek"apova, Serena Williams, and Justine Henin all made the list this year. Here's their ranking and what the mag had to say about our ballers:

Fed - (rank: 23) The world's top tennis player won $10 million in prize money in 2007—and another three grand slams. He recently signed up for 10 more years with Nike, one of the biggest deals ever in tennis.

Maria - (rank: 61) After the recent sudden retirement of Justine Henin, Sharapova moved to the top of the WTA Tour rankings for the fourth time in her career. She won her third Grand Slam tournament at the Australian Open in January. In the past 12 months, she has renewed her endorsement deals with Canon and Tag Heuer, and she'll be getting double what they previously paid. She also has signed on to be a face of Sony. Also in her portfolio of global sponsors: Colgate-Palmolive, Motorola, Nike and Pepsi.

ReRe - (rank: 69) The younger Williams sister is back with three tournament wins so far in 2008 after chalking up only three wins in the three previous years combined. She signed a $2 million deal with Hewlett-Packard that adds to her hefty endorsement income, and she partners with Kraft, Nike and Wilson. Her $19 million in career prize money is the sixth highest among female tennis players.

Justine - (rank: 81) Henin shocked the tennis world with her sudden retirement in May. She is the first Tour player to quit while ranked No. 1. She had a phenomenal 2007, winning 10 of the 14 tournaments she played in and became the first woman to snag $5 million in prize money in one season.

(images via Getty)

Serena goes old-school glamour for Ebony magazine, keeps marbles intact for now

Serena Williams loves to have a good time (right Party Watch?) and that's probably why Ebony magazine has put the 8-time Grand Slammer on the cover of their July "Fun" issue with an exclusive inside interview.


The mag styled ReRe in big hair, a fully made up mug, retro swimsuits, and heels - old style glamour at its best. Here's an excerpt from their exclusive interview with the tennis champ where she even mentions rumored boyfriend Common:

There’s no match for Serena Williams on or off the court. Showing off her stellar brick-house physique, the 5-foot-9 1/2-inch tennis star and Olympic gold-hopeful hung out with EBONY magazine in Malibu, Calif., in an exclusive cover shoot. To keep her body in top condition, Serena indulges in scrumptious salads, which include feta cheese, candied walnuts and strawberries. “It’s too hot in the summer to cook, so I love to grill chicken and fish,” she adds.

"I also love to grill vegetables and serve them chilled.” When asked about her rumored love interest, Common, Serena had this to say, “I think he’s a great guy. He’s obviously a great artist who is timeless and classic. You can’t beat that. But I have to focus on tennis because that’s my goal in life.”

Check out some behind the scenes video footage of the 26-year old at the photoshoot. And, no, she keeps her marbles intact, relatively speaking, unlike some other recent videos of our beloved ReRe:


(images via ebony)

Ana gives good face (and then some) for FHM August issue

Ana Ivanovic's Global Domination Tour is gearing up for an assault on the UK again. The sexed-up Serb, who fed Czech Petra Cetkovska two cold bagels for breakfast in the Roland Garros round of 16, will be giving it up for the cover of lad mag FHM's August issue.

Let the drooling begin boys + girls.

(image via anaivanovic.com)

FASHION FIX: Cornet feeling confident in game, looking confident in Lacoste

Alize Cornet is a lady in waiting. France's new teen queen had her match with Argentina's Gisela Dulko suspended due to darkness with the match tied at 3-all in the third set.

And even though she's only 18-years old Alize has made the cover of France's biggest sports mag L'Equipe this week and told the publication she knows her time at Roland Garros will come...maybe not this year but soon:

Roland Garros is winnable for me one day, but not this year. Mentally and physically, it's too soon to be able to manage a tournament like this for an 18-year-old, but I'm learning. Why not next year, or in two years? I can wait five years, 10 years, 20 years -- the important thing is to win it someday. That would be incredible.

It doesn't sound like Alize is lacking in confidence and it shows in her fashion too. She's working a youthful, flirty outfit by Lacoste which showcases her natural exuberance. And even though Gisela is wearing a similar outfit in their match, Alize's accents of red put her over. A winner for sure.

(images via Getty + AP)

Harkleroad to give it up for Playboy, tongue and all

Okay boys - Ashley Harkleroad is ready for her close-up...and I mean really close.

Pebbles, who was dismantled by Serena Williams in the French Open first round, will be the first tennis baller to give it up for Playboy magazine. She'll be appearing in the magazine's August issue and said about her decision:

There's a few reasons why I did it, but I can't really go into it right now. But like I said, I really didn't think it was that big of a deal. I'm proud of my body. I stay in shape and try to stay fit.

Love it - but let's hope it's a lot sexier than this baller's attempt.

(image via Getty)