VIDEO VAULT: La Monf works his new Prince stick all over the court

Thanks to the team over at Prince for sending me the newest TV spot for their just launched EXO3 line of performance racquets starring the incredibly athletic Gael Monfils.

The commercial shows La Monf doing what he does best (and I don't mean his French kissing ways.) He takes to the court with his new stick and slides, glides, and cracks an impressive Sampras-style leaping overhead.

PS - This one's for Sara, you Frenchie lover you!

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PHOTO OP: Nole gets more HEAD in Queensland

Novak Djokovic was spotted on the Brisbane International practice court today lugging around a HEAD racquet bag, more evidence that the sexy Serb has made the switch over to Head from Wilson.

However, I just checked HEAD's website and Nole's not yet listed as a sponsored baller. I guess we should expect a formal announcement as the season officially begins.

PS - Get thee to a hair cuttery Nole or you'll be dealing with a hairy situation soon...and then I'll have to write about it. Just sayin'.

(images via Getty)

VIDEO VAULT: Prince has something up their tennis sleeves for 2009

Attention all Prince lovers - and, no, I'm not talking about the stiletto boot-wearing, symbol-loving, guitar-playing purple one.

The tennis brand is gearing up for something big in 2009 and have released this viral video to tease us silly.

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Ana looks to revive game, performs equipment switch-a-roo in Tokyo

Change seems to be the word surrounding Ana Ivanovic these days and it continues this week in Tokyo.

Apparently, the French Open champ is looking to tweak her once explosive game and has switched to the Yonex RQiS 1Tour XL, a model not yet on sale publicly and only used by Ana in the professional ranks. She revealed the reason for the switch in her diary saying,

Talking of rackets, I have a new one! Yonex have made a slightly lighter racket for me, which helps because I can get a little more head speed. It’s a new design too, which I really like.

And no girl would be caught dead with an old style bag to lug around her shiny new stick so the Serb will be toting around an new, exclusive racquet purse:

Ballers are usually very sensitive to even minute changes in racquets, stringing, balls, etc. so it'll be interesting to see if her results change either way.

We'll all be watching Ana.

(image via anaivanovic.com)

Battistone works The Natural duel-grip racquet in New Haven, mixes tennis + volleyball style

Doubles baller Brian Battistone was spotted working The Natural dual grip tennis racquet in New Haven yesterday. He and his partner, brother Dann, were beaten by the Italian team of Simone "the Beautiful" Bolelli and Andreas Seppi 6-3, 7-5.

And, not only does Brian serve with this awkward racquet he also utilizes a volleyball-style, leap-in-the-air, spiking serve:

Hmmm - I'm all for innovation and craftiness on the court but I don't see this as a winning combination. But props to Brian for taking chances - why not?

If you've ever used The Natural racquet in any level of play I'd love to hear about your experience. Do tell!

(images via Getty)

Youzhny entertains Miami crowd with racquet self-abuse, and he even draws blood!

Thanks to DtL! reader Erin for alerting me to this video that ran on CNN's Morning Express featuring Mikhail Youzhny, who's known for some bizarre behavior on-court, including his post-match salute to the crowd while wearing his racquet on his head.

Well, the quirky Russian found another use for his equipment yesterday. During his match 7-6 (4), 3-6, 7-6 (6) win over Spaniard Nicolas Almagro yesterday the Russian smacked his head with his racquet three times after dropping his serve in the third set, drawing blood which ran down his face! The trainer had to be called courtside to mend the cuts.

Shouldn't there be a new code violation for racquet self-abuse? But, I guess if a baller wants to beat themselves silly with their equipment in front of thousands of people, we shouldn't get in the way. That's entertainment!

Here's the video:

Martina Hingis blacks out, tests new racket brand

Former World No. 1 Martina Hingis is changing things up. The "Swiss Miss" was a loyal member of the Yonex tennis racket crew for years. However, Marty has been spotted working a blacked out racket at the US Open which means she's switch-hitting these days and trying out another brand.

“I’m not talking about this subject right now,” said Marty. “Yup, it’s a black frame. Testing racquet.”

Anyone have any information on who the lucky racket brand might be?

(via tennis-x)