Djokovic Says ‘I’m No Quitter’ Prior to Indian Wells

Here we go again….the press needs a story I guess. It’s not nearly as hot in Palm Springs as Oz, won’t hit 32C/90F til Weds, so he should have no problems on account of weather.

March 14th, 2009 at 2:27 pm

Palm Springs cools off at night just like the Californian weather and this is not the time of year where there will be heat waves during the day. It’s actually very lovely weather and everyone should do well in that atmosphere. The players, especially the big servers, who have night matches run into some problems due to the cool night air which can become humid and sticky at times, but all in all, the weather is just perfect.

March 14th, 2009 at 3:10 pm

This is so American cuisine orchestrated… To ask the defending champion something like that, so over and so unconnected with upcoming event… On what purpose? To disparage his chances of winning it again, to distract him, to do the same thing as they did at the US open 2008. The problem is Nole falls to that, it affects him, it influences on his game and mood. He is young, but he has to learn to deal with these vulturish and malicious people. He never had and never will have problems with his tennis, but he just have to learn not to pay attention on any other way of stopping him but with game only. If only he was an American, he’d have every possible logistics, help and support there is. But admirers, don’t worry, he will earn and teach everyone to respect him as he deserves as a tennis player, probably not before becoming number 1, but eventually yes!

March 14th, 2009 at 4:01 pm

Duro says:
“If only he was an American, he’d have every possible logistics, help and support there is.”

If he was an American in this a tournament on US soil, he would get consideration with WC’s, match times (which he doesn’t need as he is 3rd seed) but NOT with the press. You must have missed all the times the Williams sisters, Roddick & Agassi (in his early years) have been beat up by the press. They do love something to chew on.

March 14th, 2009 at 4:29 pm

Novak has said he loves playing at IW; in particular he’s cited the weather as being conducive to him. I personally think he has a mild form of asthma, aggravated by harsher conditions and stress. And it’s important to note that players have different constitutions and thus react differently to different things. I could be entirely wrong, but as I have a borderline case of myself, I sense a similarity.

In any case, I wish him the best of luck this week. Similarly for the other guys. I hope we see a good tournament, and plenty of good matches.

BTW, did anyone notice the players for most improved? JMDP, Tsonga, Simon, and Murray — now that’s a tough one to call!!!

March 14th, 2009 at 5:03 pm

Ha ha – this has to be my best typo yet!! “but as I have a borderline case of myself,” should read, “as I have a borderline case [of asthma] myself”

I hope I have more than a borderline case of myself. LOL!

March 14th, 2009 at 5:05 pm

Just something to think of: Who really is to be called a quitter, someone who quits because of his health problems or someone who pretends to be injured, quits the whole tournaments, quits on showing at DC events almost regularly only because of his own benefit and interest…? No doubt for me. For you?

March 14th, 2009 at 5:30 pm

tenisbebe:

“You must have missed all the times the Williams sisters, Roddick & Agassi (in his early years) have been beat up by the press.’

Our media is the worst with respect to our players. My God, they literally eat Roddick alive. Not to mention the Williams sisters; they’re picked on unmercifully. I believe it’s on e of the reasons Sampras had so little to say and kept a very low profile. The US media bisects and dissects every word and action of our players.

March 14th, 2009 at 6:19 pm

jane or anybody else, can you please tell me if Djokovic is the first player to retire from a slam that he was defending champion of?

Von the USA media is bad no doubt about it (just look at how tennis x treats the Americans!) but I still think nobody can compare to the viciousness of the British media. I firmly believe they played a role in helping to destroy Tim Henman’s chances of winning Wimbledon its no wonder Murray wants nothing to do with them.

Sadly I have no live coverage of Indian wells on my television this week. TV coverage of tennis gets worse every year and I cant figure out why when it breaks all of these attendance records?

Why doesnt tennis x do some investigative reporting about that strange phenom instead of bashing the American players for once?

March 14th, 2009 at 6:29 pm

TD (Tam):

You took the words right out of my mouth (sorry Margot) – the British press is vicious! I remember when they were picking on Serena for her “big bum”. I mean c’mon – that’s pretty low. And they were ruthless with Henman – don’t blame Andy at all for thumbing them.

Tam, have you tried this link on your computer?

http://www.atdhe.net/

Just scroll down & you will see the tennis balls next to the matches being shown. Click on the icon next to the volume button and you can expand the screnn. Right now Tsonga is playing. Good luck!!

March 14th, 2009 at 6:59 pm

“I remember when they were picking on Serena for her “big bum”.”

I remember that comment oh so well. There was Chris Fowler with The ESPN team, sitting like the Knights of the Round Table, and the reporter, stating the topic for that week was: “How large is Serena’s Bum”. A copy of the newspaper was shown also. Somehow I thought that was the AO, but I may be very wrong — I know for sure it wasn’t an American reporter who was sitting in on the discussion.
______________
TD(Tam):

Our Andy is playing doubles with Fish. they played and won their first match last night.

Does your cable company offer the Tennis Channel with the sports package? If so, it would be worth your while to order it. I’m thankful it’s offered in my area or else I would have been a very unhappy fan.

March 14th, 2009 at 7:20 pm

TD I think Guga retired from something.

March 14th, 2009 at 7:29 pm

Who really is to be called a quitter, someone who quits because of his health problems or someone who pretends to be injured, quits the whole tournaments, quits on showing at DC events almost regularly only because of his own benefit and interest

Duro
Federer is a primadonna. He loves to cut up other top players, doesn’t he? He does not earn my respect…ever. Here is the miserable Fed at AO.

Fed on del potro: I happily put him out of his misery.
Fed on Murray: I’ll take him on in a 5th setter anytime.
Fed on Djok: maybe he shouldn’t play
Fed on JJ: No disrespect to Jelena Jankovic but it took Rafa five grand slams to become No.1.
Fed on Rafa: “You know, in a fifth set, anything can happen. That’s the problem. Not usually the better player always wins.

March 14th, 2009 at 7:32 pm

Duro you are correct about him

Taking injury timeout against Tipsarevic, while down 1:2 to clip his toenails and then running like a rabbit in the 4th and 5th set. Faking back injuries against Murray in TMC and taking numerous timeouts, only to go to play exos in HK a couple days later.

March 14th, 2009 at 7:38 pm

TD,

I don’t know about defending champions, but obviously plenty of players have retired in slams. The most infamous case I can think of was Henin’s retirement in the final match of the AO in 2006; she might’ve been defending champion had she played the AO in 2005 but she was injured that year. However, she had won it in 2004.

March 14th, 2009 at 8:04 pm

Duro – You want to go down this road as I think you will lose this argument very badly. The answer is simple: the player who habitually retires during late rounds in major tournaments depriving his opponents, paying fans, sponsors, tournament officials & the like. Chronic retirements are unacceptable – Period. As Agassi said, “We are tennis players & train for extreme conditions. If you can’t handle it, too bad.” You suck it up & take the loss if need be. There are many, many examples of players doing just that, both men & women. Fans & the press were ruthless to Justine Henin when she retired in Oz vs Mauresmo. Do you think we should be easier on Novak because he’s a boy? A double standard doncha think?

Your attempt to equate this behavior to players electing not to play DC (elective play) or pulling from a tournament well before it begins (Nadal, Federer & others) is lame. Here’s the difference: these players have built a reputation for honoring obligations in the past whereas your boy has only managed to cultivate a reputation as a poor loser & a whimp.

Public perception can be changed. But he created this situation & only he can fix it. Let’s hope he’s learned his lesson.

March 14th, 2009 at 8:12 pm

Von:
“I remember that comment oh so well. There was Chris Fowler with The ESPN team, sitting like the Knights of the Round Table, and the reporter, stating the topic for that week was: “How large is Serena’s Bum”. A copy of the newspaper was shown also. Somehow I thought that was the AO, but I may be very wrong — I know for sure it wasn’t an American reporter who was sitting in on the discussion.”

I remember it well too – especially the newpaper. Tacky, tacky. It was that “Sue” woman that they bring on during Wimbledon from the Daily Mail I think – she’s definitely British & a huge Murray fan (not a Henman fan at all).

Go Tabasco!!!

March 14th, 2009 at 8:34 pm

tenisbebe,

All of Duro’s comments aside, I think this was a little harsh: “your boy has only managed to cultivate a reputation as a poor loser & a whimp.”

I think, given that Novak has won most improved player 2 years in a row, reached the semis of all slams at the youngest age in the open era, and won a slam, he can’t be called a “loser” and a “whimp”. Yes, he needs to cut back on the retirements. But I don’t think he deserves that!

March 14th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

Smile, thanks for supporting me. Something is just morally incorrect. No comparison among retirements because of the health problems and ones coming from calculations, interests, benefits and hypocrisy! Ok? No previous credits! You cannot be little honest! About retirements, tenisbebe, I told to Sean that something tells me he will never retire in his life ever again, even if it means he’ll have to play on one foot. Lesson learned, knowing Novak. One other thing, because of Novak’s affair in AO Nadal didn’t retire in the Rotterdam finals. It was so stupid and pointless, can’t you see? Only because of the blood thirsty, modern era vultures wanting to see one of the men dead in the end.

March 14th, 2009 at 8:43 pm

Oh I see you’ve called him a “poor loser” not a “loser” straight up. Well, I think he can take a lose quite congenially don’t you? He was clearly please for Murray when he won his first MS shield in Cincy last year – you were there right? I don’t think Novak’s a sore loser. Admittedly I am partial, but I do try to remain fair-minded and see faults where they exist, even in my favorites. Anyhow, you’re entitled, I just hadn’t heard you speak / write so harshly before.

March 14th, 2009 at 8:46 pm

Hi Jane.

March 14th, 2009 at 8:51 pm

Maybe he is provoked because I was complaining of the Americans…

March 14th, 2009 at 8:53 pm

Hey, is anyone else’s connection to atdhe.net not working too well? Mine keeps cutting out and it’s uber annoying!

Hi Duro – oh I am not too worried about tenisbebe; she seems pretty fair. But I will defend Novak if I think the criticism is too harsh or whatever. One thing I don’t do is bring countries into things. We all live where we live and do the best we can, and I see no reason to make it about a particular nation.

I am just here to talk about tennis and tennis players! :-D

March 14th, 2009 at 8:58 pm

Jane:

Mind has been out for 10 mns or so. I’ve rebooted twice to no avail. AM going to try channelsurfing website.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:02 pm

Oh sweet, altruistic, benevolent, Jane! But the world is so far from that! If you were on the other side you’d understand what I’m saying about in a minute! But, fair enough, no bringing countries into things anymore. I didn’t know tenisbebe was a girl! Lovely. She’s sharp…

March 14th, 2009 at 9:05 pm

tenisbebe:

Try this link now — it’s working. Just click on my link and it will take you directly to the match. Go, girl.

http://www.justin.tv/cafejazz2

March 14th, 2009 at 9:06 pm

tenisbebe,

I tried channelsurfing and justin.tv but couldn’t find any good coverage. justin had Verdasco but his match was over. Oh well, back to watching “scores.”

March 14th, 2009 at 9:07 pm

Smile, where are you? Not mentioning Fed and you being sure who I was talking about proves how true this is. The absolute ego maniac!

March 14th, 2009 at 9:08 pm

Duro,

I am not near as sweet as you imply, but thanks anyhow! I am happy for the USA as I think Obama will be a great president.

Hey I am not sure if tenisbebe is a girl, but whomever s/he is, s/he thinks Moya is nice to look at, so I just assumed. Maybe that wasn’t right of me.

Tenisbebe, reveal yourself!?

March 14th, 2009 at 9:09 pm

Ha ha ha, I thought it was a guy…

March 14th, 2009 at 9:19 pm

Jane & Duro:

Sorry if I sounded harsh – “poor” choice of words. I apologize. But you see my point: Public perception can change. If Andre Agassi went from one of the most disliked players on tour to some sort of Tennis Buddha, anything is possible. FYI – I do not root for my countrymen/women per se – it’s the individuals I like.

BTW: channelsurfing.net is working for me.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:20 pm

tenisbebe,

No worries; I figured you were talking in the heat of it or something. I agree – people and perceptions can change!

Oh I am at justin, which is also working – Von thanks for that link. The image is crappy but at least it’s working! Gucquel is giving Fed a decent match, serving and volleying a lot, but now that Fed has the break, this should be over momentarily.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

tenisbebe:

Did you not see my post. I gave you a good working link that’s showin g the Federer match. Try it.

http://www.justin.tv/cafejazz2

March 14th, 2009 at 9:23 pm

This link is from tennisplanet. It’s looks good for the week:
“Schop |

Matches are streamed by Star Sports.

Install TVU Player and select channel 10006 Star Sports

Get TVU Player:
http://www.tvunetworks.com/

Rein |

You should go to bet365.com, register. Then you can watch the Indian Wells games for free. Good quality!”

It’s nice to have tennischannel, but I feel your pain with depending on the net.
The Fed match is pretty good-he’s getting the kinks out first set. Gicquel was hanging tough. It is annoying listening to the announcers “from 2004-2007, he would have never missed that ball.”
The second set is back to I turn around to type, I turn back and he is now up by two sets.

Are any of the linesman under 60?!

March 14th, 2009 at 9:24 pm

Is the WTA relegated to showing the women’s side on some local cable access channel in the Midwest?
Really weird it’s nowhere to be found.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

tenis bebe:
Djokovic is not a poor loser. If anyone deserves that title, it’s Fed. See my post at 7:32 for a list.

and let’s not be so quick to excuse Federer’s hissy fits. Say like at Wimbledon demanding the technology be turned off when the calls weren’t going his way. Or the times he demands that he gets two serves, or the let was wrong. Or what about him “leaking” to the press that he wanted to be removed from the same hotel and floor that Rafa was on? Then again, we could take into consideration him asking his buddies to beat players that have recently beat him, like Wawrinka.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:27 pm

We don’t know still what sex you are… Anyway you’re clever and right very often. Jane, can you honor us and repeat your unforgettable sentences regarding psychological frame of the top four guys (dinner, dancing, vine etc.) I have never heard such a deep and a spot-on comment!

March 14th, 2009 at 9:32 pm

Smile, you didn’t answer me!

March 14th, 2009 at 9:34 pm

Mary:

Bet365 does not work in the US and the same for the others. I don ‘t think it’s safe for your computer to have the TVU player installed. Some of those player links contain viruses and it’s not worth it to go that route.

None of the WTA matches are being shown. I think there’s a joint venture with ATP/WTA on live streaming, but it’s one of those deals for which you have to buy a subscription plan. I’m very happy too that I have the Tennis Channel — don’t know what I’d do without it. Before I changed to FIOS I made them send me a guide and an email to verify they have TC before I made my decision.
___________
Jane:
You’re welcome. I’m seeing a pretty good picture on my monitor.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:35 pm

” Or what about him “leaking””

Sweet mother of god, no more about Fed’s leaking.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:41 pm

Come on, people! It’s 2:45 am my place. Can’t you be faster with your comments?

March 14th, 2009 at 9:45 pm

Von:

Sorry – I have to keep rebooting because the videos on both site channelsurfing & ATDHE have virus’ – I keep getting warnings. I will try your site at the top of the hour when Hewitt & Gonzo play. Many thanks.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:48 pm

I wanna comment about Davydenk(however you spell his name.)
We’re told he plays in every tournament, thus assuring him top ten status until 2999999.
Has anyone ever seen him play?
I watch most of the major tournaments, but I’ve never seen him. If nobody ever sees him play, does he exist?

March 14th, 2009 at 9:51 pm

Jane, you owe me your comment, smile, you didn’t answer me and tenisbebe, reveal your sex, Jane thought you were a girl, I didn’t.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:53 pm

Mary says:
“Are any of the linesman under 60?!”

Ha, ha. Mary, it’s Palm Springs. No one living there is under 60!

March 14th, 2009 at 9:54 pm

tenisbebe:

Did you download any type of player for the live streaming matches? If so, it’s one of the reasons you might have a virus. Don’t download that stuff, it’s lethal. I have a friend whose new hard-drive was a mess from downloading the players from those live-streaming sites. The HD was stuffed with viruses, and he eventually had to buy a new hard-drive. Be careful.

I’m patiently waiting for the Hewitt match. I cancelled my dinner plans to watch that match because I don’t like watching the recorded stuff, especially when I know the score. I hope I’m rewarded with a good match from Hewitt-Gonzo. match will re

March 14th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

Duro:

You win the prize! I am a girl. What self-respecting guy would refer to himself as “bebe”?

March 14th, 2009 at 9:55 pm

Mary:

Davydenko is a very good/complete player and yes, he does exist. He’s a wisp of a guy. He beat Nadal last year in Miami and he was winning at Bercy when Nadal retired. He hasn’t played for close to 6 weeks due to a problem with his heel. Too bad this has happened to him.

March 14th, 2009 at 9:59 pm

Von:
“I’m patiently waiting for the Hewitt match. I cancelled my dinner plans…”

What a fan! You should get an award. I remember the first time I saw these 2 play – it was in Cincy of course. Hewitt was #1 & Gonzo was 18 or so & has hitting his forehand out of the park. Hewitt’s eyes kept getting bigger & bigger as he was being blown away by Gonzo’s FH. But eventually the errors crept in & Hewitt won, to his relief.

March 14th, 2009 at 10:01 pm

Von – “Did you download any type of player for the live streaming matches?” No, I just click on the link & the video appears. My anti-virus is working, thank goodness but it’s worrisome. Thanks for the warning.

March 14th, 2009 at 10:05 pm

No no, Jane was right! I thought you were a guy. Anyway, you “rock” as a guy, strong and passionate.

March 14th, 2009 at 10:07 pm

Duro I am here in the midwestern US. What do you want to know?

March 14th, 2009 at 10:22 pm

Von:

Do you see that have changed the start times to 11:59pm EDT for both the Hewitt/Gonzo & Blake/Niemenin matches??? And of course they were very efficient updating the Order of Play on the ATP website to tomorrow’s so I can’t check. It’s 7:30pm in CA now – I’ll bet the women are playing. You could have gone to dinner with your friends after all. Bummer.

March 14th, 2009 at 10:34 pm

Duro Says:

“No no, Jane was right! I thought you were a guy. Anyway, you “rock” as a guy, strong and passionate.”

You crack me up – I hope I rock as a woman too! FYI – per the OOP for tomorrow (Sunday), Djoko plays at 1pm local time (Pacific Daylight Time).

March 14th, 2009 at 10:37 pm

Nothing particular, just to agree with you on Fed. I didn’t even mention him directly and you knew whom I’m referring to. It proves how true it was. Anyway, do you agree that he’s an ablolute ego maniac?

March 14th, 2009 at 10:37 pm

Duro,

Umm, hardly deep ha-ha. But was it the comments about hanging out with these guys? I don’t want to repeat all that – so boring. How come you’re always awake so late!? Don’t ya need sleep?

March 14th, 2009 at 10:39 pm

Bebe, it will be 7 pm my place. Perfect time to watch! Looking forward to it! Comments afterwards! Greetings from Montenegro! (Across the Italian boot).

March 14th, 2009 at 10:42 pm

Don’t be modest, Jane! it was profound! It’s Sunday tomorrow, plus I have little sons, hardly get enough time to sleep, and bit by bit, I’m getting used to it! My wife is on duty next morning!

March 14th, 2009 at 10:46 pm

tenisbebe;

Yes, what a bummer. I could have gone to dinner after all. Now I’m waiting patiently and I’m feeling sleepy. I won’t be surprised if I fall asleep during the match — which happens so often to me.

March 14th, 2009 at 10:46 pm

Good night to Canada, Chicago and US Midwest!

March 14th, 2009 at 11:00 pm

Uh oh – JJ lost the first set to an “ova” with a really long name. And a US player Angela Haynes (maybe she’s a qualifier) is a set up on Ai Sugiyama. The womens tour…sigh. C’mon JJ! I wish we could view this match.

March 14th, 2009 at 11:13 pm

Von:

They just started showing the Simon match 2-2 in the first. ATDHE is working. Maybe that will keep you awake.

March 14th, 2009 at 11:20 pm

Tennis-Djokovic says he does not deserve quitter tag

By Simon Cambers

INDIAN WELLS, California, March 13 (Reuters) – Being labelled a quitter was unwarranted, Novak Djokovic said on Friday.

The Serbian, who defends his title at this week’s ATP event in Indian Wells, was criticised for pulling out midway through the fourth set of his Australian Open quarter-final against Andy Roddick, citing heat exhaustion.

Temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in Melbourne made playing conditions uncomfortable but Djokovic was slammed for pulling out because it was not the first time he had done so.

In 2006, Djokovic retired after losing the first two sets of his French Open quarter-final against Rafa Nadal and in 2007 he quit during his Wimbledon semi-final against Nadal, blaming a blister on his toe.

The 21-year-old said he felt the criticism was unjust.

“It certainly isn’t pleasant when something isn’t right and people are talking about something which isn’t true, but I’m tired of proving whatever I need to prove.”

“I’m just playing tennis for myself and I always have put my health as a priority to everything. Tennis is probably my life at this moment, but it’s not the only thing in my life.

“It’s just that this reputation which has been going around, I don’t think it’s right. But everybody has a right for their own opinion.”

Djokovic changed his racket at the end of last year and admitted he had struggled in the first few months of 2009.

“This was quite a big decision for me,” he said.

“It took really quite some time to get used to the new racquet. I was patient and waiting, just waiting for my chance.

“I was playing quite good in (the) Australian Open but unfortunately I had to withdraw from the tournament.

“But overall, since the start of the season, I played much better in the last two months. (Winning the title in) Dubai (last month) gives me a lot of self confidence now and belief.

“I think I’ve proven to myself that I still have a lot of quality and I can do well.”

March 14th, 2009 at 11:38 pm

I’d like to quote a column from back in Jan-Fed during the Australian Open. It’s more about Roddick than Djokovic and it’s a few months old, but entertaining nonetheless.

Revitalised Roddick evokes memories of … when was it again?

Richard Hinds
January 28, 2009

YOU vaguely remember Andy Roddick winning a major. You think it was a US Open. When they played it at Forest Hills. Didn’t he beat Ken Rosewall in the final? Pretty sure LBJ presented the trophy. Don’t bother Googling it. No way the internet had been invented then. Actually turns out Roddick’s great day was in 2003. But there is nothing like playing through the best years of your career wearing a bridesmaid’s dress and wielding a racquet that, against Roger Federer, looked like it had no strings to turn your youthful triumphs into sepia-toned memories.

Not that – before knocking out the ailing Novak Djokovic yesterday – Roddick had faded away. Three more grand slam finals, all defeats by Federer. A ranking that in seven years had only once, very briefly, dipped into double digits. A record of perseverance and good humour in the face of consistent disappointment that has turned the smart-mouthed kid into a smart-mouthed elder-statesman. At just 26.

As strange as it once might have seemed, there was even some pity for Roddick as he fell from world No.1 to grand slam fall-guy, yet still kept the competitive fires burning. Well, as much pity as you can muster for a man who always has a decent chance of a post-match neck-and-shoulder rub from his swimsuit model fiancee when he gets back to his suite.

Even in the opening days here, Roddick had allowed himself to be the butt of Serena Williams’s jokes – a welcome twist on the jokes about Williams’s butt.

And yet now, impressively, Roddick has stepped into a grand slam semi-final for the first time since the 2007 Australian Open and only the second time in his past eight attempts. Fitter, refocused and seemingly reinvigorated by his highly regarded coach, Larry Stefanki.

Never mind that Djokovic had to forfeit while trailing 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 2-1. Long before the medical help was summoned, Roddick’s serve was impressive and, once he got a number on Djokovic’s delivery in the second set, he looked the better player. Indeed, you could argue Roddick was deprived of a full-score victory by Djokovic’s illness, not gifted a semi-finals berth by it.

Not that Roddick cared.

“I am extremely satisfied with what I’ve done in this tournament so far,” he said. “How you get there is details.”

The irony of Djokovic succumbing to illness against Roddick yesterday was unmistakable given the bitchy byplay that had taken place between the pair at last year’s US Open. There, Roddick joked the Serbian would carry 16 injuries and illnesses into the match including bird flu, anthrax and the common cold.

Jeered by the parochial crowd after subsequently beating Roddick, the agitated Djokovic had complained to the on-court interviewer. “They’re [the crowd] already against me because they think I’m faking everything, so it’s all right,” he said.

Yesterday, the first thought was not that Djokovic was faking even if the temperature – a tolerable 33 degrees – made heat exhaustion seem slightly dubious. It was that he was another victim of the Curse of Baghdatis.

Just as Lleyton Hewitt had been eliminated last year after being kept on the court until 4.33am by the Cypriot insomniac, Djokovic had not left Rod Laver Arena until 2.30am on Sunday.

But reputations are hard to shake. So when Djokovic started munching a banana after being broken in the third set, you wondered deep down if he was attempting to add food poisoning to his list of post-match alibis.

Roddick, however, was predictably diplomatic. “You can point out a bunch of times he’s gotten through tough matches,” he said. “Today just wasn’t his day, I guess.”

Inevitably, Djokovic also defended his withdrawal. “There is no question whether I have [the] motivation and will to continue my match and defend my title,” he said.

Perhaps. But the willpower you had to admire was that of Roddick, who has swallowed his pride and ploughed on through five potentially humbling years.

Why?

“I’m 26 years old,” said Roddick. “What the hell else am I going to do with myself?”

March 14th, 2009 at 11:43 pm

Hello people, JJ lost. She’s just not right since she did the body building thing over the holidays.
But since Dementieva is out too, that leaves Ana and Dinara.

March 14th, 2009 at 11:55 pm

Anyway, do you agree that he’s an ablolute ego maniac?

Duro–he has a planetary-sized ego, for sure.

March 14th, 2009 at 11:57 pm

Giner:

Thanks for the post. “But the willpower you had to admire was that of Roddick, who has swallowed his pride and ploughed on through five potentially humbling years.” That sums it up.

March 15th, 2009 at 12:00 am

Dementieva’s out too?? And Kuzy? This is not good for the tournament but I picked Safina to win we’ll see.
“Hello people, JJ lost. She’s just not right since she did the body building thing over the holidays.”
Didn’t she go down to Mexico & work out over the holidays & put on some muscle weight? I thought I read that somewhere.

March 15th, 2009 at 12:07 am

Tenisbebe:
She went there to bulk up but she said this is interfering with her speed. I bet she tries to lose the bulk now. Better to have good wheels. I emailed you regarding Cincy, don’t know if you got it.

March 15th, 2009 at 12:23 am

Hi sar – too bad about JJ being out. And Dement too…sheesh.

I wonder what’s up with Simon; he’ll likely come through this match, but he must he experiencing a bit of a confidence slump as he was playing so well at the end of last season but has come up a bit short so far in 2009. Not that he’s doing badly, but he’s just struggling a little.

March 15th, 2009 at 12:28 am

TD (tam):

“Von the USA media is bad no doubt about it (just look at how tennis x treats the Americans!) but I still think nobody can compare to the viciousness of the British media. I firmly believe they played a role in helping to destroy Tim Henman’s chances of winning Wimbledon its no wonder Murray wants nothing to do with them.”

I would like to know what the French media is like when covering Roland Garros and Davis Cup. It can’t be pretty.

From my experience, the Aussie media does not pick on their players much, if at all. But they do put a LOT of pressure on Hewitt, and whichever girl happens to have been doing well recently — very fickle that one (Molik, then Stosur, then Dellacqua, and now Dokic). This is because we don’t have many players to fall back on, so the few there are carry all the weight.

“You took the words right out of my mouth (sorry Margot) – the British press is vicious! I remember when they were picking on Serena for her “big bum”. I mean c’mon – that’s pretty low. And they were ruthless with Henman – don’t blame Andy at all for thumbing them.”

Don’t worry about that. Everyone picked on her bum, not just British or American media. It was a clear fact that she was heavier than she used to be. The success story was how she managed to keep winning the AO in spite of it. That’s just pure skill and all credit to her.

smile:

“Federer is a primadonna. He loves to cut up other top players, doesn’t he? He does not earn my respect…ever. Here is the miserable Fed at AO.

Fed on del potro: I happily put him out of his misery.
Fed on Murray: I’ll take him on in a 5th setter anytime.
Fed on Djok: maybe he shouldn’t play
Fed on JJ: No disrespect to Jelena Jankovic but it took Rafa five grand slams to become No.1.
Fed on Rafa: “You know, in a fifth set, anything can happen. That’s the problem. Not usually the better player always wins.”

I think you’re being very selective and biased here. Sure he said those things, but you can pick selected quotes like this from any player about someone, put it into a list and make them look classless. I’m not saying you’re wrong, but this is misleading. He has said generous things and given his opponents their due, but that kind of talk isn’t memorable.

jane:

“I don’t know about defending champions, but obviously plenty of players have retired in slams. The most infamous case I can think of was Henin’s retirement in the final match of the AO in 2006; she might’ve been defending champion had she played the AO in 2005 but she was injured that year. However, she had won it in 2004.”

I don’t know why Henin copped so much flack for retiring in that match. People say it’s because it puts an asterisk on Mauresmo’s GS win, and that she was denied the recognition of having won it legitimately. But really.. the asterisk would have been there whether Henin retired or not. If you look at her tournament, she was the beneficiary of no less than THREE retirements in that tournament, including Kim Clijsters in the semi final at 3-2 in the third set. I do not believe she would have beaten Clijsters were it not for an injury. Why did Henin alone get all the criticism for retiring and not Clijsters and the other quitter (Michaella Krajicek)?

She would have beaten Krajicek anyway, but in my opinion if you’re going to beat up on Henin for putting an asterisk to Mauresmo’s name, there are no less than two asterisks. Sure Clijsters’ match was not the final, but she’d have to get past Clijsters in order to make the final and win the title, so it’s still an asterisk.

I would have quit too in Henin’s shoes. I frown upon anyone who retires from lack of fitness (including cramping), but if it’s an injury, it’s excusable. Try playing with indigestion. Try doing anything with indigestion.. I can’t last long even sitting down. Not all of Novak’s retirements are without merit. It’s just their unusual frequency that raises eyebrows.

tennisbebe:

“I remember it well too – especially the newpaper. Tacky, tacky. It was that “Sue” woman that they bring on during Wimbledon from the Daily Mail I think – she’s definitely British & a huge Murray fan (not a Henman fan at all).”

Is it Sue Mott from the Daily Telegraph? I love her. She is one of the most gifted sporting columnists along with her other colleagues at TDT. She’s a very funny and witty writer.

Columnists get paid to call it as it is. Roger Rasheed (Hewitt’s former coach) got ripped to shreds for criticising Casey Dellacqua’s extra ‘baggage.’ I thought his comments were very fair and respectful, but critics pinned him with the ‘sexism’ accusation, for picking on poor little Casey. I don’t know what Sue said, but I’m sure she didn’t say it without reason.

March 15th, 2009 at 12:30 am

Giner: “Is it Sue Mott from the Daily Telegraph? I love her. She is one of the most gifted sporting columnists along with her other colleagues at TDT. She’s a very funny and witty writer….I don’t know what Sue said, but I’m sure she didn’t say it without reason.”

I think it may have been Sue Mott – only see her at Wimby time on ESPN so can’t recall her last name. She didn’t say anything offensive, it’s just a morning segment they do with her going through the tennis news in all the local papers. The picture was what I was referring to as “tacky” – it was this 1/2 page photo of Serena’s rear end with the byline Von mentioned. I’m just a babe in the woods when it comes to that type of “tabloid” stuff – the papers that report things in that manner where I live are not widely read – National Enquirer-type stuff & they usually never bother with tennis players – not spicy enough for their readership. I remember last year Sue was thrilled when Murray flashed his biceps – she thought it a positive thing after Tim Henman’s reign & got a big kick out of it. Anyway, they must sell their papers. How is Casey doing tennis-wise BTW? Hewitt is playing Gonzo right now – I am watching, you?

March 15th, 2009 at 2:20 am

Sue Mott also fawned over Feli Lopez a few years back.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/tennis/wimbledon/2361775/Hewitts-aces-break-hearts.html

So yeah, it’s probably her.

I’m not watching Gonzo and Hewitt. I’d love to see it but internet in OZ sucks, and I’m out of bandwidth. I expect Gonzo to win. Even more so, knowing that Hewitt lost to Danai Udomchoke last weekend, blaming it on his hip.

When Gonzo is in the zone, like he was in Melbourne, he is just awesome.

March 15th, 2009 at 2:53 am

In what turns out to be a very prophetic article, here’s what Sue Mott had to say about Nadal in 2005 (at Wimbledon):

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2361422/Nadal-shows-true-colours.html

Nadal shows true colours

By Sue Mott
Last Updated: 12:30AM BST 23 Jun 2005

From Anglo-Saxon angst to a Latin carnival. Those on the Centre Court who did not have to repair with urgency to the bar, the loo or the first- aid tent following a typical Tim Henman nerve-fest, saw the 2005 debut of the Spanish wonderkid, Rafael Nadal. Great spectacle. Like a pirate running round a cathedral carving cutlass strokes through the air. Shame there was only half an audience to see him.

Lily-white in dress for once, but a rainbow of fireworks in spirit, Rafa the Barbarian was the perfect antidote to Tim the librarian.

This is not a criticism of Henman, who bravely won his match after three hours in the Finnish sauna, but he is not the most emotive player in the world. That accolade definitely belongs to the Spaniard who is vying to become the first man since Bjorn Borg to win the championships of France and Wimbledon back to back.

He is also vying with the young Borg to be a teenybopper heart-throb, but there was certainly no sign of squeaking mayhem since the match kicked off at well gone 6pm, the sun so well over the yardarm that half the inmates of the Royal Box were missing, presumably downstairs in a darkened room, pulling the cucumber out of the sandwiches to lay on their eyelids. Henman’s traumas have that effect.

And so to Nadal on grass. On clay he is a dervish, propelled by a set of muscles that would not disgrace a welterweight boxer. Six tournaments he has won on the terracotta, including the French Open just over two weeks ago. But on grass, harder, quicker, greener, it would all be different.

Henman has complained that the courts have slowed down but not enough to be mistaken for orange in daylight. How would Rafa proceed? Would he roar to the net in a frenzy of exhibitionist volleying or would he hug the baseline like a comfort blanket? No contest. He stayed back.

Clearly, he is not the intimidatory force he represents on the clay-courts of Europe, and Vince Spadea, 11 years his elder, playing his 10th Wimbledon, was not absolute cannon fodder either. Why was it then that the American ranked 39th in the world found himself flying through the air, as though fired by that very cannon, to land the loser in very straight sets 4-6, 3-6, 0-6?

The fact is that Nadal has a future here. Normally, an explosion of colour and riot of strokes, it was suspected that tradition and sedateness of Wimbledon would bleach his day-clothes and leech his power. Not on this evidence.

He whip-cracked his forehand and double-fisted his backhand like a circus ringmaster, and though Spadea had wiles and experience to temporarily thwart him, he did not have arms 10 feet long to reach the balls swerving and rising like sniper fire around him. It did not help the American either that his back then went into spasm requiring a quick massage from the trainer. People talk about body language. It must be a help to your opponent when you are lying flat out with your face in the turf being hauled back to some form of serviceability by the healing hands of a masseur.

Nadal took the help and continued to be brutal. Sometimes he joined in the line calls. At 3-3 in a cagey first set, he won a break point when Spadea ballooned a topspin ground stroke just wide of the line. “Out!” called the teenager and the line-judge simultaneously.

Even so, his Latin sense of adventure did not extend to experimenting with life at the net. He tried it once in the first set, and discovered he did not like it. Even so, it led to a fantastically acrobatic point as he reacted to Spadea’s crafty lob by taking off like a Harrier jump jet and somehow returning the ball with a backward-facing backhand overhead. It took no less athleticism and timing than an overhead scissors kick by, say, Thierry Henry.

At times when Spadea vaguely threatened, such as when getting to deuce on Nadal’s service game, the Spaniard would fling down a second-service ace like a gauntlet. Then he followed up with a second ace suggesting that the American’s part in this duel would be to lie down with the bullet holes at the end. So it proved.

Nadal’s ground-strokes crisscrossed the turf as though on jet skis and one smash in particular seemed to leave a dent into which you could plant a hydrangea. He is quite an act.

What he made of Wimbledon’s act is another thing altogether. He cannot be used to his audience merely murmuring in polite appreciation. When last seen in grand slam action, he was the focus of besotted attention and tumultuous noise, as he entered the record books as French Open champion and also the embrace of his king. We couldn’t run to Spanish kings in the Royal Box yesterday. There was Lord Moynihan, the former cox, but it doesn’t have quite the same ring.

It was a brief visit to Centre Court action then for Nadal, but a significant one. Our grass is not pampas gone wrong to this particular Latin, you could tell. There may come a time when his explosive style of tennis is not merely a match for Roger Federer on clay but even, dare we suggest, on lawn as well.

——————–

She actually predicted Nadal’s rise on the lawns! Unbelievable. I was a big skeptic myself about Nadal’s prospects. It doesn’t help that he first made himself known by winning clay titles.

March 15th, 2009 at 3:05 am

tenisbebe: You can say what you like about British tabloid press, it is deeply sexist and mostly awful, they love to raise people up and then dash them down. I recommend The Guardian.
I think the Sue you are referring to is Sue Barker, they wheel her out at Wimbledon. Many years ago she won the French Open so she does know what she’s taliking about. Don’t think she has any connection with The Daily Mail, which is the worst newspaper in the Universe!

March 15th, 2009 at 3:09 am

Giner – haven’t read you’re post yet but the score is Hewitt 6-4, 2-6,1-1 in the third.

March 15th, 2009 at 3:31 am

Giner:
“Sue Mott also fawned over Feli Lopez a few years back.” Good Lord, was that a match report? I love to look at Feliciano too but my, my, not exactly professional – but entertaining!
————–
it’s 3-6 in the 3rd Gonzo. Hewitt double faulted to give Gonzo the break. Lot of Aussies fans in the stadium livening things up. Bummer about your internet. It was a fairly high quality match – the best 2nd round match of the day.

Now to bed, I will respond to the rest tomorrow. Night.

March 15th, 2009 at 3:58 am

Margot says:
“I think the Sue you are referring to is Sue Barker, they wheel her out at Wimbledon. Many years ago she won the French Open so she does know what she’s talking about. Don’t think she has any connection with The Daily Mail, which is the worst newspaper in the Universe!”

Sue Barker – that’s the name – thank you Margot. So they trot her out come Wimbledon, do they? LOL Well if she won RG she definitely has credibility. I was guessing when I mentioned The Daily Mail, it being the first name that popped into my head. I gather the overall tone for those rags is negative & nasty but some enjoy seeing the lofty fall from their perches. I’ll stick to the NYT or the Guardian when I’m on your side of the pond.

March 15th, 2009 at 11:22 am

Giner – and she predicted it in 2005 no less (!), long before the pundits began murmuring – could he?

March 15th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Giner:

Very entertaining article. Yes, it was far-fetched notion in 2005 to see Nadal conquering the lawns of Wimbledon. I particularly enjoyed her quips of:
“Like a pirate running round a cathedral carving cutlass strokes through the air.” – so true
“Rafa the Barbarian was the perfect antidote to Tim the librarian.” – oh so cutting

Thanks very much for sharing it.

March 15th, 2009 at 12:05 pm

The trouble with JJ

http://tennisworld.typepad.com/thewrap/2009/03/iw-the-trouble.html

March 15th, 2009 at 3:59 pm

What I’ve seen from Murray, Federer and Djokovic (so far) in their second round matches hasn’t been great. They all had (are having) tight first sets. I must say though, this Argentine Novak is playing, Arguello, has a lovely one-handed backhand, powerful and accurate.

March 15th, 2009 at 5:01 pm

One thing I notice re: Djoko’s new racquet is that he doesn’t hit the ball as flat and deep as he often did with the other one. This racquet supposedly has more power so I think he might be wary of making errors by hitting the ball too deep and going long. That was kind of his signature before, so I hope he gets it back as it allowed him to push his opponents deep and sometimes right off the court when he was firing and hitting all the lines.

March 15th, 2009 at 5:39 pm

Jane, did you notice the spin that he is using unusually a lot? That’s exactly the consequence of the new racket more power. He is afraid of hitting balls out (which he does a lot as a matter of a fact), so he uses more spin to control it and place it in. Too bad, because you said what was his signature before. Ones he gets used to this new weapon, I think he’ll be the old Novak Djoković again, meaning aiming to the number 1 spot. In my opinion, about 2 years from now.

March 15th, 2009 at 6:23 pm

Yeah, Duro, I did notice he hits more spin. And that might (?) actually work well on clay, but on hard court he should go with the flatter more powerful ground strokes or he’ll wear himself out with long rallies.

Two other things I noticed; occasionally he hit a short ball that drew Arguello in, and then he passed him. He could do more of this. It’s safe in some ways, i.e., in that he doesn’t have to go for the lines on a pass, usually anyhow.

The other thing: he could come in a little more often. Maybe not a lot, but when he has the opportunity there is no doubt he could finish off some points more quickly if he came into the net a bit more. But players these days like to hang at the baseline. The more Novak comes in, the more he’ll practice his volleying, the better he’ll get at it. It’s risky, though.

March 15th, 2009 at 6:53 pm

It’s too bad Fish lost out as he had finals points to defend from last year. At least he won Delray so that should help. Chardy is a good up-coming player; I am not totally surprised he pulled the upset.

March 15th, 2009 at 7:13 pm

Duro,

Thanks for supporting Novak and believing in him, you are doing a great job.

March 15th, 2009 at 7:40 pm

Looks like Monfils is going down to Isner, who seems all but unbreakable when his serve is firing; it bounces so high that the opponent has to be completely off the court to return it, and thus has no chance of really getting into the point or of getting into any kind of rhythm. It must be extremely frustrating to play a guy like him. Even his second serve is very hard to return although Monfils could’ve done more with that. It wasn’t too exciting to watch, imo. However, Isner has improved his volley which is exactly what he needed to do.

March 15th, 2009 at 8:09 pm

I shouldn’t say it was entirely unexciting. The net exchanges definitely were, and Isner stood his ground at the net, like the towering inferno he is. The crowd was sure happy – no doubt!

March 15th, 2009 at 8:10 pm

In a way, Isner’s upset of Monfils is like revenge for Fish’s loss to Chardy, or something, given that while one higher ranked American went out, another knocked out a top tener.

Okay, it appears as though I am the only person blogging today, so I am leaving. Hope someone else out there is enjoying the tennis!!

March 15th, 2009 at 8:25 pm

Jane says:
“The other thing: he could come in a little more often. Maybe not a lot, but when he has the opportunity there is no doubt he could finish off some points more quickly if he came into the net a bit more.”
In the first set he seemed reluctant to follow short ball in and finish off the point, electing instead to retreat back to the baseline but came to the net more in the 2nd.

March 15th, 2009 at 10:37 pm

Hi tenisbebe – so glad to see someone else here! Yes, Djoko was generally more aggressive in the second set.

I am surprised Troicki ousted Berdych so easily, and it looks like Sam may take out Step; he’s won the first set and looks to be nearing a break in the second. The Czechs must’ve celebrated their Davis Cup win too hard. LOL. If Sam wins he’ll be one step closer to upsetting Djoko, which is your prediction.

Roddick and Rafa look like the contenders based on these first round matches…but you never know.

March 15th, 2009 at 10:44 pm

jane Says:
“It wasn’t too exciting to watch, imo. However, Isner has improved his volley which is exactly what he needed to do.” I didn’t watch the match but John’s matches tend be very boring imo – he doesn’t have the movement that other big servers of his generation have (Querrey) it’s just all about his serve. Glad to here he’s trying to volley more. I like Monfils – rats.

March 15th, 2009 at 10:45 pm

well we shall see how Djokovic does against Haas. Anyone have a guess?

March 15th, 2009 at 10:46 pm

Sar:

I am composing you am e-mail – will send it tonight.

March 15th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

Jane:

Sam beat The Worm!!!!!

March 15th, 2009 at 11:14 pm

Sar – Haas can be a fly in the ointment but I don’t see it this year. Djoko will come through in 3 sets.

March 15th, 2009 at 11:16 pm

tenisbebe- Yes I hope you are right. I would like to see Novak go a little further…it’ll be good to hear from you later.

March 15th, 2009 at 11:27 pm

Good win for Sam tenisbebe!

Sar – yeah, I hope Djoko can beat Haas – the spoiler man – and continue on further in the tournament. Fingers crossed!! Go Novak.

March 15th, 2009 at 11:32 pm

Anyone know where I can get live streaming for the doubles match Bryan/Bryan v.Federer/Allegro?

Thanks for a reply.

March 16th, 2009 at 12:14 am

Von
I can’t find it. Have you had any luck?

March 16th, 2009 at 12:33 am

tenisbebe:

No, I can’t find anything. The Bryans won the first set. I’m watching live scores.

I will have to relinquish my belief that we shouldn’t have to pay ATP for live streaming an d purchase a pass, because Tennis Channel will not be airing anymore matches this week, only on FSN, for a few hours per day, it’s delayed, and the worst of all evils, I’d have to listen to the idiot, Gimelstob. Can you think of a worse punishment for the tennis fans? It’s a conspiracy I tell you — ATP wants to make more money simultaneously punishing us with “Gimel-sob” and driving us out of our minds for our past transgressions. We’re about to begin suffering our purgatory here on earth, pronto!

March 16th, 2009 at 12:44 am

WOW, match over in 20 minutes and the Bryans won!

March 16th, 2009 at 12:49 am

Goodness – what will the pundits make of that??? Did you ever find the live streaming?

March 16th, 2009 at 1:00 am

Von:

Sorry – didn’t see your 12:44am post. Don’t you get FSN (Fox Sports Network)?. Or you can just continue to stream from Justin or ATDHE? The nice thing about the ATP live streaming is you get to see many more matches but it’s a little pricey.

Ahhh! Mauresmo is killing me. She lost the 1st set again – to Na Li (or is it Li Na in English?)

March 16th, 2009 at 1:11 am

tenisbebe:

FSN is only broadcasting for approx. 3 hours per day, delayed broadcasts late in the evening. I don’t like watching delayed broadcasts and the worst part of it all will be Gimel-sob. Can you tell I’m crying already?

I didn’t know you liked Mauresmo — she’s one of my fave women players but she tests my patience. So very, very unreliable, but what a lovely player when she’s on. I believe she’s the last of a rare breed – serve and volleyer with a one-hand BH in the women’s field. Too bad.

March 16th, 2009 at 1:20 am

Djokovic Is Strong Man. I Will Support Djokovic IN IW.I Sure Djokovil Will Get Rank 1 In ATP

March 16th, 2009 at 5:26 am

Question for the administrator: Are you deleting comments which are not written in English? I was addressing to my countryman Milan explaining my support of Novak, because he meant that I was a foreigner.

March 16th, 2009 at 2:24 pm

Von: I was a little punchy last night when I was posting (if you couldn’t tell) & obviously was experiencing reading comprehension difficulties. You did post about FSN’s abbreviated & delayed broadcasts, I just missed it. Please don’t cry over GimelSlob :))

I adore Amelie’s game but as you say, she is so mentally fragile & inconsistent that it’s demoralizing being a fan. Although it’s months away, I am hoping she can pick herself up and have a strong showing at RG. With the disarray on the womens tour right now, it may be her last, best chance.

March 16th, 2009 at 3:58 pm

tenisbebe:

I didn’t notice your punchy self. I thought you were fine, and it’s just a matter of our posts crossing. Unfortunately, the FSN schedule is not right. They have broadcasts begining at 1:00 pm EST and of course the matches don’t begin until 2:00 pm, and there’s nothing between 2:00 – 4:00 pm.. The next problem no broadcasts until 4:00 pm which is right now, so I’ll head on over to my viewing spot and see what they’re going to show, maybe a delay of Murray’s match. Then they’ll be back on at 10:00 pm – 2:00 am. Whatever happens before and between I’ll never know, unless I watch live streaming which i hate to do after a hard day’s work. How frustrating. What else is FSN showing between those times, garbage. Why can’t ATP pay more money for decent TV coverage is beyond me, but those are the breaks isn’t it?

March 16th, 2009 at 4:12 pm

tenisbeb:

BTW, A melie lost her match to LiNa. I’m glad I was spared watching due to the non-broadcast of the WTA matches. I’m thankful for the small mercies.

March 16th, 2009 at 4:14 pm

Von Says:
“Amelie lost her match to LiNa. I’m glad I was spared watching due to the non-broadcast of the WTA matches. I’m thankful for the small mercies.”

Agreed – it’s too painful.

March 16th, 2009 at 4:46 pm

Von:

Hope you are watching Blake/Gonzo – Blake just broke back in the 1st to even it at 5-all. Streaming seems to be the way to go with the cheapskates @ IW/Miami refusing to pay ESPN’s higher broadcasting fees. At least we can view the matches unlike years past. I am pouring myself a glass of wine & sitting down to enjoy.

March 16th, 2009 at 4:52 pm

tenisbebe:

Yes, I’m watching; Blake just lost the first set and is now 0-3 v. Gonzalez. Blake is more painful to watch than Amelie. I don’t understand his MO. He’s down break-point and instead of keeping more balls in play, being patient and cautious, he goes for the outright winner and dumps it in the net. Whenever he plays Gonzalez he tries to out-hit him with his FH which is extremely unreliable, and then he loses the point. Kudos to Gonzalez, because he keeps going to Blake’s FH and draws the stupid error.

Yes, I’m thankful for live streaming which is great due to the lack of TV coverage, but for me it’s only beneficial when I’m home, as opposed to TV which I can tape and watch later. Thankfully, I’m off today and I can watch both.

Here’s a pearl from the Pulitzer prize winner Gimelstob — both he and the other commentator were discussing the draw and Gimel stated ‘Watch out for Fernando Verdasco, he’s making his first appearance since that epic match with Nadal in the SF at the AO’. Excuse me, didn’t Verdasco win a match a couple of days ago when he beat Belucci? Gimel is similar to Blake: Blake hits/rips without thinking, Gimel talks without thinking, both are recipes for disaster. I’m embarrassed for tennis in the US; a country blessed to have so many wonderful sports personalities and a sport so dignified as tennis, is stuck with an idiot for a commentator. It makes me cringe I tell you.

Enjoy the wine! St. Paul says: “A little wine is good for the soul”. Please make sure it’s not the sacramental wine you’re sipping. Ha.ha.

March 16th, 2009 at 5:23 pm

And, the winner is: Gonzalez by a mile. Damn James Blake, he could have won the first set had he played more conservatively. Does he ever learn that whacking the ball is not the best strategy. He needs a new coach even though he prides himself having only ONE coach throughout his caeer. A lot of good that has done for him. I don’t know which one is worse, Blake or the coach — both flat and in the downer department. Too depressing and painful to watch.

March 16th, 2009 at 5:32 pm

What channel is FSN on with Direct TV?

March 16th, 2009 at 5:38 pm

FSN is about to show Ivanovic’s match. WOW. From FSN’s schedlue it seems that they’re going to cover some WTA matches. Great, we’ll see the SF and Final matches too. Lindsay Davenport is commentating on that match.

March 16th, 2009 at 5:38 pm

Sar, I don’t know. perhaps you could call and ask Direct TV’s customer service. In my area FSN is on Channel 77, but that’s Verizon FIOS. If you could find ESPN2 on the guide, you should be able to find FSN as they are usually in the same segment of the guide.

March 16th, 2009 at 5:42 pm

Sar:

Here’s a link for DirectTV guide. Good luck.

http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu8bOx75JMGAA8hVXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTByc2FtNTRpBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDNgRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkAw–/SIG=11nms44n3/EXP=1237326158/**http%3a//directtv-vs-dishnetwork.com/

March 16th, 2009 at 5:46 pm

Seems like that link is no good. See if this one is any better, if not call.

http://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/iclk?sa=l&ai=BaiK4Dsm-SZHTJ6m-wgXCuIjvCIWCrocBt-74ogzAjbcB0NkREAEYASD9lKQCKAM4AFCN2KaRB2DJhreH3KPwELIBGHd3dy5kaXJlY3R0di1hZHZpc29yLmNvbboBCjMzNngyODBfYXPIAQHaATxodHRwOi8vd3d3LmRpcmVjdHR2LWFkdmlzb3IuY29tL2RpcmVjdC10di1jaGFubmVsLWd1aWRlLmh0bWzgAQLIApOZwwmoAwHIAwfoA_UD6AMk6APnAvUDAAAABJgEAA&num=1&adurl=http://www.directv.com/DTVAPP/global/contentPage.jsp%3FassetId%3D2700001%26CMP%3DKNC-PG-GoogleCM%26HBX_PK%3DCNT_B_direct%2520tv%2520special_www.directtv-advisor.com_3203856535%26HBX_OU%3D50&client=ca-pub-4328911761076299&nm=16

March 16th, 2009 at 5:49 pm

Von:

For me, watching is excruciating – he pulls the trigger at the wrong moments & is too error-prone. I have to walk away from his matches sometimes.

Gimelslob said that? Shocker.

As for Saint Paul, it is the year of Paul, I believe. I’m glad I have his blessing…

On another note, did you happen to hear the announcer introducing the players during the warm-up for the Gasquet/Verdasco match? That’s my friend Mark who’s the announcer on Court 2. It’s great to hear his voice from afar – when ESPN covers matches they talk nonstop so I can never hear him – one of the benefits to watching live-streaming.

March 16th, 2009 at 5:59 pm

Sorry – should have said “watching Blake play is excruciating”

This Verdasco/Gasquet match is a treat. Great shot making. Can I match 2 matches at once? One on TV and the other online? More wine may be required..

March 16th, 2009 at 6:06 pm

tenisbebe:

No, I’m saying that, NOT Gimelstob. Be careful with the fine. No I didn’t hear the announcer in the Verdasco match. Maybe your friend can get you some tickets to see some matches other than at Cincy.

March 16th, 2009 at 6:08 pm

“No, I’m saying that, NOT Gimelstob” I understand. I meant he said: ‘Watch out for Fernando Verdasco, he’s making his first appearance since that epic match with Nadal in the SF at the AO’. when in fact Nando played 2 days ago.

“Maybe your friend can get you some tickets to see some matches other than at Cincy.” Yes he had free tickets for me but I still would have to fly to California, car rental, etc – not this year with the shaky economy. Maybe 2010.

March 16th, 2009 at 6:20 pm

Found it thanks…. CSNE and MSG is showing it.

March 16th, 2009 at 6:20 pm

tenisbebe: Yes, Gimelstob said Verdaco is playing for the first time since the AO. I suppose he meant first tournament, but he should have said tournament and NOT first time.

Then 2010 it shall be for IW and Miami.

March 16th, 2009 at 6:25 pm