Tuesday, May 29, 2012

Serena Shocker and Federer Fan Emotions


What a dramatic first round match!!  I was glued to my TV an hour after the fact as I was trying to catch up on all the tennis from the middle of the night my time, hoping get to see what would happen before I had to leave for my own tennis match.  Once it was over it was hard to get it out of my mind (as I went on to lose my own match too, though in much less dramatic fashion!).  I mean if Serena can lose a match being up a set and 5-1 in the 2nd set tiebreak, it can certainly happen to anyone!  Along with the shock of letting that big lead go and losing the set, then getting down 5-0 (!!!) in the third set, I couldn't understand why she kept going for service return winners when she was up break point at 5-3.  I mean, even I have learned that - just get the ball back in play so there's a chance!

You have to be happy for Razzano, though.  What a sad story from last year, losing her fiance/coach last year days before the FO from brain cancer.  To come back a year later with a huge win at her home slam is just very, very special!

Well, Serena was my pick to win this thing.  Now I guess the favorite would have to be Sharapova, but in the women's game you just never know!  Would still love to see Wozniacki break through and prove everyone wrong at some point, or it would be great if Radwanska could somehow get her first win against Vika this year, who she would meet in the quarters, and pull off a surprise.

On another note, I just have to share a link to this great representation of what Federer fans go through when they watch his matches.  Great job by peRFect tennis on this one!

A day in the life of a Roger Federer fan 

Sunday, May 27, 2012

Awwww, How Sweet!

Just gotta love seeing the pictures of Roger as a daddy.  And what about that pink diaper bag - pretty stylish!  I'm sure he must get a bit tired of people snapping pictures of him everywhere he goes, but it sure is fun to see his sweet little girls!  And nice to see Severin Luthi helping him out with kid duty.  Guess being a coach has lots of responsibilities!





 

Saturday, May 26, 2012

Fed Interviews

 
In case you missed these, here are a couple Fed interviews:

RG Fed interview 

Fed Press RG 

The Next Two Weeks



Just love some of the pictures coming out of RG so far.  Roger looks relaxed and happy, which is a good way to start things out.  In my mind, though, and I think the minds of many, there seems to be an air of inevitability about the next two weeks.  At this point I just can't see the outcome being any different, on the men's side that is, than it has six out of the last seven years.  To me Rafa's draw looks pretty "walk in the park," while Roger's is much more challenging (as usual).  Both Roger and Novak have been quoted to say that Rafa is the definite favorite.  While I think both of these two certainly have a chance (I would think Novak would be giving his all more than we have seen since early February), I still just don't see anyone beating the King of Clay at RG, which makes me long for Wimbledon already.

But then again, look at Roger's past records - five in a row at Wimby, five in a row at the USO.  At some point things changed, and at some point that will happen at the FO also.  One person can't win it forever.  Will it be this year that the change comes?  I rather doubt it, but again, it can't last forever.  How I dream and hope that somehow Roger could win his 17th here.  It would be so, so special!  I'm sure many, many of his fans would be sharing tears with him.  While I don't think it likely, it certainly is a possibility, so those who love him can wish over the next two weeks and who knows - it just could come true.  Maybe some luck could go his way this year.

 Love that hair style!

What about the women? I definitely don't see a repeat happening there.  While I hope for Li Na's sake that she doesn't have an embarrassing early exit, I think the pressure will be too much for her in closing out matches.  While I certainly could see either a Sharapova or Azarenka victory, my pick at this point would have to be Serena.  Her form this year has been incredible!  In my mind she is the strong favorite.  I almost think the women's side of things may be more exciting than the men's this year because there are any number of potential very valid winners.





So the anticipation is building.  Tomorrow, for those who are the crazy tennis addicts, our lives will be controlled by tennis for the next two weeks.  That's why I'm taking off with my husband today on his motorcycle to do something he enjoys, since I told him tennis will be the mainstay after today.  Looking forward to a holiday Monday to watch tennis all day long!!!


 

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

It's Almost Here!!!

The players are all starting to show up on the practice courts of Roland Garros!!  The draw comes out in less than 2 days.  Is there any chance for a different result this year, or will Rafa continue his insane clay court run?

Here's a link of Roger's practice session.  Other than a little slip about halfway through, he's looking pretty good to me!  Fed practice session at RG 

What do the next 2 1/2 weeks hold????

Saturday, May 19, 2012

Oh Well

In spite of the fact I am visiting my kids and "on vacation," I have still gotten to watch the important men's matches this week, including the Djokovic-Federer semi.  I was very curious to see how this one was going to go, though not overly stressed about it.   I could tell from the start that Roger wasn't in his best form, and I almost felt that it wasn't that big of a deal to him.  To Novak this was a big match.  I think many are wondering if he is going to be able to regain his stunning form from last year again, which we haven't seen in a few months.  I'm sure he is anxious to prove to the world that he is still the one to beat.  Tomorrow will will show us a lot.  If he is able to take down Nadal, he will be huge in the conversation for RG and holding all four titles at the same time, which would be quite a feat.  


"Overall, I don't think I was playing good enough," said Federer, who won the Madrid Open last week. "Plus, I was a bit tired. I've been playing a lot lately."

I was actually a bit glad that Roger wasn't able to win this match.  I think Novak has a better chance to win tomorrow, which would automatically give Roger the #2 ranking for the French Open.  It would be interesting to see if that would make a big difference for him there.  Also, he would have had to push hard to win a 3rd set and then play at his highest level less than 24 hours later.  He already won a big title last week.  It will be more beneficial for him to rest and save himself for the big one!

Monday, May 14, 2012

How Sweet It Is!!!!


After busy weekend at a family reunion, trying to catch some of the matches on bad streams, when I got home in the evening I finally got to see the arms raised in victory.  I watched the fun awards ceremony this morning with Will Smith, and loved the glimpses of the fam.  What a sweet victory - title #74, 7 titles and a 45-3 record since the U.S. Open, and now a return to #2 in the world! 


It will be interesting to see if he decides to forego Rome this week, since it sounds like his body is complaining a bit.  Difficult decision, since the clay in Madrid was obviously very different.  Seems like it might be wise to play a little bit to get used to conditions, but I'm sure they will make the right decision.


Posts will be few and far between for the next week or so, as I am leaving on a trip for more family stuff, which I am much looking forward to!  Hopefully I can still catch a little tennis, especially if Roger decides to play!



Team Fed


Friday, May 11, 2012

Madrid happenings


Well well well, who would have thought that neither of the two finalist from last year would even make the semis!  Quite surprising, to say the least, though I am coming to understand more as I listen to the commentators this week that the ones with first strike tennis are the ones having success on the blue stuff, while those who rely so much on their defensive skills just aren't able to get their movement down on this controversial court surface.  Interesting that both guys were taken out by their fellow countrymen!  I'm sure they are both eagerly anticipating playing on the type of clay they are used to in Rome.

Let's hope the upsets stop here!  Roger will go up to #2 in the world if he is able to pull off a win in the final.  I did find it very interesting to read that he said he hasn't decided yet whether or not he will play Rome.  I thought that one was for sure.

I am hoping to get to watch at least part of his 1/4 final before I head off to a family reunion for the weekend.  I am bringing my laptop and plan to watch his semi tomorrow if he pulls it off today, and then would hope for a great Mother's Day gift of seeing him win another Masters 1000 tournament!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Roger in Madrid


Roger's first match back after a six week hiatus was anything but a routine win.  In fact, it was one to help toughen the nerves of the most dedicated Fed fans as we head into this most important season of potentially adding to his incredible 16 majors and of course the coveted gold medal.  It was certainly a nail biter, and one that Raonic probably should have won, but Roger won the points in the important moments, and that's what it comes down to in the end in these types of matches.  This will give him confidence moving forward, no doubt!



I was happy to read this quote when he stopped by the Rolex exhibition in Madrid:  "This is one of the most important tournaments on the circuit and I’m fully focused on winning it."  Here's hoping his focus pays off after his first tough match!!

Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Federer Girls Sighting

On the day all Federer fans have been waiting for, after a six week break without him, it was a fun surprise to come across some pictures of his girls out and about in Madrid.  While daddy's getting ready for his big match, they might as well have some fun!  How cute is that!!





 

Saturday, May 5, 2012

Ready for Madrid!!!

Madrid and the blue stuff are almost upon us - in fact, for the ladies it has already started.  For those like me, however, who have been "patiently" waiting for the return of the great Roger Federer, we are very anxious to see how he's going to come out after his prolonged rest/training time.  He's certainly not going to have time to ease into it as he faces a very tricky opening round match against either Milos Raonic, who he beat in three sets at Indian Wells (a very special match for yours truly since I was courtside for it :) or David Nalbandian, who used to be a challenge for him in the past.  Hopefully his lack of match play won't be a problem for him, as I know he and all his fans are hoping for a great start with this tournament moving into the very important upcoming months.

With all the complaining that Rafa Nadal continues to relay regarding the change in color of the clay, I am very eager to hear what Roger's thoughts are on it now that he has had a chance to hit on it a bit.  I know he agreed with Rafa at the outset, but I am hoping that he has moved past that and will be supportive of the change.

On another note, I enjoyed this post from one of the actresses who had the very cool opportunity to work with Roger in the filming of the new Lindt commercial.  Enjoy!  

http://juliacomedy.com/wp/?p=482

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

Roger making an appearance!!

Roger seems to be fulfilling a few last minute sponsorship commitments before he head off to Madrid.  Here's a great picture of him at Jura and the Walk of Fame:


And another that he just posted from Lindt.  Sounds like they're making a new commercial.  Yea!  Lots of opportunities for Tennis Channel to show it in the upcoming months:


Madrid is getting close!  Can hardly wait!!!!!!!!!!!