SIGHTING: Rafole on break, checks out football match in Rome

The pugilist, the subtlist and their matching Blackberry's were spotted taking in a Champions League football match between Tribuna Roma and Sampdoria at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome. The pair are still on a collision course to meet in the Rome Masters final on Sunday.

Rafole sure looks like they're enjoying themselves especially Rafa who's all smiles and gaping pie hole. As for Nole, I think he forgot he was at a football match and not competing. Silly boys.

[Via: TennisConnected.com, Photo(s): Zuma Press]

THE FUNNIES: Nole and the art of subtlety

[Via: Galantz Tennis Cartoons]

PHOTO OP: Southpaw pugilist

"I'd like to plant one on ya. Pucker up."

Rafael Nadal continued to show the dominant form he displayed in winning Monte Carlo crushing Philipp Kohlshreiber 6-1, 6-3 in his opening match in Rome today. All in all the defending champ has lost 18 total games in the six consecutive matches he's won to date. That's straight up SICK y'all.

Rafa looks like a uber-confident prize fighter in this photo, ready to take down all pretenders in his court. Now all we need is the shirt to be off and the high beams to be on full display. That's PERFECTION.

[Photo(s): AFP]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: CURLBIS

Well, I shit my pants a little bit, excuse my language.

- Ernests Gulbis on needing seven match points to put away Roger Federer 2-6, 6-1, 7-5 in the second round of the Rome Masters 1000

Oh Curlbis. You and your lovely locks have been on everyone's radar for a while but now it seems you've gotten all serious about your career. You've got a HUGE game and Hernan Gumy sure knows what to do with it.

We like. Lots.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

Overcoming must feel awesome, or so they say

Fernando Verdasco was seemingly struck by a severe case of amnesia this week in Barcelona. After being absolutely annihilated by Rafael Nadal 6-0, 6-1 in the final of Monte Carlo a week ago the Spaniard gathered himself, threw on his best Calvin Klein undies (crotchless, perhaps?) and made his way to the final where he bested Robin Soderling 6-3, 4-6, 6-3 for his fifth career title.

It really does say something about a baller's state of mind and confidence when they can be utterly stomped on one week and come back and fight through some tough matches to take the crown the next week. I'm not saying he's going to win Roland Garros but these are the moments you can see a baller's growth and hard work paying off. He still has some demons to conquer (beating Rafa on ANY surface, for instance) but he seems to be moving in a positive direction and lifting his game at the right time.


Bethanie Mattek-Sands was the unlikely choice to play heroine at during this weekend's FED CUP semifinal bout between the U.S. + Russia but she's never been one to be conventional.

After being dealt a 1-2 deficit when Melanie Oudin went down to Elena Dementieva 7-6 (4), 0-6, 6-3 in the third singles rubber, BMS seemed to understand the moment, digging in and using her all-court game to tough out a 6-4, 2-6, 6-3 win over Ekaterina Makarova and evening things up with the Russians. She returned to the court with Liezel Huber for the deciding doubles rubber against Elena + Alla Kudryavtseva, and the pair clinched the tie with an easy 6-3, 6-1 decision. The U.S. will now face a rematch of last year's FED CUP final when they face defending champs Italy in November.

BMS had all the pressure after Mels went down to Lena but she came through for the team when it really mattered, staying aggressive against Katia by serving-and-volleying at times, taking returns early and attacking the net when she could. I loved watching her game do the talking this time and not her fashion, which still has a lot to say that's not worth listening to. So stick to the tennis BMS, it's working for you. The other thing? Not so much. But you knew that.

[Photo(s): Getty, AP]

(UPDATED) Federer featured on ESPN The Magazine cover, but don't tell Sports Illustrated

So Sports Illustrated's won't ever give Roger Federer the Sportsman of the Year Award and cover for his historic achievements in tennis but ESPN The Magazine will put his big, finely coiffed mug on their May 3 cover with the headline, "WHO'S THE WORLD'S GREATEST ATHLETE? ROGER FEDERER LOOKS THE PART."

Good on ya.

UPDATE: Some behind the scenes footage of with Fed at the photoshoot. (via Great Tennis Photos)



[Photo(s): ESPN The Magazine]

Beautiful Bolelli continues seasonal slump - but not everything seems sad

Aw, poor Simone "The Beautiful" Bolelli.

Not only is the Italian having the tennis season from absolute HELL, traveling between Challenger-level events and winning only one match on the ATP World Tour by way of an injury withdrawal by Tommy Robredo earlier this week in Barcelona, he also retired from his third round match today against David Ferrer with a wrist injury. He was trailing his Spanish foe by the scoreline of 0-6, 0-3. Double drats.

Beautiful looks so sad in this picture, no? But at least his nipple is happy. That makes me kinda happy now too.

[Photo(s): Reuters]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Sandra Bernhard

Venus and Serena, they plan the shit! They got their color-coded tournaments. They come out and they give you headwrap. They give you big hoop earring. They give you big jewelry. They play with all that and they work it!

- Cabaret performer, comedienne, actress, writer, songstress, former friend of Madge (anything else?) Sandra Bernhard on the fashion of Venus + Serena Williams

ROFL! Love her.

*rolls*

[Photo(s): womenstennisblog.com]

SIGHTING: Broddick in Hawaii, A-Rod offers man-candy moment

Andy Roddick + wifey Brooklyn Decker were spotted grabbing some sun on a beach in Hawaii on Tuesday. Brooklyn was shooting scenes for her upcoming movie Just Go With It starring rom-com queen Jennifer Aniston + Adam Sandler. The pair were also celebrating their 1-year anniversary.

Not that it really matters to me but why is Brooklyn, the 2010 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue cover girl, fully clothed on a beach? Maybe she just stepped off the set or something. Anyway, I'd be truly concerned if A-Rod was covered up but luckily he's not, showing us all who owns the real curves in this relationship (try not to stare at those ass-ets - I dare you.)

He's playing the role of trophy wife extremely well, huh?

More of A-Rod's man-candy moment below...

[Photo(s): PacificCoastNews.com]

PHOTO OP: Jo-Willy's hair piece needs an update, like stat

"If only my hair piece didn't match my shorts..."

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga flashed his trim, sexy tummy during his 6-3, 6-2 opening round win over Czech Jan Hajek in Barcelona. The third seed will next face Nicolas Almagro for a spot in the quarterfinals.

I'm happy that Jo-Willy has nothing even close to an MBB on his bod - thank GAWD for small favors. But what's going on with his 'do? It looks like an interchangeable, snap on hair piece. If that's the case I think he should go on court with this number:


I think it's PERFECT for the glitz + glamour of a U.S. Open match under the lights. Or disco theme night on American Idol. Whichevah.

Imagine the possibilities...

[Photo(s): Gawker.com, Reuters]