HE SAID/SHE SAID: US Open Day 4

Q. Caroline Wozniacki has a high profile relationship with a golfer. You've kind of been there. Any advice for her on how to deal in the public eye in that way in that kind of a relationship?

ANA IVANOVIC: I think it's different for every person, because some people like to be in the middle of attention or public eye and others don't. It's just very personal how you like to deal with it. I think, you know, once you decide how you want to handle it you should go about it. Of course if you want to be more private, that's harder. If you want to be out there it's a little bit easier. It's, you know, about to find the balance and to accept these things.

Check out more 'HE SAID/SHE SAID' from the US Open Day 4 after the jump - click the header!

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.

+ NETCORDS: News from around the grounds

- Here come the French Open fashions! Check this adizine by adidas (you CLEVAH) showcasing the duds their ballers will be wearing to Roland Garros this year. Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (who just dumped his coach), Ana Ivanovic, Andy Murray, Andrea Petkovic, Flavia Pennetta and Fernando Gonzalez are featured in the digital piece wearing their new kits and answering questions in an embedded video on the page. My fave? Gonzo's super cute multi-striped polo.

- Speaking of Gonzo the Chilean tweeted about his return to full-time action after undergoing hip surgery at the end of last year: "Today i finish my 6 months post-op rehab. I was discharged and ready to go back to game."

- Rolex has released their latest ads featuring NaturAna.

- Kim Clijsters will be out for the next 4 - 6 weeks to rehab her right wrist and shoulder which have been overstressed according to recent tests. She will be forced to miss the FED CUP semifinals and Madrid. The 4-time Grand Slammer made the announcement via her website:

I think this is a great pity. The Fed Cup is something I was really looking forward to. But I felt that something was out of the ordinary: There were too many minor ailments, one after the other, which did not seem to disappear. Something like that gets into your head.

I don't want to force anything, because I want to prevent it from becoming chronic by any means. I really want to be there at this year's. Now there is no other option than to rest and I certainly can't use a tennis racket for the first few weeks. We will continue with lots of physiotherapy and exercises to strengthen the surrounding muscles."

- Maria Sharapova shot this video during her visit to the Cole Haan boutique at The Village of Merrick Park in Coral Gables, FL where the Russian launched her Spring 2011 Collection. Like her outfit? Well, Vogue.com liked it enough to place her on their Best Dressed list at No. 7.

- Bruce Jenkins won't be placing Shrieka on anything but MUTE. In his latest column the SI.com scribe doesn't hold back, blasting Shrieka, Vika and the sound storm they created during the Sony Ericsson Open women's final:

Both players seem to think it's all perfectly fine, that they're at the vanguard of a trend we should all deeply respect. Wow, are they wrong. Viewers are bailing out like passengers on the Titanic. And when it comes to the people in the stands, here's a message to both of you caterwaulers: They are laughing at you. Got it? And they find it so strange when you warm up in silence.

Is this grunting tirade old and tired? Yes. Are people ever going to stop getting annoyed by it? No. Will the lady ballers ever stop? Probably not, unless they start measuring that shit and creating acceptable levels. Or duct taping. That could work. Honestly, I don't see where this discussion ever ends.

- Fernando Verdasco will not be defending his title in Barcelona. And he's not happy about it.

- Mirka Federer, with a bootylicious Roger in tow, celebrated her 33rd birthday at Italian Prime restaurant in Miami last Saturday. Fed fanatic Anna Wintour and Mary Jo Fernandez were on hand. So was a Victoria's Secret gift bag. Just saying. On Sunday, Tommy Haas rang in his 33rd birthday but he was whisked off to the Bahamas by his wife Sara. Lucky for us they took pics and posted them on his FB page. Sadly, no shirtless shots. Drats.

- Nadia Petrova is not taking any of the blame credit for her recent Ellesse fashion moments. In fact, she mentioned she has no voice in the decision of what she wears, is leaving the sports apparel brand after this year and even says they send her whatever sells well in Japan. Really, Nads?? I wouldn't blame the Japanese for this one - THEY'VE BEEN THROUGH ENOUGH ALREADY. Tennis blog A Change of Ends spoke to the Russian during the WTA's All-Access Hour in Charleston and bravely brought back the money quotes. Cheers!

[Photo(s): adidas, Pacific Coast News, Vogue.com]

PHOTO OP: Tommy Haas has a beard

No, droolers, not that kind - Sara Foster is for real. Sorry, I wasn't looking to mislead you with that headline (read: give us all immense hope.)

Anyway, Tommy has been feeling a bit lazy with the razor and Sara kinda likes it. The beard, not the laziness I mean though I wouldn't know her feelings on that one either.

Personally, I like a good, trimmed beard espesh on someone with a full head of hair. Let's hope he doesn't go all Brad Pitt on us, though. HAWTNESS isn't a given - you still gotta work at it guys.

[Via: Tommy-Haas.net]

BALLER BLOGS: Tommy Haas

Future daddy to be (in all the best ways possible) Tommy Haas reminisces about his time in LA at the Stars Under the Stars Gala, gives an update on the state of his game, shows a picture of lil' Haas with Nick Bollettieri and provides this gem, "Other than that Sara and I just enjoyed each other..." in his latest blog. Sorry, I need a second. *visualizes*

OK. Yeah that's his pregnant fiancee Sara Foster who he was referring to in that quote in the pic to the right all jacked up against HotHaas. Do it for all of us lucky lady. Ah well, at least his forearm is close enough to sniff. Go ahead - SCRATCH.

[Photo(s): tommy-haas.net]

SIGHTING: Tommy Haas. That is all.

Tommy Haas and girlfriend actress Sara Foster were spotted at the Stars Under the Stars gala held at the Los Angeles Tennis Center last night watching Andre Agassi defeat John McEnroe 6-4, 6-2.

Seriously, the man never ages. Or looks bad.  *sigh*

[Photo: Jeff Golden/Getty Images]

The Samurais extend HotHaas an olive branch...and a beer

The Samurais would like to make an amends with Tommy Haas Obama-style.

The German was visibly irritated by the rowdy supporters of eventual LA champ Sam Querrey during their semifinal bout and described the group as having "no class" afterwards.

But now the shirtless wonders are trying to calm the stormy waters, though they still disagree on the matter at hand:

First off, we would like to extend an apology to Tommy Haas for what he he believes was 'inappropriate' and 'classless' behavior.... Contrary to what Tommy Haas asserted, we were not cheering his errors and missed serves (our restraint is something we actually take pride in), but, simply applauding (yes, in a pretty boisterous fashion) the unbelievable effort from our former classmate and good friend, Sam Querrey. We understand that this line can easily be blurred in a competitive tennis match and therefore apologize to Haas for the confusion. To make up for it, we would like to follow in the steps of the White House, and offer to take Haas out for a beer (Beck's of course) and reconcile our differences at the upcoming U.S. Open Championships.... Again, we are simply trying to direct some passion and spirit toward the great game of tennis that we all love.... The Samurai.

Ah, just what tennis needs - a little back and forth. If the ladies can do it, why can't the boys?

Let's just say I can't wait for the rematch.

(images via getty)

HotHaas stuns Nole, makes first Wimby semifinal (with Body Bonus!)

Tommy Haas made good this time against one of the big boys.

At the French Open last month, the German baller was up two sets and held a break point against eventual champ Roger Federer and caved in five. And today, HotHaas was up two sets on Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon quarters, lost the third but closed out an impressive 7-5, 7-6 (6), 4-6, 6-3 over the fourth seed.


After the big win he told the press,

You never know what’s around the corner for you if you keep believing and keep fighting. Who would have thought I’d be in the semifinals here at this stage of my career?

If you would have told me two years ago that ‘you can’t play him in the fourth round but you’ll be able to play him two years from now in the semifinals,’ I would have said, ‘Fine.’ It was a tough injury I had here, but life is crazy and this sport is crazy.

True enough HotHaas - congrats on the big win and making your very first Wimby semifinal at the tender age of 31. *cheers*

As for Nole, well, it's not the racquet switch or physical fitness this time. Quite simply: THEY'RE ONTO YOU. These ballers know your game inside and out, know what you do well (get every ball back) and won't you don't (no "kill" shot.) No one's surprised by anything you do on the court now.

My advice: You'd be wise to build your game and strategies around your backhand, especially your down-the-line shot. You're not using it effectively enough on the big points and your opponents are getting away with it. Just a thought.

BODY BONUS: HotHaas fans rejoice! Dayum abs. *drools*




(images via getty)

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)

VIDEO VAULT: Warming up with shirtless Tommy Haas

The ATP has launched a new section on their site called "ATP Form & Fitness" that covers different baller's physical training methods, drills & tactics, injury management, and nutrition.

In one of my fave videos shirtless wonder Tommy Haas, who'll face Gilles Muller in the US Open second round, shows us some of the warm-up drills he's using in New York involving footwork shuffles, football throwing, and of course lots o' skin. Drool much?

Check it:



(video via ATP)

SIGHTING: A tale of two Tommys - who's hotter?

A handsome Tommy Haas was spotted signing autographs for lucky fans after his big 5-set win over Frenchie headcase Richard Gasquet in the US Open first round.

And, thanks to DtL reader Isa again for tipping me off to the sexy German baller giving some other lucky fans a shirtless show during a practice session over the weekend:


I can't tell which Tommy is hotter - help!

(image via Getty, USOpen.org)

SIGHTING: Kate Hudson joins Sara Foster in Haas' Countrywide cheering squad

Tommy Haas' girlfriend Sara Foster and her famous friend actress Kate Hudson were spotted watching the German star get shocked by a rising Donald Young at the Countrywide Classic last night.

Uh-oh! I'm having deja vu...

(image via Getty)

Shoulder injury stops Haas again - could it be curtains for the German?

Another day, another injury withdrawal for Tommy Haas. According to FOXSports.com,

[He] withdrew [from the BMW Open] with a painful right shoulder. Haas said he would skip the upcoming tournaments in Hamburg and Rome.

So far the German withdrew from the Aussie Open, gave a walk-over to Roger Federer at Indian Wells, and retired from Monte Carlo and now Munich all because of his shaky shoulder.

I think the curtain is calling for the 30-year old.

(image via Getty)

Tommy Haas cleans up game + hair at Indian Wells

Another situation solved: A newly cropped Tommy Haas continued his domination over Andy Roddick in the second round of this weekend's Pacific Life Open. The German, who's recovering from another shoulder issue, swept past the World No. 6 in straight sets 6-4, 6-4 and stopped A-Rod's tremendous momentum from Dubai.

Tommy's hair is looking as good as his game after after going under the scissors a la Andy Murray. The sides and back of his 'do have been cleaned up nicely, giving him a youthful vibe.

Could this be a new trend on the ATP Tour? One can only hope...

(image via AP Photo/Mark J. Terril)

Tommy Haas signs 3-year endorsement deal with K-Swiss

Tommy Haas is joining Russian Anna Kournikova under the K-Swiss flag. The German tennis star recently signed a three-year endorsement deal as a new spokesman for K-Swiss and will wear K-Swiss clothes and apparel on court starting in January. Tommy was most recently with German sports brand Limited Sports and Nike prior to that sponsorship. Asked about the partnership, the World No. 12 said,

"I remember seeing K-Swiss as a kid when I was starting my tennis career and am thrilled to be associated with a brand with such a strong heritage, [...] I am obviously excited about the performance tennis styles but also eager to collaborate on off court opportunities as well."

The new global K-Swiss advertising campaign will make its debut in February, 2008. The campaign will be showcased in television, print, on-line, and outdoor venues. Tommy joins Alona Bondarenko, Australian Open women's doubles champions Cara Black and Liezel Huber, and the aforementioned Kournikova, who recently shot a TV spot for the sportswear label in LA, as the current tennis stars for the K-Swiss brand.

(images via tennisweek.com)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: Venus, Justine, Igor, Roger vs. Pete...Tommy talks racquets, Davis Cup doodles and more

- Tommy time: When Tommy Haas isn't battling foes on the tennis court or crying "poison!", the German star hangs with girlfriend Sarah Foster and Kate Hudson, plays basketball with Xavier Malisse and Taylor Dent, and stays clear of suicidal tennis racquets. According to a recent Q & A with DEUCE magazine, he rarely breaks tennis strings but "[n]ormally if a string breaks it's at 3 in the morning and it scares the hell out of me. I string my racquets tight so they can break by themselves in my racquet bag. It's loud enough to wake me up, which is annoying, so I usually try to put the bag in a corner of the room."

- Davis Cup doodles: Captain Patrick McEnroe has found his own voice, even in the shadow of his legendary loud-mouth brother, John...the four amigos of the US Davis Cup team genuinely enjoy each other's camaraderie, which they believe should help them bring home the trophy...no Safin surprise for the US. "These guys [on the Russian Davis Cup team] are playing better than Marat, he's not going to be here," says Russian coach Shamil Tarpishchev...Tennis Served Fresh finds the Bryan Brothers Blogging

- Did Roger Federer throw Pete Sampras a bone in the final match in their exhibition tour? Tennis-X thinks so. Is Sampras a current day top-5 player? Federer thinks so.

- The notoriously private Justine Henin has in fact been providing us a version of her own reality TV show, argues Tennis Diary. Nina Rota writes, "Tennis has been the substitute for some of Justine’s life outside of tennis and now that the outside world is creeping back into her life, her tennis is secure enough that it enhances her game. Most people need their personal lives in order to perform well in their career. Some people do it the other way around. Success in their career gives them the confidence to open their hearts to those in their personal lives. Justine doesn’t need a reality TV show, we’ve been watching it all along." Interesting perspective, we think.

- Kamakshi Tandon for TENNIS.com believes players should be given unlimited challenges per match. We don't agree - limited challenges force players to strategize about how and when to use them, which we think adds more excitement and intrigue in a match. Discussss...

- Lacoste and innovators Kidrobot have released their holiday collaboration featuring 3 styles - Missouri 85, and the Revan 2 & 3 - each complete with your own PEECOL toy. But move fast: only 500 pairs total were produced.

- Black Enterprise magazine named Venus Williams one of America's Most Powerful Players Under 40. We're thinking they don't mean tennis when they reference 'players'...

- Getting to know Igor Andreev. Funniest moment: "Well, once when I was 17 I went to practice with Kournikova, me and another guy (Pavel Ivanov), in Miami, tournament before the Orange Bowl. It was Sunshine Cup. We were making sparring to her and when we were at the volley, she hit the ball so hard — and it close to hit my balls so... So that happens, but, it was very close, fun moment. I don't know if it's fun but for me it wasn't fun but for them it was fun [smiles]."

- Tennis Planet holds the blueprint for Novak Djokovic's quest for World No. 1.

THE LOW DOWN: The ITF finds no evidence of Tommy Haas poisoning

Tommy Haas' claims of poisoning by the Russians before his Davis Cup match have been refuted by the ITF. According to their recent report, "Following inquiries, the ITF has concluded that there is no medical information or other evidence whatsoever to support recent speculation concerning the medical condition of Tommy Haas during Germany's Davis Cup semifinal tie against Russia."

The tennis federation in his home country of Germany also denied the poisoning claims earlier this month saying, "[...] because we have no evidence of poisoning and because we do not know how reliable the informant is, we must assume that it's no more than speculation."

It seems to be a case of sour grapes for Tommy...tsk, tsk!

No love: German tennis federation refutes Tommy Haas' claims of poisoning, "...it's no more than speculation," says federation

The Tommy Haas poisoning case seems to be losing steam - mostly due to lack of support from his own countrymen. The German tennis federation (DHT) refutes the claims that Tommy may have been poisoned during Davis Cup since no evidence has been found nor has the informant been named.

Here's what DTB spokesman Oliver Quante had to say:

"There is no medical reason that justifies further, targeted tests with regard to poisoning, [...] As an association, we must rely on facts in judging and assessing the situation and not on speculation, [...] Therefore, because we have no evidence of poisoning and because we do not know how reliable the informant is, we must assume that it's no more than speculation."

Alexander Katsnelson, general director of the Kremlin Cup who was responsible for organizing the Davis Cup semi-final from the Russian side, had this to say about the poisoning claims:

"We don't take them (poison rumors) seriously. This is just usual stuff coming from a guy who lost, [...] Since he (Haas) arrived in Moscow and began training it was evident he was not in good shape physically, he was huffing and puffing on the court."

If you don't have support at home, Tommy, then what do you have? Could it be a sour grapes moment on your part for not performing well under the pressure or a blown up case of upset stomach??

(images via AP Photo)

UPDATE: Tommy Haas discusses poisoning allegations, "I have never felt so miserable in my whole life..." says Tommy

Update: Here's more of what Tommy Haas had to say following allegations he may have been poisoned right before his Davis Cup match against Mikhail Youzhny:

"I have never felt so miserable in my whole life as I did on the Saturday and Sunday nights in Moscow," [...] Of the eight hours I should have been sleeping, I spent six of them on the toilet. [...] My stomach is still doing some strange things. [...] I tried everything from swallowing tablets to syringes, nothing worked, [...] It just made me feel worse, I really thought I would end up in hospital.''

Tommy was asked if the symptoms could have been caused by nerves from the big occasion:

"Of course, every sportsman suffers from nerves, but I have dreamed my whole life of playing in a Davis Cup semi-final and I wouldn't have been nervous for such a game. [...] I gave everything I had in order to win there. If I could have done anything else, I would have done. [...] But I couldn't help the team from my seat on the toilet.''

The German tennis star will fly to New York on Friday to undergo blood and hair tests to determine what may have been used to poison him.

(image via AP Photo)

BREAKING: Was Tommy Haas poisoned out of his Davis Cup match against Mikhail Youzhny?

Developing: The tennis world is in true turmoil these days - match-fixing, doping - and today is no exception. MSNBC.com is reporting that Tommy Haas may have been poisoned before Germany's Davis Cup match against Russia. Tommy had to default his match against Mikhail Youzny with a suspected stomach virus. German teammate Alexander Waske said he was told by a Russian who manages numerous athletes that it was poisoning, not a virus.

Here's some of what Tommy had to say about the allegations:

“I’m shocked that something like that appears possible, [...] When I think of how bad I felt, I can imagine it. I’ve been feeling weak for weeks.”

(image via AP Photo)