Tennis Talk 2011

[tikigirl]

So right after the announcers confidently assert that the Djokovic of 2011 will not retire, and will give Murray a "clean win" -- Djokovic retires. I don't blame him at all if it's an injury situation. Mostly the announcers annoy me.

[harry24]

Actually, I thought Courier did a good job with the broadcast. It may just be that we don't get enough of him to have learned to hate him. :-)

[breezybee]

I'm surprised it's not snowing on the court in Cincy right now given the frostiness between Shrieky and Jankovic. I must say it makes for an interesting match.

[mooncreek]

It's funny to realize what could have happened if Novak utilized the trainer (who was there) at the changeover instead of retiring from the match - it downpoured less than a minute later. Actually, Novak's injury sounds like Berdych's injury and he wasn't even sure about playing (and if he cared so much about his amazing W-L record, he likely would have withdrawn so I kind of commend him for not going there).

Such warmth in the men's final contrasting with the cold front in the ladies' final. Jeez.

[falafaclese]

I had forgotten how much these two dislike each other. I can't believe that I'm rooting for Maria Sharapova for the first time ever, and she's stinking up the joint like this. She better find a way to pull it together.

[tikigirl]

I too am expecting snow (and it's only 97'f here) -- not just because of the on-court frostiness, but also because, like f'clese, I'm rooting for Sharapova. Jankovic irritates me far more than any other woman player. The drama, the eye makeup, the padded bra. Speaking of clothing, I do like Maria's dress, for a change.

ETA from the back, that black line on Jankovic's dress makes it look like she has a skinny rodent tail sneaking out from underneath. Yes, my own imagination disturbs me.

[falafaclese]

Knowing the subtext re: Sanchez and Jankovic makes Sanchez' behavior seem really funny, because he totally looks like he's overcompensating with his enthusiasm up in the stands. I find him odious.

[curlywhirly]

Man these two chicks haaaaate each other. I don't care for either Pova or Jankovic but I'm getting a kick out of this match, lol...

[breezybee]

It would be nice if one of them held serve.

Jankovic irritates me far more than any other woman player. The drama, the eye makeup, the padded bra. Speaking of clothing,

For me it's the "demure" way she dabs her face with the towel so as not to disturb all of the make up. You are playing a sport lady, you aren't on the catwalk.

[lizm]

That was messy. It was interesting watching without rooting for anyone in particular.

[lt]

so as not to disturb all of the make up.

That's always confused me--if you wear all that makeup and sweat you're going to get a lot of acne (which Jankovic has, like the rest of the pro-makeup-while-playing women). Makes more sense to play with nothing and then have a good face for makeup all the other times of your life. A little waterproof mascara and they'd be good to go.

I thought Courier did a good job with the broadcast.

Loved him telling Mary she was wrong on more than a few occasions--he surrounded it with valid commentary so he didn't sound belligerent but he made it clear he didn't agree with her. I especially liked his talking about how the guys in the locker room aren't banding together to hope one of them can beat Djokovic. As Jim said, if it isn't them, so it doesn't affect them, what do they care? I miss Courier's commentary. He was always a bright spot for USA when they carried the US Open.

As for Djokovic, I dunno. He was definitely injured and I guess I wish he had been able to hold out for the rain to start and then Andy could have gotten a clean win. This way, you know the Djokovic 'rents and making annoying noise about how this one doesn't really count against his record. But it does--injury is a great (meaning large, not good) part of tennis and winning/losing. I just wish Roger had played better against Berdych since Tomas was injured as well.

Meanwhile, good for Andy. He played well and he won.

[tikigirl]

the Djokovic 'rents and making annoying noise about how this one doesn't really count against his record. But it does--injury is a great (meaning large, not good) part of tennis and winning/losing.

Totally! TikiBoy and I were talking about this exact thing -- the combination of physical and mental strength that's necessary for an athlete to be truly great in a long career, like Sampras or Federer. Talent is rare, but putting those two attributes on top of it is that much more unusual.

[acre]

So what's the deal with Sharpy and Janko hating each other, can someone clue me in? I don't recall any details of that, though offhand I wouldn't say eithe- was ve-y f-iendly with lots of othe-s on the tou-. Could be, I don't follow that too much unless it's an obvious talking point like about Woz being everybody's buddy, o- the Spanish guys, o- Kim being the nicest.

I'm okay with Djok as he has a legit inju-y and it is right befo-e the Open. Plus, he's obviously not the way he used to be with giving up. Neve- okay with his pa-ents until o- unless the-e's a sea change in attitude.

[breezybee]

Acre - Shrieky and Jankovic have known each other since they were quite young. I believe they both attended Bollettieri's academy. The issues seem to stem from there. I think there have been a few incidents along the way to heighten things too. I heard the commentators say something about them playing each other a few years ago and Jankovic retired with a wrist injury which Sharapova mocked. I don't know if I heard that correctly though.

[falafaclese]

I remember one incident where Sharapova was skeptical about an injury that Jankovic claimed. I have gotten the impression that Maria is less than enamored by Jankovic's drama and MTO's. And I too have heard that the tension dates all the way back to when they were both at Bollettieri's

ETA: Okay this post is clearly just a repeat of what breezy just said. I just remembered the incident i was thinking about. Sharapova was playing Azarenka when Vika took a questionable MTO. Maria aksed the umpire what was going on, and when the umpire answered her, she gave a dubious look and said something like "What is her last name, Jankovic?" I saw a video of it once, but I can't find it now.