PHOTO OP: Simulated sex(iness)

I tried desperately to find a somewhat scintillating shot from this photo shoot featuring Rafael Nadal and Bar Refaeli in the new Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Issue and this was the best I could do. Yeah, no kidding. I mean, I've seen more chemistry between Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Hell, I've seen more chemistry between Serena Williams and US Open lines people.

Rafa should stick to tennis (shirt is optional there as well) and Bar should, uh, keep doing bikini-clad photo shoots. Just not with Rafa.

[Photo(s) credit: Sports Illustrated]

GUEST POST: Will Andy Murray ever win a Grand Slam?

If you want to guest blog on Down the Line!, submit your post to me at downthelinetennis@gmail.com. C'mon, you know you want to flash your stuff.

by Mark Hodgson 

Andy Murray lost again in a Grand Slam at last month's Australian Open and you couldn’t be blamed for thinking that he is destined never to win a major title – as most of the people I have spoken to think. But is this necessarily true? From what I gather people don’t seem to think Murray will ever win a Grand Slam. However, it’s probably not that clear cut.

Undoubtedly, the defeat to Novak Djokovic had a feeling of "the same old story." But if you look past the disappointment, there were some positives. One which stands out is the fact that he actually led the match 2 sets to 1, which has never happened in any other of his defeats to the top three in Grand Slams. He was by no means outplayed in the match, and at the end of the third set looked like he might have the momentum to go on to win the match. In the past – when losing in majors to the top three – the most sets Murray has ever been able to win is one.

There are also long term signs of improvement from the Scot. If you look back at his Grand Slam record, it is clear that he is progressing still. In 2008, he reached the final of a Grand Slam for the first time at the US Open and, the following year, got to the semifinals of Wimbledon. He made the final of the Australian Open and the semifinals of Wimbledon in 2010. Then, in 2011, he reached at least the last four of every Grand Slam, making it to the final of the Australian Open (which is no mean feat whoever you are). So, although it may appear like Murray isn’t getting any closer to winning a Grand Slam, he has actually been improving year on year. There’s nothing to say he can’t keep on improving and eventually win a major.

The edition of Ivan Lendl, who won eight Grand Slams in his career, seems to have produced a slight change in mentality from the Scot. Murray has admitted himself that Lendl doesn’t hold back his opinions of the 24-year old's performances. It seems to have had an effect, with Murray only dropping one set before losing to Djokovic in Melbourne. This has been something plaguing him in the past as well - taking too long to beat opponents in the earlier rounds and leading to tiredness in the latter stages of tournaments. Maybe this is something set to change under the guidance of Lendl.

There’s no doubt that it’s going to be a tough task for Murray to win a Grand Slam; he will need some luck along the way to do it. But it is by no means unthinkable. The problem has always been psychological for Murray. He has shown throughout his career that he has the ability to beat the top three in various different tournaments – having won 17 matches total against the top three. So if he can overcome the mental barrier, surely he can become the first British male to win a major title in more than 70 years.

Mark Hodgson is a Sports Journalism student at the University of Sunderland and reads news on Spark fm. He's a big Middlesbrough FC fan and enjoys writing, especially about sport, on his blog, mrmarkhodgson. You can follow him on Twitter @mrmarkhodgson. 

[Photo(s) credit: William West/AFP/Getty Images]

Five winning ways from Djokovic and Azarenka

I don’t know about you but this Australian Open is still on my mind. That monstrous men’s final left scars. And, so did the women’s mini-final (relatively "mini"…I mean, hello?) but for entirely different reasons. On the surface, they don’t seem to have much in common. But if you look at how reigning top ballers Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka went about winning, you might change your mind:

1. The double-fisted backhand is, er, back. The forehand is still sexier but it’s the workman-like, double-fisted backhand that stole the spotlight in Oz. Nole and Vika’s backhands are their superior shots; they can go cross court and, ahem, down the line with ease. It pushed their opponents off the baseline (which is exactly where they want them to be) or forced shorts balls they were able to pummel.

2. Court positioning is key. Nole and Vika stalked the baseline, suffocating their opponents and making them feel like they had no where to put the ball…until they put it out of bounds or into the net. The Aussie Open champs are able to see the ball so early and take it on the rise, which gives them an advantage over, well, most of the ballers in the world.

3. Strike the right balance. It’s not enough to be awesomely aggressive or doggedly defensive. Ballers on both tours now need to do both consistently well. Vika was relentless in her pursuit of Maria Sharapova’s power groundies until she either took over the point or forced an error. “She created you know, she created offense from defense today, which is, you know, which is important and something that I think she's improved, definitely,” said Shrieka. Nole’s defense is other-worldly but it’s his offense that keeps Rafael Nadal frustrated.

4. Be fanatical about fitness. Aren’t these the two ballers that had built unfortunate reputations as being physically (and, perhaps, mentally) fragile? Their withdrawals from matches due to injury and illness are well-documented. There isn’t much more you can say about the Serb’s Herculean effort on Sunday but it was a treat to see Vika plow through 7 straight matches intact.

5. Return to server. Their returns are simply devastating. Rafa said it best in his post-match presser: “Is something unbelievable how [Djokovic] returns, no? His return probably is one of the best of the history. That's my opinion, no? I never played against a player who's able to return like this. Almost every time.” Shrieka kept her sometimes nervy serve under control (she actually had one less DF than Vika) but couldn’t get the ball out of the Belarussian’s wheelhouse. As well all know, it was a recipe for DISASTER...or SUCCESS depending on who you ask.

[Photo(s) credit: Reuters]

QUOTE OF THE DAY: Novak Djokovic

 Ah, yes.  Right now, yes.  

- Novak Djokovic on whether his almost 6-hour win over Rafael Nadal in the men's final at the Australian Open was the greatest win of his life

Astounding. There really are no words to describe this match and even less for how Nole was able to pull it out. And, now he's one away from a "Nole Slam."

I guess the talk of whether he could continue the form from last year have been unequivocally squashed. He went to a level I don't think anyone has ever achieved is a single match, nevermind in the finals of a major. As for Rafa, he was, as always, gracious in defeat and said he enjoyed the "suffering." This one was special.

I told you it was gonna be good...really REALLY good.

[Photo(s) credit: AFP PHOTO / TORSTEN BLACKWOOD]

VIDEO VAULT: Three call outs from Victoria Azarenka's post-match interview

1. "Kinder"
2. "dance, dance, dance..."
3. "[the trophy] feels magical..." No, what's magical are those BOOM BOOMS. While I may not like them for you, I'm convinced they have super powers. Prepare the BOOM BOOMS's trophy case. Or get them bronzed.

[Via: AustralianOpenTV]

PHOTO OP: We found love in a hopeless place

"One day it'll be yours. No, not me silly."

 If that's the consolation prize, sign me up.

[Photo(s) credit: Pool/aaron Favila/AFP/Getty Images]

FASHION FIX: It's short but not so sweet

I know, I know. Everyone's talking about the shriekfest of a final we're all going to endure between former champ Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka tomorrow at the Australian Open. It's been fodder for the tennis media and bloggeratti so there's no need for me to add to the noise. But, people, there's something more sinister going on besides the idea of the shriek as gamesmanship (c'mon girls, you're losing the PR battle here). What I find most disturbing does involve Vika, but it's not what's coming out of her mouth, at least not this time. It's what's on her ass: The BOOM BOOMS. There, I said it.

Those white unassuming Nike BOOM BOOMS, on their own, are fine. They work really well in a practice session or match on a smaller court with a small, gathering crowd of drooling young boys and probably a few girls (it's tennis remember). But in a Grand Slam final??? Not. Appropriate. I don't blame the her, though. If I recall correctly, it was Venus Williams who broke the barrier back in 2007 and set the dangerous precedent when she wore white BOOM BOOMS from then-sponsor Reebok during her Wimbledon win against Marion Bartoli:

That's one barrier she should've left alone.

Of course, not everyone feels this way. In fact, some have been complimenting the fact that the BOOM BOOMS give off good leg for Vika. Her agent and former WTA lady baller, Meilen Tu, has been going on about "da legs" on Twitter while reader Wayne said "She looks way hot in those shorts!" over on the Down the Line! Facebook page. Her legs do look good, though "hot" and BOOM BOOMS are reserved, at least here, for shirtless boys in uncompromising positions on the tennis court (or in my head). If this sentiment sounds a little sexist, I'll say in my defense that at the very least I try to remain an equal opportunity offender.

I guess it's too much to imagine she might actually put on something else besides the BOOM BOOMS--maybe a a top with a skirt that actually gives her some curves--for her first major final. Oh, that's the other thing: They're not flattering on her. She's too straight up-and-down. Now, put them on Rafa. Seriously, I think we've got a winner.

[Photo(s) credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images]

VIDEO VAULT: Thank you, Wilson

Most tennis commercials for pretty much anything make me want to turn the channel. Actually, they work pretty well as white noise for bedtime (counting sheep just doesn't cut it anymore - boo). They bore me to whatever is worse than tears.

But after catching these commercials by Wilson for their Juice & Steam racquets--in particular this one starring first-time major quarterfinalist Kei Nishikori--during some of Tennis Channel's Australian Open coverage, I felt a strange sensation building inside my belly. No, not gas. It was a giggle. A loud and true giggle.

I cracked up at a tennis commercial. Miracles really do happen kids.

[Via: Wilson]

PHOTO OP: Tomas Berdych is all wet

"So, how long can you hold your breath under water? Just curious..."

I know you're just dying to see the rest of Tomas Berdych taking a swim during a break from the Australian Open. More pics after the jump - click the headline.

P.S. If I had my way around the marketing of tennis, you know this would be my strategy. All. The. Time.

Melbourne from the middle

Ahhh, what a great off-season. And, no, it didn't involve giddily dipping a dance girl on a tennis court. That's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and not one of my vacay pics. In case you were confused. Because it happens. Sometimes.

Anyway, I’ve been away for a bit and missed the season-opening tourneys and the first week of the Australian Open. But there was a silver lining. You got to see Rafael Nadal’s ass grab for about two months. No harm there.

Life has been busy. My full-time gig is going well but there’s bigger news: I’m getting married! Married? Yes, married. Married?? Yes, MARRIED! 2012 is the year I finally do the deed. Well, more like "we." Kalil and I always said if we could get legally married in NYC we would do it. So when Governor Cuomo announced the bill had passed making gay marriage legal in New York state last year, we looked at each other and excitedly said, “I guess we’re getting married!” It’s truly a special time right now. There’s so much to plan (no wedding planner…blame my control issues) and organize. But it’s all good. Really REALLY good.

What’s also really REALLY good is what’s going to come in the second week of the Australian Open. The big ballers on both the men’s and women’s sides are still around which means epic battles are most likely on the Aussie horizon. Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova are barely losing games. Juan Martin del Potro is showing some of that old form that made him a Grand Slam champ. He’s been steadily rounding into devastating form.

The veterans—Roger Federer, Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters—have drool-worthy quarterfinals to look forward to. Fed gets Delpo and ReRe will get Shrieka if she gets by Ekaterina Makarova (no offense, Macky, but really…). And the defending women’s champ, who just about got the boot until she houdinied her way from 4 match points down and a balky ankle to beat Li Na, gets top seed Caroline Wozniacki in the quarters.

And there’s still Rafa, Andy Murray, Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azarenka in the mix. Suffice it to say there aren’t any true feel good, prodigy-against-the-draw or journeyballer-on-a-hot-streak stories this season in Melbourne. But that’s okay. I’ll take a a few classic throw downs between top ballers under the lights any day because you just know it’s going to be good. Really REALLY good.

[Photo(s) credit: Reuters]