Champs

Monica Seles - Seles has been making news on and off the court in the first couple of weeks of the tennis season. At the Hopman Cup exhibition, she reached the final of the team competition (along with Jan-Michael Gambill, recently christened a "Brainy, Bold & Beautiful" guy by Teen Magazine) before losing to the Swiss team of Martina Hingis and Roger Federer. But it was an incident with a middle-aged, autograph seeking male fan roared around the world. The tap on Seles's shoulder allegedly sent the American hysterically running from the court in the comforting arms of Gambill. While this breach of security was a bit alarming, Seles clarified that while she was startled; the reports were blown way out of proportion. Not as heavily noted, Seles, in true champ status, bestowed the autograph to the apologetic man before he was whisked away by security.

In a somewhat surprising announcement, Seles is also teaming with Martina Hingis in doubles for the Australian Open. Though very much in "non-committal" mode, the two top-five players plan to team up in a series of tournaments including the Australian Open. The new duo got off to a great start defeating the Williams sisters in a first round match this week in Sydney. Not unlike John McEnroe, the best doubles team in recent years seems to Hingis and whoever else. Will the "Swiss Miss" be able to lead Seles to her first Grand Slam doubles title?

Wimbledon - It may not be on the mind of many tennis fans at the moment, but Wimbledon made some news this week. Ditching an 80-year old tradition, the Big W is moving up its start time by one hour to help beat the typical weather problems. But a now 1 p.m start time still does not seen particularly earth-shaking as most tournaments in their early rounds begin in the morning. But let's give the All England Lawn & Tennis Club some credit for making the much-needed change.

Injuries - Both tennis tours are always plagued with a certain amount of injuries and ailments, but as we begin the 2001 campaign there seems to be a inordinate number of walking (or hobbling as the case may be) wounded out there. Over the past week and a half I have compiled the following (but not necessarily all-inclusive) list: Thomas Enqvist (foot and shoulder surgery), Albert Costa (shoulder injury), Mark Philippoussis (knee surgery), Jerome Golmard (back injury), Marat Safin (elbow problems, possible need of surgery), Lleyton Hewitt (sinus problems, possible need of surgery), Anke Huber (wrist injury), Silvija Talaja (abdominal pain), Paola Suarez (thigh strain), Chanda Rubin (knee problems), Rita Grande (shoulder tendinitis), Kristina Brandi (leg injury), Mary Pierce (sore ankle), and Amelie Mauresmo (back problems). No folks, this is not the latest edition of "General Hospital." But who says tennis is not a contact sport?

ATP Marriage "Jinx" - For some reason it seems when male tennis players fall in love and get married their game heads south. Maybe that is understandable that something finally seems more important in life than hitting a ball with a piece of graphite. Bucking this trend at least for a week, Marcelo Rios won one of the first tournaments of the season in Doha. Rios talking about his new marital status said "Getting married at my age and with a wife so young I think it will be pretty fun and we get along pretty good." Ah, young love! Okay, Mr. Ed is hoping something got lost in the translation of this quote. But in the tennis world, you are only good as your last result with Rios losing his first round match in Aukland this week.

Another ATP newlywed to keep an eye in is Pete Sampras. Sampras, pretty much absent from the Tour since tying the knot, has got off to a rocky start at this week's Colonial Classic exhibition losing to Juan Carlos Ferrero and Patrick Rafter. So we wait to see what effect the proverbial "ball-and-chain" will have on the former number one at Melbourne? Maybe Alex Corretja and Thomas Johansson need to take some note as they have both become recently engaged.