30 Days of Tennis Challenge | Daily Scores - The Blog

Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Day 18 – Favorite men’s outfit

Day 19 – Who were the #1 the day you were born

Day 20 – Favorite men’s Slam champion

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Grand Slams, Thought, WTA Tagged with 145 combined slam titles lol, 18 singles grand slams, 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, go navrs go, martina navratilova, something like

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 20: Favorite men’s Slam champion

August 16, 2011 4 Comments

So please correct me if I’m wrong, but unless you’re traditionally a fan of underdogs (or Andy Murray) either your favorite or favorite retired men’s player will feature here, right?

At least that’s what they’re expecting you to do. But if I were predictable, you wouldn’t be here, I guess. I guess you wouldn’t be here. And guess I’m unpredictable too.

Very well. That’s why I will pay tribute to one of the best players I’ve never watched live.

McEnroe kisses his last Grand Slam trophy, the '84 US Open

Winner of seven Grand Slam shields from 1979 and 1984 (four US Open and three Wimbledon) and 77 overall titles, John McEnroe is the father of all the fiery, umpire-unfriendly, line call-arguer, racquet-breaking player out there. In other words, he is awesome – even today. And oh, did I mention he was an outstanding doubles player too, capping 71 titles (most with Peter Fleming) and still today holds the record for most consecutive and overall weeks as the head of the doubles ranking?

Mac was like, the Navratilova of his time. Kinda. What else? Oh, right. Big Mac was Nole before Nole – capping a 88-3 season in 1984, winning two of the three Slams (nobody played the Aussie Open back then) – only failing to do so at the French Open, where squandered a two-set lead on Ivan Lendl.

McEnroe spent over 100 weeks as the ATP #1 and finished his singles career at the end of the 1992 season. He still plays tennis on the Champions Tour.

Useful:

Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Day 18 – Favorite men’s outfit

Day 19 – Who were the #1 the day you were born

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, ATP, Grand Slams, Thought Tagged with 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, 88-3 in 1984, Firen, He rocks, John McEnroe, Seven time Slam champion, US Lefty

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 19: Which men’s and women’s player was world no. 1 on the day you were born

August 14, 2011 2 Comments

Awful Sunday to finish a great weekend. How fucking awesome. Let’s do it quick, then.

I was born on June, 24th , 1992.

def. Korda in the final

On the men’s side, Jim Courier was on his second term as number one, on which he spent 22 weeks, ranking from 13.04 to 13.09 – five months, hence.

Back in the day, Courier had won the Australian Open, and lost the finals in San Francisco and Brussels, before ascending to #1 for the first time. On the week I was born, Jimmy was in Wimbledon, with a mediocre outcome: third round loss to #193 Olhovskiy in the third round, after beating #59 Zoecke and #109 Black in the first two matches.

Courier finished 1992 as #1 in the world – his only YTD finish as the leader of the board.

THE 1990s: When 10-yo girls could win Grand Slams.

On the ladies’ side, it was Monica Seles’ time to shine. She was alternating time at #1 with Graf since May, 1991, but by June, ’92, Monica was on her third – and longest – term, which started by 09.09.1991 and would last until June, 6th, 1993.

Seles’ 1992 season started with 19 consecutive wins – ranging from the Australian Open to Miami, and crowned with only one set lost, seven bagels and three tournaments won – only stopped by Jennifer Capriati. Seles then won 12 more, claiming Houston and Barcelona titles before losing to Sabatini in Rome final.

In the day I was born, she was probably winning at Wimbledon – she made it all the way to the finals there, before losing to Graf. Summing it up, Monica Seles finished the 1992 season with a 70-5 record, 3-1 record in Grand Slam finals, only one final missed, in Miami, and 10 titles.

Useful:

Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Day 18 – Favorite men’s outfit

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, ATP, Grand Slams, Random, Thought, WTA Tagged with 24.06.1992, 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Jim Courier, Monica Seles

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 18: Favorite men’s outfit

August 13, 2011 6 Comments

Three words, one for each stripe: Three Stri Pes. (Ehhhh, poetic license?)

I’m an Adidas fanboy. There’s no reason to deny it. Since 2007, I only wear Adidas shoes. My favorite football teams – Palmeiras, Bayern München, Liverpool and Ajax – all are sponsored by Adidas, which me gusta. I have this admiration for the German company. And it’s not because of this personal preference I like their tennis apparel. Nope. It’s the other way around, in fact.

This one.

Jurgen Melzer’s 2009 Indian Wells outfit. Was the first tennis outfit I glanced at and said: ‘WANT!’. Even today, I’m still looking forward to acquire the green Barricade – though I’m reluctant in paying 400 bucks on a pair of shoes.

Special mentions:

Andy Murray, Australian Open 2011

Rafael Nadal, Roland Garros 2010

Richard Gasquet, Lacoste 2011

Florian Mayer/Gilles Simon, Hamburg 2011

Roger Federer, US Open 2009

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Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, ATP, Pics, Random, Thought Tagged with 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, adi dassler, adidas, adidas fanboy, Federer, Gasquet, indian well 2009, lacoste, melzer, Murray, Nike, simon, three stripes

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 17: Favorite women’s outfit

August 13, 2011 6 Comments

For the great part of the people, tennis fans or not, outfits are simply… outfits. When a designer, in the headquarters of Nike, Adidas, Lacoste, etc., sit in his/her room and start drawing sketches, the biggest intention there is selling, making revenue for the company.

Well, it may be true. But sometimes the child of this fashion intercourse becomes more than only a piece of apparel. Sometimes it fails you hard – like the ’09 pink shirt Nadal wore at Roland Garros – or sometimes, in case of the ladies, brings to places you’ve never been before. It’s like a gift card on a MMORPG. Pure magic.

No further explanation needed

Just like the chosen one here. Designed by an undisclosed Nike employee, to whom I would appreciate just saying ‘thank you’, the Victoria Azarenka’s white dress, or simply The Almighty White Dress was there when Vika peaked in the 2011 and rose to set new career highs in consecutive.

She was wearing the blue headband when she beat Kim in Key Biscayne – same Key Biscayne event that saw her obliterating Vera Zvonareva and then getting rid of Sharapova en route to the title. Coincidence? Nop. Dress.

Vika then started her European swing in Marbella, claiming five more wins en route to the title. By then, she had won a career-best 9 or 10 consecutive matches. On to Madrid, Azarenka steamrolled through the early rounds, dropping only five games until the quarterfinals. In case you still want clarifications, she was sporting the white kit there too.

Unfortunately, Victoria lost in the finals to Kvitova, who put an end to the magic. I’m not sure the Belarus-born player had still her gown (wedding gown. She was getting married to victories) on when retired against Sharapova in Rome, but the fact is, Nike tried an alternative version – purple and black – for Roland Garros. Way too gothic, was stopped by other Nike-girl, Li Na, in the quarterfinals.

And in case you still have doubts about the quality of the Dress, I recommend you to check this post I wrote, breaking down Sabine Lisicki’s recent success at the Birmingham tournament. And pay attention to the last phrase of the aforementioned article: “Well done, Nike. I hadn’t seen a single dress inflict so much damage since the Monica Lewinsky days”. Or something like.

Useful:

Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Random, Thought, WTA Tagged with 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Hottttttttttttttt, Madrid (final), Marbella, The Almighty White Dress, Vika, White dress + Vika = Miami

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 16: Most attractive men’s player

August 11, 2011 4 Comments

I could totally skip this day. But meh, this is business and the tennis challenge is supposed to be taken seriously. That’s what I’m doing, then.

Dinara!!!!!!!!!!

No suspense this time. The chosen one is Marat Safin. Girls want him. Boys want to be like him. And he was decent at this tennis thing. Plus:

First, even my mom had a crush on him. Second, I guess I have never seen a girl that doesn’t find him hot. Third, I had to pick someone. Fourth, you’re never going to see a pic of a shirtless man on this blog.

That’s it.

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Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, ATP, Random Tagged with 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Marat Safin, Whatever, wtf really this topic

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 15: Most attractive women’s player

August 10, 2011 6 Comments

“Oooooh, we’re halfway there. Ooooooh, living on a prayer. Take my hand, we will make it, I swear. Oooooh, Living. On. A prayer”.

What the hell is Bon Jovi doing here?, you might ask yourself. The first phrase, you know? Halfway there. To celebrate the 15^th post of the 30 days of tennis challenge. Halfway there. 15 to go. In the end I’m gonna miss it, totally will.

And by the way, have you noticed how often I’m using ‘edginess’ and ‘sleepiness’ as excuses to make shorter posts? Why would today be different? It’s close to 11 p.m. here, and I’m feeling weird for no reason. I just need a full night of sleep and rest. Ich brauche!

To the chase. I warn you even though guys who don’t have the slightest idea of who they are and what they do for a living would say ‘Dang, these gals are hawt!’ when staring to a photoshooting of Ana Ivanovic or Sharapova, she won’t be here. Why? Well, I’m avoiding the clichés.

Ladies and gentlement... ok, gentlement, clap your hands for Daniela Hantuchova

This means the chosen one, by a naughty face of difference, is Daniela Hantuchova. The last phrase explains it all. I was torn between her and Vika. You know, she’s too skinny for my standards, and too tall. She’s not the kind of girl I’d date in real life – though it’s not really my call hahaha – but what can I do? She’s extremely hot. Or attractive, whatever.

YOU NAUGHTY

Periguete. But WHO FUCKING CARES?

SMILES: Make the world a better place

There’s not much left to be said here.

Useful:

Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Random, WTA Tagged with 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Dani, Daniela Hantuchova, Danka, Hawt, HOTTTTTTTT, Smiles :)

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 14: Favorite non-Slam tournament

August 9, 2011 6 Comments

Favorite non-Slam tournament. Just like ‘earliest tennis moment’, it’s one of those fill-the-lacuna moments of the challenge. Who cares, really? It feels like those ‘What are the five things you can’t live without’ questions. Why in the name of God someone would care? But whatever. I don’t make the rules – just follow them. I will take this day as a mission. I have to go through this and pass in order to unlock the next day. Let’s nail it.

Kim has just retired against Zheng. No caption today. Fuck off.

Had to think about this one a bit, but decided to go with the AEGON Championships – or simply Queen’s Club.

Held at the club of Elizabeth II, as the name may suggest in London, it is one of the most glamorous, interesting and amazing tennis events of the whole year – though it’s relegated and faded to be forever a 250 tournament – unless ATP stops bitching and increases the grass season (hot tip, ATP ).

One of the few 250s to stand with a bigger draw, Queen’s was widely dominated by Andy Roddick and Lleyton Hewitt – two of the best grass-courters before the all-courters burst into scene – as they are tied with four titles apiece. This alone is enough to justify my choice.

And there’s also the landscape, the grass, the fact Queen’s is a landmark of the end of the clay season and start of the diminutive grass swing…

I considered choosing:

Rotterdam – Ultra-fast courts, twice won by Robin Soderling. I like it.

Brisbane – Andy Roddick, the first big tournament of the season.

Luxembourg WTA – Kimmie won it, like, a dozen times.

Useful:

Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, ATP, Random, Thought Tagged with 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, No Tags today, Queen's, Roddick's home

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 13: Your favorite Grand Slam tournament

August 8, 2011 4 Comments

Last time I checked, we had four Slams. In theory, this means 25% of chance for each to be picked today. Theory. Different than practice, we know. Whatever. This is the third post I’m writing today, I’m feeling sleepy and don’t feel like I have lots to talk about this one.

Australia has the heat and the upsets. It’s a lovely tournament. The United States has the biggest complex in the world and is the Grand Slam where my all-time faves – Kim and Andy – won most (and in case of Roddick, only) of their Major titles. And Roland Garros has… well, French people?

Wimbledon has the traditions – no sponsoring, the same Slazenger balls, the white clothes, the Middle Sunday, the ball. Wimbledon is where the big guys made their name at. Sampras, Laver, Federer, Graf, Navratilova. They all won multiple Slams – some of them, the four – but it’s Wimbledon that made them famous.

Maybe because grass is the most peculiar surface of the sport – the only living one, as said by a local commie. The one with the shortest swing during the season – only four weeks, five for ATP if you take Newport in consideration. Maybe because it is – or was – the fastest of all the surfaces, demanding extra effort – mainly serving – in order to maximize the results.

Or maybe all these factors can be summarized in two words: simply Wimbledon.

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Day 12 – A player that you aren’t a fan of but you respect

Filed under 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Grand Slams, Random, Thought Tagged with 30 Days of Tennis Challenge, Grass is cold, Grass is good, Holy grass, I wanna see it painted, painted in Grass, Rolling Stones, Wimbledon

30 Days of Tennis Challenge – Day 12: A player you aren’t a fan of but respect

August 7, 2011 7 Comments

Sunday. That adorable day when you can’t get anything right. Even writing a prologue for the post of the day is a difficult task to accomplish. As I write these words, there are still one full hour left to the start of Washington finals. I’m sleepy, lazy and listening to Nightwish. Oh, I’m also sitting on my bed with my laptop on my lap. Really, this couldn’t be more Sunday-esque.

After those thin lines about my personal life, only to keep the suspense in the air, here it is, the player I’m not a fan of, but respect.

She has already won bigger trophies than this one.

I don’t like her game, fact. I don’t like how she plays an excessive number of tournaments per year, fact. But I respect her enough to see her merits in ascending to the number 1.

So, Serena was injured. So what? We should keep her ranking in a plastic bubble? Nops. So, Kim has decided not to play a full schedule. Should we double the points of the events she plays? Nops. So, Sharapova is almost a mix of the previous two. And…?

Critics can be made. And the asterisk – we all know why – has all the rights be put there. But tennis is, essentially, cumulating points. And in 42 of the last 43 weeks (something like) nobody has been more effective in that than Caroline Wozniacki. Of course, the greatest part of them come from non-Slams events. But she’s already won plenty of tournaments (only Sharapova, Kim, Venus and Serena have more among the actives) and matches against direct opponents – enough to put her as the leading horse of this new generation of Azarenka, Aggie, Kvits. So I giver her the credit, already.

With a message I shall finish: You’re not mandated to love everyone. You’re free to dislike whoever you please. But don’t pretend that’s because she has never won a Slam or stuff like that when it’s simple and purely… hate.

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