What would you do with Lleyton Hewitt?

Make out (with), date, marry, or dump: what would you do with Lleyton Hewitt?

My options would have some other verbs, but I can’t share those in mixed company!

(Photo by Wade Laube/SMH)

Nole isn’t a total douchebag, aka Ivan Ljubicic is the luckiest man in the world

Not everyone just gets handed a sweaty shirt worn by Nole Djokovic (yes, some of us actually have to bid for it). But in the spirit of sportsmanship — and perhaps making a political statement — Croat Ivan Ljubicic and the Serbian exchanged shirts after their match at the Masters Series Monte Carlo last week. Consider this a “carbon offset” to the mouth of Djokovic and his camp, which has been recently spewing lots of hot air (none of which is directed to his old pal Andy Murray, of course…).

(Thanks, Chris!)

Davydenko’s legacy might not be match-fixing after all…

(By the way, this lighter green is the new color of Prince.)

Two weeks ago, Nikolay Davydenko put together a string of wins at the Sony Ericsson Open beating Andy Roddick and Rafael Nadal en route to capturing the biggest title of his career. His play on court, combined with the romantic story of how he switched from the Ozone Tour to the denser string pattern of the Ozone Pro Tour prior to his first round match, and how he used the same frame to march through the draw, are becoming something of tennis lore. His results and outspoken affinity for his “new” O3 racquet, have not only led to a surge in his popularity but created a noticeable spike in demand for the racquet as well.

Sharapova celebrates her 21st in Lanvin

Maria Sharapova celebrated her 21st birthday at Tenjune last night with a party thrown by Tag Heuer and attended by her nearest and dearest, which included Michelle Trachtenberg, a compact Dave Annable, Vera Wang, Anna Wintour, Doo.ri, and the duo behind Ruffian. The invitation-only crowd danced to the music of DJ Cassidy What’s up with Tenjune being the favored venue of tennis players to party?

Masha looked good wearing a blue Lanvin dress from the Spring 2008 RTW. She continues to flirt with loose fabric, this time in the form of a mini-train that went down the back of her outfit. It’s the Wimbledon swan dress all over again!

She added a tiara, a vintage clutch, and a pair of black, peep-toe Louboutins to round out the look.

More photos: Click here.

Do you know what Maria wore to Letterman?

Masha played tennis with David Letterman and Billy Crystal outside of the Late Show studio when she stopped by on Monday. (Watch: Masha and Dave play tennis)

Help me out: Does anyone know about that pleated bib/cape she’s wearing? Who’s it by?

(src)

Fashion Focus: leaving Lemaire ‘lone

The side project of adorable Christopher Lemaire is nothing like the work he does as creative director of Lacoste. Free from the shackles of a “brand DNA” (and there’s 75 years of it!), Lemaire turns instead to personal influences in music when designing for his year-old eponymous label. (He was a DJ in Paris before leaving to work for Lacroix and YSL, and before taking over at Lacoste in 2000.)

“At Lemaire, I’m starting from a blank page, everything is linked to my personal sensibilities and it is a lot more introverted,” he tells Refinery29. The collection has lots of slim yet baggy silhouettes (think pleated pants, gathered and cinched fabrics, etc.) My fave is the men’s polo with an animal graphic (looks like a llama?).

Browse: This season’s influence is “[1960s] beach party with a scratch of new wave attitude.” See the full collection at www.lemairestyle.com.

(via Refinery29)

Ripe for the picking: Orchard Street’s Spring ’08 collection

NYC-based streetwear brand Orchard Street teams with Claremont for another tennis-inspired Spring line. (They started up last year.)

The logo with neon yellow roses are back (squint enough and you’ll see its tennis ball skeleton) along with this elaborate “Seven Star Brand” insignia pictured above. That’s just DYING to be a tattoo. Any takers?

Buy: You’ll eventually be able to grab the goods on the Orchard Street website. Right now they’re still peddling the winter collection.

(via Hypebeast)

A tennis fashion gallery

More and more news/magazine portals are doing tennis fashion pieces these days. Some are great; some, not so much (like this one eschewing Borg‘s short shorts and loving Rafa‘s capris. No thank you, Martha!).

Check out this gallery out of MSN (pegged to Masha‘s 21st birthday — hunh?); you might run across some clothes and accessories that you haven’t seen Serena, Venus, or Maria wear before.

(photos via MSN)

Nole in Gucci for GQ

Even GQ, the scrawny brother of Men’s Vogue, gets in on Nole mania (Anna, Jay — move aside!) with their May issue. A four-page spread features current tennis and (soon-to-be) fashion darling Novak Djokovic.

Again, the usual bio (impersonations blah blah blah family pizzeria blah blah blah Australian Open) but this time coupled with the Frida Giannini-designed Spring 2008 collection from Gucci.

The jewelry’s a nice touch.

More: See the full Gucci Spring 2008 Menswear collection here.

(photos via GQ)

Roger’s practices, part 2

In case you’re keeping track of Roger Federer‘s practice tees, here’s an early roundup from Monte Carlo…

He stays with a crewneck ringer (similar to his current retro polo) in this photo with current coach Jose Higueras.

And he and Nike go ultra-athletic/varsity with this “08 Suisse” tee. Is that what’s in store for Federer’s summer?

(photos via MTF)

Looking for some geek chic?

Huge wire frame glasses? Check. Zip-up varsity jacket with loud sleeve patterns? Check. Siamese ice cream cone? Check. ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤

And yes, I think that is Kim Clijsters on the right.

Now it makes sense to me why Justine’s current wardrobe is so drab — she used up all her style points as a kid!

(photos from src via WTB)

Juan Carlos Ferrero out on the town

(Editor Update: We’ve moved on to Tennis Now as of July 2012, but still covering hard-hitting off-court news like this one. Everyone needs to know what Juan Carlos Ferrero wears when at a nightclub, yes?)

You already know my love for all things asymmetrical. You can add this shirt, worn by Juan Carlos Ferrero at Spanish nightclub Barroco 39″.

(photo via MTF)

What is Kolya wearing?

Question of the week: Aside from what I can only assume is his wedding ring, what else is hanging from Nikolay Davydenko‘s necklace?

(photos from the Estoril Open by AP)

Trophy Watch: the tennis year begins

With Roger Federer‘s first title of the season at this year’s Estoril Open, “the tennis season has finally begun,” says a hitting partner of mine. Even though this clay win was handed to him after Nikolay Davydenko retired with a leg injury, I’m sure this will feed his confidence as he warms up for Roland Garros.

Roger was up a set before Kolya pulled out at 7-6 (5), 1-2.

The Estoril Open trophy is still one of the best on the tour.

Maria Kirilenko gets shortchanged with a bland crystal cup after she bags her third career title at the Estoril women’s event. The gorgeous Russian, clad in adidas by Stella McCartney, took out the Czech Republic’s Iveta Benesova 6-4, 6-2.

Serena Williams caps her great week at the Family Circle Cup (she blew Masha out of the water in the third set of their quarterfinal match) with a 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 victory over Vera Zvonareva,

This week’s Kevin Anderson (or is it Kei Nishikori?), the barceloneo Marcel Granollers-Pujol, downed James Blake 6-4, 1-6, 7-5 at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships in Houston.

Finally, David Ferrer wins the Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana. He outlasted two-time defending champion Nicolas Almagro 4-6, 6-2, 7-6.

(photos by Getty Images; Ferrer photo via OTCV)

The Spanish kids are alright

As expected (and more so now that Madrid is a main sponsor of Davis Cup), the Spaniards showed up for their quarterfinal tie last week dressed to kill. And that they did, brushing aside the Germans for a 4-1 victory. Kudos to Nike, Joma, adidas, and Lotto for all working together to make the Spanish team look like, well, a team.

Rafa Nadal in Nike.

David Ferrer wears Lotto.

The doubles team of Feliciano Lopez and Fernando Verdasco came out in Joma and adidas, respectively.

More: Two more of Rafa below…

(photos by AP)

Monte Carlo Royalty

Is this random circumstance, or are photographers working the early rounds at Monte Carlo having too much fun?

(photo of Jose Acasuso and Robin Soderling by AP)

Tag Heuer hosts Maria’s 21st birthday

With the first 2008 clay monkey off her back, Maria Sharapova heads to New York for a belated 21st birthday celebration on Tuesday. While she’s in the Big Apple, she’ll stop by the Late Show with David Letterman. Perhaps she’ll get David to rally with her?

Watch: Late Show with David Letterman, Monday, April 19, 11:35 p.m.

FYI: Her birthday is April 19.

Rafael Nadal: write your own caption

The fantasy of so many folks I know — Rafael Nadal bent over.

This was at a practice session for the DC quarterfinal between Germany and Spain. Rafa won his singles rubber to give his team the 4-1 victory.

More: Tie details here.

(photo from AP)

Andy’s mohawk

Andy Roddick was sporting a “mohawk” at the Davis Cup tie against France last weekend. He lost an NCAA bet against his fiancee, Brooklyn Decker. Oh, Andy, isn’t it true? Kids Fiancees make you do the darndest things!

(photo by Getty Images)

David Ferrer in Lotto blue

Spaniard David Ferrer plays at this week’s Open de Tenis Comunidad Valenciana wearing pieces from Lotto‘s refreshing aqua-colored Spring 2008 Effect line. Notice the assymetrical geometric scribble that seems to be all the rage these days.

Buy: Lotto Effect Crew, $42.99; Effect Shorts, $29.99; Effect Polo, $49.99.

(photos via OTCV gallery)