Always love your articles Bobby:) I miss Dinara and Sharapova and Serena really bad:(...I hope everyone gets well soon.

Bobby,
Very interesting article on injuries and the response from some players. Last year, the WTA season ended in the last week of October due to Roadmap schedule which changed the schedule. There are some weeks that are built in to give players some time to rest and recover. However, the reason for the increase in injuries could vary as pointed out in your thread. Hope, Caroline comes back a week later than most people expect so her ankle sprain can be healed better.

Vera Zvonareva vs Samantha Stosur final will be at 1 PM on ESPN2 with Cliff Drysdale and Pam Shriver doing the commentary(most likely, the chair umpire will be Lynn Welch)

Fun read, Bobby!

That list of injured players is sobering.

Re: Caro - Am I misremembering or didn't she used to wear ankle braces (hence the "Ski Boots" nickname)?

Hi Bobby, long time no hear from you! Love the article. And it's sad that there are so many injurious. I was so sorry for Caro, I hope it's nothing too serious. I agree that the schedule is very tough for the players, I think they play just to much tournaments. I think it's just to much pressure for the human body.
I especially miss Masha and Serena on tour. I hope they'll be back soon!

Regards
Lana :)

Sblily,
Correct on Caroline and thanks for reminding me on that nickname for Caroline.

Bobby Thanks.Goodness me the wounded list on the WTA is a bit frightening to say the least.I agree Tennis compared to other sports dosent have a "off season" at all.

With the new road map as Master Ace has pointed out.In ways it does give players some breathing space.Though it is up to them,their coaches to plan their playing schedule.

I would still like to see more balance in tournaments though.I feel like the ATP the bulk of the tournament play is on the h/courts.H/courts with the constant pounding does take its toll on your body.I think gym training is another vital part of any players fitness regime these days.It does strengthen major muscles groups.Fatique is another area where injuries can occur.A point you had noted.

I guess its all about Balance in many ways and being able to keep it.Sounds great in theory though on the court where it counts is another matter.

Guys, thanks for the comments, reading on and off throughout the day. Heading to the stadium now. If you think of good questions on certain points in singles or doubles, let me know here. If I can I'll ask a few of them in the pressers. Enjoy the tennis!

bob
Ask them weather they can beat Steffi Graf or not.

Bobby, that injury list does look daunting.

Schedule management is key for a long season. Hopefully players on both tours will find a balance.

Didn't see the Caro match, but I'm envisioning e @ Miami a few yrs ago. Ai yai yai!!! :(

Hmm, sentence missing something...

"Didn't see the Caro match, but I'm envisioning GOLOVIN @ Miami a few yrs ago. Ai yai yai!!! :("

Cliff Drysdale and Pam Shriver will do the commentary for ESPN2 for Vera Zvonareva and Samantha Stosur

Lynn Welch will be the chair umpire

Congrats to all RAfa fans!

(don't know which is the current post)

He's back!

No ankle tear for Caroline as she had a MRI done. Only a sprain.

Ladyjulia,
Lately, match call for WTA matches have been done on Bobby's post. Most of the people are on the Deuce Club celebrating Rafael 6th title at Monte Carlo

Good news for Caro

Thanks Ladyjulia

I am still out that he is finally back

If he can recapture RG this year

I will concede that lol!

MA...oh...got it.

Cliff Drysdale and Pam Shriver will do the commentary for ESPN2 for Vera Zvonareva and Samantha Stosur

Lynn Welch will be the chair umpire

And, Samantha will serve to start the match

Conditions very windy today

Sam please stay focused

Good luck to both players.

Though I am hoping for a Stosur win.

Camera just focused when Sam was sitting down on her wrist band and it said

Attitude on it.

Samantha holds at love as Vera BH sails wide. Samantha hit 2 FH and BH winner in that game. Vera to serve 0-1

Attitude and Composure are on Samantha's wrist band.

hiya fellers and gals
Sam has come out pretty cleanly...I hope 'Crumble-lina' doesn't show up

wheres sokol?haven't seen a post from him/her in a while

Thanks MA I didnt see the Composure

Though for Sam important point.

30-40 for Samantha as Vera FH sails long
Samantha breaks as she hit smash winner after coming to net behind BH

Samantha to serve 2-0

Sam with 5 winners already

Fuzzy sokol has kind of become a lurker these days.Dont ask me why.

Yello Fuzzy,
Samantha hitting winners is no surprise as she was hitting them against Shuai and Daniela consistenly in her last 2 matches. This is similar to Sabine run to win Charleston last year as she was lacing winners.

I must say I love those lounges they have for the players courtside.

0-30 for Samantha as she hit FH winner
8 winners for Samantha
0-40 Samantha FH winner
Samantha breaks as Vera FH sails long

Samantha to serve 4-0

geez , slammin Sam!!!she is dominating this match so far....'Crumble-lina' should arrive before the end of this set , if Sam keeps up this level of play

Aussiemarg,
Cliff Drysdale is comparing Samantha's first and second serve where she bends her body more on her 2nd serve for the kick action and now, Pam chides in.

Master Ace, are you sure that's what Stosur's wristband says? Did they say that? I was thinking to ask. Any questions for her?

Question. I guess this one is for the Master Ace. Why are they making it appear that Rafa is the only player to have achieved winning the same tournament 6 times in a row. Surely, Navratilova has won 6 straight Wimbledon. Shouldn't they say male tennis player ?

Samantha gets the insurnace at 30 capped off by hitting FH winner. Vera to serve 0-5

Wow, Sam is impressive today.

hey!!!!! wow stosur has really come out on fire today. she is hitting winners from all cylinders. impressive stuff. vera is going to have to step her game up some more.mmmhmmmm its true.

Bobby,
Yes, those 2 words are on her wristband. ESPN2 also confirmed this as Pam talked about Vera missing those components in her game at times,

Lightforce,
Correct as being the only ATP player to do so. Martina won Wimbledon from 1982 to 1987.

Master Ace
this must be a fast clay surface, faster than the red dirt in europe. seems like this green stuff in the US has always been nice to power players...didn't Sharapova win here

Aussiemarg
sad about sokol...
if you're out there sokol, lurk-no-more we miss your russian love

MA well for the kicker serve you have to bend more lol!

0-30 for Samantha as she hit FH winner DTL
2 UFEs each for Samantha and Vera
15-30 Samantha nets BH
Vera needs to attack that side more and changed the pace doing so
15-40 Vera DF
Samantha gets bagel in 19 minutes. 24-5 pts for Samantha

lightforce good point.Rafa is the first Male player to win 6 titles.

lightforce
I believe Rafa is the only player in the history of tennis to win a tournament 6 times in a row not losing a set during that stretch...impressive...and next week he maybe going for the same type of record

Yello Fuzzy,
No, Maria won at Amelie Island over Dominika. Serena beat her in the QF at Charleston.

MA
thanx for the clarification
but other power players have been successful here, no?

Good girl Sammy!!

Bobby

Sam appears to me anyway more relaxed and confident on clay

Does Sam now feel the same way? remembering her s/final at RG09.

Yello Fuzzy,
Think green clay play more closer to hardcourt than the red clay. WTA red clay season really starts on Stuttgart on 4/26 when the ATP play in Rome.

14 winners for Samantha in the first set.

yello fuzzy,
You might be on to something. Venus, Mary Pierce, Capriati also won in Charleston.

Sam is not missing, Vera hasn't been allowed to participate in this match

Samantha holds at 15 as she hit a FH winner past Vera. Vera to serve 0-6,0-1

great footwork Sam to make that shot

yellow fuzzy - Wait, Rafa has never lost a SET at MC for the past 6 years? That's ridiculous.

Sam is laying beat down right now. She's playing brilliantly, but I expected more from Bepa.

Pam is such a jock, she's raving about the sporting news on ESPN last night

0-30 for Samantha as Vera nets FH as Samantha BH slice stayed long
Add Serena to winning Charleton
0-40 Samantha BH winner DTL
Samantha breaks as she hit FH winner

Samantha to serve 6-0,2-0

Oh dear, Vera gets broken at love. I can just feel the tears welling up in Vera's eyes.

chicklet
I am sure I heard the commies say that at the end of his match today...one of our resident statisticians could help to verify...

20-2 W/UFEs for Samantha in her first 8 games

Samantha consolidates at love capped off by ace at the T. Vera to serve 0-6,0-3

Vera coach coming on the court but can not cover the mic.

Great read. I sure wish Caro was out there because this match is so boring, it's not competitive. This is pathetic!

Good to see Sam still having the same momentum in the 2nd set as she cemented in the 1st set.

this really is a demolition in progress. simply amazing stuff from sam. the best she ever played.

Don't worry Samantha Elin,

The moonballs have arrived. Caro is there in spirit.

Hee - looks like Sam took a leaf out of Rafa's book.

Hehehe, the crowd applauds Vera's tantrum.

And one out of Fed's too!!! LOL...though even Fed didn't actually kick the racket when it was down..ROFL!

Poor Vera

Poor Racquet!!!

amazing temper tantrum!!!!!! yessss!!!! i love ittt!!!!!!

15-40 for Samantha as Vera DF
Vera smashed her racquet on ground in disguist and the racquet break and crowd cheers for the racquet smash
30-40 Samantha BH return long
40-40 Samantha nets FH return
A-40 Vera BH winner
Vera holds as Samantha BH return sails long

Samantha to serve 6-0,3-1

Big game for Samantha here...

The crowd is loving Vera now after that tantrum. Hearty applause after she finally wins a game saving 2 break points.

and vera gets on the board thanks to her temper tantrum. now can she make something of it?

this is great...no Crumble-lina today , she more like Racketsmasherina,

that racket is ca ca..thats some serious frustration...I like that better than her trademark crumble

Oh lawd have mercy, now Pammy is saying Sam is one of the favorites at RG.

I'll believe it when I see it Pammy. Sam isn't playing Justine out there.

Commies

What would we do with out them lol!

"Commies

What would we do with out them lol!"

Enjoy the tennis?

say what break chance?????

Back on serve. That tantrum really helped Vera.

0-30 for Vera as Samantha FH sails long
15-30 Samantha FH winner on short return
15-40 Samantha nets FH
First BP for Vera at 45 minute mark
Vera breaks as Samantha BH sails wide

Vera to serve 0-6,3-4

Crowd is loving this comeback. Second set is back on serve!

Sam you need to look at those words on your wrist band and Believe in them.

now the match has started!

Vera has mental fortitude? The commies are cracking me up.
Well timed tantrum though.

D'oh....Sam was already in the shower in the lockerroom

Nice to see Vera not give up. It keeps me interested in the match despite the scoreline.

Uh-oh - Vera in danger of losing the plot again.

0-30 for Samantha as she comes to net and hit FH winner
15-30 Vera FH winner behind Samantha
4 winners for Vera(32 for Samantha)
15-40 Vera BH wide as Samantha came to net behind FH
Samantha breaks as she hit FH winner set up by great FH return

Samantha to serve for the match 6-0,5-3

or not. now sam will serve for the match and her biggest title to date.

Still, Sam is earning it. She is playing very well indeed. Serve, esp.

three match points.

15-0 Samantha Ace at the T - 113 mph
30-0 Vera return long
40-0 Samantha smash winner coming to net behind FH
Samantha wins the match as her FH was too hot for Vera

Samantha Stosur defeated Vera Zvonareva 6-0,6-3. Biggest title for her career

Sam's FH has also been impressive in this match. And she gives Mother Kim the boot from the Top 10.

Congrats to Aussiemarg and other Sam fans.

Commies to Vera fans.

36 winners for Samantha out of her 54 points won. Well deserved for her

congrats to stosur she really earned this match. wow the best she ever played! she is looking like a serious top player if she keeps playing like this.

Sam is back on track, Vera is getting bashed off the court again...
an amazing display tennis by Sam. She's serving well coming in, slicing , dicing, making Julienne Fries out there, she's the Popeil pocket player..wow

I agree with Pam that Stosur is one of the favorite at RG, IF Juju, Kim, Serena and a few others decide to stay home. Rolleyes! Stosur at 26 belong to the same era as these players.Congrat on her second title.

Sam the best tournmant I have seen you play

Though you saved your best for the final.

Well done.

Bad luck Vera,Sam was just too good today

Awesome Sammy!!! Been waiting a long time for her to play a match like that, a complete match, hitting on all cylinders throughout.

Well done to Bepa for getting to the Final at a tournament that really ruined her season last year.

"ruined her season" = tore up her ankle.

Vera is all smiles at the trophy ceremony.

Sam Stosur!!! That was an amazing display from one of my favorites.