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Tennishead’s top ten T-BAHs!


 

Originally published on: 26/02/10 14:57

Alright, alright – we know T-BAHs isnt as catchy a title as TWAGs. But that doesnt make the subject of the top boyfriends and husbands of tennis stars any less fun.

Check out the Tennishead top ten wives & girlfriends here

Cupids been firing aces on the WTA Tour for the past couple of months, so it seems. Maria Sharapova may be laying low until 2009 with a shoulder injury but, having revealed that she and Charlie Ebersol, son of NBC Sports chairman Dick Ebersol, are together, at least she has someone to lay low with.

And Jelena Jankovic last week announced that she has two reasons to look back fondly on the Beijing Olympics. Not only did the Serb become world No.1 during the Games – she also hooked up with Mladjan Janovic, a water polo player from Montenegro, and the two are now an item.

But their fledgling romances are not going to cut it in our rundown of tennis players top ten boyfriends and husbands. Take a look at whose did:

10. Chris Evert & JOHN LLOYD

The worlds No.1 female player and gorgeous to boot meets a plucky but camera-shy Brit at the All-England Club and they immediately hit it off. Sounds like the plot of a second-rate romcom to us, but it happened for real when Chris Evert met John Lloyd in 1978.

The “golden couple” of tennis were married a year later and enjoyed several years in the limelight before a separation, a short-lived reconciliation, and eventual divorce in 1987. Lloyd was never happy being a celebrity but, ever the gentleman, refused offers from the British tabloids gagging for “dirt” on his ex-wife.

Evert, who had previously been engaged to Jimmy Connors as a teenager, was linked with a string of high-profile beaux during her early years on the Tour, including Burt Reynolds and Vitas Gerulaitis. She later married Olympics skier Andy Mill, but they divorced in 2006, and Evert married Australian golfer Greg Norman in June.

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9. Serena Williams & COMMON

As far as a rap-stars courting moves go, Commons decision to cast the object of affection in the video for your latest single I want you was pretty smooth.

Needless to say, Serena took the hint, and the pair have been together since late last year, even if Serena remains coy about the relationship. I think hes a great guy, is all she will say on the subject of the man who has followed the 9-time Grand Slam champ around the world.

Perhaps shes playing it cool for all the right reasons. If theres any truth in relationships distracting players from their tennis, Serenas not letting it get to her.

After following up her Wimbledon final appearance with Olympic doubles gold and the US Open crown this summer, whatever she has with Common isnt doing her game any harm.

8. Lucie Safarova and TOMAS BERDYCH

And it certainly hasnt stopped two Czech lovebirds making a go of it both on and off the court. Childhood sweethearts Safarova and Berdych grew up as childhood practice partners at their club in Prostejov, and have now been together for nearly six years.

For Berdych, who has dipped his toes in the top ten during his time on the Tour, the notion that tennis would ruin their relationship makes no sense in fact, he believes dating a fellow pro has its benefits.

I think it’s true because we know each other, the travel, the practicing, all the things you do together in tennis, it works.”

The couple caught the publics imagination at the 2007 Australian Open when Safarova won the biggest match of her career to date, beating defending champ Amelie Mauresmo to reach the quarter-finals. Within a minute, Tomas had wrapped up his match against Dmitry Tursunov as well.

When asked how shed be celebrating the biggest win of her career, Safarova produced a cheeky grin and replied: “I don’t know

7. Martina Hingis & SERGIO GARCIA/SOL CAMPBELL/RADEK STEPANEK

While were not going to be comparing anybody with cannibal spiders, no list would be complete without the Swiss Miss.

Lets look at the facts. Justin Gimelstob, Julian Alonso, Ivo Heuberger and former French Open finalist Magnus Norman each dated the 27-year-old, and disappeared from the Tour with injuries within three years. She also dated former England and Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, who had a very public breakdown towards the end of their relationship.

But on the flip side, during her relationship with Sergio Garcia she was both girlfriend and sports psychologist. “She knows what I’m going through. She knows what it feels like to be in this kind of position. That’s helpful,” the Spaniard said, before breaking her heart.

It looked like she had finally cracked it when news broke that she was engaged to Czech journeyman Radek Stepanek in 2007, but the relationship broke down and Hingis is currently single again – and retired again.

Reports of Stepaneks career-ending hip injury are expected in 2010.

6. Jennifer Capriati & MATTHEW PERRY

Just good friends. Yeah, right. Jen and Matt met when the

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Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.