Comments on: Preview photos of the 2009 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue: Maria Kirilenko, Daniela Hantuchova, Tatiana Golovin

By: Marija

Marija — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 12:45:58 +0000

John, when we're talking about Grand Slam titles we're always referring to singles titles. When I say Venus is a seven-time Grand Slam champion I'm thinking of her singles Grand Slam titles.

By: John

John — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:48:08 +0000

Daniela Hantuchova has several Grand slam wins as a doubles partner. Do some homework before you claim someone does not have a title!! J

By: Marija

Marija — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 03:00:04 +0000

Haha "In fact, anecdotally speaking, I find many people think that Sharapova is Kournikova." That's funny, I can imagine.

I totally understand your point, Diane, you're probably right. What I meant by "at least a bit" was that some people at least hear about tennis, and when they see let's say Ivanovic on the screen, they will watch the game for at least a bit. But overall, yes, some other things promote the real love of the sport.

However, apparently, the sex appeal is bringing the money in. But it's quite shocking to me how much the WTA is emphasizing that aspect of athletes. I would assume that the official body of the sport would promote the real values, but that's not the case.

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:42:58 +0000

I meant to say "by," of course.

By: Diane

Diane — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 00:41:03 +0000

"I assume they're promoting the sport, at least a bit."

I think one would be very hard pressed to find proof of that, Marija. Name recognition and ticket sales do not reflect fashion or swimsuit photo shoots. Because people who look at the swimsuit issue, etc. do not generally care about tennis or women's sports. In fact, anecdotally speaking, I find many people think that Sharapova is Kournikova. They don't have a clue.

The tour can be successfully promoted only by the sports media (which, of course, tends to ignore women's sports altogether), and buy sports programs in schools and communities.

As for Golovin, I wonder if it's time to get the fork out. I saw some photos of her recently; she was standing outside a nightclub smoking a cigarette.

By: fyuto

fyuto — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 06:34:23 +0000

They look like clones with no personality,Hantuchova and Maria look dead in the face.This shoot is supposed to be about fun,only Tati looks happy

By: Marija

Marija — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:22:06 +0000

Who would have thought Tati would be ranked 782th! Hehe, maybe she thought if she took off the upper part of her swimsuit her ranking would rise. Anyway, in the pics, I find Tati the sexiest and Maria the most beautiful.

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:20:05 +0000

WOW Im speechless even Tati who I have never thought of as attractive looks amazing. Maria looks like a goddess as always.

Here is a url to the reso of the pictures.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

By: Sarah

Sarah — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 11:18:10 +0000

Im speechless!!! I have never thought of Tati as attractive but she looks amazing in these shots. Maria looks gorgeous as always (I have never seen her look bad)

Here is a url to the rest of the pictures

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2009_swimsuit/

By: Kristine

Kristine — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 03:09:47 +0000

I never saw Dani's appeal. She's ok, but she's real skinny. Kirilenko is beautiful, I'll grant that, and Tati has sex appeal. But Hantuchova? I just don't get it. That's just me, I guess.

And if Tati's serious about making a comeback, she should be on a tennis court practicing, given her current ranking in the 700's.