Sketchy stuff.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:01 am

Ben yeah i thought that myself.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:35 am

Novak is quite reticent to speak about it, but his physio revealed a part of that routine a few years ago.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:42 am

Would like to know what he is taking in to recover. He has to be taking in something. I need to know, I want a fast recovery too!

Interesting topic, and this is after a marathon run. I figured a 5 plus hour tennis match would be worse;

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/03/19/how-long-does-it-take-to-recover-from-a-marathon/

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:57 am

No offense to nole or his fans, but i think this really is an interesting and curious topic regarding him.

FACT is the guy used to have major fitness concerns, had a reputation for being a quitter.

Couple of years later all of a sudden he is the iron man on the tour.

Come on now: i think MOST would like to know how to change things so dramatically also.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:27 am

Novak is right in not revealing the secret and keeping it private his fitness regimen. On the other hand, if Ferrer manages to extend him to five sets in the semis, then Novak would feel it physically. He is afterall human. So, the only option for Novak is to make the semi very easy.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:34 am

@Michael:

Ferrer has ONLY won one mere set v nole on HC- EVER!

That too during the windy 1st set at USO last year.

On top of that Ferru struggled v Almagro.

Nole in straight sets and comfortably so IMO.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:38 am

Brando, c’mon. A couple of years later all of the sudden? Clearly a contradiction. Fitness doesn’t come overnight, it takes time to attain. And being a quitter doesn’t equate to poor fitness, necessarily. People like to pretend he never won a 5 set match in his life until the last few years. Remember in 07 when he played Stepanek in the second round of the US Open and won that marathon. Then went all the way to the final. Or 07 Wimbledon when he battled for hours against Hewitt and Baghdatis before finally succumbing to Nadal in the semis (retired due to injury, not fatigue).

Nonetheless, still sketchy stuff. But it’s not unprecedented. You never hear Federer reveal any of his training methods.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:56 am

^ In 2007 after one of the longest matches at the USO, they called Nole “marathon man.” Indeed, he played several long matches at slams that year, especially Wimbledon. In 2009, after suffering breathing issues during heat etc, Nole hired Thomas Musters old trainer to see if an improved fitness could help, and then late in 2010 he changed his diet. It’s been a process. “And I have nothing against, you know, the anti doping federation, association, testing me 10, 20, 30 times a year.”

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:21 am

Of course the players, especially the top, don’t want to reveal their secrets, because i guess they and their teams worked too hard to find a good and reliable routine. And they’re not giving it for free to anyone.

People have short memories, as Ben Pronin said, Novak had tough matches even before he was considered fit, and recovered from them also. One other thing that people forget is that he started working with Gebhard Phil-Gritsch back in 2009, and already then he was a lot fitter, he still had problems here and there, but a lot less for sure. But no one noticed that he is fitter because his game was lacking and until 2011, it just wasn’t obvious.

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:31 am

I think it is quite obvious that he nestles in a CVAC after a marathon match! After all he has admitted to using the Pod. The man is super-human and I for one would like to know how the heck he recovers so fast. Take the Rome tourney in 2011. He was on court with Belucci for what 3 to 3 and a half hours, and then came out about 19/20 hours later, fresh as a daisy, and beat Andy in the final!! #SomethingFishy

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:33 am

Easy..Cvac

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:33 am

2009 Madrid SF. Djokovic went toe-to-toe with Nadal physically. The problem there was his mental strength. In 2011, Rome was basically his toughest tournament physically all year. In 2006, Federer played Almagro for a few hours, then Nalbandian for a few hours, then went all the way to 7-6 in the fifth against Nadal in the final. Then he pulled out the next week. Djokovic didn’t play for a week after Rome, either. As physical as it is, these guys, in their physical peaks, are more than capable.

And why do people continue to mention the CVAC? Novak said he only used it in 2010. And that was at the US Open because some guy had it in New Jersey. Maybe he used it in subsequent years but it’s not like he’s flying from tournament to tournament with this thing.

I don’t like how Djokovic is being extra shady with his wording. And as we’ve learned from Lance, being tested 10, 20, 30 times means nothing because the system is easily beatable (and honestly, the ITF isn’t gonna test someone that many times in a year anyway).

Giles, fishy, really?

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:51 am

Brando – if you wish to change dramatically, go ahead and find the ways – be resourceful, be committed, and practice 5-6 hours a day, don’t eat bread or pizza and read inspirational books, get support from your team and yor loved ones and do all it takes. Have you tried any of those?
How is it that no one is grilling Federer on his recovery tactics? In addition to his coach, physio, conditioning trainer, Novak also hired a doctor for a year who helped him with the allergies and got hom on the gluten free diet. Novak is known to be extremly disciplined and dedicated so he does the physical work follows diet instructions, does bike rides in the heat, jumps rope, reads inspirational books, relaxes by having fun, has support of his fans, family, friends, long- time girlfriend, has the wisdom from learning from his mistakes, has the indomitable spirit which comes from experiencing the hardship of war and is not something you can acquire in a sissy – la-ti- da – environment, has a clear purpose which goes beyond personal – to be a role model for the youth in his country and to kids around the world – so with all this and being 100% committed from age 5 on a daily basis – the question is – why is it that people who don’t do 25 % of the above have the audacity to ask superb athlete such as Novak questions: “How” . Why don’t you ask Federer – see how many answers you will receive – I never heard any of them – “good rest” at best. All respect to Nole!

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:51 am

Nole used to be very asthmatic, I imagine once that was under control he became a whole lot fitter. Also he has a perfect physique for tennis, he is so skinny, sinewy, bendy as well, all helps. By no means are Berdych/Delpotro etc fat but just look at the extra weight they carry.
Whatever else Nole does, certainly seems to be working.
As for Simon, wonder if he and Monfils do more scurrying around the baseline than anyone else, explains endless injuries, knackeredness etc.
I know Andy uses an ice bath but the jury’s out on the benefits of that and sounds like pure masochism to me…. or sadism on Jez Green’s part…;) But after a childhood in Scotland an ice bath probably feels quite warm…….

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:52 am

Well, he didn’t rip his shirt off last night, so we gotta find something to trash on Nole for. I suppose he must have a CVAC everywhere he goes then; or maybe teleports to them. Maybe he’s a cyborg!?

Rafa has played lots of long matches only to come back and play well the next day – I am thinking of his semi and final at this slam in 2009. I remember Fed played a long second round match versus Simon here a couple years ago too; he was fine the next round as well; same with after a 5 setter versus Andreev at the USO 08; he came back and beat Nole in 4. And he had mono that year.

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:53 am

Far more interesting is Ferrer’s level of fitness, allegedly on 30 a day.
How the heck does he do it?????

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:56 am

@Margot:

‘But after a childhood in Scotland an ice bath probably feels quite warm…….’

ROFL!

Ultimately, I just care for Muzza in this AO!

I hope he gives a sharp, focused and convincing performance v Chardy.

I believe should he or if he were to get to the SF and face Federer, then quite honestly that is the best possible match for him prior to facing nole- that is IF he could get to the final.

It’s time for Andy to step up with his game and I for one believe he shall do so hopefully!

GO MUZZA!

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:57 am

^ and so say all of us Muzza fans :)

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:59 am

Margot, 30 push ups? :)

Ben, do reporters ask all the other players these questions? Has Fed spelled out exactly how he recovers? Or Rafa? Nole’s just keeping his routine to himself. So that automatically means “sketchy”? I don’t see why. When he’s transparent, he gets hammered (e.g., gluten free, CVAC, etc); when he keeps it to himself, he gets hammered.

The whole Spanish armada sit under a bubble between DC matches. That’s interesting too.

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:00 pm

Lol jane, I think the phrase is “roll ups.”
And I demand to know how!
Reminds me, friend and I were huffing and puffing up a steep cliff. Passed by two squadies – running and smoking, adding insult to injury.

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:07 pm

http://www.vstrator.com/rafanadal. Off topic. This new IPhone App is now available for anyone interested.

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:22 pm

The Bubble is not quite the same as the CVAC!

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:24 pm

@Ben:

‘Nonetheless, still sketchy stuff.’

A fair amount of people seem to agree.

I am surprised about the amount of mainstream journalists who seem to following up this line of query.

Heck they even questioned him after this match.

It would be interesting to hear his fellow pros take on the CVAC and recovery programme.

Didn’t WADA even say ‘IT GOES AGAINST THE SPIRIT OF SPORT’ by using CVAC?

I would not be surprised to see it banned at some point.

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:33 pm

Jane,

I really think this has alot to do with LA exposed. Fresh off the LA story, it has proven it is possible to cheat no matter how innocent and pure a player is. (yes, even Fed ) . The LA thing will change the scope of sports (me hopes) especially when an athlete has extreme performance or endurance. Fans are a little untrustworthy nowadays. :(

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:43 pm

1) I’m all for discussing this because, well, it’s interesting. But seriously, Brando, Giles? All of the sudden Djokovic is so suspicious and blah blah blah? God forbid someone mentions Nadal and doping in the same comment and all hell breaks loose. I’d love to know how Nadal recovers after long matches, too. Especially since he grinds so much harder than Djokovic, it’s gotta be more physically taxing.

2) His fellow pros have had a few years to react to the CVAC and looks like no one really cares especially since he only used it that one time as far as anyone knows and that was over 2 years ago. Who cares what WADA says? Maybe they should ban it already then. I don’t see how, though. It’s just another method of recovery that doesn’t involve any illegal substances. That’s like saying Murray drinking protein shakes is “against the spirit of the sport.”

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:44 pm

^i drink protien shakes, doesn’t help. Course maybe i should leave out the Beer in the shake,..

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:49 pm

@Ben:

‘All of the sudden Djokovic is so suspicious and blah blah blah? ‘

Overreacting much?

Walk me with for a while on this chain of thought:

– ‘All of the sudden Djokovic is so suspicious’: Err, he was questioned about his recovery by journalists, this was flagged up on a blogging website named Tennis X, bloggers are discussing it therefore including one who calls it ‘sketchy’.

Neither one of us know who that is.

– ‘and blah blah blah’: Is that sheep talk for ‘and folks on a blogging website are discussing this matter’?

If so, then I agree.

It’s a thread ABOUT nole and his recovery, folks are just airing out their thoughts about this as they are free to do so.

Is there anything wrong or SKETCHY about that? I wouldn’t say so.

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:53 pm

‘Course maybe i should leave out the Beer in the shake,..’

LMFAO!

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:54 pm

Okay, people, look. Here’s the situation.

“Dr. Magnus and others also challenge the idea that the use of certain enhancers is inherently cheating. “Of course it is if rules are violated, whatever they are; that’s the definition of cheating,” he said. “But what if the rules make no sense?”

He and others complain that rules are arbitrary and unevenly applied to some athletes and not others. For instance, erythropoietin is banned because it increases oxygen-rich red blood cells, but the use of special tents and rooms that mimic high altitudes that also increase red blood cell production is not. Amphetamines are banned, but not caffeine, nicotine and other “natural” stimulants. Elite athletes also have the resources to fine-tune their bodies by using food chemists, physiologists and other enhancement experts that most competitors can’t afford.”

http://www.nytimes.com/2013/01/20/sunday-review/so-long-lance-here-comes-21st-century-doping.html?hp&_r=0

The former — erythropoietin aka PED — is banned. Novak has one of the latter — a CVAC.
But according to the scientists, they have the same effect.

Has it not occurred to anyone here that what he’s doing is obtaining a distinct performance advantage by a means the agents just haven’t gotten around to banning yet …?

January 22nd, 2013 at 12:55 pm

And wasn’t there some issue with the technique Rafa used on his knees? Blood spinning or some such?

And do we even know Nole “has one of the latter”? Nole said he used the CVAC at a friend’s house during the USO 2010. He never said he owns one, or presumably 20, which he has access to apparently everywhere, or how else would he recover equally well in Australia, New York, Rome, etc?

Oh, yeah. Teleporting. Beam me up Scotty!

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:06 pm

@M:

Thanks for that bit of very interesting information.

The way i see it regarding novak is this:

– He’s INNOCENT as he is doing NOTHING ILLEGAL.
– He has been TRANSPARENT regarding this, so if there was a problem he would have pulled over for this by now.

However, the CVAC pod is more than likely going to be banned in the future and it is TRANSPARENTLY CLEAR that it gives a certain advantage to those who use it.

At the same time though: Fed, Rafa and Muzza also can use it to should they wish to.

Maybe they are being stupid for not doing so when the benefit of using it is pretty clear.

Or maybe they are being fair sportsmen for not doing so.

Who knows……..

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:09 pm

p.s. I rarely engage in these discussions, and concur with Colin in the old adage, innocent until PROVEN guilty. But here it seems to be the opposite.

I go along thinking Fed, Rafa, Nole and Murray are all excellent athletes with excellent teams around them and think they are doing pretty damn well.

I don’t think they are cheats.

But I couldn’t help piping in because after Nole getting stomped on rather than praised for his great win over Stan because he ripped his shirt, and now he’s getting accused, basically, of being a cheat to go along with his classless barbaric behaviour, well I guess I couldn’t help but say something.

I get that this is on overdrive due to Lance Armstrong.

I get that this is territory of the number one, heavy the crown and all that.

But it does seem a little excess with Nole. Or maybe I just see it that way.

I hope none of these guys are abusing an illegal substances, but if they are doing something legal, then you can’t fault them for that.

You need to complain to the people who haven’t banned it. They are the ones who need to decide where the slope stops: with hyperbarics, cvacs, blood spinning, etc, etc. They set those limits.

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:13 pm

Jane, I think we’ve already established that Novak is a cyborg — I mean, has 2011 got another explanation? :)

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:22 pm

Again, like Jane said, he doesn’t have a CVAC. He doesn’t own one and he’s not traveling with it from tournament to tournament. This is the dumbest assumption possible.

Yeah, Brando, I’m overreacting.

Skeeze, what aren’t protein shakes helping you with? They’re supposed to help you stay less sore the day after a work out, is it not working for you?

M, so, the bubble Spanish players use is also cheating then, right? And are you trying to say it’s bad to use food and chemists to help them or it’s ok? I’m a little confused.

The CVAC has existed for a while, and there’s also no definitive proof that it actually does anything beneficial. That’s one of the reasons it has yet to be banned. And the other is, clearly, they have more pressing matters.

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:22 pm

Ben,

THe protein shake helps the muscle tone with my lifting, not with endurance. I need to actually run I think to help that, no?

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:25 pm

BTW, I do know what helps recovery time for a fact. Pure Oxygen, from a tank. They have them all over Vegas for the party ers. Helped my recovery time immensely whilst I was there in party town. I want one permanently. I bet Novak has one, Fed should get one too. I heard Darth Vader invented it.

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:29 pm

From Charlie Francis’ Speed Trap:

“…steroids are training drugs, an investment for a future advantage. User improve because they can train harder and faster–and superior training yields superior performances down the road. When a world-class athlete claims he doesn’t need steroids because he “work hard,” he is stating a non sequitur. It is the steroids that allow him to work so hard–to increase his training capacity and withstand extreme physiological stress, thereby raising his performance level.” (p. 90-91)

“International sport is moving irrevocably toward a two-tiered athletic society–to prosecute the great mass of uninformed and expendable players, while giving carte blanche to a handful of well-connected superstars. Doping control in the 1990s will formalize limited, beatable testing–a controlled and selective roulette with the risk of major scandal. The anxious network sugar daddies will be appeased, the record-hungry fans satiated. And if the competitions become over-produced Hollywood farces, with an ever-widening gap between the few authentic contenders and all the rest with no chance, who will be the wiser.” (p. 299)

“If we are to have drug testing worthy of the name, it must be administered by an independent agency, one without ties to the commercial side of the sport.” (p. 302)

“…as long as hundredths of seconds translate into millions of dollars and blinding celebrity, athletes will do whatever they can to win.” (p. 302)

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:36 pm

Skeeze, protein shake just gives you more protein so that you can build muscle faster than just by eating what you normally eat. And it can help with feeling less sore after a work out. Nothing to do with endurance.

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:38 pm

Ben,

knew that, was just playin with ya, but thanks for the advice…;). The shakes provide better performance during a workout if I have them before. One after helps too.
In my experience pre and post stretching and lots of water after a workout or long match minimizes soreness. If you don’t stretch, you’ll wind up over stretching something during the match, thus “sore”. Lets just say when I don’t do it I get really sore at times.

January 22nd, 2013 at 1:46 pm

Maybe the Joker and Lance Armstrong are friends?

January 22nd, 2013 at 2:00 pm

The CVAC won’t be banned, because similar devices are used by national federations already.

Then, you would have to ban altitude training too, which produces similar effects.

January 22nd, 2013 at 2:23 pm

Anyway, if you want to be well informed, there is a lot of it on THASP.

A whole site.

January 22nd, 2013 at 2:25 pm

At the same time though: Fed, Rafa and Muzza also can use it to should they wish to.

Brando, I’m sure they are. They don’t reveal their recovery techiniques.

January 22nd, 2013 at 2:31 pm

It would be most interesting if Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes’s court case we find out what tennis athletes ( if any ) he serviced? Somehow I doubt, being the case is in Madrid, and was restricted to cycling…..we’ll find out.

January 22nd, 2013 at 2:34 pm

Skeezer,
Which players are tight with Spanish players?
Which players spent time training there?

January 22nd, 2013 at 2:36 pm

“. Take the Rome tourney in 2011. He was on court with Belucci for what 3 to 3 and a half hours, and then came out about 19/20 hours later, fresh as a daisy, and beat Andy in the final!! ”

Just to clarify, Nole didn’t play Belucci in Rome in 2011, and nor did he beat Andy in the final. He beat Andy in the semifinal and Rafa in the final in straight sets. All his other matches at Rome were straightforward.

I wonder if you’ve looked through Rafa’s match history? You must know he’s played some 3 setters at masters tournaments and yet has gone on to win the next round. In fact, I bet MANY players have done this! Ha, in fact, Fed and Rafa used to play 5 setters in the Masters finals too, and yet somehow they still won them.

Maybe they’re just fit? Maybe Nole is too!

BTW, have you seen the CVAC pod? There is no way he could travel everywhere with one unless his team arrived with a horse trailer at every match. :)

And I guess Phelps should be considered “fishy” too since he’s used a CVAC too. Indeed, some other tennis players have admitted to trying it.

January 22nd, 2013 at 2:57 pm

Jane,I gave up,because haters are people who will go on and on targeting Nole.I left him to do the work the best he could and I am happy.Thank You any way,You are the best Nole,s fan.

January 22nd, 2013 at 2:59 pm

hey bojana – cheers, hope all is well. And yeah, I should just “forget-about-it”, like Tony Soprano. ;)

January 22nd, 2013 at 3:01 pm

Exactly mat4. So if CVAC just emulates oxigen intake in high altitudes, why it is not banned going up a mountain and breathing deeply? because it makes no sense.

January 22nd, 2013 at 3:48 pm

Jane. My apologies re: the Rome tourney in 2011 – you are correct. I don’t look through match history when trying to recap on certain tourneys so in this case my memory failed me. “Ha, in fact Fed and Rafa used to play 5 setters in the Masters finals too, yet somehow they still won them”. True, but then again they were FINALS, not intermediate matches. Nole and Rafa spent what 4 hours on court in the 2009 Madrid semis which Rafa won. So, how did he fare the next day in the finals against Fed? Answer: he was exhausted and could hardly move and here we are talking about one of the fittest players on tour. 2010 (?) WTF – Rafa played against Andy in the semis for what 4 hours. So, how did he fare the next day in the finals against Fed? Answer: exhausted.
I find it strange that each time Nole plays a lengthy matched and is asked the question whether he thinks he will recover for his next match, he has no hesitation whatsoever in responding “yes, I am confident I will recover”. Why is he so confident on his recovery? Which begs the question “what is he doing exactly to make him so confident”? He doesn’t have to travel around the world with a CVAC, just not possible but he can gain access to one if he so wishes. I am sure all the tourney locations have this contraption, e.g. In health clubs and such like. No offence Jane, but like Brando said, we are airing our views. I see this blog has invoked a lot of interest!!!

January 22nd, 2013 at 3:48 pm

“evoked” not “invoked”

January 22nd, 2013 at 3:56 pm

Fed played Delpo in Olympics semis which lasted 4 hours(?). How did he fare against Andy in the finals the next day – he lost winning 5 or 6 games! And don’t bring the age concerns into this – Fed is fit but obviously not as FIT (?) as Nole!!

January 22nd, 2013 at 4:07 pm

@Jane – You’re the most level-headed poster here by far. Always a treat to read your posts, they’re open, honest and logical.

January 22nd, 2013 at 4:29 pm

@giles: true point re Fed. Ben is right: things seem to sketchy. We need a clearer picture as to what goes on. Maybe an ATP official needs to stay with Nole throughout the tourny. Keep an eye on him. See what he has instead of pizza now…….

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:01 pm

Brando. I agree re: ATP official but will it ever happen?

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:17 pm

Giles, yes, it’s a hot topic. And no offence taken, but in my opinion, if you say those things about Nole and imply that they show he’s a cheater, you should, in fairness, have a look at Rafa’s match history, which has similar situations many times! Otherwise, the “evidence” applies only to Nole and not others.

I had a 5 minute look at just 2 years of Rafa’s masters and slams (07 & 08); I know there are more examples. See below. (And btw, I too could give you examples of where Nole played a long match and LOST the next one – look at Cincy 11, or Wimbledon 07, or even USO 12, where he had a couple days less recovery between matches – in all cases, he lost):

RN = Masters:

Canada 08: QF 3 sets Gasquet, yet beat Murray in semis (*the next day, wow!) and won final easy.

Hamburg 08: semis and finals (back to back) Nole and Fed. Both went the distance.

Rome 07: Davy semis stretched to the limit (7-6, 6-7, 6-4) yet won final the very next day.

RN = Slams:

US Open 08
4 sets 3 matches in a row: Querrey, Fish, Murray

Wimbledon 07
MID-SLAM
R32 SODA – 5 sets, wins
R16 YOUZ – 5 sets, wins
And of course he reached the final and nearly beat Fed, the king of grass.

So it’s pretty similar. Especially Wimbledon 07, where Rafa’s (and Nole’s) side of the draw played back to back to back due to rain.

Anyhow no offence meant, and I don’t think Rafa;s a cheat.

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:18 pm

jane,

You’ve done it again, it is God’s gift to have you with us, Nole’s fans.

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:25 pm

Giles, you can’t compare 30 year old Federer to 25 year old Djokovic in terms of recovery. That’s the one place where Fed’s age is very clear.

Brando, really? I mean, really? If that’s the case, someone better be following Rafa around during his time away.

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:29 pm

Thanks chrisj and Wog boy, but my posts are full of mistakes and probably logical errors etc. I just think standards here, too, need to be considered broadly. You can’t suggest Nole be followed around because he recovered from a long match with Stan, but it’s okay that Rafa and Nando played one of the longest semis at AO in 09, and it was late, and he had one less day to recover, but still he beat Roger in the final in 5 sets. The we need to see what Rafa has instead of paella.

Again, I don’t think these guys are cheats. I believe they are innocent. If it is proven otherwise then fine. But until then I don’t think that. The points I am making are for argument’s sake, and imo for fairness’ sake too.

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:35 pm

Maybe it is Donkey cheese that makes him superman, there is more donkeys in Spain than in Serbia, Rafa shuoul try it;)

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:41 pm

“should”

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:41 pm

^ The donkey cheese angle crossed my mind Wog boy; after all he bought the “world’s supply!” LOL!!

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:48 pm

I’m wondering if it’s safe to chime in here, without stepping on some people’s toes.

To begin with, I checked this entire thread and couldn’t find anthing, mentioned by Colin, e.g., “and concur with Colin in the old adage, innocent until PROVEN guilty. But here it seems to be the opposite.”, also,

“But it does seem a little excess with Nole. Or maybe I just see it that way.” Absolutely and excessively, over the top IMO. It’s the reason you’re his No.1 fan. And, you’ll bring down any other player to make him look good, quoting other sources/posters, etc., to prove a point. sorry, but I don’t understand.

I’d like to know, how does anyone know for a certainty that Djoker does not travel with the CVAC? Perhaps he has his own plane just like many other athletes.

Nadal didn’t do any blood spinning, he’s had PRP treatments, which has been an on-going topic on this site during the 21 months I’ve been reading, before posting now, by one of Djoker’s fans.

Some posters claim Djoker was/is asthmatic. If so, whatever happened to the asthma? Anyone who has any knowledge of asthma, or has family who are asthmatic, will say for a fact that no one is cured of asthma by changing their diets, and, even before going on the diet it has never been said with any certainty by Djokovic that he has or had asthma. IMO, it appears that some of his fans made up that illness to compensate for his lack of fitness when he used to bail out of matches, etc.

Djokovic’s asthama, diet, fitness all got better when he hooked up with Dr. Cjetovic (?) and he became a cyborg/iron man all of a sudden, e.g., 2011. I’ve seen people’s health improve with the right diet, but not that kind of transformation.

The more secretive Djokovic is about his routine, it’s the more suspicious the media and fans will become.

If Djokovic is doing something out of the ordinary, it will someday be found out, but I’m not holding my breath because the testing that’s being done by WADA and other labs for tennis is a joke. The only other way is for a whistleblower to say something.

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:53 pm

What’s Federer’s routine?

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:58 pm

@Giles: it would be a first as far as I know. The ONLY way to do so would be in a covert, sophisticated sting manner- only then can the cloud of great uncertainty be lifted regarding this player that once was a laughing stock regarding his fitness and now is Mr Universe all of a sudden. Well maybe like Mr Universe he has had a bit of help to get to such a level. A suggestion: some ATP official disguised as a donkey cheese aficionado befriend nole and his team with the promise of donkey cheese that can help improve his 2nd serve and shaky net game. How? No one knows. But it’s donkey cheese- so don’t ever doubt it. Then over the passage of time, as a level of trust develops, BHAM: nole’s secret gets uncovered. Underhand or not: and this time once the truth is out, I bet nole will leave the hulk hugan pose to the man himself. I think this is a bulletproof idea: you……

January 22nd, 2013 at 5:58 pm

Colin Says:
Mr Pronoun, among civilised people there is a convention of “innocent umtil proved guilty”. If all Spanish sports were using some wonder drug, we’d be looking at a huge conspiracy. Other athletes – and coaches – round the world would want some of the stuff, and do you suppose nobody would have leaked the details, whether though honest whistle-blowing or for monetary reward? Not perhaps totally impossible, but very, very improbable.
The onus of proof is on Noah… and on you!

November 21st, 2011 at 2:57 pm

January 22nd, 2013 at 6:00 pm

@Alok: BRAVO! Standing ovation, MWAH! What a post!

January 22nd, 2013 at 6:01 pm

“What’s Federer’s routine?”

He’s never needed one.

January 22nd, 2013 at 6:03 pm

Novak took such an improvement in 2011 due to 2 main reasons:

– He went gluten free and completely solved his celiac disease issues – FITNESS

– He changed his racquet which provided him with much more power and consistency (compared to the crappy Head racquet he was playing with during 2009/2010 seasons) – GAME

January 22nd, 2013 at 6:07 pm

I am not “bringing down” other players. I have said many times that I DO NOT think Nole or the other players are cheats. But the same situations exist for all the top players. They’ve ALL played long matches and recovered and they’ve all played long matches and lost. It doesn’t “prove” anything.

I have never heard of Nole having a plane.

Rafa’s PRP; I don’t even have an issue with it, but I know it’s been discussed here, and accusations have been made against Rafa, which I have never supported, once. Anyhow, isn’t blood spinning sland for that? It’s what I read when I googled it.

I just think innocent until proven guilty.

Anyhow, go ahead. I am done on this topic.

January 22nd, 2013 at 6:08 pm

*slang

January 22nd, 2013 at 6:09 pm

Dr Četojević has been avaliable for almost two years, I haven’t seen people fighting for his services. Baghdatis tried and the only reason is they are neighbours in Cyprus.

I have never heard Federer talking about his routine how he manage to stay healthy and injury free, what does he do in off season, what does he have at home etc. does that makes him suspect?

Nole had asthma as young man, that is fact, that is why he was overlooked by Serbian tenis federation and its president (Boba Zivojinovic), he was deemed of pure health and with no real future in tennis. Every spring time Nole had breathing and allergy problems (he pulled out of SO few years ago because of that) and still you can see during that period with red and runny nose but they worked out what is causing it and they managed to get it under control, not to cure it.

I know that you are dissapointed that Nole is still doing well and is still #1 against all odds, but that is how it is and how is going to stay for a while, so better get used to it, it will be less stresfull for you.

January 22nd, 2013 at 6:18 pm

It’s a waste of time to enter into a civilized discussion, I see.

You must be psychic to know that I’m disappointed and stressed out. I personally don’t give a rat’s … if the man is No.1 or 1,000. I’m concerned about the sport and if there’s cheating, I, just like everyone else, would like to know about it, just like many were concered over Lance Armstrong.Cheating takes away from the enjoyment of the sport. I don’t want to hear in a few years that I devoted several hours watching a sport where the characters involved were cheating.

doping and cheating is a fact in the sports world, and those who don’t want to know about this element in the sports we watch, then they might as well start being ostriches with their heads stuck in the sand, and bury themselves away from the real world.

As a young child 7 years old I liked wrestling, and got upset at the brutality, which made me cry. Then one of our relatives told me it was all acting. That spoiled it for me, and I’ve never watched again.

This is how I feel about tennis presently, and am hanging in there because the player I support, his work habits does not put questions out there that cannot be answered. Anyway, too bad some here who are obsessed with their fave have to become so defensive and want to take things to a personal level.

January 22nd, 2013 at 6:49 pm

Again, what is Federer’s routine?

January 22nd, 2013 at 7:07 pm

Alok, you keep watching for your conspiracies while we keep enjoying watching the tennis. Cheers.

January 22nd, 2013 at 7:14 pm

“Anyway, too bad some here who are obsessed with their fave have to become so defensive and want to take things to a personal level.” So true! Nowadays one cannot discuss anything Without considering the overly sensitive fans. Praise their fav? More than welcome. Discuss a grey area regarding their fav? How dare you! LOL, shame folks don’t realize that others are free to do so should they wish to discuss it!

January 22nd, 2013 at 7:35 pm

^ agreed. BTW, I think Fed is nortperfect and at times can be misunderstood about being Arrogant, but he is not.

Wait…..he is perfect.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:11 pm

brando,

We are just presenting our case, so the others can judge themselves. I think it is the other way around, you are deffensive since you have nothing to back up your arguments.
You are making somebody a suspect without any evidence. How fair is that?

I want to go back to asthma issue, one of the best swimmers had asthma and swimming was what his doctor told his parents can help to have healthy and happy life. He became multiple Olympic and world champion and his name is Ian Thorp. This is fact, he grew up in the area where I live, my kids swam in the same pool and same coach, Doug and his son Paul Frost, and I am pretty good with his mother Margaret Thorpe. I said this just to make sure nobody calls me liar.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:12 pm

@Brando:

You are kidding, aren’t you?

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:12 pm

Wogboy,

Happy 79th Bday and I toast a glass of plum wine to you.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:17 pm

Anyway, in the “Keeping tabs”, Tignor adresses the question of doping. It is here:

http://www.tennis.com/pro-game/2013/01/keeping-tabs-melbourne-jan-23/46139/

A few words about doping:

I have a lot of suspicions myself about that. Are Nole and Fed using PED? Are Rafa and Andy on steroids? What about Ferrer, Berdych, DelPotro? Just go to the THASP site. There are no pictures now, but still, there are a lot of interesting articles and links.

But I think that the fact the top dogs want more blood testing, and the introduction of the biological passeport next year, could show that there was “Much Ado About Nothing”.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:22 pm

@Skeezer:

LOL.

For the record i don’t believe fed is arrogant either.

Confident? Yes.

Self assured? Yes.

Arrogant? No.

To me arrogance is when someone is completely full of himself or rubs their achievements down the throat of others.

I don’t fed does any of that in all honesty.

Maybe in a moment of weakness he may have done at one moment or another, but guess what: he’s human and anyone can make a misstep or indulge in a moment they may later regret.

Overall, i think considering the success he has had and the status he is on, Fed seems like a pretty level headed, laid back and generous type of guy.

That’s what i think from afar anyhow.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:30 pm

skeezer,

Thanks very much, let us not talk numbers, maybe that was the reason I forgot what day is today;)

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:31 pm

And, as a Novak fan:

The arguments brought here are bogus.

He didn’t improve his stamina in 2011, although he lost some weight with that new diet. He still has problems in conditions of high humidity. He still plays a notch down when it is hot. He doesn’t have more power, and he doesn’t run faster.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:34 pm

Brando, you and I have generally had reasonable discussions, agreeing to disagree on things like draws, Nole’s chances, etc, and I don’t take issue with people discussing this issue or Nole’s shirt ripping.

My 3 points have been (1) that the same standards should be applied to all the top players then [i.e., judging recovery time and success thereafter, etc], (2) that Nole didn’t transform suddenly but that it’s been a long process, over at least two years. After failing to capitalize on his slam success in 08, he hired a new trainer in 09; after having issues with his breathing in heat/humidity, he hired a doctor in 10; and then in 11 he had his best year. It’s sort of like Rafa’s trajectory on grass – 06, final won one set, 07, final pushed fed to 5, 08 won! :) and finally (3)that the players are “innocent until proven guilty” and you yourself said this same thing in a post not too long ago:

—————————————
”
Brando Says:
Regarding this doping thing and rafa, a few points:

I’m a rafa fan, BUT being objective as i can be consider the following:

1- There is NO official investigation, statement or ANY such remark or slur regarding rafa from ANY official body.

Is it really too much to sstill believe in INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY?

Or is the world too CYNICAL now for such belief’s to be held?

2- IF by ANY chance rafa was guilty and serving a ‘mythical silent ban’- since that’s all it is right now: an IDEA/ NOTION pushed ONLY of course by his biggest well wishers here- then what does that say about the ATP and ITF?

IF they are allowing rafa to continue, especially post ARMSTRONG scanal, then SURELY rafa is not the ONLY one!

SURELY there must be others since WHY risk the reputation of the game ultimately over ONE mere player?

IF rafa is doping then he IS NOT the ONLY cheat since the ATP and other agencies are in on the ACT OF CHEATING YOU- the avid fan!

So until ANY SHRED of REAL evidence and that too in PUBLIC not on some website of choice emerges then I for one shall continue to believe that:

A- Rafa is injured and this silent ban is BS being pushed by sad, petty haters and

B- The ATP is not risking it’s reputation and that of the game’s JUST to protect ONE mere player!

December 29th, 2012 at 12:14 pm”

——————————–

It’s our natural inclination to defend our faves; I am sorry if I have been over-zealous on this or another thread. The shirt-ripping, meh, I didn’t care as much about, as that is a personal preference, but this goes to a person’s values and character. I just don’t think Nole’s a cheat. And if he turns out to be, well, that’ll suck. Same with Rafa or any of them.

BUT – the burden of proof is on the governing bodies to test/prove that’s the case. The issue, imo, is with them to determine what’s legal, what’s not, and to do sufficient testing.

Of course I hope/assume the players are also not cheating. And until proven otherwise, I am going to given them all the benefit of the doubt. If that means I am in denial, so be it. Respectfully.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:34 pm

@WB:

You noticed the look of the song… but the message? “If I could take back time…”?

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:36 pm

mat4,

I did notice both, but tried to concentrate just on the look of the song;)

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:40 pm

jane:

You were not overzealous. And WB is quite right in his last remark. And you don’t deserve to be personally attacked, and your integrity questioned.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:41 pm

But Nole is a cheat. Just ask Sugarpova.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:44 pm

Why wasn’t anyone asking how Federer recovered after 10-8 against Tipsy? That was in the third round. He went on to demolish everyone else he faced (a still prime Blake and, coincidentally, Berdych) until he ran into Djokovic. And that was right after he was sick with, at the time we were told, a stomach virus. And it was later revealed he had mono! But he did all of that anyway! Because he’s super human!

No, Federer clearly has a great team around him and has had one for a long, long time. Same with Djokovic.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:52 pm

@Ben:

I wanted to brought that argument and even checked the length of the match: 4h 27 mn.

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:57 pm

@ALL NOLE FANS (especially Mat4, Wog Boy, Jane):

LOL, I WAS JUST KIDDING!

I was just having a bit of fun indulging in the cynicism that is unfounded regarding nole and his recovery program.

I thought my post regarding a sting operation by an ATP individual disguised as a donkey cheese aficionado was a dead give away showing that, LOL!

Anyhow, i apologize if any of you good folks felt somewhat insulted by my indulging in this silly bit of fun.

I realise that maybe i was going a bit to far on this one.

For the sake of clarity:

1- I have ZERO DOUBTS about Nole’s recovery program, method of recovery or the HONESTY of how he goes about his work.

2- I’m a firm believer in INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY. It’s a moral belief that i believe in greatly. To date there is ZERO EVIDENCE against nole, rafa, fed- so surely the DECENT THING would be to not drag their name through the dirty mud of suspicion, slander and accusation when there is ABSOLUTELY no real credible reason for it to be done so.

I like Novak. He’s an honest guy: forthright, direct and doesn’t dodge ANY questions as shown by this presser and the Armstrong question.

He’s not PC- that i like quite alot. Whatever he has won he has done so through sheer hard work and effort: one should respect that and not begrudge him by slandering his name unfoundedly.

He’s a credit to the game and certainly one of the jewel’s in it’s crown today!

Anyhow, to summarize:

I hope that i make it clear that i have ZERO DOUBTS about nole, and for the record ANY of the other top players regarding the honesty of their work. NOT ONE IOTA of doubt at all!

And moreso: i apologize to the nice, kind, affable, humorous nole fans who i am very fond off here on TX if i offended them or hurt their understandable sensitivity towards their fav by indulging in my silly self in any way shape or form.

It won’t happen again i promise.

Good luck to nole for the rest of the AO!

January 22nd, 2013 at 8:58 pm

But then, this all discussion is BS, and there is no point to bring forth the same arguments over and over again.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:00 pm

@Brando:

I didn’t see your post about the cheese, and my comment was not related to you, especially since I wrote it at the same time as jane wrote an answer quoting an old post of yours.

But I saw a few others, very nasty.

I don’t care if somebody writes that Nole is a doper — I wrote a few times myself my suspicions about other players and about Novak himself.

But nobody deserves to be insulted, and there is already too much of it in this thread.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:09 pm

mat4,

I was waiting for you to ask how come Jelena is not in his box?

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:12 pm

The recover time issue is a simple one. Here it is;

Nole and Fed were having a Brewsky together in a bar in Shanghai. At the time, Nole asked Fed what is the secret to his fitness regime? Fed told him, “I will tell you but if anybody asks you, you tell them its private.”. Nole obliged. Ever since then Nole has been using “the secret to Feds success”. End of story.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:14 pm

But we have to be honest about doping, too. Lately, there have been a lot of suspicions and accusations. Olivier Rocchus is convinced that doping starts with junior players. Here is a quote from a conversation he had with John Pitney:

“Que vu l’inflation du volume physique des joueurs actuels, la seule manière efficace de lutter contre le dopage sur le circuit serait d’intensifier les contrôles au niveau junior, car c’est à cet âge, vers 14 ou 15 ans parfois, que des gosses, souvent inconscients de ce qui leur est administré, commencent à se faire « charger » par leurs parents ou coachs ; que l’argument selon lequel tel ou tel joueur – suivez mon regard, amis de la corrida – serait « naturellement » puissant physiquement à 17 ou 18 ans est non pertinent à cet égard ; qu’il ne lui revient pas de reprocher à ce type de joueur – suivez mon regard, amis de la paella – de maximiser ces gains professionnels mais qu’il ne plaindra pas s’il venait à faire un infarctus à 40 ans ; que si les pratiques de dopage sont plus massives auprès de certains cultures tennistiques – suivez mon regard, amis de la vodka et du tango – elles sont néanmoins généralisées au sein du top – suivez mon regard, amis de l’emmenthal.”

Simon, just this weak, loudly remarked how much Murray has beefed up.

Murray and Federer want more blood analysis, and Djokovic agrees.

Noah accused the Spanish players, and Loth, on Radio TennisPlay gave credence to those accusations.

So, how could we say it? Is something rotten in the state of Denmark?

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:19 pm

@Mat4:

‘But nobody deserves to be insulted, and there is already too much of it in this thread.’

COMPLETELY TRUE!

From my part: I saw a thread regarding a topic that i thought ‘hang on: the cynics shall be licking their lips in joy with this one- let’s have a bit of fun indulging them shall we?’

So i played the role of co-signer to their baseless suspicions.

Truthfully: malice was not intended at all.

However:

I do recognize that this is a sensitive topic, especially so for the fans of the player who is on the receiving end of such slander.

And i was very wrong to indulge in this bit of silly, dumb fun. It was wrong for me to engage in, I recognize and accept.

Hence my sincere apology to all the nole fans.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:20 pm

@wogboy

Glad you caught the age thing, you know I was only joking( but not the plum wine)

Happy 75th ;)

@mat4 Says:
“But Nole is a cheat. Just ask Sugarpova.”

Yep. You nailed it. He eats her candy before the match, the sugar rushes in, and wal-la! Recovery complete. Should be a banned substance.

“two”

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:20 pm

@WB:

I was waiting for you to ask how come he doesn’t play the Hopman cup with Jelena Jankovic?

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:21 pm

@Brando:

I didn’t see your post! It wasn’t you…

But now that you want to be nice… Can I ask for a favour?

Stop using CAPITALS! PLEASE!..

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:25 pm

@Brando

Nice post @ 8:04, thanks. Seriously, and Fed is far from perfect also, we all know that. But overall he has been great role model and great for the game.

After watching the LA incident, however, who knows who is doing what? Sometimes I really do want to stick my head in the sand. I Liked LA, his achievements, his role model with Livestrong ( heck isn’t he the guy who practically invented the rubber bracelet? ).

Here is a guy, at the top of his sport of years, all time great, who cheated and denied it for years. Furthermore, he wa tested over and over and nothing.

Now, as a fan of sports, I feel jaded somewhat, and ANYONE( oops, used a capital, sorry ) is not out of bounds now when it comes to suspicion of doping. just my imo…..

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:27 pm

mat4,

Ana and Jelena are not on the good terms, they never were, you either chose one and stick with that one (talking tennis only;)) or else …

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:27 pm

@Mat4:

I CANNOT DO SO!

I’M A CAPS LOCK ADDICT!

LOL!

Nah, i will do so. I don’t know how or why, it’s just a bad habit that i picked up and it’s seemingly stuck with me since.

I’ll try to cut it out.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:34 pm

@WB:

Woggy… Woggy… you don’t get it, don’t you? Why Nole looks always so inspired after the Hopman Cup? Why he tore his shirt apart Down Under?

So, a quote from Tignor:

“It also seems to be a gathering place for people who don’t know a whole lot about the sport. Exhibit A are the two men behind me. I can’t see them, but their back-and-forth snicker sounds not unlike Beavis and Butthead’s.

Three young women walk, a little tipsily, down from the top of the bleachers.

“Look, it’s the Marat Safin entourage.”

“Who?”

“Those girls who just walked past, over there.”

“No, who’s Marat Safin?”

“He’s the guy had all the girls.”

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:37 pm

@Skeezer:

I completely understand why you think and feel as such.

If anything: so do I post the unfortunate Armstrong revelation.

Here was a guy who was a undeniable sports icon. But more to it, he was a great human story: man who suffers an unfortunate illness, overcomes it with patience and effort.

Through sheer tenacity and great character achieves astounding success in his field, then follows it up raising millions for a good cause that has benefited greatly from the work he has done for it.

What a nice, touching story that surely touched millions and inspired many without a doubt.

And then, the unfortunate truth emerges.

I sincerely hope NO ONE (sorry Mat4) in tennis puts the sport through this, as it is a travesty.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:43 pm

mat4,

You cannot be serious!

He didn’t do it (those hanky panky things) in Perth?

Maybe that is the secret of his speede recovery;)

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:45 pm

The “LA effect” is already here. And tennis will have to deal with it, the sooner the better.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:47 pm

“speedy”

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:47 pm

Lol, re: Nole and Sugarpova. Za za za zoo. But I do think he loves Jelena. :)

mat4, if something is rotten, it will out; rotten things ferment and rise to the surface. Until then, why not assume there isn’t? And why not let “the powers that be” work as the grave diggers and find the skeletons. I looked at that THASP site once or twice, and I found it alarmist. Leave it to professionals and governing bodies. If they are corrupt, well, it will out. Eventually. Like in baseball. Like in cycling.

Brando, methinks it would be a good thing to have some icon smilies here – love those for expressing tone. Like I say, if people want to discuss the topic generally or apply standards, apply them across board. I am just a “innocent until…” kinda thinker.

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:52 pm

@WB:

No, of course, he didn’t..

Men never do such things, anyway..

Now, a story a colleague told me once. He was a hunter. So, in the season of hunt, he woke up at four AM, went to see a friend of his, and continued his way one hour later. But somebody revealed his scheme to his wife.

So, I asked him how he got himself out of trouble.

“I denied”, he answered. “And now, twenty years later, I often remember my wife about that time, when she unjustly accused me…”

January 22nd, 2013 at 9:52 pm

@jane:

I agree with you, and I think that soon, the anti-doping policy in tennis will be more efficient.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:02 pm

And, if my memory serves me well:

20 years ago, Edberg won the USO, playing five setters in the semi, the quarter and the round of 16. He played more than 5 hours in the semi…

About recuperation…

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:05 pm

jane,

Like it or not, the fans DO play a part. Writers, fans, media, DOES play a part. Not just governing bodies, officials in conference rooms, behind closed doors. If no one questions in the public eye, what pressure if any is applied and who governs them that govern? If the governing bodies are corrupt, then “the guilty will remain innocent”. ( in the end imo its all about the money )

If you take a hard look at the LA story, the are some bigger heads that are going to fall, no doubt. The “LA effect” as Mat4 mentioned, is already here, and attitudes towards “oh I am innocent” has proven that will not cut bait anymore.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:09 pm

That storry reminds on my grandfather, he was the hunter and everybody knew what was he doing but the husbands knew too. So when the WW2 came along he became hunted and was found one day shot dead in the forest. They blamed the Germans for that and that was the end of storry, my grandmather told me later, it had nothing to do with Germans it was his womanising that cost him his life … I didn’t take on him.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:12 pm

@WB:

“I didn’t take on him.”

So, you deny too?

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:19 pm

mat4,

What I meant, I am not a hunter.
I like all living creatures, cannot stand killing them for pleasure.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:27 pm

Guess no one is watching the Serena / Stevens match. My girl has gotten 5 games on the Warrior! Impressive!

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:31 pm

skeezer,

I am watching, Serena is injured.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:39 pm

Yeah..bummer…would have liked to see them both healthy. However, why do I feel Serena will find a way to win?

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:43 pm

I guees because she is Serena.

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:48 pm

Wow, not good. Major upset maybe coming….

January 22nd, 2013 at 10:53 pm

great defence from sloane.

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:42 pm

mat4 ’20 years ago, Edberg won the USO, playing five setters in the semi, the quarter and the round of 16. He played more than 5 hours in the semi…”

Well, totally. I thought of older matches too but could be bothered going through the annals of the sport choosing to stick to current players.

skeezer, I said I don’t care if people discuss it, just apply standards evenly. Ask ALL the players about the recovery techniques. I am sticking to “innocent until…” I am not opposed to a general on-going thread on the topic either. I’d love one on non-tennis related things so some of us could talk film or bbq-ing recipes. :)

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:42 pm

2 match points…gulp!!

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:43 pm

and she wins!!

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:43 pm

well, matches has to be played..and something like this can happens. who would have thought sloane beating serena.

January 22nd, 2013 at 11:51 pm

Nice win for Sloane. Love her dimples. I only hope she can get to the final, even win the trophy. It’s a long time since a 19 yo woman has won a GS title. Go Sloane.

January 23rd, 2013 at 1:52 am

Sloane sure is a likable character. Happy for her win.

January 23rd, 2013 at 2:07 am

It’s the donkey cheese, hyperbaric chamber or both. Or, maybe he is just “Super Serb.”
http://martinstake128.wordpress.com/2013/01/23/theres-no-joking-djokers-smoking/

January 23rd, 2013 at 2:28 am

http://blog.perpetuelle.com/watches/richard-mille-tourbillon-rm-27-01-rafael-nadal-watch/ What do you guys think of Rafa’s new watch? #Magnifique

January 23rd, 2013 at 5:46 am