Here, a roundup of this week's headlines and sidelines from this most maddening of sports.
[1] SHARING ALL OVA
Maria Sharapova's candy venture continues its onslaught with a nonviolent takeover of Texas, now planted firmly in Dallas Central Market. Seeing is believing, so there you have it, via the Sugarpova Facebook page.
[2] PICO + RAFA
Juan Monaco and Rafael Nadal enjoyed some boat-based relaxation this past week, and the good news is that Nadal is apparently training again. Monaco's Facebook comment on the photo album says (translated), "After a hard day of training, we traveled through a little this marvelous place." For those who have wanted to see one or both of these stars in a skin-tight body suit, well, you are in luck. Nadal still targets an Australian Open 2013 return to Grand Slam action.
[3] THE ANDY SHOW
Andy Murray and Andy Roddick are poised for an exhibition match on an immaculate white court in Miami. Ah, Roddick, how can we miss you if you don't truly leave?
[4] THE ARVIDSSON FACTOR
Marion Bartoli may or may not have 99 problems, but a Swede sure is one. Spin friend @jessejmiller points out that, with her unceremonious 6-3, 6-0 loss to her lower-ranked foe this week, Bartoli now has a 2-5 record against Sofia Arvidsson. Funny how a player whose career successes are significantly lesser can have a top gun's number.
Have a great weekend, all, and do catch that Venus Williams vs. Andrea Petkovic semifinal from Luxembourg!
—Jonathan Scott (@jonscott9)