Alexandra Stevenson blogs for ESPN.com, still relevant for some reason

Hey - remember Alexandra Stevenson? Yeah exactly, but she and ESPN.com are hoping we'll still care.

The sports site has given the oft-injured baller, who made headlines in 1999 when it was revealed her father was NBA legend Julius "Dr. J" Erving during her run to the Wimbledon semifinals, a prime assignment to blog about the trials and tribulations of the low-paying Challenger circuit. (Geez - I hope she's getting something for this.)

In her second post for the site Alexandra, apparently the "It Girl" of the Challengers, discusses the media circus that swarms her every move saying,

Most players don't have a press contingent come around at Challengers events after they lose. I've lost count of how many reporters show up in small towns and big cities to interview me, win or lose. My mother, Samantha Stevenson, a journalist, tells me, "Feel flattered that they care about you."

True. Still, nice one Momma Stevenson!

The world no. 205 even waxed poetic (literally) about what it's like to constantly lose for a class at the University of Colorado. Here's an excerpt:

A feeling of despair, her muscles twitching
The player's racket dangling by her side
The actress inside forcing a cool appearance on her face
But she is thinking, "My God, not again."

Wow. Maybe if her racquet was doing more than "dangling" she might be winning more matches.

But Alexandra wants to make sure she clears the air with tennis fans about her delayed progress when she asks aloud,

You might wonder why it's taking me longer to get back than it took Martina Hingis during her comeback or Lindsay Davenport following the birth of her son?

Actually, I'm not. In fact, it makes perfect sense to me.

Now, can we get a real baller who's actually won something to blog for the site or, at the very least, a true up-and-comer?

(image via tennisserver.com)

+ MONDAY NETCORDS: Roger, Anna K., Justine vs. Steffi...Guga designs, ITF and more

- Check out the website for Roger Federer's biography "The Roger Federer Story: The Quest for Perfection". The site includes reviews, player quotes about Roger, an amazing timeline of his many historical moments, and a very blond Fed.

- We're dying: Current World No. 1 Justine Henin will play a mouth-watering exhibition match on clay against her childhood idol, the legendary Steffi Graf, on October 27 as part of a children’s festival hosted by Children for Tomorrow, a charity founded and chaired by Graf. These two great players own a combined 10 French Opens. How much are tickets to Mannheim, Germany these days?

- The ITF is keeping busy these days. The tennis organization has launched iCoach, an instructional tennis site that features advice, tips, and articles about our favorite sport. Best part: 1,000 sequence photographs of the best players in the world hitting every stroke imaginable in both matches and practice sessions. In addition, the ITF has launched the "Tennis...Stay and Play" campaign which follows an innovative approach to the game: the game is scaled down for starter players with a smaller court, lighter balls and different sized racquets appropriated for the size or age of players.

- New low: Tennis stage parents publicizing their 5 year old as a future tennis champion. Get a grip.

- Guga, the designer? 3-time French Open champion Guga Kuerten is apparently multi-talented. He has his own clothing line and it's super cute - for real. Check it out at Tennis Served Fresh.

- Want to be a professional tennis player? Read this first.

- Adelaide, Australia is replacing the Australian Men's Hardcourt Championships, which is moving to Brisbane, with The World Tennis Challenge Adelaide in 2009. The tournament will involve four countries playing each other, over three nights.

- Remember Alexandra Stevenson? Exactly.

- Do you know what car Anna Kournikova drives around Miami in? Do you care?? Well we do - and it's a Cadillac Escalade EXT, courtesy of Celebrity Rides. Geez, there really is a blog for everything.

(image courtesy of danwashburn)