It happens every year at this time. From the end of May til the middle of September, everything else becomes meaningless, and my entire being is focused on one thing - tennis.

What is it about tennis that makes it arguably the most popular spectator sport for gay men? I don't have any statistics to back that up, but from personal experience, most of the gay men I've known (even the ones who generally detest watching sports) follow tennis. For me, I think it comes down to the personalities and the drama.

There was Martina Navratilova, who took the harassment and scorn of homophobia and triumphantly turned it around, becoming a legend and one of the greatest gay icons of all time. Monica Seles (my all time favorite), who brought power to the women's game, who was well on her way to becoming the all time best, then watched it all disappear in one of the most horrific moments in sports history. The Williams Sisters, who brought much needed diversity to the sport, and the sexpot campiness of Anna Kournikova and Maria Sharapova.

On the men's side, there's an added appeal for gay fans. In addition to the personalities and drama, tennis has the hottest men of any sport. There have been plenty of hot tennis guys in the past, like Patrick Rafter, Mark Philippoussis, and Bjorn Borg. Here are ten active players to add to the list, and if you weren't a fan before, maybe this will help convince you.

Andy Roddick - USA

I have to admit, Andy Roddick is not my favorite player (he can be very obnoxious at times), but I also have to admit that he's still the sport's reigning male pin-up. I also think he's so much hotter with a little meat on his bones.

Robby Ginepri - USA

Robby Ginepri (aka "my mountain man") is not as well known as his fellow Americans Andy Roddick and James Blake, but he's every bit as hot.

See more tennis hotties, and a clip of a big Russian in his underwear, after the break.

Switzerland's Roger Federer did as expected and took out Serbia's Novak Djokovic in three sets at Sunday's US Open Men's Final. This gives Federer twelve Grand Slam wins, only two wins shy of tying Peter Sampras' all time fourteen Grand Slam titles. Given that Sampras retired at age 31, it seems that unless he is derailed by injury, the 26-year old Federer is almost a given to catch Sampras and become the greatest male player ever. (But Pete'll still be cuter!)

As for Liza, she was on hand to sing the national anthem!

Do you think Roger ever gets tired of lifting these things over his head?

I guess you could say Federer beat the "shirt" off Novak. It's late Sunday night. Sue me!

More pics after the jump!