Career Revival Plan for Tennis Pros 101

Since I have been labeled as the “resident fitness junkie” here’s a sports related rant:

So you’re a pro athlete (tennis player, to be exact). You’ve now hit the BIG 3-0 (that’s a bit over-the-hill for a tennis career, unless you’re Andre Agassi). You’ve had some notable success in the past (though not of the Roger Federer-esque proportions). And been seen in the company of some glamorous women (former sexploits include: Delta Goodrem, Paris Hilton).

My question: How hath the world wronged you, such that, you need to participate in a reality TV dating show for a bit of an ego trip? (*detect faint wisp of desperation in the air*)

Apparently, a respectable career of being a former Top 10 player/finalist at the US Open & Wimbledon/USD$7mil in career prize money… just ain’t good enough for Mark Philippousis (see not-the-most-flattering mug shot above, courtesy frm NBC). The dude’s trading his gym socks for a moonlighting job as the resident “jock-(heart)throb” on NBC’s new reality dating show “Age of Love”… [Call me a purist, but isn’t the whole idea of having “reality TV-jock-(heart)throb” next to your picture on the “Tennis Hall of Fame” somewhat mortifying?… Then again potentially you could instead have a STAR on the Hollywood Walk-of-Fame…Hm, tough call…..*ponder*….]

I’m willing to admit, though, that the show’s premise is interesting enough – it pits 6 women in their 20s (“the Kittens”) against 7 women in their 30s/40s (“the Cougars” <- think Ellen Barkin from Ocean’s 13) who will all vie for affections of the tennis ace in this little social experiment. [Note: The “little social experiment” herein is defined as “….in the search for Love, does age really matter….?”].

Anyway, if anyone’s remotely interested you know where to check out the program, but my money’s on a blonde in her 20s. [the track record speaks for itself (Delta & Paris: blonde- check, kitten material-double check)].

Oh well, I suppose with a TV series in the works, that doesn’t leave much time to actually PLAY tennis, much less win a Grand Slam (I might as well go torch my Phlippousis authographed copy of the Wimbledon ’01 Program).

On a significantly lesser note… should Roger Federer ever decide to hang up his Nike dri-fit shorts to become a reality TV star… someone please give me a call!!!