Tennis fans...

[Cicero]

Great match! I think Nadal's playing style is his own worst enemy TBH. He's destroyed his body.

We were planning on going to the Cincinnati Open but then my grandma passed away pretty suddenly a week and a half before and we had to cancel. It just didn't make sense to take an unexpected trip back for the funeral, go home, and then come back a week later for tennis. Hopefully Fed will not retire in the offseason.

[mcsangel2]

I faded out in the middle of the 4th and went to bed, but damn I am so disappointed he didn't win. All the commentators have been saying he's looking really good lately. I read something else speculating that if he continues on this route and drops out of the top 10, he might quit altogether.

And, I almost hate to bring this up but I have to because I was talking to tennis fans last night about this match. Someone said that Rafa has been front and center in doping allegations for years, and a combination of new testing plus having been on PEDs for almost 10 years has forced him to quit/huge toll on his body and that's why he's suddenly a mess. (it's worse than that, too, because the stuff I read says the ITF is hiding all this from the media because they don't want the negative press for the sport). I have never heard ANY of this, but it does seem there is a lot of stuff out there if you google it.

[mcsangel2]

Also, I'm not so much one for women's tennis, but Serena's match with Bethanie Mattek-Sands was pretty awesome. I am interested to see more from her.

[mcsangel2]

I also don't think Fed is going to retire in the off season, especially because he's been saying since the last Olympics that he wants to go to Rio next year. I think he's at least 2 or 3 years away from seriously considering that. DH and I are talking about going to Indian Wells in March, we still haven't been. I know if I want to see these guys play, time is running out.

[EnchantedSoul]

We watched Serena last night. Nice match (and split) to see. She truly is an amazing athlete. My FIL went to see her play and I made sure to tell him not to be at the U.S open trying to be Serena's groupie. Lol

[Cicero]

Sept 5, 2015 15:22:26 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

I faded out in the middle of the 4th and went to bed, but damn I am so disappointed he didn't win. All the commentators have been saying he's looking really good lately. I read something else speculating that if he continues on this route and drops out of the top 10, he might quit altogether.

And, I almost hate to bring this up but I have to because I was talking to tennis fans last night about this match. Someone said that Rafa has been front and center in doping allegations for years, and a combination of new testing plus having been on PEDs for almost 10 years has forced him to quit/huge toll on his body and that's why he's suddenly a mess. (it's worse than that, too, because the stuff I read says the ITF is hiding all this from the media because they don't want the negative press for the sport). I have never heard ANY of this, but it does seem there is a lot of stuff out there if you google it.

I can kind of see this it's not really a new development for him. It's not just now that he's a mess. He's been injury-prone for his entire career. Going back to 2003 he's missed serious time on an almost annual basis due to injury. That's not to say that doping doesn't lead to body breakdown and it's not a possibility but one thing that has been consistent since the beginning of his career and the beginning of his injuries is that he doesn't rest points. He runs everything down and is always attacking. That can also lead to injury and body breakdown.

[mcsangel2]

Sept 5, 2015 15:48:19 GMT -5 Cicero said:

Sept 5, 2015 15:22:26 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

I faded out in the middle of the 4th and went to bed, but damn I am so disappointed he didn't win. All the commentators have been saying he's looking really good lately. I read something else speculating that if he continues on this route and drops out of the top 10, he might quit altogether.

And, I almost hate to bring this up but I have to because I was talking to tennis fans last night about this match. Someone said that Rafa has been front and center in doping allegations for years, and a combination of new testing plus having been on PEDs for almost 10 years has forced him to quit/huge toll on his body and that's why he's suddenly a mess. (it's worse than that, too, because the stuff I read says the ITF is hiding all this from the media because they don't want the negative press for the sport). I have never heard ANY of this, but it does seem there is a lot of stuff out there if you google it.

I can kind of see this it's not really a new development for him. It's not just now that he's a mess. He's been injury-prone for his entire career. Going back to 2003 he's missed serious time on an almost annual basis due to injury. That's not to say that doping doesn't lead to body breakdown and it's not a possibility but one thing that has been consistent since the beginning of his career and the beginning of his injuries is that he doesn't rest points. He runs everything down and is always attacking. That can also lead to injury and body breakdown.

The doping stuff is new to me (apparently I'm brand new to sports), but I agree with you otherwise. I've been hearing for a good 2+ years (so prior to the start of this massive rut of his) the experts warning that Rafa's style is particularly punishing and that it was going to end his career early if he didn't learn to change his game (the way Roger did).

[Cicero]

Sept 5, 2015 15:51:14 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

Sept 5, 2015 15:48:19 GMT -5 Cicero said:

I can kind of see this it's not really a new development for him. It's not just now that he's a mess. He's been injury-prone for his entire career. Going back to 2003 he's missed serious time on an almost annual basis due to injury. That's not to say that doping doesn't lead to body breakdown and it's not a possibility but one thing that has been consistent since the beginning of his career and the beginning of his injuries is that he doesn't rest points. He runs everything down and is always attacking. That can also lead to injury and body breakdown.

The doping stuff is new to me (apparently I'm brand new to sports), but I agree with you otherwise. I've been hearing for a good 2+ years (so prior to the start of this massive rut of his) the experts warning that Rafa's style is particularly punishing and that it was going to end his career early if he didn't learn to change his game (the way Roger did).

oh, I didn't meant that the doping speculation wasn't new, just that his body falling apart wasn't new. People who try to argue that the reason he's falling apart now is because he's been doping a long time and has had to come off of them can't really account for the months on end he missed in the mid to late 2000's, kwim?

[dianecourt]

Madison Keys and the possibility of Venus make me nervous. So nervous. I was happy to see Bethanny play so well last night. She's an awesome doubles player.

I couldn't believe how well Fognini held it together last night. He was playing out of his head! And the visual of Rafa in the tunnel after the match just made me sad. I've never been a huge Rafa fan, but I know he puts everything he has into playing, so I hope he can put things back in order.

I do dig the new ESPN set off the practice courts. I like to try to tell who is on the courts behind them!

Go Donald Young, way to win that third set and force more tennis!

[sfy]

Didn't watch Nadal v. Fognini. Saw Serena's split (yes, Bae <3) and had not seen the ad. I don't really say that people are unattractive, but I feel okay talking about Nadal's looks, since so many people find him good-looking, but...his race looks like a rodent's face to me. I can't get past it! Body looks great, obviously .

[glinda]

Yes! I was up nursing a new baby so I figured might as well enjoy....

Fognini has quite the attitude but he played amazing in the last 3 sets. I completely agree that Rafa's style is causing him to just break down. If you compare the way he plays to the way Fed plays its like night and day. Federer floats across the court, Rafa pounds across it.

I really, really want to see Serena complete the career. I'm glad Wozniacki is out because she struggles against her sometimes. On a completely shallow note, did anyone else laugh a little at Mattek-Sands' husband? You know you're gonna be on national tv, And you have to have a big chaw in? Really?

Also on the first night, Mary Jo checked in with Uncle Toni and at the end said "your English has gotten so much better through the years!" It made me shake my head.

[dianecourt]

Fed really does win the best hair award. Rafa and Andy are both thinning so much. Speaking of hair, I've never seen Simona Halep with her hair down before today. She's Meredith Grey-looking!

Oh, have I mentioned that it bothers me very much that a national Open sporting event has finals that will only be available on cable tv? That bugs.

[mx27]

Sept 5, 2015 18:15:21 GMT -5 dianecourt said:

Fed really does win the best hair award. Rafa and Andy are both thinning so much. Speaking of hair, I've never seen Simona Halep with her hair down before today. She's Meredith Grey-looking!

Oh, have I mentioned that it bothers me very much that a national Open sporting event has finals that will only be available on cable tv? That bugs.

his hair is gorgeous! so thick and shiny!

Fed is my fav...so classy.

I didn't know about the final only being shown on cable tv.  that sucks.

[dianecourt]

Sept 5, 2015 19:11:23 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Sept 5, 2015 18:15:21 GMT -5 dianecourt said:

Fed really does win the best hair award. Rafa and Andy are both thinning so much. Speaking of hair, I've never seen Simona Halep with her hair down before today. She's Meredith Grey-looking!

Oh, have I mentioned that it bothers me very much that a national Open sporting event has finals that will only be available on cable tv? That bugs.

I also hate that the first days were only available ESPN3 (online streaming).

I guess if you have Apple TV (only because Brad Gilbert has mentioned it about 1,000 times), you can watch ESPN3 stuff on your regular tv.  Doesn't help me much because I haven't figured out how to sync that with my Tivo. 

Also, if you are a general sports fan with Netflix, check out the Rand University documentary.  I used to dislike Randy Moss greatly.  Not so much anymore.

[mcsangel2]

Sept 5, 2015 18:15:21 GMT -5 dianecourt said:

Oh, have I mentioned that it bothers me very much that a national Open sporting event has finals that will only be available on cable tv? That bugs.

That is the thing now. The Wimbledon and French Open finals were also only on ESPN (and Wimbledon was last year, too, I think). Tennis has got fewer and fewer fans so it's not worth it to the broadcast networks.

[dianecourt]

Sept 5, 2015 20:41:50 GMT -5 mcsangel2 said:

Sept 5, 2015 18:15:21 GMT -5 dianecourt said:

Oh, have I mentioned that it bothers me very much that a national Open sporting event has finals that will only be available on cable tv? That bugs.

That is the thing now. The Wimbledon and French Open finals were also only on ESPN (and Wimbledon was last year, too, I think). Tennis has got fewer and fewer fans so it's not worth it to the broadcast networks.

I get it - somehow the grands have let the networks (well, really ABC/ESPN) take this thing over.  Can you imagine if the Masters was only available on ESPN or TNT or wherever?

I think if Serena keeps winning and is in a final for a calendar slam, ABC would be stupid not to air it on, you know, ABC.  But, college football will win out, so enjoy Clemson vs. non-conference team.

Also, I pay my $10 per month for the Tennis Channel, so for some of the other grands, I can get stuff. 

[eclaires]

CBS's last year with the U.S. open made me sad. I have cable but idk. I just loved their coverage. I can't even pinpoint why either. Just nostalgia I guess.

[sfy]

Sometimes, I think I'm going to cry when Serena talks about Venus and vice versa. The lovefest is real.

[sfy]

They made me bite my nail . I haven't done that in so long!

[eclaires]

The commentators are driving me nuts. Or were during the second set. Come on. Of course losing the 2nd set wasn't some death knell for Serena - as evidenced by her coming out in the third and being up 3-0...

[glinda]

I love Venus but I so want to see the Grand Slam so I am in the Serena camp tonight.

[sfy]

Sept 8, 2015 20:55:08 GMT -5 pennypenny said:

Honestly I would not want to be Venus right now. Can you imagine the guilt she would feel if she DID win? If it were my brother I would want to give it my all, but then I would feel terrible if I stopped him from making history. The pressure for both is so great.

She can't afford to think like this. She'd be doomed before she got on the court.

I want Serena to make history, but I would feel pure joy if Venus could pull off a win here.

[eclaires]

Gah I love watching Serena play!

It was a good match..I expected this outcome though.

[sfy]

They both played so great. I am really happy for Serena, even if it does feel a little bittersweet. I expected her to win, but quite a few times, I felt like Venus could win and I really wanted it for her. I just feel like people have forgotten how great she is.

My house was a house divided tonight, though lol. H and I didn't even watch in the same room. He is too hardcore Serena--I couldn't deal with that tonight.

[Cicero]

I watched it. Vinici's got to be around Serena's age, right? I remember her being around forever but peaking in doubles in the past few years with the Grand Slam and I guess now peaking in singles?

[Cicero]

I didn't see it but it seems like they always ask stupid questions. It makes me wonder why some of them are journalists. The person who did the post-match interview with Kevin Anderson asked him how it felt to have won after failing for his entire career.

[Cicero]

Sept 11, 2015 14:47:34 GMT -5 @littlemoxie said:

Sept 11, 2015 14:14:49 GMT -5 Cicero said:

I watched it. Vinici's got to be around Serena's age, right? I remember her being around forever but peaking in doubles in the past few years with the Grand Slam and I guess now peaking in singles?

Yeah, Vinci is 32.

Sidenote: autocorrect keeps changing her name to Venice and every time I go back and correct it I end up spelling it in a different incorrect way.

[dianecourt]

You know who is supposed to go to Italy next Friday and currently hates Italy? ME!!!!!! I know I'm over-invested. RAGE rage rage.

So, I guess I should start putting all my dreams on Roger winning.

[sfy]

Unbelievable. I'm so sorry, because, and yes, I know this is an unpopular opinion, but for all this, Venua might as well have won! But if Venus had won the match and then lost to Vinci, then everyone would have been pissed at Venus. My husband even said he didn't want Venus to beat Serena because he didn't "trust" Venus to win it all. Well, look at this nonsense! Wtf. I feel sad for Serena, but wtf! I know she is livid right now...and yes, the journalists are the worst. I like when she refuses to answer the especially dumb questions,

Not interested in the finals. Sorry not sorry. I saw that the ticket prices are plummeting. No one is here for it.

[dianecourt]

I don't even think I can watch the men's semis because if I hear Brad Gilbert opining on Serena or giving out cutesy nicknames, I may actually have to kill him.