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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. |
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#1
BOWERS & EVANS are MONEY: Although Tennis Live
Radio has yet to return in 2009, I'm enjoying AO Radio
to hold me over. I was unable to watch coverage on day
two, but tuned into AO Radio for the Hewitt/Gonzalez
match until about 1:30am. I, like many, have enjoyed
Chris Bowers on Davis/Fed Cup Radio for years, but his
teamwork with Tennis Week's Richard Evans was excellent.
I give them two thumbs up. |
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#2 THIS
RULE is TOTALLY CRAMP: Speaking of the Lleyton/Fernando
match on day two, cramping apparently became a factor in
the fifth set. Hewitt broke back to serve at 2-3 in the
5th but Fernando took an injury timeout for a cramp in
his thigh during changeover. The Aussie Open adjusted
their heat rule in 2008, so I'm thinking a cramping rule
may have to be considered in the future. I understand
cramps don't always correlate to fitness, but momentum
was halted. |
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#3.
ANCIENT AMERCIAN DISCOVERY:
I know it's only a sound bite, but here is what Phil de
Piccotto from Octagon said in regards to the new ATP
Chief Adam Helfant. "Adam was the ideal candidate
because he is an outsider but has been very connected to
the game and while American, he has a world
view and he has had major input in the marketing of a
world brand." Oh geez, I'm not sure how the ATP did it,
but they found an American conscious of the world beyond
its shores. Where did they find a Yankee of such
character? Golly gee. Again I'm sure, I mean hoping,
that I'm taking Mr. Piccotto's words out of context, but
if by some chance I'm not....I'll say that it is
disappointing. By the way, what kind of name is de
Piccotto? Is it Floridian? |
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#4
FEDERER wants LONGER SEASON?: Ok, so I'm a few
days behind in my tennis news. I'll try and catch up.
How could it be that we are coming off a season full of
complaints regarding the length of the season and now be
considering extending it in the future? Apparently the
pre Aussie Open Persian Gulf events have been very
successful and ATP Player Council President, Roger
Federer, has discussed pushing back the Aussie Open with
new ATP Chief Adam Helfant. Fededer stated "I
guess to fix the Australian Open problem, you know, and
have more tournaments beforehand, (the solution) is to
move it backwards a couple of weeks."
Hmmmm. |
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#5
IVANOVIC to MENTOR VAIDISOVA: As
TennisReporters.net reported, Ana Ivanovic split with
Verdasco. Her poor results following Roland Garros last
year has to be a contributing factor. Nicole Vaidisova
might want to do the same with her relationship. She
lost first round. |
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#6 FAVORITE NAME: Maria Jose Martinez
Sanchez. Love those long names. She won too. |
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#7 TSONGA WE KNOW YOUR NAME: I'm fan of
Wilfred, but ease up on the pointing at your back after
big match wins. Maybe I have this wrong, but it appears
to me to be a bit of bragging. Maybe I have this wrong. |
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#8.
VOLUNTARY VOLANDRI:
Italy's Filippo Volandri was suspended 3 months for
doping. Apparently he tested high for asthma steroid
Salbutamol. Here is what I found.
-This study of the effects of supra-therapeutic doses of
inhaled salbutamol on endurance cycling in non-asthmatic
athletes found the drug enhanced performance to a
significant degree – enough to give users a real
advantage in competitive events-
Let's forget for a second that this study was in regards
to endurance athletes, but if Salbutamol is
giving non-asthmatic athletes an edge, wouldn't its use
in asthmatic athletes put them on an even playing field
with those genetically blessed non-asthmatics? I'm a
lifelong asthmatic and possess a college degree in
exercise science, so I understand both....I'm just
having a little fun. How many suspended Italians does
that make it now? |
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#9 THE DEMENTIEVA QUESTION
CONTINUES: Who watched Elena Dementieva's post
match interview with Patrick McEnroe and Mary Carillo on
ESPN2 on Day 2? I ripped on Chris Fowler on Day 1 for
asking the Demenetiva Question, so I guess I
must do the same to PMAC. Not all players are kind
enough to grant interviews. Apparently Hewitt only does
Aussie interviews and Roddick only American (read
this). Elena grants the interview and you ask the
Dementieva Question. I understand the The
Question could be perceived in a positive tone, but
it is unjustified still. If the countless players are
asked about their failing and unimproving volleying
skills during each interview I'll stop venting, but I
don't see it happening. |
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