25 Most Influential Americans. Guess who is No. 1?

Click here.

Wimbledon photos: Longest match / Queen’s visit.

Click here.

Nadal compensates for Gulbis – extends to five sets.

Nadal’s next opponent is Pet Detective, last-minute replacement for Gulbis. Facing Gulbis after a five setter against some tomato can would have raised some hair at all sorts of places. Maybe this match provided the shock Gulbis was expected to deliver – in a less concealed envelope. Either way Nadal may have already played a Gulbis match – in spirit. Nadal has just one more match after this Pet guy – probably against Youzhny – before it turns ferocious in a hurry – with Soderling, Murray and Federer to follow.

Nadal desperately needs another withdrawal / defeat to just even his chances of winning here from the massive deficit he is currently facing. Going five sets against some 151st ranked nobody after such a rampage on clay just weeks ago cannot all be attributed to the surface. There has to be some significant if not drastic drop in form to justify that scoreline – specially when the tomato can was not in perfect shape throughout the match.

It’s good Federer is still alive otherwise Nadal could be very close to where Federer was at last year’s FO. However, it’s encouraging to watch Nadal’s serve improve tremendously compared to previous years. He is averaging over six aces per match – twice his career average. If the trend continues it will pay rich dividends when it’s time to go for career Slam later this season.

What tennis has over other ‘major’ sports.

It’s worldfreakingwide.

Fans are most educated – hands freaking down.

Fans are most affluent – hands freaking down.

Most beautiful ladies come to watch it.

I don’t know but does royalty or head of states come out for other sports?

Female version is most popular.

Top earning female athletes are mostly from tennis.

Has set the rear-picking precedent.

Is among the few sports in black during current economic climate. I know NBA is in the red with all the hype and superstars.

Boasts of many in-closet players with strong fashion instincts.

You got more? No, you don’t!!!!!!

Note on US win at World Cup.

Despite the dramatic last minute win, needle on soccer’s popularity here might have not even moved a millimeter. Sure it was some thing to feel good about but for people screaming for this to be some tipping point or some such BS is so freaking unreal. AND if the team loses the next match against some country called Ghana who they are supposed to rout, needle will move to negative from the current reading of zero.

But if you put the whole drama in perspective, there still is something to get excited about. Here’s the first and probably the most decisive one:

The most talented athletes here DO NOT even watch soccer, forget about playing it professionally. Contrast that to other countries and you will get the spin that it deserves.

Which second round showing looks better?

Opponent’s rank	Time needed to win	Aces fired	Opponent’s ace count	Unforced. Errors.	Sets needed to win	Surface preference	Bk point conversion
152	2:46	16	31	12	4	Favorite	23
151	2:22	5	28	12	5	Not favorite	60

Wimbledon contenders after two rounds. Murray is the only one who has not lost a set yet and owns an impressive ‘time on court’ stat.

Player	Aces	Ist serve pct.	Sets lost/ Unforced errors	Tie breaks/ Double faults	Bk pt conv %	Time on court.	Matches played
Federer	37	65	3 / 53	3 / 8	30	6:04	2
Murray	35	59	0 / 39	0 / 2	47	3:23	2
Nadal	13	69	2 / 28	0 / 5	50	4:27	2
Djokovic	26	61	2 / 66	1 / 13	48	5:48	2
Roddick	38	73	1 / 20	1 / 3	72	3:46	2
Isner	112	74	2 / 52	2 / 10	14	11:05	1

Is BP working on this oil leak too? Geeeeeezzzzzzz!!!!

Photos.

LONDON, ENGLAND – JUNE 24: The foot of John Isner of USA is seen as he is interviewed on Day Four of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on June 24, 2010 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Sir Vibhudi Aatmapudi’s report from Wimbledon – with photos. Thanks.

SIR VIBHUDI AATMAPUDI

Hey TP, ignore the previous wheelbarrow of code that I pasted here. This should work:

http://s1003.photobucket.com/home/crispus10/allalbums

Hey Chip and Sol. Yes indeed, I saw the entire game live on court one. I was sitting 6 rows behind the chair Umpire Pascale right in the center. It was a great seat to watch the action. I am uploading all the pics and videos I took of that match and others on photobucket. Once TP approves the posts, you can see them for yourselves. My observations:

Bozo was playing exceedingly well, leaving nothing in the tank. I mean, for a guy who’s not played in the last 3 grand slams he was hitting the ball like he belonged there with Federer. No fear whatsoever once the initial service game nerves were overcome. Federer was welcomed to a standing ovation; that itself may have inspired Bozo to fire away. His service was top notch. There was nothing Federer or anyone else could have done when a guy serves aces and unreturnable bombs of upto 140mph on breakpoints. Bozo did himself proud and I think he will pat himself several times on the back for his effort and intensity. His tactics were spawned from the Soderling blueprint. Hit monster serves and target Federer’s backhand relentlessly. Attack federer’s second serve by taking it on the rise ( Bozo is 6’4″ so this was not an issue). Chip and charge when possible at the second serve and attack the net frequently. In short, Bozo played an aggressive all-round game to push federer all the way. We could see federer showing signs of anger at himself and at some of the line calls. He was obviously concerned if not rattled in some stages.

Now the fun part. I think Federer did a Nadal + Federer on Bozo. How did he do that? By retrieving very well, converting when required from offense to defence, Rafa-style, then switching over federer style by mixing drop-shots, lobs, slices and placements including some stunning cross court running forehands. He just refused to allow his backhand to buckle and took on all of Bozo’s best punches. In fact, I think he ran around the backhand side to use his forehand just twice during the entire match. But most important, his UE count was negligible and his serve, while not the best it could be, was more than good enough. he stuck it out in a close match like a champion. As you will see from the videos later, the crowd was into it, quite a few cheering Bozo.

I watched federer’s second round match vs Soderling on Center court in 2008 and again in 2009 when he played Garcia-lopez. He was in fine form then and while it is conceivable that he may not be as good as he was then, I believe the slip is probably 0.5% or negligible, if you please. Still, it was good enough yesterday against an opponent who probably played the best match of his life.

————

You’re welcome, Ricky and SOl. Well, Chip is right in the sense that Federer’s shots seem to be missing the pace we are used to seeing. I think his second serve still has that high kick and his backhand is not too shabby. Thing is, Bozo constantly fired away at it and thus we weren’t able to see what Federer could really do with his forehand. On the plus side, his serve was consistent all through and he seemed to be pretty relaxed at training before the match and even after he entered. This time, we got to see an unusual federer gesture after he threw his wrist band in the end to the lucky girl seated in the 4th row. He blew her a kiss! Good thing he did it behind the cameras and Mirka. Ha ha

Historic day poem from Stella. Thanks.

STELLA

well that was a historic day so I’ve changed from the comic style of the Limeric to a more “appropriate for the occasion” narrative verse style as used in epic poems and Norse sagas.
It’s longer , so , take a bathroom break, make a coffee, and here goes…………….

The Queen visited Wimbledon Thursday,
77 was the last time she came.
She met and lunched with some players.
Then sat in a box bearing her name.

At lunch she saw Fed and Martina,
Novak, A Rod,Ginny Wade and Billie Jean.
They ate salmon and chicken and salad,
and of course Kent strawberries and cream.

Andy and Jarkko were first on.
Walk, turn,put bags down,and then bow.
They must have been feeling quite nervous.
But got loud applause from the crowd.

When they finally started playing,
I’m sure it’s a fairly safe bet,
That neither man wanted their scoreboard,
To read 59 all, final set.

Then when the first match was over,
She met the players up on the roof.
Tim Phillipps then showed her the trophies,
She got in her car and was gone–”poof”

When she got back to the Palace,
She wispered in Prince Phillip’s ear,
They gave me lunch and a great seat , dear ,
But I don’t think I’ll go back next year.

Then Isner and Mahut’s epic followed,
the match that just wouldn’t end.
70-68 Treetops wins it.
We won’t see something like it again.

After that it seemed anticlimactic,
though we had lots of great players play.
Serena, TP’s Anna and Rafa,
Rounded out this most memorable day,

THE END

A story from France. From M. Thanks.

M

A story from France -

Rafa, the hero

By Audrey Riou – Thursday, 15th April, 2010, welovetennis.fr

A little story garnered from the outskirts of the courts by a person
in charge of the dressing rooms after a verbal joust of “Are you Nadal
or Federer?”.
“I adore Federer, his game, his class, but I have to admit that Nadal
is a really nice guy. I remember last year, it was raining heavily. A
little boy and his mummy were waiting for Rafael to start training.
Given the weather, I told them that it was a waste of time because he
was going to train much later when the good weather would reappear.
Three hours later, those two were still there, soaked despite their
umbrella. The sun came back and Nadal arrives to hit a couple of
balls. Touched by the perseverance of the kid, I allow myself to tell
Nadal that there was this little guy who waited for three hours in the
rain. I was amazed by his reaction: “You’re kidding?”, he asked me
before taking the child by the hand to go train with him for at least
20 minutes. The little fellow left packed with all sorts of gifts
personally signed by his idol. He’s the only player who is capable of
doing such a thing, I think.

Very interesting play-by-play. From Lord Oompa Loompa. Thanks.

LORD OOMPA LOOMPA

Very interesting play-by-play from the Isner-Mahut Zombie match here:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/2010/jun/23/wimbledon-2010-tennis-live#

Scroll down to the 4:05PM blog entry & enjoy!

-L.O.L

Future may be bleak for Blake. From Dominic Anderson. Thanks.

DOMINIC ANDERSON

FUTURE MAY BE BLEAK FOR BLAKE
By Eleanor Crooks, Press Association Sport

James Blake has revealed he is considering his future in tennis after a first-round loss to Dutchman Robin Haase at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
The American has dropped to 109th in the world rankings from a high of fourth four years ago, and has struggled with right knee troubles for the past 18 months.
Blake took 10 weeks off during the clay-court season and thought the problems were behind him but they returned in his 6-2 6-4 6-4 defeat by Haase.
He said: “The knee is not great. If it doesn’t get better soon, I’m not sure how much longer I want to play in pain.
“I’m doing my best. We’re doing everything we can. It’s just getting pretty frustrating. We’re trying everything, so hopefully soon we’ll find the solution and make it so it’s better.
“It’s almost embarrassing to go out and play a grand slam match like that. Maybe it says to me that I came back too soon, or maybe I’m just too far away from where I think I need to be.”
The 30-year-old is determined to carry on until the US Open later this summer but hinted he could call it a day then if the situation has not improved.
He explained: “If I’m continuing to play in pain, I’ll reassess after the (US) Open and see if I want to continue that.
“If I need to, after the Open, I’ll take the rest of the year off and then see if I can start fresh in 2011.
“If my life is going to change after the Open, then I’ll have to be anxious and see what comes next.”
Blake could consider surgery if the problems continue, but he added: “At this point in my career, I don’t know if surgery is a viable option.”

Did you know?

…………that Djokovic had just six freaking unforced errors in the entire match against Dent today?

Federer interview after beating Bozo.

Click here.

What’s your favorite quote on Federer’s game – from anyone?

Mine?

From Monfils: “Federer’s game is pain in the a$$”.

Is a ‘well defined and challenging’ target, Federer’s problem – among others?

Like 14 was a tangible bull’s-eye, or the French Open, or most weeks at No. 1. Now that most such records are eclipsed, is Federer now paying the price for not setting his OWN goal beyond the standard set by his predecessors? If that’s part of the problem then this Wimbledon title should go far smoother than the rest of the year as No. 7 is as real as it gets. Add the open declaration that this is his favorite event / surface and it cannot get any more compelling.

There’s a reason why most Olympic athletes go through depression etc. after they have achieved their life’s ambition. There was nothing planned or targeted beyond that feat.

Either that or Nadal’s hasn’t reached No. 10 for Slams yet. Maybe the thunderbolt has to be come from the other end.

Isner-Mahut tidbit I cannot understand.

If the fifth set is left open to where there’s no tie break, what you are essentially saying is that the one who is the fittest (physically) is what we are trying to crown. While mental aspect does play in any five setter specially in the fifth set – specially if there’s a tie break at the end of it – but in absence of a tie break aren’t you pushing the physical element to the forefront to determine the winner?

And if that’s a given, shouldn’t you ensure there’s no break until the winner emerges? And if you agree to that, shouldn’t the match have continued on centre court with lights, roof etc.? If not haven’t you removed the very basis of instituting the open end BS?

And has Isner finally removed the ‘lack of endurance’ stamp from all tree tops moving forward – once and for all? Or this like the Karlovic analogy in reverse? I mean, if you are physically so much bigger and stronger shouldn’t you have closed this hours ago?

Federer survives another tomato can – in the second round.

When you watch tomato cans come up with these incredible shots against Federer, you are left to wonder:

-Is Federer playing well despite this ‘out of body’ experience from the clown across the net?

Or

-Is the tomato can being ‘allowed’ to execute these super shots largely due to dialed down Federer’s game.

Then when you look at the stats, it only adds to your confusion:

Federer:

Aces: 16.

Unforced errors: Just 13.

Bk points: 3 of 13.

First serve: 70%.

There’s no question that Bozo’s serve (31 aces) was the deciding factor as it bailed him out of sticky situations over and over again. And that cannot have much to do with how Federer’s game unfolded except the belief factor that seems to be fueling these kinds of close matches from tomato cans, of late. So as long as Federer is able to reach or exceed his averages on most of his stats AND win, he should be able to discount the close matches to factors beyond his control. Or can he? After all, this was an eternal qualifier for his entire 8 year career. If this is the kind of life form likely to bother Federer here (huge serve), then Roddick may be in for some celebrations as he can now boast a little more to overturn the apple cart.

Federer has to find a way to read serves like he has done against Roddick all his career – sometimes even out-acing Roddick. You don’t have to face a player a thousand times to solve the puzzle. There’s not so much to go over that you cannot crack the code within a few games – specially if you are Federer. Or is that ‘one step slow’ theory more relevant here than in the rallies? After all, two straight clowns have gotten the better of Federer largely due to their serve – on grass. Wonder what Delpo, Soderling, Querrey or even Karlovic are going over, right about now?

Despite all that, the outcome was rarely in doubt unlike the match against Falla but this was a progressive slip if you compare the credentials of the two opponents. With a 32-year-old Clement next, can it even worse? Clement may not be a 152th ranked player but at 86th he may not be too far from hit if you factor in his age. And he has not beaten Federer this year. Isn’t that Federer is after this season? New guy every time? Nine and counting?

Photos.

Is that Nadal’s brother?

Is this the beginning?

Lessons from Isner-Mahut freak show.

Porter potties.

Burial staff.

Cannot play a match without a will and a paid for ’6 ft under’ hole.

Dying on the court is grounds for disqualification.

Body liquids other than sweat and spit on the court not ‘preferred’.

Players should find a more polite way of embarrassing the turkey necks……and Djokovic.

You cannot retire after game 25. Play, die on the court or be shot at by a firing squad. Suicide not allowed.

No liquids or semi liquids in the bag can be used as Vaseline during breaks.

You will be charged for the added wear and tear on the court and stink from around the umpire.

Winner automatically wins the next two matches.

Cannot arrive to the court next day – dead or else closest relatives will face the firing squad as penalty.

You got more? No, you don’t!!!!!!!!!!!!

Roddick in Federer’s head?

Federer vs Bozo.

Isner and Mahut locked in 10-hour freak show. From Overcaffeinated. Thanks.

OVERCAFFEINATED

TP, I think this is worth a post if it hasn’t been picked up on yet

Isner and Mahut are still going in their match, currently locked at 59-59 in the fifth set. And those are not typos on the numbers 

Click here.

Federer / Roddick 16-14 in the fifth… Pfffffft!

Sorry, men ARE more brainy than women (and more stupid too!) It’s a simple scientific fact, says one of Britain’s best-known female scientists.

Click here.

Guess who is simply loving these last 12 months or so?

Not only is Sampras losing hair, each of his seemingly invincible records are tumbling one after another. That has to be beyond heartening for this guy. Downside? He is about to go on another buffet binge to celebrate.

Nadal interview after beating Miss Kori.

Click here.

Federer’s next opponent: Ilija Bozoljac – Qualifier.



Age: 24.

Rank: 152. Highest: 101.

Height: 6’4″.

Country: Serbia.

Turned pro 8 years ago.

Career match record: 9-12. Yeah, that’s not a typo. How the heck is he playing in a Slam?

Wimbledon record: Of the four attempts, three times he was eliminated in the qualifying rounds. Reached second round once. Wow!!!! Is he the bottom of the bottom feeders or freaking what?

If this guy just wins a game – on his own serve – he will have achieved salvation.

Contenders’ next opponent.

Nadal: Haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaase.

Federer: Prozac.

Djokovic: Dent.

Murray: M&M.

Roddick: Llllllllllllllllllllllllodra.

What is this ‘bowing’ BS to the Queen crap?

I am just infuriated by ‘pedastalling’ ANYONE for ANY reason, but to enroll yourself in it for someone who has done squat other than being born is beyond freaking ridiculous. As if that was not enough, to freaking bow to them is beyond words. And for people to say that it will be a privilege and honor to stick their behind in the air for some other human has to be the biggest sham of all.

Beyond all that is the one who is relishing all this with full knowledge that they are nothing if not for the brain washing they have subjected some people into accepting them as superior beings.

For rock people, tennis players at Wimbledon are being asked whether they will bow to the Queen when she makes her appearance at the event.

I just realized…………….

………………….that kissing is nothing but swapping spit. Eeeoooooooowwwwwwwwww!!!! And that you can contract all sorts of diseases from gingivitis to STDs. I must be a genius to think of the goats despite peer pressure (Peer pressure for me is the TV).

Sampras is back to beating his wife, kids and pets – again.

After a brief reprieve when Nadal stopped Federer from surpassing Sampras’s record for most weeks at No. 1, the victims are back to being battered again on an hourly basis as another record goes on the chopping block at Wimbledon: Most Wimbledon titles. For rock people just dragging their carcasses from under that rock, Federer owns six Wimbledon titles and can tie Sampras this year.

It’s gotten so bad that victims are actually rooting for Federer so they can return to their lives – without abuse. They are pointing to No. 15 as a major milestone in their return to physical and mental health. They also allege that Sampras painstakingly goes through record books all day to uncover new insignificant ones as excuse to continue the madness.

Federer finally solves Nadal puzzle……….

………….by convincing Swiss President to invade Spain as he has had enough.

Mission objectives:

Capture all clowns with names starting with R to leave nothing to chance.

Isolate ONE of them in a cell occupied by a ‘starving’ male gorilla – for mutual benefit!!!!!

Assign all titles won by Spainards to Switzerland – some to him personally.

All Shakira videos / performances / CDs etc. banned until further notice / similar video surfaces with him in lead.

Force Aunt Tony to ONLY use his left hand for EVERYTHING as pay back for screwing things up by making someone switch hands thereby creating a monster.

Xisca to be employed as nanny for the twins – only when Mirka is napping.

Wimbledon poems from Stella.

STELLA

OK, it’s all over, so, to wrap up, here is my final Wimbledon verse.
To those who liked the verses I say “Thanks” for telling me
To those who didn’t like them I say “Thanks” for not telling me.

so, as players assess how their grass court season went and look forward to the
American hard court season I will end with this.

The time has come the tennis coach said.
to talk of many things.
Of shots, and shoes and strategies.
And those Babolat RPM Blast strings.
And why England was boiling hot.
And what the hard court season brings.

that’s all folks

————————————————-

we used to sing “rounds ” around the caampfire as Brownies and Guides.

so this is
rafa and Tomas in roundabout way.

Wimbledon July 4th.
4th final there for Nadal.
Nadal wins in straights over Berdych.
Berdych can’t break Rafa’s serve.
Serve wide to the ad court.
Court baseline turned to dry clay.
Clay no worries for Rafa.
Rafa , second title at Wimbledon.
Wimbledon July 4th.
4th final there for Nadal ………….. and so on, and so on

—————————————————-

today and tomorrow, and wrap up Monday. I’m getting ready for retirement.

Vera’s bad dream.

I just had a really bad nightmare.
Dreamt I was playing on famed Centre Court.
Across the net was Serena.
it was harder than I’d ever thought.

She looked so angry while playing.
Hit lots of first serves, so well placed.
So, even though I tried my hardest.
Time after time I was aced.

But today I didn’t break my racquet.
Have a tantrum or even blub out loud.
And I fought to the very last second.
My surgeon and rehab guy should be proud.

Now I’ve awakened it was no dream
Serena is champion today.
But my Wimbledon dream continues.
I’ve still the doubles final to play.

(rats I lost that too )

————————————————————-

today’s should read a bit like the Longfellow poem– Hiawatha.

On the courts at SW19
Stood the Scot/Brit Andy Murray.
Heard the speaking of the umpire
heard the clapping of the watchers.
“15-40 ” said the umpire.
‘Come on Andy” said the mother.
Saw the game coach Miles Maclagan
Saw him urge his man on forward
Keep our hopes alive of winning.
Keep the dream alive for Britain.

But the man from Dunblane, Scotland
Could not beat the Spaniard , Rafa.
Could not make the Britons happy.
Could not break the drought since Perry
So dies the soccer/Wimby double.
And leaves the Brits to drown their troubles.

Cheers !!

————————————————————

again I didn’t get to watch today so will settle down with my match tapes tonight.
Today is Canada Day and I spent much of the day on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, alongside well over 100,000 others to attend a concert, a flypast by the Snowbirds and to see the Queen who arrived in a horse drawn carriage with a escort of Royal Canadian Mounted Police on their beautiful steeds ( and hopefully no tasers). I say ” to see the Queen’ but since I’m 5ft 1 inch tall I saw most of it on the big monitors by the stage, but I did get a glimpse of her hat as she walked only about 5 feet away.

Today’s verse is the “by request” one. I was asked to do Kader Nouni. Ithought “how?” — then I remembered a comment made by Tracy Austin at the Rogers cup in Montreal and the verse grew from there.

The first time I heard Kader Nouni,
I was courtside, Roger’s Cup, Montreal.
When he spoke with that voice, and en Francais,
we eagerly awaited each call.

The next day I’m watching on TV,
Tracy Austin in the commentary box
suggests that each time she hears Monsieur Nouni
it makes her shiver right down to her socks.

“The grooviest man in tennis”
His Facebook homepage does say.
The BBC calls him La Umpo.
Je pourrais ecouter sa voix toute la journee.
( translated — I could listen to his voice all day )

———————————————————-

today was supposed to be about Nouni. That can wait till tomorrow.

We had a major event today. I don’t know much about the verse style called Haiku ( I read it is 3 lines, 5,7,5). Maybe Chieko San can tell me if I’ve got it all wrong but here is my attempt for today.

End of an era.
After seven straight finals.
Federer bows out.

and if I could speak to him I’d say:–

Go home , hug your girls.
You’re still their Number 1 Dad.
Your life is so blessed

——————————————————-

I’ve been out all day with no chance to see the day’s play so I don’t know who won or lost. So, it’s 6pm here and I have a lot of tapes to watch. that means todays verse is the more general type and not about today’s matches.

It was inspired by a kids book I spotted in Chapters on the weekend. I’m sorry Big sam Querrey lostyesterday because he’s the subject of the verse. Imagine if you will, Sam is about 8 years old , playing by his house near supper time. A load of boys with tennis racquets hitting balls in the driveway. There’s a tinkle of glass as a ball goes through a window. Dad Querey comes out to see who broke the window and sees a load of guilty looking kids.

Now, from Dr Seuss, Green Eggs and Ham , here is Sam I Am

I would not hit balls at a house.
I would not hit balls with a mouse.
I would not hit them with a fox.
No, I’m not standing on a box.
I would not hit them here or there.
I would not hit them anywhere.
I would not eat frogs legs or spam.
I do not like them, Sam I am.
I did not do it , sam I am..

PS tomorrows verse, by request is about Kader Nouni !!

——————————————

so I got the message that some of you want more verses so ………….
Today was Magic Monday. The US Open has Super Saturday but I’ve always thought that Wimbledon’s Magic Monday beats it hands down. All 32 players left in the singles draw are on court, none of this top half and bottom half of the draw stuff.

So for Magic Monday and its events you get a BOGO. Buy one , get one free

Of all the days to watch tennis,
Second Monday at Wimbledon’s best.
Round of 16 all men and women
and today we were certainly blessed.

I switched from one court to another,
many matches I wanted to see.
For as well as the marquee players,
there were many who were quite new to me.

I’ve spent countless hours watching tennis,
on TV and from the stands.
But I’ve never seen Zakopalova,
Pironkova,Groth,Lu or Brands.

and now the free one……….

A player from Taipei name of Lu.
Drew Roddick on Graveyard Court 2.
They said “Roddick in 3″
It wasn’t to be.
9-7 in the 5th, Lu goes through

——————————————————–

Suunday 27th a day of rest. I think this will be my last verse. I think people are getting tired of them so unless I find fans waving placards and protesting in the streets maybe I should stop.Let me know . I don’t want to outstay my welcome.

So this is to celebrate Federer . The greatest , the magic of his play , and the fact he made it to week two. This verse is with apologies to William Blake. As you read it ( or sing it) it is to the music of Sir Hubert Parry. All anglos or anglophiles will recognise this as the “hymn” Jerusalem
for those of you who do not know “Jerusalem I have included a you tube link to the song.

And did those feet in modern time,
Dance over England’s grass courts green.
And was the grestest of all time,
On England’s pleasant pastures seen.
He will not cease from mental fight,
nor shall his racquet sleep in his hand,
Till he has won another Slam.
In England’s green and pleasant land.

————————————————–

Umpires get a lot of criticism. They oveerrule too much, or not enough. They enforce the time rule, or not. They enforce the coaching rule, or not. you get the idea.
One thing they have to do is umpire for an amazing United Nations of players and I am always amazed at how they handle the names.
So that is the theme for today.

A smart young man did aspire,
To be a tennis umpire.
He said “I won’t worry”
“If I get Henin or Murray”
“But I don’t think I can say Krasnoroutskaya.
or Razafimahatratra
or Kudryavtseva
or Pryzsienzy
or Lertcheewakarn
or Pavlyuchenkova
or Amanmuradova
or Bogomolov
or Cervantes-HHuegun
or Chakhnashvili
or Dzehalevic
or Lapusshenkova
or Zahlavova Strycova
( especially if they play together in doubles)

All names taken from Wimbledon 2010 players list

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hi.
after the first 4 days I really felt “tennissed out” today so here’s the latest.

I needed a break from just watching,
So I went out to play tennis instead.
But I did watch the straight sets from J J ,
and the same from my other fave, Fed.

Lleyton took on Gael on Centre.
“come on” defeated “allez”
The Djoker looked very impressive.
They’ll play each other Monday.

Isner went out with a whimper.
As we all expected he might.
Justine, Venus and Kim won their matches.
That’s it , so to all a good night.

——————————————–

well that was a historic day so I’ve changed from the comic style of the Limeric to a more “appropriate for the occasion” narrative verse style as used in epic poems and Norse sagas.
It’s longer , so , take a bathroom break, make a coffee, and here goes…………….

The Queen visited Wimbledon Thursday,
77 was the last time she came.
She met and lunched with some players.
Then sat in a box bearing her name.

At lunch she saw Fed and Martina,
Novak, A Rod,Ginny Wade and Billie Jean.
They ate salmon and chicken and salad,
and of course Kent strawberries and cream.

Andy and Jarkko were first on.
Walk, turn,put bags down,and then bow.
They must have been feeling quite nervous.
But got loud applause from the crowd.

When they finally started playing,
I’m sure it’s a fairly safe bet,
That neither man wanted their scoreboard,
To read 59 all, final set.

Then when the first match was over,
She met the players up on the roof.
Tim Phillipps then showed her the trophies,
She got in her car and was gone–”poof”

When she got back to the Palace,
She wispered in Prince Phillip’s ear,
They gave me lunch and a great seat , dear ,
But I don’t think I’ll go back next year.

Then Isner and Mahut’s epic followed,
the match that just wouldn’t end.
70-68 Treetops wins it.
We won’t see something like it again.

After that it seemed anticlimactic,
though we had lots of great players play.
Serena, TP’s Anna and Rafa,
Rounded out this most memorable day,

THE END

————————-

So, with apologies to however wrote this limerick first, this is the best I can come up with today—
There once was a man from Japan
Whose verses never would scan
When told “but the thing”
“should go with a swing”
He replied ” but I really want to get the most games in the last set as I possibly can”

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OK, it’s raining here so I can’t get out in my garden .
So, rather than wait for tomorrow, here’s today , Day 2, in a nutshell.

for Serena, Rafa and Murray.
easy, straight set wins in a hurry.
Though Stosur’s not happy
to lose to Kanepi
they’ve now time to golf with Henman in Surrey

—————————–

I promised no more verses but yesterday inspired me.
So here, from the poet in non residence at the Planet is Day 1 in a nutshell

The tennis from France was a yawn.
But what a day one on the lawn
Djoker, Davy and Fed
We gave up for dead
But they all won in 5 and moved on

————————–

there once was a lady called Jenny,
who said “players from spain there are many’
because they’re from Spain
they can play in the rain
but it’s grass and not clay , bring your wellies.

OK, that’s my last.

————————–

there once was a fellow called Murray,
who said to the Brits “don’t you worry’
I’ll beat Querrey and Rafa
cos its Roger I’m after
and i’ll be the first British champ since Fred Perry

such verse — and it’s free— I’m not in residence