Yes, I'm Still Going On About Roddick. Bite Me.

Jon Wertheim demanded us his Twitter followers to read this article, and just like lemmings we went and did. Don't look at me that way. When I said I was a new fan, I was being serious.

Joe Posnanski did a good job of explaining why he (and I) likes Roddick much better after he lost at Wimbledon. Somehow his fight compels you to relate to him.

Andy Roddick is not George Bailey. He's not ordinary. He's the No. 6 tennis player in the world. He's a multi-multi-millionaire tennis player married to a swimsuit model. He hops around the world and hosts Saturday Night Live and probably wouldn't even want to win the lottery because of the tax complications.

But here's the thing: He wanted to win Wimbledon. I mean, yes, of course he wanted to Wimbledon, but you could see from the first point on that he WANTED to win Wimbledon, that it was hugely important to him, that it was everything to him. You could surmise from his look and intensity that this was, in fact, what he had been dreaming about since he was a little boy. This was his moment, and few really thought he could win. As soon as the match began -- Roddick facing off against maybe the greatest tennis player ever on his favorite surface -- I felt like it was Roddick staring into the mirror and asking himself that same question that I think most people ask themselves at some point in their lives: "Am I good enough?"

And, a video comes with the article. Andy's presser after his loss to Federer in AO 2007. Classic Roddick.

I wonder if it matters much to Andy that he may not have won Wimbledon but amassed more fans? Hmm.

Meanwhile, the now strangely likable Andy was spotted in Soho yesterday getting some retail therapy with wife.

Ladies And Gentlemen, Andy Roddick.

Fighter of the tournament.

Shame it was not quite enough.

Andy played his heart out and then some. Scraped the bottom of the barrel. But Roger is, well he's RF (tm Nike). He's got tennis imprinted in his DNA. He only needed a few mistakes from Andy, a single muscle twitch, and it was all over for the American.

To put what he's done in perspective, he's played more hours on court than any other player in the tournament. And yet he still pushed Roger to a 5 setter today. That, my darling readers, is pure grit and tenacity.

He came with a game plan and it worked for 255 minutes. He literally lost at the last minute of the match. His hard work, his discipline in executing his plans deserves so much respect and admiration. Problem is he has this box of talent that he just can't bust through. His style of play is just a little outdated, a little stiff compared to what the younguns are bringing to the courts nowadays. And it breaks my heart because there are so many players out there more talented than him that are not winning matches just because they don't have the drive or discipline.

The world is a little unfair to Andy Roddick 's career and his fighting spirit. But today, he made a fan out of me.

And So, Rojah Made History...

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Did we think there was gonna be a different ending to the day?

Congratulations on breaking the record, Roger. It'll stay unbroken for quite some time yet. So rest easy, and enjoy playing Daddy for a while.

And please Mirka, on your next pregnancy stay home. You got me so worried just looking at you the whole match. And do not bring that greasy haired man again. Just don't. The tennis world will thank you for it.

CAPTION THIS: Watch Where That Hand Is, Andy.

"What? I'm just helping your gluteus get into the correct position."

Btw? Miles is such a Hottie McHot.

That's all.

WIMBLEDON: Oh, Nole.

Look, I'm sorry to say this to all the Nole fans because this will hurt, but as much as Tommy is a choker... Nole is one too.

*ducks from rotten veggies*

It sucks because I was kinda rooting for him too this Wimbledon. Doesn't help that Tommy won their last match because Nole choked there too.

I hope Nole figures out how to handle it soon. He's not lacking for talent or drive or ambition. Just needs a little reorganizing up north.

And on that note, I leave you with this picture of Tommy. I did say I was gonna post pics of only hot men today.

I'd totally hit that. Thrice.

"Quick! Find Me An Excuse!"

That was the first thing that crossed my mind when I had this strange urge to just post pics of hot men today, but then I remembered what the site is about and had a "duh" moment. So here it is.

Who can have a "hot men in tennis special" without Feli? No, I don't know why he's licking his hand.

Nando 'cause.. he pretty without hair gel. 'Nuff said.

Pico has a special place in my heart. He just does. The nipplegate doesn't hurt either.

So let us now mourn these hotness who just couldn't manage to get to the second week of Wimbledon. What a waste.

All these pictures are courtesy of Sam, a Rafateer from the BBC 606 board. So you can't find it nowhere else! *waves to Sam*

WIMBLEDON: The Roof Works, Y'all. And The Brits Were Happy.

Andy and Stan battled their guts out in a 5 sets thriller tonight in the first ever night match at Wimbledon, with the roof closed.

Andy showed some nerves throughout the match and had trouble fighting breakpoints left and right. Stan's one handed beauty of a backhand was clicking on the right gears, and his footwork was fantastic. But Andy just slightly edged out in the competition and a break in the final set at 5-3 saved him. His Mom Judy Murray showed a rare burst of excess emotions and jumped up and down after that break. Stan nets a forehand, and Andy sank to his knees for the close win.

The problem with Stan is that he's got a world class game but he can't bring it out often enough. Oh, but he brought it out tonight alright. Much, much props to both players. It mustn't have been easy being on that court tonight. Andy with the hope/pressure of the 15,000 people inside the center court and thousands more outside on the Murray Mound Henman Hill Murray Mound oh god whatever you wanna call it, and Stan the interloper who must have felt quite alone right then.

Andy being Andy, there was much racquet slapping and punching, snarls, growls, shouts and arguments with himself and even the grass. Stan being Swiss kept his composure and did not even once look intimidated by the crowd's support of Andy.

I think the humidity factor with the roof closed bothered Andy a little. He looked a little tired, a little uncomfortable. But what you gonna do, eh? Here's hoping he can bring out his A game in the next match against Juan Carlos Fererro who defeated Cuteness Gilles Simon to get to the quarters.

Btw? Found out a little superstitious habit of Ginge today. After he wins a point he will ask for the same ball. Aww. And he looks to his mom for mental support between points. Awwwww. Okay enough. GO GINGE!

Meanwhile, In The World Of Tennis WAGs...

Kim Sears is making me WANT her cherry-red hotness of a bag.

And Mirka Federer is living the good life of Evian drinking, Hermès toting and diamond-encrusted bangles wearing WAG.

Yeah, I think I'm suffering from a mild case of girl crush with Mirka. It should be a crime to look that good while pregnant.

WIMBLEDON: Oh, Sod.

Apparently, it is possible to beat someone 11 times (ELEVEN) times in a row.

Roger and his gold duffel proved that today and strolled quite pleasantly onto the quarters, beating Sod 64, 76, 76. Even though there were two tiebreaks it wasn't that close. Yeah, as if Sod had a chance. Sheesh. I make powerful hexes, okay.

Oh, Serena. You Are So Precious To Us.

Serena Williams talks about her confusion over the new "no eating inside the locker room" rule at Wimbledon, and in turn, confuses us with her grammar and choice of words.

No, it does not get clearer after the second, third, or fourth read. Trust me.

WIMBLEDON: So Much Pretty On The Men's Side

Maybe I'm deflecting what with Rafa out of commission and all, but hot damn, when did these guys get so darned sexy?

Nole rocks a haircut and red accents by Adidas. He is through to the second round in 4 sets against Julien Beneteau, 6-7(8) 7-6(1) 6-2 6-4. He did, however, slid around on the grass more than he probably meant to. I heard more than one players were doing that on center court, so maybe (just maybe) it's not Adidas' fault after all. I suppose we'll see by Wednesday. But in the meantime, let's gaze upon the hotness that is Nole.

Nom.

You know who else is nom today? You'd never have expected this coming from me, but... Nando was looking very, very "touchable" today.

You guessed it - no more excessive hair gel! OMG ALERT VIDAL SASSOON. I want to run through my fingers in his lovely locks... and pretend it's Rafa's. Never say I'm not a loyal fan. Nando won his match against James Ward in convincing straight sets, 6-1 6-3 6-4.

And maybe James would not exactly be called pretty by us experts here in Tennis Lust, but look at those eyes and try to tell me it's not envy-inducing.

Tommy Robredo caused us a bit of a heart palpitations session by winning very tightly over Luka Gregorc 7-6(4) 6-4 5-7 7-6(3), but he wants to smooch us and we want to smooch him back, so we forgive him. Such generous creatures we are.

Sadly, the one arguably prettiest amongst the pretty lost today to Karol Beck in 5 sets, 1-6 7-5 6-3 4-6 10-8. Feli, how you disappoint us. And it's so annoying how you could be so pretty yet good pictures of you is very hard to find. Alas, we have to settle with this one.

The not so pretty one? Soderling also racked a win today.

Prettiest picture I could find of him.

WIMBLEDON: Masha Confident And Relaxed

...and I'm not only talking about her game. Maria Sharapova defeated Viktorya Kutuzova of Ukraina today 75, 64, to reach the second round of Wimbledon. More impressive, however, is the elegance she brought on court.

A turnaround from her tuxedo travesty in Wimby 2008, Masha surprised us with - I hope I'm not overusing the term here - a military style jacket that even a woman such as me  - one with more cleavage than is advisable to wear a style like that - will snatch if off the rack, no second, third or fourth thought. It inspires so much want in me.

She topped (or undered) the understated elegance of her jacket with a simple dress. If you click and enlarge the picture you can see some stitching accent on her skirt. Lovely.

From behind:

Can you tell I love the whole thing? Last year, Maria stepped on court with all the hoohaa a fashion drama can generate, and she goes out in the second round.This year she keeps it quiet with nary a whisper about what she's wearing and we get a very pleasant treat for the eyes. I'm grateful that tennis keeps itself exciting with fashion and little tidbits from the players, but sometimes I just wish it's more about what goes on on court and not what they wear or what they do off court.

Let's hope, unlike last year, her game will speak more than her outfit.

WIMBLEDON: Rockefeller Center Exhibition

Wimbledon has arrived.. in New York!

Jim Courier and Jennifer Capriati were present for an exhibition in Rockefeller Center, NY, to celebrate the start of Wimbledon.. in England. I know, it's a little confusing, but I'm all for the good of tennis relationships between two great nations.

Now we know why Jim was not tweeting today. Just so you know, he can be found chirping on his twitter most days. And very entertaining chirper he is too.

This man is very, very excited.

Is it wrong to be jealous of those kids (the wii, oh the wii)? Do you remember being so young?

I don't know why but this exxo has a very American look and feel to it. The pictures just take me there. I wish it would really take me there, but wishes.. beggars... horses... you know.