PHOTO OP: Hairiest of situations hit Davis Cup ballers in Mar del Plata

The Argentinean + Spanish teams have already gathered in Mar del Plata, Argentina to begin preparations for the big Davis Cup final.

Feliciano Lopez, Jose Acasuso, Juan Martin del Potro, and Marcel Gronellers were all spotted getting some practice in before they face off this weekend.


But one question: Was it a requirement for the ballers to arrive at Islas Malvinas stadium working a hairy situation? Some of the boys are repeat offenders (hello Jose) but, irregardless, these "styles" are seriously out-of-control in a BAD way.

Maybe they couldn't put in the effort because they're so close to the off-season they can taste it. Fine, I'll understand...this time.



(images via Getty)

+ MONDAY NETCORDS: Lacoste extends ATP partnership...Nole on the rise...WTA looks back

(Islas Malvinas stadium, Mar del Plata)

LINKS

Lacoste in the bag through 2013 [ATP]
Nole recaptures his mojo [ESPN]
Ad-In, Ad-Out [SI]
Sneakers not sole-y for match play [TENNIS]
Win Tennis Warehouse giftcard! [Tennis Metro]
'08 highlights: January - June [WTA]


BLOG TALK

The holidays are here [What's All the Racquet?]

(image via JUAN MABROMATA/AFP/Getty Images)

Quote of the Day: Federer

While I would also love to beat Pete Sampras' Grand Slam record of 14 titles, and also to regain my No. 1 ranking, I place winning another Wimbledon title above all else.

- Roger Federer on his priorities for next season

Sounds like a reasonable assessment to me: he won't likely regain the top ranking anytime soon so if he focuses his energies on winning another Wimby title, and wins it, he'll tie Pete's record and only have one more to go. Piece o' cheese for Fed.

But one request: no more making out with the trophy - you have no idea where that thing's been.

(image via Getty)

SIGHTING: No work and all play for Shrieka, hits up Barneys in NYC

Maria Sharapova made a visit to The Big Apple this weekend and got her shop on. The tennis fashionista was joined by her handlers as she made her way to Barneys in Midtown.


I guess riding boots are the shoe of choice for Shrieka and her crew on this trip. Good choice since it's the fall season. Her fave ballerina flats just won't work at this time of year in New York, not to mention that frumpy cardigan she's working here. In fact, that sweater won't work at any time in any year - drop it.

Click here for more shots of Shrieka in NYC.

(images via WTA Tennis Blog)

PHOTO OP: Champions arrive in Kuala Lumpur for exo - so what's James doing there?

The tennis season for most of the men ended this weekend so you know what that means: bring on the money-making exos!

Bjorn Borg, James Blake, Roger Federer, and John McEnroe arrived in Kuala Lumpur for the Showdown of Champions and attended the pre-match presser today. Last year, Fed + Pete Sampras traveled here during their much-heralded series of exhibition matches.

Call me crazy but doesn't James seem severely out of place here? He must be thinking the same thing. For some reason James and "champion" just don't have the right ring to it. I wish Rafael Nadal, who was the other choice besides the American baller, had made this exo - how incredible would that sight have been?

Oh well, it's a great opportunity for James to join these legends and makes some serious bank along the way. Win win!




(images via Getty)

THE LOW DOWN: Will IMG shut down Tennis Week magazine?

Is Tennis Week magazine down in the dumps?

According to Tennisreporters.net, publisher Randy Master has left the pub to return to Tennis Channel and IMG, who bought Tennis Week two years ago, is considering its viability.

Full disclosure: I've only seen one hard copy of Tennis Week and it was pretty awful. The articles weren't interesting or in-depth, the images were either out-dated or stock photography, and the paper quality was low. In these tough economic times, media of all kinds are struggling for ad dollars and subscribers which is causing many to shutter their print editions. Frankly, I'm surprised Tennis Week mag is still around.

I think they'd be better off shutting down the print edition only and focusing completely on the web where they can be more current with news and give a broader perspective on the sport.

Besides, what would we do without Carrie Milbank's perky tennis roundups? Perish the thought.

(via tennis-x.com)

(UPDATED) Common denies romantic relationship with Serena or any other human being

Serena Williams + Common have spent a lot of time together publicly in the last few months including at the US Open and in Hawaii on a surfing vacation.

But the couple isn't really a couple if you're to believe the hip-hop star's recent comments in an interview with Complex.com, a urban magazine and website. In fact, his current girlfriend isn't a girl at all:

Complex: So now, you’re dating Serena Williams?

Common: [Laughs] Nah man, I’m dating hip-hop.

Complex: I don’t know man, I saw you on a surfboard in Hawaii with her…

Common: That was my first time surfing, and I had an incredible time. I’ve been on vacations with groups of friends, but of course they’re going to keep me in the pictures with Serena. They’re not going to film one of my boys, or one of my homies, like they would Serena and I.

Complex: So you’re saying you’re not dating?

Common: Nah, I’m dating hip-hop. My love is hip-hop.

Complex: So is Serena your best girl-friend?

Common: Ha, nah man. My best girl-friend is hip-hop. I’m a single man.

So "hip-hop" is your girl of choice. Of course, what were we thinking? Why ever would we think you and ReRe were dating after spotting you two together for over a year now, including the recent Hawaiian vacation and you acting like the US Open champ's ball boy/boy toy during her major-winning run this summer??

Thanks for clearing that up!

UPDATE: It seems Common is spouting these talking points everywhere. This whole "hip-hop is my girlfriend" thing is starting to sound creepy. He's a grown man that sounds like he really needs to get some - if not from ReRe then someone. Anyone.

(via Women's Tennis Blog)

PHOTO OP: Jelena in Shanghai stands, watches Nole win Masters Cup

Jelena Ristic was in the stands this weekend to watch boyfriend Novak Djokovic win his first Masters Cup title in Shanghai.

It seems they're still going strong even after all the rumors and speculation about Nole and his love life this year. Let's hope he keeps those to a minimum next season for her sake, though it doesn't do me any good.

What would I write about then? Oh well.



(images via Getty)

PHOTO OP: Nole dominates Kolya, ends season with maiden Masters Cup crown

Novak Djokovic's season came full circle when he the ended the season with his first Masters Cup in Shanghai defeating Nikolay Davydenko 6-1, 7-5.

The Serb opened the season by winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the Aussie Open, won at Indian Wells and Rome in the spring, and struggled in the fall before adding the year-end championship to his title haul this year.

Morevover, Nole now sits only 10 points from Roger Federer at No.2 in the ATP rankings but will have tons of points to defend when the 2009 season begins.

But until then, have a great off-season boys and we'll see you next year!

Here are some video highlights from the Masters Cup final:

(images via Getty)

INSTANT REPLAY: A look back at the week's top tennis plays

(Nikolay Davydenko + Novak Djokovic, Shanghai)

Venus grabs year-end crown
Schizophrenic Nole goes black + gold for adidas
Fed not feeling second place
adidas shorts aka viagra
Tendinitis derails Rafa
Wertheim give good quote
Jurgen + Dominika play in the water
A-Rod bit by injury
Top lady ballers to play Billie Jean King Cup
ReRe gives back, travels to Africa
Gearing up for Aussie Open '09
Anando take in Real Madrid, romance blooms
JJ's still doing her own thing (whatever that is)
Generous Fed enjoys coaching his opponents
The WTA's gonna make the ladies pay


+ NETCORDS: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday

(image via Getty)