TASTE OF TENNIS: I asked, they answered

So, yeah. I made it to this year's Taste of Tennis albeit a little late. I had to work so my friend, Erin, covered the Rafael Nadal/Armani event at Macy's earlier in the day for me, where he unveiled his ginormous ballboard to the world, before heading over to the W Hotel in Midtown where we were meeting up.

When I got there I ran into Karen from Tennis Panorama, my annual US Open Party Patrol buddy, who is always up for a good time. I also hung out with Nick from Tennis Served Fresh, @MariyaKTennis and finally got to meet Rachel from OntheGoTennis and Elena from The Slice. The one thing I noticed immediately was the fewer number of media in attendance - it didn't have the same INSANE feel it had last year. But, here was the worst part: no complimentary bottled water. HOW COULD THEY LET US GET THIRSTY??? I wondered if it was on downhill from there. Luckily, I had gum.

The green carpet arrivals began to, er, arrive. Rafa, surprisingly or maybe not so surprisingly, came through first. I compared his appearance to having "the dessert before the main course" over Twitter. It was also like a wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am moment- a quickie but without the guilt. He was literally there for less than a minute before Benito moved him onto the VIP area. For him to do all this publicity for his book and ad campaign must be draining for him - it's soooo not his thing. I guess I'm not surprised he flew through the line.

There were also less lady ballers at this event than last year which meant less opportunity to ask, "Who are you wearing, guuurl???" So I asked the guys. Well, one guy: Marin Cilic. He had on this cool shirt jacket but no idea who designed it. I suppose it wasn't a question he was prepared to answer. Hopefully he will be next time, and in that small way I've helped prepare him for future green carpet questions - or not. Probably not.

A few of us made it upstairs to the big party (we have our ways) where we ate some fabulous food and drank, um, a lot. A fucking blast. But as they say, it's not how you start but how you end and THIS end was awesome. Just awesome. Even an obviously fanatical and possibly drunk person accosting him on the street for a picture couldn't scare him away. HE BE THE BEST.

Thanks to E, who's an amazing graphic designer BTW, for helping me out and DKC for the great event and invite. Until next year Taste of Tennis!!!

Check out my full Q & A with Tommy Haas, Tamira Paszek, Fernando Verdasco, Janko Tipsarevic, Marin Cilic, Gilles Simon, James Blake and Vera Zvonareva from Taste of Tennis after the jump.

Up Close + Personal: James Blake visits the Sports Chalet in LA

Fila + Sports Chalet in West Hollywood are hosting a "meet and greet" with James Blake this Monday,  July 26th from 6 - 7 pm.

He's in town to compete at the Farmer's Classic at UCLA which starts next week but will offer fans a chance to grab a picture with the tennis star and get his autograph beforehand. Additionally, attendees will also be eligible to win James' J-Block t-shirts and Thomas Reynolds tennis gift packs all courtesy of Fila.

Proceeds from the sale of the J-Block t-shirts, which are sold exclusively at Sport Chalet, will benefit the Thomas Blake Sr. Memorial Research Fund.

For the Sports Chalet location, click here.

[Photo(s): Fila]

(UPDATED) VIDEO VAULT: James Blake serves Pam Shriver a mid-match smackdown

Like James Blake needed more things to be pissed off about.

The American, who's returning from a 10-week layoff due to a knee injury and whose ranking now sits at No. 109, layed into resident soccer mom Pam Shriver after overhearing her commentary for ESPN during a critical point in his opening round match which he eventually lost. It happens around the 4:30 mark of the video.

The exchange goes a little something like this...

JB: "Amazing you used to play tennis. I can still hear you."

PS: "James just yelled at me . . . I'm way above the court, but evidently he can hear me. He's got rabbit ears."

JB: "You have to be an ass about it, too? . . . And act like I'm at fault."

PS: "And there he is, talking again. It's amazing. I had no idea."

But Pammy it seems you had an idea after he yelled at you the first time. And, the commentary you were providing wasn't exactly the kind you'd want to hear while you're going down to someone ranked even lower than you. Like No. 151 lower.

However, according to Busted Racquet she later admitted she was speaking loudly but stopped short of an apology.

Nice one, Pammy. You've now officially entered Michael Barkan territory. I wish you well.

UPDATE: More of Pammy's explanation via Doug Robson's piece for USA Today...

Reached later, Shriver explained that she had sought out shade in a new commentary position on Court 5 and didn't realize Blake could hear her. She called the incident "regrettable."

"As a commentator, you never want your voice to be heard," said Shriver, who doesn't believe that Blake could hear what she was saying but could detect her voice.

Shriver, a Hall of Famer who won 21 singles titles and 112 in doubles, said she understood an athlete's irritation when struggling.

"I've been there before. I get that part," she said. She added that neither she nor Blake owe the other an apology. "We were just doing our jobs," said Shriver, who said Blake could simply have instructed her to lower her voice. "I call it like I see it," she said. "I've irritated people before."

HE SAID/SHE SAID: Wimbledon Day Two

Q. Going back to the Queen, quite a lot made of a suggestion you might not bow to her on Thursday. Can you tell us about how you're feeling meeting her, if you will bow, and what you might say if you meet her?

ANDY MURRAY: I don't know what I'll say exactly. I'll probably be a little bit nervous, understandably. I guess I don't want to mess up at all.

But, yeah, the plan was to bow to the Queen, as everybody would. It's just you wanted to get the right etiquette for what we were doing on the court. A few years back it definitely changed. Both players, when you went on Centre Court bowed, and they went out together. When they left the court, they left together, bowed again. Obviously, it's changed.

What I was trying to say, which I think was unfairly reported, was I wanted to make sure what the etiquette was before we went out on the court.

Q. Is your curtsy where you want it?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. I said I was working on it. It's a little dramatic. I'm trying to tone it down.

Q. Just a little less forced?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I want it to be more natural. Right now it feels really forced. Seems like I've never done a curtsy before, which may be true. But I'm looking forward to nailing it (laughter).

[Pssst! If you haven't seen her curtsy yet you must. ReRe's right - it's out of control. At least the wind up. She might take flight.]

Q. Whatever happened to your personal assistant?

SAM QUERREY: It was an intern. (Laughing.) It was more something for fun. He wanted to do it because he wants to be a sports agent.

But he's getting ready to start law school at Vandebilt (sic) Law next month.

Q. He moved up.

SAM QUERREY: Yeah. Had at the write him a letter of recommendation.

Q. Did you really? Did it help, or you have no idea?

SAM QUERREY: I have no idea. I'd like to think so. Actually had him write it.

Q. Maria?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Hi, Nick [Bollettieri]

Q. Why aren't you in the Florida sun right now?

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Because of you.

Q. A couple things coaches can't teach. You refuse to lose and you don't complain.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Sometimes.

Q. I also would like to compliment your coach about the great job he does with you.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thank you.

Q. It's just fantastic. The tour needs you. I'm delighted for how you're playing again.

MARIA SHARAPOVA: Thanks, Nick. Can I put you in this bag and carry you to every press conference?

Q. What other options were you given before you took the ten weeks off [for the knee injury?] Did they go in and scope it?

JAMES BLAKE: No, it was basically keep playing in pain and get to the point where it requires surgery or ‑‑ you know, I've never taken an antiinflammatory or painkiller in my life. They have asked me to do that; I didn't do that.

Maybe I am hurting myself by not doing that. I don't know. It's just something I've kind of always stuck to. Otherwise, it's just rest. That's what they said. Need to rest and shut it down.

The other option I had was get that PRP treatment, which I did. That's where they take your blood, spin it to get the ‑‑ the reason it's PRP is platelet‑rich‑plasma, the stuff that's known for healing injuries and joints and everything.

So they take that, spin it down, and then inject that into the inflamed area. You know, whether or not that helped, I don't know. Figured couldn't hurt. Supposed to get you back on the court quicker. I don't know if it did.

I mean, I was back in ten weeks. My trainer and other people say that that kind of tendonitis could last a lot longer and could keep going. But I was back and felt good, and basically now, right next to it, another ‑‑ the tendon has been damaged right next to it.

Q. I wanted to ask you a question about the tour. You've had a great early career, reaching No. 2, great run in New York. You're not going to be a teenager much longer. There really hasn't been a big breakthrough by a teenager on the WTA Tour since Maria here. Why do you think that is?

CAROLINE WOZNIACKI: Well, I think I'm an exception to that. And I think that reaching No. 2, it's not easy. Not everyone can do that.

I think the tour has just become very tough. A lot of players are playing well. Just look at the clay court results that have been, you know, Martina Sanchez winning Rome, Rezai winning Madrid, Schiavone winning French Open.

I mean, there's a lot of good players out there. It's not easy to be in the top of the rankings. I'm happy about my own progression, the way I've been playing.

Tennis is an individual sport. So I think about myself. I really think that age doesn't matter. I think you can be 30 and be on the top of the ranking, and you can be 17. It really doesn't matter. It's just about going out there, doing your best, and you can see how far you can go, how far your own limits are.

Q. I read when you came to the U.S. you couldn't speak a single word of English; is that true?

KEI NISHIKORI: Yeah.

Q. How did you behave? How do ask what's for dinner or piece of soap?

KEI NISHIKORI: Actually, I couldn't speak English, but there was two more guys with me, Japanese guy. My friends went to academy, and my coach was Japanese, so...

Yeah, it was tough for me. Couldn't speak any and couldn't make friends for couple months. It was really tough.

But, you know, Americans are like really open, so that was...

Q. And then an old friend of Bollettieri, did he behave gently at least, or was very stiff? Sometimes he's very stiff.

KEI NISHIKORI: The academy, because of all the international people coming, it's not just American, so it was ‑‑ I had some laugh moment.

But all the friends I have, it's very, very good. Yeah.

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

PHOTO OP: Delpo + Blake share intimate MOMA after 5-set thriller in Oz

Juan Martin del Potro + James Blake shared some heart felt MOMA at the net after throwing down an epic 6-4, 6-7(3), 5-7, 6-3, 10-8 second round match won by the Argentine. The pair combined for a total of 150 winners against 120 errors and 35 aces in the 4 hour and 17 minute match. The US Open champ will face Germany' Florian Mayer for a spot in the Round of 16.


The American was still feeling the sting of another opportunity snuffed out in the stretch in his post-match presser:

"It’s tough to rank the [five set losses] but right now it hurts pretty bad,” said Blake. “I had plenty of messages from people back home who were up until 5am watching me, and I don’t even want to respond to many. I just feel bad that they were up watching and are probably going to sleep a little disappointed. Luckily for me they will all be my friends tomorrow, which will help me get through after I stop beating myself up for a few hours or few days.”

Delpo showed real grit and supreme mental strength in gutting out this win even with a sore wrist (which he says still has "a little bit" of pain.) But you gotta feel for James who plays these classic matches only to be the one on the losing side of the stick (think '05 U.S. Open quarterfinal defeat to Andre Agassi.)

It seems he's never had the ability to raise his game in the clutch and, at this point in his career, he probably never will.



[PHOTOS: Getty, Reuters]

VIDEO VAULT: Roddick gets bragging rights on Blake's booty

Just a few thoughts on this hilarious Andy Roddick moment from a recent practice session in Melbourne:

1. He's on a roll with vids.

2. I'd lose a bet to him. On purpose.

3. Blake & Co. look a little too comfortable in that position.

PHOTO OP: Checking out Thomas Reynolds launch event - guess who crashed the party?

Last night Fila along with Lord & Taylor and TENNIS magazine officially launched James Blake's Thomas Reynolds collection in NYC.

The evening began with a meet-and-greet with James on the main floor followed by a VIP party held on the retailer's rooftop. It was an absolutely spectacular evening under the lights of The Big Apple and featured big beats by DJ Sky Nellor and the ubiquitous Honey Deuce, the official cocktail for this year's US Open. Guests included people from the worlds of tennis, media, fashion, and music. James' coach Brian Barker was in attendance along with brother Thomas and momma Betty.



My friend Erin from Purple Gate Design attended the party with me and we were lucky (or persistent?) enough to grab a picture with the man of the evening:


And - SURPRISE, SURPRISE - Kimmie Clijsters made an unexpected appearance and I, of course, had to have a picture with the former US Open champ. Can I say her heels were sick and she was much taller than I expected? Fine, I might be short. But, whatevs, it's KIMMIE!


I also got to hang with Erwin + Nick of Tennis Served Fresh and Karen of Global Village Tennis News. It's always great to put a face to a name.

Make sure to pop on over to Fila.com to see more of the Thomas Reynolds collection. And, a big shout out to the Fila team for the invite!

(images via fila, DtL)

FASHION FIX: Preview of Thomas Reynolds Collection by James Blake + Fila

"Fashionable but not trendy" is how James Blake describes his style in this promo video for the debut of his collection Thomas Reynolds with sponsor Fila.

The description also captures the stylistic sensibility featured in the new line, named after his late father who died of cancer in July 2004. The Fall 2009 tennis offerings, which James will be debuting at the US Open later this month, mixes high-performance lux fabrications and intricate detailing. Styles include polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, warm up suits, and reversible hoodies and jackets.

On a side note, the tennis collection is part of a larger offering slated to debut in Spring 2010 and will also include golf, lifestyle pieces, footwear, and accessories.

For those of you in the New York City area, James will be appearing at Lord & Taylor on August 27th for an autograph signing session.

For more on the Thomas Reynolds Collection, check out Fila.com over the coming weeks!

BODY BONUS: It doesn't hurt that the American baller gives us a shirtless slow mo showcase in the video. I mean, who's complaining?

(via Fila)

PHOTO OP: Top ballers get their party started at Crowns IMG Party

The top ballers in the world traveled over to Breezes at the Crown Entertainment Complex for the annual Crown IMG Baller Party celebrating the start of this year's Aussie Open!

Rafael Nadal: "I don't know why but that red powder sprayed all over my rippling muscles really worked, no?"

Roger Federer: "Do I look twelve?"

Jelena Jankovic: "For my new tennis collection with ANTA, I'm thinking bolero hats and satin."

Nicole Vaidisova + The Worm: "Are we tennis' creepiest coupling?"

Feliciano Lopez: "I'm channeling Scarface today - and for all the reasons you're thinking."

Tommy Haas: "Oh, this wasn't a post-match presser? Damn, I would've worn my good t-shirt."

Arnaud Clement: "I'm cute and I don't even try - it's a French thing."

James Blake: "Banking or balling - I can't decide."

F-Lo, Carlos Moya, Rafa: *swoons*

(images courtesy of Getty via MTF)

(UPDATED) More on Blake the budding fashionista, to develop signature performance + lifestyle collection for Fila

A huge "Thanks!" to the team over at Fila for sending me the following press release involving the addition of budding fashionista James Blake to the brand's stable and his collaboration on a signature collection:

Fila announced today that it has entered into a collaboration arrangement with ATP World Tour star James Blake to develop a collection of men’s apparel and footwear. The collection will incorporate the heritage of the Fila brand with a contemporary twist inspired by Blake’s signature style. He will collaborate with Fila’s design team to create a co-branded collection. The yet to be named collection will target today’s active male and will be the basis for the development of a long-term licensing business for Blake.

The collection will include tennis, golf, fitness and lifestyle apparel, performance and lifestyle footwear and accessories for men. Fila and James Blake will also explore other product categories as opportunities arise in the market. The collection will debut with a limited collection of tennis and fitness apparel that will be unveiled just before the 2009 US Open in New York. The collection will officially launch for the Spring Summer 2010 season.

James will wear Fila branded or co-branded tennis apparel and footwear exclusively on court and he will be featured in Fila’s worldwide marketing efforts. He is the first top ten American male in over ten years to sign with Fila. James will debut in Fila’s Collezione Apparel Collection and the Fila Alfa shoe at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

“We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with an athlete of James Blake’s caliber,” said Gene Yoon, Chairman of Fila. “Fila has been associated with champions in tennis and other sports for over 35 years. We are certain that through our collaboration with James, we will create a range of products that combines the rich style of our historic brand and James’ active and sophisticated lifestyle.”

“I have always had an affinity for the Fila brand,” said James Blake. “Ever since Borg graced the courts of Wimbledon in Fila, I have always been attracted to the Italian style, grace and sophistication of the Fila brand. My collaboration with Fila is much more than an endorsement arrangement. It will serve as the foundation of a business venture that I that will continue to build for years to come.”

Fila has a long and distinguished history in the world of tennis. The company has endorsement agreements with several ATP Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour athletes, is a major sponsor of the Sony Ericsson Open, Tennis Tournament at Indian Wells, and the Campbell’s Hall of Fame Tennis Championships and is the footwear licensee with The Championships at Wimbledon.

Congrats James! I wasn't sure about the move to Fila from Nike but if they're offering you an opportunity for a post-tennis business venture, the development of a signature line, and the ability to be creative, I say it's a very smart one.

UPDATED: Okay here's one for the funny file. Thanks to DtL reader (with the sharpest eyes) Allison for tipping me off to some obviously photoshopped images of James Blake on his website. It seems someone in the J-Block was wielding a busted magic eraser and removed the Nike swooshes from some of his clothing in the pics but forgot a few pesky ones here and there. Nice job.

Was it a bitter divorce? You decide.

See below:



(image via tennisweek.com)

(UPDATED) FASHION FIX: James spotted working Fila in Melbourne - is Nike no more?

Thanks to DtL reader Jason for tipping me off to this image of James Blake practicing at Melbourne Park today.

The American baller looks to be working a Fila practice tee even though he just competed at the Hopman Cup in his usual Nike duds:


WTF?! I hadn't heard anything about James making the switch to Fila. I wonder if this is a new sponsorship or he just lose his luggage in transit and is borrowing the duds.

If this is signed, sealed, and delivered then he'll join Anna Chakvetadze this year as new ballers in the brand's stable.

Anyone have any info out there?

DO TELL!

UPDATE: Thanks to DtL reader migi for the following info from SportsBusiness Daily...

With Next Week's Australia Open U.S. tennis star James Blake will begin wearing Fila at next week's Australian Open after spending his career with Nike. The deal is expected to be formally unveiled soon.

And there's more over at tennis week too!

(images via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Champions arrive in Kuala Lumpur for exo - so what's James doing there?

The tennis season for most of the men ended this weekend so you know what that means: bring on the money-making exos!

Bjorn Borg, James Blake, Roger Federer, and John McEnroe arrived in Kuala Lumpur for the Showdown of Champions and attended the pre-match presser today. Last year, Fed + Pete Sampras traveled here during their much-heralded series of exhibition matches.

Call me crazy but doesn't James seem severely out of place here? He must be thinking the same thing. For some reason James and "champion" just don't have the right ring to it. I wish Rafael Nadal, who was the other choice besides the American baller, had made this exo - how incredible would that sight have been?

Oh well, it's a great opportunity for James to join these legends and makes some serious bank along the way. Win win!




(images via Getty)

VIDEO VAULT: Rafa, Nole, + James take the Paris practice court together

Here's a cool video of behind-the-scenes action at this week's Paris Masters called "Backstage". Rafael Nadal is shown doing some strengthening exercises with bands on the sidelines before hitting the practice court with James Blake. Novak Djokovic also makes an appearance, cracking jokes with the American then getting his practice in on the ad-court next to Rafa + James.

Check it:



The Paris Masters site hosts the extended version featuring a stringer discussing Janko Tipsarevic's and Filippo Volandri's racquets and tension, Marcos Baghdatis working with coach Peter Lundgren, and interviews with Mikhail Youzhny, Olivier Rochus, and David Ferrer.

VIDEO VAULT: Top ballers reminisce about Rafa

Here's an interesting, albeit short, video featuring Roger Federer, Ivan Ljubicic, Carlos Moya, Andy Murray and James Blake all speaking about year-end world no. 1 Rafael Nadal.

It's interesting to hear Roger + Ivan discuss the first time they started hearing about the Spanish steamroller and their first battles with Rafa. They always knew he had a special quality and they couldn't have been more right.

Check it:

SIGHTING: James + John hit up Men's Vogue party

James Blake and longtime musician-friend John Mayer were spotted at a party thrown for the American baller by Men's Vogue.

Okay, talk about a hot shot. But seriously, who dressed James? I thought this was a party. I think John's thinking the same thing. Shameless!

(image courtesy of Patrick McMullen via NYMag.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Did James' ball nick Gonzo's stick? You decide.

What really happened during today's Olympic semifinal match between James Blake and Fernando Gonzalez?

James, who lost to Gonzo in a thrilling 4-6, 7-5, 11-9 match, accused the Chilean of unfair play for an incident that occurred in the final set. At 8-9 and with Gonzo serving, James hit a back hand passing shot that landed long but he claimed it ticked the Chilean's racquet. Upon TV review the ball was shown to have clipped the edge of his racquet but Gonzo didn't concede the point.

The 2004 silver medalist doesn't believe the ball touched his racquet telling the press,

I didn't feel anything. I mean, it's just one point. There is an umpire. If I'm 100 percent sure about it, I mean, I will give it. But I'm not sure.

James felt, in the spirit of the Games, the Chilean should have conceded the point saying,

I've spoken all week about how much I've enjoyed the Olympic experience, how much I love the spirit of it. That's a disappointing way to exit the tournament, when you not only lose the match, but you lose a little faith in your fellow competitor.

Whatever he wants to say is fine. Whatever is going to get him to have some sleep tonight, then that's fine.

I tracked down a YouTube clip of the point in question and around the 2:05 minute mark you can see a close-up of the incident:



Did it clip Gonzo's Babolat stick or is James seeing things? Based on this video and seeing it on TV it looks like the ball did touch his racquet and he would have felt it. C'mon, ballers are so sensitive to their equipment including the slightest changes of tension in their racquets so how did he not feel a ball nick his stick?

I do hope he's telling the truth. Otherwise, it's bad sportsmanship and worse at the Olympics - happy sleeping tonight Gonzo.

FASHION FIX: Blake beats Rochus, no longer silly for sleeveless

James Blake has never had great success at Wimbledon - can you believe he's never been past the third round here? Well, he got his 2008 campaign off to a good start defeating diminuitive Belgian Christophe Rochus 3-6, 6-3, 6-1, 6-4 to move into the second round where he'll face former Aussie Open finalist Rainer Schuettler.

It's so good to see James, who like a number of ballers has been silly for sleeveless, return back to his classic ways and bust out the Nike London Tennis Polo Shirt in white.

Could this be the most welcomed men's trend this year or what?

(image via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: A-Rod + Blake make Rome quarters - could American's red tide be turning?

Clay-court tennis is always chalk-full of surprises (remember hearing "French Open champion Iva Majoli or Gaston Gaudio"? INSANITY.) So this week's no different with the biggest surprise, of course, being Rafael Nadal's defeat yesterday at the hands of Juan Carlos Ferrero. But another one (or two?) is lurking in the dusty, clay-covered centre court in Rome: Andy Roddick and James Blake making the quarterfinals.

American ballers fears and, frankly, disinterest in the terra bateau have been well documented. But no one could've predicted that one let alone two of them would advance this far. Today A-Rod defeated Simone Bolelli 7-6, 6-3 and James took a big clay scalp in Fernando Verdasco 6-2, 5-7, 6-2.

Could the red tide be turning? Some would say yes, with DtL! reader Kai even giving A-Rod the title:

Rome will be in roddick's hands =P

Perhaps they gained confidence from buddy Sam Querrey's impressive stomping of Richard Gasquet in Monte Carlo? Perhaps. But one thing is clear: the Americans have decided to step up their challenge and give the dirt its well-deserved respect.

Whether it leads to a title is anyone's guess.

(images via Getty)

Blake off break, heads to Barcelona

No doubt inspired by his run to the Houston final, James 'on a break' Blake grabbed a surprise wildcard into Barcelona and sits as the fourth seed in the tourney.

His career record on clay sits at 35-35 - which end of the record will James fall on when all is said and done after Roland Garros?

The American may surprise.

(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Blake on a break, hits the green

James Blake switched out his tennis racquets for golf clubs as he took part in the Stanford International Pro-Am at Fairmont Turnberry Isle in Aventura, FL. He was also joined by 8-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl on the green.

(image via Getty)