leeeena's blog

 Rod Laver was Roger's childhood hero. To recieve a trophy from your childhood hero must be incredible. I think I myself would cry if Roger Federer presented a trophy to me one day. This video makes me cry everytime.

Reporting from Melbourne, Australia -- The chase for history is compelling on its own. With a win Sunday over Rafael Nadal in the final of the Australian Open, Roger Federer would tie Pete Sampras as the top winner of major tennis tournaments with 14.

"I'm more into, in general, helping people. Like Muhammad Ali does for the world. Think about the world not only like 'God Bless America' sort of thing but God bless the world, because we're all together. We're living on the same world, you know? And not alone. Sometimes people forget. This is why we have fights all over the world. Of course you can't stop them, but still pick an issue, maybe in the future. Of course it goes into politics a little bit. Maybe. Who knows what I'll do? But I don't really see this sort of role. I'd like to be more of an ambassador."

- Roger Federer on whether he would ever go into politics.

By Alix Ramsay

Ladies and gentlemen, we bring you – for one night and one night only – the Roger and Andy Show. It will be the 18th episode of the everyday story of Grand Slam winning folk, a heart-warming tale of two decent blokes who wear shorts to work and terrify their workmates with the wave of a racquet. 

As with most soap operas, the plot tends to be a little repetitive and you can easily miss out a couple of seasons, return to the action and pick up where you left off. Oh look, there's the lovely Roger, and he's winning. Ah, there's the lovely Andy, and he's losing. 

Poor Roddick has tried everything he can think of to get the better of Federer, and yet he has only managed two wins in 17 previous meetings. Even then, he needed Federer's help to win.

Back in 2003, the Swiss had not evolved into the Mighty Fed and, with only one Wimbledon title to his name, he was still only the Awfully-Good-And-Might-Just-Turn-Into-A-Legend-So-Let's-Just-Wait-And-See Fed. As he faced Roddick in the semifinals of the Montreal Masters, he knew that a victory would give him the world No. 1 ranking. And he choked. Couldn't serve for trembling. Couldn't win for nerves. Admittedly, it was the last time that happened to Federer as he set off on the path to true greatness, but the moment was enough to give Roddick his first win.

That was back in the days of Roddick's pomp. That summer he swept all before him, losing just two matches from the day he walked out of the French Open to the night he lifted the US Open trophy. Unsurprisingly, one of those matches was to Federer in the Wimbledon semifinals, but Roddick was on his way to ending the year as the world No. 1. Alas, by the time that summer was over, the Swiss had become the Mighty Fed - and that was the end of that.

Roddick's only other chance to win came last year when he ambushed a slightly crook Federer in the quarterfinals of the Miami Masters. Suffering from glandular fever at the start of the year, not even Federer realised quite how long the after-effects would linger, and it was not until he got to the US Open in September that he began to feel like his old self. So when Roddick ran into him in March, the American took full advantage of an under-par opponent and did for him in three sets.

You would think that Roddick would be sick of the sight of Federer by now, but he and his Swiss rival seem to have formed a mutual appreciation society. They have known each other for half a lifetime, and much as Roddick may be fed up with losing, he will not have anyone else knocking his mate. So, as the critics and the pundits spent most of last year writing Federer's obituary, Roddick fumed.

"I was really happy to see Roger win the US Open last year," Roddick said. "If I'm being frank with you guys, he was a lot classier in that press conference with everyone here than I would have been if I was in that position. 

"He has nothing to prove. He's the greatest. He's created quite an animal for himself, where if someone wins a set they're questioning his form. The guy made two finals, a semi, and won a Slam last year, and people are saying he's off form. I think he deserves a lot more respect than that."

Roddick, too, deserves more respect than his record against Federer suggests. Not only is he slimmer, trimmer and faster than he has ever been, he is also a more mature competitor this year. Where in the past, Roddick might have started to fret when things did not go his way, now he sticks to his game plan, goes back to the basics and tries again.

Against Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, his serve and his forehand were the expected weapons, but his backhand was a much improved shot. Not only that, when any stroke went off the boil, he did not panic but, rather, he tried it again and made sure he got it right.

The change in Roddick has not gone unnoticed. Federer has played Roddick in the good times, when the American was at his best, and he has played him when Roddick has been struggling. Now Fed is just pleased to be playing Roddick at all, whatever shape he's in. Then again, with that 15-2 winning record over A-Rod going into the match, it is no wonder he is pleased to see his old mate again.

"I'm excited playing Andy," Federer said. "I'm happy for him. He's doing well here again. He's one of my generation who was able to stay at this level for, what is it five, six years now? Maybe even more, because he came up in 2003 and won then. So he's already been up there for a long time and never really fell out of the top 15. That's rock-solid. 

"That's why I'm excited to play against him and seeing him create an upset in a big tournament. That's what's kind of been missing for him in the big tournaments lately."

Judging by the way Federer marmelised Juan Martin Del Potro on Tuesday night, he is feeling confident. Judging by the way Roddick has been underplaying his chances of late, is seems that he is just enjoying the ride. It all bodes well for a belting semifinal. Episode 18 of the Roger and Andy Show, 7.30pm on Thursday. Do not adjust your set …

Roger tells Djokovic's parents to be quiet! Apparently, after Djokovic's ball was called out, Djokovic's parents were telling Roger to check the mark. Roger cleaned the mark because he knew it was in and gave the point to Djokovic. 

"Roger, idiot!"

"Oh, quel idiot!"

Too hard on yourself, Roger!

DOWNLOAD 2009 TOUR CALENDER

The first issue of tennishead e-zine FREE: January 2009

http://cde.cerosmedia.com/1X496ccd4ed808e530.cde

People compare Ana and Maria because both are top players and on a grand slam stage Maria always looks glamorous while Ana often looks too ordinary, wearing the outfits she wore before a grand slam event. I would like to see Ana in something more special, the colour of her Australian Open 2009 dress was not bad. Maria, on the other hand, is currently the leader when it comes to on court fashion, I'm always excited about her outfits.

muffled takbeer:

not muffled? :

http://maniacmuslim.com/articles/

RUMORS [prologue] by Anna Godbersen:

http://www.theluxebooks.com/images/pdf/rumors_prologue.pdf

ENVY [chapter 1] by Anna Godbersen:

http://www.theluxebooks.com/images/pdf/envy_ch1.pdf

Jealous whispers. 

Old rivalries. 

New betrayals. 

Two months after Elizabeth Holland's dramatic homecoming, Manhattan eagerly awaits her return to the pinnacle of society. When Elizabeth refuses to rejoin her sister Diana's side, however, those watching New York's favorite family begin to suspect that all is not as it seems behind the stately doors of No. 17 Gramercy Park South. 

Farther uptown, Henry and Penelope Schoonmaker are the city's most celebrated couple. But despite the glittering diamond ring on Penelope's finger, the newlyweds share little more than scorn for each other. And while the newspapers call Penelope's social-climbing best friend, Carolina Broad, an heiress, her fortune—and her fame—are anything but secure, especially now that one of society's darlings is slipping tales to the eager press. 

In this next thrilling installment of Anna Godbersen's bestselling Luxe series, Manhattan's most envied residents appear to have everything they desire: Wealth. Beauty. Happiness. But sometimes the most practiced smiles hide the most scandalous secrets. . . .

The Luxe Novels:

If only you knew then what you know now! Imagine if you could go back ten years and meet your younger self -- would you recognise her? And what advice would you give? Wear sunscreen! Back away from those PVC trousers? DON'T give that idiot your phone number? Lemon juice won't bleach your hair -- it just attracts wasps! He's the one - don't let him go! For Charlotte Merryweather, there's no need to imagine. She's about to find out for real. With surprising consequences! Alexandra Potter's deliciously funny and enchanting romantic comedy looks at life, love and what might happen if you could turn back time.

Other books by Alexandra Potter:

Australian Open Day 9 Schedule of Play:

Rod Laver Arena (Start 19:30*)

    Women's Singles - Quarterfinals
  Dinara Safina(RUS)[3] vs. Jelena Dokic(AUS)
    Men's Singles - Quarterfinals
  Juan Martin Del Potro(ARG)[8] vs. Roger Federer(SUI)[2]

*Melbourne Time

Aussie Open live TV streams here! 

http://www.rojadirecta.com/canal/australian_open_1.htm

Australian Open 2009:

Roger Federer fought back and won his 4th round match against Tomas Berdych! Congratulations Federrettes! 

What an intense fist-gripping jaw-clenching loud-screaming match! I havent 'enjoyed' this much tennis tension since Wimbledon 2008 final. It was so refreshing to see Roger fight back and scream his heart out after taking the 5th set.