Blake and Roddick explore historical Roman landmarks. WHEN IN ROME...On the eve of the Tennis Masters Roma, American stars JAMES BLAKE and ANDY RODDICK enjoyed a sightseeing tour of some of Romeís most famous landmarks. Followed by camera crews and photographers, Blake and Roddick visited the Trevi Fountain and the Pantheon before going inside the famous Coliseum. Both players were blown away by its magnitude. "This is the coolest thing I've ever seen - it's definitely worth going inside," said Roddick, with Blake adding: "I'd seen it in the movie [Gladiator] but to see it in real life is even better." Talking about the city itself, Roddick said: "I love Rome - it's amazing. It's probably one of my favorite European cities so far. We don't have things that are 2000 years old in the States, so it was nice to see." (For pix of this and Roddick with Regis and Kelly from last week's Insider, please contact J.J. Carter at jcarter@atptennis.com). UNDER THE KNIFE...GORAN IVANISEVIC's dream of opening up proceedings at this year's Wimbledon Championships is over after the Croatian revealed he is to undergo left shoulder surgery in Germany next week that will keep him out of the game for the rest of the year. "I wanted so much to play that opening match on Monday at Wimbledon on Centre Court and I am very disappointed," said Ivanisevic. "But I have no other choice. I'm also disappointed for my supporters and all those who were looking forward to seeing me defend my title in Wimbledon." Seven-time Wimbledon champion Pete Sampras echoed his disappointment for Ivanisevic, saying: "It's disappointing for him and for the event. It's always an honor to go out two o'clock on the Monday. It was a great story what happened last year with Goran finally doing it [but] I think he made the right decision because I hear his shoulder is pretty bad. You've got to take care of your health before anything." BRINGING A SMILE...Argentine stars GASTON GAUDIO, DAVID NALBANDIAN, GUILLERMO CANAS and JUAN IGNACIO CHELA met with Argentine ambassador Elsa Kelly at the Argentina embassy in Rome during the Tennis Masters Roma. With a theme of "I give you a smile," around 30 people from the Argentine community in Rome were in attendance. "Our country is in a difficult economic situation right now, so anything we can do for the country, even if itís small, is a big contribution," said Gaudio. "Argentine tennis players have been having good results this year, and hopefully we can bring a little bit of happiness to Argentina." TOURNAMENT TALES IN ROME...Italy's DAVIDE SANGUINETTI was a guest on the Buona Domenica show on Canale 5 with popular Italian presenter Maurizio Costanzo on Sunday afternoon. At the end of his appearance, Sanguinetti presented Costanzo with a racquet and invited him to play tennis. ... MARAT SAFIN fought his way through the crowds to sign autographs at La Gazzetta dello Sport stand, where there were hundreds of fans chanting his name as they waited for him to arrive. ... Players practicing at the Due Ponti Club donated items to the Tennis for Africa charity. The 'Tennis Day Africa' was organized to raise funds to build schools and hospitals in Sierra Leone, Mozambique and Guinea Bussau. Players taking part included DAVIDE SANGUINETTI, MOSE NAVARRA, MARK PHILIPPOUSSIS, JAMES BLAKE, FEDERICO LUZZI, HICHAM ARAZI, THOMAS JOHANSSON, ALBERT PORTAS, SEBASTIEN GROSJEAN, JUAN CARLOS FERRERO and ALBERT COSTA. MEDIA MONITOR... French sensation RICHARD GASQUET, who shot to fame at the Tennis Masters Monte Carlo last month, continued his development by winning a Futures event in the UK, where Barry Newcombe of the Sunday Times was there to see it. Writes Newcombe: "There are 180 paces between the Centre Court at the West Hants Club and the clubhouse, and there was a feeling around the place last night that a future champion had just walked that historic route. In the wider picture of world tennis, the victory in the Lawn Tennis Association (LTA) futures event by 15-year-old Richard Gasquet of France may not class as one of the defining moments in the game. But for those who like to say, 'I was there' when the teenager took another key onward stride, this was clearly a day to be on duty. Gasquet not only took the title and $1,350 in prize-money with a 6-3 6-1 win over Jaroslav Levinsky of the Czech Republic in the final, but did so all the way from the qualifying tournament without losing a set, which is some feat, no matter what competitive stage. In seven matches, Gasquet conceded 22 games. In essence he was simply saying farewell to the 372nd world ranking that he took into the tournament." SAY WHAT? "Every week that I'm playing tennis - it's already things that I didn't expect. So for me, it's been enjoyable already so far to just be able to play a match like this." - Gustavo Kuerten, continuing his comeback from hip surgery, after losing to Albert Montanes in the second round of the Tennis Masters Roma. "Not good. Not good. It was just a very basic rally where I was just being very patient, and I ended up just hitting a forehand rally shot just straight into the net. I went out wide to hit a kick serve. Used to stand far to the side. And I was thinking to go up the middle to go for the ace on championship point. And then I said, "No, don't be stupid. Just good first serve. Good shot." I was stupid. But that was 13 years ago, so I'm trying to forget." - Andre Agassi, recalling the championship point he had in Rome against Albert Mancini in 1989. Agassi went on to lose in five sets. "Thank you. Thank you for the compliment." - Marat Safin after being asked if he had lost some weight when he had actually gained two kilos.

Previous ATP Insider | Feedback

ATP Insider courtesy ATPTour.com