Rafael Nadal

Rafael Nadal has advanced to the next round at Indian Wells, defeating Michael Berrer of Germany, 6-2, 6-1. It only took him 1 hour and 7 minutes! This is Nadal’s 30th week at being number one and after seeing this match, I know why.

“I think I am playing well. I played a good match today,” said Nadal.

I would have to agree with that statement!

Andy Roddick

Andy Roddick squeezed in a win against Austrian qualifier Daniel Koellerer, 6-3, 7-6 (3). He didn’t play as well as we know he can and seemed to struggle a bit on the court.

Roddick said, “I definitely tried everything in his power to get a win. I kind of knew going in that I’d have to stay focused and stay the course and not get caught up in the histrionics.”

Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has also advanced to the next round defeating Martin Vassallo Arguello of Argentina, 7-5, 6-4. Winning Dubai gave Djokovic the confidence he needed to play well at Indian Wells.

“Winning Dubai meant a lot for my confidence level and for my game overall,” he said. “I’ve changed my racquet. Probably that was the big reason for mental instability in certain stages at the start of the year. I was thinking about that more than my game. Luckily for me, it has changed.

“The quality is there. The game is there. The fitness is getting much better. It’s just a mental ability to play the best tennis. My confidence has raised in the last month and a half. There is room for improvement, but I’m taking it step by step.”

Check out the rest of the updates at the official Indian Wells website.

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Men’s Indian Wells Update – March 16th

Today (March 11) in Indian Wells, California, Jelena Dokic lost to Jill Craybas 6-4, 6-2 in the opening round of the BNP Paribas Open.

Dokic is really struggling with her tennis game and says she’s just having a hard time on the court with just figuring out what to do. She also mentioned that before her match to Craybas, she may have already been mentally beaten.

“I’m really, really struggling mentally,” said Dokic. “I need to just settle down and get myself together again.”

Dokic may return for the Sony Ericsson Open in Miami, which starts March 25th. Let’s hope she can get her mental game in tact before this tournament.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Dokic Loses to Craybas in First Round of Indian Wells

Sisters Serena and Venus Williams are not playing in Indian Wells, although fans would love to see them there! So, why aren’t they? If you follow tennis at all, then most likely you know. It’s a decision they have made together and they are standing by each other on this one, even if there are consequences.

The details of what happened are definitely a bit sketchy. No one seems to have the real story.

Since 2001, the details surrounding Venus and Serena’s choice to not play Indian Wells have been a bit sketchy. Reports have alleged that they, along with their father Richard, were victims of racial discrimination from hecklers in the crowd, after Venus pulled out of her semi-final match against Serena, just prior to stepping onto the court.

Heckling and general bad-mouthing from the crowd continued when Serena accepted the winner’s trophy. Eight years later, the sisters are still united in their stance to not play Indian Wells ever again. Whether you agree or disagree with their decision, you can’t help but respect their unwavering commitment to their values.

 

I don’t blame them and am glad to see them stand together for something they believe in. There may be some consequences for the sisters this year.

The WTA has put new regulations in place this year and it gets very, very interesting. Read what those regulations are and what options Serena and Venus may have here.

Any thoughts on this?

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Why Are Serena and Venus Not at Indian Wells?

Andy Roddick was looking sharp on Sunday, March 8th, during his match against Stanislas Wawrinka at the 2009 Davis Cup. He ended the tie with 6-4, 6-4, 6-2.

Roddick came out using his most powerful weapon, which is his amazing serve.

Wawrinka won the first two points, and you had the feeling that if he could break back it would represent the crack that might provide the Swiss No. 1 with enough light to make a match of it. But on the next point, Roddick attacked Wawrinka’s lethal backhand and forced a passing shot error. Then, Roddick powdered a forehand winner off the service return; the placement whistled by Wawrinka – he barely moved – and landed in the backhand corner.

Roddick has only had Larry Stefanki as a coach for a few months now,but this change is showing some great improvements in Roddick’s game.

“(My movement has) been pretty good all year. That’s just the way tennis has gone in the last – even since I started, seven, eight years ago. You see a lot more guys serving big and less guys moving well. I should say everybody serves big as opposed to it being kind of a standout thing. You just try to adjust to keep up with the Jones.

“Something I’ve been doing better this year is just kind of – and Larry has been big on it – taking my time. When you’re down you can’t win all the points back at once. It’s going to be a process when you’re down Love-30. Just try to go at it. Make him play every point. . .”

Larry has definitely been good for Roddick! More photos from the match under.

Post from: EveryJoe

Andy Roddick Shows Improvements in Game at 2009 Davis Cup

Austria's Davis Cup Team

The 2009 Davis Cup kicked off today (March 6).. You can see the live scores on the official Davis Cup site.

Here’s the first round group:

Argentina vs Netherlands 0-0

Czech Republic vs France 0-0

United States vs Switzerland 0-0

Croatia vs Chile 1-0

Sweden vs Israel 0-0

Romania vs Russia 0-2

Germany vs Austria 0-0

Spain vs Serbia 0-0

See below for pictures from Day One of the 2009 Davis Cup.

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

2009 Davis Cup: Day One

First Roger Federer, then Andy Murray and now David Nalbandian have all had to pull out of the 2009 Davis Cup because of either injuries or illness.

Nalbandian had to pull out of Argentina’s Davis Cup team because of a viral infection. Argentina captain Modesto Vazquez said yesterday (March 3) that the infection has sapped Nalbandian’s strength and that he “is not in physical condition to play”.

The infection bothered Nalbandian during the Mexican Open and he was eliminated by Daniel Koellerer of Austria in the first round.

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Post from: EveryJoe

David Nalbandian Pulls Out of Argentina Davis Cup Team

Two-time Emmy Award-winning broadcaster Ted Robinson will provide play by play for the network while Justin Gimelstob, a member of the 1998 and 2001 U.S. Davis Cup teams, will supply color commentary.

Leading the American team is Captain Patrick McEnroe, who was a three-time Davis Cup team member during his playing days and has been at the helm of the squad since 2000.  He returns the same team that won the title in 2007: twins Bob and Mike Bryan, the World No. 1 doubles tandem and 2009 Australian Open doubles champions, along with No. 6 and No. 13 singles players Andy Roddick and James Blake, respectively.  Switzerland will be without its top-ranked player Roger Federer, who was forced to withdraw due to a back injury, but still brings an impressive roster of Stanislas Wawrinka, Stephane Bohli, Marco Chiudinelli and Yves Allegro into Birmingham.

Here is the love coverage schedule for The Tennis Channel:

Friday, March 6:

2 p.m. – Live Singles #1

5 p.m. – Live Singles #2

{9 p.m. – “Instant Encore” Singles #1}

{12 a.m. – “Instant Encore” Singles #2}

Saturday, March 7:

2 p.m. – Live Doubles

{9 p.m. – “Instant Encore” Doubles}

{12 a.m. – “Instant Encore” Doubles}

Sunday, March 8:

2 p.m. – Live Singles #1

5 p.m. – Live Singles #2

{9 p.m. – “Instant Encore” Singles #1}

{12 a.m. – “Instant Encore” Singles #2}

Source: The Tennis Channel

Image Credit: Newscom

Post from: EveryJoe

Davis Cup March 6-8, Tennis Channel to Carry Live Coverage

Andy Murray still hasn’t recovered from the illness that caused him to pull out of the Dubai Championship. He will also miss Britain’s Davis Cup match against Ukraine. He said on Monday that he has yet to recover from this lingering virus.

“Obviously, I’m very disappointed that I won’t be playing in Glasgow this week, but the doctor has told me that I need complete rest for at least seven days, and I have to respect that,” said Murray.

“I hoped that pulling out of Dubai when I did would give me enough time to recover, but this virus has hit me harder than any illness I’ve had before and I still feel terrible.”

This is not a good start to the season for Murray. I hope that rest does him some good. He had such potential to start off this year with a bang, but this illness is obviously kicking his butt! I hope he recovers and fast because I want to see him play again.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Andy Murray Pulls Out of Davis Cup

Meet the tennis legend Billie Jean! HBO did an excellent interview with her. She talked about the four women playing and just what incredible tennis players they are.

She said, “All four of these women I love watching for different reasons. Jankovic is steady, she’s in great great, she can run like the wind. Ivanovic is strong, fast. Serena, she’s got the will to win like I’ve never seen. I love it. And Venus, she has a wing span that we all dream about.”

See below for interviews with these four women at the Billie Jean Cup.

Post from: EveryJoe

Billie Jean Cup: A Conversation with Billie Jean

Serena Williams proudly hold up the trophy from the Billie Jean King Cup tournament in her “blue dress”, as she calls it.

On Monday night, World No. 1 Serena defeated her older sister Venus Williams in a 6-4, 6-3 victory. This was Serena’s first tournament at Madison Square Garden.

“Definitely winning in Madison Square Garden, also with Billie Jean and this Cup is just really fun and it being the first time is really cool,” said Serena.

How much did she get to take home from this win? How does a cool $400,000 sound!

Pictures, video and more below.

The Williams sisters were the biggest attraction for the crowd and they gave them what they wanted to see. A great match.

The sisters were tied at 4 in the championship when they engaged in easily the longest game of the night. After nine deuces, Venus dumped a backhand into the net on Serena’s eighth break point of the game. Serena then held to take the first set and opened the second with another break as a weary Venus struggled with her serve.

“I just would’ve loved to have held there,” Venus said of the critical stretch in the first set. “That’s tennis—you can’t get broke that much. Too many breaks today.”

 

What a weekend it was! Wish I could have been there to experience it all first-hand. Videos and photos from the weekend below.

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Post from: EveryJoe

Serena Williams Takes Home the King’s Cup