wilson75 Yes it is the first time I have watched this tournament

Yuck I hope I can see Mirka's bag though lol!

imjimmy: The Clay schedule has changed a lot for 2011 with a week of rest between Barca and Madrid. so, playing in Barca shouldn't be a big problem for him.

wilson/AM/Annie - You guys are so... rational. LOL. I really hope there's nothing more to the story and it's just Rafa throwing us all off by being uncharacteristically sane with his scheduling.

Why not have the best of both worlds? the Davis Cup and Fed Cup should merge into this two week format. Davies and Buchholz should run this tournament and the prizes at the end should be the Davis Cup and Fed Cup.
It will require bullying the ITF - put it's the only reasonable solution I think - keep the tradition and the new marketable format.

AM: Unless, Mirka stands up I don't think you'll see her bag because of where she sits.

us conspiracy theorists know for Rafa it is cycling time for WTFs.

sblily Do you think Mr Brain Wave will ever change????????

I will kill him if he isnt in the 2nd week at the AO? remember this year?

Also I will kill myself if he isnt at the final in Rome and more importanly the final at RG

Wait. Is he out for the rest of the year?! Any confirmation?

robbyfan LOL! I forgot that cycly thanks for reminding me

Charles,
I would add a step and make it a tournament that happens every two or four years. That should add the prestige to the event while making it easier on the schedule.

Rafa This trip to Europe is costing me heaps

Please consider your playing schedule for next year on the clay ok

Thanks.

Arun, Annie,
I don't think the press conference has happened yet. He always has a press conference when things like this happen.

sblily: We haven't had any confirmation wrt injury so why panic? It makes sense for Rafa to take an extra week off.

robbyfan: I don't know if you're joking or being serious but there's a whole other thread on that topic if that's the direction you want to go.

wilson75 Zengii told me about the seating and how you cant see Mirka and her Fab Bag

Like she could stand up?

Couldnt she?

Wait, didn't the Frenchies boo Rafa when he pulled out with an injury last year? Think he's saving it all for the WTFs since there's no title to defend at Bercy.

Second try to post.

I don't know why people are complaining about the court colours in Basel. They are very relaxing to the eyes. I guess you have to go there to judge though. Blame it on TV technology.

News on Rafa's withdrawal from Paris. A little bit late imo. Tendinitis on his left shoulder. He'll have some treatment and be ready for London.

Back to tennis.

Deeps Exactly he always holds a pressor

sblily: I have to try and be optimistic or I'll get too depressed. Besides I agree with Wilson that if he's going to get any kind of rest at all it would be now since he won't get any in December.

Rafa doesn't really stop. His commitments and responsibilities off-court have multiplied.

Thanks Zengii I just got that news

By the way I hate the colour

Vie I agree with you there regarding Rafa he hasnt really stopped since the USO

"this year they've changed it to purple."

To match Fed's shirt, no doubt.

Colette lol! By the way its Lavender

wilson - *blank look* Why panic?! *wails* Because he's Rafa and that's what his fans DO. With every whisper of an injury, no matter how minor, we find ourselves wondering if this is the day when Rafa's knees finally crumble into a trillion pieces. <--- only half joking. :)

"I really hope there's nothing more to the story and it's just Rafa throwing us all off by being uncharacteristically sane with his scheduling."

+whatever

Thanks Zengii.

Izidane, They booed in 2008.

Colette: No, I think's just a coincidence.

sblily Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

*Faints*

deeps Hmmm I remember 2008 soo well

They have that down pat dont they?

Wilson 75, I forgot the :)

So Rafa's upper body, jealous of all the attention his lower half was getting, has decided to join in on the tendonitis fun time? Awesome. Well, Rafa's spiffy NuServe sure was good while it lasted...

*joins Annie in a silent scream*

Would a Camera man pls Zoom down so I can see Mirk's Fab bag

Thanks

Robbie says It Time for a Rumble in the Jungle?

Robbie is having one of his many moments I think

Shut up Nick Lester where is my Douggie

Bercy Draw:

http://www.fft.fr/cms/GetDoc.asp?Type=5&ID=15033

Uh oh, just read zenggi's post on tendinitis

annie-not joking at all. Rafa's pulling out of any tourney is going to be questioned from now on. And it is about time for the next cycle to be uber "prepped" for WTFs.

If the talk of tendonitis in Rafa's shoulder is true, I guess he'll have abandon his new serve.

sblily Would you please not go there

I thought the same thing with his shoulder

Well his serve was good while it lasted lol!

I'm waiting for AM to enforce discipline here and require that comments be limited to the subject matter of Pete's post. :)

Thx for the correction, Deeps.
Would go out on a limb and guess it's not on his list of fave tourneys, makes perfect sense to take a break now.

Ross LOL!

Deeps: Didn't say Dubai, but I read somewhere that he's committed to Abu Dhabi and Rotterdam 2011. Let me try to get the link.

Arun: Nadal is playing 4 clay tournaments in 2011. He plays Madrid, MC, Barca, Rome. MC and Barca is back to back and then he goes to Italy for Rome after a week's rest. IIRC, it could mean that he plays 4 tournaments in 5 weeks.

Zenggi: Thanks for the news. The shoulder problems are not entirely unexpected what with a harder serve and the good old buggywhip forehand.
I'd say skip 2010 rest up and then come swinging in Oz!

Actually I think Rogers Lavender shirt works well with the court

imjimmy He might say he will be playing all those clay tournaments now

Lets see what happens in 2011 he cant play those clay tournaments and survive and you well know

Rafa can do make more history next year at the AO2011 if he can win

Anyway we shall see.

""If the talk of tendonitis in Rafa's shoulder is true, I guess he'll have abandon his new serve. ""

I doubt that. If anything, his serving motion has become more fluid. It's more likely to be stress from his forehand which is totally unorthodox, especially coz these days he seems to rely more on it at the expense of the backhand.

I didn't bring up Rafa and his withdrawal, someone else did.

May I add "Hush your mouth, Miss Sblily!"

*said in best approximation of Scarlet O'Hara*

wilson,

I don't think he has to abandon it just be judicious about it.

imjimmy,

I think the only tweaks he can really make is not play between AO and Davis Cup first round. And skip Bangkok next year. I am not happy about clay but until Barcelona loses that tournament, he will try to play it.

Here we go!

imjimmy,

Maybe he will start using his backhand more in the smaller non-slams. That two handed backhand will soon become as loopy as his forehand if he doesn't practise it.

Per ATP website, Rafa will discuss withdrawal on on Sunday or Monday:
http://tinyurl.com/23p5poy

imjimmy: It turns out to be better than say his schedule upto 2009, no? He will not be playing for 3 consecutive weeks like he used to.
MC-Barca-rest-Madrid-Rome isn't that bad.. (Don't know if there is another rest week between Madrid and Rome)
Or if you want me to concede that Nadal's schedule is poor and it is going to cost him the entire 2011, I will. :)

sblily Thanks for the link

Is this is the crisis-center post for today's (Fed's)?

Thanks.

Arun I dont think there is a rest between Madrid and Rome

I am going to Rome and there is a rest between Rome and RG next year

imjimmy,

According to the official site, Rafa is not playing Rotterdam yet. Soderling is the top ranked player playing.

http://www.abnamrowtt.nl/main.cfm?lang=1&c_id=92&site_id=9&main_id=92&pers_id=245

I really like the International Challenge that challenges the Davis Cup, which has maxed out in appeal.
One big problem for tennis is that it is too elitist, and reluctant to change. Maybe this format can make it more popular.
Oracene Price was criticized for negative comments on Fed Cup, but this competition is so less a priority to DC, from those who control the game.
Let's try something different. Bravo

Cheers, AM.
Still, he doesn't have to play for 3 consecutive weeks, which is better, right?

Arun Hmmmmm

We Gonna See No?

I will kill him and myself if he stuffs up RG 2011 he has a chance to tie with Borg.Last time I was at RG it was 2005 and he won his first GS title

Three holds in the final QF in Basel: Federer leads 2-1, on serve. Stepanek clubs a big FH to gain a 15-30 advantage in game 3, but can't put any pressure on the return in the next 3 points. Stepanek looks like he's dropped a few pounds: mono, or married life?

Anyway enough talk about Mr Brain Wave

Back to Rogers game

No, there is no break between Madrid and Rome. Madrid is 5/2 and Rome is 5/9.

Dat you, deeps? Is your Sampras hateration as strong as ever?

Nadal pulled out from Paris indoor???? No------... Now my old man Fed is the only hope to add paris indoor title and therefore get closer to the only player with 1 win at each master sereis. Both Rafa and Fed are so close! Fed has been playing 3 tourneys in past 4 weeks, though. Paris will be his 4th in 5 weeks. oy...

Radek still wearing his Halloween costume, I see

Federer eventually finds his first serve, and holds at 15: Stepanek also holds, with a lovely BH stretch volley to assist. Solid tennis so far - Stepanek is rallying well, albeit from yards behind the baseline. 3-2 Federer, on serve.

I already posted there wasnt a break between Madrid and Rome further up

Back to Rogers game

Drats my link has gone

New link pls someone

See Rafa look what you have done lol!

Colette lol! is his shorts baggy enough

Andrew may be right about married life

15-40 for Roger as Radek nets volley after coming forward behind serve
30-40 Roger BH return long as Radek came forward behind serve
40-40 Radek smash winner coming forward behind serve
A-40 Roger nets FH return
40-40 Radek nets FH
40-A Radek FH wide
Roger breaks as he hit FH winner after smoking a BH return DTL as Radek came forward behind serve

Roger to serve 4-2

So sorry to hear Rafa has pulled out of Paris, but a bit relieved on the other hand. He doesn't need to defend any title there and this way he'll be very fresh for the YEC. Just as right after winning RG he made his plans about winning the USO very clear, even before Wimby, he's made it quite clear since the USO that his main objective is to try and win the YEC.

robbyfan:

You say that anytime Rafa pulls out of a tournament from now on there'll be questions. Why? Because of all the PED gossip out there? So, because a bunch of conspiracy theorists have been jamming the blogosphere with rantings, ravings, rumours, un-founded accusations, and out-right lies, he must now be questioned whenever he has an injury and has to pull out of a tournament?

If that is the thinking, then every player who pulls out of a tournament citing fatigue or injury should be immediately doubted as well?

I thought taking sometime away from the blog would have cleared the air about this kind of talk, but that is the problem with conspiracy theorists. They need to stay paranoid. That's the whole nature of a conspiracy theory isn't it?

Didn't Annie, or someone else point out that there is another thread to keep throwing around that kind of glib talk?

Maybe Fed will pull out from paris, too. He wouldn't be penalized with 0 point unlike Rafa because he's freaking old and played gazillion matches (veteran card like other oldies, Roddicks, Ferreros). I start to think Fed is pushing his luck and overplaying. 5 tournaments in 7 weeks are really pushing it, especially he has reached finals in his first 2 touraments and is playing for SF for his 3rd here.

BTW, has Hewitt given up? This guy is a no show after 1st rd loss at US open. I know he had a daughter recently, but c'mon. he's now back to close to 100 after climbed back around 30. I think top 40 is his limit at this point.

Was the World Champioship Tennis the 16 top tennis players at the end of the season competing for 2m? I liked that. It gave more players the opportunity to make millions even without points gained. It required everyone to put their best foot at the beginning because it was an elimination round right away just like any tournament. It was a nice Christmas present or tax money for the winnerand the runner up. The runner up got 1m.

unlike -> like at 3:40pm. oy

Maybe, AM. Somehow It still can't seem to wrap my mind around that couple. I guess Nicole never comes to his matches.

That's consolidation: ace T, ace T, serve winner, serve winner. Stepanek came up with two big serves to stave off BPs at 15-40, but on a third BP Federer stretched for a wide first serve and got some pace on the ball; Stepanek made a good FH volley, but Federer was there in time with a FH putaway. 5-2 Federer, with the break.

Old man Fed fan:

Personally I think it would be good for Roger to not play Paris as well, but he really sounds like he wants to try and get back to #1 and the only way he's going to do that is to try and win as many big tournaments as he can. So, he's going to have to drag his, "old," bones onto the court and keep plugging away. He'll be okay though, he rarely gets injured. He might be pretty pooped out by London though.

Oh to have the woes of Rafa and Roger! :)

I was merely confirming the dates for Madrid and Rome for Arun's sake. "I think there's a break between Madrid and Rome" sounded as if you weren't sure.

Colette I agree with you there.Though the Worm in the past has gone out with some woman lol!

I got my link back Yay

Lilscot I just laugh at those comments regarding Rafa.Pointless to get upset really.I am used to them now they have been going on here at this post for years ok.

well, as for Rafa being rested for YEC: the other way to look at it would be, he'd rusty after not playing for more than month and would have to play three matches with top 8 right away. Since it's fast indoor, he won't even have time to ease into the tourney. Before you know it, he could be out again with 0-3. Or maybe he'll get luck and get Berdie man who is losing left and right at the moment for the 1st match. Other than him, there is no easy match for Rafa at indoor tourney. Maybe he can take Ferrer, but that's it. we all know Rafa can't beat Roddick on fast hard courts like the way Fed toys with him.

or "I don't think there's a break.." whatever.

"Stepanek looks like he's dropped a few pounds: mono, or married life?"

The Worm's newly significant other is the "well-developed" Nicole Vaidisova. Given this fact I believe he has not been exactly lacking in vigorous calorie-burning activity.

Gee that was a late call I agree with the commies there?

Roger serving for set 5-3 after Radek held at 15

15-0 Radek BH return wide after body serve
15-15 Roger FH long
30-15 Roger Ace wide
30-30 Roger DF - Roger challenges but to no avail
40-30 Radek nets FH return on wide serve
Roger takes the set 6-3 as he hit service winner wide

NP That is a unusal comment from from you?

Hello NP,

How can you hate a guy whose money and success can't save him from bad hair? :) You must be on a Lakers high.

Yes, that serve's a bit up and down: major league DF at 30-15 - the challenge showed it was about 9 inches long. But two serve winners from 30-30, and the first set is history.

Deeps Ouch! LOL!

Watch it I am a Lakers Fan

kids Rafa doesn't need his shoulder to eat cupcakes, you can bet Ferrer and Berdy will both be in his section, and Fred will get Djokoer, Sod and Roddick...

I think some Rafa kids might want to consider the plights of Tsonga, Roddick, Davydenko and Del Po, who've all had long breaks due to injury, Rafa still hasn't missed an event in like a yera and a half, and then he missed ONE, WImby... he's been remarkable injry free for ages now, and being tired doesnt count as an injury, believe it or not ...

pro athletes have aches and pains, they show up and compete, thats it .. knees, schees, theyre m ore a media obession than anything

Okay, here me out. Fed will at least reach final at Basel again and maybe beat Djoker, but he will again lose before QF at Paris, partly to rest before YEC. Mark my word.

I don't see him losing to either the worm or his personal toy Roddick at his hometown. He's likely to beat Djoker as well. However, historically Fed didn't care too much about Paris indoor and never reached QF there. I think it's almost always he preferred to rest and get ready for YEC and never want to go full on at Paris. Maybe Gasquet will have a shot!!! ha ha I made myself laugh. Gasquest beating Fed. That'll be the day.

lilscot: It's so absurd isn't it? You know Fed took a long break after the USO and skipped the Asian swing. Hmmm, wonder if he was doing his cycling then, in time for Shangai, Basel and Paris?

there is no one in Fed's side to beat him before QF. So actually maybe he'll reach QF and then lose to his friend, Melzer. That'd be okay. Other than Melzer, there is no one, nada, zero, to stop old man Fed from reaching SF. Fed machine, oy.

All hail, the mighty Swede is on the court. Robin, Du gamla, Du fria, du fjallhoga Nord. Ja, jag vill leva, jag vill do i Norden. Kom igen, Robin.

"the mighty Swede is on the court"

I think the mighty Swede won already, 6-3, 6-2

If Fed makes it to the finals on Sunday here...he would hv made all "Sundays" except USO (damn!) since Wimby. And Murray took 2 of those finals away. I say he is been pretty sharp...what say you?

Lovely BH OH winner from Federer in his own service game. But three more holds, and it's 2-1 Stepanek, no breaks in set 2.

Roger did not play Paris from 2004-2006, his most successful years.

My Dear Tim

Rafa is just saving his Supreme Teeth ok

I never liked the winners trophy in Bercy anyway.

You know its all about his teeth

yes, Rafa could get both Berdie and Ferrer, if they end up being 6 and 8. While that's highly likely, It could be Rafa, Muzz, Sod, and Roddick as well. 0-3... I can already see it. While Fed skins his toys, Roddick and Ferrer and spank Djoker again. Djoker will have to pay with 3 straight lossses for beating Fed at major. Shanghai+Basel+YEC sounds about right. Plus Djoker will be pre-occupied with the upcoming DC against weak French team.

Samantha Elin: if you're going to write in Swedish, you need to put in a translation, unless it's a quick phrase.

AM,
The Lakers comment was a compliment. Aren't they 5-0 or something?

Fed has reached the finals of the last four Masters events. The guy is playing like he is on a mission to build soem momentum. I will be surprised if he doesn't reach at least the semis in Paris especially since there is a week off before London.