|
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 FOWLER is BACK:
After an absence, ESPN's Chris Fowler was back anchoring
their coverage from Australia. You know how I feel about
his work, but the coverage is far better with him. Too
sloppy without him in my opinion. As I said before, he's
good at what he does, but I'm a fan of how he does it
all the time. |
|
|
#2 GOTTA GET a DVR: I've never been a
technology guru and there for if I don't see it live, I
usually don't see it. I unfortunately (or maybe
fortunately) hit the snooze button at 5am, but
watched the Federer Funhouse (as ESPN
likes to call it) rerun at 3pm eastern. 38 winners, 9
unforced errors, 2 bagels, 80 minutes and a 19th
straight slam semifinal. We've seen this type of
performance before and with all due respect to Andy
Roddick, it looks like Roger will be in attendance on
Sunday to tie Pistol Pete. During the match ESPN's Brad
Gilbert stated something along the lines of "This looks
like the Federer of 2006, 2007."
Question is, can Federer of 2006/2007 defeat Rafa of
2009? Rafa has work to do as does Roger, but it looks
likely to me. Still not sure who I am going to pick.
I'll get back to you.
|
|
|
#3 THOUGHTS on RODDICK /
DJOKOVIC:
|
a. Should ATP Trainer or coach be
able to throw in the towel? Players have pride and that
pride was on the line. Let's forget for a second that
these 2 players have sketchy history, but the last thing
a player wants to do is retire. In Australian Open
conditions should someone other than the player be able
to determine the continuation of a match? While I was
watching I couldn't help but think of Apollo/Drago
in Rocky IV. Apollo refused to quit, no one
threw in the towel and it cost him. I'm not making a
light reference here. I'm serious. We can't allow things
to get out of hand, especially after watching
Azarenka slowly leave the court.
b. Should a player be allowed to call the trainer if the
he/she is suffering from the conditions? It is a fine
line. Yes, it does possibly affect the momentum of
Roddick which is unfair, but as Patrick McEnroe
stated, you can't have players dropping on court.
Although I recognize the work Roddick put in off court
to prepare and he should be able to use that to his
advantage, but if the AO is going to be played during
this time and under these conditions, players should be
treated for a potentially dangerous situation. Then I
ask again, should someone other than the player be able
to call it a day?
c. DEVIL'S ADVOCATE: Has
Mats Wilander questioned the guts of
the #3 ranked Serb? We can;t help but to think about all
his retirements. As I said before Djokovic's SF versus
Federer at last year's US Open, I'm still doubtful Novak
has the bare necessity.
d. A MUST DO: Roddick erned
the first break point of the match in the second set. He
flatten out a forward that I believe he has to duplicate
several times to have a chance vs. Federer. It was a
blistering shot.
e. TALKING for TWO: Here is
Roddick's response during post match press conference to
Novak's frequent retirements: "He's gotten through tough
matches. Today just wasn't his day physically I guess."
I can't help but think that Mrs. Roddick-to-be
has had an affect. He is no longer representing himself
alone when he speaks.
f. CLASSIC: A reporter
asked Roddick if a second slam title is what motivates
him. Here's his response: "I'm 26 years old. What
the hell else am I going to do with myself. Let's be
honest. That's obviously the motivation behind it."
#4 LET DOWN: Hats off
to Jelena Dokic on her QF finish, but I was wondering
after the match if she will forward her form to her
upcoming events. I said to myself, "She makes her
comeback splash at a slam, her hometown slam, with
15,000 in chorus. That won't be there at the next event.
Hmmm." Knowing I was on to something, I read her post
match press interview. Here is what I found: "You
know, there is a possibility for me to continue doing
well from here on. You know, I can also lose some
matches. It's normal. It's been a real high this week
playing in front of a home crowd, so I have to see how
it will go from now on." |
|
|
|
|
|
|