Gasquet Gets Time Served

by Savannah

The ITF has ruled as follows in the case of Richard Gasquet.

ITF Press Release

Decision in the case of Richard Gasquet

London, England, 15 Jul 2009 - The International Tennis Federation announced today that an independent Anti-Doping Tribunal convened under the 2009 Tennis Anti-Doping Programme has found that Richard Gasquet, a 23-year-old French tennis player, has committed a Doping Offence.

Following a two-day hearing in July 2009, an independent Anti-Doping Tribunal found that a sample provided by Mr Gasquet on 28 March 2009 at the ATP event in Miami, USA, had tested positive for benzoylecgonine, a metabolite of cocaine. Cocaine is a substance that is banned In-Competition under WADA’s 2009 List of Prohibited Substances, and is therefore also prohibited under the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme on the same basis.

The Tribunal rejected the suggestion made by Mr Gasquet that, by virtue of his withdrawal prior to playing a match in the Miami event, the sample provided by him on 28 March should be treated as having been collected Out-of-Competition. In that regard, it upheld the applicability, and the legality, of Article F.4 of the Programme, which provides that a player who withdraws from an event may be target-tested and that such test is to be treated as an In-Competition test, even if the player withdraws before playing a match. The Tribunal therefore found that Mr Gasquet had committed a Doping Offence under Article C.1 of the Programme (presence of a Prohibited Substance in player’s sample).

With regard to sanction, the Tribunal accepted Mr Gasquet’s plea of No Significant Fault or Negligence, on the basis that he was able to demonstrate on the balance of probabilities how the cocaine entered his system (through inadvertent contamination in a nightclub the night before his scheduled match), and that, while he was at fault in exposing himself to the risk of such contamination, that fault was not significant. It further ruled that, in the exceptional and “probably unique” circumstances of the case, it would be unjust and disproportionate to impose a 12-month sanction on Mr Gasquet. Instead it ruled that Mr Gasquet be suspended from participation for a period of two months and 15 days, commencing on 1 May 2009, and thus ending at 08:00 GMT on 15 July 2009. It also ruled that his results, ranking points and prize money from events subsequent to Miami should remain undisturbed.

For the entire document click the above link.

I hope that Richard realizes he dodged a real bullet here and that he appreciates all the work his Federation and others did on his behalf. Richard has a lot of fans out there who want to see him live up to his potential.

More of the Same for the WTA?

by Savannah
Daniel Kaplan of Sports Business Daily has interviewed Stacey Allaster, new Chairman and CEO of the WTA

New WTA Tour Head Stacey Allaster Planning No Major Changes

New Sony Ericsson WTA Tour Chair & CEO Stacey Allaster plans no major shakeups at the women's tour, saying her ascension "was a vote of confidence in the senior management team" at the group. The former head of Tennis Canada, Allaster was WTA President since '06 but became the odds on favorite for the top job once Larry Scott announced he would resign earlier this year. Allaster conceded the process went on longer than perhaps she would have liked, but said she learned from it. In an interview this morning, Allaster outlined no major initiatives, unsurprising given the hectic pace of change over the last few years at the tour. She said tweaks would come to the recently instituted calendar changes, and said discussions would begin soon with title sponsor Sony Ericsson, whose contract expires at the end of next year. Allaster defended the much criticized on-court state of the women's game, but conceded there were ebbs and flows in the allure of the game. She was notified last Thursday by the board that she had been selected, and negotiated a contract over the weekend that was finalized at 11:00pm ET last night.

More as it becomes available

Tennis Talk

by Savannah

July 13, 2009

SONY ERICSSON WTA TOUR APPOINTS STACEY ALLASTER NEW CHAIRMAN AND CEO

ST. PETERSBURG, Florida – The Sony Ericsson WTA Tour announced today the appointment of Stacey Allaster, the Tour’s President since 2006, as the new Chairman and CEO of the world’s leading global sport for women. Allaster will begin her new role immediately and will continue to be based at the Tour’s U.S. headquarters in St. Petersburg, Florida. The naming of Allaster culminates an international search undertaken by the Tour’s Board of Directors and led by leading global executive recruitment firm Korn/Ferry International.

Commenting on her appointment as Chairman and CEO, Stacey Allaster said: “I am honored to lead the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, which since its founding by Billie Jean King 36 years ago has continued to break barriers and grow into a premier global sporting league. The Tour and our sport have enjoyed unprecedented success over the past years, and we are poised for even greater heights in the years to come. Our primary and enduring focus will be our fans, our players and our tournaments, and continuing to build a premium sport and entertainment brand.”

“Women’s tennis and the Tour have never been stronger as a business, and Stacey has been at the center of this business success over the past years,” said Sony Ericsson WTA Tour World No. 3, seven-time Grand Slam champion and Player Council member Venus Williams. “Stacey has helped to lead the development of a stronger Tour product through the passage of a healthier and streamlined circuit structure. I believe that Stacey will be a great leader for the Tour, understands how players can help drive our business, and has all the tools to take our sport to even greater heights.”

“Stacey Allaster is one of the most talented and respected leaders in our sport,” said Steve Simon, Tournament Board Representative and Tournament Director of the BNP Paribas Open women’s event. “Stacey brings to the role a track record of success in the areas of sales, marketing and television, possesses a deep understanding as to the needs of tennis fans, and has the respect of our players, tournaments and entire tennis industry. Stacey’s appointment is great news for both the organization and the sport.”

Allaster, 46, succeeds Larry Scott, who held the position for six years prior to becoming the Commissioner of NCAA’s PAC-10 Conference. Recognized as one of the most internationally successful female sports executives, Allaster came to the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour on January 1, 2006 in the newly-created role of President, responsible for the Tour’s operations, business development, television, new media and tournament and player relations. Since joining the Tour, Allaster has played an integral role in a number of groundbreaking Tour achievements and is credited with helping to take the business of women’s professional tennis to unprecedented heights, including: (i) passage of the Tour’s landmark Roadmap reform plan, which has resulted in a 40% increase in prize money, $750 million of new stadium investment and a healthier calendar better able to ensure that fans see top players competing more often on the Tour’s biggest stages, (ii) implementation of more fan friendly innovations to the sport than in its prior history, including working with leaders of other tennis governing bodies to bring electronic line calling to the sport, as well as on-court coaching, pre-match player interviews, interviews with coaches during matches and a new doubles scoring format, (iii) expansion of the Tour’s global television footprint and launch of groundbreaking digital initiatives, including TennisTV.com in partnership with the ATP World Tour, bringing live streaming of matches from the world’s top women’s and men’s Tour events to a global online audience, along with a brand new fan friendly official Tour website, (iv) playing a lead role in the prior renewal of the Tour’s biggest three sponsorship deals - Sony Ericsson, Whirlpool and Dubai Duty Free, (v) achievement of the Tour’s longstanding quest to grant equal prize money for women tennis players at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, along with the year-end Sony Ericsson Championships and five of the biggest events on the Tour and (vi) reestablishment of the year-end Sony Ericsson Championships as a premier season ending event.

Prior to joining the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, Allaster served as Vice President and Tournament Director at Tennis Canada where she is credited with leading a professional tennis resurgence during her tenure. She was instrumental in generating record revenues and attendance at the Canadian Open (currently known as the Rogers Cup), and turning each of the tournaments in Montreal and Toronto into premier global sporting properties. Allaster played an instrumental role in the building and fundraising for Toronto's world-class Rexall Tennis Centre, and led a team that generated over $165 million in sponsorship and stadium revenues for the development of the sport.

A consummate tennis professional, Allaster has held every position in the sport of tennis, from a junior to a collegiate player, to a Tournament Director of prestigious Masters Series and Premier Events, to Tour President.

Tennis Canada has long been the iron fist in the velvet glove of North American tennis. When common sense pointed to moving the ATP and WTA Canadian events fierce resistance resulted in them staying put on the calendar. While it is true that the women have made far less noise, at least publicly, against the institution of the Roadmap it's going to be interesting to see what Ms Allaster does now that she holds the reins of power.

• Will we see the tour promoted instead of one player?
• Will we see the end of the farce known as on court coaching?
• Will we see revisions to Roadmap?
• Will the tour continue on it's two tiered way with the "A" event final in Doha and the "B" event "championship" in Bali?
• Will the ranking system be revised so that the tour no longer rewards "consistency" but good play against the top players?

Those are just a few of the real world issues facing the WTA at the end of Larry Scott's tenure. At this point I can only say "Welcome" to Ms Allaster. The road ahead is bumpy.

The Week That Was

Davis Cup

I didn't intend to take as much time away from the blog as I ended up doing. I usually make a big deal about the United States Davis Cup team and it's chances but for the first time in years I scoreboard watched instead of following live online. Have I mentioned that I don't have Tennis Channel as part of my cable package, not even if I want to pay for it? I have? Whatevs.

This gentleman seems to have gone to the matches in Croatia with more enthusiasm than some members of the US Team. There is no need to go into the why of the loss to Croatia. The scores speak for themselves. Instead it's time to look ahead and anticipate what Captain Patrick McEnroe is going to do going forward.
It seems to me that the old team of Andy Roddick, James Blake, Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan is history. Blake simply can't handle the pressure of carrying the team. Add to that his antipathy towards clay, the surface of choice for all teams that play the Unites States, and it's clear he has to go. Dare I say that Andy Roddick 2.0 may want spend more time concentrating on his resurgent singles career for the foreseeable future and not be willing to be available for Davis Cup? The Bryan twins are still winning but they're not getting any younger either.

Maybe PMac should take a page from Mary Jo Fernandez book and start working with the younger players. I'm not saying juniors although giving the younger players a chance at being more than practice partners might be a good idea, but guys like Sam Querrey could be brought onto the team. Querrey for one does not seem to think he'll turn to stone if he walks onto a clay court. Until the United States gets over it's clay court bias we're going to be in trouble when we go overseas.

The semi finals will see Spain vs Israel and Croatia vs The Czech Republic. Don't let anyone tell you they saw Israel beating Russia 4-1. No one saw that coming. As for Argentina they seem to be in a rebuilding phase right now.

Juan Carlos Ferrero was the hero for the Spanish Davis Cup Team this go around. Spain will be the prohibitive favorite against Israel especially playing on their home turf.

The Czech's will travel to Croatia for the September semifinals. The Croatians are trying to persuade Ivan Ljubicic to return to DC competition but that is up in the air right now.

A Death in the Family
Twenty four year old French player Mathieu Montcourt was found dead in the stairwell of his apartment building by friends. The cause of death was cardiac arrest. May he rest in peace.

The Champions

Maria Jose Martinez Sanchez Champion Bastad 2009

Flavia Pennetta and Gisela Dulko 2009 Doubles Champions Bastad

Agnes Szavay 2009 GDF Budapest Champion
Doubles - Final
Alisa Kleybanova and Monica Niculescu won the Doubles Championship at Budapest

Lucky Loser Rajeev Ram 2009 Champion Newport. Rajeev scored a double victory pairing with Jordan Kerr to win the Doubles Championship.
There was an induction into the Hall of Fame located at Newport.

There was absolutely no controversy about Monica Seles joining tennis immortals at the Tennis Hall of Fame. Her career speaks for itself. Congratulations Monica.
The other inductee was Donald Dell. Known as the "tennis agent supreme" Dell has an interesting story to tell about the 1983 US Open that went widely unreported in US tennis media.

Connors was diagnosed with a blood blisters and the morning of the Open final and could not run or practice. He said he was going to default the final to Lendl. Dell, who will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame this week in Newport, R.I., wrote “The growth of tennis really started to plateau, and I could see this non-finals really hurting the game.” So, the day of the final, Dell got in touch with a trainer with the New York Jets who recommended Connors take a shot of xylocaine, a sort of “souped-up novacaine.” Dell presented Connors with this option and he agreed not to forfeit the final to Lendl. The only problem with the shot was that it only lasted about 90 minutes before the effects would wear off and the pain would return. Should the match go longer than 90 minutes, Connors had to somehow get off the court so the trainer could administer another pain-killing shot. Players are authorized to leave the court for one bathroom break during a match, so when the pain-killer would begin to wear off, Dell orchestrated for Connors to take a bathroom break, where the trainer would be secretly hiding in the bathroom to administer another pain-killing shot. After Connors won the first set 6-3, he lost the second set 6-7, and at 2-1 in the third set, he began to limp noticeably on court. Dell signaled for the trainer to make his secret move to the bathroom to wait for Connors. While Lendl protested in vain that Connors should not receive medical treatment, no tournament officials followed Connors off-court into the bathroom. Another shot was administered and Connors went on to beat Lendl 6-3, 6-7, 7-5, 6-0 to win his fifth Open title.

Wrote Dell, “Afterward the official doctor for the Open came up to me and said “Donald, I don’t know what you did, and I don’t want to know,” I said, “If that’s the way you feel, fine. But I can live with what I did.”

Connors, in his post match press conference, was asked why he left the court, and answered “I had a horrible attack of diarrhea.

Thanks to Tennis Grandstand for the information.

Sloane Stephens won her WTT match over Venus Williams. Sloane had a very good run at Wimbledon playing juniors making it to the semifinals where she was annihilated by Kristina Mladenovic of France.

End Notes

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Gael Monfils on their way to the memorial service for Mathieu Montcourt. Montcourt's father requested that friends show up in casual attire.




Rafael Nadal relaxing

Sania Mirza at her engagement ceremony

Andy Roddick and Brooklyn Decker at one of the Apple stores in Manhattan

Tennis Writers Call NBC on the Carpet

by Savannah

Your voices have been heard.

From Sports Business Daily

Writers Weigh In On NBC's Wimbledon Dilemma, Potential Fixes
By Erik Swanson, Staff Writer

Following the much-publicized backlash against NBC's tape-delayed coverage of Wimbledon last week, THE DAILY asks several media writers about the future of the network's coverage of the event, specifically how NBC should balance the interest of "Today" with Wimbledon coverage given the time difference and whether viewer reaction from last week will lead to significant changes in the future.

TAPE-DELAY ANTIQUATED: Writers were united in their dissatisfaction with the use of taped coverage. The Dallas Morning News' Barry Horn said, "This is 2009, there is no longer a place in this TV sports world for 'taped' coverage when there are so many networks in the NBC universe." SI.com's Jon Wertheim said, "In 2009, tape-delay is simply untenable." The Washington Times' Tim Lemke: "In this day and age, no one has much tolerance for taped broadcasts because the Internet has made it impossible to keep results a secret. I think going forward, most networks will recognize that they must show events live, regardless of when they happen." SI.com's Richard Deitsch: "What was particularly infuriating to me as a viewer was NBC’s decision not to join the Andy Murray-Andy Roddick semifinal in progress. That’s what rankles viewers, when a decision is made that counters the realities of an Internet age." The San Diego Union-Tribune's Jay Posner said, "I don't think NBC is in an easy position, given the success of 'Today,' but in this age of 24/7 access and hundreds of TV channels, why should sports fans pay the price? Something must be done to balance the company's need for profit against the needs of fans. That's why I've always said the first week is the best week to watch Wimbledon, before NBC comes along and messes it up for everyone."

CABLE CAR: Deitsch said NBC "needs to cede its weekday coverage to cable." Deitsch: "It's time to rework such antiquated contracts so ESPN or a combination of ESPN and The Tennis Channel can broadcast both semifinals live." Lemke agreed that cable should host weekday Wimbledon coverage, saying he believes moving forward there will be "less of a stigma attached to moving major events to cable." Lemke: "I question the need for weekday matches to be shown on over-the-air television in the first place. At this point in time, there is nothing wrong with having matches on other NBC Universal channels, such as USA, Bravo, Universal Sports or even one of their cable news networks. They did it with the Olympics and they can do it with tennis." Horn notes NBC "needs to step and go live with Wimbledon during the week or at least make sure the matches go to MSNBC or USA or ESPN." Horn: "It's really a no-brainer." Wertheim: "It's a complicated, unfortunate situation and you wish tennis had fixed starting times, which would obviate a lot of this. But you'd also like to think that between the various other U.S. networks on site (ESPN and Tennis Channel) and the various platforms of NBC Universal there would be SOME way to show live tennis."

COLLATERAL DAMAGE: Lemke indicated if NBC "wants an exclusive window, but can't show a match live when it starts, it should not prevent another network from doing so." Lemke: "There's nothing wrong with having ESPN2 pick up live coverage when a match begins and handing it off to NBC. And NBC could always hand a match back to ESPN2 when their coverage window ends. As long as viewers are informed of where they can find the matches, that's fine." Wertheim: "Seems to me no one is served by the current policy. NBC generates ill will and sees viewers getting siphoned by digital platforms. Wimbledon loses prestige when some its most prominent matches don't air live in the largest market. ESPN suffers some collateral damage."

CAN VIEWERS EXPECT CHANGE? When asked if the viewer reaction to NBC's taped coverage will lead to significant changes in the future for coverage of major events, Deitsch said, "With the dollars the network is paying for the Olympics, I think they’ll continue to show the highest-rated events in prime-time (and tape-delayed when the Olympic schedule makes its so). As for tennis, both the French Open and Wimbledon are catering to European audiences first and foremost and match start times at both events are all over the place. Ultimately, I predict that NBC will cede the weekday tennis coverage to another outlet, but I’m not sure when that day will come." Lemke believes networks over time "will find that live broadcasts are more lucrative than taped ones, no matter when they air." Lemke: "What we may see is broadcasters having more influence on when events start. A great example of this is when NBC got the Beijing Olympics to move the swimming events to the morning in China to allow for prime time broadcasts in the United States." Wertheim said, "At some point I suspect the All England Club -- unique among sports properties in its tendency to care more about image and tradition than revenue -- might say to NBC, 'If you're not going to show matches live, don't bother submitting a bid!'" But the Houston Chronicle's David Barron said, "I would not expect to see any significant changes until the next contract cycle. Uncertainty strikes me as the enemy of innovation, and we seem to be hip-deep in uncertainty these days." Posner noted the situation is "particularly onerous on the West Coast" due to the time difference. Posner: "I think the solution is obvious: If NBC can't or won't show a match live in all time zones, it should just give up its rights to that match. Of course, I expect to see that happen about the same time I'm able to see the Olympics live on NBC. Since it's no longer just the West Coast complaining, I believe the network will feel pressure to take some sort of action. But I can't say I expect to see 'significant changes' any time soon."

The Sisters and the WTA

by Savannah



1 1 Safina, Dinara RUS 10521
2 2 Williams, Serena USA 8758
3 3 Williams, Venus USA 6617
4 4 Dementieva, Elena RUS 6591
5 5 Kuznetsova, Svetlana RUS 6071
6 6 Jankovic, Jelena SRB 5980
7 7 Zvonareva, Vera RUS 5400
8 8 Azarenka, Victoria BLR 5066
9 9 Wozniacki, Caroline DEN 4780
10 10 Petrova, Nadia RUS 3300

The WTA rankings for this week are out and once again Dinara Safina sits on top of the heap as the best female player. Wait, you mean to tell me that the rankings don't mean she's the best but only the most consistent?

I'm a tennis nerd. I follow this sport a lot more than a normal person would so I ask those of you who push the "consisency" argument to put yourselves in the position of a casual fan who after seeing some of the modest hype the sport of tennis gets did the normal thing and look to see who is the top ranked player. Is he or she going to know that Dinara has been the most consistent or draw the conclusion that she's the best? Let's be truthful now. It's only we tennis nerds who know about the whole "consistency" thing.

I can only imagine what Joe or Jane Casual Fan thought when they watched the Wimbledon semi final where the top women's player took on the number three ranked woman and was only able to win one game in a match that really wasn't that close. I'm speculating here but could the reaction have been "Why is she the best and she can't beat number three?" Or would Joe and Jane have wondered why the best could only win one game in a semi final match.

Some fans are arguing that Dinara is to be applauded for reaching the semifinals and thus going further than she ever has at the tennis worlds most sacred shrine but aren't some rather inconvenient facts being ignored? When did Dinara win her first tournament this year? Who has she had to face to get as far as she did at Wimbledon? How reliant is she on her coach to do her thinking for her? How does she handle pressure situations? Are these questions unfair? I don't think so.

As for "The Sisters" themselves the argument being put forward is that it's their own fault they're not ranked 1 and 2 in the world. Why? Silly wabbit. They don't play enough. It's obvious isn't it? If they played more tournaments instead of always play the same events maybe they would gain some more ranking points and be able to claim their rightful positions in the world of women's tennis. Sure sounds like a legitimate argument doesn't it? Except that because of the way they plan their year they are relatively healthy at their advanced age(s) and when things are going well they can outthink and out play any of the blondes with braids that they face now.

The generational thing is not talked about much as it relates to the WTA but it should be. Venus was born in 1980 and Serena in 1981. (Elena Dementieva was born in 1981 and Nadia Petrova in 1982). These women came of age when to be a complete player you had to not only have the shots you had to be able to think your way through a match and adjust your play when your opponent changed hers or simply saw through what you were doing. There was no on court coaching and while a lot was done with a wink and a nod from the stands no one would dream of calling her coach down to the court to guide her through a match. You were expected to be an all court player and while you would be stronger on some surfaces than on others your ability to think was your strongest asset.

Of the four women listed above the one who looks to her coach the most is Elena Dementieva.

Today it's widely accepted that a WTA player needs the crutch of coaching consultations, something that to me is an insult to the greats who went before today's crop of young players. Sure it's interesting to see father Wozniacki speaking in Polish to his daughter, or Krajan berating his charge as one would an unruly child but what do these spectacles bring to the sport of tennis? We know Victoria Azarenka is an emotional woman. Do we have to watch her disrespect and ignore her coach on a changeover?

But all of that is diversionary in the final analysis. When the WTA overhauled its ranking system and dropped quality points it was because these pesky sisters were executing a scorched earth policy and leaving all their "betters" in their wake as they headed for the top. The new system was meant to reward consistent and frequent play not better quality play against better quality opponents. That's why two of the last three women ranked number one reached the top without having won a Slam. It's why there is such resistance to quality points being returned to the mix. It's why players like young Caroline Wozniacki are playing events they really shouldn't be if they want to be playing ten years from now. The younger women look at Jelena Jankovic and Dinara Safina and say why not me? Retired players are coming back because they see who is at the top of the sport and say "Really?"
It's why male commentators who have always disrespected women's tennis can label a performance by the top player in the world the worst and no one call them on it because it's true.

There will be a new head of the WTA named by the end of summer. I doubt my two cents matters in the great scheme of things but it is my hope that the powers that be take the blinders off and realize that they've cut off their noses to spite their faces. The current system disrespects all of the women who work and fight so hard to be the best they can be at their chosen sport. It rewards mind numbing and body destroying schedules and ridicules those who don't buy into the insanity and plan schedules that allows for rest and recuperation of both body and mind. Get rid of the idiotic on court coaching. Respect that each player has her specific needs and that coercion, financial or otherwise, dilutes the player pool and makes for draws at the Tour level that resemble those of Challengers. I may be grabbing at straws here but I think some sanity has to be brought back to women's tennis. A big step in that direction would be fixing the ranking system.

Miscellany

I'm sure no one is surprised Andy Roddick withdrew from the US vs Croatia Davis Cup tie, on clay, in Croatia later this month. The official reason is a hip flexor. That was a very hard fall on the exposed dirt of the baseline. Not much was made of it because he kept playing. If you were paying attention though you noticed how gingerly and tentatviely he played after that fall.

Mardy Fish is taking his place on the DC squad and he has pulled out of Newport where he was the top seed.

The USTA has announced that Andre Agassi will be Guest of Honor at the opening night ceremonies for the US Open this year.

Ratings Down

From Sports Business Daily

NBC's coverage of Wimbledon men's final yesterday, which featured Roger Federer defeating Andy Roddick in an extended fifth set to capture his record-breaking 15th Grand Slam title, earned a 4.2/12 overnight Nielsen rating. The 4.2 rating is down 8.7% from a 4.6/12 for last year's Rafael Nadal-Federer final, which was delayed by rain and contained an extended fifth set. Outside of last year's final, Federer-Roddick is the highest-rated men's final since a 5.0/14 overnight in '00 for Pete Sampras' final Wimbledon championship. The previous two Federer-Roddick Wimbledon finals earned a 2.8/5 overnight in '05 and a 3.6/10 in '04. Serena Williams' win over her sister Venus in the women's final on Saturday earned a 2.7/8 overnight rating, down from a 3.4/10 for the same matchup last year, which aired on July 5 (THE DAILY).

Serena Williams will be on David Letterman tonight. Charlie Rose is reportedly going to have a mystery guest during his segment on tennis tonight.

Junior Wimbledon


Andrey Kuznetsov 2009 Junior Boys Wimbledon Champion

Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Kevin Krawietz 2009 Junior Boys Wimbledon Doubles Champions

Sally Peers and Noppawan Lertcheewakarn 2009 Wimbledon Junior Girls Doubles Champions

Mixed Doubles

Mark Knowles and Anna-Lena Groenefeld 2009 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles Champions

The Championship Ball

Mr. and Mrs. Roger Federer

Serena Williams

The Wimbledon Champions

End Note
I'll be taking a break for a few days to catch up on some sleep and non tennis life. If something is worth mentioning or any news breaks I'll post it. Grand Slams are wearying.

History or Predetermination?

by Savannah


I watched the Men's Final with the sound down. I never watch tennis with the sound down but somehow I knew today that would be required.

There are two ways to make history - create your own moment or have it handed to you. It's no secret the Monogram is not my favorite male tennis player for reasons to numerous to go into now yet I always try and maintain an air of neutrality on this blog so that one fandom or another doesn't feel slighted. I'm going to try today but if I don't succeed just don't read the post. I'm sure there are other places you can go where the Monogram's win will be celebrated. I hope to put that win in some perspective.

Anyone who was paying attention saw that all the competition - men who don't quake at the sight or name of the Monogram were in the top half of the draw. All of the seeds, everyone of them, in the bottom half of the draw could be counted among the worshipful, those who genuflect before the Presence as he walks on court. With the 2008 Champion injured the task fell to one of the men from the top half to step up and represent. Andy Murray found the hopes and dreams of his country too much to bear and in an amazingly passive match lost to Andy Roddick in their semifinal match. I'm not a big fan of Mopey Murray either but I felt that he had the best chance at making sure a headache inducing celebration didn't take place on Centre Court today.

As our mothers have always told us there is no use crying over spilt milk. Andy Roddick played two of the best matches of his life. He believed he could beat Andy Murray. In the end he still doesn't think he can beat the Monogram. Don't get me wrong. I was pulling for Andy every step of the way but I knew his record of 2-18 was in his head. When he lost that second set tiebreak after having four set points I was worried. When he lost the second set tiebreak I figured four sets for the Monogram. When he won the fourth set I thought maybe, just maybe, he'd hold it together.

I think the Monogram served a record number of aces today. How ironic that he said earlier in the week, in belittling Ivo Karlovic, that serving your way through a match is not tennis. I guess if your name is Ivo Karlovic that's the case. If your name is Roger Federer it's a different story.

I don't know what happened in that fifth set. Nerves? The shadows? Mental fatigue? The sense that no matter what he did his opponent would win? Whatever it was Roddick did not look comfortable or play all out the way he did before he fell hard on his right hip after slipping on the dirt on the baseline. The man who had held his serve throughout a marathon match was broken thanks to a mishit on his part. It was the first break the Monogram got and it won the match for him.

Whatever. Pete Sampras finally stopped the running conversation he was having with his wife long enough to watch the end of the match.

I'm not going to call the Monogram any names. That is not what I'm about. The fact that some on Twitter are calling him a "Pompous Jacketass" is totally Nike's fault. I turned the television off when I realized they were going to run congratulatory commercials ad nauseam.

I'm also not going to say much about the condescending words he directed at Andy Roddick when the match was over. What he said was kind of like a rich man telling a homeless man he knows how he feels. I know the worshipful will defend his comments as trying to be nice. I ask them to put themselves in Andy's place.

I know I should be saying "Congratulations" because of the "historic" event that just took place. I hope the Monogram gives nice bonuses to the folks who make sure his way to semi's and finals is paved with gold. The powers that be have been working hard for this moment for a couple of years now. I'm glad they're happy.

End Note

Andy is holding his presser now. He is being described as "visibly shaken" and to have said "I was trying to survive."

It's being reported on Twitter that Bud Collins was in the room and asked that the press let Andy leave. The assembled press gave Andy a round of applause when he left the press room after five minutes.
@DrewLilley @newballsplease

Andy's Presser

Sunday, 5 July 2009

Q. Did you just lose to the world's greatest tennis player ever?

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah.


Q. Can you talk about when you were sitting in the chair and the crowd was chanting your name, what did that mean to you?

ANDY RODDICK: That was nice. You know, it showed that they appreciated I guess what we did out there today. You know, it was definitely a nice and appreciated gesture by them.


Q. How is it possible to hold your concentration? You served from behind on 10 occasions with the title at stake.

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, you just keep going. I mean, you don't really ‑‑ looking back it seems like a lot, but each time it was just a point, and then another one and then another one. I guess it added up after a while.


Q. How would you describe what you did today?

ANDY RODDICK: I lost.


Q. Does it hurt more though when you're that close and it's that long, 95 minutes the last set? How does this compare to the other ones?

ANDY RODDICK: Yeah, I think so. I think it's worse.


Q. What happened on the high backhand volley?

ANDY RODDICK: Well, there was a pretty significant wind behind him at that side. It was gusting pretty good at that time. When he first hit it, I thought I wasn't gonna play it. Last minute, it looked like it started dropping. I couldn't get my racquet around on it.

I don't know if it would have dropped or not.


Q. When do you expect you'll start feeling better and feeling sort of happy with how you performed and the occasion as opposed to the disappointment now?

ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I'm not a psychic. I'm a tennis player.


Q. Even during the match, could you appreciate this as a sporting event, or are you too locked in at that point?

ANDY RODDICK: Well, it's a sporting event regardless of the score. And, to be honest, no. In the moment, like Bud mentioned, I was just trying to survive each time and hold serve and give myself a shot.


Q. What do you take most satisfaction from in what you did accomplish, even in defeat today?

ANDY RODDICK: Well, you know, I took some satisfaction in December and in November when we started to move forward. It was to give yourself an opportunity to win tournaments like this. I feel like, you know, I did give myself that opportunity today.

It didn't work out, but, you know, I definitely gave myself a look.


Q. Didn't look real easy to have to rally after losing that second set. Was there a struggle inside of you to stay positive? Were you able to blank it out right away?

ANDY RODDICK: There's no way, I mean, it doesn't cross your mind. We're human. We're not Cyborgs. You know, at that point, like everything else, there's two options: you lay down or you keep going. The second option sounded better to me.


Q. Roger is such a tough opponent. What qualities make him so outstanding?

ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I mean, I don't know where to start there. You know, he just makes it real tough. You know, he was having trouble picking up my serve today for the first time ever. He just stayed the course.

You know, you didn't even get a sense that he was even really frustrated by it. He kind of stayed the course and just toughed it out. He gets a lot of credit for a lot of things, but not a lot of the time is how many matches he kind of digs deep and toughs out. He doesn't get a lot of credit for that because it looks easy to him a lot of the times.

But he definitely stuck in there today.


Q. In that sense, do you think sort of he's the only person who you wouldn't have beaten playing like that today?

ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. That's such an irrelevant question at this point. It's complete hypothetical and guessing. I don't know. I mean, I don't know.


Q. How were you feeling physically in that final game?

ANDY RODDICK: Physically I felt okay. Obviously, you play for 4 hours and 15 minutes you don't feel like you do in the first hour. But, you know, everything felt okay.


Q. This whole tournament, has it given you a new belief, a greater confidence that you can be a slam winner again?

ANDY RODDICK: No, no. You know, it's tough to kind of digest it and come in here and give you guys a lot of insight so soon afterwards.

But, you know, I just keep going. You know, there's not another option.


Q. When you took that fall, you stayed down long enough for it to cause concern around the stadium. Did you hurt anything?

ANDY RODDICK: No. It was okay.


Q. Do you feel like that was the best match you've ever played?

ANDY RODDICK: I played pretty good two days ago. Again, I've been saying all week, I struggle with this, you know, comparisons of one match to another.

You know, I don't know. I was happy with the way I played. I thought I played real well.


Q. A lot of people thought this was going to be about your big serve, Roger's getting around the court, his ability to hit passing shots. Clearly that wasn't really the theme there when you look at how well you played from the baseline and how well he served, did that surprise you at all?

ANDY RODDICK: You know, I don't know. You know, he served great. I didn't get a lot of looks at seconds. I felt like when we were in rallies for the last couple sets, I was actually doing all right and holding my own, if not more.

You know, but he just served great. He did what he had to. If he wouldn't have served as well, I'd probably be sitting here in a better mood.


Q. Is it crazy or is it a blessing in disguise that you're expected to play an indoor match on clay in four or five days?

ANDY RODDICK: I don't know. I got nothing for you right now. To be honest, right now I don't really want to think about that.


Q. Liberate this man. Well done, Andy.

ANDY RODDICK: Thank you.

Wimbledon.org

The Remains of the Day

by Savannah


From Serena's Presser

Q. How much of a motivation is it for you to try and regain the world No. 1 ranking?

SERENA WILLIAMS: You know, I'm not super motivated. I think if you hold three Grand Slam titles maybe you should be No. 1, but not on the WTA Tour obviously, so...

You know, my motivation is maybe just to win another Grand Slam and stay No. 2, I guess (laughter).

Q. Does that disappoint you?

SERENA WILLIAMS: No. If it did, I would go crazy just thinking about it. I think anyone really could. That's just shocking. But whatever. It is what it is. I'd rather definitely be No. 2 and hold three Grand Slams in the past year than be No. 1 and not have any.

Q. Do you see yourself as No. 1?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I see myself as No. 2. That's where I am. I think Dinara did a great job to get to No. 1. She won Rome and Madrid (laughter).

Q. How satisfying is it to have played as much as you've played this year, perhaps more than other years, and here you are sitting holding three Grand Slams? It's kind of annoying for the other girls, isn't it really?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I feel like I've played a lot this year, and I've really been paying the price. For several years now, at least three or four years, I just really wanted to focus on tennis, and I've really been doing that. I feel like, you know, this is where I want to be, and this is my chance to capitalize on everything.

I really enjoy it. I even started playing more doubles because I enjoy being out on the court so much. I think it's pretty much all paying off.

Q. We all know the slams are the key events in our sport. Do you think someone somewhere should sit down and maybe tweak the ranking system a little bit so we don't have this problem?

SERENA WILLIAMS: Uhm, I mean, maybe if I'd have done better at the French Open, like got to the semifinals, maybe things would have been different. But, uhm, honestly, I'm not picking on anybody. Everyone works hard.

I think the girl, Dinara, who is No. 1, you can clearly see by her physique how hard she works. You can't get anywhere by not doing the best and not working your hardest.

So, you know, I'm happy for her. I'm really excited that I won Wimbledon, though, because, like I said, I'd rather win that than not win the Championships.

Q. With all due respect, we're just talking about the system on paper the way the computer works. Do you think that should be changed?

SERENA WILLIAMS: I don't know. I don't know what can be changed. I feel like I've had a pretty consistent year, though, you know. I haven't lost too early. I got a little injured, but I fought through it. So it's been pretty consistent reaching at least the further rounds of different events.

But I don't know what to do to be No. 1. I don't even care anymore. I'm just happy to be here.

Is it too soon to talk about Daniel Nestor and Nenad Zimonjic as one of the best ever men's doubles teams?

The Canadian/Serbian team made mincemeat of the American team of Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan today winning in four sets. They've been rolling over the competion for awhile now and it's almost a given that if they're in the draw they'll be in the final. Their win today gives them back to back Wimbledon Men's Doubles Championships.

As for women's doubles what can you say about the team of Venus Williams and Serena Williams?

Playing both singles and doubles is a lot to ask of anyone during a Grand Slam yet Team Williams didn't seem to be bothered by the extra pressure. They destroyed a good Chinese team, made the top ranked doubles team look like rank amateurs and came into today's final as prohibitive favorites. It really didn't look as if they would make it through though. After all the press, Twittering and what have you Serena came in flat. Still the sisters made it through a first set tie break and then, waking up, blew through the second set. They didn't play their best tennis but they played well enough at critical junctures to win.

With their doubles win Venus Williams and Serena Williams cemented themselves as the best in the WTA. Do you sense another WTA "issues" post. You should, but it won't be today.

No one expected Noppawan Lertcheewakarn to be the girl hoisting the Championship trophy. Kristina Mladenovic had destroyed every player who stood across the net from her and while Noppawan had been playing well it seemed as if the outcome of their match was a forgone conclusion.

Yet it was Kristina who is said to have exhibited nerves and Noppawan who played steadily. Congratulations to Noppawan.

Miscellany
Tomorrow opens with the Men's Final. Once again there will be Breakfast at Wimbledon. It should be mentioned in passing that the Men's Doubles Final was not being broadcast in real time until the fourth set by NBC. Maybe that little petition, all the Tweets, and the complaints on fanboards made them sit up and take notice? I mean it's nice to reminisce and see all that touchy feely stuff about John McEnroe and others but there was a live match going on. Ego stroking should be saved for highlight shows in my opinion. Moving on.

Everyone knew that with golf scheduled to follow tennis there was no way the women's doubles match would be shown "live" on NBC. ESPN went with a highlight show. Thank the technology gods for livestreams.

There was another exciting junior boys match today. It was doubles and featured Carlos Boluda-Purkiss and David Souto playing Pierre-Hugues Herbert and Kevin Krawietz. Herbert and Krawietz won the match 10-8 in the third set.

It was mentioned in passing today that young Jordan Cox hit with Andy Roddick today. Devin Britton is going to join the American team in Croatia for next weeks Davis Cup.

End Note
Today is the day Americans celebrate the birth of their country. BBQ's and family gatherings are the norm for today. It's a time of reflection for where this country has been and where it's going. It's a time for families to reconnect and celebrate the glue that holds them together.
I wish all of you in the States a safe and happy Fourth of July.