VIDEO VAULT: Even two priests can marry in Bjorn Borg's world

Bjorn Borg, who's been traveling Asia on the whirlwind Champions Tour, has just launched an online dating site "Love For All" which lives on his eponymous underwear website.

The tennis legend is promoting the new effort through a provocative viral video featuring the marriage of two priests.

Love for all? Hell yeah.

Check it:



(via Towleroad)

PHOTO OP: Champions arrive in Kuala Lumpur for exo - so what's James doing there?

The tennis season for most of the men ended this weekend so you know what that means: bring on the money-making exos!

Bjorn Borg, James Blake, Roger Federer, and John McEnroe arrived in Kuala Lumpur for the Showdown of Champions and attended the pre-match presser today. Last year, Fed + Pete Sampras traveled here during their much-heralded series of exhibition matches.

Call me crazy but doesn't James seem severely out of place here? He must be thinking the same thing. For some reason James and "champion" just don't have the right ring to it. I wish Rafael Nadal, who was the other choice besides the American baller, had made this exo - how incredible would that sight have been?

Oh well, it's a great opportunity for James to join these legends and makes some serious bank along the way. Win win!




(images via Getty)

Quote of the Day: Borg on Murray

I feel sure he will win one of the majors next year, and eventually become the No1.

- Bjorn Borg on Andy Murray

Pretty big endorsement, eh? But just remember, this is the guy that picked Roger Federer to win Roland Garros on the eve of this year's final then said it "wouldn't surprise" him if the Swiss retired next year after making the 5-time defending champ his third pick at Wimbledon.

A tennis legend does not a fortune teller make. Believe at your own risk.

(image via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Borg picks Fed as third favorite for Wimbledon. Is he still pissed about Paris?

Bjorn Borg is over Roger Federer and he's not afraid to show it.

The legendary Swede has shockingly put Roger Federer as his third favorite at next week's Championships behind Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, respectively. "I pick Rafael Nadal as the winner. My second choice is Novak Djokovic, and my third choice is Roger," said the 5-time Wimbledon champion.

And why, might you ask, did the Swede make such a public claim?

A year ago, I would have had Roger as my favourite, but that was then. Nadal and Djokovic are playing much better tennis than they were a year ago. I think that Roger is going to be the No 1 player at the end of the year anyway. But for him to beat those guys at Wimbledon, he needs to play much better than he did last summer. He knows that he is going to have to play some unbelievable tennis to win again. This is the most open Wimbledon in years.

Bjorn also said he wouldn't be surprised if the top-ranked Swiss followed his lead and hung up his Wilson racquets early, even by next year:

I think Roger will probably carry on playing tennis, but if he retired next year that wouldn't surprise me. He has been through so much, he has done so much, he has been professional, he's been working hard, he's been winning everything. It probably won't happen, but if Roger suddenly decides to retire that wouldn't shock me at all. People expect Roger to win the whole time, and that's both mentally and physically tiring. It's not going to be like it used to be, when he won almost every single match he played. That time has gone.

Has Bjorn lost his marbles or is he still reeling from the embarrassment of publicly choosing Fed as his pick for the Roland Garros title on the eve of that match? He picks Fed to win on his least favored surface then picks him to come in third where he's a 5-time defending, grass-loving champion.

It seems like passive-aggressiveness and/or fair-weather fandom. Either way, that sucks Bjorn.

(image via Getty)

Creators of Marc Jacobs tennis ad revealed - and they model too!

Mystery solved: The identity of the artists behind the hilarious site I wrote about mocking a Marc Jacobs Summer 2008 ad campaign and featuring tennis legends John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg have been revealed!

According to New York Magazine's fashion blog The Cut the site was created by Thomas Larsson and Greg Hart of creative firm Hart + Larsson and they had this to say about the idea:

We're Hart+Larsson. We're photographers, filmmakers, and advertising creatives. We call what we do The New Enthusiasm: an aesthetic movement (or philosophy) of sorts.

Borg+McEnroe is something we'd been wanting to do for a little while now. We thought it'd be interesting to adopt two generally well-known personas, style them, identify them as Borg and McEnroe, place them within a popular commercial context (the Marc Jacobs display ad), and then turn them loose. In a world dominated by replication and automation, we wondered whether or not we could create an 'authentic' Marc Jacobs ad. And we think we succeeded, for the most part. You know, in truth, we're not really sure anyone would naturally consider Juergen Teller to be a great photographer; perhaps he is, perhaps he's not — obviously, it's all rather subjective. We do know, however, that if one views his work within that instantly recognizable Marc Jacobs frame, one can't help but conclude that one is looking at the work of a master.

Geez - I can't help but be a little disappointed that these images aren't really part of an MJ ad campaign. One can dream.

(image via nymag.com)

You Cannot Be Serious: McEnroe + Borg featured in Marc Jacobs ad campaign?

Classic: Now THIS is how you mix tennis + fashion people.

I stumbled upon this hilarious spoof of a Marc Jacobs Summer 2008 ad campaign featuring John McEnroe + Bjorn Borg wannabes circa 1980. The spot was produced by someone called Mr. Teller and features our tennis legends in all sorts of scenarios and "risqué" poses. To see the full campaign, click here.



I wish this was a real MJ ad campaign - tennis really needs an injection of humor right now. Plus, I'd love to hear Bjorn's reaction...he looks like a man being a woman being a man.

Genius.


(image via thenewenthusiam.com)

+ THURSDAY NETCORDS: Roger, Andy vs. Brad II, Ana vs. Jelena ...Venus and Serena double up, Bec cries and more

(image courtesy of nbawant2b)

- So why did Andy Murray really dump Brad Gilbert? This is London claims his large entourage is to blame - more specifically, the presence of Mamma Murray aka Judy. According to their report, "A brilliant coach in her own right who has come up with more active title-winning players in her own family than the combined efforts of the Lawn Tennis Association put together, [Judy] still very much directs the traffic. Nobody knows the parts of her son's expansive game, or his complex psyche, better than she does. Since Murray came back from injury she has been present at the bigger events, such as the U.S. Open, the Davis Cup and the Madrid and Paris Masters." We bet the very vocal Gilbert wasn't thrilled to take the coaching back seat to Mamma Murray. Another coaching guru, Nick Bollettieri, doesn't believe one coach is sufficient in today's complex game. He tells The Independent, "I could envisage a team of three: a physical trainer, someone to work on his technique and someone to motivate him," said Bollettieri. Are you sure that's enough coach? We need that many just to get to our desk job everyday.

- Insider information: Listen in as Roger Federer quizzes Bjorn Borg on how to win the French Open, John McEnroe about his greatest tennis regrets, and then takes the hotseat as Borg and McEnroe ask the World No. 1 questions in the next Blackrock Champions podcast on Tuesday, Nov. 20th. To subscribe, click here.

- Serbian showdown: Top-5 players Ana Ivanovic and Jelena Jankovic will compete in an exhibition match in their home country at the Belgrade Arena on December 7th. The event called NAJJ Srbije will also feature Novak Djokovic and Janko Tipsarevic.

- The Sisters Sledge, Venus & Serena, will play doubles at the Aussie Open in 2008. Okay tournament officials, all together now, "CHA-CHING!"

- Young gun: 11-year-old Teertha Iska, India's No. 3 tennis player in the under-12 category and disciple of guru Nick Bollettieri, received her first corporate sponsor. Ah, to be 11 and loaded - those were the days...

- Rumors of pregnancy are swirling around Bec Hewitt, wife of Aussie hot-head Lleyton Hewitt, after the former actress broke down in tears giving a speech during her first official gig as ambassador of the Children's Hospital Westmead. We see the connection, really.

- Psych out: Anna Chakvetadze likes to play mind games on the court - with herself. The Russian top-tenner says, "I studied psychology at university, although I've not yet finished. [...] It helps you prepare properly for the match and when I'm playing I try to think about the next point and not the last one. I also make a point of fighting all the time as it puts pressure on your opponent when they see you don't want to give them any free points."

- Should Israeli players compete in Muslim countries? ESPN.com's Bonnie D. Ford investigates.

FASHION FIX: Bjorn Borg launches Golden Age underwear collection

The Bjorn Borg global brand is on the rise, or should we say low-rise. The tennis legend launched his latest collection of underwear - Golden Age - in Sydney, Australia this week. The runway show was presented by MTV Australia's Darren MacMullen and featured a full range of men's and women's undergear.

We're kinda feeling the men's pastel undies - now we need to work on the tan, ripped body and we're all set.

+ TUESDAY NETCORDS: Maria, Daniela, Bjorn vs. Andy...Tommy wants full disclosure, recycled tennis goods and more

- Full-disclosure: Tommy Haas is fanning the flames of controversy. The German tennis star has asked fellow players to start disclosing names after an unidentified German player accused another of match-fixing during a television interview. The player also claims he witness betting occuring in the players' lounge at tournaments. "It's time people start naming names, [...] Every day someone says something: Andy Murray, Werner Eschauer, Michael Llodra, Arnaud Clement, now someone anonymous. [...] I'm telling them, be concrete -- then we can undertake something concrete. All this talk isn't bringing us further."

- Slam success: Bjorn Borg believes Brit Andy Murray is in line for his first Grand Slam trophy - maybe sooner than we think. "Maybe he’s going to be the first British winning Wimbledon since Fred Perry," said the Swede. "I like the way he plays, I like his attitude."

- First there were wallets made from old tennis racket covers, and now come wallets made from old tennis balls. We're thinking we'll stick with our Marc Jacobs' version and leave the arts n' crafts to Martha "Ice Queen" Stewart. Speaking of homemade, check out these t-shirts of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal...

- Perfectly fine: What does Daniela Hantuchova give as the reason for her recent good form, placing her back into the top-10? "I have realized it is not necessary to be perfect," says the slender Slovak. "I was putting much too much pressure on myself. Now I am more relaxed and calm. I understand things better."

- Read up on the challenges of marketing a world-class athlete like Maria "Shriek"apova then find out what TENNIS mag writer Jon Levey thinks of Maria and all of her pet projects

+ FRIDAY NETCORDS: Roger, Dmitry, Marat, the fighting Hewitts...2008 Olympics news, David Beckham undresses and more

(image via smwarnke4)

- 2008 Olympics update: The surface for the '08 Olympics has been chosen - DecoTurf - which is the same surface used at the US Open. We know one player who is probably very happy about this decision: US Open champion Roger Federer who, surprisingly enough, has yet to sport the gold medal.

- Go vintage Borg in this reissued Matchday Jacket by Fila

- Meet DJ Dmi: Apparently Dmitry Tursonov can spin more than a tennis ball. The eccentric Russian is also a DJ and has posted his own mixes on his website. Check them out here!

- Should the tennis schedule revolve around having a "season" similar to baseball, football, or...football (soccer for our US readers)? ESPN.com ponders this question.

- Ain't no mountain high enough: Marat Safin is putting his tennis aside for another challenge. The 2-time Grand Slam winner is part of a Russian expedition team scheduled to climb Cho Oyu, the 8,201-meter (26,906 ft) mountain on the Nepal-Tibet border.

- We'll be sad to see you go, Guga, if you decide to hang up the rackets...

- The Hewitts are fighting: Never a dull moment in the Hewitt household, is there? The famous Aussie couple are being accused by Channel 7 program, Today Tonight, about failing to fulfill their commitment to building an orphanage in Cambodia.

- Are you suffering from having excess balls? Here are 17 innovate things you can do with the balls you've used and abused.

- Jon Wertheim is certainly making a name for himself. Not only does he cover tennis in-depth, the Sports Illustrated writer is interviewed here about his book on pool entitled "Running the Table".

- Mind over matter: Peter Bodo delves into the mind of Roger Federer to explore his uncanny ability to focus so intensely in the moment...very interesting.

- OFF TOPIC ALERT: Becks releases 2008 calendar, undresses for you

+ MONDAY NETCORDS: Daniela, Radek leaves Martina, Bjorn on Novak...Player progress report, Gwyneth Paltrow in W and more

(image courtesy of lynn.berenbaum)

- Heartbreak hotel: Czech Radek Stepanek calls off his engagement to Swiss star Martina Hingis and no reason has been given. Isn't the not knowing the worst part?

- The heir apparent: Ted Robinson says to Novak Djokovic: "This is your NOW." And Bjorn Borg believes the Djoker has Grand Slam written all over him.

- Pro tennis players are giving advice on how to stay healthy on and off the courts. Daniela Hantuchova says, "I think taking just as much time for regeneration as you do for practice, is the key to being healthy all the time," [...] "Most of it comes down to staying positive and being at balance with yourself - I think that can really help to prevent a lot of injuries."

- The much beloved, yet much maligned (read: Federer), Hawk-Eye line calling system will make its FED CUP debut in the upcoming final between mother Russia and defending champions Italy

- Progress report: Yahoo! Eurosport grades the players on their summer so far and, no surprise, the Serbians are head of the class

- Doing nothing to dispell the image of the pampered pro-athlete, the ladies of the WTA Tour will be receiving Caribbean hand and foot treatments, seaweed masques, facial cleansing, and more at The Rogers Cup this week, all courtesy of Aveda

- Scoring Serena: Here's a peak inside the player wheeling-and-dealing that goes on behind the scenes to get top players at tournaments

- Even World No. 1's have bad luck

- OFF TOPIC ALERT: Gwyneth is back...in W magazine (images courtesy of style.com)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: Justine & Jelena, Venus & Serena...Bjorn's undies, tennis blogs and more

(image courtesy of dean armstrong)

- Tennis Diary is keeping track of the continuing saga around the Masters Series musical chairs.

- Ted Robinson gives his opinion on the US Open Series so far and so does Tennis-X.

- World No. 1 Justine Henin and World No. 3 Jelena Jankovic have secured their spots in the season-ending WTA Championships in Madrid.

- On the Baseline discusses the champion mettle of Venus and Serena

- Fill in the blank: ________ is the key to success at the elite tennis level

- Legendary Bjorn Borg not only influences sneaker design, he makes underwear too!

- PHOTO OP: Boys will be boys (via TennisPlanet)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: Lindsay Pt. II, Bjorn, Lleyton rebranded...confessions, and more

- Don't call it a comeback, Part II: 3-time Grand Slam champ Lindsay Davenport has entered the doubles draw at the Pilot Pen, the tournament preceding the US Open.

- The rebranding of Lleyton Hewitt continues with the addition of Coach Roche

- "Confessions of a Tennis Stage Mom"

- Bjorn Borg, the champion and now the brand

- TOP 10 REASONS TO DATE A TENNIS PLAYER:

10. We have good ball control.
9. We can do it with two people or four.
8. We have good hands.
7. We grunt when the action heats up.
6. We know how to make a racket.
5. We can hit it from all angles.
4. We have the endurance to last 3 hours-straight!
3. We are good at giving and receiving.
2. We know just how to aim for the right spot.
1. We always start out with Love.