The Tennis Thread

[Chaky]

Elena Dementieva just announced her retirement on court after losing to Francesca Schiavone in Doha.

All the other players came out on court to pay tribute and Vera gave a speech about what she meant to Russia.

It's quite emotional. I'll miss her a lot. There's a good argument to say she's the best player on the WTA to never win a slam.

 

[Scott]

^....ever.

i agree. it's very emotional. between her and mauresmo,indefinitely my two favourites for so long. she was a great player--a warrior....she never gave up. and most importantly a player with true integrity and class. she may not have ever won a major but she gave us so many wonderful memories and highlights.

 

[Chaky]

^....ever.

Yes.

Warrior is a good description. I'll miss those groundstrokes. At least I got to see her play live (at Wimbledon last year against Schiavone funnily enough).

One good thing to come out of this: I was a bit worried for her mother's health. She always looked so nervous! So it's Vera Dementieva's retirement too.

 

[Chaky]

daylife.com

 

[efilipa]

It was so sad!
I will miss her(and her mom too ).

 

[Scott]

^indeed. she had probably the best tennis parent other than oracene williams.

that shot of sam....heart-wrenching! seeing the girls up there like that with tears...it just goes to show how beloved elena has been and what an asset and ambassador she is.

this is the hardest year i've ever had to deal with since i got into tennis. seeing both mauresmo's own emotional send-off earlier in the year at paris(incidentally tributed by lena!) and now lena.....i can't take it. now i don't know who my favourite will be now?

 

[purplethistle]

I was really hoping to see her play some more next year, namely the Australian Open. I'd be more than happy to see her make a come back in a few years if that's what she chooses to do so No, seriously she was one of my top favourites to watch, as in after all the underdogs that I like supporting she was one player that I supported in every one of her matches. I also agree that she was one of the best that never won a grand slam I heard all of this on the radio and they kept referring to her as the one that won the gold medal at the Beijing Olympic games.

 

[miu_miu]

I can't even believe it, I'm so sad! Really, I was tearing up watching the videos

But I want to be happy for her, because it's her decision, her own terms and not decided by injury or bad form...I guess she's just ready for a new phase in her life, and I hope she is really happy and fulfilled whatever she does, and I'm happy I got the chance to see her play live. She is always so gracious, kind and appreciative, so elegant in all ways. I love her attitude, her determination, I will miss her a lot

I hope she will come back to tennis in some way after a break, she can be a great inspiration for young Russian players.

OH AND...she's geniunely one of the most beautiful people, every time I see her I can't believe how pretty she is

 

[Scott]

big congrats to amelie mauresmo! she finished yesterday's NY marathon in 3h40.20!! she also beat out other former players like justin gimelstob,yannick noah and jonathan stark...all who finished over 4h.

hurrah MOMO apparently she's been training for this since february.

 

[Chaky]

That's an amazing time! Good for her.

Did you watch the Fed Cup, Scott? Unfortunately for USA Mary Joe Fernandez's risky tactic of picking CoCo Vandeweghe for singles over Melanie Oudin didn't pay off. And then Bethanie got injured so CoCo had to go in again. At least Mel got a good win over Schiavone.

Italy are a tough team to break down. But despite the criticism, USA still made the Fed Cup final two years in a row and without the Williams sisters. Not bad.

I'm pretty sure Venus and Serena have to play Fed Cup next year to qualify for the Olympics. Next tie for USA is in Belgium so I think we'll need them.

 

[Chaky]

No-one watching the ATP World Tour Finals? Capacity crowds and a good venue. I hope to go one year before it leaves London.

I've not been able to watch the early matches because I'm at work but watching the evening ones. Roddick vs Nadal last night was pretty good. Rafa looking a bit rusty. If he'd lost it would certainly have made that group very interesting.

Anyone surprised Murray didn't really show up against Fed today? Maybe it's tactical. He's still got a really good chance to go through to the semis unless he loses to Ferrer.

 

[Scott]

chaky,i haven't had a lot of time myself. checked the scores and i was a bit surprised to see that andy didn't give roger much of a fight.

 

[miu_miu]

Chaky, you should definitely try and go! I went last night & it was good fun, I liked the staging and atmosphere because even if you don't have great seats, you still have a good view of the match & feel part of the event.

 

[Chaky]

Incredibly close match between Nadal and Murray in the first semi. Final set tiebreaks are always tense. Nadal came back from 4-1 down in the breaker to win it 8-6.

Could be an amazing final tomorrow against Federer or Djokovic.

 

[Chaky]

Didn't see it but Federer had a very convincing win over Djokovic. So it's a dream final tomorrow: Nadal vs Federer. Can't wait!

 

[Scott]

congrats roger! glad to see he was able to end the season,in what can only be described for roger's world,as disappointing. although still very successful for most.

congrats too to daniel nestor and nenad for this is their final match as partners. great way to end things.

 

[Chaky]

Go Roger! Great way to finish the season.

It wasn't one of their classic matches but still pretty entertaining and glad it went to three. I think Rafa needs a well-earned rest.

And the atmosphere in the O2 once again looked amazing.

I didn't know Zimonjic and Nestor were splitting. I saw them play at Wimbledon last year on Court One on their way to the title. A great partnership. Nenad's still got Davis Cup to think about now though.

 

[colourmepretty]

What a match from Roger. I'm really happy that his season ended on a high note! Hopefully this will carry on through to the Australian Open this January. Not their best competitive match, but Roger definitely deserved it.

 

[Chaky]

This makes me laugh every time I see it.

 

[ckgirlbr]

^Indeed, that's one the cutest vids I've ever seen
Such a pleasure to watch it again, thank you