Bending Over For Beckham

The post title is a bit misleading... as a gay man, I am well aware I am supposed to be in a perpetual state of tizzy over David Beckham.  While I can admire his bod (that is, what I can see of it through the tatts)... as one of his fellow countryman once wrote, for me, it's much ado about nothing.

While I am fully aware that tennis is on the D-list of the sports world, this magazine cover still got my goat...

It couldn't wait another week?  I guess the country's premier sports magazine can't be outdone by W Magazine... though this is some serious journalism... Becks is fully clothed and Posh is no where to be seen (well, at least on the cover).   I guess I shouldn't be too upset... if you look really close... up in the corners are this year's Wimbledon champs.   

Roger Federer continued his charge into the tennis history books with a 5th consecutive Wimbledon title. It was one of those seemingly unbreakable records, accomplished just once in Open era by Bjorn Borg nearly 30 years ago... and he did it in a thrilling five-set match he probably should not have won vs. his nemesis, Rafael Nadal.  In an article I read this past week comparing Roger and his new BFF Tiger Woods, it mentioned that Roger has never made the SI cover... not sure if this corner shot "counts"... but that just seems so wrong.

Venus Williams captured her 4th Wimbledon crown. Despite her history at the All England Club, it was yet another unlikely title. Riddled with injuries and lack of match play, she became the lowest ranked woman to win (outdoing her previous "record" of being the lowest ranked player with her 2005 title).

Back in 1993, SI published an infamous cover story "Is Tennis Dying?" ... is it a question worth asking again in 2007... or not. 

If Roger and Venus get pushed aside for a pretty-boy Brit, getting paid an insane amount of money to play soccer (no less, in America!??!?!)... who will likely find his (and his wife's) picture more on the cover of tabloid magazines than the sports page as they host backyard BBQs with their neighbors, and fellow scientologists, Tom and Katie... well, some 14 years later after posing that ominous question, this cover may just be tennis' unofficial obituary.

But, as usual, tennis will get its due here at W&C.  Here are some shots of Roger and Venus looking all snazzy at this year's Wimbledon Ball.