We’re searching for new storylines for the 2012 version of Wimbledon, but it’s looking a lot like the same-old same-old between the “old guard” of the Williams sisters, Sharapova, Clijsters, etc. Isn’t this around the time of year that Justine Henin makes a comeback? Martina Hingis in doubles? Yawn…we need some shake-ups in women’s tennis. Was 2011 just a fluke for Petra Kvitova, who could not claim a grasscourt title coming into the All England Club this year?

“We didn’t announce Maria (had entered) because we knew she wasn’t going to play, and we didn’t want to disappoint the fans (again),” Family Circle Cup General Manager Bob Moran told the Charleston Post and Courier. “Sharapova officially withdrew on Friday…We knew she never had any intention of playing this year.”

Women’s Australian Open preview: Will Serena Williams walk away with another title?

Vera Zvonareva says she loves going to school.

In her tenth try, Sam Stosur finally beats Maria Sharapova.

Vera Zvonareva gets naked for ESPN The Magazine photo shoot.

“I think there’s a healthy jealousy going on right now, which is good,” Roddick said of the American success. “It’s only good to help. If Donald Young sees Ryan Harrison play well in the summer, he’s going to not want to fall behind. I think that’s what you saw with that golden generation is that they were able to push each other.”

“Yeah, obviously, you know, think of what — I mean, think of the things that you need to do in order to make the serve, whether you feel like you’re missing a lot of first serves or you have to hit a lot of second serves, but to hit more first serves in and things like that,” said Sharapova of trying to mentally deal with the double faults. “But, yeah.”

After scratchy starts, Rafael Nadal, Andy Roddick and Andy Murray return today.

The US Open women’s draw lost a Top 10 seed to an American upstart on Wednesday, and an American veteran who dropped out of the tournament due to a frightening diagnosis.