Why is Roger Federer playing doubles all of a sudden, at the Rogers Cup-one of the biggest ATP Masters Series tourneys of the year? Asked, "how's it feel to not be 'Wimbledon Champ?'" He bitterly remarks, "I'm still 'FIVE-time Wimbledon Champion,' maybe not 'Defending Champion.'" Roger's already keeping the #1 rank til year-end, and looking ahead he's got the hard court Olympics and the US Open. Feds still thinks he's favored at the US, and that even Djokovic is favored over Nadal. NoDjo did beat Feds to win the Rogers last year and won the Aussie this year, Rafa got the other 2 big ones this year...is Feds playing Doubles tomorrow b/c he thinks he needs the practice!?

Now what exactly did former scrub player Justin Gimelstob say about Anna Kournikova and Nicole Vaidisova, which is probably true anyway? For his sexist remarks on a DC radio program, his tennis commercials are being cut and he's gotta donate money to Billie Jean King's foundation. Let's face it folks, Gimelstob can't play, he's a terrible interviewer, but for the love of God, tennis NEEDS some spice! No? Is his punishment too harsh or not enough?

After Elena Dementieva was ushered outta Wimby by Venus, she commented on what the Finals will look like. "It's really hard," she said. "For sure it's going to be a family decision. They know their game very well. So maybe there is not so much fight in the end." Made it sound like dad, Richard, just flips a coin to see who should win the match when the Williams sisters go head-to-head, or that maybe they just take turns winning. Venus' response: "I'm extremely professional in everything that I do on and off the court. I contribute my best in my sport and I also have a ton of respect for myself and my family. So any mention of that is extremely disrespectful for who I am, what I stand for, and my family." No matter what Dementieva meant by her comment, and whether or not her English is just struggling, it'll be another duel for the ages. When asked a few days ago what she thought of the fact that her sister is favored between the two of them, Serena replied, "I don't know why anyone would say that when I'm still in the draw, what are you ON!?"

Wouldn't that be a great headline to see on Friday afternoon?! We all wish we could get into Marat's head. Hernan Gumy needs to spill all, tell us what in the world he says to his pupil, #75 in the world, each morning and all throughout, how he motivates Safin-- Marat Safin--to be playing the best tennis he's played since Jan '05 when he won the Aussie. He's actually, dare I say, an inspiration now. We know Federer's been thrown for a loop this year so far and I think Friday's match is going to be fascinating and quite telling of whether Marat's here to stay. Head-to-head, Feds has 40 more titles and is 8-2 over Marat.

Streit from Montreal comes the veteran Swiss. Now, is it Mark "Straight" or "Street" or "Ster-esche"-as the Germans would pronounce it? Either way, he's now an Islander for the next 5 years. Snowy says "Mark provides us with the stability on the blueline that we were looking for" so maybe it's a smart move since the Isles really gotta score and stop losing. Don't they need a few offensive guys?

When's the last time Shawn Bates put on skates? Last season, Bates missed all but two games while recovering from groin/sports hernia and hip injuries. He was scoreless in those contests. I do remember when he scored a game-winning penalty shot goal at the Coliseum against The Enemy (i.e., Toronto--always hate them for when Tucker swept Peca's leg) to tie the series in Game 4 of the 2002 Eastern Conference Quarterfinals. "We felt this move is the most beneficial for both the team and for Shawn going forward into next season," said Islanders General Manager Garth Snow.

Up $6.4 million, the NHL's salary cap goes to $56.7 million. Isn't that what Jeter makes in a month? For the 4th straight season since the lockout, the NHL has put more money into its program, in an effort to keep appearances that they still care. What CAN the NHL, the players, and the fans REALLY DO to get people into hockey?!

Although Novak Djokovic is out, another Serb has taken the torch: Janko Tipsaravic JUST threw Andy Roddick out of Wimby, destroying any hopes of anything exciting happening this year. Guess it's just going to be Rafa vs. Feds again?

Besides the fact that I had NoDjo losing to Rafa in the Finals, I definitely only had Safin goin to the 2nd round. I'm speechless. With a 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 6-2 beating, Djokovic came close in the 2nd, but had no chance in the 3rd. Safin's new coach, Hernan Gumi, seems to be transforming his life. Marat's been training hard, and even gets angry during practice sessions, which means he CARES. You think he cares enough to make it deep into the draw or is this still erratic Marat?

The wait is over. Barry Melrose will coach the team which itself seemed to be *struck* by lightning than have produced any; Tampa Bay finished DEAD LAST and the man who has only been given 5 minutes on ESPN every 2 months is now going to take them into the Playoffs. Ya think? Melrose has coached before, taking the Kings into the Stanley Cup Finals in his 1st season as coach. TB's got new ownership: everything from a lawyer/I-Banker, to a doctor, to a Hollywood producer. Maybe *I* can own a team too!

Tying Bjorn Borg's 4 consecutive French Open titles, Rafa Nadal barely got any clay on him but threw dirt in Federer's face by embarrassing him 6-1 6-3 6-0. SIX-LOVE IN THE FINAL SET?! Surely Johnny Mac shouted, "You cannot be serious!" Ain't no way Feds can be named "The Best Player of All Time" if he can't win all 4 Grand Slams. CAN Roger Federer come back to win his Wimby? Anyone agree and say "NO WAY?" I think Rafa's got the momentum and confidence.

No joke. Turns out he's just as crazy in real life as he is on the ice. Fashionista Sean Avery is going to be a little intern at Vogue magazine after the Playoffs are over... There is just so much wrong with this, anyone know where to begin? And since when are hockey players able to date hot blonde chicks? Wasn't Avery dating Elisha Cuthbert but then she was rumored to be with Habs Mike Komisarek?

Remember when Caps' rookie Nicklas Backstrom pushed the puck into his own net, and Sidney Crosby was mike'd up and was caught yellin', "Did he just put it into his own net?! He just put it into his own net! Haaaaaahahahah!?" Well, in the Hab-Flyer game going on right now, Patrice Brisebois just "Backstrom'd the puck" and put it past his OWN Habs' rookie netminder Carey Price. STUPID!! He totally just Backstrom'd it!

and it doesn't include Rafa Nadal and The Federer Express. Today at the Pacific Life Open in Cali's dessert, Indian Wells, our beloved NoDjo ( Novak Djokovic) tore apart wedgy-picker Nadal 6-3 6-2, and American Mardy Fish slapped Feds with the same score. I saw the Federer-Sampras exhibition a couple of weeks ago at MSG and even THAT was a close one for Feds...and I don't think he was tryin' any less. Feds' long time gf, Mirka Vavrinekc wasn't even in the crowd...no Tiger either. And perhaps Fish is our best American hope now, over ARod?

GM Garth Snow and owner Charles Wang just inked RW Trent Hunter for 5 years ($10 million) on Lawwngisland. So now what about the rumors circling Miro Satan (who just had a house built on LI), Ruslan "The Tank" Fedotenko, Mike Comrie, and Bryan Berard? What the Isles may need is a good, tough D-man since 1/2 of them are injured. Have no fear, though-Bruno's back in the lineup! Chris Simon's back, makin sure no one picks on the little guys and Teddy Nolan loves him; Simon's a fellow First Nations tribe member and longtime mentee of Nolan. Wonder what's to come...