-Serena: I agree with her, it’s outrages that WTA fines players because of their injuries… They’re exaggerating!

-Fed: Oh, just when I thought that my not-loving of Federer got its peak, he strikes again. Really man, all we get from you lately is venom. Hope you’re not going to choke in it

-Damir: you said it man… dumbass! Nice to see our police finally doing the right thing… To bad everything happened at the same week Jelena played 100k challenger… she lost to A. Petkovic in SF

And for Bundy… it’s a shame when a player of his caliber gets disabled by injury. Get well soon!

May 10th, 2009 at 10:48 pm

Wow Staff, you sounds like the Tennis equivalent of the Enquirer. LOL. I like it, please give us more juicy tid-bits.

I’ve read before where Fed has stated that it’s the No. 1 that matters, but I suppose now he’s No. 2, he’s tacked that ranking on as being important.

I think Serena should take a sabbatical from tennis and get her injuries assessed and treated or else she’ll end up pulling out of tournaments regulary as she has been doing. I don’t think she should quibble about the fines because she more than make up for them from endorsements and appearance fees. I remember one time she lost early in a tourney, and was extremely nasty to the press. She said that she didn’t want to be there at the press conference as she lost a lot of money due to the expenses incurred travelling to and from the tournament.

Whatever happened to Paradorn Srichupan? He could probably play an exho with Nadal while he’s there in Thailand, and rake in some bucks.

May 10th, 2009 at 10:48 pm

If we were to read Fed’s statement, in essence, he’s saying 3 or 4 should not be important for Murray, it sholuld be 1 or 2 and it’s where Murray should be aiming. i think this is why Fed said: “That’s what it’s about for Andy.” However, when a player gets to the top 5, it’s not that easy to jump from 5, 4, 3, to 2 or 1, so gently does it — one step at a time. For the lower ranked players even reaching an SF in a tournament has them jumping many spots, e.g., Verdasco, Simon, Tsonga, but it eventually becomes a mammoth task to ascend further, unless they produce consistent good results.

May 10th, 2009 at 11:01 pm

Yeah, 1 & 2 is what really matters especially in the seeding. And Federer is confirming that is where murray should aim. But also I recall fed one time saying only # 1 matters !@$%?? he should give Murray his congratulation though for moving up one more, like what Von says its not easy to get there first time..

Oh federer, these guys are breathing behind your neck now, you better tight the rope or you will soon start saying # 3 and 4 is what matters.

May 10th, 2009 at 11:15 pm

No matter what federer says people are going to form their own opinions because he was so dominant for five years that people are looking for anyway possible to slam him……Roger Federer does not care what anybody thinks and is going to say what he feels every time he is asked a question that is called being honest and not being overly concerned what the press is going to do……I also love it when people say he better watch what he says or he is going to have to eat his words…I think people should not talk to much about him or they will eat their words when all is said and done….Because if people think he is done winning slams than I promise you they are just fooling themselves…….I agree the years of winning 3 out of the 4 slams and reaching the final of the fourth one are over but he could still win one or two slams for the next 2 or 3 years…….I believe Roger will end with 15 to 17 slams including the French Open……..

May 11th, 2009 at 12:02 am

The WTA fines dead people? Wow, that’s harsh.

May 11th, 2009 at 12:05 am

Where’s Giner? He’s got to accuse Rafa of being “mercenary” now – haha.

“THAI CASH FOR NADAL — World No. 1 Rafael Nadal will play the Thailand Open, the lowest level (250) on the ATP calendar, with the Thai organizers apparently slipping the Spaniard a heavy under-the-table appearance fee. “

May 11th, 2009 at 12:07 am

Very soon Federer will say only 1, 2 AND 3 really matters….

Man, I once like him but these day seems like he is losing it, not only his game but his class too.

People might say he is being taken out of context, but maybe the tone is changed, no sugar-coating can chance the content of his words.

May 11th, 2009 at 12:14 am

Yes, Roger Federer is one of the greatest tennis players ever, but you can’t justify everything he says by that. There are some boundaries and he’s crossing them.
I don’t really think he’ll get 17 grand slams. This is the year which will determine his future. I’m not sure you should talk about RG. Last year he was so ready that he won only 4 games in the final. Let’s go step by step. For example, he has yet to win a title this year. But hey, if it’s not mono, it’s the backs’ fault, right?

May 11th, 2009 at 1:50 am

roger, get gilbert as coach. he’s the only one who can help your game.

May 11th, 2009 at 3:49 am

Kimmi said: “you better tight the rope or you will soon start saying # 3 and 4 is what matters.”

LOL :-)

May 11th, 2009 at 7:49 am

and fed just said he can beat rafa on clay. not on this planet he can’t. roger has turned into a bitter ugly man, time to retire buddy.

May 11th, 2009 at 11:29 am

Hmm, I think that Fed statement is being misinterpreted. The way he ends it (“That’s what it’s about for Andy”) makes me think that he’s saying that Murray wants to work his way up into the top 2 and would then be satisfied.

May 11th, 2009 at 12:03 pm

Wawrinka is winning easily today; I don’t know much about his competitor, but it’s looking like he may get only 2 games for the match.

Haas was blasting Gulbis but lo and behold, Ernests has come back to being on serve in the second set. Either Haas or Gulbis could be a stiff first round match but providing Roddick is well he should get by whichever one wins today.

May 11th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

Wawrinka is winning easily today; I don’t know much about his competitor, but it’s looking like he may get only 2 games for the match.

Haas was blasting Gulbis but lo and behold, Ernests has come back to being on serve in the second set. Either Haas or Gulbis could be a stiff first round match but providing Roddick is well he should get by whichever one wins today.

May 11th, 2009 at 12:07 pm

Huh? Why’d that post twice? Sorry bout that.

May 11th, 2009 at 12:08 pm

Whether Fed was taking a “swipe” or not, it’s all over the British press today that although Murray is #3 what he really wants is number 2. Federer should be careful what he “wishes for”; Murray might take him up on his views.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Andy-Murray-is-hopeful-of-breaking-up-the-dominance-of-Rafael-Nadal-and-Roger-Federer/Article/200905215279537

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2009/may/11/andy-murray-madrid-masters-world-rankings

May 11th, 2009 at 12:26 pm

If Federer doesn’t go deep at the FO, and Murray does, then the No. 2 rank would be Murray’s for the taking. Both Djokovic and Federer has a lot of points to defend, and Murray doesn’t. An interesting scenario unfolding before our eyes.

May 11th, 2009 at 3:42 pm

Why is everything Roger Federer says taken out of context?
I listened to the BBC interview and what he said was that Rafael Nadal is not given enough credit for his accomplishments. He said you need to be 1 or 2 and that being No 3 or 4 there’s no difference and Murray had done well to become No 3 but that won’t be enough for Murray, he wants more. He said as far as he’s concerned being No 2 or 8 or 10 meant nothing, No 1 is what mattered.
Is that putting anyone down?
Murray himself said today he would like to get between Federer and Nadal. So Federer wasn’t far off.
Why people think Federer is done beats me. Don’t ever write off a champion. And Roger Federer is a champion.

May 11th, 2009 at 5:13 pm

Hope, your nick goes perfectly with your last sentences!

May 11th, 2009 at 5:22 pm

Thank you Hope. When someone doesn’t like a player, that player can say “Hi” and someone else will say “well, I wonder why he didn’t say Hello instead of just ‘hi'”… Everything lately that Roger says is taken out of content only by those who don’t like the player in the first place. We all can nic pick little phrases here and there out of every player’s statements to fit what we don’t like about them so people need to just lay off Roger and stop believing EVERYTHING you read. I also heard the interview Hoope was talking about and that last post is spot on!

May 11th, 2009 at 7:43 pm

Von says “If Federer doesn’t go deep at the FO, and Murray does, then the No. 2 rank would be Murray’s for the taking. Both Djokovic and Federer has a lot of points to defend, and Murray doesn’t”

Very true, and for Fed, other than the two MS events on hard courts, he has lots to defend at all the slams from here on out. Djoko can win lots of points if he does well at Wimbledon. Murray will have lots to defend from the beginning of the hard court season onward, so numbers 2, 3, and 4 could definitely shift. I also wonder if Roddick can get back number 5 in the next little while as he’s not far behind JMDP and he’s certainly the more accomplished grass courter. A who knows what Tsonga might pull off either at the French or Wimbledon. As we’ve discussed before, there should be a number of shifts in rankings and points in the top ten this summer.

May 11th, 2009 at 8:08 pm

The thing with Fereder interviews, there is no simple answer, even if the question requires a simple yes or no. I always enjoy reading them, they make an interesting reading. I agree though, sometimes he comes out a little arrogant and the media loves to pick and choose here and there and then blow out of proportion, especially now he is not been on his top form, the media is looking for words that will sound like “sour grape”

To me, it does not matter what he says, the main thing is to back it up on the court. And I hope he brings back at least his AO form, which should be enough to win him a lot of matches.

May 11th, 2009 at 8:38 pm

Jane: “I also wonder if Roddick can get back number 5 in the next little while as he’s not far behind JMDP”

Actually Roddick has a great chance. Del Potro last year did not play MS, he was allowed a lot of small tournaments, but this year will be different – I think some of the points he got from small tournaments lay year should start to come out. I think he is losing 250 this week. But he can gain them back if he has a good week in Madrid. With the altitude thing and unpredictable draw you never know. I really give kudos to Del Potro, he is one of the new guys who has been consistent with his ranking, reaching qtr of 2 MS and one semi. His bad result is only MC – well MC is not a MS anyway so he could gain those points somewhere else. Way to go Del Potro.

May 11th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Kimmi: “And I hope he brings back at least his AO form, which should be enough to win him a lot of matches.”

Are you serious? You want his AO form?

May 11th, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Von LOL, lets be honest he was very good in AO, The match with Nadal was also good, only the serve.

May 11th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

Kimmi: He nearly lost to Berdych, who choked as usual.

May 11th, 2009 at 9:19 pm

Von, nearly is not good enough..in the end he won it, thats what matters. Nadal nearly lost to verdasco but does anyone remember that ? not many !!

May 11th, 2009 at 9:21 pm

Federer also almost “nearly” lost to Andreev at the USO. Frankly, I think his best chance for a slam title this year is re-winning Wimbledon. I don’t think he’ll win the French, and I don’t see him winning the USO again, sorry. I think he had a nice draw there last year, and various other issues, including the schedule/rain helped him. I see someone else winning the USO – who? I am not sure. Honestly, it could be Murray, Djoko, Rafa, Roddick, I don’t know. But for some reason, unless Fed starts to cruise I don’t see him winning the USO. Now, having said that, were Fed to get back the Wimbledon crown that might really boost his confidence and his desire to fight for number 1 back so that might change things somewhat.

But anyhow I don’t have a crystal ball; these are just speculations and nothing more.

May 11th, 2009 at 9:29 pm

In my opinion, Federer’s play at the AO was patchy: moments are great shot-making, and other moments when he looked flat, such as the first 2 1/2 sets against Berdych, who did pull somewhat of a choke, as Von noted. Federer’s best match was against JMDP, imo. Against both Roddick and esp. Rafa he had patchy moments in the matches.

May 11th, 2009 at 9:31 pm

I know he was patchy in the AO, USO but it was better that now. Right now, he is gone from being patchy to worse.

Those patchy moments in the AO and USO still gave him the win and final. I am not saying he will go back to his heydays….in conclusion, the patchy fed is way better than the currently mediocre fed.

May 11th, 2009 at 9:40 pm

Kimmi,

Off topic, but I just read this and thought of you:

“Tanzania figures tennis is the way to go. The government has urged the Tanzania Lawn Tennis Association (TLTA) to focus on international tournaments, including the 2010 Commonwealth Games to be held in New Delhi, India. Bernard Membe, the minister for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, said Tanzania could become known if its athletes do well in international competition. Membe noted that Ethiopia and Kenya are well known because of their success in sports.”

I hear you Kimmi, re: patchy better than mediocre, although I thought at Rome, Federer was “patchy” as he had moments of great tennis there, in the quarters and the semis.

May 11th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

Jane, thanks. Tanzania is been struggling for his athletes to do well in international level. This is definably going into the right direction. We did a little better in Soccer but only in Africa level. Also probably 2 or 3 decades ago there were some good long distance runners. Definitely Kenya, Ethiopia has been consistence.

May 11th, 2009 at 10:13 pm

I’ve been trying to tell you guys about Federer. He has a rotten heart. Why else would he have been dragging that girl around with him for nine years and not respecting her? And he had no concern for the bad example he was setting for people, especially the young people.

May 12th, 2009 at 10:01 am

What do you mean not respecting her?? what makes you say that>?

May 12th, 2009 at 10:27 am

Momstootie: When the thread on the baby news was posted, I mentioned something similar with regard to the young people and setting a god example, and WOW, did I get slaughtered. I was called horrible names by some of his fans. One poster, took it further and began a witch hunt, which has earned me a name of plagiarizer and cheater/liar. I think it’s a topic better left alone.

May 12th, 2009 at 2:09 pm

“David Nalbandian lost in the first round in Estoril, struggling with a hip problem that could require surgery…”

It’s reported here that the surgery is set to happen. On the upside, if he does succeed in the process of rehabilitation, perhaps he’ll return with improved overall fitness, increased commitment, and a stronger mind for having gone through it all. Still, I’m sure a lot of us will miss him (if only his fleeting moments of brilliance) while he’s out.

http://www.google.com/hostednews/canadianpress/article/ALeqM5h0LZVVU5pRmRamQftvRGXftSwsag

May 12th, 2009 at 4:40 pm

Wow, it took all this just to bounce Federer up a bit in the trunk, huh?

” 3.Damir DOKIC
Crazy dad threatens to bomb Aussie diplomats after daughter admits he beat on her as a child. Nice.

2.Serena WILLIAMS
You’re the true No. 1? After four straight losses? Okaaaaaay.

1.Richard GASQUET
Baby Fed likes coke according to the pee test. Career on hold.”

May 12th, 2009 at 4:51 pm

Ra, LOL

May 12th, 2009 at 9:04 pm

BBC: Now final question. Unless Djokovic wins this title, Andy Murray becomes the first ever British player to become a world number three. (small ?hmm? from Federer) How big an achievement would that be?
Federer: Well, I mean, I think it?s nice, you know, but is there a big difference between number three and number four in the world? Well, I don?t think so. I think at this stage, it?s about being number one or number two, about being top seed, being the top dog, you know, and I think that?s what it?s about FOR ANDY so I mean it is nice. It?s a nice story and I mean of course he would deserve it you know just because he?s you know he?s had I think probably, maybe the best hard court season you know with me and Rafa obviously just because you know I won the U.S. Open. Rafa won the Australian Open and he actually Murray unfortunately didn?t win the Shanghai ? Djokovic did. So, he didn?t win the big ones, but he was very, very solid in Masters Series play and uh I think if he becomes number three in the world. Everybody will agree that uh absolutely he deserves it.”

Fed didn’t swipe!! ppl like to trash s.o. when he’s down,since Fed has been losing everyone is interested to see what the once dominant player has to say now!!!!!u might still not like his interview but it’s ridiculus to say he was criticizing Andy!!let ppl read the interview themselves!!!ppl enjoy trashing s.o. when he’s down!! now u see Fed was right,andy confessed he is interseted in no.2 spot!!not 3!!Fed knows better!and that’s giving credit saying he deserves more.stop trashing him. there is no ‘real character being shown’ thing,it’s the media,they’re so unfair they don’t even write the interview itself,just a ridiculous interpretation!!

May 13th, 2009 at 12:12 pm

As far as I am concerned, No.2 doesn’t matter too much either. Only No.1

May 13th, 2009 at 1:41 pm

Serena Williams has always annoyed me with her arrogant comments. Sure, she has her good moments when those arrogant comments are deserving, but to say so when she’s not performing so well? Whatever comes out of your mouth needs to be backed up by your actions, Serena.

About her whinging of the WTA fining players for not participating in a set number of tournaments a year. As a spectator and appreciator of the sport, I’d like to see players build up their skills and points by playing in tournaments. What I don’t appreciate is to be a professional tennis player who shuns smaller tournaments because “geez, I just can’t be bothered!” while dallying in “outside interests”, and then come swooping in to the Grand Slams and bully all other hardworking players, as well as calling them undeserving of their rankings. Most of the time I fail to see the professionalism and sportsmanship of being a professional tennis player from those like Serena Williams.

These are my own opinions. I’m sure there are plenty of people who do not agree with my views, but they’re still my views.

May 17th, 2009 at 3:10 am