Image is Everything: Little Man, Big Trophy

In tribute to Kolya’s great win, I thought I’d post some photos of the little man celebrating with the love of his life. And I don’t mean Irina.

This could be the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

Image is Everything: Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now

Because I like to torture myself, and because Elf was on particularly hangdog form today …

Now I want at least three ideas from each of you on how to cheer our boy up.

The filthier the better.

Not the Good Kind of ‘Christened’

JMDP took his new smile out for a spin, christening a new Wilson store in Buenos Aires.

True fact: I love rolled-up sleeves on a man.

Could he hurry up and get to Tokyo?! I’m starting to get withdrawal symptoms.

Image is Everything: Oh, Bangkok. What a Difference a Year Makes

I mean, the Thailand Open, Thai boxing, I get it, it probably has to be done. And yeah, they probably couldn’t use Jo-Willy twice in two years. But to go from this …

(photo courtesy of Forty Deuce)

To this, in the space of just twelve months …

You get where I’m going with this.

I mean, kudos for getting Gilles in there.

But the others …

Nobody wants to see this.

Nobody.

See how they all look better with their shirts on? There’s a reason for that.

(Also, I love how Gilles is the only one not doing the hands-in-lap shielding. Bet you there’s a reason for that, too.)

Image is Everything: Introducing Jonathan Ross’ New House Band

I am literally *crying* with laughter right now.

It’s the way ‘Nando’ has his tucked in that makes it art.

Excuse me. I need to go lie down in a darkened room and laugh it out for a bit. I hear it’s good for the abs.

Image is Everything: Pretty Pretty Pico

Continuing today’s ‘too hot not to blog’ theme … I just love these photos of Pico.

If Boss is a dinosaur (he is), Pico is like one of those tropical fish … No real use, but so very very nice to look at.

Image is Everything: Ciao, Chiudinelli

OK, so, here’s the thing: I don’t really know who Marco Chiudinelli is. I know he came through qualifying, I know he beat Mikhail Youzhny today, I know he’s Swiss, and I *think* he’s a bit old. Other than that, I just know I know the name.

But these pictures were just too cute, so I thought I’d post them and let you guys tell me what I should know about him. Informed people that you are.

And oh yeah … I know he’s kind of cute.

Image is Everything: Big Kids

Just a few photos from Kids’ Day at the US Open, which also featured Andy Murray and Ana Ivanovic.

Point of interest: loathe Will Ferrell. Love Will Arnett.

A leg-up, courtesy of Devin Britton.

This picture somewhat warms my heart.

Their facial expressions are more explicable when you understand they’re watching Serena.

…..

No, I don’t know.

I have no idea what this was supposed to accomplish, but it looks like a good time was had by all.

What is it with a certain brand of comedians and tennis? Ross and Carr can’t get enough of it. Even the Flight of the Conchords guys got in on the action with an exo last year, if memory serves. Ah well.

Image is Everything: Just Because …

She’s adorable.

And so is he.

Image is Everything: Delpo Does DC (UPDATED)

Just a few pictures I for some reason didn’t post earlier. Nobody minds an Elf picspam, do they? Thought not.

Taking a breather during the Gonzo match.

Love.

Intensity.

Arms. That is all.

No, I don’t know what he’s doing.

In your face.

Elfhugs FTW.

“So … what are the chances of you hugging me again?”

Happiness.

EDIT: OK, just a couple more.

Because of all Elf’s maneouvres on the court …

… this is my favourite.

I like to think of it as the “ARGH NO DON’T LOOK AT ME!” maneouvre.

Look at his little face.

Is it me, or does this photo give off a definite aura of “someone just said something they shouldn’t and now it’s REALLY AWKWARD?”

I also forgot to link to this article from the Washington Post about the final and the prospect of a “beautiful, if gentle” rivalry for years to come.

“Today was brutal,” said Roddick, 26. “It was pretty hot and obviously the play — 2 hours 20-plus [minutes] — was tough. I think he might have been feeling it more than I did. He didn’t want to get into long points and was kind of going for broke there at the end. I was rolling the dice and he hit Yahtzee a bunch of times. That’s kind of the way it goes sometimes. I think he finished up with 10 first serves in a row and there certainly wasn’t much being taken off of those so credit to him for winning the match.”

Del Potro, 20, had complained after Saturday night’s semifinal about the oppressive heat and humidity, so no one expected him to greet a 3 p.m. start on one of the hottest days of the summer with boundless enthusiasm. Indeed, he described Sunday’s conditions this way: “If you run, you die.”

So del Potro did what any right-thinking, heat-hating player would do: He served the heck out of the ball so he wouldn’t, well, die. He’s young, but not stupid.

Nice stuff.