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Post by acre on Nov 1, 2009 17:45:22 GMT
And today's Agassi news is that he wore a wig during his "mullet years". Oh my god. Damn I hated him so so so much for so many years, all the years these revelations cover - he talks about the wig specifically all the way back in his first GS final, the 1990 French, and how worried he was that it would fall off. I'm just kinda flabbergasted. But I feel oh so vindicated for how much I detested him, cause clearly he really was a fake, narcissistic jerk. Damn.
I eased off on the hate a while ago(mostly due to the Steffi factor), and I do believe he has changed to some extent - I do believe people can change and grow and all that good stuff, and it seemed he had. Can't say this book and all this "soul-baring" makes me very happy though - seriously, I don't need to know this shit, and maybe you should consider keeping somethin to yourself once in awhile??
Aaaand - Serena beats Venus for the WTA championship, in totally unsurprising news.
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Post by vallegirl on Nov 1, 2009 18:15:06 GMT
He's ATP's answer to Bret Michaels, and that may be the most damning revelation of all.
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Post by mooncreek on Nov 1, 2009 20:42:58 GMT
Heh. I suspect saying that his father gave him speed during his junior years won't exactly endear him to his family either.
Gotta say, he (or the publisher) certainly knows how to plug this book.
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Post by tikigirl on Nov 1, 2009 22:34:51 GMT
That horror-show of Agassi's was a wig? He went out and spent money on something that heinous? Holy shit. Please play the AO, Fabrice! |
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 2, 2009 14:41:38 GMT
And in one fell swoop, the marriage to Brooke was worth it:
And since it was her eyebrows that made my mom stop bugging me to pluck mine when I was in my early teens I think I will love that lady forever.
I dunno, after spending all that time with Common? Not that he would take it (or would, I don't know his habits), but he's surrounded by quite a crowd.
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Post by acre on Nov 2, 2009 16:53:29 GMT
I haven't read Agassi's book (but will probably get it from the library at some point), but all these revelations are making me rethink my attitude toward him. At this point I feel pretty sorry for him actually. He was clearly one very messed up and deeply unhappy young man for quite some time. Yeah, I still think he was an ass, but I have a different filter on it cause the motivations seem different.
And I guess he has something - the marriage to Brooke Shields didn't last, but still he's been married to her and now long term to Steffi, and I think of them both as pretty strong women who have dealt with a lot themselves and come through very well. So there must be some very good stuff about Agassi too, something redeeming for all that nonsense. And of course, I don't think he's been the same as he was for years. Not that I ever managed to like or root for him, but y'know, I don't wish bad on him or anything. Still would prefer he hadn't written the book though - seriously, there is really no need to share everything with everyone!
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Mpol
3rd Round
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Post by Mpol on Nov 3, 2009 11:51:57 GMT
Roger's schedule for next year, as posted by the man himself, on Facebook.
I like a player who can actually handled their schedules well.
Re Agassi: Lokoing back at those years, he was an A grade tosser. I have come to terms with that. But he has grown and become a better person for it. I want to still like him a little.
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Post by chestylarue on Nov 3, 2009 15:12:30 GMT
I agree with this totally. Yes, his reputation may have taken a slight hit that will then turn into a gain- but it is the current players who are going to bear the punishment. The drug policy has become very Draconian since Andre's time (two years for recreational drug use now) and even in the case of Gasquet if there was a slight amount but there was found to be no intent- the players still have to serve a time of several months.
But now with Andre's announcemnt - even players who are telling the truth (and maybe I am an idiot but I do not think Gasquet knowingly ingested cocaine) are going to be deemed guilty. WADA is already screeching about how the Agassi case shows that ATP is too lenient on drug use
I do agree with you tikigirl that there is a difference in rec drug use and performance enhancers. But there are other sports were rec drug use is not allowed (see:Williams, Ricky) - as there are some jobs. I think the current WADA laws for rec drug laws are ridiculous (see: Hingis, Martina) but they are different than they were in 1997. And because of Andre's lying about the test- they are likely going to become even more Draconian. He may not have cheated in terms of play- but he cheated in the rules. And now the current players have to pay the price.
So maybe I am uncool- but I can see why some current players like Roger and Nadal are not happy about what Andre did. I think that Nadal does believe Gasquet and so he is not too happy to see a retired player make everyone else look like a liar now. And I think that Roger is right in that he feels that the current tour is going to take a hit for this. So I can't quite get on board the players who are upset about this are idiot train.
The drug policy has changed so much since 1997 to now. It has now become almost witch hunty imo. And now with Andre's book- there are more fires in the WADA torches to witch hunt the current players. I feel like Andre came in and burnt a field and now the current players have to live off the scarred land.
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Post by francienolan on Nov 3, 2009 17:54:09 GMT
I know the common reasons for AA coming out now are general narcissism & a desire to sell books but I wonder if his break up with Perry Rogers is the root of it.
I didn't see a minute of the WTA YEC, I hope to do a little better on the men's side...
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Post by acre on Nov 3, 2009 18:58:27 GMT
I don't think you're uncool chesty, I would be totally pissed at Andre if I was a current player. His admissions and cheating bring disrepute upon the whole sport, and far too many people are already unaware that tennis has one of the most rigid, draconian drug policies in all of sport, so they'll be more inclined to think negatively of the players of today, too.
And damn I counted twice, and including the exo and the ATP Finals that's 19 tournaments Roger has scheduled?? Doesn't that seem a little crazy? I mean, it's not like he's generally one and out, the man tends to hang around in the mix until the weekend. I actually don't know what is a "normal" schedule for many of the men but this doesn't strike me as an easy schedule at all.
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Post by breezybee on Nov 3, 2009 23:13:41 GMT
No I actually think that's on the lower end of average. If you look at the ATP Federer, Nadal and Murray have only played 17 tournaments over the past year but that's a lower than usual number due to babies for Federer and injuries for Nadal and Murray. The average number seems to be between 22-24 for most of the players. There are quite a few playing more than 25 and there are even a few with more than 30. I think 19 is pretty much the norm for Roger now.
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Post by roseha on Nov 4, 2009 3:32:16 GMT
I also read that Roger plans to play Davis Cup as well.
In other news, it's been reported that Tommy Haas had swine flu and was stuck in his hotel for three days waiting for it to blow over!
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 4, 2009 17:53:52 GMT
Ugh. Poor Tommy!
Hey, Feli and his stupid facial hair won another match! I guess I'll let him look like an Amish reject in order to get some Ws in there. Ooh, and he meets the other Tommy in the next round.
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Post by breezybee on Nov 4, 2009 20:31:40 GMT
I was thinking Hutterite but Amish fits as well. Shame really. He finally gets a decent haircut and spoils it with ill advised partial facial hair. I actually find him repulsive at the moment and I normally find him quite attractive.
Have you seen the pictures from Valencia? The facility looks spectacular. In fact, the whole tournament looks spectacular. Ferrer and Ferrero must be very proud (except of course for the fact that Ferrero lost in the opening round).
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lt
Semi Finals
Posts: 3,223
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Post by lt on Nov 5, 2009 15:55:16 GMT
I didn't get to see any of it, but losing to Tommy R. 4-6 in the third is not a bad match for Feli. Maybe he can bring some of this positive single playing over to 2010. And, yes, it was me just 6 weeks ago saying he should drop singles and concentrate on doubles. Now I'll concentrate on Fer doing well so I can see him in London in a couple of weeks. I might not dislike Soderling as much as I used to but I'd rather see Fer in the YEC.
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