French Open '10: Point by point coverage

[tikigirl]

That was a hell of a performance by Schiavone. A bit hyper, but she totally held it together and Stosur didn't. I'm so disappointed for Stosur. And for myself, as I often am, with some of the bizarre RG winners.

I was awake for the second set, but I saw this end coming, and was too disappointed to type.

"He improve his level of kind of person, no? I think he improve his personality the last year."

I'm with oops on this one. Nice of you to judge and share your judgment there, Nadal.

OMG, is that Mary fucking Pierce? She's as big as a house. Beautiful, but big (compared to her playing years, I mean).

[chocula]

I'm such a big softy. Yes, I teared up when Schiavone won. How can you not love the pure delight on Schiavone's face. The BF just woke up and was like, what's with the blubbering?

[chocula]

Wow, Stosur is such a class act. I just saw her interview with JMac. I don't know a lot a players who could hold it together so well after such a tough loss.

[imelda]

Jun 5, 2010 15:08:46 GMT chocula said:

I'm such a big softy. Yes, I teared up when Schiavone won. How can you not love the pure delight on Schiavone's face. The BF just woke up and was like, what's with the blubbering?

Hi Chocula.. am new here. I was rooting for Sam, but I really teared up when Francesca went to her players box. That was heart-warming.

[oopssorry]

Impressive from both camps. Hoping I can endure more than a few games of tomorrow's match.... And who - oh, who??? - will be commentating??

[chestylarue]

"He improve his level of kind of person, no? I think he improve his personality the last year."



I'm with oops on this one. Nice of you to judge and share your judgment there, Nadal.

To be fair- yes Rafa could have phrased it better and have just said that Robin is becomming friendlier in the locer room. But in the past Saint Roger and the two Andys have commented on Robin's coldnesss. Monaco in a Spanish language interview went into great depth about how cold Robin has been in the locker room- in particular to Spanish speaking players.

But none of them are called out to correct their comments. Rafa has been- continually as he was when he was answering the question. And it does sound like Robin has become friendlier. And Rafa was speaking in a language that he is not 100% fluent in. So I think he meant it in a good way although I understand his wording is awful to some. I don't think he meant it that way.


Soooo happy for Franny. So sad for Sam. But Fran was adorable.

So nervous tomorrow.

[lizm]

Dammit, slept in. (Will NOT do that for tomorrow's match.)

Glad to find out that Schaivone won - homely people unite! Stosur will have other chances.

I'm inclined to make excuses for Rafa's candid but judgemental comment. I really do think it was made in a complimentary spirit, even if it came out all condescending. "Soderling has mellowed a bit this year" would've been the same sentiment, but more appropriate.

[chestylarue]

Jun 5, 2010 15:18:41 GMT chocula said:

Wow, Stosur is such a class act. I just saw her interview with JMac. I don't know a lot a players who could hold it together so well after such a tough loss.

JMac's interview with Sam was awful- he was like- how many more daggers can I stick into your heart. But she was pure class.

I hope she gets a grand slam one day- please don't be an Elena!

I hope this win by Franny brings buzz to the Fed Cup when it comes to the US. I am going to go if it comes to any of the three Texas cities in the last round of the potential final spot- and it would be great if it was a sell out.

[vallegirl]

Jun 5, 2010 16:04:55 GMT chestylarue said:

"He improve his level of kind of person, no? I think he improve his personality the last year."

I'm with oops on this one. Nice of you to judge and share your judgment there, Nadal.

To be fair- yes Rafa could have phrased it better and have just said that Robin is becomming friendlier in the locer room. But in the past Saint Roger and the two Andys have commented on Robin's coldnesss. Monaco in a Spanish language interview went into great depth about how cold Robin has been in the locker room- in particular to Spanish speaking players.

But none of them are called out to correct their comments. Rafa has been- continually as he was when he was answering the question. And it does sound like Robin has become friendlier. And Rafa was speaking in a language that he is not 100% fluent in. So I think he meant it in a good way although I understand his wording is awful to some. I don't think he meant it that way.

Because calling someone cold is different than condescending to say that he has improved his personality. That kind of comment deserves a resounding "Fuck you and the horse you rode in on, dick. You're not my dad." And, yes, English is not his first language and he could have said it better, but...he also could have just shut up and not said anything.

I think Nadal gets a pass on a lot of dickishness on his part, much like Rafter did, because they have the rep of being "good guys" who'd never say anything bad. Except when they do but it's about someone "unlikeable" so their words get taken as gospel. But Nadal always looks sullen and pissy and obnoxious on court to me. He only smiles when he wins, he scowls and fist pumps and does that repulsive hip thrust when he hits good shots and generally acts as obnoxious on the court as either Andy, but doesn't get his shit called on it because he turns into Simple Jack in his interviews. Everyone still treats him like he's that 18-year-old prodigy who just broke on the tour, but he's 24. Treat him, and hold him to the standard, of the other men on the tour.

I fully expect him to win tomorrow because he's the best clay court player of this generation and close to being the best of all time. Good for him, he's earned that accolade. But he can be just as jerky as everyone else on the tour, including Soderling, but doesn't get called on it half the time because he's the mighty Rafanadal.

[tikigirl]

Simple Jack

BWAH! I hadn't thought about it that much, but those are some good points, valle.

Imagine if Soderling commented, "Nadal has really mellowed out since last year, when I made fun of his ass-picking on court and he said I was going to hell." I'm just sayin'...

I also want to add, "Saint Roger"? Maybe on some other boards, but I don't recall anyone here deifying him, or at least for anything other than his tennis ability. He seems like a really nice guy, sure, but I don't think anyone goes further than that.

[chestylarue]

vallegirl- I just think we will just have to agree to disagree- I don't think Rafa is a saint and I don't think he is perfect and he can be pissy. But what actually first really got me into liking him was a family friend who works at Miami every year and in 2004 said he was a nice dude. And has worked there since then every year and contiues the mantra. We can agree to disagree. You think he is a jerk- in the end- I do not think he is. Not perfect, but overall, a nice guy.

And again- Rafa's words after W in 2007 imo were silly and after Madrid 2005 were silly. (At least he retracted and apolized on Spanish TV for his commets about Berdy.) But he is treated like he is the only person who has ever, ever said anything bad about Sod for example when other players have. And yet- they are not asked about it in interview questions as Rafa was when he made the comment.

I like most guys on the tour.

And also- he was answering a question.

But cool- some folks thing Rafa needs to be called out more for being an asshole. an...I think he can be pissy at times but is overall a nice fellow and while he has made comments before that deserve deriding- I think his comments re Sod were not ill intended and were not the comments of a raging egotist who should be flayed and for which needs to be called out. Agree to disagree.

ETA: Yes I know I am Rafa Mamabear- and am if fulll RM mode- but I do think he is a nice dude. And a better player than he is sometimes given credit for.

[boringmember]

Who is not giving Rafa credit for being extremely talented here? I haven't seen that at all.

[breezybee]

I'm sort of regetting posting the Rafa interview bit. I just thought it was funny. If you read the whole interview, it does seem the problem is his English because he goes on to explain that he thinks Sod is very shy and is making an effort to try and talk to people. I don't think he saying the Sod is trying to make himself a better person just that Sod is trying to interact with the players more.

Good for Francie. It was nice to have a final with two such likable players. I don't think Sam brought her A game but she should still be proud of herself.

ETA to add Wooo Hooo!!! for Daniel and Nenad.

[tikigirl]

I'm sort of regetting posting the Rafa interview bit.

No worries, breezy. We're just all making our points. Nothing too serious, at least from my side.

[oopssorry]

Me either, breezy/b]!