Wimbledon 2007

[mr_cellotape]

So you have never defended Shane Watson?

Not for his behaviour on the field, no I don't think I have. I'm sure I've defended his selection in the team cause we needed an all-rounder, but I've always thought he was a dunce who needs to pull his head in.

Anyway, this is the tennis board...

 

[Super Goalie]

I've been a Hewitt fan since he first came onto the tennis scene. The way some people talk about him is an absolute disgrace for someone who has put their heart and sould into achieveing at the top of their field for Australia. I love that he gets excited and passionate about what he does, why does no one else get upset and whinge when Brett Lee pulls out the lawnmower? Even though he's struggled the last couple of years, is still a gun, and I'm hoping like hell he goes a long way in Wimbledon.

Hewitt fan club assemble here.

 

[Jono]

Lol, Hewitt fan club. Enjoy yourselves.

Anyway Sharapova goes out in straight sets to Venus. Absolutely slaughtered.

 

[red+black]

Sharapova goes out in straight sets to Venus. Absolutely slaughtered.

I'm as happy as a pig in shit that Sharapova lost

And I'm looking forward to Ivanovic v Vaidisova.

How ****ed are the organisers? One woman is into the semis already, soon to be two, while some of the men have just completed their 3rd round match today. If the tennis circuit were like the Grand Prix circuit, England would lose this event next year to a country who could organise themselves better.

 

[eddiesmith]

So does this mean Hewitt and most men have

Thurs- 4th rd
Fri- qtr
Sat- Semi
Sun- final v very rested Federer

 

[red+black]

Federer is in a good spot. Top half of the draw, walkover in the 4th, pretty much a bye in the quarters tomorrow (Ferrero).

The ATP should force Wimbledon to never again have a rest day. At least they will have a roof next year.

This is just another example of how the men do more to earn their tennis dollar.

 

[eddiesmith]

2 years untill the roof is ready

 

[Jono]

Henin vs. Williams, as usual, has been a great match to watch. Full of drama.

Great match from Henin, managed to hold her nerve in the end and win in 3.

Henin vs. Venus final I think, although Ivanovic looks good too (in both ways).

 

[mr_cellotape]

I love that he gets excited and passionate about his opponent's mistakes

Fixed that comment for you.

 

[eddiesmith]

I cant wait for the day we are Williams-free

 

[mr_cellotape]

I cant wait for the day we are Williams-free

Why?

 

[eddiesmith]

I cant stand them

Hated the years of what 1 person described as 'boat races' where they seemed to decide pre match who would win

"You can win this one and I will win the next"

I find them alot more annoying than Hewitt could ever be

 

[Jono]

Why do you want to get rid of players that are both extremely talented, and mentally tough? Their resilience is something to be admired, and yes they are different and play up the "celebrity/glamour" status far too much, but when on the court they are amazing. Tennis is a sport at the end of the day, and those two are bloody good at it.

There are far too many women's tennis players who choke up at the sign of pressure nowadays. Hell Clijsters was one, and Henin often has instances when she can't finish off Serena Williams. Today was almost one of those when it looked like she was not going to be able to serve the match out at 5-1, but eventually managed to.

This rarely happens with the Williams sisters. They always believe they are better, and deserve to win. Its an asset, and they shouldn't be looked down upon for it.

 

[eddiesmith]

I cant stand them, as for their tennis, can only be watched on mute

It may be hard to understand, just like its hard for me to understand how so many hate Hewitt and he is actually Australian

 

[mr_cellotape]

I cant stand them, as for their tennis, can only be watched on mute

It may be hard to understand, just like its hard for me to understand how so many hate Hewitt and he is actually Australian

The difference is that the Williams sisters are actually capable of some high-quality entertaining tennis (and yeah, gotta have it on mute ). Same can't be said for Hewitt...

 

[Jono]

I cant stand them, as for their tennis, can only be watched on mute

It may be hard to understand, just like its hard for me to understand how so many hate Hewitt and he is actually Australian

Firstly, the whole "support Hewitt because he is Australian" argument is atrocious. I support tennis players I either a) enjoy watching, and/or b) admire. Whilst I don't mind watching Hewitt, I hate the way he behaves (just like I hate Shane Watson, and sometimes Brett Lee eg. when he does the stupid chainsaw despite India having 700 runs on the board back in the SCG test of 2003/04). I like flare in a sportsman, I don't like a downright ********.

That being said, I do admit there are aspects of Hewitt, characteristics he has which are extremely admirable, and for that reason I would never wish for him to be gone from tennis. He brings a lot to the game, his fighting edge, and his mental toughness are some of those. Its too bad he's an absolute prick, and to go from Rafter being the face of Australian tennis to him has been damn disappointing. I loved Rafter, and not because he was Australian, but because he was a top bloke and I respected him immensely.

So whilst I'll never cheer Hewitt on because I despise him, I am still always excited when he's playing because I know it'll generally be an entertaining match, and I know he's good for the game.

Similarly, and it may be hard to accept because they are so different from the conventional women's tennis player (which some conservatives obviously struggle to accept, whether it be their race, attitude, attire, build etc.), but the Williams sisters are good for the game. Compare tournaments when they are not around and you have crap making the latter stages, with players like Henin and Mauresmo often absolutely walking it to the semis. When they are there women's tennis becomes more unpredictable, and you know, just like Hewitt, even if they're a set and a break down, they're just as likely to come back and win it.

They're very good to bet on mid-way through matches, just some advice for you punters.

 

[eddiesmith]

The difference is that the Williams sisters are actually capable of some high-quality entertaining tennis (and yeah, gotta have it on mute ). Same can't be said for Hewitt...

Some of the best matches of tennis I have ever seen have been from Hewitt, but that may be because I love 5 set thrillers and he has plenty of them

 

[eddiesmith]

Firstly, the whole "support Hewitt because he is Australian" argument is atrocious. I support tennis players I either a) enjoy watching, and/or b) admire. Whilst I don't mind watching Hewitt, I hate the way he behaves (just like I hate Shane Watson, and sometimes Brett Lee eg. when he does the stupid chainsaw despite India having 700 runs on the board back in the SCG test of 2003/04). I like flare in a sportsman, I don't like a downright ********.

That being said, I do admit there are aspects of Hewitt, characteristics he has which are extremely admirable, and for that reason I would never wish for him to be gone from tennis. He brings a lot to the game, his fighting edge, and his mental toughness are some of those. Its too bad he's an absolute prick, and to go from Rafter being the face of Australian tennis to him has been damn disappointing. I loved Rafter, and not because he was Australian, but because he was a top bloke and I respected him immensely.

So whilst I'll never cheer Hewitt on because I despise him, I am still always excited when he's playing because I know it'll generally be an entertaining match, and I know he's good for the game.

Similarly, and it may be hard to accept because they are so different from the conventional women's tennis player (which some conservatives obviously struggle to accept, whether it be their race, attitude, attire, build etc.), but the Williams sisters are good for the game. Compare tournaments when they are not around and you have crap making the latter stages, with players like Henin and Mauresmo often absolutely walking it to the semis. When they are there women's tennis becomes more unpredictable, and you know, just like Hewitt, even if they're a set and a break down, they're just as likely to come back and win it.

They're very good to bet on mid-way through matches, just some advice for you punters.

Personally I find all womens tournaments boring these days and when they are around damn predictable that atleast 1 of them will be around and if they play off in the final, it is unpredicable as you dont know who won the coin toss pre match

But I dont see where this Hewitt is a prick and ******** and all these other words that get thrown around, I found the Williams sisters to be arrogant bitches and I always enjoy it when they get done and must say I am never disappointed that they are injured because Serena ate too much. pLus they are bloody drama queens, the match with Serena the other day the perfect example

Hewitt is a brilliant player and fired up on the court, but never treats his opponents with the disdain that the Williams sisters do and thats after they have beaten them

Oh and have you ever heard a press conference after they lose to someone other than their sister? Makes bigfooty seem sane

 

[Mr P@H]

I hate Hewitt because he's Australian

 

[eddiesmith]

Yes but we dont anyone from Hampshire seriously

 

[Jono]

Next time Venus or Serena abuses a linesman/lineswoman for making a correct call when they foot fault, tell me and I'll say they're in Hewitt's league.

Hewitt is often an embarassment on court, and I'm not talking about his 'come-on' either.

Are the Williams sisters arrogant? I'd say obviously, particularly Serena. If you dislike them because of that, fair enough. But they have the right to be, and when asked stupid questions like "do you think you're better than X?" or "would you have been embarassed to lose had you been Hantuchova?" then you're going to get direct answers from them. At least they aren't giving robotic answers making interviews useless. They have some character.

Regarding Serena being a drama queen on court vs. Hantuchova, there was NO reason for her to actually be one. She was in control of the match. The injury stoppage DID NOT help her. She was 1 set up and 5-5 with Hantuchvoa beginning her patented choke. Its not like her overplaying her injury helped, she was obviously in serious pain and anyone thinking she was faking it is saying so for the simple reason that she is strong, and obviously doesn't feel any pain right? Come on.

She freely admitted that she would have lost had the rain not come. But her injury break DID NOT help her at all. She would have won in straight sets had she not cramped up, and I can't see how anyone would deny that.

 

[mr_cellotape]

Some of the best matches of tennis I have ever seen have been from Hewitt, but that may be because I love 5 set thrillers and he has plenty of them

You mean the matches where he plays like a ******* for 2 sets before finally realising "hey, I'm gunna lose this if I don't pull my finger out"?

 

[eddiesmith]

Next time Venus or Serena abuses a linesman/lineswoman for making a correct call when they foot fault, tell me and I'll say they're in Hewitt's league.

Hewitt is often an embarassment on court, and I'm not talking about his 'come-on' either.

Are the Williams sisters arrogant? I'd say obviously, particularly Serena. If you dislike them because of that, fair enough. But they have the right to be, and when asked stupid questions like "do you think you're better than X?" or "would you have been embarassed to lose had you been Hantuchova?" then you're going to get direct answers from them. At least they aren't giving robotic answers making interviews useless. They have some character.

Regarding Serena being a drama queen on court vs. Hantuchova, there was NO reason for her to actually be one. She was in control of the match. The injury stoppage DID NOT help her. She was 1 set up and 5-5 with Hantuchvoa beginning her patented choke. Its not like her overplaying her injury helped, she was obviously in serious pain and anyone thinking she was faking it is saying so for the simple reason that she is strong, and obviously doesn't feel any pain right? Come on.

She freely admitted that she would have lost had the rain not come. But her injury break DID NOT help her at all. She would have won in straight sets had she not cramped up, and I can't see how anyone would deny that.

She definately got plenty of time because of who she is even before the rain, then afterwards she almost seemed to be playing up the limp but had no problems jumping all over the place celebrating, almost like she was continuing to say its terrible pain, she obviously suffered some injury originally but whether it was as bad as made out, who knows

As for their interviews, when she loses she turns all sooky and complains about everything and makes 1001 excuses for losing and how she really is far superior to her opponent and should never have lost, whilst Hewitt the most hated man in the world usually gives credit to his opponent, even in a win, never once will you hear that from a Williams sister, although they may talk up their sister

Williams conduct on the court is perfect? Thats funny to hear

As for abusing linespeople, sometimes they deserve it like the one the other night who called it out despite it collecting some chalk and it being obvious to everyone, hell she called it good 3 times before deciding on out, sometimes they deserve it

But Hewitt is highly competitive, atleast he can turn it off and not act like an arrogant, up herself bitch like Williams afterwards

 

[eddiesmith]

You mean the matches where he plays like a ******* for 2 sets before finally realising "hey, I'm gunna lose this if I don't pull my finger out"?

Yeah, whats wrong with that? Hardly boring

But hey if you prefer Williams 6-0, 6-1 matches more then fine

 

[mr_cellotape]

Yeah, whats wrong with that? Hardly boring

But hey if you prefer Williams 6-0, 6-1 matches more then fine

Hey at least they're over in half an hour, rather than watching 4 hours of "stand behind the baseline and smash the ball straight back to my opponent and hope he makes an unforced error". Because that's much better to watch.