May 14th, 2013
Poll: Do You Like Roger Federer’s New Haircut?
Rome is a city of internation fashion and today tennis’s No. 1 fashionista took the court with a new do. Roger Federer opened his Rome event sporting a brand new haircut. The long locks that have been part of Federer’s look for over a decade have been replaced by a much shorter style.
“It’s been six hours since my haircut so I’ll tell you in a week,” Federer joked today. “It was more a matter of losing weight quickly so I …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 5:59 pm in Polls, Videos | 24 Comments »
May 13th, 2013
Three Slam Champs Exit Monday at Italian Open
There were no women’s seeded upsets at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia Monday in Rome, but former No. 1 Venus Williams, French Open winner Francesca Schiavone, and former No. 2-ranked Svetlana Kuznetsova were all sent packing, all unseeded, on the red clay.
Williams lost to Brit Laura Robson, Schiavone to Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens, and Kuznetsova to Romanian qualifier Simona Halep, all in straight sets.
“I just like it on big courts against these huge players because I just go out there with nothing …
Posted by Staff @ 11:22 pm in Tennis | No Comments »
May 13th, 2013
After a bumpy Madrid event, Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer look to regain their footing tomorrow at the Italian Open in Rome. Djokovic, a 2008 and 2011 champion, begins his final pre-French warm-up against Spanish veteran Albert Montanes in second round play.
With the season goal of the French Open just around the corner, Djokovic will need to put up a good result this week and get some momentum back from his impressive Monte Carlo title run.
“It was a strange week …
Posted by Staff @ 10:52 pm in Rome | 19 Comments »
May 13th, 2013
After Beating Venus, Laura Robson Can’t Wait To Play Serena
Young Brit Laura Robson will has the daunting task of beating both Williams sisters on consecutive days at the Italian Open this week in Rome. And she’s halfway there after defeating Venus this afternoon 63, 62 to set up for her what is a long awaited match-up against the best in the game, Serena.
“I’ve never played her and I have always wanted to,” Robson said of Serena. “It’ll be a good test and she is playing probably her best tennis …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 2:43 pm in Rome | 23 Comments »
May 13th, 2013
Rafael Nadal Just 130pts Behind Leader Novak Djokovic In 2013 ATP Ranking Race; Federer At No. 11
If he wins Rome Rafael Nadal will not only earn a No. 4 seed at the French Open but also go into the second Slam of the season incredibly as the leader in 2013 ATP Points, ahead of Novak Djokovic.
That’s quite an achievement for some who missed the Australian Open!
After his Madrid title Nadal narrowed the gap between himself and Djokovic to just 130 points. If Nadal reaches the final he’ll enter Roland Garros with more points than anyone …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 2:07 pm in Year-End No. 1 | 24 Comments »
May 13th, 2013
Rafael Nadal Says He’s Playing Well, But Sees Room For Improvement With Backhand And Movement
Rafael Nadal returned to the winner’s circle Sunday with a third Mutua Madrid Masters title. After losing to rival Novak Djokovic last month, Nadal was relieved to be back on top of the clay world as we close in on the French Open. And Rafa says he’s playing better but there’s still room for improvement.
“If you ask me if I feel better today than Monte‑Carlo playing I will say probably yes,” Nadal said yesterday. “My forehand is going faster. I …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 1:51 pm in Madrid, Rome | 8 Comments »
May 13th, 2013
Poll: Which Swiss Will Go Further At The French Open, Roger Federer Or Stanislas Wawrinka?
Unfortunately it’s coming to this. The mighty Roger Federer may soon be passed by his countryman and second fiddle Stanislas Wawrinka. The younger Wawrinka is already well ahead of the 17-time Slam champion in terms of 2013 points and this season Stan has reached three finals winning in Portugal and recently finishing runner-up in Madrid yesterday.
The 31-year-old Federer has yet to even reach a final this year. And his last title came in August at Cincinnati. Roger’s Grand Slam record …
Posted by Staff @ 11:43 am in Polls | 21 Comments »
May 12th, 2013
American Men Fail in Rome; Venus v Serena 2nd Round?
American men made a statement on Sunday at the Italian Open — a bad one — when both exited in first round play.
Sadder news for U.S. men’s tennis? They were the Top 2 ranked players for the U.S. Sadder still? Both were unseeded in the 16-seeded field. Sadder still? Never mind, this can go on and on.
On the slow red dirt in Rome on Sunday Sam Querrey exited 6-2, 7-6(8) against No. 9 seed Richard Gasquet, and John Isner was …
Posted by Staff @ 9:46 pm in Rome, Tennis | 16 Comments »
May 12th, 2013
Nadal, Serena Flick Away Opponents for Madrid Titles
Two claycourt champions put down minimal opposition on Sunday to claim titles at the Mutua Madrid Open in Spain as Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams again raised trophies.
Nadal claimed his third career Madrid crown when the No. 5 seed defeated No. 15 Stan Wawrinka 6-2, 6-4. After losing the first set, Wawrinka’s go-for-broke tactics held until 3-3 in the second until the Spaniard broke and rode out the win.
“I think he started really well,” Wawrinka said. “Even if I’m playing …
Posted by Staff @ 9:19 pm in Madrid, Tennis | 14 Comments »
May 12th, 2013
Roger Federer Says He Hasn’t Heard Of Any Gays Currently In Men’s Tennis
A hot button topic in the U.S. this month has been the gay athlete. Since NBA journeyman Jason Collins came out in a recent issue of Sports Illustrated, many sporting stars have been asked about the possibility of gays in their sport. Roger Federer today said gay players are not an issue in tennis and in fact he doesn’t know if there even are any playing on the tour at the moment.
“I don’t think problem to be honest,” Federer said …
Posted by Tom Gainey @ 2:20 pm in Rome | 13 Comments »