Mr. Ed is...The Line Judge (October 26, 2002)
by Ed Zafian


While it was tempting to go with Boris Becker's near trip to the slammer on tax evasion charges, this week's "The Line Judge" takes a look at the latest news regarding Tim Henman, Jelena Dokic, and Lleyton Hewitt.



Congratulations to Tim and Lucy Henman on the birth of their first child, Rose Elizabeth, on October 19th.  The 28-year old Brit said he "absolutely delighted" and perhaps a bit wary of the infamous British tabloids added the couple would be "very grateful if our privacy is respected at this special time."   The Henmans released a family photo on Henman's official website -- timhenman.org.  Henman will not have much time to enjoy his new daughter as he is still in a heated battle to secure one of the final spots for the Tennis Masters Cup.  The new father hopes to buoy his chances this week in Basel, an event he has reached the final of three of the past four years.
 


Ah, the Dokic family!  Perhaps this dysfunctional family could get their own reality television series to rival "The Osbournes."  Another chapter in the family saga was recently added when Damir Dokic was banned from the player area from this week's WTA stop in Linz.  You say, what's new about that?   Well, this time around the banishment of both Damir and Liliana Dokic came at the hands of Jelena Dokic herself!   Apparently their was a squabble between her parents and Jelena's current boyfriend, Formula One race driver Enrique Bernoldi at the previous week's tournament in Filderstadt.  The Linz tournament director stated:  "We have had information from the WTA that we cannot give Jelena's parents access passes."  Whether the 19-year-old Yugoslav-Australian (soon to be Brit?) is finally coming to her senses regarding her controversial father remains to be seen.  Dokic who has already played 27 tournaments this year has stated that she is cutting back her schedule next year and will once again skip the entire Australian leg of the Tour in 2003.



Seemingly just weeks ago, it appeared the Lleyton Hewitt had the year-end #1 ranking locked up.  But with shaky results of late and a charge by Andre Agassi, the Australian's hold on the top spot appears to be in some serious jeopardy.  Good thing Hewitt has a fascintating new advertisement deal!   Are you sitting down?  It was recently announced that the Aussie just finished filming a new commerical for Sorbent toilet paper.  Apparently, Hewitt has been looking to expand his endorsement deals and maybe this was an offer just too good to .... ahem... "pass" up.  The ad will air on prime-time television next year on Australian television.  




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