Blades of Whoa

Rafael Nadal lost in the early rounds of Wimbledon again. How did I try to make sense of this I went digging for some reasoning in numbers of Rafa's performances at the Championships since he won the title in 2010.

Average Ranking of opponents. 66 (90,69,92,21,9,4,2,80,100,135,51,52,63,144,41,102) *rankings via tennis abstract

Highest ranked win on grass was Gael Monfils at 16 in Stuttgart since he beat number 4 Andy Murray in 2011 Wimbledon Semi Finals.

He has played 10 matches on Centre Court with a 6-4 record and 3-1 on No.1 Court

He lost his first ever Grand Slam first round match at the 2013 Championships.

Between 2012-2015 he played 9 matches at the AELTC. From 2006-2011 excluding not playing in 2009 he participated in 35 matches.

Matches played at Wimbledon listed in order from 2003-2015 3,2,7,7,7,0,7,7,2,1,4,2.

Results at other Slams since winning Wimbledon in 2010.
Australian Open - 11QF, 12F, 13DNP, 14F, 15QF
Roland Garros - 11-14 W, 15QF
US Open - 10W, 11F, 12DNP, 13W, 14DNP

The next question is will we see him on court before Montreal starts on Aug. 10th. He could play Bastad/Umag or Hamburg. Could we possible see him come to the States early to play in Washington D.C?  I don't think this is that much of a set back per say more of a road bump. As hopeful as you could have been given his form on the surface the past few years it was not realistic to see Wimbledon be the slump buster or lucky break that Rafa needs. He has lost at least 5 matches that he most defiantly should have won if we were in a different time. This is the current reality that we have to accept for the moment. Would I be shocked if Rafa won the US Open, no I would not be. But I feel that the most likely course of the second half of the season will just be to stay healthy. To win matches he should be winning and maybe a few that he shouldn't to be ready and healthy to start next year on the right way. Another out come that would not be surprising if he picked the events correctly would be a late season surge similar to the one Murray had in Asia and Europe last fall just grind it out till it works.

Thought Dump 4/17 : Monte Carlo, Fed Cup

• When Rafa failed to serve out the match in the second set the Tennis Channel commentators seemed to fall back on the "here we go again he is lacking confidence". It could totally be seen as that since he had a point to go up 4-love earlier in the set. Then Rafa started the game to stay in the set with a double fault before saving a set point he ended up losing the set he once lead by a double break. It would have been great for the match to have been shorter and such. How Rafa started the third set with a break and then digging out of several 0-30 service game deficits and saving a break point. Which do you think would build confidence better closing a match out simply or falling behind and then coming back to close it out how you intended to in the first place. 
• The past two matches seem like Rafa is channeling his inner Claypova with the epic struggles.
• Narrative would say that who ever wins tomorrows Rafa/Novak match would be the "early favorite" for Roland Garros but it won't. 
• Rafa is still building up his confidence. Novak seems unstoppable. This makes me seem like Rafa has "less" to lose than Novak. 
• Twitter is a important part of my tennis viewing experience. Yet this morning I found myself watching from Monte Carlo without also following along on twitter. Usually this happens during early clay season when there is not much to follow such as Charleston or Monte Carlo. It is refreshing to watch a match without the white noise that twitter sometimes becomes when there is only one or two matches happening at the given time. 
• I have been looking forward to this Fed Cup weekend since the match ups have been set. 
• Kivitova/Mladenovic has the ability to be a great match between two hard hitters. There is the question mark of if Petra will be rusty after the time she has taken off or if it will have refreshed her. Petra will also have the home Fed Cup crowd which she is known to thrive in front of and that did not phase Kiki in Italy. Hopefully this is a good kick off for Petra as she heads into her most succcesful part of the season that has just been expanded. 
• Germany/Russia
• Captian Rittner has thrown a curve ball by not calling on Petkovic or newly crowned Charleston champion Kerber in Sochi. Instead the match ups for the first day will be Goreges/Kuznetsova and Pavlyuchenkova Lisicki. These two matches could be glorious examples of hard hitting clay court tennis or beautiful disasters and a two rubbers to zero lead for either team would not suprise me. Most likely is a 1-1 tie going into Sunday with  all to play for. 
• Aga vs Hingis in SINGLES. Also Bacinszky returns for her first match since losing to Serena in Indian Wells in the Poland/Switzerland World Group Playoff. 
• Serena vs Camila Giorgi. On Clay. In Italy. 
• Laura hitting forehands!

  Happy Friday 👀 ps It's a sweatband (not tape) on my wrist.

  A video posted by Laura Robson (@laurarobson5) on Apr 17, 2015 at 8:15am PDT

Sparkles!!!

So for the Australian Open Nike decided that Rafa should live the hot pink life. The sparkly dark pink stripe on his shorts seemed all too familiar. I then realized it was very similar to the shades of pink the US Women's National Gymnastics Team during the 2009-2012 quad. Welcome to Hot Pink Nation Rafa.  

Exhibit A

 Exhibit B 

Exhibit C

Anything you can Ninja... I can Ninja better?

Rafael Nadal and Aga Radwanska showing off their soft hands and amazing touch but who flicked the backhand better. The Magician from Mallorca or the Ninja of Krakow.

The Word of the Day is... Laces

Nadal breaks his shoelace! This really is the 20th anniversary of Tonya and Nancy! #AusOpen
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 20, 2014

So watch for yourself and see who broken lace is more dramatic Rafa's or Tonya's. 

(Starts at 4:00)

The Greatest Commercials In Tennis

The US Open Series is upon us and it made me think of those awesome commercials with the players that stopped in 2010. Here are some of my favorites.

2008 Bus commercials everybodyguys taking a ROADTRIP!!!!

It Must Be Love... 

Rafa works at his hobby and then gives us a recipe.... 

Maria really could have done better. She apparently takes her nap time very seriously. 

Serena and Roddick talk twitter 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GBZdr4rVHPA

The Real US Open Series

Half of these players are retired

Paris Pondering

Loving the outfit Rafa is rocking this year!!! #leftiesalwaysgetme
— Megan Rapinoe (@mPinoe) June 1, 2013

Wonder if she knows about Rafa's football connections and that he is really just a tennis leftie.

I think I need to watch more #rolandgarros tennis. Yesterday, had no clue who Paire was, today Chardy?I need to step up my tennis knowledge!
— Maria Sharapova (@MariaSharapova) May 31, 2013

They just happen to be ranked in the two spots ahead of her boyfriend. Also this happened.... yes that would be Benoit Paire himself retweeting it.

RT @alvianojs @andyroddickwho'll be this RG champion? .......... I'm gonna go out on a limb and say rafa
— andyroddick (@andyroddick) May 27, 2013

Bold choice Andy. 

While he has been away from Paris Andy Murray won the first week with his tweets. He is a Aga fan, possibly invented the hashtag of the year, complained about commentators . Which lead me to the conclusion is really bored sitting in home or he is just letting his inner tennis dork free while he can. 

Not a large crowd on lenglen for ivanovic radwanska.. Where is everyone?
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 2, 2013

Radwanska has the best lob in tennis! An inch from the line everytime and venus isn't small, so accurate
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) May 26, 2013

I am still not sure if he confused Ula with Aga here but maybe the ninja skills are genetic. Also blonde Aga confuses things. 

He really goes wild on Saturday night

Got the house to myself tonight which on the plus side means no reality tv but downside i have to settle for a diabolical tasting dinner..
— Andy Murray (@andy_murray) June 1, 2013

• Extended fifth sets are not a Grand Slam problem. It is a John Isner playing Grand Slam tennis problem. That is two years in a row that he has lost in an extended fifth set at Roland Garros alone. 
• Tennis coverage on weekends & holidays (Memorial & Labor Day) is rough. They show what they think will catch the casual viewers eye. It is unfortunate for the hardcores but they do what they think will make them the most money. If you pay for tennis tv, tennis channel or possibly both and for those few hours that the Slam is getting national network tv exposure then I really don't think the tennis gods will smite you if you pop open a stream to watch a match or two. Yes it is not ideal but it is a better use of the time the match is on to be using a yes somewhat shady resource to get to watch what you want. 
• Serena is looking amazing so far but the quarterfinals are the obstacle that has stopped her from adding to the only single trophy in her Grand Slam collection. She faces Sveta next who beat her in this very round on the way to winning in 2009. Will there be a different outcome Tuesday? 
• In Rafa's first two matches especially he has not had the edge that he usually does and there have been some unexpected happening for someone who has won an event seven times but of one who is coming back from a extended break from the game. When he stepped on the court Monday he had not been on the grand slam stage in eleven months. Do the reaction to the results have more to do with where they are happening rather than what actually happened? Say that this was the US Open, would you look at Rafa dropping a set to Brands and in real threat of going down two sets to love in the first round with the same shock. Then in the second round again losing the first set to Klizan another hard hitter who he had never faced. In a way it takes me back to Wimbledon 2011 Serena in her first Slam back from her long heath battle and to my memory the talk was that she was going to come back and win "because she is Serena", "because its Wimbledon". Which while I think it was a good for them to time their come backs before their most successful Slams. It makes the expectations seem even greater because of the history they have at these events. There were improvements in the Fognini match and he can only improve and gain rhythm going into the second week. The sun is all expected to be shining on Monday at least. 
• This is shaping up to be the year of the 30- something Tommy. Both Haas & Robredo are through to the quarterfinals. 

Tennis at MSG

This being my first exhibition I didn't really know what to expect. Were the matches going to be serious matches or hit and giggle fun. The balance seemed to be found through both matches with cameos from Red Foo, Ben Stiller  and an adorable little girl. They were introduced at the start of the event after Fernando Verdasco's girlfriend Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Jarah Mariano delivered the match balls. The players then came through the crowd to stand on pedestals as they were introduced before Serena and Vika started their match. One thing that I did not know before hand was that the ladies were set to play best of three with a supertiebreaker while the men had a full three set match.

The tone of the matches was actually the opposite of what I expected them to be with the ladies match with the slight detour for Red Foo and some lefty rallying was the more serious of the two matches. Although considering that the last match that either Serena or Vika had played was against each other was the Doha final. The Rafa and Delpo match was much more lighthearted and had this very happy energy about it that felt like it just filled the building. This all started when there was a prematch picture with a group of young kids with Rafa and Juan Martin greeting each one of them before the pictures were taken. The first set of the mens match was proceeding much like a normal match except for the exceptional number of smashes, slices and the like. When they got to the second set things lighten up even more when they had a footie tennis header exchange. Then the fun really got started when Rafa went to get Ben Stiller out of the front row for what seemed to be a two against one until Delpo got a ringer out of the crowd. The little girl that he choose stole the show and even hit a winner on Rafa. While it wasn't always the most competitive or serious tennis it was really enjoyable to especially see Rafa on court in person running around with a smile that had dimples the size of one of the pothole outside on 34th street.

Tennis Reality Show

If Rafael Nadal plays Indian Wells and Miami, I'll eat my........
— Stuart Fraser (@stu_fraser) February 26, 2013

So I saw this tweet and thought that there should be a reality show of making people do what they are going to if something happens or not. 

Like this...

LORELAI: Yes, but I've been testing people who have "honk" bumper stickers lately to see if they really want people to honk. Guess what? They don't. I lay on my horn, and this alleged scuba diver slows to a crawl in front of me just out of revenge, and I'm screwed.

EMILY: You need a hobby.

LORELAI: Yes, actually.

EMILY: Come on, Rory's waiting.

(They walk into the living room.)

RORY: Hey, what happened?

EMILY: She honked.

RORY: Oh, another bumper sticker test.

LORELAI: I just thought up a great idea for a reality show. You pull people over who have those "honk if you love whatever" bumper stickers, you kidnap them, and you make them do whatever the bumper sticker says they like to do, whether they do it or not. And then you make them eat bugs. (x)

My take on all this is that Rafa will be there if he is there and if not he won't be.  

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

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.

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. 

Highlight Reel

Grigor uses all his assets to play defense in his first top 10 win.


This was nice to see.



Rafa has a nice reply to this volley.

Oh Wells

The final weekend of Indian Wells had surprises, weather,  drama along the way. Let us start with the ladies in the semifinals Vika went through to the final relaitivly comfortably. The match for the other spot in the final was not without drama as one Australian Open final rematch that of the 2008 final gave way to another Aussie Open rematch. When Ana Ivanovic had to retire within the first two games of the second set against Maria Sharapova with a hip injury. The final was the top two seeds which had not happened on the WTA in over four years. Maria had few answers to Vika's game as the number one went to 23-0 winning her first Indian Wells singles title.


While the ladies final lived up to its seeding, one of the more unexpected twists of the weekend was that the men did not, as the third seeded Federer faced the eleventh seeded Isner. Isner defeated the number one seed in three sets closing it out in a third set tiebreaker. Then after an almost four hour rain delay, the second semi final got under way between Federer and Nadal. This match was frankly a mess of conditons in that Roger dealt with way more than Rafa. Actually, at times it seemed like Rafa wasn't even dealing with the conditions. He was just trying to play his normal patterns against Roger in which, like their matched on the indoor low bouncing courts, he left the ball in Roger's strike zone where Roger barely missed. By the time Rafa realized that he needed to hit through the court, he was already down a double break with Roger serving for the match. In that game, down 5-2, Rafa hit through the court to break then hold for 5-4.  The game in which Roger closed out the match had to be one of the more bizarre service games I had ever seen after getting the score to 30-All. Rafa nets a forehand into the middle of the net to give Roger match point. Then the sky opens up for which causes about a five minute delay after the delay Roger hit an ace and it was over. In the final the first set was decided in a tight tiebreaker which Roger won he them broke John's serve early in the second set to win in straights. So what do I think we learned from here Roger has not gone any where having only lost two matches since the US Open to Rafa and John who he beat this weekend. Welcome to the top ten John hope you can stay a while and that even after a month and a half off Rafa was really not as rusty as I thought he would be except for his tactical errors in the semifinals where he just did not adjust his game to the conditions before it was too late and Roger took advantage.

It was that kind of day for Big John. 

Then came the men's doubles final was something I really looked forward too. After not being able to see the doubles at all I was very excited that Rafa and Marc Lopez had advanced to the finally supposed to be televised but eventually shown on espn3 doubles final against John and Sam Querrey. Marc was the star of this show with his awesome doubles skills. Rafa and Marc won the first set breaking Sam's serve a few times. It was a fun match with lots of great rallies that saw Rafa and Marc win in straight sets closing it out in a second set tiebreaker. It was a bummer to see John lose in two finals on the same day but he put in three great performances against the top three players over two days and came out of it with one win and a spot in the top ten. As for Rafa it was the first final he had won since Roland Garros last year and the first title he had one on a hard court since Tokyo 2010. It might just be doubles but I think it matters and when you see the look on his face and how he was holding on to that trophy it looked like it mattered a whole lot to me. 

No Doubles Lovin'

There were very many disappointed fans when Rafa Nadal's and Marc Lopez's doubles semi final was not able to be viewed Thursday night. Lindsay Davenport tweeted: "For everyone wondering why certain matches (including dubs) aren't broadcasted, it's not up to @TennisChannel.They don't control the cameras...So even though @TennisChannel wants to show certain matches, there are no camera men working the courts..hence no feed." I wonder who is in charge of the cameras because matches like these are fun to watch. Rafa and Marc advanced to the double final which will be aired on Tennis Channel at 7:30 PM est on Saturday night. 

He's floating.

Splitting the middle.

They survive to Vamos Adorably another day. 

Desert Delight

Ana Ivanovic won this battle of former number ones, golfer WAGs and ohh yeah thats right never mind. 

Ohh pretty Pablo Andujar you fought hard. Well done.

Yeah Vika we know your number one and 21-0 on the season.

That face means Daddy must have just hit an error. 

Guess whose back....

Rafa is back after his February hibernating.

Ohh Thomaz Bellucci it's not your game it you brain. 

This episode did not have the ending that The O.C wanted but he fought hard to take the second set after facing match points and being breaker bageled in the first set.  

Doubles Fun: Indian Wells

I think that Indian Wells is one of the best events all year for exciting doubles pairings. Everyone seems to be playing and it's fun to see the singles players out playing doubles.


We have the defending Doubles Champions: Alexandr Dolgopolov and Xavier Malisse.

The 2010 Indian Wells Doubles Champions: Rafael Nadal and Marc Lopez.

The 2009 Champions: Andy Roddick and Mardy Fish.

Here is the full draw for the men.

Petra Kvitova and Victoria Azerenka are teaming up as a wild card team.

Sam Stosur and Casey Dellacqua

Julia Goerges and Sabine Lisicki

Full Ladies Doubles Draw. 

Pop Tennis

Maria Sharapova was on Chelsea Lately Monday night. She looked stunning and was giggly.

Serena & Venus walked the Vanity Fair Party Red Carpet after the Oscars Sunday Night. 

Maria also was at the Vanity Fair Red Carpet. 

Martina Navratilova is going to be on the upcoming season of Dancing with the Stars. She is also now on twitter @martina. 

At the Elton John Oscars viewing party and live action. A tennis lesson with Rafa Nadal went for 200,000 dollars. Really curious who the winner was and when it will take place. 

Golden Boys and Bar

Rafa Nadal & Michael Phleps appear in the just released Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition with model Bar Refaeli.

More pictures

These out takes are the best part. Rafa is just being his hotdorable here and Bar looks gorgeous. Also the giggling. What's so funny Rafa?


Was this the 'shooting' Rafa was talking about.

More Pictures

Michael looks like a fish out of water. His arm span is as long as Bar is tall.  Also why didn't we shave Mike. Seriously?


More Giggles

Videos and Pictures from SI Swimsuit

Final Australian Thoughts

Be Brave.... 
Play Brave tennis. As I was channel surfing last night I paused on tennis channel. It was the end of the first set Rafa had just had two set points and it was now at deuce. Martina Navratilova said playing not to lose is how he lost so many times last year that be can't be timid. He needs to be brave. I wonder what she said almost four hours later when he came back from 0-40 at 3-4 in the fourth set to go on to win the set in a tiebreaker coming from behind again. We all know what happens in the fifth set but the moment that I remember is Rafa earning a break point as Novak served for the match and went for that forehand that clipped the tape to give Novak match point. Even though it didn't have the preferred outcome for Rafa doing it at that point of the match was brave. That moment proved that he really did 'fighted to the last ball'
Vamos Rafa! Stay Brave!