Funny Things Tennis Players Do

Haven't been blogging about tennis for quite some time. But I'm still watching it when I have the time. Just thinking about something lately - about how tennis players do, what I consider, silly things when they are playing.

They are particular about how or where or which ball to play as if the ball has anything to do with how good they play. It doesn't stop there, which ballboy or girl they receive the ball from is also crucial and not to mention some other small adjustments. Sometimes they go to great length to make sure everything is 'perfect'.

It's as if they don't have the confidence in their own ability that they have to depend upon a tennis ball to win a match. Here we have a group of people who are supposedly have enormous belief in themselves and sometimes seemingly, from the way they talk, have all the confidence in the world, and yet they put considerable importance on forces that are so minute that might or might not influence the whole match.

Well, I guess they are humans after all.

Guess Who Won US Open 2007?

Couldn't believe my eyes when I read about it. Didn't watch the match due to time difference. Guess what's the score? 7-6, 7-6, 6-4!!!!! History keeps repeating itself! Someone has to figure this guy out and soon because it's not healthy for the sports to have only one player winning 4 or 5 straight year titles in a row. Don't know why it doesn't happen in women's singles. Heard one of the commentators said that tennis is more of a mental game than physical. I've noticed that Federer is stronger when he's about to lose his service game. He's especially stronger during tiebreaks. How do you become that strong? I certainly would like to know. Is there a pill I can take? :D

US Open 2007 Into the Final

Missed quite a lot of matches but saw the Andy Roddick - Roger Federer match. It was almost like Wimbledon 2007 final. Andy must have been thinking 'What do I have to do to beat his guy?' as Rafael Nadal must have thought. That definitely was what I was thinking. Just when you think you can break this guy, he comes back with deadly shots. When normally, a tennis player breaks under pressure, Roger seems to excel under pressure. To top it off he does it at the last minute, just when his opponent thinks he can break his serve, he comes up with an ace. Just when his opponent thinks he can win a rally, he comes up with an unbelievable winner. Just look at the score, 7-6, 7-6, 6-2 (vs Andy Roddick), 7-5, 6-1, 7-5 (vs Nikolay Davydenko). And don't get me started with the last Wimbledon. Anyway, a huge applause for Andy Roddick for fighting to the end and with a lot of spirit too. If I was him, I would have turned into a Marat Safin and handed Federer with an easy win and a lot of broken racquets. Now, all hopes go to Novak Djokovic, another player on my radar who I think can beat Federer other than my favourite Rafa. Not that I hate Federer but he's sort of THE tennis player to beat right now. Go Novak!

Wimbledon 2007 Gripping Finale

A rather late entry. But watched the whole 'Live' coverage of the match. Probably the longest few hours of my life. Disappointed that Rafael Nadal didn't win but really proud of him that he fought till the end. And fought fiercely. Roger Federer played really well. Felt he was a bit lucky but he 'up' his game at crucial moments and those moments really paid off. Hopefully Rafa will bounce back like all good players do. Since he's always improving his techniques, I'd like to see him win more than any other players before him.

Vamos Rafa!

Rafa Through to Fourth Round

Found out a bit late. Thanks to the delay, didn't get to see the remaining match. Heard Nadal was annoyed at Soderling and probably at the whole delay. It isn't like him to get annoyed. Especially speaking out to the press. I guess a lot have been going on, with the pressure and all. But still never heard him get annoyed like that. He's playing Mikhail Youzhny right now. Wish I could watch. Got a feel he could win Wimbledon this year, just believe he could. But maybe that's just me. Anyway Rafa go for it!

Vamos Rafa!

Wimbledon Under the Weather

It's starting to frustrate me. Especially when it tampers with my beloved :D Rafael Nadal's play. He was just about to win a tiebreak against Robin Soderling when it started to rain and everything was disrupted. He came back and lost the set and the next one. They are tied 4-4 at fifth set right now. And if Nadal loses this one, I'm going to be reeeeally mad. They say that a retractable roof is coming to centre court in 2009. I say, why hadn't they thought about this? And why only at centre court? If I'm frustrated, think about all those players who have to endure the pressure and the stress of trying to beat the same player over and over again. It's like taking a final exam that doesn't end.

Wimbledon is Back

It's already into the third round. There's nothing more that can cheer me up than watching a Rafael Nadal match. Someone said that he would win Wimbledon before Roger Federer would win Roland Garros. To my surprise he disagreed. Maybe he knows something that I don't. Of course he knows something that I don't. Anyway, love his tenacity. He fights for every point. Even when it looks impossible, he turns it around. Saw he did a backhand return when the ball was practically behind him and still got it in and won the rally against Werner Eschauer.

The Mostest at French Open 2007

• Tightest Match - 7-5, 7-6, 7-6 (Roger Federer bt Nikolay Davydenko)

• Most techno-hip name - Ignatic (Vladimir Ignatic, Belarus - Winner Boy's Singles)

• Most Volatile Firecracker - Marat Safin (make that every tournament - love you Marat :))

Rafael Nadal Wins French Open 2007!

Had my heart in my mouth most of the time. After a lost to Federer at Hamburg, there was no sign he didn't believe he could win. The commentator said the tournament and the ones before that was taking its toll on him, made me even more nervous. He was not himself on the second set which he lost - the only set he dropped throughout the whole tournament. Federer didn't play that bad either. But anyway, Rafa got a hatrick! Hopefully he will stay injury-free and win more tournaments to come. Love the new Bull logo.

Vamos Rafa!

Rafael Nadal Has OCD

Thought it was superstition like some other tennis players do. Heard the commentator said it was OCD. I should have known that, I have OCD. People say those who have OCD usually become successful. Darn it! Maybe I should have 'nurtured' my OCD.

Rafa 'The Bull' to play Roger Federer

Hope he'll win this Sunday. So nervous watching him play Djokovic but never doubted he could make it. He hasn't dropped a set the whole French Open yet. Like Federer, but love Nadal.

Vamos Rafa!

Love Rafael Nadal

‘Discovered’ him a few months ago. Heard of him longer than that but never really paid attention. Potentially a better player than Roger Federer. A tremendously good learner, has a cool head. Would like to be like him when I ‘grow up’. Just think he needs to change his underwear. Not for a fresh new one, just a new type - keeps tugging at his shorts-pants.