Australian Open

[Nazman]

Where are all the tennis buffs? It's Grand Slam time. Doesn't Melbourne garner any interest from the KF tennis crowd.

Great finish for Serena who beat my girl Maria in the women's final. It was a brutal day for Maria to have to be on the wrong end but that's part of what makes this game such a spectacle.

Great comments by both girls following the match. Done w/ a lot of integrity. And when Serena confided that she was dedicating this tournament to her slain sister it makes perfect sense that her game was elevated to an other worldly level.

As for the men i am hoping that i can stay up for the match (Saturday night at midnight) that has everybody talking, the men's final. The surging Chilean, Gonzales against the virtually unbeatable Federer. I can't imagine how that will play out but i have a feeling it's going to be a match to remember, no matter what the outcome.

Don't miss it fans. Hope to hear from you all soon.

It's the Australian Open. Midnight on the oasis. Men's final. Be there or be square....

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus07/news/story?id=2743420&lpos=spotlight&lid=tab1pos2

 

[VF21]

I have to admit something - I don't like Serena Williams. Never have. But I have to give her credit for digging deep and doing what it took to get back on track. Some of the best tennis I've seen from her in a very long time.

I think the whole turning point of the last match was when Maria's shot was pretty much a line drive right at Serena. I think it woke the sleeping giant because Serena took over from there and never looked back.

 

[Nazman]

I have never really been a fan of either of the William's girls because of their long history of arrogance and being a bit flighty at times but i gotta say that Serena has really matured in many ways. She has definitely been somewhat of a role model if not elder spokesperson for the women's tour. She is good for the game.

I have never been able to relate to the Williams' family either. Just a bit of an odd group altogether. But again, Serena is really committed to her faith and her family and after awhile it's hard to deny her what she has worked hard to manifest - great tennis and genuine integrity.

 

[Purple Reign]

I have to admit something - I don't like Serena Williams. Never have.

Why not Do you know her personally? If so, I sure would love to meet her.

 

[uolj]

Do you know her personally?

Umm... you don't have to know an athlete to like them or dislike them. There are many reasons people are fans of famous people and there are many reasons people aren't fans. Some people can't stand Mark Cuban, for example, but of course they don't know him personally either.

That said, I have been a fan of both Williams sisters since I saw a story about them when they were really young, before they were close to turning pro. I'm disappointed that neither has been able to play consistently over the years (mostly due to injury), but they both have had very good careers. Nice to see Serena win this one.

 

[Nazman]

http://sports.espn.go.com/sports/tennis/aus07/news/story?id=2744992

Well...getting back to the game i would have to regretfully admit that the men's final, due to the unadulterated brilliance of perhaps the greatest player to ever play the game, Roger Federer, never amounted to the great expectations many of us had. Federer had a little bit of problem taking Gonzalez out in the first set and then virtually rolled him winning in straight sets, never losing a set in the tournament.

He's won 36 matches in a row. He's 10 and 1 in Grand Slam finals. He's,what was it, 116-3 in his last 119 matches or something like that. And we are talking about a very talented pool of men players in very good athletic condition in this modern era of tennis.

And, he is amazing to watch. I managed to stay up through the wee hours to watch MOST of it live (until the outcome was clear) and there was just nothing Gonzalez could do. He would hit virtual winners that Federer would simply run down and return w/ relative ease.

It's hard to beat Federer because he keeps everything coming back. Despite the fact that i don't think it was Gonzalez's best effort (maybe it was when you consider how Roger simply demoralizes the opponent) there is nothing but superlatives for this 25 year old Swiss sensation.

Amazing time in the history of men's tennis. 10 Slams at age 25 and going strong. Has tremendous mental focus and inner resolve and no telling where this will go.

Hats off to Roger Federer. Standing ovation. Great tennis. Glad to be a part of it simply by paying attention.

Any surprise that Tiger and Roger are fast becoming good pals?

 

[VF21]

Why not Do you know her personally? If so, I sure would love to meet her.

I'm not allowed to admit a dislike for the public persona of a particular athlete?



I've given Serena props for digging deep and doing what it took to regain top form and the Australian Open title. I don't think we'll be exchanging Christmas cards in the near future, but I think I can live with it.

---------------------------------------------------
Now, back to the tennis...

I was awake late last night because of a fire scare in the forest across the road from me so I ended up watching the Federer match in the wee hours of the morning. Or should I say I watched the Federer tutorial on how to win a Grand Slam event? What truly amazes me is I honestly don't think we've his best tennis yet. Anyone even thinking about taking a Grand Slam title from him this year better hope for a miracle...

 

[hoops4kings]

Federer makes the game look so easy for him. Great footwork and ball anticipation. He has an excellent chance for the slam this year. His biggest test will be getting past Nadal at the French.

 

[Spike]

I like Serena

But anyhoo, Federer is unstoppable, but he needs a rival for me to take interest in the men's game. You know, like Agassi/Sampras, Lendl/McEnroe, etc.

 

[Purple Reign]

I'm not allowed to admit a dislike for the public persona of a particular athlete?


I've given Serena props for digging deep and doing what it took to regain top form and the Australian Open title. I don't think we'll be exchanging Christmas cards in the near future, but I think I can live with it.

You are absolutely right. Excuse my extreme bias. I think the Williams Sisters are the absolute best, particularly because they do things their way, and they have been and continue to be successful in a sport that demands conformity. Sometimes it just bugs the life out of me that they are disliked for more personality reasons than anything else. Because they exude confidence that is borderline arrogance (i.e. Kobe Bryant who has begun to grow on me) they are picked out and at times picked on by the media and other players.

From the Serena Williams Press Conference after winning Friday night:

Question: Serena, are you in better shape than people give you credit for?

Serena: I definitely think so., Just because I have large bosoms, and I have a big *** (laughter), I swear, my waist is 30 inches - 29 to 30 inches, it's really small! (Steggy notes: That's a modern size 10) I have the smallest waist, but just because I have those two assets, it looks like I'm not fit. Just in the locker room staring at my body, I'm like, "Am I not fit, really not fit? Or is it just that I have all these extra assets?" You know, it just looks like I'm not fit. I don't care if I didn't eat for two years, I still wouldn't be a size 2. No matter how slim I am, I always have this and that. We're living in a [Mary-]Kate Olsen world (gales of laughter now). I'm just not that way, I'm. . . bootylicious, so to say . That's just how it is and always going to be (sheer anarchy, with Serena laughing as hard as anyone).

 

[slugking50]

You are absolutely right. Excuse my extreme bias. I think the Williams Sisters are the absolute best, particularly because they do things their way, and they have been and continue to be successful in a sport that demands conformity. Sometimes it just bugs the life out of me that they are disliked for more personality reasons than anything else. Because they exude confidence that is borderline arrogance (i.e. Kobe Bryant who has begun to grow on me) they are picked out and at times picked on by the media and other players.

From the Serena Williams Press Conference after winning Friday night:

Question: Serena, are you in better shape than people give you credit for?

Serena: I definitely think so., Just because I have large bosoms, and I have a big *** (laughter), I swear, my waist is 30 inches - 29 to 30 inches, it's really small! (Steggy notes: That's a modern size 10) I have the smallest waist, but just because I have those two assets, it looks like I'm not fit. Just in the locker room staring at my body, I'm like, "Am I not fit, really not fit? Or is it just that I have all these extra assets?" You know, it just looks like I'm not fit. I don't care if I didn't eat for two years, I still wouldn't be a size 2. No matter how slim I am, I always have this and that. We're living in a [Mary-]Kate Olsen world (gales of laughter now). I'm just not that way, I'm. . . bootylicious, so to say. That's just how it is and always going to be (sheer anarchy, with Serena laughing as hard as anyone).

How could anybody not like somebody who says that..lol Thats awesome!!