Who is playing where for the rest of the season.

Nadal:

Thailand.

Shanghai.

Paris.

WTF.

Djokovic:

China Open.

Shanghai.

Rest NA.

Federer:

Shanghai.

Stockholm.

Basel.

Paris.

WTF.

Murray:

China Open.

Shanghai.

Valencia.

Paris.

WTF.

Nadal and Delpo to square off in Thailand. Event starts in a week.

Is this the best time for Delpo to be meeting Nadal? Maybe. Maybe not.

Nadal is clearly on a ’08-like run when he won 7 titles including Olympics punctuated with a four straight title run (Roland Garros, Queens, Wimbledon and Toronto) on three different surfaces. Players who beat him that season? Youzhny, Tsonga (AO), Seppi, Roddick, Djokovic (twice), Davydenko, Ferrero, Murray and Simon. That’s not really the elite ruling the tour then pointing to leaving the door open.

Who has he lost to this year? Davydenko, Murray (twice), Ljubicic, Roddick, Lopez and Baghdatis. So despite the run he is still vulnerable. Besides, the Delpo shot that neutralizes Nadal’s game completely is not such a delicacy that it’s likely to suffer from being inactive too drastically. Heck, it might be the most routine shot in his repertoire. Ball bouncing straight into his backhand hitting zone with more than enough clearance due to both the ball bounce and Delpo’s height is not such a puzzle.

For Nadal, it will be his turn to land on the pad with lot to lose and nothing to gain. You cannot lose to a guy who’s been off for almost a year on his first outing specially when you  just got done rewriting the history books. Even a close match will be considered a loss and an actual loss will place Delpo safely into a spot Nadal currently enjoys vis-a-vis Federer. Add the fact that 90% of the world considers Delpo as the ONLY hurdle that can stop Nadal from totally owning the tour for couple of years – and you know an unfavorable result WILL have far-reaching consequences.

Top 10 Pop-Culture Gangsters.

Click here.

Players who were ranked World No. 1 without having won a Grand Slam tournament.

Player	Date of first No. 1 position	First Grand Slam title
Ivan Lendl	February 28, 1983	1984 French Open
Marcelo Ríos	March 30, 1998	none

Players with 2 or more Masters titles since 1990. Djokovic / Murray already at five?

#	Player	IW	MI	MC	RO	HA/MA	CA	CI	MA/SH	PA	#	Winning span
1	Rafael Nadal	2	-	6	5	2	2	-	1	-	18	2005-2010 (6)
2	Andre Agassi	1	6	-	1	-	3	3	1	2	17	1990-2004 (15)
2	Roger Federer	3	2	-	-	5	2	4	1	-	17	2002-2010 (9)
4	Pete Sampras	2	3	-	1	-	-	3	-	2	11	1992-2000 (9)
5	Thomas Muster	-	1	3	3	-	-	-	1	-	8	1990-1997 (8)
6	Michael Chang	3	1	-	-	-	1	2	-	-	7	1990-1997 (8)
7	Novak Djokovic	1	1	-	1	-	1	-	-	1	5	2007-2009 (3)
7	Marcelo Ríos	1	1	1	1	1	-	-	-	-	5	1997-1999 (3)
7	Gustavo Kuerten	-	-	2	1	1	-	1	-	-	5	1999-2001 (3)
7	Jim Courier	2	1	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	5	1991-1993 (3)
7	Andy Roddick	-	2	-	-	-	1	2	-	-	5	2003-2010 (8)
7	Marat Safin	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	3	5	2000-2004 (5)
7	Boris Becker	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	4	1	5	1990-1996 (7)
7	Andy Murray	-	1	-	-	-	2	1	1	-	5	2008-2010 (3)
15	Stefan Edberg	1	-	-	-	1	-	1	-	1	4	1990-1992 (3)
15	Juan Carlos Ferrero	-	-	2	1	-	-	-	1	-	4	2001-2004 (4)
15	Andriy Medvedev	-	-	1	-	3	-	-	-	-	4	1994-1997 (4)
18	Nikolay Davydenko	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	3	2006-2009 (4)
18	Thomas Enqvist	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	1	3	1996-2000 (5)
18	Carlos Moyà	-	-	1	1	-	-	1	-	-	3	1998-2004 (7)
21	David Nalbandian	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	2	2007-2007 (1)
21	Patrick Rafter	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	-	-	2	1998-1998 (1)
21	Michael Stich	-	-	-	-	1	-	-	1	-	2	1993-1993 (1)
21	Lleyton Hewitt	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	2002-2003 (2)
21	Guy Forget	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	2	1991-1991 (1)
21	Andrei Chesnokov	-	-	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	2	1990-1991 (2)
21	Guillermo Coria	-	-	1	-	1	-	-	-	-	2	2003-2004 (2)
21	Goran Ivanišević	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	1	1	2	1992-1993 (2)
21	Richard Krajicek	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	2	1998-1999 (2)
21	Sergi Bruguera	-	-	2	-	-	-	-	-	-	2	1991-1993 (3)
21	Àlex Corretja	1	-	-	1	-	-	-	-	-	2	1997-2000 (4)
21	Wayne Ferreira	-	-	-	-	-	1	-	1	-	2	1996-2000 (5)

^ IN = Indian Wells, MI = Miami, MO = Montecarlo, RO = Rome, MA = Madrid / HA = Hamburg, CA = Canada, CI = Cincinnati, SHA = Shanghai / MA = Madrid (Stockholm, Essen, Stuttgart), PA = Paris.

Which record is most likely to stand the test of time?

Rafael Nadal pumps it up but fading Roger Federer is still grand master. From Bettyjane. Thanks.

BETTYJANE

What a refreshing read. Liking one player’s game more than the other without sounding nasty in the process.

Click here.

Happy 72nd Birthday to Raj: Sept 19.

RAJ

Happy birthday to you, M. It happens to be my birthday too and your request to TP serves my wishes as well. I am a die hard Fed fan as well.

King lion duo and their pride.

Federer’s phrases.

-Look……

-I am getting close to beating Nadal.

-I don’t have Nadal nightmares.

-I don’t cry after every Slam loss – in public.

-I don’t know anyone named Mr. Denial.

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

Quiz.

Federer is about to demand an official apology from Nadal. Why?

Hint: Incident that prompted this action happened within the last week AND one of you cheap freaks even mentioned it. Geeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You better get this now – fast.

Which Slam is Nadal most likely to falter at in his quest for a calendar Slam next year?

Who is most likely to stop Nadal from earning a calendar Slam next season?

Photos.

Federer’s results at the last 17 tournaments he’s played.

Slams only in this period	Titles	Finals	Semis	Quarters	4th	3rd	opening rd
Finals, Winner, Quarters, Quarters and Semis.	2	5	4	2	1	1	2

Who has done what at the last three ‘significant’ events.

Player	Shanghai	Paris	WTF
Nadal	Finals	Semis	Round 3
Djokovic	Semis	Winner	Round 3
Federer	DNP	Opening rd	Semis
Murray	DNP	Round 3	Round 3

Four months ago Nadal was at just 6 freaking Slams.

And he is at nine already? If ’08 season is to be taken as a benchmark to predict what can happen in the coming months – with knee or other problems not being a factor – this can get ‘scarily’ scary in a hurry. Nadal can very realistically reel off at least three more Slams consecutively before he takes a break. That’ll be like moving from 6 to 12 in about a year – something unheard of.

Looking at Nadal’s demeanor this is what I sense he is saying inside: “You’ve seen nothing yet”. What his fellow colleagues fear most? The feeling that Nadal appears to get hungrier after reaching another seemingly impossible milestone – instead of taking time to rest on his laurels – at least momentarily. Nadal’s victory celebration even after winning the career Slam is very low-key compared to others. He may be quite close to Sampras in that respect who was back on the practice courts within hours of winning another Slam. And like Sampras, Nadal shuns public events, media circus and other shams clothed as ‘promoting the sport’ BS – and unlike someone else.

Nadal is on the cusp of what could catapult him as an indisputable GOAT – past Federer, of all the freaking people. It appears Federer did not really expect to get where he is now. It kind of blew him away. In contrast, Nadal seems dangerously deliberate and has already visualized and EXPECTS to become an all time great. The difference is unmistakable. That’s the magic of a clearly defined target – whether it’s a record set by a predecessor or it’s totally a figment of your imagination – it doesn’t matter.

Both Sampras and Federer are prime exhibits to prove that beyond any doubt.

Just three worthwhile events left for the season.

1. Shanghai Rolex Masters
Shanghai, China. Oct 10.

2. BNP Paribas Masters
Paris, France. Nov 11.

3. Barclays ATP World Tour Finals
London, England. Nov 21.

Happy Birthday to Raj: Sept 19.

Wilander story. From Bjornino. Thanks.

BJORNINO

Hello TP-people,

I just felt I should stand up for Mats Wilander a bit since he always seems to be getting truckloads of hate from some posters on this forum.

Mats was “kidnapped” by Swedish TV show host Ingvar Oldsberg last night to be a guest on the show “Här är ditt liv” (This Is Your Life). During the show he got greetings from McEnroe, Sting (Wilander had a dream of becoming a rock musician and he and Sting hung out a lot in the 80s, apparently) and many other people from his past. Some of his old Davis Cup teammates were on the show as well (unfortunately Edberg wasn’t there).

Another guest on the show was Mats’ son Erik who talked about his incurable skin disease Epidermolysis bullosa (EB). Wilander has been raising money for research about EB for many years.

(I hope you will all be able to watch the clips below. They’re from the Swedish Television website, but I am able to see them from Germany where I am at the moment, so should at least work for everyone in Europe, hopefully for those of you in America and Asia as well.)

In this clip the umpire (Jacques Dorfman) from Mats’ semifinal vs Jose-Luis Clerc (Wilander won 7-5, 6-2, 1-6, 7-5) at the FO 1982 gives him a lot of praise for asking for a replay after Dorfman had made the wrong call on match point (he calls it his best tennis memory of 50 years (and 15000 matches) of umpire work). There is also a greeting from Clerc in the clip:
http://svtplay.se/v/2152740/har_ar_ditt_liv/hyllningar_till_en_akta_sportsman?cb,a1364145,1,f,-1/pb,a1364142,1,f,-1/pl,v,,2152744/sb,k138777,2,f,-1

And this is about his kids:
http://svtplay.se/v/2152725/har_ar_ditt_liv/alla_barnen?cb,a1364145,1,f,-1/pb,a1364142,1,f,-1/pl,v,,2152740/sb,k138777,2,f,-1

And here McEnroe talks about Mats’ charitable work, their memorable matches and “sings” a cover of a certain Bob Dylan song with a JMac/Mats text to it. Pretty funny:
http://svtplay.se/v/2152770/har_ar_ditt_liv/mcenroe__mats_och_mack_johansson_rockar_loss?sb,k138777,1,f,-1

Watching this makes one realize that we’re probably very lucky that Wilander never made a breakthrough as a rock star ^^
http://svtplay.se/v/2152744/musikern_mats

Hopefully watching some of these clips will make those who are very anti-Wilander change their mind a bit  Enjoy!

Cheers and have a nice Sunday everyone.

/B

Happy birthday to M: September 19.

TP, is this where we make our “birthday photo” requests?
Because you know mine is on DC Saturday, and I’m sure you know whose pictures I would like. FEDAL Forever!

Also, you instituted this lovely new tradition after my birthday last year, so this is the first chance I get to make a request.

Now if you really want to make it interesting, do you want to find pictures of Rafa and Roger that I *don’t* have?

(Rafa’s newest Nike shoot and Roger’s Japanese Nike shoot will not count. I have those. Neither will Roger’s Swiss insurance or coffee ads, Rafa’s Kia, L’Oreal, or Balearic tourism ads, or their baby pictures. If that makes it too hard, of course I will accept blowups of classics. )

That’s a nice soccer goal – like once in a decade dealio?

Shouldn’t there be a sign for Jumbo screen etiquette?

People forget that when they appear on the big screen, it’s because they are ON THE FREAKING CAMERA. And staring at yourself admiringly is not what fans across the globe will gloat too much over – specially if you are a wife of somebody and have been there a million times for the past ten freaking years.

And that stealthy look doesn’t count. You are still freaking looking. It’s actually worse as it says you know you are infringing but you are still at it. Geeeeeeeeeeezzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Have the tables turned on Federer-Nadal H2H?

Federer still enjoys a slender lead on matches played on courts not called red 5-4. Considering how dominant Federer was on non-clay courts vis-a-vis blatant Nadal’s weaknesses on the surfaces, some argued the lead was not a true reflection of the disparity that existed between the two players. In other words, Federer should have had a far more lopsided record to off-set the near-total wipe out on clay.

But with this career Slam, the rock Nadal had been hiding has now been removed for good thereby implying that any future encounters on surfaces not called dirt will no longer carry the strain of him being an underdog. Add Federer’s current slide AND age and you have it bagged.

Translation: This is exactly what Federer may need to reverse the H2H backlash – on his favorite surfaces – solely. The playing field has evened up to eliminate the ‘surface’ advantage giving a Federer win far more credibility in the H2H world. But will that paradigm shift be enough to invalidate the mental edge Nadal enjoys over Federer? Maybe not. But it certainly should make some kind of benign inroad to recalibrate the gears in Federer’s mind allowing him to get a whole new look at the puzzle – this time with Anaconda in his corner.

With the possibility of the two meeting in the semis nearly guaranteed, the two will now NOT have to beat EVERYONE to battle each other thereby boosting the likelihood of them clashing exponentially. More importantly, Federer will carry the underdog-inducing ‘slide and age’ mix into the matches releasing tons of pressure at least from one of the many balloons that go up when the two meet. Even more importantly, Federer can now dress the H2H doll with some respectable clothes – on his own terms.

Or has the mental giant already received more than enough time to now become totally invincible?

Phrases, words Nadal needs to erase from his vocab.

-Sorry for today and good luck for the rest of the season.

-I always try my best, no?

-Next match will be tough because he is playing well right now. I’ll have to play my best tennis to win tomorrow.

-I am not the favorite. Anybody can win this tournament.

-Tony was not coaching. We were exchanging recipes.

-Thank you (after being warned for time violation).

-My dream? Marrying Diana Federer, no? That way I am never going away for ‘somebody’.

-Federer is the favorite to win this tournament.

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

TP, Shame on you! Are you sending those goats out to work! From Claire. Thanks.

CLAIRE

TP,

Shame on you! Are you sending those goats out to work!

http://eater.com/archives/2010/09/17/wisconsin-restaurant-trademarks-goat-on-the-roof-concept.php

This is what happens when you overuse your right hand.

Photos.

Russian tennis player Anna Kournikova (R) signs autographs to fans on September 18, 2010, in Heredia, 18 kilometers north from San Jose, Costa Rica prior to the Andre Agassi Farewell Tour 2010 that will be held tonight at Alejandro Morera Soto Stadium with the presence of also US tennis players Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras and Ashley Harkleroad. AFP PHOTO / Mayela LOPEZ

How freaking tempting is that – for the ball?

More Federer twin photos. From Claire. Thanks.

CLAIRE

I don’t this the one with white hair is Mirka’s Mom! I’ve seen pictures of her and she appeared heavier!
Federer’s Mom is in some of the pictures!

These pictures are so cute! 

Click here.

You think Federer called to congratulate Nadal on career Slam?

Federer twins. And why has Federer turned Mirka’s mom into an unpaid nanny?

Nadal flying high – literally.

Campaigning for doubles partner? Is that what Nadal has to do to get Federer to play with him?

Photos.

Aerial view of La Santamarias Bullring in Bogota, Colombia, taken during the Davis Cup World Group Playoffs tennis match between US player Sam Querrey and Colombian Santiago Giraldo on September 17, 2010. AFP PHOTO / Joaquin SARMIENTO

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Rafael Nadal and Pinto hit the links. From M. Thanks.

M