Dancing in the Dark (aka the off season)

Sometimes a picture—or a pre-viral video clip—is worth a thousand words.

ATP and WTA stars have worked out enough in weight rooms around the globe this year. They deserve to work out their inner grooves to the tunes of their choice at other times.

Three of the past four Spin dispatches have actually featured dancing players, whether Wozniacki's ill-advised take on Serena or the Italians Pennetta and Schiavone (and fans) syncing up for Michael Jackson's "Beat It."

Let's take a look at the latest frolicking foibles of pro tennis players letting loose on dance floors ... or at least exhibition courts and press conference stages.

No. 1: Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils

It occurred at a French football (soccer) stadium converted into a tennis venue. Monfils has long looked (and dressed) on court as though he's ready to attend a rave. This just confirms it. They don't have much to do with Mick Jagger, but says here these two have moves.

No. 2: Rafael Nadal, Feliciano Lopez, and the Spanish Davis Cup team

Never has a hip suffered such a benign, asexual thrust as the one Rafa goes for in that first clip. Bless him. Guess he needs Shakira around to do all the smoldering. It's a beautiful thing to see all the brotherly affection that the winning Spaniards display for onlookers (and, really, all the world) to see. In the second clip, it's good to see Rafa simply get lost in the music. Once again we learn this timeless truth. Tennis pros: They're just like us.

Thanks to the [Querido Rafa blog for the Spaniards' clips.]

—Jonathan Scott (@jonscott9)