Note to two delusional clowns: Davenport and Clijsters (Federer?) – Children whose mothers work are less likely to lead healthy lives than those with “stay at home” mothers, a study says.

Click here.

Last Slam final – Is there a theme?

Player	Event	Score	Opponent	Result	Age
Laver	USO	7-9,6-1,6-2,6-2	Tony Roche	Winner	31
Borg	USO	6-4,2-6,4-6,3-6	McEnroe	Loser	25
Sampras	USO	6-3,6-4,5-7,6-4	Agassi	Winner	31
Lendl	AO	6-1,4-6,4-6,4-6	Becker	Loser	30
Connors	W	1-6,1-6,2-6	McEnroe	Loser	31
Agassi	USO	3-6,6-2,6-7,1-6	Federer	Loser	35
McEnroe	USO	6-7,3-6,4-6	Lendl	Loser	26
Federer	USO	6-3,6-7,6-4,6-7,2-6	Delpo	Loser	28
Nadal	AO	7-5,3-6,7-6,3-6,6-2	Federer	Winner	22

Tree Tops and their journey.

Player	Rank Jan ’09	High Rank ’09	Titles ’09/career	Match record	$ career	Age	Height
Del Potro	9	5 – career high	3 / 7	49-11	$5,508,310	21	6’6″
Cilic	27	13 – career high	2 / 3	36-16	$1,761,535	21	6’6″
Querrey	36	22 – career high	1 / 2	41-23	$1,730,172	21	6’6″
Isner	143	39 – career high	0 / 0	23-12	$774,375	24	6’9″

Demons Delpo’s belief system faced at the USO final.

-You are playing against the GOAT.

-Guy has won five straight years.

-Two players in exact similar situation for two straight years have lost in straight freaking sets – to the same guy.

-You have just lost the first set – poorly.

-You have NEVER been to a Slam final before.

-You have NEVER defeated your opponent – ever (H2H: 6-0).

-Has Mirka on his side and she can sit – and crush (lame).

-Crowd will be heavily against you.

-Dick will disallow the Spanish request to live up to his name at the award ceremony.

-My name is too long.

-Won’t fit in that tiny Lexus.

-I don’t believe I can win.

Uncut Exclusive Interview With Fernando Verdasco. From Monique. Thanks.

MONIQUE

Who is slowest to learn from past mistakes?

Photos.

Photos.

Federer and Serena: Two sides of the same coin?

If you can be made to drop TWO ‘F’ bombs and one ‘S’ bomb at a ‘major’ Slam FINAL being broadcast live worldwide through every media possible with full knowledge that it WILL be picked up by mikes around the umpire, forget that the camera will not miss a beat – you are either a complete moron or that unsportsmanship streak is just too strong to override all forms of decorum and decency.

Besides, if you are the undisputed face of the sport for the past five freaking years, it’s not just your obligation but a duty too to race past your own petty interests and put up a face for the sake of the sport and fans – to whom you owe everything you own today.

More importantly this is just another milestone in the incessant line of embarrassment and ungraciousness Federer has demonstrated EVERY freaking time he loses or is at the verge of one.

Granted that the time taken was long and that ‘keep quiet’ from the umpire may have aggravated the situation, but you are not sitting in your freaking bathroom here. The whole freaking world is watching. How can you not see that and the consequent ramifications of an outburst – forget about one so filthy?

To disregard what got sacrificed in that obscenity-laden tirade, given the venue and everything ‘more than obvious’ on the line – this has got to be one of the most self-centered, despicable and selfish acts in the entire sporting world.

You see, when you reach a certain stature in whatever you are into, largely based on your achievements on and off the court, you lose the privilege to stoop past a certain mark. If you own 15 Slams, you cannot be disputing calls and decisions the way you did when you were just starting out.

Surely, you don’t want to give a point away, but in this case that wasn’t even on the line. You have to pick your fights far more judiciously after 15 Slams.

In fact, there have been MANY instances where a GOAT has graciously conceded a point to his lot greener opponent in virtually every sport and has still won – both the match and the admiration of fans and enemies alike. And that accolade got multiplied a thousand times, if the GOAT ‘lost’ the match.

At this point, it cannot be ALL about the trophies for a person like Federer. It seems it is with a generous dose of bitterness, pettiness, ungraciousness and unsportsmanship. You cannot bring yourself down to the level of an umpire, a 20-year old – surely not for the infraction of ten freaking seconds.

As it turned out, not only was it in bad taste and horrifying to watch for the younger fans of Federer and tennis, it also was counter productive in maintaining a frame of mind to win the match.

Or was the match already lost by then? Doesn’t that make it even more egregious then?

Federer did well to stop the bleeding at the award ceremony and the presser. But the upward swing at that graf will need many more such performances AND a complete abolition of this graceless streak that appears more consistent and may end up being more memorable than his on-court stats.

Serena may be more direct and blatant but the similarities between the two are too close to call.

Players going for sex and drugs during ATP events? From Adrian. Thanks.

ADRIAN

OK, I just read this piece in a serious newspaper in Mexico but have been unable to find the news on English websites/newspapers. Apparently, Flavia Pennetta gave an interview in Italy where she spoke freely about drugs and sex. She claims that cocaine is used freely in the tennis world — although only for fun, she says! She also mentioned that at some point she had some sort of relationship with Carlos Moyá and they had sex many times during tournaments… and that she’s had sex with at least 3 other active players…!! WTF!? jaja

Here is the piece of news in Spanish…

Presume tenista sus logros… en la cama
Pennetta

Pennetta partició hace días en la semana de la moda femenina, en Italia.
Foto: Reuters

Sin inhibiciones, la 10 del mundo en la WTA detalla hasta en qué lugares ha sostenido relaciones
CANCHA / Staff

La tenista italiana Flavia Pennetta entró al confesionario de un diario deportivo de su país, y detalló muchas situaciones íntimas de ella y hasta del tenis profesional.

Pennetta, rankeada en el número 10 del mundo, habló sobre sexo y drogadas sin tapujo alguno.

“(En tenis profesional) sí se consume cocaína, pero sólo por diversión”, dijo Pennetta al diario deportivo La Gazzetta dello Sport, negando a la vez que ella haya probado la droga.

Pero el tema de las drogas no fue sólo el tema con la italiana, Pennetta también habló de sexo, y dijo que lo practica libremente, incluso confesó haber tenido relaciones con el tenista español Carlos Moyá a lo largo de una temporada.

Y como si se tratará de destacar sus “logros” tenísticos, presumió que ha tenido encuentros con al menos unos tres compañeros más de profesión.

Pennetta, quien participó en el pasado Abierto Monterrey de Tenis, se dijo admiradora de Marat Safin, pero que el más guapo del tenis es el alemán Tommy Haas; dijo que nunca tendría relación alguna con el suizo Roger Federer o el español Rafael Nadal, y tampoco con la rusa Maria Sharapova.

Sobre las mujeres tenistas, dijo que la ya retirada Anna Kournikova es la más bella del circuito.

La entrevista estuvo rodeada de temas sexuales, algo que nunca incomodó a la tenista, quien hasta detalló los lugares donde ha sostenidos relaciones: en el vestuario, en concreto, en la hierba e incluso el aire (en avión).

Federer’s GOAT status on hold? From Sarah. Thanks.

SARAH

Who Is The Greatest Of All Time? By Andrew C. Smith Tuesday, September 29, 2009

“So for Federer to hold claim to the title of GOAT based on major titles, he would have to win, say, 18 at a minimum; equaling Steffi Graf’s 22 would be more convincing, especially given the depth of today’s global game. Until Federer reaches such totals, basing the argument for the GOAT on Grand Slam titles alone will remain unconvincing.

Federer’s match against Juan Martin del Potro in the US Open final also might give pause to anyone who is leaning towards bestowing GOAT status on the Swiss.”

http://www.tennisweek.com/news/fullstory.sps?inewsid=6640553

Roman Polanski debate. From Bjornino. Thanks.

BJORNINO

I am wondering what everyone thinks about the detention of Roman Polanski in Zürich, and I’d be especially interested in hearing your take upon this story, Sol, considering your profession. Fascinating story – that an artist can actually make the foregin ministers of two big european countries demand that Mrs. Clinton steps in and make the US drop his case. Even the woman he molested has filed in court for the case to be dropped.

Here are some articles:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/time/20090928/wl_time/08599192650800
http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1706557,00.html
Click here, here and here for more links.

(Sorry TP, I don’t know how to make the links shorter…)

Please share your take upon this with me!

/B

Low percentage shots galore.

Can WTA go the WNBA way?

I heard that the LA Sparks, a WNBA team was scheduled to play their play off game at Staples Center but they were told to move down the block to some rinky dinky arena because:

1. Britney Spears concert was scheduled.

2. Heavyweight fight was scheduled.

That still appears respectable, but the next day the Atlanta Dream team was told the same. This time it was because of:

1. Sesame street festivities.

How long  before Food news takes over?

They should have gone with the skirts like WTA instead of the long shorts. Or is this a hint for WTA to go for the volleyball outfit. After all, Barney and Squarepants bonanza can happen anytime.

Report card – after the US Open.

Player	Titles	Match record	Rank Points	Prize money	Events played
Federer	4	55-8	11,255	$6,183,961	12
Nadal	5	54-8	8,845	$4,775,323	12
Murray	5	58-9	8,390	$3,142,632	15
Djokovic	2	58-17	7,330	$2,741,694	17
Del Potro	3	49-11	6,825	$3,581,522	14

Who has the best / worst Hawk-Eye challenge rate?

Shortest route to tennis greatness?

It’s the mastery of the low percentage shot, don’t you think?

99 percent of the time when the ball engages a backhand, the return (high percentage) shot is a crosscourt to take advantage of the angle and the available real estate. But whenever the low percentage down the line stroke comes in, it either surprises the opponent for an outright point or in most cases the next shot finishes the rally.

Granted the properties of a high percentage shot includes a lot more BS than just practice, but most anything can be converted from a low percentage shot to a dependable one if practiced long and hard enough.

I mean there has to be a number, depending on the player, that when reached will instantly elevate the percentage from say a 10 to at least 80. If you do anything repeatedly over and over freaking again, it’s bound to improve to where it’s no longer considered a liability.

But if you don’t stop there and continue the practice, you can convert it into an asset. That’s not quantum physics but there are so many clowns on the tour now who despite open abuse from opponents will not make the move.

In fact the shortest route to greatness in ANY field is to tread the path least travelled. Walk the beaten path and mediocrity will be your company.

Freaking point is this: Go after the low percentage shots like a lion, until they begs for mercy. Will a thousand strokes a day at one shot over a year make a difference? You freaking betcha!!!!!

Who can produce the ugliest kid?

Can anyone lick Federer? From Claire. Thanks.

CLAIRE

Australia???

Can anyone lick Federer?
Tennis star Roger Federer features on a special stamp to be issued by the Austrian post office next year.
It will show him winning the French Open tennis championship at Roland Garros. The picture was selected by the star and his family.

The post office plans to produce 400,000 of the stamps and to make an official presentation to Federer in Zurich in February.

It is not the first time Federer has been put on a stamp: Switzerland issued one in 2007 – the first Swiss personality to be paid this honour during his lifetime

Sampras’s / Agassi’s kids’ future as a tennis player over?

Unless they are put on steroids starting today to ensure No. 66, don’t you think? At least Sampras’s litter can expect to pass six feet. With Agassi, passing 5’10″ will be an achievement – without a beer belly and a bald patch.

With the yardstick continuously inching upwards and the technology, court speed, ball quality etc. only rewarding that vertical growth, athleticism can now only take you so far. Ten years from now, when these kids show up? It will be the land of the giants.

Heck, even Delpo needs to consider either steroids for his yet-to-be-born(?) litter or look for another tree topper as wife to carry the legacy on to the next generation.

Laver, Agassi, Connors, McEnroe, Borg and other midgets must be happy they are done. Today they wouldn’t have won a single Slam.

Unless ATP steps in to rein in the slide with sensible rules, like NBA and other sports have, this is going to get ugly in a hurry.

And for Sampras and Agassi kids? Like Roddick said ‘Stay in school, ’cause chair umpire may be the closest that may get you to a tennis court’. But for that to happen you need to graduate from a ball kid and linesperson first. Player? Of a different kid maybe.

Fed interview Davis Cup ’09.

Photos.

Clay footwork. From Jenny. Thanks.

JENNY

Compare the difference between each player’s clay footwork.

I would suggest M sits down before watching!

That handle bar will grow in inverse proportion to the thinning on top – and below? How freaking obvious is that?

Obscure player info: Davydenko.

-Nicknames: Koyla (the Russian nickname for Nikolay), Iron man (plays more events than anyone on the tour), The Machine (due to his aggressive, consistent style of play).

-Is crazy about being a citizen of another country: Has applied for Austrian and German citizenship to the Russian he was granted in 1999.

-Lives in Volgograd, Russia.

-Highest rank: No. 3.

-He once criticised London during Wimbledon. Faced with questions alluding to his slightly boring personality he launched an attack on London claiming it was a “boring place”. There were suggestions that Davydenko would be refused a Visa to enter the UK to play the 2009 event but he eventually turned up and was defeated by Tomas Berdych in the 3rd round.

-Best Slam results: Semifinals at the FO and the US Open – twice each.

-Is a Guns N’ Roses fan.

How likely is it that both Federer and Nadal are done winning Slams?

Clearly Nadal in that bracket today may not raise as many eyebrows as Federer being out of Slams – forever. But winning a Slam means holding the trophy. Just getting to a final and losing in five sets don’t count – even if you have 15 freaking Slams.

Nadal is obviously on the bubble with time and his body involved in a battle, each demanding more attention than the other. But it’s still hard to completely eliminate Nadal as a FO winner. Is he even a bigger lock to win the FO than Federer is to win Wimbledon? Who knows.

But one thing is certain: Nadal needs to decide what he wants his legacy to be – NOW. Is it the conquering of the world not called red? Or is it being declared the undisputed king of clay for ALL to come with a Slam total of 10+ with Roland Garros as the major player? If you even thought of both – look for a shrink or a kitchen sink.

Maybe the time for Nadal to decide has already passed. Decision may have already been made: Win FO and the USO. That’s it. Anything else, IF it does not interfere with the above too, is gravy. No. 1 rank is not even on the table as gravy now.

As things stand today, above goal in itself is a daunting task for Nadal when just winning another Slam is being debated across the board.

Amazingly Federer at five years older (next year it will be six and then seven) is still a contender on all surfaces but will he able to win these five setters that appear to be popping up at every Slam final or nearby routinely now? Swing from bagels to five setters don’t just happen without a reason.

But still, to discount Federer next season at any Slam will be a mistake, although the aura of invincibility and demolition of opponents – quarterfinal and beyond – appears to be waning. However, the fact that Federer did not square off either against Murray or Nadal at and past Roland Garros cannot be ignored in making future assessment at least at Slams.

For Nadal to end his career at just 6 Slams will only make Agassi look like a GOAT. For Federer to end at 15 may not be that bad but it still will carry a huge ‘what could’ve been’.

Photos.

Is Federer going the ‘Agassi’ way – in reverse?

If you have played any sport, you know the feeling you get when you come back after a lay off whether it’s injury induced or otherwise – amazement at how good you were before you stepped out. Translation: You cannot get off the cycle without some serious consequences.

While Nadal may be an extreme exhibit for that theory, every player faces his own version of it.

What I mean with this Agassi BS is this: The intensity with which Agassi pursued the latter part of his career may be the exact one working for Federer in reverse. The momentum may not be as stark and naked as it was with Agassi but the movement is unmistakable.

What Agassi had – to burn him – was the humiliation and the challenge to his manhood for not reaching his full potential, further highlighted by his colleague winning 14 freaking Slams, if Graf’s 22 are not even included. That’s what consumed him to run up the hills like a man possessed.

What Federer will face in this hiatus is the comfort of a home with kids, the extended family, no travel, no living out of a suitcase – basically he’ll be playing house-house. What will be working in reverse will be the force of nature that the FO and No. 14 will unleash to further add to all of the above to sink him down that comfort zone so freaking inverse in ratio to Agassi’s predicament.

This is the first time Federer has taken a time out which ostensibly does not have a very compelling connection to his career or future prospects – at least in comparison to numerous instances in just the past twelve months where a break was clearly warranted, if not absolutely required.

Add two and two together and you will get the drift Federer is sailing on. Was the surrender of the US Open title the start of that process? Maybe. It’s interesting to note that Federer played a five setter in each of the four Slams this year (FO – the decisive one against Haas – the de facto final).

Federer hasn’t been extended on the big stage that often in all his reign at the top. No. 28 surely has something to do with it, but the inverse gear he has engaged irrevocably now may be the one to guard against more than anything else. We have seen what it can do when shifted to another direction. Maybe it’s time to find out the flip side of that coin.

Slam titles and age.

Player	1st Slam title	Last Slam title
Borg	18 yrs	25 yrs
McEnroe	20	25
Agassi	22	32
Lendl	23	29
Connors	21	31
Becker	17	28
Sampras	19	31
Federer	23	28
Nadal	19	22
Djokovic	20	?
Del Potro	20	?

Serena admits dating Common. From Monique. Thanks.

MONIQUE

Click here.

Taking Charge of the Challenge System. From Gracie. Thanks.

GRACIE

“Taking Charge of the Challenge System

Click here.

Hey, didn’t I just say this? Is tennis.com’s James Martin reading us here on TennisPlanet?

See Sept 18th, ‘What Serena and Federer should do next time?’

Which one is threatening the phone sex industry the most?

Which relationship is most captivating?

Spanish players go shirtless. From Monique. Thanks.

MONIQUE

Click here.

For Jenny again…….

Nadal near proposing? From Sarah. Thanks.

SARAH

Click here.