It’s a four-part question. It requires immense concentration from lazy freaks like you. So put that hand down - or up to fully understand.
1. Who will win the title at London?
2. How many sets will he need to win the finals?
3. What will be the score in the finals? Closest to the actual numbers will win.
4. Write a one liner or more as to why you think he will win? Like Soderling will win because he deserves it – or some such BS. If the first three answers are identical, your creativity, humor etc. on this will break the tie. Maybe I will poll the response.
And you can’t double, triple freaking dip. Just one answer. If you do make changes only your first response will be considered. So look at the numbers etc. before you vote. Cut off: Nov 21.
For mentally challenged toddlers here’s what your answer will look like (Just copy, paste and answer):
1. Verdasco.
2. Three sets.
3. 6-4, 2-6, 7-5.
4. Verdasco will win because he is still not yet done tormenting Ivanovic for the dumping.
Since this is a tough question, should I include a small prize for the winner? Like a DVD player.
The O2 arena, visually typeset in branding as The O2 arena, is a multi-purpose indoor arena located at the centre of The O2, a large entertainment complex on the Greenwich peninsula in South East London, United Kingdom.
Built
Between 2003 and 2007
With a capacity of up to 23,000 depending on the event
The O2 arena took the crown of the World’s Busiest Arena from the MEN Arena, a title which it had held since 2001.
With the tree top theme already set in motion this year, with Soderling probably an off shoot of the same at 6′4″ and Cilic’s semi impressive run so far with two titles (career 3) and career high rank No. 13, he seems most likely to catch fire more than anyone else.
Additionally no one on the current top ten roster has given any indication that they are bound to improve on their current showing next season.
Some notable wins from Cilic this season were against:
Ferrer.
Ancic.
Kohlscreiber.
Querrey.
Fish.
Blake?
Murray @ US Open.
Davydenko.
Nadal @ Beijing.
Verdasco.
It’s obvious that Delpo’s success is instilling a stronger sense of conviction and belief in him as they are of the same age and height. Isn’t it then logical to assume Querrey will be next in line?
If thrillers and epic matches are the norm to sensationalize tennis and broaden the fans base, then it’s vital that the top five are fed about the same amount of fodder to keep hopes and motivation alive.
While Federer’s amazing five-year plus reign has had its effect the Federer-Nadal and even the Federer-Roddick match at Wimbledon finals probably had an equally forceful if not greater impact to make people notice tennis across the board.
Not to mention the thrill these matches provided to die-hard tennis lunatics.
With a clear separation visible at the top five, it’s in the interest of the sport and the fans that each one of those five clowns are able to fire on all cylinders to be in position to produce some scintillating tennis throughout the season.
The best way, as has been evident this year, although marginally, to achieve that bliss is to have as even a distribution of the top booty as possible.
With everyone amongst the top five fairly satiated this year, it’s Murray’s turn to stake his claim and consequently liven things up next year.
With the coming down of Federer of late, it’s pretty close to the level playing as it has been in years, raising hopes of producing one of the most exciting and closely fought season in years.
I mean, there are no freaking tomato cans to bring you upto speed, half your body parts are begging for mercy after a long season, the various ranks are up for grabs, you are in each other’s face from the get go etc.
Shouldn’t the degree of difficult be the accurate gauge of the title’s prestige and glamour?
Most year-end title winners:
Lendl: 5. Runner up 4 freaking times.
Sampras: 5. Runner up once.
Federer: 4. Once.
Nastase: 4. Once.
Becker: 3. Five freaking times.
McEnroe: 3. Once.
Borg: 2. Twice.
Hewitt: 2. Once.
Rest are all with one titles including Agassi, Connors, Djokovic, Edberg etc.
Even though Nadal has a hot Djokovic and his tormentor Soderling on his side, it’s not even close to what it would have been like if he was on the other side.
This is what it looks like for Nadal:
Djokovic: H2H 14-6, but Djokovic has won the last two matches – on hard courts – in straight freaking sets – last one a thumping few days ago at Paris.
Soderling: H2H 3-1, but the lone loss came on clay – at Roland Garros – the last time they played.
Davydenko: H2H 4-3, but Davydenko beat him last time they met – on hard courts @ Shanghai – in straight freaking sets.
So even though Nadal enjoys a winning record against each one of them, he has lost his last match against all. That small thing called momentum may not be screaming all positive stuff right about now.
But it’s the lesser evil by a mile. Add the various reasons stoking an urgent response from Nadal and the two combined at least gives him a glimmer of hope if not the certainty of old days.
In his mind, he is just looking at Djokovic and whoever comes out from the other group as the two main matches to prepare for. Soderling and Davydenko are at best dangerous with far less reasons and motivation to make waves here.
So it could come down to just two matches for Nadal to pull off a surprise and salvage the season with his first year-end championship with the No. 1 rank as the cherry on top.
For Federer, however, this couldn’t have been any tougher. He has a losing record against all three. OK, just one, Geeeeeeeezzzzzzzz!!!!
Against Del Potro he has H2H record of 6-1, but not only did he lose the last match in five sets at a Slam, the one before that was a five setter too – on clay, not Delpo’s surface of choice.
Of course, against Murray he is 3-6 but has won the last encounter in straight sets @ Cincy after losing all previous three matches. So some consolation there. But Murray is at home and a tad hungrier to turn things around.
Verdasco is the only shining light for Federer with a 3-0 H2H. Verdasco has not even won a set in those three encounters. But with Ben&two as the backdrop Verdasco may not be that disheartened.
But as Slams bring out the best in players this is clearly one such occasion particularly for the top two dogs. That factor may prove to be the deciding vote in who comes out on top rather than any calculation based on their H2H stats.
It appears the likelihood of Nadal reaching the finals is comparatively higher than Federer. And that ‘time on court’ figure should play some role too specially with Nadal, considering how battered everyone is at this time.
(1)Roger Federer
The four-time champion has a 28-5 record 10,150
(4)Andy Murray
Reached the SF on his debut last year 6,630
(5)Juan Martin del Potro
Returns for his second straight appearance 5,985
(7)Fernando Verdasco
Spanish No. 2 to make circuit finale debut 3,300
Other team:
(2)Rafael Nadal
The two-time semi-finalist eyes No. 1 rank 9,205
(3)Novak Djokovic
The defending champion is in hot form 7,910
(6)Nikolay Davydenko
Finished runner-up to Djokovic last year3,630
(8)Robin Soderling
Will be first Swede to compete since 2002 3,010
Here’s how it stands regarding points between players – after all MAYBE the other players are fighting to move up/down in rankings?? Shows who needs to look behind their back – you figure out how up/down a ranking a player can go!!
-No. 1 rank within reach, maybe for the last time in his life.
-Prospect of eclipsing Federer one more time to leverage the achievement more than it’s worth otherwise.
These two have been the real drivers for Nadal ever since he burst on the scene. It’s hard to pick one over the other but if push comes to shove, Nadal will probably go for the second one.
The joy, publicity and honor he receives every time he stops Federer from reaching another milestone is so over the top that it can easily be equated to a drug. It has reached a point today that it completely transforms Nadal, given his health, into a whole new beast.
That’s one of the huge reason Nadal won the AO right after that gruelling five setter against Verdasco when his entire career track record under those conditions pointed elsewhere, not to even mention the surface BS.
Well, here we are again. This London battle is really between Federer and Nadal with no one else even close to reaching the top rank. This is another shot for Nadal at redeeming the FO loss, the inability to defend Wimbledon and the loss of the top rank – three daggers driven one after another in a span of weeks.
This also opens up the likelihood of both clowns prematurely reaching the finals – mentally – to allow the train to derail long before even the tracks are laid.
But it will be exciting to watch how far will this dynamic go to transform Nadal into the animal we know lies within him to turn this year-end event into a brilliant spectacle.
All pieces seem in place for a showdown the sport is thirsting for. Will it materialize – for the last freaking time?
ECONOMIC TIMES
Credit Suisse signs pact with Federer
ZURICH: Credit Suisse Group, the biggest Swiss bank by market value, signed a long-term sponsorship agreement with Tennis Grand Slam
record-holder Roger Federer. “Roger represents the values that we embrace as a bank,” chief executive officer Brady Dougan said in a statement. “He brings all of his talent to bear in his play and raises the level of his game to meet the challenge in even the most trying of circumstances.”
The bank last week launched a new global advertising campaign, featuring the slogan ‘One Credit Suisse’, aimed at showing how the company can serve the needs of different clients. Credit Suisse also sponsors the Swiss Football Association, the Swiss Golf Association and equestrian events.
Federer, who this year became the first man to win 15 major tournaments when he beat Andy Roddick in the Wimbledon final, last month signed a sponsorship deal with Swiss chocolate-maker Lindt & Spruengli. Credit Suisse, which will support the Roger Federer Foundation, has been a long-term banking partner, Federer said.
Federer last year made more than $29 million from prize money and sponsorships, according to Sports Illustrated. That included deals with razor blade maker Gillette, carmaker Mercedes-Benz, Warren Buffett’s NetJets, Swiss watchmaker Rolex Group and Nike. He is the first man to win more than $50 million in prize money.
*NOTE-It is a 10-year sponsorship, so through 2019!! I guess Roger Federer still has some tennis left in him…
You see, it’s a lot easier to take some veteran cornering glory than to tolerate one of your own classmates making you look bad by crawling out of the hole. And if you have done Jack on the big stage at 22, it hurts even more.
Besides, although Murray has a losing 3-4 H2H against Djokovic, he has defeated Djokovic in each of the three last matches – in straight sets – all on hard courts, Djokovic’s favorite surface.
Federer has to be a close second as someone most disliking the spectacle but No. 15, FO and the age difference brings the pain down to where it cannot compete with Murray’s discomfort.
Murray should have won at least one Slam this year for a variety of obvious reasons. This was his showing at the four majors this year:
AO: 4th rd.
FO: Quarters.
Wimby: Semis.
USO: 4th rd.
The ridiculous and never-ending accolades he received from the British media and fans may have placed him exactly where Djokovic found himself after winning the AO last year – in Murray’s case the hype was far stronger and without a Slam win. He may still be getting over the near God status he suddenly found himself crowned with.
Its like being a rookie basketball player who joins NBA and starts with going after individual glory like the points, assists, rebounds etc. Once that novelty wears off and he realizes he hasn’t done Jack to be considered amongst the greats of the game, the hunt to win the championship begins.
Murray proved a lot to himself and his fans by repeatedly defeating Federer (H2H 6-3). That did provide him the shortest route to where he is today. But unless he grows out of it in a hurry now, that may very well prove to be his biggest career achievement.
This Djokovic run can prove to be a great motivator or a huge downer.
It’s taken a lot from him to meander through the maze that held him back few years back. This is the time to take the next step and tap the full potential or drown with the sheep.
Deep in his heart, he just wants his top spin loaded forehand to wreak havoc the way it did centuries ago. That way the trek to the top will be as painless and comfortable as possible, allowing him to not step out of his comfort zone.
So far he has relied heavily on ‘not having enough matches after the layoff’ BS to carry on in the hope of magically one day igniting that spark and recreating the ‘08 magic. Hard court season is providing a perfect cover for him to indulge in this fairy tale crap.
Additionally, the results he has had on the surface are not really forcing him to look elsewhere in a move to reinvent himself from the ground up. They (results) have been just enough to delay that inevitable process robbing him of invaluable time.
He also has this very real possibility of Federer fading any time now to not go ballistic in a direction that will not only take him out of his comfort zone but will also require huge effort and time to perfect.
It’s called stalling – against false hope and your unwillingness to put in the effort to draw commensurate results.
Meanwhile newer, bigger and fresher threats have already landed making the ‘catching up’ process, once the reality sinks in, even more difficult if not impossible.
If he carries on with this complacent and cowardly attitude the only way left for him to be called a tennis player will be to go for the doubles – for the rest of his career. And then doubles on clay only. And then doubles on video games only.
Aunt Tony must be hoping it might one day come down to doubles of a different kind – with him in the duet.
That’s one organ (in your case) that’s forced to work all freaking day without any rest. And if you are even remotely connected to the internet, porn or solitaire, you are making it work overtime.
Take a five if not a ten minute break and cup your freaking hands and cover your eyes with the lower part of your palm softly resting on the eyes to block all light. Try it now and see how great it feels.
If it doesn’t, you are not doing it right. Read the above again - slowly using the freaking brain for a change. Geeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!
When I started this stupid site in 2006 (most of you were not even born then – some mentally, some physically), it was a just a random collection of thoughts, forced attempts at being funny, not-very-congenial compilation of posts, photos with pathetic captions, sorry tries to look sharp, warped excuses to save face after committing horrendous blunders etc etc.
Wait a minute. Nothing has changed. I have been running around for so long for freaking nothing? But I am a basement lunatic, what’s your freaking excuse for wasting your freaking life here?
And just for the record and to clear up any misconceptions, I have not LOL’d at ANY of your comments and posts EVER. Sometimes maybe a mercy smile. That’s it. And I have also learnt nothing from any of your knowledge of the sport. Just a little bit here and there. Stuff I was about to get to know anyway.
So you all are doing a barely acceptable job, but it is far slightly better than I expected. So you can be happy about that.
But I have to give you this one – very reluctantly: You have managed to build a great OK environment all by yourself without any of my expert interference or policing. Usually, I have heard a site has many moderators to ensure smooth day-to-day operation.
All you toddlers have been able to self manage and still produce a near perfect fair setting – by my standards.
I received the following e-mail. I thought it would be good to share, kids can so funny in their innocence.
“PAY SPECIAL ATTENTION TO THE WORDING AND SPELLING. IF YOU KNOW THE BIBLE EVEN A LITTLE, YOU’LL FIND THIS HILARIOUS! IT COMES FROM A CATHOLIC ELEMENTARY SCHOOL TEST.
KIDS WERE ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT THE OLD AND NEW TESTAMENTS. THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS ABOUT THE BIBLE WERE WRITTEN BY CHILDREN. THEY HAVE NOT BEEN RETOUCHED OR CORRECTED. INCORRECT SPELLING HAS BEEN LEFT IN.
1. IN THE FIRST BOOK OF THE BIBLE, GUINESSIS. GOD GOT TIRED OF CREATING THE WORLD SO HE TOOK THE SABBATH OFF.
2. ADAM AND EVE WERE CREATED FROM AN APPLE TREE. NOAH’S WIFE WAS JOAN OF ARK. NOAH BUILT AND ARK AND THE ANIMALS CAME ON IN PEARS.
3. LOTS WIFE WAS A PILLAR OF SALT DURING THE DAY, BUT A BALL OF FIRE DURING THE NIGHT.
4. THE JEWS WERE A PROUD PEOPLE AND THROUGHOUT HISTORY THEY HAD TROUBLE WITH UNSYMPATHETIC GENITALS.
5. SAMPSON WAS A STRONGMAN WHO LET HIMSELF BE LED ASTRAY BY A JEZEBEL LIKE DELILAH.
6. SAMSON SLAYED THE PHILISTINES WITH THE AXE OF THE APOSTLES.
7 MOSES LED THE JEWS TO THE RED SEA WHERE THEY MADE UNLEAVENED BREAD WHICH IS BREAD WITHOUT ANY INGREDIENTS.
8, THE EGYPTIANS WERE ALL DROWNED IN THE DESSERT. AFTERWARDS, MOSES WENT UP TO MOUNT CYANIDE TO GET THE TEN COMMANDMENTS
9. THE FIRST COMMANDMENTS WAS WHEN EVE TOLD ADAM TO EAT THE APPLE.
10. THE SEVENTH COMMANDMENT IS THOU SHALT NOT ADMIT ADULTERY.
11. MOSES DIED BEFORE HE EVER REACHED CANADA THEN JOSHUA LED THE HEBREWS IN THE BATTLE OF GERITOL.
12. THE GREATEST MIRICLE IN THE BIBLE IS WHEN JOSHUA TOLD HIS SON TO STAND STILL AND HE OBEYED HIM.
13. DAVID WAS A HEBREW KING WHO WAS SKILLED AT PLAYING THE LIAR. HE FOUGHT THE FINKELSTEINS, A RACE OF PEOPLE WHO LIVED IN BIBLICAL TIMES.
14. SOLOMON, ONE OF DAVIDS SONS, HAD 300 WIVES AND 700 PORCUPINES.
15. WHEN MARY HEARD SHE WAS THE MOTHER OF JESUS, SHE SANG THE MAGNA CARTA.
16. WHEN THE THREE WISE GUYS FROM THE EAST SIDE ARRIVED THEY FOUND JESUS IN THE MANAGER.
17. JESUS WAS BORN BECAUSE MARY HAD AN IMMACULATE CONTRAPTION.”
