WIMBLEDON chat- Page 2

[DG]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 2:07am

I knew things were getting tight, but I didn't think it was this bad.

And vb - it's pretty difficult to imagine anyone but Roger and Rafa in the final (of most tournaments!) but Rafa's not having an easy go of it. Combine that with Roger's bye in the Round of 16, and it really does look like his tournament to lose. He'll have to get by Roddick, but on grass - especially THIS grass court - I'd still think Roger in the end.
Worst Wimbledon backlog in 25 years.

[chris d]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 8:30am

they really should have played during that middle Sunday. It's a silly "tradition," and I'm sure they're regretting it.

that Rafa/Soderling match was just bizarre. all the players are in such weird situations... Roger hasn't played since Friday and he's in the quarters... Rafa's been on Court 1 since Saturday and he's still in the 4th round!! The one good thing about all the rain delays is that the big stars end up playing on outer courts. I was at the US Open in 2001 and there was rain all day, so a bunch of big matches were moved to small courts, and I got to see Federer play (and lose! although it was before his dominance), Mauresmo vs. Clijsters, Henin, Sampras, Davenport, and Navratilova in doubles!

but yeah, I think Federer will win, and I hope Bjorn Borg hands him the trophy. :)

[gettinhep]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 8:41am

There are players who haven't even started their fourth round matches.

A roof over Centre Court is definitely overdue. The All England Club is probably regretting the fact that they didn't include a roof in the Court 1 redevelopment a few years back. We are always grateful for two roofed courts down here in Melbourne. Be it wet or extremely hot, there will always be two matches proceeding.

[DG]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 8:52am

Play on the middle Sunday? A roof?

I'm reminded of a line from MAURICE: "England has always been disinclined to accept that which is natural."

[chris d]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 8:57am

the Australian Open seems like it's the most fun and most efficient of the majors. I'd love to be able to see it some year (outlook not so good though). the Centre Court roof will be flashy and give the illusion that the All-England is "modernizing." Still it's hard to argue with the prestige of Wimbledon. but the middle Sunday rule is just so silly. Someone said on the SI Wertheim column the other day: "what makes the middle Sunday more holy than the final Sunday?"

[gettinhep]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 9:01am

Give you three guesses what is now happening at SW19.

[chris d]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 9:28am

I bet Australian coverage of Wimbledon is a lot better than it is here. Two networks cover it here, which means certain matches aren't mentioned because they air later on the other channel, whether the match finishes or not. And during rain delays they always re-air an Andy Roddick or Williams sister match. Serena's "performance" the other day has been practically deified on tv here.

[gettinhep]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 5:21pm

We have two covering down here - one cable, one network. The network coverage tends to hog the Hewitt and Federer matches. I find the cable coverage quite good. However, with so many breaks in play, there is a limit number of matches they have for broadcast. Today's, or more accurately last night's coverage, began with a couple of doubles matches, with a replay of that rather bizarre Nadal-Soderling match.

We certainly saw the Serena Williams display. While I have no doubt she did suffer from a bad case of cramp, I'm not sure that the performance needed to continue that long... nearly three acts. Well, she's gone, now. A Belgian with no mood for drama did her in - Henin.

I haven't seen the Williams-Sharapova match. I bet the spectators required earplugs.

[chris d]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 6:44pm

LOL! yeah, although it didn't last long, and Venus completely dominated her. The way she played today she has to be the favorite to win the title. Venus vs. Justine is imminent. It should be incredibly exciting.

[gettinhep]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 6:46pm

It should be a good match.

[DG]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 6:59pm

I simply can't watch Sharapova with the sound on. Venus certainly makes a lot of noise as well, but something about Maria's high pitch sends railroad spikes through my ears. Every time I listen to any of these women doing that, I just want to go and slap Monica Seles.

I'm not a Henin fan at all, so if it is her against Venus, my choice will be very easy.

[gettinhep]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 7:05pm

That amount of noise is so unnecessary and a waste of energy. I always think that it has more to do with gamesmanship than any real show of exertion. In close matches, Sharapova seems to be much louder on big points.

[DG]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 7:08pm

I absolutely think it's about gamemanship - and if I were playing against it, it would only inspire me to get them off the court quicker!

[gettinhep]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 7:11pm

Destroy them with that withering backhand, DG.

[DG]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 7:16pm

Actually, I'd probably just leap the net and beat them with the racquet

[gettinhep]

Posted: 7/4/07 at 7:20pm

Short and sweet, DG.

Strawberry, anyone?

[BDavis0092]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 10:33am

Venus vs. Henin would be a wonderful match. As long as I see Fed vs. Nadal I will be happy.

[DG]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 10:44am

Rafa is having to WORK to get there - it's a good thing he's young!

[brdlwyr]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 11:35am

I had the Sharapova/Williams match on yesterday and the kids wanted to know about the chirping sound.

[chris d]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 12:05pm

watch out for Berdych. He could make it to the final.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 12:09pm

dg, that's my future baby mama you talkin' 'bout. i sometimes don't even watch the match when maria's playing and simply listen to her. yessssss.

[BDavis0092]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 12:09pm

I know but I love seeing Rafa work. That's the best part about him. Fed isn't playing...while Nadal has a 5 day match. I love it.

[DG]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 12:10pm

Like you, papa, I fantacize about shoving something way down her throat.

[papalovesmambo]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 12:56pm

mmmmm, vibrato.

[Dame Fanadette]

Posted: 7/5/07 at 6:18pm

I do not understand all the animosity against Serena. You guys act like Henin is the model female tennis player? Anyone remember her retiring in the Australian Open Final down 2-6, 0-1, to Mauresmo? Real Classy. Then four(or three) years ago in the French when she held her hand up to slow down Serena's played but when Serena served and in the middle of the serve hit her serve long asked for two serves since Henin had her hand up, Henin denied it and the Judge did not see it. Easily detectable on television. No Matter what you say, Serena is a fighter and doesn't just give up and retire in a final if she is getting her ass kicked. Ok, there is my rant on how much I hate Henin. Sorry about that. I had to get it off my chest.