SIGHTING: JJ leaves Mexico, returns to Nick Bollettieri's for more off-season prep

Jelena Jankovic, who has been training hard in San Luis, Mexico, returned to her former homebase at The Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida to continue her preparations for the 2009 season.

It seems clear the slidin' Serb is intent on getting physically fitter and stronger but she's also looking to add more variety to her game which can only help, I say:





JJ is def looking bulkier for sure (I mean check out that shelf) - must be all those workouts in the sand down in Mexico. She also seems truly focused on winning that maiden Slam and keeping the keys to the WTA Penthouse.

Could it be there's actually a lady baller who wants to be world no.1 and is willing to do the hard work to stay there? How novel!

Check out Nick's Flickr page for more JJ shots.

(images via nickstennispicks.com)

PHOTO OP: Day 8 of Murray's off-season training intensive, shirtless Ross makes welcome return

After the pink play from Day 7, Team Murray got back to the grueling work of their off-season training intensive in Miami.

DAY 8

The day began on the track at Tropical Park with the team performing ten 200 metres sprints with less time to complete and recover in the 80 degree (plus humidity) conditions. Okay - I'm already feeling nauseous just writing this post - ay yay yay.

But the sight of Ross Hutchin's shirtless return is a welcome relief as is mini-me Matt "Treacle" Little in his mini outfit. WTF?!


Let's just say it was a brutal workout with every member of Team Murray feeling the burn and little something else bubbling up...




After completing the full set and coming back to consciousness, Team Murray gladly took their 3-hour lunch followed by a late day hitting session.


Day 9 will be a much anticipated half-day of training but involving a 1.5 hour Bikram Yoga class - fun!

(images via andymurray.com)

MEDIA MASHUP: Rafa back in training, releases first promo for charity event

Rafael Nadal is back in training after a knee injury cut his 2008 season short.

The world's top baller discussed his super busy schedule, including resuming practice, via his website today:

Just wanted to let all my English speaking fans that I have resumed practice a couple of weeks ago and things are going well.

Friday Dec. 12th I am having the year end dinner, Christmas dinner, with my team. They will all come to Manacor and we will celebrate this great 08.

On Monday morning I will practice and then fly in the late afternoon to Madrid since there is a dinner offered by MARCA with the King of Spain and some other sportsman. This is to close the festivities of 70th anniversary of the newspaper.

On Tuesday we are doing the match against Malaria and hopefully the stadium will be full. We are very excited about this again.

Thanks to all.

Rafa

Phew! What a relief. The Mallorcan Matador and his pal Iker Casillas have also released Part One of their promo series for next Tuesday's "Friends of Iker vs. Friends of Rafa" Part Deux event to fight malaria.

CHECK IT:



Geez, he even does preppy well. Anyway, don't forget RAFANATICS: you can still help your boy (and his shorty-shorts) try to get this important event broadcast stateside by contacting the Tennis Channel. Hurry!

(image via google)

(CORRECTED) SIGHTING: Anando getting serious, take family photos in Madrid

Thank to DtL reader Tessa for tipping me off to the latest Anando news!

Ana Ivanovic traveled to Madrid to watch boytoy Fernando Verdasco play an exhibition and the pair were spotted at the airport again (it seems to be their fave place for intimate Anando action, huh?) where Nando picked up the smiley Serb.


The pair were greeted by the whole Verdasco clan including father Jose, mama Olga, anad sisters Sara + Ana.

A few observations:

1) it's getting s-e-r-i-o-u-s people

2) now you can tell how monstrously tall Ana is compared to the rest of the humanoid ladies

3) they all seem so strangely chummy already as if they've known each other a while, even holding hands as they skip through the streets of Madrid. Haven't they only been dating since the US Open?

I guess the Verdasco fam really likes Ana. No pressure Nando...really, none at all. *thinks don't screw this one up man-whore*

See more pics here and here.




CORRECTION: This took place in Ferrol, Spain not Madrid. See comments for more details. Thanks anonymous reader!

(images via Women Tennis Photos)

+ WEDNESDAY NETCORDS: A-Rod raises major money...Stocking stuffings...Jamie vs. Lil' Wayne

* A big congrats to Team A-Rod and the 8th Annual Andy Roddick Charity Event at the Polo Club Boca Raton. The American was joined by tennis superstars Venus Williams and Bob + Mike Bryan last weekend managed to raise $1.1 million for A-Rod's Foundation! Click here for images of the former No.1 working with kids from his San Antonio Youth Tennis Program at the event.

* Jon Wertheim's 2008 Baggie Awards announced

* Former ATP baller Mark Draper has admitted Bernard Tomic, who alledgedly walked off-court during a Futures tourney in Western Australia, is in a very "rebellious stage" in his life. Mark, who's Bernard's regular hitting partner, said "I've sort of told him the way I believe he should behave towards me and others around him. If he is disrespectful towards me, I won't be working with him. If his behaviour is consistently good, I wouldn't have a problem with it. He's at an age where he is not willing to listen as much as he used to, which goes against everything John stands for." Mark has subsequently stopped working with the Aussie prodigy.

* Speaking of feisty Aussie's, Jelena Dokic has apologized to Tennis Australia for remarks she made earlier this year after being denied a wildcard into the Aussie Open. The former world No. 4 said at the time, "I think I’ve done more in one week and had more big wins in one week than some of those girls have in their whole careers." She's currently in Melbourne preparing to compete in the Aussie Open qualies.

* With the holiday season in full-swing, TENNIS.com's gear guru Jon Levey has chosen his fave tennis gear, trainers, accessories, and videos of the year including the newly released DVD of the classic 2008 Wimbledon men's final. It makes great stocking stuffing!

* What's the last album Jamie Murray downloaded? "The last thing I downloaded was the new Lil Wayne. That's the rapper in me coming out."

* ESPN.com's Sandra Harwitt gives a rundown of the year's couplings + uncouplings, returners + quitters, and births + deaths - all without the gory, but juicy, details.

* Rafael Nadal's uber-controversial US Open Nike shirt has been re-released in a new colorway for the brand's Holiday collection and is now called the Mens Bold Stripe Polo Shirt. The slim-fitting polo features "a traditional polo collar and a two button placket, front pocket, contrast stripe across the front of the shirt, and mesh inserts under both arms for ventilation." I still love it and even more because of the yummy yellow. Must...buy.

* Fernando Verdasco will have a street in his childhood home of Boadilla del Monte, Spain named after him. I guess Ana will want a matching one, too.

* James Larosa is back at his Tennis Channel blog Sweet Spot listing off the best men's matches of the year. Take your best guess at which one tops this list.

* How about a little tennis with a twist?

(images via andyroddick.com, tennis.com, midwestsports.com)

RAFANATICS: Help Rafa get Tennis Channel to broadcast "Friends of Iker vs. Friends of Rafa" Part Deux!

Thanks to DtL reader johanne for tipping me off to the latest Rafael Nadal news!

Calling all RAFANATICS: the Mallorcan Matador needs your help.

Your boy just left this message on his website about the upcoming "Friends of Iker vs. Friends of Rafa" Part Deux:

Dear English speaking fans,

My team has received some e-mails from you about the information in English. Well I am sorry for this and I have asked them to try to have you more updated. I am told that they are trying to have the Tennis Channel get interested in broadcasting the Malaria gig I am doing with Casillas. We will keep you posted on this.

Many thanks

Okay RAFANATICS, contact the Tennis Channel folks at viewerresponse@tennischannel.com and let your voices be heard. How else will we get a live, shorty-short wearing Rafa stateside?

DO IT TO IT!!!

(image via cache.daylife.com)

PHOTO OP: Day 7 of Murray's off-season training intensive - got pink?

Team Murray faced Day 7 of their off-season training intensive and pink was the name of the game today.

DAY 7

Andy and Matt "Treacle" Little settled a score made last year: if either beat their personal best at in the 400 metres (Treacle), and win a Masters Series event (Andy) the other would be forced to work pink outfits. The autographed clothing would then be donated to Momma Murray's fave charity, Career Research UK, which fights breast cancer.

Suffice it to say they both hit their goals. Good for them, I say. The color, however, isn't helping the Brit baller's pasty skin - it's blinding now - but you gotta love the velour shorty-shorts! But one request Team Andy: can we see Ross Hutchins or Dani Vallverdu modeling a pair? Just askin'.



Anyway, the day's training continued with movement drills (below) and work with the dreaded medicine ball (very top image) - all while being eye-balled in his shorties by confused UM students everywhere.


The day concluded with lower body work including squats and leg presses...



(images via andymurray.com)

MEDIA MASHUP: Serena blogs + vlogs from LA, Common still on the mind

Serena Williams, who recently pulled out of next month's Hopman Cup with a lingering hamstring injury, has resurfaced on her website.

The US Open champ flew into LA from her homebase of Florida for a photoshoot and managed to make a new vlog and blog from her hotel bed accompanied by Cimba, her stuffed animal companion (she's how old?).

Anyway, she discusses the never-ending renovations on her house and pushes good friend Brandy's new album "Human" and even rumored ex-boyfriend Common's new album "Universal Mind Control".

Via ReRe's blog:

Hey Guys!!!

Ok so don't ask, but I understand this is new album day! Both Brandy and Common have new albums that are coming out TODAY! I just bought the new Common album. If you are a Common fan you are going to LOVE his songs - Changes, Inhale, and Break My heart. Break My heart is my personal fav!

There are some upbeat tracks like Universal Mind Control (this is a crazy, hot song) , Make My Day (another one of my favs), and Gladiator (I can work out to this one). It's simply great, fun music. Most of all Punch Drunk Love is a sexy hot song! Hot hot hot! I say its got my vote!! Go out and get it!
Great classic fun music!!! So go out and get those albums!

I promise they won't disappoint you!

Xxx
S

Here's footage of ReRe's LA photoshoot:



Wow - when the insider said their breakup was "amicable" they weren't kidding. I certainly wouldn't be pushing his new album.

When I breakup with someone, I secretly follow them around everywhere 24/7 so I can make sure they aren't seeing anyone else right away.

Or is that when I first meet them? It's all a blur really...

(image via serenawilliams.com)

+ TUESDAY NETCORDS: Bid on Shrieka's bag...More ATP CEO news...The $100 million dollar roof

* Maria Sharapova is auctioning off an autographed Nike duffle bag to support her Foundation. According to her site, the bag is "a soft gold color accented by shimmery gold trim. This bag has been personally used by Maria and is gently worn." What, "gently worn" as in "kinda tore up"? I love the spin - bid here.

* Jelena Dokic, who is currently in Melbourne and will try to qualify for the Aussie Open, had some advice for prodigy Bernard Tomic who is being investigated by the ITF for allegedly walking off the court during a match at his father's urging. "From parents, to managers, to everything - there's a lot of pressure. You just have to surround yourself with the best possible team that you can, who are really positive and who are there for you no matter what happens," says Jelena. Aren't stage parents the worst?

* Roger Federer + Andy Roddick have both finished in the ATP Top 10 for seven consecutive years

* Project 45 is in full effect

* The USTA + Tennis Australia have more in common than they may think (hint: something about sinking tennis programs or something). And apparently, Aussie legend Ken Rosewall feels the same way.

* Former French Open finalist Martin Verkerk, who has struggled with injuries for years, has retired due to lack of motivation.

* Check out the Fila Winter Court Dress ($53) featuring the following details: a scoop neck, contrast binding around neckline and armholes, contrast inset on left strap, contrast mesh V-shape, and an embroidered Fila F-box on front left hem. 23.5" body length. A simple dress with great colors for the season.

* Via Tennisreporters.net: "Adam Helfant, the former vice president of global sports marketing at Nike, is the frontrunner for the [ATP] CEO spot. The SportsBusiness Journal reported the contrary, saying that Patrice Clerc, the former Roland Garros TD, is the frontrunner, largely because many of the players want a European named. The tour is holding its final interviews this week in New York. The SBJ also reported that Mark Young, the ATP head of the Americas, and Brad Drewett, who runs the international division, are also up for the job." They must be MAD man. Why would they want this "thankless" job??

* The USTA will need to pony up an estimated $100 million to install the much-needed retractable roof over Arthur Ashe Stadium. How will they do that might you ask? USTA managing director Danny Zausner told SportsBusiness Journal, "Maybe there’s an NBA opportunity." How very intriguing!

(images via mariasharapova.com, tenniswarehouse.com)

SIGHTING: So Dominika's the stylish, pretty one in this relationship, huh?

Dominika Cibulkova and boyfriend Jurgen Melzer were spotted together at an award presentation in Slovakia where the diminutive baller won the Women's Tennis Player Award 2008.

I have to say Dominika looks cute enough in her silk black ruffled halter dress, but what's up with Jurgen's spread collar/choker moment and square-toe black lace ups? Ick - that's straight up cheese and I haven't even started on his hairy situation.

Sorry Domi but La Monf has much better style. Strike one.

(images via womenstennisphotos.co.cc)