Ana Ivanovic Wins Women’s French Open Is This Good For Women’s Tennis?

Serbian tennis star Ana Ivanovic finally won a grand slam title today capturing the women’s French Open title. The women’s final was very sloppy and boring. The tennis just wasn’t very inspiring or exciting. It is sad that the old generation on the WTA Tour appears to be over.

The Belgians Kim Clijsters and Justine Henin have both quit, Martina Hingis quit due to drug allegations, the Williams Sisters are getting older and are more inconsistent. Amelie Mauresmo is still in a slump, Lindsay Davenport is back but not on top. The question is how much longer will the Williams Sisters, Davenport and Mauresmo compete on the WTA Tour? The old guard provided some exciting tennis for most of the late 1990s and this decade. I remember the drama and all the controversial comments. There is no drama on the WTA Tour right now everything is just stale.

The new generation on the WTA Tour there is nothing to separate their games from each other. Most of the new players on the WTA Tour reaching the top are from Eastern Europe. Why are so many Eastern European players in the top twenty and top ten? Ivanovic capitulated the first two grand slam finals but won on her third attempt so congratulations to Ana Ivanovic.

Sorry, I’m just not excited seeing another Eastern European woman win a grand slam single title. I am not trying to downplay Ivanovic’s incredible achievement she definitely worked hard to win the French Open but she is so plastic and dry. I don’t know maybe it is all lost in translation?

It is kind of hard to understand what Ivanovic is saying her English isn’t exactly the best either. I wonder could Ivanovic beat Henin if she was playing right now I doubt it. I just don’t believe if Justine Henin was playing that Ivanovic would of won the French Open this year.

The WTA is trying to create Ivanovic and build her up as a new tennis star to rival Maria Sharapova. Sharapova is more accomplished then Ivanovic she has three grand slams and Ivanovic only has one major title. I am not sure Ivanovic can beat all the top players either. I am still not convinced that Ivanovic is really going to be a great player.

Just remember Anastasia Myskina won the French Open in 2004. Where is Myskina now? I fear once the Williams Sisters retire the popularity in women’s tennis is going to reach a new low. Women’s tennis suffered a serious blow when Justine Henin retired last month the excitement for the women’s French Open just wasn’t there this year.

It was bizarre seeing Justine Henin at the trophy ceremony. Why was Henin there? Isn’t Henin sick of the game? Why did Henin quit? Henin is an enigma and a peculiar woman she is healthy yet walks away from the game due to burnout. Henin will be remembered as a quitter an individual that can’t deal with stress. I bet Henin wasn’t thrilled handing the trophy to Ivanovic when she knows she easily could of won the French Open this year.

I just hope Wimbledon will be a more exciting event. The French Open is the most boring and the worst out of the four grand slams. The tennis is so dry the French crowds are obnoxious and arrogant.

Yes, Ivanovic is a talented player and the media claim her background story is very intriguing and interesting but I find Ivanovic boring. Ivanovic just doesn’t have much of a personality. I don’t feel drawn to Ivanovic I just don’t care for her.

I was rooting for Dinara Safina not just because Safina is Marat Safin’s younger sister but because I admire her incredible determination to reach the finals. Safina fought off match points defeating the glamour queen of the WTA Maria Sharapova in the fourth round.

In the quarterfinals Safina fought from the brink of defeat again against Elena Dementieva. In the semifinals Safina destroyed Svetlana Kuznetsova in straight sets. I honestly believe Safina was exhausted. Ivanovic played well but Safina just wasn’t 110% she fought hard though but Ivanovic was played a little bit better. Ivanovic won the match 6-4 6-3 but the match was over 90 minutes the score doesn’t indicate how tough the match actually was.

Well at least Ivanovic isn’t another Anna Kournikova a pretty face without the results. At least Ana Ivanovic now has a grand slam singles title. Ivanovic is talented but I am not sure how talented she really is? Ivanovic will become the new world number one next week and since she won the French Open I think this gives her more credibility.

I am just praying and hoping that Sania Mirza can get her game together soon? Sania should be top twenty by now it is really frustrating because Sania constantly has injures. Why isn’t Sania in the top ten? I would love to see Sania Mirza win grand slams. I crave to see an Asian woman or an American or Canadian woman reach the top of women’s tennis.

I am sick and tired of all these Eastern European female tennis players exploding on the WTA Tour. Where are the Western Europeans, Americans, Canadians, and Asian players? Why can’t a player from Africa make a breakthrough on the WTA Tour? The last African to reach the top 10 on the WTA tour was almost ten years ago. I miss Amanda Goezter. The WTA Tour needs more diversity the sports needs more players from around the world to reach the top or else the sport is going to continue to suffer.

Williams Sisters Lose At The French Open, the sky is falling according to critics.

My goodness as usual whenever the Williams Sisters lose at a grand slam event the reporters recycle the same doom and gloom. It is the same photocopied resume of lack of commitment to the game or their focus isn’t on tennis. The truth is Venus and Serena simply lost yesterday because their opponents played better. Every tennis champion loses Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, Pete Sampras, and Andre Agassi all lost early in grand slams during their careers.

I wonder do some of these journalist simply Xerox their old articles and paste them? The record keeps on repeating over and over again. The journalists are regurgitating the same bullshit. The Williams Sisters are the greatest champions of their generation.

Oracene Price the mother and coach of the Williams Sisters isn’t helping her daughters by making crude comments to the press. Ms. Price’s egregious comments are counter productive she should have a positive attitude and defend her daughters.

Here are some quotes from Ms. Price on Serena’s performance yesterday:

“She doesn’t have the mind-set right now,” Price said, shaking her head. “Her confidence isn’t there. I’m really trying to figure this out.”

“She hasn’t been herself the last couple of weeks, since Rome. I have no idea what it is; she’s not telling me. She got deep in a funk (Thursday, in the second round), the same attitude as now.

“She’s really hurting about this one,” Price added.

Why is Ms. Price providing the ammunition to the media? It doesn’t make any sense. Perhaps Ms. Price is a part of the problem?

Why is Ms. Price baiting the media and giving them the dirt they want? Richard Williams may not be perfect but he would never bash his own daughters in the press like Ms. Price has. Mr. Williams has always been very positive about his daughters when they win or lose. Mr. Williams has always provided positive reinforcement.

Venus and Serena changed women’s tennis they also have won fourteen grand slam singles titles. Venus and Serena have the speed, power, explosiveness, few women can match on the tennis court. Monica Seles started the power game but the Williams Sisters elevated the game to a higher level. When Venus and Serena do decide to retire there will be a serious void in Women’s Tennis. Venus and Serena proved you don’t have to be white and rich to become multiple grand slam tennis champions. The Williams Sisters are legends and deserve more respect.

The former world number one Justine Henin is a coward and a quitter the Williams Sisters aren’t quitting. Whenever things get rough Justine Henin displays the same poor sportsmanship. Does anyone remember the 2006 Australian Open women’s final between Henin and Amelie Mauresmo? Henin’s behavior was abhorrent and disgraceful. Henin’s mysterious retirement also has people talking on various blogs. I find Henin’s retirement suspicious. Now if Henin has indeed burned out it just demonstrates how mentally weak she really is. John McEnroe continues too call Henin a “fighter” but she’s not she’s a “quitter.”

Venus and Serena are women’s tennis without them the sport is boring. When the Williams Sisters retire I won’t bother with watching ladies tennis because the new players are bland personalities. Nobody cares about Svetlana Kuznetsova, Ana Ivanovic, and Jelena Jankovic. I remember the 1990s when Monica Seles, Arantxa Sanchez Vicario, Jana Novotna, Gabriela Sabatini, Mary Pierce were playing they were exciting to watch.

I won’t bother to check out the rest of the French Open because I don’t really care about the French Open anyway. The French Open is the most boring grand slam. The rallies are too long and the excitement just isn’t there. Maybe Venus and Serena won’t be number one anymore but I don’t think they care about that.

Venus and Serena love tennis and they love to win. Have people already forgotten the Williams Sisters won 2 out of the 4 grand slams last year? Clay is the Williams Sisters worst surface. I was more surprised that Serena lost because she was playing well this spring. Venus loss is no surprise the French Open is only her second event since April. Wimbledon is around the corner and I am sure Venus and Serena will be fired up to do well on the fast grass courts in England.

Is The French Open Going To Be Boring this year?

I have to ask is the French Open going to be a complete bore this year? Should we just hand Rafael Nadal the men’s trophy? I am so sick and tired of Rafael Nadal winning the French Open? Did you know this decade the Spanish men have dominated the clay courts? Already this decade Spanish men have won the French Open five times. You have to wonder is this the French Open or the Spanish Open? I am so tired of the Spaniards dictating on the clay. Gustavo Kuerten from Brazil managed to win the French Open twice in 2000 and 2001 for Brazil. Also, Gaston Gaudio from Argentina won the men’s French Open title in 2004. Where is Gaudio now?

For the past three years Justine Henin and Rafael Nadal have won the French Open and to be honest the French Open hasn’t been interesting for a long time. The only sure thing is on the women’s side there will be a new champion. The clay court surface is a tough surface to play on because if it is hot the courts are fast like a hard court but it is damp and cloudy the courts can be heavy and slow. Also, clay courts are the only surface that matches can be played on if it is raining.

Some people hate the French Open because this is the grand slam with the most one slam wonders. The French Open doesn’t have the prestige of Wimbledon or the excitement of the US OPEN. Also, the French crowds can be absolutely obnoxious some of the French fans will even hiss and boo their own players!

Yes Rafael Nadal is sexy he’s got big muscles and all that but he also has no competition on the clay courts. Nadal just blasts the competition and most of the men don’t believe they can beat him. Rafael Nadal appears to me to be invincible on clay. Rafael did lose to Juan Carlos Ferraro in the second round of the Italian Open this year in straight sets though.

It is obvious Roger Federer has the game to defeat Nadal on the clay yet Roger always chokes. I don’t know if I can handle watching another Roger and Rafael match up because Rafael has an 8-1 winning record against Roger on clay. I cannot believe last week in the finals of Hamburg Roger had a 5-1 lead in the first set and a 5-2 in the second set against Nadal in Hamburg last week yet lost the match! I love Roger Federer but I am really worried about these mental collapses.

I think perhaps David Nalbandian or Juan Carlos Ferraro are the only players that can beat Nadal. Nalbandian has an incredible two handed backhand he can create a lot of angles with the ball. Nadal beats Roger because he consistently breaks down Roger’s one handed backhand. Nalbandian has a two handed backhand and he can withstand the powerful topspin forehands of Nadal.

Also, Nalbandian has the speed, stamina, and the game to really hurt Rafael Nadal. The question is does Nalbandian have the mind to win? Nalbandian is a serious talent but he has failed to win a grand slam and live up to his potential.

Juan Carlos Ferraro and David Nalbandian are inconsistent. Also, Nadal always seems to get a very easy draw at the French Open as well.

I wonder, should I bother watching the men’s French Open or just focus on the WTA? It seems to me with Justine Henin out of the way Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova and the Serbs Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic are the clear favorites along with Svetlana Kuznetsova. Svetlana reached the French Open women’s final two years ago only to lose to Justine Henin. Justine Henin was a road block for the rest of the WTA Tour so that she has “retired” the road is clear.

I don’t think the other women will really “care” that Henin has retired to be honest. Yes some people will say that the field is weaker on the women’s side because Justine Henin has “retired”. However, every single woman on the WTA tour now knows she has a better shot at actually winning the French Open because Justine is gone. It is sad though that the most dominant female clay court tennis player this decade has decided to quit.

I think Jelena Jankovic has an excellent chance to win her first slam she moves very well, she is extremely quick, has amazing defensive skills. Maria Sharapova has improved tremendously on clay but I still believe there are some clay courters on the WTA tour that can beat her. Serena Williams has already won the French Open but I was shocked she lost to Dinara Safina in Berlin a few weeks ago.

Svetlana Kuznetsova is a tremendous talent but she always loses in the semifinals or finals! Yes it is true Svetlana has a losing record in WTA tour finals and this is her Achilles Heel. Svetlana can get to the finals but she tends to lose. Can Svetlana reverse the trend well we will have to see? Venus Williams I don’t know about her clay is Venus worst surface. The truth about Venus Williams is you just don’t know she can lose first round or win the entire event.

Sad Day For Women’s Tennis World Number One Justine Henin Retires!!!

Well this is shocking news the world number one female tennis player Justine Henin has retired from Women’s Tennis! Justine Henin is a great champion and I am certain if she continued playing she would win more grand slams. Why didn’t Justine just say she’s going to take a break from the game? If Justine needs a break from Women’s Tennis then she should take a break. But why retire at the tender age of  twenty five? It makes absolutely no sense at all!

Justine managed to win seven grand slam singles titles but she never won Wimbledon.  Serena Williams is the only woman in her generation to have won all four grand slams. Justine has been close to winning Wimbledon but she always fades away in the semifinals and finals. Last year Frenchwoman Marion Bartoli shocked Justine Henin in the women’s semifinals 1-6 7-5 6-1.  I was shocked because Justine blasted Bartoli in Eastbourne right before Wimbledon on grass in straight sets. I seemed to me that sometimes Justine has a hard time dealing with pressure and she chokes. Justine is actually very fragile. Justine managed to reach the Wimbledon finals twice only to lose to Venus Williams and Amelie Mauresmo.

Justine claims she has been thinking about retiring for a while.  My goodness, I can’t believe this! Justine  said in a press conference today in Belgium she has lost her “motivation” to continue playing. Justine’s game was beautiful to watch she had so much variety in her game she could come to net, hit slice backhands or topspin backhands. Justine also moved very well on the court and had a decent serve. Justine also overcame a height disadvantage because she is only five foot five she is smaller then most of the women on the WTA tour. Despite Justine’s small size she had a huge serve and incredibly powerful groundstrokes.

I think the reason Justine is “retiring” is because she wasn’t able to duplicate the incredible success of 2007. Despite Henin’s variety the truth is if the power players are serving big and hitting the ball consistently Henin is at a distinct disadvantage. The taller women can bully Henin on the tennis court.

At the 2008 Australian Open Maria Sharapova destroyed Henin 6-4 6-0 in the quarterfinals. At the 2008 Miami Masters Serena Williams blasted Henin off the court 6-2 6-0. It is clear that when the power players such as Sharapova and Serena Williams can overpower Henin. Henin is low on confidence right now and that’s why she’s quitting because she is losing.

Last week Justine lost to Dinara Safina 5-7 6-3 6-1 in the third round of the German Open. It was a huge upset and since clay is Justine’s favorite surface I am sure she was disappointed. But quit? Why the sudden change of heart why can’t Justine wait until the end of the year? Where is Justine’s desire? If Justine is not injured she shouldn’t just quit and walk away from the game so prematurely.

The media make this big deal about how much of a “fighter” Justine Henin is but she appears to be very weak. Henin gives up too easily and now Justine is “retiring” because she is in a slump. Give me a break. The Williams Sisters, Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, Martina Navratilova, Chris Evert, Roger Federer, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras have all had slumps.

I remember in the mid 1990s Agassi ranking had dropped out of the top 100 on the ATP Tour because he was overweight and lacked focus. Andre didn’t give up he lost the weight trained very hard because he loved the game of tennis. Andre believed he still had the potential to be great and he was right. Andre went back to the challenger level which is below the pro level to build his confidence. Andre had the determination to fight through the rough times. Where is Justine Henin’s determination? I cannot believe this is such shocking news!

Now Justine Henin has “retired” from the game the French Open is wide open on the women’s side. I think the other top women of course will be sad to see Henin leave the game but they want to win the French Open. The opportunity is huge everyone wants to win the French Open and now the other women have their chance to win. Justine Henin was the most dominant clay court champion this decade.

Henin won the French Open four times in the past five years. I will admit I am not a Justine Henin fan I am a tennis fan. I think Justine brought a lot of flare to women’s tennis she was also the nemesis of the Williams Sisters their rivalry was exciting for the game. I think its sad because now the weaker competition is going to come through and win the big events.

I don’t get it? So Justine is going to retire just because she lost four matches this year? Where is the champion spirit? Where is the desire to win despite struggles? Everyone struggles in life because that’s life. At least Justine has a job that pays well. Playing professional tennis is a privilege Justine is blessed with incredible talent but obviously she doesn’t have the heart of a champion anymore.

You don’t see Roger Federer talking about retirement just because he lost six matches this year. Roger Federer is the most dominant player to ever play the game. Justine Henin was never dominant like Roger Federer and yet she’s just going to give up. Why now? The media are breathing down Roger’s throat saying he’s on the decline and picking on him. Roger has endured so much negativity but Roger firmly believes he will be back on top because he’s a fighter and he’s a winner. Roger is in a slump but he’s not giving up because he loves the game of tennis.

However, Roger isn’t giving up. I have seen Justine’s coach Carlos Rodriguez and he looks very frail and thin he looks sick. I could be wrong but I think Justine’s decision to “retire” has something to do with her coach. I think this is a bit premature on Justine’s part.

I just cannot believe Justine is going to “quit” right before her favorite grand slam the French Open. Justine is the three time defending women’s champion in Paris. I think this abrupt decision is bizarre and weird something is going on but she won’t say what it is. I don’t believe this is the last time we will see Justine Henin I honestly don’t. Justine loves tennis too much she should of just said she needed a “break” from the game or something but to say she’s going to “retire” is too extreme she is only twenty five years old.

Is Justine ill or sick? Where is the fight? Venus and Serena had to deal with the death of their sister Yetunde Price, multiple physical injures, the American tennis critics attacking them in the press and on television, and countless losses. Venus and Serena aren’t quitting because they are fighters they believe they can achieve more in tennis.Justine is number one and she’s just going to walk away from the game? I think this is sad on Justine’s part but it is even sadder that she obviously doesn’t believe in her abilities. All champions have “slumps” when they are not playing well it happens it is a part of sport. Justine has a tendency to give up though.

Does anyone remember the 2006 Australian Open women’s final? Justine was losing to Amelie Mauresmo 6-1 2-0 and she retired in the finals. The media bashed Justine because it appeared she just didn’t have the fighting spirit. Well its Justine’s decision but I don’t think she’s thought this through properly this is too impulsive to just quit immediately.

Novak Djokovic Wins Italian Open, Can He Become The New Number One?

The media have hyped Rafael Nadal for the past three years the truth is Rafael Nadal is only strong on the clay surface. Most of Nadal’s ATP Tour points are because he’s been so dominant on clay. The problem for Nadal now is Novak Djokovic has emerged and he’s solid on more then just one surface. Nadal has not reached the number one ranking because he’s not good on the faster surfaces. Yes Nadal reached the semifinals of the Australian Open this year but being a semifinalist isn’t good enough.

Roger Federer is in a slump he’s only won one minor event this year the Estoril Open in Portugal. The media have ignored the fact Rafael Nadal hasn’t been winning a lot this year either. Nadal managed to defend his clay court titles in Monte Carlo and Barcelona but he failed to deliver on the faster surfaces. Nadal has had some horrible results this year losing to Jo Wilfred Tsonga in the Australian Open semifinals when he was the clear favorite. Also at the Miami Masters Nadal was destroyed by Nikolay Davydenko in the final when he should of won. At the elite level of men’s tennis it is all about “winning” the major grand slams. Nadal also has failed to advance beyond the quarterfinals of the US OPEN.

Perhaps it was inevitable that Roger and Rafael could not maintain the awesome consistency they have achieved for the past three years? Tennis fans have been so accustomed to Roger and Rafael competing in the big finals but not this year. Finally, in the year 2008 it appears the world number one ranking is up for grabs. Since Djokovic just won the Italian Open he is only 310 points behind Rafael Nadal in the ATP tour rankings. If Novak wins the Hamburg Masters he will reach the number two ranking position.

The French Open is going to be very interesting this year. I still believe Rafael Nadal is the clear favorite to win the French Open because he is the three time defending men’s champion. However, Rafael also lost to fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferraro in Rome in straight sets. Are there some cracks in Nadal’s self confidence on his favorite surface?

There seems to be a pattern this year when Nadal and Federer lose Djokovic is coming through and winning the big titles. Novak Djokovic just won the Italian Open today his first Masters Series title on clay and he also won the Indian Wells Masters and the Australian Open this year.

It is obvious Novak is on the rise. It appears to me that perhaps Rafael Nadal might reach the number one ranking but I don’t believe he will stay there very long. Novak Djokovic can play well on multiple surfaces he is competent on clay, grass, indoor and hardcourts. Since Novak has the consistency I think he is the man that will challenge Roger Federer and not Nadal in the future on the faster surfaces.

Nadal is a quandary how can such a big,strong, muscular, young man have such a weak serve? Nadal’s serve has to be one of the worst serves on the ATP Tour. The top women on the WTA tour have bigger and more powerful serves then Rafael Nadal. Nadal is wasting his talent the guy is so muscular and strong he needs a bigger serve. If Nadal was able to win some cheap free points he would take the pressure off of his body.

Rafael Nadal’s body appears to be breaking down at the tender age of twenty one he’s constantly injured because he utilizes too much energy on the court. Nadal isn’t compensating he’s wasting time by not being aggressive enough. Nadal’s defensive game works on clay but this style of play has hurt him on the faster surfaces. On the clay surface Nadal can get away with spinning in serves at 100 miles per hour but on the faster surfaces he is blasted off the court. Novak uses his size, his speed, and power to intimidate his opponents he hits the ball on the rise very flat and robs his opponents of time.

Yes, I know that Rafael has reached two Wimbledon finals but he’s also lost in the finals to Roger Federer. Nobody cares about the “finalist” all the public cares about are “champions” and “winners”. Novak Djokovic will become number one because he has some weapons Nadal lacks. Djokovic is slightly taller then Nadal he also has a superior serve, a better return of serve, and he volleys very well.

There is also another aspect to Novak I believe will propel him to the number one ranking he has a certain amount of arrogance. Novak has been involved in some trash talking with Roger Federer this year and he’s not afraid to speak about the fact he wants to become number one. Rafael Nadal always says “Roger is the greatest” and he is always complementary to Roger.

Maybe Rafael’s thought process is all wrong? Of course tennis players should be professional but you also have to believe in yourself and your talents as well. Some tennis fans don’t like Novak’s “arrogance” but maybe that’s part of the reason Novak is so successful because he honestly “believes” he can become number one.

I admit I think Djokovic’s parents are pretty classless at tennis matches acting so passionate and screaming at the top of their lungs. Novak’s mother also has made some disparaging comments about Roger that I found rather immature and petulant.

Perhaps, this is one of the reasons Rafael Nadal hasn’t reached the number one ranking yet he doesn’t have arrogance? Rafael Nadal is a very nice guy but maybe he’s a bit too friendly with Roger Federer. I think the world number one and number two players need to have a rivalry. I think Novak Djokovic is going to take over men’s tennis very shortly it seems. Yes, Rafael can beat Roger on clay but Roger beats Rafael on all the other surfaces. Novak Djokovic can become number one because he can beat Roger on hardcourts.

Roger & Serena Lose In The Quarterfinals Of Rome & Berlin !!!

Yesterday was a rough day for me, Roger Federer and Serena Williams were defeated in the quarterfinals of the Italian and German Open tennis events. I am so shocked Roger and Serena lost! I am stunned! I just assumed that Roger and Serena would brush aside their opponents and advance to the semifinals. Roger lost to Radek Stefanek 7-6 7-6 at the Italian Open. Roger is still struggling to find his championship form Roger has now lost six matches this year. In the year 2007 Roger only lost nine matches for the entire year! I don’t think Roger is in decline I just believe he will return to glory because he’s too great a champion to stay in this slump for much longer.

I was very disappointed because Rafael Nadal lost to fellow Spaniard Juan Carlos Ferraro in the second round on Wednesday. Nadal rarely loses on clay I thought it would be a huge opportunity for Roger to finally win the Italian Open. I still have faith that Roger will turn his year around.Roger is playing well on clay but he’s such a great champion I am confident he will find his way back. The good news for Roger is since Rafael Nadal lost in the third round at the Italian Open he actually extends his lead as the world number one. Nadal lost a ton of points because he won Rome last year.

Dinara Safina defeated Serena in a tense three set match 2-6 6-1 7-6. Safina is a solid player ranked number 17 in the world on the WTA Tour. Safina also upset world number one Justine Henin 5-7 6-3 6-1 in the third round on Thursday. Safina has never produced such high quality wins I was shocked.

One of the things I love about Serena is she is so real! Serena lets tennis fans know about the tacky behavior on the WTA Tour. According to Serena’s blog entry from her website some of the WTA players had a celebration after her loss yesterday. Serena is a great champion and she should hold her head high. Yes, Serena lost yesterday but it is not the end of the world. I am so pleased Serena is playing a full schedule this year. Safina was lucky too beat Serena because she clearly was off yesterday making a ton of unforced errors. According to Serena the other WTA players had a celebration after she lost. Serena just needs to hold her head up high and forget about the haters on the WTA. Serena is a champion and she will bounce back like she always does.

Serena’s blog entry from WWW.SERENAWILLIAMS.COM

Serena Looks Ahead

Well Guys I Lost Today,

I played like garbage! It was a horrible display of unforced errors and simply girl gone MAD!!! (I was the girl gone mad)

Anyways my opponent did play her heart out, in a way I am glad I lost to her instead of in Rolland Garros. I really want to do good there, and this has been a wake up call for me. I can’t play bad and expect to do well; tomorrow I will be hitting the practice courts and training until my legs go out. I am not a fan of losing, so I have to find a way to stop this from happening.

It was funny when I lost I was in the locker room and I could hear the entire players lounge really loud like really happy and joyous. Like down goes the champ! Someone beat her!!! It was like a big hoopla…. I just smiled to myself thinking you just wait… just wait……

Serena

Roger Advances To Semifinals Of Monte Carlo!!!

Today was a big test for world number one Roger Federer and he passed defeating David Nalbandian 5-7 6-2 6-2 to advance to the semifinals of the Monte Carlo Masters. Nalbandian defeated Roger twice last year in Madrid and Paris so this was a revenge win for the world number one! After losing the first set Roger just got stronger and stronger Go Roger!

Roger Advances To Monte Carlo Masters Quarterfinals

Yesterday Roger was down 5-1 in the third set and he almost lost his second round match. Today, in the third round Roger was confident as he rolled past Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-3 6-4 and easily advanced to the Monte Carlo Masters quarterfinals. Roger’s forehand was clicking today and he also served strongly as well. Roger’s opponent tomorrow is the Argentine player David Nalbandian he destroyed Spaniard Tommy Robredo 6-1 6-0. Roger has a tough match tomorrow that’s for sure.

Is Rafael Nadal The Male Arantxa Sanchez Vicario?

If you look at the Spanish tennis star  Arantxa Sanchez Vicario’s tennis career you will notice she was dominant on the slow red clay. Arantxa is a three time French Open champion and reached the finals in Paris six times. Rafael Nadal is also from Spain and he is also a three time French Open champion. In terms of playing style if you remember Arantxa was very fast and quick just like Rafael he gets a lot of balls back. On the clay Arantxa and Rafael force their opponents into errors and don’t go for too much.

The difference is Arantxa was an excellent doubles player she won multiple doubles and mixed doubles grand slam championships. Rafael still doesn’t volley that well. Arantxa was also number one on the WTA Tour in singles and doubles simultaneously in the 1990s.

Rafael and Arantxa both reached the Wimbledon finals twice and also lost twice in the finals. Arantxa lost to Steffi Graf in 1995 and 1996. In 1995 the final was very close Arantxa served for the match at 5-4 in the third set but her serve just wasn’t big enough. Rafael Nadal was very close to winning Wimbledon last year but he choked against Roger Federer losing the final set 6-2. Of course, a major difference between Rafael Nadal and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario is size I believe Arantxa maximized her potential she managed to win four slams but she also was only five foot six. Rafael Nadal is a big man he’s six foot one yet the guy has one of the slowest serves in men’s tennis.

Rafael is a natural right hander yet he serves left handed maybe this is the problem? If you look at Rafael Nadal’s serve you will notice that Venus, Serena, Lindsay Davenport, Maria Sharapova, and Justine Henin actually have bigger serves. Serena and Venus can serve over 129 miles per hour. Justine Henin can serve over 120 miles per hour if she wants to. Rafael Nadal spins his serves in at 90 to 110 miles per hour.

Roger Stages Dramatic Comeback In Monte Carlo Advances To Third Round!!!

My goodness, today the supreme world number one Roger Federer should of lost today to Spanish clay court specialist Ruben Ramirez-Hidalgo. I admire Roger’s effort today he was gliding and sliding on the slow red clay refusing to give up. Now of course, some people will say Ruben choked the match but I believe Roger won the match. Ruben let a 5-1 lead slip in the final set he also had a 5-4 30-15 lead he was two points from upsetting the great Roger Federer. Isn’t Roger just wonderful and amazing? Roger refused to give up he fought so hard to get back into the match I commend his fighting spirit.

However, Roger refused to give up he clawed his way back into the match for a dramatic 6-1 3-6 7-6 victory. Roger did make a ton of unforced errors but he also served and volleyed a lot in the match. Ramirez-Hidalgo is a Spanish clay court specialist and on the clay the Spaniards are just dangerous. Hidalgo reached the French Open fourth round before he can play on the slow red clay. Roger should be proud of himself that he was able to squeak through this match but he needs to play better in the next round.