French Open Preparation Continues

As we begin the last big tournaments on the men’s and women’s tours this week before the French Open, both Rafael Nadal and Justine Henin appears to have hit a bump in the road as they prepare to defend their Roland Garros titles from a year ago.

Mondays with Bob Greene - Novak Djokovic Wins Rome

Bob Greene, the esteemed former Associated Press tennis writer, wraps up the week that was in international tennis with his “Monday’s With Bob Greene” column – a revival of his popular weekly feature at the AP. This week Bob summarizes the Rome Masters and the Qatar Telecom German Open.

Athletes not unified on China protest

Around the globe, athletes are plodding on lonely training runs, sweating in gyms and straining in pools, united by a common goal: to be faster, higher and stronger at the Beijing Olympics.

Brr! The desert cold brings out the long sleeves and leggings

The cold weather in Doha (in the 60s) got the ladies layering during their matches at last week’s Qatar Total Open.

Leggings: Maria Sharapova in Nike’s Tight Capris (available in New Blue and Logan Berry, $50); Venus Williams in EleVen. Venus lost to Dominika Cibulkova 3-6, 3-6. Masha took home her second title of the year.

Short Balls: sketches, socks, and stripes

Venus’ EleVen line spotted on the fairway; Amelie inspires a woman to knit; and adidas drops Martina Hingis’ endorsement contract.