Djokovic, Venus Williams Win Titles; Davis Cup Drama

by Staff | March 1st, 2009, 11:57 pm
  • 67 Comments

THIS WEEK

2009 DAVIS CUP KICKOFF
ADHEREL
The first round of the Davis Cup World Group kicks off this weekend with eight ties: Netherlands (nobody) at Argentina (David Nalbandian), France (Gilles Simon, Gael Monfils, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, Richard Gasquet) at Czech Republic (Tomas Berdych, Radek Stepanek), Switzerland (Stan Wawrinka, no Roger) at the U.S. (Andy Roddick, James Blake, Bryan brothers), Chile (Nicolas Massu, no Gonzo) at Croatia (Marin Cilic, Ivo Karlovic, Mario Ancic), Israel (Dudi Sela) at Sweden (nobody), Russia (Marat Safin, Dmitry Tursunov, Mikhail Youzhny) at Romania (Victor Hanescu), Austria (Jurgen Melzer, Stefan Koubek) at Germany (Rainer Schuettler, Nicolas Kiefer, Philipp Kohlschreiber), and Serbia (Novak Djokovic, Janko Tipsarevic) at Spain (Rafael Nadal, David Ferrer, Tommy Robredo, Feliciano Lopez).

The Sweden vs. Israel tie will be held with no fans allowed due to the host city Malmo’s fears of protests of Israel’s military outings.


Monterrey Open
Monterrey, Mexico

The second week of the interesting “Mexico Swing” on the new WTA Tour calendar, which is down time for most all of the top players who have taken the two weeks off to prepare for tournaments at Indian Wells and Miami.

Poland’s Agnieszka Radwanska is the lone Top 10 player in the field, joined by seeds Marion Bartoli, Flavia Pennetta, Jie Zheng, Agnes Szavay, Iveta Benesova, Gisela Dulko and Maria Kirilenko.

Watch for: (6) Benesova vs. Shahar Peer, (7) Dulko vs. veteran Nathalie Dechy, (4) Zheng vs. (WC) Urszula Radwanska.

LAST WEEK

Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships
Dubai, U.A.E.

Novak Djokovic won his first ATP title of the season with a 7-5, 6-3 win over Spaniard David Ferrer. “Winning the tournament, any tournament, is a huge success, and especially here in Dubai, which has a history of being one of the strongest events in the tour,” Djokovic said. Ferrer drops to 7-6 in career finals. “He played better than me, served better,” Ferrer said. “He was very, very focused on the match. But me, I played a good game. I’m happy with my game, but maybe the key was he’s a better tennis player than me.”

Abierto Mexicano Telcel
Acapulco, Mexico

Spain’s Nicolas Almagro successfully defended his Abierto Mexicano Telcel title with a 6-4, 6-4 win over France’s mentally fragile Gael Monfils. “I didn’t play well today,” said Monfils, who fell to 1-6 in career finals and was broken early in both sets. “When I get to the final I have a hard time. Today in particular I didn’t handle it well. I wasn’t aggressive enough but it’s something I will work on and hopefully get better at.” Almagro was 1-2 career against Monfils entering the match.

Venus Williams was the women’s champion, defeating rival Flavia Pennetta 6-1, 6-2 for her second consecutive title after Dubai. Pennetta had won three of their previous five meetings. “I started the week very tough,” Venus said. “I had such difficult matches. Three three-setters in a row, each more difficult than the last. I think I deserved this win tonight. I played hard all week and tonight my serve and my game all came together.” Pennetta dropped to 6-9 in career tour finals. “I didn’t feel I played badly, she just overpowered me,” Pennetta said.

Delray Beach International Tennis Championships
Delray Beach, FL, USA

Top-seeded Mardy Fish, 2-10 in career finals entering Delray Beach, ran into an even shakier opponent in the Delray championship match, defeating Russian qualifier Evgeny Korolev 7-5, 6-3 to become the first top seed to ever claim the title at Delray Beach. Even without an apparent game plan, Korolev served for the first set at 5-4, failing to hold his nerve before eventually dropping the set. In the second set Fish ran out to a 4-1 lead before Korolev came back to 3-5, saving numerous match points before finally succumbing on Fish’s serve. “It started out rough in the first set, and [the curse] somewhat creeps in your mind — am I going to break this thing or what — but it feels good,” said Fish, the first top-seeded winner in the 17-year history of the event. The Bryan brothers won the doubles title, their first Delray Beach crown in four appearances.

TENNIS-X NEWS, NOTES, QUOTES AND BARBS

IT’S ALL SHAHAR’S FAULT? — The South Florida Sun-Sentinels’ Harvey Fialkov reported that ATP Israeli player Dudi Sela says the whole WTA Dubai blowup is partly Shahar Peer’s fault. “I think it’s a pity they didn’t let Shahar play, but it’s also the fault of Shahar because she asked for the visa a few [days or two weeks] before. The average person, if you want to go, you do it [several] months before.” Peer’s brother/spokesman has already stated that Peer applied for a visa months in advance…

Fernando Gonzalez has pulled from Davis Cup duty for Chile with a back injury…

JUST ANOTHER EVENT, WITH BODYGUARDS– From AFP’s coverage of Andy Ram’s lone match in Dubai: “Andy Ram came and went amidst almost comically elaborate protection and a feeling of relief at the Dubai Open on Wednesday. Ram, an Israeli given a visa into the United Arab Emirates only after a high profile controversy the previous week over the exclusion of his compatriot Shahar Peer, was surrounded by bizarrely detailed security from the moment he arrived. Ram was prevented from using his mobile after he was taken to his hotel, was made to play on an outside court with spectator seating only at one end and had to wait for a police inspection which delayed the start of his match by half an hour. The umpire, Cedric Morier of France was allegedly asked not to mention Israel while introducing the match between Ram and his Zimbabwean partner Kevin Ullyett, and Marat Safin of Russia and David Ferrer of Spain, and there were apparently no Arab line judges selected for the match. Ram was also said to have been protected by security marksmen on nearby roofs, though there was no evidence of that. Security also dictated that only one person could interview Ram after the match, and that it would be in a secret place, with a transcript supplied. “It was different,” he said. “It was an experience for me — a nice experience for me to come here. Obviously the first priority of everyone was my security. They did everything possible to secure me, so it was different — nice different — not something bad.”…The match passed off with no untoward incidents except one boo from one man early on, a few briefs chants of “loser, loser” from what looked like unused line judges, and a smashed racket by an angry Safin after he mishit a shot.” — Just another tournament, with Safin probably more of a security risk due to flying racquet shards…

Andy Murray withdrew ahead of the quarterfinals last week in Dubai with a virus…

The ATP announced that Kris Dent, ATP director of corporate communications, will be leaving the organization on Feb. 27 to take up the position of director of communications for the English Football Association’s 2018 World Cup bid team. His replacement is to be determined…

DAVIS CUP — Robin Soderling will miss the Davis Cup tie for Sweden with an Achilles injury. Joachim Johansson, who came out of retirement last year, also pulled himself out of contention for the tie, saying he is not fit for five-set play…

DAVIS CUP LOCK-OUT — Sweden will host Israel in Davis Cup play in March in a closed-door session barring fans due to security concerns regarding the Israel team. The only other time a Davis Cup tie shut-out fans? When Sweden hosted Chile in 1975, also over security concerns…

LET’S SEE IF THE ROOF LEAKS — Wimbledon will test their new closed center court roof on May 17 in an exhibition doubles match, with the husband-wife team of Andre Agassi and Steffi Graf facing Tim Henman and Kim Clijsters…

FIRE-JOHN-LLOYD.COM — Britain has lost its last six Davis Cup ties that have come down to a live fifth match — due to the fact Britain has not been able to field a solid No. 2 in singles. Now to determine the next No. 2 singles player, captain John Lloyd is holding a six-man playoff tournament to determine his No. 2. Grand Slam runner-up Greg Rusedski, who has been playing well in senior events, offered his services to lift Britain out of the Davis Cup zonal-round doldrums, but Lloyd said “No thanks.” He wouldn’t even let Rusedski compete in the playoff event to prove himself. To develop talent, first you need a talent pool. By keeping Rusedski on the sideline and not even giving him a chance to help Britain, the storied Davis Cup nation seems determined to shoot itself in the foot…

PEER-TO-PEER NETWORK — From Steve Simmons at the Winnepeg Sun: “For almost a year, the Women’s Tennis Association has been aware there would be problems getting Israeli tennis player Shahar Peer into the United Arab Emirates for a tournament this week. And for almost a year, the WTA closed its eyes and hoped the problem would go away. Instead, the tournament went on without Peer being allowed to enter the country — a player caught up in the kind of politics that have nothing to do with her sport — while the WTA shrugged its shoulders and its players demonstrated they can play the game without any kind of backbone at all. Once Peer was banned, the WTA should have cancelled the tournament. Failing that, the players’ should have stood up for one of their own and made the WTA take a stance. The new WTA motto could well be: Tennis without balls.”…

Mike Segal writing for the Gainesville Sun: “The men who run Dubai, the sheiks, have refused to give Shahar Peer a visa to enter the country. Although the WTA Tour chief executive, Larry Scott, has voiced his regret that Peer can not participate in the matches, he did not cancel the matches. No doubt it was because there was too much money at stake, both for the WTA as well as the players. None of the players refused to participate either, and the match is being played as this letter is being written. Whoever wins the WTA match in Dubai will have to hide that trophy, as it is a trophy of shame.” — No shame for collecting that gi-normous paycheck from Venus, who will nonetheless “take a stand” this year by again skipping the Indian Wells event…

Tom Tebbutt writing for The Globe and Mail: “After winning the Australian Open last month, Serena claimed that she would play all the WTA Tour’s mandatory events (Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing) this year, before catching herself and saying she meant the “non-racist” mandatories. There is a disconnect between the vehemence of her, and Venus’s, stand against Indian Wells because of purported crowd abuse of Venus and their father Richard as they watched Serena play the final after Venus’s last-minute withdrawal from the all-Williams semi-final, and their tepid support for [Shahar] Peer.”…

Peter Bodo writing for ESPN: “Faced with an opportunity to show group strength and solidarity in an unambiguous situation, the [WTA Tour] failed miserably. The decision to deny Shahar Peer a visa to enter Dubai and play the event clearly and obviously violated the basic agreement that applies to every sanctioned WTA event; that alone should have been enough to make the WTA players rally round their flag — and their wronged player. They did not. In 1973, The ATP men boycotted Wimbledon over a far less explosive issue, and the willingness of most of the top players to stand together made a powerful statement about the organization. In L’affair Peer, the WTA players threw Peer under the bus, and in a way that had far less to do with the politics of the Middle East than it did the basic indifference of the WTA women to the real or imagined integrity of their own organization.”…

Roger Federer is president of the ATP Player Council, but where was his voice when the WTA Dubai tournament banned Israel’s Shahar Peer, and the ATP Dubai tournament had to have its arm twisted to let Israel’s Andy Ram into the event (after last year sending the message he was unwelcome)? Oh that’s right, Federer lives in Dubai, spending more time there at his “second home” than he spends in Switzerland. Conflict of interest. Like the WTA, you don’t want to bite the hand that feeds millions into your coffers each year…

KEOTHAVONG SLAMS LTA — Anne Keothavong is the first British woman in 16 years to break into the Top 50 — with little thanks, she says, to Britain’s Lawn Tennis Association (LTA). Born in London and raised on the public tennis courts, the 25-year-old told AFP she has been more hindered than helped by the LTA, one of the world’s most free-spending national tennis associations. “If I knew what I know now I could’ve been in the Top 50 years ago but I was influenced by some unprofessional people, which didn’t help, although ultimately it’s down to the individual,” Keothovang said. “I still believe there are unprofessional people working at the LTA and it saddens me because I want to see British tennis get even better.”…

WTA Dubai officials are appealing the WTA Tour’s $300,000 fine for denying Israel’s Shahar Peer a spot in their field…

Boris Becker, in need of a woman, says he will marry former girlfriend Lilly Kerssenberg this June…

Lleyton Hewitt is suing former management company Octagon, and Octagon is suing Hewitt…


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67 Comments for Djokovic, Venus Williams Win Titles; Davis Cup Drama

Shan Says:

How about Venus in that Sombrero eh? I never thought I’d say this but Venus in a sombrero is quite sexy


Von Says:

Staff:

My compliments. You’ve been working very hard to bring us all of the tennis news that’s newsworthy. It’s appreciated and keep up the good work.

For how long will the Williams sisters keep on perpetuating the racist remarks at IW? They need to move on. Geez!!


tenisbebe Says:

Von:

You should have seen the ESPN site after the Jemele Hill article was published – Ugly is the only word for it. The Wms sisters “supporters” were vicious in their attacks that Vee & Ree (as they are referred to) had no responsibility to support Peer/WTA rules as no one has supported them in the IW boycott.


Von Says:

tenisbebe:

I didn’t read the articles, in fact I hardly ever read the stuff that’s out there, but I can just imagine what went on going by some of the statements that’s made by their father. I don’t understand how people could continue for such a long time to harbor in their hearts so much animosity — it’s mind-boggling. I’d go out on a limb and say they are a very unhappy bunch of prejudiced people. They’re Jehovah’s Witnesses and that religion supposedly follows the Bible, hence why the stance from Vee and Ree on the racist remarks. They’re supposed to be forgiving.

I get the impression that they would love for the IW tournament director to get down on his/her knees and beg them to play. Anything short of that just wouldn’t do, and if that doesn’t happen they’ll hold out forever. They should be ignored and fined. I think this bowing down to mere mortals is so wrong and it’s the reason we have so many spoilt brats and monsters in the world today. People kiss up to others for all the wrong reasons. OK I’m off my soap box.


tenisbebe Says:

Von:
I hear ya & I’m with ya, sister! BTW apparently Billie Jean King bought a stake in IW & she’s trying to mediate a compromise to get the sisters to play. If anyone summon common sense to prevail, it’s Billie.


tenisbebe Says:

sorry – should be “can summon”……..


Von Says:

tenisbebe:

Well, exactly what I mean, that someone has to smooch them over for them to play, and Billie Jean would be the best person to do it, because in some ways they need her. We shall see. I support all of the US players, but I’ve given up on them and refuse to remain silent on their classless behavior. They can sue me.


TD (Tam) Says:

I agree with everyone, how can the Williams sisters continue to boycott IW and not be embarrassed after their two-facedness was exposed in Dubai? Every year that they boycott IW they look more ridiculous, petty, and bitter. Venus clearly doesn’t care about the sponsors and fans there as she did so much in Dubai. Touché.


tenisbebe Says:

Here is the link to the article re Wms sisters & IW:

http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=hill/090220&sportCat=tennis


Mary Says:

I agreed with the espn article. After reading through the comments, it looks like most commenters take issue on why the Williams sisters were expected to take a stand. Does being black mean you have to take a stand? If you complain about racism, as the sisters did with IW, does that mean you have to take stand? It is a valid point to a degree.

Venus mentioned the sponsors during her trophy thing. I’m always fascinated about the fees the players get for showing up. I wonder how much she stood to lose if she did not show. In today’s economic client should the player be putting the sponsors first? I’m not writing that it was her motivation, but it is interesting to think that costing sponsors money in this tourny would have a rolling effect for the rest of the year.
Should the WTA cancelled the tourny? Morally, yes, but in economic terms, not so sure.

Not that Venus is not set for life, but I always think that Serena was the real money maker for the family.

Some posters, myself included, posted about the change in the type of players in today’s came vs. yesterday.
First, I think we do look through rose-colored glasses in some respect while looking to the past. Today’s game== well, the past 20-odd years, attracts players that are there to collect a paycheck and have to support their entire families. IMHO, it cannot be underestimated how many top plays may have gotten their start in the game due to their parents seeing them as future moneymakers.

If the WTA and the rest of the initial-laden tennis world were actually a union, all hell would have broken loose.

Don’t forget, the sisters will be playing for $1.2 million dollars tomorrow night at a “charity” event at MSG!


Mary Says:

TAm: I think the sisters viewpoint was it was the tour that was racist in their handling of the IW(seriously, there was an agrument to be made about Richard and match fixing and it was an accumulation of tacky events involving the family), but with Dubai it was the country, not the tour, that was wrong.

I do think they should have pulled out of the Dubai tournament.

Would the sponsors have a reason to sue if the WTA cancelled the tournament? I would love to see the contracts.

Von: You mention BJK. I have’nt come across any remarks from her– or the old guard– about Dubai. Interesting.


tenisbebe Says:

Mary:
Hi. I actually mentioned BJK re: IW & her new ownership stake but in addition, have not heard a peep from her on the Peer thing.

“Some posters, myself included, posted about the change in the type of players in today’s came vs. yesterday.” Where? Here or on the ESPN website?

“Don’t forget, the sisters will be playing for $1.2 million dollars tomorrow night at a “charity” event at MSG!” Think this is BJK’s event and the “charity” gets the proceeds. What are you implying? That the players are receiving compensation for tonight?

I got the impression that the beef with IW is that although security threw the culprit out, the tournament did not apologize to them. But honestly I can’t remember what I read occurred back then.


Mary Says:

tennisbebe: It was on the ESPN site.

Yeah, the whole IW thing was odd.

From yahoo sports:
“Each of them was guaranteed a nice paycheck for the $1.2 million exhibition, with $400,000 going to the winner.”

The article said it was a “near capacity” crowd.


Mary Says:

tennisbebe: My bad, the comments about the past and current players was here. If I remember correctly, It was on the threads about whether players should pull out and Roddick’s thread.


jelink Says:

you guys are so weird. what about the other women in the tour? why weren’t they expected to boycott Dubai?

and it is a legitimate question…who stood with venus and serena when they faced discrimination?

they could really give a rat’s ass if you guys support them or not. and that’s what eating you up!


jelink Says:

von-i was specifically referring to you. it’s obvious that you never really supported them to begin with and this just gives you another excuse.


jane Says:

This is from the ATP website:

2009 ATP World Tour Match Wins Leaders

Player W-L Titles
1 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga 19-3 2
2 Tommy Robredo 18-4 2
3 Andy Roddick 17-3 1
4 Radek Stepanek 16-3 2
5 Andy Murray 15-1 1
6 Marin Cilic 15-2 2
7 Novak Djokovic 14-4 1
8 Rafael Nadal 13-2 1
9 Gael Monfils 13-5 0
10 Four players with 12 wins


tenisbebe Says:

Interesting……….


tenisbebe Says:

Mary says:
“Each of them was guaranteed a nice paycheck for the $1.2 million exhibition, with $400,000 going to the winner.”

Wow – so much for charity.


Von Says:

Mary:

“Von: You mention BJK. I haven’t come across any remarks from her– or the old guard– about Dubai. Interesting.”

Funny you should ask that question.

I watched the Exho earlier this evening, Williams Sisters vs. Serbs, and the commentators, Carillo, John McEnroe and Billie Jean all talked about Dubai. Their opinion on the matter: Venus should have pulled out of Dubai and the women players should have shown more solidarity, not just for Dubai but for women’s rights on the whole. They also lavishly praised Andy Roddick’s stand on the whole issue. So there’s my answer.

For playing the exho tonight, Serena netted $400K, Venus $300K, and Jelena and Ana $250K respectively. Not bad for a night’s work. Per Carillo, the Williams family will eat dinner tonight.
_______________
jelink:

I probably should ignore your comments but because I’ve never seen you posting here, I’ll answer. Your your statement tells me that you’ve never seen how much I always praise them, and keep silent when they SHOULD be criticized.

Had you posted here previously, you would know that I support ALL of the American players. I’m lavish on praise and stingy on criticism where they are concerned, but this time, I really feel that Venus and Serena are absolutely overdoing it with respect to IW and whatever racial remarks were supposedly made their way. It’ been a few years now, and I don’t recall any other incidents to that effect occurring at IW or elsewhere PERTAINING TO THEM. Hence, isn’t it about time they let go of it for their own sake as well as for the tournament’s. After all, it’s an American tournament and an opportunity for them to represent their country, so why hold on to it. Additionally, such feelings cannot promote any positive emotions for them — it festers.

If, by speaking up on the issue and airing my opinion translates to you that I never supported them to begin with then so be it. You have a right to your opinion, and please remember this, so do I. BTW, as I mentioned, I’ve never seen you posting, why don’t you, or is it that you only do just to criticize another for making any comments.


Von Says:

$50,000 went to charity but it wasn’ donated by the players.


Von Says:

tenisbebe:

“I got the impression that the beef with IW is that although security threw the culprit out, the tournament did not apologize to them. But honestly I can’t remember what I read occurred back then.”

During the AO there were many fans from different countries who were making racial remarks and some of them got thrown out, and some took the fighting to the grounds. Did the AO apologize to the players who were insulted? I don’t think so.

I’ve noticed each year at the AO there have been similar incidents, but I don’t hear the players complaining or refusing to return.


Von Says:

FYI: That incident at IW occurred in 2001. It’s been 8 years — a very long time.

Venus spoke up at the Player’s Council a couple of years ago with respect to the women receiving equal pay due to the fact that they are “human beings”. Well, if money is so very important to her, I don’t understand their withdrawal from IW for 8 years. They’ve probably lost several millions of dollars between the two of them by their boycott. On one hand, they want more money, but on the other hand, they have an opportunity to make money and they turn away from it because of a few remarks which were made by a stupid fan. Realistically speaking, the fan is the one who should apologize, and he’s also not the one losing the big bucks, it’s the Williams sisters. This is an example of cutting off one’s nose to spoil one’s face and it doesn’t make any sense.

I’ve said my piece on the whole incident, it’s their problem, they’ll have to deal with it, and they most certainly don’t need my support.


Mary Says:

Von: “Per Carillo, the Williams family will eat dinner tonight.”
Ouch! Glad to hear the old guard said something.


jane Says:

Von,

I agree with your take on Williams / IW. Regardless of whether one supports the Williams sisters, who are obviously some of the most talented women tennis players currently, their grudge against IW seems to be kind of pointless; the tournament goes on, and they just refuse to play.

It’s beyond the tournament organizers’ control what idiot fans do or say sometimes, as you point out with the racial tussles going on at AO the last few years.

It’s not like the tournament is banning the sisters based on race or religious affiliations or whatever, which was the situation with Peer; it’s the sisters holding a grudge against what someone in the audience said 8 years ago. It’s time to let it go. People get the point and their fans would be thrilled to see them play there again.

There should be fined, like anyone else would be, if they refuse to play a mandatory event.


margot Says:

Hi Von, just a bit of info., Josh Goodall is not Jason’s son, his dad is called Gary.
Cheers.


margot Says:

Staff: Rusedski is 35-36, retired last year and has no recent tournament experience he couldn’t get any wild cards. How demoralising would it be for the young players to bring him back in? You’ll be suggesting Roger Taylor next.


Her name is NOT Rio-- It's Mary Says:

“You’ll be suggesting Roger Taylor next.”
They’ll only suggest Roger Taylor if Simon LeBon is busy.


I like tennis bullies Says:

federer is not the GOAT
he is the CHICKEN
bwak bwak bwak!


tenisbebe Says:

Von says:

“During the AO there were many fans from different countries who were making racial remarks and some of them got thrown out, and some took the fighting to the grounds. Did the AO apologize to the players who were insulted? I don’t think so.”
Right, I am aware of the numerous Oz incidents & agree that if this was the way it played, it’s the fan not the tourney who is to blame (as if the tourney has any control over the fans behavior!!). However the story of what actually transpired has been spun so many different ways since then, I don’t know what the current version is – neither do I really care at this point, as it’s been 8 yrs. My view of the whole thing has been pretty simple: Papa pushed things too far & they finally got called out on the suspicious tanks & defaults that were occurring when they played one another but BY THE FANS not the tournament. There was a public backlash with the crowd booing & subsequent criticism. So to shift the focus, they point to this obnoxious fan incident & use that as justification for the boycott, thereby avoiding having to play in a place where they were booed AND had a run-in with an obnoxious fan. And did you notice that this sort of thing stopped after the IW incident? Oh well, I’ve said more than I wanted to and am sure I’m going to hear about it – but that’s the breaks.


Von Says:

Speaking of the AO, there was an incident with Serena in ’07, at one of her matches. She didn’t want to run for a ball and a fan shouted out a partially racist and derogatory statement to the tune of “run you lazy ‘b” something, get the damn ball”. At the changeover she complained to the black umpire who speaks like Darth Vader, and security took care of the guy. She did make a scene over it saying the guy could be crazy and dangerous, etc..

My point, she didn’t stop playing at the AO, nor did she take a stand against the tournament, but kept on playing and won the Championship annihilating Sharapova in the finals. She’s been back to the AO every year and has never spoken about that incident.

Question: How does that incident differ from IW? Not very much. I believe they used the IW incident to deflect from their father’s other shenanigans. There was a lot of other things going on., e.g., their father was being sued for breach of contract, et al. So now IW is the fall guy.

Bud Collins has been very vociferous on the whole IW issue and feels if it were any other player they would not be accommodated as the Williams sisters are presently.


Von Says:

FYI: There’s a new thread on Who’s in the Trunk and dear Sean is now there. Ha, ha, ha. I feel like doing a Geoffrey Holder laugh, unfortunately the net does not yet have sound emphasis.


Von Says:

Margot:

Thanks for the clarification on the Goodalls. I thought that was Jason’s son.

I see John Lloyd is taking some heat for ignoring Rusedski.


Von Says:

jane:

“It’s not like the tournament is banning the sisters based on race or religious affiliations or whatever, which was the situation with Peer; it’s the sisters holding a grudge against what someone in the audience said 8 years ago. It’s time to let it go. People get the point and their fans would be thrilled to see them play there again.”

Kind of a reverse discrimination against IW, don’t you think? Anyway, to reiterate, it’s their problem and they’re going to have to deal with it. Unfortunately, they’ll be the winner, because they’re being offered alternatives and perceived racist slurs are never forgotten by some people. They’re holding a trump card, exploiting it to the hilt, and they know it. It’s too bad, because they’re Americans and whatever they or any other Americans do is always a reflection on our country. It’s all so very sad. I just wonder what they would do if they were in Peer’s shoes. Probably topple one of Dubai’s pinnacle buildings.


jane Says:

Von – I suspect their father has something to do with it too! He’s got a chip on his shoulder I think.


jelink Says:

who are you guys to put a time limit on someone’s pain? if serena were your child or someone that you loved you would be singing a different story. put yourselves in someone else’s shoes for once. this get over it stuff annoys me. until you have felt the sting of discrimination, then you shouldn’t talk. the tournament never apologized to them or try to make amends for the way the situation was handled. listen the williams sisters obviously do not need IW and IW has made it clear that they don’t need them. so what is the issue here? that they have the gall? I mean seriously.

again, why are people trying to have it both ways. you critize them on their stance on IW and say boycotting is wrong but you want them to boycott Dubai. Who stood or supported them when they were treated unfaily at IW and through other racial incidents they have been subjected to?

unbelievable.


jelink Says:

and how is it reverse discrimination against IW? please explain becasue U really don’t get that one.


jelink Says:

*U* should be *I*


jelink Says:

Von – the incident you speak of was MIAMI and not the AO. get your facts straight and stop making them up to fit your arguments. and the ddifference is that it was ONE individual making those commments and with the cooperation of other fans in the stand who pointed him out, he was removed by tournament security. see the difference, the tournament acted on it unlike IW where Serena was jeered by a WHOLE STADIUM and no action was taken by tournament officials.

you must really be a heartless human being to not be moved by those people jeering a FELLOW AMERICAN in that manner but your only concern is how their boycott is playing around the world.

i’m not trying to pick a fight but you and some of the other posters here are just mystifying me with your double standards and white-denial.


tenisbebe Says:

Jelink:

As you so indelicately put it to Von, get your facts straight!! No they did NOT say the problem was with the crowd who booed them when it was announced that Venus was withdrawing, but rather an incident in the stands b/w Richard & a spectator who uttered obnoxious despicable remarks to he and Venus when they were watching Serena play the finals match. As I said in my post “the story of what actually transpired has been spun so many different ways since then, I don’t know what the current version is”. And it appears we have yet another one.


jane Says:

jelink “until you have felt the sting of discrimination, then you shouldn’t talk. ” — have do you know we haven’t?


jane Says:

jelink:

“the tournament acted on it unlike IW where Serena was jeered by a WHOLE STADIUM and no action was taken by tournament officials.””

What were the IW officials to do? Throw out the “WHOLE STADIUM”? I mean it’s a rather difficult situation don’t you think?

And as far as I go, I haven’t said the Williams sisters should’ve boycotted Dubai; I am trying to discuss IW as a separate issue. The connection, however, is the notion of boycotting and/or being banned. With Shahar’s case, she had no control; with the sister’s case, they have total control, unless their father is at least partly why they refuse to return.


jelink Says:

no tenisbebe, if they were specifically and only offended by that one fan or a couple of fans then I think this issue would have been over and done with. the whole stadium viciously jeered serena throughout the match. that particular situation was only part of the equation.

i watched it when it happened and several times since then. have you? even if you take out the racial component, how can so many “adults” be so eager to bring a 19 year old to tears based on what HER SISTER did. serena showed up, she did what she was supposed to do.

again put yourself in their shoes.


jelink Says:

they are grown women now, i really don’t believe their dad has as much say in their careers as most people think. they both feel very strongly about this.

throw out the whole stadium? very funny haha. at the very least a tournament official should have made some gesture to let the crown know that hey this is not cool, you’re out of order or something. an apology however symbolic would have been nice. but they acted like it wasn’t a big deal and have emphatically stated that they have a fine tournament and don’t need the williams, etc (which is all good and well). the williams have also indicated they have no desire to play there so the feeling is mutual. AND they have said they are willing to accept any penalty including the suspension for not playing there. so who are we as fans and non-fans to tell them they should play there regardless??


jelink Says:

if you have truly felt the sting of racial discrimination then you more than likely would not be spouting of some of the nonsense that i’ve seen posted on here regarding this issue.


jane Says:

jelink,

It’s true, it was not cool that the sisters & their father got booed. But again, it’s tough. What could the organizers have done? The umpire can ask them to be quite, but there’s only so much they’ll listen.

Players gets jeered and booed from time-to- time, and sometimes for seemingly ridiculous things. The French Open crowd booed Hingis (not my favorite player I might add) just because she used an underhand serve. I mean, whatever! But she was just 18. And they were on her for that entire match afterward, no match how many times the ump tried to stop them.


jane Says:

well jelink, if they are willing to accept the fines and penalties for not playing there, and feel it will be better for them not to, then as far as I am concerned they can live in this state and not play. but they might be surprised by the love they’d receive if they DID return, and it might make it all better to let it pass.

it’s the notion they should be able to not play and not accept the penalties, whatever those may be, that i’d have a problem with.

p.s. it’s rude to call other people’s opinions “nonsense” and since you seem to be concerned with empathy, you might at least take that into consideration.


jelink Says:

i apologize for the nonsense remark.


jane Says:

No worries jelink; we all get a little impassioned at times.


Von Says:

jelink:

Perhaps I’m about to make a huge mistake by answering you, but anyway, here goes.

The whole stadium did NOT jeer Serena throughout the match. They jeered Richard and Venus as they were walking to their seats for Serena’s match. Richard incensed them more by making a fist at them. In that situation, as jane asked, what was the Tour officials supposed to do, throw out the whole stadium of tennis fans?

Did you ever see the video of Serena playing against Justine Henin wherein she called Justine a “bitch” across the net? Maybe Henin should have gotten an apology and blamed the tournament also. Believe me, I’m not or ever has been a Henin fan, but that was so classless of Serena. I was embarrassed on her behalf.

We can look for blame on all sides and there is plenty, but I firmly believe, and it’s the reason I’ve spoken up, that it’s about time to let go of the sore and let it heal. Only be letting go can something be healed. True, they were hurt, and some wrong was done, but so have a ton of people all over the world been wronged. The philosophy of life is to forgive and move on.

Yes, I know what reverse discrimination is. I was turned down for a promotion because the powers that be wanted a “black” person for the job, even though my education, experience and qualifications were waaaayy above hers. I was hurt, but I knew if I wanted to be peaceful I needed to let go of it. I did, and a year later I got an even better promotion. Sometimes, we have to let go to let good into our lives. And, I’ve seen many, many instances of reverse discrimination, where I just had to shake my head. So please don’t preach to me on that subject.

Reverse discrimination on the Williams’ part, is their discriminatory behavior — choosing to not play in a specific tournament. Unlike Peer where she was discriminated against and couldn’t play in Dubai. How would they like it if the WTA/IW were to say, OK because of your refusal to play this year, you are both banned from playing in other tournaments;it’s all or nothing? I wonder how they’d react to such a stand.


jelink Says:

von, you have included so much revisionist history in your post that I don’t even know where to begin. i’m going to bed and if Ai have the energy or inclination I’ll respond tommorrow.

god bless you and good night.


Von Says:

jelinK:

Thank you, and goodnight. Sleep well, and maybe tomorrow you’ll change your mind about blasting me. I can back up my points with YouTube too.

Be well, and God bless.


Giner Says:

“Lleyton Hewitt is suing former management company Octagon, and Octagon is suing Hewitt…”

Lleyton is a moron. The ATP fined him $161,000 for skipping an interview. He spent $153,000 successfully appealing his fine which was then reduced to $30,000. If that doesn’t sound dumb enough, it doesn’t end there.

Swallowing his pride was not something he could ever do. He took the ATP to the Supreme Court over the $30,000 that he refused to pay. He spent a further $434,000 in legal fees trying unsuccessfully to overturn the $30,000 fine.

I’m an accountant, and I can only laugh at this.

Anyone who’s done basic math will know it wasn’t worth it, and he’s just cost himself even more. $30,000 is a measly amount for a guy who makes millions a year in endorsements alone. He should have just paid the $30,000 and saved himself the half million.


tenisbebe Says:

Giner:

I remember the a similair “$161,000 for skipping an interview” event – it was for an interview with ESPN during Cincy. But I thought that fine for $20,000 & he appealed it but no expensive lawyers involved – more like an arbitration situation. Is this a different one?


tenisbebe Says:

sorry for bad spelling. s/b “simliar”


tenisbebe Says:

one more time… “similar”.


jane Says:

Von’s right about the booing and jeering when Richard and Venus walked in – here’s the link to youtube if anyone wishes to see:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TcUcTMdn4dE


I like tennis bullies Says:

the entire stadium was not booing venus and serena it was just a few people


Giner Says:

tennisbebe, I believe it’s the same fine. You probably didn’t hear about his legal fees because, it’s not something he’s going to want to announce for everyone to know. I read about the figures in a recent article.

The figures might be quoted in Aussie dollars, thus the discrepancy. But he absolutely refused to pay the $30,000 on principle because he felt he was doing no wrong in skipping the interview. He didn’t stop when the legal fees piled up because he was confident he would win the case. Sounds kind of silly now doesn’t it?

That’s just the Hewitts. They’re an odd bunch. His dad is no different, and likely where he got his attitude from.


tenisbebe Says:

Giner – I thought it might be the same one – thanks for the explanation.


Von Says:

tenisbebe:

Here’s something I found that might be of help to you. Again, you will need to discuss this and the synvisc with your orthopedist.

http://www.vitacost.com/DailyHealthTip/Prescription-Chondroitin-May-Help-Knee-Osteoarthritis


Von Says:

Tenisbebe:

BTW, Vitacost is a very good company from which to puchase your supplements. I use them and their prices are the very best. Also for $4.99, everything is delivered to your door in about four (4) days, regardless of the size of the order. Absolutely mahvellouz dahling, just mahvellouz. They have the 5-Loxin too, so check it out.


tenisbebe Says:

Von:

You are a wealth of information! And so kind to share it with me. I will indeed discuss this with my ortho man. Muchas, muchas gracias!

P.S. I’m hoping to see DC on the “little” screen this weekend (as I don’t have the TC. Go USA!


tenisbebe Says:

Von:
I had to look up 5-Loxin – I’m taking the Osteo Bi-Flex (w/o 5-Loxin) & it’s working good – played today and this past weekend on HC’s for 2+ hours each and it’s holding up good but as the HC season continues… This is great, Thanks Von.


Von Says:

Tenisbebe:

You should try the Osteo Bi-Flex with the 5-loxin, yoy’d be amazed at the difference. Osteo is now made with 5-loxin and hyaluronic acid, which is one of the ingredients of Synvisc. Here’s a video for you:

http://www.osteobiflex.com/index.aspx


tenisbebe Says:

And I got a coupon too. Many, many thanks Von.


Von Says:

tenisbeb:

You’re welcome and don’t tell anyone that I never did anything for you. (smiley here)

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