There is a reason that Wimbledon is the most popular tennis tournament: Stuff happens on and off the court. The first week-and-a-half saw upsets; the emergence of soon-to-be stars like Jan-Michael Gambill; a father of a player threatened with expulsion; cries of racism; love on and off the court and some terrific tennis. So much for the staid reputation of the place.
BOTTOM OF THE WEEK
ANTHONY MASON
You would think that the Ray Lewis murder trial would have sobered athletes up, but think again. New Orleans police arrested Charlotte Hornets forward Anthony Mason for allegedly starting a riot in the French Quarter on Monday. The cause of the fracas? Two groups of men arguing over women. Typical sex-crazed heterosexuals.
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK
LOVE OFF THE COURT
All the action at Wimbledon is not happening just on the grass courts. Budding romances and other love interests are also taking center stage.
``There's a lot of action going on,'' U.S. Open champion Serena Williams told the Associated Press. ``Every day I see things and my eyes light up -- `Whoa, I didn't know.' ''
Among the alleged pairings, according to AP:
Anna Kournikova back with Detroit Red Wings star Sergei Fedorov.
Pete Sampras newly engaged to actress Bridgette Wilson.
Mary Pierce coy about rumors she plans to wed her longtime boyfriend, Cleveland Indians second baseman Roberto Alomar.
Amanda Coetzer ``quietly dates'' Baltimore Orioles outfielder Brady Anderson.
And these following players have all been linked:
Magnus Norman and Martina Hingis.
Xavier Malisse and Jennifer Capriati.
Lleyton Hewitt and Kim Clijsters.
Andrei Medvedev and Olga Barabanschikova.
Hmmm ... sounds like there's a beard or two in that above list.
For her part, Serena Williams is happy to stay unattached.
``I'm focusing on my career,'' she told AP. ``It's hard if you get involved in a relationship. Next thing you know, your game goes down.''
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BASEBALL
David Wells is 6-4 and 245, none of it muscle. He's happy chowing down chips and downing Coors Light by the gross. He's pictured in Sports Illustrated smoking a stogie.
While he's not the picture of the lean, fit, modern athlete, Wells is perfectly healthy when on the mound. The Toronto Blue Jays' pitcher is 14-2 and a key reason the Jays are in first in the AL East. He's an inspiration to couch potatoes everywhere.
WNBA
Cynthia Cooper, the Houston Comets star who is three-time Finals MVP, said she is retiring at season's end and plans on going into broadcasting or coaching.
It isn't a happy retirement in many ways. Cooper, 37, is frustrated by her lack of playing time, but says she won't play for anybody but the Comets.
``I know there's a lot more basketball in me, but I'm not happy,'' she told AP. ``And I'm not going to play for another team. Houston is where I started. This is where I want to finish.''
``Obviously, this is bittersweet. The bitter part is I have a lot of basketball left in me; I'm still on top of my game. But the sweet part is this is something new I'm getting ready to embark on. It's special, and I'm excited about it.''
SOCCER
David Trezeguet may never have to buy another meal in Paris as long as he lives. The 23-year substitute on France's national soccer team scored the ``golden goal'' in extra time Sunday as France defeated Italy, 2-1, to win the Euro 2000 tournament. The win set off a wave of celebration in France, which now must be called the soccer capital of the world (the French won the 1998 World Cup). But we were thrilled that there have been no reports of rioting or looting in Paris. At least the U.S. is still No. 1 in something.