+ Netcords

- For lucky readers outside the US: catch the "real" Ana Ivanovic on CNN International's World Sport on July 11th. The segment runs approximately 8 mins - about the length of her French Open final loss.

- The US Open purse is topping out at a whopping $19.6 million this year - $1 million more than in 2006. Who says tennis is suffering?

- The Stan Smith II is still the coolest tennis sneaker around - hands down - and was first produced in 1964 for french tennis player Robert Haillet. In 1965, American tennis player Stan Smith came to adidas' attention, the rest is history.

- OTB noticed the usually festidious Roger Federer with his pants, well, backwards during the Wimbledon awards ceremony - oopers.

Fashion Fix: Maria Sharapova at The ESPY's 'Extreme' Pre Party

Maria Shriekapova attended The ESPY's 'Extreme' pre-party at The Roosevelt Hotel in Hollywood, CA on July 10th. Maria is pictured with actress Camilla Belle (center), who starred in the remake of "When a Stranger Calls" and "The Ballad of Jack and Rose."

Moving on from her on-court fashions (who will forget the Swan-Lake dress from Wimbledon) Maria looks stunning in her champagne tiered tank dress with a ribboned empire waist and black clutch.



Maria is up for 2 awards: 'Best International Female Athlete' and 'Best Female Tennis Player.' The ESPY's will be televised on Sunday, July 16th on ESPN.


The Roosevelt Hotel was the birthplace of the Oscars and was the playground of Hollywood luminaries including Clark Gable, Carole Lombard and Marilyn Monroe. Click here for more information on this landmark.


(images courtesy of AP Photos & Getty Images)

+ Netcords

- Did Fed use "The Secret" to win his 5th consecutive Wimby title?

- Kimmy Clijsters is preggers.

- ReRe Williams has pulled out of the Western & Southern Financial Group Women's Open due to the hand injury from the Dani Hantuchova match at Wimby.

Tennis Fashion: Nike Heritage Collection

It's all in the details. Nike has come out with an exciting new men's tennis line for fall called the Heritage Collection.

The men's fall Heritage jacket, polos, and t-shirts feature a US Open tennis patch on the upper right sleeve with 3 crowns to commemorate Federer's 3 consecutive wins at the US Open.

Like it? Tennis Warehouse has the full collection on-line now.

Richard GasGAY?

The DowntheLine! rumor mill is still buzzing with the speculation about Frenchie Richard Gasquet's sexuality. According to The Telegraph, the questions began at the Monte Carlo Masters in April where a reporter, inspired by an article in French mag Le Point, asked Richard about the rumors:

Q. This question has nothing to do with tennis. But did you see that in the magazine Le Point there was an article about Lagardere who denied the rumor about your relationship.

RG: I was absolutely not happy about that. This question has come back hundreds of times, and every time someone turns up saying, Oh, I have evidence. It is just bullshit. Neither him nor me are homosexuals. It's absolutely obvious.

Despite denying the allegations, numerous gay media outlets including Towleroad.com, OhLaLaParis.com, PerezHilton.com, and OutSports.com have all recently made references to his free-swinging ways.

The gays want their Martina, their Amelie - but is this a case of wishful thinking or does Richard need to step outside the lines?

+ Netcords

- ESPN.com's Peter Bodo offers a few appetizers before the main course: the US Open.

- After being completely dismantled by V in her beloved Wimbledon, Shriekapova has pulled out of her Fed Cup debut...again.

- V is looking forward to playing in the London Olympics - in 2012.

Baby Fed

Check it: Here's one of the brilliant Nike commercials featuring Roger Federer and Tiger Woods. Take a peak at Baby Fed - he makes an appearance!



Fed sure did have a nasty temper.

All Dressed Up

Here are the 2007 Wimbledon winners at the Savoy Hotel in London for the Champions' Dinner.

V looks stunning in her lace dress with gold trim and the hair is working. Fed is handsome in his classic tuxedo with green and purple bow-tie, the colors of Wimby.


V has rocketed to No. 17 in the world with her win over Marion Bartoli in Saturday's final. Fed, of course, remains No. 1 in the world.

(Images courtesy of AP Photos)

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...

CHAMPIONS

ROGER FEDERER & VENUS "V" WILLIAMS
WIMBLEDON 2007 CHAMPIONS

CONGRATULATIONS!

(images courtesy of AP Photos)