Indeed Krystle – diamonds in the rough. I am not sure I agree on F-Lo, but his backhand has certainly come a long way, he plays S&V well, unlike many, and his lefty serve can be a weapon. We’ll see!

February 12th, 2010 at 12:35 pm

hard to not like F-lo. Love his backhand and yes i enjoy his style but most times he makes me wonder what is between his ears.

about federer and skeletons in his closet? nah, i must, i say must *believe* he is for real: loves mirka, being a dad, and so on. no hanky panky, puhleese, my world would be destroyed!

February 12th, 2010 at 1:25 pm

Everyone has skeletons but I’ve heard and read from so many players and people that knows Roger and they all say “He’s is what you see” or something like that. So why not just accept what you see, accept what others say about him (since we personally don’t know him – unless you do?) and leave it at that. No one on earth is ‘perfect’ but I love it when someone asked Roger’s former roommates to name a weakness on Roger or something ‘bad’ that Roger does and the best thing they could come up with was “Well, Roger isn’t on time a lot”. Heck – if that’s the best ‘bad quality’ that we have on Roger – I think tennis is in good standings right now. Don’t you? (put yourself in a fans of football, soccer, baseball, basketball, GOLF, any of the other main sports and if that’s the worse that our #1 player is seen as – tennis is ok).

On Lopez…isn’t he just as old as Roger? He’s too – what’s the word – he can be hot in one tournament and lose first round in the next. He’s not consistent enough, to me, to have that ‘breakout’ year. Just my opinion.

February 12th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

f-lo great lefty backhand but too inconsistent; I agree don’t know what’s between the ears. Thinking of the cover of GQ maybe?
ain’t that young either, so I doubt he’ll be stealing any grand slams from anyone anytime soon.

February 12th, 2010 at 2:38 pm

i hope us fed fans don’t have to eat crow in a few years if he ever got into a scandal.

but i will say that a good part of who he is as a person, comes from growing up in switzerland. i spent a good chunk of my childhood and early teen years there and all my relatives on my mom’s side still live there.

i see how roger is as a person reflected in the daily life in switzerland. everything from being relatively low key (swiss people don’t mob you), to keeping a tight lid on personal things (his camp never has any leaks) to telling it like it is, are all indicative in being swiss.

you can bet that if he were an american or a feisty latin american, his real image and life he leads would be different.

February 12th, 2010 at 3:42 pm

If you want to write about Feliciano Lopez, or Stephane Robert, then why use the name of Roger Federer in your title and also take a needless shot at him totally unrelated to your piece? Afraid you may get 0 hits otherwise?

February 12th, 2010 at 7:34 pm

I respect F-Lo and F’Verdasco. Ever since they presided over the “Miracle in La Plata” with the 2008 Davis Cup triumph vs. Nalbandian and Del Potro in Argentina, they went, in my book, from being the most talented AND most under-achieving players on the tour, TO reaching their potential as players.

Up close F-Lo has a bit of a hitch in the forehand that seems to affect his timing. I watched him get destroyed by Djokovic in Miami one year but he shrugged it off and, notably, has continued to improve.

To me, F-Lo and F-Sco have both surpassed James Blake, one of my favorite players, as well as Blake’s Spanish twin, T-Robredo, and not because they are younger, but because they are now BETTER PLAYERS. That says a lot about them.

Besides, both of them do what the future of U.S. tennis doesnt do these days: win tournaments and compete at the latter stages of tournaments. They both show up for slams these days. Folks like Sam Querrey could do worse than try to be like these two former under-achievers turned true competitors.

That’s a high compliment from me also! I appreciate improvement in players more than anything. And in the past couple years Sco and Flo have done more damage to other players during matches, than to themselves during matches. That’s admirable.

Sorry for picking on Querrey and the “rest” of U.S. tennis but things, as usual, are riding on Andy Roddick, with some excellent results from John Isner. The future better emerge quickly.

Querrey, get to work!

February 12th, 2010 at 9:39 pm

Well, here’s something else to add to “perfect” Federer… lol!

Federer reduced to tears on visit to Ethiopia
Fri Feb 12, 2010 7:04pm EST

By Barry Malone

KORE ROBA, Ethiopia (Reuters) – World number one Roger Federer sends the ball spinning into the net.

His opponent, Ethiopian teenager, Jirata Demksa, smiles and prays the Swiss is having an off day.

But Federer just pauses and, taking a deep breath, serves a blistering ace.

The 17-year-old, realizing he’s beaten, simply shrugs.

“He’s the best tennis player ever,” he says. “I am just lucky we played ping-pong.”

Jirata says he will never forget taking two points from Federer in an impromptu game of table tennis at a school the tennis ace funds in the poor country.

For Federer, this week’s visit to Ethiopia was one that moved him to tears.

“When I arrived at the school and all of the children were singing, it was very emotional,” Federer told Reuters.

“They sang, “Roger, our Father’ to me. I didn’t really understand it at the beginning but I still had tears in my eyes.”

Federer, limbering up for an attempt to win all four grand slams in a calendar year having already claimed the Australian Open title, was taking some time out to visit Ethiopia — one of the countries his charitable organization works in.

The Roger Federer Foundation, founded in 2003, spends $1 million a year on education in Ethiopia, South Africa, Tanzania, Mali, Malawi and Zimbabwe.

MOTHER’S INSPIRATION

“My Mum being from South Africa is obviously the inspiration behind the foundation,” Federer said, as local kids screamed “Number one!’ behind him.

“I went there on vacation a lot when I was younger. So we started with a project in South Africa and, as I got older and got more money, I wanted to expand.”

Eating a lunch of traditional injera — a sort of spongy pancake — with the students at one of two schools he pays for in the country, Federer was peppered with questions. Most of the children wanted to know if he had any of his own.

His seven-month old twin girls, Myla and Charlene, could eventually take over the charity Federer wants to continue long after he stops playing, he said.

“I definitely want to show them that this world exists as well,” Federer said, gesturing at the tin-roofed classrooms around him.

“There’s no way around it for them because I’ll be traveling. It will be a very exciting ten years for me because I’ll be trying to educate and help them and show them all these things.”

Ethiopia is the world’s seventh largest recipient of foreign aid, receiving more than $1.94 billion in 2006, according to the Paris-based Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD).

About 12 million of the Horn of Africa country’s people are reliant on foreign food aid to survive.

As multi-millionaire Federer drove through the streets of the capital Addis Ababa, four street kids caught a glimpse of him through the window of his coach.

Leaping to their feet, they ran after the bus.

“Federer! Federer! We love you! We love you!” they shouted.

SURPRISE RECOGNITION

For Federer, who has won 16 grand slam titles, the level of recognition in one of the world’s poorest and most remote countries, more known for athletics than tennis, was a surprise.

“It’s my first time here so I didn’t expect this,” he said. “I always think I should have been to a country before people know me. I forget about the television.”

Local girl Nihlaa Omar, stretching before racing against the tennis maestro in a 1km fun run, said she had seen him on television in a nearby town.

“We know he’s as famous as our famous runners like Kenenisa Bekele,” she said referring to the twice Olympic 10,000 meters champion. “But I think Ethiopians can beat him at running.”

Federer, who was to run against the school’s best athletes, agreed saying: “I’m in a lot of trouble.”

The race kicked off, with the Swiss immediately humbled as the Ethiopian children, who live at high altitude, overtook him en masse, a goat leading the field for the first 500 meters. Federer finished near the back of the field.

“I’ve always had massive respect for long distance sports,” he said. “The terrain was so dangerous and they ran barefoot. It was impressive to say the least.”

The children, too, were confused by a man more used to split-second exertion.

“How old are you?” one girl said. Super-fit Federer, 28, asked her to guess.

“I don’t know about white people,” she said, shyly. “45?”

(Editing by Ken Ferris To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com; For more Reuters Africa coverage and to have your say on the top issues, visit: af.reuters.com)

ca.reuters.com/article/sportsNews/idCATRE61C00320100213

February 12th, 2010 at 10:14 pm

Fot, Thank you for this wonderful piece of news. It shows that Federer is more than a Sportsman and a good human being. I do not think any other Tennis player in the World involves so much in charities as Roger does. He has once again proved how different he is from the rest. He is definitely a class apart.

February 12th, 2010 at 11:15 pm

regarding charity, Andre Agassi runs an entire school in the worst section of Las Vegas. Andy Roddick runs a successful charity. Hingis was an ambassador. I think Federer follows in an already established tradition.

February 12th, 2010 at 11:26 pm

I can beat Federer at ping pong.

February 12th, 2010 at 11:30 pm

Roger is having a career no other male player dared dream.
And enjoying with kids, what else can we say about Roger?
Useless to say that I have read this for the title
thanks Fot you made it interesting with your posting.

February 12th, 2010 at 11:37 pm

Krystle how old are you?

February 12th, 2010 at 11:47 pm

Andrew Miller – you’re right. MANY players have done as much for charities. Arthur Ashe was a humanitarian of the FIRST order, fighting for civil rights, not to mention starting a charity right before his untimely death.

ines, “what else can we say about Roger?” Er, there’s not much that hasn’t been said about Fed at this site. It’s been non-stop for the last week.

February 12th, 2010 at 11:51 pm

does anyone know the schedule for the semis in Rotterdam?

February 13th, 2010 at 12:17 am

Nevermind, found it.

February 13th, 2010 at 12:27 am

“Er, there’s not much that hasn’t been said about Fed at this site. It’s been non-stop for the last week.”

Then maybe you should try posting about some one you are not tired of talking about or maybe even letting other people talk about, Jane.

Hate much? Now you dont want people even appreciating Roger’s charity work? If you have nothing good to say about Roger, let him be Jane. I will tell you again – If you dont like a topic (or in your’s and people like ben and skorocel’s case a person) who has prevented you in talking about other players?

Why make comments like these and then wonder why people call you Fed-haters?

February 13th, 2010 at 1:00 am

Again, another blogger, bringing in Federer’s name for I don’t know what reason. You would think 6yrs is ample time for people to come to terms with Federer winning everything….. guess not. Or did you guys throw a party after he lost AO 09 last spring and thought it was a done deal?

No wonder Sean keeps addressing the fed-haters on a regular basis. Deal with it guys. Federer wants to play into his mid 30s like Agassi. Atleast 5yrs more in the worst case. Good luck fed-haters :)

February 13th, 2010 at 1:06 am

LLTK, r-e-l-a-x! I am merely agreeing with Andrew Miller that contrary to Michael’s comment, *many* players have contributed, so this is not something that sets Fed apart. It is something that he does which is very kind, but it is true of many of the players. I am merely trying to talk about other players – hence I brought up Arthur Ashe. On other threads I have brought up other players too. But many of the threads, even ones not about Fed, keep coming back to him. You’ll notice that on the recent threads on Murray, Rafa and Delpo. Listen, LLTK, I don’t “hate” – that’s an incredibly STRONG word. But I do admit that it’d be nice if there could be a few threads about other players. Kimmi, contador and I seem to be the only ones trying to talk about the matches going on now!

And b.t.w. – where on earth in my post about did you get “hate” from!? I merely said that Fed’s been the conversation topic for the past week; is this untrue? Also, I merely pointed out that many others have contributed to charities. There is no direct, indirect or implied hatred in any of these comments LLTK. Maybe you’re being overly protective in this instance?

February 13th, 2010 at 1:10 am

Oh, and btw, these are some of my comments about Fed on the other thread:

“Fed has had that aura in the past, he has always been mentally tough, and he knows precisely when/how to raise his game when he needs to. So it’s a package deal, as you say. He’s also not had many injuries so that has helped him continue to amass titles.”

“Fed is one of the greatest greats, but he’s got weaknesses and flaws, like everyone.”

I don’t hate Fed; I have said he’s one of the greatest players many times. I admit I’d love to see other winners, and he’s not one of my personal favorites, but I don’t “hate.” And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying what I want to say, especially since I try hard not to ever insult anyone, not other posters or players.

February 13th, 2010 at 1:15 am

I can beat Roger in the 1km race too :) and definitely also in ping pong. I am sure I will beat you too Ben. In ping pong that is. I am quite confident I can beat most american and european bloggers here under 5 in ping pong :) If you are an asian, then all bets are off.

February 13th, 2010 at 1:15 am

“Kimmi, contador and I seem to be the only ones trying to talk about the matches going on now!”

>>>> Power to you guys Jane, but what use is it to keep complaining you are “Fed-up” or it is non-stop Fed when you and couple of others who make the complaints, keep baiting Fed Fans with comments like your reply to Ines? Its hard to believe from that reply that you want to NOT talk about Roger. Maybe you dont want to talk good things about Roger.

Hate is a strong word but where is the acknowledgement for Federer’s good work – even though in your eyes it is the same old charity that Ashe has done. So people are to be reminded of your complaint of being Fed-up even if they are impressed by Roger’s charity?

I do not know your REAL intention for that reply to ines, but it ranks up there with Ben’s blog on trying to NOT talk about federer.

February 13th, 2010 at 1:30 am

You must be pretty fast, then. I always considered Federer the fastest guy on tour (top 5 at LEAST).

I don’t know about ping pong, though. I’m pretty amazing :D

February 13th, 2010 at 1:36 am

LLTK – really, give me a break. margot, Nina and I are Murray and Djoko fans. When we say we’re “fed up” it’s a joke! It’s like, enough already. I am one of the people who watched and commented on the “Hit for Haiti”; in fact I may have been the first person to post about it at Tennis X – you can go back and check if you’d like. But I have acknowledged his “good work”.

That said, I also take issue with comments like this:

” I do not think any other Tennis player in the World involves so much in charities as Roger does. He has once again proved how different he is from the rest. He is definitely a class apart.”

There have been many players, I repeat, who’ve been great humanitarians; Roddick has received an award for his. Arthur Ashe was a pioneer. So to say there is not “any other tennis player in the world” and that Fed is “different…from the rest” and “a class apart” isn’t true where charity is concerned. It’s NOT wrong of me to point this out. NOR does it suggest hate!

As for my reply to ines, it was in jest; it wasn’t bait – she said “what else is there to say about Roger?” And I merely said – not much!! A lot has been said, especially this week. I ask again: is that untrue? Go look on the “Rafa is injured” Randall thread – there were over 400 comments and many about Roger, and then Ben’s thread which is really indirectly about Fed, even though he said it wasn’t. So I said that comment to ines as a kind of joke but also pointing out the truth.

Anyhow I will continue to comment. I don’t think I have said anything unduly or certainly not hateful or as “bait”!!

February 13th, 2010 at 1:41 am

” And I don’t think there’s anything wrong with saying what I want to say, especially since I try hard not to ever insult anyone, not other posters or players.”

I agree on you trying hard not to insult anyone Jane. I definitely admire that, but to a person who is admiring the charity work that Federer is doing, I dont know how apt it is to respond with it being non-stop about Roger. I am almost sure, that is not a response ines was expecting when he/she asked “what else is there to say about Roger”. It looks like you are taking a jab at Federer and his fans like your good friend Skorocel, whom you found “funny” when he made a joke about Roger raising 500k$ for Haiti.

And you had rafa fans swooning deliriously in the “rafa practicing soon” blog wondering how tennis is worthless without Rafa, yet it is federer fans you chose to address with “I dont understand such fans”

I guess that is your personal preference, but these two responses regarding Roger’s charity work, hard to believe you respect the person, though he may not rank high on your “social service” scale.

February 13th, 2010 at 1:50 am

” There have been many players, I repeat, who’ve been great humanitarians; ”

I am sure they are a class apart from others who haven’t put in the same efforts as they. So when we talk about Roger’s charity, you want us to list all the players and then list Roger’s charity? Saying a Roger is a class apart in charity doesn’t imply Ashe, Agassi or Andy aren’t, right?

Anyway, I think Andrew miller’s comment comes off as an informative one, while yours is a more provocative one with the selectively in caps “MANY” and your inappropriate response to ines.

February 13th, 2010 at 2:03 am

Ben, you have me thinking now about the 1km race. maybe 5km race (maybe just an hour after roger has had lunch maybe). I can complete a half marathon in 1hr 25min. you think that will cut it against Rog?

ping pong, tell me how long you been playing? and you are not an asian, right :D do you play badminton, too?

February 13th, 2010 at 2:11 am

I suck at badminton. Absolutely awful.

I’ve been playing ping pong since I was little. So, 14, 15 years? I’m not Asian but I don’t know what that stereotype has to do with anything. I’ve whiped the floor with all my Asian friends. Oh and I make a habit of embarrassing people by beating them while sitting in a chair.

February 13th, 2010 at 2:21 am

This is not to compare the great work that Roger, Andy and Andre doing and what Ashe has done but, having travelled a lot and seen various parts of the world up close and with a very diverse set of friends ( I have more than a handful of friends in each continent except antarctica :D) I think the contribution and awareness of the American players’ charities is less global. Even in this internet age, very few of my friends outside the western world (in the casual tennis fan section) are aware of Andy’s or Andre’s work. Whereas Roger’s work in Africa and his role as UNICEF ambassador during the Tsunami, in asia is more popular.

I donot think Ashe is the same hero in Asia, that he is in USA. For most non-westerners, Ashe’s claim to fame is the Arthur Ashe stadium. It’s sad, but that is my observation. I learnt more about ashe, after I started living in the US of A.

I wonder, does Roger do any charity in Swiss land, are there any poor people there? How do they view Roger’s contribution in Africa and Asia? Are there American players who contribute outside US?

And this is for Ben and more particularly Skorocel: Any charity work from Sampras? Or is that ” valet tip” story that agassi mentioned in his book, the real Pete?

February 13th, 2010 at 2:28 am

LLTK – “Saying a Roger is a class apart in charity doesn’t imply Ashe, Agassi or Andy aren’t, right?”

No but if you say it in the same breath as “I don’t think *any other tennis player in the world* has done as much for charity as Roger” then that is the implication, that he has done more than others. So I pointed out that actually *many* have done so. Again, nothing is wrong with my pointing that out and adding to Andrews post by mentioning Ashe. You can read tone into it because of the caps on “many” or you can see it as emphasis, which is how I meant it.

I don”t know what you mean by swooning Rafa fans. But you do remember that the thread was, in fact, ostensibly *about* Rafa and him being sidelined. So for his fans to say “come back soon; tennis isn’t the same without you,” or whatever is in keeping with the topic. I think I said he is “great for the sport.”

Skorocel is funny to me because he’s deliberately being devil’s advocate. But what is even funnier is that there is such an irony in all this debating going on between you guys since Skorocel and Ben are longtime Fed fans!!! They were here over 3 years ago, when I first came here, and were staunch Fed supporters, and as far as I can tell, they still are.

So they are Fed fans not fed haters. I have no idea who the Fed “haters” are on this site! I mean I know you were arguing with Mindy but to me she is just a dedicated Nadal fan; she doesn’t say bad things about Fed.

Whatever comment/reply ines expected, I wrote what I did as a jest about the nature of the on-going debates and sheer number of posts re: Fed in the past week. Again, LLTK, it was a meant in a humourous manner. I.E. What else IS there to say about Roger?! Lots has indeed been said/written!!

And that’s why I am making this my last post in response to you over this. I think you have taken what I have written more seriously or to heart than it was written/intended.

Go back to when Fed won the AO – I wished his fans congrats. Read my comments on the hit for haiti etc. Please don’t single me out and label me a “hater” for joking about the Fed-fighting and debating that has gone all week long.

February 13th, 2010 at 2:29 am

I think I will beat you then. (maybe not below 5). I have 20+ yrs experience and played in national level championships in a good table-tennis playing country.

I think westerners in general suck at table-tennis. It is more an asian game. Like football is more european and south american (now africa, asia and central america and US are getting in, but the probability that a top 10 football player is european or south american (argentina and brazil to be more specific) is quite high.

Anyway, you beat asian guys in Table tennis? hmm….. would be fun to play ping pong with you sometime.

February 13th, 2010 at 2:36 am

One last comment: many people say if you want to change things, you should start in your own back yard. Think global, but act local. So Agassi’s school and Roddick’s work with children are in keeping with that; even Roger’s choice of south africa is, as he has stated, because of his mum, and growing up there etc. So we give to what is close to our heart. And it’s lovely that many of the best players make a point of giving back. Kim Clijster’s gave her entire check from Brisbane to the sick kid’s hospital she visited there. A lot of these tennis players have big hearts (and luckily big bank accounts to match ; ))

February 13th, 2010 at 2:38 am

“Oh and I make a habit of embarrassing people by beating them while sitting in a chair.”

You mean beating at ping pong, ben or real physical beating LOL!

That is an embarrassment for ping pong and sport in general :D I pity those creatures you play. tell me they are aged above 5? please….

February 13th, 2010 at 2:41 am

Ok Jane, I went overboard with the hater tag for you. SORRY (emphasis as you say ;) Let us just hope other Fed fans get your joke to ines and your “emphasis” and not take it as provocation.

I agree with your 2:38 am post. Great heroes, all of them :) An inspiration to one and all. :)

thanks for the roger love, jane :P I know how hard that must be for you ;)

Novak must be playing crazy misha today, davydenko n soderling has the potential to be a total entertainer. An all ND final in the works, looks like. Incidentally, I am an alumni of an academic institution with those letters prominent in its name :)

February 13th, 2010 at 2:57 am

It’s not hard for me LLTK. He is one of the greatest players, and he seems like a pretty kind fella too. For whatever reason, like FoT said on the other thread, our favorites just sometimes kind of “happen” – maybe it’s chemistry or something.

Anyhow, peace LLTK. :)

I have no idea what’ll happen in Rotterdam, but I’d love to see an all ND final, though soda pop wouldn’t be so bad. I know Youz will be going for an all Russian affair. We’ll see.

Nite.

February 13th, 2010 at 3:12 am

I am a fed fan, and I have NEVER, EVER, found Jane to be rude, EVER. she is entitled to her opinion (which is great) and she loves other players too, she doesnt have to keep justifying or repeating her respect or whatever to roger federer, no one does. I’ve only just read the last few threads here, so feel Jane needed a bit of moral support.

Longlive, you are normally lovely, so am assuming, you just had a bad day?

Jane, I know novak is one of your favourites, will you be around for the semi final this afternoon at 1pm (UK time), will you watch it livestream or stay up late? I will try and hang around to catch you.

February 13th, 2010 at 6:29 am

so true madmax. i am a ‘Jane’ fan too. she’s fair, is an experienced tennis fan, loves the history, the present moment, and eager to see who is up next.

and i’m up far too early for me, waiting for a stream for the “cracker” le soda v kolya!

meanwhile reading this thread and others here….

the exchanges between LLTK and Ben? very funny! and i hope they seriously think about how to meet for that ping-pong match, video it, and upload to youtube for our viewing pleasure! lol : D

or, better yet, at least get both of them on our Sunset Cruise, with a ping-pong table on deck; then sit back, sip a favorite frufru drink, commence the droooling about the fed’s illustrious career, while a fiesty ping-pong match ensues! but if Ben can be persuaded to go along ( getting the ping-pong beatdown he’ll likely recieve from LLtK), then i imagine Skorocel, complete with ear plugs to ward off the woes of too much federer drooling, should be aboard to double-up with Ben on one end of the ping pong table while, LLtK duly kicks their arses. heheheheheee

oh, on livescore, looks like the “cracker” in rotterdam has started!

February 13th, 2010 at 8:07 am

Conty! Hi. Good to see you again. yes. our cruiser sounds a bruiser, right? I know jane would come along, and margot too! (best of british eh Margot?).

I keep going to and fro the women’s live match and the men’s live match – both equally good. Pennetta and Safarova, and watched Dementieva earlier (I really like her game). I often wonder if Dafina will win a slam, she seems to lose that mental edge when she goes deep into a tourny.

Speak later contador.

February 13th, 2010 at 8:36 am

LLTK to jane: „I will tell you again – If you dont like a topic (or in your’s and people like ben and skorocel’s case a person) who has prevented you in talking about other players?“

LLTK, I’ll tell you that much: Federer’s still my favourite player. His tennis is as good as anything that I’ve seen (watching tennis since 1993). But I am a fan, not a worshipper. I used to be like that in the past, but as the time went by, I realized Fed’s a human just like us – with all his pros and cons. I used to sort of “want” him to be an example in everything – whether it’s his tennis, his behavior on the court, his commitment to the fans, his relationship with other players, his charity work, and so on. But thankfully, I’ve managed to heal myself from this “syndrome” ;-)

„Hate is a strong word but where is the acknowledgement for Federer’s good work – even though in your eyes it is the same old charity that Ashe has done.“

Therein lies your problem, LLTK. First of all, what makes you think Federer’s charity work is better than that of Ashe? The amount of money which Federer has donated? LOL :-) Lastly I checked, the vast majority of (any player’s) incomes consisted from either their prize money, appearance fees, and endorsements, right? So tell me, what would you expect Ashe to donate 30 years ago (when P + AF + E almost didn’t exist) and what would you expect Federer to donate now (when P + AF + E are at an almost absurd height)? Secondly, WHAT exactly do you know about Federer’s charity? The only thing you know is from the media. But do you know how much money really finds its target? Are you some book-keeper who has a total overview over all the cash flow there? THIS I really don’t understand… You’re looking at the whole thing as if it was done by your best friend, or a brother. You eat, you breathe, you live Federer. You want him to be the best at everything – be it his charity, his behavior on & off the court, or something else. You’re trying to „transfer“ all your favourite human attributes to Federer, and BLINDLY BELIEVE he’s like that. But he isn’t.

February 13th, 2010 at 8:59 am

contador and madmax – thanks for the kind words. : )

February 13th, 2010 at 11:11 am

Jane,

no need. You dont have to defend yourself to anyone. You never speak gutter when a few others do here on this forum. Have always disliked that on another forum. People just dont get it sometimes. You are very objective – you stick by your own and respect others in the process. Dont change your mind or your views for anyone. If you do, then you change Jane – we dont want that!

February 13th, 2010 at 11:44 am

yw, my pleasure, Jane.

afterall, it’s you and kimmi who show up and get excited enough about an atp draw to watch live and blog during 250 or 500 events before the quarters, semi’s and final?

who else would be curious about berankis or leo mayer. and kimmi, the devoted follower of bellucci, lolz..

gotta love tennis-x, if u r me.

February 13th, 2010 at 12:25 pm

ladies, can I join in the love fest, pls ;)

February 13th, 2010 at 12:59 pm

Count me in on the ‘lovefest’ for Jane too! She’s one of my favorite posters here!

I didn’t mean to start another argument by posting the Charity thread! lol! But I see that you guys have worked it out. You know I’m going to take every opportunity to talk about that which is closest to me – ROGER! lol!

Jane…on the tournament that Novak is in…has he played a match? I haven’t kept up with it that close but looks like everytime I look around he’s progressed in the draw by someone withdrawing? I see Soderling beat Davydenko to reach the final so will the final be Soderling/Djokovic?

February 13th, 2010 at 1:34 pm

FoT, I am blushing, seriously! LOL re: the charity thread and also wondering whether Djoko’s “played a match.” Yes, he did beat Stakhovsky (sp?) – even though he retired down 1-4 in the second, it was almost a full match. And then he beat Roger’s country man Chiudinelli (again sp?) as well. So he has played. But he got a walkover by Mayer, which may or may not affect him today versus Youz. So if Djoko gets past Youz, he’ll have to face a hot Sod in the final – Sod’s won here before, and beat Novak last time they played at WTF.

February 13th, 2010 at 1:49 pm

Thanks Jane. I found the live scoreboard over at the ATP site. Djokovic was down a break but he’s now up 2-1 in the first. It could be a Djokovic/Soderling final which would be – interesting.

February 13th, 2010 at 1:54 pm

“Long Live The King Says:
ladies, can I join in the love fest, pls ;)’

LOL, Long Live, it seems as though you’ve been outnumbered by the fan girls!!

I chose to post on Tennis.X, 2+ years ago, due to the fact that it was a forum where one could speak one’s mind/thoughts, call a spade a spade, (i’m sure you remember those days Long Live) without being lectured on the many principles of etiquette, not treated/talked down to as though we’re still in kindergarten, and need to be told how to behave. However, that’s all been changed by a few, with new rules in place, and we’re now subjected to lessons on how to behave demurely, despite the fact that this IS a forum. There is duplicity rampant here, and when I see a poster being ridiculed for his opinions, by being told it’s as though he contracted ‘scurvy’ by the one who preaches calm/tranquility/manners, I think that something’s wrong with the preaching. As the saying goes, ‘Don’t do what I do, but do what I tell you to do.”

During the post USO/AO period, the discussions on this forum were principally devoted to Djokovic even though he didn’t win the USO, so I suppose there’s nothing wrong with the Fed fans talking about their guy in “moderation”, considering he won the AO.

February 13th, 2010 at 3:00 pm

I thought Djokovic had “Sampras’” desire and a cut-throat ability to compete when I watched him way back when – I said to myself “this player is going to be FORMIDABLE” – in a slam-winning way.

He has an OZ title. He has some excellent results, but no Slam finals since January 2008 (8 slams ago). He had “racquet-gate” (the racquet switch from hail a year ago) which he was criticized for to no end. And generally he has not given Federer a run for his money in the Slams.

I think Djokovic’s “win at all costs” steely edge was softened at the 2008 Stella-Artois final, where he lost to Nadal despite having some chances to get back into that match (and that match followed a month after a rough loss to Nadal on Hamburg’s red clay, a match he was also positioned to win but then let go). Certainly Djokovic has performed well since that point – even nabbing a few huge Masters titles, and some solid slam results.

But, I think that Djokovic’ steeliness (his competetive edge – the “edginess” that others hated in him), the prickliness that irked Federer and made tennis at that point “interesting” for Djokovic has softened.

I guess I am saying he was razor-sharp and that gave him a little extra ammunition in matches. Then in 2009 he was called out for being less “in shape” than he had previously (retiring in matches) and since that point has recovered.

Is Djokovic better today than he was in June 2008? I’d say no. I’d say at that point he was honing in on something, and I’d say that that’s not so clear today.

He’ll prove me wrong I’m sure. But I dont think Djokovic is the same player today, and I think he’s slightly worse.

February 13th, 2010 at 3:02 pm

Andrew Miller, yes! I agree that he has lost a spark, a “steeliness” or something. It’s not that his game has plummeted horribly, though I do think he serve more consistently in the past. But it’s something mental. Whether it’s a reaction to pressure, being the hunted instead of the hunter or what, I don’t know. Maybe people around him are too concerned with deals and such? Too much off court distraction? Anyhow, I appreciate your thoughts on Djoko’s problems; it would sure be nice to see him somehow get back that fire he used to have. Yet, I suppose, barring the incredible consistency of some players, it’s par for the course that most have slumps and ups and downs.

February 13th, 2010 at 3:38 pm

Von :

You caught me in the act! OOPS! None of the ladies seemed too concerned by my request ( don’t call it begging now :D )

Good to see you back Von and thanks for the Roger love you bring. Keep posting, there are many of us who like your posts and passion :)

great to see you post Von.

February 13th, 2010 at 3:44 pm

Long Live:

I had this picture of you down on one knee with an armful of roses. LOL

Thanks for the luv and encouragement, hon, — it’s appreciated, but let’s face it, I’m not what this forum likes — gotta be a Ms. congeniality for that to work. and, sadly, I’m not one nor will I ever be one. LOOOOL.

February 13th, 2010 at 3:49 pm

I got to say you got the picture perfect. LOL It’s V-day, after all.

You are welcome dear, all the luv and encouragement, you deserve :) Passion begets passion ;)

And from when did you and I care about the forum. You are Ms Passion and Ms. Straight shooter. Lets leave Ms Congeniality for Sandra bullock. lol

so fire up the posts :)

February 13th, 2010 at 3:58 pm

Long Live:

“And from when did you and I care about the forum. You are Ms Passion and Ms. Straight shooter. Lets leave Ms Congeniality for Sandra bullock. lol”

We’re two of a kind. We tell it like it is, even though we bristle some, but that’s how we are — take us or leave us. I can’t be any other way, and you’re the same. In essence, we’re WYSIWYG.

BTW, I loved Sandra Bullock in that movie!

February 13th, 2010 at 4:14 pm

Djokovic-Tsonga 2010:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eMmhvt0S0MU

Djokovic-Tsonga 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLnPpWrbxj8

Maybe both of them were better in 2008!

Is the game too fast to play S-V these days? It seemed like Pat Rafter (an incredibly fast, foot-speed wise, player) could still play this way against Pete Sampras, one of the ATP’s fastest players in his day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1joY25wmIA

Must say: Federer took huge cuts at the tennis ball, at the right time vs. Murray. Incredible risks that were comfortable – a few swings and a rip.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eb_4Zzihtfk

February 13th, 2010 at 6:59 pm

Yowzah! I didn’t expect so much response over this. What I meant by my phrasing was he is so perfect, you almost hate the guy for it. You wish he would admit to anything, disliking peanut butter.

To the person who asked, I am 22.

Regarding donations and such, I do not intend to offend anyone by this – I KNOW many, if not 99 percent of everyone involved in charities does it for a good reason – BUT besides making great headlines to make people go “awww, she’s a sweet gal” charity work is a tremendous tax write off. When you are in higher income brackets, it is a necessity. If the same incentive were presented to people in lower income brackets, I guarantee you: more people would do charity work as if their lives depended on it. I am hoping in the future, there’s a way to make it so people want to do charity work for the sake of doing good. ;-)

February 13th, 2010 at 8:55 pm

Andrew Miller: Thanks for all those youtube links! I was looking badly for those AO 2010 final highlights…

February 13th, 2010 at 10:06 pm

Yeah, thanks for posting that stuff Andrew; I do think both Djoko and Tsonga were playing better at the AO in 2008. You’re right. Djoko used to get more depth on his groundies. Now he plays a bit safer. Why not go for angles? He did a great job of that versus Nadal in Paris last fall, really ripping the angles so even Nadal couldn’t or didn’t bother running things down.

February 13th, 2010 at 10:15 pm