Why is it strange, wasn't Rafa no.1 in 2008 and half of 2009?

Wilson,
Maybe because Rafa couldn't play the YEC in 2008? (was that what it was called back then?)

@work: Masters Cup. Regardless, if it was there or not he was no. 1 at the time.

sorry, that should be "he" not "it"

Wilson,
I see what you're saying. I guess I took it to mean that Rafa wasn't heading the pack towards the tour finals in 2008, but that was just my own interpretation.

And thanks for the correction, I've lost track over the years of the name changes although the current one will be difficult to forget for sure even if they discontinue it soon.

Morning! So sick of this US tennis is dead thing, I'm pretty sure that Serbia, Switzerland, Great Britain, etc only have one representative at the WTF too. Exception is Spain. Not to mention it discredits Andy's career.

Hi Heather,
Hasn't Andy qualified for the tour finals for the past 9? 10 years?
That's a great achievement, imo.

@work: Sometimes, I get the feeling that some in the media still believe that tennis fans are not up-to-date with goes in the tennis world so they have pretend that it something that has happened for the first time. The quote that drives me up all wall is "I never seen him do that before" or "Do you ever remember that happening" when all actuality it has.

Hi @work! He sure has which is why it's so frustrating when people go on about the "poor" state of US tennis.

Heather: I agree with you. The US has 4 players in the top 20. That's a lot more than most countries.

Heather,
Andy has done great for himself and his country. It's not easy feat to be in the top 10 consistently for 10 years. I will surely miss him when he's gone.

Wilson,
Sometimes I think it's just that they feel they have to say something, anything all the time and they end up exaggerating a tad ? :)
Plus I think casual fans probably won't know the difference.

@work: You're right.

Amen, Heather.

But I know someone who will probably be tuning in for the discussion - with bells on (death knell bells). :)

My favorite thing about Federer was that he saved us from those years of Sampras domination. But then I was never enthralled by Fed to the extent everyone else has been. I'm no KAD, but if Rafa dominates for a few years, I don't think I'll mind it - I've never once found him boring, which helps as a mere spectator.

As for the US, it doesn't really bother me that it's not the mid-70s when we had Evert and Connors, then Mac. We long ago moved on to the Czechs (Martina and Ivan) then the Germans (Boris and Graf) back to Americans (the Sampras generation and the phenomenon of the Williams sisters) those dominating Swiss (Martina 2, Fed) and a host of Russian and Eastern Europeans. Some folks even think we're seeing a full comeback of Swedish tennis (?!?).... In any event, I love the variety in our sport. If I wanted only Yanks, I'd be an NFL fan.

Thanks everyone! :)

I really think Friday should be banned from the work week...

I hope there are going to be more pictures released from London, they ususally have pretty good photoshoots. Yesterday's pictures were a bit on the disappointing side.

sisu: Thanks for that link to Soderling's interview. Fascinating read.

Pete, considering that I'm the moderator, I'm pretty interested to see how this turns out, too... :)

Heather,
I guess the reason why US tennis is not produced a top star despite Roddick's constant presence in the Top 10 is that no US star is at the top and there were no good top players to go along with Roddick. In 90s, USA had Sampras, Courier, Agassi, Chang, Martin, Washington for starters. On the WTA side in early 00s, USA had S Williams, V Williams, Capriati, Davenport, Seles(who became a US citizen) in the top realm. Today, there is no star that can penetrate the top level in US other than Roddick, S Williams and V Williams. At least on the ATP side, you have Querrey and Isner along with a resurgent Fish but on the WTA side, there is NO one in the Top 50 after S Williams and V Williams.

What about Russia? This is only the second time since 1994 that they don't have someone in the Master's Cup/WTF. (2003 saw Safin injured and Kafelnikov at the end of the line.) I really thought Youzhny could pull it off, since he typically has a strong fall, but sickness and injury really cost him.

Incidentally, for the Youzhny fans out there (there must be some!), there's a really great article over at the ATP website today (I hope it's kosher to link to it from here): http://www.atpworldtour.com/News/DEUCE-Tennis/DEUCE-Finals-2010/Mikhail-Youzhny.aspx

Among other things, it gives great insight into what Youzhny's post-match military salute is (probably) all about.

Heather: On the contrary, I think Friday should be the only day in the work week..

tina: Yeap. I understand about liking/disliking the players. This is not a response to your post -- in general though, I do find it a bit strange when people say that domination by one player is more boring while the domination by his rival is thrill-a-minute stuff. I guess that's true for (some of) both Rafa and Fed fans.

Re the state of American tennis..
Seeing the long term effect it has had, do you guys think Nick B's approach has been more of a bane to American Tennis than a boon? Sure 10 or 20 years ago there were a bigger pool of American players who could challenge so many International players in the world (though it may or may not be mainly due to their individual talent. But that could be a separate topic altogether.) -- but over the years that kind of approach has definitely made the American players more stagnated compared to their European counterparts. Thinking about it, even the active European players who trained in Nick B's Academy do not seem to be having that great a career (except Sharapova) right now comparatively.

*was a bigger pool

Really, Arun?

Yeah, Heather. I always look forward to Friday - since it's the gateway to the weekends. So, Fridays go faster.
Mondays OTOH. Ugh.

Oh I agree about Mondays!

Good point Arun. Who is Bollettieri's most successful player in the past couple of years? It seems like he's pretty much living off the reputation that he earned in the 90's and of Sharapova and Jankovic. He hasn't produced a legitimate great player in about 4 or 5 years.

Hoping for more pics today too, Heather. And, poor Ferru, apparently the ATP gave him the one random grey suit! He was all embarrassed about it:(

http://img715.imageshack.us/img715/6241/wtfkzs.jpg
http://img525.imageshack.us/img525/8194/wtf1y.jpg
http://img840.imageshack.us/img840/5773/wtf3.jpg
http://img808.imageshack.us/img808/8546/wtf2f.jpg
http://img690.imageshack.us/img690/6633/wtf4r.jpg

From London

Epic Fail for Berdych and Murray for wearing brown shoes.

Ahhh thank you citrus! :)

FWIW, I reserve the right to become bored by Rafa's domination, too. ;-)

I don't know if too much blame can be placed on Uncle Nick, or Nikki Pilic in Germany or Bob Brett in Italy, for that matter - let's see how Johnny Mac does with his own academy. Plus, On the recent video blogs with Bodo, Nick B. still seems to know what he's talking about. A little over-excited, but knowledgeable nevertheless.

Gey, everyone.

Thanks, citrus, for those new pictures. I'm glad to see that David's suit arrived at last.

citrus - thanks for the nice new crop of pictures. Looks like they got Ferruuu to trade suits w/one of the dubs players...;-)

In the one of Rafa and Fed, Roger looks like he is still tasting Swiss chocolate and Rafa looks like the flash hit him full force.

We need a caption for the last one. Hmmmmm....

Fed to Rafa, "Yes, I really do think I can beat you on clay."

or

Rafa to Fed, "Sure I can serve like that all the time now."

And speaking of pictures, very nice one of Pistol Pete at the top.

Yes, thanks Citrus. These pics are great, and show a much fairer Ferrer.

dan - thanks for linking to the article on Youzhny (yes, there are a lot of Mischa fans in here)

Was it that long ago that both Roddick and Blake finished the year in the top ten? Didn't Blake actually make it to the finals of the year ender?

dayum, I missed it.

dan: Thanks for that nice Deuce magazine article about Youzhny.

Citrus,
Thanks for those pics.
CL,
We do need a caption for the pics.
I would love to know what Roger is telling them in the last one.
Roddick and Rafa look surprised while Nole is smiling naughtily and while not looking at Fed's face (?) ;=)

Jay, I believe it was 2006, I could be wrong.

There is also a funny pic that was posted in the previous thread which also needs a caption:

http://tinyurl.com/2g6bmbp

Completely different reactions from Nole and Rafa :)

Thanks, Heather. I know that Blake has fallen on some hard times, but when the US won the Davis Cup most recently, it was because there were strong contenders in Roddick and Blake, plus the fabulous Bryan Bros. How quickly we move from feast to famine.

"There is also a funny pic that was posted in the previous thread which also needs a caption"

How about: "Hey, did you hear that the British bookies are giving Roger and Novak even odds to win the year-end tourney?"

Jay,
That would certainly make sense.

Someone on another site suggested this one:
"Look I've finally found his off switch! I've got a chance again!!!"

x-fan: LOL

Jay,
I too thought it was pretty funny and Rafa does look like he needs re-winding in that picture!

Not much traffic around here these days. I would supposed most people will come back around on Sunday.

I think you're right, x-fan. I probably should get back to work myself!

x-fan - I think Roger is telling them all about the joys of diaper changing. ;-)

Accidentally posted on the wrong thread. Sorry, new to TW :-/

just tuning in to the Azarenka-Wozniacki exo. Caro and Vika 'rocking round the clock.' Caro dancing with one of the ball kids to get the crowd going. Caro to serve, 3-3

Eyebrow trim! STAT!

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/027o91C1WU9EV/1000x.jpg

@work, if we're still looking for captions for this photo:

tinyurl.com/2g6bmbp

how about:

"Yes, Rafa, he was in control of the match."

One hour for 10 km. Arggggh! Love Friday rush hour.

CL,
What are you talking about? It's just ONE hair. Jzsezsz! Roger looks good.
The twins have to behave next week. Am I asking too much?

Roger Federer has posted a message on Facebook:
"Here in London going on the transfer to the 02 for practice...
Unusual but cool. Will send you all a pic later from the boat....."

And this is the picture:

http://tinyurl.com/26qn9bg

zenggi - ah yes, it STARTS with just one hair!! ;-))

you have mail, btw

CL, wow and I thought I was hypercritical :)

A bit shocked that the twins don't sleep thru' the night yet; but hey when they start to - watch out ATP tour!

zenggi, I looked up youtube last night and still think Sod said sorry to Rog and Rog reponded "it's all right"

CWATC, I was surprised by that too but maybe it's because they're always changing time zones?

According to nadalnews it was the ATP who gave David the suit and he felt embarrassed.
There is also a video of Rafa and David practicing (in Spanish)

http://www.nadalnews.com/2010/11/19/rafa-practices-and-daveeed-blushes/

Or maybe because they keep waking each other up?
I have no kids so clueless on this issue.

On the video Rafa says that they didn't find the court to be 'extremely fast'

Thanks for all the pics from London...poor David Ferrer looks like some representative among tennis players in each pic lol.

@work - well boo on the ATP then.

CWATC - The longest journey...and the most out of control eye brows start but with a singe..etc. And, yeah... a bit odd at that age. But he indicated that it is usually one or the other. Though, if one was up, would think she would wake the other one. Oh well. Yes!..Fed with 8 plus hours of uninterrupted sleep - Unstoppable!!!

Totally off topic, but at least a twin tangent. Has anyone else been watching this multi-part documentary on The Big Apple Circus on PBS? Really well done. Among the 'truth is stranger than fiction' aspects, are the identical twin acrobat/jugglers who are almost literally coming to physical blows as their act breaks apart. One twin to medical school, the other stays with the circus. Be careful Myla and Charlene.

Nothing really weighty to add but just to say a shallow comment- Ferru has perhaps one of the sexist voices in tennis. It is like cracked velvet.....swoon.

CL- I have been watching Circus as well. The twins were very interesting as it seems the schism is deep and lasting- is the one going to Columbia (he was wearing the shit).

I meant shirt...sigh.

Carrie,
Totally agree about David's voice -call me shallow too :)

CL,
I wonder if this visit to the PM wasn't pre-planned so David didn't have anything packed that met the dress code for that ocassion? Maybe they also supplied some of the others (because some of the fits are not great either)

Carrie- wearing the WHAT??? lol.

Actually, there was a follow-up piece in the NY Times. They are now at least texting each other so there is some communication. The one who isn't in med school has stayed with the Big Apple...which is a GREAT show, BTW, but not as a performer. He works in their front office. Their mother was quoted as saying some very interesting things about each of them.

Here's the NY Times piece:

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/14/nyregion/14circus.html

@work - its just strange all around. Everyone else seemed to manage basic dark...even if the shoes are a bit of a trial for a few of them...and there is poor Ferruuu looking like the odd man out. OTH, I will say fashion-wise, this is a big step up from the outfits that were worn by various players, male and female, when they met the Queen. (Yes, I'm talkin' to you Serena. And which was the guy who showed up in what looked to be the parking valet's kit?)

Wasn't it Andy Roddick?
If I remember Nole was in a track suit but I think he was playing that day.

CL- interesting...so no longer performing....but also using his brain.

Circus is an interesting show for sure- could not do it. Interestingly- my grandfather ran away at 13 to join a traveling circus. If I ever had the initiative I would write a novel about him as he was the most interesting and per photographs good looking individual of my family of the last two hundred years.

Household under control again.

CL,
Interesting news. Thanks. I'll answer you later.
I don't know about other people's children but mine and myself have always had trouble sleeping the first night at every hotel on the whole wide world. Children are even more sensitive to new surroundings. You can move the whole house with you but they'll feel that somethings is new starting by the noise of the airco.

CWATC,
Agree to disagree. :) It doesn't matter who said what because I was impressed by their gentlemany attitude at the net.

Yes, I was right. Here are some pictures from that ocassion.
http://www.womenstennisblog.com/2010/06/24/queen-elizabeth-ii-greets-the-players-at-wimbledon/

Good Morning Everyone,

I must go to the Eye Brow link CL has posted it twice

I hope it dosent scare me

zenggi,
but . . .but . . . "I'm right", she sputters . . .
just kidding.

speaking of which, is there a health update on Sod? is he fully OK now after his illnesses?

Memo to Mirka

Drop the twins oops pass the twins to their nanny

Go straight away and get tweezers and get plucking

On Roger of course I suppose while your at it you can also give yourself a quick trim.

temes,
David should sue the ATP. :)
In that video that @work posted (thanks), David says that he got the suit from the ATP and he thought that when he would meet the other players for the pictures with the PM, that they would also wear the same grey suit. He felt ill at ease. Pobre David!.

He also says that the court is as any of the other hard courts they have been playing the whole year around. Except Paris, he said.

Can I just post this interview of 7-year old Djokovic, he was so funny then and it seems he did not change at all. Sorry if smb already posted it before.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RwXh0kRjxPU&feature=player_embedded

Coucou

Thanks

A bit disturbing though Nole he his cap on backwards at age 7?

I blame Lleyton Hewitt lol!

CWATC,
I'll be watching you from now on... If you want I concede this point on your favour. We can start our own Round Robin and see who wins the fugly trophy. :)

On Robin. I hope he is all-right this next week.
He has twitted:
"$5,100!!! Congratulations and a big thank you for the help you give to kids in need around the world by bidding on my painting."

zengii Hi

Whats wrong with Robin I have just come on and catching up

AM,
You are intervining in a marriage. Mirka will punish you by displaying more beautiful bags than ever. Ha!

Aussiemarge - right,...it is important to corral these wayward hairs early. And it looks like Fed is on it:

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/0bngd6U6WO7JV/1000x.jpg

Now, Rafa, oth, might want to back off the dippity doo/greaser look just a bit.

http://cache.daylife.com/imageserve/08a61UQ3OO5rR/1000x.jpg

AM,
Nothing wrong with Soderling, I hope. I posted an interview the other day from a Swedish newspaper after winning in Paris, where Robin said that he had an upset stomach in Valencia and a cold and sore throat during the tournament in Paris. Typical autumn ailments, I guess.

CL, in that photo of Roger his fingernails look very nicely filed and shaped....sad they look nicer than mine, haha!

CL Just be thankful Roger didnt have eye brows like Pete Sampras?

*ducks* thank goodness hubby is still asleep?

Is there some reason Fed doesn't wear a wedding ring for photo-ops like this? He must have one......

(****contemplates sneaking out of the office early despite mounds of work****)

zengii I am just giving out helpful hints

I am sure Mirak is aware of this eye brow trim situation

I am aware of the power of her Fab Bags by the way

I see you were talking about when Robin wasnt well a few weeks ago

CherryNYC My hubby only wears his wedding ring when we go out to dinner?

Go figure that one? lol!

CL,
Thank you for the Circus twins interview. And for the picture. Roger is listening to you. :)

A picture of Juan Mónaco for an article in "Grip" (Argentinian tennis magazine) http://yfrog.com/2t3vhzj

AM -- I'm sure that's to signal to all the other gentlemen in the restaurant that he's the lucky one who snagged you..... :)

CherryNYC - I think Roger said that he does have a wedding ring and that he will wear it when he retires from the pro tour. He was afraid he would lose the ring on the court or in the locker room and didn't want to take the chance.

Heather - WAY nicer than mine too. Though my excuse is I was pitchforking compost around the other day. I have no excuse for all the other times my nails look lousy. I think, despite some confessions of messiness, Roger is, at heart, the fastidious type. One of the passages in the David Foster Wallace piece was about how carefully Roger places his blazer over his chair at Wimby and how precisely he fits the ball into the y of the racket before he is about to serve.

CherryNYC Yeah right lol!

CherryNYC Peter is a Marine engineer so he cant really wear it in the engine room of a ship when he is working

Thats what he tells me anyway lol! which is right I guess.

zenggi - I think Pico is way cute, but from that picture, me thinks he is in need of a SERIOUS trim. Of ALL the hair on his head.

Off to the gym with me...this is the first real gym/workout place my husband and I have every joined. I like the cardio machines free weights and he likes the resistance weights and SAUNA! Something for everyone. There is even a tennis court..summer only though.

CL,
I think you are right. And Roger has been taught well by his mother. Mirka must be very grateful to Lynette. My son's girlfriend doesn't have such luck. I've tried, really hard but to no avail...

CL The gym sounds Fab

Have a good work out

CL,
You have a hair day, I see.

Dinner is served. Have a nice day/evening, everyone.

Good for you, CL. The only exercise I'm getting lately is raising a wine glass....

And who's really surprised that Fed's nails are perfect? He puts most women I know to shame.....

Hi everyone.

Coucou, OMGoodness! What a beautiful young boy Novak was and so composed and thoughtful too! Thanks for that link and I agree with seeing so many similarities from the child to the adult. I did get a little twinge when he said tennis was an obligation as opposed to a game. I’m imagining it’s something in the translation there.

Enjoying all the links and conversation. Thanks guys! Confused on why ATP would give David a grey suit? Felt badly for him but he seemed to take it all in stride.

Coucou, apologies for forgetting to welcome you if you're new here. Keep posting.

Bye Zengii

Well at least CL didnt bring up "nose hair" lol!

I hope she didnt see that lol! she has probably a link hidden somewhere on "nose hair" no doubt.

Wonder will Ed, Pete and Steve do a WTF podcast?