Australian Open 2018

[don_budge]

Hawkeye down! Hawkeye is not working in the Federer-Gasquet match. Tied 3-3 in the second Gasquet has questioned a tight service call by the umpire. This could get interesting. These guys are not used to playing without the help of the robot.

[don_budge]

Interesting...three months and a whole new life. Even a move north is possible? Why move north? North means colder...in many countries. Anyway, when one door closes another one opens, as they say. My favourite movie line ever is: "Life's funnier than shit". Do you know which movie that line is from? It was a great movie. One of the best ever in my view.

Yes...about closing that door. I actually slammed it right in their faces. Went out with a bang. My partner was a thorn in my side for five years. But I had to eat...know what I mean. I put up with the nonsense and kept my nose to the grindstone. Showed up every day devoted to teaching the game of tennis. This guy, along with the director, of the club were expendable in my world so I got myself "into position" and delivered the knockout. The only revenge in life is success so they can have their little stupid club and I passed through the opening door. As I said it was fraught with obstacles but solving them only improved my situation. It's all about attitude. A little luck doesn't hurt. Actually I have to admit my faith in God seemed to deliver me. Going backwards is to play it safe. They offered me a nice little package. Too late. To be honest I don't miss it...not a bit. The new door is a wonderful opportunity. To go forwards is to grow. I am grateful for this.

I remember years ago when the company that I worked for for twenty five years was going to change hands to a Russian company...they let me go the day before the sale was to be consummated. The two women managers sat across the table giving me the news and I only looked at them. I had a vision of Jesus on the cross...my suffering was nothing I told myself. I silently sat their observing the conniving bitches. They asked me if there wasn't anything I wanted to say to them. I asked them if it would make any difference. The bitches looked at each other. I was way too strong to do what they wanted me to do...to break down. I looked them in the eye. I've had my revenge...in spades.

The next day I woke up and said to myself..."thank you Lord that I never have to return to that God forsaken place." It was much the same this time. Good bye...see you never. They are in the rearview and it will be left to them to sort it out. My retirement benefits amount to 190% of what I was making. A paid vacation for life. The door is opening...I am peering in.

I left tennis once upon a time. Twice upon a time actually. I have no problem turning my back and walking in the opposite direction. North means cold. That's true. Most people head for the heat...which is why I would choose once again the road less traveled. We will see. We shall see.

Meanwhile Roger has once again shredded Gasquet for the first set...6-2. It's a great matchup for Federer. He probes...he spars. He keeps the unrelenting pressure on. It starts with his service game. It is immaculate. Then he just goes to work on the opponents service game. He's tactically superior to all of the rest. Not to mention technically.

Berdych over Del Potro. Straight sets. Another great matchup for Federer...but Berdych has always been a tough opponent for Roger. I look forwards to watching that.

Life is funnier than shit? I don't know. Some movies would like you to think so. Once Upon a Time in America?

[don_budge]

Djokovic or Zverev? Does Zverev get past Hyeon Chung who manhandled Daniil Medvedev who was looking pretty formidable.

Hyeon Chung goes up 3-0 in the fifth. A couple of thoughts about Alexander Zverev. For example...too much too soon comes to mind. The hype has mind fucked the young man into a state of false expectations. Chung on the other hand comes in under the radar...hungry and mean. He is playing the forehand of Zverev very cleverly as the backhand side is stronger with Zverev. So he cleverly mixes it up much the same way Djokovic and Federer are now playing Nadal. Attacking the forehand until the opponent is guessing. It is the flaw of the two handed game. Once you are guessing it is more difficult to get yourself into position if your opponent is rushing you. Maintaining pressure...where have I heard that?

Zverev muffed a forehand volley which made me smile as I thought of him in the volley instructionals...truth is there are no good examples any longer. All court tennis is as good as dead and buried. Extinct.

Zverev smashed his racquet to smithereens...he's done. Fried.

[stotty]

I watched bits and pieces of Nadal in each of his three matches. The pink...the sleeveless shirt. I like Nick Kyrgios more than I like this character. But he looks like he is a lock to the semifinals where hopefully Nick Kyrgios will be waiting for him. I think it's great that Kyle Edmund is through with a real chance to advance. Great for you Brits. Dominic Thiem should advance to a quarter final showdown with who? Djokovic or Zverev? Does Zverev get past Hyeon Chung who manhandled Daniil Medvedev who was looking pretty formidable.

The next quarter, opposite Roger Federer's quarter is looking pretty stacked...Benneteau, Fognini, Berdych and Del Potro. Berdych and Del Potro may be a surprise. But of course all eyes are on Roger Federer. He is the only watchable player in the draw for a match of any length. If he plays five sets against anyone you can stay glued to it. But the rest of them are just dreadfully boring. You know it, I know it and everyone knows it. Except for the dreadful Nick Kyrgios.

It is Federer that makes or breaks a tournament. As long as he remains in the draw it is exciting. Once he exits the air goes out of the balloon.

The old iMac crashed a couple of days before New Year's Eve. I was without a computer for nearly three weeks. I took it to a local repair shop here in Skövde, Sweden to a guy named Josef Israel. His parents are both from Iraq even though he was born in Sweden. When I checked the computer in the technician told me it might take several days. I returned a few days later and the computer was still on the shelf where it was when I checked it in. Josef assured me that he would make a move on it. The next time I went back the computer was moved into the work area but Josef told me that all of his employees had called in sick and he was swamped. But he promised he wouldn't go home without a diagnosis.

After several more days I returned and there was a sign on the door saying..."Closed...shop discontinued". I was rather shocked and had a tough time getting Josef to respond to email, text message or phone calls. Finally he answered me with more promised of a fix but nothing. A couple of days ago he responded to my desperate messages with the news that the lawyers were in control of everything...he had gone bankrupt. The wife and I went out and bought the new iMac yesterday and today I got in touch with the lawyer in control of the bankruptcy. When we were just about ready to say goodbye Josef arrived at his office...he called me later to come and get my computer. I returned to town...I live way out in the sticks to pick it up. I arrived on the button at 3:30 but he called as said he would be a few minutes. After a half an hour I texted him and he said he was almost there.

I got my computer in the car. Another milestone in my three month odyssey. All kinds of road blocks and obstacles which I have successfully cleared with improving the current situation. What a trip! It's going to be boring if things return to normal. But it is going to be a new normal so it isn't going to be normal at all. The wife and I are thinking about how to adapt to this current situation. A move further north is on the table. Exciting stuff and I must say...I don't mind the fight at all.

All this dysfunction has made it interesting while waiting for this tournament to heat up. It is pretty hot down under there in Australia. The tournament itself is heating up as well. There is going to be some serious bang ball to play here in the next couple rounds. Roger has an excellent draw...the kind of draw that enables him to get hitting on all eight cylinders as he goes up a steady incline of the level of his opponents. Richard Gasquet is perfect fodder for the Swiss Maestro at this point in the tournament. A good solid player but not somebody that can hurt Federer if he is in good form...which he seems to be. He is 16-2 against Gasquet which should tell it all in this next match.

I still can't get over that loss to David Goffin in London late last year. Goffin is history as of losing to Julien Benneteau. There was something very fishy about that loss. Never in a million years will I understand that one. But here we go. Down Under. The scene of Roger's resurgence last year and the only question worth considering is can he do it again.

Interesting...three months and a whole new life. Even a move north is possible? Why move north? North means colder...in many countries. Anyway, when one door closes another one opens, as they say. My favourite movie line ever is: "Life's funnier than shit". Do you know which movie that line is from? It was a great movie. One of the best ever in my view.

I am rooting for Kyrgios. That is how desperate I am for change. I'm glad he beat Tsonga, because Tsonga, like all the other household top twenty names of the past 10 years, isn't going to spring any surprises or had a hope in hell of winning the tournament. Kyrgios, by contrast, is afraid of no one and could beat anyone, even Roger. There is excitement in that...suspense...a thrill in not knowing who will win if he plays Nadal, Roger or Novak. At least Kyrgios has that going for him.

Yes the Goffin match was the most inexplicable match in the history of tennis. I was as dumbfounded as you.

I am not keen on your computer man Josef. I dislike people who don't turn up on time or don't return calls or emails. Steer clear if he starts up another computer repair business. Find another repair man would be my advice.

The draw is good for everyone and not just Roger. That's because so few players are a threat. Djokovic has spent a year in the doldrums and had six months out injured yet is still in with a shout of lifting the trophy. That's where we are at right now...if you know what I mean.

[don_budge]

Glad you made it back. Perfect timing....Roger is just getting into his stride for you.

Not too much to see so far but give it time and a good match might turn up. In my experience they tend to happen in week two.

Good news about the iMac. A good computer which shouldn't let you down. I have one.

I watched bits and pieces of Nadal in each of his three matches. The pink...the sleeveless shirt. I like Nick Kyrgios more than I like this character. But he looks like he is a lock to the semifinals where hopefully Nick Kyrgios will be waiting for him. I think it's great that Kyle Edmund is through with a real chance to advance. Great for you Brits. Dominic Thiem should advance to a quarter final showdown with who? Djokovic or Zverev? Does Zverev get past Hyeon Chung who manhandled Daniil Medvedev who was looking pretty formidable.

The next quarter, opposite Roger Federer's quarter is looking pretty stacked...Benneteau, Fognini, Berdych and Del Potro. Berdych and Del Potro may be a surprise. But of course all eyes are on Roger Federer. He is the only watchable player in the draw for a match of any length. If he plays five sets against anyone you can stay glued to it. But the rest of them are just dreadfully boring. You know it, I know it and everyone knows it. Except for the dreadful Nick Kyrgios.

It is Federer that makes or breaks a tournament. As long as he remains in the draw it is exciting. Once he exits the air goes out of the balloon.

The old iMac crashed a couple of days before New Year's Eve. I was without a computer for nearly three weeks. I took it to a local repair shop here in Skövde, Sweden to a guy named Josef Israel. His parents are both from Iraq even though he was born in Sweden. When I checked the computer in the technician told me it might take several days. I returned a few days later and the computer was still on the shelf where it was when I checked it in. Josef assured me that he would make a move on it. The next time I went back the computer was moved into the work area but Josef told me that all of his employees had called in sick and he was swamped. But he promised he wouldn't go home without a diagnosis.

After several more days I returned and there was a sign on the door saying..."Closed...shop discontinued". I was rather shocked and had a tough time getting Josef to respond to email, text message or phone calls. Finally he answered me with more promised of a fix but nothing. A couple of days ago he responded to my desperate messages with the news that the lawyers were in control of everything...he had gone bankrupt. The wife and I went out and bought the new iMac yesterday and today I got in touch with the lawyer in control of the bankruptcy. When we were just about ready to say goodbye Josef arrived at his office...he called me later to come and get my computer. I returned to town...I live way out in the sticks to pick it up. I arrived on the button at 3:30 but he called as said he would be a few minutes. After a half an hour I texted him and he said he was almost there.

I got my computer in the car. Another milestone in my three month odyssey. All kinds of road blocks and obstacles which I have successfully cleared with improving the current situation. What a trip! It's going to be boring if things return to normal. But it is going to be a new normal so it isn't going to be normal at all. The wife and I are thinking about how to adapt to this current situation. A move further north is on the table. Exciting stuff and I must say...I don't mind the fight at all.

All this dysfunction has made it interesting while waiting for this tournament to heat up. It is pretty hot down under there in Australia. The tournament itself is heating up as well. There is going to be some serious bang ball to play here in the next couple rounds. Roger has an excellent draw...the kind of draw that enables him to get hitting on all eight cylinders as he goes up a steady incline of the level of his opponents. Richard Gasquet is perfect fodder for the Swiss Maestro at this point in the tournament. A good solid player but not somebody that can hurt Federer if he is in good form...which he seems to be. He is 16-2 against Gasquet which should tell it all in this next match.

I still can't get over that loss to David Goffin in London late last year. Goffin is history as of losing to Julien Benneteau. There was something very fishy about that loss. Never in a million years will I understand that one. But here we go. Down Under. The scene of Roger's resurgence last year and the only question worth considering is can he do it again.

[stotty]

I'm back. Brand new Apple iMac. More to come. Thanks stotty for stepping up. It's great to hear you guys...from you guys. Not having a computer for such a long time taught me something. Not having one is sort of an inconvenience and on the other hand it showed me how far we have fallen into the "virtual morality" paradigm of things.

What an odyssey it has become. The last three months...I quit my job. It is nice to come back with Roger in the driver's seat. It is his for the taking or for losing. Thanks again...stotty.

Glad you made it back. Perfect timing....Roger is just getting into his stride for you.

Not too much to see so far but give it time and a good match might turn up. In my experience they tend to happen in week two.

Good news about the iMac. A good computer which shouldn't let you down. I have one.

[don_budge]

Australian Open 2018

don_budge is experiencing computer failure so I am doing the honours with the Australian Open. He hopes to be with us again soon.

It's Roger's for the taking....

The draw: https://ausopen.com/sites/default/fi...15_MS_draw.pdf

I'm back. Brand new Apple iMac. More to come. Thanks stotty for stepping up. It's great to hear you guys...from you guys. Not having a computer for such a long time taught me something. Not having one is sort of an inconvenience and on the other hand it showed me how far we have fallen into the "virtual morality" paradigm of things.

What an odyssey it has become. The last three months...I quit my job. It is nice to come back with Roger in the driver's seat. It is his for the taking or for losing. Thanks again...stotty.

[stotty]

Regards Nick "The Jerk" Kyrgios...he has a great draw should he decide to make the effort. I could see projecting him out to the semifinals if I am reading the draw correctly in my phone. The big question mark about "The Jerk" is of course between the ears. Does he have the patience?

Kyrgios, with that game and that unprecedented(to me) level of annoying cockiness, is certainly unique. He is the first guy to me with that kind of serve(Tanner/Ivanisevic type level) that also has top tier ground strokes and top tier movement. And very good hands thrown in for good measure.

I think Kyrgios is the real deal if he gets his head right. I know we don't like him much but he has an entertaining quality about him. What I like most about Kyrgios is he is not afraid. He likes a big match and is likely to put on a show when a big match comes his way. He has a self-destructive side to him but it is not as extreme as Jerzy Janowicz's self-destruct button. Talented players who are unpredictable and can implode are sometimes the best players to watch.

I don't like the kid but at the same time I am hoping he won't screw up.

[klacr]

Novak, Roger and Tomas all won.
Berdych played a motivated young Aussie who had the best two weeks of his young career in Brisbane and Sydney. Won in four sets. won 12 of the last 13 games. Dare I say he looked like the Berdych of 2010 Wimbledon. He also won the Melbourne Tiebreak tens Exo prior to Aussie Open. Just an exhibition where he beat Kyrgios, Raonic and Nadal. I know it doesn't count in rankings or points, but a win is a win and a confident Berdych is a dangerous Berdych.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[klacr]

John McEnroe had some very scathing remarks about American tennis and tennis in general for that matter. All tongue in cheek but spot on nevertheless.

Good for him. He should. Is it ever truly tongue in cheek with him? There is always some truth.

Kyle LaCroix

[klacr]

The service motion is not the only change Djokovic has made. He is wearing ASIC shoes and Lacoste clothing. Big bucks to switch no doubt.

he just announced the ASICS deal before the aussie open. Lacoste he wore last year as well. He went with ASICS as Adidas was not keen on him wearing only their shoes. They want him in whole outfit. But yeah, big money.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

[don_budge]

DId not hear it but spot on. Jack Sock has way too much game to go out in 1st round. Coco Vandeweghe came off particularly badly with her full on bad attitude temper tantrum during her 1st round loss. Props to the umpire though in that match. But she was still outdone by Bernard Tomic's post match interview after his final round qualifiers loss. As someone said, what an arrogant tool.

On EuroSport Johnny has a gig as the "Self Appointed Commissioner of Tennis". He made a remark about the deep hole American tennis had dug for itself. He claimed to know the way forwards. He had some caustic remarks for Billie Jean King who is apparently on the scene campaigning to change the name of Margaret Court court. More war...on the family.

[don_budge]

The service motion is not the only change Djokovic has made. He is wearing ASIC shoes and Lacoste clothing. Big bucks to switch no doubt.

[stroke]

John McEnroe had some very scathing remarks about American tennis and tennis in general for that matter. All tongue in cheek but spot on nevertheless.

DId not hear it but spot on. Jack Sock has way too much game to go out in 1st round. Coco Vandeweghe came off particularly badly with her full on bad attitude temper tantrum during her 1st round loss. Props to the umpire though in that match. But she was still outdone by Bernard Tomic's post match interview after his final round qualifiers loss. As someone said, what an arrogant tool.

[don_budge]

Let the tourney begin.
Horrible showing by the Americans thus far. But I'm not surprised.

Kyrgios when motivated seems like he could beat anyone.

Kyle LaCroix USPTA
Boca Raton

John McEnroe had some very scathing remarks about American tennis and tennis in general for that matter. All tongue in cheek but spot on nevertheless.