"Sorry, I'm feeling much better now . . . can't make it."

I heard that ESPN will not be showing the match between Mr. Contra Tennis and the Orange Spiderman in the US, but a repeat of Ljubo/Fed. In any case, for those of you who can, try to catch Mr. Contra Tennis versus the Orange Spiderman as it had a little bit of everything; high drama, fantastic rallies, good shotmaking. At least five points in the opening set were "play of the year" material. The two guys knew they weren't the headliners so they decided to go for broke and it was a lot of fun.

I'm sorry, I'm new here. I probably should know this but why are you calling them "Mr. Contra Tennis and the Orange Spiderman"?

I guess I understand the Orange Spiderman one, but why oh why "Mr. Contra Tennis"?

When asked why he had so many problems playing against Nalbandian, Federer described his style of play as "contra tennis." That was back when Nalbandian could actually beat him.

Just wanted to say that I too was disappointed to hear that Andre and Nadal dropped out this morning.

I hope these rumors of a protest are truly false (for Andre's sake at least). But really moving this tournament overseas was a dumb move anyway.

Did anyone read the article on Yahoo! about the organizers getting pissed at AA for withdrawing? The article basically dissed AA for not playing through the pain, blah blah blah. It really pissed me off b/c AA has done so much for the game of tennis....

Thanks, Distant Sun!

And what's up with Coria and his serve?? I mean, 14 14 double faults!

They were pissed off because AA didn't tell the organizers first, which is the usual protocol. He told the media first. He didn't allow the organizers to save some face. Nadal told the organizers he was planning on withdrawing, he consulted other doctors to have different opinions on his injury, and allowed the organizers to plan something- having Nadal address the crowd telling them of their withdrawal. Agassi did none of that. I don't think they were expecting Agassi to play hurt. The just expected a more considerate course of action from him.

Do you mean over seas as in out of America? There are plenty of tournaments in Asia that players go to even if they have to play in Europe the next week so I really don't think that's the problem. It's not fair to the Asian fans to hog all the good tennis player here, either



Mario Ancic had 16 once. Yeah, that was fun...

A late yea! for Amelie! I hope that this win gives her confidence to win the big matches in grand slams. And Mary Pierce has been such a great story this year- two GS finals, year end final- and all after a lot of people (including myself) didn't really consider her a force anymore.



I have to disagree here. Agassi has boatloads of money. Nadal comes from a wealthy family, doesn't spend on extravagant things and doesn't seem to be concerned about money. In fact- he only seems to own about 6 shirts in his wardrobe that you see over and over in his off-court pics. Further, I haven't read of any of the players who are playing or withdrew such as Roddick bitching about the money.



The court has been described by almost all of the players- even Ljubicic- as "sticky." Agassi said something along the lines of if you are running and stop the bottom part of your body sticks while the rest of your body continues in motions. Which can wreck havoc on you physically.

I think Nadal came with every intention of playing. His ankle had been bothering him since the tail end of the Madrid final. In fact- he had to severely restrict his practice before coming to China so as not to exacerbate the injury and visited doctors in Spain for his inflamed ligament. He said that it was feeling a little better but then began to feel worse during a practice session with Nalbandian. He thought he would be able to play through the pain- but then it still got worse and he had tests on Sunday and then again on Monday morning. ATP and Shanghai doctors told him that he should not play. The medical report said that if he played Shanghai with his inflamed ligament he could very likely tear it and be out of commision for three months. He heeded their advice. And just because one feels pain in the ligament does not always mean that they will be hobling around like Dr. House- but the pain could be indicative of that if you continue to play through the pain- you will make the problem worse and cause real damage. That is what Safin did with his knee- he played with pain when he shouldn't have in Cincy and really worsened his problem. Which sucks because I love it when he's around.

Remember- Nadal is a kid who played a match through a stress fracture in his foot against Gasquet in 2004. He finished the match, and then was out of tennis for several months- missing the French Open. I think that he learned from his mistake and does not want to jepordize being out long term again. In fact- I think if Madrid had not been in Spain he may not have even had played there.

I do not think that money is the issue. Not all athletes are just about money.



His serve has just been really quite bad since his shoulder surgery last year. It's frustrating.

Can't wait to see Gonzalez play- he is one of my favorites. And commentators seem to have fun announcing his matches. I am also really looking forward to the Nalby/Ljubicic match- could be great and they will both be fighting to get to the semis. Although I wonder if the commentators can get through one match without discussing David's weight. And Gilbert was slagging on Nalby's sweating during the Feds match.

I tend to have a different opinion; Agassi has boatloads of money for a reason. Nadal is also the same kid who, when asked by a reporter about his first racket, said "I have it here but I can't show it to you because it's not Babolat. I don't pose with products I don't endorse." The consensus among the people there is that there is definitely some sort of power play/political thing going on with the players, the ITF and the ATP that's causing this whole mess.

ETA: I just saw the Gonzalez match and it was great. Gonzalez is so much fun, I love his high risk game.

Nadal is not allowed to pose with non-Babalot raquets as part of his contract- that does not mean that he is money hungry. (A lot of contracts are that way- remember Roddick having to wear a band-aid over his logo). Nadal just does what his sponsors tell him too. He has said that he doesn't really have any idea about how much money he has and Spanish press has remarked about how he is not extravagant at all. Which interview was that quote from, by the way?

Are you implying that the doctors lied, the medical reports were falsified, etc. and that Nadal is lying through his teeth about his injury?

From the press that I have read about the event- and from reports that I have read from someone who has been there with a press pass all week- there are no real mentions of this being a power play about money. There have been some grumblings in the press from what I hear that the sticky surface could have been a factor- but not that it was about money. But I do believe that Nadal is injured. I don't think that the ATP doctors, the doctors in Spain, and the doctors in Shanghai were all lying. Nor do I believe that the medical reports- portions of which were released in Spanish press- were fake.

I'm sorry if I sound huffy or heavy-handed. I don't mean to. But just as I know that it is not good to always be naive, sometimes I like to throw the cynicism out the door and believe that when players say they are injured- and the have the medical proof that verify that fact- and the reports say that they could be out form months if they play- then they are in fact injured and not just whining about money. But I guess that I won't be able to convince you that there were real injuries and you will not be able to convince me that it was all about greed. :P

Woo! Yea for Gonzalez! Looking forward to the Tivo of that match- I'm surprised it went three sets acutally. A semi against either Luby or Feds would be great, as his last two matches against them were really fun. How hilarious would it be if the last alternate in made it to the finals?

No, I'm saying that my friend saw Nadal at the practice courts that afternoon and she said he looked fine. Which is why she was so surprised when it was announced that he pulled out; it came as a surprise to some tournament officials too, as she was there in the pressroom when they got the phonecall. Puerta didn't seem to know that he was playing that day as well, as it seems that he was called in only two hours before. As for the veracity of the medical reports, well the doctor was there for the presscon and gave his professional opinion, so it seems legit.

Agassi's decision to withdraw was something of a shock to the tourney organizers though, and it sounds like it was a spontaneous decision because he didn't even notify the tournament organizers prior to announcing it in the post-match presscon. And he also didn't have a doctor's pass. (As for the Nadal Babolat remark, you can find it in translated form in one of numerous Nadal sites. It's the same interview that mentions that he only has posters of himself up on his bedroom walls, or something like that.)

Maybe I'm being cynical but 5 people pulling out at once is enough to make anyone think that there's something rotten in Denmark. Ok, I can understand Safin Hewitt and Nadal, but Roddick and Agassi? Or maybe the new stadium was built on a sacred Indian burial ground. But even if it is or isn't about the money, would we ever really know? It's not like players talk about how much they get paid off the books to appear in, say, Doha. Theoretically the TMC isn't even supposed to have appearance fees except for the 100,000 they're guaranteed upon showing up, but who knows what Mattress Mac or previous tournament promoters did.

ETA: ChestyLaRue I saw the match live on Star Sports here in Asia. Complete with commentary by John Barrett and Leander Paes. Doesn't TTC show it live? Without giving anything away, Gonzo was indeed awesome, as was Puerta. Lots of horrible line calls in the third, though.

Okay- I came home to walk the dog and thought that ESPN2 would be showing the Gonzo/Puerta match.

But instead they are showing the Gaudio/Davydenko match again? What gives? Did they show the Gonzo match earlier on another ESPN network. How annoying- Fena is so much fun to watch and no offense to the other two players- but I bet that his match against Mariano was more exciting than the match that they already showed.

print_whore- what network did you watch it on? (By the way- I love how we can debate and disagree here on this forum about tennis without people getting mean or personal- like they do on MTF)

Well, he went to see his doctor in Barcelona and they run 4 tests. So, it's definitely something. He's injured. And I'm hoping it's nothing too serious because I love to watch him play.

And before he returned home he was signing autographs for 500 (yes, it was a line of 500 people) fans in Shanghai. Now, that is a nice guy!

A pretty juicy newsletter from TennisReporters.net. Here are some highlights:






Other interesting comments on about whether Mauresmo's turned a corner and the attendance at the Finals this year. The newsletter can be awesome.

Don't bother watching Federer vs Coria unless you like high comedy. It was definitely the most bizarre match I've ever seen.

Was able to catch some of my Tivo of the Nalby/Luby match before work. It really reminded me why Nalbandian is one of my favorites. When he is on he is one of the smartest players out there- and he was hitting the ball so well.

I don’t really understand why he has kind of a reputation as being a grouch. Mary Carillo in particular is always calling him grouchy. He normally seems nice and smiley in his player interviews- and was nice and smiley in his player interview today. And he was voted as the “most charming” by the staff who worked the Montreal Master’s

David won!!!!!!! Yay! I'm sooo happy!! And he played so well! :)

Okay. Did Feds tank the second set to Coria?

A friend of mine has this theory that Federer is losing a set each match on purpose because he wants more time in the court. Like he wants and needs to play more so he can get better, therefore he's making it so that he'll play 3 sets each match.

I'm not sure about this. At least not in the David and Ljubicic cases... but in the Coria one? Maybe?

ETA: Gaston won!!! Yay! This has been two really cool days!

Serena Williams was on ER last night. Her apartment building got hit by crashing airplane debris. Her kids survived but she didn't. She had to do a lot of agonizing screaming. For a tennis player, she is a decent actress.

My friend in Shanghai was so enthusiastic to meet him, and then when she did and she got her tennis ball signed she felt all dirty about lusting after him because she said he was "just a kid." As in really just a kid. She then developed a big old crush on Gaudio until he started getting bitchy in the presscon after the loss to Davydenko. She asked him if he preferred to play Ljubicic or Rog and he just glared at her. There were a LOT of really snippy comments that they omitted from that transcript.

I still can't forgive her for getting thisclose to Rog, though. She's a big old Rafa fan but after she saw Roger up close she was all "Dude, he's really gorgeous in person. You have no idea."

That bitch. (j/k)

ETA: The press people are given free courtside box seats, wherein they're literally a few yards away from the players. I've got to score myself some of those press credentials in time for Oz '06.

And Chesty, she did see Safin there at the VIP lounge and she said that he looked as sex-ay in person as he does on TV. But she got pretty intimidated by him because he has this "intense, smoldering aura." As opposed to Nadal who she said felt like "the kid brother I never had."

Hee! One of my friends who was able to see Nadal in matches and in practice sessions in Montreal said that when she saw him practicing shirtless she was struck by the fact 1) that he is tall and very toned but is trimer than he appears on tv and 2) he does look young in person and 3) she was indeed 10 years older than him and felt like a dirty old lady.




From my own personal experience in Houston last year- Roger is for sure very, very nice looking in person. He doesn’t always photograph well- but in motion and in person- very dashing. He has great skin and a real grace. My husband at one point asked me if I wanted a bucket for my drool. And yea! He’s one of the people featured in the Sexiest Man Alive issue.

Saw Safin pretty close last year too and he is indeed that good looking in person but the thing that struck me the most is how tall he is. He is a lot of man.

I have to agree with Pmac and Cliffy during their commentary during the Gaudio/Gonzalez match. Odd and entertaining- yes; high quality- not so much. I hate that Gonzo reverted to some of his old ways (i.e. occasional “brainless” tennis.) I liked during the match when they talked about how Gonzo should follow Mary Pierce’s example and take more time between points. Tee hee!

I’m rooting for Nalby to win tomorrow because a Federer/Nalbandian final would be the most interesting to me. Plus- I want a player with the talent that David has to finally string together the matches to win a big title and get over his tendency to go on a walkabout during some of his matches.



So that was her! I saw just a little snippet last night and I was thinking it looked like Serena.



We are just getting the doubles on TTC. ESPN2 is showing the singles matches. They have been showing the first round robin match live and either the second one later on in the day on tape delay or they just show the first match again later on in the day. Both the semis and finals will all be shown on tape delay. Argh!

I'm such a wuss. I went online to check the Masters Cup semifinal results even though I know I'll watch the matches later.

(1)R Federer (SUI) d (7)G Gaudio (ARG) 60 60
(8)D Nalbandian (ARG) d (5)N Davydenko (RUS) 60 75

The article is priceless.


Hilarious! I wish I could've heard him say that.

Masters spoilers (1)R Federer (SUI) d (7)G Gaudio (ARG) 60 60
(8)D Nalbandian (ARG) d (5)N Davydenko (RUS) 60 75
I just ... I mean ... I don't know what to ... oh.my.god.

Going to check site now.

Spoilers about the semis: It didn't look as if Gaudio even tried out there. It was another classic Gaudio Tankjob and it was pretty disgusting to witness. Gaudio was the only one to get a set out of Federer in Kooyong this year so we know he's not useless on hardcourts. Maybe the Gonzalez match killed him. Federer looked really disappointed at the end of the match too. Strangely enough, Gaudio was completely calm and collected during the presscon. As for Nalbandian, I'm so glad he's finally living up to his potential. The final tomorrow is going to be another "brainfight." As for the doubles, yay Fabrice and Llodra! It's Santoro time, baby!

http://sports.yahoo.com/ten/news;_ylt=AhSg...ov=ap&type=lgns

Girl is getting attacked everywhere.

You know what sucks?

ESPN2 is showing the tape of the semis matches (I really want to see the Nalby win) at the same time that TTC will be showing the doubles final live! We are going out tonight for what will likely be a pretty late night so I have to pick and choose which to Tivo. I think I may just Tivo the taped semis (only to see Nalby's form) and then watch the doubles final during a repeat on TTC. Stupid ESPN2! And ESPN2 is not showing the singles finals live either- on tape delay again. I really doubt I will be able to remain unspoilered.

Since they have already shown the doubles semis here- I'm not going to spoiler. I'm rooting for Fabrice and Michael. Santoro is always so much fun and I wonder if Llorda will strip down again like he did at the French when he won the doubles there? And if so- will they show it on TV?

For the singles final I keep flip-flopping on who I want to win. Roger- I want to win because he is one of my favorites, to have a 25-finals win streak would be even more utterly amazing, and a win here could further bolster his chances for the Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year award (he seems to be under serious consideration). David- I want to win because he is one of my favorites, he is way too talented to only have three titles, and a win here could finally break his trend of giving up towards the end of tournaments.



Girl is having effigies of her being burnt because she advocates safe sex? Come on Mirza- kick ass in 2006!!

My ESPN says they showing the match live at 3am! I'm *trying* to stay up until then. But it's the best out of 5 sets so I doubt I'll make it til the end.

But I want to see David win soooooo much! Yo have no idea.

How does someone get to as high a level as Gaudio and yet be capable of a performance like that, in the semi-finals of the fifth most important tournament of the year?

Cliffie and P-Mac were way too easy on him.

Here's a cool story. So my friend, the reporter, got pissed off at Gaudio because he was bitchy to her at the presscon. She partied with Susan (of Vamos Rafael fame) last night and a couple of friends last night and they met up with Gaston at a bar.

After having danced with El Gato and having spoken to him, all by his lonesome (well with his equivalent of the J-Block), with a beer, she is no longer pissed off at Gaston. Quite the opposite, really, because apparently he was very charming and nice. And a very very good dancer.

Have I mentioned how much I hate her?

They even had this little exchange:

"So, how many hot chinese girls have tried to pick you up?"

Gaudio: "None!"

Of course, he was mobbed at the bar with women throwing themselves at him every second while they're having this conversation. Gaudio, noticing this, relented.

Gaudio: "Ok, maybe ONE!"

Per the live scoring option online:

David Nalbandian (8) def. Roger Federer (1), 6-7 (4-7), 6-7 (11-13), 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (7-3)

And to that I say, "WOOT!"

I think it was a combination of things. First of all, Federer isn't a good opponent for him on any surface. His confidence surely disappeared after a slow start and he had to be a little weary after fighting off 3 match points against Gonzo less than a day ago. Gaudio is as high as he is because he's really talented, but his confidence has always been suspect. Again, though, he won an even bigger tournament last year after being dead in the water, so...

That's an impressive performance by both. Nalbandian finally won a big title. Federer seemed to run out of gas and then get one last burst. 81-4 is phenomenal. Winning 24 straight finals might be even bigger.

Somewhere, John McEnroe is grinning ear to ear. At least he gets to keep one record all to himself.

I'm reaching new levels of jealousy here... she danced with him? That's not fair at all. He really does seem like a nice guy, even with his occasional bitchiness. His ATP vingette was adorable

I'm giddy right now! This definitely makes up for an otherwise shitty Masters

Dude, they hung out all night. One of her friends on the ATP circuit is good friends with GG, so when they ran into each other at the bar they all got sauced to help him forget the double-bageling. But apparently he's short. He's 5'7 or something. She doesn't care, she'd still hit it.

And she was backing Nalby too, I'll never forgive her for that! I like David and all, but I felt horrible for Fed. I hate to see him lose.

print_whore- Is your friend Neva? If so- I have enjoyed reading her posts in VR.com. Seems like a very sweet girl. (And have enjoyed her descriptions on that board of seeing Rafa up close and personal ;))

I am thrilled for David. Boy has the talent- so happy to see him get this huge win. Finally! Maybe now he will get off of the "most talented player not to have won a grand slam" list and actually win one.

From all sounds of it- an epic final- can't wait for it on ESPN2.

[Slightly OT] Chesty: yup, that's her. And let me just whine that I liked Gaudio first! She was the one crushing on Rafa. ;)

About the bad hair with Roger and Nalbandian? 'sup with that? They are usually so pretty.

Anyone think dear Cliffy has been dipping into the plum wine?? zhe's been making some pretty remarkable mistakes this week - not recalling scores; misstating Fed stats....

Still love him for a billion other reasons, not the least of which is the appreciation he has for good tennis and his disdain for lackadaisical tennis (cougn, Gaston, cough)....

Haha, getting wasted is always a good solution for losing! He really is quite little and the Shanghai tournament directors made that very obvious by putting him next to Ljubicic in the group photos. It was kinde cruel... but, yeah, I'd hit that too.

I suspect you're right, OopsSorry. Cliffy also said Shanghai was in Australia which it really really isn't.

Did anyone catch what Feds was mad at Nalbandian about or what he said to him? I totally missed it. Feds looks pretty pissed, though.

Edit: Cliffy was just whistling along with the ESPN theme, he gotta be on something!

Heh. That was pretty funny. And made me want some of whatever it is he's enjoying.

Hard to tell exactly what the complaint was, but according to P and C he was angry that David was arguing the call of his shot that was indeed in. Everyone seems a bit surprised at the level of participation from the chair, and I imagine Roger was nervous he'd get in there and overrule another call.

Poor Rog. I like Nalbandian enough and am happy for him and what this might mean for his career, but at certain moments I keep hoping against logic for some alteration of the circumstances....

Surprisingly enough, I thought both David and Roger looked really good, at least at the beginning of the match. I was sad for Roger though, he looked really crushed when the match was over. Now he has the opportunity to start new streaks anew. That was an awesome match, and exhausting to watch, I can't imagine how exhausting it was for Nalbandian and Federer. That match ranks right up there with Federer/Safin as one of the years best.

I was so sad that Roger lost! I was yelling nooooo! I watched for four hours plus and I was hoping that Roger would pull a magic trick since it did look like he could do it in the last four points of the fifth set but its not ment to be. I thought he had to lose sometime and better he lose now than the big one (Oz open in January). I have a feeling that once he gets over his loss, he would just want to win more. But I was so piss off that he lost. I was thinking if I knew before hand, I'll probably wouldn't watch the match which would be ashamed b/c it was some really good tennis. But I'm still so bitter that Roger lose.

Sniff.

OK, I'm over it. I just read Roger's press conference after his loss and he is just wonderful. I highly recommend it. He keeps things in perspective and is very thoughtful. Wonderful interview.

I hope he can kick ass (again!) next year!

Aargh! I hated that they didn't show the trophy ceremony. After an epic battle like that- I wanted to see the ceremony. It was a shame that someone had to lose. Boy- the Master's have had some amazing five-set finals this year: Miami, Rome, Madrid, Paris and now the Cup in Shanghai.

Sad for Roger but I am thrilled to the gills for David. I was worried that once again like at the USO 2003 he would lose an epic five-setter but he held on and won. I really hope that the year-end titles for both Amelie and David help them get the confidence they need to win a GS in the future.

Cliffy could very well have had some sauce tonight. I kept hearing him laughing going into commercial breaks. He and PMac seemed to really enjoy calling the match today.

Did anyone else think that Nalby's trainer was pretty hot?

I also wished they had shown the ceremony. But I can't complain since it would have been so easy for ESPN to pull the old, "due to time constraints, we now advance to the fifth set" bullshit. I was thrilled they showed the whole epic thang. I know Roger wasn't playing his best, I know he was injured, but for me? Best.Match.of.the.Year.

And next year is less than two months away, woohoo.

WORD



I saw it. Nothing too special. Well, David said to Federer something like "don't feel bad, you're going to win a lot more titles. Just leave this one for me. Let me have it". It was fun.

Slightly OT, but:


*fans self* God, I hope he recovers well enough to defend his title next year. I miss seeing him play. I'm so jealous, the closest I've ever been to Marat is from, um, my spectator seat at the (what was then) Adidas International Tournament in Sydney. I'm totally looking forward to seeing Nadal play here next year though.

By the way, I was so, so happy to see David win over Federer. It was adorable to see him celebrate straight after the win - he went over to the sideline and hugged his camp, including his mum. Aww.

What's the next tournament of note? Hopman Cup? I think it starts on Dec 31st, I recall seeing ads on the ABC announcing the commencement date. And so starts the glorious daily coverage of the tennis from then till the end of the Australian Open. Bless the ABC and Channel 7.

And since 2005 is almost over, any thoughts on this year's tennis? Best match/es of the year? I would have loved to see Nadal beat Federer at the French Open but there's no free-to-air coverage of Roland Garros over here, dammit. Just for starters, here's my opinion for the most nail-bitingly exciting matches in GS of the year: for women's, it'd be the Davenport/V. Williams final of Wimbledon. The S. Williams/Sharapova SF at the Aus Open was also great. For the men's it'd be the Federer/Safin five-set thriller SF at the Aus. Open. All three of those matches were so, so close and could have gone either way in their respective last sets and the level of tennis was just brilliant. And the commentators did a great job calling the matches too, and you could tell that they were just as into it as the crowds were.