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Post by falafaclese on Aug 31, 2009 15:59:04 GMT
I took the day off! I feel totally guilty, because the BF went to work today, and every time he looked at me I felt like he was saying "You should be ashamed of yourself." That was due to my own guilt, not through anything he did or said. I'll be doing work at home though, so hopefully that will assuage some of my guilt. Kimmy is looking very good. Has anyone been able to get the live coverage on the usopen.org site to work? I've been futzing with it for like 20 minutes and can't get it to show me any actual tennis. I'll probably end up using espn360 in to watch the matches on the outside courts.
Congrats on you new job, tiki!
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Post by acre on Aug 31, 2009 16:03:57 GMT
Well my primary thoughts about the open are Roger related (of course.) But at least right now I actually don't care much if he wins. I do feel like with the career slam and 15 and 2 already this year - it's enough, it's fine and good for someone else to win. Now whether that will hold up as the tournament goes on is entirely another thing!
But anyway: I want Roger to make the semi's and continue that amazing string, and I don't want him to lose to Rafa. And as you've been discussing, that's not because of Rafa himself, but because of the commentary. Fine with me if Nadal wins the tournament and completes the slam, but then Fed should lose in the semis to a worthy competitor like Roddick or Djok. They're the most likely suspects on his side of the draw, right? Haven't checked it lately, but that's my recollection.
I agree that I hate all the gloom and doom, whether it's directed at Roger about how he's lost it blahblah, or at Rafa and he's worn himself out it's all downhill now. Blech. They're both phenomenal AND those other players at the top are also damn damn good, and a loss by any one of them to any other of them is no goddamn disgrace or portent or anything else.
How about let's have all the TV talk be about how fantastic it is that the talent at the top of the men's game is so deep, so competitive - that's a good thing! I mean for me, I loved the era of Fed's total dominance, but y'know I mostly just like good tennis.
I hope Rafa comes back strong, Murray and Djok play like they can, Roddick and DelPo step up, and so on. I don't mean to imply the latter two haven't stepped up, of course they have, just like to see it maintained and continued.
The women are less compelling to me right now, but at least there really are some good stories, and a number of very competitve players around. I'd like to see Kimmy and Sharapova have good tournaments, cause I'm all for more depth in the game. Then, I don't know, I guess my fave to win would be Venus, but I doubt that. Also not so into Serena, though if I was betting I'd certainly pick her.
It would be fantastic to see Dementieva win, but I don't pin my hopes to her. She's sooo much better and steadier than she used to be, but I can't get invested. Hmph, and then there's Safina. Well, I would certainly be very very pleased to see her win, but I have no belief at this point, and won't be putting my emotions on the line for her. She has to show me from here on out, and until she does I like her, but don't care that much.
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Post by roseha on Aug 31, 2009 16:31:10 GMT
I've gotten the USO radio to work and they are *not* doing any play by play It's not like it's raining or anything.
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Post by falafaclese on Aug 31, 2009 16:43:19 GMT
I just got the video to work, and I highly recommend it. Nice quality, full match stats, and they even have picture-in-picture, so you watch two matches and then switch back and forth if you want. The only thing I can say, is that it would be cool if they had more courts, but they do have feeds from the 2 stadiums, grandstand, and 2 outer courts, so that's not too bad. Like I said it's right on usopen.org if you want to check it out.
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Post by chestylarue on Aug 31, 2009 16:44:08 GMT
To me – but of course I say this as a big fan of his - this is not his first real public doubt. I know that there was a lot of doubt about him at the start of 2006 when he missed the AO after having to withdraaw from TMC in 2005. Then- even at the start of 2008 when he was coming off some bad losses at the end of 2007 to Nalby and was thrashed by Zonger at the AO and hadn’t won a tournament since the 2007 FO. There has been a meta on him for years that he will have a short career and that he is starting a decline.
This just feels different right now. In late 2005 he had been crying at the thought that his careera (in Rafas-speac) may be over. Now when I hear some of his quotes- he still has a bunch of fight left in him, etc. but there is just something different. Granted- he has accomplished a lot more than he did at the end of 2005. But still- after seeing him start the year so well- it has been a long strange trip since then.
One thing is for certain- he seems a lot happier now than he was around April or so. Even when he is annoyed with some of his play since he came back- he just seems more settled and content than he was around the time of Miami.
I just hope he can get a few more grand slam titles. I know that a lot of folks don’t like him/actively dislike him- but for me- there will be a lot of joy sucked out of the game for me if he never reaches any heights again. Even if I appreciate what he has achieved. (And I would love it if he could one day play in Paris and they actually cheer for him- even if for just a wee little bit. But hell will freeze over before that will happen.)
USO Radio will not work for me- but it sounds like I am not missing much.
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Post by francienolan on Aug 31, 2009 16:51:46 GMT
Re: Rafa staying at the top, the physical wear and tear on the body is one thing but the emotional toll is also going to be different for everyone. Mats Wilander said that 5 years "on top" was about all that he could take. The game has changed in 20 years but I understand the sentiment. The scheduling of the WS and their general mindset from the start definitely contributes to their continued high level of play.
ETA Is anyone wearing the Adidas tiger motif aside from PHM? It is eye catching in a car wreck sort of way...
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Post by tikigirl on Aug 31, 2009 17:50:36 GMT
There's a lot of idiotic sports commentary out there for sure. I try to ignore it all at this point, and just enjoy tennis, and baseball, and swimming, and...wait, bog snorkelling? Oh, that is so cool, admin! I love any kind of swimming. But it looks very cold. [Thanks to everyone for the congratulations. Freelancing is difficult, so getting a job (especially this kind, close to my heart) is especially sweet.] eta: image stolen from time magazine online -- hope they don't catch me.
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Post by falafaclese on Aug 31, 2009 18:01:08 GMT
I thought she was joking myself, then I did a search and realized that it was an actual thing! Hot damn! The name alone is worth the price of admission, "bog snorkeling" sounds like something out of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but the videos I saw online were great.
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Post by GrandSlamGuru on Aug 31, 2009 18:23:29 GMT
This is a wonderful time of year to be a New Yorker. USO players will be all over the city shopping, dining, etc., and it's great to run into one of them someplace off the beaten path.
Here's to a great tournament!
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Post by tikigirl on Aug 31, 2009 18:41:49 GMT
Have you had some interesting encounters with players, guru?
On a shallow note (you know you can always count on me for that), I don't like Roger's tomato-red shirt. He looks much better in teal.
GO, FABRICE! (Speaking of, where is apocalipstick? She hasn't been around in ages, damn it.)
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Post by acre on Aug 31, 2009 21:04:39 GMT
tiki congrats and totally agree on Roger's shirt! Do not like. I also think that's a very tough color for most people to wear, unless they have darker skin. Hmm, it might work on some paler redheads, but not so much on Fed.
So I've read a fair amount of tennis commentary today, mostly the NYTimes. I can see how the Fed-fawning would get to people for sure. I just find it kind of funny, but some of it is so hyperbolic, it's bordering on silly. And that's even for me, and I'm crazy about Fed.
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Post by sapienta on Aug 31, 2009 21:33:32 GMT
So when people say that Roger has enough, is that then an argument for his retirement? Like should he stop now because he "has enough"? Or should he be tanking matches or taking chunks of time off the tour so someone else can win?
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Post by acre on Aug 31, 2009 21:46:19 GMT
sapienta: As to Roger having "enough" - obviously I can only speak for myself, but if I used that term (can't remember), I didn't mean any of the options you list. All I mean is that I will be less upset if he doesn't win, that I'll be able to be happy for someone else if they win.
I think, in theory - ask me during a tight late round match and my story will probably change. I absolutely want to get all the Fed I can, playing well. I'm not ready to see him go, cause players like him don't come around often.
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Post by tikigirl on Aug 31, 2009 21:47:27 GMT
Thank you, acre. And, hee, sapienta, I guess people don't think things through to the logical conclusion. As I said before, I try to stay away from hype, both positive and negative, and just enjoy the tennis, and my peeps here on the board.
Speaking of you all, and seeing all the various players' nationalities, I was thinking how we have a variety of countries represented here. The States, Canada, England, Wales, Australia, Caribbean (you can be more specific if you want to share, sapienta). I'm sure I've missed some. Anyway, I really enjoy having the cross-section of opinions, points of view, and information.
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Post by chestylarue on Aug 31, 2009 22:11:56 GMT
So when people say that Roger has enough, is that then an argument for his retirement? Like should he stop now because he "has enough"? Or should he be tanking matches or taking chunks of time off the tour so someone else can win? That is not what I was trying to say at all and I aplogize if that is what it sounded like. Just for me- while I like Fedeer- I also like a good number of players. I would like to see some of them also win titles. That is not a slag against Roger- but rather a positive hope for players like Delpo, Murray, Roddick and Rafa to get a USO title. Tennis has never been about just one player for me. While I have my top favorites- I do like a good number and so can be happy for them if they win.. Tennis is not just about Roger for me and so, while enjoying his achievements- he is not the only player that I ever want to see win.. Heck- it is not even just about Rafa. For example- when he and Delp were playing in Montreal- I was rooting for Delpo. And again- I think that the other players are very skilled- so if they win- I think they can actually do it through skills and playing well- and not just because Roger tanks.
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