James Blake Uncovered? In some ways, he really has been covered enough (click here for his hilarious “interview” with Stephen Colbert). But it’s nice to hear him talk about the experiences tennis has given to him – although I can hear the “James Blake is too satisfied with what he’s accomplished and not hungry enough” chorus in my head. Can’t help it, sorry.

It’s too bad the video didn’t cover Blake’s late-season coaching change. He looked sharp in Asia and I’m thinking (hoping?) 2010 will be a good year for him.

(Is anyone else really excited to hear from Marian Vajda next week?)

An HILARIOUS video featuring James Blake and everyone’s favorite faux Talking Head, Stephen Colbert. There is just too much funny for me to even describe. So go ahead and watch it (sorry, it has nothing to do with the ATP’s calendar – hope you aren’t too disappointed!)

“Why do people continue to play tennis while Roger Federer is still alive?” Ha!

And who else wants that ball bazooka? Is that thing for real?

Thanks to MarK for bringing this to my attention and to Judy for hunting it down! Enjoy!

It’s so nice, I’m posting it twice! (Not sure if anyone but me was having buffering issues with the first one.)

REUTERS/Nir Elias (CHINA SPORT TENNIS) via Daylife

It’s official – the Grouchy Season has started.

Here’s Nadal complaining about the long season to reporters in Shanghai on Tuesday:

“It’s impossible to play 1st of January and finish 5th of December. It’s impossible to be here playing like what I did the last five years, playing a lot of matches and being all the time 100 percent without problems.”

Andy Roddick seconds that emotion:

“It’s ridiculous to think that you have a professional sport that doesn’t have a legitimate off season to rest, get healthy, and then train. I just feel sooner or later that common sense has to prevail.”

But Andy Roddick is not sure who in the ATP should step up and make the necessary changes:

“I certainly don’t see any other sporting leagues or federations following our lead as far as not being individually represented (i.e. through an autonomous players’ union.) I don’t know that it’s up to the players to be making business decisions about the schedule. At a certain point, I wish our input would be: ‘It’s got to be someone’s job to figure that out, right?’”

(Quotes via AP)

We already discussed the scheduling topic at GTT last week, after Roddick brought it up in Beijing. If GTT readers ruled the tennis world, most of us would  push the Australian Open to Februray (sorry Aussies!) and add a couple more weeks between Wimbledon and the French. Feel free to chime in here or here.

But until the powers that be decide to end the season after the US Open, there’s this week’s Shanghai Masters to be played. The tournament features 8 of the top 10 players in the world (who are those missing two, again?) and the most famous man in China, Marat “Tsar” Safin. I love this photo – check out the best Marat sign ever: “Marat Just Be Yourself!”

AP Photo/Andy Wong via Daylife

Safin beat fellow wild-card Gong Mao Xin in the first round and faces the winner of the Marin Cilic vs. Tomas Berdych match next.

Rafael Nadal is at the top of the draw, and will face James Blake in the second round (a rematch of last week’s three-setter in Beijing.) Fernando Verdasco is in his quarter and Juan Martin Del Potro and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga are possible semifinal opponents.

Defending champion (and this weekend’s Beijing titlist), Novak Djokovic, anchors the draw. He could face Tommy Haas in the third round and Simon, Cilic or  Safin are possible in the quarters. Roddick or Davydenko could await in the semis.

(Interesting tidbit I picked up from people who actually understand the points system:  If Nole wins this week – admittedly a tough task – and Rafa loses before the quarterfinals, Novak’s ranking will go to No. 2. But the ranking would still be a toss up at the World Tour Finals.)

I’m thinking this is Del Potro’s to lose. What do you think?

Time for some audio-visuals!

Here’s Andy Roddick, not saying but probably thinking: “Same sh*t, different day”:

I feel like James Blake is playing his own mini season right now.  He has a new coach, played Rafa tough in Beijing and just scored a  confidence-building first round win over Ivo Karlovic in Shanghai. He’ll get a second chance at Nadal in the second round this week. Compared to Roddick he’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.:

And the ATP’s preview:

Click here for the Shanghai Masters TV schedule (USA only.) For live streaming options, click here.

The Majors may be over, but there’s still plenty of action on the ATP tour this season. The China Open has been especially exciting, with Rafael Nadal doing well and guys like Safin, Djokovic and Soderling still in the draw. It’s going to be a fun tennis weekend!

Here’s Rafa’s take after his tough second round win over James Blake:

And some highlights from Nadal vs. Blake and Safin vs. Gonzalez:

Safin and Nadal will face each other in the quarterfinals.

It’s a good news/bad news/Big News day for James Blake fans. Blake’s out of the China Open, but played Rafael Nadal tough, losing 5-7, 7-6(4), 3-6 in what was reportedly “some of the most outstanding and intense tennis thus far in the tournament.”

And in Big News that I had no clue about, ESPN is reporting that Blake stopped working with his long-time (as in 17 years together) coach Brian Barker after the US Open and is now with friend and former-pro Kelly Jones:

“It’s not like we’re ending our relationship,” Blake said by telephone from Beijing. “We’re still good friends, which will never change. Right now we both feel like I need to hear some things from a different voice. Kelly’s been close to both of us for a long time, and he’s a perfect fit for now. If things go well with him, everyone’s happy. Brian wants nothing but the best for me. If they don’t, then I go back to Brian and we know there’s a reason I’m back. It was just time to take a little break and see how it goes with someone else.”

Brian Barker reportedly suggested the coaching change, which Blake resisted, at first:

“I told him that the most important thing in his tennis career is to have a clear head and peace of mind for the rest of your life that you did everything you possibly could to get better, maximize your potential and not leave anything on the table,” Barker said Thursday. “He eventually agreed that was a good idea.”

Kelly Jones was ranked No. 1 in doubles in 1992, was a member of the US Olympic team in ‘84, and won two singles titles on the ATP tour. He has coached Mardy Fish and Xavier Malisse. For more on Jones, click here.

All I can say is: FINALLY!   I just worry that it’s too little, too late. What do you think?

Click here to read more from ESPN.

Have you heard? ESPN The Magazine’s “The Body Issue” will feature nude or “semi nude” photographs of various athletes. (What is semi-nude, anyway? Is it the same as being semi-clothed? Like a glass half empty/half full kind of thing?)

According to USA Today, James Blake and Serena Williams will represent for tennis. (*UPDATE* -  James Blake is not on the ESPN press release list of naked athletes – so consider the photo below as a bonus.)

Eh. Been there, seen that:

I should come clean and admit that I have a major bone to pick with ESPN The Magazine. It published one of the single most ridiculous tennis articles ever written. Here’s how it started:

“If I guaranteed you that the 2008 Wimbledon men’s final would be the best tennis match of the past 20 years, would you watch it?

Amazingly, many sports fans would say no. Maybe they’d flick over to NBC a few times to “monitor the action.” Maybe they’d swing by for the fifth set. Maybe they’d watch a few games and get bored, then allow themselves to be sucked in by Under Siege or a Tila Tequila marathon. But I don’t have a single friend who’d watch four hours of tennis on a Sunday morning and, I’m guessing, neither do you.“

Note that this article was written before Wimbledon. We all know what happened two weeks later. HA!

So here’s The Body Issue, GTT Edition for you.

(Note: this is an all-male edition. I figure there are enough naked/semi-naked lady photos on the internet. I’m sure you know where to find them. . .)

An entire Naked Tennis Player Magazine could be devoted to the Spanish Armada:

Here’s Marat Safin doing the “semi-nude” thing:

“You’ve seen one, you’ve seen ‘em all!” Yeah, right, Marat.

And here’s a classic for all you Pat Rafter fans:

Are you still curious about that *other* Body Issue?Here’s some info from the ESPN presser:

ESPN The Magazine’s inaugural “Body Issue,” on newsstands Friday, Oct. 9, will feature nearly 80 athletes from a variety of sports in a celebration and exploration of the athletic form. The issue honors athletes of diverse shapes, sizes, genders and races within the boundaries of taste and frontiers of creativity upon which ESPN The Magazine and ESPN have built their reputations. It is a testament to the work the athletes do, the effort they exert and the price they sometimes pay in reliance on their most important asset – their bodies.

Features in the Body Issue explore the athletic form, inside and out – literally. Body Issue editorial topics include: the largest genetic test of current and former athletes to examine their genetic mapping, athletes’ use of sexuality to promote themselves, a first-hand look at an athlete’s ACL surgery, insuring the athletic body and what video game companies know about the athletic body and the process they go through to create the video game representation of star athletes.

And here is the list:

·          Adam Nelson / TRACK & FIELD / SHOT PUT
·          Adrian Peterson / NFL / VIKINGS
·          Alex Solis / JOCKEY
·          Bryan Clay / TRACK & FIELD / DECATHLETE
·          Byamba / SUMO
·          Carl Edwards / NASCAR
·          Casey Hampton / NFL / STEELERS
·          Cheryl Haworth / WOMEN’S WEIGHTLIFTER
·          Claire Bevilacqua / SURFER
·          D.C. United: Chris Pontius, Bryan Namoff, Clyde Simms, Jaime Moreno, Santino Quaranta, Ben Olsen / SOCCER / MLS
·          Dwight Howard / NBA / MAGIC
·          Edmonton Oilers: Sheldon Souray, Ethan Moreau, Andrew Cogliano / NHL
·          Gina Carano / MMA
·          Ivan Rodriguez / MLB / RANGERS
·          Jenn Stuczynski / TRACK & FIELD / POLE VAULT
·          Johnny Weir / ICE SKATER
·          Ken Schrader / NASCAR
·          Kevin Robinson / BMX
·          Kristi Leskinen / FREESTYLE SKIER
·          Laird Hamilton / SURFER
·          Lolo Jones / TRACK & FIELD / HURDLER
·          LPGA: Sandra Gal, Anna Grzebien, Christina Kim / GOLF
·          Malliciah Goodman / COLLEGE FOOTBALL / CLEMSON
·          Manny Pacquiao / BOXER
·          Mark Martin / NASCAR
·          Metal Mulisha: Todd Potter, Colin Morrison, Ronnie Faisst, Brian Deegan, Beau Manley, Nixey Danielson / MOTOCROSS
·          Michelle Carter / TRACK & FIELD / SHOT PUT
·          Natasha Kai / USA SOCCER
·          Nelson Cruz / MLB / RANGERS
·          Oguchi Onyewu / USA SOCCER
·          Patrick Kerney / NFL / SEAHAWKS
·          Poker: Daniel Negreanu, Scotty Nguyen, Jennifer Harman, Phil Hellmuth
·          Randy Couture / MMA
·          Ryan Guettler / BMX
·          Ryan Lochte / SWIMMER
·          Sarah Reinertsen / TRIATHLETE
·          Scott Jurek / ULTRAMARATHONER
·          Serena Williams / TENNIS
·          Shane Proctor / BULL RIDER
·          Steph Davis / ROCK CLIMBER / BASE JUMPER
·          Stephane Robidas / NHL /  STARS
·          Susan Francia / ROWER
·          Torry Holt / NFL / JAGUARS
·          USA Softball: Natasha Watley, Cat Osterman, Jessica Mendoza, Lauren Lappin
·          Zdeno Chara / NHL / BRUINS

For some preview images, click here.

I hate to be a Negative Nellie, but so far I’m unimpressed with this year’s US Open Players’ Party. Where is everyone? (And by everyone I mean Federer, Nadal, Sharapova, Roddick, etc.) Maybe we’ll get video of Nole pole dancing with the Bondarenko sisters tomorrow. . . until then, here are some photos of Venus, James Blake, Tommy Robredo and others. The event took place on Saturday evening at the Skyline Studios in NYC. So much for the rumors that Nicole Vaidisova and Radek Stepanek broke up.

Now this is a well-matched couple. Bethanie Mattek-Sands, with her husband, Justin Sands:

James Blake with someone named Olivia Palermo. Don’t think they’re dating, but they make a cute couple, no?

Wow, Tommy Robredo, flying solo:

Those jeans are really nice. And I like the watch. Good job, Tommy!

Venus Williams was there, too:

Yes, Venus can pull off a jump suit. A jumpsuit with ruffles:

Actress Emmy Rossum with a tennis ball:

The forecast calls for real rain at the start of the tournament, not tennis ball rain. Boo. . . .

I really hope we get to see some actual tennis!

Goodbye, dinky post-Wimbledon clay court tournaments! It’s time for concrete, sweltering heat and questionable hot dogs! Yes, the US Open Series is here and what better way to celebrate than with our own US Open Series promo film fest? Here’s a round up of the videos, past and present.

Andy Roddick is no one trick pony, people:

Andy Murray does his Rafa impersonation:

Serena obviously ripped Barbies’ heads off as a kid:

James Blake wants to take himself out to dinner:

Jelena Jankovic always puts on a show:

Dinara Safina is so awkward, yet adorable:

“They like the Federer, hey!”:

Venus and Harold, sitting in a tree!

Why did they give Ana Ivanovic such a LAME one?

Sorry folks, Nadal and Djokovic get mere cameos:

AND WHERE IS KUZY???? I’d trade in Blake for a Sveta infomercial any day. Masha, too. Also, there’s a cute Sam Querrey one that I can’t find on Youtube. . .anyone?

And now for a Tour Bus flash back – let’s revisit last year’s vids, shall we?

Roger to Roddick: “Did you steal my sandwich. . .”

Nadal: “This is rrrrriduckulous!”

Nadal: “This is rrrrriduckulous!” (I just noticed that they used the same Rafa takes for this one. Boo!)

OMG! Look how arrogant Roger Federer is with this MUG! JERK! And we thought the jacket was bad! Someone call the arrogance police! (Just kidding!)

(And we all remember that McEnroe was called in to replace Justin Gimelstob after Kournikova-gate last year.)

Venus and her def beats. . .uh, okay.

The Series started this past week in Indianapolis, with Querrey vs. Dancevic and Isner vs. Ginepri playing the semis this weekend. Click here for the full U.S. Open Series T.V. schedule

Davis Cup is the most emotional event in tennis. The pressures of playing for team and country either lift players up to the heights of glory or push them deep into dank pits of shame and despair. Which from a fan perspective, makes Davis Cup damn entertaining, even if you’re watching a fuzzy broadcast of Mardy Fish vs. Marin Cilic in the fifth set on clay.

Here are the highs and lows of this weekend’s Davis Cup Quarterfinals:

CZECH REPUBLIC DEFEATS ARGENTINA 3-2 in Czech Republic

You know it’s a good tie when there’s a live 5th rubber. Radek “The Worm” Stepanek steamrolled Juan Monaco in the penultimate match, inventing yet another diabolical victory dance:

“Stepanek collapsed in a heap and then, while seated, grabbed hold of an imaginary steering wheel: there had never been much doubt who was in the driving seat, although apparently there had been the night before when Stepanek’s knee condition was giving serious cause for concern.” (via daviscup.com)

Poor Juan, no wonder he was driven to tears:

CZECH REPUBLIC vs. ARGENTINA scores:

R1 – T.BERDYCH (CZE) def. J.MONACO (ARG): 6-4  2-6  2-6  6-3  6-2
R2 – J.DEL POTRO (ARG) def. I.MINAR (CZE): 6-1  6-3  6-3
R3 – R.STEPANEK / T.BERDYCH (CZE) def. L.MAYER / J.ACASUSO (ARG): 6-1  6-4  6-3
R4 – J.DEL POTRO (ARG) def. T.BERDYCH (CZE): 6-4  6-4  6-4
R5 – R.STEPANEK (CZE) def. J.MONACO (ARG): 7-6(5)  6-3  6-2

CROATIA DEFEATS USA 3-2 in Croatia

James Blake took the No. 1 spot when an injured Andy Roddick pulled from DC this weekend, and unfortunately, he couldn’t make good. Both he and Mardy Fish lost excruciating five setters on Friday, which – at over 8 hours of play – became one of the longest days in Davis Cup history. The Bryan Brothers’ victory on Saturday only served to give Blake another crushing memory as he lost the fourth rubber to a scary-good Marin Cilic.

James Blake indicated that he couldn’t handle the pressure when he complained about the “hostile” behavior of the Croatian crowd on Friday:

“To boo our fans is something I find unacceptable. . . To clap when I miss a first serve and things like that on a pretty consistent basis seems pretty hostile to me.” (via daviscup.com)

Uh, James, you did realize you were playing Davis Cup, right?

Bob Bryan scored the second point for Team USA in the dead fifth rubber.

CROATIA vs USA scores:

R1 – I.KARLOVIC (CRO) def. J.BLAKE (USA): 6-7(5)  4-6  6-3  7-6(3)  7-5
R2 – M.CILIC (CRO) def. M.FISH (USA): 4-6  6-3  6-7(3)  6-1  8-6
R3 – B.BRYAN / M.BRYAN (USA) def. R.KARANUSIC / L.ZOVKO (CRO): 6-3  6-1  6-3
R4 – M.CILIC (CRO) def. J.BLAKE (USA): 6-3  6-3  4-6  6-2
R5 – B.BRYAN (USA) def. R.KARANUSIC (CRO): 5-7  6-3  7-6(4)

ISRAEL DEFEATS RUSSIA 4-1 in Israel

Andy Ram and Jonathan Erlich secured the third crucial point in their doubles match against Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn on Saturday, taking Israel into the Davis Cup semis for the first time in history.

From Israel’s team captain Eyal Ran:

“I actually can’t describe how I feel. I am so proud to be an Israeli today, to be a part of this team, so proud to be part of this sport and Davis Cup tennis.” (via JTA)

This is yet another disappointing pre-retirement result for Marat Safin, who helped usher Team Russia to Davis Cup glory in 2002 and 2006. Not that losing makes him any less photogenic:

ISRAEL vs. RUSSIA scores:

R1 – H.LEVY (ISR) def. I.ANDREEV (RUS): 6-4  6-2  4-6  6-2
R2 – D.SELA (ISR) def. M.YOUZHNY (RUS): 3-6  6-1  6-0  7-5
R3 – J.ERLICH / A.RAM (ISR) def. I.KUNITSYN / M.SAFIN (RUS): 6-3  6-4  6-7(3)  4-6  6-4
R4 – I.ANDREEV (RUS) def. D.SELA (ISR): 4-3 – Retired
R5 – H.LEVY (ISR) def. I.KUNITSYN (RUS): 6-4  4-6  7-6(2)

SPAIN DEFEATS GERMANY 3-2 in Spain

We learned a few things from this tie in Marbella, Spain. First of all, Spain knows how to fill a tennis stadium:

Second, Philipp Kohlschreiber is having a great year. After beating Novak Djokovic in the French and taking Roger to four sets at Wimbledon, the German won both his rubbers on clay in Spain. His second match was a must-win five set victory over Fernando Verdasco on Sunday to even the tie 2-all.

But 29-year-old Juan Carlos Ferrero is having an even better 2009. He last played Davis Cup in 2005 and was subbed in for Tommy Robredo at the last minute on Sunday, but he proved that he’s still player enough to win live fifth rubbers: “It’s amazing what I felt on court today,” he said after taking out Andreas Beck in straights.

Also amazing, how well the Spanish do group celebrations. Even without Rafael Nadal, they pull off sexy-crows’ feet and tussled, sweaty hair better than any other team:

Speaking of sexy Spaniards, Antonio Banderas is a fan:

SPAIN vs. GERMANY scores:

R1 – F.VERDASCO (ESP) def. A.BECK (GER): 6-0  3-6  6-7(4)  6-2  6-1
R2 – P.KOHLSCHREIBER (GER) def. T.ROBREDO (ESP): 6-3  6-4  6-4
R3 – F.LOPEZ / F.VERDASCO (ESP) def. N.KIEFER / M.ZVEREV (GER): 6-3  7-6(1)  6-7(6)  6-3
R4 – P.KOHLSCHREIBER (GER) def. F.VERDASCO (ESP): 6-4  6-2  1-6  2-6  8-6
R5 – J.FERRERO (ESP) def. A.BECK (GER): 6-4  6-4  6-4

The Davis Cup excitement continues in September’s semifinals. Spain will host Israel and Croatia will host the Czech Republic.

All photos via Daylife

Stepanek in the driver’s seat: SAMUEL KUBANI/AFP/Getty Images

Juan Monaco cries: AP Photo/Petr David Josek

Blake talks to the towel: AP Photo/Darko Bandic

Marin Cilic celebration: HRVOJE POLAN/AFP/Getty Images

Hostile Mohawk: HRVOJE POLAN/AFP/Getty Images

Ehrlich and Ram make history: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Woe is Safin: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Kissy face Safin: REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun

Passionate Safin: AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Rockin’ stadium: REUTERS/Jon Nazca

Kohlscreiber’s glory: DIEGO TUSON/AFP/Getty Images

Verdasco blames his brain: REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Crows feet confidential: REUTERS/Marcelo del Pozo

Antonio Banderas fan and fans: AP Photo/Sergio Torres

Eight teams remain in contention to win the Davis Cup for their countries. They will battle each other in various (mostly European) cities this weekend – July 10 – 12.

Only a sport as crazy as tennis would schedule the quarterfinals of its premier team event the weekend after its premier tournament. Roddick, Ferrer, Nadal and Tursunov have pulled out with injury, and Marat Safin claims a lot of the remaining players are hurting (or else he’s playing possum). But it’s cute men in matching tracksuits, so at least they’re looking good!

Here are the basics, including the necessary (Marat Safin) photos and quotes.

CZECH REPUBLIC v ARGENTINA

Venue: Cez Arena, Ostrava (hard – indoors)

“We’re here to avenge the beating.” – Tomas Berdych via CBS, on losing 0-5 to the Argentines when they last met in D.C.

Team Czech Republic: Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek, Ivo Minar, Lukas Dlouhy/Captain: Jaroslav Navratil

Team Argentina: Juan Martin Del Potro, Jose Acasuso, Leonardo Mayer, Juan Monaco/Captain: Tito Vazquez

CROATIA v USA

Venue: Sportska Dvorana “Zatika”, Porec (clay – indoors)

“Andy has been a stalwart for this team the past nine years, and his dedication to Davis Cup and his teammates is unquestioned.” – Captain Patrick McEnroe via CBS.

“It’s worse for us (than if Andy played.) Instead of an injured Roddick, who after such a final at Wimbledon would have had to play matches on clay, we’ll have to face a motivated Fish.” – Captain Goran Prpic via CBS.

Team Croatia: Marin Cilic, Ivo Karlovic, Roko Karanusic, Lovro Zovko/Captain: Goran Prpic

Team USA: Mardy Fish (replaced Andy Roddick), James Blake, Mike Bryan, Bob Bryan/Captain: Patrick McEnroe

(That’s Patrick McEnroe pretending to return Dr. Ivo’s serve.)

ISRAEL v RUSSIA

Venue: Sport Palaces Ltd (Nokia), Tel Aviv (hard – indoors)

“Not one of us is in shape, save for Igor (Andreev) – there’s nothing to hide about it. . .I hope we’ll be okay.” – Marat Safin via Haaretz

Team Israel: Dudi Sela, Haral Levy, Jonathan Erlich, Andy Ram/Captain: Eyal Ran

Team Russia: Igor Kunitsyn (replaced Dmitry Tursunov), Marat Safin, Igor Andreev, Mikhail Youzhny/Captain: Shamil Tarpischev

(Don’t worry, there’s plenty more Marat in the photo gallery, below! This may be his last time in a tracksuit, before he gets a Shamil-style belly and becomes DC captain in 2029. Sob!)

SPAIN v GERMANY

Venue: Plaza de Toros de Puerto Banus, Marbella (clay – outdoors)

“Nadal is not well and we have to let him rest.” Albert Costa via CBC

Team Spain: Fernando Verdasco, Tommy Robredo, Juan Carlos Ferrero (replaced David Ferrer), Feliciano Lopez/Captain: Albert Costa

Team Germany: Philipp Kohlschreiber, Nicolas Kiefer, Mischa Zverev, Andreas Beck/Captain: Patrick Kuhnen

(What does Philipp know that we don’t?)

Click here for the Davis Cup website.

 

All gallery photos via Daylife.

Team USA Tracksuits photo by REUTERS/Nikola Solic (CROATIA SPORT TENNIS)

Patrick McEnroe gets goosed. REUTERS/Nikola Solic (CROATIA SPORT TENNIS)

Team Russian Tracksuits photo by AP Photo/Ariel Schalit

Marat Safin stands alone in hotness photo by JACK GUEZ/AFP/Getty Images

Team Spain photo by REUTERS/Jon Nazca (SPAIN SPORT TENNIS)

Philipp Kohlschreiber remembers Roland Garros. REUTERS/Jon Nazca (SPAIN SPORT TENNIS)