+ TUESDAY NETCORDS: Lochte grabs his stick for GQ...USTA's new $60 million indoor building opens...Memorable moments by Martina

* Gold medal-winning swimmer Ryan Lochte grabbed a hit on some red clay courts for GQ magazine's January '09 issue. Now - I don't think playing in jeans would necessarily work but playing shirtless goes without saying especially with Ryan's sick bod (especially those abs of steel.) Any takers?

* ESPN.com's Joel Drucker continues his week long look back at the best and worst of the 2008 season. Today the scribe lists his Top 10 matches of the year.

* Wimbledon will hold an exhibition event on May 17, 2009 to test the conditions under Centre Court's newly installed retractable roof. Most importantly, organizers want to test the atmospherics and humidity levels with 15,000 people sitting in the stands because the court surface needs to be "bone dry" when the roof is closed. Tim Henman and John McEnroe have been named as possible participants.

* Speaking of the Brits: the LTA has honored Andy Murray + Anne Keothavong as Male and Female Players of the Year, while Dan Evans + Laura Robson were named Male and Female Junior Players of the Year.

* The Tennis Chick has taken the ATP Top 10 and put it to poetry. Nice.

* The USTA officially opened its $60 million, 245,000 square foot indoor building at The Billie Jean King National Tennis Center today. The new facilities include "12 courts on two floors — there are nine blue U.S. Open hard courts on the first floor and workers are finishing the three blue hard courts on the second floor — a state-of-the-art fitness center, new locker rooms which will be used by juniors and wheel chair competitors during the Open, a second-floor terrace that overlooks the outdoor Open courts, classrooms and a hot and cold production commissary that connects to the concession booths that serve the food court during the Open." Yippee! I can't wait to hit on these new courts and use the new locker room. The old one was, well, old and moldy to put it lightly.

* So what is the primary reason behind Larry Stefanki's decision to coach Andy Roddick? According to an interview the 51-year old conducted with Doug Robson, it's "because [Stefanki] wants to work with an American as a stepping-stone to getting involved with the USTA junior development." The revered coach told Robson, "That’s why I did it more than anything. And also because Andy was so motivated." So if I was A-Rod would I be appreciative or insulted?

* TENNIS' Steve Tignor lovingly looks back at Martina Hingis and two of her most memorable matches - the 1997 Wimbledon final where she defeated Jana Novotna for her first (and last) Championship and this gem. I remember...*looks wistfully into the distance and smiles*



(image via GQ courtesy of Carter Smith, Tennis Week)

Nadia hospitalized with viral meningitis, withdraws from Auckland

Our thoughts go out to Nadia Petrova who has been hospitalized with viral meningitis, a serious medical condition causing inflammation of the protective membranes surrounding the brain and spinal cord.

She has withdrawn from next month's ASB Classic in Auckland.

Here's to a speedy recover Nads!

(image via abc.net.au)

PHOTO OP: Justine reveals ladylike side, Kim reveals tattoo at Sports Gala

Remember when two lady ballers put the tiny country of Belgium on the tennis map and ruled the WTA Tour? Ahhh yes.

Seven-time Grand Slammer Justine Henin and former US Open champ Kim Clijsters reunited at the Sports Gala, Belgium's most prestigious sporting award ceremony, on Sunday.


A dolled-up Justine sat on astroturf (uncomfortable much?) while being honored with a lifetime career achievement award and received two videotaped congratulatory messages from tennis legends Pete Sampras + Stefan Edberg. Here's some of what she had to say:

I have no regrets. I can't regret a life which gave me so much. I learned so many things about myself. It's important to have the wisdom to stop at a time when it's the moment to move on. I have only good memories.

I have so much curiosity, and I want to be able to express myself differently from now on. Even here today. I have personal time now. Time for me. To breath and relax isn't easy for myself having lived such an extremely intense lifestyle. I try for serenity with a rich balance, but without competative pro tennis and adrenalin.

Kim attended the ceremony with husband Brian Lynch and was spotted with daughter Jada's name tattooed on her wrist. Boy, she's finally letting loose y'all!

See more images here and here.



(images via Womens Tennis Photos)

(UPDATED) MEDIA MASHUP: Rafa presents charity gear with Iker, receives Marca Legend Award

Thanks to meri and an anonymous DtL reader for tipping me off to the latest Rafael Nadal news!

It's a been a busy couple of days already for the world's top baller. The Spanish steamroller joined his footballer friend Iker Casillas as they gave president of the 'Communidad de Madrid', Esperanza Aguirre, the t-shirts they'll be wearing during their "Friends of Iker vs. Friends of Rafa" charity event today. Very exciting!


The pair also announced their roster for the event: Iker will be bringing ballers David Ferrer and Juan Carlos Ferrero, cyclist Alberto Contador, F1 racer Fernando Alonso, as well as his clubmates, Sergio Ramos + Fabio Cannavaro.

Rafa will have sexy Serb Novak Djokovic, F1, Rally and MotoGP racers such as Pedro de la Rosa, Carlos Sainz and Sete Gibernau, and footballers Raul and Samuel Eto’o.

And Rafa was presented with ANOTHER well-deserved accolade to go along with the many others he's accepted recently. The 22-year old was awarded the Marca Legend Award for career excellence by Marca, the popular Spanish newspaper.

Congrats to you on behalf of RAFANATICS everywhere!

CHECK IT:



UPDATE: Here's video of Rafa + Iker presenting the t-shirts at the pre-event presser. Enjoy!

+ MONDAY NETCORDS: The cover wars - Shrieka vs. ReRe...The Hewitts add another...Another ass-et admirer revealed!

* Maria Sharapova will be appearing on the cover and inside story for Women's Health magazine's January/February 2009 issue. The Russian glamazon also got into the holiday spirit by decorating her Manhattan Beach home recently. But unlike last year, there were no sightings of Dolce around the digs or a new-fangled hairdo for 2009. Fine - as long as she stays away from the dreaded soccer-mom "up-do". Scary.

* Congratulations to Aussie hothead Lleyton Hewitt and wife, Bec, who welcomed new son Cruz Hewitt on December 11. The pair already have three-year old daughter Mia

* Speaking of Lleyton, he's currently training and recovering from the hip surgery he underwent in August with the hope of re-entering the ATP Top 10. The former World No.1 is spending at least 6 hours a day mixing in fitness and on-court work. "I actually enjoy it. If you’re fit you’re playing most weeks on tour. So this is a good opportunity for me not just to look at the Australian summer, but also the 2009 calendar. Hopefully, I can get my body in as good a shape as possible to see me right through next year," says Lleyton. Honestly, I don't see him making it back into the Top 10 - it's pretty crowded with ballers who are much stronger, fitter, and have superior games.

* TENNIS' Kamakshi Tandon looks back at the historical happenings of tennis in 1968. Included is the historic announcement by Wimbledon the year before to allow amateurs and professionals to enter the major tourney in '68. Fun fact: Roland Garros ended up being the first "open" Grand Slam due to the timing of the settlement allowing pros to play at the majors.

* Paralympian Chantal Petitclerc, who owns 21 career gold medals in wheelchair racing, is a big fan of tennis and an even bigger fan of Rafael Nadal and his famous ass-ets. Chantal told the National Post, "I think every girl is looking forward to next season to see what colour of Capri pants Nadal is wearing. Yes, he is, ah...yes." I concur. I mean, just check the DtL comment section Chantal. You...are...not...alone. (that's for you johanne!)

* The Bernard Tomic saga continues: Papa John publicly apologizes...

* Marta Domachowska has a website - didn't you know?

* ESPN.com's Joel Drucker picks his Best Baller of the Year

* Serena Williams is one of a number of celebrities featured on the cover of Vibe magazine's annual "Tabloid Issue" for January '09 featuring the Best and Worst of 2008. ReRe, along with rap star Nelly, are both shown above the category of "Hottest Bodies". I guess it must be all those intense warm up exercises she does.

* James Blake is giving up his autographed stick for charity to benefit the Thomas Blake, Sr. Memorial Cancer Research Fund. Want it? Bid here.

(images Women's Health via Drop Shots, Vibe)

MEDIA MASHUP: Nole heats up chilly St. Anton with Marat + Tipsy, will join Rafa for charity event

Novak Djokovic recently met up with compatriot Janko Tipsarevic for an exhibition at the ski resort St. Anton in Austria.

Tipsy was a last minute replacement for Marat Safin who pulled out of the exo after spraining his ankle in practice. The Russian returned to Valencia to visit his doctor but not before taking a few candid shots with Nole *swoons*:



I wonder why I love tennis so? Anyway the Masters Cup champ, who debuted the new metallic silver Barricades during the match, was defeated by his compatriot 9-8 (4).


And more interesting Nole news: he was invited by top baller Rafael Nadal to take part in the "Friends of Iker vs. Friends of Rafa" charity event tomorrow! Other tennis ballers taking part include David Ferrer + Fernando Verdasco. I can't wait to see video/images from THAT event...oy.

In the meantime, here's some video in German from the exo match featuring a furry Nole + Tipsy. Feel free to leave the translation in the comments section.

CHECK IT:



(image via novakdjokovic.rs)

PHOTO OP: Day 10 of Murray's off-season training intensive - it's the Winter Olympics in Miami!

Andy Murray, who recently confirmed his sponsorship with Fred Perry for 2009, continued his off-season training intensive in Miami with the team's self-styled Winter Olympics.

DAY 10

The Olympics begin with the 100 metres which gave hottie Ross Hutchins the early lead. The 400 metre, won handily by Andy, followed and seemed to knock a few members of Team Murray off their blocks.



Then, the high-jump came next with Andy taking this event as well. The bench press was supposed to be next, but the team hit the courts for some tennis practice and vowed to complete the Winter Olympics today.

PS - Check out the last pic: Andy's getting pretty freakin' strong. Beware ballers!



(image via andymurray.com)

PHOTO OP: Ana poses for Verano '09 calendar, layers the cheese on thickly

Wannabe model Ana Ivanovic is appearing in a 2009 calendar for sponsor Verano. The calendar is a special edition and won't be on sale to the public.

You mean I won't be able to have Ana doing her best Bob the Builder on my wall? Boo hoo.

Let's hope the Serb was contractually forced into eating this cheese plate. Otherwise, she's a lost cause.

Click here and here for more images - if you dare.



(image via anaivanovic.com)

VIDEO VAULT: Serena vlogs from Rock n' Racquets, demonstrates questionable warm-up practices

Serena Williams uploaded more vlogs from behind-the-scenes at Rock n' Racquets this weekend.

In the videos, ReRe is at her loopy best as she demonstrates a few of her "warm-up techniques" including band work, "chi" (which I think is her f-ed up version of "tai chi"), and some form of rap (which I'm guessing warms up her vocal cords for grunting.)

Seriously, if this is how the US Open champ warms up I can see why her hamstring has bothered her for the last month or so and has forced ReRe out of the Hopman Cup in January.

She does offer an Oscar-worthy job of acting healthy, though.

CHECK IT:

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

(Rock n' Racquets: Columbia, SC)

Smiley + smoochy Anando like airport action
Rafa not picky with fans, just himself
Andy's off-season training intensive: Days 3 + 4, 5 + 6, 7, 8, 9
ReRe + Common split
V gives good quote
A-Rod's body shot for charity
Peter Bodo kicks then kisses ATP ass
Jurgen's trophy girlfriend
ReRe isn't all cried out over Common...yet
Tennis Channel needs shorty-short action, sign up here!
Mallorcan Matador back in training, promotes charity event
At least one Serbian Sister is actually training
Shrieka and the shorty-locks

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

(image via ATP Tennis Photos)