Planet TennisFan: September 2006

Site News: Blog location is changing!

I just wanted to give everyone an update on what is going on with the PTF blog - at this time, I am starting to transition over to working on MeshTennis and the blog there. Check out the site, and I will post again when PTF is officially closed and the Mesh Tennis blog becomes your main site for tennis news, gossip, photos and video - in addition to a great way to find someone to play tennis with!

Sharapova needs to become her own woman on court

Henin-Hardenne had trouble with her own serve, which may have been caused by back problems. It doesn't matter, though. Back problems aren't part of the commercial script.

"I lost the last four times I played with Justine, so I figured I had to flip it 360, do just the opposite," Sharapova said. She is not a geometry major.

But since some of Sharapova's handlers seem more concerned with her image than with her tennis, there may yet be a problem. Sooner or later, Sharapova is going to have to reach for her own bananas, her own hydration mixtures, without the cues from her dad or her hitting partner, Michael Joyce.

She is going to have to assert her independence, make people believe she is more than the sum of her $19 million in endorsements.

Otherwise, there will be much sneering and sarcasm. On the in-house feed last night, one announcer said during a commercial, not for broadcast, "How dumb do you have to be if somebody has to tell you to eat a banana?"

Last night after her victory, Sharapova attacked her attackers, telling them to lay off the banana business.

She is not at all stupid. Sharapova is sharp and fluent in the interview process, and we are quite certain she eventually will show enough resolve and rebellion to become her own woman on the court. She already has the presence, the nerves.

At least we think she does. We don't think it was scripted last night, couldn't have been one big ad. The match took more than 30 seconds, and it had its own commercials. New York Daily News

Spadea's tell-all book irks James Blake

Vince Spadea, an eccentric American player and Roger Federer's third-round opponent, has angered his fellow professionals after writing a book revealing some of the secrets and behind-the-scenes business of the men's locker-room.

The controversial new publishing release, Breaking Point, the Secret Diary of a Tennis Pro, has attracted plenty of controversy here, with James Blake, the world No 7 and top-ranked American, particularly upset about the way he was portrayed. Spadea detailed a heated exchange he had with Blake at the net during a match four years ago, and also criticised his colleague's all-round game, suggesting that the results had not justified all the hype.

Clearly infuriated with his compatriot, Blake argued that Spadea should not have written such a book. "I would never bring other guys into a book without either their approval or without just letting them know that something from the tour is going to be in the book," Blake said.

But Spadea, who is also known for performing his own rap music, with the catchphrase, "I'm Spadea, I ain't afraid of ya", does not see it Blake's way, and has defended himself against accusations that he went too far with his book. "Is there a historical amendment that was made in sports that I can't write about what happens on tour? I don't know. I don't remember signing a paper that said that," Spadea said. Telegraph

This is the type of stuff I want to know - Blake should just calm down and deal with it! He can always write his own book, and he shouldn't be worried about Spadea's take on his play - Blake has had a much better career than Spadea.

Current WTA Tournament: Wismilak International

Includes an on-demand scoreboard for those of you who won't be seeing this on TV.
Wismilak International

Jankovic starts second year at university

For most of the leading players on the women's tour a lull after the US Open will offer the chance to rest. Jelena Jankovic, however, will be working hard, not on the tennis court but in the classroom. The 21-year-old Serb will return to Belgrade to immerse herself in subjects like economics and statistics as she starts the second year of her university degree.

"I don't want to be a typical tennis player who just knows how to hit forehands and backhands," she said. "This career is quite short and I think there is life after tennis. I need to look after my future." The Independent

One of the female US commentators (Mary Carillo, most likely) had talked about how she thought this was a big mistake - that she should focus on tennis instead.

Seles encouraged friend Jankovic

Jelena Jankovic had the quiet support of former fellow Serb Monica Seles during her run to the US Open semi-finals, a career-best performance which ended at the hands of Justine Henin- Hardenne. Seles, who has not played in more than three years but who has also never formally retired, has been offering behind-the-scenes encouragement to the 21-year-old Jankovic.

While the pair have not met recently in person, Jankovic said: "She's writing me e-mails, I haven't talked to her.

"She's giving me all the support, telling me I played great."

The two generations of tennis have been in previous contact, though Jankovic is sketchy on the exact details.

"Of course I know her, we speak in Serbia. I'm so happy that I can work with her, she can give me some advice. She's a legend of this sport, and I'm so happy and proud to have a mentor like her.

"I don't remember exactly where was the first time I met her. I don't know. Maybe in some tournaments, or while she was still playing." The Raw Story

Video: Maria Sharapova on David Letterman

Video

Is Mauresmo's sexual orientation hurting her sponsorship opps?

"I've never been asked that question so often as this past week," said Micky Lawler, head of women's tennis at Octagon, an international sports management firm that has represented Mauresmo since she was 14.

"Here in the U.S., the angle is always she's a homosexual. … This is the only country where that happens.

"I don't know why this is so front and center here," said Lawler, who grew up in Holland and has lived in the States for several years. "Maybe it's because Americans are more open and able to ask the question, or maybe it's because people here are just more conservative. I don't know."

"There won't be any pushback on my end because she's a lesbian," said one broadcast sports marketing executive who asked not to be named because he had not received clearance to speak on behalf of his company.

"Tennis is a very gender-neutral sport that reaches upscale adults 25 to 54," he said. "In that demographic, the issue of sexual orientation becomes less relevant." ABC News

My first thoughts on this are that Mauresmo being gay has not drastically affected her sponsorships recently - I didn't see Lindsay Davenport raking in the bucks last year when she was #1. That said, I would guess it may have impacted her early career, and some of that may certainly have carried over.

By far, I think sponsorships are going to the tennis hotties on the women's side - no, not all of them - but enough to edge out good players like Davenport and Mauresmo. On the men's side, it seems to be more weighted toward ability. Since neither Davenport nor Mauresmo nor Henin fall into the "hot young girl" category, they don't get the same marketshare.

Another problem for Mauresmo is that the image of her as someone who caves to nerves is just not going away. It is no fault of hers - the thought seems to have stuck, and every time that she makes a mistake, it gets chalked up to her reverting to past behavior. She should just ignore the media at this point - if she isn't already.

Spanish govt backs Nadal in doping scandal

Yeah, this still hasn't died. The scandal that caused entire teams to be disqualified from the Tour de France started a rumor that Nadal was on the same list of dopers. Since then, this has been denied by Nadal and other sources who have the list - and now his government is backing him up.

Four years ago, Spain's Lourdes Dominguez Lino was suspended three months from the WTA Tour after testing positive for cocaine. Lino, who is ranked 41st in the world, lost her opening match at the US Open 6-1, 6-2, to American Serena Williams.

Her countryman Rafael Nadal said last week before the start of the US Open that he had been tested 17 times in the past year.

Nadal's name was falsely linked by a French Sunday newspaper to a Spanish cycling doping scandal.

The newspaper reported last month that Nadal's name was on a list which also included five players from the Real Madrid football team.

Nadal has vehemently denied the accusations.

"It is not true," Nadal said last week before the start of the US Open where he is seeded second. "Everybody knows it is not true. I have 17 anti-doping controls every year so that's stupid to say. It is nothing."

The Spanish government issued a statement clearing Nadal of any wrongdoing.

Roddick does Lacoste a favor: US Open

While waiting to take questions at a news conference following his 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 victory over Ben[j]amin Becker on Monday, Roddick's gaze fell upon a conspicuously placed bottle of Evian water in front of him.

"I don't know about you guys, do you think this is product placement?" he asked with a smile.

Then he took off his hat and draped it over the top of the bottle, obscuring the bottle's label with the "L" for Lacoste on his cap.

A reporter noted that Roddick himself was engaging in product placement of a sort, to which he replied: "I could just be calling myself a loser, too." AP Blog

On-court coaching: after the trial

The women's tour has experimented with on-court coaching in two events this summer. Traditionalists like Andy Roddick don't want to see it spread across the sport.

"Personally, I don't like it," Roddick said. "I think tennis is unique in the fact you actually have to think for yourself."

Larry Scott, the chief executive of the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour, said he can understand player concerns, but said tennis must look out for its fans, too.

"I see in the early reaction from TV people and fans it's something that's going to have some traction," Scott said Tuesday as rain delayed first-round U.S. Open matches.

Players called for coaches 84 times in 52 women's matches in Montreal and New Haven this summer.

Consultations with coaches were allowed only during changeovers and between sets. The encounters were available for broadcast on TV on a tape-delayed basis.

"Fans were able to see an interaction between coach and player that normally takes place behind the scenes," said Eugene LaPierre, tournament director of the Rogers Cup. "One of the best moments for me was seeing Martina Hingis' mother coach her daughter on the court - this is a woman who has shaped one of the greatest players of all time and fans got to see her in action on center court, doing her job."

Some players point out the same system could allow out-of-control parents on the court, embarrassing the whole sport.

"If we open that door, it could get complicated," said Lauren Albanese, the 16-year-old from Coral Springs who faces former U.S. Open champ Svetlana Kuznetsova in the second round. Palm Beach Post

If they are going to do it, they should definitely put it on TV. And I want the crazy, banana-waving, four-fingered parents/coaches out there too. The more embarassing it gets, the more I get to see what life is like with those people. But again, no one is going to start watching tennis solely to see this interaction - unless Maria Sharapova hires a boyfriend as her coach and makes out with him on court. And that coach happens to be Andy Roddick.

The downside of the ATP tour changes

Beginning in 2007, some men's tournaments will feature Sunday starts and round-robin play -- creating more matches. To make these changes more palatable to the players, there will be a 10 percent increase in prize money and the elimination of best-of-five-set matches.

Not surprisingly, the moves are being championed by the top-ranked players. If the recent tournament in Cincinnati had featured a round-robin format, Andy Murray's life-changing victory over Federer might not have sent the world's No. 1 player home -- and it might not have launched Murray into the next round.

"I think the game has gone too long without adjusting to the competitiveness of television," Agassi said. "It's a competitive market out there. I think there's different ways to package the sport that will lend [themselves] to the person that's sitting there with the remote control in their hand.

"You've got to do something to make people want to stop. I think we're making some good decisions right now. Everything's moving together, which is the most important thing: everybody moving together."

Or are they? Critics say the changes will broaden the gap between the haves and the have-nots in professional tennis. If superior players have two opportunities to beat their lower-ranked colleagues, they will prevail more often. Thus, lesser players will find it harder to advance. ESPN

Hard to disagree with that. I'll be interested to see who picks up this format, and how it goes. I'm not sure how it would be managed in larger tournaments - especially so I could track it without my head exploding.

I like it when someone takes Federer out - not only do I respect their efforts and skill (and sure, a bit of luck) to take such a great player out, but I know it opens up the field a LOT. That is what gets me glued to the TV. I think time and time again, it has been shown that if you give Feds another chance he isn't going to go away. ;)

Upcoming ATP changes...and how to get more tennis fans

Now that the US Open is over, it is time to catch up on some other things that are going on in the tennis world. This will be the first in a series of posts about the proposed changes to the ATP tour. Here's the background:

The ATP, the governing body of the men's tour, announced on Sunday it is to increase prize money, establish a multi-million dollar marketing fund and change the format of regular tour events to benefit player health and increase television exposure.

Events will be allowed to introduce a round-robin format, as used in the Masters Cup, while most of the tournaments that have had best-of-five-set finals will change to best-of-three.

Tournaments will change from a Monday start to a Sunday opening, featuring singles and doubles matches, pro-ams and charity events. These will be phased in next year, with eight-day events mandatory by 2009.

"I have said it at our meetings with Etienne, I think this is a great idea," world number two and French Open champion Rafael Nadal said, referring to ATP president Etienne De Villiers.

"Finally we really move forward and we do something really good for our sport. This will be good for our tournaments, for us the players and especially for fans and television since they will be able to have and see their favourite players more than once, for sure." Reuters

The prize money will be an across-the-board increase by 10%. I can see the benefits of getting rid of 5 sets, adding some marketing money to publicize tennis more, and changing start dates - but I'm on the fence about this round-robin play. I dislike the season-ending events because of this format - I think it adds more confusion than anything else.

Additionally, I hope that a round-robin format is not being used to solely get more fans. It is driving me absolutely crazy that the various tennis organizations believe things like on-court coaching, electronic line calling, and player challenges are all going to bring in more new fans. My opinion is that it just gets the fans who are already watching to talk a bit more - if they want more tennis fans, I think the way to go about it is the following:

The Mandatory List
1. Get more kids playing tennis. All of my friends who played tennis as a kid and who don't play or watch now are easy targets. They generally know how the game works, they know the skill involved and it isn't a huge leap to pull them back in to watching events.
2. Get more events on the internet in on-demand format. The Tennis Channel, while a great idea in itself, is complete crap if you don't get it. I'm amazed that it still isn't in my cable channel line-up, and that I'll be missing the French Open because of it. I got into tennis by catching an event on a non-cable channel. Within a few hours, I was hooked. If that event had been on the Tennis Channel, I wouldn't be writing about tennis today --- so you can blame network tv. :) While not everyone has the internet, or the bandwidth to support on demand videos, I still think it is the obvious way to go. I paid for a Wimbledon video account, and I loved it. I'd pay for more.
3. Market the players as people. No, I am not asking for tabloid photos of everything the players do, but what do they do in their off time? Why do they seem like they have no personality (unless they have big sponsors who know how to market them)? It bothers me that most of these players are younger than I am, but they come off as a bunch of 40-year-old fuddy-duddies. (apologies for picking on 40-year-olds, and for using the phrase 'fuddy-duddy').

The Wish List
1. Lower ticket prices to tournaments, and make more seats available. Most of us don't live near where a tournament goes on, so if you add up airfare and hotel to get to an event, I don't want to find out that the only seats available are the crappy ones. Set aside some good seats for the common folk!
2. More opportunities to get involved. Volunteering at an event is sweet! I had a great time when I did it, so I think this should be publicized more. Get rid of requirements like "you must volunteer for 40 hours". Also, do more contests or auctions like the US Open's "be a photographer for a day" or "be a reporter for a day". "Write about your experience at our tournament and we'll publish it on our site". "Be the coin toss person". "Learn how the chair umpire equipment works". "Sit in with the ESPN commentators".

There is so much to do!

Sharapova says she's just a normal girl

After she posed for the cameras, she settled into a sofa in the players' lounge and insisted to a small gathering of reporters that she is ``an absolutely normal teenage girl.''

Yes, the 19-year-old Russian starlet has earned more than $7 million on the court and another $19 million in endorsements. Yes, she owns a waterfront home in Southern California and drives a Range Rover. And yes, she admitted sheepishly, a Manhattan nightclub made ''a little exception'' and let her party the night away after her win over Justine Henin-Hardenne, even though she is not of legal drinking age.

But really, she giggled, she's normal. For example, she said she stopped biting her nails this summer because she was too embarrassed to get a manicure. She also gushed about getting to meet Usher at the GQ Awards and was giddy when she found out that Justin Timberlake will be on the David Letterman show with her Monday night.

''I'm an absolutely normal teenage girl, but I know it's hard for everyone to believe that because I have a career, and travel all over the world for 10 and a half months, I've never been to regular school, I'm not a social bunny and I don't go baby-sitting to make an extra buck,'' she said. ``But no matter how much money I have, no matter what cool car or house I have, I'm still Maria, a normal girl who likes to laugh with friends.''

She said she sometimes can't believe herself the fairy tale life she is living.

''It's crazy,'' she said. ``Three years ago, when I went to L.A., I stayed at the Summer Suites and now I have this beautiful glass house. Every time I walk into it, I can't believe I own it. Sometimes I drive around the driveway instead of going right to the garage just so I can look at the front of the house. Every time I'm driving my car, I can't believe it's mine. Honestly, I'm in shock.''

Though she seems to handle pressure like a full-fledged adult, every once in a while, her youth seeps through. As she held up her championship trophy Saturday night, the lid fell off and bonked her on the head. ''Typical Maria,'' she giggled. ``I'm a goofball. Among my friends, I'm the dork. I'm the one who always spills things and messes things up.'' Miami Herald

Video: Maria Sharapova drops US Open trophy

Sharapova's banana video

Here's the video - enough of you seem to be looking for it to merit the post. :) In case you've missed it, this is one of the incidents that started the "is she getting illegal coaching?" controversy at the US Open.

By the way, I've sat near Maria's dad Yuri a few times at tournaments now, and I can tell you that not all of those signals seem to be related to food or drink. They either need to get rid of this "no coaching" rule or they need to start enforcing it.

The revised Sharapova banana excuse

And, much to her chagrin, Sharapova was asked to address again the apparent signals she received from her father and her hitting partner during matches at the Open, including holding up four fingers or waving a banana.

In-match coaching isn't allowed in tennis, but she and her agent offered this explanation: Sharapova focuses so much on the task at hand when she plays that she sometimes forgets to drink as much as she should to stay hydrated - and the hand signals were simply meant as a reminder. MSNBC

So, coaching, right?

Maria's Sunday trophy photo

usopen.org

Tiger Woods sits in the Feds box

The two champions met for the first time Sunday, and Woods sat in Federer's box later for the U.S. Open final against Andy Roddick.

On Wednesday, Federer said he followed Woods' career and someday hoped to meet him. The two champions are represented by the same agency, and visited before the match began. Woods sat between his wife and Federer's girlfriend. Chicago Sports

Sheesh. Andy should make friends with Michael Jordan.

Sharapova angry about illegal coaching questions

Television cameras showed Sharapova's hitting partner Michael Joyce holding up four fingers during the Russian teenager's 6-4 6-4 victory over Justine Henin-Hardenne.

In response, Sharapova returned what appeared to be a similar four-finger signal.

Sharapova, 19, said after the match that she wanted to have a "positive interview" with reporters and refused to answer what the signal meant.

The Russian had also been questioned over the past few days about receiving courtside advice from her father Yuri.

Between games, when he drank water, Sharapova drank water, and when he ate a banana, she ate a banana.

"Honestly, I believe at the end of the day, personally, my life is not about a banana; it's not about what I wear; it's not about the friends that I have," she said.

"My career right now is about winning a tennis match. And right now I'm sitting here as a U.S. Open champion, and the last thing I think people need to worry about is a banana." Reuters UK

Navratilova retires with mixed doubles win

Martina Navratilova was the other known retirement from tennis going into this year's US Open - congrats to her (and her partner Bob Bryan, of the Bryan twins).

A month shy of her 50th birthday, Navratilova closed out her competitive career Saturday night in fitting fashion: a mixed doubles championship at the U.S. Open for her 59th Grand Slam title.

Navratilova teamed with Bob Bryan to beat Kueta Peschke and Martin Damm 6-2, 6-3 before an appreciative crowd that stood and cheered throughout the final game.

"See, if you play long enough, good things happen," she told the fans. "I should know."

"It's been quite a run," she said. Fox News

Photo: Sharapova drops the US Open trophy

Congrats to Maria Sharapova, who won the US Open over a very sluggish looking Justine Henin-Hardenne. She accidentally dropped the top of the trophy when she jumped up as it was handed to her. No one was hurt in the incident. ;) Photo credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images

Nadal injured, won't play China Open

I'm guessing this is more of an injury of convenience, so Rafa Nadal can get some recovery time in after his US Open loss.

Nadal, the tournament's defending champion, said he was hurt during the fourth round of the U.S. Open. He was knocked out in the quarterfinals by Mikhail Youzhny.

"I am really sorry to my fans in China as I was looking forward to come to Beijing and defend my title," Nadal was quoted as saying on the tournament's website. "I injured my ankle in my previous match and despite treatment, it was not better during my quarterfinal, which hampered my movement. I need to rest and have treatment so that I can return to training and competition as soon as possible. I hope to be able to return to China in November and also back to the China Open next year."

Nadal's statement about to returning to China in November is in reference to the season-ending Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. Seattle Post-Intelligencer

Nadal's Australian Open prep plans

"I am happy because I improve my tennis here in New York. It is the first year I play better here. My goal now is improve," Nadal said.

"My special goal is next year in Australia. So I want to improve. I have four months and I am going to try my best. I am going to try improve every day, work hard every day.

"If you have better service, it all changes," added the Spanish left-hander.

"I need to play more aggressive with the return. I am trying, but I need to improve that. I need to improve a little bit more my volley. I always improve, but I need to improve more." TheAge.com

What is next for Cahill?

Darren Cahill and Agassi seemed to have a great coaching relationship going on - but I have no predictions on who he could pick up next. I'm assuming that Lleyton Hewitt is in the market for a great coach, but I haven't been following tennis long enough to have seen the ahill-Hewitt relationship.

"The last five years has gone like the snap of a finger, and it's gone so quickly," Andre Agassi's coach said.

"My greatest regret is that I wasn't able to work with him longer because I've enjoyed every second. And words can't really describe the person that he is off the court. Everyone gets to see him on the court, and I'm fortunate that I get to spend time with him off the court."

Cahill, who took Lleyton Hewitt to world No.1 before helping extend Agassi's career at the top, said he was not in a hurry to make a career decision after Agassi lost in the third round of the US Open.

"I'm definitely going back to Vegas," he said.

"I'll head back and enjoy some time with him and make sure we celebrate his retirement in the proper way.

"I'm not opposed to getting re-involved in the coaching world or staying involved in tennis some way."
The Australian

The new Sharapova phone (with sweepstakes)

I found a great girl gadget blog, and here's their mention of the new Sharapova phone, the Motorola PEBL.

It's been almost a year since Maria Sharapova was spotted about town with the magenta RAZR glued to her ear. Now the tennis trendsetter has been papped with a gleaming white Motorola PEBL in its place...

The good news is that 50 of the bright white babies (which, by the way, come laser-etched with Maria's signature) are being given away in a sweepstakes. The bad news is that the contest is only open to our Stateside sisters.
GadgetCandy

Sweepstakes link

More about Nadal's on-court rituals

I mentioned this a few posts ago, but here is a bit more detail into what the heck Rafa Nadal is doing out there with his water bottles.

First a sip from one bottle, then a sip from another which appeared to contain electrolytes or energy. After finishing with each of the plastic water containers, the young Spaniard would take each in turn, placing it at the same spot on his right knee to screw on the cap.

That task complete, he would proceed to place the bottle under the middle of his chair, making sure that the sponsor's label faced out for the cameras.

Repeat for second bottle, then a quick jog back onto court to resume hostilities.
Rawstory.com

Mattek and Jankovic on tennis fashion

Says Jankovic, “I enjoy shopping and New York is great for that but with my singles and doubles schedule, I just haven’t had the time. Lately I’m done playing so late that I don’t have time for much else. But I do love spas – especially facials and massages. Who doesn’t like to be pampered?”

In doubles play, Jankovic is paired up with another player who enjoys showing off her girlie side - American Bethanie Mattek. “We’ve played a few times together,” said Jankovic. “She’s fun and a great player and we’re friends, you know? And it’s so nice to play with someone you know really well.”

...

In past years, Mattek has been notorious for her wild fashion sense, sporting an argyle cowboy hat that awarded her a fine at the 2005 US Open. She also has donned a leopard-print dress as well as her eye-catching 80s roller-derby inspired look at Wimbledon. “Tennis is entertainment and if people are talking about my fashion, whether they like it or not or whether they think its cool or not – I mean it just draws more attention,” Mattek commented. “It’s just another way we can show our personalities out on the court.”

So where are the ideas for these wild outfits birthed? “I actually don’t buy my tennis clothes in athletic stores,” she confessed. “I just go shopping and I’ll see something in a window and think, ‘hey, that matches a skirt I already have’, and suddenly I have my next outfit. I always try to plan my dress the night before a match but it usually ends up being a spur of the moment decision. Just depends on how I’m feeling at that moment, you know? It’s all about expression.”

Inspired by the trendy garb of singers Fergie, Gwen Stefani and Pink, Mattek admits that she just goes for a funky style that will catch the eyes of spectators. But for Mattek, putting together looks goes past the immediate moment; “I’m really into fashion and often sew my own clothes. Ultimately I’m working on being able to design a line where I could be really hands on. I think that’d be really cool and it’d be good experience for me ‘cause, you know, there is a life after tennis. So we’ll see what happens.”

But for now, Mattek can test her home-made designs out on doubles partner Jankovic. “Off the court I like to be trendy and fashionable,” said Jankovic. “But on the court, for me, the most important thing is comfort.” In 2006 Open singles play, Jankovic has sported a crisp white dress with a wide orange vertical stripe down the sides. Simple, yet edgy.

In doubles play this year in San Diego, Mattek convinced Jankovic to wear hot pink and black high socks. “Jelena and I don’t necessarily have the same style,” Mattek laughed. “But doubles for her is really fun and she thinks my outfit choices are so crazy that she likes to try them out so it’s been fun.”
noticias.info

US Open Live Scoreboard

In case you haven't seen this yet, watch the live scores! Jankovic just took a set off of Henin.

Live Scores by US Open.org

Sharapova says everyone is just jealous of her

Maria Sharapova is lucky that she is so attractive, because her personality just seems to get uglier and uglier.

"There's definitely jealousy in our world today not just for me, for others, too. But I honestly don't pay attention to that anymore."

The Russian, long accused by rivals of receiving illegal coaching signals from her father Yuri Sharapov, was captured reacting to two gestures by television cameras during the last change of ends of the match. When Sharapov handed his assistant coach Michael Joyce a plastic cup to hold up in her direction, she drank some liquid from a medicine bottle.

Next, Sharapov held up a banana to instruct her to have some fruit, which she consumed obediently. "Is it a coincidence? Probably. It's up for you to decide," snapped Sharapova, who had lost her serve when trying to close the match out at 5-3 in the second set.

"If I'm looking at him, I usually see, yeah. Not blind, as far as I know." AdelaideNow

Golovin's take on the Sharapova screech

Television viewers everywhere would have enjoyed Tatiana Golovin's news conference Wednesday night. Golovin has known Maria Sharapova since they were kids at Nick Bollettieri's academy in Florida, and has respect for the world's 4th-ranked player, but she shares the widespread disdain for Sharapova's on-court shrieking.

After a taut, 7-6 (4), 7-6 (0) loss that revealed Sharapova's admirable tenacity under pressure, Golovin said, "Yeah, it was a little loud out there. It's kind of distracting. You don't need to be screaming that loud. Like, I don't think the ball goes any faster if she's grunting."

Sharapova's reply? About like always. "I don't worry about it," she said, dismissively. "I wouldn't know, because I don't know any other way to play." She can count on it being an issue, however, as she moves into the semifinals. sfgate.com

Nadal and his quirks

Most players have compulsive quirks, if you know where to look. Rafael Nadal makes his easy to spot. On a changeover, he has to have his water bottles arranged in just the right way, and he drinks from each in a specified order.

"I don't know if it's superstition or not," Nadal said. "I always do it the same." Palm Beach Post

Much has been made of this - and honestly he seems totally obsessed with this kind of stuff! It is very entertaining to watch.

Anybody recognize this Sharapova move?

In the tiebreak, Sharapova led 3-0 when Golovin unexpectedly summoned doctors to treat a foot blister. During the time-out, Sharapova turned Arthur Ashe Stadium into a personal practice court by rehearsing serves into an empty service box. The rules allow it, but the gesture seemed a tad gauche for a multi-millionaire who styles herself after Audrey Hepburn. The blister treatment helped Golovin rally and tie it at 4, but Sharapova won the next three points to capture the set.

This is exactly what Sharapova did when Golovin rolled her ankle when they played in Miami this year. Afterward, Maria was quoted as saying she had no idea Golovin was hurt so much. Sharapova is heartless out there - she wants to win and that is the only thing on her mind.

Youzhny defeats Nadal for first semi-final spot

I'm really disappointed in Rafa Nadal - the final set was just pitiful. Mikhail Youzhny is one of the last Russian men standing with Marat Safin's elimination earlier by Tommy Haas. He is also the first to make it into the men's semis, where he will play Lleyton Hewitt or Andy Roddick.

Now I don't get to yell "go nads!" at my tv/computer anymore.

Davenport is out - will this be her last US Open?

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Originally uploaded by princess robyn.

My gut feeling? Probably - but she has had a tough year for injuries this year, and there's always the chance she can get lots of time off to try to recover. It isn't as if she is playing poorly now, but maybe she'll move on anyway. Good luck to Henin!

Davydenko eliminates Murray

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Originally uploaded by princess robyn.

Rain gave Andy Murray time to regroup at the U.S. Open. He could not take advantage.

Trailing two sets to one to Nikolay Davydenko when play was called Tuesday because of rain, Murray came out flat Wednesday morning, getting broken in his first service game and never recovering as he fell to the seventh-seeded Russian, 6-1, 5-7, 6-3, 6-0, in the fourth-round encounter.

Davydenko next will meet either 14th-seeded German Tommy Haas or 2000 champion Marat Safin of Russia, who were staging another rain-suspended match, for a berth in the semifinals. Safin was taking to the court for a fourth straight day.
ESPN

Photo: Tatiana Golovin's US Open outfit

I know some of you are looking for the short shorts, but they have been replaced by this Lacoste dress.
Photo credit: AFP/Getty Images

Photo: Sharapova's "day"attire

Not quite as fancy as the Hepburn-ish night dress...

Video: Rafael Nadal's best play on Monday

Since we basically didn't get much tennis today, check out this point Nadal won on Monday.

Nadal texts Feds; no doubles together

The best part of this story - since the ending was obvious - is that Rafael Nadal sent a text message to Roger Federer to find out if Feds would agree to play doubles together. That just puts a funny image in my mind - I wonder if all the players have each other's phone numbers. I'd text a whole bunch of "you suck" messages if I had the numbers of a few players.

Cautious Roger Federer has politely declined an offer from top rival and friend Rafael Nadal to team up in doubles next month at the Madrid Masters.

The top seed at the US Open, while charmed by the idea voiced by No 2 Nadal last week, said that he would have to keep his Davis Cup duties and his own fitness in mind as both players head into November's season-ending Masters Cup in Shanghai.

If any doubles were on the table for Federer, they would be with Davis Cup compatriot Yves Allegro, with whom he occasionally pairs for Switzerland.

Federer said he received a text message on his cellphone from Nadal after reaching the fourth round in the US Open as he bids for his third consecutive title at Flushing Meadows.

"It was a nice idea of Rafael's and it would be a great promotion for tennis," said Federer.

"But I just never play doubles at the end of the season, and, if I did, it would be with Yves." News 24

As a side note, if you want to read really strange news, dig around on the news24 site.

Hingis explains her US Open loss

Virginie Razzano, ranked No. 112 in the world, stunned the eighth-seeded Hingis and the rest of Arthur Ashe Stadium when she tossed Hingis out of the U.S. Open in the second round with a 6-2, 6-4 victory.

This time when Hingis grinned, it was in disbelief.

Hingis made her earliest exit at the Open--which she won in 1997, the year Ashe Stadium opened--and it was her earliest exit in a major tournament this year.

"The difference is now that I'm back in the top 10, people have seen me around, and they have nothing to lose anymore compared to when I started the year," Hingis said.

She added of Razzano, "It's not only that she played well, but I didn't play good. I think I let her play well. Then she just opened up, lost the fear and played exceptional."

Razzano, 23, played as if she had no fear from the start, learning from her two losses to Hingis in 2001 and 2002.

"I think she has the same game," Razzano said. But it was clear that was not the case.

Razzano's most recent championship was a junior title at the French Open in 2000. By then Hingis had won all five of her majors.

Hingis originally retired because of sore feet and because of her defeats to the heaviest hitters in the game, namely the Williams sisters.

Hingis could only counterpunch so much; her mental game, she realized, was no longer enough.

But when Hingis decided to return, she improved her quickness and power, and she kept her calculating mind ticking. Hingis used that to her advantage Wednesday in her 4-6, 6-1, 6-3 first-round victory over Peng Shuai.

On Thursday night, Hingis knew from the first plaintive drop shot she attempted (one that did not even reach the net) that her game was not at its best.

"I think after [Wednesday] I didn't have much more to give," Hingis said.

"I was a little flat and tired mentally. Just, I don't know. Just wasn't feeling well. Wasn't my day."

Entering the Open, Hingis had not lost to a player ranked lower than 23rd in the world. She had made the quarterfinals of the Australian and French Opens and then Ai Sugiyama upset her the third round of Wimbledon.

"Maybe Wimbledon was more disappointing because that was the first time I lost to a lower-ranked player," she said. "I hope I'm not getting used to this habit."

Hingis blamed her exit on overtraining. She had made the finals of the tournament in Montreal two weeks ago, only to lose in straight sets to the rising teenager Ina Ivanovic. Chicago Sports

Video: Andre's Final Points and Standing Ovation

Video: Andre's Final Points and Standing Ovation

Jankovic almost quit tennis

Maybe she is here to stay, maybe not - but she has been improving her game all summer. But just a few months ago, Jelena Jankovic almost gave up tennis for school.

Jankovic, the 19th seed, defeated No. 4 Elena Dementieva 6-2, 6-1 to earn a berth in the semifinals on Friday. She faces the winner of tonight's Justine Henin-Hardenne vs. Lindsay Davenport match. Henin-Hardenne is the second seed.

Jankovic completed her 62-minute victory before light rain descended upon the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, causing the suspension of play at approximately 1:20 p.m.

Jankovic lost 10 straight matches earlier this year and was considering returning to school. But she's rolled through the Open to reach the semis for the first time in her career.

Having already dismissed No. 9 Nicole Vaidisova and No. 6 and 2004 champion Svetlana Kuznetsova, Jankovic broke Dementieva in all seven of the Russian's service games, overcame three breaks of her own serve and four break chances in the final game.

Dementieva had more winners than Jankovic, 16-6, but also had five double faults and no aces in the 62-minute match. The Russian also had 39 unforced errors compared to 16 for Jankovic, who had never reached a Grand Slam quarterfinal before this week.

Jankovic had lost in three sets to Dementieva in the Los Angeles final earlier this summer.

"I mean, it's amazing," Jankovic said of her rout. "Especially [after how] we played in L.A. She beat me 6-4 in the third. We played for like two hours and a half. Was such a tough match. Today I expected as well to have a tough, tough battle.

"But I don't know what happened. I was just playing quite solid, playing aggressively, didn't allow her to play her game. I was also returning well," she said.
ESPN

Dementieva is out of US Open

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Originally uploaded by princess robyn.

I really like Elena Dementieva - she's got a great friendly attitude, she is a fighter, and she's always honest. But, damn, she HAS to do something about that serve. I refuse to call her the best female player who hasn't yet won a Slam because of that serve even though the tennis commentators disgree with me. I'd certainly like to see her win one of these days - but she isn't getting any younger.

Gasquet played a great match

If you haven't seen Richard Gasquet's attempt to defeat Lleyton Hewitt, definitely at least watch the final set - he really threw quite a bit of effort into it, and this is yet another player to watch. Hewitt will meet Andy Roddick next - I'm hoping the battle of those two has-beens results in a Roddick win.

USTA - get off your asses and put the rest of this tournament online. The webcast was well worth the effort.

What on earth? Lleyton Hewitts does 'Eye of the Tiger'?

This is just terrible. I know it is old, but I heard mention of it while watching Hewitt attempt to destroy Gasquet in the 5th set (go Gasquet!)

Sad to see Agassi go?

Please consider donating (even a small amount)to Andre Agassi's charity organization, the Andre Agassi Charitable Foundation - donation and info is here:

http://www.agassifoundation.org/donation.html

US Open webcast tonight

Watch the US Open Online
in partnership with USA Network
----------------------------------------------------------------

Webcast starts Monday at 7:00pm ET

Watch live action from the US Open on your PC with
USOpen.org/Live Webcast. The first-ever, live video of the US
Open will be available online in association with USA Network. We
will present the full USA Network telecast.

Tonight's webcast will feature top seed Amelie Mauresmo against
two-time US Open winner Serena Williams and No. 15 Lleyton Hewitt
against No. 25 Richard Gasquet.

Make sure to visit to enter the USOpen.org/Live Webcast
Sweepstakes, for a chance to win two tickets to the 2007 US Open
or a 2006 US Open hat.

Note: the USOpen.org Live Webcast is available to US residents
only.

http://rs6.net/tn.jsp?t=o4tecybab.0.c5stbybab.biwsoee6.364805&p=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.USOpen.org%2FLive

Agassi was a cute kid

Check out this first photo in a set of Andre's career:
http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/flash/flashFeature?section=gen&photoGalleryId=2562370

Kuznetsova upset by Jankovic

Just saw on tv that Jelena Jankovic has taken out Svetlana Kuznetsova, the former US Open winner. I won't lie, Kuz scares the hell out of me - she is a damn tank. I'm glad to see her go, not only because I'm afraid to watch her, but because Jankovic has had a decent summer and is a relatively new face.

While I was at the French Open, I heard some rumors from a few tennis insiders that Kuz is/was sleeping with her coach and that this is a somewhat common thing among a few of the Russians. Myskina was also mentioned.

Svetlana Kuznetsova RUS (6) 77 3 2

Jelena Jankovic SCG (19) 65 6 6

Photo of Kuz at the French Open (mine)

Roddick comments on not meeting Agassi in play

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Originally uploaded by princess robyn.

Andy Roddick was torn when he thought about the possibility of facing Andre Agassi at the U.S. Open.

"Obviously, you want to play against your idols," Roddick said, "but then again, you don't want to be the guy who shot Bambi."
Well, it turns out that someone else ended Agassi's career: German qualifier Benjamin Becker beat him Sunday. And so it's Becker who'll be across the net from Roddick in the fourth round Monday.

Agassi and Roddick crossed paths Sunday in the locker room. Agassi came in after his loss; Roddick was getting ready to head out for the next match in Arthur Ashe Stadium, which he eventually won 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2 over 22nd-seeded Fernando Verdasco of Spain.

Roddick joined other players in giving Agassi a standing ovation, then went over to a man he considers a mentor.

"I shook his hand and I said, 'Thanks for teaching me.' He said, 'Good luck,"' Roddick recounted. "I would have loved to have sat down and talked to him for a second, but I had to go play." Fox News

Player to watch: Verdasco

While the Safin - Nalbandian and Blake - Moya matches were a lot of fun to watch yesterday (boo to CBS for the poor coverage of both matches), I was really impressed by Fernando Verdasco, even though he lost to Roddick. No one seems to have written a good article to credit Verdasco, but I give him a lot of credit - I expect to see him winning some titles in the future.

Roddick won 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2.

Andre Agassi's final post-match interview

THE MODERATOR: Questions for Andre.

Q. What was the walk like as you left the court for the final time? Was it emotional?
ANDRE AGASSI: Was it emotional?

Q. What emotions were going through you?
ANDRE AGASSI: I don't know. I couldn't make sense of any of my emotions, to be quite honest.

Q. What are your feelings now?
ANDRE AGASSI: Still not terribly sure. You know, it just felt amazing out there. It felt amazing. Nothing I've ever experienced before. Overwhelmed was overwhelmed with how they embraced me at the end. You know, they saw me through my career. They've seen me through this, as well.

Q. When you walked off, did you get closure? Can you feel closure on the walk through the alley?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, for sure.

Q. How was it compared to what you imagined?
ANDRE AGASSI: I tried not to imagine too much. I didn't know how much would be emotional, how much would be sort of disappointment or sadness or how much I would feel, in a sense, liberated. You know, I mean, I don't know. I wasn't sure what to anticipate.
I don't think it was sadness. It was a beautiful feeling combined with a real excitement for the future.

Q. Have you ever expected to lose against someone called B. Becker?
ANDRE AGASSI: I've lost to B. Becker before (smiling).
I was proud to shake anybody's hand today.

Q. As much as it's hard to separate this emotion from the actual tournament, can you go through the last couple of days and the physical pain you went through just to get ready for this match. Do you really think you could have got through this and come back again tomorrow had you won, physically?
ANDRE AGASSI: After my second round match against Baghdatis, that was the worst I've ever been. I just credit the doctors that I was able to get out there today. It's been such a day by day battle. It was such a telling sign the way I felt after my last match that I didn't expect a whole lot physically.
Sure enough, it was real early where I wasn't feeling so good. That all doesn't matter any more (smiling).

Q. What were the first things that Steffi said after the match and what did you say to her?
ANDRE AGASSI: Oh, I'll just take a pass on that one, sorry.

Q. Did you get a shot of antiinflammatories before the match today?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah.

Q. What was it?
ANDRE AGASSI: You could ask the doctors to confirm. I don't remember the name. Torburol (phonetic). I don't know.

Q. I imagine you heard the comments your father had shared about wishing that you had announced your retirement after the Baghdatis match. I'm wondering if you wouldn't mind talking about why that wasn't the choice you made and if you've had a chance to talk with him about it.
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, because if I wanted to quit, I would have done that a long time ago. I didn't come here to quit.

Q. After all these comings and goings, this long journey, are you a man now that's at peace? Have you left everything out there?
ANDRE AGASSI: I've spent a lot of time over the last few months knowing that this would be the end, this tournament. I've had a lot of time to think about it from many perspectives.
I look at young guys who are talented who make us aware of life's endless cycle. I look at the life ahead of them, the journey ahead of them. It's so evenly balanced between me seeing how many great things they have to look forward to, at the same time how much I wouldn't do it again.
It feels like a balance that leaves me very clear and at peace.

Q. In what ways wouldn't you do it again?
ANDRE AGASSI: Because I did it (laughter). Because I did it.

Q. Are you at peace right now?
ANDRE AGASSI: I strive for that every day. I don't know how I'll be tomorrow, but right now I am.

Q. For 36 years you've known tennis. It's been your life every single day. Can you tell us what the new challenge will be in your new life?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I don't know. You know, I mean, it's hard to say specifically how things will play out. I can say that it's nice to sort of do things now without a sort of built in cost, whether that's time with the foundation or whether that's time out with your friends. It always comes with a cost. You're not doing something. You need to be resting. You need to be training. You need to be going somewhere. Everything you do has come with a sacrifice, it's come with a price tag, whether it's physical or mental. You've always had to be somewhere and be thinking about being somewhere else.
I look forward to being wherever I am.

Q. Everybody is aware of your great humanitarian efforts, your school. Can you step back and talk about why tennis as a sport is a great paradigm to the lessons you need to know in life, following rules, trying your best?
ANDRE AGASSI: You're out there alone. You're playing a sport that requires you to problem solve. It requires you to do it in a somewhat emotional state. It's a bit of life there. You learn to trust yourself and you learn to push yourself.

Q. You said before you weren't sure if it would feel more like sadness or liberation. Do you feel any sense of liberation that it's over? In those moments where you were sitting there in the chair, hearing everything, soaking in that moment, were you feeling more about this moment or were you kind of running through your career in your head at that moment?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I was sitting there realizing that I was saying good bye to everybody out there, and they were saying good bye to me. It's saying good bye. You know, it's a necessary evil.
But we were getting through it together. That felt amazing.

Q. Do you feel any sense of relief, liberation? Is it more sadness right now?
ANDRE AGASSI: Let me put it this way: I don't care how I feel physically (smiling). I haven't felt that before.

Q. You won half your Grand Slam titles in Australia. Can you talk about what that tournament did for your career? Would you have liked to have played it earlier on?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I missed a lot of Wimbledons, but I missed more Australians. That turned out to be my most productive surface. So I would have I wish I would have played it more.
But, boy, every time I was down there, I felt so comfortable. The people there just make the whole journey worth it. You fly a long ways, but you're glad you did it.

Q. Close ties to an Australian. What has he done for your career?
ANDRE AGASSI: He's given me some Aussie ways of getting through some of the pains (smiling).

Q. Why was it so important for you to come here and compete at the high level, pay the price with the shots? You could have come in and obviously not taken the shots, maybe been out a round earlier. Why was it important for you to go out like this?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, this is sort of the last sort of window to the whole series of windows throughout my career. I just feel like the color on the last one can affect how you see the rest of them, you know. I didn't want it to be tainted with a lack of desire or preparation. I'd rather just be inside the lines.

Q. How much more happy are you knowing that it ended here in New York?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, that's what I planned on. I mean, it's for a very specific reason. This is the place that's given me the most over the years, have the most memories, that has touched me in a way that I haven't experienced anywhere else.

Q. Is it special for you that not only the fans give you this respect and love, but all the other players, your competitors, give you this enormous respect?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, when I went into the locker room afterwards, they all were standing, applauding me. I tell you, you know, the greatest applause that any person will ever receive in their life is that which comes from their peers. It's not like we're a company who's working together to accomplish something. We're people that succeed, in some cases, at the demise of the other. To have them applaud you is the ultimate compliment.

Q. Were you startled, even disheartened, by his coming up with the big shot, the ace on the biggest points? Did you think, This is just not to be?
ANDRE AGASSI: It obviously wasn't to be. Nothing was very recognizable out there when it comes to the tennis side of it. I was struggling early on. Then he seemed to be playing patchy tennis, as well.
You know, he came up with the goods. I've seen it maybe about 400 times (smiling).

Q. How much pain were you in when you got on the court versus how much at the end? Can you talk about that extraordinary speech. Had you in your mind planned what you wanted to say to the fans?
ANDRE AGASSI: I went out there not feeling terrible pain, but sort of pretty still tight from everything that had transpired a few nights earlier. The pain came quickly. It can do that, and it did (snapping fingers). I know I was in trouble at that point. You immediately start cutting corners that you know are going to come back to sort of haunt you. Then you know it's going to gradually get worse, sometimes very quickly get worse.

Q. Then the speech?
ANDRE AGASSI: Listen, I think I've prepared for that speech for 21 years. I mean, it's just one of those you think about what you what you want to say, what really touches the things that are important to you.
There's a thousand things that were going through my mind.

Q. When you said in your speech that the fans have been an inspiration, have you sensed this has gone far beyond fans rooting for an athlete to a quality of love that's really unique?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, that's what I said. You know, they've rooted for me not just on the court, but also through many, many low points of my life. They've pulled for me. In many cases, how they pulled for me on the court has helped me in life. In other cases, how they've pulled for me in life has helped me on the court. Over the years, it's been hard to separate the tennis from the relationships, you know.
They got me through a lot.

Q. You competed against many generations. How do you look back at these match ups against many champions?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I take pride in competing against so many great champions. It means a lot. It's been a great experience over the years. I don't know what to say, but it's pushed me to be better. You can play a great career and you're not guaranteed to play the best ever. I've hung around long enough to do that.

Q. Looking back at the whole career, can you name the three best things in your whole career, most memorable moments?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, French Open, my first win in Wimbledon, and probably winning here for the first time.

Q. What do you plan on doing for the remainder of your stay here? When will you be going back home?
ANDRE AGASSI: I don't know and I don't know (laughter). Who cares what I do, right? Doesn't matter.

Q. If this had been any other tournament, any other match, was there any chance you would have played today with the pain you were in?
ANDRE AGASSI: There would have been no chance I would have gotten through my first two. I don't think I could have gotten through those.
The way it was, no, I would have it's like this summer. I was playing pulled out of two events over the summer because I was literally thinking to myself, If I have this much left, I want to spend it here. I'm glad I did that because pulling out of two tournaments allowed me the chance to play two matches. I know it doesn't give me the great prospect of doing something spectacular in hindsight, but those two matches were worth a difficult year. I'm glad I did it.

Q. If a 16 year old tennis prodigy at the US Open asked you for some words of wisdom, what would you tell him?
ANDRE AGASSI: What would I tell him? Just use every day as an opportunity to get better, not just on the court.

Q. Your first title in Brazil, how important was that?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, that paid a lot of bills (smiling). $90,000 prize check. That's all I was thinking about. God, I can play next year without worrying about a whole lot.

Q. Have you heard from the former people you played over the years who have retired? Have you heard from many over the past couple days?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, yeah, I see a lot of people here. I spend a lot of time with Jim Courier over the last few weeks. He came to Vegas. Yeah, you have friendships that transcend sort of the tournaments and all that, hear from people, absolutely.

Q. How are you going to explaining to your children what their daddy did?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, my first goal is to explain to them why I was crying. It was pretty upsetting to them to see me cry because I suppose they don't realize that dads do that.

Q. You think a lot about the points in the matches that you've played, you recall a lot of that. When you step away from this Open and the game, what will you remember the most about the Open? The Baghdatis match? Today saying good bye? What stands out?
ANDRE AGASSI: It will be that applause, the applause from the fans, the applause from my peers. That was the greatest memories I've ever had, memories I'll keep with me forever.

Q. How do you see your legacy to the sport of tennis? What would you like it to be?
ANDRE AGASSI: I don't have an objectivity on that. Like I've answered this before, you know, it's important for me to leave this game better off. I hope they're better off for having me, because it's me being much better off for having them. So that's my hope. I don't know what it is. Everybody needs to see it through their lens. You know, for me it's been about trying to give more than I take.

Q. Where is the future for your back? Are you going to need surgery? Will stopping the tennis take pressure off?
ANDRE AGASSI: I mean, if I'm not sort of trying to mix it up with 21 year olds and stuff like that, I'm okay. I mean, normal life. Once the nerve gets irritated, it's impossible to recover, while at the same time you're putting yourself through that sort of trauma.

Q. Will you need cortisone to recover from this?
ANDRE AGASSI: I don't know. I mean, I don't know. It's possible. I do have the option of surgery and clearing out the space so the nerve is less affected. Worst case scenario.
They've told me when the intensity of what I do drops, so will the ramifications. But, you know, if I can't be normal, if I can't have fun with the kids, do all the things that we all enjoy doing, then I'll have to assess it from there.

Q. What role has Steffi played in recent years for you?
ANDRE AGASSI: Overall, she's been the reason why I've been able to do this over the last six years. Certainly since we had children. She's given me a lot. When I met her, I think I went 27 1 in Grand Slam matches (smiling).

Q. Do you have a sense of why you've had such a rapport with the public? There's a lot of champions that have not developed that.
ANDRE AGASSI: No, I can't speak to their perception of things. But, you know, I mean, for me, I feel like I try to take it in. I mean, it's hard to overlook. Everybody out there in those seats has a story and a life. They're sharing it with you. Yeah, I've always found that pretty amazing.

Q. Are we going to see you at tennis tournaments in the future? How much are you going to be visible?
ANDRE AGASSI: Are you worried about that (smiling)?

Q. Different champions have chosen different paths regarding that. How close to tennis do you think you will stay?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I hope I can be involved in this game in a way that makes a difference to it. I mean, I'm not going to force that issue. At the same time, I'm going to be very receptive to how I can help the sport.
Me helping the sport, or trying to over the years, has not just been a function of me playing, it's been a function of me caring about it. I'll still care about it. I don't know how it's going to manifest itself.
I hope I get to see you guys more. Come to Vegas, track me down. One place or another, either here or there.

Q. Although you summarized very well your feelings in the last speech, what happened when you were at your seat and the Baghdatis match and today almost 23,000 voices were saying Let's go. What was the feeling for you?
ANDRE AGASSI: It's very unique. I've never seen that even in Davis Cup play really. To have them stand for a match point in my first match, I haven't seen that. Like today, as well. I haven't even seen that in Davis Cup.
It's amazing. It's overwhelming. I mean, I try to find more words to convey it. You know, at the end of the day, you just marvel at it and you thank God for it.

Q. Do you remember the 17 year old who wasn't really thinking about helping the sport back then?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, unfortunately I'm forced to remember at times (smiling).

Q. What would you say to that 17 year old?
ANDRE AGASSI: I would say, I understand you a heck of a lot more than I want to be you (laughter).

Q. Do you ever step back and stop feeling humble and say, I'm really proud of myself, I've done a lot, I've attained a lot of goals?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I don't think my pride comes from the accomplishment. The pride comes from the striving, what's in front of you, how you're going to get through it, how you're going to connect to it, care about it. I take pride in that.
I take pride in people saying they're going my peers telling me they're going to miss me. I take pride in that. But I also aspire to live up to that.
You know, I can't sort of take too much stock in it because I feel like you miss out on what's happening right now. That's the good stuff.

Q. What do you think about this next wave of U.S. players? Repeated question, but a question that becomes more pronounced now that you're gone.
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, first of all, there's not a whole lot of room at the top right now. You know what I mean? Federer has made it slim pickins for everybody else. And then Nadal has cleaned up anything left over.
Whatever standard we're dealing with, it's a different ballgame when you're used to generations that are competing for Grand Slam titles. I'm afraid most of them are going to Spain and Switzerland for a little while. That's the difficult part coming off a few generations.
You know, Andy's gotten there before. Seems like he's playing well. You know, James still has I think his best stuff ahead of him. I got to believe we have things to look forward to. It's just going to be compared to a pretty rough standard.

Q. What did you say to Benjamin right after the match? Did you say something in German that you learned through Steffi?
ANDRE AGASSI: Nothing in German.

Q. What did you say to him?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I congratulated him. He kicked my butt (smiling).

Q. Do you remember what he said to you? Can you imagine what it must have been like for him out there?
ANDRE AGASSI: I would need some time to look at it through his lens. I don't know what he said. I really don't. I don't know. I don't even know if I heard it, to be honest. But I felt, you know, it was my own sort of experience out there that was taking over at that point.

Q. Has this experience given you a greater appreciation for what Pete was able to accomplish here four years ago? Did you at any time in the last week allow yourself to entertain an ending like Pete had?
ANDRE AGASSI: Listen, what Pete did was incredible. We knew it then. We know it now. There's no question about that. At the same time you're talking about apples and oranges. It's one thing to win a title and then to decide, hey, that was great, I'm not playing any more. It's another thing to say, okay, this is it, that's my shot over there, and that's what I'm going to do for the next few months. It's apples and oranges.
But what Pete did is incredible. For me, it was never about winning and stopping, it was always about getting the most out of myself for as long as possible because I felt like there was a lot of benefit to the work I was putting in for not just my life and my experiences, but also for my foundation and also hopefully for the sport of tennis. Those became my motivations. That's an entirely different approach to winning and saying no more. It's just apples and orange.
But what he did was amazing. Any time to win here is amazing. To do it at 30 was incredible.

Q. During your speech, you said there were low points in your life. At one point you were ranked in the 140s. What was the source of motivation to make you come back? Seems like the fans attached themselves to you after that.
ANDRE AGASSI: My motivation was just wanting it to be on my terms. I didn't know I would be able to get back to the top. I knew that I would try to get the most out of myself every day from that day forward. That was my commitment.
That never stopped. That's probably something I take the most pride in.

Q. I don't know if you're going to take your kids out to hit tennis balls. When you look back at your father, such a young age, instilling this game into you, some way say in a very obsessive way, do you reflect back that as hard as it was you probably wouldn't be sitting here today if he hadn't?
ANDRE AGASSI: That's for sure. There's no question about it. What we've gone through, our moments of not seeing things eye to eye, it has been his journey and it has been my journey.
The pride I take in everything I've experienced has to do with what I've poured into it, not necessarily what that experience was. I mean, I think tennis is one vehicle. I think we can find excuses in life or we can find inspirations. I've always tried to find inspirations. I am thankful for my father giving me this game.

Q. Do you think it's going to feel strange to just wake up like a normal person and not have to do this? How are you going to fulfill? You've been so zoomed in on one thing, now the whole world is completely open to you.
ANDRE AGASSI: It's like you're talking dirty to me now. I like it (laughter).
Sorry, did that come out? Did I say that?
I hope it feels strange. I hope it feels really, really strange because that would reflect a lot of assumed responsibility, pressure and commitment that is no longer on my shoulders at least in the same nature. Yeah, I mean, I'm going to wake up tomorrow and start with not caring how I feel. That's going to feel great. And then I'm imagining for a long time, any time somebody asks me to do something, I'm going to go, Sure, why not.

Q. Can you address the transformation from a 17 year old with bleached long hair, maybe bratty kind of guy, to the guy you are today, the man who is a humanitarian, champion? To take it a step further, has tennis been a vehicle for you to reach the masses? Do you feel it's been your destiny?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, I think there's been many things that I feel like I haven't asked for that I've had to carry and I've always benefited from. It's been a lot of both. There's been a lot of difficulty that has come with this journey and there's also been a lot of rewards, which as I've gotten older I've realized that most of us experience those things, just in different ways.
Who I was at 17 is most likely not far off how most of us were at 17, except I was just expressing it a little differently (smiling).

Q. Destiny, your destiny, the role you played?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I don't I don't know. I don't know. I can't really see it that objectively. I wish I could.

Q. You seem quite happy that it's over now. Is that true?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yes, it is. You know, it's a transition. There's been a feeling, like I expressed, of a bit of sadness saying good bye. I mean, the part that makes this so good over the years is the fact that it will come to an end, the fact that there is an end and a good bye makes you really take in what you get to share and experience. The pain of the good bye really lifts the joy of the experience. I'm very much at peace with that.

Q. I know you just stopped, but have you given a thought about the senior tour at all?
ANDRE AGASSI: Yeah, I actually think it starts tomorrow, right? They're playing. I might just yeah, we might have another press conference after (smiling).
No, I'm not quitting tennis, retiring, to immediately think about playing again. I'm going to be very shrewd and take some time.

Q. Your work with your academy, has that ever prompted you in going back to school yourself?
ANDRE AGASSI: No, no (smiling). Listen, I think everyone else should go to school (laughter).
It's about opportunities for children. For me, I feel like my opportunities, I've been blessed with so many of them and have them. I enjoy learning on different levels. I'm not sure I would particularly connect with the routine of sort of going back to school. It hasn't really ever crossed no, no (smiling).

Q. I know it's still a few weeks away, October 7th is a big night. Can you imagine this will be the most emotional moment of your retirement?
ANDRE AGASSI: Well, listen, if I could leverage anything I'm going through here to make more money for the children, to bring them more opportunities, I'm open to ideas. If I can inspire people to give more as a result of anything, that's a good thing. That night is a huge night.
I think actually this will be the first event, because that's a perfect example of what I look forward to. In years past, I'm not playing in Europe because I'm doing this for the foundation. I'm not training, I'm not playing, but I'm doing something I really care about.
This year I'll get to just do what I care about without that sort of price tag with it. It will be great.

Q. Do you think it will be a bigger event as a result, though?
ANDRE AGASSI: I don't know. Last year we raised $10 million. A couple years ago $12.6 million. Those aren't easy numbers. I don't lose appreciation for how much money that is and what happens with those children's lives as a result of that money.
We're talking about millions of dollars that are going to get raised. I'm going to be thankful for each one.

Q. Over the years you talk a lot about inspiration. Have there been any scripture verses or quotes from people that you admire that you keep tucked in the back of your mind?
ANDRE AGASSI: You know, my mind grinds gears when I have to recall stuff like that. I'm not good at sort of memorizing and repeating.
Yeah, I'm inspired by a lot of different things that I see every day.

Q. Pete said after a couple of years of retirement he got really bored and started playing World Team Tennis. Does that seem crazy to you about being bored in retirement?
ANDRE AGASSI: I think it's an individual experience for sure. A career is individual to every given person, how you choose to go about it, and so is retirement. I can't speak to what his journey has been, how he's perceived his life through tennis or after.
If I'm bored, I feel like I've done a thousand things differently than I anticipate.

Q. Having been with Steffi when she was going through her transition into retirement, do you think you can take anything from that in your road now? She didn't embrace a lot of what's out here as you did.
ANDRE AGASSI: No, she did. Maybe you just didn't sort of see it or it wasn't communicated in the same way.
You know, the reason why I can't sort of learn a lot from her, I just have to sort of sit on the sideline and admire it, is because she's very resolved in everything she does. She treated retirement and that decision with such sort of grace and ease that it makes you marvel at her strength, her clarity.
I'm a completely different animal than that, you know. It's not so easy for me to trust myself.

Q. Looking at the number of media here, do you really want us to track you down?
ANDRE AGASSI: It depends if I liked you or not (smiling).
No, I would love to see all of you again.

Q. When you do leave these things over the years, as you walk down the corridor, do you think, What are these people about? Do you think about some of the questions you're asked. Do you have any memory of questions you were asked particularly?
ANDRE AGASSI: Oh, wow. Yeah, that's I never want to be prepared for a question. That's a question I wish I was prepared for. I wish I would have thought about that. I probably could have given you a whole list. My mind doesn't work well that way. I can't just kind of call on something.
I've had some shockers over the years, for sure, to say the least.

Q. Do you have any questions for us?
ANDRE AGASSI: Are you guys going to really miss me or are you just acting like that?
(Standing ovation.)
US Open
Video of interview

US Open disqualification

I've seen some nasty verbal abuse to the chair umpires in matches, but I've never personally seen anyone getting disqualified for it. I wonder what exactly this girl said.

The 2006 US Open Junior Championship got off to a rather interesting start this afternoon when No. 2 seed and Wimbledon winner Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark was disqualified from the tournament. The 16-year-old, who had won the first set over 17-year-old Russian Alexandra Panova, was ousted after verbally abusing an umpire during the second set. US Open

It appears the argument was over whether or not a shot was in or out. What a way to waste your chances at another championship.

Golovin upsets Petrova

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Originally uploaded by princess robyn.

I might get my wish and see a rematch between Maria Sharapova and Tatiana Golovin, who defeated 5th seed Nadia Petrova today. While watching them play in Miami, I was really pushing for Golovin - and she had a great chance until she rolled her ankle quite badly. Go Tatiana! She plays another Russian, Anna Chakvetadze, next.

Video: Nike / Sharapova 'I Feel Pretty' ad

View Video

Photo: Goodbye, Andre

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Originally uploaded by princess robyn.

A career for the ages came to a close Sunday when Agassi lost to the 112th-ranked player in the world, with Benjamin Becker serving an ace to finish off a 7-5, 6-7 (4), 6-4, 7-5 third-round victory at the U.S. Open.

Photo: Agassi in tears

MSNBC

US Open plans live webcast

US Residents will have a chance to watch a live webcast September 4 at 7PM ET. Info here.

Why they aren't doing this for the whole tournament, I am not sure.

Roddick, Sharapova were asked to share court

Looks like the publicity machine of the US Open arranged the very convenient pairing of Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick on court today.

Desperate to give disappointed ticket holders at least a semblance of entertainment Saturday at the U.S. Open, where rain washed out every match on the schedule, tournament officials asked Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick if they would hit with their respective practice partners at Arthur Ashe Stadium during a 20-minute break in the weather.

The megawatt blonds agreed. And even though scarcely a meaningful glance was exchanged between them as they slammed serves and forehands to opposite corners of the court, it was hard not to view the session as the "coming out" of the game's most glamorous players as a couple.

Roddick and Sharapova have been peppered with questions about whether they're romantically involved since the U.S. Open began last week.

The 19-year-old Sharapova has flatly declined to discuss her personal life in news conferences, adopting the sourpuss expression she flaunts in her latest Nike commercial, in which she strides from her Manhattan hotel to the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center as a host of New Yorkers serenade her with, "I Feel Pretty."

Roddick, 24, has deflected suggestions of a liaison more directly.

"We're not dating," he said last week. "I've said it a million times already, but you guys refuse to write it. Mmm, you know, we're friendly. We're in the same places. I think she's a great girl. You know, we'll talk. But that's about it."

But their joint appearance had the stadium abuzz. The tournament's credentialed photographers rushed to the sideline to document the session; simply getting Sharapova and Roddick in the same frame has been a challenge to date. And fans slipped out digital cameras of their own as the two did what amounted to an on-court tango without ever touching.

The only interaction between them came when Sharapova hit a serve wide into Roddick's half of the court, instead of her hitting partner's service box, and Roddick returned it.

Still, hints of something deeper were in the air. A self-confessed fashionista who pays particular attention to her outfits, Sharapova wore a T-shirt atop her black training pants that read, "Love Is in the Air." Over the stadium's speakers, the song "Dirty Little Secret" blared. And while Roddick's form was monitored by his new coach, Jimmy Connors, Sharapova's strokes were watched even more closely by her father, Yuri. Washington Post

Photo credit: Ed Betz - AP

Agassi gets second cortisone injection

In more not-so-good news about Andre Agassi's health, he received a second cortisone injection for his back pain. While he didn't have to play today due to yet another rain-out in New York, he will have to play back to back matches on Sunday and Monday. Worse yet, his opponent Monday might be Andy Roddick - which promises to be a potentially difficult match.

Agassi went to a hospital to have a cortisone shot Tuesday after his first-round victory over Andrei Pavel; Agassi's trainer, Gil Reyes, estimated he's had eight to 10 such injections over the past four years. Then, his back too painful for a car ride after the Baghdatis match, Agassi had a tournament doctor go to his hotel Friday to give him anti-inflammatory medicine.

On Saturday, Agassi practiced for about 45 minutes at an indoor court about 15 miles away, then arrived at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center shortly before 2 p.m. He left 1 1/2 hours later, having received the latest injection, and Reyes said Agassi probably would have another Sunday.

As Agassi entered the locker room alone Saturday, he was walking much better than he did after the Baghdatis match, when he was hunched over and hobbling. It was so tough to stand then that Agassi took a moment to lie down on his back on the concrete outside while waiting to be picked up for the ride to his hotel.

"He's sore. He's tired and inspired," Reyes said. "It matters to him. I'm overwhelmed how important it is to him. All summer it was about getting him here. Now it's about getting him on the court and his bringing what he has to the court and leaving it on the court."
Yahoo

Agassi wouldn't dare have this many shots of cortisone if it weren't the end of his tennis career - when I had one for ankle pain, the doctor went into a lot of detail how having too much can end up weakening the areas that need strengthening.

Sharapova and Roddick share a tennis court

Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick are still denying a romance, but they were seen sharing a tennis court today.

Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova braved the rain here, taking to the court in Arthur Ashe Stadium for a brief side-by-side practice session. They've been the subject of gossip about whether they're an item: Sharapova says she won't dicuss her private life; Roddick said this week they're not dating.

Roddick and Sharapova shared the court Saturday, but they didn't appear to share so much as a glance in the other's direction. First, they were at opposite baselines, hitting diagonally cross-court to their respective hitting partners. Then they stood at the same end of the court, swatting balls over the net, but not interacting.

Maybe that's because Sharapova's dad, Yuri, was nearby, keeping close watch.
SFgate

More complaints about the Sharapova screech

From Mike Downey:

And to think at a tennis match they have the gall to ask a crowd to be quiet.

As I watch the 2006 U.S. Open being played at the Billie Jean King Tennis Center on my TV this weekend, I thank the Man Upstairs—no, not John McEnroe—once more for the greatest invention God has put on this Earth of ours over the last 50 years—the mute button.

The grunts of women's tennis are getting worse. I don't know whether to watch these players play or to pick up a phone and call 911.

I have heard animals fight in zoos and not make this much noise. I went to an Aerosmith concert that wasn't this loud. Janet Leigh didn't scream this way in "Psycho" when she got stabbed taking a shower.

For all of Sharapova's poise, style and publicity as a hot babe, I feel it is necessary to note that she is the loudest human being on TV. This young woman could drown out John Madden, Chris Berman and Dick Vitale simultaneously. If a screaming baby in a maternity ward could talk, he or she would beg Sharapova to shut up.

This eardrum-crushin' Russian has been confronted about all of this grunting of hers but vows she won't quit. Like a smoker who defiantly puffs into your face, Sharapova's noise pollution is going to continue because it doesn't annoy her.

A Nike commercial of hers just came on my TV, the one where everybody in the stadium sings along to that "I Feel Pretty" ditty from "West Side Story."

All I know is, if "West Side Story" were now on Broadway, you wouldn't be able to hear the songs over all that noise from the tennis outin Flushing Meadows. I don't care how lovely Sharapova or her game is. I don't care to observe a tennis match and hear a player shriek like a werewolf.

She isn't the only one. Serena Williams can do a pretty good primal scream of her own. There also is Dinara Safina, whose grunts at the French Open were such loud expressions of pain you would have thought her private tennis coach was the Marquis de Sade.

Only a guillotine could silence them. Tennis authorities won't.

"I think the umpire should maybe step in and come down on her a little bit," Elena Dementieva, a top pro and Russian comrade, once said of Sharapova.

I'm with her. Subtract a point for audience abuse.

The greatest grunter of all used to be Monica Seles, whose wails were such that one Wimbledon quarterfinal opponent, Natalie Tauziat, complained to a chair umpire about her.

Seles was told to keep it down. I believe everybody was grateful for this, including the passengers and pilots of jets flying over London at that hour.

Before his 2005 retirement, Wimbledon's chief umpire, Alan Mills, said in an interview: "Many of the nongrunting players are unhappy about the noise pollution. A kind of counter-grunt culture has emerged in recent years, whereby offended parties ape their opponent's noises."

Interesting. Rather than to fight fire with fire, the idea would be to fight grunt with grunt—a literal translation of "two can play at that game."

First one to lose her voice loses the match.

I watched a Friday match on TV involving the U.S. Open's No. 2 seed, Justine Henin-Hardenne. I had to keep turning up the sound to see if she was making one.

Nope, not a peep. It was a classic example of how tennis can be played without sounding like a fight to the death between Godzilla and King Kong.

A few minutes later I got to see the last points of a match between the No. 6 seed, Svetlana Kuznetsova, and Anastasia Rodionova. I almost went deaf-o-nova. The racket was excruciating. I have rarely heard grunts like that outside of a barnyard.

Tennis is meant to be a quiet sport. A gentle breeze, a soft ball and a light plunk of the strings on every swing … that's the way it should be played.

Spare us from Sharapova and her kind with those yowls and howls. How do you solve a problem like Maria? Maybe you could make her wear a dress, a headband and a gag. Chicago Sports

Planet TennisFan

Wednesday, September 27, 2006

Hewitt loved or hated in Argentina?

ESPN gives us reasons to stay tuned to tennis

Australia investigated for possible Davis Cup fine

Moya: Sampras is better than Federer

Sunday, September 24, 2006

Mirza dismisses the importance of fitness

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

Ever try meditation to improve your game?

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Hingis visits Mother Teresa charity house

Sampras gives Roddick advice

Sunday, September 17, 2006

Full interview of Sharapova on Letterman

Kuznetsova wins Bali; hits Bartoli

Top ten tennis hotties!

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Blake finds Davis Cup inspiration in Sampras

Sampras finds it difficult to leave Wimbledon behind

Friday, September 15, 2006

Hantuchova says her life as a pianist prepped her for tennis

Thursday, September 14, 2006

USTA investigation finds discrimination; begins settlement

ATP: Ask Tursonov a question

Williams sisters face court battle; ordered to turn over tax returns