Roger Federer: The greatest player of all time. From arbit. Thanks.

ARBIT

Federer: The GOAT

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Can someone tell these players to save their positive crap for their mom? Geeeeezzzzzzz!!!!!!!

Nobody else is freaking buying it.

Here’s Nadal on his BS:

“Yeah, maybe I was injured in the worst moment of the season…one of the most important moments of the season. But at the same time I must have been in Mollorca in the best moment of the season, too.”

Are you freaking kidding me!!!!!!!!!!!!

When will time for video games freaking surface? Xisca? Helping his parents separate?

And Federer refuses to get off his broken record of ‘Now I have more time to prepare for the next event’ crap (when he bombs early).

Just freaking say it the way it freaking is instead of making a pathetic attempt to fool anybody and prop yourself up with this false scaffolding. Geeeeezzzz lewwwwwwwwwwiiiiiiiisssssssss!!!

Did you freaking know this?

Even if Serena wins the US Open, Safina will still be No. freaking 1.

Hasn’t Serena won what three of the last four freaking Slams – US Open ’08, AO and Wimby ’09?

Who’s freaking running this sham freaking show? Geeeeeeeezzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!

How long before Blake shows up there too? Or is it in storage until he freaking retires?

The sports ‘sigh of relief’ point.

Every player recognizes that point probably mid way through his career. Not knowing how well he will fare at the start, it’s hard to pin that down then. But as his career progresses, a fair assessment / guesstimate leads to that realisation.

So what’s this new BS I am starting with? What I mean is this: Jordan, whether he will admit it or not, was all about eclipsing Magic Johnson’s record of five NBA championships. That was his Sampras at the time. That to him was the only way he could be considered the GOAT since Johnson held that title hands down.

Did you notice him raise six fingers repeatedly after winning that last championship? He did nothing of the sort after any of the previous five wins. And then – he retires despite enough evidence that he still had some good years in him. He had heaved that ‘sigh of relief’.

Sampras may have had that feeling partially when he equalled the all-time Slam record at 13, but media’s battering of his wife coupled with the prospect of smashing the ceiling, delayed it till he reached No. 14. Then – he retired – despite having at least a year’s worth of tennis in him – at least – evidenced from his exho record lately.

Agassi couldn’t have lived with just seven Slams considering what all he wasted with his stupid antics and what the talent could have achieved. Reaching No. 8 was an absolute necessity to create separation from the mediocre Slam winners at No. 7 and beyond. Add Graf’s 22 Slams and you will get it. And then – he retires. Although it seemed his back wouldn’t have allowed him any more time on the court, it was just made to look like that primarily because of that ‘sigh of relief’ factor.

If similar pain and suffering was to happen at No. 7, Agassi would have continued anyway until he could move no more. Wanna bet?

So for Federer, there have been two massive ‘sigh of relief(s)’ this season: FO and No. 15. Add all the drama in his personal life and you will feel that ‘sigh’ staring you in the face. Just like the twins have produced an extended family in a hurry, the two Slams this year may have achieved the same in his career.

While Federer may go on to win a few titles here and there from now on, that hunger and pain which ONLY that ‘unrealisation’ of ‘sigh of relief’ point evokes will be conspicuously missing. But since he is so far above everyone else on the tour now, even more with Nadal’s falling, that passing of a milestone may not register as obviously as it would have for someone like Agassi or Lendl or even Sampras.

Even without that vital stimulus, just sheer stark talent and love of the game may be enough to still carry him past almost everyone else to make the transition seem near seamless. It may mean more three or five setters, tie breaks and 7-5s with the complete elimination of bagels being dished, but the title tally may not drop off so precipitously to warrant any retirement debate of any strength.

But there’s no doubt, Federer has passed that ‘sigh of relief’ point. This US Open should provide the first stage of that ramp down. The slide now will be irrevocable unlike anything witnessed in the past linked to mono, back or Wawrinka. The waning will however hugely depend on the well being of two clowns: Nadal and Murray.

Both of them HAVE to step up to take it. They are not going to GET IT even with an aging Federer on this gravy run. Federer is just too strong technically to allow current level of play from either player to win on the big stage on any consistent basis.

Freaking point is this: History is replete with instances of a sharp decline if not retirement in players’ performance across the board. The only ones who can sustain their run longer do so solely on the basis of superior talent and stronger mental ability. Those who don’t never make the GOAT grade.

That’s why there are GOATs in every sport, but when the greatest athletes of all-time are listed just a handful of them come up for air.

Unsportsman-like videos. From Jef Costello. Good work. Thanks.

JEF COSTELLO

Gracie – you noted one of the worst that came to mind with Mr & Mrs Tarango’s antics. I believe the umpire was the highly respected (and one of the best in the day) Bruno Rebeuh. He was indeed fined over US$60K and also banned from some upcoming GS tournaments – not sure how many though. The ensuing slap by his wife was icing on a insane incident and puts any of Federer’s antics into pale comparison – but we all know how much TP loves to bash the crap out of Roger, yet is generally a softie towards Rafa.

For the Tarango video (among a host of other beauties of various sports), the only one I could source was here:  — the Tarango incident is at 1.54 minutes. Worth starting at approx 1.28 where there is some Jim Courier abuse as well. Again, this shite puts Roger’s “antics” of crying into no comparitive bracket. I think this video was made by an Aussie given the number of Australian events here (Rugby Leage State of Origin, Cricket, the horses etc.) – worth a watch of the whole clip. Strangely not a simple McEnroe incident in this video!!

Then there is Mario Ancic vs Paul Capdeville with their mini-shoving fight at the end of the match:

Lleyton Hewitt is always good for tripe – calling an umpire a Spastic; calling his home crowd “Stupid” when they were cheering against him in a match as he was behaving like a spoiled little child; the already noted Blake incident; always talking himself up these days in being “top 10″ quality and able to match it with the big boys regularly. Pfffft.

McEnroe being defaulted at the 1991 Australian Open.

Jimmy Connors calling an umpire an “abortion”.

Henman being the first ever player disqualified at Wimbledon for belting a ball in anger (albeit accidentally) into the head of a ball-kid as the kid was running to the net to retrieve said ball.

Hewitt again in a Davis Cup tie against Argentina I think in 2005 (Sydney). Very poor natured tie and incidents / poor behaviour from both camps. Verbal abuse being thrown around and the Australian supporters just as disgraceful with signs stating “Where’s Willy” in relation to one of the Argentine players who was recently banned for drugs. On the signs were images of Syringes etc. Class act by “The Fanatics”. Boorish oafs IMO.

That’s just a few that I can think of..

Oh yeah…how can one forget: Fernando Gonzalez wiping a disputed mark (French Open Semi-Final 2009) off the court with his bottom. Original. Brilliant.

For rock people.

Starting Monday, August 31 - live match video in high definition from up-to five courts throughout the 2009 US Open – FOR FREE.

Click here.

BLAKE

Hey guys,

Can’t remember the exact phrase to describe the process, but I heard there’s a way to mask or change your computers country origin… so, for example, since I’m in Australia and have NO chance of viewing any U.S. Open action from either espn or tennischannel, it makes those sites think that I’m in the U.S…. and voila.

Anyone know what I’m referring to, and more importantly, which software can be used to do this?

Getting tired of crappy choppy streams to view all my tennis.

 

Ok, so to answer my own question…

This youtube site gives you a bit of info on to how to get around it: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BGJt1Tk90ks

Apparently downloading a app called ‘Tor’ lets you install a proxy changer into your browser, so you can bypass the restrictions… I WISH i’d know about this during the olympics last year.

Anyway……..

The website 1stunblocker.com is supposed to be helpful also. I’ll keep posting any tricks and tidbits I find in this matter, and hopefully those of you out there who are more familiar with this will help out too

Cheers all.

BONNYBEE

So far, doesn’t load…. Tennis Channel stream seems to work.

Heard of this? Orthorexia: Obsession With Healthy Eating

Click here.

US Open’s equivalent to Wimby’s Royal box.

Hollywood box?

Should be made mandatory for the top ten Hollywood stars of the year to show up for the entire duration of the event. Will that take the event past Wimbledon? Maybe not, but it can bridge the gap significantly, considering Murray was excited to just watch his TV stars in the stands last year.

If you don’t have tradition, you need to engage the next best you have to further your cause. And ban Woody Allen, will ya? Or forcibly inject him with steroids.

Obscure facts about tennis players: Tsonga.

Born in Le Mans, Tsonga has a French mother, Évelyne, and a Congolese father.

Father, Didier, is a former handball player (European handball) and chemistry teacher.

Mother, Evelyne, is a teacher.

Younger brother, Enzo, is a basketball player.

Tsonga also has an older sister, Sasha.

Says he got strength from his father and kindness from his mother…His parents still live in Le Mans where his father went to study and where he met his mother.

Has four career titles.

Lives in Switzerland.

Best Slam result: AO final 2008.

Won the US Open title as a junior in 2003.

Cartoons of the Week.

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Tennis’s Main Characters. From Rick. Thanks.

RICK

This is in some sense an old leftover dished up (re)hash, and I have both predictable reactions to it (begrudgingly true but still over the top). So I’m neither espousing it nor defending it, but thought everyone would want to see it anyway — make of it what you will, and let the carping begin.

Click here.

If I see ONE more clown with flip flops, I am going to lose it. Geeeeezzzz!!!!

Not only are they unsightly, without the professional manicure and fancy nail polish, that part of your body is best when covered up.

And if all that is still not enough for these clowns, how about this: Your flip flops can kill you. Yeah. Do I have your attention now?

Don’t freaking believe it? Click here.

Get ball kids the disposable freaking gloves, for crying out freaking loud.

I mean players are freaking blowing their nose, wiping their germs ridden sweat from all sorts of places, not to mention someone’s fecal matter and other’s potion from the front luggage. With all kinds of flu epidemic on the rise, isn’t this the most hygienic place to be?

How about the ‘actual’ balls?

Shouldn’t there be a study of all Nadal’s ball kids as grounds to move in the right direction? Or only a law suit will make something happen now?

Who other than Federer is @ the USO with the most momentum given their past history?

Unsportsmanlike behavior that’s stuck with you.

-Federer calling his main rival Nadal – one dimensional.

-Federer sobbing uncontrollably to rain on Nadal’s moment at the AO.

-Fernando Gonzalez pretending to have not made contact with the ball at the Olympics against Blake with replay confirming otherwise.

-Was it Chela spitting on Hewitt in Australia of all the freaking places? And the Australian media feeling sorry that he missed Hewitt.

-Roddick running his mouth at the umpire calling him a moron?

-Dementieva wearing shorts reaching as low as mid thigh under the skirt almost annihilating WTA from the sporting map.

Notable players in action tomorrow – the first day.

-Federer: 13:00.

-Roddick: About 20:00.

-Davydenko: About 12:00.

-Serena: About 15:00.

-Venus: 19:00.

Photos.

If they won the doubles why is one trophy smaller?

Roddick on Letterman yesterday.

Roddick vis a vis Murray, Djokovic and Nadal vs Federer.

Roddick simply is gratified and happy to be playing Federer validating his internal need to know that he can still play good enough tennis to reach where he can square off against the best. He completely forgets about that small thing called winning in that process.

There’s a certain air of reverence that this mind set wreaks of. Not only is it unmistakable to the naked eye of a casual tennis fan, it’s a huge billboard to Federer forcing that something special out of him to keep the wagon moving in the right direction for eternity.

Others exude a near rebel vibe, stemming largely from the age difference among other pressing need(s) to make the experience as close to indifference whether they win or lose. That gets on Federer’s nerves being used to worshipping ever since ascension, since even in a win he barely wins.

But if he loses, he loses BIG.

If Roddick is destined to meet Federer in the semis this year, will a 27-year old Roddick turn it up in that intangible field to post a real win? Many believed last year’s US Open was Roddick’s last shot at a Slam, but with Stepanki, Brooke, weight, backhand etc. now working for him, he may have bought himself another 12 months that’s nearing it’s end.

Or will a win here produce it’s own momentum extending the career Agassi-like?

More photos.

Which worldwide celebrity is / was the biggest tennis fan?

-Elton John?

-Princes Diana?

-Brosnan?

-TO?

-Donald Trump?

-Gwani?

-David Letterman?

-That Spanish Prince?

US Open records.

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My crush.

What’s that? The AO girl in him?

Federer on top.

Photos.

Who is most likely to shine @ US Open – fly past expectations?

“The Golden Bagel Award”. From Mike. Thanks.

MIKE

“The Golden Bagel Award”

Definitely one of the better plaques/trophies on tour! hehe.

http://www.sidespinproductions.com/news6.php

http://www.sidespinproductions.com/news12.php

http://www.goldenbagelaward.com/

Murray, for this to work a bearable face and decent teeth combo is essential. And swim suit model dipper may not be the ideal customer. Try Federer.

Nadal’s opportunity, challenge-wrapped?

Despite the bleak probability, what if Nadal manages to win this US Open title against all odds? It would stamp him as the grittiest to have ever played the sport specially if he wins his last two matches against Murray and Federer and not some other clowns.

On paper Nadal has to hit the ground flying to just survive with a huge likelihood of most of his matches going the distance starting with Gasquet, Kiefer, Almagro, Ferrer, Tsonga, Murray and Federer. But too many stranger things have happened at the previous three majors this year to leave the door open for some unexpected fireworks from unexpected quarters.

Clearly this has to be an insurmountable task for Nadal today given his recent form, the knees, the hard court surface, parents’ mess, the draw etc. etc. Not many are expecting Nadal to even reach the quarters with another Federer Nadal final a mere flickering light sure to get snuffed long before it’s inception.

But these are the very conditions that produce a legend. With career Slam as a worthy motivator among other obvious ones, the great ones live for such challenges to exact most bang for their float as a pro. It’s like hitting a buzzer beating three-pointer in the seventh game of a championship game.

You will get remembered for that shot more than anything else. Remember the shot Derek Fisher is associated with all his life? Or how about Robert Horry? Kobe Bryant has built his entire career around that ‘biggest bang for your effort’ philosophy.

That’s one of the reasons why Federer fails to get the accolades for his superhuman achievements. There hasn’t been a buzzer beater situation for him. Despite winning the FO this  year and being just the sixth man to own a career Slam, Nadal robbed him of that buzzer beating high by exiting early.

Even Ali faced that as his reputation preceded his performance. He would predict the round his opponent will go down in to artificially add that buzzer beating effect. That’s the reason his fight against George Foreman is considered one of the best in history.

Is Nadal as close to that here as he can ever be? Sure. If he can add Murray and Federer back to back to that already bursting baggage, he is there.

Can he do it?

Interesting matches at ’09 US Open.

Federer vs Roddick.

Djokovic vs Roddick.

Verdasco vs Ivanovic.

Nadal vs Tsonga.

Nadal vs Ferrer.

Murray vs Del Potro.

Murray vs Karlovic.

Photos.

Star studded Nike commercial.

What’s hurting Nadal most?

Who will win the ’09 US Open title?