PHOTO OP: Kiefer loses to Ferrero in Rome, joins shirtless brigade

Even though Nicolas Kiefer lost to Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 in Rome's first round, the German does get a consolation prize: induction into DtL's shirtless brigade! I offer you my warmest welcome Nicolas.

One other thing: Is it me or is he doing his best Colin Farrell impression?


(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Robin Soderling becomes eye candy in front of our, well, eyes

Just some tennis baller eye candy on a slow news day...

Here's Robin Soderling practicing in Buenos Aires today. The Swedes are preparing to battle the Argentineans in Davis Cup this weekend.

I've never really thought of him as eye candy but the Swede is starting to change my mind. Welcome to the shirtless brigade Robin!


(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Shirtless Ginepri tightens up game + body for Indian Wells

Robby is resurgent: We have a new member to add to the shirtless brigade, y'all! Kenneth who writes a blog called Kenneth in the (212) received these shots of a fit + resurgent Robby Ginepri as he practices for Indian Wells this week where he received a wild-card entry.

Robby endured an intense off-season regimen with coach Jose Higueras which he attributes to his recent success, including a dominating 6-2, 6-2 win over compatriot James Blake at the SAP Open.

I think Robby can attribute the serious front and back he's working here to those off-season workouts. Now how could I be a responsible blogger and not provide you with gratuitous tennis eye candy to get you through the day? Tell me!

(image via kennethinthe212)

Tennis fan eager for "private" moment with A-Rod

More blogging ballers: Andy Roddick gave us a peak into his political closet recently and now the newly crowned Dubai champion tells us that a "happy" fan tried to get a peak at something else during his trip to the Memphis tourney:

We went to Ruth Chris after my match against Mardy and there was some of the tennis crowd there from the tournament. I signed a couple of things before I sat down and it wasn’t a big deal….so I am on my way into the bathroom and an overzealous lady-fan who may (definitely) have had a couple of drinks sees me go in and decides to follow. So she sticks her head in the door and asks for an autograph while I am in the middle of it…. I told her I would see her in just a second when I was finished and she said okay and just stood there… it wasn’t until another dude walked in that she realized she had made things a tiny bit weird….

You can't blame a girl for trying!

(image via photobucket)

PHOTO OP: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga crushes Rafa and makes Aussie final, joins shirtless brigade for fans

A song for Tsonga: Unseeded Jo-Wilfried Tsonga caused the biggest upset on the men's side of the Australian Open last night, crushing World No. 2 Rafael Nadal 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 and reaching his first Grand Slam final. Playing with the calm and ease of someone who had been here many times, the French hottie had everything going his way, making the match look all too easy.

Jo-Willy, who joined the shirtless brigade this fortnight, told the press during his post-match conference,

"Everything was in and my backhand worked a lot and my serve also, my forehand, my volley, my dropshot, everything. It was ‑‑ I was moving on the court like never I move, so everything was perfect."

We agree, Jo-Willy, everything we saw was perfect...

(image via Andrew Brownbill/AP)

PHOTO OP: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga breaks through, gains Aussie Open semis over Youzhny

Tsemis for Tsonga: There's a new kid in tennis town. We first grabbed notice of this strapping 22-year old Muhammad Ali look-alike during Wimbledon last season and he continues to impress into 2008. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga gained his first Grand Slam semifinal by taking out the powerful Russian Mikhail Youzhny in straight sets 7-5, 6-0, 7-6 (8-6). He'll face World No. 2 Rafael Nadal for a spot in the finals of the Australian Open.


After his win, Jo-Willy told the press,

"I don't know how to [describe the feelings.] It's like I want to cry, I want to smile, I want everything. And it's a lot of emotion, so..."

Let the bandwagon jumping begin!

(images via GREG WOOD & William West/AFP/Getty Images)

PHOTO OP: James Blake rallies for 5-set win, joins shirtless brigade for fans

James Blake joined the shirtless brigade last night, giving his fans a treat after his impressive come-from-behind win over the crafty Frenchie Sebastien Grosjean. Down two sets and two breaks in the fourth set, James rallied for a 4-6, 2-6, 6-0, 7-6(5), 6-2. He'll next play the rising Croat Marin Cilic for a place in the quarterfinals.

(images via WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

SIGHTING: Fun in the sun with Marat Safin and his tattoos

Making his mark: We noticed an interesting tattoo on body brigade member Marat Safin during his practice session in Melbourne yesterday. So we did a little more snooping and came up with three - well, three we could actually see.

The Russian tennis baller, who lost to fellow shirtless wonder Andy Roddick at the Kooyong warm-up this week, will be looking to kick-start the season at his most successful Grand Slam - he's a 3-time finalist, including winning the 2005 championship, and played Roger Federer in the best men's match in Australian Open history, according to ESPN.com's Joel Drucker.

(images via AP Photo/Mark Baker)

SIGHTING: Andy Roddick joins shirtless brigade during Kooyong Classic

Our lucky day: So we found more gratuitous shirtless shots - this time of Andy Roddick, who dropped his cute Lacoste tennis duds for a practice session during the Kooyong Classic.

The defending champion reached the final today by easily defeating another shirtless wonder, Russia's Marat Safin 6-3, 6-3.

(images via WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

SIGHTING: Rafa, Safin, and Murray go shirtless under the blazing Aussie sun

Gratuitous body shots: One of the great challenges of playing down under and winning the Australian Open is dealing with the infamous heat - it's intense. But one of the great benefits, at least to us, is seeing the many gratuitous shots of male tennis ballers having to strip down to stay cool - or at least to prevent a serious farmer's tan.

After his recent hit-and-run moment, Rafael Nadal was spotted shirtless during a practice session in Melbourne. We knew he was ripped but these images of the Spaniard are frightening (in a good way, of course) especially the one on the left. Seriously, was his head superimposed on that hulking body?

Russian hottie Marat Safin and Brit Andy Murray were also spotted taking in a practice session during the Kooyong Classic, though both players look like they could use a bit more time under the blazing Aussie sun. But, in any case, they're looking fit and ready.

Now we're reminded of the one of the reasons we love tennis so...

(images via PAUL CROCK & WILLIAM WEST for Getty)

PHOTO OP: Novak Djokovic wins, goes shirtless for his fans

Yes, we love when Novak Djokovic wins as he did today to get to his first Grand Slam final. Keeping with his tradition, the world's sexiest Serb celebrated his semifinal win over Spain's David Ferrer by removing his shirt. He sure knows how to spoil his fans...*sigh*

Novak Djokovic in shorts, packs serious heat

Okay - as if we needed more proof of Novak Djokovic's hotness. Wow - what is tennis' sexiest Serb packing in those shorts?

We have our own guesses...oy...