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August 27, 2012

Celebrating the Tennis Hunks Through the Years

By Sally Holmes and Christina Han

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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.

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