Roland Garros - 2003 French Open

Originally posted by sidsutton:
<strong>If you think removing the Williams sisters from the women's game would make it a style game instead of a power game then, no, you don't know what you are talking about. Apart from the odd few, they all try and play a power game from the baseline. Is Clijsters a finesse player? Davenport? Capriati? Seles? Dokic?

</strong><hr></blockquote>

i should have put the ;)

i was only joking
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by RUDDY:
<strong>

i should have put the ;)

i was only joking</strong><hr></blockquote>

that would have saved me a shit load of typing too!!
Click to expand...
 
Has nothing to do with 'Power Tennis'. As Sid said, all top ranked womens players hit hard. Its just that the traditionally international and white dominated sport of tennis has been ruled by a couple of black girls from the US. There's always someone around the corner to knock success. Billie Jean King, Navratilova, Graf, Lendl, Williams sisters etc.
 
Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>I think the audience was against her because 1) she's the number one 2) she had beaten Mauresmo 3) Henin is very popular in France 4) this game was a bit like David against Goliath.</strong><hr></blockquote>

5. Half of them were Belgians

:D :D

Heard on the radio this morning that Serena Willimans refused to take a blood dope test because she alledgest to be a Jehova's Whitness.

Clear-cut dope heads they are those sisters...
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by The Red Machine:
<strong>

Heard on the radio this morning that Serena Willimans refused to take a blood dope test because she alledgest to be a Jehova's Whitness.

Clear-cut dope heads they are those sisters...</strong><hr></blockquote>

Serena and Venus Williams, courtesy of their mother, are semi-practicing members of some austere religious sect which I believe is, in fact, the Jehovah's Witnesses. Their father, Richard, on the other hand, is a devote a-hole and, I think, the single biggest reason for their unpopularity.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by PSV Rulezzz:
<strong>Isn't that Verkerk-guy Dutch? ;) :D </strong><hr></blockquote>
Yup,Ferrero-Verkerk final,will be surprised if Juan Carlos didn't win
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Melvinyeo:
<strong>
Yup,Ferrero-Verkerk final,will be surprised if Juan Carlos didn't win</strong><hr></blockquote>

Then start getting surprised already ;)
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by PSV Rulezzz:
<strong>

Then start getting surprised already ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>


Haven't even heard of him before this event so I will put my house on Juan Carlos Ferrero

PS:I also like the chocolate
;)
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong> Its just that the traditionally international and white dominated sport of tennis has been ruled by a couple of black girls from the US. </strong><hr></blockquote>

No, a black friend of mine was saying the other day "to easy to talk about racism". (I know many people who don't like the William sisters and who can't be suspected of racism). She was shocked by Serena's attitude who hardly shook Henin's hand. I understand she was disappointed by her defeat and the audience's attitude but Henin was not responsible for that. And obviously people who don't like her pointed that "have you seen how arrogant she was when she shook Henin's hand".

I think the father is largely responsible for their impopularity. When they arrived in tennis he annonced "my daughters will be soon number one, nobody will be able to beat them". It was perceived as extremely arrogant, even if he was eventually right. And his last interview in l'Equipe hasn't calmed things.

To say they're unpopular because they're black is wrong. Here we're endlessly celebrating the victory of Yannick Noah (it was just 20 years ago), the most popular tennis player France ever had. They're Americans ? I'm sure that if Blake reached the number one place he would be very popular. And if you knew what the Father William thinks about America, your flag, hardly a good representant of George Bush. Martina Hingis was equally booed here two or three years ago and she's white. I see Tiger Woods succeeding in golf, a sport of white people, and he's popular. Just like Carl Lewis or Michael Jordan were.

Concerning Serena Williams, that some call monster or man beast, there was a (white) French writer (Philippe Sollers) who was celebrating her beauty yesterday on TV. "What a splendour, she's statuesque etc...". So every tastes are in nature.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by PSV Rulezzz:
<strong>Isn't that Verkerk-guy Dutch? ;) :D </strong><hr></blockquote>

He's the good surprise of this tournament ! He brings a lot of freshness in tennis, he's extrovert, funny (the way he rolls his eyes). And he practises an attacking football.

It would be great if he won.
Click to expand...
 
Hi Elfie. Long time no see. :)

I think Verkerk WILL win. I am not yet convinced Ferrero can handle the pressure. Verkerk's win against Moya was so funny. The faces he was pulling after winning important points in that 5th set were priceless.
 
So much for Verkerk winning! :D He didn't turn up at all!

Oh well, my pre-tournament bets on Ferrero and Henin have done me proud.
 
Iam sure we've had this discussion before...

Personally, I have no problems whatsoever with the William sisters... I know people on here(including Elfie) have pointed the finger at them..for using Steds. Fact is Venus is slim...and Serena's naturally broad boned(just look at her joints... you can't make them bigger :rolleyes: ) she's just a well toned up athlete... TBH I think its sad when people complain about her being so much more bigger than the weedy little Henin.. I mean....COME ON! Basketballers are around 7 foot... don't see 5 footers complaining!!......and take Mike Tyson for example.. he was only 5'10..15 stone when he won the heavyweight crown...this when most other boxers were well over 6 foot and weighed over 16 stones(lewis is currently 17stones!)
 
FErrero wins...


YAY,I didn't lose my house ;)
 
Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>Iam sure we've had this discussion before...

Personally, I have no problems whatsoever with the William sisters... I know people on here(including Elfie) have pointed the finger at them..for using Steds. Fact is Venus is slim...and Serena's naturally broad boned(just look at her joints... you can't make them bigger :rolleyes: ) she's just a well toned up athlete... TBH I think its sad when people complain about her being so much more bigger than the weedy little Henin.. I mean....COME ON! Basketballers are around 7 foot... don't see 5 footers complaining!!......and take Mike Tyson for example.. he was only 5'10..15 stone when he won the heavyweight crown...this when most other boxers were well over 6 foot and weighed over 16 stones(lewis is currently 17stones!)</strong><hr></blockquote>

Pointed the finger...I just asked questions. I was watching yesterday on EPSN Sports a game from the seventies with Chris Evert, what could she do now ? Hingis has given up, it's good for diversity that Henin could win, because she has a beautiful and clever tennis (and she's a nice person). And when they show games with Mc Enroe or Connors, I think that some female players now have bigger muscles. Even Serena was complaining in Roland Garros that she was too fat/muscular. Considering all the scandals of the past years...In fact, I wouldn't put my hand on fire for any sportman/woman.

Still, cyclist Richard Virenque was doped, and he was slim, so muscles may not prove anything.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Melvinyeo:
<strong>FErrero wins...


YAY,I didn't lose my house ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't like much Ferrero...but I have to admit he played remarkably well yesterday.

Verkerk hasn't played well. There was wind and he had problems with his service, the basis of his game. And he was too nervous. I was sad for him, I don't like to see players losing so easily.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

Still, cyclist Richard Virenque was doped, and he was slim, so muscles may not prove anything.</strong><hr></blockquote>

But people only 'ask questions' due to her size. If muscles don't prove anything...meaning that a slim person maybe on steds...yes?? ....then why haven't you or others 'asked questions' about Henin...or Hingis(two examples)??

Fact is, she's a great athlete. Unless something is proven, its wrong to point fingers...(thats unless you do it to all the tennis players)
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>Has nothing to do with 'Power Tennis'. As Sid said, all top ranked womens players hit hard. Its just that the traditionally international and white dominated sport of tennis has been ruled by a couple of black girls from the US. There's always someone around the corner to knock success. Billie Jean King, Navratilova, Graf, Lendl, Williams sisters etc.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Power tennis by the Williams sisters is extremely boring to watch, they dont use much tactics esp Serena, compared to Henin. Henin hits fairly hard but is a far better player to watch in terms of entertainment, which is why I am glad she won, apart from the fact that she has been my favourite player since Wimbledon 2 years ago.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Elfie:
<strong>

I supported Justine today, but I didn't like the way the crowd was against Serena today. It was like the game between Hingis and Graf a few years ago. Personnally I would never applaud a fault made by a player, that's cruel. I think the audience was against her because 1) she's the number one 2) she had beaten Mauresmo 3) Henin is very popular in France 4) this game was a bit like David against Goliath .I think it's a good thing to see that a good technique can beat powerness, still Serena Williams deserves at least respect.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

Elfie, as far as I am concerned, a neutral crowd is rarely wrong, they only boo players when they are given reason too and that Water Buffalo had given them good reason to do so, on and off the court. Venus and Serena Williams are always very crude and whiney with their behaviour and people don't appreciate that. By contrast, I think the two Belgians have far more dignity. Serena's post-match behaviour has not only left a bad impression on the world, but it is not going to win her much support and she is going to have even less support next year and is going to get it worse if she doesnt stop acting her shoe size.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by cd:
<strong>

Power tennis by the Williams sisters is extremely boring to watch, they dont use much tactics esp Serena, compared to Henin. Henin hits fairly hard but is a far better player to watch in terms of entertainment, which is why I am glad she won, apart from the fact that she has been my favourite player since Wimbledon 2 years ago.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Its likely 'extremely boring to watch' for you, because the Williams sisters are American and you're a bitter cnut who can't stand the US winning at any level. ;)
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>

Its likely 'extremely boring to watch' for you, because the Williams sisters are American and you're a bitter cnut who can't stand the US winning at any level. ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>

Not really. I have no problems with Jennifer Capriati, Chanda Rubin or Lindsay Davenport. I like Agassi and Roddick and as a matter of fact, Pete Sampras was once my favourite player. Oh and I also like James Blake.
Its just the Williams that I dislike, and I am not saying that they didnt deserve to win what they have won, its just that its so boring to see them play.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>

Its likely 'extremely boring to watch' for you, because the Williams sisters are American and you're a bitter cnut who can't stand the US winning at any level. ;) </strong><hr></blockquote>


Are you seriously trying to say that you find them interesting to watch?? You must have a very sad life then.
Click to expand...
 
Originally posted by cd:
<strong>


Are you seriously trying to say that you find them interesting to watch?? You must have a very sad life then.</strong><hr></blockquote>

I don't find them any more interesting than other top players, but at least I don't resort to pathetically labelling them as boring in transparent attempts to discredit them just because they win most big tournaments. If you think they're boring then prepared to continue being bored over the next few years because they're going to continue winning most grand slams. The only chance other players have is if Venus and Serena get distracted with their interest in fashion.
Click to expand...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.