OF JIMMY HOFFA HUMOR, “SHARAPOVIAN” HOPES AND HAPPY HUGS
IT’S OVER: In their second round mixed doubles match Kim Clijsters and Bob Bryan saved four match points. Then at 8:17 P.M. Kim netted a forehand return of serve and her career came to a close. Courtside she said she hadn’t cried yet and that “it’s an honor to be a part of this lifestyle … Life goes on and I’m going on … Tennis is fun and it will always be a part of my life. It has given me so many beautiful things. I’m happy I’m closing this off and starting a new chapter … I hope Bob and Mike win the doubles title.
MORE POPULAR THE MA THERESA?: Tennis has had plenty of over-the-top, beloved champions. Evonne Goolagong, Chris Evert and Lindsay Davenport come to mind. But many feel Clijsters is the most beloved figure in the history of the game (or maybe in all of sports.)
NICE INTER-GENDER CELEBRATION: After Clijsters and Bob Bryan won their first round match they did a celebratory chest bump.
SAY IT ISN’T SO: There were reports in the Spanish press that Rafa Nadal won’t be returning until next year.
JIMMY HOFFA END ZONE HUMOR IS ALIVE AND WELL:When he heard that Nadal was suffering from Hoffa’s syndrome “I thought Hoffa’s syndrome was something that made you end up in Giants Stadium.”
‘SHARAPOVIAN’ HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL: After Sharapova announced that she was no longer engaged, a disappointed reporter confessed, “I was hoping to be invited to the wedding.” Maria consoled him saying, “You still have a chance. I still have many years ahead of me.”
THE THRILL OF PRESS CONFERENCES: How important is it for Andy Roddick to do well in press conferences. The retiring American said, “It”s not like I leave the room and start fist pumping down the hallway if I had a good one.”
WHAT’S ODD ABOUT THIS PICTURE: Andy Roddick won a tournament (Atlanta) this year. He’s ranked 22 and is 30. James Blake is almost three years older then Andy, is ranked 114 and has not won a tournament in eons. But it is Andy who is retiring.
OF METS AND METZ: Blake, who is a huge N.Y. Mets fan, will be playing in Metz France in two weeks.
ADVICE TO LIVE BY: Roddick’s parting advice to Bernard Tomic was that, “It’s online casino canada probably never as good as it seems at a given moment, and it”s probably never as bad as it seems at a given moment as well.”
ADD ANDY’S CAREER TO THE GREAT THINGS THAT BEGAN IN GARAGES: Roddick once recalled that as a kid he would have imaginary matches in his garage against rebound net. He said, “I would spend hours out there. My mom would ask, ‘What did you do today?’ I’d say, ‘I beat Lendl, Becker, Edberg. They didn’t put up much of a fight. Pete and Andre were a little tough, but I took them out, no problem.”
SLEEPER REVEALED: When told that Chris Evert had picked her as a “sleeper” at the U.S. Open, Ana Ivanovic asked for an explanation. “Oh, that’s nice,” she said. “Now I know what it means.”
LET’S NOT GO TO THE VIDEO: When asked if she ever watches matches she lost “to punish” herself, Serena Williams admitted she used to. “It was so painful. It was like stabbing myself.”
TENNIS AS A DRUG: In the beginning of the season, Serena was quoted as saying she doesn’t love tennis, nor does she really enjoy practicing. Her feelings have changed. “I love it so much,” she said. “It”s like a disaster, a drug, I know I can”t live without it, but one day I know I”m going to have to let it go.”
BETTER LATE THAN NEVER: Venus Williams was happily surprised by the crowd support she received during her disappointing loss to Angelique Kerber. She said, “I know this is not proper tennis etiquette, but this is the first time I’ve ever played here that the crowd has been behind me like that. Today, I felt American, for the first time at the U.S. Open. I’ve waited my whole career to have this moment and here it is.”
