EVERYBODY BEATS ALEX BOGDANOVIC: Last year, reporters brutally kidded perennially defeated wildcard Alex Bogdanovic for losing seven straight first-round matches at Wimbledon, wryly noting that the fellow was incredibly consistent. He lost all the time. This year, after yet another loss, the press showed even less mercy, saying, “You have the worst record of any man here. How does that make you feel?” Nonetheless, the hard-pressed Brit offered a stiff upper lip, saying, “Well, you know, I’m not really concerned about that. You know, I go out there every year, you know, trying to win my match, do my best. You know, it doesn’t matter if I lose eight times, 10 times. But, you know, when you’re against players like Federer, Nadal, I don’t think – it’s just tough matches. What can you do? You know, like, maybe if I’m back here next year, or I qualify, or if I’m in with my ranking, I could play Federer again. You know, it could be nine times. I’m not really concerned.”
THE BELLY FROM THE TELLY: A rather rotund, yet telegenic BBC oddsmaker offered these curious opening-day odds:
10/11 – Federer wins.
9-4 – Murray wins.
6-4 – Murray meets Federer in final.
7-1 – Federer doesn’t lose a set.
10-1 Safin wins.
11-4 Serena wins.
10-3 Venus wins.
12-1 – Azarenka wins.
3-1 – An all-Williams final.
GO FIGURE: Wimbledon means so much to rising Brit Anne Keothavong, that after losing in the first round, she broke down in tears during her press conference and had to leave the room…Nadal’s home life – with it’s family compound in “life is good” Majorca – took a turn for the worse when the No. 1’s parents announced they had separated.
FROM THOUSAND OAKS TO THOUSANDS OF EYES: In what could possibly be a preview of our July Davis Cup match, Sam Querrey will play Croat Marin Cilic Wednesday on the last match on Centre Court.
SAY IT ISN’T SO: British papers complained that there were no rain delays to liven up opening day…Lleyton Hewitt, the only Aussie guy in the draw, noted, “There are not a lot of guys in the locker room who speak English anymore.”
HEADLINES
Federer Stages Exhibition of Ruthless Intent
BREAKING NEWS: Anna Kournikova edged out Maria Sharapova as the sexiest women ever in a poll conducted for Mivvi Luxury Ice Cream Lollies.
THE YOU-CANNOT-BE-SERIOUS QUESTION OF THE DAY: The BBC’s Joe Wilson asked Robert Kendrick whether he was envious of all the over-the-top attention Andy Murray got.
NEBRASKA FOOTBALL, OKLAHOMA TENNIS AND THE DEATH OF THE ‘RODDICKIAN’ BROTHERHOOD: Just recently, John Roddick was a key coach for his younger brother Andy. Then an occupational opportunity opened up for John that has shaken up an otherwise splendid family bond. You see, Andy was raised in Omaha, Nebraska as a tried and true Husker fan. Sure, he moved to Florida. No problem. Then he ended up living in Austin Texas – the heart of Longhorn territory. A touchy issue, but life goes on. Now Andy’s older bro will be the men’s tennis coach at dreaded Oklahoma. Andy seemed perplexed by the momentous move, saying, “Yeah…I just don’t want to be around him if he starts cheering for Oklahoma football against Nebraska. That would piss me off.” Andy conceded (with a Cornhusker smile) that the treacherous move would not lead to a brotherly rift. After all, he reasoned, “We could still see each other on holidays, but just not Saturdays. No, I mean, I hope he does well. I’m happy for him…College tennis is right up his alley, but you just don’t want to hear him talking crap and claiming them as his own. It’s a very serious matter, okay?”
ODD MEDIA EXCHANGE OF THE DAY: After BBC broadcaster John McEnroe fiddled with the audio buttons in his broadcast booth and ended up not hearing what BBC host Sue Barker was saying, he told her, “I tried to turn you off, but I couldn’t.” Parker jokingly conceded, “Most people try to do that.”
