VIDEO VAULT: What's up with Tati these days?

For those of you (you know who YOU are) who've been asking about Tatiana Golovin, this video is for you. The Frenchie lady baller is still on injured-reserve with a back injury but is hoping to get back in full health.

Enjoy her while you can boys (and girls)!

(via SEWTA)

MEDIA MASHUP: Tati, Dani, and Kiri featured in Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Issue

The Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Issue featuring Tatiana Golovin, Daniela Hantuchova, and Maria Kirilenko has been released and showcases the lady ballers on the beaches of the Dominican Republic working designer swimwear.



SI.com has also provided some behind-the-scenes footage of the shoots with the ladies.

CHECK IT:





Click here for more images from the Swimsuit Issue. Tati, Dani, + Kiri also sat down for an interview with the mag (click on their name to read the piece.) The most memorable lines?

Tati: Who's your dream guy? "I think I found one. I've been dating my boyfriend for a year." [Arsenal midfielder Samir Nasri].

Dani: Every girl has her dating checklist. What are your top three deal breakers when dating? "I don't like when the guy is late, speaks only about himself and doesn't open the door for me."

Kiri: People have said that I look like..."Not sure who do I look like, but people say I look like a princess."

Thanks to DtL readers Jason + Sarah for the tip!

(images via Sports Illustrated)

THE LOW DOWN: Tati not retiring from tennis yet, still "optimistic" about return

Rumors have been circling around the internet recently that Tatiana Golovin might be hanging up her racquets due to a recurring back injury caused by Ankylosing spondylitis, a painful chronic degenerative inflammatory arthritis. Moreover, according to TENNIS mag's Ticker Loic Courteau reportedly stopped working with Tati because of her indefinite injury woes.

But it seems the Frenchie baller isn't giving up on her career. The 20-year old wrote responded to an email from fan site Golovin Attitude and explained:

unfortunately, I’m still suffering from my back, so I have to stop again, I can’t tell you more. It is pretty tough but I am ok and I am still optimistic.

I can’t thank you guys enough. I want to thank you and your team, and all the fans for your support and your encouragements

Let's hope Tati can recover and get back to the court, though this issue will most likely be something she'll be dealing with for the rest of her career and beyond. But it won't stop the Frenchie's off-court dealings including an appearance in Sports Illustrated 2009 Swimsuit Issue due on the stands in February.



(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Tati's career in shreads but she can still enjoy a good smoke

Thanks to an anonymous reader for tipping me off to these photos of Tatiana Golovin doing her best impression of a chimney.

Listen - I understand a baller's personal time is their time and they can do whatever the hell they want to do. But if you've been struggling with injuries on the tour after being touted as a possible future champion with serious talent, you'd think you'd want to focus in and get yourself better physically. You know, fulfill the whole "potential" thing and all.


Based on these images, I'd say the Frenchie baller is LEAGUES away from getting better. Sorry Tati fans!

Oh and note to Loic Courteau: if you haven't yet settled on who your latest charge will be, you may want to cross Tati off your list. Unless she drops the smokes, that is.


(images via tatiana-golovin.net)

Tati, Dani, + Paul-Henri all want the same thing - who will win out?

Tatiana Golovin, Daniela Hantuchova, and Paul-Henri Mathieu are all vying for the same thing and only one of them can have it.

The three ballers are all interested in having Loic Couteau, who parted with Amelie Mauresmo last week after more than six years and two majors, as coach.

Loic told French sports paper L'Equipe he's temporarily working with Tati who resumed training this week after dealing with injuries most of this season. He also mentioned Dani contacted him recently about a possible coaching opportunity.

After his loss to Dmitry Tursunov in Metz, Paul-Henri told the press,

An experience with Loic Courteau could be interesting. It has to be seen whether we want similar things. Stay tuned.

No worries Paul-Henri...we will be. But in the meantime, my choice would be Tati: younger (20 y.o. versus Dani 25 and Paul-Henri 26), more long-term prospect, and probably not so set in her ways or game. And like Amelie, Loic could also help her keep these niggling injuries at bay and give her the consistency she's sorely lacking.

(images via Getty)

US Open quick hits: Lleyton, Tati, Fed, Rafa and some good eats

The US Open news just keeps on coming. Here are more quick hits about the final Slam:

1. Blame Hewitt's hip - Former champion Lleyton Hewitt officially withdrew today from the US Open + Davis Cup after undergoing arthroscopic hip surgery. Retirement, though, is not on table.


2. Tati takes a pass - Tatiana Golovin also withdrew today siting a naggging back injury. Tati hasn't played a match since losing in Berlin's first round back in May.
   


3. Fed's final stand? - Former Deadspinner (its founding editor, actually) peeks into the world that is Roger Federer and his final attempt to salvage, by his monstrous standards, and awful season at the US Open
   


4. Cloning Rafa - Can the USTA's new Saddlebrook-based player development program, headed by Patrick McEnroe, create an American Nadal who could actually win in New York? (Thanks NY mag + reader vs346c for the tip.)


5. Good eating at the Open - Spiaggia's Tony Mantuano is launching Wine Food Bar located at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center's South Plaza. The food will be comprised of tastes from around the Mediterranean with the spot resembling a Spanish tapas bar. Yum!

(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: Tati looks to revive game, practices at Nick Bollettieri Academy

Tatiana Golovin seems to have put her persistent injury woes and boyfriend merry-go-round behind her at least for now.

The Frenchie baller, who hasn't played a match since losing in the first round of Berlin in May, was spotted getting her practice on at the Nick Bollettieri Academy recently.

Let's hope Tati can get her game and focus back on track.

(image via nickstennispicks.com)

FASHION FIX: The ladies of Lacoste return, and so does the brand

Resurrected: Two ladies of Lacoste, Pocahontas wannabe Tatiana Golovin and Argentine Gisela Dulko, have returned at the Hopman Cup and, by the looks of things, so has the brand. When reminiscing about last season's Lacoste tennis duds, one word comes to mind: loungewear. We also remember some unfortunate polka-dots.

Anyway, this season the Frenchwear label has gone the more classic route of polo shirts with skirts while managing to keep the looks feminine with long, deep plackets on the tops and flirty fabrics on bottom. Nice start for ladies' Lacoste, we think.

(images via AP Photo)

Serena, Mardy, and Tatiana join James Blake for Anthem LIVE!

Last week, Davis Cup champion James Blake hosted Anthem LIVE! in Norfolk, VA. a benefit tennis match that supports cancer research (James' father, Thomas, died of stomach cancer in 2004). The event was held at the Old Dominion University's Ted Constant Convocation Center and also featured Serena Williams, Mardy Fish, and Tatiana Golovin.

Here's how it went down via James' site:

"On Thursday it was Anthem LIVE! day in Norfolk. I got there in the late afternoon right as Serena and Tatiana Golovin were hitting a few balls. Then it was off to the player lounge where James dedicated a few of his books for fans like Onsaya, who happened to be in the audience! James also explained the intricacies of the IPhone to Tatiana. You can still get book dedications if you are interested, just email me. James went out first to square off for a set against Mardy Fish. James pulled it out 6-4."

"Then Serena and Tatiana played a set, with Serena winning by the same score. After a short performance by native Virginian Elliot Yamin, which mesmerized the players, James, Serena, Mardy and Tatiana all came out for a little mixed doubles fun. A good time for all, especially super fan Cristen Leaper, and plenty of money raised to help fight the battle against cancer. Afterwards, everyone convened in the restaurant/bar of the hotel, and Norfolk resident and perennial pro bowler Bruce Smith joined the group. It's fun hanging out with this crew!"

(images via dailypress.com)

+ THURSDAY NETCORDS: Andy, Lleyton, James vs. Serena, Pete vs. Steffi...Team Andy criticized, Puma plays tennis and more

- Bargain basement: Dipping their toe into the tennis conversation that is equal pay for women, Sportingo asks: in their prime, who was the better bargain for tournament organizers: Steffi Graf or Pete Sampras? "Consider the following: Pete Sampras finished his career with 14 Grand Slams and Steffi Graf, his contemporary, with 22. She also has 107 titles to her name, 43 more than Sampras. Yet Sampras finished with double the prize money of Graf. The reason is simple; men get higher prize money than women. The question, however, is why?"

- James Blake and Serena Williams will headline the 5th annual Anthem LIVE! in Norfolk, Virginia, which supports cancer research. Mardy Fish and Tatiana Golovin will also be on hand to support the cause.

- The Brits are split on Andy Murray's decision to choose a team over a single coach to help build his career. The recently retired Tim Henman told The Herald, "Andy's made a decision he wants to go in a different direction, and, as your own boss, that's your prerogative. He's now going to assemble the people around him and hopefully move forward from there."

Fellow retiree Greg Rusedski, however, isn't so keen on the 20-year old's decision saying, "You need to have one coach leading the whole situation, like there was Gilbert before, [...] "It will be interesting to see who will be the main person in his camp because with all these personalities someone's got to put a programme together, whether it's a physical trainer, the mental side, and there has to be someone who oversees all those things, [...] I was a little surprised with the team of advisors route he went down, I thought he'd hire another top coach."

The Brits aren't the only ones with an opinion about Andy's decision, though. Former Wimbledon champion Michael Stich, backing Rusedski's position, thinks this decision might be based on something other than tennis saying, "...as someone who still needs to develop both his game and as a person I think it might not be helpful for Andy to have a big entourage. [...] I think it can be dangerous having a big entourage, but Andy has to find out himself. [...] He shouldn't start feeling too special about the fact that he might be able to hire five or six people, who cost a lot of money."

- Martina keeps moving: The legendary Martina Navratilova has signed on to be the new Health & Fitness Ambassador for AARP, the world’s largest advocacy organization for people over age 50, showing all of us that age is really just a number.

- Lleyton in waiting: Aussie hot-head Lleyton Hewitt is preparing for his full assault on his country's Grand Slam with a rigorous training regimen with coach Tony Roche. The former World No. 1 told Adelaide Now, "I'm hitting every day with Rochey for three hours, [...] I'd be spending about the same time in the gym each day. [...] By the time the Australian Open comes around, I'd be fitter than I ever have been going into it." Lleyton believes this could give him the edge he needs over the top players, including Roger Federer, saying "I'm going to be a lot fresher than Federer, [...] Even when you look at (Novak) Djokovic, (Rafael) Nadal ... (Nikolai) Davydenko were getting tired at the Masters Cup so I'm going to be a lot fresher than those guys but I've just got to try and get some matches under my belt."

- Shopping for a tennis fashionista this holiday season? Puma has just released the Lydia Holiday Tennis Bag in black-dazzling blue, made from eco-friendly materials and featuring a pocket for your 'racquet' - though this is more fashion than function, of course.

- Getting to know Davis Cup champion Andy Roddick. Most revealing moment: "Favorite TV Shows: 'Lost. My Name Is Earl. I love My Name Is Earl. Don't know if it's because I get the trailer park humor since my parents lived in one before they got married, but I think the show is hilarious.'"

- Sentimental for Seles: The Daily Forehand runs down their list of Monica Seles' top-5 clashes. No. 1? The classic battle between Seles and Graf in the 1992 French Open final.

- Mats Wilander, who recently worked with Tatiana Golovin before parting ways with the Frenchwoman has signed on to co-coach another Frenchie: headcase Paul-Henri Mathieu

(images via TED ALJIBE/AFP/Getty Images, puma.com)

Ana Ivanovic talks shopping with Teen Vogue, becomes fashion victim

Though she endured a humbling loss to Frenchie Tatiana Golovin at the Zurich Open this week, Ana Ivanovic is continuing her Global Domination Tour in the media. The World No. 4's most recent stop was the US offices of Teen Vogue, baby sister to the Anna Wintour-helmed Vogue.

According to the "Beauty Blogger" feature, tennis matches aren't the only things the Serbian beauty is losing these days:

"The world is Ana Ivanovic’s oyster...She loves to shop, even if her last spree literally made her a fashion victim. 'I bought a Louis Vuitton dress with some of my winnings [from the French Open] — it got stolen a week later on a trip to Barcelona!!' she says."

Now that's not very nice. A girl's gotta have her LV moment - damn you thieves! (via anaivanovic.com)

FASHION FIX: Lacoste's up n' down year and Tatiana's tangerine dream

We think Frenchie fashion label Lacoste has been very hit-or-miss this year. The hits? The men's tennis gear, most recently with Fabrice Santoro's super cute candy-striped polo matched with white shorts for the US Open. The misses? The women's on-court fashion with the latest being Tatiana Golovin's "tangerine dream" for this week's Porshce Tennis Grand Prix - or dare we say nightmare?


Of course, we must put a fair amount of the blame on the players themselves. Tati just went overboard wearing the same orange color for both the top and skirt, similar to Marat Safin and his adidas "haz-mat" outfit.

We keep saying it but the tours could use a full-time stylist - any takers?

Maria Sharapova loses, sports sneaky red undies

Defending champion Maria "Shriek"apova debuted her Nike day dress...and then proceeded to lose. Her tormentor: 18 year old Agnieszka Radwanska, a former junior World No. 1 from Poland. We are certainly disappointed by the loss and the fact that we won't get to see the dress, or her sneaky red undies a la Tatiana Golovin, in action at the US Open anymore. Nice touch Maria, but bad loss...

FASHION FIX: Lacoste misses with US Open 'loungewear'

We believe in comfort on the tennis court. But Lacoste looks to be taking this idea a little too far at the US Open. The latest fashions for their female French players have them dressed more for napping in the player's lounge than battling on the tennis court. And, the polka-dots aren't helping, either.

Exhibit A: Stephanie Cohen-Aloro, Exhibit B: Tatiana Golovin, Exhibit C: Alize Cornet

BIG HIT or BAD MISS?

Tell us!

FASHION FIX: The short(s) of it all

We've really been loving the flirty skirt moment happening on the women's WTA Tour this summer. The trend continues at this week's Acura Classic with Maria Kirilenko in Stella McCartney for adidas and Tataina Golovin in Lacoste. For all the athleticism and power these players possess, this style adds some much needed elegance to the sport.

But we've also noticed a disturbing trend looking to take the spotlight from the skirts: shorty-shorts. Recent perpetrators include usually fashion-conscious players like Venus "V" Williams (who we know owns a flirty skirt) and slender Slovak Daniela Hantuchova. We're all for minimalism and comfort, but this looks too boyish (and it seems we're not the only ones thinking this way.)

Our memories remind us that Russian Elena Dementieva was the first player we spotted wearing fashion shorts back in the day.

BEST LOOK: Flirty skirts or shorty-shorts? Tell us!

Tatiana, Richard and French tennis

Frenchie World No. 19 Tatiana Golovin, of the Wimbledon red knicker fashion uproar this summer, has hooked up with 7-time Grand Slam champion Mats Wilander for coaching assistance. According to Tati, "He doesn't like the part of women's tennis where we hit as hard as we can and not really think out there...He's going to make me think more, see the court better and play more like a guy, which could be better." (images via Tennis Served Fresh)

Speaking of the French and Wimbledon, Richard Gasquet is still on Andy "A-Rod" Roddick's mind...I mean his devastating loss to the talented Gasquet in their epic quarterfinal earlier this month, that is. A-Rod, speaking from the Indianapolis Tennis Championships, said, "I don't know if I am over it...I was pretty down. It was of the most disappointing losses of my career because I felt I was playing well enough to have a shot." Though feeling down, he went on to say, "...the best therapy for me is just getting back out there and presenting myself with a new challenge."

With the US Open around the corner, this news certainly bodes well for the French particularly with rumors swirling that Amelie Mauresmo may withdraw from the final Grand Slam and the rest of the 2007 tennis season.

Part III: Player Quotes from Wimbledon

Q. How do you feel when people say you are the prettiest girl ever to play at Wimbledon?
A. Thank you. I'm very flattered.

Q. You didn't get any Valentine's Day cards at all?
A. Few messages, but no cards. I'm sure they were shy (smiling).

- Ana Ivanovic

Q. What is it you really love about the involvement with horses?
A. I think it's a great creature. It's a beautiful animal. So powerful, gives you so much energy. When you're out on the trails, just really the force of the horse. You're kind of in control sometimes. It's just amazing. I always loved things with speed. That's why I love skiing. I like cars. Horses are a different way. It's a little bit of a risk, too. I know. I try not to go to the limits, push it to the limits, always know where the area of limits are. I mean, of course, you can't always tell. I don't know. You're never alone.

Q. Did you know the Wimbledon champion Maureen Connolly had a serious horseback injury?
A. Yeah, it can happen any time. Other people have car accidents.

- Marty Hingis

Q. Can I ask you about your knickers?
A. Excuse me?

Q. Are you wearing red?
A. Are they? They're supposed to match the dress.

Q. But the dress is white and the knickers are red.
A. There's like a little red outline, and they say red is the color that proves that you're strong and you're confident, so I'm happy with my red knickers.

Q. Did you have any sort of grief from the umpires or any of the authorities sort of saying that they didn't fit with the dress code, or were they okay?
A. No, I think it's totally in the dress code. You didn't like it?

Q. No, I thought they were lovely.
A. Thank you. So let's have compliments then. Such threatening questions right away.

Q. They were lovely and I'd quite like a pair. I was wondering, are you going to keep on wearing them?
A. I think so, as long as I keep on winning.

- Tati Golovin

Q. Is it weird because here your sister is, you're so close to her, but yet she is such a different personality type.
A. I know, it's so weird. We're so close. We have complete opposite personalities almost. I guess it works well. Geminis and Libras are like a perfect match. That's what I credit it to.

Q. Air signs?
A. Yeah, I don't know. Are they both?

Q. Which one are you?
A. I'm a Libra and she's a Gemini.

- ReRe Williams

Q. What do you think about tennis players being on dating shows like Mark Philippoussis? Did you see the show?
A. No, I didn't. But I did TiVo it. I can't wait to go home and watch it. Can you find love on a reality show? I don't know.

Q. Would you be tempted?
A. I don't think I'd be able to find love on a reality show personally 'cause I think I have to get to know someone for years. He's a little older, so he might have more of an idea of what he's looking for.

- ReRe Williams, Pt. II

Q. What do you like about Wimbledon?
A. The strawberries! I eat too many of them! The people are really nice here. I’m not a great fan of England but everyone’s really nice here. There’s a special type of atmosphere here.

Q. Are the fans different here?
A. Yes. In Paris, the public tens to warm to me a lot more and it’s like being at home. I like it here and in Australia as well. The US is the toughest. People seem to turn up to do anything except watch the actual tennis…

- Justine Henin