TENNIS' SEEDY UNDERBELLY

by Kristine, This Suit Is Not Black

It's a seedy underbelly, that world of professional tennis. At least, it is according to German star Tommy Haas.

Haas was beaten by Russian Igor Andreev in the semi-finals of the Davis Cup in September, 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 and, says Haas, it was because he was poisoned. Apparently, Haas' teammate, Alexander Waske, was approached by an unnamed Russian after the match who said, "It was a tight match, it's a shame that Tommy was poisoned."

This is actually being taken seriously, as the International Tennis Federation was made aware of the situation Wednesday and says they will begin an investigation immediately.

As for Haas, he said "Of the eight hours I should have been sleeping [the night before the match], I spent six of them on the toilet. My stomach is still doing some strange things."

He's heading to New York today for blood and hair tests to determine what poisoned him.

We never knew things were so cutthroat in tennis. Seedy, yes. But not cutthroat.