Has the ATP subjected everyone's favorite Brazilian to some brainwashing? The above quote makes me think this may very well be the case. "Guga's" statement is almost a word for word reiteration of the propaganda spewed by the Tour upon the introduction of the new ranking system. Well, okay it is not a "ranking" system it is after all a "race." But does it really matter who is in the lead after the first two miles of the Boston Marathon or the first three laps of the Daytona 500? Sure it is mildly interesting but it does not really tell me much. A modified version of the old ranking (rolling calendar "best of") system still exists (and more importantly drives tournament seedings) but has been relegated "ugly step-sister" status. The "ATP entry system," as it is now called, is almost impossible to uncover on the ATP web site or in the mainstream media. While covering Scottsdale for On The Line last week, I was bombarded with "Race" results. I learned that if Andre Agassi won his first round match at the Franklin Templeton he would regain the top position in the "Race" from Yevgeny Kafelnikov. Is it "easy to understand" and "fan friendly" that winner of three of the four last Grand Slams was in a position to REGAIN any lead? I decided to test out the "Race" on some "fans." One day at the tournament I showed the "Race's" Top 10 to one of my knowledgeable tennis friends, she glanced at the list and said, "This is pretty silly" and quickly tossed it aside. At the final between Lleyton Hewitt and Tim Henman, a curious fan, eyeing my media badge, asked me where the two players were ranked. Though I was tempted cite the "Race" saying that Hewitt was #6 and Henman was #14, I gave my best approximation of their "Entry System" rankings. I admittedly feared having to go on to explain (during a changeover no less) why Henman was the 5th seed and Hewitt was the 6^th seed. The players are acknowledging the new system, but still view the "Entry System" as the real thing. After his stunning second round upset over Agassi in Scottsdale, Francisco Clavet was asked what his ranking was? With a smile the Spaniard answered back "Which one?" before replying with his "Entry System" ranking. Likewise, Hewitt clearly was not talking about the "Race" when he spoke of breaking into the Top 10 (he moved up from #6 to #4 in the "Race" and from #18 to #12 in the "Entry System" with his Scottsdale title). But let's give Kuerten some credit for trying to pump up the "Race." Maybe if we keep hearing how good it is, maybe someday we will start believing it.

Anna Kournikova's Line:

"You guys shouldn't pay so much attention to it. You only have to pay attention to what I'm doing on the court. That's not your job to describe exactly every single move I'm doing off the court."
-- after being asked several questions about her recent engagement at the State Farm Women's Classic

Anna Kournikova knew it was not going to be an easy media week at the State Farm Women's Classic in Scottsdale. The 18-year old's appearance came on the heels of the announcement that she was engaged to NHL star, Pavel Bure. The Russian played coy with the media at first but eventually lashed back with the above quote. At subsequent press conferences, the media was warned by WTA with an introduction of "Any tennis related questions for Anna?" Do I feel for Kournikova? Not really, the modern day "Lolita" may better be dubbed "Pandora." The "box" was opened long ago with the "selling" of Kournikova being a style-over-substance approach. From being named one of People Magazine's "50 Most Beautiful People" to her current cover on "Fortune" as one of the Top 50 "celebrity earners" to her Charles Schwab television commercials, the marketing of Kournikova, besides the fact that she IS a tennis player, has little to do with what she is "doing on the court." Even Tennis Magazine put her on their list of the "50 Most Influential People In Tennis" fully acknowledging that it her #19 ranking had nothing to do with her on-court accomplishments. I give the Kournikova camp a tremendous amount of credit; they have wildly succeeded. Kournikova certainly is allowed to blow off some steam at times. The glare of the spotlight is tough. However, it is a necessary evil when one chooses to put themselves front-stage center.

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