Tennis Ain't Dead at the ESPYs

Roger Federer won the Best Male Tennis Player award that night. The ESPY Awards are given based on which of the nominees for each category had gotten the most votes, and votes are supposed to be based on the player's achievements in the previous year.

Federer's known for flying under the Who's Who radar at times (at least in the US), but at least he's popular enough to win in his category. And, at least the tennis fans are knowledgeable enough to know who really deserves the award, as Roger had won three out of four majors last year. He really was the Best Male Tennis Player.

The award for Mr. and Ms. Popularity, however, goes to...

"As Sharapova arrived on the red carpet for one of the pre-event parties Tuesday night at the Playboy Mansion, the statuesque Russian was asked to take a few photos with Roddick.

"'Are you wearing heels?' Roddick blared from across the carpet. 'I'm not taking a photo with you if you're taller than me.'

"...After the party, the two retired to the Tropicana Bar at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel and were still lounging together poolside into the wee hours of the morning.

"A blooming love match or just two champions from the same sport bonding? Don't ask us. This is Page 3, not The Star.

"...Donovon McNabb took time away from eating to quickly introduce himself to Sharapova, who, along with Roddick, might have been the most popular athletes in the house."
(ESPN's Page 3)

There have been rumors floating around that Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova are dating, particularly on Andy's own message board. The board is populated mostly by young teenage girls obsessed with the sports star, so it didn't take too long before a picture of the two of them walking together in Wimbledon Village had been made into evidence that something was up.

Roddick disappeared from the taping of the ESPYs long enough to make an appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live, where the host asked him about his love life. Andy still says he's single and not dating anyone.

Tennis ain't dead, at least popularity-wise. The top-ranked players are celebrities in their own right.

posted by Noelle De Guzman @ 9:02 AM