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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. |
#1 PUNISHMENT SHOULD FIT THE
CRIME?: Unfortunately on Day 5 the Australian
Open was stained for the second consecutive year with
violence. Thirty young Bosnian and
Serbian spectators were ejected from the grounds for an
altercation that involved the tossing of plastic chairs
at one another. This incident follows up last year's
ejection of 150 Croatian and
Serbian fans for similar violence. Although I
don't know all the facts regarding this case or the
motives of those involved, I will assume one thing.
Alcohol was involved. Pam Shiver of ESPN suggested
something I have been suggesting for years. Banning
alcoholic beverages from these type of sporting events
may have to be done. Although I no longer do, I have
attended NFL and MLB
games in the past where unnecessary violence has
erupted. Bud Collins made this point on
ESPN following the altercation references many Red
Sox/Yankee games. Some journalists have stated that not
only are these conflicts created by regional
differences, but because of soccer/football loyalties as
well. If so, keep it out, this is not the publicity
tennis needs. These clowns knocked a woman unconscious
with a tossed chair. The punishment
should fit the crime. I say give the clowns
the chair. I'm trying to be tame and professional about
this believe me and I by no means am making light of any
injuries.
Anyhow, if it is realized that alcohol should no longer
be served at these events, I eagerly await the
$24 Hot Dog Open emails that will
arrive during the US Open later this year. |
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#2 I'M NOT POPPING PILLS:
As I expected, I didn't need the Zofran (see
Day Four). The Fed/Safin
match started at 5am Eastern time here in the States and
I set my mental alarm for 5:45am for a scoring update. I
woke up at 5:43am to watch Federer serve out the 2nd set
and then returned to bed. I awoke asking myself one
question. Not whether Roger is going to tie Pete's 14
slams a week from Sunday, but rather what motivates
Marat to continue his playing career. Granted I already
stuck the fork in him early last year, but I still can't
stop myself from asking, "Marat. Why motivates you to
keep playing?" I, like the next guy and girl, enjoy and
have enjoyed Marat's game for years. I'm a fan of his
personality on court. I think it's good for the game,
but I just don't know what drives him to play. Does
he believe he has one more day in the sun left in
him? He has the talent and time is still slightly on his
side, but the man has lacked confidence. I think many of
us believe in him, but if he doesn't believe in himself,
it isn't going to happen. If his intention is to simply
play and enjoy the final years of his career and not be
consumes capturing a 3rd slam title, I'm certainly in no
position to give an opinion otherwise. For those that
have been listening to TLR for years, will remember me
defending Kim Clijsters decision to retire despite
having the talent and years to win more slams. It is
their live despite the millions of fans around the globe
they inspire. I'm sure to some this entry will appear
harsh and from a non-Safin fan. This is not the case.
For those following these entries each day know that
Zofran might be needed for the nausea I experience when
the experts state that Marat is the game's best when
playing well. I obviously don't believe so and the one
person I thought would have my back on this might be
beginning to believe the press. “I understand that I
didn’t play Marat in his prime, still, there were
moments where he did play very well like, I would say,
maybe in the third set, I think he played great." Roger
Federer post match press conference.
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#3 ONE for the BOOKS:
4th round matchups on bottom draw - Djokovic/Baghdatis,
Del Potro/Cilic, Federer/Berdych....If the top half
lives up to their half of the bargain, the second week
of the AO is going to be spectacular on the men's side.
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#4 EQUAL PRIZE MONEY: I believe the 2009 AO
makes a great case for the justification of equal prize
money at the slams. People have asked me what I believe.
Should women get equal prize money at the slams? I have
always said yes. I never have bought into the argument
that men play 5 sets so they should receive more or that
the men are better at their craft. I've always believed
that it should be
based on the bait. Simply put, some years the
women's game lures more fans and others the men. Henin
gone, Sharpova at home, Venus knocked out as was
Ivanovic...the women lack the bait this year in
Melbourne. Next year may be different.
Please notice that my response to the equal prize money
question was in regards to the Grand Slams. I'm not sure
why equal prize money at the year end championships was
so imperative. ATP World Tour Finals & WTA Tour
Championships are two separate events. Did you see the
attendance at the Los Angeles Championships before
Madrid and Doha this past November? I may be missing
same logical and/or politically correct facts on this
one, so let me know if this is the case.
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#5 ZVONERVA TOP 5:
As many listeners to Tennis Live Radio know, some
listeners believe Vera Zvonareva is worthly of the top
5. She was surely the best player outside of Jankovic
during the fall season last year and after looking at
her draw before the tournament began, I thought she had
a very good chance of reaching the final in Australia.
She is the 7 seed this week. Looks like Top 5 will be
hers. |
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#6 ROBREDO ROLLING TOWARDS RODDICK:
Tommy Robedro is giving up only an average of 5 games
per match thus far in the tournament. That's nuts, but
he faces Roddick next and is 0-9 versus Andy. He only
won 1 set in all those meetings and that was on clay!
Does nobody beat Tommy 10 times in a row?
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#7 EDBERG to PLAY DAVIS CUP?:
Jimmy the comedian from South Park often opens up his
jokes by saying "Have you heard about this. Did you hear
about this?" I say that to you now.
Check this out. |
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#8 CINDERELLA STORY:
You know I'm a Marina Sucha for those feel good,
hometown stories at the slams. Jelena Jokic knocks out
her second seed in as many matches on Day Five. She beat
Alize Cornet after dropping the opening set. She
apologized to the the Aussie fans, Tennis Australia and
its Director Craig Tiley for the inconveniences her past
may have caused. She appears to finally be in a good
place personally and her game is following suit.
Although with Ivanovic out of the tournament, hopes may
turn to expectations as she faces Kleybanova.
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