In this latest installment of the Fourhand series, a dad who should've had his potshot blocked, your chance to buy a pro player's service, Roddick remains relevant, and Sharapova dwarfs a few starlets.
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SINS OF THE FATHER When last we saw Alexandra Stevenson, she retired from a match in Saguenay, Quebec, at a $50,000 ITF event. Up a set and 4-3 on Tunisia's Ons Jabeur, Stevenson actually retired from a match for the fourth straight event, per the WTA website.
Stevenson is back in the spotlight for a different reason. Julius "Dr. J" Erving reportedly tells the story of daughter and 1999 Wimbledon semifinalist Stevenson's conception in his new autobiography, creatively titled Dr. J. You can read about the specifics and his sometimes hanky-panky partner, Samantha Stevenson, a journalist covering the Philadelphia 76ers at the time, here, fittingly on the New York Post's Page Six. Says Dr. J, in the midst of the disclosure: “I’ve paid a terrible price for my sins and there is some justice in that. But should Alexandra have had to pay a price? What sin did she commit?”
Maybe that's a good query, but it drums up another, far better one: Should this daughter have to cope with a "media firestorm" once again due to her father's antics?
ANDY'S STILL ACE Sir Elton John played the Andy Roddick Foundation's annual gala fundraiser once again, this time regaling all comers with classic songs born decades before his current album with lyricist Bernie Taupin, The Diving Board. Justin Gimelstob and more attendees both famous and everyday played a part in $1 million being raised, bringing Roddick's charity haul to date to more than $11 million, all in an effort to improve kids' lives through education, summer and tennis camps, technology, and student-uniform initiatives.
STEPPING OUT SPECTACULARLY Maria Sharapova continues her low-key recovery from shoulder bursitis, banishing herself from the tennis court to rustic retreats where she befriends wild animals and puts on sweats bought on the JCPenney clearance rack. Wait, no. She's hopping around to venues such as a charity party benefiting Africa, where she pals around with actresses such as Emmy Rossum and dons a Dolce & Gabbana peek-a-boo dress.
What do you think of Dr. J's desire to pull his daughter back into a glaring spotlight?
Thanks to [@shockman80 for the Rent A Pro tip.]
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