The 2006 U.S. Open Tennis

[VAN HLN CA]

Hope he pulls a run.

He was the tennis DLR, the smile, look and attitude.

Tennis is kinda boring now but he made it fun back in his long hair day.

[Jérôme Frenchise]

I totally agree! There used to be some DLR in him, at the start of his career.

http://sports.orange.fr/fr/images/200635/agassi_usopen06_re.jpg

Hey, he's 36, I'd dig it so much if he could show that you aren't an old fart yet at that age once again. :cool:

Allez Andre! :D

[Jérôme Frenchise]

It will be a tough match for "Dede" today... His opponent, Bagdatis, from Cyprus, is number 8, and he reached the final at the Aussie Open last January and the semi-finals during last Wimbledon... Yikes! :cool:

Hey! Boris Becker, yes, Bor-is Bec-ker, is leading 7/6, 6/1, 4/2 vs Grosjean (number 30)!!
OK, it's only a Frenchie, but Boris will be 39 next November, and he stopped playing for 5 or 6 years...
Amazing, isn't it? :)

That's it! 7/6, 6/1, 6/2: Becker is through to the 3rd round. Kickass! :)

Fucking damn! I'd been following that match by the score, without seeing the game,
and the name being "B. Becker", well... I was fooled like a beginner!
:o

[POJO_Risin]

Wait a second...did you fucking say Boris Becker?????

how the fuck did Boris Becker draw fucking 30 in the second round...and agassi draw 8...

sounds pretty fucked up...

[POJO_Risin]

As far as Agassi goes...

fuck it...as far as I go...he played his last great matches last year in the OPEN...

now it's icing for the greatest all around player of m-m-m-m...my generation...

funny thing...is if he had his work ethic when he was younger...he'd have decimated Sampras' #'s...

but...wouldn't be the Agassi we know today...

8 slams...career granny...

like I said...everything else?

icing...

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
Wait a second...did you fucking say Boris Becker?????

how the fuck did Boris Becker draw fucking 30 in the second round...and agassi draw 8...

sounds pretty fucked up...

Er... I got fooled by the name on the screen, "B. Becker": in fact it was someone else, Benjamin Becker. Ahem! :o

:D

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
As far as Agassi goes...

fuck it...as far as I go...he played his last great matches last year in the OPEN...

now it's icing for the greatest all around player of m-m-m-m...my generation...

6/4, 6/4, 3/6, 5/7, 7/5: Andre got through! He isn't frozen yet! :)
What a wizard, till his very last tournament, 20 years after starting his career in 1986 at the age of 16, he's still there on the Grand Stand, and still able to give nightmares to top ten youngsters. He he. :cool:


Originally posted by POJO_Risin
funny thing...is if he had his work ethic when he was younger...he'd have decimated Sampras' #'s...

but...wouldn't be the Agassi we know today...

8 slams...career granny...

like I said...everything else?

icing...

22 Grand Slam titles in total for Pete and Andre.
I agree that the score would be much tighter, had Agassi been more rigorous before 1994.

BTW, you've probably learnt about Jimbo becoming Roddick's coach. Kickass, isn't it?
At least, as I read in a recent interview, Andy has a great attitude to this new start in his career, highly enthusiastic and righteously respectuous about Connors. He might be a great guy, finally.
I changed my mind a while ago about Roddick, who I thought was a bit silly, but he was only very young with an explosive temper.

[POJO_Risin]

We shall see...it's early yet...Roddick certainly looks better...but it's early in their relationship...

We'll see what happens if Roddick doesn't win...or get close to winning...

[POJO_Risin]

Blake's homage...okayed by Andre...to Agassi today...

http://images.sportsline.com/u/ap/photos/XNYF205090119_lower.jpg

[POJO_Risin]

I gotta tell you...watching Andre last night...in particular...the first 2 sets...

just fucking controlled the match...with some brilliant fucking shots...

and the best part...to watch him outplay a guy 15 years younger in the fifth set...

amazing...

would love to see him beat Becker...and have that match up with Pong-Boy...

and blow him out of the water...and make it to the fucking quarters...

that...

would be huge...

[POJO_Risin]

Potentially...Becker (Ben), then Roddick, then Hewitt in the quarters, and Nadal in the Semis...and of course...perhaps Federer in the finals...

so...the 8, 9, 10, 2 and 1 seed to win...

although...in a best of all worlds...Blake upsets Federer and plays Agassi in the finals...

a pipe dream, I know...but an incredible boost for American tennis for sure...

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Now there's no other player I can support more than Roddick, I mean I was so mad for Jimmy back from the early eighties to his last Flushing magic trick in 1991: knowing that he stepped back into the circuit for a particular player sounds exciting.

Blake is an amazing fighter, and stands out in the dullness of today's tennis.
Agassi-Blake in the final would make it like no other match, but indeed I'm afraid it's most unlikely to occur.

I'd dig it if Roddick kicked out the worst two pricks, Hewitt and Nadal. It would serve the latter, above all, to get his ass kicked out in straight sets.

American tennis has been better, of course. Behind Blake and Roddick, there's Marty (or "Mardy"?) Fish who has had good results for a couple of years, but I think Andy is the only Yankee player who can still state everybody's case in this tournament, despite the strong opposition that you underlined in his way to the final.

The quarterfinals should be something to see this year, as several top or ex-top players seem to be in great shape, while the two top seeds aren't playing at their best.

[POJO_Risin]

Don't get me wrong...I like Roddick...

but the dream can happen...although...

if there's more rain...there will be to many back to back days...

they are replaying the Baghdatis/Agassi match again...and there is the 36 year old Agassi is hitting bombs...and Baghdatis is limping around like a a 60 year old...

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Yeah, seeing Andre still whacking youngsters like that feels great... But to think that he's the only one his age still standing on the Decoturf to do so...

Matches taking place one after another because of the rain should favor server-volleyers, like Roddick. Or Federer, yes. But honestly I wouldn't give a chance to the other three if Roddick reaches the semis.

[Eyes of the Night]

Grate match last night ...

[POJO_Risin]

and to think that Connors made a run 3 years past Andre's age...

[Jérôme Frenchise]

In 1988, we had an exceptional final in Toulouse (south of France), in an average prized ATP tournament: Connors-McEnroe! My two fave players, aged 36 and 29, and of course no preference for me as far as who would win. It happened that Jimmy did, but what a splendid match they offered, what a load of "caviar" shots!

Sorry, I can't resist, as my mind is still stuck in the late 70s/early 80s tennis...
Just watch Jimmy in the locker room, and the way he entered the Centre Court (1977 Wimbledon final).
Then, don't miss the point he won at 4'20'' and the hip shakes he starts doing just after...
I mean, OK, today's tennis is faster (thanks to balls, rackets, and er, well, certain substances too, I'm afraid), but what can compete against Connors at his best playing either Borg or McEnroe?
In his book, released in 1980, Borg told about his second win at Wimbledon in 77, in 5 sets vs Connors, saying that he started thinking about holding the cup when he was leading 4/0 in the final set; then Jimmy began breaking on the court like a raging bull to set the score to 4 all... And Bjorn confessed that when the score shifted to 4/4, he suddenly felt like crying like a little boy! :D

So, this is Jimbo at his best, having a legendary fight with Borg. Good ole rock 'n' roll tennis here. Sorry again, can't help it! :)

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[POJO_Risin]

and the great thing about Connors is that he never went away...for 20 years...

Connors and McEnroe are a lot of the reason a lot of people play and watch...

and I agree...

I would love to see the rackets get covered...

Remember when Borg came back playing with a wooden, hybrid racket?

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
and the great thing about Connors is that he never went away...for 20 years...

Connors and McEnroe are a lot of the reason a lot of people play and watch...

and I agree...

I would love to see the rackets get covered...

Remember when Borg came back playing with a wooden, hybrid racket?

How I remember... :(

He played in Nice and Monte Carlo in 1991, at nearly 35. He who would never sweat the slightest drop back in the day got completely wet, and he even dropped his racket right after a serve - the racket fell halfway before the net... The legend suffered a lot when he came back.
I don't think that any male player ever succeeded to come back.
Women do it - Aussie Evonne Goolagong after bearing a child stopped for one year before winning Wimbledon again in 1980, 9 years after her previous win.
Monica Seles managed to come back after her stabbing, though she never reached the same level.
More recently, Martina Hingis went up to world number 12 or so, starting with no ranking in January (but she's regularly been dominated by top ten players ever since).

Connors was a phenomenon among a few exceptional players. His game required much physical involvement, but until the end he kept playing the same aggressive, brilliant game.

In addition, it often was a real show in between points as well. :)

[POJO_Risin]

Well...this could be it...

Becker serving for the match...

good rally for the first point...

Agassi into the net...

15-0...

[POJO_Risin]

40-0...

Ace...

Benjamin Becker beats Andre....

damn...

Benjamin Becker...fuck him...

I hope he gets crotch rot...

Agassi is crying...

he can barely fucking walk...

damn...time fucking flies...

[POJO_Risin]

Agassi is just bawling...wow...

[POJO_Risin]

been like a 5 minute standing ovation...

[POJO_Risin]

Becker talking about how Agassi was his idol growing up...

Agassi struggling to keep it together...

isn't Graf German?

Agassi coming out for an interview...he grabs the mic from Mary Joe Fernandez...who is fucking hot as hell by the way...

[POJO_Risin]

"The scoreboard says I lost today, but what the scoreboard doesn't say is what I've found..."

"You have given me your shoulders to stand on to reach my dreams...."

Damn...

that was a great speech...

wow...

he cried the whole time he said it...

and the last time he walks off a court as a pro...

Great moment in sports...

[POJO_Risin]

Wow...that was a great speech...

I remember my freshman year in college...I met Agassi at a match with McEnroe....not a tourney...but one of those one night deals...

and he was mimicking McEnroe the whole night...funny shit...

seems like fucking yesterday...lmfao...

[POJO_Risin]

Pat McEnroe...

didn't he lost to Connors during that last run in a five-setter?

christ...Pat has Connors to thank for his current job...

[POJO_Risin]

It's good to see Connors...lmfao...it looks like he wants to leap out of his seat after every shot...

[POJO_Risin]

Roddick up 4-2 in the fifth...just broke...and really is playing some inspired tennis...

and as I said before...Connors is fun to watch on the sidelines...

but I have to say...

there's a lot of discussion about how all this is Connors doing...his good play that is...

that won't last long...

[Jérôme Frenchise]

I'd rather not have seen Andre's match, because I would have cried like a kid too.
20 years... Twenty years of rock 'n' roll tennis, taking the ball before the top of the rebound preferrably, just as Connors and McEnroe did but Agassi did it with faster balls and faster rackets.
He'll remain in memories as the only champion in the post-69 era to have won the 4 Slam tournaments, on 4 different surfaces, and as a very damn cool dude, one of the very rare with a real personality.

A few years ago, in 1999 or 2000 or so, when asked which player's game had most impressed him, Yannick Noah said "Andre Agassi", for hitting the ball so early and so hard, with so much constance. And Yannick saw many guys come and go, and a few big champions...

There will never be another one... like him.

[The_KiD]

Andre really was a true champion. I actually attended the Bollettieri Acadamy the same time as Andre. (I was in the group classes though as Andre had private instruction)

I will never forget the first time I saw him play. He was all of 16 years old with long hair and could hit the ball harder and with more spin than anyone had a right to. It was nothing short of inspiring as he possesed natural ability and was hungry to go places even at an early age.

I have always been a fan of his and he did great things for American Tennis. Time sure goes by fast..

Damn I feel old.

KiD

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Originally posted by The_KiD
Andre really was a true champion. I actually attended the Bollettieri Acadamy the same time as Andre. (I was in the group classes though as Andre had private instruction)

I will never forget the first time I saw him play. He was all of 16 years old with long hair and could hit the ball harder and with more spin than anyone had a right to. It was nothing short of inspiring as he possesed natural ability and was hungry to go places even at an early age.

How cool! No wonder why you felt concerned with Andre's career... :cool:


Originally posted by The_KiD
I have always been a fan of his and he did great things for American Tennis. Time sure goes by fast..

Damn I feel old.

KiD

I understand.

But Andre did just as much for tennis in general as he did for American tennis IMO.

He stands right up there on the Everest of tennis, with Laver, Rosewall, Nastase, Connors, Borg, McEnroe and Sampras.
I rank him ahead of Becker and Edberg, and even Federer, who really is too dull on court.

And yes, being born in 1970 too surely makes it harder to swallow that he quits (and having trained at Bollettieri's at the same time 20 years ago, well... :)).
Very, very few great, great players have ever given tennis as much as he did - they are two of a kind with Connors. Rosewall had a very long career too, but there wasn't the same opposition in his time.

Farewell, Andre, and thank you for so many awesome moments. Thumbs up! :)

[Jérôme Frenchise]

So now it's Roddick vs Federer in the final.
It's great for this sport that Andy's back and kicking other players's butts.
It was kickass too that the Spaniard was clearly dominated in the 1/4 finals. Serves him right.
I'd really like Roddick to win this year, world tennis needs refreshing.

Sharapova, who's taller than Henin by a head, is back on top as well (she even gave Mauresmo two "bubbles" - 6/0, 4/6, 6/0 - in the semis); ladies' singles still aren't really interesting though, the spices are still missing.

I wish I knew what Chrissie asked Jimbo, so that his reply had everybody laughing, including the Mac!

http://seattlepi.nwsource.com/dayart/aponline/9425.959US-OPEN-TENNIS.sff.jpg

[The_KiD]

Federer is going to mop the court with Rodick in the finals.. I wish an American like Rodick would win but I just don't think he has what it takes to beat Federer this year..

KiD

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Originally posted by The_KiD
Federer is going to mop the court with Rodick in the finals.. I wish an American like Rodick would win but I just don't think he has what it takes to beat Federer this year..

KiD

I agree that Roddick should logically lose tonight, but he'll be playing "at home", with the crowd's support and Jimmy's coaching... Not to mention how hungry he must be after his successive injuries over the last couple of years.
OK, technically he mostly has to rely on his serve and forehand... But he's got real chances IMO.
:cool:

[The_KiD]

Originally posted by Jérôme Frenchise
I agree that Roddick should logically lose tonight, but he'll be playing "at home", with the crowd's support and Jimmy's coaching... Not to mention how hungry he must be after his successive injuries over the last couple of years.
OK, technically he mostly has to rely on his serve and forehand... But he's got real chances IMO.
:cool:

I really hope so... I would love to see a good final match this year..

Cheers,

KiD

[POJO_Risin]

If Roddick wins...a monumental upset.

Roddick can't match ground strokes...will get beat up if he serves and volleys...unless he starts following up his cannon forehand...

and really has to have a high % service match to win...

should be interesting...

fucking Federer is the most fucking conceited cunt on the planet...watching him lose would be tremendous...

[Jérôme Frenchise]

Roddick 2 6 5 0
Federer 6 4 7 2

Andy is obviously working hard to keep in touch while Federer looks very easy.
Roddick won't leave his baseline, he's bound to lose the match playing that way. His footwork doesn't really look great in addition.
I'm afraid it won't be long till the end of this match. I hope I'm wrong, though.

[POJO_Risin]

Jesus...I turned the channel...and come back...

and Roddick was down 0-5...

in the fourth...

now down 1-5...

Federer up 30-15...

[POJO_Risin]

And that's that...

a for fuck sake...

the fall on the court bullshit...

give me a break...

I hate him...and there's fucking Tiger Woods...in Federer's box...

figures...

fuck them both...

[rustoffa]

First question to Federer in post-match interview regarding Woods? Absolutely sickening.

Nike ante'd up bigtime for that.

[Va Beach VH Fan]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
And that's that...

a for fuck sake...

the fall on the court bullshit...

give me a break...

I hate him...and there's fucking Tiger Woods...in Federer's box...

figures...

fuck them both...

Geez Poj, you act like Jeff Gordon is in his box too.... ;)

[POJO_Risin]

No...Gordon's on his own plane of suckitude...but every year he is removed from winning the cup...I care much...much less..lmfao...

of course...he'll be whining about something soon...

[POJO_Risin]

I'm glad that Martin got in...would like to see him do well...

[Little Texan]

Originally posted by POJO_Risin
I'm glad that Martin got in...would like to see him do well...

Yeah, he's gotta be hard up for a Nextel Cup championship! :D Wait...is he even still driving the Viagra car? He's some stiff competition when he's driving that Viagra car!