TennisToday

Hey Boris Becker, Where's the High Wire & Umbrella?

Ok, he's filming a promo at the World Tour Finals...

But this pic cracked my shit up!

John McEnroe is Calling - From Doha...

He probably gets better service in Doha than I do in West Hollywood.

I HATE AT&T.

John played fellow legend Bjorn Borg in an exo yesterday in Doha.

Photo: Getty Images

Carlos Moya Called it a Career Today

And Carlos has the Hall of Fame trifecta - #1, a Slam and a Davis Cup title.

Carlos turned pro in 1995 and in the following 15 years won 20 ATP titles.

Including the biggie at Roland Garros in '98 - defeating Alex Corretja.

His 1st title came in '95 at Buenos Aires, his last was at Umag in '07.

In fact he seemed to own Umag winning it 5 times!

Carlos spent 2 weeks at #1 in March of '99 - the 1st Spaniard to reach #1.

He also anchored the team that won the Davis Cup (over the US) in 2004.

He wanted a farewell tour but his nagging right foot injury prevented it:

It's not how I dreamt of ending my career.

I wanted to play the big tournaments and say goodbye.

Instant legend tatus: See you in Newport in about 5 years Charly.

Photo: AP

Elton John Lobs a Winner Over Steffi Graf & Andre Agassi

Let's hear it for the old boy!

 

He pulled this off last night at Billie Jean King's WTT Smash Hits AIDS event.

Hey, and is that Jan-Michael Gambill he high-fives at the end of the video?

The Australian Open Trophy Tour Continues

Today Aussie doubles legend Todd Woodbridge had his mitts on it...

No really - smudge glooves?

Todd never won either of these trophies but he did win in doubles 3 times:

Twice with Mark Woodforde in '92 & '97 & once with Jonas Bjorkman in '01.

And he won the Aussie mixed dubs with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in '93.

Photos: Getty Images

Australian Open Trophies are the New Olympic Torch

For some reason the trophies are on tour of Austrailia. Isn't that funny?!

Today they made a whistle-stop in Sydney. On the beach no less.

Whipping up enthusiasm for the upcoming Aussie Open. (Wow, already!)

John Newcombe posed with them. He won the men's title in '73 & '75.

Oh, John also makes a cameo in George W. Bush's new book.

Seems they were together the night 43 got his DUI. Not surprised...

Those Aussies do know how to party!

Photos: Getty Images

Henri Leconte is a Real French Ham

Dude has watched too many Roberto Benigni films!

Ball Goddess photobomb:

Photos: Getty Images

Tennis Legends Having Fun at Champions Downunder

Patrick Rafter protects his daddy maker.

Looks like things got a little too hot for Henri Leconte.

If he wins will Goran Ivanisevic strip down to his undies again?

JMac with the sour puss, natch.

Photos: Getty Images

Pat Cash and the 'Ball Goddesses'

Really?

Pat & the 'Ball Goddesses' promote the upcoming Champions Downunder.

No likey: I've no idea what a 'Ball Goddess' is but it looks & sounds like porn.

 

Former Tennis Stars Amelie Mauresmo & Justin Gimelstob to Run NYC Marathon this Weekend

I get a feeling that Amelie is gonna smoke Justin (with Jonathan Stark).

Kidding aside: this is no small feat - best of luck to all three.

Patrick Rafter Reenacts Federer Trick - In His Underwear!

Total DILF.

Thomas Muster Loses Comeback Match in Vienna

Vienna ATP 250 - Men's First Round

LL Andreas Haider-Maurer d WC Thomas Muter - 62 76(5)

Hmm, it seems this Kimiko Date-Krumm thing isn't all good.

I don't think the tour needs a bunch of 40-somethings back on tour.

I read somewhere that Muster wants to play more tourneys in 2011.

Rethink please: Hell, his record on the senior tour isn't so hot.

Photo: Getty Images

Jim Courier Named US Davis Cup Captain

Predictable and a very good choice I'd say.

As a player Jim was part of the '92 & '95 winning teams.

He enjoyed a Davis Cup singles record of 16-10 & was 1-0 in doubles.

On the ATP tour he won 4 Slam titles - 2 each at the French & Aussie Open.

Jim was ranked #1 for 58 weeks during 1992-93.

He retired in 2000 and was inducted to the Hall of Fame in 2005.

His predecessor Patrick McEnroe tweeted this morning:

Jim Courier new Davis Cup captain.... great choice!

He will inherit the team of Isner, Querrey, Fish & the Bryan Bros.

Jim's debut will happen in Chile the weekend of March 4-6, 2011.

Here's to a successful run.

Andre Agassi's 'Grand Slam Gala for Children' Video/Interview for TV Guide Network

Roger Federer Warms-Up for Match with Stefan Edberg in Stockholm Today

I sure don't need much of an excuse to post a photo of Stefan Edberg.

For a good solid 10 years he was my favorite male player.

He won twice each at the US Open, Australian Open and Wimbledon.

It's that incredible run to the 1992 US Open title I will remember most.

Stefan won the title twice at Stockholm: '86-'87.

On Monday he & frequent partner Andres Jarryd played a doubles exo.

Together they won 2 Slams - the Australian & US Open's, both in 1987.

Nice to see you again Stefan.

Photos: Bildbryan

Photo's from the Andre Agassi Foundation Fundraiser in Las Vegas Last Night

One word for Steffi and Jennifer: WOW.

Um, and then this happened...

Photos: Getty Images

 

John McEnroe, Ivan Lendl & Mats Wilander Played Legends Tennis Today in Paris

What is this? The 80's again. 22 Slam single titles between them.

These 3 won 20 of the 39 Slams available in the 80's.

John won 7: 3 at Wimbledon & 4 at the US Open.

Ivan won 8: 3 at Roland Garros, 3 at the US Open & 2 at the Australian.

Mats won 7: 3 at Roland Garros, 3 at the Australian & 1 at the US Open.

I can remember watching 13 of them on TV. Boy do I feel old.

Photos: Getty Images 

Pete Sampras is really gonna piss off Fedophiles now

Good ol' Pistol Pete was on a conference call today with reporters and naturally he was asked about the current kings of tennis - here are a few things he had to say about Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer.

Pete thinks Rafa can retire with more Slams than Roger, "If he's smart with his schedule and the fact that he has so many at such a young age, he could very well do it. The only question with Rafa is physically how much his body can handle the pounding with how hard he works for every point. You just watch him play, the kid is relentless."

Pete's response to whether Rafa needs to win more Slams to be in the conversation with the all-time greats, "He's won all the majors. He's won the Olympics. He's dominated his main rival, in Roger. I don't think his goal is 16, or 17 or 18, he's just going to try to improve as a tennis player and if it happens, great."

Before you Fedophiles freak he did show Rog some love, "He's a strong favorite for every major he plays. He had two match points against (Novak) Djokovic. He could very well have been in the final. He's playing fine, I don't see any big decline. Other guys are playing better. The next two or three years is a challenging time. But Roger is up to the task and can win more majors."

Women's Tennis: 40th Anniversary of Independence

Nothing doing without the Original 9.

The iconic Ted Tinling photo above features the 9 brave women who signed $1 contracts to start a stand-alone women's tennis tour in Houston 40 years ago today. These pioneers are: Billie Jean King, Rosie Casals, Nancy Richey, Judy Dalton, Kerry Melville Reid, Julie Heldman, Kristy Pigeon, Peaches Bartkowicz and Valerie Ziegenfuss. Honorable mention must be paid to Gladys Heldman who's help with these initial steps was invaluable.

Billie Jean King remembers, "I felt a sense of both fear and exhilaration. We knew we were making history and we had such a strong sense of purpose. I just kept thinking about the vision we had for the future of our sport. We wanted to ensure that any girl in the world that was good enough would have a place to go and make a living playing tennis."

King continues, "Today's players are living our vision. In 1970, and even a few years after we signed the $1 contract with Gladys, people never believed women's tennis would be a global sport and that players would be making the money they make today. But it is a reality and I know today's players will continue our dreams for future generations."

Andrea Petkovich made a nice tibute video - view it HERE.

King Quotes: from the wonderful WTA article on the Original 9 - Photo: Ted Tinling

Pat Rafter Announces Sydney Senior Tour Stop

The two-time US Open champ ('97-'98) announced the addition of Sydney to the ATP Champions Tour, Nov. 11-14, 2010.

And in other news - Pat Rafter is still smokin' hot!

Oh yea, haha - always with the McEnroe impersonator...

Photo: Getty Images