Female tennis players who are less attractive than Maria Sharapova, but are just as good, have fewer marketing opportunities. AP
	MAILBAG Submit a comment or question for Justin. Your name: Your e-mail address: Your home town: Enter your question:

Outspoken tennis pro Justin Gimelstob will write every few days from the U.S. Open, where he's partnering with Mariano Hood in men's doubles on Thursday. Click here to read all of Justin's entries.

In the past few days, The New York Times called me "irrelevant," the New York Post and several other papers cut and pasted words from my first blog entry that made my opinions seem more critical then they were, and world No. 1-ranked Lindsay Davenport called me out as the "poster boy" for superficial, physically judgmental men everywhere.

I have one thing to say to all of them, and anyone else who has a problem with what I wrote: Take it up with human nature, not me.

I agree the world would be a better place if men didn't objectify women or have an immediate physical reaction to them. But unlike my critics, I live in the real world, where that doesn't and never will happen.

It's more worth our time to acknowledge the reality of life. Appearances do matter and people are naturally drawn to attractive people; but talent, work ethic, honesty and intellect are far more important qualities to foster. The sad fact is that Maria Sharapova always will be more marketable and have more opportunities for earnings off the court than does a female player who is less physically attractive, but has equivalent accomplishments.

I find it both comical and futile to bemoan the reality of that situation, because it will never change. In a perfect world, we'd focus on instilling the belief and understanding in young people that what's most important is both being the best you can be in whatever you're doing and being the best person you can be.

Women's beach volleyball is a sport that has increased in popularity in recent years. In fact, it was one of the most popular sports at the 2004 Athens Olympics. This summer, several tournaments have been televised. Do you think there's any correlation between its rise in popularity and its participants wearing bikini bottoms and sports bras? Would the sport be gaining in popularity if all the competitors were required to wear long, loose sweats when they played? Obviously not.

I agree that it's a shame, because this means the players -- like Kerri Walsh and Misty May-Treanor -- are getting more attention for their looks and not for their talent, determination and athleticism. Female athletes deserve recognition for their skills and accomplishments above anything else. But in most cases, they fail to get it. That's an unfortunate reality. But just because I'm pointing this out doesn't mean I'm leading the charge of superficial men everywhere. I recognize the injustice, and I feel that women should be celebrated for what they accomplish on their respective playing fields.

On a relevant note, we should commend Nike for its latest advertising campaign that depicts "real" women in sports. Not every woman can achieve the level of success of a Serena Williams -- or even a Walsh or a May-Treanor -- but everyone should be encouraged to live healthy and active lives.