Wimbledon Day 1 Dish: Federer, Ivanovic Cruise; Serena’s Trenchcoat

“And she’s a perfect 1-0 when wearing the trench coat streaker outfit in warmup…”

LOL :)

June 24th, 2008 at 2:03 am

Yeah, that was a good one. Nice work, Staff.

June 24th, 2008 at 2:30 am

Why did he played @ Halle instead of Queen’s? The players in that tournament are craps! Also, the title that he won on clay this year is a walkover for someone being injuried in the final.

June 24th, 2008 at 4:44 am

“The importance of Being” Ernest.

LoL

You need to start using nicknames again. I can’t even say Verdasco’s name without putting hot sauce in front of it.

June 24th, 2008 at 5:26 am

F’i’o,

Who are you to tell him which tournament to play? Winner’s prize at Halle is bigger than the one at Queen’s. And nobody prevents any other player to join him in Halle, but everyone knows their chance of winning is much bigger at Queen’s.

There is an interesting match going on right now: Gulbis-Isner… According to the result, Gulbis plays just as if he had 5 years of experience on the Tour behind him – at 5-5 each set, he breaks Isner’s serve and wraps up the set… magnificent.

June 24th, 2008 at 9:43 am

Biggest upset yet: Davydenko, No. 4, loses to Becker in straight sets. That is what happens when you choose to play a clay tournament in the grass season. I am just laughing at this guy’s stupidity.

June 24th, 2008 at 11:24 am

I am happy that Victor Troicki, another Serb, Haas, Mathieu, Kiefer, Stepanek, Cilic, and Gasquet all sailed through to the next round. Gulbis had a close match with Isner.
I am sad Minar lost.
So far 7 players retired in the 1st round. Why do they do this? Why not retire like Monfils before the tournament so that others can play?

June 24th, 2008 at 11:36 am

Federer has never played Queen’s Club. Halle has always been his warm-up venue, and he’s won it several times.

June 24th, 2008 at 11:47 am

Shital:

“So far 7 players retired in the 1st round. Why do they do this? Why not retire like Monfils before the tournament so that others can play?”

Aren’t they fined if they pull out of the tournament? I suppose it’s a matter of money.

June 24th, 2008 at 12:27 pm

davydenko out in the first round? where is the guy that won miami?

seems like roger has started the fashion stampede….although i’m not so sure about maria’s tuxedo.

the worst tennis fashion award (outside of agassi in the 80’s and early 90’s – he didn’t know any better) was the serena gladiator warm up outfit at the US Open a few years back. that was just ridiculous.

June 24th, 2008 at 12:32 pm

do you think the sweater is so he wouldn’t look stupid wearing a jacket whilst holding up the runners up trophy in this year’s final? it could have easily happened last year when nadal almost got him. i remember wondering whether he would wear the jacket in the presentation ceremony if he had lost.

June 24th, 2008 at 1:15 pm

hey folks,

I remember watching the live coverage of the Wimbledon men’s tennis final, between Pete and Andre in 1999.

Sorry to have to say this but when Pete went into
the building during a break between sets, he came out again, sat down between games, and I saw a lot of white powdery stuff come out of his nose onto his shirt when he went to wipe his face. It was very clear on the close ups.

Sorry folks, but have I been the only one to ever notice that?

June 24th, 2008 at 1:20 pm

Thompson,

What ya been snorting? LOL.

June 24th, 2008 at 1:26 pm

Von,
In Men’s tennis, the only rule I am aware of is the following. You may know more. Could you direct me to where it mentions monetary fines for withdrawals when there is legitimate reason to do so or before 2 weeks, please?

8.03 ATP 2008 RACE
A. Each player is ranked according to his total points from the four Grand Slams, the nine ATP Masters Series Tournaments and the Tennis Masters Cup of the calendar year, and his best five results from all International Series Tournaments played in the calendar year. For every Grand Slam and ATP Masters Series Tournament for which a player is not in the Main Draw, and was not (and, in the case of a Grand Slam, would not have been, had he and all other players entered) a Main Draw Direct Acceptance on the original Acceptance List, and never became a Main Draw Direct Acceptance,the number of his results from all International Series Tournaments played in the calendar year, that count for his ranking, is increased by one. Once a player has been accepted in the Main Draw of one of these thirteen Tournaments, as a Direct Acceptance, a Qualifier, a Special Exempt or a Lucky Loser, or having accepted a Wild Card, his result in this tournament shall count for his ranking, whether or not he participates. A player’s second (2nd) withdrawal from an International Series Event (ISG/IS), whether on time or after the 12 noon deadline, shall result in a zero (0) point included as one of his best of five (5) results. Further non-consecutive withdrawals shall result in a zero (0) point allocation replacing the next best positive result for each additional withdrawal. Players with multiple consecutive withdrawals who are out of competition for 30 days or longer due to injury will not be subject to a ranking penalty as long as verified and approved medical forms are provided; or, a player shall not have the ranking penalty imposed if he completes the Promotional Activities requirement as specified under “Repeal of Fines” or if the on-site withdrawal procedures
apply.
B. Loser points for the rounds achieved are awarded to players in any Tournament not completed.

And
8.04 SOUTH AFRICAN AIRWAYS ATP RANKINGS (SINGLES)
A. The South African Airways ATP Rankings (Singles) is based on calculating, for each player, his total points from the four Grand Slams, the nine ATP Masters Series Tournaments and
the Tennis Masters Cup of the Ranking period, and his best five results from all eligible Tournaments in the Ranking period. For every Grand Slam or ATP Masters Series Tournament for which a player is not in the Main Draw, and was not (and, in the case of a Grand Slam, would not have been, had he and all other players entered) a Main Draw
Direct Acceptance on the original Acceptance List, and never became a Main Draw Direct Acceptance, the number of his results from all other eligible Tournaments in the Ranking period, that count for his ranking, is increased by one. In weeks where there are not four Grand Slams and nine ATP Masters Series Tournaments in the Ranking Period, the number of a player’s best results from all eligible Tournaments in the Ranking Period will be
adjusted accordingly. Once a player is accepted in the Main Draw of one of these thirteen
Tournaments, as a Direct Acceptance, a Qualifier, a Special Exempt or a Lucky Loser, or having accepted a Wild Card, his result in this Tournament shall count for his ranking,
whether or not he participates. A player’s second (2nd) withdrawal from an International
Series (ISG/IS) Event whether on time or after the 12 noon deadline, shall result in a zero(0) point included as one of his best of five (5) results. Further non-consecutive withdrawals shall result in a zero (0) point allocation replacing the next best positive result for each additional withdrawal. Players with multiple consecutive withdrawals who are out of competition for 30 days or longer due to injury will not be subject to a ranking penalty as long as verified and approved medical forms are provided; or, a player shall not have the ranking penalty imposed if he completes the Promotional Activities requirement as
specified under “Repeal of Fines” or if the on-site withdrawal procedures apply.
B. Loser points for the rounds achieved are awarded to players in any Tournament not completed.

June 24th, 2008 at 1:28 pm

I haven’t been snorting anything Jane,

Sometimes people; even a whole lot of people don’t see what is actually there. As long as if it dosen’t fit into the norm sometimes it gets blocked out.

I am a ex-police officer with exemplary service history. I tell it as it is.

June 24th, 2008 at 1:34 pm

I was being facetious, of course Thompson. I can’t say that I ever noticed any such thing from / on Pete. I guess I’d have to look at replays of old matches. Given that he has a serious blood disorder -as has been mentioned on these blogs previously- I doubt he could’ve coped with any kind of “drug problem” let alone winning 14 Grand Slams. I’ll stand behind him; he was a champ of the first order. Innocent until proven guilty isn’t it?

June 24th, 2008 at 1:51 pm

Depends, in Brazil is guilty until proven innocent!:) Couldn’t help it!

June 24th, 2008 at 2:09 pm

Hey Jane,

I’m not saying he’s guilty of anything.

All I’m saying is what I saw (only time). Check out the 1999
final if there is an old vhs copy knocking around.
Draw your own ideas. PS coppers don’t really believe in innocent until proven gulity. If they did, they would be rubbish cops because they would sometimes not arrest say in cases of drink n drive etc etc. You’re, with respect, confusing cops and the courts. Cops job is to detect crime and act on suspicion. That’s a power given in law.

Another thing, after the break Pete came out and played a whole lot better.

June 24th, 2008 at 2:11 pm

Thompson,

“Another thing, after the break Pete came out and played a whole lot better.”

This is a very common occurence. Players frequently play better after taking a break, even if only to re-group or splash water on their faces. (After the rain delay in the Wimbledon 05 final Roger came out and played a whole lot better against Roddick; I don’t think that means he was taking stimulants, or even should be suspected of such). So I don’t think that claim is evidence of anything. However, I’ll see if I can re-watch the match at some point to look for that “white stuff”. Now, I am focusing on the players actually on court!

June 24th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

Thompson:

Pete could have been taking/snorting some Vitamin C powder, which looks like the bad stuff.

“Cops job is to detect crime and act on suspicion. That’s a power given in law.”

Cops also have to follow chain of custody requirements and to properly Mirandize the suspect. Did you do that when you saw Pete’s powder screen? If not, you lost your case. Just kidding. :)

June 24th, 2008 at 2:25 pm

Dear Jane,

Yeah, that’s good of you to watch an old copy.
(It’s when he blows his nose in his towel). Stuff like playing better is not evidence. But it adds a little to the suspicion. One solid evidence would be testing the stuff in a lab (too late now).

If you do see it, let me know on here, I would be interested.

June 24th, 2008 at 2:39 pm

this has got to be one of the dumbest quotes i have heard in a while. doesnt matter that english is his second language. heres what Gasquet said after defeating some guy at wimbledon today: “I was playing really good with my serve and my backhand. So it’s important to play well with the serve and my backhand.”

June 24th, 2008 at 2:41 pm

Craig:

He was talking about beating Mardy Fish, but recently Gasquet has been making some very stupid comments. He needs to talk less and do more with his racquet, and try to unscrable his brain cells.

June 24th, 2008 at 2:52 pm

Shital

Not bad for a days work
you got 59% right I got 70% right

Here are my prediction 2morrow

1.Djoko(serbinator) def safin
2.Fedex def soderling
3.Baghadtis def Johansson
4.ferrer def. Igor A.
5.Hewitt def montanes
6.ferrero def mischa
7.berdych def hanescu
8.Gicquel def Bozoljac
9.wawarinka def Del Potro
10.Verdasco def O. Rochus
11.Seppi def F.serra
12.Mario A. def Phillip
13.F.Lopez def Roko
14.Belluci def Simon
15.dancevic def B.Reynolds
16.Gonzo def Simone

Some strange upsets today
Davydenko(guess making more money instead of playing grass has shown its effects)
young(i was of the notion he is America next risng star)
canas(i thought haas was still injured).

Looking forward to ur list.
Others can join then its more fun.

June 24th, 2008 at 4:21 pm

Thompson – I’ll keep you posted on the evidence hunt. Meantime, enjoy the tennis.

Cheers

June 24th, 2008 at 6:23 pm

osazone4real,

I am not one for predictions, but I’d go along with almost all of your picks.

I could see Del Potro taking out Wawrinka, and might even predict as much.

Possibly Reynolds & Simone coming through, too, but much less likely.

As for Haas – the guy kind of bugs me lately even though he has a lovely game for grass; he’s just so prone to injuries at this stage of his career. He some times retires from matches after knocking out players who could’ve gone deeper, like at IW this year or Wimbie last year. I almost think it’s time for him to retire permanently from tennis, even though he is/was a great player to watch at his best.

June 24th, 2008 at 6:28 pm

Fed said this about Soderling:

“Against me, he’s had some issues, maybe not playing great in the most important moments,” said the Swiss. “He gave up against me in Miami, which surprised me, you know.

“Those are just signs sometimes of being a little mentally weak.”

It’s good Fed can acknowledge that players have (or, in the past, had) “issues” against him mentally and thus give up. Soderling can and has pushed Roger, but he always caves in (unlike against Rafa last year here). He’ll cave again tomorrow I suspect.

June 24th, 2008 at 6:45 pm

Thompson what are you talking about? Unless I see medical evidence of your claim I refuse to believe it. I read Sampras’s book and he said that he was in the zone in that match and it was easily one of his best ever matches. But he also addressed drugs in tennis. It became a big issue in tennis after Petr Korda was first caught. Sampras gave two solid reasons for why he never even thought about taking drugs. One was moral, he could never allow himself to cheat because he was so disciplined and believed in hard work and his “Gift”, as he called it. Two was that he had that th disease that I can’t spell that made him sick and by the end of his career he was taking plenty of medications for injuries, illnesses, and stress in general. His body would’ve never been able to handle supplements and steroids and what not. You should be ashamed of yourself for accusing such a great champion of such a terrible crime.

June 24th, 2008 at 7:06 pm

Osazone4real,
I won because the competition is for who gets more wrong. I had 12 wrong and you had 9. Ha..ha…
Thank you for helping me win. I will return the favor soon.

June 24th, 2008 at 7:15 pm

Osazone4real,
I guess we two are the only ones to play.
Others can interject, too, like Jane did above.
I differed from you on two and put question mark on three.
1. Serbinator def. Safin
2. Fedex def. Soderling (upset?)
3. Baghadtis def. Johansson
4. Andreev vs. Ferrer (expect upset)*
5. Hewitt def. Montanes
6. Zverev def. Ferrero*
7. Berdych def Hanescu
8. Gicquel def Bozoljac
9. Wawarinka def. Del Potro (?)
10. Verdasco def. O. Rochus
11. Seppi def. Serra
12. Ancic def. Petzschner
13. F.Lopez def Karanusic
14. Bellucci def Stadler
15. Dancevic def B.Reynolds (?)
16. Gonzo def. Bolelli

June 24th, 2008 at 8:16 pm

Here is what Roddick said regarding Liberace’s sweater.

“I personally don’t care,” Roddick said when asked about the fashion at
Wimbledon this year. “But, you know, I think any attention drawn to tennis
for whatever reason is good.

“If that means wearing the Mr. Rogers sweater, whatever else you got, then
so be it. I don’t know if it would be a good look for me or any of my
friends or relatives,” he said.”

June 24th, 2008 at 8:24 pm

I think qualifier Bozoljac will win.

June 24th, 2008 at 8:25 pm

simeon,

That’s hilarious; you can always count on wit from Andy Roddick!

June 24th, 2008 at 8:27 pm

Actually, I think a cardigan would work well on Roddick.

June 24th, 2008 at 8:53 pm

Jane,

My sister read your post sending Haas to retire and wanted to k.. you, because as she said: he is the most handsome guy on tour. It’s amazing that she only cheers for Safin and Roddick, along with Haas. Why would that be?!:)

June 24th, 2008 at 9:31 pm

aahhhh,I can’t stop laughing…….

….Pete Sampras snorting in the middle of a Wimbledon final…….so logical,yes, going back to the court with all the white stuff all over his nose…..yes, it really makes sense……with thousands of TV camera watching at you…….but Sampras thought everybody would be looking at the floor in those moments so that nobody could see him with the white stuff on his nose and towel……so good for him that Andree didn’t see, you know, he didn’t want to share the white stuff with Andre…..at least not until the match is over……but wait, was it in the USOPEN when Sampras beat Chang with a syringe still in his arm and even with that he was making aces?…..yes, now I remember, it was in 1996 and poor Pete forgot to take the syringe off his arm and played all the final with the syringe hanging……., but you know, nobody complained because it was Pete, you know, and everybody knew that he got hooked on drugs when he was young, everybody knew he was a junky…….they even looked the other way when Pete couldn’t help smoking some hass during the courtchanges……..

Really, it is the most stupid thing I have ever read.

June 24th, 2008 at 10:11 pm

Daniel,

Apologies to your sis, but hey, tennis before looks! And yes, Haas is a racquet babe.

June 24th, 2008 at 10:34 pm

I like the end part of Roddick’s interview: “They’ve [Fed, Rafa, and Djoko] played pretty well, but it goes in waves, dude. You know, people are gonna come in and [go] out…Now, as far as fun nicknames [like “The Big Three”], headlines and whatever, you know, I don’t really care. Everyone’s beatable. I’ve beaten the three of them. But if you’re asking if it pisses me off at all, I don’t really care. I just want to win tennis matches.”

June 24th, 2008 at 10:38 pm

safin’s taken out djokovic … what a champion! i thought he said he hated playing on grass.

June 25th, 2008 at 10:12 am

Shocking loss for Djokovic today! He showed no heart today.

This opens the draw up for Fed to march straight into the finals.

June 25th, 2008 at 10:27 am

Amy, maybe (?) Safin will use this momentum and go further; I’d like to see it.

June 25th, 2008 at 10:33 am

well.. whatever.. i wouldnt mind if Safin wins Wimbledon. He is my next favourite player after Fed. A terrific win.. he looked very confident and pretty cool out there. Djoker just couldnt do much on his 2nd serve returns, which probably cost him the match and also the 9 double faults..

June 25th, 2008 at 10:43 am

Tejuz,

They said the wind had a lot to do with Djokovic’s timing. But in the beginning of the match the commentators stated that it was Marat’s timing that would be affected the most.

I just don’t think Djokovic was ever mentally in that match. Also, Marat Safin has done nothing in tennis in a couple years especially on grass. He’ll probably lose in the next round.

People don’t get to hyped up on Marat Safin. He had a nice win but don’t read too much into it.

June 25th, 2008 at 10:50 am

Amy,

You could be right. But it would be nice to see Safin back this up. I agree with you that Djoko was somewhere else. Lord, let’s hope he doesn’t turn into another Nalbandian!

He shouldn’t: he’s been really focused and has done well all year, so he should bounce back. Has to be disappointing.

June 25th, 2008 at 10:58 am

Jane,

Agreed about Safin. He’s a fantastic talent. He’s certainly been under achieving the past few years. he hasn’t even won a tournament of any kind since his dramatic win at the AO in 2005.

I suppose the biggest threat left now to a Nadal/Federer show down is Roddick on Nadal’s half of the draw and Hewitt on Roger’s half. Hmm?
I guess we’ll see.

June 25th, 2008 at 11:10 am

With Djokovic falling, this not only leaves just two guys for the #1 position in 2008 but it also underlines one of the key things that differentiate a legend from a champion: consistency.

We will soon see whether Fed will be able to extend his streak of 16 consecutive GS semis or more (10 wins – 3 final losses – 3 SF). Four years is a long period where you have more than just one bad day – or your opponent has ‘just one of his days’, as John McEnroe would point out to Safin’s today’s performance. Still finding a way to win on days like this, is what counts. Djokovic will have to prove in the future that he can survive these kind of challenges.

June 25th, 2008 at 11:11 am

Shital:

Djoko’s loss seems to have upset you more than I thought it would. Here’s the words of Timothy McVeigh’s INVICTUS, to give you some hope — this is what Djoko’s saying to you now.

Invictus

Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.

In the fell clutch of circumstance
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.

Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.

It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

June 25th, 2008 at 11:41 am

Von,
You have been so kind to me through out this difficult time, and the song should help me be the “captain of my soul” soon, hopefully before the day’s end. Thank you so much for the song.

June 25th, 2008 at 12:49 pm

Shital:

you’re welcome! I can empathize with you because i feel absolutely crummy when my guy loses Since I don’t root for too many players, it certainly makes the tournament less appealing/appetizing and the after effects linger for a while. However, it gets better; so chin up, chest out and carry on. :)

June 25th, 2008 at 1:05 pm

Federer moves on. Straight sets over Soderling. What a shocker.

LOL:)

June 25th, 2008 at 1:49 pm