American harcourt season begins

US Open Series got under way this week!

The US Open Series is the six-week summer tennis "season" linking 10 ATP Tour and Sony Ericsson WTA Tour tournaments together. The Series leads to the US Open. It is often referred to as the U.S. or North American hard court season. Points are accumulated and distributed (see below) based on a player's success in the designated summer hard court tournaments. The winner of the US Open Series receives more money depending on his success in the US Open. For example, in 2007 Federer won the US Open series and went on to win the US Open, winning $1.4 million plus the US Open Series bonus of $1 million, bringing his prize winning total to $2.4 million. Lot of money and definitely an incentive to play and do well.

Round ATP Masters 1000
Champion 100
Finalist 70
Semifinalist 45
Quarterfinalist 25
Round of 16 15

ATP World Tour 500

Champion 70
Finalist 45
Semifinalist 25
Quarterfinalist 15
Round of 16 N/A

Robby Genepri started off the summer hardcourt season with a win in Indianapolis. He won an All-American final against the up and coming Sam Querrey. Side note (Querrey has gotten a set off of Nadal on both hardcourt and claycourt before. Not a win, but a couple sets.

Nonetheless, neither one of these guys will win the US Open Series or US Open. The winner of the US Open Series will be one of the hard hittas such as Murray, DelPotro, Roddick, Nadal, Federer, Soderling, Djokovic, Verdasco, and Tsonga.

HOWEVA, Federer just had twins with his wife and has practically no points to defend because he did so poorly last year. Fed has nothing to lose and not terribly much to play for. If he plays it helps his ranking and if he doesn't play he doesn't lose much and is spending time with his newborns and his wife. Fed should probably play less and less to preserve his body. That being said, I don't expect Fed to play.

Rafa, on the otherhand is coming off knee problems, HAS to have some doubt, hardcourt is definitely his worst surface and the hardest on his body, and he has a boucou of points to defend. He has everything to lose. Infact, Murray could pass Rafa and Fed this fall depending on his success. That being said, I expect Rafa to get to the quarterfinals in both tournaments which is pretty darn good.

Then we have Andy Murray. Murray is as polarizing as they come, but I don't get why. Well I kind of do. He is somewhat petulant and has a look of "I don't give a you know what." But, his game is great. His fitness is unparalleled. And, he is crazy young. He turned pro in 2005 and is only 22. Expect Murray to be #2 on the US Open Series leaderboard at the start of the USOpen.

Finally, there is Andy Roddick. Roddick's game benefits from the hardcourts, he is rested, and he will probably play more tournaments than the other big name players.

Nole is talented, but he is falling off and due to lose to a rando.

DelPotro has a million points to defend from last year and may be approaching burn out for the year.

Verdasco, has a really good lefty baseline game that is very well suited for the American hardcourts.

Tsonga is very good, but has issues with consistency and a slight injury proneness.

Soderling, is hot and is starting to prove that the Nadal defeat was absolutely NOT a fluke.

Sporty nation, I don't know what will happen in the next 6 weeks and 10 tournaments, but I do not we are all in for some great tennis and storylines. The US Open is right around the corner! Get ready. This is my Minority Report.

Gilles imitates Gigli

Gilles Simon does his best Gigli impression ever. For you non-movie buffs, Gigli is one of the worst movies ever. It has literally won awards for this honor, but back to tennis.

Gilles Simon lost to Daniel Brands, a German qualifier, today in Hamburg, the former Master Series event.

This was a pretty big defeat for Gilles. Please note that Gilles Simon is a 25 year-old accomplished French tennis player. He has a lot of game. He is the 7th ranked player on Earth. Gilles has won more money in a single tournament than his opponent has in his entire career including doubles and singles. And, Simon has never lost to the best player in the World and maybe history. Simon is 2-0 against Roger Federer, but couldn't beat a guy who consistently plays guys ranked in the 200s. Tennis players that have to play in the qualifies do not get automatic bids to major or main tournaments and have to play in the week before the major tournament to just get the opportunity to play in the main tournament, and once in the tournament they draw top players. This is very similar to a play in game in NCAA hoops. For a little more perspective, qualifier spectator tickets are like $3. Simon lost to this qualifier.

France has had ups and downs of late with the unexpected death of Mathieu Montcourt and then the IMMENSELY talented Richard Gasquet getting off with a bogus cocaine consumption story, and finally Simon inexplicably losing to a rando.

Sporty nation this is my Minority Report.

Golf is NOT a sport.

The Open Championship or simply The Open or the British Open which it is called outside of England is a quirky, funky yet difficult “major” professional golf tournament. Year after year unexpected golfers like the train wreck John Daly and the tragedy known as Jean Van win, contend, and compete, and this year was no exception.

Tom Watson, a 59 year old golfer that last one a major tournament in 1983 (26 years ago), found himself in contention to win the Open Championship from day 1 all the way to the final day and the final minutes of the tournament. Watson chipped well, drove the ball deep and accurately, and made puts from everywhere (uphill, downhill, left, right, and far away). Simply put, he played exceptionally well. But, how could this be?! Golf is a sport. Right? However, as Corso says, “Not so fast my friend!”

Tom Watson almost won the Open because golf is not a sport. Stewart Cink won the Open because golf is not a sport, and Tiger Woods missed the cut because golf is not a sport.

Golf is a highly skilled activity that most anyone can play. Members from Corporate America, football players, basketball players, politicians, men, women, children, out of shape people, unhealthy people, and old people play golf and do exceedingly well on the golf course! Golf is an activity and not a sport.

To further illustrate the shortcomings of golf, please see the list below.

-Today, Michael Jordan played golf while simultaneously smoking a cigar. What “sport” can you puff a cigar while playing?

-John McCain I mean Tom Watson (whom is a cohort of Jack Nicklaus) almost won The Open. Is there such thing of a sport where age does not matter? Should your dad or grandfather be able to compete with 20 something year olds?



-Tony Romo and Ben Roethlisberger whom play golf as their second sport and cannot dedicate a lot of time to golf because they are starting NFL quarterbacks, can play on par with professional golfers every once in a while.

-John Daly is addicted to cigarettes, is an alcoholic, and has a weight problem. Daly famously refused to partake in the British Open Champions Dinner because "You can't get this fat boy into a suit." Daly has also admitted that has admitted the only reason he does not lift weights is because the health club does not let him smoke there and he would get sick after he worked out. John Daly has won the Open Championship, the PGA Championship, and has placed 3rd at the Masters. Daly almost won 3 of the 4 majors. But, he does have soft hands and a pretty good short game. How can this guy be successful? He can be successful because golf is not a sport.



Sportynation, this blogpost emerged from the shock of Tom Watson almost winning The Open Championship and Tiger Woods missing the cut. The Open Championships of 2009 also led me to consider the travesty of Tiger Woods winning athlete of the year multiple times. I love Tiger Woods and what he has done to golf and how he has impacted the world, but he cannot be the athlete of the year under any cirumstances. Should and/or could Earl Williams or win athlete of the year? And, do you know who these two people are? These are two of the greatest bowlers ever. Sportynation, are you going to argue that bowling is a sport? It is practically the same thing as golf. It is just perceived differently.

Golf is a really cool activity, but it is no sport. As “The Dan LeBatard Show” says so so frequently. If aliens come to earth and challenge the humans to a battle and we need to present our absolute best athlete are you going to pick Tiger, or John Daly, or Watson? Of course you will not. However, you just may be Usain Bolt, LeBron James, Michael Phelps, or Brock Lesnar.




Sportynation this is my Minority Report.

Rubio should buy a dog.

With the 5th pick in the 2009 NBA Draft, the Minnesota Timberwolves select Ricky Rubio from Spain.

Ricky Rubio was proclaimed to be the 2nd best player in the 2009 draft. He has played professionally since he was a teenager and STILL is a teenager. Rubio has vision and ability to deliver precise passes effortlessly and has been compared to the likes of Steve Nash and Bob Cousy. He has big game experience playing in the Euroleague which is without a shadow of a doubt more competitive than American college basketball, and he started for the exceptionally talented Spanish national team that had the United States on the ropes during the Summer 2008 Olympics.

That being said, Ricky Rubio is SHOOK. He is scared. And, "if you're scared, buy a dog."

The USA, the NBA, David Stern, and the Timberwolves should all be worried because this guy...this guy right here apparently doesn't want to play for the Timberwolves.

At first Rubio said, "He might play for years in the NBA without making a penny, (at least before endorsements are considered)."

Rubio says that wouldn't bother him. "I have a dream," he said. "I want to play in the NBA." If his rookie contract nets him zero, he says, "I don't care."

But then his pops says, "Ahora mismo, es muy probable que Ricky se quede uno o dos años en Europa" which means...Right now, it is possible that Ricky plays a year or two more in Europe.

And soon thereafter, "Tenemos que hablar con la gente de Minnesota ... y ver lo que pasa, porque, a estas horas, podemos estar en Minnesota o en otra parte", declaraba" which means that they are going to talk to the Minnesota people and see what happens. They may or may not be in Minnesota.

And to top it all off, Rubio exclaims that Minnesota is too cold and he may stay in Spain for a few more years...

Huh? Wait a second...

This guy is really really good, has a lot of experience, initially seemed to want to play in the NBA, worked out for a few teams, talked to scouts and players, and NOW seems to be having second thoughts.

This guy would rather continue to make $90,000 and compete against lesser talented players, teams, and organizations.

Now, do you want that guy to lead your team? He's scared. That's weak! Do you see LeBron saying that? Do you see Kobe saying that? Or what about CP3? I'm willing to go out on a limb and say that CP3 dreams about playing against Rubio and eating this guy alive!



These guys are NOT scared. Rubio however...

Sportynation, be very very concerned. This guy will be in the NBA sooner or later. He could be great, but he could be an overhyped European that lacks the stereotypical "toughness."

This is my Minority Report.

Men's Semi-Final day

Murray vs. Roddick is clearly the match of the day. Murray is playing in his homeland UK in front of millions and Roddick is playing for the U.S. However, the Today show is currently on followed by Martha Stewart on the East Coast. On the West Coast from 9-12, there is two hours of the Today show, local news, and then Access Hollywood.

DO you think that NBC knew that the MAJORITY of the country is off work today?

Tape delay at its greatest.

Sporty nation, this is a mini Minority Report. More updates today.

R.I.P. Safina where amazing happens?

"She's just too good on grass," Safina said. "It's not my favorite surface, and it's her favorite surface. I think she gave me a pretty good lesson today."

Who said that?!

The above quote is from the number 1 player in the world...

...

Speechless right?

Ok, I'm back. Venus was credited with just one unforced error in the match. She had 16 winners, while Safina had 16 unforced errors and six winners. Venus beat the #1 player in the world in 51 minutes after Serena won an instant classic battle that took 2 hours, 49 minutes in the longest women's semifinal at Wimbledon in at least 40 years which has already being called the match of the year. Serena probably should have lost this match as Elena was smacking the crap out of the ball and hitting lines left and right. She even had a match point, but miraculously lost. That being said, she played well and just got unlucky.

Safina clearly #1 player in the world...right?

Women's tennis is clearly jacked up, but whatever. We delve further into the Women's final tomorrow between these two fantastic young ladies. Before I forget, sporty nation, the William's sisters play the "#1" doubles team tomorrow in the semifinals. Kinda cool and strange at the same time right?

Next,

Haas plays Federer tomorrow morning at 8am EST. Federer is the favorite, but don't forget that Federer probably should have lost to Haas in the French Open after being down 2 sets to love and a break of Serve. But, Federer was seemingly just letting Hass win so that he could get "practice." Atleast, that was the feeling after he came back and started blitzing like coach Boone from remember the Titans. Sheesh. That being said, Federer should win tomorrow in 3 to 4 sets due to his unbelievable attack came which can be characterized as one of the best if not the best in history and his amazing variety. That is, Fed uses his sublime forehand and then you are running your but off.

Fed wins.

Soon thereafter, Murray meets with ARod. ARod, is a significantly better version of the one dimensional Karlovic, and Grass suits his big serving game. The reason Murray will win is that ARod's game lacks variety, and Murray is full of all kinds of variety. Roddick will depend heavily on his serve tomorrow morning and Murray will chip it back, get in the point, counter punch, take the advantage of the point, and then win. If Roddick's serve is off, it could get ugly.

Murray wins.

Sporty nation, this is my Minority Report. Expect post to come throughout the next 3 days.