"We played very well and I'm very happy with my performance in the field. I enjoy everything that's tennis. It feels good to be here in New York, and I enjoy public support," said Federer after the victory obtained 6-4, 6-3, 6-3.
Tsonga stopped Federer in the Wimbledon quarterfinals when fate turned the match after losing the first two sets.
Federer's next opponent will be Novak Djokovic world leader The two are going to reissue the 2010 semifinals. Federer then missed two match balls and eventually lost in five sets.
The latest meeting took place in two semifinals at Roland Garros, where Federer advanced to final tournament round going into Paris.
Djokovic needed four sets to beat national fellow Janko Tipsarevic, 7-6 (2), 6-7 (3), 6-0, 3-0 score t which the world number 20 dropped out due to injury.
After two days when rain made head and played with organizers nerves, the day debuted Thursday at the U.S. Open under a generous sun, which heated the atmosphere at the game between Rafael Nadal and Gilles Muller, the game for knockout final.
Resumed at 0-3 in favor of Luxembourgian, to balance of the game was kept until the end of the first act, which Nadal won in a tie-break. The next two sets and came more easily and the Spaniard, won 6-1 and 6-2, and the world number two goes into quarters, where he will meet American Andy Roddick winner of the U.S. Open in 2003.
Roddick defeated in optimal David Ferrer 6-3, 6-4, 3-6, 6-3.
In another quarter-final, Andy Murray will meet American John Isner, after he eliminated another host player, Donald Young, 6-2, 6-3, 6-3.
Isner will play his first quarter-final in a Grand Slam tournament after eliminating Frenchman Gilles Simon in three hours and 34 minutes, 7-6 (2), 3-6, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4).
Results for women's quarter finals:
(1) Caroline Wozniacki (DEN) - (10) Andrea Petkovic (GER) 6-1, 7-6(5)
(9) Samantha Stosur (AUS) - (2) Vera Zvonareva (RUS) 6-3, 6-3
(28) Serena Williams (USA) - (17) Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 7-5, 6-1
Angelique Kerber (GER) - (26) Flavia Pennetta (ITA) 6-4, 4-6, 6-3
Friday, September 9, 2011
Monday, August 29, 2011
Openning day at US TENNIS OPEN in New York !
In the last week, we’ve experienced an earthquake and a hurricane here in the greater New York area. So, unless there’s a dormant volcano underneath Arthur Ashe Stadium (he said, knocking wood) it would seem that we’ve handled all that Mother Nature can throw our way, and we now can look forward to the unique torrent of talent that only the US Open can produce. On this Day 1 of the 2011 US Open, the courts of the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center will be drenched in excitement, as a host of the game’s top names look to take their first step toward tennis’ toughest title. Roger Federer, Venus Williams, Maria Sharapova, Mardy Fish, Petra Kvitova, and Gael Monfils, as well as two of the most talented of the up-and-coming American legion, Ryan Harrison and Christina McHale, all see action.
Check out the complete tennis sessions for the US OPEN on TicketWebsiteHq.com
Check out the complete tennis sessions for the US OPEN on TicketWebsiteHq.com
Monday, August 22, 2011
Murray and Sharapova Capture Cincinnati Singles Crowns
Andy Murray became the champion at the Western & Southern Open when Novak Djokovic was forced to retire with a shoulder injury with Murray leading 6-3, 3-0.
“There is no good loss, that’s for sure,” said Djokovic. “But the good thing is that there is a week, eight days to the start of the US Open. So I think that’s enough time for me to get ready.
“The major issue was shoulder. Generally I was quite exhausted playing many matches, but the exhaustion is not the reason.
“The reason is shoulder pain. I just could not serve. I served an average 90 miles per hour the first serve, and I could not play forehands.
“You know, I could have maybe played another couple of games, but what for? I cannot beat a player like Murray today with one stroke.
s for Murray, “it was really a good week after I struggled last week. Well, didn’t drop a set and beat some very good players from pretty much the first round onwards. Against Nalbandian who I started off against it was tough, and then Mardy was playing really good tennis going into the semis.
“Obviously Novak today, it was unfortunate the way it ended, but I thought the first set, after the first couple of games, good standard. I thought a lot of long rallies, good points. It’s been good preparation for New York.”
“I would have obviously liked to have won by finishing the match. But it happens sometimes. I have to look at the week as a whole. It’s been a very good week. Coming in here I had played badly in Montreal, so I needed to have a good week. Regardless of the match today, I was happy with the way that it had gone. Glad I managed to win today, but unfortunate the way it happened.”
Maria Sharapova and Jelena Jankovic battled for three sets with the Russian coming out on top 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-3 for the championship. Sharapova on her first Cincinnati title: “It was a really tough one out there. It was so physical, and obviously it’s something to expect when you’re playing Jelena. You know, there is no secret she’s a great mover and gets so many balls back.
“Yeah, in the end, it could have gone either way. We kept breaking each other in the beginning. Felt like one of us played a few good points and than the other one and the levels were up and down throughout the match.
“So, yeah, I’m just fortunate that at the end of the day I’m the winner.”
Jankovic commented on the match: “today I thought it was a good battle out there. I mean, this match could have gone either way. I had my chances. I had a set. You know, I came back from being 4‑1 down, and then we played that tiebreaker and it was a few points.
“It could have gone my way as well and I could have finished in two sets, but unfortunately it didn’t happen. You know, that’s part of the sport. It shows that the match is not over until you shake the hands.
“So we fought, both of us, we fought until the end. I think my biggest mistake was that I didn’t serve so well today. I would break her many times and I would have the lead, and I would serve to, you know, go, you know, two games ahead.
“You know, for example 2‑1 I would serve to go up 3‑1, and I didn’t make a lot of first serves so I could have the advantage and get some more free points. Especially in that third set and maybe at the end of the second, I was playing with a lot of second serves, which is tough, especially against Maria.”
US OPEN IS NEXT - grab your tickets now !
Monday, August 15, 2011
Djokovic Stops Fish for Record Fifth Masters Title This Year !
Novak Djokovic won a record fifth Masters Series title in a year when he defeated Mardy Fish 6-2, 3-6, 6-4 to win the Rogers Cup tournament on Sunday. Djokovic is the first world No. 1 to win an ATP World Tour tournament in his debut since Pete Sampras did it back in 1993 at the Hong Kong tournament. Montreal is Djokovic’s 10th overall ATP Masters title and it’s he his ninth tournament victory of the season.
Djokovic talked to media in his post match news conference about how much fun it is to have the “World number 1 effect” on his opponents, “well, it is probably a little mental advantage when you get on the court knowing that you’re the player to beat. But, on the other hand, it adds the pressure and expectations as well because you are a favorite to win each match you play, whoever you play against.
“It’s a right balance in the end, you know, trying to just think about the match, think about just the next point, you know, figuring out tactics to win against the opponent that day, not thinking about the position that you have or whatever.
“But today I started off really well. I played a first set and couple of games better. I should have made that break in the second set. I didn’t. I got him back in the match.
“I did get tight in the end. It was even match. He served well. He was moving well. I played one good return game in the third set, and it was enough.
“But, yeah, it was a close match, for sure, said Djokovic. “A couple of points, one good return game in the third set, decided the winner. But it’s a finals. You can somehow expect that the players are evenly matched and they both want to win the title badly. This is something that I was aware of before the match.
Now the US Open follows - we will see what happens there
Monday, August 8, 2011
Venus Williams withdraws from Rogers Cup
Venus Williams has withdrawn from the Rogers Cup due to an illness.
Williams says she wasn't feeling well so she went to see the doctor Sunday. She was diagnosed with a viral illness and says she is ''extremely disappointed'' she won't be able to play in Toronto.
Qualifier Zhang Shuai steps into Williams' first-round match Tuesday against Ana Ivanovic. Lourdes Dominguez Lino got the extra spot in the draw.
The strong Rogers Cup field still includes Williams' sister, Serena, and Caroline Wozniacki, Maria Sharapova and Kim Clijsters.
Get the best tickets for the US OPEN right here !
Monday, August 1, 2011
Serena Williams wins Stanford Classic
Serena Williams sounded an ominous warning to her rivals that she will be a genuine contender at the US Open after winning the Stanford Classic on Sunday in her third tournament back from injury. Williams overpowered third seed Marion Bartoli of France 7-5 6-1 in Sunday's final and her opponent, who triumphed when they last met in the fourth round at Wimbledon this year, applauded the American's performance. In winning five matches on her way to the Stanford title, Williams experienced only one hiccup when she dropped a set to Russian Maria Kirilenko in the second round. The American crushed Australian Anastasia Rodionova 6-0 6-0 in the first round, eased past fifth-ranked Sharapova 6-1 6-3 in the last eight and destroyed Wimbledon semi-finalist Lisicki 6-1 6-2 in the semi-final
Monday, July 25, 2011
Federer, Hingis in talks for 2012 Olympics
It’s said that true champions can make everyone around them better. Apparently, Roger Federer can also make them consider coming out of retirement.
Former No. 1 Martina Hingis had an “informal conversation” with Federer’s camp about the two Swiss stars playing as a mixed doubles pair in the 2012 London Olympics, Phil de Picciotto, the Octagon president of athletes & personalities and one of her agents, confirmed via email to SI.com after reports reports surfaced of the potential pairing.
Though de Picciotto said it’s “premature for Martina to think about the Olympics,” Swiss Tennis president René Stammbach told SI.com that he will be sitting down in August and “having conversations with the parties involved on that potential subject,” indicating the possible Federer-Hingis pairing is being taken seriously at the highest levels of the federation. Additionally, the Swiss Olympic Association — which said that it, too, had heard the chatter — will be meeting with Federer’s team early next week to discuss in detail the 16-time Grand Slam champion’s Olympic plans, including the “question about Martina Hingis.”
Monday, July 18, 2011
How to Pick Shoes for Tennis
If you are serious about your tennis game, it isn't enough to simply have good technique and skill. To make the most of your game you must also wear the appropriate shoes. When picking tennis shoes, whether your playing for leisure or competition, it's important to buy a shoe that's right for you.
- Look for a light, durable tennis shoe.
- Look for a tennis shoe that has a quality sole that won't slip.
- Try the shoe on to check the comfort of the shoe, the heel in particular. Your heel should feel well cushioned and there should be a good fit around both your forefoot and heel.
- Determine if your foot is pronated, supinated or neutral. To determine your foot type, place your wet foot on a sheet of paper and look at the outline. If there is no distinct arch but you can see the entire sole of your foot, your foot type is pronated. If there is a distinct arch and you can see most of your forefoot, heel and mid-sole, then your foot is neutral. An outline of a supinated foot will show only a portion of your forefoot that is thinly connected to a portion of your heel.
- Buy a cushioned tennis shoe with a soft mid-sole for supinated feet. Purchase a stability shoe if your foot type is neutral and if your foot is pronated buy a shoe that gives you a good range of motion and support.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
US OPEN Tickets - Aug. 27 to Sept 11
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Novak Djokovic, 2011 Wimbledon Men's Singles Champion, Defeats Rafael Nadal In Final
from: Huffpost Sports.comNovak Djokovic, who will officially be named the number one men's tennis player in the world Monday, has won his first Wimbledon title.
The 24-year-old defeated the previous world number one, Rafael Nadal, in four sets, winning, 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3. This is Djokovic's third grand slam title, and his second this year. Djokovic won the Australian Open to start off the season, but lost in the semi-finals at Roland Garos during the French Open.
Though the Serbian would become the world's number one men's player regardless on Monday, today's victory makes it even sweeter.
Despite a significant push by Nadal, including some tremendous play in the third set, and a tight fourth set, the 2008 and 2010 Wimbledon champion could not keep up. Nadal had been plagued by minor injuries earlier in the tournament.
Djokovic's win breaks Nadal's 20-win streak at the grass tournament.So now we are preparing for the US Open. Let's hope this will be a summer to remember !
Monday, June 27, 2011
Royal couple in Wimbledon visit
from: Wimbledon.comWimbledon's magical Monday in the sunshine has become a royal occasion, with a visit by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.
HRH Prince William and his new wife Catherine were given a rapturous reception from the Centre Court crowd as they took their places in the Royal Box before the start of the match between Andy Murray and Richard Gasquet.
For the visit, the Duchess is wearing a white tiered ruffle dress with circle details on the shoulder strap. The Duke is wearing a blue suit.
It is a visit that had not been previously announced but their presence may not come as a big surprise. William has always been a keen supporter of British sport at the highest level and Catherine's family are well-known as tennis fans. Earlier this month, the Duchess's sister Pippa enjoyed a day watching the action at Queen's Club.
And the then Kate Middleton came to The Championships in a private capacity in 2008 and afterwards sent a handwritten note thanking officials who had hosted her.
The note from 2008 reads, "Dear Sir. Thank you for your kind hospitality at Wimbledon last week. My friend and I had such a fantastic time and it was great to be able to enjoy the day knowing that we could have a little peace and quite if things got a little too hectic.
"It was a wonderfully relaxed day and we even spent part of it on the 'Henman/Murray Hill', which was great fun. I really was not expecting to be looked after with such hospitality and I certainly wasn't expecting to see any of the Centre Court games. I do hope the end of the tournament runs smoothly and this fantastic weather lasts 'till the end of the week. Thank you again for making it such a fun and easy visit."
On this occasion, the Duchess will be watching the action from the Royal Box, which also includes two Kings among its guests. They are Billie Jean King, the six-time ladies' singles champion, and Sir Mervyn King, the recently knighted governor of the Bank of England.
Other guests include: F1 driver Mark Webber; Olympic rowing gold medallist Zac Purchase; Chris Kermode, the tournament director of the AEGON Championships and the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals; and Tony and Jane Henman, parents of Tim Henman who enthralled many a second Monday at Wimbledon during his career.
The Duke and Duchess's presence in the Royal Box marks the second major royal visit during the 125th Championships. Last week, the Duchess of Cornwall was in the Royal Box to watch the thrilling match between Venus Williams and Kimiko Date-Krumm. Beforehand, she met six ballboys and ballgirls on the players' lawn.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Bethanie Mattek-Sands - WTA Pre-Wimbledon Party
Not only is American tennis player of Bethanie Mattek-Sands ahead of Venus Williams in the WTA rankings, she's also managed to surpass the elder Williams sister in terms of outrageous outfits. The 31st-ranked Mattek-Sands turned heads at Thursday night's Wimbledon player's party in a dress designed by Lady Gaga's designer, Alex Noble.
The neon yellow dress featured a corset with attached tennis balls, a flowing skirt and a headdress that wouldn't have been out of place at the royal wedding.
The 26-year-old was still in Eastbourne on Thursday playing in the doubles competition of the Wimbledon tuneup and had to take a helicopter to London to attend the party. An hour after landing, following a quick fitting and sit-down in the makeup chair, Mattek-Sands walked the red carpet in the inspired frock.
Mattek-Sands met with Noble twice in Madrid, once to discuss the concept for the dress and another for a fitting. "I had a blast working with him," she said. "It's the funky dress I wanted."
The hat was one of her favorite flourishes. "When you're in England you have to have some cool headwear," she said. (Princess Beatrice: "Yup.")
Mattek-Sands is seeded No. 30 at the tournament, the first time she's ever been seeded there. She said she's confident entering Wimbledon despite the fact that she hasn't had a lot of practice on grass this year.
Her outfit on the courts of the All England Club won't be as wild as it was at the player's party or in other matches thanks to Wimbledon's "almost entirely white" clothing rule (the eye black and jail stripes will be a no-no). That's not to say she doesn't have something up her sleeve, though.
"Noble designed something for me to walk out onto the court with," Mattek-Sands said.
If it's not an egg, consider me disappointed.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Latest from the Wimbledon lawns
from: Wimbledon
Lucky losers on red alert
The withdrawal of Kim Clijsters after she aggravated her ankle injury at 's-Hertogenbosch meant that 2010 semi-finalist Tsvetana Pironkova moved up into the top 32 and thus is one of the seeds.
In the men's draw, Sam Querrey and Benjamin Becker have been forced to withdraw, each of them suffering from elbow injuries. Their places in the main draw will be taken by lucky losers, i.e. the highest-ranked players from those defeated in the final round of qualifying. Lukasz Kubot and Flavio Cipolla, seeded No.2 and No.9 respectively, stand to benefit should they lose on Thursday, but they would obviously prefer the ranking points, prize money and of course confidence that goes with a third-round win in qualifying.
Pippa watches practice
The courts were a hive of activity on Wednesday, with dozens of players on site to practice ahead of The Championships. Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal had a hit at various times during the day, with Maria Sharapova also on Court 14 early in the morning.
Vera ends Serena's comeback
After playing - and winning - her first match in 49 weeks at Eastbourne on Tuesday against the above-mentioned Tsvetana Pironkova, Serena Williams was halted on her comeback trail against the woman she defeated in last year's Wimbledon final. Vera Zvonareva, who will be No.2 seed at The Championships after the withdrawal of Kim Clijsters, came from behind to win 3-6, 7-6(5), 7-5 in an epic match which lasted over three hours.
Though Serena will be disappointed to have lost, the fact that she was given such a thorough test of her capabilities can only stand her in good stead for next week, where she will be now seeded No.7.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Nadal Balks Federer for Record: 6 French Open Titles
from: MiamiTennis News
For the second consecutive day, the French Open became a part of history as Rafael Nadal beat Roger Federer 7-5,7-6,5-7,6-1 to equal Bjorn Borg with six French Open titles. Nadal also became the seventh man in the exclusive club of those with 10 or more major trophies.
The last time the two clashed in a final at a major was the 2009 Australian Open. This was the twenty-fifth meeting between Nadal and Federer, their fifth at Roland Garros and their fourth final.
In 2008, Nadal blew Federer off the court 6-1,6-3,6-0. After ending Novak Djokovic’s 2011 unbeaten run at 41 matches, Federer came in rejuvenated and relaxed, it was evident in the first set.
Subsequent to guarding serve, on a backhand error by Nadal, Federer had double break point. Despite Nadal getting to deuce, on his fourth opportunity, Federer seized the break and consolidated for 3-0.
After constructing a 5-2 advantage, as Nadal’s forehand sailed long, Federer had set point. However, with the dropshot missing its mark, Nadal was at deuce and later captured the game.
Serving for the initial set, Federer’s first serve which was instrumental in building his lead deserted him. Federer netted a backhand to hand Nadal break point. When the Swiss misfired on a volley after a passing shot, the players were back on serve.
Once Nadal leveled the set at 5 all, with a nice volley winner, he manufactured a second break point in the 11th game. With Federer dumping the forehand into the net, Nadal secured the break and closed out the set 7-5.
To open the second set, Federer dropped his serve at love and with a hold, Nadal was on a run of seven straight games. Finally, Federer toughed out a game to keep his disadvantage at one game.
Later on, Federer again dismissed double break point to stay in touch at 2-3. With Nadal pushing a forehand out of play, Federer had his third break point chance in the eighth game. With his rival’s backhand miscue, Federer squared the second set at 4 all.
Yet, as a result of a forehand landing wide, Federer stared at double break point. Despite getting to deuce, Federer produced two successive errors to surrender the break to Nadal for 5-4.
With Nadal at set point, Federer provoked him into a mistake resulting in deuce. At that instance, showers arrived causing a delay. This helped Federer to collect his thoughts. When the players resumed the contest, Federer overcame another set point and broke for 5 all.
The second set was decided ultimately by a tiebreaker. Because of a forehand miscue by Federer, Nadal had the mini-break and sprinted to 4-0 lead. Nadal dominated and took the tiebreaker 7-3.
Consequently, the result seemed no longer in doubt. Following being on serve, Federer buried a backhand dropshot into the net to hand Nadal triple break point. When the Swiss’ forehand went wide, Nadal secured a 4-2 edge in the third set.
Uncharacteristically, Nadal lost his serve at love to allow Federer back into the set. Federer capitalized and got to 4 all. With the first serve back on track, Federer kept in touch with Nadal and by forcing three errors in a row obtained triple break point.
By striking a forehand up the line winner, Federer banked the break and served out the third set to extend the match.
Going into the fourth hour of competition, Federer seemed to have momentum in his corner and started the fourth by fabricating triple break point. But, with clutch serving, Nadal managed to hold.
Then, with Federer serving at 1-2, he donated a double fault to face triple break point. Nadal capitalized and had a 4-1 advantage.
With a forehand volley winner, Nadal arrived at his second break point in the next game. When Federer sliced a backhand into the net, Nadal had absolute control of the match ahead 5-1.
On triple championship point, Federer’s forehand sailed long giving Nadal a historic sixth ‘Coupe des Mousquetaires’.
Today, Nadal improved his record to 17-8 against Federer, with a 7-2 mark in major finals. In denying Federer his 17th major, Nadal became the second youngest person behind Borg to claim ten majors and is now on par with Bill Tilden.
After the match, Federer congratulated Nadal on a “super match” and acknowledged “you are without a doubt the best on clay”. Federer stated “it’s a shame that I could not win. Nevertheless, I am very happy with the way I fought . . .and I am always grateful for the warm welcome and the support that I find” at Roland Garros.
Nadal also tipped his hat to Federer on a good two weeks and the fact that he “played a good match”. The Spaniard thanked the public and his team for their support saying “without you this would not be possible”.
With this victory, Nadal prevents Djokovic from climbing to number one. The top ranking will be on the line again at Wimbledon in two weeks time with Nadal being the defending champion.
Thursday, May 12, 2011
They're having a tennis tournament in Rome right now
from Reuters:
Nadal rediscovered his lost spark to reach the quarter-finals of the Rome Masters on Thursday, defeating fellow Spaniard Feliciano Lopez 6-4 6-2.
The world number one flirted with danger in the previous round when he struggled past Italian qualifier Paolo Lorenzi in three sets but against Lopez he looked much more like the player who won 37 consecutive matches on his favorite clay until being stopped by Novak Djokovic in Madrid on Sunday.
Nadal, champion in Rome for five of the past six years, stamped his authority at the start of the match as won the opening three games against the rangy Lopez.
With his forehand back to its destructive best Nadal looked on course for a trouble-free passage against his close friend who he had never lost to on clay, but his early fire fizzled out as the unseeded Lopez hit back to break and level at 4-4.
One snatched forehand was reminiscent of some of his scruffy play against Lorenzi the previous day when he came within two games of a shock defeat but he quickly regained control.
Nadal held serve for a 5-4 lead and Lopez buckled in the 10th game. missing a volley, netting an attempted drop shot and then watching as Nadal unleashed a fierce backhand crosscourt winner to take the set.
Nadal waited until the sixth game of the second set to launch a match-ending attack, firing another flashing backhand pass and then winning a 26-stroke rally with a savage forehand to break the Lopez serve.
The five-times French Open champion finished the match in style and one more victory against either Mardy Fish or Marin Cilic will ensure that he stays ahead of Djokovic in the rankings going to Roland Garros.
Man-of-the-moment Djokovic, who faces Swiss Stanislas Wawrinka later on Thursday, can claim the world number one ranking if he wins the title in Rome and Nadal fails to reach the semi-finals.
See? I told you so
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Roger Federer has confidence in Roger Federer
from Reuters:
Roger Federer rejects the idea that the balance of power in men's tennis has tipped toward Novak Djokovic after a 32-match winning run and believes he can still beat Pete Sampras's record for time spent as world number one.
The Swiss world number three, who has a record 16 grand slam titles to his name, has been left in the shade by Rafa Nadal for much of the past 12 months and has now seen Djokovic supplant him as the Spaniard's main rival.
However, Federer feels he can reclaim his throne and move ahead of American great Sampras who spent a total of 286 weeks as world number one to Federer's current 285.
"It's still important for me to get back to being world number one," Federer told reporters in Italy ahead of his second round match against France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Rome Masters. "I mentioned after Wimbledon it was a goal of mine.
"It's still very real and possible. I think I can do it if I win one of those grand slams."
Serbia's Djokovic could become the first player other than Federer or Nadal to hold the top ranking since 2004 if he wins the Rome Masters this week, but Federer remains confident he can still challenge the top two.
"They (Djokovic and Nadal) are playing better than me but I'm close to winning those tournaments," said Federer, who lost to Nadal in the semi-finals of the Madrid Masters last week.
"It's not as if I'm losing in the first or second rounds.
"I feel I'm playing well myself. Apart from Novak not losing all year not much has changed in the game. Everybody can play well on all surfaces these days.
"It doesn't feel more different apart from having three more questions to answer at a press conference, but they deserve their press and it's all good stories."
This is kind of a dumb story. If you go up to any top-10 player and ask them if they can be number one, they're not going to say "Nah, I'm not half as good as Novak or Rafael, those guys are ridiculous."
Monday, May 9, 2011
United States Tennis Players Suck
from IOL:
For the first time in the history of tennis rankings, no American man or woman stood inside the Top 10 on either the WTA or ATP list on Monday, a historic low for one of the former world powers of the sport.
The US, which once dominated on the courts, seems to be afflicted by the same disease which is bothering fellow Grand Slam nations Australia (Lleyton Hewitt at 66th is the only Aussie in the Top 100) and Britain, who can only count on world No 4 Andy Murray.
The bottom dropped out of a three-decade run for the US when inactive Serena Williams, who last played at Wimbledon in July, tumbled to 17th on the WTA list after clinging onto 10th for months under the convoluted mathematics of the system.
The 13-time Grand Slam champion has been struck by a series of injuries and illness since winning Wimbledon in 2010 – and has never put her sport as absolute first in her life.
The US tennis footprint has declined dramatically, with the nation that produced the likes of Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe, Chris Evert, Pete Sampras, Andre Agassi, Jim Courier, Tracy Austin, Andy Roddick, Lindsay Davenport, Venus Williams, Serena Williams and naturalised European trio of Martina Navratilova, Monica Seles and Ivan Lendl now reduced to just another tennis-playing contender.
American Connnors set the template as the first man to earn the No 1 ranking in 1974. Andy Roddick was the most recent before the rise of the Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal duopoly which has dominated until only recently.
Despite millions in the treasury of the national federation, youth development has not produced a new hope from the teenaged ranks with little of promise coming down the pipeline.
Let's face it: tennis just isn't as cool as ... what are the kids doing these days? The Myspace?
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Champions Series featuring Agassi, Sampras, McEnroe
from the Miami Herald:
South Florida tennis fans can turn back the clock on Sept. 22 and watch legends Pete Sampras, John McEnroe, Jim Courier and Michael Chang compete against each other at the BankAtlantic Center in the first stop of the 2011 Champions Series.
The four Grand Slam champions will kick off a whirlwind 12-city tour over five weeks, and the series also will feature Andre Agassi, Bjorn Borg and Mats Wilander in other cities. The players at each stop will compete in one-set semifinals and the winners will play for the title in an eight-game championship. The champion earns $500,000, the runner-up $350,000.
“Competing against my friends and foes in front of fans across the country is going to get my adrenaline pumping,” said Courier, who is co-owner of the tour. “The player lineup and format of the circuit is ideal for me and my peers to quench our competitive thirst while showcasing tennis to many cities that lack pro tennis events. May the best man win.”There was reportedly a delay starting the event due to a problem with McEnroe's wheelchair.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
Old tennis players rockin' South Philly
from Philly.com:
South Philadelphia may have been deprived of professional tennis in recent years, but the city will be exploding with talent this fall when four of the sport's greatest legends come to town.
As part of the 2011 Champions Series tour, retired world champions Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, John McEnroe and Jim Courier will stop in Philadelphia on Sept. 24 for one of 12 single-night tournaments taking place across the country this fall.
"We're going to be moving around like a rock 'n' roll tour," Courier told reporters yesterday. "Philadelphia is going to be an amazing show. It's another great American city that lacks high-level professional tennis. This is a real opportunity to bring something special back to a place where we've all played over the years."
Playing at the Wells Fargo Center, the foursome will compete in one-set semifinals with the winners moving onto an eight-game pro-set championship match. Each individual tournament is expected to last about 3 hours and be loaded with excitement.
"In terms of the bells and whistles, it's going to be a lot like a basketball game," Courier said. "There will be a lot of energy and a lot of use of the JumboTron to keep people entertained between games."
Fellow tennis legends Bjorn Borg, Michael Chang and Mats Wilander also will participate in the circuit but not the tournament to Philadelphia. With an impressive 52 Grand Slam victories between them, the seven retired players will compete for ranking points and a $1 million bonus to be shared by the top three finishers at the end of the tour.
"Giving back to the sport that has given so much to me has been at the top of my priority list for years," Agassi said. "I see no better way to do it than to support this effort. I think everybody wins. The fans win with great entertainment, the players win because we get to be at our best, and then the sport wins."
i'm so happy right now
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Andy Murray is a Naughty Young Man
Andy Murray
from IOL:
Many sportsmen swear by avoiding sex before a big event to keep their strength for the battle ahead.
Not Andy Murray. The British tennis player says he plays so often that abstaining before matches would means he was always saying no.
In contrast to the likes of Muhammad Ali, who is said to have abstained for six weeks before each fight, Murray admitted: “I’m not one of those sportsmen who practises a strict policy of sexual abstinence before playing.”
Murray, 23, whose relationship with girlfriend Kim Sears goes back six years, told Spain’s El Mundo newspaper: “Tennis is not like boxing.
“I remember a former world heavyweight whose trainer banned him from having sex six weeks before a fight. We play every week, so with a boxer’s mentality we’d always be saying “no”.”
Murray competed in 19 tournaments last year, involving 75 matches.
He is currently in Barcelona training for the Madrid Open.
At least the world No 4 is free to make his own decisions, unlike the German football team who were banned by then manager Berti Vogts from having sex before games at the 1994 World Cup.
In contrast at the last World Cup in South Africa, the Argentinian and Brazilian teams were actually encouraged to spend time with their partners
Scientists say there is no evidence that sex the night before an event affects sporting performance.
Some have even suggested that it can be beneficial by increasing the production of testosterone, which heightens aggression.
Well I'm glad we got that out of the way, I was really concerned for a minute that Andy Murray wasn't having enough sex.
Monday, May 2, 2011
Nadal and Djokovic and Federer and Points and Rankings
from 10S Balls:
Heading into the Madrid Masters, Rafael Nadal holds onto his reign at No. 1 in the ATP Singles Rankings, although he boasts a smaller lead over world No. 2 Novak Djokovic and world No. 3 Roger Federer this week. The Spaniard now leads Djokovic by over 2,000 points, with a total of 11,915 points at the top spot. Djokovic has 9,710 points this week, and Federer trails Djokovic with 8,690 points. Neither Nadal nor Federer competed last week, however, while Djokovic earned his fifth title and extended his winning streak this year at the Serbian Open.
The upcoming clay-court events in Madrid, Rome, and Paris will be crucial as Nadal, Djokovic, and Federer continue their battle atop the rankings. Of the three, Nadal has the most to lose as the defending champion of all three tournaments. Djokovic, meanwhile, reached last year’s quarterfinals in Rome, skipped the Madrid Masters, and reached the French Open quarterfinals. Federer was ousted in the round of 32 in Rome, advanced to the finals in Madrid before losing to Nadal, and fell in the quarterfinals at Roland Garros.
The top 10 remains fairly steady for another week, with Britain’s Andy Murray at No. 4, Sweden’s Robin Soderling at No. 5, Spain’s David Ferrer at No. 6, the Czech Republic’s Tomas Berdych at No. 7, and Austria’s Jurgen Melzer at No. 8. Nicolas Almagro of Spain and Gael Monfils of France have switched places, with Almagro now at a career high of No. 9 and Monfils at No. 10.
They'd better get to the arcade and get some serious Pac-Man in.
seriously though what are we talking about, who decides these things
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