Thanks to DtL reader Alfonso for sending me this hilarious pic of Richard Gasquet joined by two Miami Dolphin cheerleaders. There's talk the Frenchie headcase withdrew from his second round match against Albert Montanes in Miami today. Can anyone confirm?
Anyway, Reeshard looks like he has no idea what to do when sandwiched between two saucy, half-dressed, cleavage-popping cheerleaders. Oh wait - he figured it out:
Diego Junquiera was absolutely overwhelmed by a crotch-fondling Andy Roddick 6-1, 6-1 during their second round match in Miami. The match lasted all of 56 minutes - ouch.
Note to Diego: Sideshow Bob called and he'd like his hairy situation back. Ahora.
(image via getty)
Roger Federer made quick work of his opening match in Miami.
The Swiss stylist defeated qualifier Kevin Kim 6-3, 6-2 in the tourney's second round saving all five break points against his serve. Up next: veteran baller Nicolas Kiefer.
The Nike duds Fed's wearing remind me a lot of last year's spring offerings in terms of design: In '08 he wore the Sphere Cool React Polo and this year Fed's working another solid color polo shirt in white with contrast dark tan collar but this year's version also includes a contrast placket but no contrast banding on the sleeves. There's also a pop of turquoise on the inner placket, the head band, and wrist bands. Smart color combo for sure.
Last year's Dri-Fit Control Shorts have been replaced by the ubiquitous Spring Woven Short in dark tan with a white side stripe.
I'm not thrilled Nike has somewhat regurgitated the same style from last year but I guess there's only so much you can do with FedFashion (read: clean + classic). Also, I haven't found a retail outlet online who's selling these pieces. If you have any information, let me know! (UPDATE: click here to buy the polo and here for the shorts.)
BONUS: Here's the Swiss' shirt of choice for this year's Roland Garros - the Nike Federer French Open Classic Polo (most likely paired with the Spring Woven Short in the dark navy obsidian colorway with turquoise side stripe.)
UPDATE: Here are the shorts Fed will be wearing with the French Open Classic Polo above!
Andy Roddick was spotted getting his usual scratch on during a practice session in Miami today.
Now, A-Rod's crotch fondling is just as frequent as Rafa's butt picking. So which one is more, eh, distracting (read: which one are you gawking at the most)?
DO TELL!
See more images of A-Rod here.
(image via Queerty, courtesy of Splash News; The Lonely Sandpiper)
The Serbia Open isn't slated to debut until May but it already has its first controversy courtesy of - who else? - papa Srdjan Djokovic.
Niki Pilic, owner of the high-regarded Niki Pilic Tennis Academy where a 12-year old Novak Djokovic trained, has reportedly resigned from his position as Tournament Director of the upcoming tourney due to conflicts with Srdjan.
Via Blic (translated by Google):
Nikola Pilić, advisor to the Serbian Davis Cup team, resigned as one of the tournament directors of the Serbia Open, which will be held from May 2 to 10 in Belgrade.
Pilic, known tennis expert and owner of a tennis academy in Munich, decided he no longer wanted be a part of the first ATP tournament (450,000 dollars) in Serbia because of Srdjan Djoković.
“He (Srdjan Djoković) held a news conference a few weeks ago in Belgrade without consulting with me, and said things that he’s not eligble to say. I then called the ATP and asked them to release me as Acting Director of the tournament.” Nikola Pilić told the Evening Gazette.
Pilić’s conflict with Srdjan Djoković should not have consequences for his role with the Serbian Davis Cup team, because his professional commitments are to Novak, not his father.
Thanks to a suggestion by an anonymous DtL reader, 'mustached belly bump' is now part of the urban lexicon! Check out the page here.
Use it wisely...or not.
(image via urbandictionary.com)
So thanks to all the DtL readers out there who've been sending me news and gossip on Fernando Verdasco and his current dating merry-go-round involving Danish lady baller Caroline Wozniacki + actress Camilla Belle.
Both ladies were spotted in his baller box at Indian Wells but then there have been sightings and photos of Ferelle getting smoochy behind-the-scenes in the desert. Then, I read about Nando sitting in on Wozzi's practice sessions in Miami. WTF?!
So in homage of that FerFan in Oz: Whose paella's getting Nando's chorizo people?
DO TELL!
Maria Sharapova is still making the party and promo rounds in Miami even though she's not competing at the Sony Ericsson Open.
The Russian glamazon took part in a personal appearance at the Cole Haan store as part of a media and marketing blitz for the collection of accessories she and the Nike subsidiary collaborated on recently. The full collection is slated to debut in the fall.
I know most of you absolutely HATED her outfit from the SEO Baller Party (something about "M.C. Hammer" and "shit") but you have to admit Shrieka looks absolutely gorgeous here in this ensemble and fly-away hair.
See more images here.
(images via maria sharapova blog)
Rafael Nadal was spotted in his pre-tourney presser in Miami working one of his classic expressions ("Another stupid question, no?") and a new-fangled Nike hat with an interesting logo.
Hmmm - could this be the sign of a forthcoming Nike fashion line for the Mallorcan Matador in the same vein as Roger Federer's 'RF' brand? Inquiring minds def wanna know.
PS - It looks like he's still on the 11th green though NaturAna has smartly stayed away. Xisca's watching girl - just sayin'.
(image via getty)
The top ballers in the world gathered for the annual Sony Ericsson Baller Party last night at LIV Club in the Fontainebleau Hotel.
The big trend for the ladies? Bold animal prints. Some did it well while others did it questionably. The boys stayed conservative with button-down shirts, suit/jackets, and jeans.
Amidst weeks of swirling rumors, Kim Clijsters officially announced her return to the WTA Tour today in Bree, Belgium after nearly two years away.
The former top lady baller told the press she's ready for what lies ahead:
The hunger is back. I look forward to the challenge. I want to be back at my peak as soon as possible, but I know that is not logical to ask that. I will have to take it match by match.
It all started with preparing for the gala match at Wimbledon. It was all pretty laid back. But I liked it so much I was onto my training schedule from my pro days, and then the hunger for more came automatically.
Roger Federer was spotted flashing his Mustached Belly Bump during a practice session at Crandon Park in Key Biscayne for the Sony Ericsson Open. It seems Svetlana Kuznetsova joined the former No.1 during the session (couldn't hurt faltering game I suppose.)
Okay, not usually a fan of MBB's but at least Fed's doesn't make me want to throw up chunks like David Nalbandian's or Vince Spadea's. I mean, theirs even smiled back. GROSS.
See more images below + here.
PS - Thanks to LynnLovesTennis!
(images via justjared.com)
Serena Williams was spotted at her Miami pre-tourney presser pimping out her new Signature Statement line of accessories today.
Note to ReRe: This is a press conference for the Sony Ericsson Open, not the Home Shopping Network. I know it's confusing but trust me.
I guess a girl's gotta eat, though.
(image via getty)
Andy Roddick was spotted at his Macy's Dadeland meet-and-greet at the Lacoste shop yesterday working another, albeit old-school, hairy situation.
It so reminded me of the hideousness that is Fernando Verdasco's hairstyle right now.
So whose situation is hairier: A-Rod or Nando?
DO TELL!
(images via getty, pacific coast news)
Missed the Point? Well, you know what? It missed you, too! VANtage Point is back at Down the Line! after skipping a week due to the length of the BNP Paribas Open. The same is probably going to happen for the Sony Ericsson Open, which is kicking off today. But we’ll worry about all that later; right now it’s VP time!
A Look Back: Who wudda thunk it, Vera Zvonareva taking a big title? I’m glad to see her pull it off, even if she had to take out my pick, Ana Ivanovic, to do it. On the men’s side, Rafael Nadal beat Andy Murray easily. Both of those guys took out my picks for the finals, Andy Roddick and Roger Federer, respectively, in the semis. All in all, I’m not too disappointed with my tournament calls: Six out of eight possible semifinalists is all right (plus the Victoria Azarenka over Dinara Safina pick), but I have to get some champs right before I get put on notice here!
This Week’s Spotlight: While it was tempting to break down the draw at the men’s Challenger in Khorat, Thailand, I can’t ignore the “Fifth Slam” taking place in Miami, the Sony Ericsson Open (I’m so old school, I still think of this as the Lipton). The defending champs are Nikolay Davydenko, who’s still laid up with injury, and Serena Williams, who owns this event. The gangs are pretty much all here with Nadal and Williams leading the way as the top seeds.
Players to Watch: Let’s start with the women. I think you have to take a look at the Williams sisters first of all. Skipping Indian Wells hasn’t hurt Serena and Venus here in the past, and I think they’re capable of big runs. Then there’s a group of three players I’m going to lump together: Safina, Elena Dementieva and Jelena Jankovic. For some reason or another, they haven’t maintained their high level of play that they had over the past six months. I can see all of them falling fairly early. And will Ivanovic and Zvonareva’s good form continue? As far as lower-seeded players go, watch out for Dominika Cibulkova.
For the men, I just want to say this first: I picked him to make the semis last week in Indian Wells and he fell early, but if Jo-Wilfried Tsonga doesn’t do that this week, then I’d say he’s slumping. The highest-ranked player he’d have to face is Novak Djokovic, who he seems to own now. And I think you have to have your eye on Roger Federer. Provided he gets by Roddick in the quarters, he should have a good shot to the finals.
The Final Fours: For the women, I’m taking Serena over Venus and Ivanovic over Svetlana Kuznetsova (remember her?) As far as the guys go, you’d think these guys should only meet in finals now, but I like Nadal over Murray, and in the other half, Federer over Tsonga.
And the Winners Are: Everything goes right for Serena here and there’s no reason it shouldn’t continue. On the men’s side, I’m taking Nadal over Federer. Again, there’s no VANtage Point next week, but it’ll be back just in time for the clay-court season to really kick off!
Van Sias writes the blog Tennis Talk, Anyone?
(images via getty)
* Bobby Reynolds gives us the low down on the un-glamorous life of a lower-ranked baller including having to fly around the world in coach. Egads - coach?! Talk about slumming. Good thing I chose blogging. [NY Times]
* Kamakshi Tandon takes a gander at the ladies' Miami draw and she thinks the usual suspects will reign [ESPN]
* Tennis is the fastest growing sport in the U.S. among traditional sports. *faints* [USTA]
* Which rising lady baller said the following: If people spend some time with me they call me crazy, but in a good way. I paint my nails every three days. I have my nail polish with me – about 20 bottles of nail polish. I like shopping also. [Tennishead]
(image via getty)
According to TENNIS' ticker:
WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott is resigning in order to become commisoner of the Pac-10 Conference, Pete Bodo has learned. An official announcement is expected this evening.
WTA Tour CEO Larry Scott has announced that he will leave his post on July 1 order to become commissioner of the NCAA's Pac-10 Conference.
"With women’s professional tennis more popular than ever, the Tour in the strongest business position in its history and a fantastic senior management team in place, now is the right time for me to embrace a new challenge consistent with my family and personal goals, and leave room for the next generation of Tour leadership to take on new responsibilities,” said Scott in a statement.
The WTA said its Board of Directors will "determine selection process for next Chairman and CEO in due course" and "Scott will work with the Tour Board on the selection process."
Rafael Nadal + Ana Ivanovic were spotted putting on the 11th green at Crandon Golf in Key Biscayne today as part of another promo for the Sony Ericsson Open.
Anyone else think Rafa would kill to have Ana's outfit on right about now? Oh the memories...
(image via Marc Serota/Getty Images for Sony Ericsson)
Venus Williams debuted a new EleVen dress during a photo call for the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami today.
The 7-time Grand Slammer was joined by Indian Wells finalist Andy Murray and the pair displayed their skills while standing on the hoods of two cars. No, seriously.
Anyway, back to the dress. While I'm absolutely thrilled the Goddess Dress has been put to pasture, this dress is horrid. V gets points for trying something different with the tie-dye moment but what's up with the strange triple-tiering? It looks like she took leftover materials for another dress and stapled them on. Plus, the area where her boobs should be is all mushy and looks like it's stuffed with beanie babies. Not flattering.
Check out more pics from the photo call below.
(images via getty)
