Martina Hingis at pre-Wimbledon party

Marty, Marty, Marty...what's going on? First of all, the Swiss Miss is WAY underdressed, especially next to the Sisters. Her top looks like Pucci gone so wrong - and she looks butch. I'd suggest a total makeover and a consultation with Venus on what bangs can do for a girl (see earlier post.) She's all forehead!

But, I do love your game, Marty.

(image courtesy of WTA and Action Images)

Wimbledon 2007: Men's Contenders

So I have to admit, I do love the women's game more than the men's - maybe it's the fashion, the drama, the intrigue, the grunting - who knows. Regardless, SI's resident tennis guru Jon Wertheim has offered his 2 pennies on the top contenders in the men's draw so I must offer mine...

TOP CONTENDERS:

Roger Federer - Should we even bother? I'd like to pretend there's some drama in the men's draw, but it seems Fed Ex will steamroll once again. How about this: will Nike finally give Federer the pants to go with the silly jacket he wore to Centre Court last year?

Rafa Nadal - Rafa may have muscled his way into last year's big dance, but the Mallorcan matador won't repeat this year. He's a pleasure to watch (in more ways than one, right?) and I love his fight, but his big wind-up forehand, usually a weapon, will be his undoing.

Andy Roddick - A-Rod is usually the 2nd best grass-court player on the ATP tour, but stumbled last year in what may have been his worst Grand Slam performance (losing to Britain's Andy Murray in a 3rd round beatdown.) He just won Queen's Club for the 4th time, so he looks to be back on track for a good run at Wimby this year.

Novak Djokovic - I love the Djoker! He's super cute, super fun, and dripping with...talent. He has a spotty grass-court record at best so he'll be the major wildcard. If he plays like he has all year and keeps his head on straight, he could make a major run. Go Djoko!


DARK HORSE:

I'm giving my dark horse shout-out to James Blake. Get the monkey off your back already, geesh. You should be a great grass courter so act like one. You're a really, really nice guy but put that aside, grab your balls, and show the field what you've got. Time is NOT on your side. Happy hitting!

Sisters Sledge at pre-Wimby party

Thanks to Corn Beef Hash Marks for tipping us off to the pre-Wimby party sponsored by Virgin.

I really love Serena's 'do - it makes her look much more feminine and red is a good color for her. I LOVE Venus' bangs and all black get up with gold accessories. She always looks elegant.

(photos courtesy of WTA and Action Images)

Wimbledon 2007: Women's Contenders

Since Tracy Austin has finally given her picks for the top women contenders for the big W, I'd like to offer my own if I may...

TOP CONTENDERS:

Justine Henin - The Mighty Belgian, fresh off her 4th French Open title, is hungry for the one trophy that would seal her place in the record books with a career Grand Slam. Maybe just as important to Henin, a win at The Big W would put her 1 slam behind archrival Serena "ReRe" Willaims and the bragging rights as best of their generation. Don't think that's not on either of their minds, so let the games begin!

Maria Shriekapova - Oh Shrieka. What has become of your year? You started off 2007 fresh off your title run at the U.S. Open and with the chance to become THE dominant player this year. Then...WIPEOUT at the hands of ReRe Williams in The Aussie Open final. But you had your best showing at Roland Garros (semis) so you must've been feeling good - until you lost the final of the Birmingham on grass to...

Jelena "Weird Al" Jankovic - Weird Al is having a career year. I do hope she breaks through at a Slam this year. I love her game and her personality on the court, though I think she hides her fear of the pressure by showing a super casual attitude (a la Kimmie Clijsters). If she can truly confront the pressure, this could be her Slam to lose.

Serena Williams - No one gives good drama like ReRe. She has proven she can come from nowhere-ville and take out the best in the world. Not much else to say!

DARKHORSE:

Although I would've picked Ana Ivanovic as my dark horse, she just suffered a horrible, out of left field loss to Dani Hantuchova with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-1. My dark horse is now Nicole Vaidisova - she's been struggling of late but she's due for a breakthrough. With her big power game and solid serve, I see her rounding into form and giving the top players the shakes.

Hitting with Hipsters

I'm not a huge gaming person by any means, but I hear Wii Tennis is totally fun. Although I much prefer to play outdoors (and simulating my tennis moves in an NYC apartment is asking for trouble) I could be convinced. That's why I may go check out this weekend's Wiimbledon tournament in Williamsburg, Brooklyn USA. This tourney is a non-profit tournament run by Brooklyn residents Steve Bryant and Lane Buschel. It's taking place on Saturday, June 23 from 11am until 5pm at Barcade (388 Union Ave. 718.302.6464).

If you're registered to play (all spots are taken), you can brush up on those rusty groundstrokes at the Wii Sports blog, or just come and watch those hipsters battle it out - super skinny jeans and all.

+ Netcords

- "Super" Mario Ancic of Croatia and Li Na of China are the lastest victims of the injury bug that's sweeping the Big W. If I'm right, that's 11 total victims. Who's next???

- Off the Baseline has posted a list of interesting nuggets about Wimbledon history for all the fact fiends out there.

- Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferrero has recently opened a luxe 12-suite hotel in Valencia, Spain. I guess he's had some spare time since winning titles isn't on the agenda anymore - oh!

+ Netcords

- The seeding for Wimbledon has been set. Keep an ay-yay-yay out for my DOWN THE LINE seed report later in the week...

- Tennis Week reports that The "Sisters Sledge" Venus & Serena Williams will be cracking forehands (hopefully between the lines this time) with special-edition Wilson racquets made with serious bling. Serena will play with a pure black frame and Venus with a pure white version, both featuring real 22 CARAT GOLD leaf laid into the frame.

- Tennis.com's James Martin posted his "What to Watch at Wimbledon" report - I have my sights set on #1, #5 and #7

- Powerhouse Justin Henin has given up her fave late-night snack - Belgian chocolates - for the good of her game, reports The Independent.

Rafa sighting #2

Check it: a woman takes her chance and smacks that famous Spanish booty after his win at the French - ay!

Shriekapova's Wimby fashion preview

I love fashion so I always get excited when a Grand Slam is coming. Usually that means really cool, interesting looks for the ladies. Usually. But I've just seen this preview of Shriekapova's Wimbledon dress and I have one word: yawn. Isn't she supposedly the Madison Ave., "I'm so pretty" fashionista of the tennis world? What's going on Shrieka?? I expected more than this sundress. I like the tiering and all, and I understand that having to wear white (Wimbledon rules) is limiting, but how about something interesting like a deep drop v in the back, a flirty skirt and top combo (think Stella McCartney for Adidas), some cleavage, sumthin??

Let me know what you think!

+ Netcords

- Vera Zvonareva has withdrawn from Wimbledon with a wrist injury, making the Russian the 9th player to drop out of the 3rd Grand Slam of the year

- Serbian beauty and French Open finalist Ana Ivanovic is giving a sneak peek into her tennis fashions for Wimbledon and the U.S. Open on her website.

- Spanish star Tommy Robredo bares all to help raise awareness of prostate and testicular cancer.

- The "Sisters Sledge",Venus & Serena Williams, have been given a late wild-card to play doubles at Wimbledon.

Age of Disappointment

Did anyone happen to check out the debut of the reality show, Age of Love, starring Mark Philippoussis? Really?? No worries, mate - seems like no one else did either. Apparently, the tennis hottie's new show lost 40% of lead-in Deal or No Deal's audience - ouch.

Could it be he offended his biggest audience? When asked about the characteristics of the female contestants in a recent interview, Philipoopoo, who's been linked romantically with everyone from Paris Hilton to Anna Kournikova, responded:

"Cougars are comfortable with who they are. And they're a lot more comfortable with their sexuality," he says. "And in many ways, they were just as much fun, maybe even more fun" than their cattier young rivals.

Not the kind of fellow you want to bring home to mom - unless mom's a cougar, I guess.

Rafa sighting!

Real Madrid match or Scientology convention?

+ Weekend Winners

DFS Classic - Jelena "Weird Al" Jankovic d. Maria Shriekapova 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. I think Janko beating Shriekapova, a former Wimbledon winner, on grass is a pretty significant win for the raven-haired Serbian. I'm a big fan of her game, so if she can keep her marbles together at 4-all in the 3rd set of the Wimby semifinals a maiden Grand Slam title is possible. Otherwise the "choke-master" label is not out of the question, with her devastating loss to Justin Henin at the U.S. Open last year (where she was up a set and a break) and her apathetic losses at the Aussie and French Opens this year.

Queen's Club - Andy Roddick d. Nicolas Mahut 4-6, 7-6 (7), 7-6 (2). It's good to see A-Rod fighting to win a title! He's definitely one of the best on grass, so this should be a good confidence booster for him. He's too good not to have added to his first Slam at the U.S. Open (although, to be fair, he's living in the 'Federer Years'.) He joins Lleyton Hewitt, John McEnroe, and Boris "Baby Daddy" Becker as 4-time winners at Queen's Club.

Gerry Weber Open - Tomas Berdych d. Marcos Baghdatis 7-5, 6-4. Too bad for the Baghster, losing on his 22nd birthday. But Tomas is so talented, yet so streaky (and much prettier than his girlfriend Lucie Safarova, actually.) He could do damage at The All-England Club with his power game but one never knows which Tomas will show up. Berdych has the skills to beat anyone on a good day, but those come few and far between for the Czech player.