tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post7959077346798524652..comments2023-09-20T10:27:39.247-05:00Comments on Savannah's World: The Trouble With RogerSavannahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-39996078669771893342009-04-09T09:11:00.000-05:002009-04-09T09:11:00.000-05:00No worries Savannah, thanks for putting up somethi...No worries Savannah, thanks for putting up something that was written with a bit of thought and insight.. keep writing intellegently about tennis! <BR/>BTW I think Rog has had lucky draws in the past, but I don't think they are rigged.. he was born lucky 8.08.81.. look at all those eights!oh_audhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04471553341943670911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-50752066471070005392009-04-08T21:36:00.000-05:002009-04-08T21:36:00.000-05:00Welcome Aud and thank you for providing a differen...Welcome Aud and thank you for providing a different perspective on Roger and how he affects his fans.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-41198673746144149982009-04-08T21:16:00.000-05:002009-04-08T21:16:00.000-05:00This comment has been removed by the author.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-76195731642903853752009-04-08T17:53:00.000-05:002009-04-08T17:53:00.000-05:00Savannah I agree with you to an extent that Roger'...Savannah I agree with you to an extent that Roger's image and the media hype that had been created has helped him in his career to become perhaps a more indomitable force than he actually was.. and at present he does need a kick up the ass in terms of training etc to turn thngs around and not ride on his laurels..<BR/><BR/>However do not overlook all the people he has inspired and continues to inspire to play tennis.. <BR/>like me. <BR/><BR/>I have watched tennis for years, from Sampras years, Steffi, you name it, and I must say my return a few years ago, was intially to see if our Lleyton could pull of the Oz Open in 2005.. he couldn't.. but Mr Safin was a nice distraction. ;)<BR/><BR/>However later that year, I caught Mr Federer play at WImbledon, and he just made the game look so easy and fun that you wanted to pick up a racquet and give it a go. I have played tennis since then and absolutely love it. <BR/><BR/>So as much as Roger's tennis goes up and down, and whomever deserves the top more than him, and its cool if you're not a fan, not everyone is.. the rivalry with Nadal, the quest to beat Sampras, etc. It generates interest in tennis again.. Compare it to when Hewitt was number 1, noone liked him very much including us Aussies at the time, (he's alright now).. compare it to the interest in tennis now..<BR/><BR/>So as far as Roger goes, I will always be grateful to him, and always be a fan, for making the sport look so graceful and making me want to pick up a racquet. <BR/><BR/>Cheers<BR/>Audoh_audhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04471553341943670911noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-77342221639907187482009-04-08T08:43:00.000-05:002009-04-08T08:43:00.000-05:00Re the draws being fixed. In 2007, Roger got a ver...Re the draws being fixed. In 2007, Roger got a very "helpful" US Open draw, as discussed <A HREF="http://craighickmanontennis.blogspot.com/2007/08/straight-from-horses-mouth-us-open.html" REL="nofollow">on Craig's blog</A>. In the commentary I did a quick probability calcualtion on how likely it is to get positions 2 - 6 filled by qualifiers, and the answer is 0.0000153.<BR/><BR/>That was when I started to believe that the draws are maniuplated.Helen Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07008651858978530028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-66840490806838437792009-04-08T03:56:00.000-05:002009-04-08T03:56:00.000-05:00Fred66 - for the longest time I too laughed at the...Fred66 - for the longest time I too laughed at the idea of "fixed draws" as well as "helpful scheduling" ... I am decidedly NOT a conspiracy thorist (no grassy noles - pun intended; men did walk on the moon; Roswell is simply a place in New Mexico - you get the drift).<BR/><BR/>But over the last year or so I have come around to the idea that this does in fact happen with certain players - whether it comes down to the tournaments themselves acting alone or together with IMG and the other big firms (and I really hope not the ATP) I don't know.<BR/><BR/>I mean if you toss a coin 20 times at it comes up heads 18 times, you have accept that you almost certainly have a gimpy coin.<BR/><BR/>Somewhere on the blogosphere someone did an analysis of Fed's draws and tournament scheduling and it was pretty shocking and mighty strong evidence that it was not random. I will try and find it if I can and post a link.HoiHahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17001037862550994323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-83756439812310115652009-04-08T02:26:00.000-05:002009-04-08T02:26:00.000-05:00Welcome Jibi.I do write fiction for my own pleasur...Welcome Jibi.<BR/><BR/>I do write fiction for my own pleasure.<BR/><BR/>Welcome. Don't be a stranger.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-19701485391419653482009-04-08T01:46:00.000-05:002009-04-08T01:46:00.000-05:00Savannah , I mean ur article is great but as u sai...Savannah , I mean ur article is great but as u said u can either like him or hate him, so i conclude that u hate him now and so it makes ur comments about him biased when ellaborating his deeds on and off field in ur poetic style..<BR/>May b u should consider fiction , ur thoughts are very creative...Unknownhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02805231106199571144noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-46368212035799275912009-04-07T23:57:00.000-05:002009-04-07T23:57:00.000-05:00I'm not sure why everyone is "astounded and earth-...I'm not sure why everyone is "astounded and earth-rocked" by Federer's change of status. Roger is 27 y.o. and was on top of tennis for 4 1/2 years. Nadal chased him closely for several of those top years. Look back to Connors, McEnroe, Sampras and Agassi.....a player can only stay on top for so long, then the "young'uns" start to conquer them.....that's what's happening now with Roger. I do think Roger is having a very hard time accepting this.....but it is inevitable and he needs to see it. At this point in his career, he should just concentrate on winning a few more GS to beat Sampras record......he should not try to compete overall with the new young guys...Nadal, Murray, Djokovic, Del Po, Simon, etc. Roger's day of glory is over....it was beautidul during its time but now it's time for him to accept the inevitable of life--aging. Please Roger....go out gracefully.lynney62https://www.blogger.com/profile/13495408937759095258noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-7862143147291820992009-04-07T23:32:00.000-05:002009-04-07T23:32:00.000-05:00I'm glad you liked the post Silvamine. Welcome.I'm glad you liked the post Silvamine. Welcome.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-23377937346718702262009-04-07T19:24:00.000-05:002009-04-07T19:24:00.000-05:00Well written and entirely accurate IMO. Best summ...Well written and entirely accurate IMO. Best summation I've seen. I was at the AO this year and when you looked at the draw for the qtr finals, it was just jaw dropping! All the players on Roger's side were either currently off form, past it or patently overawed in front of Fed. Coupled with the front of house banner featuring Fed over both the previous champion and Rafa, no.1, and the plans for the trophy ceremony....well, raised a huge question in my mind.silvaminehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18198707329191093935noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-47533456399436469152009-04-07T14:23:00.000-05:002009-04-07T14:23:00.000-05:00Welcome Fred66!I agree with you about Sharapova's ...Welcome Fred66!<BR/><BR/>I agree with you about Sharapova's Melbourne draw last year. She didn't get a cake walk. <BR/><BR/>I will point you to Roger's draw especially at IW and Miami to cite recent cases. In one of them he was a combined 28-1 against every seed in his part of the draw.<BR/><BR/>I know this is controversial and I get a lot of flack about it but when something randomly happens enough times it's no longer random.<BR/><BR/>Don't be a stranger!Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-28555900343904081732009-04-07T14:14:00.000-05:002009-04-07T14:14:00.000-05:00Savannah, I love your blog, and I agree with you a...Savannah, I love your blog, and I agree with you a lot of the time, except for this: I don't buy your theory of "fixed draws" to favor stars. I remember Federer drawing Richard Gasquet in th 1rst round and Tim Henman in the 2nd at Wimbledon a few years ago, and Sharapova playing Davenport in the 2nd round in Melbourne last year. And last but least, do you think the organizers were happy with Hewitt playing Gonzo in the 2nd round in Mmelbourne this year? Come on!!!Fred66https://www.blogger.com/profile/06456426696317258971noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-46540524368686520382009-04-07T13:54:00.000-05:002009-04-07T13:54:00.000-05:00I must admit that's the very first thing I thought...I must admit that's the very first thing I thought about when the idea that Fed was coach-hunting was floated. 'Who the hell would want that job?' Whew.oddmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16578543002153784482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-90119699558768864892009-04-07T12:36:00.000-05:002009-04-07T12:36:00.000-05:00Further to my previous comment, I think that all t...Further to my previous comment, I think that all those people who created the crowned heads of tennis have some culpability in the results. I particularly include media and fans of the fawning variety (i.e <I>The Worshipful</I> in the case of Mr. Monogram). While I hold that each of us, upon reaching adulthood, is ultimately responsible for what kind of person we decide to become, there is no doubt that the excessive media attention (and adulation) visited upon both these young people played to their weaknesses. Yes, they are in a position to have manifold resources, far beyond what is available to most of us, to help them find their way. But they are very young, and (when all is said and done) really just want to be able to play tennis.<BR/><BR/>Why do I doubt that either of these groups will look inward?Helen Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07008651858978530028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-7326703777239134482009-04-07T12:12:00.000-05:002009-04-07T12:12:00.000-05:00BTW, Roger looked like he was about to have a nerv...BTW, Roger looked like he was about to have a nervous breakdown at his last presser. I wouldn't be surprised if he's had a panic attack already. He'll have to swallow his pride and get some counseling as his problems will not go away by itself. He's riding on a runaway train....love40https://www.blogger.com/profile/11469559202742147532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-34220859490337974862009-04-07T11:59:00.000-05:002009-04-07T11:59:00.000-05:00Oddman they overlooked what was going on because i...Oddman they overlooked what was going on because it didn't fit their worldview. It's why they're desperate and looking for that guy on a white horse to put their world back on its axis.<BR/><BR/>As for counseling the man won't even seriously entertain getting a coach. Some fans are already asking who in their right mind would want to coach Roger at this time? It's a legitimate question given how he treated Tony Roche.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-46365958331366537462009-04-07T11:56:00.000-05:002009-04-07T11:56:00.000-05:00The rumors about the shrieking Golden Girl are fas...The rumors about the shrieking Golden Girl are fascinating and back up what many said after that amazing PR piece put out by her agent a couple of weeks ago. Many read it and thought it was their attempt to make sure her career change from athlete to model is smooth.<BR/><BR/>As for humility from those who crowned the Golden Girl and created the FedGod we'll see donkeys flying before that happens.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-23444729765821852252009-04-07T11:43:00.000-05:002009-04-07T11:43:00.000-05:00So much for the crowned heads of both the ATP (or ...So much for the crowned heads of both the ATP (or whatever it's called these days) & WTA. There are rumours that we may have seen the last of the shrieking <I>Golden Girl</I> of indefinite age, and now the King of men's tennis is fallen in disarray.<BR/><BR/>Does anyone hold even a faint hope that these events will introduce a smidgeon of humility into the psyches of all those folks who crowned these two? No, I don't either.Helen Whttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07008651858978530028noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-38088625214410623652009-04-07T11:37:00.000-05:002009-04-07T11:37:00.000-05:00Savannah, great post! I've mentioned on Sunday's ...Savannah, great post! I've mentioned on Sunday's post/comments, if Novak can hang onto number 3. I'm beginning to think he can as Roger has quite a few points to defend and he might not be able to hang onto his 2 position. He really needs to step back and do some major re-evaluating with his situation. As a good friend of mine said recently, Roger probably needs some serious mental health counseling.love40https://www.blogger.com/profile/11469559202742147532noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-69629338161708466722009-04-07T09:06:00.000-05:002009-04-07T09:06:00.000-05:00Fascinating. If one looked back to 07 Wimby, one c...Fascinating. If one looked back to 07 Wimby, one could see who was coming, breathing down Roger's neck. He might have felt it, when he said those prescient words at the trophy ceremony. <BR/>But the AO result took away any last belief that Roger had a lock on any surface.<BR/><BR/>What I don't understand is how, after watching Rafa win Miami in 04, win Montreal in 05, Indian Wells, and so on, those doomcryers could overlook his play on hardcourts and say they were sacrosanct. But, that is a story for another time.oddmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16578543002153784482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-60540569635292348182009-04-07T01:33:00.000-05:002009-04-07T01:33:00.000-05:00Hi Pheasant Plucker. Welcome.Hi Pheasant Plucker. Welcome.Savannahhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15079111598976360942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-6331299392145520462009-04-06T21:15:00.000-05:002009-04-06T21:15:00.000-05:00Well said.Well said.Pheasant Pluckerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15042949521558243306noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-60262809162539023362009-04-06T20:13:00.000-05:002009-04-06T20:13:00.000-05:00Bravo Savannah!!Bravo Savannah!!HoiHahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17001037862550994323noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-757702474597183495.post-1286694121367987432009-04-06T20:11:00.000-05:002009-04-06T20:11:00.000-05:00Amen to that Savannah - love your "storytelling" h...Amen to that Savannah - love your "storytelling" here - and how right you are. Kudos.HoiHahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17001037862550994323noreply@blogger.com