Tennis

[kathy1977]

I have to begrudgingly give Maria credit. She's fucking good. At least from a talent perspective she is deserving of all the praise she gets.

Bud Collins gushed that he "didn't care what the numbers said, Maria is the number 1 player in the world". Sorry Bud but I think Justine Henin earned her number 1 spot. In my opinion she is the best player on the women's side. Much better then Maria. She's FIERCE for somebody so tiny. Still don't like her though.

[intlschizo]

*sobbing*

Okay, what's next - the U.S. Open?

[Deleted]

intlschizo said:

*sobbing*

Okay, what's next - the U.S. Open?

The French Open, followed by Wimbledon, then the US Open.

[Deleted]

moonglow said:

intlschizo said:

*sobbing*

Okay, what's next - the U.S. Open?

The French Open, followed by Wimbledon, then the US Open.

I have to admit that I prefer both of those to the US Open The French give us usually some quite good matches early on and Wimbledon is Wimbledon in all its out-dated glory And who knows, we might get some new winners there for a change....Although, the one tournament I'm really looking forward to this year is the Olympic one. I will never understand why so many of the top players don't really seem to care about the Olympic Games. They don't have to qualify and can just show up there and yet, most seem to care more about the usual tour and how Olympic Games will interrupt their schedule. While I can somehow get behind that thinking too, I would think that taking part in the Games which only take place every four years would be somewhat special for every athlete.

[Deleted]

solly79 said:

moonglow said:

The French Open, followed by Wimbledon, then the US Open.

I have to admit that I prefer both of those to the US Open The French give us usually some quite good matches early on and Wimbledon is Wimbledon in all its out-dated glory And who knows, we might get some new winners there for a change....Although, the one tournament I'm really looking forward to this year is the Olympic one. I will never understand why so many of the top players don't really seem to care about the Olympic Games. They don't have to qualify and can just show up there and yet, most seem to care more about the usual tour and how Olympic Games will interrupt their schedule. While I can somehow get behind that thinking too, I would think that taking part in the Games which only take place every four years would be somewhat special for every athlete.

Actually players just can't show up for the Olympics. The rule is that players have to make themselves available for Fed Cup/Davis Cup play (nations play each other in successive rounds to determine who ultimately wins the final and the cup) the prior year to the Olympics and the year of. So if you look closely, players from all nations have been making themselves "available" so they will be able to play in the games, even those who have never previously played or expressed an interest in playing (Sharapova, Federer). The selection process becomes quite competitive depending on how many top players a country produces, so France, Russia for example are in a conundrum. I don't know if the number of spots varies per country but I do know the US can bring 3 singles players, and 2 doubles players. So the US will most likely bring Venus, Serena, Lindsay; and the doubles team is still up in the air. So space is at a premium to get to the Olympics.

But also playing in the Olympics is still a new thing today's players. There will be no break for the Olympics, the season is already grueling. The off season for tennis players is a month at best. It's really asking a lot for them to be competitive for themselves, and then their countries (Fed Cup/Davis Cup and the Olympics) when no consideration is given to these endeavors by the TPTB at the ATP and WTA.

In addition because the Olympics are going to be held in China this year, playing conditions have been a concern. Justine Henin has already gone on record saying she's not sure if she will play because of the pollution in Beijing. The tennis events will be held outdoors, and the air quality is not the best.

[lpatrice]

I for one hope Tsonga beats Djokovic, I'm all for new talent - just not Djokovic, who I find to be insufferable obnoxious ass. But I know where he gets it from, his parents are the worst. They are sooooo obnoxious.

Anywho, Novak is definitely a whiny little brat. I'll admit that I love Roger Federer but I can also understand why people want to see more faces and new winners, or as people like to say personalities, but it is not going to do tennis anyone good if those personalities are asses.

So yeah, allez Tsonga. Djokovic needs a dose of humility.

Plus I am sick of hearing about fricking Serbia every single time him, Ivanovic, or Jankovic plays. I know it isn't their fault, but there was a reason why their country got bombed while they were growing up. Looking at Tennis coverage, one would believe that Serbia was just this benevolent country that everyone was picking on or rather bombing without cause or reason.

[Deleted]

lpatrice said:

I for one hope Tsonga beats Djokovic, I'm all for new talent - just not Djokovic, who I find to be insufferable obnoxious ass. But I know where he gets it from, his parents are the worst. They are sooooo obnoxious.

Anywho, Novak is definitely a whiny little brat. I'll admit that I love Roger Federer but I can also understand why people want to see more faces and new winners, or as people like to say personalities, but it is not going to do tennis anyone good if those personalities are asses.

So yeah, allez Tsonga. Djokovic needs a dose of humility.

Plus I am sick of hearing about fricking Serbia every single time him, Ivanovic, or Jankovic plays. I know it isn't their fault, but there was a reason why their country got bombed while they were growing up. Looking at Tennis coverage, one would believe that Serbia was just this benevolent country that everyone was picking on or rather bombing without cause or reason.

Of course there were reasons that the country was bombed but that doesn't mean that every single person living there was or is evil. I don't see how four twenty-something tennis players from Serbia should be treated differently because of their country's past.

[Deleted]

Well I'm glad Jo fought. And very good showing from him. I hope to see more of him in the future.

And after tonight, it is sealed. I will never be a Novak fan. Keep pulling that nonsense Novak and someone will call your bluff. Come on Roger get back on your game and show the kid what real tennis is!

[lpatrice]

Of course there were reasons that the country was bombed but that doesn't mean that every single person living there was or is evil. I don't see how four twenty-something tennis players from Serbia should be treated differently because of their country's past.

That is not what I meant at all, I clearly stated that it wasn't the fault of Djokovic, Jankovic, or Ivanovic. And I also stated that there was something wrong with framing the story as if Serbia was a war zone for no reason. And I never said every single person living there was evil.

But if broadcasters and commentators, are going to play the sympathy card, and go on ad nauseum about the story, I think it is important to maybe explain to those who don't know, why exactly Serbia was a war zone - because again it wasn't as if the world was picking Serbia which is the impression one might get if they didn't have prior knowledge of the conflicts in the Balkans during that time.

ETA: Congrats to Nole on his First Grand slam, I may not like the guy but he clearly deserved/earned it and was the best player at this years tournament. But his box makes me miss the JBlock. And I hate the JBlock.

[Deleted]

lpatrice said:

Of course there were reasons that the country was bombed but that doesn't mean that every single person living there was or is evil. I don't see how four twenty-something tennis players from Serbia should be treated differently because of their country's past.

That is not what I meant at all, I clearly stated that it wasn't the fault of Djokovic, Jankovic, or Ivanovic. And I also stated that there was something wrong with framing the story as if Serbia was a war zone for no reason. And I never said every single person living there was evil.

But if broadcasters and commentators, are going to play the sympathy card, and go on ad nauseum about the story, I think it is important to maybe explain to those who don't know, why exactly Serbia was a war zone - because again it wasn't as if the world was picking Serbia which is the impression one might get if they didn't have prior knowledge of the conflicts in the Balkans during that time.

ETA: Congrats to Nole on his First Grand slam, I may not like the guy but he clearly deserved/earned it and was the best player at this years tournament. But his box makes me miss the JBlock. And I hate the JBlock.

I apologize lpatrice I did misunderstand you, sorry....

I think that commentators should generally shut up about Serbia or any other country. Most of them are so stupid IMHO, they shouldn't be the ones educating viewers about a country's history. But I understand now what you mean.