2008 Tennis Christmas Wish List

Yes, it's that time of year again. Thank you so very much for all taking time out of your busy schedules to read my column, and thank you for visiting Sports Central in 2008.

I have gotten a lot of responses this past year, and I enjoy each and every one of them. I have gotten some suggestions for my wish list, and I have read them carefully and considered each one. So, if you see something here that you suggested, well, then you got through this thick skull of mine just in time. Here we go:

Dear Santa,

I have been relatively good this year, even though Venus and Serena are mad at me. I tried not to be too judgmental, and I really, really tried to be good. So, if you think I qualify, pleases grant these 10 wishes for me and for tennis this holiday season:

10. Less Maria Sharapova commercials. Yes, we know that she is a top player, and she did inherit the throne from Anna Kournikova, but please, can we see less of Maria? Not because I don't love Maria, or how she plays, but I am really tired of seeing that dog, "Dolce." He's not her real dog and well, he can't even fit a tennis ball in his mouth.

9. The survival of all the tennis racquet manufacturers, big and small. The world economy is hurting. Even though you deliver a lot of tennis products during the holiday season, things are bad enough that possibly some of the bigger companies and definitely some of our smaller ones may not be able to weather the storm. From the biggies, Babolat, Prince, Head, and Wilson, to the nichies (is that a word?) like Avery and custom manufacturer Vantage, please keep our industry alive and maybe even vibrant. The last time our world economy was down, tennis took off.

8. More Serbians. Okay, I said it. The best thing to happen to tennis in a long time are Novak Djokovic, Jelena Jankovic, and Ana Ivanovic. Fun, interesting, workhorses, and just great stories from a tiny country that less than a decade ago was tearing itself apart. Lets see them finish in the top three in 2009, please.

7. More Dinara Safina, no more Marat Safin. Despite the obvious backlash I'll get from the Marat Mafia, Marat will never, in my opinion, truly meet his great potential. Little sister Dinara, however, really came into her own at the end of 2008 and I think she can dominate on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour in 2009. She is colorful (though not as colorful as her big bro) and has a great game to complement it. Maybe a Safina/Ivanisovic 2009 Aussie Open final to start the year?

6. An American to finally figure out how to play top-level tennis on the ATP Tour. My good friend Eugene King seconds that and adds, "How about more top-level American tennis players, period?" Now before you listen to everyone on this, please, Father Christmas, understand that I really do love watching James Blake play. Alas, I think James has hit his peak. Lower top 10 is the best he'll do. Andy Roddick, well, he now has to compete with some of the younger players who have found their games. Is there anyone waiting in the wings that can make me forget about Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Jimmy Connors, and John McEnroe?

5. More Andy Murray, and please, Santa, let him get the title at the Big W in 2009. After the bombshell news that badminton is now the number one racquet sport in England, it's clear he stands alone, no matter what the LTA has tried. Tennis needs some history, and wouldn't it be grand for England to have a home champion on the green lawns finally? Oh, and Andy, get a hair cut for 2009, as well. You are in the top four, time to look the part.

4. A serve for Elena Dementieva. Somehow, she managed to finish number four in the women's world tour and still hasn't developed a usable serve. Hey Elena, Jimmy Connor's serve wasn't a big weapon, but he was consistent and learned how to use it. You should hire Jimmy to teach you how to serve or at least use what you have more effectively. I'm rooting for you in 2009. I always hope that you can be number one some day.

3. A free home makeover by V Starr Interiors, done by Venus Williams herself. Venus, if you are reading this, I'm trying to sell my three bedroom, two bath beach house, but in this economy, I need something extra. I know I've been a critic in the past, but maybe you can bring some of that "calm, pleasure, joy and peace" to my home. Make it sell fast. If you are still too mad at me, maybe the man in the red suit can convince you to send one of your team instead.

2. More great tennis matches. You really couldn't get much better than Roger Federer/Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon, and there really wasn't a really bad big match in 2008. For tennis' sake, please bring some huge television-happy matches with the stars and also some really great matches with the up-and-comers. More tennis on network television, please. I can't get the Tennis Channel by itself, and I can't afford in this financial times to buy 600 hundred hockey games, 300 college football replays, and all the sports I don't want to see just to get the Tennis Channel and most of the tennis coverage. NBC, ABC, CBS, and FOX, please, can you help Santa give this to me and the tennis world in 2009? I thought so.

1. Mirka Vavrinec a wedding ring. There, I said it. It's not like you don't act married, it's not like you aren't the only woman in Roger's life. He isn't number one anymore, so he doesn't have to worry about the "marriage curse." Roger is a legend, and maybe the greatest male player to step on a court. But it's time. Roger, you don't need Santa for this one. Mirka gave up her tennis career for you. She is by your side 24/7. She has paid her dues and more, and well, you are the first couple of tennis, as close to tennis royalty as it comes. You are the king. Be a man, make her your queen.

So there you have it. I hope you enjoyed it, and feel free to add to my list by commenting below. From the team here at Sports Central, have a happy, healthy holiday season and keep coming back for more in 2009!