PHOTO OP: The US Davis Cup team enjoys some 'manly moments'

One of the best things, we think, about sports is seeing grown men get all touchy-feely with each other when something great happens - a Super Bowl win, World Series title, an NBA Championship. But as an individual sport, tennis usually misses out on these 'manly moments'...unless it's Davis Cup. The US team's fantastic win over defending champions Russia this past weekend gave the men a great opportunity to celebrate in the best way possible: with a little man-on-man action.

See? A little man-on-man lovin' never hurt anyone...

(images via AP Photo)

THE LOW DOWN: Are Enrique Iglesias and Anna Kournikova heading down the aisle?

Did Enrique Iglesias finally propose to Anna Kournikova? The rumor mills have been buzzing since the Russian tennis star was spotted wearing a $6 million diamond ring on her left ring finger. According to reports,

"[Iglesias] has previously refused to confirm the couple is engaged, but the sportswoman was photographed in London wearing a diamond on her left hand on Tuesday (04Dec07) in London. Earlier in the evening, the pair had enjoyed a romantic but unique meal in the capital - the chef at Japanese eaterie Sapporo Teppanyaki lobbed food at the pair so they could catch it in their mouths."

The couple have been dating since 2002, after Anna starred as the latin singer's girlfriend in the video for hit 'Escape'.

(image via kewlmag.com)

Maria Sharapova makes Forbes 20 Under 25 list, pulls in $23 million

We can see why Maria "Shriek"apova was all smiles over the weekend, even though she wasn't making money on the tennis court. Forbes magazine released their annual 20 Under 25 list, which ranks the Top-Earning Young Superstars and which makes the rest of us want to cry (psychology degree? dumb!). The Russian fashionista came in at a respectable #3 after bringing in a cool $23 million from June 2006 - 07. Here's what Forbes had to say about the Maria money-making machine:

"Tennis' 'It' girl struggled with injuries in 2007, winning only one tournament and banking $1.7 million on the court. That's down from five tourney wins and $3.8 million in prize money the previous year. Not to worry, Sharapova's endorsement portfolio is one of the strongest in sports. This year she added Pepsi as a sponsor to an already impressive roster that includes Nike, Canon, Colgate-Palmolive and Motorola."

Phew - after her said struggles this year, it's good to know Maria won't need to break the piggy bank any time soon...or ever.

(image via maria-sharapova.org)

VIDEO VAULT: Young Roger Federer shows off continental forehand for Gillette

We all know Roger Federer has one of the most feared forehands on the ATP Tour. But do you think he'd be World No. 1 if he was still hitting that shot with a continental grip? In the new Gillette Champions commercial for holiday entitled "Home Movies", the stars of the Gillette commericials -Roger, Tiger Woods, Thierry Henry - provide rare footage of their younger playing days. The ad shows a skinny, mop-topped 11-year old Federer unwrapping his new racquet then sliding on the red clay hitting a continental forehand. Check it out...

(image via gillettechampions.com)

TENNIS 2007 AWARDS: The Shank Award

So we've arrived at our second TENNIS 2007 Award. Last week, we awarded Serena Williams the first award for Best Dramatic Performance which took place during her 4th round Wimbledon show. The second award is for the biggest choke in a match this year - we're calling it The Shank Award. This most deserving player gave us a few matches to choose from this year but this match beats out the rest.

The Shank Award - Jelena Jankovic

Jelena Jankovic met rising 18-year old star Agnes Szavay for the first time in the final of the China Open and was expected to pull out an easy win over her more inexperienced opponent. The first set was very tight affair, ending with the Serb overcoming a 0-5 deficit in the tie-breaker and winning 7-6. She carried the momentum into the second set, racing to a indomitable 5-1 lead, or so she thought. The Hungarian, who began the year ranked 207th, launched an impressive comeback breaking back the World No. 3, winning the second set 7-5, and dominating the third 6-2 for her second, and biggest, title of her fledgling career.

After the match, Jelena acknowledged her opponent's talent saying,

"She's a youngster and she's got huge potential and for sure we'll see a lot more of her."

Tennis insiders said the same thing about you, Jelena, when you were but a youngling on the tennis tour. Now it's time to put or, well, you know the rest. In any case, congrats Jelena on your TENNIS 2007 Shank Award!

P.S. Didn't catch the match? Click here to view the 2007 China Open final.

PHOTO OP: Andy Murray reveals pop-up hairdo to the world

Down the Line! has been confronted with another 'hairy situation' on the men's tour. Clearly shielding the unsuspecting public from the underbelly of his baseball cap, Andy Murray posted these pics of his pop-up hairdo on his blog with the top photo labeled 'Option 1' and the one below is 'Option 2'. Can we P-P-P-PLEASE have an 'Option 3'?

(images via andymurray.com)

THE LOW DOWN: Will Monica Seles return to tennis action next year?

The second coming: Could Monica Seles be planning a second return to tennis action next year? According to On the Baseline the 9-time Grand Slam champion revealed her intentions of a return to the LA Times saying,

“I certainly would not ever be able to do a full schedule again, because of the foot, [...] but I’m thinking about the Slams and about some of the bettertournaments that lead into them."

And when will the former No. 1 make the final decision?

“I won’t decide for sure until the beginning of the year, and the Australian is certainly not possible, [...] But Miami - maybe.”

At the age of 34, however, she will not be able to make an impact on the tour. In today's game, movement is just as important as fitness and power, and that was never Monica's strength even in her prime. She is one of tennis' greatest champions and most likely wants to end her career on her own terms, and rightfully so.

SIGHTING: Maria Sharapova enjoys some Miami Heat

Maria "Shriek"apova was spotted on a different kind of court this past weekend. The former World No. 1 watched on as the Boston Celtics dribbled past the Miami Heat winning 95-85. The Russian millionairess got giddy when she grabbed a t-shirt thrown by a Miami Heat dancer. Free is free!

(images via AP Photo/Luis M. Alvarez)

PHOTO OP: US wins record 32nd Davis Cup championship

Congratulations to the US Davis Cup team for their determined three-and-out performance this weekend and a record 32nd Davis Cup title. Andy Roddick bullied Dmitry Tursunov 6-4, 6-4, 6-2, James Blake battled for a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 6-7 (3-7), 7-6 (7-3) defeat of Mikhail Youznhy, and Bob and Mike Bryan clinched the championship defeating Nikolay Davydenko and Igor Andreev 7-6 (7-4), 6-4, 6-2.

We'd also like to give huge kudos to USA Today and Douglas Robson for having the guts to keep consistent coverage of the Davis Cup in the national spotlight.

(images via Getty)

INSTANT REPLAY: a look back at this week's top tennis plays

COURTSIDE

A legend and his heir apparent square off
They say Serena has a new man...and some old hose
Sveta can't dance
Gallery of the Unknown Tennis Player
Fed is a GQ kinda guy
Boris makes return to singles play, texts his ex some sweet-nothings
Rafael defends his revelation
TENNIS 2007 Award: Best Dramatic Performance
Did Tommy cry wolf?
A Goodwill Ambassador makes a pubic plea
Uncle Toni gives his two cents
Rumors follow the Frenchman
Seles, Davenport, King and March of Dimes
A country's No. 1 thais the knot
Doctor's orders
Andy builds his dream team
Juju takes on Madge

+ NETCORDS

WEDNESDAY: Venus, Justine, Igor, Roger vs. Pete...Tommy talks racquets, Davis Cup doodles and more