It's 3 a.m. and I am still reflecting on the wonder that was the U.S. Open. To truly recap all the memorable highlights (oh, how I enjoyed USA's coverage of Safin) would take a fortnight-plus-a-bonus-day itself! So I'll write that looking-back tome in my head, and only focus on some highlights here that have me looking forward...
MAJOR GENERAL
Perennial powerhouses Spain and the U.S. each have two players in the top ten. It was stunning that both countries lost their number two players -- David Ferrer and James Blake, respectively -- to unseeded opponents in the third round.
But it attests to the depth of talent that two of their lower profile countrymen stepped in to reach the second week. On strong merit. Tommy Robredo notably beat Marat Safin and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, and then scrambled through five sets with Novak Djokovic before his run ended in that fourth round match. And American Mardy Fish yanked three seeds, including Blake -- and one set from Rafael Nadal -- before his ouster in the quarterfinal.
This makes their upcoming Davis Cup semifinal even more enticing. Though the US squad has already been named (Fish, who is getting married a few days after the tie, is not on it), it will be interesting to see Spain’s lineup. As the 15th seed, Robredo was actually the number four Spaniard coming into the Open, behind Nadal, Ferrer and Fernando Verdasco.
PRIMARY TIME
Jelena Jankovic in yellow. Serena Williams in red. Cracking the ball across the blue expanse of court in Arthur Ashe Stadium. It was as if a stage manager articulated the set and costumes, fitting right in with the USTA ad campaign, “It’s Showtime.”
And though the Serbian was in her first Grand Slam final -- the stakes not only the trophy, but also the number one ranking -- she showed no signs of stage fright. The Women’s Final was a highly entertaining match, with the second set lasting one hour and seventeen minutes -- longer than any of Serena’s first four matches.
In contrast, only Jankovic’s first round against American Coco Vandeweghe (now Girls' Junior Champ) took less time than that 77-minute final set. Though inconsistent play early on in the tournament kept the second seed on court longer than she’d have liked, she tidied things up for the final three rounds. And on Sunday night, she proved that she belongs in Grand Slam finals... and the fans love to see her there. Not just because of her play. With her vivacity and interaction, she upstaged Serena’s star power.
MORE TIME TO SHINE: HER FUTURE'S BRIGHTER THAN FOOTLIGHTS
THE LONG AND THE SHORT OF THINGS
Significant tennis news was not solely dialed on the Open. On September 1, Neil Harman of the Times of London revealed that Russian Nikolay Davydenko will be cleared in the ATP match-fixing investigation that originally made headlines before last year’s U.S. Open.
Absolution of both guilt and the burden of his scandal-bait status was originally expected at the time of the French Open. By then, it was already the longest-ever such inquiry in tennis & Davydenko was frequently referenced in stories of the Tim Donaghy-NBA gambling fix. Let’s hope this time, it's truly resolved.
Unlike many, I hadn’t written him off, but I was admittedly thinking narrow. Though I always kept in mind that Fed’s relative slump is still a damn fine year -- and that his Olympic gold in doubles was meaningful -- I was hinging huge significance on this one man in this one tournament.
But now that he has actually won his fifth U.S. Open in a row, I’m excited about the remainder...
Of the season. The Big Three of Nadal, Federer and Novak Djokovic had already qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup in Shanghai. Since Andy Murray just joined them, the scrap for the other four spots is on!
Of the decade. Maybe we'll be soon referring to The Big Four. Today’s top four ATP players all made Grand Slam finals this year. With the most wins, Nadal will have many points to defend in 2009. A man familiar with that scenario, Federer proved that the king is not dead. Australian Open champ Djokovic morphed into a bad boy. Murray beefed up & has beaten all three men ranked above him. And the only other Slam finalist, Tsonga, is finally coming back from an injury lay-off.
Of Fed’s resurrection. Roger had to fight for this title. He’s admitted to his struggles with movement, which Jim Courier attributes to lasting effects of Federer’s bout with mono. The Swiss still never showed a consistent elevation, but he felt those moments of flow back at times. And we witnessed it.
Of his career. Sure, there are the records. But more importantly, Federer displayed his relish for challenges and the difficult matches. His ability to recover from great disappointment. This year has been a different kind of test for him and adds to my respect for the man, the athlete.
He may not be world number one, but he’s still leading.
After squeaking through a fourth-set tiebreak to beat Andy Roddick in the quarterfinals, Novak Djokovic petulantly addressed the New York crowd.
On Tuesday, Roddick made fun of the Serbian's medical self-evaluation, which is starting to sound like Bill Belichick's weekly assessment of Tom Brady the last few seasons. (Probable.) Reading the American's transcript, I laughed out loud... Vintage Roddick.
But Djokovic apparently took serious offense and, post-match with Michael Barkann, fired back Roddick's line about his "16 injuries." Barkann tried to mitigate the 21-year-old's message, but the world number three continued on, insulting the crowd.
Now I am not particularly a Roddick fan. And there's been times I really didn't like his attitude. But I have always given him props for his sense of humor. And intelligence. Even after his semifinal dismantling in Australian Open 2007 (Roger Federer beat him 6-4, 6-0, 6-2), the top American displayed grace in sarcasm.
And in addressing the Serbian's spate of injuries, Roddick was FUN-NY. Anyone who knows Roddick's shirt-sleeve shrug and shimmy of his philanthropy wrist band knows his propensity for lampooning all, even himself.
James Thurber said, "The wit makes fun of other persons; the satirist makes fun of the world; the humorist makes fun of himself."
Roddick takes it to all three levels. Djokovic, on the other hand -- barely a one-trick pony.
A year ago in Flushing Meadows, Djokovic endeared himself to the U.S. Open crowd through his post-match imitations of players, including Roddick, Maria Sharapova and Rafael Nadal.
Thursday evening he alienated the crowd. Even when they started to boo, he continued to whinge.
Back in 2007, Djokovic's charades were amusing for a round or two. Though not original material. Many of the ATP and WTA players imitate each other to entertain crowds at charity and exhibition events. It's a natural extension of watching the game. I've seen so much Safin that I reflexively mimic part of his forehand swing when taking a swig from my water bottle. (Yes, I know that's odd. It's also messy.)
Tour veteran Jonas Bjorkman is widely considered the master of imitations. It's something the soon-to-be retired Swede has done with class. His jocularity is affectionate* and the camaraderie is reflected in his long term of service on the ATP Players Council.
In contrast, Djokovic's send-ups are retrospectively looking mean-spirited.
Up until now, I have been trying to give him the benefit of the doubt. But there is a shade of bitterness in his actions. For example, his chest-thumping is not the hearty joy of a Marcos Baghdatis, rather a jeering, chin-jutting arrogance. It's both a preening and an isolating gesture, the latter when directed toward his family.
During that match, Djokovic at times looked dispirited. I suspect part of the reason was that the crowd warmed to the perpetual hustle of his Spanish opponent. They were backing Robredo over the course of those long five sets. The Spaniard kept his performance to athletic display and the fans roared.
Djokovic craves attention and crowd support. I believe he was playing a sympathy angle. I'm not saying he is 100% healthy, but his post-match attempts at self-effacement fell flat.
Reflecting on the tournament so far, I would say the Serbians (including the also dramatic and oft-injured Jelena Jankovic) are prone more than David Duchovny.
Jankovic would probably laugh.
In the latest era of players, there hasn't been a clearcut villain, man or woman. There have been nefarious incidents, but not a consistent foe. Some would cite Lleyton Hewitt -- in 2006, GQ placed him tenth on their most hated athlete list -- but I've found him to be likably scrappy, cocky, and yes, occasionally surly. He's had some definite missteps, but mostly I'd call him pugnacious rather than contemptible.
Besides, becoming a family man has mellowed him. And has he ever had a showdown like this?
No matter what spin is now put on Djokovic's immediate on-court reaction, the crowd won't easily forget. They're good at remembering...
Across the net from The Djoker in the semifinals stands world number two Roger Federer.
In the Opening Night parade of past champions, the defending champion -- who has won it four years running -- got the biggest applause. Though Swiss, he is a native son.
Who is not in his past intimidating form. He's a flawed hero. In the fourth round, Igor Andreev pushed him to five grueling sets, just over three-and-a-half hours. But Fed's reaction at the conclusion showed the public how much he wants to make it five in a row and claim the last Grand Slam of the year.
In his post-match interviews, You're Still The One by Orleans plays over the speakers. This is in acknowledgement of the struggles the former world number one has had all year.
Which began with his semifinal loss at the Australian Open to... Novak Djokovic.
It would be even better if Fed busts out his all-black get up again. He'd make a classic Batman.
Today, POINTS ON THE BOARD has the privilege of a moment with Nenad Zimonjic** of Serbia, who is partnering Daniel Nestor of Canada to contest Wimbledon 2008’s Men’s Doubles Final. This despite the former breaking his wrist two days ago.
MC: Nenad, great to have you here today. Serbia has become tennis’ ‘It’ country and was poised to assault, if not outright dominate the fortnight here at Wimbledon. Many expected to see the reigning ladies’ French Open and men’s Australian Open champions in the finals this weekend. Yet only you remain -- the elder statesman, the last Serb standing. How do you explain this?
NZ: I don’t know... you win a Grand Slam title, get your own stamp and suddenly you are no longer hungry.
MC: If I am not mistaken, Nenad, you have won three Grand Slam titles -- in mixed doubles, including one this year -- and were also honored with a postage stamp in your home country.
NZ: True, but from the moment the stamps were issued, everything changed. You’ll notice the award of denomination is inversely proportionate to the players' depth in the tournament here.
Djokovic is put on the most expensive stamp -- worth 46 dinars (that’s about 80 cents to you) -- and he thinks he’s on level with Federer. Then he loses second round to a player ranked 75th in the world.
MC: That wasn’t just any player, though... that was Marat Saf...
Here on the lawns, she almost exits in the second match like Novak, but a lucky netcord and six less dinars last one more round.
MC: Well, let’s see... Janko Tipsarevic, at 20 dinars, is on the stamp worth the least. So according to your theory of inverse proportions, he should have gone farther than you.
NZ: Yes, but he did well beating Roddick and Tursunov to reach the fourth round. He is still striving, yet is just a baby with much to learn.... he still believes nasal strips work.
MC: I’m still not sure I believe your stamp theory. For example, I can’t imagine the men pictured on American paper money grousing over their respective printings...
NZ: Exactly why you should understand denomination! The U.S. order of value is quite good. The gentleman on your largest bill signed your Declaration of Independence, plus he was a Postmaster and well-known to the ladies of France.
MC: I don’t see why...
NZ: By the way, I do not get your nickname ‘Dead Presidents.’ No wonder you are not smarter than fifth graders.
MC: Uhh... ok then, back to your theory. The fourth round was also the end for Jelena Jankovic, who shares a stamp value with you at 30 dinars.
NZ: Yes, one step more than Ana, so she fits the model. I don’t quite understand her issue with the outer courts, though. The Woodies played on Court 18 several times this tournament, so this is legendary ground... these old men don't need helicopters.
Maybe she is too lazy to walk to the court, but on-court, she fought again through injury, so this is good. Shows she’s still hungry for a higher postal rate.
NZ: Yes, I fell and broke it on the first day of the match Thursday. This is nothing. I have stared across the net at the great Martina Navratilova and won.
MC: Ah, in Australia 2004, the first of your Mixed Doubles trophies! You have a shot today at your first men’s Grand Slam championship win, as well as your first Wimbledon title.
NZ: Twice before, I have made it to the final here; this time I will win.
MC: If so, your partner Daniel Nestor will have a career Grand Slam!
NZ: I should be shown serving! I have one of the hardest serves in the doubles!!! Why is the Canadian in front?! ... I look small; we’re the same height, you know!!... I am not even shown holding a racquet...
MC: Perhaps we should conclude this interview...
NZ: That reminds me, there’s the matter of your Latin alphabet... why is the ‘Z’ last?! This is not the way in Cyrillic...
DANIEL NESTOR AND NENAD ZIMONJIC (right,shown looking larger than the Canadian)
Note also Zimonjic's broken wrist braced to allow play in the continuation of their semi-final match against Leander Paes and Lukas Dlouhy.
*The Wimbledon 2008 Men’s Doubles Final has many compelling recommendations. It is the final Wimbledon for Jonas Bjorkman -- former world number four, one of my favorite players and one of the most-decorated in doubles -- who has announced his impending retirement.
On the opposite side of the net, Daniel Nestor has a chance for his career Grand Slam in Doubles, having already won the Australian, the US Open and the French, in that order.
**All depictions of Nenad Zimonjic’s opinions are fictional. The fact of his broken bone is truth, another reason to watch or listen to the Men’s Doubles Final & support Doubles in general.
Their final is scheduled as the second match on Center Court. This match will be bookmarked by Venus and Serena Williams contesting the Ladies' Singles, and then later pairing for the Ladies' Doubles Finals.
Asked about the Williams sisters' motivation, Zimonjic had this to say: “When a player is in the zone, we often say he or she is seeing the tennis ball ‘like a football.’ The sisters are seeing the ball like Justin Gimelstob’s head.”
In my family, ripping is a year-round sport. No one is spared. Though my mom, not one given to making many mistakes, has a perennial Steel Curtain-like D.
My dad, on the other hand, consistently faltered in the warm-weather seasons. For that was the time his three divisional opponents -- my mom, my brother & myself -- could unite to prey on one particularly glaring weakness.
My dad, then Master of the Grass, would go out to tackle the yard in a uniform of white undershirt, plaid shorts...
And BLACK SOCKS!
Once upon a time (according to a yarn I read*) a college basketball coach was asked how he made a time-pressured personnel decision. He answered, "The first thing I did was cut the guys wearing black socks."
Outside of the office, black socks were a sign of frailty, knits that would fold under pressure. Mockery of my father became such a shorthand that eventually it was just a matter of stocking-laugh.
Now I'm starting to believe he was actually ahead of his time.
Because I have unraveled the mystery of why yet another Master of the Grass is so dominant!!!
IT'S HIS SOCKS!!!!
Of course, at Wimbledon, the world's best athlete is confined to wear white. But this past fortnight on the Flushing Meadows hard courts, the fashion-forward Swiss star earned the nickname "Darth Federer" for his all-black night match get-up.
Even while practicing with boys' junior champ Ricardas Berankis, Fed -- clad in a pale, unkempt tee -- could not forego the dark footwear.
Except for his quarterfinal against American Andy Roddick, Federer was not playing at the top of his form. He lost sets to John Isner and Feliciano Lopez. And the scoreline of 7-6 (4), 7-6 (2), 6-4 in his final against Novak Djokovic is only a straight-set win on paper. Djokovic had nine break point chances and seven set point chances.
Djokovic was a break and 40-0 up in the first set. And then in fifth game of the third, Fed was 0-40 down on his serve.
Where a pair of white socks would have wilted, black socks prevailed.
'Cause when you think about tough men's tennis attire, you think of... Shoes?... Shorts?... Manpris?!??
No, SOCKS!!! If a player's preference is "Boxers" or "Commando," well those have a certain zing (especially when I think about Marat Safin). But Socks, which doubles as a verb, packs the most punch!!!
And evidence supports that the color of the hosiery matters.
As the song says:
White socks, they always get dirty The longer you wear them; the weaker they get Sometimes, I think I shouldn't wash them But something inside me says "Do it right now!"
Black socks, they never get dirty, The longer you wear them the stronger they get! Sometimes I think I should wash them But something keeps telling me No, no, not yet!
Yes, once upon a time, black socks were the marker of mockery, the sign of shaky footing, the stamp of a heel! But perception has been turned inside out:
They're not just for girl scout campfire songs anymore! Members of Lamb of God -- a band hardcore enough to kick each other's #### -- are so convinced of the power of black socks that they double-duty them, cutting them off to fashion arm bands.**
Darth Federer.
My dad now has someone else cut the lawn while he slices blades of grass with a seven-iron instead. He & his black socks just won his golf league and he has already spent his earnings on a new club. Master of the Grass...
And fashion, apparently... Hmmm, I might just have to dig up some new material for ripping. But before I jump back into the fray, I'm going to throw on a pair of black socks.
I'd say I'm more athlete than fan. I hope I can say that all my life.
After Marat Safin, is there anyone else?
Some of my other favorite athletes include: Dmitry Tursunov, Kim Clijsters, Roger Federer, Tedy Bruschi, Cory Schlesinger, Brian McBride, Lynn Hill & Dean Potter.
I truly appreciate any advice or criticism. Thank you.
