Court Six: Long Island Tennis Magazine’s Gossip Column (March/April 2011)

Evert calls in
During Tennis Channel’s airing of number one-ranked women’s singles player Caroline Wozniacki’s third-round victory at the Australian Open, there was a very interesting call-in. During the prime-time match, announcer Bill Macatee fielded a viewer text question from a "Chris in Florida," who wondered if the top-ranked Danish player "Feels like the number one player in the world, never having won a Grand Slam?"
Sideline reporter Lindsay Davenport, herself a former number one, chimed in with, "That wouldn’t be the Chris from Florida who is a Grand Slam winner herself, would it?"
It turns out it was: Former number one Chris Evert (Nov. 3, 1975), who was watching the match on television at home.

In the booth next to Macatee, lead analyst and another former number one-ranked player, Martina Navratilova, agreed that Chris’ point has become an issue for Wozniacki because she is starting to get asked about it more and more. As for Davenport, she admitted that upon reclaiming the top ranking at one point in her career, she didn’t feel like number one since she had not won a Grand Slam in awhile.

The Bryans victorious Down Under and make movies
The world’s best men’s doubles pair, American twins Bob & Mike Bryan, have been making mini-movies from behind the scenes of international tennis and posting them online, where gaining quite a following.

The idea started when the brothers made some videos for a sports TV channel during last year’s U.S. Open, and the reaction from fans prompted them to do more.

They’re now posting occasional spots on a videoblog, with episodes from the ATP World Tour finals and, the latest, from a charity tour late last year. In it, the Bryans chase Mardy Fish down a New York street, paparazzi-style, and get wedding plan tips from retired American women’s star Lindsay Davenport.

The Petko
Andrea Petkovic had just beaten Nadia Petrova in a tough three-set match at last year’s U.S. Open when her coach reminded her about a pre-match promise to do something different if she won. Petkovic has been winning over crowds in Australia with her bright smile, upbeat attitude and courtside dance that has become known as "The Petko."

The hip-shaking wiggle that followed has become a good-luck charm she has used ever since, and she credits it with helping her reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the Australian Open.

Sharp-dressed men of the court
Bjorn Borg and Arthur Ashe were the only tennis players to make GQ’s "25 Coolest Athletes of All Time" list.

What do they do when they’re not playing tennis?
Here are a few glimpses into the off-court lives of some tennis pros via the magic of Twitter …

Check out some live NBA action: The Bryan Brothers (@Bryanbros): Seeing Lebron play for the first time in Miami against his buddies, the Cavs. Feels like we’re cheating on the Lakers!

Have sushi at Nobu: Justin Gimelstob (@justingimelstob): Guess Nobu was the place 2 eat 2nite in Melbourne as Roddick, Federer, Rafa, and Bryan Brothers all enjoyed the pricey sushi!

Sleep through class: Venus Williams (@Venuseswilliams): I fell asleep in class. … correct that, I went to sleep in class today … jet lag, ugh!

Hit the movies: Ross Hutchins (@RoscoHutchins): Went to movies last night, rushed there from training … was not worthwhile … saw “How Do You Know” … didn’t work although such good cast.

Getting over being sick: The Bryan Brothers (@Bryanbros): Getting out of bed for the first time in three days. This bug was nasty.

Sing karaoke: Serena Williams (@serenawilliams): Karaoke time.

Checking out the alma mater: Justin Gimelstob (@justingimelstob): On the way to UCLA/St. John’s game sporting matching baby blue Bruin sweaters with my pops, true bonding … begin!

Watch soccer: Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki): Of course, watching the Chelsea-Liverpool game tonight 🙂

Dinner with friends: Caroline Wozniacki (@CaroWozniacki): Woke up from my nap and getting ready to meet @vika7 (Victoria Azarenka) for dinner! Looking forward to it!

Take care of their kids: Lindsay Davenport (@LDavenport76): So my kids couldn’t coordinate their jet lag schedules, but they were in sync with the stomach flu. Threw up within minutes of each other!