Bleacher Report - Articles by Zip

James Blake Returns to Tennis World with First Round Match in Cincinnati

Zip — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 20:25:10 -0400

James Blake has been on a mini-hiatus for about a month now, but he makes his triumphant return to the game today against Igor Kunitsyn from Russia. In Blake’s mid-July Davis Cup match against Croatia, he broke the big toe on his right foot. Unfortunately, the injury put him out of commission for most of the summer hard court season.

“I’ve only been back practicing for a week but I feel pretty good." Blake said. "My legs feel really strong from the workouts and now it is just a matter of getting the timing back.”

While any injury is tough to overcome, a broken toe seems slightly minor compared to the broken neck he suffered back in 2004 which hampered his game throughout the 2005 season as well.

“It took me awhile to get back in 05’ and I just need to do the same things I was focusing on then which is to play my best, keep getting better, and appreciate when I am back and healthy,” he said.

However, Blake is confident that with his age and experience, he will return to top form.

“Luckily being a little older I’m better at putting things into perspective and realizing that if I play one or two bad matches or tournaments it doesn’t mean my career is ending,” Blake added.

The Cincinnati fans will certainly root for him as he is often known to have his own personal “J-Block” groupies cheer him on from the stands.

“The Cincinnati tournament is perfect preparation for the U.S. Open." Blake said. "It’s always hot, the fans are great, and I’ve had a lot of fun here.”

Throughout his career, Blake has put together some solid performances in Cincinnati. Most recently, Blake played runner-up to Roger Federer in 2007. Back in 2002, he paired up with fellow American Todd Martin to win the doubles title.

“It seems like when I’ve done well here I’ve also done well at the Open.” Blake said.

Blake is especially excited for the U.S. Open this year, which begins the week after the Cincinnati tournament. At the Open, Blake will launch his new clothing line sponsored by Fila. The “Thomas Reynolds” collection is named after his father who died in 2004 from stomach cancer.

“It’s something that I’ve been working on all year and I’m really proud of it." Blake said. "Hopefully it’s something that can be a great honor for my father.”

Before Blake can make a run for it at the U.S. Open, he must get past first round opponent Igor Kunitsyn. Blake is the third match on Center Court today.

“I could have a little stretch where I am not playing my best, but as long as I weather the storm, I think I can pull it together enough to play a pretty darn good match,” said Blake.

June Is The Best Sports Month

Zip — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 14:10:31 -0400

June is the best sports month hands down. Some may argue it's April because of NCAA basketball, the beginning of baseball season, and the Masters. Some may say it's February because of the Superbowl. However, those people would be wrong.

Actually they wouldn't be wrong—merely different strokes for different folks. Therefore, in my case, June is without a doubt the best sports month and here is why. In June we have the NBA Finals, U.S. Open, Wimbledon, baseball, and of course the kick start to summer.

Take last year for example. June played witness to some of the greatest athletic competitions to date.

NBA Finals (June 5-17)

The Los Angeles Lakers and the Boston Celtics met up for a record 11th time in the NBA Finals.

Unfortunately, it wasn't the most exciting of finals. The Celtics continued their dominance over the Lakers giving them a 9-2 overall record in the finals. Nevertheless, it was a historic matchup.

The Celtics took games one and two at home. The Lakers tried to even up the series but only managed two of three games on their home turf. By the time, the championship shifted back to Boston, the momentum was clearly in the favor of the Celtics.

Boston destroyed L.A. in game 6 winning 131-92. It was a blowout to say the least. The win gave the Celtics their record 17th championship and Paul Pierce took home the MVP.

U.S. Open (June 12-16)

Tiger Woods won the U.S. Open in an epic 18 hole and then sudden death playoff over fan favorite Rocco Mediate.

Over the course of the five day competition Tiger made some unbelievable shots to keep himself in contention.

He had two eagles on the back nine of the third round as well as a chip in birdie on the 17th. Let's not forget the dramatic finish on the 18th hole of regulation. Tiger was one back of Mediate in need of a birdie to tie and finish under par.

Well Tiger performed like he always does and sunk a 12 foot putt to force a playoff. The crowd was in an uproar.

Both players finished at par in the 18 hole playoff. On the sudden death hole, Tiger shot a par while Mediate made bogey ending his magical trip at the Open.

Did I forget to mention that Tiger played all four (make that five) rounds while wincing in pain from the damage in his left knee? Oops, my bad. Well he did.

Wimbledon (June 23-July 6)

Rafael Nadal defeated five-time defending champion Roger Federer in an epic five-setter that spanned the course of four hours and forty-eight minutes because of rain delays, making it the longest Wimbledon final ever.

The final score was 6-4, 6-4, 6-7, 6-7, 9-7.

Nadal took the first set 6-4. In the second, Nadal came back from being down 4-1 and rattled off five straight games. The third set went to a tiebreak in which Federer won 7-5.

The fourth set also went to a tiebreak but things were a bit more dramatic. Nadal took a 5-2 lead but he double faulted and eventually squandered two match points giving Federer the set with a 10-8 score in the tiebreak.

In the fifth and final set the players were interpreted by another rain delay with the score tied at 2-2. Eventually Nadal triumphed taking the set 9-7.

The win gave Nadal his 6th title of the year, 29th overall, 1st Wimbledon, and 5th Grand Slam win. He won a month earlier at the French Open having defeated Federer easily in three straight sets.

Nadal's combined wins at the French and Wimbledon were mildly historic because the last man to complete such a feat was Bjorn Borg in 1980. Rather impressive considering the little amount of time between both events.

John McEnroe claimed, "it was the greatest match I have ever seen." Agreed.

MLB

While there is nothing of special significance in June for baseball, it simply means that the MLB season is in full swing and that makes many of us happy campers.

Summer (June 21)

June 21 is the first day of summer. School is out. The weather is nice. Everyone loves summer and thus June just can't be beat—when it comes to sports or life.

Fed Express Derailed at Murray Lane

Zip — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 19:53:01 -0400

Andy Murray defeated Roger Federer 6-3, 4-6, 6-1 in the semifinals at Indian Wells. This is the fourth straight win for Murray over Federer, an impressive streak against the former world No. 1.

The only other players on tour to match such a dominant effort vs. Federer are Rafael Nadal and David Nalbandian. The 2008 U.S. Open is the last time Murray lost to Federer.

Although losing is never the desired result, Murray has certainly benefited from that loss—getting his behind in gear and maturing as a player.

Much of the credit should go to Murray, but Federer can still shoulder a good portion of the blame. He had a total of 32 unforced errors, 14 in the first set alone.

In the middle of the third set, after Murray took a spill at the baseline, it appeared as if Federer might make a charge. Instead, he lost three straight points off of his backhand giving Murray a demanding 4-1 lead.

Ever since Federer lost to Nadal at Wimbledon, or maybe even his embarrassing loss at the French, he hasn't been the same player.

While Nadal saved five match points in his thrilling fourth round match against David Nalbandian, Federer doesn't have much saved up these days.

When Nadal gets into a hole against a player, whether it is a relative unknown or a top-tier player, he never counts himself out. Federer, on the other hand, can't seem to find that extra gear against his most challenging opponents, i.e., Murray and Nadal.

Let's remember this is Federer's first tournament since his epic five-set loss to Nadal at the Aussie Open finals, so perhaps he is a bit rusty. Nevertheless, if Federer wants to claim the crown as "best ever" he has some issues to address when it comes to playing his arch rivals.

Enough about Federer though, let's turn to Murray for a second. He is playing some unbelievable tennis, racking up a 20-1 overall record for 2009. With his ticket already punched to the final, Murray can take a minute to relax.

Most likely he will face current world No. 1 Rafael Nadal, but don't count out Andy Roddick, who has also been playing some great tennis.

Either way, Murray should be confident going into the final. He has already posted wins against both potential opponents en route to title victories at Doha and Rotterdam earlier this year.

No matter who turns up on the other side of the net, get ready for some superb shot making.

Earth to Fernando Verdasco: You're Only As Good As Your Second Serve

Zip — Fri, 20 Mar 2009 14:12:01 -0400

Don't get me wrong, Fernando Verdasco is a great tennis player. He has power ground strokes, the lefty advantage and he's in tip top shape. Plus, he has an indomitable serve. Umm scratch that last one.

Verdasco's serve is far from a weapon. In fact, it is probably the one thing keeping him from beating the elite players.

Breaking into the top 10 is a nice accomplishment, but it means nothing if a player can't win when it comes down to the wire.

Although Verdasco was down 3-6, 1-4 in the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open (Indian Wells) against all-time great Roger Federer, Verdasco was primed for a comeback. And come back he did. Verdasco rattled off three straight games and eventually had a chance to serve out the second set ahead 6-5.

However, the final score of the match read 6-3, 7-6 (7-5) Federer. What happened?

Pretty simple—Verdasco's serve fell apart and thus the rest of his game followed suit.

Certainly there is pressure for anyone to close out a set. Nevertheless, a top ranked player should walk up to the baseline with confidence and get the job done.

Verdasco did just the opposite. Instead of putting pressure on Federer's return game, Verdasco put in weak first serves because he lacks confidence in his second.

In turn, he gave away points with errant double faults or produced such a weak serve that Federer had no trouble evening out the playing field with a solid return.

There is a saying in tennis, "You are only as good as your second serve." In the case of Verdasco, the saying seems to ring true.

In all honesty, even if he had pulled out the second set, he still had an uphill battle in order to beat Federer. But Verdasco at least needs to give himself a chance.

If he never seizes opportunities, then he will never have a chance to rise above the challenges. Please stop sinking below your potential and giving away points.

Verdasco played a marathon five set match against Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the Australian Open. We were witness to some of the greatest tennis shots ever, but the shot that won the match for Nadal was far from great.

Verdasco dumped a second serve into the net, and with it, handed Nadal a first class ticket to the finals. That hurts. While I feel his pain, that just can't happen—not if he wants to truly compete against the top players on the tour.

He needs to grab a bucket of balls and work out the kinks in his second serve. Not just for himself, but also for me and the other fans out there who would like to bear witness to more Verdasco fist pumps, quality Mohawk hairstyles, and brilliant tennis matches.

I'm pulling for you—I really am. But you are only as good as your second serve Fernando, so get working.

When Print News Dies, What Will I Read In The Bathroom?

Zip — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 13:48:37 -0500

Everyone keeps saying it, the newspaper industry is dying. There is even a blog titled, "New York Times Death Watch." Take heed, the end is near. However, if the day finally comes when there is no longer a newspaper to pick up at the end of the driveway, how will we cope?

Don't get me wrong I like perusing the world wide web for news as much as the next person but there is something special about physically touching a paper. The on-line world cannot replicate turning the pages of a newspaper, getting ink stains on your hands, or taking the paper into the bathroom for some heavy duty reading.

I mean seriously, what will we do? Bring Kindle (the wireless reading device) into the bathroom as we read the Sunday morning sports page. Sorry, but it won't have the same effect.

There is something truly sacred about the newspaper/bathroom combo, and while progress is always good, the death of print news is anything but positive. Reading about sports in the bathroom is a long held tradition—one that many of us hold dear.

From the sports section of the paper to a Sports Illustrated magazine, lots of reading gets done on the John. Countless times I've relived Tiger Woods victories, LeBron James triple-doubles, and Rafael Nadal/Roger Federer thrillers while sitting on the throne.

There's really nothing like it—a big bowl of cereal, a tall glass of O.J., and the morning newspaper. With a triple threat combination like that, nobody can bring us down.

Well pretty soon, or so the media moguls predict, it will no longer be cost effective to print the news. All the information we seek—from new scoring records to salacious gossip about the stars will be found on-line.

While that might be all well and good for those in the business, I'm still at a loss for the void that must be filled.

What sort of reading material will find its way onto the bathroom bookshelves when the newspaper is dead and gone? Let's hope it's something about Tiger Woods breaking the Golden Bear's golden record of 18 grand slam titles. With news like that, I may be able to turn the page and survive another day.

Searching for Volleys in the Lost and Found

Zip — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 13:09:27 -0500

As a tennis player, I never understood why someone would spend time blasting the ball back and forth from the baseline when he could just end the point at the net. Of course, with slower playing surfaces, lighter racquets, and superior string technology, tennis has become a power game from the baseline instead of the touch game at the net.

While I don't expect to see the next Patrick Rafter or Pete Sampras rise among the ranks, I would like to see more players finish points at the net. In recent years, top American Andy Roddick has ventured to the net with a decent amount of success.

No doubt Roddick has improved his volleying skills. However, the problems occur when Roddick comes in off a poor approach shot. Either his opponent passes him at the net or he is forced to hit a difficult volley.

Roddick is not the only player to suffer from such poor decision-making at the net. Perhaps in the days of wooden racquets a player could get away with hitting an okay approach shot, but with the new technology you must really hit a solid approach if you want to follow it in for a volley.

Too many professionals try to blast winners from the baseline instead of hitting precision approach shots and winning the point easily from the net. In the case of Andy Roddick, he is completely capable of hitting a solid approach, but he rarely recognizes which ball he should follow into the net.

If your opponent gets pulled off the court or pushed back into a defensive position, that is the ball to approach on. Don't give your opponent a chance to set up for a passing shot because with the talented players on the tour today, they are most likely to achieve such a feat.

Now once a player has made it to the net, he needs to understand how to win the point with a volley. The first volley following the approach shot may not be the one to end the point, depending on how good the approach shot was.

For the most part, the first volley is a set up volley. The player should hit the volley deep and low to his opponent. If the volley is effective, the opponent will either miss the ball or hit a high floater at the net that the player can angle off to win the point.

Even with the hands-on training and coaching, many professionals swing at volleys in an attempt to crush the ball. Swinging at the volley is completely unnecessary and highly ineffective. Instead, the player should merely take a small stab at the ball and angle it off the court.

The volley is such an underrated shot in today's game, but if I had the choice between a 20-ball rally or a five-shot rally ending at the net, well, I'd choose the latter every time.

Surprisingly, Rafael Nadal has a great sense of composure at the net. He knows how to cut off a volley and hit a solid approach shot. Roger Federer also hits great volleys, and he could probably benefit even more if he were to further develop that part of his game.

While there is nothing wrong with hitting a winner from the baseline, let's not forget about the existence of the net. The most offensive position in tennis occurs when a player stands at the net ready to pounce.

I, for one, am always ready.

Chris Brown Beating Rihanna Is More Shocking Than A-Rod Juicing

Zip — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 19:02:17 -0500

Saturday, SI reporter Selena Roberts revealed news that A-Rod had tested positive for steroids in 2003. Sunday, Chris Brown was sought on charges of domestic abuse for beating his girlfriend Rihanna. The latter is definitely the more surprising news of the weekend.

A-Rod is a juicer, but is that really the worst thing he has ever done? Probably not. He has a laundry list of other offenses—divorcee, home-wrecker, liar, and choker. The last one on the list is the most offensive. A-Rod fails to perform in clutch situations, and thus the Yankees have been out of the World Series the past five years.

If only he had stayed in Texas drinking the juice, the Yankees might have reached number 27 or even 28 for all-time championship titles. That's why I hate A-Rod, not because he's a cheater.

"Cheating is for losers unless it helps you win and then it's for winners," says Jerri Blank (played by Amy Sedaris) in the ridiculous comedy central show Strangers With Candy.

Well I guess cheating really is for losers because A-Rod cheated and it hasn't helped him win. Sure he won a big contract with more money anyone could use in a lifetime, but most people can't stand the guy. The approval he is looking for from the fans is constantly lacking.

I almost laughed when he continually apologized to his fans in the Peter Gammons interview. What fans? Nobody likes you.

As much as I dislike A-Rod for disgracing the Yankee uniform with his pitiful postseason play, I don't blame him for using steroids, nor do I even care. The 2003 drug test was supposed to be confidential. Plus, it was merely a survey test to find out the pervasiveness of drug use in major league baseball.

A-Rod should not be penalized for testing positive on a test that had no right to see the light of day. The person who deserves all the blame in the steroids situation is none other than baseball commissioner Bud Selig. What a waste of space.

Stop acting surprised about steroid use. Baseball players are a bunch of insecure prima donnas in need of magic juice to help them perform. Well earth to Bud Selig—if you want to clean up the steroids mess, stop bringing up the past and players who cheated. Instead, let's worry about keeping baseball clean in the present and future.

A-Rod said he has been tested about eight to 10 times since 2003 for steroid use. That's it? I was drug tested two times in the past six months. One time for college tennis and the other for a job. If you want to keep people from juicing, test them once a week.

During my random drug test experience someone checked underneath my shirt to see if I was packing a clean pee sample. The lady also watched as I peed into the cup. It was not pleasant, but certainly no way I was going to cheat the system.

If baseball doesn't hold the same standards for its players, i.e. constant testing and strict supervision during testing than what else can we expect but a league full of cheaters.

My opinion of A-Rod hasn't changed since Saturday. He's still the guy to put on the flattering blue sweater and try to make amends. He's still the guy with a ton of natural talent but lacks a genuine personality. He's still himself. He's A-Fraud.

Serena Williams Escapes The Heat And Advances

Zip — Wed, 28 Jan 2009 00:57:55 -0500

Serena Williams is just too good—especially when it counts.

After playing an atrocious opening set which she lost 7-5, the tournament director decided to close the roof. The heat threshold had been met. In turn, Serena was saved by the sun.

During the 18-minute recess required to close the retractable roof, Williams retreated to the locker room with a chance to assess her game plan and get back on track.

In the second set, Williams was still struggling to find her form. Meanwhile, her opponent Svetlana Kuznetsova continued to blast forehand winners.

The game of the match came at 5-4 on Kuznetsova's serve. The ball was on her racquet with a chance to advance to the semi-finals. Would she falter under the pressure? Would Serena rise to the occasion?

Kuznetsova missed an easy forehand volley to give Serena the break back and even the score at 5-5. Then, Williams took the next two games winning the set 7-5 to even the match. Though the score was literally even, everyone could tell that the momentum had turned in Williams' favor.

The third set came and went in a flash with Serena winning easily 6-1 to claim the victory.

Kuznetsova had her chances, but after losing her serve and an opportunity to win at 5-4 in the second she completely unraveled. The loss of confidence and belief was written all over her face.

As Kuz fell apart, Williams rose her level of play and willed herself into the semis. Serena is probably the best pressure point player on the women's tour.

Certainly the roof closing reprieve was a factor in Serena's turn around. But even if the roof had stayed open, Williams would have upped her game because she plays like a champion.

Next up for Serena is Olympic gold medalist Elena Dementieva. Williams will need to be in top form at the start of the match, but I'm sure that won't be a problem. Serena tends to peak at the right time, and the time is now.

Cheers of "Go Steelers!" From the Mouth of a Former Bengals Fan

Zip — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 17:56:11 -0500

Some might call me a traitor and a fair weather fan, but I am here to set the record straight.

After Pittsburgh's Kimo von Oelhoffen took out Bengals quarterback Carson Palmer in the opening play of the 2006 playoff game, I thought my hatred for the Steelers could never dissipate. They play dirty football and continually beat up on the poor defenseless Bengals.

The Steelers, the terrible towels, everything about that team brought up feelings of utter disgust. However, the course of this season has changed my mind.

Football is a contact sport. People get roughed up and carted off the field, it is part of the game. Therefore, I can no longer blame the Steelers for the Bengals' woes. The Bengals will disappoint year after year because it is in their nature.

After the 0-8 start to the 2008 season, I decided to abandon the Bengals. I'm not sure why I should be stuck supporting a team that stinks.

Yes, I'm from Cincinnati, but so what?

Why must I suffer along with the hometown team.

While I could have jumped on the bandwagon of any other team, I have chosen the Pittsburgh Steelers, formerly my arch-nemesis.

Why the Steelers you ask?

Here are my reasons.

The Steelers play football the way it was meant to be played. Troy Polamalu sits at the helm of their raging defense. Honestly, how can you not adore that guy? He has an insatiable hunger to win. He is a playmaker and a game changer.

On the offensive side, the Steelers are led by Big Ben.

Talk about a tough cookie.

Big Ben has had a number of concussions, but that doesn't keep him down.

He is a baller.

Then, they've got an All-Star player in Hines Ward. The guy seriously injured his knee during the AFC Championship game against the Ravens. He probably shouldn't play in the Super Bowl, but "probably" and "shouldn't" are two words Mr. Ward doesn't want to hear.

Ward will play on game day, and he'll be a major factor in their success as he has done throughout his career.

The Steelers are a fun team to watch. They execute exciting trick plays, embody a suffocating defense, and have a young, respectable head coach in Mike Tomlin.

The Steelers have it all.

Of course, I'll be rooting for my new team come Super Bowl Sunday, but I will also be rooting for a good game. If Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald put up some big numbers against the tough Steelers' defense I'll happily watch.

Yes, I am a Steelers fan, but more importantly I'm a fan of quality sports. The Bengals don't fit that label, so I have changed teams. At least the Steelers are a respectable franchise. The Bengals only legacy is of loss and disappointment.

February 1st here we come. May the best team win.

Novak Djokovic Can't Take the Heat

Zip — Tue, 27 Jan 2009 12:17:28 -0500

The saying goes "if you can't take the heat, then get out of the kitchen." Well Novak Djokovic did just that during his quarterfinal match against Andy Roddick.

Djokovic won the first set 7-6 in a tie break. Full of energy and in great ball striking form, Novak looked unstoppable. Suddenly, after the first couple games of the second set, Djokovic hit a wall.

With the rising on court temperatures reaching over 140 degrees Fahrenheit, Djokovic's game slowly wilted into oblivion. Roddick was up 2-1 in the fourth when Djokovic retired from the match. The final score was 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, 2-1.

Depending on what side of the court you were watching you may or may not have believed the ridiculously torrid temperatures. Roddick hustled after each and every ball, bouncing between points, and was seen jogging to his bench during changeovers. For Andy, the heat was not a factor.

Djokovic, on the other hand, retreated into the shade any chance he got. Continually closing his eyes and wincing in pain between points, the sun seemed to literally suck the energy out of Novak's body. For Djokovic, the heat was real and the threat of danger was imminent.

Though it is undeniable that Djokovic was struggling, could such suffering have been prevented with better offseason preparations? Perhaps he did not hydrate enough the evening before, or perhaps he literally cannot take the heat. Whatever the case may be, Djokovic needs to address his health issues.

Each grand slam tournament has a unique flavor that the players must embrace or overcome. The French Open has its red clay, Wimbledon has rain delays and an air of pompousness, the U.S. Open is full of rowdy New Yorkers, and the Australian, well the Australian has the heat.

Players should not be surprised about these x-factor complications, but rather, they must embrace the situation and attack it full force. Roddick worked hard in the offseason so that he'd be prepared for a five-setter in Aussie Open heat. Andy's off court preparation made the heat a non-factor. Not the case for Djokovic.

So there you have it. The defending champ gets scorched (literally) and retires in the beginning of the fourth set.

Though it is never a good way to win, Roddick is surely happy about advancing to the semi-finals. Next up he faces a red hot Federer who blasted Del Potro off the court with a 6-3, 6-0, 6-0 straight sets victory.

If Roddick has a strong serving performance, dictates points early, and plays a smart transition game he has a chance. Let's be honest though, his only chance is if Federer has an off day. Who knows—maybe the heat will get to Roger? Don't count on it.

Either way I wish Andy the best of luck and hope to see some exciting tennis. As for Novak, I hope a quick trip to the North Pole restarts his engine.

Why Top-Seeded Jelena Jankovic's Loss Comes as No Surprise

Zip — Sun, 25 Jan 2009 00:56:19 -0500

Women's tennis lacks dominance.

Not even through week one of the Aussie Open and there have been three big upsets. The dismantling of Venus Williams, Ana Ivanovic, and Jelena Jankovic should come as a surprise, but it does not.

The seeding system for the tournament should make a difference, but really, it is one big free for all. Guess that gives hope to the so-called underdogs in the women's game, because anyone can win on any given day.

Although the Williams sisters are still the most dominant force in women's tennis, they are just as susceptible as the rest when it comes to falling short of expectations.

If Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, or Andy Murray had been knocked out of the tournament already that we be a huge upset. People would find themselves in a bit of shock about such an unnerving outcome. However, on the women's side it is just run of the mill for a grand slam tourney.

Jankovic is ranked number one in the world but she has yet to capture a grand slam title. She lost to Marion Bartoli in the fourth round 6-1, 6-4. The match wasn't even close. Umm, so why is she ranked No. 1?

Jankovic plays in a plethora of tournaments during the year to boost her ranking, but it doesn't mean much if she can't win when it counts. Therefore, she is hardly a world number one. Bartoli's easy ousting of Jankovic proves that women's tennis lacks a sovereign ruler.

Why is there such a discrepancy between the men's and women's game? Perhaps, the playing field is more equal. However, the issue runs a bit deeper, and again, Jankovic serves as the perfect example.

Female players seem more vulnerable to cracking under the pressure. While Jankovic is a talented player, she often chokes during matches. Her inability to close out a match will haunt her career. Putting yourself in a position to win is great, but doesn't mean much unless you can close.

Venus Williams was up 5-3 in the third with a chance to serve out the match, but she still managed to lose. Certainly Carla Suarez Navarro deserves some credit for coming back to win. But why wasn't Venus able to grit out the match? No doubt she is the better player.

Loss of confidence can happen to anyone, especially as points don't go your way. Nevertheless, the tendency to question one's game and tighten up during pressure points seems more potent on the women's side.

In some ways it makes women's tennis more exciting because anything can happen. At the same time however it is never fun to watch a player choke, especially when he/she is heavily favored.

The ability to win a major tournament does not come from hitting winners and aces, it comes from an inner solitude. A place where the player has ice running through the veins and nails shooting out from the skin. Recently retired Justine Henin-Hardenne was that type of player as was Steffi Graf.

In the remaining week of the tournament, who will play with the unquenchable thirst to win? My money is on Serena Williams. She has won the Australian Open in every odd year since 2003, so her time is due.

While Serena has been known to falter, she is also the fiercest player on the tour. Besides, have you seen her guns? I wouldn't mess with that.

Why Roger Federer Will Beat Andy Murray in the Aussie Open Finals

Zip — Wed, 21 Jan 2009 15:14:53 -0500

Roger Federer will beat Andy Murray in the Australian Open Finals. In the process he will tie Pete Sampras for a record 14 Grand Slam titles.

Andy Murray might have the odds and momentum in his favor, but he has yet to prove himself under the glaring microscope of a championship sports slide. Before explaining why Federer will come out victorious, let's acknowledge some reasons why the 21-year-old Scotsman might have an edge. The operative word is "might."

Andy Murray has a 5-2 overall record against Roger and already beat him twice this year. Therefore, Murray has confidence.

Andy Murray won the Dhabi and Doha tournaments heading into the Aussie Open beating Nadal and Federer twice and Roddick once. Therefore, Murray has momentum.

Andy Murray, due to his recent tournament victories and success against the top players, is beginning to fully realize his potential.

Perhaps like Novak Djokovic, Murray will have learned from his U.S. Open loss to Roger and solidify himself among the greats by winning his first Grand Slam tourney. The Aussie Open tends to be a statement making tournament.

But here is why he won't—Federer is on the verge of history. Like his golf alter-ego Tiger Woods, Roger Federer wants to be remembered as the greatest player that ever played the game. In order to do that he needs to break Pete Sampras' all time Grand Slam record and finally capture that elusive French Open title. With a win in Australia he can tie Pete, and then he can win the French to ensure his legendary status.

There are two ways to look at momentum and records.

Although Murray leads in the head to head match-ups, Federer does not lose easily, especially with his shot at history on the line. Plus, considering Murray has won the last two matches, probability would say that Federer has to win eventually and what better place than in Oz.

Third time's a charm.

Roger Federer has the heart and head of a champion. Federer knows how to w ill himself to win. In his 17 Grand Slam finals appearances he has only lost four times, and all four of those losses came at the hands of the Rafael Nadal. Federer's most recent Grand Slam victory was at the 2008 U.S. Open where he beat Murray in three straight sets.

Murray has grown as a player since that loss, but he still has some work to do if he wants to win on tennis' grandest stage. Winning at Doha is great, but winning the big tournaments is what really counts. Though Andy Murray has tremendous talent, he still lacks some control over his mental game. Roger Federer on the other hand is tough as nails, especially in high pressure situations.

Finals Prediction: Roger wins in four sets.

The Inherent Sexism Behind Female Athletes' Wardrobes

Zip — Mon, 19 Jan 2009 13:22:22 -0500

Except for perhaps basketball, soccer, and softball, female athletes dress in tight skimpy outfits while playing their respective sports. Now, I am not one to spout feminist dialogue, but I do find it a bit unfair when women are expected to fulfill some sort of preconceived gender role.

Men wear pants or shorts and women wear dresses or skirts, right? Well it is no longer 1950, so let's get with the times.

In sports it is all about competition, male or female—doesn't matter. Respect your competition or get burned.

In basketball, soccer, and softball the women dress like athletes. They don't wear tight shorts or cute clothes. They dress for the field of competition.

However, in tennis, volleyball, and lacrosse for example, the female athletes seem to fulfill two roles. One, dressing for competition. Two, dressing to please the crowd. If the Australian Open were a fashion show, then Jelena Jankovic might have a shot at winning.

Turns out, the Aussie Open is a tennis competition, one that requires great skill and endurance.

While there is nothing wrong with looking fashionable, sometimes the skimpy outfits detract from the real purpose of the sport. Female athletics should not be a place to exploit beautiful women.

Then again, if such outfits attract viewers, that is always helpful in grabbing attention for otherwise under the radar sports.

For instance, thanks to gold medal winners Misty May-Treanor and Kerri Walsh, beach volleyball came into the limelight during the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The girls wear bikinis as they lay out in the sand. Who wouldn't want to watch?

Though beach volleyball players could wear shorts and tank tops, it makes sense for them to wear bikinis. The sport is called beach volleyball, and thus, many women wear bikinis at the beach.

Plus, nothing is taken away from the athletes when wearing their uniforms. The competition respects them, the viewers consider them beasts of the sand, and they look really good. It's a win-win for everyone.

What about women's lacrosse though? Why do they wear skirts? There is no practical purpose. Instead, the skirts seem like an attempt to keep women in their subjugated gender role. Even though they are playing a highly competitive sport, the thought may be "let's keep them in skirts so they can maintain some of their femininity."

When watching women's tennis I often wonder if the athletes are headed to a cocktail party or the quarterfinals. Granted a lot of the outfits they wear are cute, but why not sport some shorts every once in awhile?

To be honest, I have seen some of the top players wear shorts, but they are so short (literally riding up) that it kind of defeats the purpose.

The tennis/shorts argument is pretty simple. In tennis, the server needs to hold a ball, and what better place to hold a ball then a pocket? Ta da! However, for some unknown reason, most female tennis players prefer to shove that extra ball into the spandex underneath the skirt or tennis dress. Sorry, just isn't practical.

At least tennis has seen some improvement on the men's side. If the women are going to show some skin, then it is only fair for the men to do the same. Thank you Rafael Nadal. We love your sleeveless shirts and tight shorts! Please spread your fashion sense to the rest of the field.

The one sport that seems truly equal on the fashion front would be golf. Actually, scratch that. There are a few discrepancies, but in this case, they seem to favor the women. Men have to wear pants while the women can wear pants, shorts, or skirts. The opportunities are endless.

Golf is also a sport where dressing well should be encouraged. You can look great and swing great without being a distraction. The young guns on the LPGA tour and the European men have a strong sense of style. They wear bright colored polo shirts and lovely form fitting bottoms. It's a treat to watch.

Here are some final thoughts—if women are expected to play at a high level while also looking great, then men should be held to the same standards. Without such equal treatment, it would seem as if women's sports cannot stand alone. They need extra help from cute outfits and lots of skin to gain attention.

Moreover, if a female athlete shows up merely dressed to play, but not ready to go out for a night on the town, then you better give her some respect. She's a beast of an athlete who is beyond fulfilling society's gender roles.

True greatness comes from the nitty-gritty competition...Now put your right hand in and your right hand out because that's what it's all about.

Tennis Greats Who Will Themselves to Win

Zip — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 11:43:40 -0500

As the former great Yankees' catcher Yogi Berra once said, "Baseball is 90 percent mental; the other half is physical." The same goes for tennis.

At the professional level, everyone can hit a solid forehand or ace someone on the serve. The difference is who can execute such shots under the pressure of competition. The ability to do so is called mental toughness.

Pete Sampras

Pete Sampras is one of the all time greatest tennis players. How did he get that way? Surely his serve and volley game contributed, but really it's all about his mental fortitude. Sampras was a subtle player in every aspect of the game. He didn't explode with emotion on court; but rather, Sampras was workman like in his style of play.

In a typical Sampras match he would trade service holds back and forth. Then, as he approached the end of a set, either up 5-4, or 4-3, he would turn up the intensity and try to break his opponent's serve. Assuming he would hold serve, Sampras figured that as long as he could get a break, then he could win the set. Guess it worked, because Sampras went on to become a world number one, and break the all time record for Grand Slam victories, winning a total of 14.

Rafael Nadal

Rafa is one talented tennis player. Though a natural righty, his Uncle taught him to play tennis with his left hand, giving him a considerable advantage on the court. Nadal's biggest weapons are probably his topspin forehand and all around court coverage. But just like any great champ, the key to his greatness lies in his mental toughness.

For Rafa, it would be his ability to come back from the brink of defeat (either in a point, a game, or a match). Nadal has an uncanny ability to turn the tables on his opponents. No matter how much his opponent seems to have an advantage, up 40-0 in a game or 5-2 in a set, don't count Rafa out. He will come back from the edge of that cliff and regain the momentum.

Take a look at the epic 2008 Wimbledon final against Roger Federer. Nadal was up a set but then down 1-4 in the second. Playing against a quality opponent like Federer, one would assume that Nadal would lose the second set. Not the case. He pulled off five straight games to take the second set 6-4. Though Nadal was up by two sets, he lost the next two to even the match. While the momentum was now in Federer's favor, Nadal maintained his focus in the fifth set and held on to win in a dramatic 9-7 finish. Having a blistering forehand or a consistent serve is helpful, but it doesn't mean much if you can't play the big points well. Thankfully, Nadal has both.

Roger Federer

Roger Federer may be the most talented tennis player the world has ever witnessed. He has a complete game—from his serve, to his power forehand, to his crisp volleys. In terms of stroke quality, Federer's game is unstoppable. However, that is not what makes Federer great. Instead, Federer's biggest weapon is probably his ability to remain calm, cool, and collected under pressure.

In 17 Grand Slam finals appearances, Federer has only lost four matches, and all four losses came at the hands of Rafael Nadal. Federer won five straight Wimbledon finals from 2003-2007 and five straight U.S. Open titles from 2004-2008. Those records speak volumes about the strength of Federer's mental game.

Except for the likes of Nadal, and recently Andy Murray, Federer's mere presence on the court seems to send shivers down the spine of his opponents. As soon as the mental battle begins, you can rest assured that Roger is winning the war. Roger Federer crushes his opponents because he knows that he is better. He plays to win, rather than playing not to lose. And that is the reason Federer is one of the all time greats.

Conclusion

While it is important to have talent, the most important factor to determine success is not physical ability. Rather, it is the mental capacity to will yourself to win. Of the three players discussed above, each one has great strokes. But hitting a solid forehand will not win a match. However, hitting a precision forehand on a pressure point will. The ability to turn on the gas when needed, come back from the brink of defeat, and have complete self-confidence is what breeds greatness.

Imagine this—it's your serve at 30-40, 4-5 in the final set. How will you play?

The Top Eight Beastly Athletes of 2008

Zip — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 06:21:23 -0500

The past year played witness to some amazing athletic accomplishments. Every sport has its all stars, but an athlete must do more than rack up records to make this rankings list. In order to be considered the ultimate beast, an athlete must display some grit out on the field of competition. The athlete must be a fierce competitor that strikes fear into his/her opponents. Let's see who had the guns a blazin' in 2008.

Begin Slideshow

Cincinnati Bengals Ruin a Perfectly Respectable Season by Winning

Zip — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:20:00 -0500

The Cincinnati Bengals have won two games in a row. La di frickin' da!

After the promising 0-8 start, there was hope for reaching history, but, of course, the Bengals dashed those hopes by winning at home against Jacksonville in Week Nine.

The Bengals suffer from an extreme lack of consistency. When riding the losing train, don't get off and head toward victory lane. It really isn't fair to the fans.

Hope is a fragile thing, and it shouldn't be toyed with just to save face. The Bengals may win their last three games. So what? Is that really an accomplishment?

For the greater part of the season, the Bengals have played atrociously. The defense would fall apart in the second half, and the offense hung out in nonexistent land.

Suddenly, the Bengals have found a way to win. In the past two games, they have outscored their opponents, 34-13. In the three losses before that, the Bengals were outscored by a whopping 96-16 margin. OK, the Steelers, Ravens, and Colts are more formidable opponents than the Redskins and Browns, but still, why the unforeseen change?

Perhaps, it is the age old notion that the team wants to end on a positive note. Positivity just oozes out of a 3-11-1 record.

Can't you feel it? Certainly pushing that to a 4-11-1 record with a final game win against Kansas City will cause an eruption of rainbows, ponies, and butterflies in the greater Cincinnati area.

I'm not angry, I'm just utterly disappointed. The Bengals have a tendency to underachieve. Of course, this year was no different.

Actually, with the impeccable 0-8 defeated record we rode through the first part of the season, I had great hopes. Instead of a typical worthless year, we had the chance to achieve immortality in the history books, standing alone as the only team to finish the regular 16-game season without a victory.

Unfortunately, those honors will soon be bestowed upon the Detroit Lions. Lucky them. But seriously, I mean it. If you are going to suck, at least be the best crappy team out there. The Lions seem to do so gracefully.

The Cincinnati Bengals end another season of below average mediocrity on Sunday in a home game against Kansas City. Sure, they could end on a proverbial positive note, but then the city would be overrun with ponies, butterflies, and rainbows. The Bengals are already one mess too many to clean up, so let's just leave it at that.

The Best and Worst Fist Pumps of All Time

Zip — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 06:56:56 -0500

In the same way a stylish belt or cute handbag is essential to complete an outfit, the fist pump is an essential accessory for any great athlete. The quality of the fist pump can make or break an athlete, or at least, my opinion of one.

In order to rate the best and worst, I have come up with a list of criteria to determine what constitutes a quality fist pump.

Here is the list:

•sincerity

•intention

•crowd reaction

•physicality of the motion

•attitude

•frequency

•variety

Okay, let's begin with the rankings.

The Good

No. 1, Tiger Woods

Coming in at No. 1, we have Tiger Woods. Seriously, did anyone doubt his position as the best fist pumper of all time?

The High Uppercut

Tiger's bicep muscle is about to explode out of his sleeve. His facial expression says it all. Clearly, Tiger just made a crucial putt. Therefore, his fist pump is genuine and will ignite a roaring reaction from the crowd.

The Stoic Pump

Here, Tiger is a bit more reserved. The moment does not call for all the hoopla of his bigger pumps. Nevertheless, he still has something to celebrate.

The Archer

One of Tiger's best fist pumps. His whole body is into it and it looks like he is about to toss a javelin or shoot a bow and arrow. The picture was taken in the middle of the action. The buildup before the actual pump. I could imagine this as a sculpture of an Olympic God—enough said.

The Double Pump

This is an example of the double fist pump where both arms get involved in the action. Here, Tiger seems more concerned with pumping himself up and less concerned with the crowd. I wouldn't mess with that.

The Hammer

Tiger brings his arm up high and then lays into the air like a hammer. This downward motion of the pump gets the crowd riled up and is only used in big time situations. Tiger sinking a difficult putt for the win??? Very likely.

The Hat Slam

Tiger broke the mold on this one. On March 17, 2008 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational Tiger sunk a 31 foot putt to clinch the victory, giving him his fifth straight tour win and his seventh win in eight starts. I don't think this requires much explanation. Just look at the picture.

Okay, I could probably find more Tiger fist pumps to breakdown and analyze, but I think you get the point. Tiger is the best because he has come up with a variety of pumps for all different situations. He gets his whole body into it, along with the crowd, and simply put, he is the greatest. No contest.

No. 2, Rafael Nadal

This Spanish sensation is built like a Greek God. His fist pumps are often accompanied with a loud cry of "Vamos!" which is Spanish for "Let's go!"

The Bicep Pump

Nadal often employs the double fist pump. Look at the impressive balancing skills Nadal is using to perform the pump. His knees are bent forward and he is leaning backwards. His whole body is revved up and the crowd is into it as well.

The Leg/Arm Pump

Here, Nadal is doing a single pump with his arm, but he also includes his leg in the action. Look at his mouth, wide open in a clear exclamation of excitement. Another quality fist pump.

The Controlled Pump

This is probably the most reserved Nadal will get with a fist pump. A classy, at the side, fist pump to keep the momentum going. You can see the focus on his face and the beautiful right angle he forms with his flexed arm.

No. 3, Kirk Gibson

As far as the world of fist pumps is concerned, Kirk Gibson is a one-time wonder. However, his one time is so special that it deserves mention. Gibson hit a walk off home run in the opening game of the 1988 World Series.

The Dodgers went on to win the World Series in five games over the Oakland A's. But back to Gibson. He spent most of the game in the locker room. Then, in the bottom of the ninth with his team down 4-3 and a man on first, he was called up to the plate. Gibson could barely walk, but with one swing of the bat he regained his stride.

Rounding the bases after hitting his game winning home run, Gibson employed The Conductor fist pump. Like a train conductor signaling oncoming movement, Gibson's fist pump signaled his place in history.

No. 4, Roger Federer

Honestly I don't like the guy, but I can admit he has a quality fist pump.

Roger stays pretty composed during matches, so when he uses the fist pump you know it must be a big point. Here, Roger goes for The Double Pump. His knees are bent and his back is arched. The whole body is involved in the action. Plus, his mouth is wide open and his eyes are closed. This fist pump will get the crowd excited, but is clearly a way to pump up Roger after some flashy play.

I have mixed opinions about this picture. Clearly, it is a powerful fist pump, but Roger's face is a bit frightening. However, I can recognize the strength and control of the fist pump, so it is still quality.

No. 5, Anthony Kim

Kim is an up and comer in the world of fist pumps. You may not know him, but you should. He helped lead the U.S. to its first Ryder Cup victory in nine years.

A variation on The Hammer.

Anthony Kim has some work to do, but he has potential to move up on the list. He gets all his weight behind the pump as he "throws down the hammer." His face expresses exuberance after making the putt. Lookin' good.

The Bad and the Downright Ugly

Now it is time to turn to the bad and the downright ugly. Topping off the list, with no doubt in my mind, is Maria Sharapova. Sure her grunting on the court is annoying, but her lack of a quality fist pump drives me up the wall.

No. 1, Maria Sharapova

The Constipator

I'm sorry, I don't even know if I can call this is a fist pump. It looks more like Sharapova is hurled over in an extreme bout of constipation. As she winces in pain it is hard to wonder what there is to celebrate. However, this is a typical Sharapova fist pump. Awkward, awful, and ugly.

Okay, so at least this is better than the constipator, but not by much. The problem with Sharapova is that her fist pump sucks. She has no variety, arm extension, or genuine passion. Also, let's take a look at the two words that make up a fist pump.

Fist: Sharapova's fist is unnatural. A strong fist should be clenched. Sharapova's fist is just going along with the motions.

Pump: Sharapova has no pump in her motion. She just has her arm tucked at her side, constricted from creating any possible movement. No good.

No. 2, Padraig Harrington

He has improved his golf game, winning the 2008 British Open and PGA Championship. Now he needs to improve his fist pump.

The Lucky Charms Pump

The pump isn't nearly as awful as Sharapova's, but it is goofy and awkward. Harrington is flat-footed, almost immovable. His right arm is attempting the motion, while his left arm remains lax at his side. His teeth are clenched when his mouth should be open, like the more formidable fist pumpers.

Perhaps, he will find a better fist pump in a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.

No. 3, Phil Mickelson

Lovable Lefty—NOT.

The Ninny-Whinny Pump

Phil suffers from pump problems similar to Sharapova's. It looks too forced, like he should fist pump, but he doesn't have any natural predilection to do so. His fist is barely clenched. His mouth is closed.

I realize this is one of the more reserved pumps, but it doesn't work. Sorry Phil, you actually have to show some genuine passion in your pumping if you want me to believe the sincerity of your action.

No. 4, Andy Roddick

Don't get me wrong, I like Andy. And honestly I thought he would have a good fist pump—that was until I did research for the article.

Umm, what? What is going on here? He has an awkward look on his face, like he doesn't know what is going on. Well, neither do I. His use of the fist pump is a mystery.

Now look at the arm placement. He doesn't have enough arm extension or strength in the motion. It is weak and without confidence—quite the opposite of a quality fist pump.

The Bowling Pump

Overall, one might think this is a pretty good fist pump. And I guess it is. His mouth is open, expressing excitement over the big point. His fist is clenched and his arm has a nice extension. However, the problem lies in his right leg. What is it doing?

Hmm...I'm not sure. The placement of the right leg makes him seem off balance, like he is more ready to bowl a strike than pump up a crowd. Sorry Andy, but your fist pumping skills need some work.

No. 5, Ana Ivanovic

This Serbian star may have a nice tennis game, but her fist pump has problems.

The Leg Pump

We have seen Nadal perform a quality double leg/arm fist pump. Ivanovic, on the other hand, is not so good. Her right foot is turned in too far, making for some difficult balancing issues. She also suffers from the Sharapova syndrome.

These girls just don't get it. A fist pump needs motion and emotion. If you keep your arm tight at your side, then the fist pump has nowhere to go. Plus, her leg/arm pump combo just isn't working. Perhaps, if the left arm didn't look so awkward. She could take a lesson from Nadal.

The Face Pump

Notice how Ana's fist is way too close to her face. It looks like she is about to punch herself. That should never be in question with a quality pump. Again, her left arm is way too constricted and tight at her side. The fist pump needs to extend beyond oneself and pump up the crowd as well.

Honorable Mentions

Jimmy Connors, James Blake, Derek Jeter, Sergio Garcia, Jennifer Capriati, and Michael Jordan. They all have great fist pumps and could have easily made the list, but I am sticking with my guns on this one.

Conclusion

A quality fist pump is important for a number of reasons. Good fist pumpers exude confidence, give fans a reason to cheer, and most importantly they are winners. They find themselves on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Wheaties cereal boxes, and my rankings list.

Bad fist pumpers, on the other hand, are aggravating. If you can't do it right, then don't do it all. Please spare yourself the embarrassment and spare me the torture of watching such ineptitude.

What If You Had A Second Chance to Make That Putt?

Zip — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 03:44:36 -0500

I like to call it the rebutt putt. Imagine yourself on a golf course. I know—it isn't hard to do. You have just hit a brilliant approach shot into the green, and you have an excellent chance for birdie.

The putt isn't a give away, but it is makeable. You are eight feet away with a right to left break. You hit the putt. The speed is good, but you overestimated the break and the ball rolls just right of the hole.

What if you had the chance to do it over again? That's what I like to call the rebutt putt. If you make the rebutt putt then that is the score you write down for your round. Remember, this rule is only applicable for amateur play.

The professionals have caddies to read the greens along with in depth yardage books. They don't need a second chance, but we do. We need another way to even the playing field.

It's never too late to apologize, and it's never too late to—rewind—and sink a putt. Honestly, I have extended the rebuttal to all types of shots. What began as the rebutt putt has turned into the rebutt drive, fairway iron, chip, and bunker shot. I figure I might as well implement this great philosophy onto all areas of play.

My favorite part of the rebuttal is when my rebutted shot is better than the original. Hitting a solid rebutt is mere proof that the theory works. Clearly, I know how to hit the shot—I just didn't do it the first time around.

And then, when I make a solid rebutt, I yell at the golf course in defiance shouting, "REBUTT THAT!" Oh believe me I do. It gets me amped up and improves my play for the rest of the round.

In golf you can either play by the rules and get schooled OR you can fidget with the rules and show the course who's the boss. Golf is not a game of perfect, but adding the rebutt stroke to your game will certainly make perfection more attainable.

We can't all be Tiger Woods. I'm sorry, his greatness stands alone. But next time I miss a makeable putt, I will proudly rebutt that putt. After sinking the rebuttal I will imitate Tiger with a fist pump and a very audible Johnny Drama like call of "Victory!"

The Cincinnati Bengals Are Halfway to The Bagel Shop

Zip — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 14:19:16 -0400

After Sunday's 35-6 loss to the Houston Texans, the Cincinnati Bengals are halfway to the bagel shop. My only question: would they like cream cheese or tuna salad with that sesame seed bagel?

I was simply making small talk with someone when I asked how the Bengals did. He responded, "Is that a rhetorical question? Of course they lost." And so it goes...

No NFL team has ever gone 0-16 for the season, but teams have come close. The 1990 Patriots, 2000 Chargers, 2001 Panthers, and 2007 Dolphins all went 1-15. The 1976 Tampa Bay Buccaneers went 0-14, but that was before the current 16 game season.

Could this be a historic year for the Bengals, or perhaps better suited, the Bungles? Anything is possible and with each passing week it is looking more and more likely.

Although it is not yet official, Carson Palmer is probably out for the rest of the season with an elbow injury. In his place, fourth year NFL quarterback, Ryan Fitzpatrick attempts to lead the lackluster Cincinnati offense.

Fitzpatrick graduated from Harvard. Okay, so the guy is smart, but what about his football skills? In his five games starting as the Cincinnati QB he has thrown two touchdowns and five interceptions. Not the hottest stats on the market.

Forget about our QB woes, because perhaps the worst part about Cincinnati's dismal play is not that we stand at the midpoint of the season without a single victory. That's not it. Rather, we have had no sideshow entertainment from Mr. Ocho Cinco.

He has only scored two touchdowns this season, and I'm pretty sure neither of them have made it onto Sportscenter's Top 10. That is the real travesty. Honestly I feel bad for the guy. Sure he likes to showboat, but that is part of the reason why I love him. He is in the business of entertaining, not the business of being bageled.

I kind of hope we continue on our path of self-destruction. At this point, the most we could win is a couple of games. They might provide slight moral victories, but other than that, they won't bring much relief.

I'm not saying we should tank the rest of the season. I don't believe in giving up. I just think we should embrace the bagel for what it is—a delectable Jewish staple that comes in a variety of flavors and can be eaten with a number of choice toppings.

Therefore, I want to say mazel tov on making it halfway to history. We only need eight more losses until we arrive at the promised land.

I Have Adopted the Tampa Bay Rays

Zip — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 05:10:23 -0400

I have been swimming in uncharted waters this postseason. Usually, being the die hard Yankees fan that I am, I would root for the boys in pinstripes. However, what am I to do when the Yankees do not make the playoffs?

I could have forgotten about baseball and put my focus elsewhere. But, here's the thing—I like baseball and I do not want to abandon the excitement of the postseason just because my team isn't playing. Therefore, I have adopted the Tampa Bay Rays for the 2008 World Series.

Actually, my first adopted team was the Dodgers. I was really hoping to see Joe Torre, a world class guy, take his new team to the big dance. Plus, now that Manny is no longer a member of the Sox, I have come to see why he is such a lovable guy. Unfortunately, their trip to the World Series ended short of my desired expectations.

Now I am putting all my energy into rooting for the Rays. The Rays have a number of captivating characteristics. As a team that had never produced a winning record, they have had a remarkable season. Moreover, they have a lot of fresh talent in players such as Evan Longoria, Matt Garza, and Scott Kazmir.

The 2008 Tamp Bay Rays have crafted quite the story this season. After years of miserable play, they took down the big bad AL East with their guns blazing. They play with passion, heart, and unbelievable perseverance.

When the Red Sox came back from being down 0-7 in game five of the ALCS, I thought to myself, "here we go again, a repeat of 2004." The Red Sox would play their usual obnoxious selves and ruin my team's chances at the World Series. Thankfully, I was wrong.

The Rays beat the Red Sox in an impressive game seven. They remained cool and composed, which is quite a feat for such a young team. Now it is time for them to have their storybook finish.

I hope it is an exciting World Series. I am tired of four game sweeps. But no matter how many games must be played to determine a winner, I hope the Rays come out on top.

They are my team—at least at this moment in time. And as the proud mother of my adopted child, I wish the Rays all the success in the world.

Cincinnati Bengals Keep Their Losing Streak Alive

Zip — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 08:40:08 -0400

Okay, the economy sucks, the polar ice caps are melting, and Sarah Palin can see Russia from her house. But there is some good news—as long as you’re not a Cincinnati Bengals fan.

Yesterday was a beautiful day in Cincinnati. Rather than waste my time watching the Bengals lose to the Cowboys, our family decided to hit up the golf course. As we pulled into the crowded parking lot, my dad remarked, “At least the Bengals are good for business.”

We hadn’t even teed off on the third hole before the golf cart’s advanced computer system gave us an update on the game. Cowboys 3, Bengals 0. Carson Palmer threw an interception on the first play of the game, which turned into a field goal for the Cowboys.

On the fourth hole, I over-hit my approach shot, so my ball was lying in the rough behind the green. Then, I hit a beautiful flop shot, which rolled five feet away from the hole. I sunk the putt to save par. As I returned to the cart to put my clubs away, I saw the latest flashing update on the game. Cowboys 10, Bengals 0. I guess luck would only be going my way.

The final three holes I played one under par. As we headed back to the clubhouse, I saw another update. Cowboys 17, Bengals 6. On their way to another defeat—pretty sure I’ve heard that story before.

Back at home, we turned on the game to witness the end of the second half. T.J. Houshmandzadeh scored his second touchdown of the game and now the scoreboard read Cowboys 24, Bengals 22. They went for the two-point conversion, which is a play I admire and respect. Of course living up to their full potential, the Bengals did not convert.

The game was over right there, with the failed attempt at the two-point conversion. However, the Bengals always like to dig their grave a little deeper. With 7:39 left to play in the game, Tony Romo led an 80-yard drive ending with a Cowboys touchdown. Final Score: Cowboys 31, Bengals 22.

Thankfully the Bengals' defeated record remains in tact. I hope we can ride this streak all the way to the postseason.

Okay, so the hometown football team is atrocious, but don’t lose faith. With less focus on the Bengals, I can spend more time on my golf game. This may turn out to be the best season ever.

The Disappearance of the Doubles Game

Zip — Fri, 03 Oct 2008 07:26:27 -0400

Where has all the doubles gone, long time passing?

Where has all the doubles gone, long time ago?

Where has all the doubles gone?

The ATP has pushed doubles over a cliff.

Oh, when will they ever learn?

Is the ATP trying to wipe doubles off the face of the map, or is it trying to revamp the game for new generations? Unfortunately, doubles frequently plays the ugly stepchild to the singles game.

I guess the media thinks we prefer to watch the monotonous baseline rally game that is singles rather than the electrifying attack game that is doubles.

Except for the rare display of talent from Federer and Nadal, I don’t think I’m overstating myself when I say if you’ve seen one singles match, you have seen them all.

I want to see some doubles and I don’t care if the top 30 singles players aren’t playing. Doubles has stars of their own. However, I wouldn’t know that from watching TV—they don’t broadcast doubles matches.

Take the Bryan brothers for example—cute, energetic, and American. They never stop bouncing, and they employ the chest bump on a regular basis.

Still ranked No. 1 after collecting their sixth grand slam title at the 2008 US Open, could you ask for a better face to market the doubles game? I think not.

Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m the only one with a hunger to watch doubles matches. Maybe the rest of you are content watching the same singles point on repeat, but I doubt it.

In 2006, the ATP changed some rules in the doubles game. The changes included a super tie break in place of a third set and the employment of no-ad scoring to speed up the tempo of play.

The ATP states the changes will entice more singles players to play doubles because the matches are shorter in length. Furthermore, they claim this will allow for more doubles matches to get time on the show courts.

If destroying the sanctity of doubles is the only way to save the game, I think the ATP needs to reevaluate their goals. The ATP isn’t saving doubles—they are pushing the game off a cliff.

As a college tennis player, I never understood why doubles continually got the shaft. In college we play three doubles matches and six singles matches.

For doubles, we only play an eight game pro-set. The singles, however, is a regular tennis match, best of three sets. I understand the logic behind the college format—there is not enough time to play a full match for both singles and doubles.

But still, no one would ever suggest that we play a pro-set for singles, it is always assumed that doubles can fulfill that role.

Singles gets put on a pedestal in the tennis world and I don’t understand why. I wish more people had the opportunity to see the doubles game in action. They would realize—as far as quality and entertainment are concerned—it rates just as high or even higher than most singles matches.

I’ll admit some of my bias is coming out—I love to volley and thus, I love to play doubles. I’m sorry but I rather end the point quickly at the net instead of being the last one standing from the baseline.

Doubles is all about the attack—cutting across the court to poach. In doubles you can play different formations: regular, Australian, I, or even two back. Doubles lends itself to more experimentation, and in return, results in more excitement for the players and viewers.

Where has all the doubles gone, long time passing?

Where has all the doubles gone, long time ago?

The ATP may not appreciate the doubles game, but it doesn’t mean we have to fall in line with their ludicrous views. Grab a rope and throw it to the Bryan brothers—we need to pull them away from the edge of that cliff.

Spiderman Camilo Villegas Takes Home Tour Championship Victory

Zip — Mon, 29 Sep 2008 05:40:46 -0400

Have you ever seen Camilo Villegas read a putt? He crouches down behind the ball like Spiderman ready to shoot his web and swing from building to building. Well, Villegas did a lot of web spinning on Sunday.

Though he started five shots behind the leader Sergio Garcia, Villegas lit up the back nine with a string of birdies. He played the final 11 holes at five under for a final round score of 66.

And did I mention the victory ended in a sudden death playoff with Sergio Garcia on the par three 18th? If either Kim or Mickelson had made their birdie putts on the final hole of regulation, they would have been included in the playoff, but the breaks didn’t go their way.

Spidey did not have to do much to win the playoff. Garcia had an awful tee shot putting him in the right rough by the green. Villegas made a par for the win. This would be his second win in as many tries, and they are his first wins on the PGA Tour.

Villegas hails from Colombia, not the usual place to breed golfing greats. Plus, Colombia’s Spiderman is not a very big guy—clocking in at 5’ 9’’ and 160 lbs. This hot young 26-year-old gets some amazing power off the tee.

He has a compact back swing, which allows him to put all of his energy into a strong hip rotation and fast swing speed. Villegas may be small, but he can definitely hit the long ball. Although Villegas won the tournament he did not win the Fed Ex Cup—that victory went to Vijay Singh.

The Fed Ex Cup is a PGA Tour invented playoff consisting of four events: the Barclays, Deutsche Bank Championship, BMW Championship, and the Tour Championship. Whoever has the most points after the Tour Championship wins the Fed Ex Cup prize of 10 million dollars.

The purpose of the Fed Ex Cup is to increase interest in the tour as the season winds down. Winning the Fed Ex Cup is great for one’s bank account, but in terms of carving out one’s status as a golfing legend, it’s meaningless.

Last year Tiger Woods took home the Tour Chamionship trophy along with the Fed Ex Cup prize. This year however the finals were more complicated.

Vijay Singh was never in contention at the Tour Championship, unable to break 70 in all four rounds, yet, he brought home more money than the winner of the tournament. That seems a bit problematic.

Don’t worry I’m sure the PGA Tour is hard at work. We can look forward to a more complicated points system next year, preventing the irrelevancy of future Fed Ex Cups.

But back to Spidey—sure Singh may have taken home a bigger paycheck, but that does not really matter.

As Benjamin Parker says to his nephew Peter, “with great power comes great responsibility.” I hope golf’s resident Spiderman takes this message to heart.

He has great power and now he has the responsibility of maintaining his status as golf’s new superhero. With Tiger’s return still many moons away, we need some new guys to root for—I’m going with Spiderman.

U.S. Ryder Cup Team Represents With Passion

Zip — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 08:07:43 -0400

They did it. The unlikely misfits stole the show at the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Not since 1999 at the Country Club in Brookline, Mass., had the American team won the Ryder Cup, but on Sunday they finally succeeded.

Honestly, I am not much of a fan of the Ryder Cup. Golf is an individual sport and so the measure of greatness is produced with individual results.

However, the Ryder Cup, in its essence of being a team event, represents something different. The players on this team are not playing for themselves; they play for America.

Not the America of oil dependency and a shattered Wall Street, but America the majestic, an America that produces a young stud like Anthony Kim.

Kim said he wouldn’t trade his Ryder Cup experience for $10 million. Kenny Perry claims he set up his playing schedule just so he could get on the 2008 team. Boo Weekley said he wrestled an orangutan. Lefty doesn’t talk, he just thinks he is really good.

No matter which way you put it, this team got the job done. They played for something greater than money. They played for pride. They played to resuscitate the bruised ego of past failures.

Much can be said of Paul Azinger, who pushed for four captain’s picks instead of the usual two. He had confidence in his young guns, J.B. Holmes, Anthony Kim, and Hunter Mahan. He did not push, prod, or force a positive outcome; he just let his players be themselves.

Boo Weekley found his inner Happy Gilmore as he galloped out of the first tee box, and Anthony Kim fist-pumped his way to victory over Sergio.

Golf has not been the same without Tiger Woods; at least it isn’t the same for me. Tiger Woods is golf and golf is Tiger Woods. The Ryder Cup however is different.

Certainly, the team would have benefited from having Tiger. He is the best in the world, but the Ryder Cup is not his arena to shine.

I would much prefer to watch Tiger in the hunt for a major on Sunday than the U.S. Ryder Cup team, but if I don’t have a choice then I guess I don’t mind finding a few new players to root for.

Plus, it is always nice to see America do something well. With the bag, the uniform, the flag, those players play for one team, for one goal, for one country.

Don’t worry, I have not been caught up in all the hoopla, but I can recognize something special, and the Ryder Cup is that something.

Goodbye Yankee Stadium

Zip — Mon, 22 Sep 2008 07:59:14 -0400

It has been 85 years and now we must say goodbye. Watching the New York Yankees' final home game of the season—and of course the last game that will ever be played at Yankee Stadium—I couldn’t help but get chills. While my memories of Yankee Stadium may not be as storied as others, they are my memories. For my 16th birthday I asked my parents for one thing: Take me to Yankee Stadium. About five months after turning 16, I entered the house that Ruth built. Mike Mussina was pitching, we sat on the third-base line, I took home a Yankees bandana as a souvenir, and the Yankees took home a loss. Although my first game at Yankee Stadium ended in the loser column, I knew my first time there would not be my last.

In the summer of 2006 I interned for the YES Network. After shooting a commercial with Yankee great Paul O’Neill in the morning, I was invited up to the booth for the day-game. Witnessing the game from the perspective of the announcers is certainly a different experience from that of the fans. Honestly, it’s better to be in the stands, that’s where the heart of Yankee Stadium is—it lies in its fans. A couple of weeks later I went to another day game with all of the summer interns. Chien Ming Wang was pitching. Sitting in the upper deck roasting, I could sense a purchase of aloe in my future. The game went to extra innings, finally ending with an Alex Rodriguez walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 11^th. The sunburns were worth it.

My last game that summer was magical. I arrived a little before the start of the game and because of my intern status was privileged enough to stand on the field during warm-ups. Yes, you heard me right. I stepped onto the same grass as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mickey Mantle, Joe Dimaggio, Reggie Jackson, and Derek Jeter. I stood on hallowed ground. The Yankees were down for most of the game. Suddenly storm clouds appeared and the stadium was covered in a light mist of drizzle. Along with the change in weather came a change at the plate.

The Yankees began to rally.

By the end of the eighth inning the game was tied. The lightning bolts sent down from the heavens matched the thunderous roars from the fans. I have never been a part of something so amazing. The game was delayed because of the weather but nobody left. We waited it out in the pouring rain. A little over two hours later the game ended with a Yankees victory. Robinson Cano had the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 10th. The drenched clothes were worth it.

I returned to Yankee Stadium this past August. The Yankees were playing the Kansas City Royals—not the most exciting competition—but hey, I wouldn’t miss one of the last stops on the stadium’s farewell tour. Mussina allowed three runs in the first inning. Things weren’t looking good.

No worries though, the Bronx Bombers came out to play. They scored six runs in the bottom of the first. The final score was Yankees 15; Royals 6. It was a game in which Jeter went 4-4, A-Rod had 5 RBI’s, and Jason Giambi hit a grandslam. My last game at Yankee Stadium had all the fireworks of Fourth of July. The date was August 17^th and after that game there would only be 16 more games at Yankee Stadium.

The final game happened last night, September 21, 2008. Unfortunately it is time to say goodbye. Nobody wants to, but the stadium next door with its luxury box seats and impressive food court is waiting with open arms. I will go to the new stadium and make new memories. However, the home of the Yankees is and will always be Yankee Stadium (1923-2008). Home is where the heart is.