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TSF’ll be doing some picture posts (god bless the forums!) while our buddy Nick McCarvel holds down the fort. He’ll be bloggin’ about the upcoming BNP Paribas Showdown for the Billie Jean King Cup, among other things.
Winter gardening: Believe it or not, Serena Williams has never played at Madison Square Garden. In fact, of the four players competing in this Monday’s Billie Jean King Cup in New York, only Venus has played at the mecca of all sports – and just once, in 1999.
The last time pro women swung tennis racquets at the Garden was in 2000, at the WTA’s Season Ending Championships. In that tournament, then-20-year-old Martina Hingis outgunned fan fave and Garden gal Monica Seles in three tight sets, 6-7 (5), 6-4, 6-4.
If Monica owned the Garden in the early 90s, Serena hopes to own it in 2009. Friday, during a conference call, the Australian Open champ was asked by NYT‘s George Vecsey what she felt about the MSG, and had this to say:
“Growing up I’ve always watched tennis [being played at] Madison Square Garden. There was the WTA there [and] for as long as I can remember I’ve always wanted to play there. It’s for a great event. I think women’s tennis right now is the mecca of female sports and to have an event like this put on … just shows how amazing women’s tennis is. These New Yorkers can get to see such high quality tennis for one night.”
The queen of the Garden will be crowned Monday on HBO, which is broadcasting the event live beginning at 730 EST. We’ll be there to cover it live.
(image via ALLSPORT)
Listings are below, but click over to TRE for their insight into the homes.
SELLERS: Lindsay Davenport and Jon Leach
LOCATION: Emerald Bay, Laguna Beach, CA
PRICE: $6,395,000
SIZE: 4,999 square feet, 5 bedrooms, 5.5 bathrooms
DESCRIPTION: Revel in chic California Riviera style and impressive ocean views from this very private Emerald Bay residence. An abundance of space – a luxury within Emerald Bay – is found here, amid 5 bedrooms, 5.5 baths and an open, flowing floor plan…Each room in this tastefully appointed home is finished with luxe materials, including artisan stone and tile, custom paint finishes, plank hardwood flooring, plantation shutters. Finished garaging for 3 cars plus golf cart and world-class Emerald Bay amenities.
SELLERS: Lindsay Davenport and Jon Leach
LOCATION: Solimar Beach, Ventura, CA
PRICE: $5,500,00
SIZE: 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms
DESCRIPTION: Beach front property located on a wide lot with 60ft of ocean frontage. Extensively remodeled, this Cape Cod style property has sweeping ocean and coastline views. 4 surf spots and access to sandy beach, this is an exclusive surfer’s paradise. Outdoor patio with BBQ area and gas fireplace.
(via The Real Estalker)
Tattoo watch: One of our favorite Italian stallions, Simone Bolelli, was clearly busy during the off-season. And in case ya don’t believe him, he’s got the tats to prove it.
More: See the tattoo (and a few more shirtless pics) — all from this year’s Medibank International tourney in Sydney — after the cut…
Good thing Nick McCarvel is up to the task (if only because he knows what it’s like to get freeze-framed):
“Oh god Roger, what now?!? What’s killing you? Usually he saves the waterworks for bed. ‘It’s killing you’? It’s killing you’?! What’s killing me is that I have to sit here for another five minutes while you “compose” himself. But that’s what Twitter is for. ‘@mirka: I want a donut.’
TSF updates the “hottest tennis players” list to include some new faces. Do you agree with our Top 4?
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