The Nintendo Wii may go down as the greatest time-waster ever created. As we’ve learned around the TENNIS magazine office, the intuitive motion-sensor controls and cartoon-like graphics get you hooked and keep you from doing, you know... real work.

But since we’re playing Wii tennis, it’s work for us. That keeps us off the naughty list, right?

To further our “research,” a pair of Prince Wii tennis rackets would be a nifty way to make the video game seem more like the real thing. Putting a Prince Wii racket in your hand immediately makes you feel the urge to rip a serve or crack a topspin forehand. Making sure you’re not standing too close to your opponent, of course. Tennis isn’t a contact sport.

Hint, hint: $15, www.circuitcity.com (available Dec. 10)

But clearly the book transcends its time period, because it's back in vogue, primarily through the work of USC football coach Pete Carroll, who has recommended it to the players on his recent NCAA championship teams.

And what little I know of it makes me think it could help me on and off the court. Fighting yourself is a big subject for Gallwey – if I can get an idea of how NOT to do that, it might be the Xmas present I ever got.

Hint, hint: $15, www.theinnergame.com

Two words.

Beer Belly.

’Nuff said.

Hint, hint: $50, www.thebeerbelly.com

For some reason, many avid tennis players are willing to shell out big bucks for their sneakers, but skimp on their socks. Not me – that’s like buying a new frame and stringing it with piano wire. A good pair of sports socks keep your feet more cushioned, cooler and drier than ordinary cotton socks. And nothing leads to blisters faster than a hot, soggy foot. That’s why I’m looking to get a few pairs of Drymax socks for the holidays.

It’s made with two different fibers woven together – one to whisk moisture off your foot, and the other to keep it off. Plus, it has reinforced padding in the heel and forefoot it comes in five different sizes for better a fit (I’m a size 9, by the way).

And not to be forgotten – antimicrobial material throughout to prevent odor-causing bacteria and smelly feet. Hmm. Is it too late to wish for some for my opponents as well?

Hint, hint: $10-12, www.drymaxsports.com

Rather than attending tournaments as an ink-stained wretch, I’d like go in style as part of a top player’s entourage. And it’s still not too late for one of my nieces and nephews to turn out to be a tennis prodigy.

Street Tennis is a quick way to check if one of them is hiding a wicked one-hander or monster serve. It’s been 12 years since Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras commandeered the streets of New York City for their Nike “Guerilla Tennis” ad, but it lets recreate the concept – preferably on dead-end streets and driveways.

What’s more, it’s a lot easier to set up than a full-fledged court – two real-size plastic net posts, a net, two racquets, two foam balls, chalk (for drawing lines) and a carrying bag. The balls are soft, low-bouncing, and larger than tennis balls—the kind now in fashion among tennis instructors who work with young children. They also bounce on grass and dirt.

The creator is Dominic Cobello, the author of The Agassi Story. Mike Agassi might like one for his grandkids, too, except we already know they have the right tennis genes.

Hint, hint: $150, www.golfsmith.com

All I want for Christmas is... my own Tennis Channel. Or some approximation of it, anyway. For years, we’ve all been at the mercy of television, watching whenever and whatever the fickle networks decree. No more.

A subscription to Masters Series TV means all-day coverage of the 9+1 ATP Masters events – no commercials, commentary on-off options, multiple courts, and on-demand replays of important matches. And unlike last year, there’s no problem taking your laptop from place to place or logging in on a different computer.

Quite frankly, Santa, its very existence is like a Christmas present itself. The powers-that-be are often so busy trying to do things for people who are ambivalent about tennis that they don’t find much time for those of us who really like the sport. But they are getting into online streaming, which is the best thing to happen to tennis fans since the advent of live scoring.

And it looks like there’s more to come. Wimbledon is also available online through Mediazone, which shows dozens of smaller ATP and WTA events as well (the live broadcasts of the smaller tournaments are a bit hit and miss, but there’s a big archive library). The Tennis Channel streamed some of its French Open coverage for US viewers this year, and the USTA sometimes shows the occasional match on its website. The WTA is working on getting an online package together, as is the Australian Open.

Next year, maybe all I’ll want for Christmas is consolidation – all the different packages in an all-in-one combo.

Hint, hint: $70-$50, MastersSeriesTV; $25, Wimbledon; $50, Mediazone

Riding my bike to the courts with a huge racquet bag slung over my shoulder isn’t safe, so what I need is a backpack designed to hold a tennis racquet. But which one?

TheAdidas Response would be the sporty choice. It has tons of compartments, including separate pockets to keep two racquets from hitting one another on the ride – as if I won’t scratch them on court anyway, but still a nice touch. It has Load Spring straps to absorb movement, and it comes in black, navy, or pink (I’m thinking navy). The best part: The opening for racquet handles is off to the side, so they won’t ram into the back of my bike helmet.

But if I want to go the stylish route, there’s the Jet houndstooth backpack. The houndstooth pattern and sleek egg shape would look cool with both court and street clothes. But the bag is also practical: It holds two racquets, has water-bottle holders, and is designed so you can switch from one strap to two whenever you want.

So it’s up to you, Santa – one or the other... or both? I’ve been a very good girl this year.

Hint, hint: $60, Tennis Warehouse (Adidas); $33, Tennis Warehouse (Jet)

The days of Molly Ringwald, acid-washed jeans, and big hair may be past, but these retro U.S. Open t-shirts still look great. Inspired by designs and colors of the 1980s and 90s, the shirts are snug but not too snug, and 100% cotton for a super soft and comfy feel. Versatile, too – I’ll be wearing them on the court and while hanging out with your friends at St. Elmos Fire.

To go along with it, there’s a homage to a classic tennis fashion icon from the 1980s: the athletic, dreadlocked Frenchman Yannick Noah. To commemorate Noah’s emotional 1983 victory at Roland Garros, Le Coq Sportif has released the limited edition “Cadre” tennis bag. The chic, nostalgic bag even incorporates a print of Noah’s racquet on the very retro racquet holder, which goes nicely with the stencil logo on the US Open t-shirt...

Hint, hint: $26, www.usopenshop.org; $305, www.lecoqsportif.com

When I’m attending a tennis match for fun, I don’t want to cart around one of those huge professional cameras you see in the photographers’ courtside pit. But at the same time, I have an image to maintain – so dinky little pocket cameras are out too.

The in-between solution is the Canon 5D, a semi-professional camera that has a 35mm full-frame sensor that produces images up to 12.8 Megapixels, a 2.5 LCD monitor for easy picture viewing, shoots 3 frames per second, has rapid fire auto focus and is compatible with over 50 Canon EF lenses to capture any moment on and off the court. (In case you’re not a camera buff, those are all good things.)

Once I got used to that, I’d probably make it my everyday camera and keep the cell phone for what it was meant to do: make phone calls.

Hint, hint: $2,200, www.bhphotovideo.com

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