Is it me or ARE the balls going through the court SLOWER than last year? they also seem to be NOT BOUNCING as high?

A CHANGE of the balls from the last year?………

May 24th, 2012 at 11:11 am

Can you gurantee that, Federina makes it to the semi?

May 24th, 2012 at 11:14 am

Federer falls in that video. First time I’ve seen him fall basically unforced. Dude is usually like a cat.

May 24th, 2012 at 11:24 am

Jon Wertheim is recommending the tennis public not use the word “Fedtard”. Too late, Jon.

Your Humble Highness has always believed in using a more appropriate term, Arrotard.

May 24th, 2012 at 11:40 am

Yep, old man that he is!

May 24th, 2012 at 11:42 am

Tom Gainey. Do you know what balls the will be using at Roland Garros this year? Is it the same as last year or different?

May 24th, 2012 at 11:45 am

@Mark – the balls should be Babolat again. They signed a 5-year deal starting in 2011 with the French Open.

May 24th, 2012 at 11:51 am

@Rick, yeah old man, kicking young butts, should be imbarrasing, dont you think?

Funny, dont think those young guys will ever play at the level (Fitness wise) Federer is at his age……NEVER

Even more imbarassing would be, if Djokovic loses to Federer in this tournment (FO)……Oh whats worse? Hope Djokovic even lives to meet Federer later on in the tourny…..?? I’d have more questions on that rather then worrying about Federer….hahahaha!…..you people are funny…:)

If Djokovic doesnt make it to semis, imagine when he is 31 years old, AN ASS BEEN…….HE WILL NO WAY BE AS CLOSE AS FEDERER IS NOW……NEVER WILL BE IN THE TOP 10 EVEN…..

So much for old man now……..

May 24th, 2012 at 12:12 pm

There called Rafa balls( Rafa is sponsored by “Babylot” )

May 24th, 2012 at 12:14 pm

Brando re 11:11

FO cannot get any slower than it already is, unless they change the balls to beach balls, IMO the’re almost there.

I predict a new time record here, Yes, its coming, an 8 hour match.

May 24th, 2012 at 12:26 pm

Fedthugs are uneducated, you’read making me laugh! LOL

May 24th, 2012 at 12:27 pm

One less Frenchman at the FO. Gael Monfils has withdrawn with a knee injury.

May 24th, 2012 at 12:32 pm

yes rafa gets babylot to make balls that are slow and don’t bounce to give him an edge.
even though he’s always said he likes lively balls with high bounce.
because heavy balls actually suit flat hitters. like his rivals.

May 24th, 2012 at 12:33 pm

Berdych, Isner would stops him! And JMDP took Federina to five in 2009. Could send him home!

May 24th, 2012 at 12:35 pm

The old man kicked a young man’s butt is Kuerten in 2004. Federina had his best year. Shame on him! What a disgrace!

May 24th, 2012 at 12:46 pm

@Skeez:

LOL. My comment was regarding the babolat balls. Last year they seemed to speed through the court and kick up high.

Based on this footage it doesn’t seem to speed through the court as much- and stays a bit low.

Do you feel that its same as last year?

May 24th, 2012 at 12:58 pm

Beating Soderling on clay, but Soderling got him back in 2010. And Fed was winning those crappy tournaments on clay, like Hamburg. And it is being taken off the calendar by ATP.

May 24th, 2012 at 1:03 pm

During Madrid (or Rome – can’t remember) I interpreted one of Nadal’s comments in a post-match presser as suggesting that the balls this year would be closer to what is used for the clay masters events, though it could be a misinterpretation on my part, i.e., different than the balls used at last year’s FO.

May 24th, 2012 at 1:05 pm

Fed is crap on clay, if Gaudio comes back can also kick his butt. LOL

May 24th, 2012 at 1:08 pm

I have serious doubts for Fed making the semi, especially if he runs into Isner. He was defeated by Isner with his hometown support, I doubt that he could wins in Paris.

May 24th, 2012 at 1:14 pm

I am enjoying the rick/roy show. They only come out at this time of year for the annual worship. They must have a mini me Fed puppet in there bedroom they use with pins and needles.

May 24th, 2012 at 1:29 pm

Brando

Weather ( temp, humidity ) play a role on the Clay at FO, not just the balls ;)

May 24th, 2012 at 1:32 pm

Rick

“I have serious doubts….”

Yes, u have them.

May 24th, 2012 at 1:34 pm

The young lions are ready to send Fed to where he belongs, the nursing home. LOL

May 24th, 2012 at 1:39 pm

I hope a Federer Berdych clash in quarters
Nadal Del potro (could be 4 round)
Djokovic Ferrer
Murray? Tsonga?

May 24th, 2012 at 1:42 pm

French is a GS for all these unseeded players to get well known. So Fed be afraid, be very very afriad. LOL

May 24th, 2012 at 1:47 pm

Hey Rick,
I think you don’t have better job to do than writing Federer off. Who cares whatever happens to him in the French Open. He got almost everything in tennis. Win or Lose , nothing gonna change his Tennis History. Every player has his strength and weaknesses. Writing one-sided opinion all the ways are annoying and childish. Nadal and Djokovic and others will have their own turn and lose big time while they are getting old unless they retire at young age like Bjorg Borg.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:01 pm

Lol Rick has a hard on for Fed. Love the infatuation Rick.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:21 pm

Hadn’t seen Rick, fed is afraid, fedend around for awhile.

May 24th, 2012 at 3:39 pm

Fed practicing for what ? spot in the semis or finals at the max and then what ? Ultimately he is going to run into Nadal and then the same old story.. Wish it is different this time..

Good luck roger

May 24th, 2012 at 4:51 pm

Rick: “Fed is crap on clay, if Gaudio comes back can also kick his butt. LOL”

ROTFL. Federer bear Gaudio in their only two matches on clay — this happened during the time when Gaudio beat Nadal three straight times on clay. Overall, Federer has a 5-0 record against Gaudio. I wish these amateur hour whiners would do their homework
http://www.atpworldtour.com/Players/Head-To-Head.aspx?pId=F324&oId=G374

Was Roger hitting against Cilic?

May 24th, 2012 at 5:10 pm

RickRoy has a serious case of verbal diarrhea. Ouch.

May 24th, 2012 at 5:18 pm

good one dave. it also includes a double bagel in masters cup for Fed VS gaudio.

if rick/roy’s was intelligent enough to be aware of cond0ms, this world would have been saved from ret@rded dumbf#$ks like them. oh well! live and let live i guess.

May 24th, 2012 at 5:26 pm

http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketFrenchOpenATP/tennisxfansforever/Pre-Register.aspx

pre-registration link. Draw comes out tomorrow!

May 24th, 2012 at 6:01 pm

http://www.tourneytopia.com/RacquetBracketFrenchOpenWTA/tennisxxxx/Pre-Register.aspx

For the ladies bracket, will S. Williams win and start to challenge for the #1 spot?

May 24th, 2012 at 6:02 pm

yeah dave, that is cilic… did not know that they practice together

May 24th, 2012 at 9:22 pm

Nadal is in the best form he has ever been for a long while leading into the FO……

I hope and wish every player will be fully fit before and throughout the whole tournament…..

Despite Nadal being the heavy favourite, I think there is a chance that any player within the top 10 or possibly outside can also win……not impossible…..but again, should come as no suprise to anyone, Nadal to win in routine fashion….

But I hope that whatever happens, I’d like to see also that this tournament will be one to remember for a long time, one players will find their new form of dominance and one as a base where hopefully new stars will be born….

Whatever fans we are, we’re always going to have arguments and support our favourite, thats normal no? I think in Tennis were very lucky to have such players in Rafa, Fed, Novak, Murray, Ferrer, Tsonga, Berdych……the list goes on(we’re blessed)

May the best player wins…lets hope for an exciting 2012 FO…:)

May 24th, 2012 at 9:24 pm

jatt; They practiced together in Australia as well.

May 24th, 2012 at 10:44 pm

Rick/Roy, your obsession with Fed is so cute. You guys must think of him all day and night. There is no greater compliment than that.

May 24th, 2012 at 11:32 pm

It would be nice if Roger manages to win Rolland Garros. But it is a tall order and I do not give him much chance there unless Nadal falls early which can ofcourse happen. Roger can beat Novak and Murray, but against Nadal on Clay he struggles and though he can surprise us, it is too much to expect that from him at this age. Therefore, my request to him is to prepare for Wimbledon where he has a realistic chance.

May 25th, 2012 at 3:12 am

fed in same half with djoker same quarter with berdych and delpo ..what a bummer …

May 25th, 2012 at 6:07 am

so let us wait and see who nadal is going to face in the final…delpo was my only hope to upset nadal before the finals…hope is dust now

May 25th, 2012 at 6:09 am

go rafa!!!!
i bet a huge pile of cash for that lucky 7, go get it.

May 25th, 2012 at 6:27 am

@Kimberly:

What do you think of the draw?

May 25th, 2012 at 6:45 am

You can see the draw here:

http://www.sport24.com/tennis/roland-garros/roland-garros-2012-tirage-messieurs

So I was wrong. I thought Berdych would land in Rafa’s quarter, Ferrer in Novak’s and Tsonga in Murray’s.

May 25th, 2012 at 7:02 am

Djokovic got a TOUGH draw: hewitt in rnd 2, federer in SF- IF not him then delpo or berdych- OUCH!

May 25th, 2012 at 7:14 am

Shame to read some peoples comments,as they seem fixated on Rafa failing,surely they should be looking forward to there favourites suceeding,personally ive never understood that type of logic.

May 25th, 2012 at 7:23 am

Lets put it this way alison; at this point in Fed’s career, realist Fed fans know that after five straight FO losses to Rafa, for Fed to have any chance at the title is unfortunately contingent on Rafa getting beaten before they have a chance to meet.

May 25th, 2012 at 7:31 am

@Alison:

I AGREE- there are some PATHETIC posters of that variety. Just wishing rafa to fail each and every time.

WHENEVER rafa plays a final, i’ve noticed that hardly ANY nadal fans post during the match- its just the HATERS who do so. You could tell they are SQUIRMING when the match turns in rafa’s favour, LMAO!:-)

May 25th, 2012 at 7:32 am

Federer has a tough draw. But as we know sometimes the draws open up. Last year wimbledon rafa had raonic third round, Del potro fourth, berdych quarters but he ended up playing mueller, delpo and fish.

Mat4 what do I think. If it is fixed its certainly not fixed to favor federer who is the beloved player there. And the French cant stand nadal so I doubt they would do him any favors.

I haven’t looked at it at length though just read summaries.

May 25th, 2012 at 7:38 am

My take on the draw:

Rafa COULD face: R1- Bolleli, R3- Karlovic, R4- Juan Monaco OR raonic, QTRS- Tipsarevic, SF- MUrray OR Ferrer.

Verdict: SHOULD be through to finals. It’s an almost PERFECT draw for him. IF the draw WAS fixed- this outcome would not happen for rafa.

Federer COULD face: R1- Kamke, R2- NALBANDIAN, R4- Lopez, QTRS- TBIRD OR DELPO, SF- DJOKOVIC.

Verdict: on paper the TOUGHEST draw (another reason to dispel the FIX idea). HOWEVER IMHO, fed NEEDS a tough draw to get going in a tourny nowadays. Pre QTR, nalby is tough BUT fed should win regardless- IF murray can beat him why not fed?

Tbird or delpo in QTRS is tough and dangerous, BUT recently fed has had their measure. And WHOEVER of the 2 he faces- SHALL most likely be tired from the R16. Fed in SF for me.

Novak COULD face: R1- storace, R2- HEWITT, R3- Melzer (he beat novak in 2010), R4- Verdasco, QTRS- Tsonga, SF- FEDERER.

Verdict: IMHO, he has the TOUGHEST pre qtrs draw. BUT he may need it to play into form. SF’s easily- BUT it won’t be smooth sailing IMHO.

*Won’t BOTHER with andy’s- WORRYINGLY he LOST an EXHIBITION match on clay in STRAIGHT SETS to gulbis. Forget RG for this guy.

May 25th, 2012 at 8:01 am

If I could will somebody into winning the French, I would do it for Ferrer, then Nalbandian, followed by Verdasco, then Murray, then Federer. But of course, it’s not going to happen.

May 25th, 2012 at 8:26 am

Subo23 you could also see it another way,things can go one way or another,not just the predictable way,Roger has 16 grand slams,and is the worlds greatest ever player,just a shame to me that some of his fans,dont have more faith in the guy and treat him as such.
BTW thanks Brando great post,ever the voice of reson.

May 25th, 2012 at 8:27 am

Polo i have to say David Ferrer,is by far and away,about the nicest male tennis player out there,you seldom in fact i dont think i have ever heard him complain about anything,he just works hard and goes about his business, he is one of the underdogs i would absolutely love to win a GS before he retires.

May 25th, 2012 at 8:33 am

Reason not Reson duh.

May 25th, 2012 at 8:35 am

Brando Boris Becker thinks Andy should pull out of RG and concentrate on getting fit for the grass court season,been as hes struggling with his back,hmm maybe BB has a point,whats your take?

May 25th, 2012 at 8:39 am

@Alison:

Thanks. i read that becker article too- and i think he’s right. 2 week r and r pre grass season would be PRICLESS for andy IMHO.

Re fed: i think your SPOT ON there. the guys the greatest of all time, last year he was the best player at RG, he SHOULD have won set 1 in final, and has IMPROVED against rafa, YET most of his fans have LITTLE FAITH in him?

they SHOULD be backing him- like the man does himself!

May 25th, 2012 at 8:45 am

Nole and Fed are in the same half again – these two have the toughest draws. Sigh.

May 25th, 2012 at 9:19 am

Brando yeah 2 weeks r and r then a weeks practice on grass at queens,would be pefect prep for wimby,pulling out of RG,IMO would be a blessing in disguise,unfortunatly hes still playing at the FO so its all moot,i just hope he knows what hes doing and does not risk futhur injury.

May 25th, 2012 at 9:26 am

The draws are open on the site. Pick away

May 25th, 2012 at 9:27 am

Brando, I don’t think Federer fans have little faith in him. It just that some fans have accepted the fact that he is not as good as he once was. This is a function of 2 factors: Firstly, his age. Secondly, his greatest rivals, Nadal and Djokovic, who are among the best players ever and they are also playing at their prime. Those two factors are real and both are negative factors against Federer. He can still beat them but the chance of that happening gets slimmer each day that passes by.

“Age, with his stealing steps,
Hath clawed me in his clutch.”

May 25th, 2012 at 9:30 am

From the ATP site, re: Murray’s draw -

World No. 4 Andy Murray, who has been drawn in the same half of the draw as Nadal, will face Japan’s Tatsuma Ito in his first match. Murray could potentially play Bernard Tomic in the third round, followed by a Last 16 meeting with No. 17 seed Richard Gasquet or No. 16 seed Alexandr Dolgopolov. Sixth seed David Ferrer, who plays Lukas Lacko in the first round, or No. 10 John Isner may be last eight opponents for the Scot.

Even on Rafa’s half most of the tough players are in Murray’s section. Rafa’s draw is definitely a kind one – imagine if Murray pulls out, which is possible due to his back – especially if the lost that exo versus Gulbis.

May 25th, 2012 at 9:35 am

rafa’s got a GOOD draw- that’s why i say it is FIXED!

We ALL know the FFT, the french love rafa, don’t we? I mean all those occassions they booed him in the past, questioned him regarding steriods etc- surely it was a WARPED WAY of expressing their hidden love for the man?

I’m sure it was. It ALL adds up now and makes sense. Hence they have FIXED the draw in his favour and detrimented the chances of the one they REALLY hate: Roger Federer!

:-)

May 25th, 2012 at 9:45 am

Bjorn Borg says IF djokovic does the 4 in a row it would be GREATEST achievement in tennis.

He also say nadal is the GREATEST CLAY COURTER OF ALL TIME and will win MANY, MANY more slams- music to the ears of rafa haters of course.

Here’s the interview:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/frenchopen/9288174/French-Open-2012-Novak-Djokovic-sealing-a-Grand-Slam-would-be-the-greatest-achievement-in-tennis-says-Bjorn-Borg.html

May 25th, 2012 at 9:53 am

Jane, ultimately if Murray pulls out I don’t know that it affects Rafa. I will probably have him playing ferrer regardless. And tomic, gasquet, dolgopolov have zero chance against Rafa. Raonic and karlovic are tougher than those guys. But he did get a sweetheart quarter with tipsy and no federer in the semi.

May 25th, 2012 at 9:56 am

Borg on HOW to beat rafa on clay:

http://blogs.bettor.com/Tennis-Legend-Bjorn-Borg-suggests-strategy-to-beat-Rafael-Nadal-Tennis-News-a157017

Steve Tignor on Nadal and Borg being CLAY KINGS:

http://www.tennis.com/articles/templates/features.aspx?articleid=17776&zoneid=9

May 25th, 2012 at 10:00 am

I hope that Federina runs into Isner. He will be Isner’s bitch!

May 25th, 2012 at 10:06 am

Or Raonic, Fed was having problem with him on that dodgy tournament in Madrid.

May 25th, 2012 at 10:13 am

Maybe it makes no difference Kimberly; it does feel like Rafa will win the trophy regardless, but he does have a nice draw imo. I think the next two slams will be more “open”.

Speaking of which, when do we have to have our picks in for FO brackets? I just haven’t got round to it.

May 25th, 2012 at 10:14 am

Rick Raonic and Isner are on the other side of the draw.

May 25th, 2012 at 10:17 am

Thanks for all the links Brando – Borg, on one hand saying Nadal is the greatest clay courter, and on the other hand saying “here’s how to beat him” :). Maybe he wants to protect his record. hee hee.

May 25th, 2012 at 10:18 am

@Rick:

LMAO- that HAS to be the most idiotic remark i have seen, lol!

you want isner or raonic to face federer right?

that can ONLY happen in the final!

LOL, i bet fed fans will be HOPING WITH YOU on that one!

May 25th, 2012 at 10:25 am

@Jane:

No worries. Lol also on Borg’s take. I AGREE re rafa’s draw- abit of a DREAM draw, BUT at the same time, he has shown that infront of most opposition on clay this year he does seem to have their measure atm.

I think federer’s is the toughest on paper, BUT IMHO in reality i see novak’s as the tougher one. Federer has the measure of nalby, delpo and berdych recently. also he NEEDS the tough draws to be match sharp.

Novaks, BAR tsonga, will be testing since BAR the federer match, IMO he hasn’t looked at his best on clay this year. The pre QTRs match shall show IF his clay game is upto the mark or not.

Probably stil expect a rafole final though.

May 25th, 2012 at 10:30 am

For Fed Fans

New Tour Vid

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttNr7Nu6fwM&sns=em

May 25th, 2012 at 12:48 pm