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Wimbledon Day One (in progress)
10 Comments · Posted by Scoop Malinowski in Articles, Scoop
Did you see that interview room stunt by Djokovic and Wozniacki? The Dane pretended to represent a newspaper from Monte Carlo, and asked the ATP’s best player of 2011 how he was going to deal with his one match losing streak? Djokovic said he would look for inspiration from a player named Wozniacki and her consistent results over the last two years. Come on, this was brilliant stuff. If you don’t love Djokovic and the amusement he brings to tennis, you might need a sense of humor transplant. And those reporters in Australia who called Wozniacki boring, how did you figure?
Outstanding win for the youngest player in the WTA top 100 with Christina McHale taking out the #28 seed Makarova in third set overtime, 8-6 in the third. The American blew a 5-0 third set lead at the French Open but showed her mental toughness by rebounding today with a very important victory, overcoming big concerns about her ability to close out matches in majors.
Look at Jelena Dokic taking it to Schiavone right now. She is playing with high intensity and fist pumps, making some sweet volleys and drop shots. 11 years after her SF appearance and the off-court personal problems with her father, Dokic is 28 now and has moved into the top 50 in the rankings. She just made the final in Eastbourne (won five matches there) and looks like she believes she can do damage again at Big W. She lost a close first set to Schiavone but just won the second 6-1.
Curiously, about the grass at Wimbledon, I noticed players including Dokic are able to bounce the ball before they serve. The one time I played on grass at a 35’s tournament at Forest Hills, the standout observation was how the ball bounced so low. When I tried to bounce the ball before serving it literally came up about two or three inches. I had to change my pre-serve routine to eliminate ball bouncing. But at Wimbledon’s grass I see players bouncing balls and the ball is rebounding off the grass surface as if it’s a hard court. I don’t understand. Are the balls or is it the grass that have been so modified?
Isn’t great to have Chris Evert back in the booth? She is fantastic as a commentator and it’s a pleasure to have her back. Working with Pam Shriver they are making a superb team together.
Milos Raonic made quick of Gicquel. It is going to be very interesting to see how Raonic makes out in his first journey to Wimbledon. I believe he is on a collision course to play Nadal later this week and that could be big danger for Rafa, who openly admits the big serving style on grass is a most worrisome concern.
Roddick looks sharp in his all black outfit on the practice court. An interesting color scheme by the hungry American, making some type of fashion statement.
Quick Quiz: Can you name the player who once started a Wimbledon center court match wearing adidas but after rain delays in the middle of the tournament, strided on court wearing Nike? This player changed his footwear and attire endorser between the first and second week of Wimbledon.
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Michael · June 21, 2011 at 2:53 am
Dan, you’re out of the contest on day one. Serves you right going with Young.
Michael · June 21, 2011 at 2:59 am
Speaking of Dr. Ivo, he’s pretty funny:
https://twitter.com/#!/ivokarlovic
“I remember practicing with Rafa in Franch Open ’05 & thinking 2 myself:this guy plays good.He might reach Q or semis one day. I was right..
5 Jun”
Scoop Malinowski · June 21, 2011 at 5:49 pm
Dr. Ivo is a very funny guy! Thanks for posting that. Would be nice if he started to show it more on the court, imagine him doing the robot dance or some kind of Petkodance after wins. He should let his funny side out more. Might help his tennis and get more fans on his side.
Harold · June 21, 2011 at 5:58 pm
Saw Rios do that endorsement switcher at the Open against Felix Mantilla
Dan Markowitz · June 21, 2011 at 8:12 pm
Yeah, I was guessing Rios, too.
Got to disagree with you on Evert, don’t think she’s a natural on the tv end. She is of good humor which is nice, but she doesn’t give much incisive commentary and whenever she’s with Brad Gilbert, she kind of shakes her head as if Gilbert is saying the most crazy, meshuguna stuff, when actually Gilbert’s usually right on.
Also, can someone at NBC tell Mary Joe Fernandez to lighten up? She acts like she’s commenting on Afghanistan War. Maybe mix a little Evert with Fernandez.
Did you know that Pat McEnroe dresses in a suit top and jacket and shorts because the camera never goes lower than his upper body.
Amazing to see that Jelena Dokic and Alexandra Stevenson are still toiling on tour (Dokic more successfully that the drama queen, Stevenson) 12 years after their Wimby semis.
It’s in: Isner over Mahut in three sets.
Dan Markowitz · June 21, 2011 at 8:17 pm
I’m sorry, I’m listening to Evert do the S. Williams match, and I’ll agree with Scoop, she does give some good insight and has a good voice. I guess I just don’t like her so much when I’ve seen her in studio.
How about the Young guns! Harrison, Tomic and it looks like Dmitrov are all going to win first round matches.
Harold · June 21, 2011 at 9:31 pm
My bad, just checked their head to heads and they never played at the Open. But, I do remember Rios pulling the switch.
Scoop Malinowski · June 22, 2011 at 12:59 am
Yes you are spot on Harold, Rios did it in 97 at Wimbledon, changed mid tournament and mid match actually (rain delayed match) vs. Becker. An unheard of act by a tennis player who are usually very superstitious and ordered. Apparently Rios did not like his adidas equipment and was eager to start with Nike.
Harold · June 22, 2011 at 12:58 pm
On the subject of endorsements, Venus Williams clothes are the ugliest in the history of womens tennis.
Scoop Malinowski · June 22, 2011 at 3:34 pm
Totally agree. It’s a mess, doesn’t fit right, doesn’t do her athletic figure any justice. One of the worst outfits in tennis history which not a single person would dare to purchase. She had some other nice looks but this one is a disaster.