http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59qgmchvbL8

Here it is - it sounds as if it was a really fun evening. Well done to all participants. Andy surely will have a very successful post career.

Blah - coffee time. 'Post tennis' career is of course what I meant.

Hi Pete...glad you enjoyed yourself at The Gar uh

Morning, everyone. :)

"Hence, a freedom, a bouyancy that is unavailable to a player like Roddick in a typical tournament." I like this point. :)

Still not keen on McIlroy. :)

For Brits in IW, Anne K. gets Bacsinszky and then probably Kuznetsova and Bally will have get past Arantxa Rus before likely facing Julia Goerges. Heather Watson and Laura R both lost in qualifying, sad face.

Full WTA draw here:

http://www.bnpparibasopen.com/Scores/Draws.aspx

Thanks for that, Caroline! That was uncannily good. :))

Good morning, jewell:) I think it might be the only class I'm top of today:)) Loved your last comment on the previous thread - such an elegant response to something that is as inelegant as an itch one can't quite reach:))

Not good prospects for the British ladies in IW:(

Coffee made and work calling.... see everyone later.

Last quick thought because I am an equal opportunity sartorial judge - I think Roger's blue shirt is horrible. Not out of place on a chubby middle-aged golfer.

Really going now:)

Morning all.

The Daily Caro:

About having a lot of points to defend at Indian Wells:

Everyone has some to defend, or not. In some tournaments more, in others less. It all evens out in the end.

That's it. I may find more later on another coffee break.

Hey, manix. Caro's current champion, isn't she? How did she do in Miami last year?

Caro lost in the 4th round at Miami in 2011 to Andrea Petkovic

Yes, she beat Marion last year in the final, ran her ragged. Marion was gasping for air by the end.

Cheers, manix.

I miss Petko, this injury is no fun.

Just noticed McHale is seeded, nice bonus for her.

Yay. More Daily Caro, from today's print edition of the New York Post and the Daily News:

"Wozniacki, McIlroy treat MSG to show of court-ship" was the headline for the story on the match in the Post.

After the match, Maria said "He (Rory) won more points than Caoline did."

Caro replied: "That's not very nice. He did great. He won 1of 1, so 100 percent against Maria."

McIlroy didn't find the antic as funny as she did. "He wasn't too pleased with me. But at least he can say he played tennis at Madison Square Garden."

"Rory, Woz make a racket" was the headline in the Daily News.

Not asked about tennis, Caro talked about Rory and his new status as nr.1.:

"I don't want his head to become too big, so no (big celebration). We had a nice dinner with his whole team. It's important to celebrate moments like that because they don't come around too often. Hopefully he can stay (No.1) a longtime. I just need to make sure he has both feet planted hopefully on the ground."

Pete - thanks for this dissection of what kind of play was on offer.

Aside from their wasting all of March between the two of them, I've just remembered what I dislike about IW and Miami:

32 seeds, ALL of whom get a bye into the second round. So essentially 1R is another qualifying round, and 2R is extrememly unlikely to contain anything approaching an upset.

By the time we reach the R32, and in danger of seeing some competitive tennis, we'll be into the second week. Very dull.

Since they are Masters there is no other Tour action, but there are two challengers this week.

One is indoors in Japan, with a draw dominated by Japanese and Australian players. The 8th seed is ranked 215. Seeds include Go Soeda, Jaziri, Tatsuma Ito.

The other is in Chile on clay with a slightly stronger field (8th seed is no.154) Seeds here include Prodon, da Silva, Junqueira, Zeballos, Capdeville, Bolleli.

That's practically the Daily Rory. :)

Hiya, CJ.

I'm glad that this year there weren't too many complaints about February being a dull month for tennis.

As well as the first round of the Davis Cup, there were nine tournaments this February. Those nine tournaments contained 267 matches.

In March there will be two tournaments played, containing only 190 matches.

Hello Jewell. I'm glad to report that I got plenty more sleep once I had got over the excitement of seeing who won the exhibitionzzzzzzzzz

Azarenka seems cursed with Barthel in draws (if Mona gets through Craybas in IW) this year. Or perhaps Barthel is cursed with Azarenka.

I guess it was a smart move for the MSG bosses to get Rory and Caro. They were obviously the headline act, judging from the headlines in the NY tabs.

Does that mean that American sports public's interest in tennis is driven by the fact that the world's No.1 Golfer's girlfriend plays it?

Truly, these are firm foundations on which to build.

I suppose golf is more popular than tennis in the US so maybe adding that association is smart.

Cotton Jack

I guess so. If it weren't for Caro, women's tennis would be more or less ignored here in Denmark too. But there's a sat & cable golf channel, and Thomas Bjørn, Anders and Søren Hansen and Steen Tinning get quite a bit of coverage.

Good Morning everyone , those exo last night had some quality tennis, Roddick impersonation of Rafa was hilarious that was funny. I think that tennis draws is fixed how is that Barthel has to play Azarenka again that really sucks and for some reason i feel that Andy will be roger third round at Indian wells when the draw comes out.

I never liked the change to 32 seeds, either. But I find March very exciting, because while it might only consist of two tournaments, everyone plays in them, there are always memorable matches, and it's time to take stock again.

Wasn't the public's interest in "Wozilroy" stirred up in the UK during Wimbledon last year? It wasn't US tabs following them into restaurants....

Tina , I like the change it made these events different from the other Masters event and I am extremely happy for it now for Roddick sake he could of face anyone in the second round in the regular format.

Cotton Jack: Only the top 16 seeds gets byes not 32. But I agree with you that a lot of time is wasted with these 2 events. I think one or both should be made non-mandatory and they're not slams so I don't understand why they have to last 2 weeks.

Wilson 75, I think it gave the players more rest when it last two weeks and better quality tennis and give a better chance to a lower rank player to win the event and not be tired out by the time they reach the final.

Roddick's serve was awesome in this match. Hope he returns to top 10 soon

MNTennisFan, well if he healthy and can build on last night he has a chance considering he has no major points to defend for a while.

Actual main draw play is 10 days for these events. There's a break for direct acceptance players during the qualifying rounds, plus the draws are bigger than other non-slam tournaments, and because they're both combined, it's also a matter of scheduling matches.

What made Andy's Rafa act funnier was that he did in response to someone in the crowd yelling "Go Rafa" (perhaps a "plant" since Andy was so spot on?)

I do get why IW/Miami are 2 weeks but what I don't understand why they have to be different from the other MS events on the calendar.

I was there last night and found the whole event to be a lot of fun. Keeping the "exhibition" context in mind, I don't care if a coin flip in the locker room determined the winner. Seeing these players perform and have some yucks was very entertaining.

Morning all,

sounds like it was more fun once I went to bed, and I was pretty full with admiration for both Rogeur and Andy,oh well I guess I'll watch the remainder today sometime if I get a chance...

Looking for some waffles,got some nice raspberry preserve to layer on and bite,oh and some java too!

cheers:)

ROJr: I think that you might have a good point in your 7:53. They may feel more obliged to spread things out since they're calling on virtually the same players to play 2 "mandatory" tournies, one right after the other. Of course, one wonders how they came to have 2 Masters so close together in the first place. :)

I also wonder if, even with the byes for 16 seeds and the staggered start (women then men), the two venues may not have enough courts to complete all matches in a large combined (men-women) event in a shorter time.

Well, I'll just sit back and enjoy the hustle and bustle of March.

There's quite big gap between AO and FO, I always thought IW/Miami were trying to fill it by being that bit different.

Missing word amnesty. :)

Ruth , well the Rome and Madrid is back to back weeks so this is not the only masters that is so close together

Caro was the shinning star last night and Rory was LOL. This girl is personality plus. She brought so much as the world's no l. What an asset to the WTA.

Ronald Osborne Jr: Toronto and Cincinnati are back to back as well.

How can you tell NOBODY took this serious? Roddick beat Fed.

In the US, tennis isn't very big, you mention Caro or Sharapova and people don't know who you're talking about. In Sweden, this is true too. But mention Fed, Nadal and yeah they know who they're. Venus and Serena yes.

Samantha Elin, for the most part i think all 4 players took the match very seriously but they were able to have fun while doing it, but one thing I know the the quality of the tennis from those two matches was superb.
Wilson 75, thanks I forgot about that one

I miss the mighty Swede and what he brought to the game. Robin was top five, challenging all the big players. Robin is huge in Sweden, he gives back so much.

I've often wondered about the need for ALL of those back-to-back events, especially in what is essentially an 11-month season! It just makes it clear to anyone that the schedules are definitely not something that a group of smart people sat down and planned; they just "evolved." :)

"Cotton Jack: Only the top 16 seeds gets byes not 32. But I agree with you that a lot of time is wasted with these 2 events. I think one or both should be made non-mandatory and they're not slams so I don't understand why they have to last 2 weeks."

Wilson75,
The top 32 seeds do get byes at Indian Wells and Miami as I am currently analyzing the WTA draw but I can live with them being played in consecutive weeks like Madrid/Rome and Canada/Cincinnati instead of 2 complete weeks. As far as making Indian Wells and/or Miami non-mandatory, good luck unless Madrid/Rome and Canada/Cincinnati fall under the same premise.

Cotton Jack: You're right, I was wrong but the seedings and byes. I don't have a problem with back to back tournaments either. MC is non-mandatory so why can't IW/Miami be as well. I think the main issue is that both events bring a lot of money for the ATP and tournament organisers hence the reluctance to change. However, if the players are really serious reducing the schedule, IW/Miami is the most logical place to start.

MA: I mistook you for Cotton Jack. Sorry.

As I was writing my 8:47 comment about the "evolution" of the ATP and WTA schedules/calendars, I kept trying to remember the source of the famous quote, "I expect I just growed," that IMHO best describes the formation of the schedules. Of course, it was Topsy in Uncle Tom's Cabin (not Prissy in Gone with the Wind) in response to being asked who made her and whether G-d had made her.:)

Well, I'm off to enjoy a discussion a very different kind of book.

Have a good day, TWibe!

**tracy austin moonballs..yes she pumped out a few of those i noticed when i looked up her 1979 u.s open win on youtube..maybe evert lost through boredom of losing focus while waiting for the ball to come down.

Roddick deserves more respect and praise for what he has accomplished - slam, number 1 and several years of good, top 10 playing. Besides, he is a funny guy.

"I do get why IW/Miami are 2 weeks but what I don't understand why they have to be different from the other MS events on the calendar."

The only other combined ATP/WTA events are Rogers Cup, which is contested in two separate cities. And Cincinnati, which has a condensed schedule of play, but is followed by a week off before the USO.

tina: Madrid and Rome are combined events too. Smaller draws though.

"WHAT Rafa was in DR and i didnt wknew anything about it????????"

Euris From D.R, read taht Rafa bought a property in DR, so he'll probably be there more often :-)

http://tinyurl.com/83vyo6p

"perhaps Barthel is cursed with Azarenka."

think that's more like it :-)

Sokol,
Ready for main draw action tomorrow?

"In the US, tennis isn't very big, you mention Caro or Sharapova and people don't know who you're talking about."

Most of the people I talk to about know Williams sisters and Sharapova, even though they don't follow tennis. From male players people know Federer and Nadal, but only few heard of Djokovic or Wozniacki.

"Ready for main draw action tomorrow?"

I'm a little behind, MA, was busy at work last 5 days, haven't even had a chance to look at the draw yet, but I think I'll be ready by tomorrow :-) and I haven't used Internet much on my phone this month, saving it to watch some matches at IW and Miami :-)

Great stuff, Pete. My only complaint is that I don't recall that "crimson headband" on McEnroe as the iconic picture of him. Rather, it's the red, white and blue headband that my mind instantly conjures.

Memories are so subjective, no? ;-))

Yes, I didn't include Madrid and Rome because of the smaller draws, which allow the tournaments to be completed in a week.

I really, really enjoy the March tournaments, which always feel like the true kick-off of the season.

Indian Wells WTA Predictions

Q1: Azarenka vs Radwanska(Toughest quarter in draw)
Q2: Kerber vs Zvonareva(Kvitova is battling injuries and a cold)
Q3: Kanepi vs Ivanovic(Wozniacki slump continues)
Q4: Stosur vs Sharapova(Sharapova could not asked for a better draw)

S1: Azarenka vs Kerber
S2: Kanepi vs Sharapova

F: Azarenka vs Sharapova

W: Azarenka will complete winning both North America's Premier Mandatory events(won Miami in 2009 and 2011)

sokol: "Most of the people I talk to about know Williams sisters and Sharapova, even though they don't follow tennis. From male players people know Federer and Nadal, but only few heard of Djokovic or Wozniacki."

I concur; Americans also know Andy Roddick and Pete Sampras and McEnroe. That's about it.

Now people on my tennis teams know more players, but they're a minority.

"Americans also know Andy Roddick and Pete Sampras and McEnroe"

agree, TennisDeb, how could I forget Roddick and Sampras? :-)

"Kerber vs Zvonareva"

MA, now that I had a chance to look at the draw want ask you a question. You pick Vera over Li to reach QF? I can't see it.

and such a bad draw for Sveta,... again

"You pick Vera over Li to reach QF? I can't see it."

I'd give Jie a better chance

Oh Vera. And Sveta for that matter.

Jankosigh.

Hey y'all, sorry to be a bit tardy with this...but, without further ado, I present the Twibe WTA Indian Wells BRACKET CHALLENGE!

Ok, here's the rules:

You have to enter before play begins tomorrow (11:00am PST) to be in the "legitimate" standings, but I'll probably take latecomers with an asterisk. :)

Follow this link: http://www.bracketmaker.com/tlist.cfm?tid=422161

Once there click on championship bracket, then when the bracket loads, there should be a button at the top thats says "Predict It", click on that and you're all set!

Also, when you make an account on the website, please use your TW moniker if possible so I'll know who you are...if you don't, please shoot me an email at amisraelchai.is403@gmail.com to let me know who you are.

Thanks guys! and I'll get the ATP Bracket up as soon as possible!

Ex-Tennis Fan, thanks for setting up

going to make my picks, I'm horrible at it , but it's always fun :-)

Sokol,
As we know Na is the streakiest player in the WTA and at times, Jie does not play up to her potential in matches that she should win but do understand the choice of Jie. I believe that Vera will turn her season around.

hey wait - is that x-fan? Where have you been?

"I believe that Vera will turn her season around."

I hope you're right, but I've read she wasn't able to practice much because of recovering after hip injury, I would like to see how she'll hold up the first couple matches. I still think one of Chinese ladies will go through to QF

Ana has a very nice draw, if she can control that toss, she might have a very good tournament

Neil Harman ‏ @NeilHarmanTimes

Silly really but something quite soothing about seeing The Fed struggling to get his kids strapped into their car seats for trip to airport

Ian Chadband ‏ @ianchad_tele

@NeilHarmanTimes Brill Neil! Thought Fed would toss them floatily & perfectly into seats followed by effortless single-handed strap in

Neil Harman ‏ @NeilHarmanTimes

@ianchad_tele There was quite a bit of flicking of hair off forehead as he, Mirka and the nanny strove to get girls safely into their seats

I'm looking for reassurance that I'm not pathetic for finding this little exchange between two of the doyens of our UK sports press gently amusing.

Sokol,
Thanks for the info on Vera. I may change a few picks once the qualifiers are placed.

Sorry to have missed this exo!

Glad to hear that Roger was hummble while being the meastro etc

Are you guys playing some tennis yourselves or waiting for springs?

(Personally I've restarted official matches after a minor injury and it feels great, still indoors though).

also I think if Caro and Ana meet, Caro will win, just like last time they met. Ana is just too inconsistent, Caro will draw tons of errors from her, though I personally would love to see Ana beating Caro

"I'm looking for reassurance that I'm not pathetic for finding this little exchange between two of the doyens of our UK sports press gently amusing."

Rest (re)assured, Caroline

@ Game Lover - we have an inch or two of snow on the ground right now but today it's supposed to get up to 51F so I'm hoping to get outside in the next week. For indoor, tennis drills start March 16th and league starts March 24th.

Yolita

"I just read your sugestion about the 20 points. but the difference would be 40, with your hypothesis, and it wouldn't reflect in Rafa's total, given that his DC points are not being counted at the moment, they are listed on the Non-Countable column. So they don't affect the total."

I'll explain again:
The difference *is* 20 points. Post-AO his DC points were still 320 and they *were* counted in his rankings points, but Tokyo points were *not*. Last year's DC 1st rd points (40) got dropped after the 52 weeks (and he didn't play DC 1st rd this year), so the DC points total became 280, which is less than the 300 he has from Tokyo. Therefore now the Tokyo points are counted and the DC points are not. The difference between 320 and 300 is 20. So the 320 DC points were replaced by 300 Tokyo points when the 320 dropped to 280. Ok now? :)

The other issue with 500s: Roger *has* now 4 actual 500s in his rankings, one being the 0-pointer, which he got last year when not fulfilling the required commitment to 500s, and that 0-pointer will stay the 52 weeks. Rafa also has 1 0-pointer for the same reason. Roger has now played 3 other 500s - Basel, Rotterdam and Dubai, all counted. His commitment is now fulfilled, too, since he played MC, so counting that he has played the 4 that is required. The 0-pointer cannot be dropped before the 52 weeks have gone, but MC is counted as one of the other best 6 (4 in the 500 category, including the 0-pointer, plus MC, plus Doha = 6).

Rafa has still not fulfilled his required commitment to 500, so he has 3 in that category, including the 0-pointer. MC also counts towards that commitment, so together those make his required 4. DC is not a 500 and cannot be counted as one of best 6 results for him since the commitment towards 500 hasn't been fulfilled. Roger's commitment on the other hand *is* now fulfilled. Both have a 0-pointer they got at the end of last year, but Roger has already played 2 500s this year, Rafa hasn't played any.

So, for Roger his best other 6 that can be counted are different than for Rafa. It's *not* that Roger has 5 500s and Rafa 4, it's that they both have the 6 best others (on top of slams, WTF and the 8 mandatory masters), but Roger's are different because his commitment to 500s is now fulfilled. Last year it wasn't, hence the 0-pointer. (He didn't play Rotterdam in 2011.)

I know I keep saying the same things again in different ways and this is going in circles, but I thought I already explained in the previous thread how I see the matter, but you had the same questions, again, so I'm trying to reply in a different way - maybe not any clearerer, but I'm trying... :)

"Rest (re)assured, Caroline"

+1

Cheers, Ex-Tennis Fan, will try & fill mine out later. :)

I would love to see Ana, Vera and Sveta all turn things around. I remember when Americans were appalled by all of the Russian women suddenly in the top 10 of the WTA (yes, I know Ana isn't Russian) but then we got to know them and we look upon them fondly. I think if they were winning machines it would be one thing, but they've all shown vulnerability which makes them more endearing. And less scary.

About last night's exho...its nice that Fed took a backseat and let Andy have the stage (with regard to imitations and wisecracks). Best part of the night was Andy imitating Rafa and winning the point and going "Is that all I had to do all these years?"

Caroline,

From that exchange..I think Roger needs a haircut.

"Thought Fed would toss them floatily & perfectly into seats followed by effortless single-handed strap in"

This is LOL.

Caroline that was cute. :)

So I'm the only one hoping Roger and Rafa will start doing impressions.

Caroline: It always amazes me that the press have difficulty seeing thru the narrative on Roger that they had a major part in creating.

Marca is reporting that Rafa will carry the Spanish flag at the Olympics opening ceremony.

"Marca is reporting that Rafa will carry the Spanish flag at the Olympics opening ceremony"

really?
I heard it's pretty heavy and carry for a long time might be tiring

TennisDeb, so you play indoor tennis starting March? And over the summer? At least during summer time we try to stay away from it and move to clay (outdoors).

Good luck with the weather next week though!
Roger doing impressions? No way, I think that both him and Rafa are too serious for that....

Jewell: I'd rather have a cute girl carry the Spanish flag :D

didn't Gonzo carry the flag for his country last time?

speaking of Olympics Sveta needs some luck with draws and good performance the next 2 months or she'll miss the Games

"No way, I think that both him and Rafa are too serious for that...."

Fed did do Rafa impressions at their 2nd H4H together.

Rafa is pretty dull in exos. Not as dry as Sampras, but close.

"Roger doing impressions? No way, I think that both him and Rafa are too serious for that...."

Serious? Those two? lol
Certainly not.

Why should doing impressions be a measurement of level of seriousness or funniness, anyway, plus why should everyone be doing them? For no reason at all.

Thanks everyone - I feel better now:)

jewell, won't that be exciting for Rafa. Are you going to the Olympics at all?

sokol: Yes, I still remember his smile, lit up the whole of Beijing. :)

"Are you going to the Olympics at all?"

Is any ordinary person? ;-) Seriously, no, the ticket allocation system thing was just too Byzantine to even try to struggle with. Are you?

Master Ace I completely agree with your predictions about Li I feel that she will be rusty and you never know which Li will show up these days. Then her opponent in her draw she is 0-4 versus Jheng Jie and Vera has beaten her 4 times out of their last five meetings. I am not sold on Ivanovic , i believe Peng will beat her and Peng is a better matchup for Caroline

Rafa carrying the Spanish flag is not yet official, and according to Marca won't be until June, but it seems like an even stronger possibility now than it did before that he will indeed carry it. In any case, nothing has been confirmed, yet.

@ Game Lover - where I live, it's usually pretty crappy outside until May. Indoor league is just from March - May. Outdoors starts at the end of May. We're having freakishly warm weather this year, I think I'll be able to play outside regularly pretty soon. We also don't have a lot of clay courts around here. We have lots of outdoor cement courts (there's one a block from my house) but as for clay, I think one swanky club has some and that's about it.

I think Nole will get to carry the flag for Serbia.

Sampras dry in exos? What about that excruciatingly awkward one with Agassi? Fed and Rafa looked like they'd rather be set on fire than be there.