More Postcards from Palm Springs...

Hi everyone...I'm still here in the desert watching tennis. All I have to say is, 'Thank God for Rafael Nadal.' No, not just because he's gorgeous and looks good in Capri pants. No, because if not for him, the Pacific Life Open would be without any stars! Roger Federer lost Sunday followed by former number ones Lleyton Hewitt and Marat Safin as well as the popular American James Blake. On the women's side, the two biggest names, Maria Sharapova and Martina Hingis, both lost yesterday! I watched Maria go down yesterday and it was pathetic! She was up 6-4, 5-4 and lost six straight games. I could never imagine Steffi Graf or Monica Seles losing like that. They had too much heart. Sharapova needs some more heart.

I will say this for Roger Federer, he is a great sport. After losing in singles on Sunday night, he went out and played doubles...and won! Then he went out again yesterday and played again...and I was there to watch! Organizers, in a bad miscalculation, put Federer on court 2 which holds only 5,000 people instead of the 16,000-seat main stadium. Court 2 was jammed to the rafters with people also standing, all jammed together, at all the entrances. Federer and his partner lost in a heartbreaker but the respect and love the crowd gave to him was something I will never forget. Players who are as dominant as Federer often get a backlash and fans want to see them lose. But I sense that is not the case with Federer. He is respected and beloved.
So, the best thing about this tournament are the practice courts. You get to see the male players, often shirtless, hitting all their best shots again and again. There's no stopping to start points etc. It's glorious. I watched Nadal for an hour yesterday and another hour today, along with hundreds of other people, and it was more fun that most matches. Also watched the very talented and movie star handsome Tommy Haas (pictured, right) practice yesterday and he is ridiculously good looking. Also watched Martina Hingis practice and she looked sluggish. I was not surprised when she lost last night. Anyway, wanted to share a few thoughts before heading over to dinner at El Mirasol. Barry Manilow eats there about once a week. If I run into him, I'll tell him you all said hello!
Thanks for your patience as Out in Hollywood has slowed to a trickle during my vacation. I am going to try and do some postings (non-tennis) tomorrow morning before heading back out to the tennis courts.
Will sure miss Federer though...I'd watch him anytime. Total class.