Nails spends the day at the zoo. Hilarity ensues. I was laughing for a good 5 minutes.
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March 2009
March 31, 2009
"You're Over Me? When Were You...Under Me?"
The great thing about Sveta still being in the tournament? She holds it down for crazy honest Russian pressers:
Q. Do you feel like you've got a pretty good shot at making the finals if you continue
to play well?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, guys, you know, like I came here and I lost first -- two tournaments in a row first round. I been prepared. I felt like I practiced well and I been playing well when I was training, I came here and I was like so disappointed. You know, I haven't been winning matches. I never lost first two rounds in a row I think, as I remember. So for me it was very important to just play match by match. Now I'm in semis, and I'm really happy about it. I'm just going to concentrate on semis. For me it's great to get to this point. At the stage I came into the tournament I didn't believe I could make it. Well, I did believe but I was like, I don't know, I would be surprised. I am surprised.
Q. You won the title here before. Tell us what it means to play here in Miami? Do you like the night life? The conditions? How does that work for you?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, I cannot think about night life first of all, because I played all days at 11:00. I'm professional enough I'm not going out during the tournament for sure. Maybe to celebrate sometimes I can let myself do that. I like Miami a lot. The conditions suits my game a lot. Definitely good memory of winning here other past years. Gives me a good memory, a good feeling about here.
Q. Seems like you kind of fall under the radar. Do you like that? Does it bother you?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I don't care about it. I'm just living my life, and I enjoy it. I enjoy my life. I don't care whether I'm under radar or on top of radar. Whatever.
Q. How is it going with Olga?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I'm not working with Olga anymore.
Q. As of when?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: As of finishing of Indian Wells. I'm by myself for all tournament. It's is my first tournament on my own without coach.
Q. In your life?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Yeah.
Q. Are you if the market for anyone?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, I was actually maybe once, but always somebody was there to help me. But here I have 200% responsibility. I have a hitting partner. Very nice guy. He helps me a lot out. But I'm just -- you know, I needed to take some time off. Because she's unbelievable person and great coach, but we kind of didn't get each other tennis-wise and outside-wise. By the way, it's first I announce about that, because I never been asked about this. We just decided it's not working out for both of us. We have perfectly good relationship between us. I mean, she's unbelievable person. I took as I could a lot from
her. I don't know, I'm a little bit frustrated now. But, yeah, I'll see. Definitely I don't think I can be
on my own. I think a player needs a coach. Maybe Roger can do it because he knows -- I mean, he's No. 1. Well, No. 2 now. But for me he is one of the best players ever. But for myself, I think I can improve many
areas, but I need coach. And first of all, I need something to get along well, to understand me, because I cannot handle the pressure. You know, I need somebody who really goes along well with me.
Q. But you would try to find one as soon as possible, or you'll be on your own for a
while?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, after I finish with Olga, I was like, I just want to take my time, you know, to find myself on the court. Then I got here, and first two days I said, I need somebody. Then it was kind of -- but I'm winning matches. I know I can rely on myself. It makes me mature and it makes me find more ways, makes me stronger, because there's nobody else to help out. Like today's, Wozniacki's she has coach like maybe three, four times, and I have to figure out all by myself. But I'm mature enough. As I read today in newspaper, they say I been for years on the tour, and I'm only 23. They called me
young veteran. But anyway, you know, I think I'm mature enough to play on my own like this, but definitely I have moments improve, and I need somebody to help me to do that.
to play well?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, guys, you know, like I came here and I lost first -- two tournaments in a row first round. I been prepared. I felt like I practiced well and I been playing well when I was training, I came here and I was like so disappointed. You know, I haven't been winning matches. I never lost first two rounds in a row I think, as I remember. So for me it was very important to just play match by match. Now I'm in semis, and I'm really happy about it. I'm just going to concentrate on semis. For me it's great to get to this point. At the stage I came into the tournament I didn't believe I could make it. Well, I did believe but I was like, I don't know, I would be surprised. I am surprised.
Q. You won the title here before. Tell us what it means to play here in Miami? Do you like the night life? The conditions? How does that work for you?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, I cannot think about night life first of all, because I played all days at 11:00. I'm professional enough I'm not going out during the tournament for sure. Maybe to celebrate sometimes I can let myself do that. I like Miami a lot. The conditions suits my game a lot. Definitely good memory of winning here other past years. Gives me a good memory, a good feeling about here.
Q. Seems like you kind of fall under the radar. Do you like that? Does it bother you?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I don't care about it. I'm just living my life, and I enjoy it. I enjoy my life. I don't care whether I'm under radar or on top of radar. Whatever.
Q. How is it going with Olga?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: I'm not working with Olga anymore.
Q. As of when?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: As of finishing of Indian Wells. I'm by myself for all tournament. It's is my first tournament on my own without coach.
Q. In your life?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Yeah.
Q. Are you if the market for anyone?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, I was actually maybe once, but always somebody was there to help me. But here I have 200% responsibility. I have a hitting partner. Very nice guy. He helps me a lot out. But I'm just -- you know, I needed to take some time off. Because she's unbelievable person and great coach, but we kind of didn't get each other tennis-wise and outside-wise. By the way, it's first I announce about that, because I never been asked about this. We just decided it's not working out for both of us. We have perfectly good relationship between us. I mean, she's unbelievable person. I took as I could a lot from
her. I don't know, I'm a little bit frustrated now. But, yeah, I'll see. Definitely I don't think I can be
on my own. I think a player needs a coach. Maybe Roger can do it because he knows -- I mean, he's No. 1. Well, No. 2 now. But for me he is one of the best players ever. But for myself, I think I can improve many
areas, but I need coach. And first of all, I need something to get along well, to understand me, because I cannot handle the pressure. You know, I need somebody who really goes along well with me.
Q. But you would try to find one as soon as possible, or you'll be on your own for a
while?
SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA: Well, after I finish with Olga, I was like, I just want to take my time, you know, to find myself on the court. Then I got here, and first two days I said, I need somebody. Then it was kind of -- but I'm winning matches. I know I can rely on myself. It makes me mature and it makes me find more ways, makes me stronger, because there's nobody else to help out. Like today's, Wozniacki's she has coach like maybe three, four times, and I have to figure out all by myself. But I'm mature enough. As I read today in newspaper, they say I been for years on the tour, and I'm only 23. They called me
young veteran. But anyway, you know, I think I'm mature enough to play on my own like this, but definitely I have moments improve, and I need somebody to help me to do that.
There's more awesomeness in the presser. It's like the journos don't know who to talk to anymore so they interviewed her for like, 30 minutes.
Dorky Caps FTW!
Dorky caps made a surprise appearance today, protecting the normally naked heads of Jo, Nole, and Muzz. Yes, A-Rod wears a hat too but I rather like my collage of love and I don't need him ruining it with his drippy redneck hat.
Jo won the French Civil War, beating Gilly in three, and Nole and Muzz had pretty easy workouts against Berdy and Viktor, respectively. In fact, Muzz only dropped one game in his 61 60 embarrassment of Viktor.
Didn't stop him from looking absolutely knackered afterwards though:
I do love me the Commodus, but I'm happy Jo won. It seems weird that Gilly is the #1 Pastry. I feel like he's shooting above the rim them there and shouldn't have to deal with that pressure. Let Jo fly the flag. It'll be better for everyone.
I Scream, You Scream, We All Scream When MoLay Eats Ice Cream!
MoLay rules. He's just...the best. As I was saying yesterday, he is the Tim Gunn of tennis. All class and charm. Which is why when Love All and I were stalking him in IW we were pleased to learn two fun MoLay facts.
First, He loves ice cream.
Second, he FLOVES his digital camera.
It was like he just got it and he could not put it down. Here he is taking a picture of Nole.
But this is the best.
HE EVEN TOOK STAGED PICTURES OF HIMSELF UMPIRING!!!
"Thutay Foetay..."
"CorrectionBallWasGood. Replay the point!"
Oh, MoLay. You are so Boss.
(Pics for Forty Deuce by Love All and C Note)
Free Dina!
Carrie, Forty Deuce's resident DinaraKAD, had the unfortunate privilege of watching Dina crash and burn in Miami this weekend. As a form of therapy she's put her thoughts on all things Dina into this piece, which she has so kindly agreed to share with you all. I've spent a few late nights drunkenly chatting with Carrie about our favorite Beluga and this State of Dinara address pretty much sums it up.
I would recommend you keep any sharp objects away from you while you read this. It may drive you into a deep depression (there's a reason why I usually end up drunk during these Dinara chats).
But chin up. You're definitely not as depresssed as Dina is.
When I was 22—just out of college and back in skating full-time—I had a day when I caught myself standing on the rink, hour 5 of an 8 hour training day, thinking, “Ohhhh my God. We are all reasonably intelligent people. Why do we spend all our time in this huge room with ice on the floor pretending to ourselves that Lutzes and twizzles actually matter??” I was shocked at myself, for the previous 15 years nothing else had mattered, and suddenly I realized that I’d spent my life doing this sport I no longer cared about and had nothing to show for it other than ugly feet and a lingering eating disorder. Even though I didn’t want to skate anymore, I didn’t know how to get out; it was my job, it was where most of my personal relationships were based, and the thought of the outside world was terrifying. Through school, I’d been in it enough to realize that I didn’t understand anything about it; the simplest things, even, for years people had taken care of life’s little details for me so as to free up as much time as possible for school and skating. The idea of cutting out skating and walking into a world I hadn’t lived in full-time since I was 7 was so frightening that it took me three years of slow baby steps to get there, and I only just now feel like I understand enough about the “real world” to actually operate in it.
When I look at Dinara Safina now, this is what I see, with the complicating factors of real fame, a family legend to live up to, and far less experience outside her sport than I had. Watching her play Sam Stosur on Sunday was like watching someone process exactly how much she dislikes her life and begin to understand how trapped she feels. When she came out for the match, she looked determined to do business. For the first game, returning against Sam, she looked ready to fight and play. For her first service game, she started out focused and ready; after 2-3 points, though, the quick decline started, she looked like she didn’t want to be there but couldn’t let herself tank. By 1-3 or 1-4 in the first, she was casting desperately miserable looks at her team and tears were pooling in her eyes; she repeatedly blinked and flicked them away, but she couldn’t stop them. It didn’t look like disappointment in poor play, it looked like sheer misery. By the first changeover in the second set, when she walked by her team and mouthed, “I fucking hate this,” the truth of that statement could not have been more obvious.
There have been many suggestions that Dinara Safina didn’t choose tennis for herself: a quote from her that “I had no choice but to become a tennis player, but I don’t mind being a tennis player
”, a story from her mother about how Dinara wasn’t interested in playing tournaments as a child so
they bribed her with toys. As a complete outsider, I’ve never gotten
the sense that the Safins were crazy tennis parents of the ilk that can
be found ‘round any corner at a junior tournament, only that they
attempted to engage their children in the family business. But the road
to hell is paved with good intentions, and when that road involves
immersing your children in a sport to the exclusion of all other things
(Dinara, at least, has never actually attended school, the ‘rents
opting for private tutoring all her life instead), those children are
going to have to be extraordinarily open-minded and resilient people to
find their way in the outside world later in life. Combine the complete
immersion with Dinara’s own drive to be the best at anything she does,
and the legend of her brother to live up to, it’s only natural that she
accepted the status quo in her life and worked as hard as she could to
be the best she could be. When it started working last year, it must
have seemed like finally, finally, everything she’d given up might have
been worth it.
Since I don’t know Dinara, I can’t say for sure, but it definitely seems like since then something has snapped. Did she wake up one day, as I did, and realize that this isn’t what she wants anymore? Did something happen in her personal life that’s distracting her from being able to give her all to tennis like she used to? Her interviews have become increasingly reflective in a way that suggests she fully realizes the impact of the sacrifices she’s made, her demeanor has become increasingly unhappy, and her mood on court smacks not so much of frustration as desperation. Her statements that making friends is hard, that she had none growing up, that she’s increasingly aware that life will be difficult for her when she gets out of tennis, that she just wants to be “healthy and happy”, point to a young woman who’s become lost in her own life, wants something different but doesn’t know how to get it. Watching her on Sunday was achingly difficult, not just for me—a dedicated fan—but for the entire crowd who could read her mood as clear as day: unhappy, unsatisfied, lost, confused. By the end of the match, this crowd of strangers had given up on calling her “Dinara” or “Safina”, and started instead trying to encourage her with more familiar terms (“Dina”), terms of endearment (“It’s okay, honey.” “Come on, sweetie, you can do it.”).
To me, Dinara’s situation seems not unlike Justine Henin’s, despite the obvious differences in the two’s relationships with their families. But at some point in 2008, Justine came to the realization that winning more wasn’t going to make her happier, that she needed to make a big change in her life to be the person she wanted to be, and it led to her leaving tennis for good. After Dinara’s press conference on Sunday, in which she repeatedly said that she wanted to find the “will” to practice, to be “hungry” for tennis again, to be in the same place for two weeks just once, it seems to me that she may be facing the same dilemma. I would not be in the least surprised if Dinara discovered, in the four weeks between now and her next tournament, that being in the same place for two weeks is rather nice, that her will to practice can’t be what it was because as she’s grown older, tennis has grown less satisfying—not through lack of success, but because she craves a kind of life that simply isn't possible on tour, wants to know more about how the world works than how to get from the airport to the hotel to the courts.
Going through the motions in any job you don’t care about is painful, but for a professional athlete it’s different, and this is a point that gets overlooked repeatedly by the sports media. To have an office job you hate can be horrible (and I know, because after my foray into the “real world”, now I have one), but at some point you leave the office and go home, surrounded by familiar things and stability. To be a professional athlete is different; when you start to hate playing, you start to hate your whole life—the constant travel, the endless training, the neverending pains in your body, the restrictions on your lifestyle, the control exacted over your life by others, the lack of stable relationships, the never being in one place for more than 10 days, the suitcases, the media that accuse you of being undeserving of your place in the world. But it’s not so easy to just quit, especially when you’re as close to your life’s goals as Dinara Safina is, especially when you don’t know anything else in the world and aren’t prepared to do anything but be a professional athlete.
It’s not so hard to extrapolate that this is a rough patch for Dinara Safina, not just in terms of her tennis (a la Jelena Jankovic), but in terms of life in general. She seems down on herself, which is not so hard to believe when you look at how unhappy she is with her tennis, how unhappy she seems to be with her life. Added to that is the willful blindness being exercised by the sports media, whom she cannot possibly avoid, who are pointing to her as an example of Everything That’s Wrong with Women’s Tennis when in reality she’s more an example of Kids Stuck in Sports or even just Being 22. The crowd at her match on Sunday seemed intent not so much on willing her to win the match as willing her to be happy with herself, to realize that she has value as a person outside of her tennis talent, that she deserves to live a life that she enjoys. I may be reading too much into it, but right now Dinara Safina seems completely dissatisfied not just with her tennis, but with her life. And as her fan I’m pulling for her to find a way to be happy, inside or outside of tennis.
I'm Kind of a Big Deal.
As you can tell by the large crowd that has formed to hassle her for autographs,
it was *very* necessary for Viko to stay anonymous under that towel. Otherwise she might be crushed with the hordes of people who have formed an unwieldly mob to beg for her autograph.
I'm bummed that I only got a pic of her walking away. She was walking towards me for a good 15 seconds. But this is literally what went through my head at the time:
"Who is that? Is that Vika? She has a towel over her head? Seriously? Who the fuck does she think she is? There's no one here. I'm the only one standing within 20 feet from her! God I hate her. She sucks ass. I can't believe I thought I'd be a fan of hers. Seriously? God. She sucks. Like, really sucks. A towel? What the fuck? Stupid bitch-face with your red cheeks and...
Oh. I should take a picture of this."
And...scene.
(Pic for Forty Deuce by C Note)
March 30, 2009
Williamses Avoid The Carnage, Boys Keep Form
Many of you are asking "Why???" and cursing me in my sleep.
Answer: Because Serena's comments put me in a bad mood and, well, because I can. Also, Steps pulled off the only "upset" on the men's side. So, you know, good for him, I guess.
ATP Main Draw Singles - Third Round
[1] R Nadal (ESP) d [Q] F Gil (POR) 75 63
[4] A Murray (GBR) d N Massu (CHI) 64 64
[6] J Del Potro (ARG) d J Tipsarevic (SRB) 64 61
[8] F Verdasco (ESP) d [32] F Lopez (ESP) 36 63 64
[11] D Ferrer (ESP) d [17] M Cilic (CRO) 36 63 64
[18] R Stepanek (CZE) d [12] F Gonzalez (CHI) 76(1) 64
[16] S Wawrinka (SUI) d [20] I Andreev (RUS) 46 63 63
V Troicki (SRB) d [LL] B Phau (GER) 64 63
Nails played an excruciatingly horrible match against Macaroni. Maks was apparently injured but she gutted out the match *cough*Nole*cough* and didn't retire. So credit to her. But seriously, I hope you play better, Nails. Cuz I kinda love you and I'm running out of people to root for. Also because someone needs to feed Serena her shoe. And if I can't do it then I'm relying on you, tatted up Asian girl.
WTA Main Draw Singles - Fourth Round
[1] S Williams (USA) d [17] J Zheng (CHN) 75 57 63
[13] C Wozniacki (DEN) d [4] E Dementieva (RUS) 75 64
[5] V Williams (USA) d [10] A Radwanska (POL) 46 61 64
[8] S Kuznetsova (RUS) d [24] A Kleybanova (RUS) 62 61
[11] V Azarenka (BLR) d [25] A Szavay (HUN) 62 64
[26] I Benesova (CZE) d [19] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) 64 61
S Stosur (AUS) d [20] A Mauresmo (FRA) 64 64
N Li (CHN) d E Makarova (RUS) 67(3) 62 62
ATP Main Draw Doubles - Second Round
[1] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d I Karlovic (CRO) / D Vemic (SRB) 46 76(5) 10-8
[6] B Soares (BRA) / K Ullyett (ZIM) d [WC] M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) 63 64
J Benneteau (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) d R de Voest (RSA) / B Reynolds (USA) 76(4) 64
J Knowle (AUT) / J Melzer (AUT) d N Almagro (ESP) / D Ferrer (ESP) 60 76(7)
WTA Main Draw Doubles - Second Round
[WC] S Kuznetsova (RUS) / A Mauresmo (FRA) d [1] C Black (ZIM) / L Huber (USA) 64 46 10-4
[4] S Stosur (AUS) / R Stubbs (AUS) d A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) / E Vesnina (RUS) 63 76(4)
C Chuang (TPE) / S Mirza (IND) d [8] M Kirilenko (RUS) / F Pennetta (ITA) 46 76(5) 10-4
A Groenefeld (GER) / P Schnyder (SUI) d [WC] P Martic (CRO) / C Vandeweghe (USA) 61 62
Not Even The King Of Hip Hop Can Withstand ReRe
Aww. I feel ya.
Oh, Serena. The early rounds are always an adventure with you. There's no reason Jay Z should have been able to hang with you for so long. How you were unable to consistently break her serve is beyond me. I didn't see the match, so I can't comment. But from the match calls I was able to pick up, it sounds like Serena served like crap, lost control of her ground strokes, and Jay Z picked up her game and played very aggressive, painting the lines and causing ReRe a host of problems.
Sad for Hova. But I have to admit, this would have been a really shitty way for Dinara to get the #1 ranking. Right now, with Dina out, Serena has to make the final to stay at #1. That means she'll probably have to go through her sister to do it. Dra-Ma.
Please, Serena. Defend your title. I don't think I can stand the thought of Dinara obtaining the #1 ranking and knowing she's playing like crap and doesn't "deserve" it. JJ, the queen of delusion, was equipped to handle all the haters. Dina, I'm afraid, is not.
One Russian To Rule Them All
Rafa is totes yummy in that pic, y'all. Minty fresh and lovin' it.
Well Viko had her "take notice of me yeah I'm for real" run last week. Could this be Woz's breakthrough run? Seems to be a similar storyline. Both beat top 5 players who, let's face it, aren't at their best right now. But both also were a few games away from beating Serena earlier this year, too. Huge difference? Caro's not a raging bitch. So there's that.
Really happy for Boots, who bested Lena in straight sets. I felt really bad for the kid when she played so well against Lena in Luxembourg and still lost in three tight sets. But I love her attitude and her game has a lot of upside. She's not even close to tapping all her potential. Also, thanks for making me not lose all faith in the Adidas Player Development Program, Boots.
Muzz and Venus are also through, though Venus was tested by a resilient and crafty Agi. It took her three sets, but she got it done with, what else, an ace. As for Muzz, he fell behind 0-3 in the first, but again, there was never a doubt that he'd figure out Massu's game and get his back on track. He took it in straights.
But the story of the day? Of the 12 Russians in the top 10, only one is left standing:
What is this, 2006? I credit the old school Fila Heritage kit. Looks great on her.
Pic This: Ruh Roh, Baby E. You Got Competition.
Might as well throw in the towel, kiddo. Shakira wins. She always wins.
Wow. That's Eff'd Up Even For You, Getty.
Getty Caption: "KEY BISCAYNE, FL - MARCH 30: Nicole Vaidisova of Russia serves against Svetlana Kuznetsova
of Russia during day eight of the Sony Ericsson Open at the Crandon
Park Tennis Center on March 30, 2009 in Key Biscayne, Florida. (Photo
by Al Bello/Getty Images)"
Also, I see "Nicole" is rocking the Fila this tournament. Does Fila know about this?
Also, I see "Nicole" is rocking the Fila this tournament. Does Fila know about this?
Real Men Wear Pink. And Mint Green. I Guess.
According to the Nike site, this is what Rafa's wearing at RG. Count me as a fan. I love the rock and roll countryclub look of the black and pink polo and the classy white and green alternate. They'll be paired with these shorts:
Two thumbs up from this fashionista. You can see more on his RG kit at Down The Line.
Pic This: Nails Is Bad Ass. That Is All.
I mean, who gets a tattoo *there*?
Na Li. That's who. She scoffs at your western tattoo conventions.
The Kid Everyone Loves To Hate
Nole opens up to Matt Cronin. Some choice excerpts:
In public, the 21-year-old Serbian can't be the funny guy anymore.
There will be no more hilarious impressions of his friend Maria
Sharapova's serve, of his rival Andy Roddick's twitches, and especially
of his locker room nemesis Roger Federer flicking his hair or clapping
his racket in celebration.
"I'm in the transition," Djokovic told FOXSports.com. "It's not easy because I'm very emotional. Some things really hurt me, and maybe I express myself a little bit too much — people didn't get used to that. But at the end of the day, you sit and think to yourself, 'I've reacted the way I felt that's right.' Maybe it's wrong, but you learn from your mistakes. That's why life is testing us all the time."
Before his match against Djokovic, Roddick had been asked about his foe's latest injury. By that time, Djokovic had developed a reputation for retiring too frequently, and the American wondered in a joking manner if his foe might have the "bird flu or SARS."
The comments received tremendous publicity and got right back to Djokovic, who was enraged. After he won the quarterfinal, he went right at the crowd and boos reigned down upon him.
"Maybe the experience from the U.S. Open with Andy was something that I really didn't wish for and really didn't look for," Djokovic said. "But it hurt me. His comments hurt me in that moment, and it was a misunderstanding. Unfortunately, there was a lot at stake; it was the quarterfinals of a Grand Slam, lot of emotions, lot of frustrations going on.
"At the end of the day, maybe if you could turn back things, maybe you wouldn't do something like that, but I just felt emotion in that moment."
...
Then there were the impersonations, the wildly entertaining, near perfect ones that had the crowds in stitches. But some top players weren't pleased, especially Federer. And when Roger talks, people listen.
"It's not just players," Djokovic said. "It was a lot of speculation, and I just didn't like the fact that people thought I'm doing that to make fun of somebody. ... I don't blame anybody, but it's all in the circle of positive, and laughing and smiling and enjoying life.
"I don't want to do it more because I don't want to create unbalance and turn the people against me for no reason. I'm really in a good relationship with most of the players on tour. I'm an honest guy, I open up and I say what I need to say. And this is the philosophy of my life — be what you are."
I can pretty much point to Fed's reaction to Nole's impersonations as being the moment when my Fed indifference turned to Fed annoyance. But whatever. I hope that Nole gets his head right and gets his life back in balance. I'm a little bummed to see Mama and Papa in Miami, though. I wish they would all leave their son alone and let him just enjoy his tennis and his career without their distractions.
March 29, 2009
The Marat Is Intent On Making This Retirement Tour Reflect His Entire Career
As for the boys the match of the day was Monfils/Marat.
I'm not really sure *how* Marat blew a 5-2 lead in the third set, but he did. I'm not convinced La Monf even knows how he did it. After being down and out and down two breaks, the match somehow landed in his lap.
I blame the Magic Cap of Dorkitude. Also, memo to Adidas: Maratski hasn't retired yet. You might want to get him the new blue kit ASAP. Russian Smurf needs to make an appearance immediately.
In other news, Wolverine, aka, the man who cannot be killed, somehow ropped the first set to Old Man Rainer 63, only to revive himself and issue double breadsticks the next two sets. He lives to fight another day. Also, nice wins for Big Byrd over Blah (and for serious, Blah could not have been more Blah (or is it Blahier?) in that boring as match), and Taylor Dent continued his comeback efforts with a win over a tough but probably still injured Disco.
[2] R Federer (SUI) d [28] N Kiefer (GER) 64 61
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [31] P Mathieu (FRA) 64 61
[5] A Roddick (USA) d [25] D Tursunov (RUS) 76(9) 62
[7] G Simon (FRA) d [29] R Schuettler (GER) 36 61 61
[9] G Monfils (FRA) d [22] M Safin (RUS) 57 75 76(3) - saved 2 M.P.
[10] J Tsonga (FRA) d [Q] R Kendrick (USA) 75 64
[21] T Berdych (CZE) d [13] J Blake (USA) 64 67(3) 63
[Q] T Dent (USA) d [15] T Robredo (ESP) 75 63
Alright Ladies. BFF Binge Eating Is In Order. Go Nuts.
So that was a whole lot of crap to wake up to. I should have just slept in.
Top seeds went a tumbling today, and you know, it was actually more than that. Players that I like went a tumbling today. Seriously, no one was safe: Dinara, Ana, Vera, Flavia, and Nads. That's no fun.
But of course, the story of the day was the crash out of the BFFs which occurred within 30 seconds of each other. They were color coordinated, they were supposedly focused, and they're both booking flights to Europe and looking forward to the comforting smell and feel of the good ol red dirt.
So how to explain the somewhat surprising losses? Well if you believe the players, and in this case I don't see any reason not to given both of their habits of uncomfortable candor and honesty, it was all about burnout and lack of focus.
Q. Are you surprised by the way you played, or did you feel it going into the tournament that you weren't quite on top of your game?
DINARA SAFINA: Well, actually, it's strange, you know. I feel pretty good practicing. Serving great. Once I step on the court in the match, changes. I've very passive. I just, I don't know. I mean, it's disappointing, you know. I'm not playing my tennis. I'm pushing myself and practicing hard. I just want to have some break now, you know. I will have at least a week off and just do other things now and just step back a little bit, rest, and with a new, you know, new will to go back and practice. Because I'm just going, going, and just tired. I just want to get back this like hungriness for the tennis.
Q. Do you feel it's just been one thing coming after another and you don't have time to stop?
DINARA SAFINA: Yeah, I just want to stop, step back, and just take a breath, you know. I'm going from tournament to tournament. One day here in Moscow, one day in Monaco, five days there, and I'm just -- I just want to be at least two weeks somewhere. Just rest, you know, like, okay, I have two weeks of practice. I can sit down and practice, you know. This is what I want to do.
Q. You had a chance to get to No. 1 this week. Is it even more disappointing for you because of that?
DINARA SAFINA: Of course, you know, it's very disappointing. That's what I'm playing for. I want to be there. Suddenly I go to the court, and I don't even fight for it. So it's just bad behavior
from my side. The champions, they don't do this. So I have to -- you know, it's a good punishment, you know, for myself. So I have to get smarter.
DINARA SAFINA: Well, actually, it's strange, you know. I feel pretty good practicing. Serving great. Once I step on the court in the match, changes. I've very passive. I just, I don't know. I mean, it's disappointing, you know. I'm not playing my tennis. I'm pushing myself and practicing hard. I just want to have some break now, you know. I will have at least a week off and just do other things now and just step back a little bit, rest, and with a new, you know, new will to go back and practice. Because I'm just going, going, and just tired. I just want to get back this like hungriness for the tennis.
Q. Do you feel it's just been one thing coming after another and you don't have time to stop?
DINARA SAFINA: Yeah, I just want to stop, step back, and just take a breath, you know. I'm going from tournament to tournament. One day here in Moscow, one day in Monaco, five days there, and I'm just -- I just want to be at least two weeks somewhere. Just rest, you know, like, okay, I have two weeks of practice. I can sit down and practice, you know. This is what I want to do.
Q. You had a chance to get to No. 1 this week. Is it even more disappointing for you because of that?
DINARA SAFINA: Of course, you know, it's very disappointing. That's what I'm playing for. I want to be there. Suddenly I go to the court, and I don't even fight for it. So it's just bad behavior
from my side. The champions, they don't do this. So I have to -- you know, it's a good punishment, you know, for myself. So I have to get smarter.
You know. Because if there's one thing Dinara needs its more punishment and additional reminders that she's stupid. Yup, that'll help. I hope the kid gets the R&R that she deserves. Some shopping and a spa day are in order. Preferably without Zeljko or Dejan in tow.
As for Baby E, it sounds like she got a little ahead of herself:
Q. You've talked about struggling with separating your tennis life and your personal life and staying up thinking about it when you go to bed. Is that related today that?
ANA IVANOVIC: Well, it's kind of funny, because last night I couldn't really fall asleep. Now looking back, I've been thinking about my game, because like I said, I had a really good practice yesterday and I was so excited about my game and I felt really good. You know, I thought, Oh, this is great. I started already, you know, projecting the future. You know, This is so good. I just have to keep like this. Before I knew it, it was like 12:30, 1:00 a.m. and I was still thinking about that. I was like, Jesus, just try to relax and try to fall asleep. So, yeah, I didn't have a good night of sleep, and you see what happens. I have to try to concentrate. I didn't realize it.
I didn't think I could love the kid more than I already do but if she really said "Jesus" she just went up a notch. That cracks me up.
Well the day wasn't a complete and total watch. I'm actually pretty stoked that Nails and Jay Z made it through, beting Bepa and The Cone, respectively. Other than Dina, Ana, and JJ, is there anyone else that's looking forward more to the return of clay that The Cone. Maybe the change in surface will reset her crap season. She got bageled by Jay Z in the second.
And how about the weird Domi Cibulkova, who's becomeing the Nole of the WTA? Last year she retires from cramping against Ai while down triple match point and today she retires at 5-5 in the third. I know it was a 3+ hour match but drink some liquids, woman.
[1] S Williams (USA) d [32] S Peng (CHN) 75 62
S Stosur (AUS) d [2] D Safina (RUS) 61 64
[4] E Dementieva (RUS) d [31] C Suarez Navarro (ESP) 62 62
[5] V Williams (USA) d A Groenefeld (GER) 75 63
N Li (CHN) d [6] V Zvonareva (RUS) 64 36 62
[25] A Szavay (HUN) d [7] A Ivanovic (SRB) 64 46 61
[8] S Kuznetsova (RUS) d N Vaidisova (CZE) 61 64
E Makarova (RUS) d [9] N Petrova (RUS) 75 61
[10] A Radwanska (POL) d [21] K Kanepi (EST) 64 63
[11] V Azarenka (BLR) d [22] A Chakvetadze (RUS) 61 64
[13] C Wozniacki (DEN) d [18] P Schnyder (SUI) 64 64
[19] A Medina Garrigues (ESP) d [16] D Cibulkova (SVK) 76(4) 16 55 - ret. (cramping)
[20] A Mauresmo (FRA) d [15] F Pennetta (ITA) 67(5) 62 62
[17] J Zheng (CHN) d [14] A Cornet (FRA) 64 60
[24] A Kleybanova (RUS) d [Q] A Yakimova (BLR) 63 36 64
[26] I Benesova (CZE) d G Dulko (ARG) 63 62
Pic This: If I Could Reach Through My Computer And Hug You And Not Be Creepy, I Would.
Fuck you, Viko.
DJ Dima In Da Hizz And Off The Market.
Nice long write up on Dima. Some choice excerpts:
His father Igor, then an engineer at a nuclear technology institute, placed him in tennis lessons at the young age of 5, only not in the sense of how American families send children off to tennis lessons. Tursunov had a training schedule.
“I practiced a few hours a day. My dad realized fairly early that I had a lot of potential. A lot of people criticize him for basically choosing that career for me. He understood that I didn’t have many options to make money and since he really liked tennis, he decided that I was to be a tennis player. It just happened that I was naturally good at it.”
Though he admits that “there’s a myriad of other things I would’ve enjoyed doing,” he doesn’t remember whether he enjoyed the tennis regimen or had just grown accustomed to it. “Maybe I enjoyed it when I was little. It’s kind of hard to remember. It wasn’t a question. It wasn’t a doubt. The fact that I had practice and was to be a tennis pro was like the fact that you have two legs. You’re just born with two legs, and I was born to play tennis.”
...
A fan of reading classic novelists in their original Russian, he was such a good high school student that teachers questioned why he would ever want to play sports. His father worked out a plan with his school to make tennis training the first priority and school an afterthought on the schedule. “I think it’s a good thing that my dad had enough brains to realize that I was capable of achieving whatever I was set out to achieve,” Tursunov says.
He talks about turning professional in 2000, breaking the Top 100 three years later and his five career ATP titles.
“I’m definitely happy. I have a good life. I can’t complain. It’s hard for me to criticize my dad’s actions, and I’m definitely thankful, but again, being a bit of a cynic, I can see how it might’ve not worked out. There are a lot of people who helped me along the way: my dad, Vitaly Gorin, his father Michael Gorin, who is also my manager. But not everyone ends up in my situation, so I’m definitely lucky.”
Most recently, Tursunov was fined $3,000 at the Australian Open for racket abuse and some f-words. It wasn’t the first time, but like his good days, where he never hides his humor and infectious smile, he doesn’t like to hide his feelings.
“I’ve been fined before for cussing, breaking rackets and being obnoxious. I don’t think that that makes me a bad guy. When I’m on the court, I’m not really worried about what people are gonna think of me. If I’m really pissed off, I’m gonna come off as an ass because I’m pissed.”
...
Joking aside, his style has worked with women. After years of focusing on tennis, he has finally found time to date.
“I am…sort of…Well, yes. I am dating. I better say yes, otherwise I will get in trouble!” he explained. “I have no idea how I got into this. I definitely wasn’t looking for a relationship. I got suckered into it.”
Tursunov says of the girl he is seeing, who shall remain anonymous, “It’s a very interesting relationship. She’s sacrificing a lot more than I am for the relationship and so that’s why it’s working out because otherwise, it probably wouldn’t work.”
Could this be his lucky lady? I caught her walking with Dima to practice in IW. Yeah...lots going on there...
(Pics for Forty Deuce by C Note)
Heating Up In Miami
I can't imagine sitting still in the shade in the Miami humidity, let alone having to play elite level tennis. Yucky.
JJ, We Have A Problem.
It's time to hit the panic button.
JJ's losing. And it's not just that she's losing. She's losing *badly*. Whether it be her absolutely WTF performance against Mono at AO, getting overpowered by an inspired upstart at IW, or just completely crumbling and blowing leads left and right to lost in straight sets in her "home" tourney, it is just a whole lot of ugly in the JJ camp. And I haven't even mentioned her dress.
I've already ranted on the state of JJ's game, which now we know she blames on the additional muscle weight she put on in the off-season. She's suffering from a complete lack of confidence and she's lost her competitive edge, which, at the end of the day is the thing that separates the top elite players from the rest of the pack:
Q. Do you know what you have to do, though? It's not a mystery to you now? Can
you pinpoint...
JELENA JANKOVIC: I just need to, you know, get into -- because for three months I wasn't
in this situation when I'm winning matches. Normally it comes for you as a habit, which
happened last year and the year before where I won so many matches. All I knew is how to win
matches. No matter what, even if it's -- I'm down a set at 5-Love, I still have that belief and confidence I'm going to win, I'm going to stay in the match, and at the end of the day I'm going to come out as a winner.
And now I need to find that habit again, find a habit of winning matches and playing poorly,
whatever, tired, not tired, don't feel the shots, whatever it is. My opponent plays great. I need to
find a way to win, and that's what I'm looking for. Hopefully I'm going to find that, you know,
confidence and that, you know, the whole construction of my game sometime soon. That's
all. I mean, it's very disappointing, and it's very difficult sometimes, but that's the way it goes.
you pinpoint...
JELENA JANKOVIC: I just need to, you know, get into -- because for three months I wasn't
in this situation when I'm winning matches. Normally it comes for you as a habit, which
happened last year and the year before where I won so many matches. All I knew is how to win
matches. No matter what, even if it's -- I'm down a set at 5-Love, I still have that belief and confidence I'm going to win, I'm going to stay in the match, and at the end of the day I'm going to come out as a winner.
And now I need to find that habit again, find a habit of winning matches and playing poorly,
whatever, tired, not tired, don't feel the shots, whatever it is. My opponent plays great. I need to
find a way to win, and that's what I'm looking for. Hopefully I'm going to find that, you know,
confidence and that, you know, the whole construction of my game sometime soon. That's
all. I mean, it's very disappointing, and it's very difficult sometimes, but that's the way it goes.
That's not the fun and giggly JJ we know. That's a lost and confused JJ who has no idea how she could blow a 5-2 lead in the second set AND a 5-2 lead in the tiebreak to lose in straights to Gisela Dulko. She's fired Pat Etcheberry as her fitness coach and I kinda wish she'd get rid of Real Tennis Ricardo. But I worry because she sounds like she's getting down on herself. Sometimes that ignorant arrogance serves you well, JJ. This might be one of those times.
March 28, 2009
S-A-I.....Oh, You Know The Rest
I hope you can see the (lack of) hair.
Fed Gets Collared.
Phew. That collarless look was beyond bad in Indian Wells. It looked like he was wearing a blue undershirt. Yuckie.
That said, with Adidas rocking the very vibrant smurf blue, it kinda makes Fed's blue a bit dull, no? But whatever. He looks crisp, clean, and country club. Just like a Fed is supposed to look.
It's Good To Be Maria. Even Better To Be Her Phone.
Sony Ericsson's new ad campaign, featuring a smiley, relaxed, glamourous Masha. It's nice to know that the only thing keeping me from a life of happiness is a Sony Ericsson phone. And millions and millions of dolllars.
(Pics from Maria Sharapova Blog)
Stumbling Out Of The Gate
I officially believe in Andy Murray. You how I know this? Even after he dropped the first set to JuanMon, I was never worried. The kid is money and his game has so much margin (not unlike Rafa in that way). HIs misfiring can be corrected pretty easily. So nice to see him tested early and come through. And credit to Pico. He played a fantastic set and a half.
Pic This: "I Said It's Great, To Be, A Florida Gator!"
The Gator Wannabe (yes, we do exist) took care of business today, winning 62 63.
Pic This: Who's That Boy?
Isn't it funny how Fernando looks totally ordinary without his hair?
#%*! You Shuttle Bus!
Most amazing opportunity ever gone due to the a-holes working the
shuttle buses, who claimed there was an 11:30 bus. Liars!
That pink thing Carrie is holding? That's my iPhone cover, which I
have decided is what I would have had Dinara sign.
We also saw a little baby in a pink dress. We decided we would have
also had her sign the kid.
Finding things we WOULD have had Dina sign is probably going to be the
theme of the day.
#*@#^+ shuttle bus!
March 27, 2009
"I'm Blue Da Ba Dee Da Ba Da..."
I do love the new Adidas blue. Wish they'd make extra-long tank tops for Dina though.
Though it was an exciting lineup today, for the most part the results are pretty boring. Seeds generally prevailed in dominant fashion, which let's face it, is a good thing.
ATP Main Draw Singles - Second Round
[2] R Federer (SUI) d [Q] K Kim (USA) 63 62
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [Q] F Dancevic (CAN) 63 62
[5] A Roddick (USA) d D Junqueira (ARG) 61 61
[7] G Simon (FRA) d [WC] L Hewitt (AUS) 61 62
[9] G Monfils (FRA) d [Q] M Russell (USA) 62 67(5) 63
[10] J Tsonga (FRA) d A Calleri (ARG) 61 61
[13] J Blake (USA) d J Benneteau (FRA) 64 64
[15] T Robredo (ESP) d J Hernych (CZE) 64 64
[Q] T Dent (USA) d [19] N Almagro (ESP) 26 62 76(7) - saved 1 M.P.
[21] T Berdych (CZE) d M Youzhny (RUS) 63 36 64
[Q] R Kendrick (USA) d [23] R Soderling (SWE) 64 62
[25] D Tursunov (RUS) d [Q] M Kukushkin (KAZ) 36 76(4) 63
[28] N Kiefer (GER) d F Santoro (FRA) 57 76(5) 62 - saved 1 M.P.
[29] R Schuettler (GER) d J Nieminen (FIN) 46 62 63
[22] M Safin (RUS) d O Hernandez (ESP) 64 26 61
[31] P Mathieu (FRA) d M Baghdatis (CYP) 63 26 62
WTA Main Draw Singles - Second Round
[2] D Safina (RUS) d M Johansson (FRA) 61 63
[4] E Dementieva (RUS) d [WC] A Pivovarova (RUS) 60 36 63
[7] A Ivanovic (SRB) d [Q] M Koryttseva (UKR) 60 63
[8] S Kuznetsova (RUS) d [Q] T Paszek (AUT) 26 75 61
[11] V Azarenka (BLR) d A Pavlyuchenkova (RUS) 62 62
[Q] A Yakimova (BLR) d [12] M Bartoli (FRA) 64 63
[13] C Wozniacki (DEN) d [WC] J Dokic (AUS) 63 57 62
[15] F Pennetta (ITA) d M Kirilenko (RUS) 64 75
[18] P Schnyder (SUI) d L Safarova (CZE) 46 61 64
[20] A Mauresmo (FRA) d M Rybarikova (SVK) 63 16 62
[22] A Chakvetadze (RUS) d D Hantuchova (SVK) 63 61
[24] A Kleybanova (RUS) d G Voskoboeva (KAZ) 62 64
[25] A Szavay (HUN) d F Schiavone (ITA) 26 64 62
S Stosur (AUS) d [27] S Bammer (AUT) 61 61
N Vaidisova (CZE) d [28] A Bondarenko (UKR) 61 60
[31] C Suarez Navarro (ESP) d N Llagostera Vives (ESP) 36 64 76(3)
ATP Main Draw Doubles - First Round
[4] L Dlouhy (CZE) / L Paes (IND) d F Gonzalez (CHI) / J Monaco (ARG) 62 62
I Karlovic (CRO) / D Vemic (SRB) d J Acasuso (ARG) / L Arnold Ker (ARG) 46 76(6) 10-4
J Knowle (AUT) / J Melzer (AUT) d I Kunitsyn (RUS) / D Tursunov (RUS) 64 62
[WC] M Lopez (ESP) / R Nadal (ESP) d J Brunstrom (SWE) / J Rojer (AHO)* 62 76(5)
* replace A Montanes (ESP) / T Robredo (ESP)
WTA Main Draw Doubles - First Round
[1] C Black (ZIM) / L Huber (USA) d S Peng (CHN) / O Savchuk (UKR) 61 61
C Chuang (TPE) / S Mirza (IND) d I Benesova (CZE) / B Zahlavova Strycova (CZE) 64 75
G Dulko (ARG) / S Peer (ISR) d E Gallovits (ROU) / T Poutchek (BLR)
76(2) 61
B Mattek-Sands (USA) / N Petrova (RUS) d [WC] C Mchale (USA) / S Stephens (USA) 62 26 10-2
Sigh....Wasted Chance To Stinkeye Blah
Is stinkeye a verb?
Whatevs. We totally wanted to go and just ask for Anna's autograph.
Bepa also had an autograph session. Too bad neither of us had a copy
of Kofi Annan's biography for her to sign.
Karma Hates Carrie & Sodapop, Forces Them To Watch Ana
As you may or may not know, Carrie and Sodapop, FD's resident comedy duo, are at Miami for the weekend. They'll be posting periodically, in what will truly be a Consumer Reports worthy test of the iPhone battery life.
From Carrie's Twitter feed:
- Benvenido a Miami! Ugh, it's still pretty early. Must find Diet Coke immediately. (12 hours ago)
- Staying in hotel with Janko and Andy Ram. Should we ask Andy about Dubai? (10 hours ago)
- Marat just smashed a racquet. Sodapop's dreams are fulfilled. (8 hours ago)
- Exchange behind us: "Marat Safin started playing very bad in the second set." "Oh. [pause] That happens to him often." (7 hours ago)
- First calories I ingested today? A cranberry cosmo. Aweeeesome. (6 hours ago)
- At Dina's match. The wind is REALLY picking up. (6 hours ago)
- Zeljko appears to be taking a nap on the set changeover.(6 hours ago)
- Dina hits a successful dropshot. Dejan claps. Zeljko does not. (6 hours ago)
- Z just checked his watch. You got somewhere else to be, dude. (6 hours ago)
- I think I want Mathilde's shoes. (6 hours ago)
- Sodapop: "Serve it out, Dina. I dare you." (6 hours ago)
- Novak is smurfalicious. (5 hours ago)
- Mmmmmargarita. (5 hours ago)
- At Baghdatis/Mathieu. Feel good match of the year. (4 hours ago)
- Ana practicing on the next court. Sndapop making the ultimate sacrifice and watching to try to get our only Ana pic. (3 hours ago)
- [sigh] Rafa doubles packed, so at Ana match. I foresee myself drinking. A lot. (1 hour ago)
- Ana's toss is way whack, y'all. (43 minutes ago)
- Shuffle, toss ball, catch ball, toss ball, catch ball, serve, whiny grunt, UE Koryttseva, meaningless fist pump. Lather, rinse, repeat. (18 minutes ago)
- BOMBSHELL: Koryttseva holds. (15 minutes ago)
Tough luck, ladies.
That said, AJDE!
My Good Karma Moment of the Day
Dudes, I actually put down my beer, stopped gawking PHM and hauled my
ass over to the next court to take a pic of Baby E for y'all when I
spotted her.
She's done now. Pretty quick hitting session.
Also, beer + margaritas = v. happy sodapop.
Dinara's New Kit Color Matches Her Mood
The iPhone camera sucks, sorry. The new kit looks good.
Strong sauce from Dina so far but we know how that can change.
We're pretty sure Z was napping between sets.
