51 Topic by SophieG

(5 replies, posted in US Open)

Just doing some research for a blog and came across the story about the man who ran onto the court and kissed Rafael Nadal. He ran up to him, kissed him, and said 'I love you'. As touching as that is, it doesn't make the security at Flushign Meadows look good.

What with the incident at Rolland Garros with Federer havign happened this year, as well as the clashes with fans after a Djokovic match in Australia, maybe security is slacking around tennis events. Which seems ridiculous, as most sports events are imprenetrable even for players with the amount of security, which has increased over time.

What does everyone else think? Tennis being left in the wayside becuase the fans have on the whole behaved themselves? Or are the rather more eager fans simply getting better at jumping fences?

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52 Reply by SophieG

(10 replies, posted in Male Players)

Oh yes he does, and I am one of them tongue

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53 Topic by SophieG

(2 replies, posted in US Open)

What do people think of Nadal's chances this US Open? I know he may not go on to win the title, but after watching his performance yesterday I think he looks like a changed man (aside from the new 'do!).

He looked athletic and not frightened to run around the court. He's probably not at his optimum, but does anyone think that maybe the pessimists are wrong about him flatlining at this last open?

It is sort of hard to tell yet. Murray, Federer and Roddick are probably ranking on the top of everyone's to-win list, but Im not sure Nadal can be scrapped entirely.

What does everyone think? Am I too much of a hardened Nadal fan? Or is it possible he's going to do better than originally expected of him?

Go to forum: US Open

54 Topic by SophieG

(4 replies, posted in US Open)

Tennis officials have warned players about the potential hazards of using Twitter during tournaments. Mostly concerned that what they tweet could breach anti-corruption rules in the sport and cause a whole heap of trouble.
Andy Roddick is a die-hard twitter fan, and hasn't sounded too impressed with the new warning, pointing out that it'd be a pretty stupid person who posted anything that was 'insider info' on such a public thing as Twitter.

Sounds like the updates on injuries etc is what is worrying them the most. Other sports have had their players very strongly cautioned on tweeting about the sport, some even outright told not to.


I think the most interesting thing here is where the line lies between personal freedom to write what you want on social networking sites as other 'normal' people do, and potentially allowing corruption within a sport that's had some trouble with it in the past.


What does everyone think? Could anything that a tennis player tweets be so potentially sensitive that it ruins the sport? Or are the over-reacting a tad? Should tennis players tweet or not?

Go to forum: US Open

55 Topic by SophieG

(2 replies, posted in Discuss Your Teams)

So, who will people be picking for their fantasy teams for the very last Grand Slam of the calendar year? Im still puzzling at who I would pick, Im rubbish at making decisions.

Anyone got theirs decided?

Go to forum: Discuss Your Teams

56 Reply by SophieG

(6 replies, posted in US Open)

I don't know, Im in two minds. Which is cheating, I guess, as there's only two possible outcomes!

I agree that the babies can be a distraction but it wouldnt really be fair to speculate too much over that, who knows how it feels to be a father in that situation.

I think he may just be able to do it.

Go to forum: US Open

57 Topic by SophieG

(1 replies, posted in Other Tournaments)

Today, it was announced by the ATP that it is the first time since rankings started in 1973 that all of the top eight  players have made it to the last eight of a tournament.

This happened at Montreal, when Roger Federer beat Stanislas Wawrinka last night.

The final eight, and top eight, are: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Juan Martin del Potro, Andy Roddick, Nikolay Davydenko and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Did anyone see this? I thought it quite funny; how has it taken this long?! But I suppose that's just how tournaments are. And I didn't know that they didn't have rankings until 1973??

Go to forum: Other Tournaments

58 Topic by SophieG

(10 replies, posted in Male Players)

On Thursday it was announced that Roger Federer is now the dad off two baby twin girls!
Congratulations to Mirka and to Roger Federer, who have named their girls Myla Rose and Charlene Riva.

Go to forum: Male Players

59 Reply by SophieG

(8 replies, posted in Wimbledon)

I thought it was common knowledge the French were the rudest and noisiest, as they are in support of every sporting fixture. It's their way! In rugby they are even worse.

And that was my whole point: they do both. They raise the ones they like to be gods, and then when they don't do well they fall into stony silence. They are either hysterical with praise or they cant be bothered with you. Pendulum swing.

At least if a crowd is consistently noisy and rude you can work against it.

Go to forum: Wimbledon

60 Topic by SophieG

(6 replies, posted in Wimbledon)

Congrats to both Federer and Roddick. I feel like Roddick really deserved it but once again, Federer just pipped his opponent to take the title.

What do you guys think of the final?

Go to forum: Wimbledon

61 Reply by SophieG

(8 replies, posted in Wimbledon)

Maybe a tad moreso than the french, but really? Theyre a blood thirsty lot, they take their prisoners. They hold them up likes gods then sit back and munch on strawberries with wry raising of eyebrows when they fail.
Ive always believed they are some of the worst.

Go to forum: Wimbledon

62 Topic by SophieG

(4 replies, posted in Male Players)

So what do you think made Andy Roddick the player that came out onto centre court today and got through to his first Wimbledon final since 2006?

This was the Roddick who had already been through the wringer against Lleyton Hewitt, but he obviously had enough in the tank.

Is it the coach Stefanki? 'Luck'? Because no offence to Roddick but he hasnt been considered a potential champion for a while, really. At US open, maybe, but not at Wimbledon,.

Go to forum: Male Players

63 Topic by SophieG

(8 replies, posted in Wimbledon)

Or was the crowd supporting Murray on Monday ridiciulous?

I know I havent shown the greatest support of Murray but I don't doubt he is a good player; its just that when you see him doing a lap of honour in front of a hysterical crowd just because Wawrinka netted a ball or hit one out I felt nauseated. The mania is ridiculous; he plays good tennis sure, but it was a fourth round match to get into the quarters. Does it require THAT much screaming and cheering to get him there? he only really seemed to pick up his game hwne he realised if he punched the air in the direction of the crowd they all went berserk.

Does anyone else see this? or is it just my bitter disposition? Its just that I have to watch the match with the sounds off; the absolute Murray mania drives me up the wall.

Go to forum: Wimbledon

64 Reply by SophieG

(7 replies, posted in Wimbledon)

I think a fair amount of grunting and noise-making is acceptable, but it's at a ridiculous level with de Brito. She spends so long making the noise that by the time she has finished she has to start a new one for the next shot. It's wall to wall screeching and it's surely offputting.

The reason they concentrate on her particularly is that she may be breaking a rule; it's excessive noise, because it is so loud, but it is also the length of her noise. If it goes into the shot of the next player then technically it's a form of hceating; it's like having someone screeching at you as you are going for a shot.

And if another player like Ivanovic, who was comfortably beating her and is a more skilled and experienced player, complained to the umpire about it then there must be some sense in asking her to stop.

Im not saying that grunting overall should be stopped, as I know personally when playing tennis and you're trying to reach a backhand it is natural. or you just happen to be putting some wollop into the swing. And I dont agree that people should take some sort of offence at this sort of general, exertion-grunting, because tennis is naturally a quiet spectator sport so naturally everyone would here, not like football or rugby etc where no-one can hear the sounds they are making.
It is just the nature of hte sport of tennis, and it needs to be dealt with an even hand rather than an outright ban or letting people like de Brito take it too far.

Go to forum: Wimbledon

65 Topic by SophieG

(1 replies, posted in Other Tournaments)

Formerly known as Stella Artois championship, this is actually getting quite a bit of publicity in the UK, almost as much as teh French Open.

Marat Safin has pulled out due to a back injury, Andy Murray is playing doubles with Lleyton Hewitt (!!) and doing well, Rafa is not there either and Djokovic is playing in Halle to try to get Federer's title there now the Swiss has pulled out to rest. So it actually looks pretty good for Murray.

It's everyones first tournament on the grass and everyones a bit shaky to start with but it can be a pretty good indicator for Wimbledon, and we're all excited about that one!

It's a great tournament, quite a fun one to keep up with!

Mostly because Andy Murray changes from 'World No. 3 Andy Murray' to 'British No. 1 Andy Murray' the minute he arrives....

Anyone think Murray can take it?

Go to forum: Other Tournaments

66 Reply by SophieG

(10 replies, posted in Wimbledon)

But theres mixed reports. Some say its serious enough to keep him out, others say he will rest it and be ready for Wimbledon. I think we will just have to wait and see.

I think it will be Federer's tournamnet if so, and i doubt the guys like Murray or Roddick with do immensley well. Murray will have British backing and that will probably drive him to semi-finals but I cant see him going beyond that. I think once again it will be the lesser known names, the del Potros and Soderlings and Gonzalezs of the rankings that will shine through once again. They have less to lose, less pressure. Murray is weighted down by ridiculous British expectation.

Still I'm still hoping Nadal can play, fingers crossed he will be fit and well.

Go to forum: Wimbledon

67 Reply by SophieG

(7 replies, posted in French Open)

I think, so far, you're along the right line guys!

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68 Reply by SophieG

(9 replies, posted in French Open)

I'm fancying del potro at the mo....just a feeling

Go to forum: French Open

69 Reply by SophieG

(9 replies, posted in French Open)

Yes I have good feeling about Gonzalez, or del Potro. Either of them against Federer.

Im reluctant to say Andy Murray, but no-ones surprised about that.....

It was nervy watching Federer today, I was in agony watching it! But Im glad hes through. THe worlds a little more sure...

Go to forum: French Open

70 Topic by SophieG

(9 replies, posted in French Open)

I don't know about anyone else's, but mine are down the drain. For starters I believe that Rafa would win, but today put a stop to that.

Then I thought Verdasco would in an outside with a chance, but Davydenko just put a stop to that.

All I've got now is Federer...anyone else feeling a bit shaken prediction-wise?

Maybe it's just my poor quality of predictions, but I'm sure most people had to change at least some predictions with Nadal today,....

Go to forum: French Open

71 Reply by SophieG

(6 replies, posted in French Open)

I think hes thinking pretty much the same thing.

Im in shock. Very disappointed for Rafa but incredibly impressed and awed by Soderling.

I only hope Rafa's bounce from this will be as immense as his losing the Wimbledon 2007 final, because he sure did that one in style.....

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72 Reply by SophieG

(7 replies, posted in French Open)

Im not sure if its akin to doping, but it shows her, um, dedication!

Go to forum: French Open

73 Topic by SophieG

(2 replies, posted in French Open)

So the first three days are over, what does everybody think? Did anything particularly surprise/disappoint/delight anyone so far?

I for one am surprised at just how pink Nadal's shirt was yesterday, disappointed that the British women's trio were knocked out so early on, and delighted that it rained in France whilst being sunny in England today! A little mean I know, but when you live under a rain cloud you get a bit like this...

I think my highlight are the outfits; I forgot how, erm...eye catching some of them can be!

Go to forum: French Open

74 Reply by SophieG

(9 replies, posted in French Open)

Wimbledon is the only one you can watch on normal telly (BBC) in England; the others you have to use an interactive service on the BBC which you may not have or is often down, and if they aren't doing that then you have to subscribe to a sports channel. I dont even know about the US open, I think it is purely on the subscription sports channels

What we must go through to enjoy the sport of tennis!

Anyway, it's worth it.

Go to forum: French Open

75 Reply by SophieG

(9 replies, posted in French Open)

It's an inevitability, but I don't think he's going to find it necessarily easy. He won't walk to the final, certainly.

As a Brit I was disappointed that the women's trio didn't advance (but not necessarily surprised), but I won't pin false hopes on Murray to be the one to beat Nadal; I think that's very unlikely.

Wouldn't put it past Federer though....

Go to forum: French Open