Fourhand: Not-Retired Robin Soderling Develops a Tennis Ball

Here's a rundown of the latest news away from the pro tours this week, as son of a beach Novak Djokovic romps in the wake of his French Open final loss:

DJOKE'S OVER IT  Oftentimes we want to say, "tennis players: they're just like us," but then most of us don't get over setbacks at our jobs by going on boys-only voyages to Ibiza and capering around in slinky blue swimsuits. The Spin sees these photos and immediately summons to mind Kenny Loggins's "Playing With the Boys" from Top Gun. Anyway, here's to you, Mr. Djokovic. Roland Garros may yet love you more than you will know.

PERFUMED Maria Sharapova has wasted no time since her French Open title in landing yet another major sponsor deal. Avon has made her the face of its fall fragrances, Luck for Him and Her. She follows in the well-heeled footsteps of stars like Olivia Wilde, Fergie, and Megan Fox, whose own jungle-centric Avon ad, sorry, really can't compete with that of tennis' own Dominika Cibulkova:

FED, OUTFITTED Roger Federer will make no mistake about his Wimbledon footwear this year, as 2013's accent-colored treads were banned at the Championships. This time out: white and sedated gray. Don't mind me; I'll be over here, missing last year's statement shoes. Even so, Rafael Nadal's own kicks may soon suffer the All England Club's sartorial wrath. Stay tuned.

GHOST OF SODERLING Word is that Robin Soderling may return to the ATP World Tour ranks this year, perhaps next. In the meantime, he realized in his mononucleosis-imposed exile from the pro game that, when asked, he didn't really have a favorite tennis ball. So he sought to fashion his own, what with all the down time he has had recently.

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