JUST WONDERING: In the absence of Amelie Mauresmo and Nathalie Dechy, does Mary Joe Fernandez‘s not-exactly-formidable, Williams-less U.S. contingent of Melanie Oudin, Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Liezel Huber actually look like a Fed Cup favorite against France’s foursome of Alize Cornet, Julie Coin, Pauline Parmentier and Stephanie Cohen-Aloro?…Given Lleyton Hewitt‘s withdrawal from San Jose (he’s having surgery on his right hip), will the Aussie (who relies heavily on his blazing, corner-to-corner speed) go the way of Gustavo Kuerten and fade away?
AFRICAN JOURNEY: Gael Monfils recently visited Nelson Mandela‘s former home in South Africa. Said the Frenchman, “I will never forget.”
SLAP HAPPY: The Times of London’s Patrick Kidd quipped, “So Switzerland’s six-month wait for a Grand Slam title is finally over. Another trophy in the Roger Federer cabinet, and another reason to want to slap him.”
THAT KIMMY’S A REAL DOLL: Mattel has launched a Kim Clijsters Barbie doll (complete with U.S. Open trophy).
BREES ‘N BODE: Andy Roddick may have come up short against Serena Williams in his pre-teen years, but it was revealed that the Texan stomped Saints QB Drew Brees three times in junior competition. “He’d kill me,” Brees confided. “I can play his sport better than he can play mine, though.” Speaking of multi-sport achievers, Olympic skier Bode Miller (whose parents founded the Tamarack Tennis Camp in his native New Hampshire) will attempt to qualify for the U.S. Open this spring when he participates in the USTA’s newfangled U.S. Open National Playoffs. “Tennis has always been a part of my life,” said Miller.
THE NUMBERS
6: Knee surgeries (three on each knee) that comeback-minded Mark Philippoussis has undergone.
18%: Of 1,400 people polled by Barclays Spaces for Sport who said that Roger Federer is their top male sports role model.
QUOTEBOOK
“Is there any event with less tennis street cred than Fed Cup?” — Peter Bodo
“That’s why [Rafael] Nadal is out of legs right now — because for him every point is like the Second World War.” — Roy Emerson
“There’s no secret behind it. I’m definitely a very talented player.” — Roger Federer
“There’s a spark.” — Martina Hingis on whether she’s contemplating a return to the WTA Tour after witnessing the instant success of Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin
“Bravo to Serena-Henin and Federer-Murray. But, ultimately, [the Australian Open] may be recalled as the tournament the Chinese players broke through.” — Jon Wertheim
“watching american idol for the first time in 6 years…. i hate how much i love it.” – Andy Roddick via Twitter
