Grand Slams 2008: A Look Back

What a year it was for grand slam tennis. With the last major of the year drawing to a close in New York, I think this is the perfect time to look back at the year that was. Let’s begin after the cut, shall we?

Filed under: A Look Back, Australian Open, Djokovic, Federer, Ivanovic, Nadal, Roland Garros, Serena, Sharapova, U.S. Open, Venus, Wimbledon, ana ivanovic, Australian Open, maria sharapova, novak djokovic, rafael nadal, roger federer, Roland Garros, serena williams, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open, venus williams, Wimbledon

Lucky Number 13

Roger Federer proved all his doubters wrong and won his 13th grand slam title over Andy Murray today. This is also his fifth consecutive U.S. Open title, a feat only matched by Big Bill Tilden in the 1920s. Roger looked like the Fed of old, winning handily, 6-2, 7-5, 6-2. One more major and R. Fed will be tied with Pete Sampras for the most grand slams and two more will most likely solidify him as the greatest player that ever lived. Man, it’s so good to have Roger back.

Congratulations, Roger!

Filed under: Federer, U.S. Open, andy murray, roger federer, sports, Tennis, U.S. Open

Photo Op: Nike Block Party in NYC

Some of our favorite tennis ballers attended Nike’s block party in New York City last night.

Serena Williams blogged after the event: “Nike closed the entire BLOCK to put this on! I mean only Nike! I love them!!! They had fake grass on the street so it looked like a park in the middle of the street! There were sooooo many people out there trying to get in! It was INSANE!!!!!”

Serena met up with Roger Federer and Spike Lee and also blogged about that: “Anyways I had a fun conversation with Spike and I think he is fab! As u all know I love acting so I hope we can work together one day… That would be awesome!!! lso I talked to Roger Federer! He’s so awesome! We were talking about the gold medals that we won and each of our experiences. It was cool to know that he felt the same way I did about winning a gold medal. It is such an amazing experience playing for your country and being able to bring back gold. He’s fun and so awesome! Clearly my fav player….” Sorry, Rafa, I guess you’re just not fun and awesome enough for Serena.

Steering clear of Serena was Maria Sharapova, who made up for her last event’s fashion mishap by rocking this cute outfit.

Filed under: Federer, Serena, Sharapova, maria sharapova, nike, roger federer, serena williams, sports, Tennis

What Happened?

I go to sleep with the prospect of a Federer-Nadal and Venus-Serena gold medal match looming and a wake up to these surprising results from Beijing. Serena lost. Fed lost. Serena’s gold medal campaign was ended by Sydney 2000 silver medalist, Elena Dementieva. Serena was up a set and 4-2 before Dementieva stormed back and took it 6-3 in the third. Seems like Elena has Serena’s number, she’s won in their last two encounters.

Even more surprising was James Blake’s upset of Roger Federer, in straight sets, too. Normally, I would be upset about this, but during the Olympics I seem to go all patriotic for some reason. R. Fed’s forehand was an unforced error machine and his serve was unreliable. Blake pretty much hit him off the court. Now, James is guaranteed to be in contention for a medal.

Crazy sport, tennis is.

Filed under: Blake, Dementieva, Federer, Olympics, Serena, beijing, elena dementieva, james blake, Olympics, roger federer, serena williams, sports, Tennis

In Quotes: Fed on the Olympic Villiage

When Fed was asked where he would be staying for the duration of the games, this was his response:

“It’s not possible for me to stay there [Olympic Village], there are so many athletes who would want their pictures taken with me…I don’t mind it, but everyday? I cant escape it…”

For a second I thought I was reading a quote from Djerk.

Filed under: Federer, beijing 2008, Olympics, roger federer, sports, Tennis

The Door’s Wide Open

For the first time, Rafael Nadal has control over whether he takes the number 1 ranking from Roger Federer or not. Federer lost in the 3rd round of the Cincinnati Masters to Ivo Karlovic, making it possible, depending on Rafa’s result, for Nadal to take the top spot. Rafa needs the title to take number 1 immediately and his biggest obstacle will most likely be Novak Djokovic, his projected semifinal opponent. Even a semifinal would virtually secure him the top spot after the Olympics. However, if Rafa keeps up this incredible form, I really don’t see him losing.

Filed under: Federer, Nadal, rafael nadal, roger federer, sports, Tennis

Maria Pulls a Fed

Maria Sharapova’s got herself her own embroidered logo, just like another stylish tennis player we know. The  design is embroidered on the new line of bags from Prince, recently unveiled for the U.S. Open. But, compared to R. Fed’s classy crest, Mash’s kinda sucks.

Filed under: Federer, Sharapova, maria sharapova, roger federer, sports, Tennis

Fed Advances When Ginepri Chokes

Robby Ginepri served for the match against Roger Federer at 6-5 in the second set. Fed got the break and Ginepri didn’t win another game. This was one of the most poorly played matches I have ever seen from Roger. His forehand was off, his backhand was off, he was off. But, a win is a win. And boy, did he need it. I expect Fed will play much better in the latter rounds now that he has a win under his belt.

Filed under: Federer, robby ginepri, roger federer, sports, Tennis

Still Feeling It

Playing in his first match back since his defeat at the hands of Rafael Nadal in the epic Wimbledon final, Roger Federer looked as if he was still feeling it. Fed went down to Indy champion, Gilles Simon, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6. Perhaps even worse than losing the match are the ranking points he is going to lose from this. The defending finalist will lose about 350 points, while No. 2, Nadal, has semifinal points to defend. Roger said after the match that he caught a cold, but is that really the reason? Or could this really be the beginning of the end of Roger Federer? It’s been said a lot since the Aussie Open, but I always thought Fed would get himself together at Wimbledon. Now he’s got one shot left at the U.S. Open. Federer’s performance there will tell us a lot about the future.

Filed under: Federer, gilles simon, roger federer, rogers cup, sports, Tennis

One For the Ages

Rafael Nadal def. Roger Federer 6-4, 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-7 (8), 9-7. This scoreline will be remembered as one of the greatest matches in the history of tennis. The history of sport for that matter. Today will be remembered as the day the guard changed at Wimbledon. It will also be remembered as the day Rafael Nadal proved himself a great champion outside of Paris. If I ever get to witness a match as good as this one again, I will be truly lucky. Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal did something great for tennis everywhere today. Their efforts will surely go down as some of the best ever.

Filed under: Federer, Nadal, Wimbledon, rafael nadal, roger federer, sports, Tennis, Wimbledon