• Intelligencer
  • The Cut
  • Vulture
  • The Strategist
  • Curbed
  • Grub Street
  • Subscribe to the Magazine Give a Gift Subscription Buy Back Issues Current Issue Contents
    Subscribe to New York Magazine
  • Subscribe
  • Profile
    Sign Out
The Cut
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
Style
  • Fashion
  • Beauty
  • Shopping
  • Design Hunting
  • New York Weddings
  • Parties & Red Carpet
  • Fashion Shows
  • Cathy Horyn
Self
  • Health & Wellness
  • Motherhood
  • Advice
  • Sex & Relationships
  • Science of Us
  • Horoscopes
  • Ask Polly
Culture
  • Books
  • Television
  • Movies
  • Music
  • Celebrity
Power
  • Politics
  • Work
  • Money
  • Rebecca Traister
More
  • Latest Stories
  • Video
  • About Us
  • The Cut Shop
  • nymag.com
  • New York Magazine
  • Intelligencer
  • Vulture
  • The Cut
  • The Strategist
  • Grub Street
August 27, 2012

Celebrating the Tennis Hunks Through the Years

By Sally Holmes and Christina Han

Share

  • Share
  • Tweet

Today marks the start of the U.S. Open. Tennis stars like Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Maria Sharpova (who, can we take a moment to appreciate, went from this to this) will be taking to the courts with fans like Anna Wintour, Beyonce, and Jay-Z in the stands. While it doesn’t quite fill that Ryan Lochte-shaped hole in our hearts left by the Olympics, the Open does have high potential for man-ogling. Though these guys don’t seem to get naked nearly as often as the Olympic dudes,  their propensity for long, Fabio-esque hair, passionate demeanors, and of course, athletic bods, makes them drool-worthy in their own right. Click ahead to get a nice, long look at a curly haired James Blake, a mullet-sporting, jorts-wearing Andre Agassi, and a baby-faced Pete Sampras in our slideshow.

View
1 / 19 Photos
Arthur Ashe, 1969 Art was doing the hipster glasses thing before the hipsters and all those NBA guys were doing it. Photo: Central Press/Getty ... Arthur Ashe, 1969 Art was doing the hipster glasses thing before the hipsters and all those NBA guys were doing it. Photo: Central Press/Getty Images
Pete Sampras, 1990 Pete Sampras, age nineteen, posing on a beach fully clothed after winning the US Open. His tennis racquet can be spotted recli... Pete Sampras, 1990 Pete Sampras, age nineteen, posing on a beach fully clothed after winning the US Open. His tennis racquet can be spotted reclining alongside him. Nothing about this scene makes sense except that his smile sure is pretty.   Photo: Acey Harper/Time Life Pictures/Getty Images
Feliciano Lopez, 2012 Holaaaaaaaaaa.  Photo: Europa Press/Europa Press via Getty Images
 David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez, 2012 "But really, do you think he uses extra body conditioner?" Photo: Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty ...  David Ferrer and Feliciano Lopez, 2012 "But really, do you think he uses extra body conditioner?" Photo: Luis Acosta/AFP/Getty Images
Nicolas Kiefer, 2008  So if you catch his sweaty shirt, do you get to touch his body? Is that how that game works? Can we play?  P... Nicolas Kiefer, 2008  So if you catch his sweaty shirt, do you get to touch his body? Is that how that game works? Can we play?  Photo: Stuart Franklin/Bongarts/2008 Getty Images
James Blake, 2002 Hair or no hair, beard or no beard, we appreciate this New Yorker's handy Norelco skills. Photo: Brad Barket/Getty Images
Roger Taylor, 1970 Someone challenged the British tennis player to make his best "sexy face" while drinking out of a paper cup; he won.... Roger Taylor, 1970 Someone challenged the British tennis player to make his best "sexy face" while drinking out of a paper cup; he won. Photo: Central Press/Getty Images
Patrick Rafter, 1997 "You know what, it is exhausting being this good-looking." Photo: Gary M. Prior/Allsport
Novak Djokovic, 2012 At what point do you tell the player ranked No. 2 in the world that we don't mow our courts in the U.S.? Photo: Chris Trotm... Novak Djokovic, 2012 At what point do you tell the player ranked No. 2 in the world that we don't mow our courts in the U.S.? Photo: Chris Trotman/2012 Getty Images
Fernando Verdasco, 2012 You know what they say about guys with large tennis rackets ... they have large tennis balls.  Photo: Michael Stewa... Fernando Verdasco, 2012 You know what they say about guys with large tennis rackets ... they have large tennis balls.  Photo: Michael Stewart/WireImage
Tomas Berdych, 2012 Tap that (racket). Photo: Pedro Armestre/AFP/Getty Images
Mark Philippoussis, 2004 Tennis Algebra: The abs cancel out the shoulder tattoo. The luscious hair cancels out the necklace. So all you're left w... Mark Philippoussis, 2004 Tennis Algebra: The abs cancel out the shoulder tattoo. The luscious hair cancels out the necklace. So all you're left with is a set of abs and hair we'd like to touch.   Photo: Nick Laham/Getty Images
Lleyton Hewitt, 2005 Yes, Tom Brady cut his hair. Photo: Clive Brunskill/2005 Getty Images
Andre Agassi, 1986 Jorts and a Sonic the Hedgehog mullet. Kelly Kapowski just fainted. Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage
Rod Laver The man played great tennis, flashed an all-American smile, and made some seriously good sneakers. But those ears. Photo: Douglas ... Rod Laver The man played great tennis, flashed an all-American smile, and made some seriously good sneakers. But those ears. Photo: Douglas Miller/Keystone/Getty Images
Pat Cash, 1986 The sweatband is key for creating the illusion of a mullet without fully committing to it. Photo: Keystone/Getty Images
Roger Federer, 2009 "Thank you, thank you. And for my next trick I will remove my shirt with a flourish." (please) Photo: Paul Gilham... Roger Federer, 2009 "Thank you, thank you. And for my next trick I will remove my shirt with a flourish." (please) Photo: Paul Gilham/2009 Getty Images
Rafael Nadal, 2006 Rafael Nadal: Was once ranked No. 1 in the world in tennis, will always be No. 2 in Bella's heart in the Twilight movies. Ph... Rafael Nadal, 2006 Rafael Nadal: Was once ranked No. 1 in the world in tennis, will always be No. 2 in Bella's heart in the Twilight movies. Photo: Donald Miralle /Getty Images
Guillermo Vilas, 1982 Note: Horizontal striped socks draw attention to the calves, but aren't nearly enough to distract you from the focal point ... Guillermo Vilas, 1982 Note: Horizontal striped socks draw attention to the calves, but aren't nearly enough to distract you from the focal point of this picture. Photo: Ron Galella/WireImage
1 / 19

Tags:

  • fame
  • anna wintour
  • hot guys
  • tennis
  • u.s. open
  • More

More Galleries

campaign trail Apr. 12, 2021
7 Women on Where They’re Finding Hope These Days  A new fashion campaign that focuses on the positive. 
fashion Mar. 15, 2021
Dramatic Wedding Gowns Inspired by Flowers  Danielle Frankel bridges the gap between bridal and fashion. 
campaign trail Jan. 28, 2021
 The Best Fashion Campaigns From Spring 2021  This season’s best from Prada, Versace, Miu Miu, and more. 
By Florence O'Connor
in memoriam Dec. 30, 2020
30 Incredible Fashion Moments From Pierre Cardin  Remembering a creative visionary. 
By Andrew Nguyen
rest in power Dec. 23, 2020
A Photo Memorial for an Iconic Model  She passed away suddenly at the age of 50 this week. 
campaign trail Nov. 18, 2020
‘Tis the Season for New Fashion Ads  See the best ones from Gucci, Prada, Versace, and more. 
By Emily Burns
nyfw spring 2021 Oct. 26, 2020
How a Great Collection Comes Alive  Christopher John Rogers launched its first-ever online shop, along with a new campaign. 
By Andrew Nguyen
campaign trail Sept. 24, 2020
See the Fashion Campaigns for Fall 2020  From Prada, Michael Kors, Celine, Louis Vuitton, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
nyfw spring 2021 Sept. 22, 2020
See the Coach Spring 2021 Collection  Worn by Megan Thee Stallion, Kate Moss, Cole Sprouse, and more. 
By Andrew Nguyen
fashion Sept. 16, 2020
The Stunning Awkwardness of Face Masks on the Red Carpet  Celebrities tried to make the best of a strange situation at the 2020 Venice Film Festival. 
one word one shot Sept. 15, 2020
72 Designers on Their Spring/Summer Inspirations  Just in time for Fashion Week. 
By the Cut
red carpet Sept. 8, 2020
This Red Carpet Was Totally Surreal  But also amazing. See all the looks at the Venice Film Festival. 
By Emilia Petrarca and Andrew Nguyen
in memoriam Aug. 31, 2020
Remembering Chadwick Boseman on the Red Carpet  His style was bold, risk-taking, and always impeccable. 
the wedding files Aug. 21, 2020
The Design-Minded Couple Who Didn’t Want to Try Too Hard  The bride got a wonderful surprise the morning of her wedding. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 14, 2020
A Costa Rica Wedding During the Rainy Season  Thunder roared during the toasts. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files Aug. 7, 2020
A San Francisco Wedding at a Big, Empty Pier  The bride changed into crushed-velvet pants for the disco-infused reception. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 31, 2020
An Elopement Among the Lupines in Iceland  The late afternoon was spent snapping photos near waterfalls and black beaches. 
By Kaitlin Menza
the wedding files July 24, 2020
A Pennsylvania Potluck for 280 People  “I looked at her for the first time and had this feeling like, You. I know you.” 
By Kaitlin Menza
milan fashion week July 22, 2020
Behind the Scenes at Gucci’s Virtual Show  Instead of models, members of the design team sported the eccentric collection. 
By Andrew Nguyen
the wedding files July 17, 2020
A Dance Party Under Puerto Rican Palm Trees  Bad Bunny blasted and pitorro flowed. 
By Kaitlin Menza
  • Style
  • Self
  • Culture
  • Power
  • Newsletters
  • About Us
  • Contact
  • Help
  • We’re Hiring
  • Press
  • Trademark
  • Privacy
  • Terms
  • Ad Choices
  • Do Not Sell My Info
  • Accessibility
The Cut is a Vox Media Network. © 2021 Vox Media, LLC. All rights reserved.