SIGHTING: Nadal visits the commies

Rafael Nadal made a surprise visit to the commentating booth joining Brad Gilbert + ESPN's Chris Fowler for the start of the Novak Djokovic-Gael Monfils quarterfinal match won by the Serb in straight sets 7-6 (2), 6-1, 6-2. He'll face the winner of tonight's battle between Roger Federer + Robin Soderling for a spot in Sunday's final.

The top seed offered an interesting insight into the much-discussed tweak in his service grip which has resulted in more speed and, most importantly, no breaks of his serve yet: He made a slight adjustment to his grip two days before the start of Flushing Meadows moving from a more Continental/backhand grip to an Eastern which offers a more straight-on hit and flatter stroke production.

A risky proposition. But so far, so good.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: NYC gets a Taste of Tennis

Andy Roddick

The 10th annual BNP Paribas Taste of Tennis was held last night at the W Hotel and guests were invited to share in tasty foods created by some of the most world-reknown chefs while sipping on cocktails provided by sponsor Rums of Puerto Rico.

Some of the world's biggest ballers took part in the event which benefited the Food Bank of New York City.

Fernando Gonzalez

Vera Zvonareva

David Ferrer

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga

Sabine Lisicki

Nicolas Kiefer

Aleksandra Wozniack

Chanda Rubin

Brad Gilbert

Sam Groth

Jamila Groth

(image via wireimage.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Andy Murray assembles team, "I don't want any egos involved," says Andy

Apparently there's only room in Andy Murray's world for one ego, and that's his own. According to This is London, high-profile coach Brad Gilbert was dumped recently because the 20-year old Brit doesn't "want any egos involved" in his tennis career. Andy went on to say,

"I need to make sure that I put together a team with the right people who will work for me. With Brad it wasn't just a clash of personalities, there were a lot more things contributing to it than that."

"I wanted to take the opportunity to be in control. I feel much more relaxed about my tennis now, as I feel like I'm in charge of the decisions. The responsibility is on me to sort things out."

"I wanted to make sure I could go on court with a free mind, believing that I have the right people in place."

The No. 1 British player has assembled a team that includes former British Davis Cup player Miles Maclagan, fitness experts Jez Green and Matt Little, and coaches Louis Cayer and Leon Smith. Phew - that's a team.

Of course it's important, thought, for players to feel comfortable about the team and support system they have in place. However, his references to "egos" strikes us as very similar to the rumors about why Andy Roddick split with Brad in 2004. Sounds like someone needs to get the hint.

(image courtesy of AP)

+ THURSDAY NETCORDS: Roger, Andy vs. Brad II, Ana vs. Jelena ...Venus and Serena double up, Bec cries and more

(image courtesy of nbawant2b)

- So why did Andy Murray really dump Brad Gilbert? This is London claims his large entourage is to blame - more specifically, the presence of Mamma Murray aka Judy. According to their report, "A brilliant coach in her own right who has come up with more active title-winning players in her own family than the combined efforts of the Lawn Tennis Association put together, [Judy] still very much directs the traffic. Nobody knows the parts of her son's expansive game, or his complex psyche, better than she does. Since Murray came back from injury she has been present at the bigger events, such as the U.S. Open, the Davis Cup and the Madrid and Paris Masters." We bet the very vocal Gilbert wasn't thrilled to take the coaching back seat to Mamma Murray. Another coaching guru, Nick Bollettieri, doesn't believe one coach is sufficient in today's complex game. He tells The Independent, "I could envisage a team of three: a physical trainer, someone to work on his technique and someone to motivate him," said Bollettieri. Are you sure that's enough coach? We need that many just to get to our desk job everyday.

- Insider information: Listen in as Roger Federer quizzes Bjorn Borg on how to win the French Open, John McEnroe about his greatest tennis regrets, and then takes the hotseat as Borg and McEnroe ask the World No. 1 questions in the next Blackrock Champions podcast on Tuesday, Nov. 20th. To subscribe, click here.

- Serbian showdown: Top-5 players Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic will compete in an exhibition match in their home country at the Belgrade Arena on December 7th. The event called NAJJ Srbije will also feature Novak Djokovic and Janko Tipsarevic.

- The Sisters Sledge, Venus & Serena, will play doubles at the Aussie Open in 2008. Okay tournament officials, all together now, "CHA-CHING!"

- Young gun: 11-year-old Teertha Iska, India's No. 3 tennis player in the under-12 category and disciple of guru Nick Bollettieri, received her first corporate sponsor. Ah, to be 11 and loaded - those were the days...

- Rumors of pregnancy are swirling around Bec Hewitt, wife of Aussie hot-head Lleyton Hewitt, after the former actress broke down in tears giving a speech during her first official gig as ambassador of the Children's Hospital Westmead. We see the connection, really.

- Psych out: Anna Chakvetadze likes to play mind games on the court - with herself. The Russian top-tenner says, "I studied psychology at university, although I've not yet finished. [...] It helps you prepare properly for the match and when I'm playing I try to think about the next point and not the last one. I also make a point of fighting all the time as it puts pressure on your opponent when they see you don't want to give them any free points."

- Should Israeli players compete in Muslim countries? ESPN.com's Bonnie D. Ford investigates.

BREAKING: Andy Murray splits from coach Brad Gilbert

Game over: The UK's Daily Record is reporting that Brit Andy Murray has fired coach Brad Gilbert after a "falling out." The Lawn Tennis Association, the governing body for British tennis, has been bankrolling their partnership with the understanding Gilbert would coach Andy and also help develop other British players in the program.

Andy released a statement via his website:

"Despite being injured for almost four months this year, I am pleased with my 2007 results and am very grateful for the help that the LTA have given me by providing Brad Gilbert as a coach but the time has come to move on to the next stage of my career."

“I am ranked 11 in the world and can now afford to pay my own way and so will now hire a team of experts, each to fulfil a specified role in the development of my tennis and fitness.”

The Daily Record reached Gilbert who had this to say:

"I don't really want to talk about it. I haven't spoken to the LTA.''

Gilbert was famously dumped by Andy Roddick after a brief and tumultuous, but successful, partnership which saw the American win the US Open and reach World No. 1.