THE LOW DOWN: Did A-Rod's relationship break the camel's back with Connors?

Insider info: Doug Robson, who provided great coverage of the US' Davis Cup win last season for USA Today, is divulging some insider information on the Andy Roddick-Jimmy Connors split.

Apparently, the partnership hit an impasse when A-Rod was forced to choose between seeing swimsuit girlfriend Brooklyn Decker and meeting up with Connors. According to Robson's latest post,

Roddick wanted to stop in New York City on his way back so he could spend time with his squeeze, the blonde S.I. swimsuit model Brooklyn Decker. He asked Jimbo to come to the Big Apple to train. Connors told Andy he preferred him to come to his home in Montecito. It was a good old-fashioned standoff. Neither would budge. Not hard to imagine, is it: Two bull-headed champs standing their ground. Vexed that Connors wouldn’t be more “flexible” considering the princely sum he was paying the eight-time champ from East St. Louis, Ill., the two had a longer conversation about their working relationship, travel, commitment. One thing led to another and…Kaput.

Sex or tennis? Tennis or sex?? I guess we all know what won out.

(image via BBC)

THE LOW DOWN: Is Andy Roddick dating an SI swimsuit model?

Eye spy: Recently, tennis hottie Andy Roddick was spotted eating at uber-popular New York eaterie Nobu with a certain stunning Sports Illustrated swimsuit model, namely Brooklyn Decker. Previously, A-Rod dated star Mandy Moore (who watched him win the '03 US Open from the Player's Box) and has been linked to Russian Maria "Shriek"apova.

Apparently the pair went out twice last week and later hung out with coach Jimmy Connors, Dave Matthews Band violinist Boyd Tinsley, and Plum media’s Tom Scott.

Will Brooklyn be cheering A-Rod on during tonight's Marquee Matchup against World No. 1 Roger Federer? We'll be watching...

(via thehollywoodgossip; images courtesy of SportsIllustrated.com and Getty Images)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: A-Rod, Roger & Rafael sing...Monte Carlo saved, Tennis Planet hearts Lindsay Lohan and more

- Cheaters sometimes win: SI's Jon Wertheim provides his top-5 list of ways tennis players toe the line between gamesmanship and all out cheating. My personal favorite: "4. The fake "gimme": Jimmy Connors patented this move. At a non-critical juncture in the match, you concede a point to your opponent on a questionable line call, giving the impression you're an honest sportsman. Then at a crucial juncture, you hit a ball close to the line that's called unfavorably and then you appeal to him to return the favor." Ew, that's sneaky...

- How they got the 2 biggest male tennis stars to do this we'll never know. Want to see Roger Federer singing "Simply the Best"? Click here. Want to see Rafael Nadal sing "La Bamba"? Click here. Simply hysterical...

- Monte Carlo will keep its status as a Masters Series tournament after the organizers filed an antitrust lawsuit against the ATP in April over its plans to demote the event as part of a reshuffling of the calendar from 2009.

- Tennis Planet is a calling a split between Jimmy Connors and Andy Roddick "inevitable" due to the current state of Roddick's game. I'm not so sure they know what they're talking about over there. TP also thinks the women of the WTA Tour should act more like a certain freefalling partygirl of the moment. Get a grip.