The latest off-court happenings in the world of tennis:
The Relationship Guru Is In
Ladies, wanna know what men really think? Last Thursday on the entertainment news show Extra, John McEnroe, host Mario Lopez, True Blood actor Sam Trammell and former model/author Steve Santagati offered tips on dating and relationships. Though they were entertaining, the guys weren’t exactly earth-shatteringly insightful. One young woman wanted to know if her dates expect something beyond a cordial handshake after taking her out to dinner. Mac’s answer: “Is the Pope Catholic?” Yep, that wisecrack is as old as McEnroe, who turned 50 earlier this year. But it wasn’t all tired quips and shameless guy talk. The husband of singer Patty Smyth, who is touring with her former Scandal band mates this summer, was also promoting the prostate cancer challenge for men over 50.
The Conquistadora
Carla Suarez Navarro, the gifted 20-year-old Spanish player with the wicked one-handed backhand, hit a career-high ranking of No. 23 last week. Christopher Clarey wrote a special report on CSN from the Madrid Open for the New York Times. (Too bad she lost to Li Na in the first round of the tournament on Sunday.) If you recall, the 5-foot-4 Suarez Navarro took out one of the amazons of the women’s game, Venus Williams, at the Australian Open earlier this year. Here’s hoping she can do some more Henin-esque conquering in the future.
Shaving Grace
The Illinois men’s tennis team shaved their heads before the NCAA Division I Championship tournament started last weekend as a show of support for a university administrative assistant who’s been battling breast cancer. Coach Brad Dancer said he would lop a little off his top after every win by his team, and he might soon find himself bald as well. The Illini are through to the round of 16. Perhaps shearing one’s locks is becoming a trend in tennis. In February, Spain’s Tommy Robredo had his head shaved by a group of Spanish players after he won back-to-back titles in Costa do Sauipe, Brazil, and Buenos Aires.
Keep a Lookout For…
We’re always searching for up-and-coming players on the ATP or WTA Tours. Well here’s a promising young player in wheelchair tennis. Brittany Barrett, 17, took up the sport less than two years ago, and is already No. 9 in the ITF’s girls’ singles rankings. In a story from the St. Petersburg Times, Barrett says she hopes to play more European events and make the team for the Paralympics Games in 2012.
More Wedding Bells-a-Ringin’
The tennis world has been attacked by a case of the “I do’s” over the last year or so. Chris Evert, Mardy Fish, Roger Federer and Andy Roddick have all tied the knot. In March, Boris Becker announced he and his on-again-off-again-on-again girlfriend Lilly Kerssenberg were taking the next step in their relationship by getting married on June 12. But before that happens, it’s being reported that Goran Ivanisevic is to wed his girlfriend of 10 years, Tatjana Dragovic, some time this month.
Court Casanova
There’s a new tennis biography out this month. Jon Henderson’s The Last Champion is about Fred Perry, the last British man to win a Grand Slam title. Of course, today Perry is better known for his apparel company with the iconic laurel wreath insignia than for three straight Wimbledon wins in 1934-36. But according to this book, Perry should be considered the sport’s greatest lothario. He was married four times and dated Hollywood actresses Marlene Dietrich, Jean Harlow and Loretta Young. Current tennis heartthrob Fernando Verdasco, who has dated former No. 1 Ana Ivanovic and has been seen in the company of actress Camilla Belle, needs to get busy if he’s going to gather a list like that. For more about Perry and the book, check out this article from the Guardian.
Random YouTube Clip
If you like the Federer-Nadal rivalry and Rocky III, then you’ll love this video!