VIDEO VAULT: Djokovic, Agassi, Henin and Nadal

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Novak Djokovic became the third baller, after Rafael Nadal + Roger Federer, to enroll in the ATP Art School after qualifying for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals. He got his chance to roll around in paint (literally) and create his self-portrait to be auctioned off for charity. Nole's so lucky I wasn't on set and that the paint wasn't edible.

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Here we go again. Following in the footsteps of Roger Federer + Andy Murray, Andre Agassi throws his hat in the trick shot ring with this promo spot for HEAD. I guess AA could hit the net post from the baseline. But from the stands? *scratches HEAD*

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I know I'm a little late on this one but I had to post about it. Justine Henin has been known (at least around these here parts) to channel her inner Madonna so it should come as no surprise to see her live the dream and put on her own version of the Blonde Ambition Tour on Belgian TV show Cap 48. Either that or she's stuck in 1990 wearing the same get up. Believe me, it happens (see your local shopping mall.) Thanks Josh!

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Rafael Nadal is featured in a new Spanish promo spot for insurance sponsor Mapfre. The World No. 1 is asked to answer questions about his personal interests and not about his life as a baller. It's filled with fun facts and funner faces - see pic. (via NadalNews)

Gone, but not forgotten

Hi Rafa. I'm back.

Kalil + I had such a great time in Florida celebrating my parent's 40th anniversary. It was an emotional trip for obvious reasons which always seems to put me in a pensive, introspective mood. I was able to spend time with family and friends I hadn't seen in a long time; it was fun to catch up on their lives and see how they've changed since the last time we spoke. If ever you feel like time is moving at the speed of light, it would be in those moments. Forever young we are not.

The weather couldn't have been better - sunny, 80's, moderate humidity - so we managed to sneak in some hitting with HEAD and Dunlop followed by quick dips in the pool. Now, it wouldn't be a true family gathering (or life) without some drama but all in all it was a beautiful time. A big thanks to those of you who left kind messages for my parents and me in the comments section and on Twitter and Facebook - they read them as well and were moved by your words.

If I'm being completely honest, though, it's always hard to plop my brown arse onto a chair, open up the computer and write something after being away for a bit. You could compare it somewhat to tennis in that you form a 'writing rhythm' when you are posting regularly, but once you stop, it takes a moment to get it back. So I took yesterday to catch up on the happenings and find my motivation. And I think I did.

What was the biggest piece of news to happen while I was away? Aside from all the Brett Favre cock talk (don't be fooled - some penises are not pretty, NSFW) here are the choices:

A) Rafael Nadal wins his seventh title of the year and 43rd of his career in Tokyo over Milli Vanilli (thanks natch)

B) Caroline Wozniacki boots Serena Williams from the WTA Penthouse and takes residence becoming the 20th top lady baller in WTA history at 20-years old

C) Novak Djokovic defends his title in Beijing besting David Ferrer grabbing his second title of the season

D) Wozzi downs Vera Zvonareva in Beijing for her sixth title of the year

E) The Wounded Tennis Association continues its work with Venus Williams, Dinara Safina, Maria Sharapova and Svetlana Kuznetsova ending their seasons and ReRe all but pulling the plug on hers

I guess I'd have to go with choice...uh...'B.' The way Wozzi earned the achievement - by leaping past an inactive and still-injured ReRe - may have been like tripping someone on crutches (no offense V)  on your way to the head of the class but the Dane's season-long consistency earned her the keys and that's all that matters. I keep going back to something TENNIS' Steve Tignor wrote when it seemed likely Woz would usurp the top spot:

Yes, she would be the real No. 1, and she would deserve it. She would not be the best player in the world; that’s still Serena, who won two majors this year. Being No. 1 is a different achievement. It might not sound glamorous, but it’s an honor nonetheless: Wozniacki would be recognized as the best in the world at her job.

Bulls-eye. But, fair or not, the sharks will be swarming and looking for her to legitimize the ranking by winning a major, or as Tigger so eloquently put it, by "mak[ing] something artificial into something real."

Now that's some tough love. Damn, it's good to be back.


[Photo(s): Getty Images]

Letter to DtL readers: 40 years ain't nothing to sneeze at

It will be 40 years to the day this Saturday, October 9, that two kids (I mean, dontcha just wanna pinch those baby faces!) who immigrated to the U.S. from the Philippines came together in holy matrimony and began their journey together as husband and wife.

They also happen to be my mom + dad.

This young couple, pictured here on that momentous day in 1970, pursued the American dream with fervor and vigor but never without strong discipline. My dad may have learned that skill as a proud member of the U.S. Navy for 30 years while my mom, who was herself the daughter of a Navy man, worked full-time and somehow managed to keep our lives organized and under control. It couldn't have been easy for her to raise three boys while my dad was away at sea, sometimes for 6 months or longer. In fact, he was away for most of my mom's pregnancy with me and only flew in for my birth before having to take off again (that might explain A LOT and, no, it's not your fault dad.) But they did the best they could under the circumstances and I couldn't be more proud to call them my parents. Happy 40th Anniversary Mom + Dad!

Kalil + I will be traveling to Florida on Wednesday in preparation for their big anniversary celebration. I'll be following the tennis happenings while I'm away and will post if, and when, I can get to my laptop. No guarantees, though. I plan on being very happy and very happily drunk during the lead up to and at the actual event in honor of my parents. It's the least I can do! Regular posting will most likely resume on Monday, October 11.

On an entirely different note, I've noticed some of you guys have been submitting comments ANONYMOUSLY. These comments get flagged and don't get published. If you'd like to leave a comment but you're not registered or have an OpenID, please use the 'Name/URL' option. You're required to use a name (any of your choosing) but not required to submit a URL.

That is all. Enjoy the rest of your week!  

SIGHTING: Common gets a face full

 Yup. They're definitely broken up.

[Photo(s): Jezebel courtesy of Splash]

PHOTO OP: What's in a wheelchair?

We've all heard it said in different ways: "Stay tough", "Play up your strengths, hide your weaknesses", "There's no crying in [enter sport]!" or as the famous saying goes, "Never let them see you sweat." (Thanks Dry Idea.) However it's said, professional athletes are never supposed to show vulnerability when competing, never mind showing up in a wheelchair.

But don't tell that to Esther Vergeer. She may have wheels for life but she's also turned it into her weapon of choice, along with HEAD, dominating her sport like no other athlete on the planet. And that's not hyperbole. 

Esther, 29, is unbeaten in wheelchair singles tennis since January 2003 and is currently riding a 396 match winning streak. Oh, she's also tied with a one Roger Federer with 16 major singles championships, the latest one coming courtesy of a double bagel win over Daniela di Toro in the final at this year's US Open. But even the Swiss star can't claim the same dominance.

Remarkably, the Dutch lady baller gets to try on a new title this Friday: cover girl for ESPN The Magazine's second annual 'Body Issue.' There she is in the buff, for all the world to see, with only her racquet, arms and a seated position hiding what we know is already there. Scary much? Not by the look on her face or the intense gaze into the camera lens. "Come for me" she seems to be saying.

But wait - people with disabilities aren't supposed to be sexy, right? Well, leave it to Esther to prove us wrong all over again.

[Photo(s): ESPN The Magazine]

'Two Frenchies and a Tokyo Stage Show'

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils are taking part in a stage show during the welcome reception for the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Tournament at the Hotel Grand Pacific Le Daiba in Tokyo, Japan. The pair are nervously watching the proceedings, unsure of what's going on or what they're holding in their hands. They're also wondering if they give a damn. About any of it.

~Open Scene~

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga: "Am I the only one who wants to know why these Asian tourneys make us do this crap?"

Gael Monfils: "Hell no you're not. I guess Federer + Djokovic weren't available since they're not entered this week. They do everything for these tourneys. Kinda like someone else we all know:"

JWF: "Fuck. Can't he give it a rest? He was, like, everywhere in Thailand. I mean, EVERYWHERE."

GM: "That's what being No. 1 gets you. Good thing it's not me. Phew."

JWF: "Don't worry, La Monf. It won't be. Now about that hair..."

GM: *flips the bird*

~Close Scene~

[Photo(s): Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: Keepin' it Old School

If you're any kind of tennis gear and equipment head then you probably know of Robert Wallace or have run across his long-running and extensive blog What's All the Racquet? at some point while scouring the Internets. As a fellow tennis fashion fiend I have been following his blog for some time, and it has been and continues to be a great resource for Down the Line! Robert is still going strong with What's All the Racquet? but this time he's not only talking about another brand's goods but also his own newly formed label, Old School Tennis.

Robert had been mulling the idea for years before officially launching the website this past July. The idea spawned from observations of two things he was already passionately covering in his blog: tennis + fashion.

"I watch the grand slams religiously, and what I saw (with the recent exceptions of Fed and Rafa), was that McEnroe, Borg, Connors and Becker were still the biggest draws in the media," said Robert during a recent email exchange. "These are the players I grew up with so I loved it, but there must be something enduring there. Then, I kept seeing fun variations on the 'Viva Che' and 'What Would Jesus Do?' tshirts. Those two ideas came together and the idea for Old School Tennis was born."

The men's range includes basic + ringer tees and hoodies while the women's range features tees, sleeveless tops and tanks. There are even offerings for kids and babies! Seriously, could there be a more fitting image plastered to a screeching baby than this one?

Right. I didn't think so (nor did baby.)

The prices range from $19.99 - $44.99. For more information check out the Old School Tennis website here. One more t-shirt shot featuring Martina Navratilova after the jump (click the head.)

PHOTO OP: That's no child's pose

"The things I do for money."

Here's Novak Djokovic giving us his best power shot during an exhibition with Andy Roddick in Seoul today.

Why do you make it so easy for me, Nole? Not that I'm complaining, of course, but WHY?!

It looks like I wasn't the only one enjoying the show though:

More photos from the exo after they jump (click the head.)

Thems are the breaks for Nadal

Rafael Nadal couldn't catch a break, or rather covert a break, when it really mattered today and was sent packing from the Bangkok semifinals by compatriot Guillermo Garcia-Lopez.

The World No. 1 was only able to capitalize on 2 of 26 break point opportunities during the 2-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 defeat to his compatriot, bringing back memories of the US Open final - the last tourney he played - where he only converted 6 of 26 against Novak Djokovic. Of course he managed to win that (big) one but made a telling prediction during his post-match presser saying, "Yeah, on the statistics of the ATP I was No. 1 on breakpoints converted, so I think after this tournament I [won't] be No. 1 on breakpoints converted." No doubt.

Could it be possible his opponents have begun to find a chink in Rafa's muscular armor e.g. his lack of a strong return on hard courts? He seems to have difficulties with the backhand return on the rough stuff, opting for a chip rather than a drive, giving his opponents time to set up an aggressive stance off his return. From that point on it becomes very difficult for him to grab the initiative in the rally.

It's too early to say yet whether this is a coincidence or the beginnings of a worrying pattern for Rafa. He's playing the next two tourneys on the hard stuff - Tokyo + Shanghai - so it's surely something we'll all be watching.


[Photo(s): Getty Images]

FRIDAY FUNNIES: The Mallorcan Massacre

[Via: Galantz Tennis Cartoons]