MSUDoubleJ19 0 Report post Posted September 7, 2006 I know. I was trying to explain this to my boyfriend who doesn't watch tennis. He said "Well, so maybe Federer will have an off day." I said, "No, no, no, you don't understand. That doesn't happen. What has to happen is Blake has to play out of his freaking mind." Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted September 8, 2006 Interesting match last night - but alas, as expected, Federer storms in to the semis once again. Blake's going to have to toughen up mentally - that was just too sad to watch him give up in the second set. Have no idea how he won the third - maybe Roger was bored and needed some excitement???? Anyhow, if Roddick can pull through tonight, I think he has a shot at Federer. Andy won't miss some of the opportunities Blake fanned on, and his serve is much more wicked.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted September 8, 2006 Ok, I just tuned into the Open a few minutes ago this evening... WTF is up with Sharapova yelling everytime she hits the ball? She sounds like one of those extremely intense karate people or a porn star in the middle/end parts of a sex scene. I just want to jump through my TV and tell her to shut up! agreed. It started some years back with Seles, then there's the Williams sisters, but Sharapova has taken it to new levels of ridiculousness. I'm sure I'm missing a few other culprits, but man it's annoying to watch a match like that. Imagine if the men yelled like that every time they hit the ball. It would be intolerable to watch. ugh. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruiser008 37 Report post Posted September 10, 2006 Bah.... Sharapova wins. Hoping Roddick brings his A game tomorrow, although I'm still rooting for Federer Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted September 10, 2006 agreed. It started some years back with Seles, then there's the Williams sisters, but Sharapova has taken it to new levels of ridiculousness. I'm sure I'm missing a few other culprits, but man it's annoying to watch a match like that. Imagine if the men yelled like that every time they hit the ball. It would be intolerable to watch. ugh. Actually, plenty of the men yell too. SInce it's not as high pitched you tend to not notice it as much. Both Hewitt and Roddick were grunting pretty loud out there the other night. There's a few dudes on the tour that shriek pretty loud, but heir names aren't coming to me (anyone?). It doesn't really bother me - I figure they're out there wacking the ball harder than I could ever imagine, and I'm sitting here on my couch watching, so I should just enjoy and not be annoyed by it............. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted September 10, 2006 (edited) Bah.... Sharapova wins. Hoping Roddick brings his A game tomorrow, although I'm still rooting for Federer When is the match? I could be blind but I could not find a time for it anywhere on any sports sites. EDIT: NM I just channel-surfed and found it's coming on soon on CBS. Edited September 10, 2006 by SouthernWingsFan Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
SouthernWingsFan 854 Report post Posted September 10, 2006 I'm not too familiar with tennis and a lot of the stars, but Federer is pretty damn good from what I watched today. It's a shame Roddick couldn't get going on that first set, cause he had Federer on the backburner that second set once he started to make some plays. When he lost that third set and Federer won the 7th game, it just kinda sunk him I think and he knew he had too long of a hill to climb. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted September 11, 2006 Actually, plenty of the men yell too. SInce it's not as high pitched you tend to not notice it as much. Both Hewitt and Roddick were grunting pretty loud out there the other night. There's a few dudes on the tour that shriek pretty loud, but heir names aren't coming to me (anyone?). It doesn't really bother me - I figure they're out there wacking the ball harder than I could ever imagine, and I'm sitting here on my couch watching, so I should just enjoy and not be annoyed by it............. A lot of the men definitely grunt, but what Sharpova does is nowhere near that. A higher pitch grunt I could handle. She literally yells during a lot of points. Enough so that it echoes. The thing is, as one of the commentators mentioned (can't remember which one. It wasn't Mac), screaming isn't really a good technique for hitting harder. Maybe mentally it gives them some confidence or boost or something, but physically he pointed out that it causes them to tense up while screaming, when they need to be relaxed and fluid as they strike the ball. Grunting, gasping and even the occasional yell I can handle. But screaming on practically every point is ridiculous. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruiser008 37 Report post Posted September 11, 2006 Federer is fast becoming the greatest tennis player in the history of the sport. He hasn't won the French yet but I'm pretty sure he will one year when he sets that major as his top priority. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
RockyMountainWingGal 108 Report post Posted September 11, 2006 Well I'm heartbroken that Roddick lost. Not unexpected - good match actually, Andy was in there for sets 2 and 3 - if he could have gotten over the hump and broken on of his 4 breakpoints there late in the third, who knows...... I think he's closer, if he keeps working on his game with Conners, he might have a shot - needs some work at the net. Still love the guy - I'm proud he got his act together and is playing good tennis - made it to the US open finals, I hope next year is good for him - and for his fans. What can you say about Federer - yup he might be the best ever - approaching that at least. Fun to watch, likable guy, it's just kind of boring that nobody can really challenge him right now. Good rivalries make it fun for the fans - I'm to the point where if it's Federer vs. fill in the blank, I might as well not watch. Would like some competition out there....guy has to be human after all, right? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Aussie_Wing 354 Report post Posted September 11, 2006 Well done on a great tournament Roddick, but this is getting ridiculous. Nadal is the only one who can beat Federer, but he never stays around long enough to play him. Argh! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
haroldsnepsts 4,826 Report post Posted September 11, 2006 What can you say about Federer - yup he might be the best ever - approaching that at least. Fun to watch, likable guy, it's just kind of boring that nobody can really challenge him right now. Good rivalries make it fun for the fans - I'm to the point where if it's Federer vs. fill in the blank, I might as well not watch. Would like some competition out there....guy has to be human after all, right? Exactly. Federer is an amazing player and likeable guy, but it's getting old watching him destroy the rest of the top players on a regular basis. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
norrisnick 1 Report post Posted September 11, 2006 Time for some of these young bucks to step up and challenge him. From the sounds of his post match talks it seems like Roger is determined to put an end to Nadal's reign over Roland Garos and on making a run at winning the entire Slam next year. I have no reason to doubt him which would be rather daunting for the other ATP members. And yes he is human. Evidence to that would be his 1st service game of the 2nd set yesterday. Other than that, not so much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
MSUDoubleJ19 0 Report post Posted September 11, 2006 Woo hoo, my picks won! Well, boo too, because I would have prefered a number of men to Federer. James really could have beaten him I think. Roddick had a chance but then Federer really turned it up a notch towards the end. Neither of them played THAT great though. As far as the Sharapova grunts, I know that when I was learning tennis grunting was slightly encouraged. Basically, some people have a tendency to hold their breath when they hit the ball, which can cause them to tense up. People should exhale when they hit the tennis ball, and sometimes just the act of focusing on exhaling (grunting) can ease your mind and let your shots flow freely. If I'm having trouble with my serve, if I think about how I'm technically doing it wrong, it will probably get worse. If I focus on something like my breath though, it will let me hit through my shots more. And I still think the original queen of grunting has to be Seles. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Cruiser008 37 Report post Posted September 14, 2006 From a competitive standpoint I'll admit his wins haven't been riveting (like say, all those Sampra/Agassi encounters). However during the rare times when someone DOES step up their game for a whole match the fans are treated to an instant classic (e.g. See Federer/Safin, Australian Open 2005 or Federer/Nalbandian Tennis Masters Cup 2005). Also with the Fed aiming for the only remaining slam next year's clay court season promises to be one for the ages. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
