trophy watch: one of the year’s best trophies gets doled out yet again

Ana Ivanovic made quick work of Svetlana Kuznetsova in their final match at Indian Wells. (The scoreline: 6-4, 6-3.) Ana took home the $332,000 purse, a bracelet from Jeffrey Scott Fine Magnetics, and that cute humpback whale trophy. Kuznetsova, meanwhile, took home $163,000.

Novak Djokovic proved that he’s currently the best men’s tennis player in the world by taking his first Indian Wells title. He beat the en fuego Mardy Fish who, before Sunday, had beaten Roger Federer, David Nalbandian, Lleyton Hewitt, and Nikolay Davydenko in this tournament.

There were a few close calls (and Nole started to self-destruct), but the Serb pulled it together in the end for a 6-2, 5-7, 6-3 win. Props to Mardy for a good two weeks. I can live without his basketball shorts, though. Also: cover your ankles, and stop shaving your legs!

Nole took home a $555,000 paycheck while Mardy raked in $277,500.

Their humps: “The Pacific Promise” Perpetual Trophy is 30 inches tall. It’s a replica of an 18-foot sculpture of a mother humpback whale and her calf. The original resides in Pacific Life’s main office in Newport Beach, Calif. The sculpture was created by artist Randy Puckett, who’s known for his whale work.

More: See more pictures from the men’s and women’s finals, plus photos from the doubles finals, after the cut…

Lovely moment at the net after the match.

K-Swiss got to Mardy just in time!

Ana and her bracelet.

Andy Ram (left) and the adorable (yes, I said it) Jonathan Erlich followed their 2008 Australian Open title with a win in the doubles final against Nenad Zimonjic of Serbia and Daniel
Nestor of Canada on Friday.

Russians rule: Elena Vesnina and Dinara Safina beat the Chinese team of Yan Zi and Zheng Jie 6-1, 1-6, 10-8 on Saturday.

The Rocket: Palm Springs resident (and tennis legend) Rod Laver was presented with the Alan King Tennis Passion Award by Bud Collins. Rod’s shirt and Bud’s pants… what a lethal fashion ambush.

(photos by Getty Images; facts from OTB and Daily Tennis)