September 9, 2008
Federer Runs New York, Son!
- Roger Federer didn’t go anywhere. His critics just happened to have someone else to take up some ink for a while. Nothing feels better than being the one to have the very last say. Just ask Pete Sampras six years ago when he won his fifth US Open. And the true champion’s heart is one who, despite all the naysayers’ constant use of energy to bring you down, you turn a deaf ear, concentrate and get in the last word.
- Rafael Nadal is human (plus, one heck of a summer season doesn’t make a fully realized legacy.) Roger Federer has had four of the most dominant seasons of tennis ever in the open era and this year when he had to overcome a few sudden obstacles, everyone’s breath and ink was used to basically write him off. Despite Nadal’s incredible four consecutive French Open titles, this is only one (hopefully of many) great season that exceeded Nadal’s favorite clay. Then what happened? He burned out.
Nadal is still a young guy with several more years left in him. But like I’ve said so many times, it hurts me just to watch Nadal run with those heavy steps and taped knees. Those have a much shorter shelf life than we probably realize.
- The immediate future of men’s tennis seems to remain in the European nations. Despite a fairly impressive showing by Donald Young, he’s still got a ways to go and definitely too young in his career to know if he’s in it for the long haul. But Gael Monfils, Novak Djokovic, Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal… these guys will be battling it out for the next few years.
- The World Series of Poker and Grand Slam Tennis. Both will be on ESPN starting next year and both will be heavily watched by CAP.
- Just like the last four years, the grand slam season officially comes to an end with another Federer grand slam win. Suddenly you stop hearing about all this “end of an era” BS.
cap
2 Comments | 
life, tennis | Tagged: Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, tennis, US Open | 
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September 6, 2008
Gracias, Dios!
With Rafael Nadal down two sets to none in his semi-final match against the Scotsman Andy Murray, the rough and tough Spaniard and the “Grapple in the Apple” dream re-match hangs on by the thinnest of RCH.
CAP’s Notes:
- With his win today against Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer is one match away from giving the last word to all his critics. Though Federer has yet to play the kind of match that has made him look invincible on a tennis court for the past four plus years, I believe his champion spirit returned to it’s brightest point in his match against the Serbian Terminator, Novak Djokovic.
- Speaking of Novak, not only did he come off sluggish and without spark during his match against Federer, I truly believe that his misunderstood comments from the other night after defeating Roddick which saw him get booed off court really deflated the young player. It never feels good to get booed anywhere. But add to that the fact that Djokovic is still young, impressionable, generally a class act and booed in front of a global audience, I challenge anyone to prove to me to not be affected and deflated by that. The last couple of games of the match, he just wanted to end it all and go home with his parents. End of story. It was a great learning experience though.
- Andy Murray not only is looking for his first win over the world’s number one player but going up two sets to none in his best grand slam showing sure isn’t a bad way to make your mark. Showing all the talent, speed and total youthful disregard for the magnitude of the moment, Murray is growing into a champion before our very eyes. I think when the dust settles, five years from now he, Djokovic, Gael Monfils and hopefully our own homegrown Donald Young will be battling it out for future US Open titles.
- Rafael Nadal looks like this dream year has finally worn him down a little. Perhaps the combination of the humidity, the summer wear & tear and the talented Scotsman across the net may prove to be too great a combination to overcome. But if anyone knows how to recover from a much needed rain delay, it’s got to be Rafa. I think that there is every reason imaginable that Rafael can come back to win in five tomorrow. It would be great for tennis.
(sniff sniff) Is that an "F-U Haters" I smell in the air?
to be continued…
cap
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tennis | Tagged: Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, sports, tennis, US Open | 
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September 5, 2008
Plus, for all you fiber conscious fans out there, the final four players all share their “poo face” (yes, the faces they make when they poo).
First things first:
CAP Notes:
- Well no one can say that the top four players in the world at this moment didn’t make it to the final weekend. Despite the seedings before the tournament started, when all the dust settled the top best players in the world made it to the final four. Unless I’m mistaken by the calculations, I believe that these four guys will be ranked one through four in the world when the new rankings emerge.
- The Grapple in the Apple remains alive. Not only for the hardcore tennis fans but for sports fans alike and for the sport itself. A Federer vs. Nadal final post “The Match” would really help our favorite sport out tremendously gain more fans. Everyone wins.
- There truly are so many variables in the air that will make this Saturday truly “Super Saturday”. Anything can happen and anyone can win to find themselves playing in the Sunday final.
- Based on the quarterfinal matches, I would say that Djokovic looked the most confident and dominating in the end but man, he really pissed off a lot of folks with his post match interview.
done
- Murray certainly has the least to lose as he’s gotten further than he’s ever before in any slam. That’s what might just make him go for broke and play some fearless ball on Saturday.
- Nadal has had maybe the only single season that may be better than any of Federer’s previous years simply because of the Olympic gold medal in singles’ competition. The cherry on top to go along with his first Wimbledon and first Gold would be his first US Open.
- And Federer… more important than his fifth consecutive US Open title, more than his first slam of the year would be the last word he gets to have on this year’s dialogue regarding his current status as potentially history’s greatest tennis champion. This title would mean more than many many previous grand slams in my opinion.
To borrow a phrase from Jimmy Connors a few years ago: “This is what they came here for. This is what they want.”
And now… Poo Faces!!!
AHHHHHHH!!! YES, MATE!!!
COME ON!!!! COME OUT, POO!!!!
A Triumphant... Poo!
WHEW!! I thought that last cling-on would never release!
to be continued…
cap
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tennis | Tagged: Andy Murray, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, sports, tennis, US Open | 
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September 4, 2008
Even my pits smell like a winner!
So world number one Rafael Nadal defeated the penultimate American hopeful Mardy Fish Wednesday night / Thursday morning 3-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2.
And though this tournament hasn’t been the brisk walk in the park for Nadal, he’s been handling it like a champ who’s got something to prove to the world.
Interesting notes from the match:
- Nadal did what for the last four years Federer was the absolute best at, despite a slow start, kept his cool and imposed his will on his opponent. First it was a few body blows, then before Fish could figure out what’s happening, he was down two sets to one and completely deflated.
- He essentially played a davis cup match with a very pro US crowd cheering on Fish for the first set and a half. But Nadal, much like Federer, is impossible to dislike and his hard work nature just about won everyone over halfway through the match. This is where tennis is so global and unique and makes it the greatest sport ever!
- Despite the constant comments from the likes of McEnroe and Courier about how this year’s US Open courts play noticeably faster than the Wimbledon courts (crazy!), and despite the fact that this should favor fast court players like Roddick and Federer, Nadal is proving himself an all court master with each win he racks up at this year’s open.
Federer’s quarterfinal against Gilles Muller is up later today.
to be continued…
cap
No Comments » | tennis | Tagged: Rafael Nadal, sports, tennis, US Open | Permalink
Posted by cap
September 3, 2008
COME ON, FEDERER! YOUR TENNIS IS A JOKE! YOU'RE A JOKE! I OWN YOU!
I'm scared, Mr. Miyagi. I'm scared! Let's just go home!
Come on, you know you’ve thought of it. If Roger Federer’s current professional status was a movie, what would it be?
Well, wonder no more.
Obviously The Karate Kid Part III.
Now try to indulge me for a moment on this:
- Roger Federer is Daniel-san, former champion who must overcome the new “Bad Boy of Karate” (Rafael Nadal anyone?) Only Nadal isn’t really a “bad boy”. More like another dude who prefers no sleeve shirts. The dude still lives with his parents in Majorca for Pete Sampras’ sake!
- Mr. Miyagi’s speech right here is exactly what Federer needs to hear. Except it would be less about karate and more about tennis. (clear throat)
- Federer needs to forget his fear and let out his best tennis. “Now time, let out!”
- Federer must get his ass up and rock a sick tennis kata like the one Daniel-san rocks in the end here. Except less fey and more masculine.
done
Come on, who’s with me on this Karate Kid 3 metaphor?
Huh?
Anyone?
Bueller?
By the way, check out the entire film on my favorite time waste site: Hulu. It actually plays pretty well even after all this time. Berry nice! Berry nice! =)
cap
2 Comments | DO NOT CLICK HERE, films, life, tennis | Tagged: hulu, internet, Karate Kid, Movies, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, tennis, US Open | Permalink
Posted by cap
September 1, 2008
Under My Umbrella!!! Ella! Ella! Eh! Eh! EH!!!!!
Has the world’s number one player finally nearing the end of his incredible summer run? The Majorca Machine has been running in the red for so long, it’s gotta break down at some point, yes?
Making good on the Labor Day theme, both players worked their asses off to play some incredible holiday tennis on a hot Arthur Ashe stadium. But in the end it was Rafael Nadal who survived a tight four setter against American Sam Querry 6-2, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 6-3.
A few interesting points:
- Nadal definitely wasn’t moving as well as he has throughout the summer. Don’t get me wrong, 70% Nadal is still better than most 100% anyone but he defintiely moved with heavier legs than normal in this match.
- Nadal struggled to hold serve. He was not only broken several times but at love on more than one occasion.
- And what about this Sam Querry? Not old enough to drink yet in America but certainly old enough to lay down his pimp hand to stay toe to toe with the current best player in the world. Though it’s till much too early to say if Querry will lead a new generation of American tennis hopefuls, it certainly didn’t hurt to make your mark in your country’s biggest tournament on the grandest stage.
- Next up for Nadal is another American Mardy Fish who has been playing some of his best tennis ever. Though I wouldn’t normally see Fish as a serious threat to Nadal, I think if ever Fish had a real shot at a win against Nadal, it would be on Wednesday.
- Even if Nadal gets past Fish, he would most likely face either Del Potro or Murray who are both more than capable of a semi-final upset against Nadal.
Second week of the US Open is crazy tough and it’s only going to cause more stress on those hard working knees of Rafael Nadal.
The “Grapple in the Apple” continues.
More to come.
cap
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August 29, 2008
done
As reported before Nike has slowly began to distribute their massive new US Open timed tennis campaign titled: “The Grapple in the Apple” with a little taste to whet our palettes.
done
So far it seems that Nike is slowly establishing the players of this campaign with infamous iconic promoter Don King first.
done
More vignettes, global spots, development should continue to roll in the coming days but of course, as Ana Ivanovic’s loss reminds us, anything can happen at any time at Flushing Meadows.
More to come.
cap
2 Comments | life, tennis | Tagged: business, commercials, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, tennis, US Open | Permalink
Posted by cap
August 25, 2008
Rafael Nadal Advances 7-6(4), 6-4, 7-6 (4)
If ever there was a great year to peak for Rafael Nadal it would be 2008. At the ripe age of 22, he’s on the top of the mountain as the four time French Open champ, newly crowned King of Wimbledon, and just last week the Golden Boy of the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
But I’ve said it before and I can’t emphasize this enough, at some point Nadal’s fiery hardcore style of play will hit a wall. And hard.
It’s much too early to speculate right now how much the summer has taken out of Nadal’s body but so far the new world’s number one player didn’t look fresh or nearly as dominant as he has previously going into the first round of the 2008 US Open.
The other factor of “The Grapple in the Apple” Roger Federer is expected to take the second match on Arthur Ashe stadium on Tuesday morning.
cap
No Comments » | tennis | Tagged: Rafael Nadal, sports, tennis, US Open | Permalink
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