Is Jamie Murray's hairy situation channeling John McEnroe?

Okay Jamie Murray - your hair is officially OOC - out of control.

The Brit baller, who lost in the first round of men's doubles and quarterfinals of mixed doubles at Roland Garros, is dealing with a massive hairy situation in Paris. Believe me, there's no headband in the world that can keep that mess on lockdown.

Could he be channeling John McEnroe circa 1980? You be the judge:


(image via Getty)

The Davis Cup Chronicles: Andy Murray takes heat over withdrawal, "It was a shock to me..." says brother Jamie

Battling brothers: Jamie Murray is giving his little brother a public spanking. Andy recently pulled out of Britain's upcoming Davis Cup tie, their first in the World Group in five years, versus the tough Argentinean team due to a right knee issue. At the time, the British No. 1 said,

"I am very disappointed not to be joining my Davis Cup teammates in Buenos Aires because I love playing for my country and have always enjoyed the team atmosphere of the Davis Cup. Since returning from Australia my knee is still bothering me and the experts have advised me that going from hard courts to playing 5 set matches on clay and then back to indoor hard courts could increase the chances of further injury, set me back even more, and I don’t want to take that risk."

John Lloyd, Britain's Davis Cup captain, was clearly disappointed at the prospect of losing his top baller but didn't sound completely convinced of Andy's intentions saying,

"I think he's very disappointed, he says he is, and we're waiting to hear from him. The team is very disappointed but what can you do? It's one of those things."

Now a surprised and irritated Jamie Murray has joined the public flogging, according to The Independent. The elder Murray talked to the press before this weekend's tie and said,

"It was a shock to me, and I think for the team it's also very disappointing, [...] It's a shame that he decided that it was best for him not to come here. It kind of affects the way we feel about him. [...] "From what I've heard he hasn't actually said that he was injured, it was more of a preventive thing, [...] If he really wanted to push himself, he probably could have come here to play the tie."

The Independent also mentioned that "it did not help his public relations that his own website showed him playing football with three friends last week." Now, lo and behold, Andy's site is showing photos of him getting treatment on the tender knee:


Hmmm - coincidence or conspiracy? Either way, family dinners at the Murray house just got a little bit uncomfortable. But we'd still take a seat at that table.

(images via BBC, AndyMurray.com)

FASHION FIX: Off the tennis court, on to the runway

Some of the ATP tour's finest dropped their tennis racquets and hit the runway in Montreal this week. A number of the top men's players took part in a fashion show during The Rogers Cup at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth Hotel on August 5.

Players who worked the runway included Jamie Murray, Marcos Baghdatis, Novak Djokovic, and James Blake.

Though all the guys look great dolled up, we really are speechless about the clothes the Djoker was forced to wear...a true fashion DON'T.

(images courtesy of Getty Images)

+ FRIDAY NETCORDS: Roger vs. Pete, Maria vs. Rafa...Annie Leibovitz shoots the Grafassi's, 2008 Olympics and more

- Catching up with the Grafassi's: Here are some active retirees. Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf are keeping busy these days. The tennis power couple are planning to build a $600 million dollar Fairmont resort hotel in Idaho, equipped with a rock-climbing wall, a machine that simulates kayaking, and a bowling alley, too. As if that weren't enough to keep the mulitple Grand Slammers busy, their mugs will be featured in an upcoming advertising campaign for Parisian fashion label Louis Vuitton along with former Soviet Union president Mikhail S. Gorbachev and shot by famed photog Annie Leibovitz.

- Tennis Diary says "B" girls (that's B-level players) need love too and can play some A-level tennis...what says you?

- John McEnroe and Maria "Shriek"apova were on hand to close out the Newport Beach Breakers tournament. Wanna see them play some doubles? Click here.

- 2008 Olympics update: The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour has agreed to allow players to accrue ranking points at the Olympics, and the total number of participants from a single country has been raised from 4 to 6 (a country can nominate 4 singles players and a separate doubles team if they choose.)

- On a break during the Bank of the West Classic this week Daniela Hantuchova played tennis, both real and the Playstation variety, with race car driver Bruno Junqueira, who is in town to compete in Sunday's third annual San Jose Grand Prix. Was a love connection made?

- Tennis tips from mom: Tennis mom Judy Murray, momma of both Andy and Jamie, explains hardcourt tennis, from how the court effects the ball to winning strategies on this unforgiving surface

- This weekend catch the ending of the World Team Tennis season, featuring the championship match between the Sacramento Capitals against the Springfield Lasers, on RadioTennis.com

- Rafael Nadal vs. Maria "Shriek"apova? It could happen at the inaugural Merdeka Tennis Challenge at the Malawati Stadium in Shah Alam on Nov 18-25. Roger Federer and Pete Sampras are scheduled to play a match, with Rafa's opponent being either Maria or Marcos Baghdatis, both of whom are expected to play exhibition matches.

- Peter Bodo wants to know which men's players you think are "Hott". Submit your list, in order of hottness, now...

(image courtesy of victoriax21)

Keepin' up with the Serbs: updates on Jelena, Novak, and Ana

The sensational Serbs are gearing up their games for a run at the last Grand Slam of the year, the US Open. World No. 3 and play-aholic Jelena Jankovic has been the quietest, taking a much needed vacation in Marbella, Spain. “After extremely exhausting, but very successful season, I decided to have a one-week rest from tennis and go on a deserved vacation," said Jelena. "I really needed it and I enjoyed it. Marbella is a wonderful place. Since my zodiac sign is Pisces, I spent most of the time on the beach and in the sea, went jet-skiing and swimming." I wonder if that makes Jelena compatible with her Aquarian mixed-doubles partner, and much rumored love interest, Jamie Murray? (image courtesy of Blic Online)

Meanwhile, men's World No. 3 Novak Djokovic has been competing at the Croatia Open this week and suffered a stunning loss to fellow Serb Viktor Troicki in the second round. "Of course I'm disappointed," said Djokovic, "but you have to turn the page and look ahead after such a loss." His next stop: the Montreal Masters on August 6.

Ana Ivanovic has become a non-stop media machine. The World No.5, who recently signed a lucrative deal to be the face of Peugeot in Eastern Europe and was profiled in USA Today and CNN's World Sports, is appearing in the newest issue of Interview magazine. Her next stop on the tour: The Rogers Cup on August 13. The global domination continues... (via AnaIvanovic.com)

Which one of the Serbians will win the first Grand Slam? My bet is on Ana Ivanovic. Tell us what YOU think.

Summer Lovers? Part 2

Their tennis love affair is blossoming. As we mentioned before, Scot Jamie Murray, Andy's older brother, and Serb Jelena "Weird Al" Jankovic paired up for mixed-doubles at this year's Wimby.


The rumors began to fly that the pair had more than tennis on their minds.


Here's an excerpt from The J's press conference after winning their semifinal match. Clearly they are getting serious:

Q. Is it true you've invited Jelena to Scotland for Christmas?

JAMIE MURRAY: Yes, it is true (laughter).

Q. Is this the first you heard of the invitation?

JAMIE MURRAY: When I asked you.

JELENA JANKOVIC: I heard it before. I didn't think he meant it seriously. Now it's serious (laughter). Okay, I'll think about it.

JAMIE MURRAY: She's playing hard to get.

JELENA JANKOVIC: He's trying too hard, though. But we're having a lot of fun. It's a great game that we are playing.

Love is in the air!

Also, a big CONGRATULATIONS from DowntheLine! to The J's for winning the mixed-doubles title at Wimby and to Jamie for being the first Brit to win anything at Wimby in 20 years (phew) - their relationship is off to a hot start...

Summer Lovers?

As Women's Tennis Blog reported, cutie Jamie Murray, Andy's brother, had asked Jelena "Weird Al" Jankovic to be his mixed-doubles partner at Wimbledon this year. Much to his suprise, after Weird Al's suprising defeat to semifinalist Marion Bartoli in the Wimby Round of 16 she decided to stick around and play with him...in doubles that is...











Don't they look like the happy couple? They're both keeping it cool publicly but The Guardian had this to say:

"Asked about the compliment [Jankovic] had paid him by playing [Murray] said: "I obviously didn't know if she wanted to stick around but she seemed happy enough. If I keep her smiling she'll keep playing with me."

And asked about equivalent names to those of Booty and Stretch (Murray's men's doubles combination with Eric Butorac) the sought-after answer emerged at once. "Beauty and Stretch," he said. Jankovic proffered no indignant response at that."

Hmmm...I spy summer love!

(images courtesy of Getty Images)