PHOTO OP: Kiefer loses to Ferrero in Rome, joins shirtless brigade

Even though Nicolas Kiefer lost to Juan Carlos Ferrero 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 in Rome's first round, the German does get a consolation prize: induction into DtL's shirtless brigade! I offer you my warmest welcome Nicolas.

One other thing: Is it me or is he doing his best Colin Farrell impression?


(image via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Juan Martin hits a new low, becomes a mama-basher

Now how could you insult this innocent-looking woman? Juan Martin Del Potro saw something so mean, so evil in Judy Murray that he did something you never do: insult someone's mama.

During last night's first round match between Juan and Andy Murray, things got heated after an exchange at the net according to Andy:

I played a serve-and-volley and hit a bad volley in the middle of the service box and he came in and hit a full-power backhand straight at my head. I would have thought it's normal to apologize for something like that, and not to get an apology was a little bit disappointing. After that, the next two or three points I was maybe shouting, "Come on," a little bit more than I usually do.

Apparently the incident led to the insult and Andy was understandably bothered:

Someone saying something about your mother who is one of the nicest ladies you're ever going to meet? I don't think that's really that cool.

Yeah that was a low-blow Juan, you mama-basher.

(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Venus attends Costume Gala at the Met

Though there are rumors she may be opting out of this month's French Open, Venus Williams isn't just sitting pretty - she's looking pretty, too.

The 6-time Grand Slammer was a guest at last night's Metropolitan Museum of Art's Costume Institute Gala saluting the power of "superheroes" imagery in fashion.

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FASHION FIX: Azarenka loses in Prague but wins with style

Although Victoria Azarenka lost the fourth final of her young career to Vera Zvonareva this weekend at Prague, the Belarusian was a clear winner in the tennis fashion game.

I'm liking the 18-year old's affinity for classic looks with a twist of femininity as evidenced by her polka-dotted moment from Miami. Victoria continued that style in Prague looking spot-on in the white Nike Volley Women's Top with lilac trim and the black Rally Skirt.

(images via Getty)

An open letter to Richard Gasquet: any sports shrinks available for hire?

Dear Richard,

What has happened to you and your prodigious talents? For a while you seemed to be moving steadily towards the top, besting Andy Roddick last year in a classic 5-set Wimbledon match where your ethereal backhand shell-shocked the favored American into submission (probably not A-Rod's fave position.)

But this season you're spiraling. You've yet to sniff the quarterfinals of any tournament including a round of 16 dismissal at the Aussie Open, endured a Davis Cup debacle, called your conquerers 'lucky', and today suffered an embarrassing 6-4, 6-1 first-round loss to qualifier Luis Horna. After the loss you told the press,

I don't know why I played so bad. Last week in training I felt fine and I was happy to come onto the court today. Sometimes in my career I'm really down. Today is one of those moments.

To be fair, Luis is not a typical qualifier by any means but these are truly worrying signs for you and your French Open prospects...not that they're ever really great for any French baller at their native Grand Slam. Are you sure you want to even show up?

I'm thinking since you're feeling "really down" you could use the time during Roland Garros to visit a sports shrink. I bet Amelie Mauresmo has a few recommendations.

(image via Getty)

Bolelli makes breakthrough, sports sneaky tattoo

Simone Bolelli is full of surprises. The 22-year old finally made his breakthrough last week defeating top seed Paul-Henri Mathieu and becoming the first Italian baller to reach the Munich final in its history, losing to Fernando Gonzalez.

"Bolelli the Beautiful" also surprised with a sneaky tattoo on the underside of right bicep. I wonder what else the Italian is hiding under his tennis gear...

(images via Getty + AP)

PHOTO OP: Rafa gets wet for his win

Things are going swimmingly for Rafael Nadal these days. The world no. 2 got thrown into a pool after winning his fourth consecutive title in Barcelona, a tradition for Real Club of Barcelona members after a win.

(image via Getty)

WEEKEND WINNERS: Rafa, Gonzo, Vera, Gisela

Barcelona - Rafael Nadal

Can anyone stop Rafa on his run to a fourth straight Roland Garros crown? I'm thinking not. The Spaniard racked up a fourth Barcelona title and 21st straight win by defeating compatriot David Ferrer 6-1, 4-6, 6-1. He is virtually unbeatable on the terre bateau earning his 103rd win out of 104. Sick.

Munich - Fernando Gonzalez

In the battle of beauties, Gonzo captured the 10th title of his career in Munich, defeating the sexy Italian Simone Bolelli in three tight sets 7-6(4), 6-7(4), 6-3. Is this a career-reviving win or a blip on his radar? My sense is this win is a blip but who knows. At 27, though, the Chilean has few opportunities so he'll need to make good.

Prague - Vera Zvonareva

The best player on the WTA Tour this year not to win a title, Vera finally broke through defeating up-and-comer Victoria Azarenka 7-6(2), 6-2 in Prague. The Russian didn't lose a set this week while earning her sixth career title. With her experience and first title of the season, I have a feeling Vera will make some big noise in Paris and it certainly wouldn't surprise me to see her in at least the final four. Let's just hope she keeps her emtions in check - there's no crying in tennis Vera!

Morocco - Gisela Dulko

Gisela defeated top seed Anabel Medina Garrigues 7-6 (2), 7-6 (5) Sunday at the Grand Prix SAR La Princesse Lalla Meryem for her first title of the season and third overall. It was a sloppy match including 10 breaks, 5 for each player. Not pretty.

(images via Getty + AP)

A-Rod is just like (most) of us, scrubs toilets and moves himself

Andy Roddick is making moves - most likely to his new $1.19 million digs with Brooklyn in Manhattan.

The American blogged about it saying,

The week after Davis Cup was pretty much spent moving. I love my life, because one day I am representing my country in Davis Cup in front of 11,000 fans while closing out the French, and literally the next day, I am vacuuming, moving furniture, scrubbing toilets, and walking things up and down flights of stairs all day ha ha…. it really is a great balance and I am lucky to have it… but seriously, for those of you who have ever moved before, can you believe the amount of crap that is actually needed in a small place to function? That is not even counting the stuff that we want, but really don’t need at all… it’s a fun process though, and was the first time I had done it without help (besides Brooklyn of course) from a moving company of some sort… it ended up being a really fun process!!!

With all that dough, A-Rod moved himself? Okay - that seems ass backwards to me. Besides, scrubbing toitets and moving really sucks.

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THE LOW DOWN: Sharapova vs. WTA Tour, Part Deux

The intriguing battle royale between Maria Sharapova and the WTA Tour continues...

Doing her best impression of a savvy poitician (Hillary or Barack?), the Russian seems committed to firing up her base through her blog now that she's realized the power and accessibility of new media, even blasting the diva-esque behavior of some executives:

I am sure many of you can tell that I am just a little frustrated with a couple of tour executives who don't ever listen to the players and want to do their own thing. For a sport that has so much potential to grow and get bigger, you would think that the players voice would be important but unfortunately that's not the case. They just do whatever they want and tell us what to do and how to do it. And on top of that walk around like they're the stars.

I have tried to work with them, I have attended numerous amounts of meetings throughout the years, but they just do what they want and threaten to fine me. So since they will not listen to me, I am going to start giving my fans a behind the scenes look at life on tour...let the fun begin! I also want to thank everyone for voting...the number of people voting was way beyond our expectations.

The ballsy Maria is so confident about her stance, she even admits trying to fake a reason for pulling out of Berlin (so as to not get fined):

I got a really bad viral infection with a big fever and that I have to get on antibiotics...how original! I know I'm always against those things, but I kind of had no other choice because I haven't been that sick in a while. Quite ironic, as a few days before that I was trying to come up with some 'excuse' for pulling out of Berlin...

Forcing ballers into lying? Take that WTA Tour! But it seems Maria has one more surprise for us:

There is also one other thing that I am soo excited to report but have to keep my mouth shut...you just have to wait a couple weeks. xx Maria

What could that be - retirement, pregnancy, marrying secret love Nole??? Oh, you're such a tease Masha.

(image via Getty)