PHOTO OP: Peek-a-boo Mathieu, I see you

Frenchie tennis baller Paul-Henri Mathieu gave the Sony Ericsson Open crowd a show today - check out that panty line. Très zexy...

(image via Doug Benc/Getty Images)

A new hairy situation: Michael Berrer goes all Morrissey at Sony Ericsson Open

Berrer hair: I hate to say it y'all but it looks like we have another hairy situation on the ATP Tour.

The one-time Dr. McDreamy look-alike Michael Berrer was spotted at the Sony Ericsson Open working a Morrissey-style pompadour circa 1984 during his match against Igor Andreev. I'm certain it was N.O.P. (not on purpose, duh) but one can never be too sure with these matters.

Will the madness never end?

(image via Al Bello/Getty Images)

Quote of the Day: Safin on his career

I have plenty of cash to do what I want to do, so what I want to do is play tennis.

- Marat Safin after his fifth straight first-round loss this year at the Sony Ericsson Open

Thanks Marat for letting us know you're just another uber-talented, but spoiled, professional athlete who'll just coast into oblivion. Cheers!

(image via AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Tennis dreams become (virtual) reality with Top Spin 3

Game on: Though I'm not a huge gamer by any means, I've had some fun battling on Wii Tennis. But the upcoming Top Spin 3 is pretty impressive by any standard.

The new game, which will be released on May 20, features the likenesses of Roger Federer, James Blake, Maria "Shriek"apova, Andy Roddick and more. And when I say likeness, it's an understatement. I was amazed at how life-like the players look, from their stroke production and mannerisms to their fashions and sweat!

Top Spin 3 creators 2K Sports hosted a media event at the Sony Ericsson Open and featured James, Maria, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Gael Monfils battling each other's virtual-selves.

Check it out:

FASHION FIX: Davenport wins Comeback Award, glows in graphic print dress

Motherhood has clearly been great for Lindsay Davenport. Not only did the 3-time Grand Slam champ win the WTA Comeback Player of the Year Award for her stunning return to the tour in 2007 after giving birth to son Jagger, but Lindsay continues to glow.

I love this dress for her - the former No. 1 is usually much more understated and subdued with her on-court tennis fashion but this graphic-print tank dress is fun + vibrant.

Anyone know who designed this dress?

(image via Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

THE LOW DOWN: Is A-Rod heading down the aisle with Brooklyn Decker?

The marrying kind: Is Andy Roddick following good friend Mardy Fish's lead and getting hitched? A tipster wrote to us on Thursday saying,

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker are engaged as of yesterday as well.

The couple of have only been dating since last season's US Open but have been spotted numerous times walking the streets of NYC together where the swimsuit model lives. The relationship was also rumored to be the catalyst in the breakup of A-Rod and Jimmy Connors.

If anyone can confirm this news, let me know!

(image via socialitelife.com)

The ballers hit up the Sony Ericsson Open player party

The tennis ballers from both tours dropped their tennis racquets and hit the Sony Ericsson Open player party last night held at Opium in Miami Beach. James Blake, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Venus + Serena Williams, and Jelena Jankovic showed up for the festivities.

Also on hand were a spikey-haired Novak Djokovic (flirting with The Apprentice's Katrina Campins), Andy Roddick, and Maria "Shriek"apova.


(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Nole launches official clothing + accessories collection with adidas

After getting pissed about the supposed illegal sales of Novak Djokovic clothing, the Serb has finally launched his official clothing + accessories line in partnership with sponsor adidas. The products will all be sold via his website.


The products range features t-shirts representing the Serbian colors, key chains, a floating toy, a giant tennis ball, and even a yo-yo! They all feature shadow images of the Aussie Open champ in different poses.

The prices are all in Euros so we Americans will have to pay a little extra to get our hands on this product.


(image via novak-djokovic.com)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: Fed, Monica, Venus + Serena respond...Andy dreams and more

- The Sisters speak: Venus + Serena were asked at a press conference for the Sony Ericsson Open about father Richard's controversial remarks on racism in tennis. Older sister V said, "I'm definitely not here to discuss that. I'll talk about Eleven (her clothing company), tennis, my recent graduation. . ." while ReRe responded, "The best person to answer that is my dad. I'm just here to play tennis and stay focused on that."

- A triplet: Roger Federer won three ATP Awards including player of the year, sportsmanship, and fan favorite.

- A pair of fives: Though we haven't even touched a grain of clay on the tour, Wimbledon is getting more some press than Roland Garros these days. The All-England Club just announced a pair of 5-year agreements: with Fila as official footwear licensee and with the BBC for broadcast coverage rights.

- Saying goodbye again: Memoir-writing Monica Seles had a short stay on Dancing with the Stars. The left-handed (and footed) tennis legend and her partner Jonathan Roberts were booted from the show this week.


- Dream come true? Andy Murray says he actually dreamt he won a Grand Slam. The 20-year old said, "I actually dreamed for the first time in my life about winning a Grand Slam, actually winning match point at a Grand Slam, about two days ago. I kind of woke up and now I feel like I'm ready to go on and play on and get deep into the slams now. So, God, I want to win it."

- TENNIS mag's editor-in-chief James Martin gives his "A-Z" for Indian Wells + Miami. What caught my eye? R of Rafa: the Spaniard will be blogging exclusively for the mag's site starting tomorrow!

(image via Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

FASHION FIX: Preview of Serena's spring Nike fashion, but French Open still a mystery

Spring fling: So I've run through the fashion possibilities for the top Nike tennis ballers including Maria "Shriek"apova, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal. But when talking fashion, you can't forget about one of the originals: Serena "ReRe" Williams.

Here's a rundown:

Sony Ericsson: The defending Miami champion participated in a first-ever tennis water "match" with Rafa on the roof of the Gansevoort Hotel on Monday. ReRe was working the Dri-Fit Volley Short Sleeve Tee in the new lilac ice color - the hue Federer is supposed to wear at Roland Garros - and the Paris Skirt in white with black waistband.

The Nike lookbook also lists the Serena Sport Plus Full-Zip Women's Tennis Top + Capri. These pieces come in the dark obsidian (pictured), white, chalk, black, and lilac ice. According to Nike the gear is made of polyester + spandex and "features convenient zip closure and front seam ball pockets, set off by a voluminous high collar and shimmery satin trim cuffs and pockets."

This outfit looks more like something the former No. 1 might warm up in for her matches.

French Open: I'm not sure what ReRe be wearing for Roland Garros since information on her fashions has been surprisingly few and far between. Could she end up in the Paris Tank + Skirt rumored to be Maria's gear? It would show off her body, which we all know she loves to do - and why wouldn't she?

If anyone has info out there and would like to share, I'm listening!

(images via women's tennis blog + nike.com)