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Chat thread for 2013 s Hertogenbosch [Netherlands] Eastbourne [Sussex, UK].

JENNY

Can we have a chat thread for the following. Thanks. s Hertogenbosch [Netherlands] Eastbourne [Sussex, UK].

Fabrice Santoro, Guy Forget and Pioline weigh in on success of tennis in France.

 

Wall Of Fame contest.

What decision from Nadal and his camp will MOST certainly ensure Nadal's injury relapse this season?

First correct answer = Wall Of Fame listing.

Correct answer / Winner: Friday, June 21.

2013 Wimbledon seeds. From Jenny. Thanks.

JENNY

Wimbledon 2013 seeds 1-5 remain as per their ATP ranking. Others are seeded up or down based on the Wimbledon grass court formula.

GENTLEMEN'S SINGLES

DJOKOVIC, Novak (SRB) [1]
MURRAY, Andy (GBR) [2]
FEDERER, Roger (SUI) [3]
FERRER, David (ESP) [4]
NADAL, Rafael (ESP) [5]
TSONGA, Jo-Wilfried (FRA) [6]
BERDYCH, Tomas (CZE) [7]
DEL POTRO, Juan Martin (ARG) [8]
GASQUET, Richard (FRA) [9]
CILIC, Marin (CRO) [10]
WAWRINKA, Stanislas (SUI) [11]
NISHIKORI, Kei (JPN) [12]
HAAS, Tommy (GER) [13]
TIPSAREVIC, Janko (SRB) [14]
ALMAGRO, Nicolas (ESP) [15]
KOHLSCHREIBER, Philipp (GER) [16]
RAONIC, Milos (CAN) [17]
ISNER, John (USA) [18]
SIMON, Gilles (FRA) [19]
YOUZHNY, Mikhail (RUS) [20]
QUERREY, Sam (USA) [21]
MONACO, Juan (ARG) [22]
SEPPI, Andreas (ITA) [23]
JANOWICZ, Jerzy (POL) [24]
PAIRE, Benoit (FRA) [25]
DOLGOPOLOV, Alexandr (UKR) [26]
ANDERSON, Kevin (RSA) [27]
CHARDY, Jeremy (FRA) [28]
DIMITROV, Grigor (BUL) [29]
FOGNINI, Fabio (ITA) [30]
BENNETEAU, Julien (FRA) [31]
ROBREDO, Tommy (ESP) [32]

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2013-06-19/201306191371633190432.html

Sitting Heads of State who have showed up @ live ATP / WTA matches.

Bill Clinton.

James Cameron.

Belaruz President?

You got more? No, you don't!!!!!

Most consecutive Wimbledon finals in the open era. Nadal has been to five Wimbledon finals already - non-consecutive? McEnroe five straight? Bagels in the won / lost column are..... interesting?

Country	Player	Number	Years	Results
				Won	Lost
Switzerland	Roger Federer	7	2003–09	6	1
Sweden	Björn Borg	6	1976–81	5	1
United States	John McEnroe	5	1980–84	3	2
Germany	Boris Becker	4	1988–91	1	3
United States	Pete Sampras	4	1997–2000	4	0
Australia	John Newcombe	3	1969–71	2	1
Sweden	Stefan Edberg	3	1988–90	2	1
United States	Pete Sampras	3	1993–95	3	0
Spain	Rafael Nadal	3	2006–08	1	2
Australia	Rod Laver	2	1968–69	2	0
United States	Stan Smith	2	1971–72	1	1
United States	Jimmy Connors	2	1974–75	1	1
United States	Jimmy Connors	2	1977–78	0	2
Germany	Boris Becker	2	1985–86	2	0
Czechoslovakia	Ivan Lendl	2	1986–87	0	2
Australia	Patrick Rafter	2	2000–01	0	2
United States	Andy Roddick	2	2004–05	0	2
Spain	Rafael Nadal	2	2010–11	1	1

Country	Player	Number	Years	Results
				Won	Lost
United States	Martina Navratilova	9	1982–90	7	2
United States	Chris Evert	5	1978–82	1	4
United States	Venus Williams	4	2000–03	2	2
United States	Billie Jean King	3	1968–70	1	2
Germany	Steffi Graf	3	1987–89	1	2
Germany	Steffi Graf	3	1991–93	3	0
United States	Serena Williams	3	2002–04	2	1
United States	Venus Williams	3	2007–09	2	1
United States	Serena Williams	3	2008–10	2	1
Australia	Margaret Court	2	1970–71	1	1
Australia	Evonne Goolagong Cawley	2	1971–72	1	1
United States	Billie Jean King	2	1972–73	2	0
United States	Chris Evert	2	1973–74	1	1
Australia	Evonne Goolagong Cawley	2	1975–76	0	2
United States	Martina Navratilova	2	1978–79	2	0
United States	Chris Evert	2	1984–85	0	2
Germany	Steffi Graf	2	1995–96	2	0
Spain	Arantxa Sánchez Vicario	2	1995–96	0	2
Czech Republic	Jana Novotná	2	1997–98	1	1
United States	Lindsay Davenport	2	1999–2000	1	1

 

John McEnroe and Chris Evert pick Djokovic as their 2013 Wimbledon favorite. From M. Thanks.

M

ESPN pundits John McEnroe and Chris Evert gave their thoughts on who they think will be holding the trophies at the end of the Wimbledon fortnight. Wimbledon.com joined in to hear their views...

In the days leading up to a major, the talk in the tennis world is always around who is favoured to take home the trophy at the close of the fortnight. In the case of The Championships 2013, Serena Williams is the leading candidate among the women. The 31-year-old Williams is the world No.1, the top seed and the defending champion who is fresh off a title at Roland Garros and riding a 31-match winning streak that dates back to March.

But on the men's side, it's not as easy for the 127th Championships. Top seed Novak Djokovic won the year's opening major in Australia, but Rafael Nadal stormed back from injury to capture his record eighth title in Paris earlier this month. Roger Federer, a seven-times winner at Wimbledon, is the defending champion here. But it's actually Andy Murray who was technically the last to hoist a winner's trophy on the grounds of the All England Club - be it during the 2012 Olympic Games, where he drubbed Federer in the final.

So, who is the favourite tipped to win the men's title? For former greats John McEnroe and Chris Evert, who between them captured 12 Wimbledon crowns, the answer is synonymous: Djokovic is their man.

"I think it is a tougher call to see who the favourite would be," McEnroe said in a conference call with reporters on Tuesday. "I would pick Djokovic first and Murray second."

But Murray sat out Roland Garros with an injury, and returned last week at Queen's with his third win there. A year ago the world No.3 was a finalist at Wimbledon, losing to Federer in a four-set contest. 

"I think Murray will be hungrier not playing the French, maybe a little fresher," McEnroe continued. "Then Roger, because he still has such a great game for grass. It's tough to win it back-to-back at his age. Rafa having come back so great... maybe I'm wrong, because I thought he would be a little tired. That would be the order if I had to pick 1 to 4." 

They are not seeded that way, however, as Roland Garros finalist David Ferrer is the fourth seed, Nadal the fifth. 

For Evert, however, a loss at Roland Garros only means motivation for Djokovic, winner of six major titles.

"Djokovic comes to mind only because I think the disappointment at the French Open," Evert said. 

And for Federer? Evert mused that this is the title Federer is gunning for; it would be his record eighth win at The Championships.

"I have a sneaking suspicion that Federer has put all his eggs in one basket and he's gunning for Wimbledon," Evert added. "It's the only Grand Slam that he really has a legitimate chance at. I don't mean that against him, it's just that the competition is so good."

But while McEnroe and Evert have put their egg in the basket of Djokovic, it's still a toss-up, they say.

"It's just totally up in the air," Evert said. "That's the wonderful thing about it. That's the wonderful thing about having the top four men playing so closely and evenly. It's a hard question, and I don't know if John agrees with it, coming into a tournament, as an analyst, you like to see the first few rounds and see how they're playing. Especially after the first week, you kind of have a better view." 

McEnroe concluded: "Nadal is seeded No.5, and [if] he plays Djokovic in the quarters, that's going to impact more than just those two people."

http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2013-06-19/201306191371664587822.html

Roger Federer sports a fake moustache in new Wilson ad.

 

Serena with some 'boy' who didn't like 'her' once?

"Roger Federer" special on BBC radio Wednesday. From M. Thanks.

M

"Roger Federer" special on BBC radio Wednesday.

Click here.

Federer could fall to No. 5 in ranking after 2013 Wimbledon? From Chipnputt. Thanks.

CHIPNPUTT

Roger could very possibly go to #5 after Wimbledon -- he hasn't been that low for 10 years.

Even if Nadal and Ferrer lose in the first round, Federer has to reach the final to stay ahead of them.

And even if Federer wins the tournament, if either of them reaches the final, he falls behind them.

Multiple Wimbledon singles champions. Nadal tied with Connors, Edberg, Newcombe and Emerson?

Player	Open Era	Amateur Era	All-time	Years
William Renshaw (BRI)	0	7	7	1881, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1885, 1886,1889
Pete Sampras (USA)	7	0	7	1993, 1994, 1995, 1997, 1998, 1999,2000
Roger Federer (SUI)+	7	0	7	2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009,2012
Björn Borg (SWE)	5	0	5	1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980
Lawrence Doherty (BRI)	0	5	5	1902, 1903, 1904, 1905, 1906
Reginald Doherty (BRI)	0	4	4	1897, 1898, 1899, 1900
Rod Laver (AUS)	2	2	4	1961, 1962, 1968, 1969
Anthony Wilding (NZL)	0	4	4	1910, 1911, 1912, 1913
Wilfred Baddeley (BRI)	0	3	3	1891, 1892, 1895
Boris Becker (GER)	3	0	3	1985, 1986, 1989
Arthur Gore (BRI)	0	3	3	1901, 1908, 1909
John McEnroe (USA)	3	0	3	1981, 1983, 1984
John Newcombe (AUS)	2	1	3	1967, 1970, 1971
Fred Perry (GBR)	0	3	3	1934, 1935, 1936
Bill Tilden (USA)	0	3	3	1920, 1921, 1930
Jean Borotra (FRA)	0	2	2	1924, 1926
Norman Brookes (AUS)	0	2	2	1907, 1914
Don Budge (USA)	0	2	2	1937, 1938
Henri Cochet (FRA)	0	2	2	1927, 1929
Jimmy Connors (USA)	2	0	2	1974, 1982
Stefan Edberg (SWE)	2	0	2	1988, 1990
Roy Emerson (AUS)	0	2	2	1964, 1965
John Hartley (BRI)	0	2	2	1879, 1880
Lew Hoad (AUS)	0	2	2	1956, 1957
René Lacoste (FRA)	0	2	2	1925, 1928
Rafael Nadal (ESP) +	2	0	2	2008, 2010
Gerald Patterson (AUS)	0	2	2	1919, 1922
Joshua Pim (BRI)	0	2	2	1893, 1894

Wimbledon Singles Champions by country.

Country	Amateur Era	Open Era	All-time	First title	Last title
United Kingdom (UK)	35	0	35	1877	1936
United States (USA)	18	15	33	1920	2000
Australia (AUS)	15	6	21	1907	2002
France (FRA)	7	0	7	1924	1946
Sweden (SWE)	0	7	7	1976	1990
Switzerland (SUI)	0	7	7	2003	2012
Germany (GER)	0	4	4	1985	1991
New Zealand (NZL)	4	0	4	1910	1913
Spain (ESP)	1	2	3	1966	2010
Croatia (CRO)	0	1	1	2001	2001
Czechoslovakia (TCH)	0	1	1	1973	1973
Egypt (EGY)	1	0	1	1954	1954
Netherlands (NED)	0	1	1	1996	1996
Serbia (SRB)	0	1	1	2011	2011

Wonder what could be the reason for the new hair do!!!!!!! And toes were surgically reduced and pointed to fit the shoes.

Points top ten seeds are defending @ 2013 Wimbledon. There's someone less than Nadal?

Seed	Rank	Player	Points today	Points defending
1	1	Novak Djokovic	11,830	720
2	2	Andy Murray	8,560	1,200
3	3	Roger Federer	7,740	2,000
4	4	David Ferrer	6,970	360
5	5	Rafael Nadal	6,895	45
6	7	Jo-Wilfried Tsonga	4,155	720
7	6	Tomáš Berdych	4,515	10
8	8	Juan Martín del Potro	3,960	180
9	9	Richard Gasquet	3,135	180
10	12	Marin Čilić	2,470	180

Photos.

Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in action against Tamira Paszek during the international tennis at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, England, Tuesday June 18, 2013. (AP Photo/PA, Gareth Fuller)

Rory Mcilroy watches his girlfriend Denmark's Caroline Wozniacki in action against Tamira Paszek during the international tennis at Devonshire Park, Eastbourne, England, Tuesday June 18, 2013. (AP Photo/PA, Gareth Fuller)

There's a chance that ALL this one day may be one big ............... and NOTHING else. 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 18: In this image provided by Delta Air Lines, Serena Williams challenges Delta travellers to an impromptu game of table tennis at Heathrow Airport on June 18, 2013 in London, England. Delta flew the tennis icon from New York's JFK to London where she will compete at the All England Club. (Photo by Delta Air Lines via Getty Images)

Any more casual and he could be nude. Geeeezzzzz!!!!

Roger Federer v Mikhail Youzhny · Halle Gerry Weber Open 2013 Final: Full match.

 

What makes Sampras stand out among double digit Slam winners (Open Era) - negatively?

Not a REALLY great player?

You see, if you are REALLY good at your craft, the shift in medium it's expressed in, logically should make NO difference in the quality of the finished product. If it does, you are a one-dimensional contraption - indisputably.

And here's the fact that makes it beyond freaking obvious: The shift applies to everyone thereby stalling ANY disturbance in the banana cart - terminally.

Borg, Federer and Nadal have passed that test with a sizeable margin with varying degrees of success. Borg reached FOUR US Open finals, competed @ the AO just once (3rd round), won Wimbledon five times, Roland Garros six.

Federer four, one, seven and five. Nadal one, eight, two and one.

ANY wiggle room to justify Sampras' pathetic record is erased by the number of finals AND semifinals above three clowns have reached - at each Slam - APART from winning all four titles.

For rock people, Sampras not only NOT win Roland Garros, he never reached a final EVER.

Top-10 ATP Shots of the First Half of 2013.

 

Which Slam will Nadal feel MOST grateful for if Djokovic ends his career with 11 Slams and Nadal with 12?

Who would you want to lecture your son on tennis and life? Federer or Nadal?

Nadal? 

Fact that Federer's life AND tennis has been an aberration of epic proportions eliminates him from the discussion COMPLETELY, don't you think? I mean, what's the likelihood of your son passing through life AND tennis with ZERO obstacles? 

Wouldn't you rather have someone who has had a more typical time that's sprinkled with success and adversity? Heck, more adversity the better.

Federer's silver spoon is so far up his 'alley' that it renders him useless with respect to imparting any wisdom with any credibility. Heck, even his tennis strokes are a disaster - with a live genie pig called Dimitrov proving the utter worthlessness of it all - beyond all doubt.

Nadal, on the other hand, appears more real, legitimate, authentic AND possible.

 

London Queens 2013 Rally Against Cancer. From M. Thanks.

M

 

Happy Birthday to Alex: June 17.

 

Possible reasons Nadal may not win another Slam.

Your first thought on above is 'How about another Roland Garros', right? Wrong.

For starters, Nadal achieved a few unceremonious firsts at his latest win @ the FO. This was the 'first' time Nadal was extended to a five setter (He had a five setter against Isner in the opening round in 2011 but that doesn't count when placed next to the one against Djokovic - in the semis. Finals???). First time he lost a set in each of his first two matches.

Place that aside reaching the finals without losing a set four times and winning the entire freaking tournament without dropping a set twice - at one of them with a bagel in the finals @ deciding set - to Federer - five years ago when Federer was in his prime.

Add to it the fact that Djokovic had his worst showing on clay since his 'arrival' in 2011. What's the likelihood of that happening again specially when BOTH his coach and Grandfather have already passed on and nobody that close is next on that list - at least for now?

Not enough? Even though Nadal was returning from a 7-month break, given the conditions, this was Nadal's best lead (8 tournaments, 8 finals, 6 titles) into Roland Garros specially when Djokovic is inserted into the mix.

And then there's the existing injury compounded by advancing age. Nadal is now 27 going on at least 30.

You think all of above an year from now, forget beyond, would make the journey @ Roland Garros easier than it was this time? Most likely not specially if the rest of the 2013 season is not dealt with EXTREME care.

The ONLY possibility, which appears SLIM, is IF Nadal is able to reverse his slide against Djokovic - FOR GOOD - at the remaining tournaments between now and the next FO. That would then allow Nadal to win @ the FO purely by default as Federer, Ferrer and other would-be contenders on the surface would be past even their senior years.

Short of that happening you have to agree that with Djokovic healthy Nadal's chances will in the very least drop from what they have been in the past if this latest showing with all it's tangible and intangibles in tow is inserted into the calculator.

And if that's settled even to a lesser degree that it's been pushed above, do you even have to venture into discussing accessing fruits hanging far higher in reach? I mean, can Nadal even reach the finals at Wimbledon, US Open and the AO AND beat Djokovic there?

Nadal's days of winning at ANY other surface may be OVER - for good. And if clay is tethering on the edge, it could all end @ 12.

Photos.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Ivan Lendl, Andy Murray, Tim Henman and Tomas Berdych shake hands during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Tim Henman hides behind Michael McIntyre as Jimmy Carr runs over to him during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: London Mayor Boris Johnson hi-fives Andy Murray during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Sir Richard Branson in action during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Sir Richard Branson attempts to bribe the umpire during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Ross Hutchins laughs as he sits at the court during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Andy Murray celebrates hitting coach Ivan Lendl with the tennis ball during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Andy Murray and Tim Henman share a joke during the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Tennis shoes wore by Ivan Lendl ahead of the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Marin Cilic of Croatia lifts the runners-up trophy after defeat in the Men's Singles final against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

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Bob Bryan, left, and Mike Bryan of U.S. hold up the trophy after their win against Alexander Peya of Austria and Bruno Soares of Brazil at the end of their Queen's Club grass court championships double final tennis match in London, Sunday, June 16, 2013. (AP Photo/Sang Tan)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: London Mayor Boris Johnson speaks to Sue Barker ahead of the Rally Against Cancer charity match on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JUNE 16: Andy Murray of Great Britain lifts the trophy after victory in the Men's Singles final against Marin Cilic of Croatia on day seven of the AEGON Championships at Queens Club on June 16, 2013 in London, England. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

Switzerland's Roger Federer holds the trophy after winning the final tennis match against Mikhail Youzhny of Russia at the Gerry Weber Open tennis tournament in Halle Westphalia, Germany, Sunday, June 16, 2013. Roger Federer won his first title of the year, overcoming a sluggish start to beat unseeded Mikhail Youzhny 6-7 (5), 6-3, 6-4 at the Gerry Weber Open on Sunday. Returning to grass in his favorite warm-up for Wimbledon, the top-seeded Federer looked lethargic until the middle of the second set, when he started hitting shots with confidence. Federer won his first title since Cincinnati in August and his sixth in Halle, the first since 2008. (AP Photo/Martin Meissner)

Athletes and their look-alike sons.

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