+ FRIDAY NETCORDS: Roger, Justine, Amelie, Steffi vs. Andy...Alicia defends Mark, Maria is most spankable and more

- No AP love: So the tennis dynamic duo of Roger Federer & Justine Henin have won virtually every tennis accolade imaginable, including ITF and TENNIS magazine honors, this year. But today both World No. 1's are playing second fiddle in the AP's Athlete of the Year honors. Fed lost out to New England Patriot's pretty boy Tom Brady while Justine saw golfer Lorena Ochoa grab the most votes. Fed, who yet again lost the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year honor to another footballer, is most likely the greatest player the sport of tennis will ever see, while Justine had the best, and most dominant, year of her career. Bullshit - that's all we have to say.

- Tennis gives back: Another player known for her dominance, Steffi Graf, and her Children for Tomorrow foundation are building a medical centre in the German city of Hamburg to counsel children who have been traumatized by war or losing their homes. In other philanthropic news, The Andy Roddick Foundation is working on building an $8.2 million tennis complex called Andy Roddick Foundation International Tennis Center in Austin, TX. The center will serve as a training ground for the Andy Roddick Youth Tennis Program, which gives at-risk youth the opportunity to learn the game and compete.

- A brand new day: After a career-making 2006 led to a disappointing 2007, former World No. 1 Amelie Mauresmo is determined to make a brilliant start to her 2008 in Oz. The 2-time Grand Slam champ told the Herald Sun, "Even as a veteran of 11 years in pro tennis, I still have a great passion for the game and I must say that there is less pressure being ranked lower,[...] I am doing everything I can to make that (winning the Australian Open) happen. Australia has always meant something special to me."

-Naughty or nice: Maria "Shriek"apova was voted Most Spankable Sportswoman, beating out Tatiana Golovin, Martina Hingis, and the Williams sisters. The Lifetime Achievement Award for Most Spankable went to Chris Evert. Really? Well, we suppose she deserves a few spanks after her latest romantic drama.

- Playing defense: Aussie Alicia Molik has come to the defense of her compatriot Mark Philippoussis. The 'Scud', who tore cartiledge in his right knee during qualies for the Australian Open and is now considering retirement, has been the subject of severe criticism in his home country. "I think it's a shame that all the public feel like they need to get so involved and so critical and criticise so much, because I just don't think it's fair. Let him be, let every sportsperson in Australia be — and yeah, there's a lot to deal with obviously for him, on the court, to not to have to worry about what's said and what's written. Let him go about his business. He's still playing tennis," said Alicia.

- ESPN.com's Bonnie D. Ford puts her hat in the ring with the best and worst of 2007.

- WTF moment: It's good to know even rich and famous tennis players can take a step down and join the common people. Stepping out of your comfort zone - we applaud you!

- What was 2007 like for Sania Mirza? How is she preparing for 2008 and her first event, the Hopman Cup?? We'll let the Indian sensation tell you herself.

- On the Baseline has 10 questions for Marion Bartoli and up-and-coming player Tamira Paszek, while FOXSports.com has 10 questions for the ladie's 2008 season - sense a trend?

- Changing of the guard: Congrats go out to Mary Jo Fernandez for her new role as FED CUP captain, replacing Zina Garrison who will step down at the end of 2008. “I am thrilled to be part of the U.S. Fed Cup team once again, [...] Fed Cup was one of the most important and memorable times of my career. I am excited to be working with Zina in 2008, and then taking on the Captain’s role in 2009,” said Mary Jo.

(image via AP Photo)

PHOTO OP: Rafa gets a helping hand from Real Madrid's Fabio Cannavaro

Here's a lucky Rafael Nadal getting a friendly helping hand from Real Madrid uber-hottie Fabio Cannavaro during the "Friends of Iker vs Friends of Rafa" soccer match in Spain yesterday.

Seriously, Cannavaro could give us a helping hand anytime....ouch...

(images via Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Venus Williams chosen by Vogue magazine as one of the best dressed for 2007

Venus in vogue: Venus "V"Williams, our TENNIS 2007 Award winner for Style Maven of the Year, has picked up another important fashion accolade. The 6-time Grand Slam champion has been chosen as one of the best dressed women of 2007 by Vogue. She tells the magazine,

"Whether I’m on a best or worst-dressed list, if I’m creative, step out a bit, take a chance, at least I know I’ve done something different.”

V joins Kate Bosworth, Kathryn Neale, Astrid Munoz, Georgina Chapman, Kelly Wearstler, Amy Greenspon, Caroline Sieber, Huma Abedin and Agyness Deyn on the elite list.

(via tennisweek.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Will Rafael Nadal be buzzing off his lovely locks?

Will Rafael Nadal be hacking off his trademark hair? That's the rumor we've been hearing around the tennis forums today. Apparently, in an attempt to clean up his supposed "bad boy" image, the Spaniard will be changing his look - adding sleeves to his sleeveless, raising the hemline on his pirate pants, and shaving off his cascading locks prior to Wimbledon. Clearly this makeover won't be happening at the Australian Open if he's really wearing the rumored Nike outfit we wrote about last week.

Okay everyone - a collective "NO!" We're hoping the rumor is just a rumor. We like the fact that Rafa stands out from the crowd and follows his own style. A bad boy he's not, but his looks gives him that edge, plus he's never had a hairy situation like some other players on the ATP Tour.

We guess we'll just have to wait and see...

(image via southernsalestt.com)

FASHION FIX: A preview of Nicole Vaidisova's Aussie Open '08 tennis gear

More Australian Open '08 fashion: Here's a preview of Nicole Vaidisova a.k.a. the future Mrs. Radek Stepanek's Reebok dress for the Aussie Open. The red colorway is nice - it helps take the boring design of the dress and make it interesting. But did they have to match the visor AND the racquet to the dress? Will she be wearing ruby red Reebok sneakers too??

We'd prefer more contrast in the outfit - it's all a bit overboard for our tastes.

(image courtesy of Talk Tennis via vaidisova-nicole.com)

FASHION FIX: A closer look at The Boris Becker Collection

Boris Becker made an appearance at the McFit Masters of Legends tennis tournament in Duesseldorf, Germany this week. The former Wimbledon champion battled John McEnroe and sported gear from his eponymous fashion line. We weren't so familiar with the collection so we clicked over to his site and check out the goods - and were we surprised.

The Boris Becker Collection is a full tennis line that not only includes apparel but also tennis racquets, tennis bags, strings, dampners, and even tennis balls! Though there are 3 fashion groups, we pulled highlights from our favorite: BB Retro Court - Black & White Collection. (We'd be fools to try to review the equipment so we'll leave it to What's All the Racquet.)

Boris Becker Collection logo

Polo Shirt pin stripe & Tennis Polo

Knitted Vest & Classic Shorts

FASHION FIX: Lleyton Hewitt enters the fashion game, looks to build a brand

Another tennis fashionista: Could you be wearing the above image on your tennis gear? Would you want to?? Lleyton Hewitt seems to think you will. The Aussie hot-head and his management team are in the process of developing and trademarking his famous "C'mon" battle cry and a logo based on the hand signal called "the vight" for branding purposes. Lleyton told Austrailan Tennis magazine,

"It's funny — I walk down the street and everybody says 'C'mon.' They copy me for doing my signal. I'm not quite sure how to describe that signal, there's no real word for it. So we've trademarked 'C'mon.'"

But the future Lleyton Hewitt brand won't be limited to tennis clothing.

"We're going to try and push ["C'mon"] as much as possible as my brand, and get it out there in the marketplace, make shirts for kids, golf shirts and different kinds of stuff like cargo shorts."

Lleyton wasn't the first tennis player to use "the vight" hand sign, however. It was invented in the 1980's by Niclas Kroon, an obscure Swedish tour player, and later made famous by Mats Wilander. The word "vight" is loosely translated to mean "for sure".

(via TheAge.com)

Holiday Surprise: Maria Sharapova's got a new hairdo

Maria "Shriek"apova is giving her fans a holiday surprise - a new 'do! Maria is working some serious bangs now - and we love it. It's clean, modern, and sophisticated. Here's the Russian fashionista decorating for the holidays with her pal Dolce from that ubiquitous Canon commercial.

Now, will this new hairdo go well with her rumored Australian Open Nike gear? Only time will tell...

(images via mariasharapova.com)

VIDEO VAULT: Rafael Nadal sharpens his acting chops for TIMEFORCE watches

We all knew Rafael Nadal could smack a tennis ball, but did you know he could act? We didn't until we saw these funny commercials the World No. 2 did for TIME FORCE concept watches where he has his own Rafa Nadal Exclusive Collection. His co-star in these spots is his 7' 1" countryman Paul Gasol who plays for the Memphis Grizlies NBA team. The two athletes are put to three different tasks involving a chihuahua, a sumo wrestler, a some friendly ball-bashing. The ads are in Spanish - but no worries, you'll get the gist.

Rafa seems surprisingly natural in front of the camera - second career, maybe?




( source)

SIGHTING: Anna Kournikova and Enrique Iglesias visit Paris, stop by Hermes

After taking a trip back home to Russia recently, Anna Kournikova packed up her bags for another overseas adventure. Joined by boyfriend Enrique Iglesias, the former tennis star hit up Paris and made a pit stop at the Hermes store for some holiday shopping.

We think she looks great - the best in a while. The black waistcoat, knee-high black boots, red leather satchel, leopard print silk scarf, and oversized sunglasses are all very flattering on the Russian fashionista.

(images via justjared.com)