Sports - Tennis #18: Because we love the new Centre Court roof at Wimbledon! - Page 5

christallh24 · 06-04-2009, 05:58 PM

Roger's hair.

That is all.

ETA: No, it's not. Thanks, HotRod! NOW, that's all.

***Catherine*** · 06-04-2009, 08:12 PM

Has anyone read this?

Quote:

TENNIS legend Martina Navratilova has called grunting players cheats and called for something to be done about the noise on court.

The winner of 18 grand slam titles used the presentation of an award for her service to the game to air her grievances to the tennis world's leaders, The Times Online reported.

"Roger Federer doesn't make a noise when he hits the ball - go and listen," Navratilova said. "The grunting has reached an unacceptable level. It is cheating, pure and simple. It is time for something to be done."

The two-time French Open champion did not name any offenders. But the Times Online noted the assault on eardrums at Roland Garros this year was being led by Michelle Larcher De Brito, Victoria Azarenka, Serena Williams and Maria Sharapova.

Navratilova said: "I remember how it was when Monica (Seles) and I were competitors and she began to grunt.

"I couldn't hear the ball. I thought to myself, 'Do I mention it to the umpire, do I say something to her? What should I do?' And Monica was a friend. I had to say something in the end."

The grunting dispute with Seles began in 1992, with Navratilova complaining there was more to it than merely irritating the opposition.

The sound made by the strings of a racquet striking the ball gives the skilled player an important clue about the speed and spin of the ball they are about to face. Drowning this sound out with a loud grunt denies that information to your adversary.

"A player is in a difficult position because if they make too much of a fuss, the crowd can turn against them,” she said. “It is the umpires who have to act because if they start enforcing the hindrance rule and give point penalties, it will soon stop. The grunts are louder and lasting well into the opponent's strike zone."

Navratilova said that no one in tennis authority had spoken to her after her speech at the International Tennis Federation presentation of the Philippe Chatrier Award

The grand slam committee is scheduled to meet in Paris today and players' noise levels are believed to be on their agenda, The Times Online reported.

I tend to agree actually. I hope something is done. Even from a fan point, it makes watching some matches unbearable. atleast for me. It would be nice to see something done about it, in both the women's and men's.

**Hot Rod** · 06-04-2009, 08:40 PM

I`ve read about this earlier today. Maybe i`m in the minority, but i don`t have any problem with grunting. My opinion of grunting has always been to suck it up, play through it and concentrate on the ball.

Meanwhile in other news, Bob Bryan won the French Open mixed doubles title for the second straight year, this time teaming with compatriot Liezel Huber. Congrats to Bob and Liezel.

It`s great to see a couple of Americans who can actually play good tennis on the dreaded red clay of Roland Garros.

Also Mario Ancic will miss Wimbledon and the upcoming Croatia-USA Davis Cup tie due to the lingering effects of mono. Tough break there for Mario.

Hopefully he`ll get well soon in time for the summer hardcourt season.

**-wait for it-** · 06-04-2009, 09:17 PM

don't worry about the pics HR...no offense but sometimes it's a bit tiring to scroll through them

as for the grunting...depends really...sometimes you can't help but grunt when hitting it

some players do need to tone it down...Sharapova comes to mind...also one player who continued to shrink way past neccessity...even when the opponent hit the ball

**NikNak** · 06-04-2009, 09:52 PM

The grunting has always annoyed me but I didn't think it was that serious enough for them to do anything about it. I usually watch some of the matches on mute.

christallh24 · 06-04-2009, 10:35 PM

Sometimes annoying, not overly so, though.

Quote:

the dreaded red clay of Roland Garros.

Dreaded, HotRod?

**Hot Rod** · 06-04-2009, 11:44 PM

Yes i`ve said the red clay at Roland Garros is dreaded or i should say dreadful, especially late in the second week. I`m glad that we only got three more days of seeing that terrible surface.

**-wait for it-** · 06-05-2009, 06:36 AM

eh...i like it

christallh24 · 06-05-2009, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hot Rod (View Post)

Yes i`ve said the red clay at Roland Garros is dreaded or i should say dreadful, especially late in the second week. I`m glad that we only got three more days of seeing that terrible surface.

Eh...

...okay.

***Catherine*** · 06-05-2009, 11:40 AM

Roger's in the finals!

**-wait for it-** · 06-05-2009, 11:43 AM

were my eyes deceiving me or were many players in attendance of that match?

***Catherine*** · 06-05-2009, 12:55 PM

hmm..to tell you the truth, I didnt notice. Then again I only caught the last set

Goooo Roger!

**Hot Rod** · 06-05-2009, 01:28 PM

Great matches today. It`s unfortunately that a lot of us here in the states only got to see the Robin-Gonzo match due to NBC`s crappy coverage.

Hopefully The Tennis Channel will show the Fed-JDP match tonight.

christallh24 · 06-05-2009, 02:58 PM

What was the score?

**Hot Rod** · 06-05-2009, 04:39 PM

Fed won it 3-6, 7-6(2), 2-6, 6-1, 6-4.