With the French Open kicking off today, it seemed appropriate to take a look at what all that swatting and sweating earns today's tennis star. For some, buying a house isn't really a priority, and what with the constant travelling to tournaments, that seems reasonable. Take Roger Federer. The Swiss-native and former long-time world number one might appear annually in the U.S. Open, but, in the U.S., he shacks up in a suite at the Carlyle Hotel (above). The hotel has outfitted the $3,075-per-night, 16th-floor suite with "F.R." monogrammed pillowcases and a plaque to track his grand slam progress.
? Federer's frequent adversary and current world number one Rafael Nadal seems to prefer buying his second homes, like a multi-million dollar seaside villa in the Dominican Republic. That's if Nadal paid anything close to full price for the oceanfront spread at Playa Nueva Romana. The thing is, the tennis ace appears so often in the development's marketing materials that we're inclined to think he paid $0.
? Queen of the comeback Kim Clijsters—who dropped out of the tour to give birth to her first child, before returning to claim the U.S. Open title—lives in a surprisingly modest house in suburban New Jersey. In 2009, she and husband Brian Lynch paid $772K for this three bedroom in Wall Township, N.J.
? Fellow women's tour champ Maria Sharapova seeks out slightly warmer climes, but like Clijsters, forgoes the home court. Instead, Sharapova's spread in Longboat Key, Fla. has convenient access to the water, a swimming pool, and a paparazzi-defying shroud of palm trees.
? Retired colorful great—and current color commentator—John McEnroe owns many homes, but only one with a tennis court, a six bedroom beach house in the tony Long Island enclave of Southampton, N.Y. It seems that McEnroe, who was once known for his tirades on the court, might prefer a little more privacy in retirement: the court is surrounded by an absurdly high hedgerow.
· Federer's Carlyle Court [NYO]
· Rafael Nadal Buys New Home in Dominican Republic [Tennis Times]
· Playa Nueva Romana [official site]
· Tennis Ace Kim Clijsters Is A Jersey Girl [RealEstalker]
· Maria Sharapova's House [Virtual Globetrotting]
· Why McEnroe loves Southampton house [Newsday]
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