CELEBRITY FRIDAY: Serena Williams Reveals Her Very Pregnant Body In Vanity Fair Cover

Whoa! Serena Williams reveals her very pregnant body on the cover of Vanity Fair in a stunning nude portrait taken by the celebrity photographer Annie Liebowitz. The 35-year-old discusses her pregnancy and her future important life events (birth of the child in September and upcoming nuptials) as well as her intention to return to competitive tennis in 2018!

Happy Birthday, Serena Williams!

Today is Serena Williams' 34th birthday. She is currently the #1 ranked player in the world, and will be so for the foreseeable future. Perhaps to celebrate, she posted the picture above to Instagram.

EYE CANDY: Tom Varndell

Tom Varndell is a 29-year-old rugby player who, according to the Man Crush blog, is "6’3” tall, 220 lbs, 44 inch chest, 32 inch waist, brown eyes, size 11 shoe." Unlike most of our Eye Candy models, Varndell has his own Wikipedia page, but like most people nowadays, he does have his own Twitter account (@Tom_Varndell).

Hat/tip to Mechadude

CELEBRITY FRIDAY: 2-Time Major Champ Stan Wawrinka Poses Nude For ESPN Magazine

Stan Wawrinka is following in the foots of previous professional tennis players and posing nude for ESPN Magazine's "Body" issue. Wawrinka has a much higher profile right mow since he won his 2nd major title by defeating World #1 Novak Djokovic in the final of Roland Garros less than a month ago.

Othe rplayers who have posed nude for ESPN magazine include Serena Williams (June 2009 cover) and  John Isner (March 2013). Tennis players Tommy Robredo, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Fabio Fognini have also posed nude for various magazines over the years.

Which tennis players would you like to see pose nude? My money would be on Gael Monfils, Feliciano Lopez, Fernando Verdasco or Roger Federer. (In that order!)

EYE CANDY: Zion Babb

Today's Eye Candy model is Zion Babb. He is best known as a former member of University of Michigan's football team and is also a model. When he played football he was listed as 6-foot-1 and 189 pounds. He has a model reel on YouTube but does not appear to be active on social media.

Hat/tip Man Crush Blog

Pro Strongman Champ Rob Kearney Comes Out As Gay

So, this is pretty cool. Rob Kearney is a 25-year-old professional strongman currently ranked as the #2 middleweight champion in the world. Last week he decided to come out to the world as a proud gay man by posting this to Facebook:

The social media post included some of the pictures at the top of this blog post with his boyfriend Joey.

The reaction to Kearney's coming out has been apparently overwhelmingly (but not entirely, of course) positive.

"I thought it was important to be honest," he told me.  "People need to know that one of the top strength athletes on the planet is also gay.  But I didn't want it to affect my ability to compete.  And that possibility definitely crossed my mind before I made that post." 

But once made, the first reactions were overwhelming.  "I can't remember this many people being this supportive and encouraging in my life!" he raved to me.  "I mean, I have always had people back me for events, but that was nothing compared to the sheer numbers of positive messages that came to me.  It was really humbling!" 

Rob is aware that the real impact of his revelation would be felt more gradually over time.  "I am not only the first actively competitive professional world strongman," he explained to me.  "I am also a gay strength coach."

Just as I did when I blogged about Apple CEO Tim Cook's official coming out this week, I congratulate Rob on his openness. It is precisely because of the examples provided by people like Kearney and Cook  (that people of all sexual orientations are in every walk of life) is why those of us who fight for and believe in full LGT equality are confident that eventually (some days soon!)we will live in a world where everyone will be judged by the content of their character and not have their hopes and aspirations impeded by their sexual orientation.

TENNIS TUESDAY: Resurgent Federer Reclaims World #2 Ranking; Post-Williams Era Beginning?

Federer Returns To World #2 And Aims Higher
After winning his fourth title of 2014 at the Shanghai Masters, Roger Federer is making an improbable run for the ATP Tour World #1 ranking by returning to #2 and is now only 990 points behind Novak Djokovic for year-to-date points, with the World #1 having to defend a whole bunch more points than Federer does in the final stretch of the year. With Rafael Nadal contending with appendicitis for the rest of the season, it should make life that much easier for the 17-time major champion to reach the World #1 ranking again, which he has already held for a record 302 weeks.

Has The Post-Williams Era Of American Tennis Begun?
Since Melanie Oudin won a title in 2012 the only American players who had won titles on the WTA Tour have been named Williams until this year when Madison Keys won her first title in Eastbourne (on grass). American Ali Riske won her first title at the Tianjin Open this weekend and earlier this summer Coco Vandeweghe also won her first title. Is this what the post-Williams era will look like?

Serena Reaches 210 Weeks At #1, Surpasses Hingis, Now #4 Behind Graf, Navratilova, Evert
Not so fast to dismiss the William sisters! The current World #1 has now been in that spot for 87 consecutive weeks, racking up 210 career weeks at #1, and this means that she has surpassed Martin Hingis. She is now (only!) 50 weeks behind Chris Evert's 260 weeks.

Could Sharapova Be The Next World #1?
Interestingly, Serena's arch-nemesis Maria Sharapova who has not been able beat her for over a decade (and 15 tries) may actually end the year at #1 if (as expected) Serena does not play the WTA Year-End Championships in Singapore starting next weekend. Serena is the defending champion but because she is only 566 points ahead of Sharapova for the year-to-date if she loses all those points all Sharapova would have to do is reach the semifinals and she would clinch the year-end #1. It's interesting that both Federer and Sharapova are in similar positions at #2 challenging for the World #1 at the end of the year. I'm sure that for Serena staying healthy enough to win Slam #19 is more important than the Year-End #1.

There's Always Someone Younger and Hotter
Looks like Grigor Dimitrov's days as the hottest player on tour (figuratively and literally) may be numbered. Check out this picture of 17-year-old Borna Coric on the cover of Croatia's Men's Health.

Celebrity Friday: Fabio Fognini Poses Nude!

Well-known tennis hottie Fabio Fognini is posing nude for UK Cosmopolitan to raise awareness for male cancer. I ran into Fognini in person practicing shirtless when I was at the 2011 US Open. I guess the idea of tennis players posing nude is getting more popular!

CELEBRITY FRIDAY: Tomas Berdych and Venus Williams Are Naked In ESPN Magazine

2010 Wimbledon finalists and perennial Top 5 player Tomas Berdych and 7-time major champion Venus Williams are gracing the "Body" issue of ESPN The Magazine, both being photographed au naturel (without clothes). This is the same magazine which featured a nude John Isner last year and Serna Williams was on the cover of the inaugural issue in 2009.

There are interesting interview with Venus and Tomas in the magazine. Check it out!

EYE CANDY: Ryan Tongia (reprise)

Ryan Tongia has appeared as Eye Candy once before (October 21, 2013). He is a 23-year-old Australian rugby player. And incredibly hot. Or, in the words of Rod 2.0 he is a "super hotness slash fitness model slash sex siren." Any objections to seeing more of Ryan? I didn't think so!

EYE CANDY: Daniel Adongo

Daniel Adongo is a former rugby player who has been signed by the Indianapolis Colts to play American football. The 6-foot-6, 260-pound, 24-year-old was born in Nairobi, Kenya but even though he had never even touched a football, the Colts signed him and added him to the roster.

I think these pictures give you an indication of why. Hot damn! Too bad this year's football season is over!

Hat/tip to Rod 2.0

EYE CANDY: Ryan Tongia

Ryan Tongia is an Australian rugby player who has been featured on Rod 2.0's site twice in the last week, wearing nothing but bulging briefs and described as a "super hotness slash fitness model slash sex siren."

According to his Wikipedia page, Tongia is 23 years old, 5-foot-11-inches and 190 pounds (180 cm and 86 kg). As you can tell from these photographs taken by Nathan Duff, he is in really good shape.

You're welcome!

EYE CANDY: Victor Cruz

Victor Cruz is a 26-year-old football player of African-American and Puerto Rican descent (Blatino!) who plays for the New York Giants. He first came to my attention thanks to the discerning eye of Rod 2.0. This summer he recently signed a huge contract worth over $45 million for the next five years.

As you can see from the pictures above his 6-foot, 204-pound looks good in uniform. However, you can also see how Victor looks phyne in just about anything, by looking at these pictures below.

Victor is today's Eye Candy, demonstrating that not all sweet packages that catch one's eye need to be unwrapped!

EYE CANDY: Robert Christopher Riley

Robert Christopher Riley is a 31-year-old African American actor of West Indian descent whose amazing physique caught my eye in his brief role as "Outcome #6" in The Bourne Legacy. Doing some basic internet research (thanks, Google!) I have discovered that he is now best known for his lead role on the hit television series "Hit The Floor" which airs on VH1.

Riley plays Terrence Wall, the star player on the Los Angeles Devils and the show revolves around the adventures and relationships of the players and cheerleaders. Riley has a pretty significant profile on various social media such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

There's a lot of information about Riley available on the internet, although I have not been able to find his official height and weight. I have discovered that mathematics was his favorite subject in school, which is something one can't say about many of the guys who have been Eye Candy. As a math professor, I approve!

Celebrity Friday: WWE Wrestler Daren Young Comes Out

Interesting celebrity news today! A professional wrestler named Darren Young, has apparently decided to publicly reveal that he is gay. Young, 29, is the first WWE Superstar to be out to the public as a gay man.

Young, a 29-year-old New Jersey native, is not the first openly gay wrestler in the history of the company. In the past, a few wrestlers have chosen to come out within the confines of the locker room, but have kept their sexual preference from the public. 

Orlando Jordan, a former WWE talent, portrayed an openly bisexual character during a 19-month tenure with competing Total Nonstop Action Wrestling that began in 2010. 

He is also bisexual in real life. 

Young, whose real name is Frederick Rosser, wants to inspire others within WWE who fear coming out will prove detrimental to their personal and professional lives. 

“I’m hoping to be able to make a difference,” he said. “It’s very important to me that people understand that someone’s sexual preference shouldn’t really matter. It should be about the person.

Apparently, responses to Young's announcement have been positive with WWE Champion John Cena explicitly giving his support.

Good for him! You can support Young's decision by connecting with him on Twitter at DarrenYoungWWE.

Celebrity Friday: Nude John Isner in ESPN Magazine

Today's Celebrity Friday is John Isner, who is appearing nude in this year's ESPN Body Issue. This is basically the biggest "sporn" event of the year in the media. Other tennis players who have appeared are James Blake and Serena Williams, who appeared on the cover of the inaugural issue four years ago. Agnieska Radwanska also appears nude in this year's issue.


Isner gives some thoughtful answers to the questions asked in the interview, and finally reveals his true height (6-foot-10):

What do you like about your body?JI: I'm a tall guy; I'm 6'10". I've done a good job putting some meat on my bones since my freshman year of college. It's taken a lot of work. I was just under 200 pounds my freshman year; I was 6'8" and 198 pounds. Now I'm 6'10", 238. I could get heavier if I just ate a little bit more, but for my playing weight, I like being between 235 and 240. But back in college, I was a tall, goofy, underdeveloped kid. At 19, I didn't have a hair on my face. When I was 20, I looked 14. I feel I've grown out of that stage. I just turned 28, and, luckily for me, I look like a 28-year-old.

Weekend Gossip: Dimitrov-Sharapova Coupling Confirmed

There have been rumors about World #2 Maria Sharapova and World #28 Grigor Dimitrov dating for months. Well, the rumors appear to be true, if these pictures taken on the streets of Madrid this week are showing what we think they are showing. Sharapova (a.k.a "Masha") is 26-years-old and Dimitrov (a.k.a. "Grisha") is 21, so they are consenting adults, but canoodling on the street? Seems a bit tacky to me!

That being said, Dimitrov is one of the best looking guys on tour, so I approve of Maria's taste, although I can't say I approve of his fashion sense!

Any suggestions for how we should mash-up Grisha and Masha? Maybe they can be called "Grasha"?

LOOK: Funny or Racist? Wozniacki Mocks Serena

I haven't blogged about tennis since the seasons finished a few weeks ago. however, this developing story is too interesting not to discuss. Apparently while playing an exhibition match against Maria Sharapova in Sao Paulo in Brazil, erstwhile #1 Caroline Wozniacki put on an exhibition of her own, by plumping up parts of her anatomy in a hyper-exaggerated fashion, mocking the voluptuous frame of Serena Williams which has often been on display.

Tennis players often mimic each other's tics on the court. Novak Djokovic is infamous for his portrayal of Sharapova. However, Wozniacki's mocking of Serena is starting to garner accusations of racism from some people online.  Yahoo's Busted Racquet discusses the controversy.There have been other comments as well, such as:

Another blogger pointed out: 'It may have been done in “jest,” but I love how people can can turn a black woman’s body and sexuality into a caricature. However, we should not have the autonomy to celebrate any successes of our own. 

While on feministing.com, an article read: 'Given the history and current-day context of racialized standards of beauty, and the hypersexualization of people of color, when a white woman makes fun of a black women’s body, especially in a way that hypersexualizes her and draws on the stereotype of black women’s big butts, it’s racist.' 

What do y'all think? In my opinion, Wozniacki is  not trying to commit a racist act (she and Serena are actually pretty friendly on tour) but may have unwittingly played into racially tinged stereotypes. It will be curious to see if there are any ongoing ramifications of this incident, and whether Serena will respond at all.

Hat/tip to Kenneth (in the 212)

Eye Candy (bonus): Grigor Dimitrov is Amazing...

21-year-old Grigor Dimitrov of Bulgaria is getting a lot of attention for the astonishing trick shot he hit against Victor Troicki in Basel, Switzerland last week which is reminiscent of the magician's touch his idol Roger Federer is known for. Some are calling Baby Fed's behind-the-back, half-volley dropshot winner the shot of the year. See for yourself:

In my mind, he should be getting even more attention for this shot: the picture of him goofing around with fellow tennis hottie, Dmitry Tursunov, lifting up his shirt to reveal a stunning set of abs. Who knew that's what he was hiding under that loose tennis gear? I guess all that off-court training is good for something after all. Makes you wonder about other guys on tour... Gael Monfils? Feliciano Lopez? Feel free to suggest more names of tennis players "you'd like to see more of" in the comments.

Consider this your Bonus Eye Candy for the day!

LOOK: Nadal and Monaco Shirtless After Swim

If you have been wondering, like most of the tennis world has, what Rafael Nadal has been up to on his long injury-induced sabbatical from tennis since July 2012, this shirtless picture posted by Juan Mónaco to his Facebook page this weekend shows that it looks like the current World #4 at least has not fallen out of shape.

Even though Mónaco is from Argentina not Spain, the two Spanish-speaking tennis players are clearly buddies and the World #10 player is on vacation in Mallorca hanging out with Nadal before he continues his quest to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals, one of the most prestigious (and lucrative) tournaments of the year, in which only the Top 8 players are invited. Since Nadal is almost certainly going to turn down his invitation, the person who places 9th in the Race to London standings (Mónaco is currently 12th) will likely make it into the tournament. Ahead of Mónaco is Janko Tipsarevich, Nicolas Almagro and Richard Gasquet.

Nadal has said that he is aiming to return to competitive tennis at the 2013 Australian Open. We hope that is indeed the case, and look forward to seeing all of the Big 4 in action at the same time.

Hat/tip to Tennis.com