Greetings Readers
Well, I got a PG version of the opening of my first submission and I have the original version in almost in its entirety. And today's picture is the first victim of the Davydenko train - Jesse Levine.
Greetings Readers
“Ready. Set. Go!”
Welcome to the legendary Grand Slam stage of Tennis. This is the premiere event that concludes the Grand Slam Tennis series for the year of 2007.
I thought about getting poetic about the beginning of the US Open, but I will not. I will leave that up to Dick E. to read from the teleprompter to read the poetic passage that opens the 2007 US Open.
Many of my friends recognize that this is the event, second behind to the Tour de France, which I will faithfully watch from the beginning to the end, almost. I set aside my way of life for two weeks and watch the US Open in and out. I know of New York, but I really do not know New York until the US Open. Yet, during the duration of the US Open my household “becomes” New York and I also convert to New York Time (EST).
What is extraordinary to me is that there are moments that happen during the US Open that do not transpire anywhere else in the world. The day matches are noteworthy, barring any rain delays/outs. But then as evening advances this is where the game of tennis at nightfall becomes something one cannot truly write about. Matches can go swiftly or they can perpetuate late into the night. When I mean late in the night I imply well past midnight (i.e. like 1:30 AM and seeing “The Match” of the US Open). Pure mesmerizing.
We viewers, faithful watchers, do not know when that will happen. As in the case of last year in Agassi vs. Pavel that was held in Arthur Ashe Stadium on the opening night of the US Open. Little did we know that this first round match would go the distance. This also made us faithful watchers pull for Agassi to win and to advance to the second round – which we viewer were treated to another 5 setter. Yes, I am proud to say that I saw this memorable first night match.
On the opposite end – how about two years ago when Roddick lost in the first round of the US Open. American Express had a massive campaign surrounding Roddick on “Where’s your Mojo?” I, of course, wished a Happy Birthday to Roddick for losing so prematurely.
Beyond the lengths of the matches, we viewers have the women “Screaming, yelling, and grunting” and we have the men “grunting and yelling.” We see some of the rivalries getting on each other’s nerves. We more often than not see the upsets in the first week of the US Open. We will see some grueling set points, set matches, and the 30 plus hit rallies. We also get to see the smiles and concerns from each of the players after a set that put us viewers on the edge of our couches.
However, we viewers now have to put up with “those” commentators – both Mary’s, both McEnroe’s, Trautwig, and a couple of the others who get less television time. And I know that I am going to hear that 7-letter word from my ever so “favorite” Mary C (most likely regarding Sharapova and her shoulder, I bet). And then everyone behind the USA Network Today desk will ask and/or predict it will/may be a Federer vs. Nadal Final.
I can tell you straight up - No fucking way. Nadal is a first rate player and I do acknowledge that, but his record on hard court playing and at the US Open could be a lot more better – to be blunt A lot fucking better. And the bracket that Nadal is in is congested of highly very respected tennis players who can “whip” Nadal and “his fingers picking his thong (I am assuming, of course)” out of the crack of his ass every other shot. Why does he do this? Why? Why?
Conners. Jimmy (Jim) Connors was/is distinguished. Presently, Conners seems to be doing great with Roddick, but give us a fucking break - give the TV time to Roddick and not Conners. We/I could care less how Conners reacts after each point Roddick plays. We are here to see Roddick play, not Conners and him watching Roddick play. Conners had his time in the limelight. Time to let him go. And I have to admit – I am sure that Roddick is reasoning the exact feeling I am. Roddick is not stupid, he is a young one and not ignorant.
Nadal and Sharapova also better watch their “delay of game antics” those two impose at every tournament. If they do that they better get a delay of game warning and then the next delay of game will cost them a point.
Starting today is the 128th start of the US Open. This will be a US Open without Agassi following his last match at the 2006 US Open last year (retirement). Who will New York support this year? Mauresmo is out this year as well as Lindsay and Cljisters who both retired from professional tennis (well tennis in general). My girl – Hingis is back, but I do not have my confidence in her that I usually do. And then there is the return of Hawk-eye. The US Open is the event that brought Hawk-eye into the Tennis world last year. Since then the other Grand Slams have adopted the system on the main courts of play.
I have no predictions for the finals and will take each round as they happen (I bet I win more Coca-Cola’s than lose this year). That is what the US Open is about to me. The best tennis players in the world are in New York City for two weeks and that is why I watch the US Open. Whether it is a match I really know each player or a match that I do not know either of them. Deep down I want Hingis to go as far as she can and eventually win, but in the second year of her being out of retirement and the matches to date her chances are not looking good.
In conclusion readers, I am reasonably opened minded and not one-sided. So please, follow me during the US Open and I should be able to give you an UN-bias view of the matches. Well, I make no promises for the Nadal, Sharapova, the William's sisters or Roddick matches
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
Well, I got a PG version of the opening of my first submission and I have the original version in almost in its entirety. And today's picture is the first victim of the Davydenko train - Jesse Levine.
Greetings Readers
“Ready. Set. Go!”
Welcome to the legendary Grand Slam stage of Tennis. This is the premiere event that concludes the Grand Slam Tennis series for the year of 2007.
I thought about getting poetic about the beginning of the US Open, but I will not. I will leave that up to Dick E. to read from the teleprompter to read the poetic passage that opens the 2007 US Open.
Many of my friends recognize that this is the event, second behind to the Tour de France, which I will faithfully watch from the beginning to the end, almost. I set aside my way of life for two weeks and watch the US Open in and out. I know of New York, but I really do not know New York until the US Open. Yet, during the duration of the US Open my household “becomes” New York and I also convert to New York Time (EST).
What is extraordinary to me is that there are moments that happen during the US Open that do not transpire anywhere else in the world. The day matches are noteworthy, barring any rain delays/outs. But then as evening advances this is where the game of tennis at nightfall becomes something one cannot truly write about. Matches can go swiftly or they can perpetuate late into the night. When I mean late in the night I imply well past midnight (i.e. like 1:30 AM and seeing “The Match” of the US Open). Pure mesmerizing.
We viewers, faithful watchers, do not know when that will happen. As in the case of last year in Agassi vs. Pavel that was held in Arthur Ashe Stadium on the opening night of the US Open. Little did we know that this first round match would go the distance. This also made us faithful watchers pull for Agassi to win and to advance to the second round – which we viewer were treated to another 5 setter. Yes, I am proud to say that I saw this memorable first night match.
On the opposite end – how about two years ago when Roddick lost in the first round of the US Open. American Express had a massive campaign surrounding Roddick on “Where’s your Mojo?” I, of course, wished a Happy Birthday to Roddick for losing so prematurely.
Beyond the lengths of the matches, we viewers have the women “Screaming, yelling, and grunting” and we have the men “grunting and yelling.” We see some of the rivalries getting on each other’s nerves. We more often than not see the upsets in the first week of the US Open. We will see some grueling set points, set matches, and the 30 plus hit rallies. We also get to see the smiles and concerns from each of the players after a set that put us viewers on the edge of our couches.
However, we viewers now have to put up with “those” commentators – both Mary’s, both McEnroe’s, Trautwig, and a couple of the others who get less television time. And I know that I am going to hear that 7-letter word from my ever so “favorite” Mary C (most likely regarding Sharapova and her shoulder, I bet). And then everyone behind the USA Network Today desk will ask and/or predict it will/may be a Federer vs. Nadal Final.
I can tell you straight up - No fucking way. Nadal is a first rate player and I do acknowledge that, but his record on hard court playing and at the US Open could be a lot more better – to be blunt A lot fucking better. And the bracket that Nadal is in is congested of highly very respected tennis players who can “whip” Nadal and “his fingers picking his thong (I am assuming, of course)” out of the crack of his ass every other shot. Why does he do this? Why? Why?
Conners. Jimmy (Jim) Connors was/is distinguished. Presently, Conners seems to be doing great with Roddick, but give us a fucking break - give the TV time to Roddick and not Conners. We/I could care less how Conners reacts after each point Roddick plays. We are here to see Roddick play, not Conners and him watching Roddick play. Conners had his time in the limelight. Time to let him go. And I have to admit – I am sure that Roddick is reasoning the exact feeling I am. Roddick is not stupid, he is a young one and not ignorant.
Nadal and Sharapova also better watch their “delay of game antics” those two impose at every tournament. If they do that they better get a delay of game warning and then the next delay of game will cost them a point.
Starting today is the 128th start of the US Open. This will be a US Open without Agassi following his last match at the 2006 US Open last year (retirement). Who will New York support this year? Mauresmo is out this year as well as Lindsay and Cljisters who both retired from professional tennis (well tennis in general). My girl – Hingis is back, but I do not have my confidence in her that I usually do. And then there is the return of Hawk-eye. The US Open is the event that brought Hawk-eye into the Tennis world last year. Since then the other Grand Slams have adopted the system on the main courts of play.
I have no predictions for the finals and will take each round as they happen (I bet I win more Coca-Cola’s than lose this year). That is what the US Open is about to me. The best tennis players in the world are in New York City for two weeks and that is why I watch the US Open. Whether it is a match I really know each player or a match that I do not know either of them. Deep down I want Hingis to go as far as she can and eventually win, but in the second year of her being out of retirement and the matches to date her chances are not looking good.
In conclusion readers, I am reasonably opened minded and not one-sided. So please, follow me during the US Open and I should be able to give you an UN-bias view of the matches. Well, I make no promises for the Nadal, Sharapova, the William's sisters or Roddick matches
Until the next time
Daryl Charley
The Fallen Athlete
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