Picking up where the TENNIS Holiday Gift Guide left off, here are more ideas for your tennis-loving friends and hard-to-gift loved ones.
Another One Comes Out of the Woodwork
An unexpected figure emerged Monday in the Tiger Woods “transgressions” saga. Lindsay Davenport (yes, three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport) appeared on Monday’s “Entertainment Tonight,” and told the program that she is friends with Tiger and his wife. Davenport and her husband, Jon Leach, and their two children live in Orange County, Calif., where Nordegren and Woods have a home. Davenport also sits on the board of Woods’ learning center. Davenport mainly spoke out in defense of Elin, though, saying she was not an aggressive person and that she wouldn’t have hit him with a golf club, as has been speculated. “The illusion and the identity out there about her is not her,” said Davenport. “She always handles herself with class.” Davenport was participating in an exhibition for the Vijay Amritraj Foundation when she spoke to the entertainment news show. Yet to make a comment about the situation is Woods’ friend and fellow Nike/Gillette pitchman, Roger Federer, who may be concerned that any association might sully his squeaky clean image. Silence: the best defense a man can get.
Seen and Heard
File this one under “How did I miss that?” Months ago, Haley Hunt won a contest for her composition called “Serena.” The song was to become the “official theme music” for Serena Williams. The final version was posted at WeMix, a music site founded by rapper Ludacris in 2008. Sample Lyrics: “Sereeena! I can blaze up the court but love is what I was made for, to change this world is why I’m heeerrre.”… Stan Smith will be inducted into the South Carolina Athletic Hall of Fame with Houston Texans owner Bob McNair, NBA player Horace Grant and others on May 24. … Fraulein Forehand wants you to drink more tea. Only make it Teekanne tea. The German tea company is holding a “Win a Wellness Weekend” contest. The winner gets to hang out with Teekanne’s ambassador, Steffi Graf, in Las Vegas. You have until March 31, 2010, to enter.
Presenting Presents for the Holidays
No matter what your gift-giving dilemma may be, Backcourt has you covered.
If your niece or nephew (or grandpa) is a huge Roger Federer fan, you’re in luck. Federer has come out with the ultimate present, a 1,000-piece puzzle immortalizing his historic win at Wimbledon. The price is approximately $35 (not including S&H).
Do Mom’s country club whites need some jazzing up? Give her these snazzy plaid pom-pom socks from Juicy Couture. $15 a pair, with three colors to choose from.
Your hitting partner thinks he’s Rafa, only the follow-through on his forehand looks more like a dead fish than a whip. Give him The World of Rafael Nadal: Secrets of His Success. For about $30, this book will have your friend hitting sizzling topspin winners in no time. Or so he’d like to think.
Is your doubles partner an uptight Anglophile? TheLobsterPot is selling on etsy.com, the DIY online shopping Mecca, an 8x10-inch KEEP CALM AND PLAY TENNIS print that is designed in the style of the 1939 KEEP CALM AND CARRY ON English poster. Your doubles partner will be so chuffed at your thoughtfulness, she might actually keep calm during your next match. The price is $11.99 (plus $2.20 for shipping). Add in a white frame from Sam Flax for $16, and you’re good to go.
For members of your tennis league that play by their own rules, the USTA’s Friend at Court would make a great little gift. It contains the official ITF Rules of Tennis and “The Code,” a guide for settling disputes when an official isn’t around to make the call. The 2009 version is currently on sale for $4.75.
Instead of giving your biography-reading dad the obvious (that’s right, I’m talking to you, Andre Agassi bestselling autobiography Open), give him Andy Murray’s updated biography, Coming of Age. It includes his life through “Wimbledon 2009 and beyond.” We doubt his recent break-up with Kim Sears is included. Anyway, it’s available for approximately $12.
Breaking up with a girlfriend is hard to do, especially at this time of year. Let the SmacEnroe tennis necklace by Wendy Brandes for Francis do the breaking up for you. At $375, it’s a little pricey, but worth it if you want to put an end to the misery without having the words come out of your mouth.
Does your future Venus Williams need new pajamas? New Jammies’ tennis racquet pjs will put visions of trophies dancing in your little one’s head. The pajamas are $35, and come with an “I Dream of Sports” book.
Ladies, for the man (or men) in your life, a classic polo shirt is always a suitable gift. Neiman Marcus has Lacoste’s cotton pique version for $79.50 in traditional manly colors, like blue, light blue and navy.
For the stylish jetsetter always on the go, Ame & Lulu’s totes can be used for the court or for an overnight trip to the Bahamas. The price is $98, a steal for attractive bags that you can lug your tennis racquet, apparel, balls and other gear around in.
Happy Holidays!
Sarah Thurmond is an associate editor for TENNIS. Follow her on Twitter.