Down the Line: raw + uncut

THE LOW DOWN: Tennis has a dirty, little secret - or so it thinks

2008-07-18T17:06:00.013-04:00

Steve Murray wonders aloud in his recent article for TennisWeek.com whether the tennis world is harboring what he calls a "Sexist Secret"?

Essentially he argues that as much as the sport wants to view everything in terms of athletic ability and wins, it's struggling with TV viewership, sponsorship dollars and a dwindling fan base. And, who better to PR the sport than many of the top lovely lady ballers (and those floating somewhere below.) Sex sells, of course, but is that okay in tennis?

Hell yeah. C'mon, most other sports play up the sexy celebrity status of their top female AND male athletes with no issue. Think soccer's David Beckham + Christiano Ronaldo, baseball's Madonna-loving Alex Rodriguez + Derrick Jeter, racing's Danica Patrick or swimming's Amanda Beard for instance. These sports understand that "personalities" sell and build interest and awareness and, as a result, their very loyal fan bases continue to grow - something tennis sorely lacks.

WTA CEO Larry Scott hit the mark when he told The London Financial Times,

All sports are trying to distinguish themselves through their athletes and the glamorous nature of what they do. That’s what sponsors are after.

Sports marketing 101, people.

But why is tennis so stuck in the mud? My guess is the sport has been lost in its long, stodgy history of crisp whites and politeness. Purists continue to argue that tennis media concentrates too much on the ballers' personalities, fashion, gossip, etc. and doesn't focus enough on the simple yellow ball.

But think about it - some of our sport's best rivalries were great not only because of the matches played but also because of the contrasting personalities involved and how they were played up. McEnroe vs. Borg, Evert vs. Navratilova, Graf vs. Seles, Federer vs. Nadal. Personalities sell the sport, and the sport is a business at the end of the day.

The irony here is the ballers themselves are pushing the envelope and building their own brands through forays into the worlds of entertainment, fashion, music, etc. Ana knows her FHM cover builds a certain image that can be sold to her sponsors and fans. Same goes for Roger Federer walking onto Centre Court in his Gatsby-esque cardigan moment. Besides, how do you think we get a lot of the stories we write about on a daily basis? Ballers' websites.

There's no denying anymore that tennis needs to fast forward into the 21st century. No secret there.

(image via FHM magazine)

PHOTO OP: More of Ashley's spread - tastefully done, mind you

2008-07-18T11:23:00.005-04:00

Hot off the press!

The peeps over at the WTA Tennis Blog have the remaining censored (read: boring but PG-13) images of the Ashley Harkleroad Playboy spread from their August issue.

I love when people do these porno spreads and say afterwards they're "tastefully" done. Since when does tastefully mean cheesy? Oh Ash...

(image via Playboy)

Quote of the Day: Serena on Michelle

2008-07-17T15:01:00.005-04:00

If she plays the way she plays against me, she’ll be a great player.

- Serena Williams on shriek-ster Michelle Larcher de Brito after almost getting booted from Stanford by the 15-year old phenom

Alright Michelle, that's some praise coming from the 8-time Grand Slammer! It seems like your game is coming together though that high-pitched howl could become a nuisance.

But you're young and you know what they say: early detection is the best prevention. Do it to it.

(image via Getty)

VIDEO VAULT: Fed is truly invincible, at least for Olympics TV ad

2008-07-17T11:32:00.005-04:00

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has released a new TV ad starring a number of Olympic hopefuls, including Roger Federer, in a spot promoting the Beijing Games.

The "Heroes" ad, part of the larger "Best of Us" Olympic marketing campaign, was inspired by the film "300" and features runner Haile Gebrselassie, the NBA's Yao Ming, Fed and others playing mythic Greek heroes.

The top-ranked Swiss takes on the "Invincible Man" who is seen soaking wet and airborne wielding a golden racquet.

The ad will appear internationally by all broadcasters who have the rights to the Olympics.

Check it:

Jelena feeling flabby, blames balky knee for over-eating

2008-07-17T10:55:00.006-04:00

It's the same ol' song for Jelena Jankovic.

The Serb, who has a chance to take the top ranking from compatriot Ana Ivanovic after LA next week, is still rehabbing the balky knee she tweaked at Wimbledon according to her blog:

The last time I wrote you, I informed you about my knee injury. Since I came back from London, I had to cancel my vacation plans in order to get daily treatments on my knee so I could be ready for everything that awaits me in the next couple of months. The specific problem is with the meniscus which is recuperating bit by bit. I only practiced one hour a day at the beginning of last week, and last night I arrived to the United States where I will start my more intensive preparation for Los Angeles and Montreal.

But apparently that's the least of JJ's worries. The camera-loving baller is worried that her inactivity has caused her to put on a few noticeable pounds:

One of the things you will be able to notice is that I have eaten too much chocolate, candies and breads, hahahaha. When you do not play for two weeks, muscles start relaxing too much which definitely I do not like so I am glad to start practicing again and bringing my body back to the great physical condition. I need to burn some of that additional fat gathered from this time while I was not playing.

Uh-oh. It seems like someone has serious body image issues because I can't see where the "fat" is living on her very fit body.

I guess she's not afraid to hide it - the issues not the flab, geez!

(image via jj-jelenajankovic.com)

SIGHTING: Venus gets glamorous for 16th annual ESPY Awards

2008-07-17T09:03:00.007-04:00

Book-writing Venus Williams was spotted on the press line for the 16th annual ESPY Awards looking incredibly stylish in a black sequined empire waist dress and bejeweled heels.

Roger Federer earned his fourth straight award for best male tennis baller while Maria "Shriek"apova won her second straight ESPY for best female tennis baller, though neither one made showed up to collect their trophy.

Congrats!

(images via Getty)

The Venus brand continues to build, will pen book for HarperCollins

2008-07-16T17:51:00.007-04:00

Hot on the heels of the beautifully photographed coffee table book Venus Williams by Koto Bolofo, Publisher's Weekly has just announced that the 7-time Grand Slammer has signed a deal with HarperCollins to pen The Coach Matters: Life Lessons Beyond the Playing Field, "an inspirational book about how a memorable coach’s winning advice can translate into success beyond sports."

V will draw upon her own experiences with co-coaches and parents Richard Williams and Oracene Price and discuss how the lessons she learned from them have translated into success both on and off the tennis court. She will also interview leaders in the worlds of business, politics, sports, entertainment, etc. who also share similar experiences with coaches from high school, college and/or the professional ranks.

I have to say V impresses me more and more each day with how she handles herself in every situation and how she continues to evolve not only as a baller, but as a human being.

(image by Koto Bolofo for Venus Williams)

PHOTO OP: More of Maria + Camilla's wacky European vacation

2008-07-16T16:49:00.012-04:00

Supposed apron-wearing homebody Maria "Shriek"apova and her BFF Camilla Belle really did it up in Europe after the Russian's embarrassing second round loss at Wimbledon.

As I wrote earlier the dynamic duo took advantage of the Maria's unexpected time off, taking in haute couture fashion in Paris and hitting the clubs back in London. Apparently the trip also involved the duo hawking on some impossibly good-looking, impeccably dressed men friends, Maria modeling (of course), and some kind of strange mime dance.

Oh what it must be like to be a giant, blonde, well-off Russian tennis machine.

(images via mariasharapova.com)

Quote of the Day: Bartoli on Rafa

2008-07-16T15:42:00.007-04:00

No, not even a little bit.

- Marion Bartoli on whether she was happy for Rafael Nadal after his Wimbledon victory

That's cold-butted. Apparently, the Frenchie idolizes Roger Federer and actually cried for him after the match.

Oh Marion, get a grip - he doesn't need your tears. You know what does, though? Your falling career.

(image via Getty)

VIDEO VAULT: Do we have another "Shriek"apova on our hands? You be the judge.

2008-07-16T13:51:00.007-04:00

Rising Portuguese baller Michelle Larcher de Brito made noise and then some in Stanford, defeating Argetine Gisela Dulko 7-5, 7-6 (1) in the first round. The 15-year old qualifier will next face 8-time Grand Slammer Serena Williams for a spot in the third.

But what about the siren sound that comes out of Michelle's mug? I'm smelling Maria 2.o people and it's not pleasant. Are you?

MICHELLE LARCHER DE BRITO 6 juin 2007
by tennisphotos

(image via Getty, video via Forty Deuce)