OK, I guess I’ve always been a little indifferent about fall Ball (anything after the THE Open). Why? First of all, the four heavy weight rounds are over and done with, as we go into fall, the more the toasted and tired players, indifferent performances and the least ‘un-fit’ will win theory (especially on the woman’s side). The more fall extends, the shorter the break the players get until Adelaide, Sydney and most importantly, Melbourne 2009.
Really, the only reason to even play the perennial over-extended Tennis season in fall is probably capturing the number one ranking at the end of the year. Call me old fashioned, but I do have a smidgen of a problem with ‘Jammerin-Jank’ (Jankovic) capturing the world No. 1 this year, the tag of ‘NO SLAMS’ lingers on. Serena, Venus or Ivanovic would do just fine. I personally want to see someone who has won at least one slam in a year to capture the No.1 ranking. This in essence, only validates the ranking system and its fundamental number keeping. Awarding consistency is perfectly fine, but not at the expense of not recognizing those who win slams.
Same logical thread (hush, hush! don’t tell it to my mates in the neighboring F1 house), I really believe that those who win the most number of races in a year should win the drivers’ championship and not otherwise. With that logic, a certain scarlet clad Brazilian should have won the driver’s championship this year…but honestly though, I do agree that in the end Hamilton was extremely deserving of the title (the phrase, ‘if not more’ that would complete the sentence has been intentionally left out).
I can see some semblance of a reason why Rodge is still sluggin it out. He really does not want to meet Rafa in the semis in OZ 2009, and there is a numerical possibility that if De-Joker plays lights-out tennis, he might surpass Rodge to No.2. So, I can see that.
- B/R Ticket Guide
But the Federer fans are an incredibly intricate and complex (yet extremely sweet) bunch. This is sort of their theory. First of all, they want him to win. Then, they really want him to win. Further, they really really want him to win every freakin’ match he plays. The funny part is, they know that Paris or Madrid will do nothing to his resume (yeah, when I have three PhD’s, one from Stanford, one from Berkeley, and one from Michigan, the last thing I need is to add—I passed a certificate program from St. Albuquerque High School, sorry New Mexicans).
Barring the points dilemma this year, they are funny because deep inside they know winning or losing Madrid does not do much, the marginal benefit is almost zero. They claim they really do like him, which undoubtedly means that it is in (their) and his best interests that he stays hungry and healthy in the long run. But they still are very disappointed if he does not rock up to play somewhere at the end of the season…and almost inconsolable if he loses (round one or finals does not really matter to them). Federer really only means—WIN to them. I am very pleasantly confounded.
As much as they know they need Rodge fit and hungry for OZ 2009, they still are gutted if he does not rock up to a meaningless Paris gig. Conflicting interests? Long term and short term benefits conflicting? Sounds like a climate change science problem to me. God save Rodge…from his extremely sweet, yet sometimes irrational fans (Ouch…I know am going to take so much heat for this one).
Any decision is about weighing the benefits and costs of an action. ROD’s busted his ankle, Rafa is so TOAST (if I were him, I would be too). The Christmas break is too short…and OZ looms in the background. The screeching wheels should be in motion in less than three months for another grinding tour. Above all, the marginal benefit of winning these tournaments is close to zero, the marginal cost is extremely high (no one wants to bust a leg now, trust me). Winning also does not mean much, first because these tournaments don’t mean much, second because you have won over a field that is toast and depleted. Finishing such a lovely tennis year on a low note, is what really frustrates me too. A good farewell is so important to any event. Closure, should always be positive and be associated with good energy (not a busted body part).
It is high time the organizers shorten the season. If the players don’t complain (may be Davydenko will…because he collects points like Jankovic—by just playing every tournament in the world) then that is a good indication that I have valid point. I don’t think anyone will complain…I rest my case. Really only Daveed Nalbandian looks forward to the fall ball. Might as well, give him some of these trophies in advance, whilst saving the rest of the field from exhaustion. I need Rafa, Rodge, ROD, De-Joker and the bushy haired Scot—hungry and healthy for OZ 2009 (and don’t care much for Madrid or Paris)…as am sure you do too.
So what does this whole fall gig mean to me? Pretty much what an organic chemistry text means when my sweet-sweet elegant Jenn C (Jennifer Connelly) is gracing the screen.
Unless or until, you are really really into organic chemistry and four carbon bonds that is…you’ll know what I mean.
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about 1 month ago
yeah exactly.........
Fed fans want him to win everything he plays........ even he plays only to win.
Next season is HRH ROGER FEDERER'S...... He will be back as no.1 for sure.
from about 1 month ago
dont particularly think no.1 is as important as - winning Roland Garros
that i think is more important - dont you ?
once youve been to no.1, the next time its not that crucial. No1 and 2 are OK, its 3 thats the problem
cheers
about 1 month ago
i so completely agree with you when you say that federer fans just want him to win because i am also one of them. i get so worked up when he plays that, i keep also delicate items far from my reach including the tv remote for fear of flinging them....
5* for this one....great article.....
from about 1 month ago
i just responded to another of your comments
you are disapp. that he does not play at the end of a season, you want him to win all the time - and you feel bad that he got injured too
you cant not rock the cradle and want the baby to stop crying -
about 1 month ago
You just couldn't stand it - could you? You had to bump me off my perch 1st by writting this absolutely smokin' article that puts my effort to shame and you had to make fun of my Roger fixation to boot!!
I applaud you, oh great master! But, because you can't stand in my shoes--you can't judge me or my fan addiction...it is complex and it is intricate. Probably as I write this, Federer is getting ready to play Murray and I wonder what his attitude about the match is? What would you imagine it to be?
Unless it is - I am going to put this young pup in his place! Then he might as well pack it in. Unless he entered this tournament because he knew he could win it, then he shouldn't have bothered.
Roger plays for Roger - his motivation is what is it is - fans don't decide what tournaments are worthy. We just hang on for the ride and support his decisions. Yes, we want him to win. What fan doesn't. But our attraction to the Federer mystique is not dependent upon winning...it is rather giving him everything that he wants...
So well done! I am truly impressed with the depth of your perceptions...even if I hesitate to embrace your generalities! I shall have to rebut, you know...jaa
from about 1 month ago
come on - you gotta AGREE especially after today that the long grind is killin em - no worse than for us to see rodge in pain ...
wake up scheduling ? wouldn't you agree jaa
and i did never judge - thats why i was careful treading that line -
no judgments, just observations
congrats on front paging now -
from about 1 month ago
Unless he entered this tournament because he knew he could win it, then he shouldn't have bothered.
- why ? thats the crux of my question .... what DOES winning this EVER gonna add ?
from about 1 month ago
But our attraction to the Federer mystique is not dependent upon winning.
- i have to disagree - its a chicken egg problem
you wud not ve recognized rodge - if he hadnt won that much and become rodge
may be you like him - for other things after he ascended .... but there is no way you would have noticed him - if he did not put himself on the map by winning so much in the first place
- besides federer mystique is HEAVILY dependent on him winning so much - thats intimidating enough, it feeds the aura
cant agree jaa -
from about 1 month ago
it wud be interesting - to see De-Joker clinch 2 .... OZ looms ! and Joker is indeed defending there
about 1 month ago
This event would certainly matter more if the season were shorter. I think after the US Open they should have a brief (one month) indoor season in Asia leading up to the Masters Cup in Shanghai, since Asia is where the sport is really growing. But next year they'll move it to London, which is like solving a problem that wasn't there.
from about 1 month ago
ha ha - i like the way you put it
solving the problem that isnt there .... yeah, this is a problem RY
they need to solve it before it gets worse (it is already)
cheers
from about 1 month ago
You remember how Federer crushed the competition in Houston in 2003? That was a critical event, because it presaged how he would distance himself from Nalbandian and Agassi, whereas Ferrero's drop from the top began. In 2004, Safin pushed Federer to the brink, then came back to win the AO the following January.
That's what this event could potentially mean, if it were scheduled appropriately. Now the game's No. 1 couldn't play, and its No. 2 has been ousted 'cause he couldn't play well.
from about 1 month ago
sad isnt it
the problem is not this event mate - the problem is really with the events before this one - that can be dropped
because it robs us of quality ....
from about 1 month ago
just wrote something new - about this RY ....
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