Tennis Planet

Official Freaking Site Of Tennis Freaking Fans Worldwide.

Archive for April, 2009

Nadal and Djokovic breaking away from the pack @ Rome?

Posted by tennisplanet on April 30, 2009

Both have already dished out a bagel. Djokovic has two break sticks, Nadal and Federer have one each. But in Del Potro and Verdasco they have the biggest test yet, while Federer has some tomato can qualifier to deal with.

Nadal appears to be, as feared, getting better by the minute now. That match against Soderling needs to be reported to child protective services for child abuse.

While the history between them may have played some part in Nadal bringing out his guns, it was also due to Nadal’s comfort level rising as he gets more accustomed to the dirt.

With this showing Nadal may already be looking at a battle against Djokovic in the finals, considering how close Djokovic came to winning the title at Monte Carlo AND his performance here.

Murray going out early may have been the best thing for all top three clowns, but Djokovic may be the one who may end up capitalizing the most.

New fitness coach, the getting used to the new racket, the No. 3 rank under assault, Federer’s recession and other factors may be fueling this resurgence from Djokovic.

Nothing can cap all that like beating Nadal in the finals at ANY of the clay events. If nothing else Djokovic’s showing may be what tennis needs to make things interesting on clay.

With Nadal’s utter dominance for four years and Federer never really looking ominous to Nadal, it was starting to get dreary. But Djokovic devoid of any mental baggage and being of the same age may start something on clay if he can take down the big dog here or later.

Unless Federer makes a quick turnaround, Djokovic is the one to look for to give Nadal run for his money.

Federer served at a pathetic 43 percent against Stepanek and is averaging just 50 percent after two matches. Add the two matches he has played so far against Karlovic and Stepanek, who provide no rhythm – booming serve and serve / volley – and the tomato can coming up.

Federer’s stats will have to pull a 360 against Djokovic and Nadal to not get embarrassed, forget about a win. Either that or Del Potro AND Verdasco will have to pull off an upset for Federer to have any shot at the trophy.

But if Del Potro and Verdasco are able to at least extend their opponents, their track record of tanking after gruelling matches may come into play to hand over Federer what he desperately needs today – a title.

Simon would have been the perfect ‘conditioner’ for Federer to battle the big dogs in the semis and the finals. But this could also be an opportunity for Federer to mend his ways without the strong possibility of losing the match.

Nevertheless, the top three are alive and kicking to at least make the final a little more competitive than in years past.

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments »

Quarterfinals are set @ Rome.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 30, 2009

Nadal vs Verdasco.

Gonzalez vs Monaco.

Djokovic vs Del Potro.

Federer vs Zverev.

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

Why Nadal hates Soderling and Berdych.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 30, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 33 Comments »

Nadal vs Soderling @ Rome ’09.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 30, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 16 Comments »

Photos.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 30, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 21 Comments »

Jokes from Dee. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 30, 2009

DEE

I CAN HEAR JUST FINE!’
————————
Three retirees, each with a hearing loss, were playing golf one fine March day. One remarked to the other, ‘Windy, isn’t it?’ ‘No,’ the second man replied, ‘it’s Thursday.’ And the third man chimed in, ‘So am I. Let’s have a beer.’
_____________________________________
SUPERSEX
——————
A little old lady was running up ! And down the halls in a nursing home. As she walked, she would flip up the hem of her nightgown and say ‘Supersex…’ She walked up to an elderly man in a wheelchair Flipping her gown at him, she said, ‘Supersex.’
He sat silently for a moment or two and finally answered, ‘I’ll take the soup.’
——————
ROMANCE
——————
An older couple were lying in bed one night. The husband was falling asleep but the wife was in a romantic mood and wanted to talk.. She said: ‘You used to hold my hand when we were courting.’ Wearily he reached across, held her hand for a second and tried to get back to sleep. A few moments later she said: ‘Then you used to kiss me.’ Mildly irritated, he reached across, gave her a peck on the cheek and settled down to sleep. Thirty seconds later she said: ‘Then you used to bite my Neck.’ Angrily, he threw back the bed clothes and got out of bed. ‘Where are you going?’ she asked.
‘To get my teeth!’
_____________________________________
DOWN AT THE RETIREMENT CENTER
————————————–
80-year old Bessie bursts into the rec room at the retirement home. She holds her clenched fist in the air and announces,’Anyone who can guess what’s in my hand can have sex with me tonight!!’ An elderly gentleman in the rear shouts out, ‘An elephant?’ Bessie thinks a minute and says, ‘Close enough.’

Posted in Uncategorized | 3 Comments »

Roger Federer fires back by subduing Radek Stepanek. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 30, 2009

SARAH

FEDERER: ‘THIS YEAR WAS VERY DIFFERENT’

Despite avenging his 2008 defeat at the hands of Radek Stepanek with a comfortable 6-4, 6-1 win, No2 seed Roger Federer feels that he has yet to find his rhythm.

“I think maybe conditions were just a touch slower today than they were last year,” he said of his 2008 exit in two tie-breaks to the same opponent. “I think his serve worked really well against me last year, and I couldn’t get a real proper read on it. This year was very different. I could read his first serve and his second serve was not a problem either. I didn’t have a problem even to attack his second serve, whereas last year I was just trying to get the ball into play, and then obviously he was able to mix it up and make me doubt much more. This year I had the control from the baseline and he didn’t have the opportunities like last year. I played well really when I had to, so I’m really happy with the performance today. Sure, when you walk on the court you still have the highlights from that (previous) match, but you try to give it another shot. It’s a different match. I’m still always going to be the favorite against him. I just tried and get off to a good start and I did, which is perfect.”

“Today I definitely got some rhythm in, even though he’s still a player who likes to take the rhythm away or tries to take the net away, maybe tries to keep the points short at times,” said Federer of the atypical, serve-and-volleying Stepanek. “It was still a good match for me. I had to counter his pace because he’s trying to play hard and flat. I felt like I was hitting the ball well. Maybe from the movement side it’s pretty slippery out there. I still have to find my footing just because I haven’t had to do a lot of sort of defensive work yet.”

In the first set, Federer only managed to get 33% of his first serves over and was broken when serving for the set. “I tried to take some pace off my serve and use more spin plays,” he explained, “and because I was still leading and winning, I still had the opportunity to go after it. I didn’t care how much how high my first serve percentage was, as long as I was winning. But it’s definitely something I have to make sure I do better in the next match. Towards the end, I actually served well again, and also in practice actually before the match I was serving well. So it’s just a matter of now make sure that it happens during the next match.”

Source: http://www.internazionalibnlditalia….ult.asp?LNG=EN

——————————————————————————–

Roger Federer fires back by subduing Radek Stepanek

Neil Harman

To the strains of Vangelis’s emotive theme to Chariots of Fire, Roger Federer, whose wheels seem to be back on and rolling in a forward direction, was pictured with not one, but two trophies in the cauldron of the Foro Italico at the Rome Masters yesterday. What the Swiss would not give to lift the one that really matters on Sunday.

A lot of people may be deserting Federer. Articles suggesting he is all at sea are de rigueur, former champions have indicated that his game has more holes than a colander and the way it is going one expects to see Denise Robertson sitting beside him on the This Morning sofa, patting him on the knee and offering some homely Wearside thoughts on where he goes from here. But two important sections of the population have not yet given up on him just yet — his fellow players and his public.

The cut-glass prizes brandished yesterday were the Stefan Edberg Sportsmanship Award, as voted by his fellow professional players, and the ATPWorldTour.com Fans’ Favourite honour. He has won both a record number of times — six for sportsmanship and seven from the fans. For all of Rafael Nadal’s remarkable recent feats, the world No 1 has not quite nudged Federer from his pedestal of universal popularity.

As nice as those awards are, they are not recompense for holding something gained through blood, sweat, toil and tears on the court (and there have been too many tears lately). Federer is two parts of the way to becoming the champion in the Italian capital for the first time and a conclusive 6-4, 6-1 dismissal of Radek Stepanek, the Czech who defeated him on the same piece of baked earth a year ago, was a satisfying means of reaching the quarter-finals.

Stepanek is a nuisance — all arms, legs, pirouettes and geeky gestures. One can imagine that many players have wanted to pin him to the locker-room wall for he is as aggravating as Ilie Nastase once was, but without the “nasty” streak. Federer knew that he had to prepare for the unlikely, not least those absurd net rushes behind snail’s-paced second serves. He coped admirably with all that Stepanek threw at him and dished out some pretty superlative shots of his own.

And so to the endless critiques of his form. He has won three quarters of his matches in the first four months of the year and reached the semi-finals or better in four of five tournaments, which would equate to “not too bad”. He said: “I have read these funny things when I’ve lost, that they know why I lost, which is sometimes completely wrong. So I started not to get carried away with it. Too many friends are telling me: ‘It’s going to be OK Roger, don’t worry.’ I’m like: ‘What’s the problem?’ There’s no problem. Even my friends start to believe it, so this is when I really know I shouldn’t peek at the papers.

“I guess it’s something that I have to get used to — a bit more press that’s just not always in my favour. For the last five, six years I’ve been playing so well and I’ve been so dominant there was really little to write about in a negative way.

“The important thing as a player is you know what’s going on. I’m very confident I know what’s wrong and I know what’s right. It’s important that I work hard and get back to my best play. I know I’m very close to it.”

Today comes a test he could not have been expecting. Mischa Zverev, a qualifier from Germany, defeated Gilles Simon, the No 8 seed, 6-4, 6-1, a performance that suggested that France is an awfully long way from finding a prospective men’s champion for Roland Garros.

Source: http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/spo…cle6201830.ece

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

Roddick Recalls Amazing Wedding. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 30, 2009

SARAH

Roddick Recalls Amazing Wedding :)
By Tennis Week Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Nadal and his beloved water bottles. From Bigfish. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 24 Comments »

Photos.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments »

Nadal gets a gift. He may have needed it this time. Djokovic gets one too.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

For both of them, it’s Murray’s opening round loss.

For Nadal, that was his stiffest test after having gone through Monte Carlo and Barcelona non stop. Murray was the only one who could have spoiled Nadal’s spotless record on clay this season even in a loss.

As previous years have proven, Nadal invariably reaches the tipping point on clay where his body refuses to follow his commands. How else can you explain Nadal getting bageled at a clay final or losing in the second round?

Whether it’s just from pure exhaustion or it’s side kick like a blister etc. Nadal turns into a helpless lion incapable of protecting his turf. 

As he gets deeper into the season, that track record has to surface sooner or later since he has made no changes despite the risk of the axe falling at or around Roland Garros.

Djokovic must have heaved a bigger sigh of relief since he is the defending champion here with massive points to defend in his attempt to keep Murray off his back from taking over his No. 3 rank.

With just 110 points separating the two now, it’s crunch time for Djokovic. Besides, that elusive No. 2 boat Djokovic has failed to board three times already may again come within striking distance with just 900 points to go between him and Federer.

Federer should be able to at least reach his last year’s quarterfinal berth to not lose any points here, barring a debacle. But the ground is already shaking to bolster more than just Djokovic to start looking beyond the horizon now.

Djokovic has been the most impressive of all four not only in his opening match here but also the entire clay season, other than Nadal of course. Just not having to ward off Murray anymore here may be exactly what he needs to play his natural game and steal this title before Nadal gets his second wind.

If you are looking for the guy with the most likelihood of beating Nadal on clay today to stay alive for the final, you have to go with Djokovic who must be emboldened by his three setter against Nadal at Monte-Carlo final.

Federer needs some strong wins to bring himself to play Nadal in the final on even terms now. This win over Karlovic in straight sets should be a good foundation to build on. But the job is far from done.

If Federer fails to put together a string of emphatic wins, just his subconscious mind won’t allow him to post a win over Djokovic in the final forget about the forehand. Facing Nadal in the final may become too much of a nightmare.

You see, when you are at this level, what terrifies you more than a loss is getting humiliated on the court, specially when you have been to the mountain top with the consistency never seen in the history of the sport.

That was ONE of the reasons for Borg’s early retirement among others.

Nadal would like nothing better than to snuff out any belief Federer has of winning the FO by pounding Federer even before he gets there. With last year’s demolition at Roland Garros still fresh in his mind, look for Nadal to go for more than just a win if he faces Federer on clay this year or a decade from now.

What the contenders looking up are hoping is for Nadal to win both Rome and Madrid, so he is left with minimum fuel to go all out at Roland Garros. Even for Djokovic and Murray, winning Roland Garros can almost guarantee a career Slam, a feat even Federer couldn’t bag.

Even if they don’t end of winning all four, a Roland Garros win will certainly push them for it like no other incentive can. Being just a sixth man to achieve that has it’s own magic.

But getting a gift is not the whole story. How many times have we seen people falter to crumble at the threshold of that palace that seemed all but certain. Both Nadal and Djokovic have to now capitalize on this break to milk it.

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments »

Guillermo Coria to retire. From Jenny. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

JENNY

Guillermo Coria has decided to retire at just 27yrs, which is no surprise really. El Mago was one of my clay court heroes, I cut my clay teeth on Guga and Coria. He wasn’t sweet like Guga, but IMO his game was just as beautiful to the eye. The dancing feet, the slender hands and fingers of a concert pianist, the feather touch at the net and with sometimes the temperament of a sneaky viper. For those who didn’t get to see him play, I hope you enjoy the following link.

Take Care, Guille – Big loss to clay court tennis.

Posted in Uncategorized | 12 Comments »

Murray after losing at Rome. From Dalia. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

DALIA

Its been a long time no posting for me!! tried to get the whole interview but i didnt find it.
probably they didnt upload it yet..all i found was this..

29/04/2009 18:05
ANDY MURRAY: “I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN SOMETIME”

After crashing out 1-6, 6-3, 7-5 to qualifier Juan Monaco, Andy Murray was nevertheless in an upbeat mood as he looked to the rest of the clay season.

“Conditions changed a lot during the match,” said the No4 seed, who got off to a flying start before getting bogged down in the second set. “You look at the court during the first set and it was very heavy and very damp. At the end, it was really dry, quite slippy and much quicker conditions. That might explain a little bit why it was a bit of a different standard of tennis played. Maybe when the courts dried out he was able to dictate more of the points. I’m not saying the conditions were the reason I lost the match. It was just very different to what it was at the start. The last five or six days when we were practising, the weather had been damp and the courts were slow, and then it was obviously much quicker at the end. Maybe that’s where I made a few more errors. I don’t mind whether the clay is quicker or slower – it just changed a lot during the match.”

Despite going out at this early stage, Murray refused to be downhearted and took the positives from the match. “It wasn’t my best but I was still very close to winning. I’ve found ways of coming through when I haven’t been playing my best early in tournaments this year. On the clay, that’s something that I need to try and work out a little bit more. But I’m not going to be too disappointed. I would have liked to have got my run going, but I’ve had a great eight months and haven’t lost early for a long time. I knew it was going to happen sometime. I’ve just got to move on and realize that I’ve been playing much better this year than I was last year on clay and work hard for Madrid.”

Murray also mentioned some problems adjusting to a new racquet, though he refused to lay the blame on either his equipment or on the foot-fault call at 5-5 in the final set which led to his being broken to love. “I’m playing with new racquets this week – the same weight and balance but it’s just always when you get new racquets it takes time,” he said. “You have to string them three or four times before they come out the right way because the grommets are new.”

“I don’t move my left foot when I serve, so I don’t get foot faulted very often,” he continued. “If I was foot faulting, I was foot faulting. It was just quite surprising that after two hours and forty minutes we’d been playing and I had one, and it came out of nowhere. I missed the next four first serves but that’s bad concentration from me – something that I need to get better at.”

http://www.internazionalibnlditalia.it/1/News.asp?LNG=EN

Posted in Uncategorized | 5 Comments »

Article following Federer’s match against Karlovic. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

SARAH

Article following his match against Karlovic:

http://www.internazionalibnlditalia….=EN&IDNews=471

FEDERER: “I WAS PRETTY MUCH CRUISING”
No2 seed Roger Federer was as relaxed in the interview room as he was on court after beating giant Croat Ivo Karlovic 6-4, 6-4 to get through to the last 16.

“I got off to a good start in both sets which is always good and kind of comforting against Ivo,” said the 2003 and 2006 Rome finalist. “He found his groove later on on his serve but I already had the break in the second, which is perfect. It was just important to be really solid on my serve. I had two close service games in the beginning. From then on, I was pretty much cruising. I can’t judge this kind of kind of a match because it’s not real tennis with Ivo because it’s all about reaction. The next match will be a different type of clay-court test. This was more like a hard-court match – just hoping to get through. It’s a real tough one to have as a first round.”

“The surface seemed fine,” continued Federer. “It’s tough to kind of maintain those courts with the rain. There’s always the occasional bad bounce and you got to live with that. It doesn’t help against such a big server I guess sometimes, because you’re choosing the right side and then you have the right swing and then it bounces wrong and then you can’t adjust anymore because it’s just too difficult. The ground underneath is harder so there is less clay, because there seems like a concrete almost under it, and then you have the clay on top which makes it slippery. In Monaco or Hamburg, probably Madrid as well, you just have clay and surfaces that when they get wet you can dig in. Here it seems not possible and that’s why if it’s nice weather the ball can bounce really high. I think from the baseline, if you give yourself some room, don’t half volley too much, it’s as good as any courts out there right now.”

“For me, it was about to getting into the rhythm and making sure that I’m in good shape for my first round. Obviously my preparation was minimal for Monaco,” said Federer in reference to his recent marriage to former player and long-time girlfriend Mirka Vavrinec. “It’s been like this a few years but the last few years I just was able to play finals over there. This year it wasn’t enough, but that didn’t matter. I just wanted to get out there and have some fun and play some tennis again in a match situation. It gave me information. I practiced really hard, so I feel better. It’s important to have a good warm-up tomorrow before the match and to get a good rhythm, and then I can really judge my performance here in Rome.”

When asked his opinion as to why seeds Ferrer, Murray and Davydenko lost on Wednesday, Federer gave a detailed reply. “It’s still early in the clay court season for some. Masters Series are tough especially for the seeds like me today. I haven’t played yet here. Some might think it’s an unfair disadvantage for us to always have a bye. But at the same time, it’s always difficult. Other guys are coming in with at least one match under their belt that they’re ready to go. That’s the danger. I guess everyone has a different sort of reason why they lost.”

“Davydenko is coming back from injuries, so he’s looking to find his form,” Federer commented. “Ferrer had a rough week last week. He also struggled here last year losing to Stepanek before I lost to him. Maybe there is something with the surface he doesn’t really like that much. Maybe it’s a bit too fast after having maybe the slow clay last year. Murray was a great match. I thought Monaco played a great match. But the draws are tough here. I think on clay there’s really a solid base of players who always make it hard for us, the seeds. So I’m happy he didn’t get me today.”

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Former tennis stars now facing reality. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

SARAH

Originally Published: April 29, 2009

Former tennis stars now facing
By Kamakshi Tandon

Click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Wednesday’s funnies courtesy of ESPN. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

SARAH

Wednesday’s funnies courtesy of ESPN… :)

A Missouri Sheriff stops at a ranch in rural MO and talks with an old farmer. He tells the farmer, ‘I need to inspect your ranch for illegal grown drugs.’ The old farmer says, ‘Okay, but don’t go in that field over there.’ The Sheriff verbally explodes saying, ‘Mister, I have the authority of the Sheriffs Department with me.’ Reaching into his rear pant pocket and removing his badge. The officer proudly displays it to the farmer. ‘See this badge? This badge means I am allowed to go wherever I wish…on any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?’ The old farmer nods politely and goes about his chores. Later, the old farmer hears loud screams and spies the Sheriff running for his life and close behind is the farmer’s bull. With every step the bull is gaining ground on the officer. The Sheriff is clearly terrified. The old farmer immediately throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs…..
‘Your badge! Show him your badge!’

Questions and Answers from an AARP Forum
Q: Where can men over the age of 60 find younger, sexy women who are interested in them?
A: Try a bookstore under fiction.
Q: What can a man do while his wife is going through menopause?
A: Keep busy. If you’re handy with tools, you can finish the basement. When you’re done you’ll have a place to live.
Q: Someone has told me that menopause is mentioned in the bible. Is that true? Where can it be found?
A: Yes. Matthew 14:92: “And Mary rode Joseph’s a s all the way to Egypt.”
Q: How can you increase the heart rate of your 60-plus year old husband?
A: Tell him you’re pregnant.
Q: How can you avoid that terrible curse of the elderly wrinkles?
A: Take off your glasses.
Q: Seriously! What can I do for these Crow’s feet and all those wrinkles on my face?
A: Go braless. It will usually pull them out.
Q: Why should 60-plus year old people use valet parking?
A: Valets don’t forget where they park your car.
Q: Is it common for 60-plus year-olds to have problems with short term memory storage?
A: Storing memory is not a problem, Retrieving it is the problem.
Q: As people age, do they sleep more soundly?
A: Yes, but usually in the afternoon.
Q: Where should 60-plus year olds look for eye glasses?}
A: On their foreheads.
Q: What is the most common remark made by 60-plus year olds when they enter antique stores?
A: “Gosh, I remember these!”

A woman recently lost her husband. She had him cremated and brought his ashes home. One day she picked up the urn he was in, and poured him out on the coffee table. Then she started talking to him, and tracing her fingers in the ashes. She said, “You know that fur coat you promised me, Irving?” She answered by saying, “I bought it with the insurance money!” She then said, “Irving, remember that new car you promised me?” She answered again saying, “Well, I bought it with the insurance money!” Then she said, “And remember the big beautiful house that sits at the top of the hill that I fell in love with and you said we couldn’t afford?” Once more she answered saying, “Well I bought that too with the insurance money and I love living here.”
Still tracing her finger in the ashes, she said, “Irving, remember that b l o w job I promised you? Here it comes . . .”

A man and his wife go to their honeymoon hotel for their 25th anniversary. As the couple reflected on that magical evening 25 years ago, the wife asked the husband, “When you first saw my naked body in front of you, what was going through your mind?” The husband replied, “All I wanted to do was to f/u/c/k your brains out, and suck your t.i.t.s dry.”Then, as the wife undressed, she asked, “What are you thinking now?” He replied, “It looks as if I did a pretty good job.”

Crabs
A man boarded an airplane in New Orleans with a box of frozen crabs and asked a blond female crew member to take care of the box for him. She took the box and promised to put it in the crew’s refrigerator.

He pointedly advised her that he was holding her personally responsible for the crabs staying frozen, mentioned that he was a lawyer, and proceeded to rant at her about what would happen if she let them thaw out.
needless to say, she was annoyed by his behavior. Shortly before landing in New York, she used the intercom to announce to the entire cabin, “Would the gentleman who gave me the crabs in New Orleans, please raise your hand?”
Not one hand went up … so she took them home and ate them.
Two lessons here:
1. Men never learn.
2. Blondes aren’t as dumb as most men think

Confession
An elderly Italian man who lived on the outskirts of Monte Casino went to the local church for confession. When the priest slid open the panel in the confessional, the man said, “Father, during World War II, a beautiful woman knocked on my door and asked me to hide her from the enemy. So I hid her in my attic.” The priest replied, “That was a wonderful thing you did, my son! And you have no need to confess that.” “It’s worse than that, father. She started to repay me with sexual favors.” The priest said, “By doing that, you were both in great danger. However, two people under those circumstances can be very tempted to act that way. But if you are truly sorry for your actions, you are indeed forgiven.” Thank you, Father. That’s a great load off my mind. But I do have one more question.” And what is that?” asked the priest.

“Should I tell her the war is over?”

Construction worker on the 5th floor of a building needed a handsaw. So he spots another worker on the ground floor and yells down to him, but he can’t hear him. So the worker on the 5th floor tries sign language. He pointed to his eye meaning “I”, pointed to his knee meaning “need”, then moved his hand back and forth in a hand saw motion. The man on the ground floor nods his head, pulls down his pants, whips out his chop and starts j/e/r/k/i/n/g off. The worker on 5th floor gets so p/i/s/s/e/d off he runs down to the ground floor and says, “What the f/u/c/ k is your problem!!! I said I needed a hand saw!” The other guy says, “I knew that! I was just trying to tell you – I’m coming!”

Two fleas from Detroit had an agreement to meet every winter in Miami for a vacation.Last year when one flea gets to Miami, he’s all blue, shivering and shaking, damn near frozen to death! The other flea asks him, “What the hell happened to you?” The first flea says, “I rode down here from Mount Clemens in the mustache of a guy on a Harley.” The other flea tells him, “That’s the worst way to travel. Try what I do: Go to the Metro airport bar. Have a few drinks. While you are there, look for a nice stewardess. Crawl up her leg and nestle in where it’s warm and cozy. It’s the best way to travel that I can think of.” The first flea thanks the second flea and says he will give it a try next winter. A year goes by, and when the first flea shows up in Miami he is all blue, and shivering and shaking again. Damn near frozen to death! The second flea says, “Didn’t you try what I told you?” Yes,” says the first flea, “I did exactly as you said: I went to the Metro airport bar. I had a few drinks. Finally, this nice young stewardess came in. I crawled right up to a warm cozy spot. It was so nice and warm that I fell asleep immediately.” “Well then, what happened?” the first flea asked. “When I woke up, I was back in the mustache of the guy on the Harley!”

=================== The VIRGIN
It was her first time. She put him off for awhile searching for anexcuse, but he refused to be swayed as he approached her.
As she laid back, her muscles tightened. He asked if she is afraid and she shook your head bravely. He has had a great deal of experience and his finger finds the right place the very first time. He probed deeply and she shivered; her body
tensed; but he was gentle as he had promised he’d be. He looked deeply within her eyes and told her to trust him — he’s done this many times before. His cool smile relaxed her and she opened wider to give him more room for an easy entrance. She anxiously began to plead and beg him to hurry, but he slowly took his time, wanting to cause her as little pain as possible. As he pressed closer, going deeper, she felt the tissue give way; pain surged throughout her body and she felt the slight trickle of blood as he continued. He looked at her, concerned, and asked if he was hurting her. Her eyes filled with tears but she shook her head and nodded for him to go on. As he began moving in and out with skill she became too numb to feel
him within her. After a few frenzied moments, she felt something
bursting within her and he pulled it out of her. She lay panting, glad to it was over. He looked at her, smiling warmly, telling her, with a chuckle; that she had been his most rewarding experience ever. She smiled and thanked her dentist.
After all, it was her first time having a tooth pulled.

Shrek, Brad Pitt and Jennifer Lopez were all having lunch together. Shrek said, ‘I have always thought that I’m the strongest man in the World, but how can I be sure? Brad Pitt said, ‘I’m pretty sure I’m the hottest man alive but I’ve never had it confirmed. ‘Jennifer Lopez agreed. ‘I’m told I’m the sexiest of them all, but Sometimes, I wonder. ‘They all decided that the best way to find out if their beliefs were true was to approach the wicked Queen’s mirror to confirm for them whether Shrek was the strongest, Brad Pitt was the hottest and Jennifer Lopez was the sexiest. They agreed to meet again the next day for lunch to discuss their findings. The next day Shrek walked up with a smile. ‘Well, it’s true. The mirror told me that I am the strongest man in the world.’ Brad Pitt followed and boasted, ‘It is true, it has been confirmed that I am the hottest man alive!!

Jennifer Lopez walked in, head bent, tears in her eyes and asked, “Who in the hell is desilu?”

Murder at Wal-Mart
Tired of constantly being broke & stuck in an unhappy marriage, a young husband decided to solve both problems by taking out a large insurance policy on his wife with himself as the beneficiary, and then arranging to have her killed. A ‘friend of a friend’ put him in touch with a nefarious dark-side underworld figure who went by the name of ‘Artie. ‘Artie then explained to the husband that his going price for snuffing out a spouse was $5,000.The husband said he was willing to pay that amount, but that he wouldn’t have any cash on hand until he could collect his wife’s insurance money. Artie insisted on being paid at least something up front, so the man opened his wallet, displaying the single dollar bill that rested inside. Artie sighed, rolled his eyes, & reluctantly agreed to accept the dollar as down payment for the dirty deed. A few days later, Artie followed the man’s wife to the local Super Wal-Mart store. There, he surprised her in the produce department & proceeded to strangle her with his gloved hands & as the poor unsuspecting woman drew her last breath & slumped to the floor……..The manager of the produce department stumbled unexpectedly onto the murder scene. Unwilling t o leave any living witnesses behind, ol’ Artie had no choice but to strangle the produce manager as well. However, unknown to Artie, the entire proceedings were captured by the hidden security cameras & observed by the store’s security guard, who immediately called the police. Artie was caught & arrested before he could even leave the store. Under intense questioning at the police station, Artie revealed the whole sordid plan, including his unusual financial arrangements with the hapless husband who was also quickly arrested.
The next day in the newspaper, the headline declared …
‘ARTIE CHOKES 2 for $1.00 AT WAL-MART!’

How would you like it?
A man left work one Friday afternoon to go home. But it was payday, so instead of going home, he stayed out the entire weekend partying with the boys and spending his entire paycheck! When he finally appeared at home on Sunday night, he was confronted by his angry wife and was barraged for nearly two hours with a tirade befitting his actions. Finally his wife stopped the nagging and said to him, ‘How would you like it if you didn’t see me for two or three days?’ He replied, ‘that would be fine with me.’ Monday went by and he didn’t see his wife. Tuesday and Wednesday came and went with the same results. But on Thursday, the swelling went down just enough where he could see her a little out of the corner of his left eye………..

Your Hair Smells Nice

Every day, a male co-worker walks up very close to a lady at the coffee machine, inhales a big breath of air, and tells her that her hair smells nice. After a week of this, she can’t stand it anymore, takes her complaint to a supervisor in the personnel department and asks to file a sexual harassment grievance against him. The Human Resources supervisor is puzzled and asks: ‘What’s sexually threatening about a co-worker telling you your hair smells nice?’ The woman replies, ‘Its Keith. The midget.’

Cinderella wants to go to the ball, but her wicked stepmother won’t let her. As Cinderella sits crying in the garden, her fairy godmother appears, and promises to provide Cinderella with everything she needs to go to the ball, but only on two conditions. “First, you must wear a diaphragm. “Cinderella agrees. “What’s the second condition?” “You must be home by 2 a.m. Any later, and your diaphragm will turn into a pumpkin.” Cinderella agrees to be home by 2 a.m. .The appointed hour comes and goes, and Cinderella doesn’t show up. Finally, at 5 a.m., Cinderella shows up, looking love-struck and **very** satisfied. “Where have you been?” demands the fairy godmother. “Your diaphragm was supposed to turn into a pumpkin three hours ago!!!” “I met a prince, Fairy Godmother he took care of everything.” “I know of no prince with that kind of power! Tell me his name!” “I can’t remember, exactly…Peter Peter,something or other….”

Possibly the best chicken joke ever…
A chicken and an egg are lying in bed. The chicken is leaning against the headboard smoking a cigarette, with a satisfied smile on its face. The egg, looking a bit pissed off, grabs the sheet, rolls over, and says, “Well, I guess we finally answered THAT question.”

A man and his wife were driving their Recreational Vehicle across the country and were nearing a town spelled Kissimmee. They noted the strange spelling and tried to figure how to pronounce it – KISS-a-me; kis-A-me; kis-a-ME. They grew more perplexed as they drove into the town. Since they were hungry, they pulled into a place to get something to eat. At the counter, the man said to the waitress: “My wife and I can’t seem to be able to figure out how to pronounce this place. Will you tell me where we are and say it very slowly so that I can understand.” The waitress looked at him and said: “Buuurrrgerrr Kiiiinnnng.”

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

10 Republican jokes. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 29, 2009

SARAH

10 Republican jokes…

Two Republicans living in Oklahoma were sitting on a bench talking, and one Republican says to the other, “Which do you think is farther away… Florida or the moon?” The other Republican turns and says “Helloooooooooo, can you see Florida ?????”

CAR TROUBLE
A Republican pushes her BMW into a gas station. She tells the mechanic it died. After he works on it for a few minutes, it is idling smoothly. She says, “What’s the story?” He replies, “Just crap in the carburetor.” She asks, “How often do I have to do that?”

SPEEDING TICKET
A police officer stops a Republican for speeding and asks her very nicely if he could see her license. She replied in a huff, “I wish you guys would get your act together. Just yesterday you take away my license and then today you expect me to show it to you!”

RIVER WALK
There’s this Republican out for a walk. She comes to a river and sees another blonde on the opposite bank “Yoo-hoo!” she shouts, “How can I get to the other side?” The second Republican looks up the river then down the river and shouts back, “You ARE on the other side.”

DOCTOR’S OFFICE
A gorgeous young redhead goes into the doctor’s office and said that her body hurt wherever she touched it. “Impossible!” says the doctor. “Show me.” The redhead took her finger, pushed on her left shoulder and screamed, then she pushed her elbow and screamed even more. She pushed her knee and screamed; likewise she pushed her ankle and screamed. Everywhere she touched made her scream. The doctor said, “You’re not really a redhead, are you?”Well, no” she said, “I’m actually a Republican.” “I thought so,” the doctor said. “Your finger is broken.”

KNITTING
A highway patrolman pulled alongside a speeding car on the freeway. Glancing at the car, he was astounded to see that the Republican behind the wheel was knitting! Realizing that she was oblivious to his flashing lights and siren, the trooper cranked down his window, turned on his bullhorn and yelled, “PULL OVER!” “NO!” the Republican yelled back, “IT’S A SCARF!”

REPUBLICAN ON THE SUN
A Russian, an American, and a Republican were talking one day. The Russian said, “We were the first in space!” The American said, “We were the first on the moon!”The Republican said, “So what? We’re going to be the first on the sun!” The Russian and the American looked at each other and shook their heads. “You can’t land on the sun, you idiot! You’ll burn up!” said the Russian. To which the Republican replied, “We’re not stupid, you know. We’re going at night!”

IN A VACUUM
A Republican was playing Trivial Pursuit one night. It was her turn. She rolled the dice and she landed on Science & Nature Her question was, “If you are in a vacuum and someone calls your name, can you hear it?” She thought for a time and then asked, “Is it on or off?”

A REPUBLICAN AND HER TWO DOGS
A girl was visiting her Republican friend, who had acquired two new dogs, and asked her what their names were. The Republican responded by saying that one was named Rolex and one was named Timex. Her friend said, “Whoever heard of someone naming dogs like that?” “HELLLOOOOOOO……,” answered the Republican. “They’re watch dogs!”

A Republican walks into a store. Curious about a shiny object behind the counter, she asks, “What is that?” The helpful store clerk responds, “Why, it’s a thermos.” Still curious, the Republican asks, “What does it do?” “It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold,” replies the clerk. So she buys one….The next day, she brings her new thermos to work with her. Her boss, also a blonde, asks, “What’s that shiny thingy?” She replies with authority, “It’s a thermos.” “Oh,” says he, “And what’s it do?” “Well,” says she, “It keeps hot things hot and cold things cold. ”Then he asks, “So what do you have in there today?” “Two cups of coffee and a Popsicle

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

Djokovic imitating the talk show host. From Jennifur. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Translation of Djokovic’s interview on Italian TV. From Bjornino. Good work. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

BJORNINO

TP, I don’t know if I should put this here or in the same thread as the Djoko-talk show-video, so I will post in both places and let u decide. Cheers/Bjornino

Hello everyone,

I thought I’d give it a try.. I am sort of a closet-italian speaker, never studied the language, but italian talk shows are so silly that even I understand most of what they say. So here it is, with no claim to be perfect: a lil translation of Djoko’s appearance on Italian TV in the clip above: (and I wonder how much Djoko himself understood of that yacking and babbling host..)

Host: It’s amazing, cuz among you here in the audience is an athlete who’s number 3 in the world and who won the Rome Masters last year (and so on and so on…lots of Italian blah blah there)
(apparently Djoko was sitting in the audience and his emerging on the stage was meant to be a surprise)
…and his name is: DJOKOVIC!! How are you?? Number 3 in the World! Come here with me… Blah blah…

Host: How old are you?

Djoko: 21

Host: 21…21…you could have been my son, because I am 49…

Djoko: Why this reaction? Am I too young?

Host: YES! It’s terrible…I am 49, you’re 21.. Please, do me a favour, call me “Papa” for a lil while here, ok?

Djoko: Papa…

Host: Ciao! When will you play?

Djoko: (laugh) Tomorrow.

Host: Good, I recommend you. In front of you, you have this…giant mouse (making wierd face)…Nadal..
…and then the other one… EXTREMELY serious… Federer.

Djoko: Yes, the perfect Swiss..

Host: And you, what is your nationality, and you residence?

Djoko: Serbia, and Monte Carlo.

Host: Oh really?? (laughs)

Djoko: I am sure you know MC, but probably you dont know Serbia so well.

Host: Well…Serbia…don’t know..but no, I don’t know much about MC, they won’t let me in (he speaks REALLY fast here, don’t know if I got that right)
So, what is SO great about Monte Carlo? The beautiful ocean?

Djoko: Yes, the beautiful ocean, without tax!

Host: Without tax!! (then a lot of nonsense)

Host: Ok, now listen, if you search on youtube for “Djokovic”…what’s your first name?

Djoko: Novak.

Host: He imitates ALL the other players, how they move, how they strike the ball and so on…
May I make an experiment? (tries speaking English for about 1.5 seconds)

Djoko: Shall we imitate together?

Host: Yes…maybe we should… My SON!

Host: (imitates Marlon Brando in “Godfather” – I guess)

..then the imitations start..Djoko doesn’s seem as relaxed about doing this as he did 2 years ago, imo..
After the Nadal forehand, the host goes on:

Host: So when Nadal wins a big point, how does he celebrate?

Djoko: It’s impossible for me to show, since his biceps are so much bigger than mine.

Host: Oh yes, Nadal is a Giant Mouse…eats a lot of cheese with lots of protein…bla blah..

Djoko: (makes Nadal leap)

Host: Ok, listen: Miss Shaparova…SharaPOVA!…do you know her?

Djoko: Yes, very well.

Host: In what sense…….? If someone says: “I know her well”, it means he knows her well as a friend..but if he says “VERY well….”

Djoko: Well, she’s a good friend..

Host: Ahaa…”good”….

Djoko: Well, she’s from Russia, that’s very close to our country.

Host: Aha, maybe future wife (that’s what I think he said..probably some kind of Italian word-joke)

Host: Now he’ll do his fantastic Sharapova-imitation!

Djoko: But I don’t have a skirt.

Host: Don’t worry, the audience will imagine it!

Djoko: (imitates Sharapova)

Host: Novak Djokoviiiiic!!!

(Does the stupid host even know they gave him a freakin badminton racket???)

Host: Now, YOU have to kiss me! Ladies and gents: A MAESTRO! A great player, but above all a great person!
Djokovic! Beat everyone at the Foro Italico now! Amazing blah blah blah blah!!! May I give you this racket? Bring it to Monte Carlo!
Amazing amazing blah blah blah..

Probably one of the most stupid talk show hosts I’ve seen…

Well, my Italian is not great, but I think that should at least bring you the essence of it ^^

Looking forward to great matches at Foro Italico!

Regards/Björn

Posted in Uncategorized | 4 Comments »

Do face masks help prevent swine flu infection?

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

Click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Contenders: Rome ’09.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

Player Aces Ist serve
pct.
Sets lost Tie bks Bk pt conv % Time on court. Matches played
Nadal 67  63  5:48 
               
Federer 55  43  3:44  3 OUT
               
Djokovic  14  56  57  6:29 
               
Murray              OUT 
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               

Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »

McEnroe (audio) on turning 50, being Federer’s coach and more.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

Click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Safin now using ‘color’ tactics to win?

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 8 Comments »

Photos.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 7 Comments »

Dark side of a champion. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

SARAH

I didn’t want to post it – because I don’t believe. But… it does fit here. :)

The Illustrated – 11.02.2009

The controversy

The dark side of a champion

Written by Blaise Calame

Rafael Nadal, the era of suspicion

Superhuman performance, strikes from elsewhere, a physical Gladiator: in 22 years, the Spanish tennis over the planet. But is it flawless? Her young career is fraught with gray areas.

Melbourne, 1 February 2009. Spaniard Rafael Nadal won his first Australian Open after a gripping final in five sets. Roger Federer is empty, broken, bitter. Powerless, he cries. Nadal the console, triumphant.

Including his semi-final marathon against Verdasco, the Majorcan just spend nine hours on court 37 in less than two days to run as a consideration. Federer, who had folded his semi-final in three sets, has been exhausted. So in the span of the Rod Laver Arena, there are those who celebrate the triumph of the king Nadal. And those who doubt.

Questions about a champion

Nadal is it doped? The small world of tennis hate talk. No player is likely to condemn the world: fear for the image, fear for the sponsors. But the short and brilliant career of the Spanish has always been accompanied by questions. Out of adolescence with Gladiator overpowering arm, the ability to recover non-standard, and the excitement evident between points as if he was still hot after five hours of Thursday while it was 35 degrees: the boy forced air perfect suspect.

Suspect because that beyond the standards. Superhuman. “Rafa is so much intensity in each point that something will eventually drop in his body,” said recently in London, Pete Sampras. A year ago, his coach and uncle Toni Nadal gave the Diario de Mallorca: “Rafa is suffering from chronic inflammation in his left foot. This is very serious. “Since then, he would not run in training. However, on the court …

In 2003, Nadal is suspected of taking anabolic steroids. Three years later, a large tennis magazine evokes a positive control in the tournament in Dubai, without result. At Roland Garros in 2004, Le Temps speaks of “sports high-ranking” for reporting a doping investigation against three Spanish players: Nadal, Juan Carlos Ferrero and Alex Corretja. The blow falls. The following year, in the final of Roland Garros, Nadal atomizing Argentine Mariano Puerta … which will itself be sanctioned for doping. In 2006 Puerto case broke (see below).

Last year, finally, after his victory against Federer in Paris, the daily L’Equipe revealed that Nadal was tested positive to etilefrine, a stimulant that he had prescribed against influenza …

That’s a lot for one man. “I’ve never taken anything in my life, says the Spanish. I have not received such education. “Meanwhile, he surrounds himself with lawyers.

The shortcomings of tennis

The chance to Nadal and the other is without doubt that we have long believed that tennis doping did not exist. A wrong, even if the controls are recent serious. Previously, it was the ATP, so the players, who managed the problem with the International Tennis Federation (ITF). The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) has demanded an end to the too familiar refrain of dirty laundry washed in the family. Now, the ITF acts alone is better. But is it enough?

“Some sports federations are very open in relation to communication about doping, while others, like tennis, much less,” says Martial Saugy, head of the Swiss laboratory analysis of doping. Therefore, the list of cheaters has recognized only one winner of a Grand Slam tournament, the Czech Petr Korda, a team of Argentine and non-grade. Pinched in 2004, the Briton Greg Rusedski balance: “Half the players on the Top 100 are doped! It does not say … because the ATP has led a tough life for the few snitches. For expressing his doubts about some players fresh in the fifth set that first, the French Nicolas Escudé was even forced to make a public apology.

Pharmacy possible doping tennis is rich with the power to strike: Nandrolone and anabolic steroids, for Endurance: steroids, ephedrine and nandrolone; for the concentration finally: ephedrine.

“Before, players took amphetamines. Why they not only use of EPO today? “Last summer was a doctor in humanity. Dr Bernard Montalvan, doctor teams from France tennis stated unequivocally: “The urine tests are outdated.” However, the vast majority of players outside the blood.

Unsure of their relevance in the tournament, Martial Saugy rather pleads for longitudinal follow-up and increased random checks. “In recent years, we went to a more sophisticated doping to prepare the body for better support recovery and long efforts, he adds. This doping was more difficult to detect. It combines a mosaic of growth hormone, EPO and steroids (testosterone), which will act on several metabolic routes with great variability between individuals. ”

The case of Puerto

February 2006: The Spanish Civil Guard, warned two years earlier by the repentant cyclist Jesús Manzano, in Madrid discovered a clandestine laboratory blood samples. On 23 May, Dr Eufemiano Fuentes was arrested. The seizure is spectacular: 224 bags of blood, blood products and plasma, anabolic steroids, the EPO and growth hormones. Four days later, Dr. Fuentes was released on bail. We learn quickly that, of 200 athletes (!) Concerned, at least 58 cyclists, including Italian Ivan Basso and German Jan Ullrich, have consulted.
The Spanish justice s’ingénie however to ensure that the names of other athletes are not disclosed. The headlines refer Rafael Nadal, the footballers of Real Madrid and Barcelona. Rafa’s uncle, Miguel Angel Nadal, played at Barça. Has he introduced his nephew to Dr. Fuentes? The Spanish Minister for Sport, Jaime Lissavetsky, rises to niche: “No footballer or tennis player is involved.” Problem: the ministerial statement is disputed by Fuentes himself July 6, broadcast on Cadena SER .

The Spanish justice turned a deaf ear. The Puerto case is classified for the first time in March 2007 and again in late September 2008. Meanwhile, an anti-doping law was passed in Spain, but without retroactive effect, it may not apply. On 12 January, however, the ears: in response to calls from the prosecution, the International Cycling Union (UCI) and the World Anti-Doping Agency in particular, the Madrid judge Antonio Serrano to reopen this issue reeks of bomb . Will there soon if Nadal has offered the services of Dr Fuentes expensive?

The pride of Spain

The Puerto highlights to fighting doping, Spain has long dragged its feet. Things are changing, but slowly. “Spain is a country that exists across the sport,” says the director of the Swiss laboratory in the fight against doping. It feels good when you have a case positive for the Spanish sports compared to others, by passing the controllers for the guilty! “Spain will not hear, much less from the country’s entry into recession in late 2008. For Spaniards, the suspicion hanging over their champions, as Nadal, are just jealous conspiracies fomented abroad.

A logical reaction, “says sociologist Raffaele Poli, Institute of Sports Science, University of Lausanne. “The emotions are the victories are stronger than the doubts hanging over the sport.” He noted “a trend toward social acceptance of doping.”

Highlights muscles and raging fists, Nadal is the symbol of a triumphant conquering Spain, bulimic victories. There, the sport is king, King Juan Carlos loves the sport. And when he kisses Nadal, he is his equal. “In Spain, the political pressure is huge in football, athletics and tennis,” dares a specialist in anti-doping. Overcome or die: no one else. For the moment, Rafael Nadal remains untouchable. B. Ca

The dark

The Majorcan Rafael Nadal, living embodiment of the fighting spirit. His gaze cache there any truth less flamboyant?

March 2003

The tournament in Hamburg, Rafael Nadal still has a figure comparable to that of other athletes his age.

January 2008

Training on the sidelines of the Australian Open in Melbourne. The morphology of Nadal, all muscles, is impressive.

Doping

Arrested in Madrid, then released, Dr. Eufemiano Fuentes (inset) conducted a laboratory processing blood products. Rafael Nadal has benefited from its services.

Equal princes

6 July 2008: Rafael Nadal won his first title at Wimbledon. Leaping to the Tribune, he is warmly embraced by Prince Felipe and Princess Letizia of Spain, which give it the same time the status of untouchable

Posted in Uncategorized | 50 Comments »

McEnroe’s warped motivation to relentlessly dog Federer for the coaching gig.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

To get one last moment under the sun for being instrumental in getting Federer the FO and the GOAT status.

Or is the enmity against Sampras for not bowing to you as a Davis Cup captain so strong that you will shamelessly continue begging for the post?

Nitwit, if the guy didn’t respond the first time when you publicly made a fool of yourself by calling him out in the media instead of making a discreet phone call – it’s NOT freaking happening.

What part of that NO don’t you understand?

Besides, if Becker who got to just six Slams didn’t listen to you when you forced yourself as his coach, what makes you think a 13-Slammer will even look at you?

You have to live with it now that Sampras has twice as many Slams as you and he gives a rat’s ass as to what you think of him.

Your energy, if it’s genuine, should be spent helping new US upcomers like Querrey or Isner etc. Who is in more need of your help here? If it’s the sport you care more instead of your own prominence, then do what’s right.

Oh, but that won’t get you the exposure to get you to recover the $2 million you were stupid enough to lose to some swindler.

Cut the crap out and stop running after the limelight and do something concrete for the sport for a freaking change. Geeeeeeezzzzz!!!!!!!!

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Djokovic on Italian TV. Sounds like Godfather to me. What are they saying?

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 11 Comments »

Space for:

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

1. Your concern for Adrian who lives in Mexico, heavily affected by swine flu.

2. Adrian to provide update on his and his family’s well being.

Posted in Uncategorized | 30 Comments »

Doping in Tennis. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

YR FAVE PLAYER DOPES

In late March, the ITF released its drug testing stats for 2008. While we heard much grumbling about how the players are so upset over being bothered by testers and how the ITF is so into catching dopers, we didn’t hear much about the release of the stats.
My username is reflecting how no player can be seen as clean.

Keep in mind, unlike other sports:
*Tennis does not release the results of who tested negative, compared to the USA Track and Field, which does so quarterly.
Click here.

* Nothing in the Anti-Doping Programme for this year mentions that positive results must be released to the public. Also, the three person panel that reviews any test can ask, and receive, the name of the player under review.

Click here.

*Tennis only tests the losers at the events.
The Tour de France catches people because after each stage in the three-week event, the overall leader, the stage winner, and two riders are tested at random. Also, every rider is tested after the first-day stage.

Compare 2008 UCI(Pro-Cycling’s ITF)Stats with the 2008 ITF Stats:
In-competition anti-doping tests
UCI conducted 5,509 Urine tests and 587 Blood Tests.
ITF conducted 1,770 Urine Tests and 157 Blood Tests(only done at Slams).

Out-of- competition anti-doping tests
UCI conducted 2,013 Urine Tests and 4,649 Blood Tests.
ITF/WADA conducted 91 Urine Tests and 0 Blood Tests

Total Testing
UCI conducted 12,758 tests to the ITF’s 2,018.

Pre-competition medical blood screens
UCI conducted 466 tests to the ITF’s 0.

Grand Total of UCI 13,224 to the ITF’s 2,018

UCI:
Click here.
ITF:
Click here.

UCI Registered Testing Pool:
Click here.

Posted in Uncategorized | 13 Comments »

Stefan Koubek on training with Federer. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

SARAH

There is an interview with Stefan Koubek

28.04.2009

Interview by Christian Frühwald

“Wife and children won’t burden Roger”

Stefan Koubek is keeping his fingers crossed for Federer at the French Open

Vienna – Last week many tennis fans would have loved to swap places with Stefan Koubek

The 32years old guy from Kärten had the honour to train a whole week with superstar Roger Federer on Sardinia.

As sparring partner the Austrian Daviscupplayer should partake in helping Federer finding his form on clay, in order to start once again a run to get the first French Open title.

“The training was extremely strong”, Koubek tells in an interview with LAOLA1 after his home running from Italy. “It was impressive, how good and how much Roger is training.”

Beside this Koubek is revealing what he can take away from this trainingsweek, why he wasn’t present at the Federer wedding and how he is assessing the chances of Federer in Paris.

LAOLA1: Last week you were allowed to spend a trainingsweek with Roger Federer and his team on Sardinia. How did the training with such a superstar went?

Stefan Koubek: It was really great. The traning was extremely strong and good. I was lucky to be able to work with Roger’s physiotherapist as well, otherwise I don’t know if I would have bore the week. I had lots of fun and was impressed how good and how much he is training. Before I thought he wouldn’t do that much.

LAOLA1: How exactly did the training run?

Koubek: It’s a combination of a lot of things, not just on the court. Before the tennistraining he always did a fitness training. Afterwards he took a massage and so on. It’s a long procedure. To get up early in the morning, training, to loosen. During the lunchbreak we had something to eat and then went back to practicing. One day in the week we had the half day off, but were on court from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Of course there was the fitness training before again.

LAOLA1: Did you practice anything special?

Koubek: We started with drills and played a few points afterwards. At bottom this is nothing diffent which I would usually do in practice. The level is of course totally different and this time I was the sparringspartner. I did all the practices like Roger. It was a common practice of. We both benefit from it.

LAOLA1: How did this whole trainingsweek arise?

Koubek: His coach asked me at the start of the season what I would be doing at this time of the yearand respectively in the summer. He wanted to know whether I would like to practice with Roger. No question I was interested in it. I told him he should say me a date. When I don’t play a tournament at that time I would be available.

LAOLA1: You are a friend of Federer for several years. How is your relationship to him these days?

Koubek: We are still good friends, but of course we didn’t have that much contact in the last years as before because he has a lot of things to do. We still get along really well and had a blast on Sardinia. We always joked in the training.

LAOLA1: You weren’t present at the wedding, right?

Koubek: No, I was already in Southafrica at that time. Roger’s wedding took place in a really small group. Allegro and Chiudinelli were the only tennisplayers who were there. They know each other since their boyhood. .

LAOLA1: Do you think that Federer has changed because of the wedding? Is he more loose or relaxed or do you think it could even have a negative impact?

Koubek: I don’t think his wedding has any impact on his tennis. It will be something different when his child is born. This can go in both directions. I think he is still really motivated and is going to play tennis for a couple of years. He can afford it to take his child with him on the tour. I’m not worried that it will stress him.

LAOLA1: You are on the tour for many years and an experienced player. What can you take with you from such a practice with Roger Federer?

Koubek: You can adopt several things, although there are a couple which would be helpful, but I can’t realise them. For example no “normal” player can afford to have a masseur, a tennis coach, a fitnesscoach and someone to restring the rackets. But you can really adopt many things from Roger, who is the best player in the world for me. His physical state is really impressive. He is moving very well and is extremely fit.

LAOLA1: How do you rate his chances at the French Open this year?

Koubek: Nadal is in a class of it’s own on clay for sure, but Roger can tame him on a good day. The opportunities are there. I wish for Roger that he is going to get the title in Paris. For me he is the best tennisplayer of all time and a victory in Roland Garros would only prove it.

Source: http://www.laola1.at/128+M59722665055.html

Posted in Uncategorized | 2 Comments »

Hello. Welcome to the Psychiatric Hotline. From Sarah. Thanks.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 28, 2009

SARAH

Hello. Welcome to the Psychiatric Hotline.

If you are obsessive-compulsive, please press 1 repeatedly.
If you are co-dependent, ask someone to press 2 for you.
If you have multiple personalities, please press 3, 4, 5, and 6.
If you are delusional, press 7 and your call will be transferred to the mother ship.
If you are paranoid-delusional, we know who you are and what you want. Please stay on the line until we can trace the call.
If you are schizophrenic, please listen carefully until the voices tell you which number to press.
If you are borderline, it doesn’t matter which number you press- no one will answer.
If you are manic-depressive, please press 7 as fast as you can for the next 24 hours, and then crash for the following 24 hours.
If you have bipolar affective disorder, please leave a message after the beep and before the beep and after the beep.
If you have low self-esteem, please hang up. All operators are too busy to talk to you.
If you are dyslexic, press 9696969696969696.
If you have ADD, wander away from the phone and start another task.
If you suffer from generalized anxiety disorder, please fidget with the pound key until a representative comes on the line.
If you suffer from social phobia, please hang up and go to a party.
If you have amnesia, press 8 and state your name, address, telephone, and mother’s maiden name.
If you have post-traumatic stress disorder, s-l-o-w-l-y & c-a-r-e-f-u-l-l-y press 0 0 0.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.
If you have short-term memory loss, press 9.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Who is the bigger threat to the top four in the quarterfinals?

Posted by tennisplanet on April 27, 2009

Posted in Uncategorized | 6 Comments »

Federer vs Karlovic.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 27, 2009

Facing Karlovic in the opening round may be both good and bad for Federer.

Good because a match against Karlovic doesn’t really prepare you for the later rounds since it’s impossible to find any rhythm. So getting that match out of the way right at the beginning instead of disrupting your game if you meet him in the quarters etc. should bode well.

Bad because if Federer is not on and the sets go to that crap-shoot called tie breaks, Karlovic has a very real shot at pulling off the upset. Add the boost in confidence Karlovic must have received after Federer’s loss to Wawrinka, the marriage, the ‘dismal’ hard court season, the racket smashing – and this could be the trickiest opening round match.

Federer needs a statement match early to reverse the ill effects of a lot of BS. Watch for Federer’s forehand early to see any tell tale signs of an early exit.

Federer has got to be overly conscious of his forehand, given what’s happened against Djokovic and Wawrinka at Miami and Monte Carlo respectively. Hope the consciousness is just enough to reverse the trend.

But if it’s anything beyond that, memories of Sharapova’s first serve percentage may start to flash.

It’s like a basketball player who has a poor shooting stretch and then starts to ‘aim’ his shots to rediscover his touch. Not happening.

Just a few months ago, the line up Federer has at Rome today would have been just routine stuff. But now it looks like one huge boulder one after another:

Karlovic

Stepanek.

Simon.

Djokovic.

Nadal.

It’s doesn’t help that everyone of them has defeated Federer in the past what ten months?

That drop Federer had against Wawrinka at Monte Carlo from the semis and finals to the second round may be artificially induced considering the circumstances from marriage to last minute decision etc. but the surface must have had something to do with it too.

If you are reaching the semis and the finals on your favorite surface under ‘normal’ circumstances, it’s logical to expect a drop on clay when conditions have changed considerably both from within and from outside.

Did Wawrinka break that dam or was it just an aberration? At this point the answer is not as clear as it was a few months ago. Only Federer’s racket can provide a clue.

Federer reached the quarters last year and with the race tightening in a hurry just losing the points should be enough motivation to keep moving up.

Federer needs to fight to not go down any further in many respects and to show the world and himself what he is really made of.

Posted in Uncategorized | 9 Comments »

Draw possibilities @ Rome.

Posted by tennisplanet on April 27, 2009

Round Nadal Federer Djokovic Murray       
1st Bye  Bye  Bye  Bye       
2nd  Querrey  Karlovic  Montanes  Monaco       
3rd  Soderling  Stepanek  Robredo  Cilic       
               
Quarter  Verdasco  Simon  Del Potro  Davydenko       
Semi  Murray  Djokovic  Federer  Nadal       
Final  Djokovic  Nadal  Nadal  Djokovic       
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               
               

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a Comment »

Mingling with the mortals?

Posted by tennisplanet on April 27, 2009

elf-rome-2

elf-rome-1

Posted in Uncategorized | 10 Comments »

 
Follow

Get every new post delivered to your Inbox.

Join 37 other followers