FreakyFrites's Articles

FRENCH OPEN WRAP DAY 2: FEDERER IN LOVE, NADAL IN PINK, SHARAPOVA IN PLAY

Via GOTOTENNIS: http://www.gototennisblog.com/2009/05/25/french-open-wrap-day-2-federer-in-love-nadal-in-pink-sharapova-in-play/

There was loads of action at Roland Garros on Monday, with the likes of Federer, Nadal, Roddick, Venus Williams, and Sharapova all hitting the red dirt in Paris. We now have loads to talk about - fashion, new drinking games, and a… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 26, 2009 at 10:11pm — No Comments

FRENCH OPEN: JO-WILFRIED TSONGA WANTS TO PLEASURE YOU

From GOTOTENNIS: http://www.gototennisblog.com/2009/05/23/french-open-jo-wilfried-tsonga-wants-to-pleasure-you/

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, the talented, charming and injury-prone Frenchman, has played in the French Open only once - way back in 2005. He’s making his long-overdue return to the terre battue this week, and with Gael… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 26, 2009 at 10:00pm — 6 Comments

FRENCH OPEN WRAP DAY 1: IVANOVIC SCRAPS, MAURSEMO CRAPS OUT, MURRAY IMPRESSES

From GOTOTENNIS: http://www.gototennisblog.com/2009/05/24/french-open-wrap-day-1-ivanovic-scraps-maursemo-craps-out-murray-impresses/

FRENCH OPEN DAY 1: The brick orange clay, the renewed fire (and fear) in the players’ eyes, new drinking games based on Brad Gilbert-isms - what’s not to love about a Sunday… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 26, 2009 at 10:00pm — No Comments

2009 ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN TV SCHEDULE

2009 ROLAND GARROS FRENCH OPEN TV SCHEDULE

We have the US, UK, Canada, and Australia French Open TV Schedule. Scroll down to find your listing.

Read more: http://www.gototennisblog.com/2009/05/19/2009-roland-garros-french-open-tv-schedule/

Added by FreakyFrites on May 23, 2009 at 2:38pm — No Comments

2009 FRENCH OPEN: MEN’S DRAW PREVIEW

If you filled in your Roland Garros drawsheets this morning, you probably had an easy time at the top of the men’s: Nadal, Nadal, Nadal, Nadal, Nadal, uh, Nadal.

There’s nothing for the 4-time champ (or Rafanatics) to lose sleep over, especially with clay-averse Andy Murray the big gun in his half. Rafa will shrug off Dr. Ivo or Hewitt in the 3rd round and get a workout against Ferrer in the 16s. Verdasco, Davydenko, Wawrinka and… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 23, 2009 at 2:36pm — No Comments

2009 FRENCH OPEN: WOMEN’S DRAW PREVIEW

“If I continue like this I have a very good chance here (at Roland Garros).”

No sh*t, Dinara! Safina has a 14-1 record on clay this season and the added confidence of being World No. 1 and last year’s runner up to the now-ailing Ana Ivanovic. Like Rafael Nadal on the men’s side, I had no trouble filling in Safina’s little section of the French Open draw.

The rest gets messy.

It’s going to be a battle to face Dinara… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 23, 2009 at 2:35pm — No Comments

FRENCH OPEN: MADRID WIN “BODES WELL” FOR ROGER FEDERER

*INTERVIEW BY FREAKYFRITES WITH PATRICK MCENROE + MARY CARILLO

via GOTOTENNIS

Mary Carillo and Patrick McEnroe, who will be anchoring ESPN’s French Open commentary team at Roland Garros next week, took time to chat with reporters (and me) about the upcoming action on the terre battue. Here’s some of what they had to say about Nadal, Federer and the rest of the… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 21, 2009 at 12:24am — 2 Comments

CHRIS EVERT ON ROGER FEDERER: “I CRY EVERY TIME HE LOSES”

Who knew that 18-time Grand Slam champ, Chris Evert, was such a hard core Fedophile? I’m putting her in the “Historian” category, due to the fact that she also really admires Nadal. Here’s the money quote from her ESPN interview with Bonnie D. Ford (click here for the full article):

“Isn’t there something about Federer that pulls at your heartstrings? I cry every time he loses a match, and I don’t even know the guy. (Laughs) There’s… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 21, 2009 at 12:20am — No Comments

DOPERS, EN GUARD! TOUGH ANTI-DOPING TESTING AT ROLAND GARROS

Tough new anti-doping controls will be in effect at this year’s Roland Garros.

From Le Monde (click here for the original, my translation):

“This year, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, like all players who compete at Roland Garros (May 24 to Sunday June 7) will not only be subject to traditional anti-doping controls by the International Tennis Federation (ITF), but also those carried out by the very effective French Agency for the… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 21, 2009 at 12:18am — No Comments

UNCLE TONI TO RAFAEL NADAL: FEDERER’S SO MUCH BETTER THAN YOU

I admit it, the Fedophile in me ran screaming from S.L. Price’s Sports Illustrated article based on its title alone: “How Nadal humbled Federer.” But boy, am I glad I talked myself into reading it, because it’s chock-full of fascinating facts and anecdotes that even the most avid tennis fanatic may have missed along the way. Obviously, you should click here to read the entire thing, but if you still need persuading, here are some… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 15, 2009 at 10:00am — No Comments

PATRICK MCENROE: THE U.S. NEEDS CLAY COURT PLAYERS, NOT CLAY COURTERS

Before I launch into how Americans suck on clay, I want to congratulate Andy Roddick for an impressive three set win over Tommy Haas in Madrid on Wednesday. It was a gutsy debut on the red stuff. Okay, back to business. . .

There’s been lots of talk going into the French Open about both the Americans’ lack of success on clay and their lack of success in general.… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 14, 2009 at 10:25am — No Comments

RAFAEL NADAL: I LOVE MADRID!

Rafael Nadal has changed his not-so-sweet tune about this week’s Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open. After complaining about the court surface, the schedule and the general disorder around the tournament a few days ago, Nadal is now heaping on the praise, saying stuff like, “It’s special to play in Spain and in Madrid. And this year is no exception.”

On the tournament’s facilities, which he called “disorderly”:

“The facility is… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 13, 2009 at 1:33pm — No Comments

ROGER FEDERER TO RAFAEL NADAL: THANKS, BUT NO THANKS

No. 1 Fedophile, Rafael Nadal, nominated Roger Federer to receive the 2009 Prince of Asturias Award for Sports. The Spanish award is intended to “acknowledge scientific, technical, cultural, social and humanitarian work carried out internationally” by prominent people in a variety of fields, including sports. Rafa told the press after this year’s Australian Open that he planned to nominate Roger: “I won the award in 2008 and of course I’d like a… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 13, 2009 at 1:32pm — No Comments

FERRER ON FEDERER: ROGER HAS THE GAME TO BEAT NADAL

David Ferrer was asked at the Madrid Open about Federer’s chances against Rafa and had this to say (in Spanish):

“Roger Federer has sufficient tennis to beat Rafa Nadal. He can do it, but it’s very complicated. Rafa is the indisputable number one on clay and in the world, but most of all on clay. Also it was said that Roger was unbeatable on grass and Nadal beat him. For me Rafa is the number one and is very difficult to beat him on clay and… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 13, 2009 at 1:31pm — No Comments

RICHARD GASQUET SUSPENDED FOR COCAINE, SAFIN BLAMES PARTY FOUL

The AP reported today that Richard Gasquet has been officially suspended from competition after testing positive for cocaine in Miami. He will be off the tour at least until the ITF holds an anti-doping tribunal on the matter, which could take up to 60 days to arrange. This means Richard Gasquet will definitely miss Roland Garros. He could face a two-year ban if found guilty.

Gilbert Ysern, director general of the French Federation had this… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 11, 2009 at 6:22pm — 3 Comments

MARIA SHARAPOVA IS COMING BACK IN WARSAW

Maria Sharapova is finally ready to return to competition, and she’s positively GUSHING with excitement (as are we, right?) Here’s the latest from her website:

“I am very happy to report that I will make my singles return to the tour in Warsaw, Poland, the week of May 18. Although it has not been an easy process these last few months, I really believe it’s made me a much stronger person in so many areas of my life professionally and… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 11, 2009 at 1:38pm — No Comments

MADRID OPEN PREVIEW: THINKING INSIDE THE MAGIC BOX

We have another “5th Slam” contender/pretender this week as the ATP and WTA tours combine at the Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open. Here’s a quick tournament preview to help you get acclimated.

THE MEN:

The top half includes a jaded Rafael Nadal and an overplayed Novak Djokovic. Andy Murray and Roger Federer are the top seeds in the other half.

Rafael Nadal’s quarter: It’s ROUGH, especially for someone who is feeling… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 11, 2009 at 12:32pm — No Comments

ROGER FEDERER IN MADRID: PLAYING MIND GAMES WITH RAFAEL NADAL

Roger Federer spoke to the press in Madrid on Sunday and was brimming with optimism about his chances at the Madrid Open and for the rest of the season. Roger said that he knows he can beat Nadal on clay, despite the head-to-head, and that his main goals for the year are winning Roland Garros and Wimbledon. He also mentioned that he isn’t actively searching for a new coach, but is always “open” for solid advice on ways to improve his… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 11, 2009 at 12:30pm — No Comments

RAFAEL NADAL: MADRID, WE HAVE A PROBLEM

Rafael Nadal may be Spanish and the King of Clay, but he is none too happy about this week’s clay court Masters event in Madrid. The Age recently provided the full laundry list of Nadal’s complaints (click here for the original article):

- On the altitude: “(It’s) a serious problem so close to Paris. It would be better if Rome were the last event before Paris since the altitudes are similar.”

- On the hype of Madrid becoming… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 11, 2009 at 12:27pm — No Comments

THE MYSTERIOUS NADAL VS. THE APPROACHABLE FEDERER

There is a terrific article by Danielle Rossingh and Alex Duff in yesterday’s Bloomberg.com entitled: “Federer Fails to Deter Nadal in Fight to be Richest Tennis Star.” It’s about the two players’ earning powers and Nadal’s ever-increasing marketability. It’s chock full of fascinating details about the Nadal family’s business and personal dealings. (Click here to read the whole thing - you won’t be disappointed!)

Here are just some of the… Continue

Added by FreakyFrites on May 7, 2009 at 1:35pm — No Comments

FreakyFrites's Articles – May 2009 Archive (21)