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by TLR
Host Todd
Hello TLR Nuts and tennis fans! The 2009 grand slam
season has begun and Tennis Live Radio will be back
soon. I thank you for your patience and very much look
forward to speaking to you all again. While we wait for
our radio return, I decided to express some of my
Australian Open opinions right here during the next two
weeks. Please excuse any spelling and/or grammatical
errors. We do this on the fly. |
Sorry for the late post, family
situation delayed my thoughts and the
quality of them. Do better tomrrow.
#1 DOES IT MAKE ME A BAD AMERICAN?: Four years
ago myself, Big John and a few others created Tennis
Live Radio. We began broadcasting in Providence and
shortly after were promoted to WWZN 1510 The Zone in
Boston. I asked a question to the listening audience
during my first week on WWZN in June and received mixed
answers. I asked the audience "Does It Make Me a Bad
American" because I do not automatically pull for my
countrymen and women to win? I specifically remember one
response. It was from one of our first ever TLC members
and she told me she was happy someone finally said
something, as she had become frustrated with the typical
Serena, Venus, Roddick, Blake bias by the American
tennis media. Why did I bring this up? Because I have a
new question to ask...."Does It Make Me a Bad Host" if I
shamelessly admit that I did not watch the women's final
live (3:30am EST) or even watch the encore in full? It
is virtually impossible in this age to avoid results,
especially when they are sent directly to your
Blackberry. Not only results, but when we created the
new TLR.com, I made sure the web team forwards all Match
Points of Opinions to my Blackberry as well to keep me
up to speed.
Having said all that, I did however watch the second
half of the second set. It was a obvious streamroll and
with all due respect to Dinara, who has made great
strides in less that a year, the result does not
surprise me. Mary Carillo stated following the match the
Safina was overwhelmed which is the opposite of what I
thought would happen yesterday. Despite its parody, many
have commented on the lack of diversity in the women's
game at the moment. I can honestly say that although I
expected this type of outcome (Serena only gave up 3
games to Sharapova last year), the WTA's lack of
intrigue is not completely why I didn't tune in live.
Had I been in LA or London, I would have been locked in.
Serena owns Australia. Period. |
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#2 BAGELS: Yes
Safina got bageled. But I'm not going to pile on Safina
for it. Lleyton got double bagled in '04 US Open final
and I still believe Hewitt to be an impressive player.
Dinara unfortunately found herself in front of the
freight train.
MacWomble is disappointed he got up for the final
(can't say I blame you), but sometime s#*^ happens.
However I will say this.......(read next comment) |
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#3 HERE'S a TISSUE:
She trained, She tried. She hoped. But it wasn't enough.
I have all the respect in the world for those that
prepare to the best of ability, but fall short. Most
don't even try. I recognized this with Roddick yesterday
or the day before. I understand upon arrival and with
each passing match, the players experience an increased
level of stress. Both created by themselves and the
expectations of others. But I struggle to understand the
crying we witness time and again. Maybe it is the same
players at each occasion, I'm not sure, but I still
don't totally understand it. Novotna cried on the
Dutchess, but she was ahead 5-1 in the 3rd. She wasn't
bagled in the first by the clear favorite. Should Safina
have expected herself to win, absolutely, but some
perspective is in order. I'm positive I'll get responses
from those on both sides of the fence on this one, but
believe me I'm not trying to be insensitive. |
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#4 IS IT TOO MUCH TO ASK?
Some of the TLC has commented on Mary Carillo's
statement following the women's final. Obviously pleased
Serena won her 10th slam title, Mary asked "Is It Too
Much to Ask" that the women's game enjoys a dominant
Roger Federer/Rafael Nadal presence, but she was also
suggested that this dominant presence plays at the
extremely high level as Serena had.
Sue in Raleigh wrote in on this very topic today and
if I read her opinion correctly, her and I are on the
same page. Women's tennis will be better for it and the
talent is out there. Mary also stated she wants the
women to commit themselves like the men. Here is where I
slightly disagree with Mary. I believe the women to
indeed be serious committed to the sport...I think if
they continue to play the 'Big Babe" tennis she so often
likes to point out, the WTA's product and interest will
suffer. What's the saying, "Train Smarter, Not Harder"? |
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#5 BEST of HER GENERATION:
Serena now owns 10 singles slams. She will be
the choice of experts as the best of her generation, but
because she can only produce the "Big Babe" tennis we
already mentioned, she'll remain second behind Justine
Henin to me. As far as I'm concerned this slam and her
US Open win last September were achieved in the era
Henin A.D. |
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#6 HISTORY WITH an *:
5 hours and 14 minute Semifinal. As a result, tonight's
men's final will have two story lines. 1. He should of
won. 2. He's Incredible. Apply the storyline to the
appropriate finalist. |
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#6
KING ARTHUR SINGS to VERDASCO: Can
you hear the drums Fernando? I remember long ago another
starry night like this In the firelight Fernando You
were humming to yourself and softly strumming your
guitar I could hear the distant drums And sounds of
bugle calls were coming from afar They were closer now
Fernando Every hour every minute seemed to last
eternally I was so afraid Fernando We were young and
full of life and none of us prepared to die And I'm not
ashamed to say The roar of guns and cannons almost made
me cry There was something in the air that night The
stars were bright, Fernando They were shining there for
you and me For liberty, Fernando Though I never thought
that we could lose There's no regret If I had to do the
same again I would, my friend, Fernando Now we're old
and grey Fernando And since many years I haven't seen a
rifle in your hand Can you hear the drums Fernando? Do
you still recall the fateful night we crossed the Rio
Grande? I can see it in your eyes How proud you were to
fight for freedom in this land There was something in
the air that night The stars were bright, Fernando They
were shining there for you and me For liberty, Fernando
Though I never thought that we could lose There's no
regret If I had to do the same again I would, my friend,
Fernando There was something in the air that night The
stars were bright, Fernando They were shining there for
you and me For liberty, Fernando Though I never thought
that we could lose There's no regret If I had to do the
same again I would, my friend, Fernando Yes, if I had to
do the same again I would, my friend, Fernando... |
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