*back again to give jewell and eric a hug, too - spread the love!*

Oh, and I hope y'all don't leave, too! I'm counting on you to keep the DC open 'til the wee hours. :)

Okay, OUT FOR REAL!!!

jackie, well i will try, i am a night owl. i have a couple hours left in me. lol

Bye Miss Jackie

great post as usual

I will even forgive you that you didnt like The Holiday lol!

Got to think about breakfast, see you all in a bit. :)

hmmm. crickets huh? everyone gone for night? lol

Eric I am still here,just feeding my cats

Who eat me out of house and home lol!

A.M: oh look, there is someone else here, lol.
haha, sounds fun. wish i could have a pet but not allowed in apt. so, where in australia do you live? what time of day is it?

Eric I live in Sydney.Its 8.00pm now.We are on Daylight saving which I love especially in the Summer,so its still light and warm.

My wish list,

1.Federer to win nothing
2.Nadal to win nothing except USO
3.No more dominance of one or two players
4.Nole to win Aussie open, DelPo to win RG and Murray or Roddick to win Wimby
5.Delpo/Nole/Murray/Davydenko/Soderling to win all the HC Masters titles between them.
6.Federer to start losing in the early rounds of Grand Slams.A 3rd or 4th round loss in Aussie open will be a nice way to start.
7.A good comeback for Nalbandian and Mario Ancic.
8.Main Cilic to win a lot of ATP 500 series tournaments and break into Top 10 and stay there with strong results in HC GS.
9.Henin to win Wimby.
10.Nicole Vaidisova and Anna Chekvatadze to return to to Top 10.

ah so early evening for you huh a.m? i could dig the warm and daylight savings. we went back an hour here so it gets dark around 5p here. i know we talked earlier about the cold and my hatred of it so i wont mention it again lol.
jawad. dont agree with nadal not winning anything but would like to see Nole win one slam this year, dont really care which. oh wait i guess i do. as long as it doesnt interfere with nadal.
also dont want Henin to win wimbledon next year as it would interfere w/ Venus winning. though a final between the two would be awesome!

Well Henin did say one of the reasons she made her comeback was to win Wimby? mmmmmm.

To me Venus is still the best grass court player out there,if only her knee held up in the final this year.She played amazing tennis up to the final.

Though credit to Serena.She was soo on in that final.

Got absolutely nothing against Nadal infact I'm a fan but just dont like dominance of one player of any tourney.

For Nadal I really want him to win USO and more importantly to stay healthy and play like he played in 2005 Rome Masters against Coria, attacking and agressive game, a bit closer to the baseline and improve his first serve.

Jawad I think Rafa having that Ruptured Ab muscle,which by the way your serve is the first to suffer,hasnt got it back as yet

I remember that game in Rome.

yeah, very true to see how the potential matchups between the two turn out. its very exciting to think of it.
I agree about about Venus, she is def the best grass court player of her generation. i was dissapointed with her loss in the final. i think she should have not played doubles and singles. but she looked unbeatable up to the final. it all just was too much by then. but you are right, i was rooting for one of the sisters to win, so i was happy serena won, esp after her last w title was in 2003.

Well Rafa at RG08 was Masterclass

He also was playing on the baseline and inside

He was also flattening out his b/hand

Which helped him win Wimby 08

jawad. thats cool, i think your right. it is better when one person is dominating. i would like nadal to win the USO as well. he is getting closer to it. lets hope he can stay healthy in 2010.

I just love Henin's game and that BH, CC or DTL, is a piece of beauty.

I would love to see her win wimby.If she wins Wimby and Nadal wins USO, it will be a rare occassion where one player from both ATP and WTA will complete Carrer Grand Slam in the same year.

Eric Yes No More Injuries Please

My ultimate wish is for Rafa to stay healthy and fit for 2010 and beyond.

Well Henin on clay is just awesome

Thats the surface she shines on

Justines serve on grass has been her downfall

A.M: yes, def no injuries for him and for that matter Venus and Serena. i would love to see them finish their careers w/o having to retire bacause of injury.
Jawad. yes, Henin's game and BH are the best around. cant wait to see how she gets her game back together and how the players adjust. i do hope she can win W before she retires.

well we have to see how she has improved her serve, which she has been working on and is her main focus on her return.

Yeah, that was perfect 2008 RG Final, absolutely destroyed Federer.

But that game against Coria was brilliant, back and forth, thrilling and a lot of winners, running passes and CC BHs.

And, what a great player Coria was, very sad that he suffered from Self Destructuion.

Well I am going to start another book

I have finished reading Agassi's Open

Bye For Now

A.M: bye for now. nice talking to you tonight.
i have to hit the sack, it got late lol

bye

Nice talking to you guys.

goodnight jawad. same here :)

my main wish is that JJ will finally win a grand slam (prefably at french open cause i her movements on clay is just amazing), have an improved serve and forehand..and also for david nalbandian to come back fit and play regularly..i miss his destructive backhand

My 2010 Wishlist

1. Murray to win AO
2. Soderling to do the Monte Carlo - Rome - Madrid hattrick
3. Nadal to stop biting the bloody trophies. Ha ha ha I'm dying laughing
4. Tipsarevic to win a title
5. Djokovic to find a way of winning matches without acting like he's running a paramilitary guerilla unit
6. Two Frenchmen to meet in the FO final - surely they can't both wilt under the pressure?
7. Mahut to have another decent run at Queens, get a wildcard to Wimbledon and then get at least far enough to have a televised match.
8. Olivier Rochus to win Wimbledon
9. Haas to beat Djokovic a few more times
10. Karlovic and Isner to meet in the USOpen final

Jewell -

1) Rafa to be uninjured and healthy the whole year and to win a slam or two. Or three or four, I mean, I wouldn't complain...but one would be nice. I am not so fussed about it being the USO since I figure he's already won one on each of the three surfaces.
-----You don't want a career slam?!
2) Murray to win a slam. Please.
-----Likelihood 2/10
3) Scaling back...Britain to beat Lithuania in the upcoming DC division 9713 match. HAHAHAHAHA.
-----Likelihood 1/10
4) Nalby to come back as a contender.
-----Likelihood 3/10
5) Djokovic to peak at the correct moments.
-----Likelihood 3/10
6) Wozniacki to be #1 without winning a slam.
-----Likelihood 0/10
7) JJ to win a slam (on the road to heartbreak with that one...sigh)
-----Likelihood 0/10
8) Ana to be a contender again.
-----Likelihood 2/10
9) for lots of good, hard-fought matches in ATP AND WTA, and respect for all players on all tours.
-----The 2nd bit: 0/10
10) No more Fedal wars!
-----0/10!!

My advice, Jewell, would be to enjoy Rafa's 2010 French Open victory as much as you possibly can ...

Happy holidays everyone

I need to purge the parodies of 2009, to make way for the lunacy of 2010
this was written on or around May 2nd

The Dominant Guy
sung to the tune of
American Pie by Don Mclean

http://tinyurl.com/bq6lq8

not so very long ago
we might remember when
Roger was the most dominant guy
not many others had the chance
to do the slam victory dance
a win against Federer you couldn't buy

but springtime in Paris made him shiver
a slam title he could not deliver
bad news from Mallorca
this island birthed a force(a)

we all remember when he cried
losing again to that sleeveless guy
#14 is still denied
you'd think, his career had died

so bye bye to the dominant guy
from the goat to a choker
in the blink of an eye
in the good old days when expectations were high
now another forehand's gone awry
and now he's a regular guy

Roger wrote the book of pain
and he owns the most poetic game
but a rival stole the show
When Federation ruled the day
a bulked up boy came out to play
and Paris became his kingdom of clay

well now the worlds in love with him
and Faderer is starting to dim
and now there is Murray
he's climbing the ranks in a hurry

He's a wily Scotsman with a furry cap
he was once a git now he's the chosen chap
But he's not the only one
to challenge the dominant guy

A we were saying
bye bye to the dominant guy
there was never one better
now where is that guy
in the good old days when expectations were high
now another forehands gone awry
now his game is bye bye

from Serbia a prince who likes himself
earns a slam trophy for his shelf
and still has to prove his worth
in Australia when Djoker lost his breath
and in the final Roger was like Macbeth
a career suffers an untimely death

o , and with uncle Toni in the stands
Rafa transformed into the man
his winged feet of clay
battled 5 hours in one day
And while Federer mourned his demise
His lifelong mate had a surprise
brought a sparkle to his eyes
now he's the married guy

Now we are praying
bring back the dominant guy
get a coach or a shrink
or get exorcised
those good old days have not passed you by
and we don't want to see you cry
all we want is the dominant guy

yellowfuzzy: wow. so so great. I love that one!

Are you sure you're not NP in disguise, Cotton Jack? ;-) although you did sweeten the pill with that FO mention, LOL.

I didn't say I didn't want a career slam, I'd love him to win one. But next year I feel to win any of them would feel good. :)

Jawad,

There actually could be 3 players complete a career slam in 2010 by winning a single tournament (obviously every player could complete a cs by winning all 4, but that's not the point). On top of Henin (W) and Nadal (USO), Sharapova only needs FO.

Annie
thanx....there are three other parodies about Roger, I will post later

Cotton Jack - Party pooper.

My wish list consists of Fed making it to the AO semis and Dina recovering well from her back, and JJ getting her old self back. Beyond that, I'm not too sure. Most of the time, I want things to stay the way they are. I got a little sad when the Fed-Rafa 1-2 got broken up, even though I like Muzz.
I guess I want Nalby back and in 07 form, for a blazing month or two. Hopefully culminating in a deep run at a slam.
I'd like to see some fresh(er) blood, not because there isn't any, but because I think I should transition onto a new bandwagon so I don't get left out in the cold when the oldies start to phase out.

Oh, and a Kolya slam final.

WTA exo schedule per tennisforum.com
ATP stars may also play at each site

11/28 - Barbados : Serena Williams over Caroline Wozniacki 6-4
12/02 - Pelham, AL : Melanie Oudin over Courtney McLane 6-0
12/02 - Santiago, Chile : Maria Sharapova over Gisela Dulko 6-1,6-3
12/04 - Buenos Aires, Argentina : Maria Sharapova over Gisela Dulko 6-3,3-6,10-7
12/04 - Atlanta, Georgia : Melanie Oudin vs Sloane Stephens - N/A
12/05 - Charleroi, Belgium : Justine Henin over Kirsten Flipkens 6-4,6-4 and Flavia Pennetta over Alize Cornet 6-4,6-0
12/06 - Charleroi, Belgium : Justine Henin over Flavia Pennetta 6-4,6-4 and Alize Cornet defeated Kirsten Flipkens 6-0,6-4
12/08 - Baton Rouge, LA : Lindsay Davenport and Liezel Huber over Anna Kournikova and Serena Williams 5-1. WTA did not play single matches. Tommy Haas was the star as he defeated Andy Roddick in singles, doubles(with Jan-Michael Gambill over Devin Britton) and mixed doubles(with Serena Williams over Chanda Rubin)
12/09 - Antwerp, Belgium : Kim Clijsters over Venus Williams 6-1,7-5 and Patty Schnyder over Kristen Flipkens 6-4,6-3
12/09 - Baltimore, Maryland : Melanie Oudin, Lindsay Davenport and Pam Shriver - N/A
12/12 - Cairo, Egypt : Justine Henin over Nadia Petrova 7-6(4),6-2
12/12 - Athens, Georgia : Serena Williams vs Melanie Oudin
12/18 - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia : Elena Dementieva, Jie Zheng, Maria Kirilenko, and Sania Mirza

2 interesting pieces on serena:
http://bit.ly/7e1iEu
http://bit.ly/4XbE9A

Is it a mathematical possibility that Delpo ends up as #4 seed for 2010 AO? He is only 245 points behind Murray.

If Sharapova completes the career GS by winning FO, then, to me, the career GS would lose its significance. I mean she is, by no means, among the historical elites on the WTA side.

Heniin defeated Petrova 7/6(4)-6/2. BTW, they played this match on clay. Henin played well in the first set after getting down 4/1. Henin was down 5/4 0/40 in the first set and saved two of the set points with aces. She ran away with the second set.

Bhai, that's a little rough. If she's not among the historical elites, doesn't that make it a bigger accomplishment to have won every Grand Slam, especially when she's playing against people you do consider historical elites who specialize in kicking butt on clay (Henin) and grass (Williamses)?

Career slam only means winning each slam once. Every person can make whatever they want out of its significance beyond that. So it's fair for you to say that you think the career slam signifies being part of the elite greats of tennis, but saying one player's career slam means less than another's goes against the definition of a career slam.

However, if she does do it next year (unlikely, I realize), how many more will it take to convince you she's an elite great? She will only be 23, after all.

For players who retired in the past to stay detired and for Fed-x to retire.

Dude, I'm like a day late for DC. I fail.
Anyways, thanks Miss Jax.
My wish list for 2010:

1) Rafa to win 2 slams, with one being USO
2) Lots of Fedal finals
3) JJ to at least make a run at the slams
4) Vee to win Wimbledon
5) Dina to win a slam
6) Nando to win a Masters 1000
7) Rafa to kick the Sod's sorry behind on clay
8) Nole to win a slam
9) Flavia to kick a$$ yet again and start dating Maratski
10) Henin to retire again.

Link to an interview with Serena Williams on the BBC News website:
http://tinyurl.com/y8ht83w

“Celebrities and news-makers are grilled by Matthew Stadlen in precisely five minutes in a series for the BBC News website.
This week, tennis champion Serena Williams talks to Matt about fashion, superstitions, the killing of her sister Yetunde, her relationship with Venus and treats him to a little song. “

Asked about her on-court fashions in the interview, she says that the "people's favorite" is the catsuit but that her own is the denim skirt with high boots.

Nothing to do with tennis, but the same site has a 5-minute interview with Sesame Street puppets: http://tinyurl.com/yggljkn

Bhai Mirzai,
With Murray playing Hopman Cup instead of defending Doha(250 pts), Del Potro will be the 4th seed at AO.

"If Sharapova completes the career GS by winning FO, then, to me, the career GS would lose its significance. I mean she is, by no means, among the historical elites on the WTA side."

Bhai Mirzai,
What do you mean lose its significance? I think she is on that elite level with years to go. Before she started to have shoulder issues, she was making to Slam SF or better on a consistent basis and when she made the SF at 2007 French Open, that put her in a select company of players to make the SF at all Slams(current players - Williams Sisters, Belgian ladies, and Elena Dementieva).

I want:
One slam for Fed and/or
one slam for Roddick and/or
one slam for Söderling and/or
one slam for either Tsonga or Monfils and/or
one fairytale-slam for a young qualifier or at least an unknown unseeded.
I also want tickets to SW19 and FO-finals. And maybe a Fedal-xhibit in Oslo, Norway, we can pretend it's a peace price thing or whatever.

Programming note: Pete-Cash Seniors SF match (@ Palisades) is broadcast on channel MSG right now.

wow. a new look for tennis.com?

Wha happened!! I go to bed and come back to a whole new Twibeland.... ***reels dizzily***

Pete wins 6-4,6-3. Some entertaining tennis from both the players.

What happened to Tennis.com??????

Good Morning Everyone

I though the fav links on my computer was going nuts

I feel like I have entered a New World with TW

Very Modern,Slick and Chic

Quite like myself in many ways

Karin Thanks for the info regarding Justines match,I didnt realize it was on clay.Tight in the 1st set and she found her form in the 2nd by the looks of it.Well she certainly is getting a lot of extra match play,which she will need.

OTH, the new TW couldn't block the first re-direct to an ad or whatever else lurks beneath the waves.

Stiil, I do like the new 'do'.

Mornin' y'all.

jhurwi - Thx for the Serena link earlier.

I miss the TW green. *sniffs*

Rafa's Website,December 10,2009.

At an interview on Sunday,Rafa explained

"There will be no days to celebrate" the holdiday season and simply,his objective is to regain the rhythm and confidence that helped him to take his game to the next level during the last two years.

He plans to work real hard and hopefully make up for the time he lost during a pair of injury absences the past ATP season.

On December 29th,Rafa will begin his 2010 campaign at the expo in Abu Dhabi,before playing Doha and the AO.

See where tennis.com have changed. Wonder if this is the new upgrade?

Thanks for that Serena link, jhurwi.

My wishes for 2010:
1. Venus to enjoy perfect health and be injury-free
2. Venus to win Wimbledon or any other Slam
3. Venus to beat all her nemeses
4. Venus to announce that (if asked) she'll play mixed doubles in 2012
5. to 8. Same wishes for Roddick that I have for Venus
9. All cheaters and players I don't like, for perfectly good reasons, to lose, lose
10. Cotton Jack's #9

Extra probably impossible wish: Venua and Serena to "un-boycott" IW so that I can go there -- with my sons' approval :) -- and meet beth and all the other TWers who will be there.

Ruth Methinks you have left out a very important one

Dont worry I will do it for you,

11. Pluck up the courage in 2010 to make the flight to Australia and attend the AO in 2011.

May I add my new female Bombay is sitting on my lap and she loves the new format

Just read that golfer John Daly has offered to help Tiger?

Well John you being divorced 4 times already,I suppose you could give some type of advice

He said that he "loves them both"

AM: You're so bad!:) My friend Peg, who lives in Melbourne, would approve of that wish. Well,here's my plan: I'm sure that you can find a good reason to visit LA. So, I fly out to LA from Philly, you meet me there, and accompany me on the 19-hour flight to Melbourne! Once I make the flight there, I'm sure I'll have no problem making the return trip. OK?

I miss the green, too, sblily. It was so...Wimbledon, ergo,so Venus.:) But I like the new format.

AM - here you are!

Did you hear? Justine's coming to Sydney.

Link is in french, but there's always google translate.

http://tinyurl.com/yezou47

Nic You just beat me to it? lol!

I was just about to post the same thing

Well Sydney officals have been trying very hard to Woo her

They were very confident of getting her to play in Sydney

Ruth Well I hope you bring your credit card with you.When we meet up in LA lol!

I would love to go to IW,I hope that one day Serena and Venus decide to play there.

Though this year I will see Serena in Sydney first,then both girls in Melbourne

Well I wonder if Sydney officials can now get Andy Murray to play at Medibank

BTW My #10 wish is NOT CJ's #9 @ 6:31; it's jewell's #9 which CJ was citing at 7:43. My mistake.

After all, Nole is in the running to replace Gonzo in my elite five faves circle.I would never wish him to lose to Haas.

Not even a teeny doubt that Serena and Venus will be in the second week of the AO huh, AM? ;)

Nic How many days are you planning to go to Medibank this year

Are you waiting for the draw to come out first?

Nic One of my wishes for 2010 is for Miss Vee to win the AO,thats a title she hasnt got yet.

Though I will be happy for her to reclaim her Wimby title in 2010.To me she is the best grass court player in the womans game.Her knee injury in the final this year didnt help her cause.Though Serena was just awesome in the final.

AM - I'm saving up the extra days off I get for working x'mas and public holidays to go. Who knows, I may be wondering about the courts all week long. I'll set up camp on court 1, but I won't be going to Ken Rosewall.

Nic I hate court 1,make sure you bring plenty of sun screen.Though I got a great action shot of Safina there this year.I just went down near court side a security bloke was great and let me stand there and take photos lol!

Andy Roddick twitter:

"its confirmed! @serenajwilliams and @andyroddick teaming up for mixed doubles ay 2012 games if they push the mixed doubles event through"

I hope my new best friend Bec from England will be going to Medibank next year.She was awesome to be with.Bec if you are lurking,which I know you do.Please let me know so we can meet up again.I still remember the "stare and glare" we got from Nadia when we were laughing soo hard.I blame you Nic of course lol!

oops should have said "I blame you Bec of course lol!"

I have Nic on my brain at the moment lol!

Bec is a huge Tipsey fan as well,I hope for her sake he can win a tournament next year

She also loved Davenport.Well Bec is 6 foot herself I wonder why lol!

Better late than never, here’s my first five:

1. No Fedal fights on TW.
2. All players to stay healthy.
3. Typepad to go back to being “pageless”.
4. If pageless not possible, Typepad to work without delay.
5. Donald Young to leave his parents tutelage and get a great coach (giving it one more try before it’s too late!)

Jackie, you never cease to amaze;)).

sblily, I miss the green too; as Ruth mentioned, it always brought my thoughts to Wimbledon;)), my fav tourny.

Hope to be back;)).

Ten wishes? Ok...several mutually exclusive wishes, but WTF:

1. Muzz to win a slam. Any slam. Pretty please?
2. Same for Tsonga
3. Federer to defend RG
4. Roddick or Rafa to win Wimby.
5. Rafa or Elf to win USO
6. Elf to destroy everyone on his way to # 1. None of this five set nonsense. I wanna see him drop a bagel on Roger.
7. Shorter hemlines from Tacchini and McCartney! S'il vous plait!
8. Stosur to win a few titles.
9. Ana to make the portion of tournaments when streams are available.
10. Justine to make a good comeback

jan: I can get on board with your #3. :)

Pspace I love your no 8 wish

Why cant we be Blue though

I was just getting used to myself being Blue.pfft.

Hello?

Oh my goodness, this new Tennis.com look is tripping me out! Have to get used to it ...

And wait! Can we not be in blue anymore? How will people e-mail me their awards?! *faints*

Oof, I gotta run. Am supposed to chat with Pete this weekend; if y'all have specific questions about the new look/format, go ahead and post them here and I'll bring them up during our convo.

Have a good weekend, all!

Bye Miss Jackie

Yes being Blue had its advantages for sure

Also its the "new colour of the season here" mmmmmm

Yeah, the new TW seems nice.

oh...i am blue...AM..i think you have to sign in once and then leave a comment. It does get linked.

Good Grief! TW looks so modern. I miss the green, though, as it reminded me of tennis but it is very smart.

I thought I had gone to another site, I miss the green too.

just a note- "3. Typepad to go back to being “pageless”." + 1

My wishes for '10

1. Federer to win at least 1 GS, preferably Wimbledon.
2. Federer and others to stay injury free, or at least that they don't have to miss any GS.
3. No Fedal wars, not like to happen but one can cream.
4. Kim to win another slam.
5. Henin to win Wimby.

Can only think of this 5 as of now :P

Oh, Arun, wouldn't it be loverly;)).

OK, three more:

6. Davy to get sponsors/endorsements. He so deserves support for his great play -and- wonderful sense of humor;)).
7. Dinara Safina to believe in herself and realize she’s a great tennis player. I’d also like her to split from her coach (something about how he treats her bothers me). Go get a positive coach who reinforces your abilities!!
8. For the trophy ceremony at the US Open to be different. Don’t make the money the major focus, let the players speak in their own language, at least try to keep the sponsors speeches short, etc.

Gosh, two more to go; fingers crossed I'll get there;)).

Just a Note

her coach is positive let me tell you.I spent time with him,Safina and her hitting partner at Medibank this year.Safina is a Very Difficult person at times,I have been there where she has Let Fly.They have a love hate relationship.She has come out and said he is the only coach who knows her and can understand her

By the way lets give some credit where its due hey?

He got her looking like a proper athlete? her movement around the court improved 100% with him as her coach.

I get really sick and tired of all this.

AM,

I talk to Bec often (if its the same Bec; big, big Tipsy and Sam Stosur fan??).

I know she's going to AO, I'll ask her about Sydney.

Coby She lives in England,how do you come to talk to her soo much?

Wait till I see her lol!

Yes, in the north, Yorkshire.

All Sammy Stosur fans know each other . . . worldwide!!

Coby Yes thats Bec

Tell her I said hi,she came onto our blog some time ago and left a post for me,a couple of times.

She is soo funny we had a great time together at Medibank

Tell her I am also going to the AO.

Tell her to come on her and post.I would love to chat to her again

For Federer fans:

http://tinyurl.com/y8br83o

His case is being considered for "athlete of the decade"

AM . . . will do . . . what name does she know you by?? "AussieMarg"??