Tennis FanHouse http://tennis.fanhouse.com Tennis FanHouse http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/media/feedlogo.gif Tennis FanHouse http://tennis.fanhouse.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/WADA Crock: Making Wickmayer Pay for Agassi's Sinhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/banning-wickmayer-wada-crock/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/banning-wickmayer-wada-crock/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/11/06/banning-wickmayer-wada-crock/#commentsFiled under: ,

Yanina WickmayerThe head of the World Anti-Doping Agency acknowledged that it's too late to punish Andre Agassi for his failed drug test from 1997, darned statute of limitations. But WADA said it still wants some punishment, anyway. Maybe for Agassi's lies to doping officials, which he admits in his book? Maybe for perjury?

Doubtful. But I knew tennis would get its pound of flesh, anyway, as Agassi has embarrassed the sport's governing bodies. What I didn't know was how fast they would get that flesh.

Or that they would take it from Yanina Wickmayer.

She was banned Thursday for a year for a doping offense. It wasn't for failing a test, or apparently even for missing one, though details still aren't out. It was because she failed to report three times to doping officials over the past 18 months where she would be.

So Agassi did crystal meth. Tennis swept it under the rug.

And Yanina Wickmayer took the fall.

How cold.

Players have to tell officials months in advance about their whereabouts for an hour each day, though they can adjust if their schedules change. Rafael Nadal calls it harassment. Serena Williams and others have complained.

Wickmayer has her excuses, but she blew it and she needed to be punished. How about a two-week suspension, a fine and a probationary period where she's tested twice a week?

A one-year ban? That's massive overkill.

Worse, it's pathetic and transparent.

Tennis is trying to send a message: See world? We are tough on drugs, no matter what Agassi says.

Look, if it's a PR campaign the sport wants, then it just happened to pick the wrong person to beat up, though the handiest, because her file was on the desk.

Wickmayer is the 20-year old Belgian who emerged at the U.S. Open in September, reaching the semifinals. Her mother died when Yanina was 9. Days later, Yanina told her father she wanted to move to the U.S. So he dropped everything -- house, business, cars and friends -- in his toughest grief and left within a week for his daughter's happiness. She had just taken up tennis to get away from the pain.

At the Open this year, I asked her about it, and she sat in front of her father and said this: "He listened to a girl that was 9 years old, and left his life, left his dreams. . .I have no words for what he's done. There is no way of thanking him in any way for what he did.

"But I hope with my semis here this week, I can show him that I really thank him for everything he's done. It's been great spending my whole life with him.''

Imagine hearing that from your teenage daughter.

On Thursday, Wickmayer withdrew mid-tournament from an event in Bali and left the country, as her suspension started immediately.

She denied wrongdoing and said she'll appeal.

Why do I think this is a stunt? Take a look at the calendar. She said a month ago, when her problems first came up, that she had had trouble with her password getting onto the WADA website to update her whereabouts.

On Oct. 22, a prosecutor at the Belgian anti-doping tribunal suggested she get a stern warning. That's where this was headed. And it's quite a difference from the one-year suspension from the tour that she got.

So what happened in those 14 days between warning and banning?

In his autobiography, Agassi admitted he had used crystal meth as a player in 1997, and had failed a test for it. He wrote that he talked his way out of trouble by saying he had mistakenly taken a sip of a friend's spiked drink.

So the ATP either stupidly bought it or swept the failed test under the rug because Agassi was a big name. I'll go with the second one. And suddenly the anti-doping people have fangs for Wickmayer.

To clarify, in 1997, the ATP ran its own drug-testing program. Now, tennis drug-testing has been handed over to WADA, known for its toughness. But earlier this year, player Richard Gasquet won an appeal over his suspension for failing a cocaine test. How? He said he had gotten the drug in his system by kissing a woman in a bar.

It's true we're talking about different organizations here. Wickmayer, along with fellow Belgian player Xavier Malisse, was suspended by a Belgian anti-doping tribunal. Wickmayer, ranked No. 18, is the fall person because tennis needed a top player for the hit. Malisse is barely in the top 100.

But tennis is an incestuous operation and all these different governing bodies can oddly work as one sometimes.

Things seem to be out of control in tennis. The ITF, all this time later, is still investigating Williams for her U.S. Open tirade, and theoretically will punish her within the next two weeks. Let's see how her punishment for threatening a line judge stacks up to Wickmayer's.

WADA has told the ATP to investigate Agassi's claims, which is like asking a fox to investigate the sudden disappearances in the chicken coop.

Meanwhile, CBS has released clips of Agassi's appearance on "60 Minutes" this Sunday, and he talks about the players former and current, particularly Martina Navratilova, who have been ripping him.

"I had a problem, and there might be many other athletes out there that test positive for recreational drugs that have a problem,'' Agassi said. ``So I would ask for some compassion ...

"I had way more to lose by telling this story in its full transparency than I had to gain. The part that I worry and think more about is who this may help.''

He risked reputation, but was paid $5 million for the book, for that risk. That was his price for supposed honesty. As for worrying about helping others with his message, well Andre, I'm sure that will make Wickmayer feel much better.

Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com

WADA Crock: Making Wickmayer Pay for Agassi's Sin originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>andre agassiAndreAgassirafael nadalRafaelNadalserena williamsSerenaWilliamsyanina wickmayerYaninaWickmayerGreg CouchFri, 06 Nov 2009 11:30:00 EST Andre Agassi's New Book to Reportedly Reveal He Tried Crystal Methhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/andre-agassis-new-book-to-reportedly-reveal-he-tried-crystal-me/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/andre-agassis-new-book-to-reportedly-reveal-he-tried-crystal-me/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/27/andre-agassis-new-book-to-reportedly-reveal-he-tried-crystal-me/#commentsFiled under: ,

Andre AgassiAndre Agassi's new book, OPEN is due out in stores on Nov. 9. There's been relatively little fanfare about the book's release. That all changed Tuesday with a (now deleted) tweet from SI's Richard Deitsch, which was preserved by the good folks at The Sporting Blog.

In his tweet, Deitsch intimated that there would be an excerpt from OPEN released in the newest issue of Sports Illustrated and that said excerpt would contain an admission from Agassi that he tried crystal meth:
FYI: There's an off-the-charts book excerpt from Andre Agassi in the forthcoming SI: He admits to taking crystal meth during his career.
So, yeah: BAM. Or something. But before we tackle the possibility of Agassi hitting the meth pipe, what about the "twee-letion" (yeah, I'm not proud that I invented it either) from Deitsch?

Deitsch may have slipped up and revealed something earlier than SI wanted it publicized, but the general buzz around the tweet is guaranteed to boost mag sales even if the editors over there wanted to wait for the release of the news.

But, at the same time, Deitsch didn't exactly tease it like other members of the SI staff already had, and while the magazine has apparently secured first serial rights, apparently so has People (which, depending on how negotiations run in these things, might be the impetus for Deitsch's tweet being premature).

Regardless, though, it would at least seem that we're going to get a little crystal meth news, so to speak, out of Agassi's book, or at least some discussion of his lifestyle as a inordinately young and famous professional athlete.

Speaking in a completely hypothetical manner, if I found out that Agassi used drugs when he was a young kid toiling through the grind of the professional tennis circuit, I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised. Agassi created an image of a "rebel" -- hell, the entire Canon camera line is more or less named after him -- and if you've ever seen some of the pressures that other young superstar tennis players deal with, and add in the time period that Agassi played, then it wouldn't be surprising to know that he engaged in some illegal substance use.

But, hey, maybe he didn't. Either way, you can almost guarantee that you'll see a tremendous boost in sales leading up to the book's release and immediately afterward.

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Andre Agassi's New Book to Reportedly Reveal He Tried Crystal Meth originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 27 Oct 2009 13:04:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Andre AgassiWill BrinsonTue, 27 Oct 2009 13:04:00 EST Serena, Lineswoman Won't Hug It Outhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/serena-lineswoman-wont-hug-it-out/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/serena-lineswoman-wont-hug-it-out/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/19/serena-lineswoman-wont-hug-it-out/#commentsFiled under: ,


Two days after threatening to shove a tennis ball down her throat, Serena Williams said she would like to give a U.S. Open line judge "a big ole hug."

Unfortunately, that happy -- heartfelt? -- reunion will have to wait. The Serena line judge, whose identity has remained a secret, will not be at the WTA Tour Championships next week in Doha, Qatar.

Neil Harman of The Times of London gave a few of the first-known details about the line judge, saying she is Japanese and travels the world calling lines. She was graded by her peers after the U.S. Open as among the top line judges throughout the U.S. Open Series of tournaments.

Here is what Harman wrote:

"The umpiring fraternity, which holds the lineswoman in high regard, believes that she was told not to travel to the Middle East because of the possible drama her presence might provoke, while the WTA insisted last night that she had been invited to attend and declined for family reasons."

Meanwhile, the International Tennis Federation continues its investigation, and it took real effort not to put quote-marks around the word investigation.

What could possibly be taking so long? The whole thing is on tape. The question is whether Williams will be fined more than the $10,500 she was already hit with, and also whether she will be suspended. A suspension could include major championships.

The call in question came with Williams just two points from losing to Kim Clijsters in the U.S. Open semifinals. Williams foot-faulted on her second-serve at 15-30, and then, after her f-bomb-laced, racquet-waving threats, was given a point-penalty. That penalty on match point meant that Williams had lost.

Anyone sitting along the line, including me, saw that it was a clear foot fault. Williams acknowledged after the match that she thought she had foot-faulted, but then later that she had not.

When the chair umpire called the line judge to the net to meet with two tournament officials, Williams approached, and said to the line judge, "Were you scared? Because I said I would hit you?" She later said she didn't know why the line judge would have been afraid.

A preliminary decision on any further punishments for Williams is expected around the end of the month. Williams then will have a chance to appeal.

The tournament in Doha could serve to determine who the final No. 1 player of the year is, as Williams is barely ahead of Dinara Safina in the computer rankings.

Best bet: The ITF won't have the nerve, after the angry divide in the debate over Williams' tirade, to suspend her from Doha and hand the year-end No. 1 ranking over to Safina. And it also won't have the stomach to suspend Williams from a major, as sponsors, networks and tournament directors would go nuts over the loss of the game's most marketable player.

Look for a big fine, and maybe a mandated "big ole hug."

Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com

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U.S. Open 2009
Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)
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U.S. Open Photos

    Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic plays a shot during his match against Argentina's Juan Monaco (out of camera range) in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 on the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. TOPSHOTS / AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19th, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Joachim Johansson of Sweden plays a shot during his tennis match against Australia's Peter Luczak in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 during the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Australia's Peter Luczak plays a shot during his tennis match against Joachim Johansson of Sweden in Stockholm on October 19th, 2009 on the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Australia's Peter Luczak plays a shot during his tennis match against Joachim Johansson of Sweden in Stockholm on October 19th, 2009 on the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Jan Hernych of the Czech Republic plays a shot during his match against Argentina's Juan Monaco (out of camera range) in Stockholm on October 19, 2009 on the first day of the ATP Stockholm Open tennis tournament. AFP PHOTO / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

Serena, Lineswoman Won't Hug It Out originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 19 Oct 2009 22:15:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Serena WilliamsGreg CouchMon, 19 Oct 2009 22:15:00 EST Ana Ivanovic Works With Charitieshttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/ana-ivanovic-works-with-charities/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/ana-ivanovic-works-with-charities/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/10/13/ana-ivanovic-works-with-charities/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Ana Ivanovic is on top of the world. She is a star athlete, who was once ranked No. 1 in the world. That's not to mention she has millions of dollars and looks that stops traffic. But life wasn't always that easy.

In this FanHouse video, Ana talks to us about how she used to practice tennis while growing up in a war-torn Belgrade, Serbia (formally part of Yugoslavia). We also hear from Ana about her charity work and what she would rather have, her shoes or her racket.

Check out the video after the jump.

Ana Ivanovic Works With Charities originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>ana ivanovicAnaIvanovicElie SeckbachTue, 13 Oct 2009 09:00:00 EST Is Height a Tennis Advantage? Dominika Cibulková Doesn't Think Sohttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/30/is-height-a-tennis-advantage-dominika-cibulkova-doesnt-think-s/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/30/is-height-a-tennis-advantage-dominika-cibulkova-doesnt-think-s/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/30/is-height-a-tennis-advantage-dominika-cibulkova-doesnt-think-s/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

Tennis star Dominika Cibulková is an outstanding athlete who was ranked as high as No. 12 in the world. Still, she has no ego in a sport full of self-centered stars. In this exclusive video we ask Dominika about her height disadvantage -- she's only 5-foot-3 -- compared to many much taller players. We also hear who she thinks is the number one tennis player today and who she would like to play her in a movie.

Check out the video after the jump.

Is Height a Tennis Advantage? Dominika Cibulková Doesn't Think So originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 30 Sep 2009 10:50:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>dominika cibulkovaDominikaCibulkovaElie SeckbachWed, 30 Sep 2009 10:50:00 EST Tennis Star Maria Kirilenko Clarifies Relationship with Andrehttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/26/tennis-star-maria-kirilenko-clarifies-relationship-with-andre/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/26/tennis-star-maria-kirilenko-clarifies-relationship-with-andre/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/26/tennis-star-maria-kirilenko-clarifies-relationship-with-andre/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

22-year-old tennis hottie Maria Kirilenko has been ranked as high as No. 18 in the world, but she's getting a lot of attention for her looks instead of her tennis ability. In fact Kirilenko has been on the cover of many magazines and was selected in 2006 to be the face of Adidas. In this video we talk to Maria about her game and her name -- her connection to Utah Jazz star Andrei Kirilenko.

Check out the video after the jump.

Tennis Star Maria Kirilenko Clarifies Relationship with Andre originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sat, 26 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>andrei kirilenkoAndreiKirilenkomaria kirilenkomaria sharapovaMariaKirilenkoMariaSharapovaElie SeckbachSat, 26 Sep 2009 10:00:00 EST Serena's Stature Puts Tennis in Bindhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/18/serenas-stature-puts-tennis-in-bind/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/18/serenas-stature-puts-tennis-in-bind/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/18/serenas-stature-puts-tennis-in-bind/#commentsFiled under: ,

Serena Williams could get a permanent suspension from major championships for her threatening, f-bomb laced tirade against a line judge at the U.S. Open last week. That's what Bill Babcock, Executive Director of the International Tennis Federation, told Darren Cahill in an interview on ESPN the other day.

"Now, it's in my hands," Babcock said, "for an independent major offense investigation, which can lead to serious penalty."

Independent. Serious. Major. Permanent.

Sounds awfully BIG. But it's hot air. This is true: By coincidence, at the same time he said the word "serious" I started laughing out loud.

Williams has spent years acting as if she's bigger than the tour itself, and here's the thing ...

She is.

So what will they do next with her? The question is whether tennis' governing bodies have the nerve to hit the game's golden goose with a meaningful penalty.

So far, she was given the maximum on-site penalty, the worst she could get during the tournament. It was $10,000 for her tirade and $500 for smashing her racquet earlier in the match. As one emailer wrote to me, she has earrings that cost more than that.

The game's leaders are in an uncomfortable spot here. The issue has served to widen the divide between an already split fan base about Williams.

On one side, people are demanding major punishments, saying that no self-respecting sport would allow its athletes to get away with such threats. On the other side, people say the judge shouldn't have made the call, and Williams already has been fined and has apologized. Time to move on.

So what does tennis' governing bodies do now? Hit her hard and the pro-Serena people are outraged, and cries of racism increase. Don't do much, and those who think Williams gets preferential treatment are upset. Not to mention, it makes the sport look weaker than one of its players.

Which it is.

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Serena Williams Photos
Serena Williams (L) of the US looks over at the US Open's referee Brian Earley (R) as he speaks to a lineswoman (2nd R) in Williams' match against Kim Clijsters from Belgium during their women's semi-final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 12, 2009 in New York. TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)
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Serena Williams Snapshots

    This Sept. 16, 2009 file photo shows tennis player Serena Williams arriving at a cocktail party celebrating the Foundation For the Advancement of Women Now (FFAWN) in New York. (AP Photo/Andy Kropa)

    AP

    (L-R) Recording artist and actress Mary J. Blige, professional tennis player Serena Williams and recording artist and actress Alicia Keys attend Gucci for FFAWN Day at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. Gucci For Ffawn Gucci Fifth Avenue New York, NY United States September 16, 2009 Photo by Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.com To license this image (58380064), contact FilmMagic.com

    Mike Coppola/FilmMagic.com

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Singer Mary J. Blige, professional tennis player Serena Williams and singer Alicia Keys attend the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mary J. Blige;Serena Williams;Alicia Keys

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) NBA player LeBron James and professional tennis player Serena Williams attend the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** LeBron James;Serena Williams

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    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Professional Tennis Player Serena Williams attends the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Serena Williams

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) TV personality Donald Trump and professional Tennis Player Serena Williams attend the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donald Trump;Serena Williams

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) TV personality Donald Trump and professional Tennis Player Serena Williams attend the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donald Trump;Serena Williams

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: Singer Mary J. Blige, professional tennis player Serena Williams and singer Alicia Keys attend the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mary J. Blige;Serena Williams;Alicia Keys

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) TV personality Donald Trump and professional tennis player Serena Williams attend the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donald Trump;Serena Williams

    Getty Images

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 16: (L-R) TV personality Donald Trump and professional tennis player Serena Williams attend the Gucci cocktail party for Ffawn at Gucci Fifth Avenue on September 16, 2009 in New York City. (Photo by Michael Loccisano/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Donald Trump;Serena Williams

    Getty Images


Fining her won't touch her; she has tons of money. Suspend her for the rest of the year, and that won't touch her, either, as she's not interested in trying at the non-majors.

That leaves suspending her from majors.

No. Chance. They won't even be able to suspend her for the Australian Open in January.

The phone call that will never be made is from a tennis official calling ESPN and saying, "Thanks for covering the event. Serena will not be there."

Tennis is completely beholden to TV. It does not have the confidence to stand on its own, so instead sells its soul.

We saw that clearly at the U.S. Open, where they throw away competitive fairness for CBS, forcing the men to play best-of-five set matches on consecutive days in the semis and finals. That happens nowhere else, and potentially can be like running marathons on back-to-back days.

Rafael Nadal complained about it. But bigger than Nadal is CBS.

Now back to the Australian. What kind of ratings do you think it would get in the U.S. without Serena Williams?

In 1995, Jeff Tarango walked off in the middle of a match at Wimbledon, complaining that the chair ump was corrupt. His wife later slapped the ump. Tarango was banned from two majors, including the following year's Wimbledon.

But that's Jeff Tarango. Williams will not get a similar penalty, and be held out of next year's U.S. Open. Tennis would risk Nadal's bad knees to make CBS happy at the Open. It will not dump Williams.

How odd this talk is about a lengthy investigation. The evidence is all right there on tape. Williams said she would take the (deleted) ball and stuff it down the judge's (deleted) throat. She used her trademark "You don't know me," line, the same line she used in threatening a player earlier in the year.

In the press conference afterward, Williams said she didn't know why the judge would have felt threatened.

So what's the delay? It's in trying to find some penalty that looks tough to some, and not tough to others, all the while making sure TV people are happy.

Williams' tirade was worse than anything John McEnroe ever did. But he was kicked out of the Australian Open, mid-tournament, in 1990. A few years earlier, he was suspended for two months after his behavior at the U.S. Open.

As bad as Williams' tirade was, to me it wasn't as bad as some are suggesting. To hear the outcry, I wouldn't be surprised if someone suggested cutting off her feet so she can't foot fault anymore.

But after humiliating a line judge who had made a correct call, it took Williams two days just to apologize.

Fine her $250,000. It's about half the max she can be fined. She won't feel it, but it's a big number and looks good. Suspend her for two months, the way they did with McEnroe. That's also more of a PR thing, because she won't care about missing regular tournaments.

But don't talk big about a ban from majors. It's too much, and you'll never get permission from ESPN, CBS or Serena, anyway.

Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com

Serena's Stature Puts Tennis in Bind originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Fri, 18 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Serena WilliamsGreg CouchFri, 18 Sep 2009 14:00:00 EST Why You Won't Find Tennis Great Pete Sampras on Twitterhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/17/why-you-wont-find-tennis-great-pete-sampras-on-twitter/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/17/why-you-wont-find-tennis-great-pete-sampras-on-twitter/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/17/why-you-wont-find-tennis-great-pete-sampras-on-twitter/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

Elie Seckbach, the Embedded Correspondent, brings his exclusive video reporting to FanHouse. Check back regularly for more videos.

During a time when so many top athletes are addicted to Twitter, tennis great Pete Sampras tells us why you'll never find him sending out updates on the social networking site. Also, hear what this former No. 1 ranked player has to say about the state of tennis today, and why the United States is no longer dominating the sport. Sampras, by the way, is second all-time in earnings, making over $43 million as an active player.

Check out the video after the jump.

Why You Won't Find Tennis Great Pete Sampras on Twitter originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>pete samprasPeteSamprasElie SeckbachThu, 17 Sep 2009 09:00:00 EST Crying for Argentina: What Weepy del Potro Really Said at US Openhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/crying-for-argentina-what-weepy-del-potro-really-said-at-us-ope/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/crying-for-argentina-what-weepy-del-potro-really-said-at-us-ope/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/crying-for-argentina-what-weepy-del-potro-really-said-at-us-ope/#commentsFiled under:

Dick Enberg is just the poor sap in this whole thing. But Juan Martin del Potro beat Roger Federer to win the U.S. Open Monday, becoming just the second South American man to win it. And the first, Guillermo Vilas, was in the stands to celebrate. And throughout the match, a huge Spanish-speaking crowd sang O ... lay, Olay, Olay, Olay ...

And then del Potro politely and with great humility spoke to the crowd in English, a language he doesn't speak particularly well yet, or comfortably. Then, he asked Enberg, the CBS announcer, if he could say a few words in Spanish.
More: CBS Defends Enberg

"I'm sorry,'' Enberg said over the p.a. "We're running out of time here.''

Well, there was time -- time to get a word in from Lexus.

Eventually, with del Potro on his third pass at Enberg, all but begging him to allow him to speak Spanish, Enberg handed him the mic.

And del Potro, who is from Argentina, lit up, nearly breaking into tears during his talk.

So I asked him what he had said, what had gotten him so emotional. Here's what he said:

"Well, because my parents want to come watch the final and say no be there (they didn't come). Of course, they are part of this moment. They believe in me a lot like my coaches.

"It's a special moment for me, for my parents and my friends. This trophy is for these, too.''

Look, this moment was an insult. But it wasn't Enberg's fault. He is out there on court with strings being pulled, told to hurry up, get to sponsors, get to commercials.

A great moment in a young man's life had been sold out.

In the end, del Potro did get to say what he wanted. So that really is what matters most.

But tennis is an international sport, not an American game. Del Potro is a 20-year old Spanish-speaking man who had spent the entire two weeks saying it was his dream to win the U.S. Open.

And to make him beg to speak to his people in his language in that place, Arthur Ashe Stadium, the biggest tennis stadium in the world, was not only a failure to recognize the moment, but also to recognize modern times and one of the beautiful things about the worldliness of the game.

Crying for Argentina: What Weepy del Potro Really Said at US Open originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 20:24:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>juan martin del potroGreg CouchWed, 16 Sep 2009 20:24:00 EST CBS: Dick Enberg Handled Interview With Juan Martín del Potro Correctlyhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/cbs-dick-enberg-handled-interview-with-juan-martin-del-potro-co/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/cbs-dick-enberg-handled-interview-with-juan-martin-del-potro-co/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/16/cbs-dick-enberg-handled-interview-with-juan-martin-del-potro-co/#commentsFiled under:



Dick Enberg has been called everything from rude to racist for his handling of the post-match interview with U.S. Open winner Juan Martin del Potro on Monday night, in which he initially discouraged del Potro from addressing the crowd in Spanish. But Enberg's employer, CBS, says he did everything right.

The New York Times reports that CBS is backing Enberg:
"Dick had a number of elements that he had to get through on a very tight schedule," said LeslieAnne Wade, the senior vice president for communications for CBS. "It was Dick's job to get through those as quick as he could. And in the end, he did give him the opportunity to make his comments. ...

"Anybody who knows Dick Enberg knows he celebrates champions better than anyone," she said. "Those are his kind of moments."
I find it annoying that announcers have to bend over backward to mention corporate sponsors, and so in that respect I wish Enberg hadn't gone out of his way to talk about Lexus when he should have been talking about del Potro's stellar play on the court.

But I agree with CBS. Enberg did the best he could while pressed for time, and del Potro got to say everything he wanted to say in Spanish. To suggest that he's racist for trying to conduct his interview in English is ridiculous.

What did you think of Enberg's interview? Tell me on Twitter @MichaelDavSmith.

CBS: Dick Enberg Handled Interview With Juan Martín del Potro Correctly originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 09:43:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>Juan Martn del PotroJuanMartnDelPotroMichael David SmithWed, 16 Sep 2009 09:43:00 EST Del Potro Arrives -- And Plans to Stayhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/15/del-potro-has-arrived-and-plans-to-stay/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/15/del-potro-has-arrived-and-plans-to-stay/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/15/del-potro-has-arrived-and-plans-to-stay/#commentsFiled under: ,

NEW YORK -- He fell flat on his back, stretched out his freakishly long wingspan, and the tallest man ever to win a major tennis championship started bawling like a little baby. He thought about his parents, his friends, his life, his dreams.

Certain things are impossible, are absolutes. The name of major title winners in tennis can be any off the following list:

Federer, Nadal.

But that big baby, who kept on crying and crying, was Juan Martin del Potro. He won the U.S. Open Monday, beating Roger Federer 3-6, 7-6 (7-5), 4-6, 7-6 (7-4), 6-2.
"You know," Federer said, "you can't have them all."

Since when? Federer, was going for his sixth straight U.S. Open title, his third straight major. The guy just keeps providing classic five-set major finals.

And the only thing more odd than seeing Federer holding the second-place trophy over his head was hearing him argue with the chair umpire during the match over how long del Potro was taking to decide to use the replay system.

"Do you have any rules in there," Federer said. "Stop showing me the hand, OK? Don't tell me to be quiet, OK? When I want to talk, I'll talk. I don't give a (deleted) what he said ..."

Perfection disheveled. So this was the end of ...

No, forget that. This is not the death of anything, but instead the birth of something. Tennis has a new star in del Potro, who is just 20.

He beat Rafael Nadal in the semis on Sunday, and said it was the greatest day of his life. He beat Federer on Monday, and how does this day compare to the last one?

"Much better," he said. "Everything is perfect. I can't believe."

You wonder what tomorrow can hold.

Just imagine what happened: A young man in his first major final played at Ashe Stadium against maybe the greatest player ever. He was two points from losing.

But he wouldn't let Federer close him out.

"It's too early to explain," said del Potro, who's from Argentina. "Maybe tomorrow, maybe next week I will be believing this. But now, I don't know. I don't understand nothing."

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U.S. Open 2009
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina holds the championship trophy as Roger Federer of Switzerland looks on in the Men's Singles final on day fifteen of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 14, 2009 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Del Potro defeated Federer 3-6, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Juan Martin Del Potro;Roger Federer
Getty Images
Getty Images North America

U.S. Open Photos

    Roger Federer, of Switzerland, sits in his court side chair while waiting for trophy presentations after his defeat by Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, in the men's finals championship at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    AP

    Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, kisses the championship trophy after winning the men's finals championship over Roger Federer, of Switzerland, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, reacts after winning the men's finals championship over Roger Federer, of Switzerland, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    AP

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina holds his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina kisses his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina kisses his trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the Men's Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 14, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina kisses his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina holds his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina holds his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina hold his trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the Men's Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 14, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images


Del Potro showed the ultimate respect for Federer afterward, telling him, and the crowd, that he actually had two dreams, to win the U.S. Open and to be like Federer.

Welcome to the club, Juan Martin. He is going to be a superstar, but who knew it would come this soon? Now, he stands at the top of the game, on the same platform with the two legends.

Of course, Federer has a record 15 major titles. Del Potro has one. But when you see something like this arriving so early ... well here's how Federer put it.

"Rafa, we've had some epic ones, sure, great ones over the years. Who knows, maybe del Potro is going to join that as well."

Listen, this is not just Federer being gracious. He does not allow membership to the club easily. A few weeks ago I asked him about this amazing next generation of men's players -- a generation I believe will be the greatest ever -- and Federer wouldn't have any of it.

He said the young players emerging have been around for a while, and not reached the mountaintop.

"I mean," he said, "del Potro, I played him the first time three, four years ago."

Meanwhile, I asked del Potro during the Open about coming along in the Nadal-Federer generation. He said those guys were two or three steps ahead of him. But he's young, he said, and "they're going to retire and I'm going to be much better, so ..."

See? Del Potro is developing before our eyes.

Last year, the same pressure got to Andy Murray, another leader of tennis' next generation. Murray folded under Federer's pressure. There's supposed to be a learning curve.

And in the first set Monday, del Potro was awful, too.

"The beginning of the match, I was so nervous,'' he said. "I can't sleep last night. I don't take a breakfast today."

So frozen, he couldn't even move his legs.

But by the middle of the second set, del Potro just simply started to improve, got his big serve in, got aggressive on his forehand. His legs started to move.

He got nervous late in the third set, though, and lost it on consecutive double-faults. Del Potro was ready to smash his racquet, but instead decided not to. "I don't do that because maybe when I feel nervous, I saw Roger and he's a gentleman player.

"We have to learn many things about him. Many times I do that today."

See? Del Potro was using the big moment to learn from the best. So instead of falling apart, he thought about fighting to the end.

Late in the fourth set, del Potro was two points from losing on his serve. Federer had stepped up his level, and it was probably an acceptable time for a 20-year old to give in.

Instead, he crushed two big serves and a forehand to hold. He had found toughness.

And in the fifth set, all about mental edge, Federer, so pressured by del Potro's forehand, lost his nerve on serve and on his backhand.

So what does this do to Federer's legacy? Not much, really. He's going to win plenty more majors. This year, he lost two major finals, won two, got married and had twins.

"It's been an amazing year," he said. "Don't know how much more I want."

For del Potro, he finds himself on top of a mountain even he didn't know he was ready to scale. You might not have heard of him before yesterday, but there can be no better introduction, beating Nadal and then Federer.

Those two are still the absolutes, still the impossible. Turns out, there's room on the mountaintop for three.

Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com

Del Potro Arrives -- And Plans to Stay originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Tue, 15 Sep 2009 01:30:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>juan martin del potroroger federerGreg CouchTue, 15 Sep 2009 01:30:00 EST McEnroe's Defense Out of Boundshttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/john-mcenroe-can-not-be-serious-to-weigh-in-on-appropriate-beh/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/john-mcenroe-can-not-be-serious-to-weigh-in-on-appropriate-beh/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/john-mcenroe-can-not-be-serious-to-weigh-in-on-appropriate-beh/#commentsFiled under: ,

Serena Williams and John McEnroeNEW YORK -- So now John McEnroe has become the judge and jury over the debate about Serena Williams and the line judge who had the nerve to call foot fault.

Think about that. John McEnroe's trademark, equal to his great tennis, is that he spent his career being a jerk to linespeople. Next up, you can go to Michael Vick for advice on proper pet care or Brett Favre on the right time to retire.

This is the absurd, but it isn't funny. McEnroe is fueling a debate that has grown to something much bigger than tennis, tantrums and foot faults. This thing has exploded into a social fight that's lining up in large part, but not entirely, along racial lines.
Mariotti: Serena's Legacy Damaged | Blackistone: Outburst Reflects Society

And I wonder if McEnroe realizes how important he is in this debate, and how irresponsible he's being. Or maybe he just doesn't care.

"In my opinion, you can't call a foot fault there," McEnroe said to ESPN.com. "Just out of the question. Can't do it. It was so close, not as if it was an obvious foot fault. It was miniscule.

"I've seen Serena come back from that position a dozen times against top-flight opponents. The match was not over."

These are the statements the Serena-was-screwed people are using as evidence.

Close? Not obvious? Miniscule? Let me say this:

John McEnroe has no idea whether Serena Williams foot faulted. None.

The TV booth, where announcers sit, is behind the court. You couldn't see it from there. And the camera angle we have gotten from CBS is from behind Serena, low and on her right. McEnroe knows as well as anyone that you can't see from that angle whether the left side of Serena's left foot had crossed onto the line.

Yet he seems to have no problem validating Williams' anger.

And his irresponsibility is bleeding out of his sport and into a societal argument that so often accompanies the subject of the Williams sisters. He is spurring on hard feelings based on what he observed from angles he knows were impossible.

In his role as commentator for ESPN and for CBS, he keeps saying that he cannot defend the indefensible. Presumably, he's talking about Williams telling the linesperson she would take the (bleeping) ball and stuff it down her (bleeping) throat.

But think about this. Why is McEnroe even on TV? Because he is The Show. It's a smart move, and he's usually good. But he became The Show by mistreating linespeople.

He has been celebrated for it, treated like a folk hero for it, and now is being paid for it, rewarded for it. And he is in the position on TV, where most people turn for their tennis coverage.

So if McEnroe is paid for it, then why should Williams be heavily penalized for it?

Come to think of it, my examples of Favre and Vick are wrong. They aren't looked to for their expertise on animals and retirement. McEnroe is for his opinions on anything tennis.

His presence itself, elevated to spokesman for the game, is defense of Williams' actions, and his suggestion that she didn't foot fault at all is defense of her anger.

Here is the truth, by the way. Williams foot faulted. It was not close. I was sitting just behind the line judge, maybe 10 rows up, right on the line. During the match, the guy next to me and I were actually talking about why Kim Clijsters and Williams get so close to the line to serve. Weren't they worried about foot-faulting?

So I started watching the line and the feet on every serve. When Williams moved that left foot forward, and at least an inch onto that thick baseline, I pointed, and so did the guy next to me, before the call was made.

Well, McEnroe seems to say that you can't make that call anyway, even if Williams did foot fault. I keep hearing this argument, comparing tennis and basketball.

But in basketball, there are fouls on every play. Officials can't stop it, so they try to judge which fouls are affecting play.

That's subjective. Tennis is objective. There's a line and a foot. If the foot is on the line, it's a fault. Simple.

If Kobe Bryant put his feet over the free throw line at the end of a tight game, would that be OK? How about bowling? If it comes down to the final frame of a major championship, and one bowler needs a strike, if he slides over the line an inch and knocks down all 10 pins, would we argue just to give it to him? No big deal?

Just because John McEnroe has decided to re-up his career being a jerk to linespeople, and maybe to try in some odd way to defend his own actions from years ago, that's no reason to ignore the rules.

McEnroe, though, from his impossible-to-see position and impossible-to-conclude TV camera angle, has decided that the line judge sitting there on the line with one function and only one, was wrong.

And he was right.

Now, Williams did come back Monday, with an apology, finally. She amended her statement from a day earlier when she kept fighting, saying she had been overly passionate over an "unfair line call."

Still, she said Monday that the call was wrong, and disingenuously said that she'd like to give the line judge a "big ol' hug."

Her tantrum was the worst I've seen in tennis, and you can't just let threats to officials go. But we've seen athletes drop f-bombs, seen plenty of tennis players berate lines people. So let's not go overboard with the punishment.

Of course, no one defends her actions. Luckily for the Serena-was-screwed people, they have McEnroe, the cool-headed arbiter, there building a case.

Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com

McEnroe's Defense Out of Bounds originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 21:02:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>john mcenroeserena williamsGreg CouchMon, 14 Sep 2009 21:02:00 EST Juan Martin del Potro Upsets Roger Federer at the US Openhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/juan-martin-del-potro-upsets-roger-federer-at-the-us-open/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/juan-martin-del-potro-upsets-roger-federer-at-the-us-open/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/juan-martin-del-potro-upsets-roger-federer-at-the-us-open/#commentsFiled under:

Juan Martin del Potro
Call 2009 the year of the fallen giant. A month after friend Tiger Woods lost a 54-hole lead in a major championship for the first time in his career, Roger Federer lost in a Grand Slam final by a guy not named Rafael Nadal.

Juan Martin del Potro did the unthinkable on Monday at the U.S. Open, defeating the 15-time Grand Slam champion after losing the first set to Federer in Arthur Ashe Stadium. Del Potro took the match in five sets, winning 3-6, 7-6, 4-6, 7-6, 6-2 for his first Grand Slam title.

More: Clijsters Wins Women's Side

Since the 2005 Australian Open, only one man had won a grand slam that wasn't named Federer or Rafael Nadal (Novak Djokovic, in the '08 Australian). Del Potro had to go through both men to win this championship, a feat incomparable in any other sport in this day and age.

The problem with Federer was simple. He served far from Federer-like. John McEnroe, the voice of the CBS broadcast, continually talked about how Federer was tossing the ball too low, and couldn't adjust, leading to a ton of first serves catching the net.

Normally the type of rare athlete that can change things on the fly, Federer continually looked frustrated when it was his serve, and it showed.

Enough can't be said about del Potro, who came out in the first set as flat as you'd expect a young opponent playing the great Federer. It was turned around with a tiebreak win in the second before an interesting exchange happened in the third set. Del Potro was allowed a challenge after both players were near their seats, leading to an angry exchange between Federer and the chair umpire.

Federer came out firing after that, but it didn't last. After claiming the third set, del Potro won a tiebreaker in the fourth and broke Roger in the second game of the fifth set. The big-hitting del Potro just stuck to his impressive serve after that,

Del Potro joins Guillermo Vilas as the only Argentines to win the U.S. Open, doing it 32 years after Vilas beat Jimmy Conners.


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U.S. Open 2009
NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 14: Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina celebrates championship point after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the Men's Singles final on day fifteen of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 14, 2009 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Del Potro defeated Federer 3-6, 7-6 (7), 4-6, 7-6 (7), 6-2. (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Juan Martin Del Potro
Getty Images
Getty Images North America

U.S. Open Photos

    Roger Federer, of Switzerland, sits in his court side chair while waiting for trophy presentations after his defeat by Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, in the men's finals championship at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    AP

    Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, kisses the championship trophy after winning the men's finals championship over Roger Federer, of Switzerland, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009.(AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Juan Martin del Potro, of Argentina, reacts after winning the men's finals championship over Roger Federer, of Switzerland, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Monday, Sept. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    AP

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina holds his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina kisses his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina kisses his trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the Men's Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 14, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina kisses his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina holds his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Tennis player Juan Martin Del Potro from Argentina holds his trophy after beating Roger Federer from Switzerland during the final of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 14, 2009. Del Potro won 3-6, 7-6, 6-4, 7-6, 6-2. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina hold his trophy after defeating Roger Federer of Switzerland in the Men's Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 14, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

Juan Martin del Potro Upsets Roger Federer at the US Open originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 20:32:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>juan martin del potroNovak DjokovicRafael NadalRoger FedererShane BaconMon, 14 Sep 2009 20:32:00 EST Roger Federer Curses at Chair Umpirehttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/roger-federer-curses-at-chair-umpire/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/roger-federer-curses-at-chair-umpire/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/roger-federer-curses-at-chair-umpire/#commentsFiled under:

I'm not sure what they're putting in the water at Arthur Ashe Stadium, but it seems it makes the top players in the world a tad more irritable than normal. You all know about Serena Williams' tirade on Saturday after a sketchy foot fault was called a point before match point.

Now it was Roger Federer's turn. In the finals against Juan Martin del Potro, Federer didn't agree with a late challenge being allowed by the chair ump. His exact quote, along with video of the mini-wig out by the world No. 1 is after the jump.

The exact quote by Roger -- "No no no, come on, I wasn't allowed to challenge after two seconds and the guy takes like 10 [seconds]. How can you allow that stuff to happen? Do you have any rules in there? Stop showing me the hand, OK? Don't tell me to be quiet, OK? When I wanna talk I'll talk. I don't give a s*** what he said, I'm just saying he waited too long ..."

Here is the video (Audio NSFW):



You don't see Federer lose it often, so this was a rare treat from the best tennis player of our generation.

h/t SB Nation
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Roger Federer Curses at Chair Umpire originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 19:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>juan martin del potroRoger FedererSerena WilliamsShane BaconMon, 14 Sep 2009 19:46:00 EST Venus, Serena Win Doubles Finalshttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/venus-serena-win-doubles-finals/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/venus-serena-win-doubles-finals/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/venus-serena-win-doubles-finals/#commentsFiled under: ,

NEW YORK (AP) -- Not much for Serena Williams to get worked up about this time.

Two days after her profanity-laced exit from the U.S. Open singles semifinals, she returned with her sister, Venus, and rolled to an easy victory for their 10th Grand Slam doubles championship Monday.

It was a 6-2, 6-2 win over defending champions Cara Black and Liezel Huber and it couldn't have been more unlike the scene Saturday night, when Williams got called for a foot fault that triggered her outburst at a line judge. That resulted in a point penalty on match point against Kim Clijsters, and an ugly departure from the singles semifinal.
More US Open: Men's Tennis Approaches Golden Era
About a half-hour before the doubles match began, Williams issued an apology for the evening's events, saying she is "a woman of great pride, faith and integrity, and I admit when I'm wrong."

She received a $10,000 fine on Sunday. She and Venus will split a $420,000 winner's check for their first U.S. Open title since 1999.

Patrick McEnroe conducted the post-match interview on court and Williams sounded contrite but didn't apologize.

"I'd like to thank the fans for supporting me through everything," she said to applause from a few thousand fans at Arthur Ashe Stadium. "I really, really love you guys and never want to have a bad image for you guys."

McEnroe asked two follow-up questions, but was interrupted by booing on the second one, as he tried to ask her "what clicked" in her mind over the past 48 hours to trigger the apology, which came a day after she'd issued a first statement that didn't include one.

Big sister Venus stepped in.

"I think what the crowd is saying is, `Patrick, let's move on,"' Venus said.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

Venus, Serena Win Doubles Finals originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 15:16:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>cara blackLiezel Huberserena williamsvenus williamsFanHouse NewswireMon, 14 Sep 2009 15:16:00 EST Supermom Clijsters Pulls Off Stunnerhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/supermom-clijsters-pulls-off-stunner/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/supermom-clijsters-pulls-off-stunner/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/14/supermom-clijsters-pulls-off-stunner/#commentsFiled under: ,

NEW YORK -- Mommy wins. That's the nicest bow to wrap around the U.S. Open, which was filled with the weird and ugly.

Kim Clijsters, back from 2 1/2 years of maternity leave, walked right back onto the tour and proved that she's already the best player in the world. At the start of the year, she couldn't believe the shape her body was in, how it wouldn't do what it used to anymore.

And on Sunday night, she won the U.S. Open, beating Caroline Wozniacki 7-5, 6-3. When it was over, Clijsters, the first mother to win a major in 29 years, had her daughter Jada on court, playing, dancing, running around.

"We tried to plan her nap time in a little bit later today," Clijsters said, "so she could be here today. There she is. It's the greatest feeling in the world, being a mother."

What a wonderful thing to say. She was standing on the court with one of the game's most important tennis trophies and a check for $1.6 million. Clijsters was a champion again, and her thoughts? It's the greatest feeling, being a mother.

It's also exactly why she's a champion again. But let's come back to that later.

It would be nice if that were the story of the night in women's tennis, the crowning of Champion Mommy. Instead, though, the night had the feel of a hangover from the wildness of the previous night.

Serena Williams wasn't there Sunday, but she managed to dominate the night, anyway. The crowd was missing the buzz that comes whenever she, or to a lesser extent her sister Venus, is there for a final. It's an event when Serena is there, a hot ticket.

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U.S. Open 2009
Tennis player Roger Federer from Switzerland reacts after hitting a shot between his legs against Novak Djokovic from Serbia during their semifinals match of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 13, 2009. Federer won 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 to reach the final. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
AFP

U.S. Open Photos

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, chases down a shot from Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, reaches out to return a volley from Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, hits a forehand to Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, serves to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, returns a volley to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, chases down a rally from Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, reaches to return a shot to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    AP

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Kim Clijsters of Belgium returns a shot to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during the Women�s Singles final on day fourteen of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2009 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kim Clijsters

    Getty Images

    In this combination of photos tennis player Roger Federer from Switzerland retruns a winning shot between his legs against Novak Djokovic from Serbia during their semifinals match of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 13, 2009. Federer won 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 to reach the final. AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, pumps her fist after winning a point over Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    AP


But Saturday night was the de facto final, when Clijsters beat Serena in the semifinals, the match ending when Williams was given a point-penalty on match-point. Williams had gone into a tirade against a line judge who had called a foot fault on her, and threatened to stuff the (expletive) ball down the judge's (expletive) throat.

"Are you scared because I said I would hit you?" Williams said to the linesperson in front of the chair umpire and tournament officials. "I'm sorry, but there's a lot of people who've said way worse."

Shortly before the final Sunday, Williams was fined $10,000, the maximum fine for an on-court outburst, and $500 more for smashing her racquet. An investigation has begun, and that could lead to more penalties, maybe suspensions.

On TV, Mary Carillo made the strongest statements, saying that no self-respecting sport would let Williams go without suspension. "That woman (the judge) was threatened and humiliated."

Williams then issued a statement through a PR agency: "Last night, everyone could truly see the passion I have for my job. Now that I have had time to gain my composure, I can see that while I don't agree with the unfair line call, in the heat of battle, I let my passion and emotion get the better of me and as a result handled the situation poorly."

Still attacking the linesperson, huh? Unfair line call?

The call was correct. Williams' foot moved forward at least an inch onto the thick baseline. If you were sitting just behind the line judge, as I was, the fault was obvious.

Unfortunately, that overwhelmed Sunday night, too. And lost in it all was that Clijsters' story is incredible.

On her first go-round on tour, she was known as a great talent who choked in big moments. It took a seeming eternity for her to finally win a major, the 2005 U.S. Open.

But the climb to get there was so tough on her physically and mentally, that she retired to start a family.

Her long road in this return has been three tournaments. That's all it took her to win a major, this time unexpectedly. She beat Venus and Serena, the path to any major championship.

And how did she do it? She already told you:

It's the greatest feeling, being a mother.

Clijsters is not obsessed with winning anymore. On Sunday morning, she watched a children's show with Jada, who had no idea what Mommy was planning to do that day.

"I can't believe this happened," Clijsters said. "It still seems to surreal. It wasn't in the plan.

"I just wanted to come back and get a feel for it again, so that next year I would have to go back through all the new experiences again. It's great. But it's confusing as well."

Of course, there was much more to it than that. If having babies were a magical prescription for winning major tennis championships, then Clijsters wouldn't have been the first one to do it since Evonne Goolagong won Wimbledon in 1980.

Clijsters started thinking about tennis again early this year. But she took the court and realized there was going to be a serious issue with fitness.

"I had to tell myself, 'OK, Kim, you're starting from zero,' " she said. " 'I'm reteaching my body again to know how to work in tennis conditions.

"I had a few swear words. No swear words like Serena yesterday, but a few."

The final wasn't much. Wozniacki, a 19-year old already in the top 10, is on the verge of being tennis' new It Girl. But that will have to wait.

She played patiently from the baseline, waiting for Clijsters to make mistakes. Clijsters obliged for a while, but then pulled back and decided to wait to go for big shots.

In the final games, when the old Clijsters would have choked, Mommy Clijsters simply closed the deal, and dropped to her knees in celebration.

It was great being a mother.

Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com

Supermom Clijsters Pulls Off Stunner originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Mon, 14 Sep 2009 01:46:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>kim clijstersGreg CouchMon, 14 Sep 2009 01:46:00 EST Kim Clijsters Is US Open Championhttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/kim-clijsters-is-us-open-champion/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/kim-clijsters-is-us-open-champion/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/kim-clijsters-is-us-open-champion/#commentsFiled under: ,

NEW YORK (AP) -- Kim Clijsters made history Sunday night, capping a comeback from two years out of tennis to become the first unseeded woman to win the U.S. Open - and the first mom to win a major since 1980-with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over No. 9 Caroline Wozniacki.

When it was over, Clijsters collapsed to the ground and started crying- tears of joy, probably mixed in with a little bit of shock, too. Her 18-month-old daughter, Jada, was in a suite with a pacifier in her mouth.

Guess what mommy got for you, sweetie! A Grand Slam title.
It was all quite a different scene from the night before, when Clijsters' semifinal win over Serena Williams was decided on a point penalty, and the 26-year-old Belgian stood behind the baseline, looking bewildered as Williams ran over to shake her hand.

Williams' tirade may have been the talk of the U.S. Open. But Clijsters was the winner. This was her second U.S. Open title, the last coming in 2005-her last appearance at Flushing Meadows and before a spate of nagging injuries eventually drove her out of the sport.

Some might have called it the mother of all upsets, but by the time she reached the final, against the resilient but still-learning Wozniacki, it was hard to view it that way.

Clijsters beat both Williams sisters and two other players seeded in the teens. She matched Venus and Serena power shot for power shot and showed she could play Wozniacki's patient game-and play it better.
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Kim Clijsters Is US Open Champion originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 23:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>caroline wozniackikim clijstersFanHouse NewswireSun, 13 Sep 2009 23:41:00 EST Men's Tennis Approaching Golden Erahttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/mens-tennis-approaching-golden-era/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/mens-tennis-approaching-golden-era/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/mens-tennis-approaching-golden-era/#commentsFiled under: ,

NEW YORK -- So we didn't get it. It's not happening. No Roger Federer-Rafael Nadal final at the U.S. Open.

Does that ruin things? Probably in some ways. But you'd better get used to it, because it's about to start getting harder and harder for these guys to play each other in a major final.

Federer made it Sunday, beating Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-3), 7-5, 7-5. But on Monday he'll play Juan Martin del Potro, who crushed Nadal 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

"It's very difficult for me to speak at this moment," del Potro said. "I'm very close to my dream, to win this tournament. If I win, (or) if I lose, I think this is the best moment of my life."
Video: Federer's Dazzling Between-the-Legs Shot

Sounds like a guy who didn't expect to be here, who has never been to a major final before. True. But a guy Federer will pound, who we'll never hear from again?

No. Del Potro is just 20, and is going to be a star, maybe by Monday afternoon. Pick Federer, but expect a great match.

If you're watching. Just a prediction, but this will get horrible TV ratings, partly from the match having to come on a Monday afternoon, 4 p.m. (ET), and partly because no one outside of tennis fans has a clue who del Potro is.

Federer and Nadal, and maybe Andy Roddick, too, have hogged everything.

The funny thing is that if it takes Federer vs. Nadal for tennis to get its big attention, then the game should be cursing any reason we might not get that matchup.

That reason? Men's tennis is now moving into the greatest era in the sport's history.

Not one star, not two. We might have a whole bunch.

We like to romanticize about the past, about our own eras. Think of the early 1980s, even with Jimmy Connors, John McEnroe and Bjorn Borg.

I'm sorry, but if you watch the old matches on The Tennis Channel, or during Open rain delays, you might notice that most of those guys would have no chance against these guys.

No. Chance.

Today's players are not only hitting hard from the power of the racquets, but also are much stronger, much more athletic, much more physical.

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U.S. Open 2009
Tennis player Roger Federer from Switzerland reacts after hitting a shot between his legs against Novak Djokovic from Serbia during their semifinals match of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 13, 2009. Federer won 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 to reach the final. AFP PHOTO/Emmanuel Dunand (Photo credit should read EMMANUEL DUNAND/AFP/Getty Images)
AFP/Getty Images
AFP

U.S. Open Photos

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, chases down a shot from Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, reaches out to return a volley from Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    ASSOCIATED PRESS

    Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, hits a forehand to Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, serves to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Elise Amendola)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, returns a volley to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, chases down a rally from Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    AP

    Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, reaches to return a shot to Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Krupa)

    AP

    NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 13: Kim Clijsters of Belgium returns a shot to Caroline Wozniacki of Denmark during the Women�s Singles final on day fourteen of the 2009 U.S. Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 13, 2009 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo by Nick Laham/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Kim Clijsters

    Getty Images

    In this combination of photos tennis player Roger Federer from Switzerland retruns a winning shot between his legs against Novak Djokovic from Serbia during their semifinals match of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 13, 2009. Federer won 7-6, 7-5, 7-5 to reach the final. AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, pumps her fist after winning a point over Caroline Wozniacki, of Denmark, during the women's championship match at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 13, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)

    AP


Del Potro is 6-foot-6, and moves like a basketball player. In the 1980s, that was considered too tall for tennis. But the game is now moving into an era of pure athletes.

On top of that, these top seven players - Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, del Potro, Andy Murray, Andy Roddick and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, have separated themselves from the rest of the game. In a tournament in Canada this summer, the top eight ranked players reached the quarterfinals for the first time in the Open era.

So Djokovic said recently that maybe he came along in the wrong era. And when I asked del Potro about that last week, he said this:

"Yeah, my feeling is I have very good players from me to the No. 1," he said. "For sure, Roger, Rafa, Murray, they are two or three steps more than me. I'm working hard every day to be like them.

"But if I play for many years in this level, then they're going to retire and I'm going to be much better, so..."

A few days later, he cleared Rafa.

Federer is still the hurdle, and has not let these guys into the circle.

A few weeks ago in Cincinnati, I asked him about whether he feels that more players are ready to win majors, and he immediately defended his turf.

"Yeah, but they have been around for a while now," he said. "They announced themselves since a few years. I mean, del Potro, I played him the first time three, four years ago. Tsonga has been injured a lot, but he's also not a teenager anymore.

"These guys are all in their 20s now. It's nice to see them all break through, like Murray and Djokovic and Rafa. But they're not 19 anymore, so we're sort of already waiting for the next generation."

If you didn't hear it, that was a challenge. But the only hitch in Federer's legacy, in the argument over whether he's the best ever, is that he didn't build those numbers against the best competition.

Nadal gave him a champion to measure himself against. But in the past few years, Nadal has had the better of the rivalry.

And I think if Federer can keep this up now, with this new generation, then there will be no argument.

Djokovic broke through to win a major, beating Tsonga in the Australian Open final last year. But on Sunday, he admitted to having a mental block with Federer.

"There are many more years to come," Djokovic said. "Winning a grand slam (a major) and winning against most of the top players gives me enough hope and enough reason to believe I can be No. 1.

"Definitely, del Potro is showing his best tennis in the last couple months. He's moving extremely well for his height, and is an all-around player. He has a good chance against Roger if he plays his best. Del Potro, Murray, Roddick, these guys are in the group to win grand slams."

Roddick won one several years ago and was No. 1 before Federer came on. And while Roddick is playing his best tennis now, he has trouble staying in the top five. How's that for a sign of the improvement of the top of the men's game?

Federer embarrassed del Potro in Australia in January, then won closer in Madrid, then nearly lost to him at the French.

Del Potro's serve has improved 100 percent from this time last year, he said. And it's true. The knock on him is that he's not fit enough, can't last long matches.

I think it's more a matter of strength. And his first serve might be going 25 mph faster now than it was just last year, showing the strength is coming.

"You could feel he was improving every month," Federer said. "He knows what to do on the tennis court now, whereas in the beginning, he's so tall, maybe he wasn't sure what he had to do."

On Sunday, del Potro had Nadal figured out, for sure. It's one more hurdle today for the next generation to crash the party.

Unless Federer can hold it back another day.

Email me at gregcouch09@aol.com

Men's Tennis Approaching Golden Era originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 22:40:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>juan martin del potroroger federerGreg CouchSun, 13 Sep 2009 22:40:00 EST Roger Federer Goes Between the Legshttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/roger-federer-goes-between-his-legs-in-us-open-semifinal/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/roger-federer-goes-between-his-legs-in-us-open-semifinal/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/roger-federer-goes-between-his-legs-in-us-open-semifinal/#commentsFiled under:

The between-the-legs shot in tennis is similar to the flop shot in golf. Yeah, it's fun to watch, but there is a small percentage of something positive actually coming out of it. Well, unless you're Roger Federer.

In the semifinals against Novak Djokovic, Federer was up 15-30 in the final game of the third set, hoping to break Novak to cruise to a three-set win and a spot in a Grand Slam final for the 17th time in the last 18 majors. Novak hit a drop shot, Federer ran in, and after getting it back over the net, Djokovic went for the lob. Federer ran it down, hitting a between the legs winner he called his best shot ever.

Video is after the jump ...



Federer went on to win the match on the next point, and will face Juan Martin del Potro in the finals.

Roger Federer Goes Between the Legs originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:41:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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]]>novak djokovicRoger Federerroger federer between legsRogerFedererBetweenLegsShane BaconSun, 13 Sep 2009 19:41:00 EST Serena Williams Fined $10,500 for Tiradehttp://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/serena-williams-fined-10-500-for-tirade/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/serena-williams-fined-10-500-for-tirade/http://tennis.fanhouse.com/2009/09/13/serena-williams-fined-10-500-for-tirade/#commentsFiled under: ,

NEW YORK (AP) -- The U.S. Open has fined Serena Williams $10,000 for her tirade directed at a line judge at the end of a semifinal loss to Kim Clijsters.

It's the maximum on-site fine a Grand Slam tennis tournament can issue for unsportsmanlike conduct.

The U.S. Open said Sunday the Grand Slam Committee Administrator has opened an investigation to determine whether Williams' behavior should be considered a "major offense," which can lead to additional penalties.

Williams also is being docked $500 for racket abuse in what became a 6-4, 7-5 loss Saturday night.

Williams earned $350,000 in prize money for reaching the singles semifinals. She also is scheduled to play in the women's doubles final Monday with her sister Venus.

Copyright 2009 The Associated Press. The information contained in the AP news report may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or otherwise distributed without the prior written authority of The Associated Press. Active hyperlinks have been inserted by AOL.

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Serena Williams Photos
A line judge leaves her chair to report an argument with Serena Williams, left, of the United States, during her match against Kim Clijsters, of Belgium, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Saturday, Sept. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Darron Cummings)
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Serena Williams Snapshots

    Serena Williams of the US hits a return against Kim Clijsters from Belgium during their Women's Semi-Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 12, 2009 in New York. TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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    Serena Williams (L) of the US looks over at the US Open's referee Brian Earley (R) as he speaks to a lineswoman (2nd R) in Williams' match against Kim Clijsters from Belgium during their women's semi-final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 12, 2009 in New York. TOPSHOTS AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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    Serena Williams of the US waves shakes hands after loosing to Kim Clijsters of Belgium during their Women's Semi-Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 12, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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    Serena Williams of the US waves as she walks off the court after loosing to Kim Clijsters of Belgium during their Women's Semi-Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 12, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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    Serena Williams (R) of the US watches as Brian Earley (2nd R), US Open Referee and Donna Kelso (2nd L), Grand Slam Supervisor, talks to a line judge (L) after Williams yelled at her for calling a foot fault during the semifinal match against Kim Clijsters of Belgium of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 12, 2009. Williams was assessed a point penalty, which happened to be on match point giving the match to Clijsters, 6-4, 7-5. AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

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    Serena Williams of the US points her racquet at a umpire during their Women's Semi-Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 12, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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    Head referee Brain Earley and Donna Kelso talk to the line umpire during the match between Kim Clijsters and Serena Williams during their Women's Semi-Final US Open match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center September 12, 2009 in New York. AFP PHOTO / TIMOTHY A. CLARY (Photo credit should read TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP/Getty Images)

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    Serena Williams (R) of the US talks to Brian Earley (2nd R), US Open Referee and Donna Kelso (2nd L), Grand Slam Supervisor, after Williams yelled at a line judge (L) for calling a foot fault during the semifinal match against Kim Clijsters of Belgium of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 12, 2009. Williams was assessed a point penalty, which happened to be on match point giving the match to Clijsters, 6-4, 7-5. AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Serena Williams (R) of the US talks to Brian Earley (C), US Open Referee and Donna Kelso (L), Grand Slam Supervisor, after Williams yelled at a line judge for calling a foot fault during the semifinal match against Kim Clijsters of Belgium of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 12, 2009. Williams was assessed a point penalty, which happened to be on match point giving the match to Clijsters, 6-4, 7-5. AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

    Serena Williams (R) of the US talks to Brian Earley (C), US Open Referee and Donna Kelso (L), Grand Slam Supervisor, after Williams yelled at a line judge for calling a foot fault during the semifinal match against Kim Clijsters of Belgium of the 2009 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, in New York, September 12, 2009. Williams was assessed a point penalty, which happened to be on match point giving the match to Clijsters, 6-4, 7-5. AFP PHOTO/Stan Honda (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP/Getty Images)

    AFP/Getty Images

Serena Williams Fined $10,500 for Tirade originally appeared on Tennis FanHouse on Sun, 13 Sep 2009 19:06:00 EST . Please see our terms for use of feeds.

 

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