A few Sunday Morning thoughts ..............

Roger Federer is a millionaire, many times over, as are others who play tennis. When he enters the "courts," he has to carry out a large bag of rackets,  bottles, towels and other paraphernalia that he will need for the match. Doesn't that hurt his arm, couldn't he find someone to carry it out for him?

Trump probably has a limo take him  everywhere, a driver who opens the door for him, and "flunky's" who do all of his other beckoning.

Athletes, many of which are multi millionaires, endure all sorts of demeaning things they have to put up with. Sit on a bench, eat sunflower seeds and spit out the shells on the floor. In football, they put up with being ferociously tackled,, knocked to the turf, and having one concussion after another one, Retire with their millions, and then, forget how they made them.

In golf, at least they have someone do the heavy work for them, but not tennis, you do all the heavy work yourself. Probably, in Rogers case, tailor made clothes, startlingly white sweaters, probably cashmere, the most expense, comfortable, appropriate shoes, appropriate for the surface, and he has to carry it out to the court, and when done, back in. Why can he not have someone carry it for him?

"Here, Joe, carry this bag out to the court, play tennis, and when done, pick up this check for six million."

"Oh, Ok!"

It's another angst-filled loss for Serena Williams at a Grand Slam, this time at Wimbledon

HEY, THEY ALL PLAY BETTER WHEN THEY PLAY ME

WIMBLEDON

How many angst-filled, stunningly premature losses does Serena Williams suffer

before it becomes not a shocker, but a trend?

Arrogance, she just cannot bow out gracefully

A sorry way to end a career

"I'm still number ONE in my own eyes"

Because with her 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 defeat at the hands of No. 25 seed Alizé Cornet of France in the third round at Wimbledon Saturday, that makes her three-for-three in Grand Slams – this season.

A fourth-round loss to Ana Ivanovic in Australia, a second-round shocker against Garbiñe Muguruza in Paris, and now a third-round loss to Cornet after a long day of waiting out the rain at Wimbledon.

When she first came into the interview room, it appeared old Serena might show up – downcast eyes, halfhearted shrugs, non-answers and three-word sentences.

Her first answer: "I don’t know. I tried and it just didn’t work out." Shrug. Awkward silence.

But as it went along, it was clear Williams did want to hash it out a little, because she was truly at a loss to explain the loss.

"In Australia, I just couldn’t play. In Paris, I played really bad. Here, I thought I played better. I came into the tournament in better form. I thought I was doing pretty decent," she said. "I think I’m going to have to watch this film to see what I can do better, and see what went wrong."

Several times during the press conference Williams brought up the notion that every one of her opponents completely plays above her level, plays the match of their life against her.

Against her. Not against anyone else. Just against her.

"The changes I need to make are mostly within, just try to see why I’m making some errors. But it’s difficult; if I’m not playing a great, great match these girls play me as though they’re on the ATP Tour, and they play other girls completely different," she said. "It’s not easy to be in my shoes, but you’ve got to be ready."

Williams said it's always been that way, in her opinion. But for whatever reason, it seems to be getting to her now. Maybe it's that she's getting older – the nerves under pressure can be the first vulnerability. Maybe it's because she's so far ahead of the rest of the field in the rankings that there's not that urgency.

She truly did not know why she lost. It wasn't Cornet's drop shots. It might have been that she didn't serve all that well, or made a few too many errors.

Because this time, it wasn't that she had physical issues as she did in Australia, and as she did in losing to Cornet the last time they met, this past winter in Dubai. It wasn't that she just had a bad day.

Smiles on both faces ..... know why? See below

BEIJING (AP) — Novak Djokovic lost his top ranking to the resurgent Rafael Nadal, but lost no time in gaining some consolation with a 6-3, 6-4 victory over the Spaniard to claim the China Open on Sunday for the fourth time in five years.

Nadal was assured of replacing Djokovic atop the rankings by reaching the final in Beijing.

But the Serb proved too much for Nadal, breaking him in the second game of the first set and again in the first game of the second. He racked up four aces to the Nadal's two and claimed 19 winners to the Spaniard's nine.

"I needed this win today. I really wanted to get my hands on the trophy and win against Nadal who has been the best player so far in 2013," said Djokovic, who had lost their last three meetings, including one at the U.S. Open.

Djokovic credited his almost flawless serve for the win this time, as well as his ability to keep calm. He said playing doubles also helped, both in sharpening his game and building his confidence.

Till this tournament, may be even now

1. 
   
   
   $80
   Million

   Rafael Nadal

   Rafael Nadal net worth: Rafael Nadal is a Spanish professional tennis player who has a net worth of $80 million. Rafael Nadal was born June 3, 1986 in Manacor
2. 
   
   
   $60
   Million

   Novak Djokovic

   Novak Djokovicn net worth: Novak Djokovic is a Serbian professional tennis player who has a net worth of $60 million. Novak Djokovic

"Red Soles in the Sunset"

Roger Federer was only on the court for 68 minutes on Monday, but that was long enough for Wimbledon's Powers That Be to decide his orange-soled shoes don't pass muster for the tournament. As a result, the All England Club has ordered the seven-time Wimbledon champion to change his shoes for his Wednesday match.

The club requires players to don all white, and permits only the smallest modifications to that template. Federer's bright orange soles ran afoul of that requirement, according to the Daily Mail, which suggested that Serena Williams may have received similar orders.

Federer is paid an estimated $10 million a year by Nike, which outfits him in a different set of scripted attire each tournament. Manufacturers must submit their proposed designs to the All England Club at least 90 days before the tournament begins. However, footwear often isn't included in that scripting.

Obviously, a player's shoes are one of the most important components of his or her game. But we're fairly certain that a) Federer can come up with a compliant pair and b) he could play in shoeboxes, wooden clogs or bare feet and still make the semifinals.

Not pressured by being flag bearer’ – Sharapova

Russian tennis queen Maria Sharapova says she couldn’t believe her luck for three days after being selected as the country’s flag bearer at the opening of the London Olympics. "I got a message asking me to become flag bearer of the team after a third round match at Roland Garros," Sharapova told Sovetsky Sport newspaper.


“My joy was boundless. I showed the SMS from Russian Tennis Federation President Shamil Tarpischev to everybody and asked: ‘Am I getting this right, guys?’ For three days I couldn’t believe that it wasn’t a dream.”


Sharapova is sure that participation in the opening ceremony won’t deprive her of the strength she might need in the battle for the Olympic gold.

"I won’t be carrying it with one hand," she explained. "As far as I know, there’ll be a special corset on the body which helps keep the flag in the right position. So it won’t be a problem."

The 25-year-old will become the first female flag bearer in modern Russian history and also the first tennis player to be given the honor.

Roger Federer wins 7th Wimbledon title

By CHRIS LEHOURITES 

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Once the Centre Court roof was closed, nothing could stop Roger Federer from winning his record-tying seventh Wimbledon title.

The 30-year-old Federer finally equaled Pete Sampras' record at the All England Club, and won his 17th Grand Slam title overall, by beating Andy Murray 4-6, 7-5, 6-3, 6-4 Sunday.

"I'm happy that closing the roof maybe helped me today, because I wasn't sure if that was going to help me or not," Federer said.

Once Murray's forehand landed wide on match point, Federer collapsed to the grass with tears welling in his eyes. He got up quickly and shook hands with Murray at the net.

Up in the players' box, Federer's wife and twin daughters cheered and smiled as he took his seat to await yet another Wimbledon trophy presentation.

"When the roof closed, he played unbelievable tennis," Murray said.

Federer is now 17-7 in Grand Slam finals, including 7-1 atWimbledon. Murray dropped to 0-4 in major finals, with three of those losses coming against Federer.

"It's amazing. It equals me with Pete Sampras, who's my hero," said Federer, who lost in the quarterfinals at the All England Club in 2010 and '11. "It just feels amazing."

Just Wondering???

Wimbledon, tennis, I am not a big tennis fan, but generally watch this tournament. Just watched Roger Federer, best Jockovich. Have followed Federer for a few years, he is a "true"  professional, in my bookm has all of the attributes of a champion.

A question, there are three judges on each end of the court, both men and women. The men wear trousers, and the women wear long skirts, all but one woman, she wears slacks, have wondered why. Never got a really good look, could be a long haired man.

Many of the players have their own physicians, masseurs, psychologists and an entourage of many. But, when the come onto the court they are carrying a couple of heavy bags of equipment, clothes, etc, and they look heavy, slung over their shoulders. Same thing when the match is over. Perhaps they just played tennis, under a hot sun, for a few hours, and they have to lug the same equipment off the court. 


The heaviest things a golfer carries is one club, he has a caddy to carry everything else.

Nadal shocked at Wimbledon

To quote the late Jack Buck, "I don't believe what I just saw."

World No. 100 Lukas Rosol stunned two-time Wimbledon champion Rafael Nadal 6-7 (9), 6-4, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in one of the biggest upsets in the 135-year history of the tournament. 

Nadal had made the finals in his last five Wimbledon appearances and had played in the last four Grand Slam finals overall. He was 17 days removed from winning the French Open.

The 26-year-old Czech is playing in his first Wimbledon. 

He was 0-5 in qualifying matches at the All England Club and had never won a single ATP match on grass courts since joining the tour in 2005. He had 19 wins in his career. 

Nadal had 41 this year. But behind a powerful serve and fearless returns, Rosol took Nadal deep into a first-set tiebreaker, then refused to fold after dropping it 11-9, winning the next two sets after early breaks.

Federer Bows - Not out, to the Prince of Wales

WIMBLEDON, England (AP) — Roger Federer gave Prince Charles a bow, then gave Fabio Fognini a royal thumping.


With the Prince of Wales visiting Wimbledon for the first time since 1970, Federer was at his best Wednesday and beat Fognini 6-1, 6-3, 6-2.

Six-time champion Federer won 37 of 41 points on his first serve, and won 21 of 23 points at the net against Fognini, an Italian ranked 68th.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall sat in the first row of the Royal Box as Federer walked onto Centre Court for the day's first match. Federer and Fognini stood side by side as they bowed awkwardly toward the royals, and Charles responded with a wave and grin.

"They do brief you beforehand," Federer said. "I guess you don't do anything stupid. You behave. Obviously we were asked to bow, which is obviously no problem to do. We're thrilled for the tennis family that they came to watch Wimbledon today."

When Federer completed his victory, Charles and Camilla joined the crowd's applause.

Tennis, with the sound off ....

I'm watching some of the Australian Open Tennis Tournament, Novak Djokovich and Ferrer, with the sound off, the grunts, groans and shouts I find distracting. Can you imagine what all sports would be if all the athletes did the same.

A guy at bat, the pitch comes, and the hitter screams at the top of his lungs when he swings at the ball. Or, how about Kobe, loudly grunting every time he took a shot, same with hockey players.

A swimmer, coming up for air, screaming loudly. Think of the noise that could be generated during a football game, 22 big strong guys, loudly grunting at every contact. Just think what the quarterback could burst forth with when he gets sacked by a couple of lineman or line backers.

I think the women screaming I find the most offensive, thankfully, Jennie Finch didn't let out a scream every time she pitched the ball, nor, did the hitters.

I don't remember tennis players years ago making all that noise, wonder when, who and why it started. Isn't it a waste of energy doing that?

Why?

I'm watching some tennis, a tournament from Florida, and I have a question.

Why, do the tennis players have to carry and lug all of their equipment when they come on to the court. Golfers have caddies, I think that every sport, the participants don't have to lug their own equipment around. I've often wondered, a tournament, the winner just won a couple of million dollars, lifts that heavy bunch of equipment, throws it over the shoulder, and carries it off of the court.

At the start, I would think they would want to conserve all of their energy, arms and shoulders are important, why lung all that heavy stuff around. Can you imagine Donald Trump, or Bill Gates getting out of their limos and carrying their own luggage into their two thousand a night hotel?a

If I was a world class tennis player I would pay someone to carry all of my equipment, last thing in the world is to wear myself out lugging all that stuff to the court.

WOW, I got to see it ................

The three-day Wimbledon contest is finally over, with American John Isner taking the fifth set 70-68 to beat France's Nichoas Mahut in the longest tennis match on record.

Well, I watched it .... I have seen many great sports moments in my time.

Martina when she won that tournament years ago when she was in her last days of competition.

I've seen Jordan play, seen Cousey, watched Nicklaus and Palmer. Recently, Usain Bolt, when he won the hundred in the Olympics, and coasted toward the end of the race. I thought that was the greatest event in sports I had ever seen.

But, today, I saw the greatest sports moment I have ever seen.

Isner won a first round match at Wimbledon, and it took three days, it was something to see. A record breaking match that set all sorts of records that will NEVER be broken, ever.

The only thing I could not figure out was why the Queen left before that match. Maybe she couldn't get a seat.

I hope you all got to watch it, a pleasure to see history made.

Serena ..... taking the wrong way out

I saw the outburst of Serena Williams last night, and I think we saw another spoiled millionaire athlete, who could not stand defeat, take another way out. She could blame the linesman, her temper, everyone and everybody but herself. I really thought she was a pathetic, wearing out, old athlete, who could not handle defeat.

Simple, she had been outplayed, she felt she was going to get beat, so she took it out on the linesman, not herself. Regardless of the call, she should not have reacted in the way she did.

I must admit I was rather stunned by it. It goes down in my "tragic ends." I remember when Woody Hayes struck the football player, and I remember the brawl between the Ohio State basketball team, and the team from Minnesota, and now, Serena attacking the linesman. It tarnishes all of her accomplishments. Makes John McEnroe look like a choirboy.

It was one of the worst displays of poor sportsmanship I have ever seen.

The Williams Sisters

I hope they don't make the finals, it ruins a great event for me.

If they do both get to the finals, before the match is even played, they tell the officials, "Just go ahead and make both checks out to Dad, it doeesn't matter who wins."

Sisters playing each other, tight family, who wins, who cares?

If it comes to that, I'm afraid I won't be eating strawberries while they play, I'll just grab a beer and hope a good western is playing.

Maybe it won't come to that ...........

I enjoy watching Roger, but sisters ............ no, and it seems like they have been playing forever....

Gracious Losers ........

Don't you just love gracious athletes, when they lose, they can never admit someone beat them ....

"Honestly, I think I lost because of me, and not because of anything she did," Williams said.

Williams being one of the sisters, who are now both out of the French Open.

THIS WAS WHAT THE WRITERS IN ATTENDANCE SAW ......................

The seesaw struggle was this close: Midway through the third set, each player had won 100 points.

"Honestly, I think I lost because of me, and not because of anything she did," Williams said.

Not entirely. High-risk tennis paid off for Kuznetsova, who whacked winners into both corners and sometimes chose angles that surprised Williams. Kuznetsova showed lots of variety, too -- when she hit a crosscourt lob, Williams staggered helplessly as she watched the ball land beyond her reach.

Williams was sometimes betrayed by uncertain footwork on the clay, which led to repeated mistakes on her forehand side down the stretch.