I think it was Pam who pointed it out to him (more than once in the same interview--constantly asking if he was going to do something about it). Was Pam really pissed at Mary P. for not being invited to the same part that Mary P. and Mary C. were going to? What the hell did Mary P. do to get Pam so pissed off? She sounded like a 4th grade tattletaler all proud of herself after going to the referee's office to ask them about Mary P.'s between-point time.

If this messes up Mary's concentration for the final I'm going to be really pissed. Mary C. and Pam? You got a problem with the time between points (to such an extent that you go tell)? Deal with it in the first week, not after the semis.

Mary P. spent too much time with Alomar. She's got all the baseball tics going--tap raquet on one foot, tap raquet on other foot, now tap on leg--before every point.

Cancel your plans, Juanita! It would appear they're back on....

Anyone else bugged by all the discussion of today's match being the defacto final? I just feel for the other players, though they probably laugh it off and are happy for the lack of pressure. But I remember similar discussions around last year's final, and look how that turned out! I realize there's the potential for a total cave in (a la Likhotseva) but whoever it is to get there on Sunday will have worked pretty hard and well to do it, and deserves the respect from our commentators. (Again, all the players seem to be modeling this continuously, but to little avail....)



Exactly, LT!

I don't agree that Carlos is to blame. Pam was the one doing the stirring. Going to the officials to report Mary's time violation was beyond the duty of a commentator and asking Carlos that question was stupid as well. Espn asked Justine afterwards whether she would complain if Mary took too much time and Justine said she has a lot of respect for Mary and understood that was just the way she played and would not complain. She said she would only focus on her own game.

Good for her! Of course, she probably doesn't want to be called on her constant hand-putting-up when returning (which I think is also a reflex action at this point and not deliberate gamesmanship).

The thing is that Carlos said that he was going to instruct JHH to tell the umpire about Pierce's routinely taking too much time between points. He has no business saying that to the commentators- it's not the first time he does it either. And then Shriver started saying, well, you know JHH will use that kind of thing to her advantage, like she did against Serena in 2003. To which I said- how are those things ever comparable? And Chris Fowler said that "we all know JHH is not above gamesmanship" as if talking to the umpire about it would be gamesmanship. Which is when I agreed with Brad and the world turned upside down for me.

The rain delay means that NBC will be forced to broadcast some of the Puerta/Davydenko semi. I wonder if they'll extend the coverage. I think I might just have to go home at noon to make sure I tape whatever coverage they're going to show.

And about them calling the Fed/Nadal match the de facto final? It bugs. You know why? Because both Puerta and Davydenko are great players that deserve more respect than that. If Roger's not in the finals, I think I might just be hoping for either one of Puerta or Davydenko to win the darned thing just to stick it to the commentators.

OK, I'm slitting my wrists. Instead of getting live tennis Davydenko/Puerta, we are going to see a taped match for 90 minutes or longer if they go 5 sets so that the networks can split the coverage. Bastard TV executives!

I do agree that the commentators shouldn't be calling it the de facto final. Not fair to two guys who have played hard to get where they are.

But I can't root against Rafa if he makes it to the final just because of the media hype around him and the Federer/Nadal match. Rafael didn't ask for the hype and I really would like to see his great clay court season be rewarded with a GS title. I'm not saying that out of disprespect to Puerta of Davydenko (who is the third in the championships race) but I am sad to see all of this backlash against Rafael because of hype that he did not ask for and he did not create. And I have just loved watching him grow this clay court season. (I just feel so alone in my Nadal like on this board.)

I remember how when Wimbledon was going on last year some people (not in this forum) would say that they wanted Federer to lose just because they were tired of commentators raving about his beautiful play. That saddened me too.



That is rather stinky. Way to cultivate the interesest in either D/P, one of whom will be in the finals. But I'm sure that NBC could only show one of today's matches.

So what are they showing?

I like Rafa. I'm just full of spite against the commentators. Chesty, you're not alone in your Rafa love. And if he wins it, I'll be happy. But I'll be very happy also if either Davydenko or Puerta end up winning it. I promise you if Nadal wins today, I won't be madly rooting against him on Sunday. After all, I was all for Safin after he beat Roger at the Aus Open, though him beating Roger oh so very painful.

The Nadal/Ferrer match. The first set was great but after that really one sided.

If the P/D goes into a 5th set and lasts for two more hours, I'll bet $5 that they will then start showing the Federer/Gonzalez match.

I really do think that this is because ESPN and NBC had a a contractual agreement that NBC could only show one of today's matches. Since they are not part of the same media conglomerate, and can't share in the same way that ESPN and ABC (who are in the same media conglomorate) can. But it still sucks.

Me, too. At this point, I'd be happy whoever wins the whole thing, it's just that I'm soooo hoping this is Roger's year. I think Rafa's going to be around for a very long time, and a possible winner here several times. My concern is that he's so young and things have happened so quickly for him this year. I think back to the other examples of the teen phenoms, and I'm not so sure it ends up being the best thing for their career. What makes Roger so Roger, I think, is that he's got the maturity to handle all this success that he didn't back when they started heaping the praise/hype on him in 2001.

I think about Marat, for example, and how he was maybe hurt by the early slam title....

As for today's coverage, I felt like crying a few minutes ago - but canceled the rest of my day, and now I feel a lot better. The panic that my TiVo and I would somehow not meet in the middle was enough to make me unravel.

Someone take an axe to JMac. He's complaining that the non-US majors don't have 5th set tiebreaks - all because of the inconvenience to the broadcasters. And he just spent 5 minutes (of the Nadal/Ferrer match) up Roddick's derriere.

I'm high strung, y'all. I should just turn it off altogether!

YES, please. I'm not even watching this and I'm annoyed at him. Funny, the other day PMac and Cliffy (or was it Enberg?) were talking about how the players actually prefer to play on rather than have a 5th set tiebraker. But who cares about the players? It's all about JMac.

I cannot stand the man.

Mary C and her stopwatch were too much. How obnoxious was she timing the length of Mary Joe's interviews? And the fact that Mary Joe asked a tournament official about Pierce's slowness surprised me. It's as if they're trying to insert themselves into the story and get them to make her change her ways. As it was, both matches finished in less than three hours, and they had oodles of time to fill, so why are they complaining? If the US announcers weren't so insistent with filling up every second of air time with talk, maybe they wouldn't mind so much about Pierce's slowness. They really should be forced to hear the British commentary (I can't speak for the Aussies or other countries because I haven't heard them myself). What a pleasure it is to hear the lack of verbal diarrhea on BBC.

Damn, I forgot about the spelling bee yesterday!

Seriously ya'll, this is making me nutso.

If the match is a great five-setter, which I want it to be- there is no way that they can finish it today since RG doesn't have lights for night matches. Who will show the rest tomorrow? I'm going to be gone for much of the day for a Freaks N' Geeks festival thing (I'll get to meet Martin Starr!) but I know that I'll be worrying about the Tivo getting the end of the semi and all of the ladies final.

I haven't been this jumpy since the Federer/Agassi match at last year's USO.

Are they going to play? Are they going to show them on NBC? Because if they are, I need to head home STAT!

Go home, jimena. They're on. God help me.

Oops Sorry- are you in Central Time Zone?

Yes. Is it different other places? They were whining quite a bit about having to wait, so I'm wondering....

Here on the west coast, I am watching Nadal-Ferrer. ESPN2 is supposed to have tennis coverage right now, too, but instead of that? Women's golf. No thank you.

Why oh why have the gods conspired against me?

My local NBC affiliate, WSLS, has stopped showing the Federer-Nadal match at 2pm to bring me the Fucking 700 Club. You can be sure my husband and I will write to the station. Anyone else here who wants to do the same is welcome to. news@wsls.com
Needless to say we are pissed.

GRRRRRRR. F*#*ing NBC. And F*#&ing ESPN2, advertising tennis but showing golf. I'm in L.A., and the NBC station is showing the Petrova Henin-Hardenne match from yesterday, as I listen to what sounds like an amazing Federer/Nadal match over the Internet! GRRRRRR! Big-time FAULT on this TV coverage.

Okay. At 11:34 a.m. Pacific Time, my NBC station has finally started showing the Federer Nadal Match. They just played the first point, even though this match has apparently been on for 2 hours already. Why does the ATP allow it? Does NBC pay that much for the tennis? And if they do, wouldn't it make sense to get all you can for what you paid? Sheesh.

Does anybody know if there's streaming coverage online because I'm at wooooooorrrrk! Dammit!!!!

I don't think they'll be able to finish the match today. Unless there is no 5th set and it's looking that way. At the beginning of the match Nadal's level was very high but it came down quite a lot in the 2nd set and allowed Roger back in the game. Roger's serve is so off and he's spraying errors all over the place. I don't see how he can win this match if he keeps playing like that.

On an unrelated note: Hewitt is getting married on the 21st of july... I thought Bec was supposed to be his rebound girl...


ETA: Roger's game is completely unraveling. Matchpoint for Nadal!

Well, a rebound can only be a rebound if they started dating after he and Kim broke up…


Bam-Bam to the FINALS! Yea.

Wow, no post match wrap-up or anything. They could have gone 'till 3:30 at least. I really hate NBC. 'Starting Over' is a repeat anyway...yes, I used to watch that show. Don't judge me!

ETA: What kind of chances are we giving Mary Pierce and Mariano Puerta for a competitive/upset match?


Aw man, I missed the demographics poll...24, female, African American.

I haven't been on this thread in a while.... could someone remind me of the spoiler policy? If it's already aired where I live, is it necessary to spoiler tag?

I'm really pulling for Mary Pierce. I just don't like Justine Henin all that much.

I don't like Roger Federer. Never have, never will. Does anyone else see the resemblance between Amelie Mauresmo and Roger Federer? He looks like a girl. She looks like a man.

Them's fighting words blackwing.

My only reaction to that spoiler is "Oh. Fuck." Maybe I'll be more coherent later.

You know, did it occur to NBC that some people might be watching the other match later on ESPN? Why did they declare the winner? Fuckers.

That was wrong of NBC to keep announcing the Puerto match. If the match hasn't aired anywhere, don't say the results.

Listened to the match on Radio Rolland Garros at work today and look forward to seeing the match from the Tivo. It sounds like Federer played very hard from his best...and Nadal was often not playing his best as well. As both a Roger and Rafael fan, I really wish that they had both played to their utmost. Also feel happy for the winner and sad for the loser.

This post match interview I think helps illustrate why I am so fond of Rafael's personailty off court. Really seems like a good kid.

The Nadal/Federer match would have been so much more fun to watch if either had been playing their best. I was expecting a classic match. That was not the Roger Federer I know and love playing today.

Dang skippy. I think that is the only match I will have correct on my TiVo when I get home but I already know who won. Oh well.

As for the aired/happened is it a spoiler? No, by the definitions of this website it definitely isn't a spoiler but a lot of people here taped/TiVo'ed and it sucks when you know an outcome.

As for the outcome, I went to the gym at 2pm (EST) thinking I'd watch my soaps (having stayed away from here) and lo and behold--live (dark) tennis. I didn't realize how much I wanted Roger to win until I started watching. I think the people around me were a little put off by my arm flailing. Oh Roger! You just lost all concentration!

Will you have both matches, LT? I ask only because ESPN2 has been re-airing Federer/Nadal as well ....

How crazy is it to re-watch key moments and try to will a different outcome? My husband wanted to see it, so we just kind of have it on, and it's interesting to catch the snipets of such different commentating.



I was wondering if the hype even got to them - and then the odd rhythm of having two full days off. Throw in a rain delay, too, and shazam! Tough-time tennis.

They both gave really sweet interviews afterward. And, I didn't think I would be so sad, but wow. What a blow.

Oh, I'm sad. I really wanted Roger to win that one (I always want Roger to win - any time, any opponent, any situation.) But with that said, I know I'll also be happy for Rafa in a day or two. He's a great player, a good guy, and I'll be thrilled and delighted to see him win on Sunday - cause yeah, I have very little doubt he'll win. No disrespect at all to Puerta, just being realistic. It will be exciting along the lines of Pete's first US Open, Mats at the French, just a lot of fun. "A star is born" and all that.

But damn, yeah, I was all for Roger. And as many of you have said, it wasn't the stellar match I was hoping for. Good but not great. Roger didn't appear to be his genius self, not sure how much of that was him and how much was Rafa. Sighs - wanted more, but there is no shame in losing to Rafa on clay, that's for sure. I haven't posted here before, but I've been watching and reading all along. I'm a fan of the game first and foremost, but Roger is my man - oh well can't have it all.

Removed.

Everytime I hear that the French Open is brought to us on NBC by Raymond James, a part of my brain wonders if the finals will be played at Raymond James Stadium with Shane Klingensmith as the opening act.

But maybe that's just me. [slinking away now]

Even though it was so one sided I really enjoyed the match between Mary and Justine this morning. Everytime they show Mary Pierce I just crack up laughing. Even if all they do is show her face when she's getting ready to serve. It's the way she just sort of prances around. She just seems kind of strange. But in a good way.

I also liked Mary Carillo's observation about how bad women's matches go by quick and bad men's matches go slow. I never noticed that but thinking about it now I think she's right.

Welcome, Acre.

Feeling a little bit better this morning - but that had to be the least satisfying tennis match I've seen in a while (maybe since last year's FO Final?).

Had hoped they would choose to show us the Navratilova match, but apparently no such luck.

I really have to say I love Mary C most when she's teamed up with JMac. She just seems extra plucky - and working hard to keep some rhythm and sophistication in the wake of JMac's oddly quirky comments.

I'm too slow at posting sometimes, so I missed your comments kathyjo. I appreciate what you're saying - and it actually dawned on me this morning that what she so strongly makes me think of are the muppets!

Whenever I see Mary on court she reminds me of a peacock. Apparently it's not some act she puts up, she really is like that, all peacockish all the time(I have no other way of describing her). But she really seems like a nice person. I liked her speech afterwards, it was heartfelt, same with Justine's.

I hated the audience for booing BOTH Justine and Mary simply for thanking the sponsors! Guys, the sponsors keep the tour alive!! Without them RG wouldn't even be possible! I know the French just don't like players thanking companies in their speeches but actually booing them for it is taking it too far. The players have to thank the sponsors, it's part of the job.

I never knew there was a tennis thread on this board! I think I'll be spending a good deal of time here from now on...

I absolutely love Raphael Nadal. My love began when he almost took out Federer in that match in the US a couple of months ago (the name of the tournament fails me). It was cemented when he beat Federer yesterday. I just love Nadal's energy, enthusiasm, and, naturally, his game. He also seems like a great guy who does not let all the hype around him go to his head. Federer was definitely not himself in the match yesterday and Nadal did not play his best either but, regardless, I am still so happy with the results. Here's to hoping Nadal wins tomorrow!

I was really into women's tennis around the time of Martina Hingis but for the past couple of years I've been all about men's tennis. It's just been far more competitive and far more exciting, IMO.

Also, I think Marat Safin is one of the most gorgeous men on the face of the planet and that the Safin v. Federer match at the Aussie Open was the best match I have ever watched.

Yeah, they're friends from way back. You can tell. I'd love to hang out with them in a bar and talk (with them, more like argue) about tennis. But in the announcer booth I just appreciate silence more than commentary.

Weren't Mary C and JMac mixed doubles partners way back when?

Mary Pierce's prissiness on the court drives me crazy, too. Sharapova has similar affected mannerisms and that's one of the reasons I hate to watch her play - that and the chance she might win....

Poor Roger. Good for Nadal, though, looks like we'll see a lot more of him. And how about those biceps? (Well, at least the LEFT one....)

Yep. And I think that's what gives their conversation that kind of spousal edge - she can keep him in line and he knows it.

I agree, BungalowJoy about preferring silence - and in fact have been known to turn off the sound completely. But I do get some odd kind of satisfaction when Mary points out JMac's idiocy or error, as she did this morning - it was one of the more entertaining points of the match for me! JMac commented that with a backhand like Justine's he couldn't understand why on earth she would run around it. Mary came back with solid commentary about her forehand and how effective a strategy it is for Justine when she chooses to implement it, etc. Justine then reinforced Mary's exact words with her own answer to the question later.

Nice moment, I thought.

Did anyone catch Brad Gilbert picking Nadal for Wimbledon?

ESPN Classic will be showing classic Wimbledon matches next week at 3pm EST.

6/6 - 1978 Evert/Navratilova
6/7 - 1981 Borg/McEnroe
6/8 - 1982 Connors/McEnroe
6/9 - 1992 Agassi/Ivanisevic
6/10 - 2002 Serena/Venus

Who was that guy in Justine's Player's Box in the green shirt who was just weeping after she won? He cracked me up.

Me too (or three, actually).

Love Rafael. I'm going to be "that girl" who says, "it's good for tennis to have this competition." It's particularly satisfying when Roger Federer is the undisputed "best player in the world" and being touted as one of the best ever and he has sustained two losses in two consecutive majors. And I don't know Brad, I wouldn't bet against Roger on grass.

Jer2002: was it her husband? He's a young thin Belgian kinda looks like her in that weird couply way.

OK guys, I was on the road and missed the Rafa/Roger match. But sounds like it was a doozy.

Watts: Welcome back! Thanks for posting the ESPN Classic tennis matches. I will look for the 1992 final, which should surprise no one on this board.

But I'm most looking forward to TTC's coverage of Queen's this week! I am going to be moving (if you can believe this!) and won't have TTC for much longer. Oh the irony doesn't escape me, you can be sure.

They even won the French Open Mixed Doubles title in 1977, the youngest pair to do so (I think) until Golovin/Gasquet blew that record to bits last year.

No, it wasn't her husband. He was in a white jacket sitting in front of the weeping guy in the green shirt.

He and his wife Julie (the woman with the brown hair) are close friends of Justine's. Apparently he's a famous Belgian stand-up comedian... He cracked me up too. I heard he cancelled all his gigs for the 2 weeks so he and his wife could be there for every single match. I think he cried more than Justine, Carlos and Pierre-Yves combined.

OK, guys. I had this huge disagreement with a friend last night over his statement "all the stars are out of the French Open so it doesn't matter who is in the final." Then when I said that Justine was one of the favorites to win and a past winner he went off on that.

This man is a huge sports fan and his opinion that no one worth watching is left in the draw just broke my heart. I tried defending Rafael (his record, his work on clay, his rising status) to no avail.

I fear he is the stereotypical "there is no American/veteran left so there's nothing to watch" person that is threatening the TV coverage so much. He finally conceded the point that an avid tennis fan would be interested in the final. *sigh* [Oh, and Go Pistons!]

ETA: mmmmmmmmMax Mirnyi won the French Men's Doubles. Woo hoo! And Max is slated to play Queen's in the first round. But I am surprised that Nadal is not entered in Queen's since he has been quoted as saying Wimbledon is the one he wants.

I really can't get into the French Open, mainly because if you look at the past 10 winners of the men's singles, it mostly reads as a Who's Who List of Where Are They Now? It's just hard to get excited for the men's players that will probably disappear once the clay season ends.

I couldn't disagree more, SpchProf. Agassi, Ferrero, Moya, and Kuerten x3 .... I'm sad to hear people think that way, as I think it's a pretty special way to bring out some unique strengths in those who do have versatility across the surfaces.

But, YMMV.

Congrats, Rafa. And nice effort, Puerta. ("Pooerta", to quote JMac).