My Weblog

Andre Agassi Enters the Tennis Hall of Fame

Andre Agassi was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame today.

He was my favorite player in the day. Well, he and Stefan Edberg.

My dear sister gave birth to my nephew the day Andre won Wimbledon in '92.

It's the only tennis match she ever watched...

Only because the TV was stuck on that channel in her hospital room.

I believe she almost named her baby Andre but opted for Alec instead.

We shared a laugh about it many times - hell, I'm smiling now.

Odd the things that make me think of her. I sure do miss her tons.

Photo: Getty Images

Diane and Glenn

While I was at the Indian Wells tennis tournament I met up with my friend Brad's parents (Diane and Glenn) at the Corona Beer Garden. We had a few margarita's and a ton of laughs.

At one point Diane sent Glenn off to get some snacks from the neighboring food court. After he left I told Diane, "Awe, that Glenn is such a sweetheart."

Diane smiled knowingly and then scrunched her face and playfully demanded with a palm smack to the bar, "What about ME???"

I replied, "Oh, I think you are..." Suddenly I was overcome by a coughing fit as I managed to get out the word, "Won (cough) der (cough) ful (cough cough cough)."

After I composed myself we laughed. Then Diane said, "You know a compliment isn't much of a compliment when you choke on the damn thing!"

With that we enjoyed another round of laughs - and margarita's.

***

Well Diane, non-choke: I think you are wonderful.

In Defense of Maria Sharapova

I spent a little bit of time near the player lounge area in Indian Wells last weekend hoping to get some good photos of some of the stars. My plan was successful.

At one point Maria Sharapova came through after her practice session and as she signed some autographs some random woman turned to me and said, "Wow, I thought Maria would look a lot better than that in person."

Now, I am not the biggest Maria fan on earth but her comment shocked the bitch out of me, "Yea, I want to see how you look after you workout for two hours." Then I wagged my gay editorial finger across her face, "Cuz it ain't lookin' so good now."

I never do that. Well, not to complete strangers. And afterward I just felt awful for a about an hour. I even kept an eye out for her so I could offer an apology. I never saw her again.

I fully blame my friends Diane & Glenn for my outburst. It was those three tequila-heavy birthday margarita's they gifted me with in the Corona Garden just minutes earlier talking.

"Another? Sure! Frozen/salt, please."

A Few Funny Photo's from Indian Wells on Saturday

Is the Spider-Cam going to give Rafael Nadal a colonoscopy?

***

Andrea Petkovic can only admire this woman walking in front of her.

I said to Andrea, "I hope she doesn't drive like that."

***

6'5" Ivo Karlovic makes a normal golf cart look like a Tonka toy.

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These gal wear their enthusiasm for Roger Federer on their bums.

All photos taken by me on Saturday - March 12, 2011.

iPhone Photos from My Day at Indian Wells Tennis

Here are 10 iPhone photos shot on Saturday.

Many thanks to Brad and his parents Diane & Glenn for a lovely day.

Those margaritas in the Corona Tent were just the ticket.

***

Julien Bennetaeu and the lovely Indian Well background.

My favorite pic of the day - the one & only Andrea Petkovic.

David Ferrer slunk into this golf cart just after his loss to Ivo Karlovic.

The lovely Vera Zvonareva signing autographs.

Rafael Nadal caused a near-frenzy as he hit the practice courts.

Thomas Berdych works up a sweat in practice.

Jelena Jankovic working on her hair - then her volleys.

Janko Tipsarevic rocking the Oakley's in practice.

Richard Gasquet serves. Big.

And future (super)star Milos Raonic of Canada.

Yea So, About My Relationship with Rafael Nadal's Armini Billboard on Sunset Blvd

So yea, anyone that know me knows that I am pretty much a tennis junkie.

And for the last 4-5 years Rafael Nadal has been my #1 man.

Not just mine - in fact, the Spaniard is the #1 player in the world.

So yea, Rafa (as I affectionately call him) has just done an Armani campaign.

Sure it's a bit cheesy. But I'm not complaining.

So yea, this Armani billboard showed up the other day on Sunset Blvd.

It is literally 3 blocks from my place. How thoughtful of them, no?

So yea, this is now the new route I take to walk my dog. Ev-er-y-day.

Until they take that damn thing down. It's a happy pilgrimage.

I had to snap 10 pics to get a good one with it - in the middle of Sunset Blvd.

So yea, I didn't look like a big gay-tard or anything taking that pic yesterday.

Nope. Not at all.