Slideshow: Roger Federer Practice Session

Roger Federer practices with Andy Murray on March 22. Didn't seem to do Murray a whole lot of good. I'm sure Federer won't have much difficulty with Radek Stepanek later today, though the Czech does enjoy playing the world No. 3.

::

Video of practice session

Winning Ugly

Getty

Andy Roddick of the USA poses with the trophy after winning his final match 7-6(2), 7-6(7) against Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic during day eight of the Brisbane International 2010 at Queensland Tennis Centre on January 10, 2010 in Brisbane, Australia.

::

I'll let the horse's mouth tell it:

“I didn’t expect to come in and win my first tournament after a pretty extended layoff,” Roddick said. “You could focus on the last 20 minutes of stress or look at the whole week … overall I feel pretty good about it.

“It was weird. I don’t think I have squandered a lead where I have been putting in first serves and making approach shots. And in the breakers it was the same deal. I kept making first serves so that was helping me hold on to the last shred of sanity I had.

“But at the end of the day the only thing that will be remembered is the ‘w’ (win).”

Excellent attitude. He had certainly forgotten how to win and thankfully, as another fan wrote last night, Radek Stepanek helped to remind him.

I'm reminded of the old high-school basketball cheer, "You gotta fight to win and we will not give in."

Whatever else Andy does on a tennis court, he fights as hard as any competitor out there, including his opponent last night. That fight was rewarded with his first victory on the continent of Australia in his first ever final Down Under.

Under the circumstances -- the anguish, the injuries, the months-long absence from competition, the forgetting how to win since last winter -- it was a tremendous ‘w’.

Now I'll try to convince myself these words are true.

::


Getty

France's Jeremy Chardy, left, and Marc Gicquel hold their trophy after beating Leander Paes of India and Lucas Dlouhy of the Czech Republic 6-3, 7-6 in their men's doubles finals at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane, Australia, Sunday, Jan. 10, 2010.

::


Reuters

Croatia's Marin Cilic holds the trophy after defeating Switzerland's Stanislas Wawrinka 7-6(2), 7-6(3) in their singles final match at the Chennai Open ATP tennis tournament in the southern Indian city of Chennai January 10, 2010.

::

Davis Cup Champions

AP

Spain's captian Albert Costa, center, celebrates with the rest of the Spanish team after beating Radek Stepanek and Tomas Berdych from Czech Republic in the doubles match of the Davis Cup tennis Final at Sant Jordi stadium in Barcelona, Spain, on Saturday, Dec. 5, 2009. Fernando Verdasco and Feliciano Lopez won 7-6, 7-5, 6-2 winning the third point to win the Davis Cup against Czech Republic.

Getty

Bercy Drive-By Preview

Reuters

Djoke over Söderling in straights
Jo-Wilfried over Rafa in straights*
Monfils over Cilic in 3
Stepanek over JMDP in 3

Would serve me right if I got all four predictions wrong, but the losers will have to get out of their own ways to end up on the side of victory.

*Tsonga withdrew from doubles citing a wrist injury, so....

::

Singles - Third Round
[2] R Nadal (ESP) d [14] T Robredo (ESP) 63 36 75
[3] N Djokovic (SRB) d [Q] A Clement (FRA) 62 62
[13] R Stepanek (CZE) d [4] A Murray (GBR) 16 63 64
[5] J Del Potro (ARG) d [10] F Gonzalez (CHI) 67(6) 76(6) ret. (leg) - saved 7 M.P.
[9] R Soderling (SWE) d [6] N Davydenko (RUS) 63 36 64
[12] M Cilic (CRO) d [7] F Verdasco (ESP) 36 63 64
[8] J Tsonga (FRA) d [11] G Simon (FRA) 62 63
[15] G Monfils (FRA) d J Benneteau (FRA) 64 63

Doubles - Quarterfinals
[8] F Cermak (CZE) / M Mertinak (SVK) d J Kerr (AUS) / T Parrott (USA) 62 64

Doubles - Second Round
[1] D Nestor (CAN) / N Zimonjic (SRB) d [WC] A Clement (FRA) / M Llodra (FRA) 63 64
[2] B Bryan (USA) / M Bryan (USA) d J Benneteau (FRA) / J Tsonga (FRA) w/o (Tsonga - wrist)
C Kas (GER) / P Kohlschreiber (GER) d [6] J Knowle (AUT) / A Ram (ISR) 75 64

::

Hard to say who's playing the best tennis. It's a toss up between Stepanek, Djoke, Monfils, and Tsonga at this point. This point. Would make for interesting semifinals as well. But Rafa is still hanging on, lucky his Spanish opponents couldn't close him out. Is he about to turn a corner? If Tsonga is injured, he could get out of jail free once again.

Davis Cup 2009 Semifinalists

Reuters

Team captain Eyal Ran (2nd L), Jonathan Erlich (3rd L) and Andy Ran (R) celebrate with their teammates after defeating Russia's Marat Safin and Igor Kunitsyn in their Davis Cup World Group quarterfinal doubles tennis match in Tel Aviv July 11, 2009.

::

The biggest surprise of the weekend, hands down.


Getty

Czech players celebrate their victory after Radek Stepanek of Czech Republic won against Juan Monaco of Argentina at the end of their Davis cup quarter-final match at the Cez Arena in Ostrava on July 12, 2009.

::

The veteran. The hero.


AP

Members of Croatian team celebrate after defeating team USA in Davis Cup quarterfinals, in Porec, Croatia, Sunday, July 12, 2009.

::

The US has never defeated Croatia in a Davis Cup tie? Interesting.

Getty

Spanish Juan Carlos Ferrero celebrates with teammates after winning the fifth Davis Cup match Spain vs Germany against Germany's Andreas Beck at the Marbella bullring, on July 12, 2009.

::

Another veteran. Another hero. How nice for Ferrero after all he's been through to enjoy such a season.

American Men On A Mission

Getty

Andy Roddick led three American men into the third round of the BNP Paribas Open last night. He played dog poop tennis to get past Austrian caveman David Koellerer in straight sets. Earlier, John Isner rallied to upset Gael Monfils in three sets, but the cleanest victory of the day came from Sam Querrey who rode the cheers of his own J-Block-like fan club to pick apart an in-form Radek Stepanek in routine straights.

Mardy Rish, Taylor Dent, who's trying to comeback from a slew of injuries, Bobby Reynolds, Michael Russell, Todd Widom, and Ryan Sweeting, who froze like a dear in headlights after being up a set and a break over Juan Martin del Potro, weren't so lucky. James Blake advanced to the third round night before last.

Revenge

Andy Roddick steps on the snake 7-5, 7-5 to win his 27th career title.

He's on the board in 2009.

And a useless piece of trivia: he's the first active player on the tour to win at least one title 9 years running.

Match Highlights



(Thanks, Graf_sampras)

The Worm

AFP/Getty

Radek Stepanek, Brisbane International Men's Champion

Sick And Tired

What a difference a day makes.

I was actually looking forward to today's semifinals. I wanted to see Radek Stepanek subdue he who will not be named. I wanted to see Andy Roddick upset the mentally frail Stanislas Wawrinka.

But Radek was sick and Roddick was tired. Two seminfinals; 10 lopsided games played.

Oh. Well.

I hope the booing fans got a full refund.

Federer Falls

This has just not been a good year for Roger Federer. Listless, sluggish, ornery. Reminds me of his demeanor in last year's Monte-Carlo final.

Radek Stepanek upset the Swiss 7-6(4), 7-6(7) with great serving and excellent net play. He was virtually unpassable. Even after he choked serving for the match, he recovered, even after falling behind in the second tiebreak, and notched his second victory over Raja in six tries.

This is the silly season of tennis.

Idle Chit-Chat

by Savannah

Soooo I was going to lead with the Oz Open story and the seemingly increasing possibility of more "Grand Slams" and turn this into a "Heard Around" post but for total shock value you can't top this.

Words fail me. Well no they don't. It's not about Radek Stepanek being hotness challenged either. What would a 29-year-old man want with an 18-year-old girl? Oh I know but as my mother used to always say you've got to get out of the bed sometime. I used to dismiss it as one of her many quirky statements during my teen aged years (and yes the wheel had been invented back then) but now I understand what she meant.

Her parents and the tennis establishments in both Czechoslovakia and the United States invested a lot of time and money in Nicole Vaidisova's tennis career. For her to now decide her be all and end all is Radek must be throwing them for a loop. My other question is why the rush? I don't know how long they've been seeing each other - a tab in Czechoslovakia reported they were a couple but it was a tab so no one took it seriously I suppose.

At age 29, Radek's career is on the downside. Maybe he'll become his wife's coach a la Rainer Hoffman. At least Radek does know something about playing tennis which is more than can be said for Rainer, but I digress. Let's hope an angry father holding a double barreled shot gun (I guess today it would be a Glock semi automatic) isn't part of the wedding party and that Nicole will continue her tennis career sans wailing babe.

Oh, and Nicole, here's a word to add to your vocabulary - "PRENUP!"

In other couples news Chris Evert and Greg Norman confirmed their engagement. No date has been set for the nuptials. Chris also announced she's building a tennis facility in South Africa. Evert Norman Engagement


Roger

Grand Slam Tennis Update
This paragraph appears in an online article by Leo Schlink on the state of the Australian Open. "Bimes" is Christian Bimes head of the French Tennis Federation.

"Roland Garros will not lose its grand slam status, but I'm convinced that if we don't make progress, there will one day be a fifth grand slam event in Asia and possibly a sixth in Europe," Bimes said.

"The losers would be the French Open and Wimbledon. We want to avoid that at any cost."

Well here's a thought. How about rescheduling the French Open and Wimbledon so that their positioning makes sense? Ion Tiriac is putting his money where his mouth is and lobbying big time for Madrid to be upgraded. I doubt the Chinese built their wonderful facitility just for the Olympics. And Middle Eastern money is already a major influence in tennis. Moving Wimbledon and creating a "Road to Wimbledon" or whatever would satisfy those who love grass court tennis by creating an actual grass court season. The clay court season, already established, could remain as it is. Just my very humble opinion.

The article is focused on the Australian Open and Tennis Australia's fears regarding it's status. Interesting read for tennisheads. More Slams?


Serena YEC Madrid 2007

BJK Opens Up
Tennis legend Billie Jean King sat down for an interview with the Sunday Times of London. David Walsh's article reviews Ms King's professional and personal life and includes information about the how and why of her coming out. Ms King also took time to talk about today's WTA and makes the following statement:

We now have the best players we’ve ever had,” says King. “I don’t know why we’re not talking about Justine Henin all the time because, for her size, she’s the greatest athlete we’ve ever seen. I don’t know why she’s not more appreciated – she’s not blonde, she’s not cutesie-wootsie but the way she has evolved as a tennis player is unbelievable. She’s improved so much at the net, she’s much stronger off her forehand, she has turned a terrible serve into something better than adequate and she’s learnt to recover during a match. People need to understand what they are seeing here.

For the full article please read BJK Interview

Wimbledon July 3 2007

Venus Williams Graduates
Since it's well known that most American tennis players don't even have high school diplomas it's nice to see that Venus stuck to it and graduated from fashion school this week. Big ups to Ms Williams.


Venus December 2007 Miami

Miscellaneous Tennis News

From the exhibition season:
Dudi Sela of Israel beat Marat Safin in straight sets at Sankt Polten The match lasted 56 minutes.


The semi's in Argentina look like this:

Nalbandian vs Chela
Monaco vs Moya

More from the shallow end of the pool...
Andy Roddick photographed in the Union Square area of NYC with his girl friend Brooklyn Decker who is still a teenager. Guess his hipster girlfriend didn't tell him that those jeans went out a couple of years ago...


Serena's "A-Ha" Moment
This is a regular feature in "Oprah" magazine.

And then, like proof of being an adult, my first electric bill arrived—$1,500! I couldn't believe it. Suddenly I understood why Daddy was always telling me to turn out the lights. Another time I came home from a tournament and—click! No lights. Our power had been turned off because I hadn't paid the bill on time. There I was, the 1999 U.S. Open champ, sitting alone in my big house in the dark. I was constantly running out of groceries, toiletries, and little things I needed. That's when you realize what it means to be an adult: when you're on your own and you run out of toilet paper.

It took about a year, but eventually my new house started to feel like home. Venus and I did all the decorating, and seven years later, I still love the choices we made, like our window treatments and my classic bedroom furniture. We may have been giddy kids, but it turns out we didn't do anything too crazy. The first night I spent there by myself I was miserable—nothing in the house really seemed like it was mine. Now I don't relax until I put my key in the lock, swing open the front door, and my dogs rush to greet me.

A Ha!

Serena in Moscow 2007


Marat in Moscow 2007

End Notes

David Nalbandian and the Ladies Paris Bercy 2007

What to say about Sania Mirza? This young woman, already under the religious microscope was involved in filming an ad, in a mosque in Hyderabad India. It's reported that some of the film crew, ignoring Muslim sensibilities, entered the building wearing shoes. On top of that no filming, especially of a commercial, was to take place inside the house of worship. Sania, sweetie, is ya stoopid? An apology was hastily released but the damage was done. It was pointed out that her closest advisors are Hindu but she was born and raised a Muslim and should have made sure everything was properly arranged. Sania, handle your business. Sania Sparks Relgious Row

There's a thread on TAT where tennisheads discussed the top five WTA tennis stories of 2007. Ask two tennisheads opinions on things tennis and you'll get three different points of view.
The original list, posted by Peter Bodo in his blog looked like this:

1. Serena Williams' first quarter.

2. Justine Henin's final three quarters.

3. The Serbian Vitches

4. Williams sisters tag-team move.

5. Introducing Marion Bartoli.

My immediate reaction was "huh?" I thought about if for a while and then came up with my own list.

1. Serena's first quarter

2. Henin's three quarters

3. Sharapova's winning one event in 2007

4. Hingis retirement

5. What Lindsay's triumphant return shows about the (lack of) depth of women's tennis.

Special Mention: Venus Wimbledon win

I don't see how the Maria Sharapova story and the events surrounding Hingis retirement could not make a top five list of stories for the WTA. I know people think I hate Sharapova but I don't really. I don't know her. But I do know what is done for her by the tennis establishment - say what you will but that 2007 US Open draw has to go down in infamy - and that is what I don't like. People are quick to point out that she played the YEC very well but again she had the softer of the draws. I don't think Justine Henin has had as soft draw all year by the way but again I digress. At the end of the year she won exactly one event during the US Open series against a tired opponent. And if Venus hadn't fallen on her sword and bowed out of the YEC Sharapova wouldn't have been there at all.

As for Martina Hingis retiring again under circumstances that make it impossible for the truth to ever come out just imagine if Venus Williams or Serena Williams had tested postitive for cocaine. It would be the top story of the year not only in tennis but in sports. Marion Jones fall would have nothing on a Venus/Serena drug story. And that is why it's a big deal. It seems everyone, the WTA and Ms Hingis, got what they wanted from how things worked out. Martina's fans will be able to say it was never proved and hope to see her make the Hall of Fame. The ITF and the WTA will also be able to say they enforced their rules and got a druggie out of the game. And whether you like her or not Martina was the last of the pre Big Babe tennis players and deserved the induction ceremony that was in her future.

Some now want to add the Nicole Vaidisova situation to the top WTA stories of 2007. It deserves mention only because she was set to be a golden girl. I respect Nicole a lot, especially after she lost to Serena in Melbourne at the beginning of the year and refused to get caught up in a media created frenzy about lights shining in her eyes. She also has game. We have a lot of stories of teen tennis players cracking under the pressure to do well and I wonder if this is her way of dealing with it? Bernard Tomic, all of fifteen, is being hyped by Tennis Australia as the next big thing on the ATP circuit. His father/coach is already comparing him to Roger Federer in precociousness and making his training regime sound like Rafa's. The kid has been quoted as saying he doesn't mind not having a life he loves tennis so much. I know some think tennis players reading is an oxymoron but young Tomic's camp should read that New York Times piece on Donald Young from this past summer and look at Bjorn Borg's life long and hard. You have to be a kid sometime. It's better to do it while age wise you're still a kid and not wait until your late twenties to get angry about not having had a life and proceed to have one.

As for Lindsay's triumphant return to the tour I'm sure the WTA just wishes she would go away. She's playing more in 2008. Let's see how she does before hauling her up on a pedestal folks. She's already caused Jelena Jankovic to have a meltdown so 2008 should be fun.

I've put more best of 2007 pics in this post. I'll end with a fave of those who are into tennis slash from Wimbledon 2007.

Vaidisova and Stepanek to Wed?

Lots of meaning in this Reebok ad, no?

I get busy with my B&B for a week and return to tennis to find out that Czechs Nicole Vaidisova and Radek Stepanek have applied for a marriage license in Florida?

Manatee County Florida Clerk of the Circuit Court
Court House Information Processing System
CASE

Case Number 41 2007 ML 001967

Case Type Marriage License File Date 12/10/2007

Case Action Code MARRIAGE LICENSE WITHOUT COURSE Case Status Open

PARTIES
Rcd Party Type Name D.O.B. Gender Race
1 Groom STEPANEK , RADEK 1978 CAUC
2 Bride VAIDISOVA , NICOLE 1989 CAUC

Source

The Bradenton Herald ran this yesterday:

Vaidisova, Stepanek apply for marriage license

HERALD STAFF
Bradenton resident Nicole Vaidisova, the 12th-ranked women's tennis player in the world, has filed papers for a marriage license with men's professional tennis player Radek Stepanek, according to information received from the Manatee County Clerk of Circuit Court.

Vaidisova and Stepanek applied for the marriage license Dec. 10, and their names are on a public records list that will appear in Sunday's Herald.

Vaidisova's agent at IMG Academies, Olivier Van Lindonk, could not be reached for comment.

The 18-year-old Vaidisova turned pro in 2003 and is coming off her best year on the WTA Tour. She reached the semifinals at the Australian Open and the quarterfinals of the French Open and Wimbledon.

Stepanek, 29, has two career titles on the ATP Tour, including one earlier this year in Los Angeles. His best Grand Slam showing was a quarterfinal berth at Wimbledon in 2006.

Stepanek was previously engaged to another tennis player, Martina Hingis, but the two broke off their engagement in August.

But what. There's more.

Apparently NikkiV is pregnant. When I saw her comeback at the US Open, she was a lot more robust than she was before her illness absence. Not that she was pregnant back then (or even now as this hasn't been confirmed), but she went from teenager to full-grown woman overnight. Sex will do that do you. Or birth control pills.

Maybe this is why Martina was snorting the baseline?

Karen, oh, Karen, where are you? Just when you thought tennis players were boring and nothing happens in the off-season...