PHOTO OP: The Majorcan Multi-tasker downs Viktor in New York

Rafael Nadal was spotted multi-tasking during his straight-set win over Serb Viktor Troicki at the US Open today.

Wow - icing his head while downing a banana? The Majorcan Matador sure is talented (watch the innuendos people.)

The men's draw is in serious trouble.

(image via Getty)

Katarina serves another third round stunner, ousts Sveta in New York

Apparently, Katarina Srebotnik had more third round stunners in store this year.

It was at the French Open this year where the Slovenian shocked a lackadaisical Serena Williams, knocking the 8-time Grand Slammer out in the third round.

Today Kat continued her giant-killing ways ousting 2004 champ Svetlana Kuznetsova 6-3, 6-7 (1), 6-3 in the US Open's third round. She'll take on either Patty Schnyder or Magdalena Rybarikova for a place in the quarterfinals.

As for Sveta she was, of course, last year's finalist so she'll be taking a big hit in the ranking bank - not good.

(image via Getty)

Quote of the Day: JJ on her fitness

As long as I'm doing the splits, that means I'm healthy. I'm doing good. When I'm not doing the splits, you know there's something wrong. I'm not too sure about my body. If I go into a split, who knows if I'll come back up, you know?

- Jelena Jankovic on her fitness at the US Open

Power shots, doing splits, taking naps - JJ has all kinds of trickery to throw at her opponents. How could she not win her first Grand Slam this fortnight?

(image via Getty)

Ana performs the 'Serbian Slide', falls to 188th ranked lady baller

Oh this is an embarrassing one: Ana Ivanovic continued her horrendous second half of the season at the US Open today.

The struggling Serb was unceremoniously booted from the second round 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 by Frenchie qualifier Julie Coin, a 25-year old ranked 188th in the world - ouch! Julie was also playing in her first Grand Slam tourney EVER - double ouch!!

Clearly Ana was way off her 'A' game and was lacking match play and practice. But seriously, she should've been able to wrangle this Frenchie journeywoman with her 'Z' game, right?

A sad state of affairs for the top lady baller - well, the top lady baller for now.

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Venus rolls over Rossana, debuts EleVen day dress

Venus Williams looked all the part of a 7-time Grand Slam champion today. The 28-year old crushed Paraguay's Rossana De Los Rios 6-0, 6-3 in the US Open second round and will next face Alona Bondarenko of "The Flying Bondarenko" sister act.

So V already debuted the all-black Wimbledon EleVen dress for her night matches in New York. For her day matches, the tennis fashionista is working an all-white tank dress with yellow piping around the neckline and a matching yellow tie-waist belt.

It's a cute summer number with just enough color to give it pop - nice.

(images via Getty)

Quote of the Day: Serena on Sasha

He’s a Libra and I’m a Libra.

- Serena Williams on why she and hitting partner, Aleksander "Sasha" Bajin, get along so well.

I love it ReRe. In fact, Libras and Aquarians, my sun sign, are supposed to get along swimmingly. Let's hang!

(image via Marilynn K. Yee/The New York Times)

VIDEO VAULT: Warming up with shirtless Tommy Haas

The ATP has launched a new section on their site called "ATP Form & Fitness" that covers different baller's physical training methods, drills & tactics, injury management, and nutrition.

In one of my fave videos shirtless wonder Tommy Haas, who'll face Gilles Muller in the US Open second round, shows us some of the warm-up drills he's using in New York involving footwork shuffles, football throwing, and of course lots o' skin. Drool much?

Check it:



(video via ATP)

(UPDATED) A-Rod splits with coach John, may need head shrinker now

Andy Roddick and his coach, brother John Roddick, have officially ended their professional relationship.

After his first round win over Fabrice Santoro, the former US Open champ told the press,

We just met in Washington afterwards, and, you know, I think John's, he's been feeling the effects of the road for a little while. When we first got together, it was temporary, you know. And he was kind of just helping me out and was going to help, and then all of a sudden it's two‑and‑a‑half years later. I think he was spent, and I was struggling, and so it was a very ‑‑ it was an easy conversation, you know. He was just like, "I'm kind of tapped," and it's pretty intense day to day, and I'm pretty intense day to day. It's probably not the easiest.

But he's been here the whole time, and we've been hanging out, so it's not too big of a deal, and we'll always be brothers. It wasn't a long, drawn out, dramatic conversation. It was something he got to before I did.

Patrick McEnroe has temporarily stepped in to fill the role during the US Open.

Why, oh why, can't he stay off the coaching merry-go-round? Obviously, the common denominator here is A-Rod so I'm thinking there's no coach in the world who can fix that problem.

But I bet a sports shrink could...

UPDATE: Check out this recent interview Doug Robson did with Jimmy Connors. They go into some detail about his stint with A-Rod and Jimmy's belief that the tools are there, but the mind may not be willing. Very insightful.

(image via Getty)

Nole rolls ankle - but what else could be bugging him?

Novak Djokovic managed to pass his first round test at the US Open but not without some battle scars.

Last year's finalist looked strong in dismissing Frenchie veteran Arnaud Clement 6-3, 6-3, 6-4 but rolled his ankle during the match. Nole told the press all will be fine with it saying,

Well, the [ankle is] okay. It's going to be good in two days, I'm sure. After that happened, I was thinking more of it than I was really actually feeling the pain, so it's not really a big deal. But in that certain moment, I felt big pain, so I just had to tape the ankle.

But it's going to be all right.

I guess we'll all see how the Serb recovers in his next match, but the ankle issue coupled with a rumored stomach problem aren't great signs for Nole.

(image via Getty)

Quote of the Day: JJ on Arvidsson match

I would have loved to, you know, take a nap on court, because I was really exhausted. But, you know, the rules are the rules. I had to keep going.

- Jelena Jankovic about lying down during her win against Sofia Arvidsson

Ah-ha! I told you guys JJ was working Reebok sleepwear. Still wanna pass on that Grand Slam slumber party now?

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Bethanie beats Marta in lingerie, slumber party may be next

Bethanie Mattek is hoping she can match her Wimbledon moment from this summer where she made the fourth round of a major for the first time. The American baller struggled mightily but prevailed against Poland's Marta Domachowska 6-7 (9), 7-5, 6-4.

So it seems Bethanie has reverted back to her freaky fashion ways opting for some lingerie-looking number from bebe.

Maybe she and fashion BFF Jelena Jankovic, who's also working sleepwear this fortnight, should host a Grand Slam slumber party. Boys are optional, of course.

(image via USOpen.org)

SIGHTING: A tale of two Tommys - who's hotter?

A handsome Tommy Haas was spotted signing autographs for lucky fans after his big 5-set win over Frenchie headcase Richard Gasquet in the US Open first round.

And, thanks to DtL reader Isa again for tipping me off to the sexy German baller giving some other lucky fans a shirtless show during a practice session over the weekend:


I can't tell which Tommy is hotter - help!

(image via Getty, USOpen.org)

PHOTO OP: Smeets suffers hairiest of situations in loss to Fish

Aussie qualifier Robert Smeets battled gamely against Mardy Fish but eventually fell 7-6 (4), 6-7 (3), 6-3, 6-4 to the American baller.

Honestly, this has to be one of the hairiest situations I've EVER seen. Believe it or not, I'm speechless.

(image via USOpen.org)

FASHION FIX: Venus works lucky EleVen Wimby dress in black for US Open

Venus Williams made her debut last night at the US Open. The 2-time champ dismissed the big-serving Aussie Samantha Stosur 6-2, 6-3 and will face Paraguay's Rossana De Los Rios in the next round.

V also debuted the black version of the lucky EleVen dress she wore during her championship run at Wimbledon this summer. The color is definitely great for her night matches in New York - very fitting.

But I'm still curious about where she's going to sell these EleVen duds now that Steve & Barry's is gonners. I guess we'll have to wait and see.

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Ana escapes defeat and embarrassing style moment in New York

Ana Ivanovic almost made history but for all the wrong reasons at the US Open today. The sweet-swingin' Serb narrowly escaped becoming the first women's top seed to lose in the first round when she defeated Russian Vera Dushevina 6-1, 4-6, 6-4.

It seems Ana also escaped having to wear the dreaded adidas "lady finger" dress in that drab grey-brown color with orange piping. This outfit, while not the most original I've ever seen (especially since she wore the all-white version at Wimby), it's a much better choice. When in doubt, keep it simple.

I guess if you're the top lady baller in the world you have the option to dump your sloppy seconds onto a young, unsuspecting up-and-comer like Caroline Wozniacki, shoes and all:


(images via Getty)

FASHION FIX: The mystery behind the Matador's missing Nike gear revealed!

The mystery behind Rafael Nadal's new, but missing, Nike gear during his first round match has been solved!

Thanks to DtL reader eesha for tipping me off to this Wall St. Journal article which discusses the disappearance of his duds yesterday.

Here's the explanation straight from the Matador's mouth:

I am excited about evolving my on-court apparel with Nike to a polo and shorter-length short. For the U.S. Open, however, we collectively decided I would continue wearing the apparel I've been competing in all year. It's a decision we made based on the limited time I've had to practice in the new apparel between the Olympics and the U.S. Open.

The article also mentions Rafa is "ready to bid farewell to the adolescent muscle T-shirts and Capri-style pants that had garnered nearly as much renown as his lightning strokes and adopt a more traditional tennis look."

Okay die-hards. You still have your tried-and-true Rafa for one more major. Enjoy it while it lasts...

(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Battle of the two Marats - who's hotter?

A super-sexy Marat Safin was spotted taking part in tonight's US Open 40th anniversary celebration during the major's opening ceremony. Also, thanks to reader Isa from Belgium who sent in the right image of the shirtless brigade member getting in some practice over the weekend.

Hmmm - not sure which way Marat looks the hottest - clothed or not? I guess we can't complain either way. *swoon*

(image via Getty + Isa)

SIGHTING: Anna Wintour attends opening ceremony - is she scoping out a new obsession?

Well, well - it looks like the stalkeratti have officially arrived on the grounds of the US Open.

Fed-fiend Anna Wintour was spotted on the red carpet tonight for the official opening ceremony celebrating the US Open's 40th anniversary and its significance as the first tournament of the Open Era.

Rumor has it the Vogue editrix is searching for a new obsession now that her Swiss stylist is no longer the top baller in the world. Whatever - I think she's to blame for distracting Fed with free fashion and photoshoots (Mirka comes in a close second IMO.)

Beware Rafa...don't fall for her trickery!

(image via Getty)

FASHION FIX: Fila feeling feminine at the US Open

Fila looks to be stepping up their fashion game in a big way at this year's US Open.

Svetlana Kuznetsova, Tatiana Perebiynis, and Karin Knapp were all spotted working some of the sports brand's newest looks today. It seems Fila has decided to add more feminine touches including piping, ruffles, layering, and tiering.

My fave here is Tatiana's periwinkle tank dress followed by Sveta's color block wrap-skirt moment. I'm not exactly sure what Karin's outfit is doing, though - I like the two pieces separately (especially the skirt) but together they seem disjointed.

But, otherwise, good looks Fila.

(images via Getty)

Quote of the Day: Elena on Beijing win

People just come to me and say, 'Oh, I'm happy for you. You're always losing in the final. It's so great that you finally win something big.'

- Elena Dementieva on Russian fans' reactions to her gold medal moment in Beijing

Oh Elena - you make me giggle. I think the whole tennis world is happy you finally came up big when it mattered. But I don't think we can say the same about this hideous Yonex mess you're working here.

Is there a medal below bronze for this? Anyone??

(image via Getty)

Diamonds are a girl's best friend - just ask Asia

Ladies, gentlemen, and those in between - please meet the stunning Asia Muhammad, a junior standout from Andre Agassi's Las Vegas Academy. Asia is making her pro debut at the US Open today. Congrats!

And what prize does a 17-year old get on the biggest day of her newborn professional tennis career? Why a pink Prince racquet adorned with her initial "A" made out of $1,750 worth of diamonds above her grip:

How fancy. But word to the wise: you're in the bright lights of New York - watch your back...and your racquet!

(image via Getty)

VIDEO VAULT: A-Rod does Nole good

Okay fine - not exactly the way I'd always imagined it. But Andy Roddick does get a measure of revenge on Novak Djokovic and his notorious baller impressions during Arthur Ashe Kids' Day at the US Open. Good stuff!

Check it:



(video via RoddickWatch.blogspot.com)

SIGHTING: James + John hit up Men's Vogue party

James Blake and longtime musician-friend John Mayer were spotted at a party thrown for the American baller by Men's Vogue.

Okay, talk about a hot shot. But seriously, who dressed James? I thought this was a party. I think John's thinking the same thing. Shameless!

(image courtesy of Patrick McMullen via NYMag.com)

Rafa + Fed talk tennis inspiration with Don King at "Grapple in the Apple"

Boxing legend Don King joined Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in New York for Nike's "Grapple in the Apple", an event to celebrate the US Open and one of tennis' great rivalries.

Both ballers posed in their latest Nike duds and then answered questions from the press on their Olympic experiences. But there were no surprises when asked who they turn to for inspiration in the game.


"The Matador of Spin" responded,

Well for me it’s very easy, no? These years, I always have one person in front of me who is better than me in everything. When I look at Roger in front of me all the time, he has a better forehand, a better backhand, better movement…always in front of me.

For his part, "The Magician of Precision" explained,

For me it's been trying to stay on the top. All the challengers I've had over the years. Agassi, Hewitt, Roddick, and now Rafa. I think this is definitely one of the great great rivalries I've ever been in. He is definitely the one who is pushing me the hardest to improve as a player in order to stay ahead of him. He got me in the end, but obviously I'm going to try to get back.

Much respect between these two champs as usual.

Big thanks to Cristina for covering the event and taking these great photos!