My Chinese Tennis Players

Now, for a little heritage pride. For the first time ever, two Chinese women are in the quarterfinals at a tennis Grandslam. Sure, there are two Americans, three Russians as well.. but this is unprecedented. While Li Na, the 16th ranked player in the world, has a tough order in front of her having to face Venus Williams in the next round, unranked Jie Zheng has more than a shot to advance into the semifinals with a fellow unranked Maria Kirilenko as her foe. Best of luck to both women. (AO)

My Serena Meltdown

Oh Serena, what happened? What happened to the poise you've always shown on court even though we all know you were a firecracker inside? Were you just frustrated from the two sets earlier and everything just built up to that inexcusable outburst? Not that I was ever a fan of yours, but US Tennis is already in disarray- we certainly don't need you to drag it down even more. (ESPN)

My Night at the US Open

Granted, the matches themselves were a bit of a bore, but when Novak Djokovic summoned John McEnroe to the court and the two played two points, it was a uproarious. Along with buddies Mark and Cheryl, we enjoyed the cool breeze of the unofficial end of summer.

The gang had more fun eating waffle fries than watching the second match.

A new exhibit letting attendees tryout their tennis skills.

8 dollar cheeseburgers and the before mentioned waffle fries.

Oh... I served a disappointing 77 mph.

My Dinara Safina Complex

I guess I'm just hating on the ladies today. Dinara Safina, the current number one ranked female tennis player in the world, struggled through another grand slam match. Under immense scrutiny for her top ranked status without winning a single career grand slam, the pressure definitely showed. I haven't been impressed by any of her matches since she arrived on the WTA tour. She never looks comfortable, always nervous and about to break down and cry at any given moment. Not to mention every victory she pulls out, it seems as if it's relief more than joy she displays. So just how is she #1? Is the rest of the women's tour doing that bad?

My Morning Away From Roger

As a promotional event for the upcoming US Open (which I have tickets to on Labor Day), the top ranked players are doing some good ol' fashion PR at Madison Square Park. While it was one of the most unorganized events I've ever attended, I did manage to get a glimpse of the greatest tennis player EVER who happens to be my celebrity crush for the month of June.

My Fourteenth Grand Slam

After losing in four consecutive French Open finals to Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer finally gets his record tying 14th Grand Slam victory (and his first at Roland Garros) by beating Robin Soderling, who never really stood a chance. Following Federer since his first Grand Slam victory in Wimbledon in 2003 when he beat Pete Sampras, this victory was such an emotional payoff. I mean, when he cried... I kinda teared up. Now, let's go get this number 15.

My Rafael Nadal Defeat

You didn't think I was not going to mention Nadal's first loss on Roland Garros clay, did you? With Nadal out, Djokovic out and Roddick out, Roger Federer and his fans has got to be breathing a little bit easier going into the second week of the French Open. Can Fed finally capture that 14th Grand Slam title and tie Pete Sampras? Or will Juan Del Potro and the surging Andy Murray (ugh) get their first? Either way, I'm just glad Nadal's reign on French clay is over. 

My Total Tennis

 "I want to go to there."

My French Open Seedings

Darn it. I was hoping when the draw came out for the French Open this weekend, I would see Novak Djokovic on the same bracket as 4-time defending champion Rafael Nadal. But instead the top-ranked Nadal will only have to face the unproven Brit Andy Murray on his way to the finals. I could imagine Nadal feels a bit relieved that both Djokovic, who gave him a 4-hour match last weekend in Madrid, and Roger Federer, who beat him in the final the following day ending Nadal's 33-win streak on clay, will be offing each other in a potential semifinal matchup. (ESPN)

My Peterio Awards (Part Thirteen: Best Individual Sports Game)

The Men's Wimbledon Finals had it all- rollercoaster momentum, history on the line, a long heated rivalry and of course, plays after plays of awes and wonderment. As a long time Roger Federer fan, seeing his inevitable defeat to Rafael Nadal was extra excruciating because there were many moments during the marathon match you thought the 5-time defending champion was going to muster just enough to limp his way through it. However, it was not meant to be as the tennis world witness an unofficial changing of the guard... until Federer won the US Open later and all is right with the world once more.

Other Notable Nominees: ALCS Game 7 (baseball), Men's 4x100m freestyle (Olympic swimming), Men's 100m Butterfly (Olympic swimming) & Superbowl XLII (football)

My Novak Djokovic 180

I was a huge fan of Novak Djokovic prior to 2008. His playfulness was something new to the men's circuit full of players who are seen as "business determined". Not to say Djokovic was not determined to win, but his youthfulness was something I'm used to considering Roger Federer has been my favorite player for 5/6 years now. So what changed? Why has many fans including myself turned sour on our favorite Serb? My answer- winning the Australian Open.

Everything changed when his captured his first grand slam title. For starters, it doesn't help when your family is highly unlikable. With mother Djokovic yelling "The king is dead. Long live the king." in reference to her son's victory over Roger Federer and the constant army-like chants from his brothers, it's easy to turn that in likability. After his Open win, Novak's crossed that fine line between confidence (Nadal) and arrogance (Roddick) and fans noticed quickly. The capper? His comments towards the US Open crowd (with my friends Mark & Cheryl in tow) about how they are all against him. It's a bad to say to any tennis crowd, especially the US Open crowd. A round of loud boos followed and the effect of his first boo-birds were definitely felt during his semi-finals match against Federer.

I hope he learned his lesson. Either that, or become one of the greatest villains in tennis ever had. We haven't had a bad guy in tennis for awhile.

My Encouragement From Ryler DeHeart

In the current state of sports where greed, money and business seem to be more prominent than ever, it was more than a breath of fresh air to see Ryler DeHeart enter Arthur Ashe Stadium Thursday night for his match against the world’s number #1 player and the hottest player currently on tour. DeHeart, 24, who is ranked 261st in the world is currently at the highest of his career ranking. To see his wide-eyed joy when he entered the court of over 23,000 was more than enough to me rallying behind him. He didn’t win, he wasn’t even close, in fact, he was obliterated. Not that it mattered, watching DeHeart gather his composure from his shaky start to recovering from a 0-40 game, then to break Nadal in the following game to gain what was then a 2-0 lead was more than enough to have my eyes water. I can’t imagine what his family and in particularly his fiancee must have felt during what could be DeHeart’s career highlight.

Let’s face it. I’ve became a fan. Whenever his next tournament is within a driving distance from the tristate area, I’ll try my best to attend and hopefully let him know his dedication is more than sports news to me. It’s awe inspiring. If for the slim chance he or anyone who knows him reads this, he deserves this praise.

What gets more even more is how much he loves the game of tennis. Being 24, considered by many as the age when someone’s tennis career begins to tip over, DeHeart has never played a single tour tournament up until the US Open. To my understanding from commentators, DeHeart has been playing in the Futures tour with the goal of being ranked in the 200s for an invitation to play for the Challengers tournament. For someone whose annual earning is less than mine, his determination got him his biggest payday yet- and it couldn’t happen to a better person.

My Racist Claim

I can't stand it when people resort to "the race card" when things aren't going their way. I've used this said "race card" once for personal gain and I couldn't feel worst about it. Here comes Richard Williams, father of Venus and Serena, claiming the women's tennis tour is prejudice and has never accepted his daughters. Where were these claims ten years ago when his daughters were dominating the game? Why now?

The men full of controversy continues to say that he is "black and prejudiced, very prejudiced" and "little white no-good trasher in America like Tracy Austin or Chris Evert" can't hit the ball but the media adored them anyway. I understand that speaking out is a good thing, but when Williams spoke out feel the need to knock someone down to make himself better, it's not okay with me- it never will be. (Yahoo)

My Open Letter To Andy Roddick

Mr. Roddick,

I know it seems unimportant to you to partake in the upcoming Olympics, but if it's preparation for the US Open, why not play with the world's greatest players instead of mid-major players on a hard court? Please consider it before you officially withdraw from the opportunity to play for an Olympic medal. (ESPN)

Thanks,
Peter

P.S.- You're right, the fish-sticks ARE better at Friday's.

My Night at the Garden

Tonight marked the first time former number one player in the world, Pete Sampras and current number one player in the world, Roger Federer are playing against together on American soil... and what a match it was. Although I couldn't help but shake the feeling it felt a little fixed. Maybe that's just me. 

With a ridiculously amount of Sampras support at the Garden, I might be alone in wearing my Swiss jacket and yelling support for Roger. But alas, Federer won in a decisive third set tie-breaker. 

My Roger Mono

Roger Federer revealed what bothered him during this tennis season. He had mono since last year and continued to play in big tournaments (ie. Australian Open & Dubai) and played through some tournaments without even knowing it! I knew this wasn't the Rog I know and love this year. So he's better now... just in time for this Monday night match with Pete Sampras. (NYT)