chulobear

If you want to guest blog on Down the Line! , submit your post to me at downthelinetennis@gmail.com . C'mon, you know you want to flash your stuff. by Mark Hodgson  Andy Murray lost again in a Grand Slam at last month's Australian Open and you couldn’t be blamed for thinking that he is destined never to win a major title – as most of the people I have spoken to think. But is this necessarily true? From what I gather people don’t seem to think Murray will ever win a Grand Slam... Read Full Story

I don’t know about you but this Australian Open is still on my mind. That monstrous men’s final left scars. And, so did the women’s mini-final (relatively "mini"…I mean, hello ?) but for entirely different reasons. On the surface, they don’t seem to have much in common. But if you look at how reigning top ballers Novak Djokovic and Victoria Azarenka went about winning, you might change your mind: 1. The double-fisted backhand is, er, back. The forehand is still sexier but it’s the workman... Read Full Story

 Ah, yes.  Right now, yes.   - Novak Djokovic on whether his almost 6-hour win over Rafael Nadal in the men's final at the Australian Open was the greatest win of his life Astounding. There really are no words to describe this match and even less for how Nole was able to pull it out. And, now he's one away from a " Nole Slam ." I guess the talk of whether he could continue the form from last year have been unequivocally squashed. He went to a level I don't think anyone has... Read Full Story

1. "Kinder" 2. "dance, dance, dance..." 3. "[the trophy] feels magical..." No, what's magical are those BOOM BOOMS . While I may not like them for you, I'm convinced they have super powers. Prepare the BOOM BOOMS's trophy case. Or get them bronzed. [Via: AustralianOpenTV] Read Full Story

"One day it'll be yours. No, not me silly."  If that's the consolation prize, sign me up. [Photo(s) credit: Pool/aaron Favila/AFP/Getty Images] Read Full Story

I know, I know. Everyone's talking about the shriekfest of a final we're all going to endure between former champ Maria Sharapova and Victoria Azarenka tomorrow at the Australian Open . It's been fodder for the tennis media and bloggeratti so there's no need for me to add to the noise. But, people, there's something more sinister going on besides the idea of the shriek as gamesmanship (c'mon girls, you're losing the PR battle here). What I find most disturbing does involve Vika , but it's not... Read Full Story

Most tennis commercials for pretty much anything make me want to turn the channel. Actually, they work pretty well as white noise for bedtime (counting sheep just doesn't cut it anymore - boo). They bore me to whatever is worse than tears. But after catching these commercials by Wilson for their Juice & Steam racquets--in particular this one starring first-time major quarterfinalist Kei Nishikori --during some of Tennis Channel's Australian Open coverage, I felt a strange sensation... Read Full Story

"So, how long can you hold your breath under water? Just curious..." I know you're just dying to see the rest of Tomas Berdych taking a swim during a break from the Australian Open . More pics after the jump - click the headline. P.S. If I had my way around the marketing of tennis, you know this would be my strategy. All. The. Time. [Photo(s) credit: AFP PHOTO / POOL / FIONA HAMILTON] Read Full Story

Ahhh, what a great off-season. And, no, it didn't involve giddily dipping a dance girl on a tennis court. That's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and not one of my vacay pics. In case you were confused. Because it happens. Sometimes. Anyway, I’ve been away for a bit and missed the season-opening tourneys and the first week of the Australian Open . But there was a silver lining. You got to see Rafael Nadal ’s ass grab for about two months. No harm there. Life has been busy. My full-time gig is going... Read Full Story

Looks like the Davis Cup final is off to a very promising start... So I know male athletes generally slap each other on the ass to say, "Good job!" or "Nice effort!" But what exactly does this greeting mean? We could all come up with ideas, but I'd like to think Rafael Nadal just wanted to grab it ("it" being Juan Monaco's firm Argentinean half moon)...HARD (see facial expression). And that this happens, like, lots. While in towels. Or out. And leaves an ass bruise. Like a hickey. But... Read Full Story