Thursday, April 26, 2012

Dear Clay,




Sometimes we have to be firm with the things we love. You need to stop being mean to the ankles of tennis players.  They have a very limited time to slide around and have fun without their ankles bending in ways they should not bend. (the names link to videos of the injuries) First with Pico & Julien in Monte Carlo and now to poor just returned Petko. I don't want to see anymore sad faces. I hope they all get better soon and kick your butt. Slide responsible everybody.

A fan


Here is what Vika has to say about todays match:


Good News is that Pico posted a video of him hitting yesterday:


Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Ocho


Eight straight years hold a lot of great moments but as I searched through youtube these were my favorites. I ranked them in the order of my favorites. How do you rank them?

1. 2010: This was about as dominating a title run as there is and to think that it was just the begining. Also the reaction to winning gets me every time. 




2. 2012: The ace on match point was a great exclamation to one of Rafa's more impressive single match serving performances.





3. This is the semi finals between Rafa and Richie Gasquet both still teenagers in 2005. Rafa came from a set down to move on to the final but check out some of these rallies.



4- 2003: A 16 year old Rafa and his short shorts upsets fellow Spaniard reigning Roland Garros Champion and his future Davis Cup Captain in his first trip to Monte Carlo.



5- 2005: Trophy Ceremony  The first one. 


6- 2008 final: The third final between Rafa and Roger in as many years.





7- 2006: Rafa's first Monte Carlo title defense and the first clay court final between Rafa and Roger.


8- 2007: The three-peat

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Thundering Tennis

So the weather in Monte Carlo was surely frightful with numerous rain delays through out the day and when Rafa finally arrived on court he did it to thunder literally.



Reminded me of last years Wimbledon Quarterfinals under the roof between Sabine Lisicki and Marion Bartoli.



Whose reaction do you like better.

Wednesday, April 18, 2012

The Next Hundred Days


There are now 100 days till the London Olympics. In those days will be two Grand Slams and all the Olympic trials its going to be an exciting next few months. There were many festivities including Today show appearances and a Times Square event.

The NBC Olympics site has been revamped and it has been announced that there will be live streaming of every event that has camera access. Including 5 courts of tennis and all 4 gymnastic apparatus.

100 Days Out
Hopefuls share their stories.
Meet Missy Franklin
Olympic Schedule
10 things to watch for in London






The last time the Olympics were in London it was 1948.


Laura Robson talks about her favorite Olympic sports.



Olympic Athletes Hub



London will be ready on time and on budget




Olympic Fashion! (That polo is awesome!)

Tuesday, April 17, 2012

New Surface. New Dos

A top 5 player on each tour has debuted a new hair do just before their 25 birthdays which some could say might be a sort of quarter life crisis. Maria Sharapova has gone short with her blonde locks. While Andy Murray has buzzed his hair down almost to the skull. Which do you think is more extreme change?

Wondering if she will stick with her trusty visor or switch to a headband? We should find out next week since she is scheduled to play in Stuttgart. 

UPDATE: Thanks to @theslicetweets who found this that WE HAVE ALL BEEN PUNKED BY POVA! I feel played. 

The by Muzz Buzz will debut 2nd after 10:30 am Tuesday on Court Central in Monte Carlo. 

Do you think the new do's will make for more aero dynamic sliding? 

(Pics from Maria's facebook and Yahoo)

Monday, April 9, 2012

Clay Time!

I love clay season it means spring time after watching hardcourts since forever and the tease of summer for us Northern hemisphere folks during the Australian swing the clay seems like a shock to the senses. The colors are deeper with the contrast of the red clay and white lines, the destination locations of Monte Carlo, Rome, Barcelona, Madrid and Paris, the ball bounces higher, the shots are more creative, the sliding.

This week the ladies are on the clay of Barcelona 2010 Roland Garros Champion Schiavone and 2011 Stuttgart Champion Goerges as the top seeds. While the men are in Casablanca Top Seed is Mayer and 2 seed is Dolgopolov and Houston Fish and Isner are the top seeds and their results this week could see them swapping spots as the top American.

(There is also the E-Books [Caro Open] that is on indoor hard courts this week with Woz, JJ, Robson, Kerber and Barthel in the field. )
It's the little things that make it more fun....
The views...


Clay being tossed around.




Sliding





Although I am not looking forward to this fiasco. 


The first winner of the clay season was Serena Williams won on the green clay of Charleston last weekend. 



Friday, April 6, 2012

Feeling it

The Venus Monologues? 
Got something in your nose Delpo.
Two and a half matches. NBD. 
Hug it out. Get better Sabine.
Captain Swag. USA and France tied 1-1 in Monte Carlo.