I look forward to the end of summer every year — cooler weather sets in, school supplies go on sale, and dozens of women with serious balls (tennis balls, that is) descend upon Queens to play in the final Grand Slam event of the season, the U.S. Open. Although the crowd at the top is sadly out-lesbian-free this year (get well, Amelie!), there's nothing else sad about it: Powerful players and no hands-down favorite should make for a terrific tournament.

If you're a tennis fan, you're probably as excited as I am — and if you're not, take a gander at these phenoms and you just might change your mind.

No. 1, Justine Henin (Belgium)

Her size can be misleading, but her stats aren't — 2003 U.S. Open champ Henin is the world No. 1 for good reason. As a Mauresmo fan, I feel that I shouldn't root for Henin on principle, and since she is the top seed a win may be anticlimactic, but she's so much fun to watch that I won't be disappointed if we see her for the full two weeks. … continue reading

On Wednesday at Wimbledon, Serena Williams came back from 4-1 in the first set to beat Australia's Alicia Molik 7-6, 6-3.

Williams moves on to the third round, thanks to what she calls "the angry Serena":

"The angry Serena is very crazy to say the least," she said. "Sometimes she comes out."

It's almost like she hulks out, really. TMZ.com is calling Williams' arms "super-bionic," but I think they're more hulk-tastic: … continue reading

Amelie Mauresmo, Wimbledon Champion and No. 98 on the AfterEllen.com Hot 100 list is out of the French Open with a groin injury. I know, I was devastated too, until I found out that we could leave her get well wishes on her website. I don't know if we can compete, however, with, “If my life was a flower, you would be it's scent,” left by a fan named hajika.

She also has a list on the site called "My Favorite Things." The lesbian tennis heartthrob likes surfing, drinks hot chocolate for breakfast, listens to all kinds of music and hates liars. Lesbians, you are all the same. There is no mention or photo of any girlfriend-type on there, so what I want is a "Win a Date With Amelie" contest on the site.

Sponsors, are you listening? It would be very cool. Nestle could sponsor the contest, and then provide the hot chocolate if the date lasted all the way to breakfast. Forget the rose ceremony; I want my hot chocolate.

Moving on, we still have some great tennis to watch on Saturday. … continue reading