Mirza Miserable in Bangalore; Around the Tour
Can India’s Sania Mirza ever become a top player and see her talent catch up with Sania-mania in the East? How about at least one day crack the Top 30?
Not if Friday at her homecountry event in Bangalore is an indication, where the No. 2-seeded Mirza lost in three […]

When Venus Williams was confirmed for the U.S. April Fed Cup match against Belgium, after she had yet to make a tour appearance this year because of injury, one thought “good luck with that, keep you fingers crossed.”
When earlier this week it was announced that the oft-injured Serena would join Venus on the team, it […]

Russia leads Chile 2-0
MARAT SAFIN (RUS) d. NICOLAS MASSU (CHI) 6-3, 6-2, 6-2
IGOR ANDREEV (RUS) d. FERNANDO GONZALEZ (CHI) 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-2
The Chileans, heavily favored, look less-than-fearsome on their home clay as the Russians put themselves within a win of advancing on Friday. The less-than-fresh Gonzo, coming off the Australian Open final and Vina […]

Serena Williams is fat. Serena is out of shape. Serena cares more about fashion than tennis.
Those were the accusations.
But Serena had the last word at the 2007 Australian Open. The younger Williams sister did show up at the event on Day 1 a bit doughy, but by Day 14 she looked in absolute fighting form, […]

2007 Aussie Open Preview
The list of players injured before the Aussie Open even starts is long, and the list of possible withdrawals from Melbourne, even longer (Rafael Nadal? David Nalbandian? Nikolay Davydenko? Nadia Petrova?), but it’s summer in Australia and the Aussie Open starts Monday (event if Roger Federer says it should be pushed back […]

January X-Reader Mail
This isn’t your father’s mailbag, I can’t imagine Jon L. Wertheim taking abuse like this. Some early-season reader discussion messages and e-mail:
From federated concerning comments on Serena Williams’ physical readiness entering Australia:
“Hi Richard! Love the column. Just an FYI, scarily pasty, fugly bald men like yourself really should step away from the dissing […]

Serena Loses, Didn’t Play Well, Yada Yada
When a Williams sister loses a match, generally they will say they played poorly or their opponent played far above their level. But apparently both were in effect Wednesday in Hobart, Australia, the site of Serena Williams’ return to tennis where the American, appearing heavier than her Grand Slam-winning […]

Nadal, Srichaphan, Petrova Injured
On Tuesday pro tennis was reminded that injury will again play a prominent role in 2007 when three marquee players retired from matches with various work stoppages, putting their Australian Open campaigns in jeopardy.
World No. 2 Rafael Nadal, thwarted in his attempt to gain his first title of the year last week […]

Williams Lie-A-Thon Approaches Finish Line
As you attend Christmas parties and do your last-minute shopping, the Williams Family Unhappy Christmas Special continues to be played out in a West Palm Beach, Florida court, with this week’s 11th-hour witness adding to the drama.
Lots of lying has gone on in the trial to determine whether poppa Richard Williams […]

Who says December is the tennis off-season? Not Tennis-X fans, for who there is no off-season…or else.
Let’s go to the viewer mail:
From Tari: “Hey there, all done for the season?  Well, I admit that I think you guys are totally nuts and frequently piss me off, but you do get some good scoops. Ah, well, […]