French open starts.....

[a kennedy]

Serena wins first round, Venus is on now..... :bounce: :woohoo: :applause:

[dustsailor]

1. Is Federer the still the top male player?

I quit watching male Tennis a while ago, because Federer won so often it got boring. It's as if you knew the outcome before each tournament began.

[MaineDem]

2. Yes but I don't think he's ever won the French Open

Plus he's been ill so it's a wide open Open.

[joeybee12]

3. Correct, never won, a finalist at least twice, maybe three times...

...and lost to Nadal, who is heavily favored again.

[RL3AO]

5. I can't stand watching womens tennis when they take so long between serves

(I'm looking at you Sharapova). Buts its also other women. You just don't see it nearly as much on the mens side. They keep the match going.

[MaineDem]

6. Have you watched Djokovic play?

He takes FOREVER between serve. Bounces that ball about a dozen times.

[a kennedy]

8. and that grunting......I mute it.

:eyes:

[a kennedy]

4. Serena wins her 2nd round match....

and who is that bald guy, Bud something or other??? Who the hell is he any way??? D*mn. I just hate the banter of all the tennis talking heads, if they fall any farther off the Maria horse I'm gonna die. and why is she considered a Russian when SHE LIVES IN THE UNITED STATES????

[joeybee12]

7. I thought Bud Collins retired from commentating...

...haven't been watching. Women's field is wide open, I think...probably about 10 women who could win it. On the men's side, only 3.

[Awsi Dooger]

12. Bud Collins left NBC for ESPN after last year

It was a great move. They had relegated him on NBC, no longer doing match commentary at Wimbledon.

He's still very sharp and it's a more interesting match when he's in the booth.

[joeybee12]

14. I find him annoying, but he is very knowledgeable...I wonder why Chris

left...it's been a while. She also knew what she was talking about and whenever they aasked her who would win, she was always right because she really knew the players' games. McEnroe was worthless, but they kept him on.

[joeybee12]

9. SPOILER

Serena loses in straight sets, which means on the women's side there will be a first-time champ, as there are no previous champions left! Amazing.

[tishaLA]

10. I hate to say it, but I'm happy

I just don't like Serena and I think it's time she decides to either be serious and get in shape or retire.

On edit: And Venus is out now, too.

[joeybee12]

11. Same here...I have a little more empathy for Venus because she's

tried to come back at times and actually succeeded, although I didn't expect her to get far at the French...her game is not at all suited for clay.

With those 2 out, are there any Americans left? I doubt it. Both men's and women's tennis is on the downswing in the US.

[Awsi Dooger]

13. I'm happy also

I try to give Serena a break because she's in better shape than a couple of years ago. But today I was kicking myself for believing in her. Better shape than what, one of those contestants in a fat loss TV program?

Serena was embarrassing out there on Friday, huffing and puffing even in the first set, leaning on her racket in exhaustion after mid length rallies. Her face looked puffy, much older than her chronological age. Her footwork was pathetic and it seems to be at its worst on the most vital shots, ones that might finish a point.

That opponent was a doubles specialist and looking for chances to play back to her #27 singles seeding. Serena had every opportunity to even the first set at 5-5, and if she does that she's a considerable favorite to prevail, but one error after another blew the break opportunity and the set. At that point a fatso isn't likely to sweep two sets on clay.

The more we're removed from it, I still can't believe Australian Open '07. Serena was gargantuan in a ridiculous lime green outfit and I remember posting a thread that she looked as wide as a buffalo. Then somehow she timed everything perfectly for two weeks, pulled out a couple of squeakers, and blew out a limited Sharapova in the final.

No doubt Serena assumed that would be the norm, especially once she dropped 10-15 more pounds.

Venus isn't much on clay and has had injury woes, so I cut her plenty of slack.

Wimbledon will be the test for the Williams sisters. No reason at all why at least one of them doesn't reach the final. But I hope they are stuck on the same side of the draw. That's only fitting given the underachieving nature of the past few years, forcing top seeds to play them early in the draw. Richard deserves to be ticked.

[tishaLA]

15. There goes Screamapova

See ya, Maria. Congrats to Safina. Hingis was right a couple years ago when she said that Safina would be winning lots of trophies in a couple years.....

Just wish her brother could get it together.

[joeybee12]

16. And she was soooooooooooooo gracious in defeat!

Good riddance!

[MaineDem]

17. And ends...

with a new women's champ and a quadruple-peat men's winner.

Straight sets in both finals.